Appeal to Mothers
Relative to the Great Cause of the Physical,
Mental and Moral Ruin of Many
of the Children of Our Time.
-
My Sisters, my apology for addressing you on this subject is, I am a
mother, and feel alarmed for those children and youth who by solitary vice
are ruining themselves for this world, and for that which is to come. Let
us
closely inquire into this subject from the physical, mental and moral
points
of view. {ApM 5.1}
Mothers, let us first view the results of this vice upon the physical
strength. Have you not marked the lack of healthful beauty, of strength,
and
power of endurance in your dear children? Have you not felt saddened as
you
have watched the progress of disease upon them which has baffled your
skill,
and that of physicians? You listen to numerous complaints of headache,
catarrh, dizziness, nervousness, pain in the shoulders and side, loss of
appetite, pain in the back and limbs, wakeful, feverish nights, of tired
feelings in the morning, and great exhaustion after exercising? As you
have
seen the beauty of health disappearing, and have marked the sallow
countenance, or the unnaturally flushed face have you been aroused
sufficiently to look
6
beneath the surface, to inquire into the cause of this physical decay?
Have
you observed the astonishing mortality among the youth? {ApM 5.2}
And have you not noticed that there was a deficiency in the mental
health of your children? That their course seemed to be marked with
extremes? That they were absent-minded? That they started nervously when
spoken to? And were easily irritated? Have you not noticed when occupied
upon a piece of work they would look dreamingly, as though the mind was
elsewhere? When they came to their senses, they were unwilling to own the
work as coming from their hands, it was so full of mistakes, and showed
such
marks of inattention? Have you not been astonished at their wonderful
forgetfulness? The most simple and oft-repeated directions would be soon
forgotten. They might be quick to learn, but it would be of no special
benefit to them. The mind would not retain it. What they might learn
through
hard study, when they would use their knowledge, is missing, lost through
their sieve-like memory. Have you not noticed their reluctance to engage
in
active labor? And their unwillingness to perseveringly accomplish that
which
they have undertaken, which taxes the mental as well as the physical
strength? The tendency of many is to live in indolence. {ApM 6.1}
Have you not witnessed the gloomy sadness upon the countenance, and
frequent exhibitions of a morose temper in those who used to be cheerful,
kind and affectionate? They are easily excited to jealousy, disposed
7
to look upon the dark side, and when you are laboring for their good,
imagine that you are their enemy, that you needlessly reprove and restrain
them? {ApM 6.2}
And have you not enquired where will all this end, as you have looked
upon your children from a moral point of view? Have you not noticed the
increase of disobedience in children, and their manifestations of
ingratitude, and impatience under restraint? Have you not been alarmed at
their disregard of parental authority, which has bowed down the hearts of
their parents with grief and prematurely sprinkled their heads with grey
hairs? Have you not witnessed the lack of that noble frankness in your
children which they once possessed, and which you admired in them? Some
children even express in their countenances a hardened look of depravity.
Have you not felt distressed and anxious as you have seen the strong
desire
in your children to be with the opposite sex, and the overpowering
disposition they possessed to form attachments when quite young? With your
daughters, the boys have been the theme of conversation, and with your
sons
it has been the girls. They manifest preference for particular ones, and
your advice and warnings produce but little change. Blind passion destroys
sensible considerations. And although you may check the outward
manifestations, and you credit the promises of amendment yet to your
sorrow
you find there is no change, only to conceal the matter from you. There
are
still secret attachments, and stolen
8
interviews. They follow their willful course, and are controlled by their
passions, until you are startled by perhaps a premature marriage, or are
brought to shame by those who should by their noble course of conduct,
bring
to you respect and honor. The cases of premature marriage multiply. Boys
and
girls enter upon the marriage relation with unripe love, immature
judgment,
without noble, elevated feelings, and take upon themselves the marriage
vows, wholly led by their boyish, girlish, passions. They choose for
themselves often without the knowledge of the mother who has watched over
them, and cared for them, from their earliest infancy. {ApM 7.1}
Attachments formed in childhood have often resulted in a very
wretched
union or in a disgraceful separation. Early connections, if formed without
the consent of parents, have seldom proved happy. The young affections
should be restrained until the period arrives when sufficient age and
experience will make it honorable, and safe to unfetter them. Those who
will
not be restrained will be in danger of dragging out an unhappy existence.
A
youth not out of his teens, is a poor judge of the fitness of a person, as
young as himself, to be his companion for life. After their judgment
becomes
more matured, they view themselves bound for life to each other, perhaps
not
at all calculated to make each other happy. Then instead of making the
best
of their lot, recriminations take place, the breach widens, until there is
settled indifference and neglect. To them there
9
is nothing sacred in the word home. The very atmosphere is poisoned by
unloving words, and bitter reproaches. The offspring of such are placed in
a
much more unfavorable condition than were their parents. With such
surroundings, such examples, what could be expected of them if time should
continue? Mothers, the great cause of these physical, mental and moral
evils
is secret vice which inflames the passions, fevers the imagination, and
leads to licentiousness. This vice is laying waste the constitution, and
preparing the young for disease of almost every description. And shall we
permit our children to pursue a course of self-destruction? {ApM 8.1}
Mothers, view your children from a religious stand point. It gives
you
pain to see your children feeble in body and mind; but does it not cause
you
still greater grief to see them almost dead to spiritual things, so that
they have but little desire for goodness, beauty of character, and holy
purposes? Secret vice is the destroyer of high resolve, earnest endeavor,
and strength of will to form a good religious character. All who have any
true sense of what is embraced in being a Christian, know that the
followers
of Christ are under obligation as his disciples, to bring all their
passions, their physical powers and mental faculties, into perfect
subordination to his will. Those who are controlled by their passions
cannot
be followers of Christ. They are too much devoted to the service of their
master, the originator of every evil, to leave
10
their corrupt habits, and choose the service of Christ. {ApM 9.1}
Godly mothers will inquire, with the deepest concern, Will our
children
continue to practice habits which will unfit them for any responsible
position in this life? Will they sacrifice comeliness, health, intellect,
and all hope of Heaven, everything worth possessing, here and hereafter,
to
the demon passion? May God grant that it may be otherwise, and that our
children who are so dear to us, may listen to the voice of warning, and
choose the path of purity and holiness. {ApM 10.1}
How important that we teach our children self-control from their very
infancy, and learn them the lesson of submitting their wills to us. If
they
should be so unfortunate as to learn wrong habits, not knowing all the
evil
results, they can be reformed by appealing to their reason, and convincing
them that such habits ruin the constitution, and affect the mind. We
should
show them that whatever persuasions corrupt persons may use to quiet their
awakened fears, and lead them to still indulge this pernicious habit,
whatever may be their pretense, they are their enemies and the Devil's
agents. Virtue and purity are of great value. These precious traits are of
heavenly origin. They make God our friend, and unite us firmly to his
throne. {ApM 10.2}
Satan is controlling the minds of the young, and we must work
resolutely, and faithfully to save them. Very young children practice this
vice, and it grows upon them and strengthens with their years, until every
noble faculty of
11
body and soul is being degraded. Many might have been saved if they had
been
carefully instructed in regard to the influence of this practice upon
their
health. They were ignorant of the fact that they were bringing much
suffering upon themselves. Children who are experienced in this vice, seem
to be bewitched by the Devil until they can impart their vile knowledge to
others, even teaching very young children this practice. {ApM 10.3}
Mothers, you cannot be too careful in preventing your children from
learning low habits. It is easier to learn evil, than to eradicate it
after
it is learned. Neighbors may permit their children to come to your house,
to
spend the evening and the night with your children. Here is a trial, and a
choice for you, to run the risk of offending your neighbors by sending
their
children to their own home, or gratify them, and let them lodge with your
children, and thus expose them to be instructed in that knowledge which
would be a life-long curse to them. {ApM 11.1}
To save my children from being corrupted I have not allowed them to
sleep in the same bed, or in the same room, with other boys, and have, as
occasion has required when traveling, made a scanty bed upon the floor for
them, rather than have them lodge with others. I have tried to keep them
from associating with rough, rude boys, and have presented inducements
before them to make their employment at home cheerful and happy. By
keeping
their minds and hands occupied, they have had but little time, or
disposition, to play
12
in the street with other boys, and obtain a street education. {ApM 11.2}
My misfortune, which occurred when I was about nine years old, ruined
my health. I looked upon this as a great calamity, and murmured because of
it. In a few years I viewed the matter differently. I then looked upon it
in
the light of a blessing. I regard it thus now. Because of sickness I was
kept from society which preserved me in blissful ignorance of the secret
vices of the young. After I was a mother, by the private death-bed
confessions of some females, who had completed the work of ruin, I first
learned that such vices existed. But I had no just conception of the
extent
of this vice, and the injury the health sustained by it, until a still
later
period. {ApM 12.1}
The young indulge to quite an extent in this vice before the age of
puberty without experiencing to any very great degree the evil results
upon
the constitution. But at this critical period, while merging into manhood
and womanhood, nature makes them feel the violation of her laws. {ApM
12.2}
As the mother sees her daughter languid and dispirited, with but
little
vigor, easily irritated, start suddenly and nervously when spoken to, she
feels alarmed, and has fears that her daughter will not be able to reach
womanhood with a good constitution. She relieves her, if possible, from
active labor, and anxiously consults a physician, who prescribes for her
without making searching inquiries, and suggesting to the unsuspecting
mother the probable cause of her daughter's illness.
13
Secret indulgence is in many cases the only real cause of the numerous
complaints of the young. This vice is laying waste the vital forces, and
debilitating the system, and until the habit, which produced the result,
is
broken off, there can be no permanent cure. To relieve the young from
healthful labor is the worst possible course a parent can pursue. Their
life
is then aimless, the mind and hands unoccupied, the imagination active,
and
left free to indulge in thoughts that are not pure and healthful. This
gives
them opportunity for a more free indulgence in that vice which is the
foundation of all their complaints. {ApM 12.3}
It is a crime for mothers to allow themselves to remain in ignorance
in
regard to the habits of their children. If they are pure, keep them so.
Fortify their young minds, and prepare them to detest this health and
soul-destroying vice. Shield them, as faithful mothers should, from
becoming
contaminated by associating with every young companion. Keep them, as
precious jewels, from the corrupting influence of this age. If you are
situated so that their intercourse with young associates cannot always be
overruled, as you would wish to have it, then let them visit your children
in your presence, and in no case allow these associates to lodge in the
same
bed, or even in the same room. It will be far easier to prevent an evil
than
to cure it afterward. {ApM 13.1}
If your children practice this vice, they may be in danger of
resorting
to falsehood to deceive you. But, mothers, you must not be easily quieted,
and cease your investigations.
14
You should not let the matter rest until you are fully satisfied. The
health
and souls of those you love are in peril, which makes this matter of the
greatest importance. Determined watchfulness, and close inquiry,
notwithstanding the attempts to evade and conceal, will generally reveal
the
true state of the case. Then should the mother faithfully present this
subject to them in its true light, showing its degrading, downward
tendency.
Try to convince them that indulgence in this sin will destroy
self-respect,
and nobleness of character; will ruin health and morals, and its foul
stain
will blot from the soul true love for God, and the beauty of holiness. The
mother should pursue this matter until she has sufficient evidence that
the
practice is at an end. {ApM 13.2}
The course which most mothers pursue, in training their children in
this dangerous age, is injurious to their children. It prepares the way to
make their ruin more certain. Some mothers, with their own hands, open the
door and virtually invite the Devil in, by permitting their daughters to
remain in idleness, or what is but little better, spend their time in
knitting edging, crocheting, or embroidering, and employ a hired girl to
do
those things their children should do. They let them visit other young
friends, form their own acquaintances, and even go from their parental
watchcare some distance from home, where they are allowed to do very much
as
they please. Satan improves all such opportunities, and takes charge of
the
minds of these children whom mothers ignorantly expose to his artful
snares.
15
Because this course was pursued thirty years ago with comparative safety,
it
is no evidence that it can be now. The present cannot be judged by the
past.
{ApM 14.1}
Mothers should take their daughters with them into the kitchen, and
give them a thorough education in the cooking department. They should also
instruct them in the art of substantial sewing. They should teach them how
to cut garments economically, and put them together neatly. Some mothers,
rather than to take this trouble, to patiently instruct their
inexperienced
daughters, prefer to do all themselves. But in so doing they leave the
essential branches of education neglected, and commit a great wrong
against
their children; for in after life they feel embarrassment, because of
their
lack of knowledge in these things. {ApM 15.1}
Mothers should educate their daughters in regard to the laws of life.
They should understand their own frame, and the relation their eating,
drinking, and every-day habits, have to health, and a sound constitution,
without which the sciences would be of but little benefit. {ApM 15.2}
The help of the daughters will often make so much difference with the
mother's work, that kitchen help can be dispensed with, which will prove
not
only a saving of expense, but a continual benefit to the children, by
making
room for them to labor, and bringing them into the society, and under the
direct influence of, their mother, whose duty it is to patiently instruct
the dear ones committed to her care.
16
Also a door will be closed against much evil, which a hired girl may bring
into a family. In a few days she may exert a strong influence over the
children of the family, and initiate your daughters into the practice of
deception and vice. {ApM 15.3}
Children should be instructed from their early years to be helpful,
and
share the burdens of their parents. By thus doing they can be a great
blessing in lightening the cares of the weary mother. While children are
engaged in active labor, time will not hang heavily upon their hands, and
they will have less opportunity to associate with vain, talkative,
unsuitable companions, whose evil communications might blight the whole
life
of an innocent girl, by corrupting her good manners. {ApM 16.1}
Active employment will give but little time to invite Satan's
temptations. They may be often weary, but this will not injure them.
Nature
will restore their vigor and strength in their sleeping hours, if her laws
are not violated. And the thoroughly tired person has less inclination for
secret indulgence. {ApM 16.2}
Mothers allow themselves to be deceived in regard to their daughters.
If they labor, and then appear languid and indisposed, the indulgent
mother
fears that she has overtaxed her daughter, and resolves henceforward to
lighten her task. The mother bears the extra amount of labor which should
have been performed by the daughter. If the true facts in the case of many
were known, it would be seen that it was not the labor which was the cause
of the difficulty, but wrong habits which
17
were prostrating the vital energies, and bringing upon them a sense of
weakness and great debility. In such cases, when mothers relieve their
daughters from active labor, they, by so-doing, virtually give them up to
idleness, to reserve their energies to consume upon the altar of lust.
They
remove the obstacles, giving the mind more freedom to run in a wrong
channel, where they will more surely carry on the work of self-ruin. {ApM
16.3}
The state of our world was presented before me, and my attention was
especially called to the youth of our time. Everywhere I looked, I saw
imbecility, dwarfed forms, crippled limbs, misshapen heads, and deformity
of
every description. Sins and crimes, and the violation of nature's laws,
were
shown me as the causes of this accumulation of human woe and suffering. I
saw such degradation and vile practices, such defiance of God, and I heard
such words of blasphemy, that my soul sickened. From what was shown me, a
large share of the youth now living are worthless. Corrupt habits are
wasting their energies, and bringing upon them loathsome and complicated
diseases. Unsuspecting parents will try the skill of one physician after
another, who prescribe drugs, when they generally know the real cause of
the
failing health, but for fear of offending and losing their fees, they keep
silent, when as faithful physicians they should expose the real cause.
Their
drugs only add a second great burden for abused nature to struggle
against,
which often breaks down in her efforts and the victim
18
dies. And the friends look upon the death as a mysterious dispensation of
providence, when the most mysterious part of the matter is, that nature
bore
up as long as she did against her violated laws. Health, reason, and life,
were sacrificed to depraved lusts. {ApM 17.1}
I have been shown that children who practice self-indulgence previous
to puberty, or the period of merging into manhood and womanhood, must pay
the penalty of nature's violated laws at that critical period. {ApM 18.1}
Many sink into an early grave, while others have sufficient force of
constitution to pass this ordeal. If the practice is continued from the
ages
of fifteen and upward, nature will protest against the abuse she has
suffered, and continues to suffer, and will make them pay the penalty for
the transgression of her laws, especially from the ages of thirty to
forty-five, by numerous pains in the system, and various diseases, such as
affection of the liver and lungs, neuralgia, rheumatism, affection of the
spine, diseased kidneys, and cancerous humors. Some of nature's fine
machinery gives way, leaving a heavier task for the remaining to perform,
which disorders nature's fine arrangement, and there is often a sudden
breaking down of the constitution, and death is the result. {ApM 18.2}
Mothers, give your children enough to do. If they get weary, it will
not injure health. There is quite a difference between weariness and
exhaustion. Indolence will not be favorable to physical, mental, or moral,
health. It
19
throws open the door, and invites Satan in, which opportunity he improves,
and draws the young into his snares. By indolence, not only the moral
strength is weakened, and the impulse of passion increased, but Satan's
angels take possession of the whole citadel of the mind, and compel
conscience to surrender to vile passion. We should teach our children
habits
of patient industry. We should beware of indulging them too much. When
they
meet with difficulty in their labor, we must help them through it, instead
of carrying them over it. It might be easier for us at the time to do the
latter, but we fail to teach a useful and valuable lesson to our children
of
self-reliance, and are preparing the way to greatly increase our cares in
the end. We should wake up in our children generous, noble principles, and
urge them to active exertions, which will shield them from a multitude of
temptations, and make their lives happier. {ApM 18.3}
My sisters, as mothers we are responsible in a great degree for the
physical, mental, and moral health of our children. We can do much by
teaching them correct habits of living. We can show them, by our example,
that we make a great account of health, and that they should not violate
its
laws. We should not make it a practice to place upon our tables food which
would injure the health of our children. Our food should be prepared free
from spices. Mince pies, cakes, preserves, and highly-seasoned meats, with
gravies, create a feverish condition in the system, and inflame
20
the animal passions. We should teach our children to practice habits of
self-denial, that the great battle of life is with self, to restrain the
passions, and bring them into subjection to the mental and moral
faculties.
{ApM 19.1}
My sisters, be entreated to spend less time over the cook-stove,
wearing out the strength given you of God to be used for a better purpose,
in preparing food to tempt the appetite. A plain, nourishing diet will not
require so great an amount of labor. We should devote more time to humble,
earnest prayer to God, for wisdom to bring up our children in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord. The health of the mind is dependent upon the
health of the body. As Christian parents we are bound to train our
children
in reference to the laws of life. We should instruct them, by precept and
example, that we do not live to eat, but that we eat to live. We should
encourage in our children a love for nobleness of mind, and a pure,
virtuous
character. In order to strengthen in them the moral perceptions, the love
of
spiritual things, we must regulate the manner of our living, dispense with
animal food, and use grains, vegetables, and fruits, as articles of food.
{ApM 20.1}
Mothers, is there not a work for you to do in your families? You may
inquire, how can we remedy the evils which already exist? How shall we
begin
the work? If you lack wisdom, go to God, he has promised to give
liberally.
Pray much, and fervently, for divine aid. One rule can not be followed in
every case. The exercise of sanctified judgment
21
is now needful. Be not hasty and agitated, and approach your children with
censure. Such a course would only cause rebellion in them. You should feel
deeply over any wrong course you have taken, which may have opened a door
for Satan to lead your children by his temptations. If you have not
instructed them in regard to the violation of the laws of health, blame
rests upon you. You have neglected an important duty, which result may be
seen in the wrong practices of your children. Before you engage in the
work
of teaching your children the lesson of self-control, you should learn it
yourself. If you are easily agitated, and become impatient, how can you
appear reasonable to your children, while instructing them to control
their
passions? With self-possession, and feelings of the deepest sympathy and
pity, you should approach your erring children, and faithfully present to
them the sure work of ruin upon their constitutions, if they continue the
course they have begun. That as they debilitate the physical, and mental,
so
also the moral must feel the decay, and they are sinning, not only against
themselves, but against God. {ApM 20.2}
You should make them feel, if possible, that it is God, the pure and
holy God, that they have been sinning against; that the great Searcher of
hearts is displeased with their course; that nothing is concealed from
him.
If you can so impress your children, that they will exercise that
repentance
which is acceptable to God, that godly sorrow which worketh repentance
unto
salvation, not to be repented
22
of, the work will be thorough, the reform certain. They will not feel
sorrow
merely because their sins are known; but they will view their sinful
practices in their aggravated character, and will be led to confess them
to
God, without reserve, and will forsake them. They will feel to sorrow for
their wrong course, because they have displeased God, and sinned against
him, and dishonored their bodies before Him who created them, and has
required them to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable unto him, which is their reasonable service. {ApM 21.1}
"What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which
is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are
bought
with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which
are God's." {ApM 22.1}
You should present encouragements before your children that a
merciful
God will accept true heart repentance, and will bless their endeavors to
cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. As Satan
sees that he is losing control over the minds of your children, he will
strongly tempt them, and seek to bind them to continue to practice this
bewitching vice. But with a firm purpose they must resist Satan's
temptations to indulge the animal passions, because it is sin against God.
They should not venture on forbidden ground, where Satan can claim control
over them. If they in humility entreat God for purity of thought, and a
refined and sanctified imagination, he will hear them, and grant their
23
petitions. God has not left them to perish in their sins, but will help
the
weak and helpless, if they cast themselves in faith upon him. Those who
have
been in the practice of secret indulgence until they have prostrated the
physical and mental strength, may never fully recover the result of the
violation of nature's laws; but their only salvation in this world, and
that
which is to come, depends upon an entire reform. Every deviation is making
recovery more hopeless. None should be discouraged if they perceive no
decided improvement in their health after the habit has been broken off
for
quite a length of time. If nature's laws have not been too long abused,
she
will carry on her restoring process, although it may not be immediately
realized. But some have so long abused nature that she cannot recover
entirely. Such must feel as long as they live, to a greater or less
degree,
the result of the violation of nature's laws. {ApM 22.2}
We do not include all the youth who are feeble as guilty of wrong
habits. There are those who are pure-minded and conscientious, who are
sufferers from different causes over which they have no control. {ApM
23.1}
The only sure safety for our children against every vicious practice,
is to seek to be admitted into the fold of Christ, and to be taken under
the
watchcare of the faithful and true Shepherd. He will save them from every
evil, shield them from all dangers, if they will heed his voice. He says,
"My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me." In Christ they will find
pasture, obtain strength and hope, and will
24
not be troubled with restless longings for something to divert the mind,
and
satisfy the heart. They have found the pearl of great price, and the mind
is
at peaceful rest. Their pleasures are of a pure, peaceful, elevated,
heavenly character. They leave no painful reflections, no remorse. Such
pleasures do not impair health, or prostrate the mind, but are of a
healthful nature. {ApM 23.2}
Communion with, and love for, God, the practice of holiness, the
destruction of sin, are all pleasant. The reading of God's word will not
fascinate the imagination, and inflame the passions, like a fictitious
story-book, but softens, soothes, elevates, and sanctifies, the heart.
When
in trouble, when assailed by fierce temptations, they have the privilege
of
prayer. What an exalted privilege! Finite beings, of dust and ashes,
admitted through the mediation of Christ, into the audience-chamber of the
Most High. In such exercises the soul is brought into a sacred nearness
with
God, and is renewed in knowledge, and true holiness, and fortified against
the assaults of the enemy. {ApM 24.1}
A Mr. - professed to be a devoted follower of Christ. He was in very
feeble health. Our feelings of sympathy were called out in his behalf. He
could not hold his head steady. His eyes had a glassy appearance, his
hands
trembled, and when he walked, his knees shook; he staggered like a drunken
man, and often seemed ready to fall. He was obliged to fix his eyes upon
an
object in the distance before him, and then make for
25
that object. He would thus gain force enough to reach the place he
desired.
{ApM 24.2}
His case was shown me in vision. I saw that he was deceived in regard
to himself, that he was not in favor with God. He had practiced self-abuse
until he was a mere wreck of humanity. This vice was shown me as an
abomination in the sight of God. No matter how high a person's profession,
those who are willing to be employed in gratifying the lust of the flesh,
cannot be Christians. As servants of Christ, their employment, and
meditations, and pleasure, should consist in things more excellent. {ApM
25.1}
Many are ignorant of the sinfulness of these habits, and their
certain
results. Such need to be enlightened. Some who profess to be followers of
Christ, know that they are sinning against God, and ruining their health,
yet they are slaves to their own corrupt passions. They feel a guilty
conscience, and have less and less inclination to approach God in secret
prayer. They may keep up the form of religion, yet be destitute of the
grace
of God in the heart. They have no devotedness to his service, no trust in
him, no living to his glory, no pleasure in his ordinances, and no delight
in him. The first commandment requires every living being to love and
serve
God with their whole mind and strength. Especially should professed
Christians understand the principles of acceptable obedience. {ApM 25.2}
Can any expect that God will accept a profession, a form, merely,
while
the heart is withheld, and they refuse to obey his
26
commandments? They sacrifice physical strength and reason upon the altar
of
lust, and can they think that God will accept their distracted, imbecile
service, while they continue their wrong course? Such are just as surely
self-murderers as though they pointed a pistol to their own breast, and
destroyed their life instantly. In the first case they linger longer, are
more debilitated, and destroy gradually the vital force of their
constitution, and the mental faculties; yet the work of decay is sure.
While
they live, they curse the earth with their imbecile influence, are a
stumbling-block to sinners, and cause their friends living sorrow, and an
immeasurable weight of anxiety and care as they mark the signs of their
decay, and have daily evidence of their impaired intellect. {ApM 25.3}
To take one's life instantly is no greater sin in the sight of
Heaven,
than to destroy it gradually, but surely. Persons who bring upon
themselves
sure decay, by wrong-doing, will suffer the penalty here, and without a
thorough repentance, will not be admitted into Heaven hereafter any sooner
than the one who destroys life instantly. The will of God establishes the
connection between cause and its effects. Fearful consequences are
attached
to the least violation of God's law. All will seek to avoid the result,
but
will not labor to avoid the cause which produced the effect. The cause is
wrong, the effect right, to restrain the transgressor. {ApM 26.1}
The inhabitants of Heaven are perfect, because the will of God is
their
joy, and supreme
27
delight. Many here destroy their own comfort injure their health, and
violate a good conscience, because they will not cease to do wrong. The
injunctions to mortify the deeds of the body, with its affections and
lusts,
has no effect upon them. They profess Christ, but are not his followers,
and
never can be, until they cease their wrong-doing, and work the work of
righteousness. {ApM 26.2}
Females possess less vital force than the other sex, and are deprived
very much of the bracing, invigorating air, by their in-doors life. The
results of self-abuse in them is seen in various diseases, such as
catarrh,
dropsy, headache, loss of memory and sight, great weakness in the back and
loins, affections of the spine, the head often decays inwardly. Cancerous
humor, which would lay dormant in the system their life-time, is inflamed,
and commences its eating, destructive work. The mind is often utterly
ruined, and insanity takes place. {ApM 27.1}
I was referred to Rom. i, 18-32, as a true description of the world
previous to the second appearing of Christ. The only hope for those who
practice vile habits is to forever leave them if they place any value upon
health here, and salvation hereafter. When these habits have been indulged
in for quite a length of time, it requires a determined effort to resist
temptation, and refuse the corrupt indulgence. The Mr. -, mentioned, had
practiced these habits so long he seemed to have lost the control of
himself. He was naturally a smart man, possessing more than common
abilities.
28
But how were all his powers of body and mind brought into subjection by
Satan, and consumed upon his altar! This man had gone so far he seemed to
be
left of God. He would go into the woods and spend days and nights in
fasting
and prayer that he might overcome this great sin, and then would return to
his old habits. God did not hear his prayers. He asked God to do for him
what had been in his power to do for himself. He had vowed to God, time
and
again, and had as often broken his vows, and given himself up to his own
corrupt lust, until God had left him to work his own ruin. He has since
died. He was a self-murderer. The purity of heaven will never be marred
with
his society. Those who destroy themselves by their own acts will never
have
eternal life. They that will continue to abuse the health and life given
them of God in this world, would not make a right use of health and
immortal
life were it granted them in God's everlasting kingdom. {ApM 27.2}
The practice of secret habits surely destroys the vital forces of the
system. All unnecessary vital action will be followed by corresponding
depression. Among the young, the vital capital, the brain, is so severely
taxed at an early age, that there is a deficiency, and great exhaustion,
which leaves the system exposed to disease of various kinds. But the most
common of these is consumption. None can live when their vital energies
are
used up. They must die. God hates everything impure, and his frown is upon
all who give themselves up to gradual and sure decay.
29
{ApM 28.1}
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God
dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God
destroy;
for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." {ApM 29.1}
Those who corrupt their own bodies cannot enjoy the favor of God,
until
they sincerely repent, make an entire reform, and perfect holiness in the
fear of the Lord. None can be Christians and indulge in habits which
debilitate the system, and bring on a state of prostration of the vital
forces, which end in making a complete wreck of beings formed in the image
of God. This moral pollution will certainly bring its reward. The cause
must
bring the results. Those who profess to be disciples of Christ should be
elevated in all their thoughts and acts, and should ever realize that they
are fitting for immortality, and that if saved, they must be without spot,
or wrinkle, or any such thing. Their Christian character must be without a
blemish, or they will be pronounced unfit to be taken to a holy heaven, to
dwell with pure, sinless beings in God's everlasting kingdom. {ApM 29.2}
It is the special work of Satan in these last days to take possession
of the minds of youth, to corrupt their thoughts, and inflame their
passions, knowing that by thus doing he can lead them to moral pollution,
and then 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 bring their thoughts to run in the right channel. Their
meditations should
30
be of that nature which will elevate their minds, and make Jesus and
heaven
the subjects of their thoughts. Here is a wide field in which the mind can
safely range. If Satan seeks to divert the mind from this to low and
sensual
things, bring it back again, and place it on eternal things; and when the
Lord sees the determined effort made to retain only pure thoughts, he will
attract the mind, like the magnet, and purify the thoughts, and enable
them
to cleanse themselves from every secret sin. "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." The
first
work for those who would reform, is to purify the imagination. If the mind
is led out in a vicious direction, it must be restrained to dwell only
upon
pure and elevated subjects. When tempted to yield to a corrupt
imagination,
then flee to the throne of grace and pray for strength from Heaven. In the
strength of God the imagination can be restricted to dwell upon things
which
are pure and heavenly. {ApM 29.3}
Some young persons who have knowledge in the vile practices of the
world, seek to awaken the curiosity of other inquisitive minds, and impart
to them that secret knowledge which ignorance of would be bliss. They are
not content with practising themselves the vice they have learned. They
are
hurried on by the Devil, to whisper their evil communications to other
minds, to corrupt their good manners. And unless the youth have fixed
religious principles,
31
they will be corrupted. A heavy penalty will rest upon those who suffered
Satan to use them as mediums to lead astray, and corrupt the minds of
others. A heavy curse rested upon the Serpent in Eden, because he was the
medium Satan used to tempt our first parents to transgress. And whoever
yields themselves to subvert others, a heavy curse from God will follow
them. And although those who permit themselves to be led astray, and learn
vile habits, will suffer for their sin, yet those guilty of instructing
them, will also suffer for their own sins, and the sins they led others to
commit. It were better for such if they had never been born. {ApM 30.1}
Those who would have that wisdom which is from God, must become fools
in the sinful knowledge of this age, in order to be wise. They should shut
their eyes that they may see and learn no evil. They should close their
ears
lest they hear that which is evil, and obtain that knowledge which would
stain their purity of thoughts and acts; and guard their tongues lest they
utter corrupt communications, and guile be found in their mouths. {ApM
31.1}
All are accountable for their actions while in this world upon
probation. All have power to control their actions, if they will. If they
are weak in virtue and purity of thoughts, and acts, they can obtain help
from the Friend of the helpless. Jesus is acquainted with all the
weaknesses
of human nature, and if entreated, will give strength to overcome the most
powerful temptations. All can obtain this strength if they seek for it in
humility.
32
Jesus gives all a blessed invitation who are burdened, and laden with sin,
to come to him, the sinner's friend. "Come unto me, all ye that labor, and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and
learn
of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." {ApM 31.2}
Here the most inquisitive may safely learn in the school of Christ
that
which will prove for their present and everlasting good. The uneasy and
dissatisfied will here find rest. With their thoughts and affections
centered in Christ, they will obtain true wisdom, which will be worth more
to them than the richest earthly treasures. {ApM 32.1}
Many professed Christians do not labor perseveringly. They make too
little effort, and are not ready and willing to deny self. The prayer of
the
living Christian will be "to be filled with the knowledge of His will, in
all wisdom, and spiritual understanding, that they may walk worthy of the
Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing
in
the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might, according to his
glorious
power, unto all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness." "In whom
are
hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." {ApM 32.2}
Here is the true knowledge which should be desired, and possessed by
every Christian. This knowledge will not lead to ungodliness. It will not
break down the constitution, or bring a gloomy cloud over the mind; but
will
33
impart substantial joys, and true happiness. This wisdom is divine, and
flows ceaselessly from a pure fountain which gives peace, joy and health.
{ApM 32.3}
Even many professed Christians seem to have no earnest desire for
this
heavenly knowledge, and remain in willing ignorance of this divine grace
which it is their privilege to obtain. The only safety for the youth is to
seek this precious wisdom which will assuredly destroy all desire for
corrupt knowledge. And when they have acquired a relish for the pure,
calm,
satisfying joys of faith and holiness, every feeling of their being will
rise in abhorrence to corrupting pleasures. All can choose life if they
will. They can resist sin, take pleasure in the ways of righteousness and
true holiness, and be rewarded with eternal life in God's everlasting
kingdom. If they choose to corrupt their ways before the Lord, defile
their
own bodies and commit self-murder, they can do so; but they should
remember
the judgment is to sit, and the books are to be opened, and they are to be
judged out of those things which are written in the books, according to
their works. What a fearful, spotted record will be opened before them, of
their secret thoughts, and vile acts. Sentence is pronounced upon them,
and
they are shut out from the city of God, with the ungodly, and miserably
perish with the wicked. {ApM 33.1}
Now is the time of preparation. None need to expect that God will do
the work of preparing and fitting them up, without their efforts. It is
for
them to work the works of
34
righteousness, and crowd all the right-doing they can into the little
space
of time allotted to them before probation closes, that they may have a
clean
record in Heaven. {ApM 33.2}
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