A lecture to young men on chastity : intended also for the serious consideration of parents and guardians / by Sylvester Graham.

  • Sylvester Graham
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture to young men on chastity : intended also for the serious consideration of parents and guardians / by Sylvester Graham. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    138/186 (page 106)
    NOTE J. “ As if ibe hand of necessity were on him,” &c.—Page 55. The following case, which it is to be hoped is a very rare one, affords a melancholy illustra- tion of the text, and presents an occasion for remarks on the measures adopted to break up the evil habit. S. W. became initiated into the practice of self-pollution when very young; and before his friends suspected it, or himself was aware of the pernicious consequences, his health w’as destroy- , ed and his constitution greatly impaired. When his symptoms became so plain and unequivocal, however, that they could no longer be mistaken, the cause of his sufferings was detected, and the ruinous character of his indulgence was faith- fully and solemnly described to him. He was filled with horror and anguish at the disclosure, and promised never more to repeat the destruc- tive practice. But this promise was as a rope of sand ” before the power of his habit. He continued his unclean indulgence in spite of all the convictions of his own mind, and remon- strances of his conscience, and sufferings of his body. His friends expostulated, and entreated, and threatened—but all was in vain. He still went on in his transgression, and W'ith tears and bitter anguish declared that he had not the ])ower to refrain from the loathsome act, though lie knew that every repetition of it was increas- ing his sufferings and-hastening him to the grave. It was then proposed that he should consent to be manacled. He received the proposal with joy, and submitted to the confinement of his