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A Solemn Appeal - James White

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intellect has attained sufficient strength to guide it,<br />

the moral sentiments power enough to sanctify and<br />

restrain it, and the body sufficient maturity to<br />

sustain its drain with impunity. Is not this<br />

postponement a most beautiful provision? If it had<br />

made its appearance as early as the others, it would<br />

have withdrawn those energies from the system<br />

required for growth, yet have done no good. As it<br />

is, however, nature postpones the matrimonial<br />

desires till the subject is prepared to regulate this<br />

instinct, and convert it into a means of incalculable<br />

enjoyment. At precisely what age it should develop<br />

itself, it may be difficult to say, but certainly not<br />

till from the eighteenth to the twentieth year; and<br />

then it is held in effectual check by native modesty<br />

for a considerable time before it acquires sufficient<br />

impetus to make love outright; and finally takes<br />

years to ripen into a state prepared for marriage--at<br />

least for its ultimate rights.<br />

"Would to God and humanity that nature were<br />

allowed to have her perfect work in this respect.<br />

But, alas! our youth are reared in a hot-bed of<br />

Amativeness. This impulse is developed several<br />

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