PREVENTION

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - here pre-eminently. Not to begin is the only safety. Nor is this prevention difficult. Nature has taken effectual means to secure this end. That wall of native modesty which she has thrown around every well-constituted youth, is ample protection. They only require to be put upon their guard. They would not fall into these habits unless coaxed into them, nor then if they once suspected them of being either wrong or injurious. Such knowledge would furnish an all-powerful stimulant to modesty, and render it effectual. They now suspect no harm, and intend no more wrong than in eating. To know that it is virtually on a par with sexual intercourse in its corrupting influence on the mind, and in its injury of the health, would awaken Conscientiousness to joint effort with modesty, and save nearly all. But ignorance lulls conscience, and persuasion and imitation overcome shame, and they enter the broad road, and soon find that death is in the practice. The simple knowledge of the fact that these practices sap their capabilities of enjoying this same pleasure in wedlock, would also prevent personal indulgence, as in ‘Love and Parentage,’ it was shown to be a preventive of licentiousness. Diffusing appropriate knowledge, and circulating appropriate books, on this subject, will work an effectual cure. And I anticipate great good from the means and efforts now in progress touching this matter.SOAP 260.3