he
eye may become, when used to read corrupt books, or to look upon licentious
pictures, or vulgar theater scenes, or when used to meet the fascinating
gaze of the harlot! What an instrument for depraving the whole man may be
found in the matchless powers of the brain, the hand, the mouth, or the
tongue! What potent instruments may these become in accomplishing the ruin
of the whole being, for time and eternity! {32}

3. ABSTINENCE.--Some can testify with thankfulness that they never knew the
sins of gambling, drunkenness, fornication, or adultery. In all these cases
abstinence has been, and continues to be, liberty. Restraint is the noblest
freedom. No man can affirm that self-denial ever injured him; on the
contrary, self-restraint has been liberty, strength and blessing. Solemnly
ask young men to remember this when temptation and passion strive as a
floodtide to move them from the anchorage and peace of self-restraint.
Beware of the deceitful stream of temporary gratification, whose eddying
current drifts towards license, shame, disease and death. Remember how
quickly moral power declines, how rapidly the edge of the fatal maelstrom
is reached, how near the vortex, how terrible the penalty, how fearful the
sentence of everlasting punishment!

4. FRANK DISCUSSION.--The time has arrived for a full and frank discussion
of those things which affect the personal purity. Thousands are suffering
to-day from various weaknesses, the causes of which they have never
learned. Manly vigor is not increasing with that rapidity which a Christian
age demands. Means of dissipation are on the increase. It is high time,
therefore, that every lover of the race should call a halt, and inquire
into the condition of things. Excessive modesty on this subject is not
virtue. Timidity in presenting unpleasant but important truths has
permitted untold damage in every age.

5. MAN IS A CARELESS BEING.--He is very much inclined to sinful things. He
more often does that which is wrong than that which is right, because it is
easier, and, for the moment, perhaps, more satisfying to the flesh. The
Creator is often blamed for man's weaknesses and inconsistencies. This is
wrong. God did not intend that we should be mere machines, but free moral
agents. We are privileged to choose between good and evil. Hence, if we
perseveringly choose the latter, and make a miserable failure of life, we
should blame only ourselves.

6. THE PULPIT.--Would that every