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Sensuality in the Young
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corrupting influence. Novels are eagerly perused by many, and,
as the result, their imagination becomes defiled. In the cars, pho-
tographs of females in a state of nudity are frequently circulated for
sale. These disgusting pictures are also found in daguerrean saloons,
and are hung upon the walls of those who deal in engravings. This is
an age when corruption is teeming everywhere. The lust of the eye
and corrupt passions are aroused by beholding and by reading. The
heart is corrupted through the imagination. The mind takes pleasure
in contemplating scenes which awaken the lower and baser passions.
These vile images, seen through defiled imagination, corrupt the
morals and prepare the deluded, infatuated beings to give loose rein
to lustful passions. Then follow sins and crimes which drag beings
formed in the image of God down to a level with the beasts, sinking
them at last in perdition. Avoid reading and seeing things which
will suggest impure thoughts. Cultivate the moral and intellectual
powers. Let not these noble powers become enfeebled and perverted
by much reading of even storybooks. I know of strong minds that
have been unbalanced and partially benumbed, or paralyzed, by
intemperance in reading.
I appeal to parents to control the reading of their children. Much
reading does them only harm. Especially do not permit upon your
tables the magazines and newspapers wherein are found love stories.
It is impossible for the youth to possess a healthy tone of mind and
correct religious principles unless they enjoy the perusal of the word
of God. This book contains the most interesting history, points out
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the way of salvation through Christ, and is their guide to a higher and
better life. They would all pronounce it the most interesting book
they ever perused, if their imagination had not become perverted by
exciting stories of a fictitious character. You who are looking for
your Lord to come the second time to change your mortal bodies,
and to fashion them like unto His most glorious body, must come
up upon a higher plane of action. You must work from a higher
standpoint than you have hitherto done, or you will not be of that
number who will receive the finishing touch of immortality.
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