FFQF: John Adams on Motherhood
The theme for this month is THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTHERHOOD, and specifically the importance of motherhood to free society in general, and of virtue and morals in particular. In an age and culture where post-modernism reigns and is accompanied by multiple cultural ills, we are constantly organizing our efforts to reclaim our culture, and restore biblical standards.
Many times, we forget that it was small things that started us downhill, and that the process of restoration must also begin with little things.
Any and all methods of trying to “fix it quick” through legislation, voting, or other measures, will be of little value if we do not first stir up virtue in ourselves, in our homes, our churches, and communities. The problem began small. It must be solved through a gradual process of working from the small things to the big things.
As we have seen over the last several months in examining the Founders’ writings, liberty is incompatible with licentiousness. We cannot maintain a free society (or more accurately, we cannot return to freedom) if we do not return to God’s standard of righteousness.
Perhaps nothing could illustrate this truth more graphically during the Founding Era, than the two revolutions of the 18th century: first that of America, then that of France. Both had radically different characteristics and outcomes. John Adams‘ diary, which he kept while serving as a diplomat in France (during the American Revolution), gives us the uncomfortable reason why the French Revolution was more atrocious and horrid than the American Revolution, and why it was unsuccessful at achieving liberty: the morals of the French people were debauched, especially of the women, which John Adams was surprised to see. He said that the flagrant profligacy he had witnessed had brought him to the point where “instead of wondering that the licentiousness of women was so common and so public in France, I was astonished that there should be any modesty or purity remaining in the kingdom, as there certainly was, though it was rare.“
He then continued:
Could there be any morality left among such a people, where such examples were set up to the view of the whole nation? Yes. There was a sort of morality. There was a great deal of humanity, and what appeared to me real benevolence. Even their politeness was benevolence. There was a great deal of charity and tenderness for the poor. There were many other qualities that I could not distinguish from virtues.
In many respects, the culture of France then resembled what our modern western culture is now, but in other respects, it puts us to shame. While it emphasizes compassion and charity to the poor, we do not see too many examples of purity and morality lifted up in full view of the nation. Our celebrities are those of whom our land should be the most ashamed, and our politicians and public officials are often not much better. At least some of the female royalty, as Adams went on to relate, had some semblance of purity.
Adams went on the make the following profound observation in his diary:
From all that I had read of history and government, of human life and manners, I had drawn this conclusion, that the manners of women were the most infallible barometer to ascertain the degree of morality and virtue in a nation. All that I have since read, and all the observations I have made in different nations, have confirmed me in this opinion. The manners of women are the surest criterion by which to determine whether a republican government is practicable in a nation or not. The Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Dutch, all lost their public spirit, their republican principles and habits, and their republican forms of government, when they lost the modesty and domestic virtue of their women.What havoc, I said to myself, would these manners make in America! …
The foundations of national morality must be laid in private families. In vain are schools, academies, and universities, instituted, if loose principles and licentious habits are impressed upon children in their earliest years. The mothers are the earliest and most important instructors of youth. The vices and examples of the parents cannot be concealed from the children. How is it possible that children can have any just sense of the sacred obligations of morality or religion, if, from their earliest infancy, they learn that their mothers live in habitual infidelity to their fathers, and their fathers in as constant infidelity to their mothers?
Works of John Adams, volume 3, pages 170-171; Diary entry, May 30th, 1778 (Saturday).
3 Responses to “FFQF: John Adams on Motherhood”
November 7th, 2008 at 10:37 am
As I was mulling this over, my first thought was, “yeah, but.” Aren’t the husbands supposed to be the head of the house? Aren’t they supposed to be the leaders? Don’t the major ills of society rest on their war-making, revengeful actions?
And then I thought of Abigail, falling to the ground and beseeching David not to shed blood without cause (1 Samuel 25) and his response to her impassioned pleadings:
Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me, and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand.” (verses 32-33)
And then another passage popped into my head:
“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.” (1 Peter 3:1-2)
Revelation this morning, Herky: Wives help their husbands by being a respectful, restraining influence.
Thank you.
My post is up: http://akagaga.blogspot.com/2008/11/ffqf-john-adams.html
November 7th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Thanks for this thoughtful post. It reminded me of this article:
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/article.cfm?eid=709137F2-DA0D-1F10-0168C9EBB48CF257
and this quote from it:
I am blessed to have had parents who did look ahead. Half a century ago, my father said often: “If I fail to feed my children, the government will step in. If I don’t house them, the government has programs to help. Of course, I don’t intend to turn those duties over to the government. But I would much rather have the government feed and house my children than to have the government shape their minds.”
The article doesn’t mention mothers, but in all practicality, we are talking about mothers teaching children, which brings us back to your post.
Here is mine:
http://sophronismos.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/founding-fathers-quote-friday-motherhood/
November 8th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Hello all. Thanks for taking the time to put up your posts and include them. I know this month’s theme will probably be a bit tougher, because it’s a narrow subject. If it should become too difficult, please know that you are not obligated to write a post on Friday, though I would appreciate it if you kept reading mine, and leaving your thoughts.
Jean — you’re right, husbands and fathers do have authority in the family unit, and therefore bear much responsibility for the state of our society and nation today. Their role is no less significant than that of the mother in this respect. And to let you in on next month’s theme, the importance of fatherhood — a responsibility which the Founders took seriously — will be discussed. Perhaps quotes on that subject will be easier to find!
The reason am covering motherhood first, is simply because of Adams’ statement, which makes sense to me, in light of the Scriptures (including those which you cited) and in light of history. Women have an incredible impact on their husbands and children. Their attitudes and conduct can ultimately determine the course of history. One of the reasons that our Founders were such great men, and could do the things they did, or had such great wisdom, is because they had such godly and industrious women standing behind them. Some of them have come to the surface, because many of their writings have survived — like Abigail Adams, or Mercy Otis Warren. Others performed incredible roles, but their parts are not as well-known, because they willingly and successfully faded into silence — like Eliza Hamilton or Martha Washington. But, that’s another post in of itself.
Stay tuned on my Hammy blog; that subject will be covered as we discuss the faith of his wife.
Dave, interesting quote. Thanks for sharing. And thanks for your post!
Off I go to check your links!
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