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Sensuality in the Young
357
the muscles are flabby; the eyes become small, and appear at times
swollen; the memory is treacherous, and becomes sievelike; and
inability to concentrate the thoughts upon study increases.
To the parents of these children I would say: You have brought
children into the world to be only a curse to society. They are unruly,
passionate, quarrelsome, and vicious. Their influence upon others
is corrupting. They bear the stamp of the father’s character, of his
base passions. His hasty, violent temper is reflected in them. These
parents should long ago have removed to the country, thus separating
themselves and children from the society of those whom they could
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not benefit, but would only harm. Steady industry upon a farm would
have proved a blessing to these children, and constant employment,
as their strength could bear, would have given them less opportunity
to corrupt their own bodies by self-abuse, and would have prevented
them from instructing a large number in this hellish practice. Labor
is a great blessing to all children, especially to that class whose
minds are naturally inclined to vice and depravity.
These children have communicated more knowledge of vice
in-----than all the united efforts of ministers and people professing
godliness can counteract. Many who have learned of your children
will go to perdition rather than control their passions and cease the
indulgence of this sin. One corrupt mind can sow more evil seed in a
short period of time than many can root out in a whole lifetime. Your
children are a byword in the mouths of blasphemers of the truth.
These are the children of Sabbathkeepers, but they are worse than
the children of worldlings in general. They possess less refinement,
less self-respect. Brother F has been no honor to the cause of God.
His impetuous temper and general influence have not had a tendency
to elevate, but to bring down to a low level. The cause of God has
been brought into disrepute by his lack of judgment and refinement.
It would have been far better for the cause of truth had this family
removed long ago to a less important post, where they would have
been more secluded and their influence less felt. Their children
have lived in the light of truth and have had privileges that but few
children have had; yet all this time they have not been benefited,
but have been growing more and more hardened in depravity. Their
removal would be a blessing to the church and to society, and to the
entire family. Steady employment upon land would be a blessing to