Social Purity.
-
"Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." [MATT. 5:8.]
Man has fallen, and the work of his life-time, be it longer or shorter,
must
be to recover through Christ what he has lost by sin,--the likeness to the
divine. This work requires a thorough transformation of soul, body, and
spirit. God mercifully sends rays of light to show man his true condition;
but if he will not walk in the light, it is manifest that he takes
pleasure
in darkness. He avoids the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. {CTBH
127.1}
A picture of the terrible condition of the world has been presented
before me. Immorality abounds on every hand. Licentiousness is the
prevailing sin of this age. Never did vice lift its deformed head with
such
boldness as now, and by its strength and prevalence the lovers of virtue
are
almost discouraged. Unless man has more than human strength to resist the
current of evil, he will be overcome, and borne down to perdition. {CTBH
127.2}
But the mind does not come down in a moment from purity and holiness
to
depravity, corruption, and crime. To degrade to the brutal and satanic
those
who are formed in the image of God, takes time. By beholding we become
changed. Though formed in the image of his Maker, man can so accustom
himself to evil that the sin which he once loathed will become pleasant to
him. As he ceases to watch and pray, he ceases to guard the citadel --the
heart--and is betrayed into sin and crime. Constant war against the carnal
mind must be maintained; and we must be aided by the refining influence of
the grace of God, which will attract the mind upward, and habituate it to
meditate upon pure and holy things. {CTBH 127.3}
A large class of the human beings we everywhere meet are a curse to
the
world. They live only for self-indulgence, and are given up, soul and
body,
to corrupt and
128
dissolute habits. What a terrible rebuke are such lives to the mothers who
have wor****ped at fa****on's shrine, and have neglected to cultivate their
own mind and to form their own character after the divine Pattern; and who
have thus been unprepared to fulfill the sacred trust committed to
them,--to
bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. {CTBH
127.4}
It is almost impossible to arouse those who need to be awakened, to
any
just sense of the power which Satan has over the mind. Neither are they
aware of the corruption teeming all around them. Satan has blinded them,
and
lulled them to carnal security. Iniquity abounds, and it is not confined
merely to the unbeliever and the scoffer: many who profess the religion of
Christ are also guilty. Their love is waxing cold. Alas! how few there
are,
even among professed Christians, who do the right for its own sake,--who
will shun evil when public opinion does not restrain them! {CTBH 128.1}
In the battle with inward corruption and outward temptation, even the
wise and powerful Solomon was vanquished. His life began under favorable
auspices. He was beloved of God; and, had virtue been preserved, his life
might have closed in prosperity and honor. But he surrendered this special
grace to lustful passion. In his youth he trusted in God, and looked to
him
for guidance; and the Lord gave him power and wisdom that astonished the
world. His fame reached to all lands. But when he began to descend the
declivity of life, he yielded principle, thus placing himself in the
current
of evil, and separating himself from God, the foundation and source of his
strength; he lost his firmness of character, and wavered, like a giddy
youth, between right and wrong. His love of women was his sin. This
passion
he did not control in his manhood, and it proved a snare to him. He took
many wives, some of whom were daughters of heathen kings; and they led him
into idolatry. In his youth, wisdom had been more precious to him than the
golden wedge of Ophir. But, alas! lustful passions gained the victory. He
was
129
deceived and ruined by women. What a lesson is here taught! What a
demonstration of the need of strength from God to the very last! It is not
safe to permit the least departure from strict integrity. {CTBH 128.2}
"Let not sin, therefore, reign in your mortal body, that ye should
obey
it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of
unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are
alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto
God." [ROM. 6:12, 13.] Professed Christians, if there were no further
light
given you than that contained in this text, you would be without excuse in
suffering yourselves to be controlled by base passion. The word of God is
sufficient to enlighten the most beclouded mind, and it can be understood
by
those who have any wish to understand it. But in order to give men and
women
every possible warning, God has sent plain, direct testimonies, pointing
them to the word they have neglected to follow. Yet the light is often
rejected. Those who serve their own lusts, continue to take pleasure in
unrighteousness, notwithstanding the vengeance threatened against those
who
do such things. {CTBH 129.1}
Some will acknowledge the evil of sinful indulgence, yet will excuse
themselves by saying that they cannot overcome their passions. This is a
terrible admission for a Christian to make. "Let every one that nameth the
name of Christ depart from iniquity." [2 TIM. 2:19.] Why is this
weakness?--It is because men and women have so long pampered their
depraved
appetites that they have no power of self-government;--because the lower
passions of their nature have taken the reins, and high moral principle,
which should be the governing power, is gone. Sensuality has quenched the
desire for holiness, and has withered spirituality. The soul is held in
lowest bondage. {CTBH 129.2}
The sacred covenant of marriage is often made to cover sins of the
darkest hue. Men and women professing godliness give way to corrupt
passions, and thus place themselves on a level with the brute creation.
The
powers which God has given them to be preserved in sanctification
130
and honor, they abuse, yet think they commit no evil. Health and life are
sacrificed upon the altar of lust. The higher, nobler powers are brought
into subjection to the sensual nature. Those who thus sin may not foresee
the result of their course. Could they realize the amount of suffering
which
they are bringing upon themselves and their children, they would be
alarmed,
and some, at least, would shun a course which brings such dreadful
results.
So miserable an existence is entailed upon a large class that death would
be
to them preferable to life; and many do die prematurely, their lives
ingloriously sacrificed to the basest passions. {CTBH 129.3}
By such misuse of the marriage relation, the animal passions are
strengthened; and as these grow stronger the moral and intellectual
faculties become weaker. The spiritual is overborne by the sensual. The
character thus acquired by the parents is transmitted to the children, and
they come into the world with their moral powers weakened and the lower
passions predominant. The gross passions of the parents are perpetuated in
their children. Satan seeks to lower the standard of purity, and to weaken
the self-control of those who enter the marriage relation, because he
knows
that while the baser passions are in the ascendency, the moral powers grow
steadily weaker, and he need have no concern as to their spiritual growth.
He knows, too, that in no way can he better stamp his own hateful image
upon
their offspring, and that he can thus mould their character even more
readily than he can the character of the parents. {CTBH 130.1}
As I have been shown the dangers of those who profess better things,
and the sins that exist among them,-- a class who are not suspected of
being
in any danger from these polluting sins,--I have been led to inquire,
"Who,
O Lord, shall stand when thou appearest?" Only those who have clean hands
and a pure heart shall abide in the day of his coming. O that I could make
all understand their obligation to preserve the body in the best condition
to render perfect service to their Maker!
131
{CTBH 130.2}
I feel impelled by the Spirit of the Lord to urge my sisters who
profess godliness to cherish modesty of de****tment and a becoming reserve,
"with shamefacedness and sobriety." [1 TIM. 2:9.] The liberties allowed in
these corrupt times should be no criterion for Christ's followers. The
exhibitions of familiarity which the world tolerates, should not exist
among
Christians fitting for immortality. If lasciviousness, vice, and crime are
the order of the day among those who refuse to be controlled by the
principles of God's word, how im****tant that those professing to be
followers of Christ, closely allied to God and angels, should show them a
better and nobler way! How im****tant that by their chaste conduct they
should stand in marked contrast to the class who are controlled by base
passion! {CTBH 131.1}
My sisters, avoid even the appearance of evil. In this fast age you
are
not safe unless you stand on your guard. Virtue and modesty are rare. I
appeal to you as followers of Christ, in view of your high profession, to
cherish the priceless gem of modesty. As you hope to be finally exalted to
join the society of sinless angels, and to live in an atmosphere where
there
is not the least taint of sin, seek purity; for nothing else will abide
the
searching test of the day of God, and be received into a pure and holy
heaven. {CTBH 131.2}
The slightest insinuation of evil, the least approach to
unwarrantable
familiarity, from whatever source it may come, should be resented as the
worst of insults to your dignified womanhood. If it is from one in high
position, who is ministering to the flock of God, the sin is of the
greater
magnitude, and should lead a God-fearing woman to recoil with horror from
the hypocrisy and villainy of one whom the people respect and honor as
God's
servant. He is handling sacred things, yet hiding his baseness of heart
under the cloak of his high calling. Be afraid of anything like this
familiarity. Be sure that it is evidence of an impure mind. If you give
the
least encouragement in this direction, you make it evident that your mind
is
not pure and chaste as it should be, and that
132
sin has charms for you. You lower the standard of your womanhood. {CTBH
131.3}
Our sisters should cultivate true meekness. They may be courteous;
but
they should not be forward, talkative, and bold. To be kind, tender,
pitiful, forgiving, and humble is well pleasing to God. If they occupy
this
position, they will not be burdened with undue attention from the other
***.
There will be a sacred circle of purity around them, which will ****eld
them
from unwarrantable liberties. {CTBH 132.1}
Vainglory, the fa****on of the world, the desire of the eye, and the
lust of the flesh, are closely connected with the fall of the unfortunate.
If these things had been rooted out of the heart, these fallen ones would
not be so weak. If women could view these matters as God has presented
them
to me, they would have such an abhorrence of impurity that they would not
be
found among those who fall through the temptations of Satan, no matter
whom
he might select as the medium. {CTBH 132.2}
Those godly women whose minds and hearts are occupied in meditating
upon themes which strengthen purity of life, and which elevate the soul to
commune with God, will not be easily led astray from the path of rectitude
and virtue. Such will be fortified against the sophistry of Satan; they
will
be prepared to withstand his seductive arts. {CTBH 132.3}
My soul mourns for the youth who are forming character in this
degenerate age. I tremble for their parents also; for they do not realize
their obligation to train up their children in the way they should go.
Custom and fa****on are consulted, and as the children soon learn to be
swayed by these, they are easily corrupted; while their careless and
indulgent parents are asleep to the danger which threatens their
offspring.
{CTBH 132.4}
But few of the youth are free from corruption. Impure habits are
practiced to an alarming extent, and have done more than any other evil to
cause the degeneration of the race. Children who indulge secret vice are
133
often puny and dwarfed. The anxious parents seek a physician, and drugs
are
administered; but the evil is not removed, for the cause still exists.
{CTBH
132.5}
The victims of this habit do not love work; and when engaged in it,
they complain of fatigue, -- they have backache, headache, and what not?
Be
sure, parents, if simple, well-regulated labor exhausts your children,
there
is something else that is enervating their system. Do not be hasty to
excuse
them from physical exercise. Do not lift the burdens they should bear.
Overwork is hurtful, but indolence is much more to be dreaded. Do not
release them from responsibility, and indulge their complaints. It would
be
the worst thing you could possibly do for them. It would remove almost the
only barrier against Satan's free access to their weakened minds. The
weariness attending useful labor lessens the inclination to indulge in
vice.
Active hands and minds do not find time to heed every temptation which the
enemy suggests; but idle hands and brains are all ready for him to
control.
The mind, when not occupied, is inclined to dwell upon improper things.
"Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of
bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters." [EZE.
16:49.] {CTBH 133.1}
Children tend naturally to evil. Unless parents keep their children
under firm control, with the fear of God before them, Satan will take
possession of their young minds, and corrupt them. As they increase in
years, the lustful passions grow with their growth and strengthen with
their
strength. And they cannot rest until their guilty secret is imparted to
those with whom they associate. Curiosity is aroused, and the knowledge of
vice is passed from youth to youth, from child to child, until there is
scarcely one to be found who is ignorant of it. Why do fathers and mothers
act as though a lethargy were upon them? They do not mistrust that Satan
is
sowing evil seed in their families. They are as blind and reckless in
regard
to these things as it is possible for them to be. Why do they not awake,
and
inform themselves upon
134
these subjects? Why do they not try to become intelligent in regard to the
laws of life, that they may be prepared to care for their own and their
children's bodies in a way to promote physical health? {CTBH 133.2}
The power of Satan over the youth of this age is fearful. Unless the
minds of our children are firmly balanced by religious principle, their
morals will become corrupted by the vicious examples with which they come
in
contact. The greatest danger of the young is from a lack of self-control.
Indulgent parents do not teach their children self-denial. The very food
they place before them is such as to irritate the stomach. The excitement
thus produced is communicated to the brain, and as a result the passions
are
roused. It cannot be too often repeated, that whatever is taken into the
stomach affects not only the body, but ultimately the mind as well. Gross
and stimulating food fevers the blood, excites the nervous system, and too
often dulls the moral perceptions, so that reason and conscience are
overborne by the sensual impulses. It is difficult, and often well-nigh
impossible, for one who is intemperate in diet to exercise patience and
self-control. Hence the special im****tance of allowing children, whose
characters are yet unformed, to have only such food as is healthful and
unstimulating. It was in love that our heavenly Father sent the light of
health reform, to guard against the evils that result from unrestrained
indulgence of appetite. {CTBH 134.1}
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to
the
glory of God." [1 COR. 10:31.] Are parents doing this when they prepare
food
for the table and call the family to partake of it? Do they place before
their children that only which they know will make the very best blood,
that
which will keep the system in the least feverish condition, and will place
it in the best relation to life and health? Or do they, regardless of the
future good of their children, provide for them unhealthful, stimulating,
irritating food? {CTBH 134.2}
There is nothing which more surely leads to evil than
135
to lift all burdens from children, leaving them to an idle, aimless life,
to
do nothing, or to occupy themselves as they please. The minds of children
are active, and if not occupied with that which is good and useful, they
will inevitably turn to what is bad. While it is right and necessary for
them to have recreation, they should be taught to work, to have regular
hours for physical labor, and also for reading and study. See that they
have
employment suited to their years, and are supplied with useful and
interesting books. Satan improves the op****tunity to educate idle minds.
It
is a sin to let children grow up in idleness. Let them exercise their
limbs
and muscles, even if it wearies them. If they are not overworked, how can
weariness harm them more than it harms you? There is quite a difference
between weariness and exhaustion. Children need more frequent change of
employment and intervals of rest than grown persons do; but even when
quite
young, they may begin learning to work, and they will be happy in the
thought that they are making themselves useful. Their sleep will be sweet
after healthful labor, and they will be refreshed for the next day's work.
{CTBH 134.3}
Some do not realize the sinfulness of impure habits, and the sure
results. Long indulgence in evil has blinded their understanding. The
sensitive nerves of the brain have lost their healthy tone, and the result
is a deadening of the moral sensibilities. The solemn message from heaven
cannot forcibly impress the heart. Moral power is exceedingly weak when it
comes in conflict with established habits. Impure thoughts have control of
the imagination, and temptation is almost irresistible. If the mind were
accustomed to contemplate elevating subjects, the imagination trained to
behold pure and holy things, it would be fortified against temptation. It
would linger upon the heavenly, the pure, the sacred, and could not be
attracted to the base, corrupt, and vile. {CTBH 135.1}
I have some knowledge of Satan's manner of working, and know how well
he succeeds in it. He has caused a
136
paralysis to come upon the minds of parents, and they are slow to suspect
evil habits in their children. Some of these youth profess to be
Christians,
and the parents sleep on, fearing no danger, while their children are
wrecking both body and mind. {CTBH 135.2}
It is the special work of Satan in these last days to take possession
of the minds of youth, to corrupt the thoughts, and inflame the passions;
for he knows that by so doing he can lead to impure actions, and thus all
the noble faculties of the mind will become debased, and he can control
them
to suit his own purposes. All are free moral agents, and as such they must
train their thoughts to run in the right channel. The first work of those
who would reform is to purify the imagination. Our meditations should be
such as will elevate the mind. "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good re****t; if
there
be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." [PHIL.
4:8.] Here is a wide field in which the mind can safely range. If Satan
seeks to turn it to low and sensual things, bring it back. When corrupt
imaginings seek to gain possession of your mind, flee to the throne of
grace, and pray for strength from heaven. By the grace of Christ it is
possible for us to reject impure thoughts. Jesus will attract the mind,
purify the thoughts, and cleanse the heart from every secret sin. "The
weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God; . . .
casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience
of Christ." [2 COR. 10:4, 5.] {CTBH 136.1}
The youth are seldom taught self-denial and self-control. They are
allowed to have their own way till they become headstrong and self-willed,
and parents are put to their wit's end to know what course to pursue in
order to save them from ruin. The corrupting doctrine that has prevailed,
that, from a health standpoint, the ***es should mingle
137
together, has done its mischievous work. When parents and guardians
manifest
a tithe of the shrewdness that Satan exercises, then can the association
of
the ***es be more nearly harmless. As it is, he is only too successful in
his efforts to bewitch the minds of the youth, and the association of boys
and girls only increases the evil. Young boys have scarcely entered their
teens before they begin to show attention to girls of their own age, and
the
girls show a painful lack of maidenly reserve and modesty. {CTBH 136.2}
What is the effect of this association? Does it tend to promote
purity? -- No, indeed. Children become infatuated with a love-sick
sentimentalism, and religion has no influence over them to arrest their
wrong course. What can be done to stay the tide of evil? Parents can do
much
if they will. {CTBH 137.1}
If a young girl is accosted with low familiarity, she should be
taught
to so resent it that no such advances will ever be repeated. When a girl's
company is frequently sought by boys or young men, something is wrong. She
needs the restraining and guiding influence of a firm and wise mother.
{CTBH
137.2}
Young persons who are thrown into one another's society, may make
their
association a blessing or a curse. They may edify and strengthen one
another, improving in de****tment, in disposition, in knowledge; or, by
permitting themselves to become careless and unfaithful, they may exert
only
a demoralizing influence. {CTBH 137.3}
Many of the young are eager for books. They read everything they can
obtain. Exciting love stories and the specimens of **** art displayed in
art
galleries, have a corrupting influence. The imagination becomes defiled.
Then follow sins and crimes which drag beings formed in the image of God
down below the level of the brutes, and sink them at last in perdition.
Avoid reading and seeing things which will suggest impure thoughts.
Cultivate a love for high moral and intellectual themes. Let not the noble
powers of the mind become enfeebled and perverted by much reading of even
story-books. I know
138
of strong minds that have been unbalanced and almost paralyzed, by
intemperate and indiscriminate reading. {CTBH 137.4}
It requires skill and patient effort to mould the young in the right
manner. Especially do children who have come into the world burdened with
a
heritage of evil, the direct result of the sins of their parents, need the
most careful culture to develop and strengthen their moral and
intellectual
faculties. And the responsibility of the parents is heavy indeed. Evil
tendencies are to be carefully restrained and tenderly rebuked; the mind
is
to be stimulated in favor of the right. The child should be encouraged in
attempting to govern himself. And all this is to be done judiciously, or
the
purpose desired will be frustrated. {CTBH 138.1}
Parents may well inquire, "Who is sufficient for these things?" God
alone is their sufficiency; and if they do not seek his aid and counsel,
hopeless indeed is their task. But by prayer, by the study of the Bible,
and
by earnest zeal on their part, they may succeed nobly in this im****tant
duty, and be repaid a hundred-fold for all their time and care. Gossiping
and anxiety concerning the external appearance have often taken the
precious
time that should have been devoted to prayer for wisdom and strength from
God to fulfill this most sacred trust. Fathers and mothers who are wise
unto
salvation will seek to make their surroundings such that they will be
favorable to the formation of correct character in their children. The
source of wisdom is open to them, and from it they may draw the knowledge
which they need. The Bible, a volume rich in instruction, should be their
text-book. If they train their children according to its precepts, they
are
not only setting their young feet in the right path, but are educating
themselves in their holy duties as well. {CTBH 138.2}
The young should not be suffered to learn good and evil
indiscriminately, with the idea that at some future time the good will
predominate and the evil lose its influence. The evil will increase faster
than the good. It is possible that after many years the evil they have
139
learned may be eradicated; but who will venture this? Time is short. It is
easier and much safer to sow clean, good seed in the hearts of your
children, than to pluck up the weeds afterward. Impressions made upon the
minds of the young are hard to efface. How im****tant, then, that these
impressions be of the right sort,--that the elastic faculties of youth be
bent in the right direction! {CTBH 138.3}
Throw around your children the charms of home and of your society.
Treat them with candor, Christian tenderness, and love. This will give you
a
strong influence over them, and they will feel that they can repose
unlimited confidence in you. Then they will not have so much desire for
the
society of young associates. Because of the evils now in the world, and
the
restriction which it is necessary to place upon children, parents should
have double care to bind them to their hearts, and to let them see that
they
wish to make them happy. {CTBH 139.1}
Among the youth there is an inclination to associate with those who
are
inferior in mind and morals. What real enjoyment can a young person expect
from a voluntary association with those who have a low standard of
thought,
feeling, and de****tment? Some are debased in taste and depraved in habit,
and all who choose such companions will be in danger of following their
pernicious example. {CTBH 139.2}
Those who desire immortality must not allow an impure thought or act.
If Christ be the theme of contemplation, the thoughts will be widely
separated from every subject which will lead to impurity in action. The
mind
will be strengthened by dwelling upon elevating subjects. If trained to
run
in the channel of purity and holiness, it will become healthy and
vigorous.
If trained to dwell upon spiritual themes, it will come naturally to take
that channel. But this attraction of the thoughts to heavenly things
cannot
be gained without the exercise of faith in God, and an earnest, humble
reliance upon him for that strength and grace which will be sufficient for
every emergency.
140
{CTBH 139.3}
Ample provision has been made for all who sincerely, earnestly, and
thoughtfully set about the work of perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Strength and grace have been provided through Christ, to be brought by
ministering angels to the heirs of salvation. None are so low, so corrupt
and vile, that they cannot find in Jesus, who died for them, strength and
purity and righteousness, if they will put away their sins, turn from
their
course of iniquity, and with full purpose of heart seek the living God. He
is waiting to take away their stained garments, polluted by sin, and to
put
upon them the pure robe of his righteousness, to bid them live and not
die.
In him, as branches of the Living Vine, they may flourish. Their boughs
will
not wither nor be fruitless. If they abide in him, they can draw
nourishment
from him, be imbued with his spirit, walk as he walked, overcome as he
overcame, and be exalted to his own right hand. {CTBH 140.1}
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