Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

of children who have attained their growth is a
terrible evil and will produce terrible results,
enervating the system and weakening the intellect.
But in those who indulge this corrupting vice
before attaining their growth, the evil effects are
more plainly marked, and recovery from its effects
is more nearly hopeless. The frame is weak and
stunted; the muscles are flabby; the eyes become
small, and appear at times swollen; the memory is
treacherous, and becomes sievelike; and inability to
concentrate the thoughts upon study increases.
To the parents of these children I would say:
You have brought children into the world to be
only a curse to society. They are unruly,
passionate, quarrelsome, and vicious. Their
influence upon others is corrupting. They bear the
stamp of the father's character, of his base passions.
His hasty, violent temper is reflected in them.
These parents should long ago have removed to the
country, thus separating themselves and children
from the society of those whom they could not
benefit, but would only harm. Steady industry upon
a farm would have proved a blessing to these
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