A Solemn Appeal - Ellen G. White

wept and prayed over them, yet we have known
that right amid all our earnest effort and distress,
the force of sinful habit has obtained the mastery.
These sins would be committed. The consciences
of some of the guilty, through severe attacks of
sickness, or by being powerfully convicted, have
been aroused, and have so scourged them, that it
has led to confession of these things, with deep
humiliation. Others are alike guilty. They have
practiced this sin nearly their whole lifetime, and
with their broken-down constitutions, and, with
their sieve-like memories, are reaping the result of
this pernicious habit, yet are too proud to confess.
They are secretive, and have not shown
compunctions of conscience for this great sin and
wickedness. They seem to be insensible to the
influence of the Spirit of God. The sacred and
common are alike to them. The common practice
of a vice so degrading as polluting their own bodies
has not led to bitter tears and heartfelt repentance.
They feel that their sin is against themselves alone.
Here they mistake. Are they diseased in body or
mind, others are made to feel. Others suffer.
Mistakes are made. The memory is deficient. The
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