A Solemn Appeal - James White

kept his hands tied behind him as the only
preventive, but at length disposed of him as
incorrigible. The boy has since died. I have known
boys not yet four years old, both practice it, and
also indulge with the opposite sex; and known
hundreds ruined by it before they entered their
teens! Nor are any children safe from this
loathsome habit. Especially are our schools the
nurseries of this vice, where it is often practiced in
companies. 'I speak what I do know, and testify
what I have seen.' Nor are any of even our own
dear children, though watched however closely,
safe from this corrupting and deadly snare!
"Nor am I alone in this view of its extensive
practice among children. Dr. Woodward, higher
authority than whom I could hardly quote, writes
thus, touching this matter: 'Those who hold these
opinions,' namely, that information on this subject
is either unnecessary or injurious, and 'are hardly
aware how extensively known this habit is with the
young, or how early in life it is sometimes
practiced. I have never conversed with a lad twelve
years of age who did not know all about the
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