"Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control,
These three alone lead life to sovereign power."--Tennyson
1. WORDS OF THE GREAT TEACHER.--Mark the words of the Great Teacher:
"If thy right hand or foot cause thee to fall, cut it off and cast it
from thee. If thy right eye cause thee to fall, pluck it out. It is
better for thee to enter into life maimed and halt, than having two
eyes to be cast into hell-fire, where the worm dieth not, and the fire
is not quenched."
2. A MELANCHOLY FACT.--It is a melancholy fact in human experience,
that the noblest gifts which men possess are constantly prostituted
to other purposes than those for which they are designed. The most
valuable and useful organs of the body are those which are capable
of the greatest dishonor, abuse, and corruption. What a snare the
wonderful organism of the eye may become, when used to read corrupt
books, or to look upon licentious pictures, or vulgar theater scenes,
or when used to meet the fascinating gaze of the harlot! What an
instrument for depraving the whole man may be found in the matchless
powers of the brain, the hand, the mouth, or the tongue! What potent
instruments may these become in accomplishing the ruin of the whole
being, for time and eternity!
3. Abstinence.--Some can testify with thankfulness that they never
knew the sins of gambling, drunkenness, fornication, or adultery. In
all these cases abstinence has been, and continues to be, liberty.
Restraint is the noblest freedom. No man can affirm that self-denial
ever injured him; on the contrary, self-restraint has been liberty,
strength and blessing. Solemnly ask young men to remember this when
temptation and passion strive as a floodtide to move them from the
anchorage and peace of self-restraint. Beware of the deceitful stream
of temporary gratification, whose eddying current drifts towards
license, shame, disease and death. Remember how quickly moral power
declines, how rapidly the edge of the fatal maelstrom is reached, how
near the vortex, how terrible the penalty, how fearful the sentence of
everlasting punishment!
4. FRANK DISCUSSION.--The time has arrived for a full and frank
discussion of those things which affect the personal purity. Thousands
are suffering to-day from various weaknesses, the causes of which they
have never learned. Manly vigor is not increasing with that rapidity
which a Christian age demands. Means of dissipation are on the
increase. It is high time, therefore, that every lover of the
race should call a halt, and inquire into the condition of things.
Excessive modesty on this subject is not virtue. Timidity in
presenting unpleasant but important truths has permitted untold damage
in every age.
5. MAN IS A CARELESS BEING.--He is very much inclined to sinful
things. He more often does that which is wrong than that which is
right, because it is easier, and, for the moment, perhaps, more
satisfying to the flesh. The Creator is often blamed for man's
weaknesses and inconsistencies. This is wrong. God did not intend that
we should be mere machines, but free moral agents. We are privileged
to choose between good and evil. Hence, if we perseveringly choose
the latter, and make a miserable failure of life, we should blame only
ourselves.
6. THE PULPIT.--Would that every pulpit in the land might join hands
with the medical profession and cry out with no uncertain sound
against the mighty evils herein stigmatized! It would work a
revolution for which coming society could never cease to be grateful.
7. STRIVE TO ATTAIN A HIGHER LIFE.--Strive to attain unto a higher
and better life. Beware of all excesses, of whatever nature, and guard
your personal purity with sacred determination. Let every aspiration
be upward, and be strong in every good, resolution. Seek the light,
for in light there is life, while in darkness there is decay and
death.
[Illustration: THE FIRST LOVE LETTER.]
[Illustration]
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