A Solemn Appeal - James White

habit they may be cured, we have good hope; but
not otherwise." This last sentiment agrees perfectly
with a remark of Deslandes', that "when they
(crazy persons) do indulge, this act must be
considered as a bad symptom, since it constitutes
an insurmountable obstacle to the cure: it destroys
the strength, and finally produces, in the patients,
stupidity, phthisis, marasmus, and death." And
surely nothing but death was wanting to fill this
picture in the case of the young man to whom we
have just alluded.
Effects of licentiousness upon the morals
Lust fills the chambers of the whole soul with
moral pestilence and mildew; and this, too,
whatever be its mode of operating. So that solitary
vice, in its depraving power, falls but little short of
libertinism itself. Its tendency is downward--
downward--DOWNWARD! It rapidly weakens
and debases the moral character, especially if the
sinfulness of it be known. We have already seen
how often it hurries its victims to insanity. But far
more frequently it sinks them deep in depravity
21