Sentimentalism
65
reading, low books, and love-stories, excite the imagination, and just
suit their depraved minds. They do not love work. They complain of
fatigue when engaged in labor. Their backs ache. Their heads ache. Is
there not sufficient cause? Are they fatigued because of their labor?
No. Yet their parents indulge them in their complaints, and release
them from labor and responsibility. This is the very worst thing they
can do for them. They are removing almost the only barrier to Satan’s
having free access to their weakened minds. Useful labor would be a
safeguard in some measure from his decided control of them.
The corrupting doctrine which has prevailed, that, as viewed from
a health standpoint, the sexes must mingle together, has done its
mischievous work. When parents and guardians manifest one tithe
of the shrewdness which Satan possesses, then can this associating
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of sexes be nearer harmless. As it is, Satan is most successful in his
efforts to bewitch the minds of the youth; and the mingling of boys
and girls only increases the evil twentyfold. Let boys and girls be
kept employed in useful labor. If they are tired, they will have less
inclination to corrupt their own bodies.
E. G. W.