sensuality are strong, well, and live to a
good age. Let us not make any mistake concerning these; they are exceptions
to the rule; the appearance of health in them is but the grossness of
sensuality. You have only carefully to look into the faces of these men to
see that their countenances, eyes, and speech betray them. They are simply
the devil's decoys.
12. GROSSNESS OF SENSUALITY.--The poor degraded harlot draws in the victims
like a heavily charged lodestone; these men are found in large numbers
throughout the entire community; they would make fine men were they not
weighted with the grossness of sensuality; as it is, they frequent the
race-course, the card-table, the drinking-saloon, the music-hall, and the
low theaters, which abound in our cities and towns; the great majority of
these are men of means and leisure. Idleness is their curse, their
opportunity for sin; you may know them as the loungers over
refreshment-bars, as the retailers of the latest filthy joke, or as the
vendors of some disgusting scandal; indeed, it is appalling the number of
these lepers found both in our business and social circles.
* * * * *
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Poisonous Literature and Bad Pictures.
[Illustration: PALESTINE WATER CARRIERS.]
1. OBSCENE LITERATURE.--No other source contributes so much to sexual
immorality as obscene literature. The mass of stories published in the
great weeklies and the cheap novels are mischievous. When the devil
determines to take charge of a young soul, he often employs a very
ingenious method. He slyly hands a little novel filled with "voluptuous
forms," "reclining on bosoms," "languishing eyes," etc.
2. MORAL FORCES.--The world is full of such literature. It is easily
accessible, for it is cheap, and the young will procure it, and therefore
become easy prey to its baneful influence and effects. It weakens the moral
forces of the young, and they thereby fall an easy prey before the subtle
schemes of the libertine.
3. BAD BOOKS.--Bad books play not a small part in the corruption of the
youth. A bad book is as bad as an evil companion. In some respects it is
even worse than a living teacher of vice, since it may cling to an
individual at all times. It will follow him and poison his mind with the
venom of evil. The influence of bad books in making bad boys and men is
little appreciated. Few are aware how much evil seed is being sown among
the young everywhere through the
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