, water as a beverage, simple and wholesome food, regularity of
sleep, plenty of exercise; games such as cricket, football, tennis,
boating, or bicycling, are among the best possible preventives against lust
and animal passion.

15. BEWARE OF IDLENESS.--Indolent leisure means an unoccupied mind. When
young men lounge along the streets, in this condition they become an easy
prey to the sisterhood of shame and death. Bear in mind that evil thoughts
precede evil actions. The hand of the worst thief will not steal until the
thief within operates upon the hand without. The members of the body which
are capable of becoming instruments of sin, are not involuntary actors.
Lustful desires must proceed from brain and heart, ere the fire that
consumes burns in the member.

* * * * *

{437}

A Private Talk to Young Men.

[Illustration: Young Lincoln Starting to School.]

1. The most valuable and useful organs of the body are those which are
capable of the greatest dishonor, abuse and corruption. What a snare the
wonderful organism of the eye may become when used to read corrupt books or
look upon licentious scenes at the theatre, 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 ear,
the mouth, or the tongue! What potent instruments may these become in
accomplishing the ruin of the whole being for time and eternity!

2. In like manner the organ concerning the uses of which I am to speak, has
been, and continues to be, made one of the chief instruments of man's
immorality, shame, disease, and death. How important to know what the
legitimate uses of this member of the body are, and how great the {438}
dignity conferred upon us in the possession of this gift. On the human side
this gift may be truly said to bring men nearer to the high and solemn
relationship of the Creator than any other which they possess.

3. I first deal with the destructive sin of self-abuse. There can be little
doubt that vast numbers of boys are guilty of this practice. In many cases
the degrading habit has been taught by others, e.g., by elder boys at
school, where association largely results in mutual corruption. With
others, the means of sensual gratification is found out by personal action;
whilst in other cases fallen and depraved men have not hesitated to debauch
the minds of mere children by teach