110
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene
by base passion. The word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most
beclouded mind, and it can be understood by those who have any wish
to understand it. But in order to give men and women every possible
warning, God has sent plain, direct testimonies, pointing them to the
word they have neglected to follow. Yet the light is often rejected.
Those who serve their own lusts, continue to take pleasure in unrigh-
teousness, notwithstanding the vengeance threatened against those
who do such things.
Some will acknowledge the evil of sinful indulgence, yet will
excuse themselves by saying that they cannot overcome their passions.
This is a terrible admission for a Christian to make. “Let every one that
nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” [
2 Timothy 2:19
.]
Why is this weakness?—It is because men and women have so long
pampered their depraved appetites that they have no power of self-
government;—because the lower passions of their nature have taken
the reins, and high moral principle, which should be the governing
power, is gone. Sensuality has quenched the desire for holiness, and
has withered spirituality. The soul is held in lowest bondage.
The sacred covenant of marriage is often made to cover sins of
the darkest hue. Men and women professing godliness give way to
corrupt passions, and thus place themselves on a level with the brute
creation. The powers which God has given them to be preserved in
sanctification and honor, they abuse, yet think they commit no evil.
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Health and life are sacrificed upon the altar of lust. The higher, nobler
powers are brought into subjection to the sensual nature. Those who
thus sin may not foresee the result of their course. Could they realize
the amount of suffering which they are bringing upon themselves and
their children, they would be alarmed, and some, at least, would shun
a course which brings such dreadful results. So miserable an existence
is entailed upon a large class that death would be to them preferable to
life; and many do die prematurely, their lives ingloriously sacrificed to
the basest passions.
By such misuse of the marriage relation, the animal passions are
strengthened; and as these grow stronger the moral and intellectual
faculties become weaker. The spiritual is overborne by the sensual.
The character thus acquired by the parents is transmitted to the chil-
dren, and they come into the world with their moral powers weakened
and the lower passions predominant. The gross passions of the parents