It is too often the case that delicacy of feeling deters parents and guardians of youth from plain speaking to their sons or others upon subjects which are nevertheless of the most vital importance and of which they should be early informed and cautioned, so that, being put upon their guard as to the high and holy office of certain functions of the human body, and the terrible consequences resulting from an abuse, or unnatural employment of them, that they may scrupulously avoid those practices by which man's powers are early weakened.
It has often been told me in secret, by some weeping and repentant son, that the only hints he ever received from his parent referring to the exercise of that higher power which the Almighty has given to man - the power of perpetuating his own species - were given more in the form of jests than solemn truths and thus prurient curiosity was excited.
My experience convinces me that multitudes of our young men, who are now suffering from the dire effects of vicious indulgences of one kind or another, might have been saved from the horrors of their present state had some kindly voice sufficiently early whispered a few plain cautionary truths in their ear.
It may be that some older companion first lured you to "the harlot's abode" who, while striving to render vile fascination to you and your companions, were in reality suffering in their own bosoms being themselves probably the unhappy victims of some vile seducer, and how can these wretched, hopeless diseased, miserable outcasts do other than detest all men? Not only do they here learn to lightly esteem fair female worth and loose that high and delightful appreciation of woman's heavenly mission as man's comforter and companion in the world, but unavoidably learn lessons in every sin. Here the swearer and the Sabbath breaker meet - here the drunkard and the sensualist join hand in hand - here blackest crimes are planned. Here too habits are formed and expenses occurred, to which parents and employers must be defrauded - robbery, embezzlement, forgery follow and often deliberate suicide ends his brief career on earth and drags down to the grave his loving heartbroken parents and attaches dishonour and reproach to brothers, sisters and all who bear his name.
Or even if he escape he cannot the dire effects of the direst of all diseases such as horrifies you to look upon and even pity's weeping eye is turned aside in sickening disgust.
But perhaps you indulge in some private, secret, selfish sin, which requires no partner in your guilt, but which, though committed alone, will most inevitably bring you similar loss and suffering in the end. This form of vicious indulgence is, I know, far more frequent than is generally supposed.
It is a sin against nature. Those who indulge, do so, I am sure, for the most part in utter ignorance of its consequences; and the latter are truly fearful - loss of physical power, producing lassitude, debility, nervous diseases, and prostration of strength, it manifests itself in ulceration of the body, especially to the face - blotches, sores and pimples annoy the sufferer - haggard and vacant looks and a want of manly bearing, especially in female company, a bloodless, lean and starving face expose his guilt to those who know "the signs of certain sins" and sinks him into a premature and dishonourable grave or leads on to insanity.
I would affectionately encourage you not to despond, strive to be cheerful and keep up your spirits. Resolve by God's help to change your practice for the future. Escape is difficult, but thank God, not impossible; pray to your heavenly Father and implore him to aid you in breaking off your pernicious body and soul-destroying practices. The Tempter will persuade you to diminish and not abandon the sin but pray not once to give way.
Be then courageous and abstain from all kinds of intoxicating drinks; the stimulus of their spirituous parts excites the system and are infinitely inferior to fresh air and cold water. Even tea, coffee and all hot and exciting or stimulating beverages are far best abstained from in cases such as yours. Let your beverage be milk and water, or perhaps far better cold water only, and eschew most determinedly the pipe and cigar and vile tobacco in all its forms. Avoid much meat, all spices and exciting condiments. It would be wise not to take suppers at night. Meal bread is more suitable than white, and a hard ship biscuit is a most useful kind of diet.
Take much exercise, so as to go to bed tired. Sleep also with your chamber thoroughly ventilated (avoiding draughts of course), also lie cool using comparatively little bedclothes. If you cannot get exercise in a garden by digging etc., spend much of your leisure in hard working, or even running, particularly up and down hills. As often as you can conveniently, have recourse to cold ablutions and friction to the surface of the body.
Keep the mind employed by reading profitable, interesting and instructive books, carefully avoiding such as contain love tales, and do not neglect the best of all books - the Bible. Carefully avoid all drugs and especially all potions of Quack doctors who fatten upon the vices of the young and grow rich in proportion as immorality is sapping the vitals of the nation. They murder off young men with their poisonous quackeries and rob the simple who confide in them their money.
Finally I pray that God's blessing may follow this advice, that you may be spared from the miseries of an ill-spent life and the disgrace and awful lot of the self murderer; and praying that the Lord may be your trust and strength.
I am, my dear friend, your very self,
J.H.
(Many thanks to Clive from Bangor for sending us this instructive and profitable tract. - The Editors)