that might
excite sexual disturbance is most sacred in its character and most
needful even in a religious point of view; for there should be
_chastity_ above all things.

CHAPTER IV.

ADOLESCENCE OF THE MALE.

Adolescence of the male embraces the period of life from the age of
fourteen or sixteen years to the age of twenty-five.

At about the age of fourteen years "the period of youth is distinguished
by that advance in the evolution of the generative apparatus in both
sexes, and by that acquirement of its power of functional activity,
which constitutes the state of _Puberty_." At this age the following
great changes take place in the general appearance and deportment of the
male: His frame becomes more angular and the masculine proportions more
pronounced; increased strength and greater powers of endurance are
manifested; the larynx enlarges and the voice becomes lower in pitch as
well as rougher and more powerful; new feelings and desires awaken in
the mind. His deportment becomes more commanding, his frivolity is less
and less apparent, and the boy is lost in the man. If he has been so
fortunate as to escape all the dangers and baneful influences of
childhood, he is manly indeed, and we behold him with an unburdened
conscience, bright intellect, frank address and good memory. His spirits
are buoyant and his complexion clear; every function of his body is well
performed, and no fatigue is felt after moderate exertion. He evinces
that elasticity of body, and that happy control of himself and his
feelings, which are indicative of the robust health and absence of care
which should accompany youth. His time is devoted to his studies, duties
and amusements; as he feels his stature increase, and his intellect
enlarge, he gladly prepares for his coming struggle with the world.

All boys may come to this condition with proper training through the
period of infancy and childhood; and after arriving at the adolescent
age of their existence as they have the power of mind to _choose_, so
also have they the power to _refuse_. The human race is created above
the animal so that we are something more than mere animals; we are human
beings with human propensities, human passions, human desires and human
tastes, which are subject to the human brain, to the human reason and to
the human will--all elevated and ennobled by the Divine Will. Man must
not let himself down to be governed by animal passions; the moment he
does t