ed in the
case of congenital idiocy. They come generally from a class of families
which seem to have degenerated physically to a low degree. They are puny
and sickly.

21. SECRET DISEASES.--See the weakly, sickly and diseased children who are
born only to suffer and die, all because of the private disease of the
father before his marriage. Oh, let the truth be told that the young men of
our land may learn the lessons of purity of life. Let them learn that in
morality there is perfect protection and happiness.

[Illustration: GETTING A DIVORCE]

{414}

Physical and Moral Degeneracy.

[Illustration: THE DEGENERATE TURK.]

1. MORAL PRINCIPLE.--"Edgar Allen Poe, Lord Byron, and Robert Burns," says
Dr. Geo. F. Hall, "were men of marvelous strength intellectually. But
measured by the true rule of high moral principle, they were very weak.
Superior endowment in a single direction--physical, mental, or
spiritual--is not of itself sufficient to make one strong in all that that
heroic word means.

2. INSANE ASYLUM.--Many a good man spiritually has gone to an untimely
grave because of impaired physical powers. Many a good man spiritually has
gone to the insane asylum because of bodily and mental weaknesses. Many a
good man spiritually has fallen from virtue in an evil moment because of a
weakened will, or, a too demanding fleshly passion, or, worse than either,
too lax views on the subject of personal chastity."

3. BOYS LEARNING VICES.--Some ignorant and timid people argue that boys and
young men in reading a work of this character will learn vices concerning
which they had {415} never so much as dreamed of before. This is, however,
certain, that vices cannot be condemned unless they are mentioned; and if
the condemnation is strong enough it surely will be a source of strength
and of security. If light and education, on these important subjects, does
injury, then all knowledge likewise must do more wrong than good. Knowledge
is power, and the only hope of the race is enlightenment on all subjects
pertaining to their being.

4. MORAL MANHOOD.--It is clearly visible that the American manhood is
rotting down--decaying at the center. The present generation shows many men
of a small body and weak principles, and men and women of this kind are
becoming more and more prevalent. Dissipation and indiscretions of all kind
are working ruin. Purity of life and temperate habits are being too
generally disregarded.

5. YOUNG WOMEN