A Solemn Appeal - James White

And there is a deficiency everywhere which
seriously affects those with whom they live, and
who associate with them. These feel mortification
and regret because these things are known by
another.
I have mentioned these cases to illustrate the
power of this soul-and-body-destroying vice. The
entire mind is given up to low passion. The moral
and intellectual are overborne by the baser powers.
The body is enervated, the brain is weakened. The
material there deposited to nourish the system is
squandered. The drain upon the system is great.
The fine nerves of the brain, by being excited to
unnatural action, become benumbed and in a
measure paralyzed. The moral and intellectual are
growing weaker while the animal passions are
growing stronger, and being more largely
developed by exercise. The appetite for unhealthful
food clamors for indulgence. It is impossible to
fully arouse the moral sensibilities of those persons
who are addicted to the habit of selfabuse, to
appreciate eternal things. You cannot lead such to
delight in spiritual exercises. Impure thoughts seize
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