6
A Solemn Appeal
Attachments formed in childhood have often resulted in a very
wretched union, or in a disgraceful separation. Early connections, if
formed without the consent of parents, have seldom proved happy.
The young affections should be restrained until the period arrives
when sufficient age and experience will make it honorable and safe to
unfetter them. Those who will not be restrained, will be in danger of
dragging out an unhappy existence. A youth not out of his teens is a
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poor judge of the fitness of a person, as young as himself, to be his
companion for life. After their judgment has become more matured,
they view themselves bound for life to each other, and perhaps not at
all calculated to make each other happy. Then, instead of making the
best of their lot, recriminations take place, the breach widens, until
there is settled indifference and neglect of each other. To them there is
nothing sacred in the word home. The very atmosphere is poisoned by
unloving words and bitter reproaches. The offspring of such are placed
in a much more unfavorable condition than were their parents. With
such surroundings, such examples, what could be expected of them
if time should continue? Mothers, the great cause of these physical,
mental, and moral evils, is secret vice, which inflames the passions,
fevers the imagination, and leads to fornication and adultery. This vice
is laying waste the constitution of very many, and preparing them for
diseases of almost every description. And shall we permit our children
to pursue a course of self-destruction?
Mothers, view your children from a religious standpoint. It gives
you pain to see your children feeble in body and mind; but does it not
cause you still greater grief to see them almost dead to spiritual things,
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so that they have but little desire for goodness, beauty of character, and
holy purposes? Secret vice is the destroyer of high resolve, earnest
endeavor, and strength of will to form a good religious character. All
who have any true sense of what is embraced in being a Christian,
know that the followers of Christ are under obligation as his disciples,
to bring all their passions, their physical powers and mental faculties,
into perfect subordination to his will. Those who are controlled by their
passions cannot be followers of Christ. They are too much devoted to
the service of their master, the originator of every evil, to leave their
corrupt habits, and choose the service of Christ.
Godly mothers will inquire, with the deepest concern, Will our
children continue to practice habits which will unfit them for any