A Solemn Appeal - James White

proportionally greater pleasure and injury; and
secondly, this vice pre-eminently is catching,
especially as they commingle thus freely with each
other.[1] An English medical author remarks:
'Some children escape this knowledge till puberty;
the majority, it is to be feared, however, commence
earlier. . . . Schools generally have the credit of
germinating this enervating fascination; but it is
also acquired from the tuition of associates at
home--from servants, relations, and others with
whom they sleep.' 'Concealment,' says A. Walker,
'is quite impracticable.'
"Ruinous and prevalent as this practice is
among boys, it does not end with childhood; but
extends its sway, and deepens its power, as
adolescence increases. One would think this is
merely boyish, foolish practice, which age would
correct; but years only serve to increase it. I do not
delight to scandalize my fellow-men; I would not
trespass upon the reader's credulity, but I solemnly
declare, as my deliberate conviction, that few of
my own sex wholly escape this snare; while
thousands on thousands die annually from this one
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