A Solemn Appeal - James White

From this I dissent, and totally and
unequivocally condemn all indulgence, every
instance of which both augments passion and
weakens resistance, by subjecting intellect and
moral sentiment to propensity. If you cannot
conquer now, you never can. Make one desperate
stand and struggle. Summon every energy! Not
once more! STOP SHORT!! 'Touch not, taste not,
handle not,' lest you 'perish with the using.' Flee at
once to perfect continence--your only city of
refuge. Look not back towards Sodom, lest you
die! Why will you go on to commit suicide? O son
or daughter of sensuality! are you of no value? Are
you not GODLIKE, and God endowed, born in
your Maker's image, and most exalted both by
nature and in your capabilities for enjoyment? Oh!
will you, for a low-lived animal gratification, sell
the birthright of your nature--all your intellectual
powers, all your moral endowments, all your
capabilities of enjoyment, and crowd every avenue
and corner of both body and soul with untold
agony? Behold the priceless gem of your nature!
Oh! snatch it from impending destruction. TOTAL
ABSTINENCE IS LIFE; animal, intellectual,
308