A Solemn Appeal - James White

passions in their infancy; and, as they increase in
years, the lustful passions grow with their growth,
and strengthen with their strength. Their minds are
not at rest. Girls desire the society of boys; and
boys, that of girls. Their deportment is not reserved
and modest. They are bold and forward, taking
indecent liberties. Their corrupt habits of selfabuse
have debased their minds, and tainted their souls.
Vile thoughts, novel-reading, low books, and lovestories,
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,
221