New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-08

HERBERT c. HOOVER.
United States Food Commissioner.
would cease 20 be a purchasable COM
modify in the unholy marts Of society.
Danger to the Nation
The low esteem in which strict sex
ual morality is currently held is an
element Of positive danger to the ma
ton as a human institution, 70 say
nothing OF the wholesale debauching Of
souls "a an offence against Divine de-
cree. With such awful examples az
history furnishes, il is a matter Of as
constituent that governments should be
so nearly oblivious 70 the dislntegrst-
ing forces springing from violations Of
the moral law among their citiZenry.
For, as already stated, while the edu-
cation Of the individual is the basal
condition OF community improvement,
regulatory laws will be necessary as
long as crime fourishes.
The grandeur OF ancient Greece, the
majesty OF Rome, once the proud rulers
of the world, have disappeared, and the
verdict OF history specifies the preva-
lence of sexual immortality as among
the chief Of the destructive agencies by
which the fall of those mighty peoples
was effected.
The literature Of the religious body
I represent records an instance Of even
more striking import, for II comprises
the physical destruction and complete
extinction Of a once powerful nation
and the utter debasement Of another.
According 70 Book Of Mormon his
tory the American continent was once
inhabited by two peoples known re-
spectively as Nephites and Lsmanites.
The former were progressive through
out a great part Of their career; they
built cities and cultivated the arts Of
civilization, and as long as they lived
in righteousness they prospered.
The Lamanites were OF nomadic hab-
its. and except for brief intervals OF
comparative peace were in a state o.
aggressive enmity against their Nephite
contemporaries.
An Upright People
The most blessed period Of ancient
American history was that OF the FIRST
two centuries Of the Christian era, dur
ing which the people lived in purity
and virtue. OF that time We read:
A
contention in the land, because of the
love Of God which did dwell In the
hearts OF the people. And there were
no envylngs, nor strites, nor tumults'
nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor muir
ders. nor any manner OF lascivious-
ness: and surely there could not be
happier people among all the people
who had been created By the hand OF
God" a Nephi, IS, 49,.
But this virtuous and happy state
was followed by an era Of abomlnaole
excuses, and prominent among the
aims that led 70 the death OF the nation
was that Of sexual impurity and gem
ersl lasciviousness As the prophets
had predicted. the Nephites degenera-
ted and by Divine suferance their enc
mics destroyed them as nation. Ana
tho Iamanites. though victors IN the
struggle. have fallen 20 the present de-
graded status Of the American indian.
Arehaologists tell US that the human
homes taken from Indian mounds OF
this country bear unmistakaole testl-
monv 20 the prevalence OF syphnitlc
and allied diseases among the ancient
Americans.
Is our modern nation 20 bring upon
itself the doom of destructive depraV-
itv? The forces of dislntegration are
al work throughout the land. and they
ouerate as insidiously as does the virus
Of deadly contagion. A nationwide
awakening 70 the need Of personal san
itstion and of rigorous reform IN the
matter Of sexual morality IS demanded
BY the exigencies Of the times.
As in combating physical maladies'
so in the treatment OF moral contaglon
the individual should be rendered I'M
mune. so far as possible. by lnstrgc-
ton in HYGIENE living and oy lnoeula-
ton with the spirit OF righteousness
and. confidently, every possible eHorl
IS required 10 chsck the spread OF tne
plague by community sanitation. Inc
current and common custom OF moe
cencv in dress, the mood OF innoraI
scion in prtnted literature, IN the
drama. and notably in motion picture
evh.bitions. the liberation OF lmmod-
sstv +, everyday conversation and ce-
,resror. are doing deadly work IN the
fostering of soul destroying VICE.
Ike many bodily diseases, sexual
r,r,s draos with itself a train o. cther
ils As the physical effects OF drunA-
e,nsss entail the ceterioration OF us
enc ard disturbance Of vital functions
ord so render the body receptive 10
anv distemper to which It may DE eH-
rossd and az the same time lower tae
rpouers of resistance, even to fatal de-
sc,encv 40 does unchastity expose the
sonl 10 divers spiritual maladles and
rob il Of both resistance and recupera-
tive ability. The adu!terous generation
~ Christ's day were deaf to the voice
Of truth. and through their eiseasea
state OF mind and heart sought siter
signs and preferred empty fable 10 'ne
message Of salvation. 49, F., A..
The Gospel Of Jesus Christ IS the
Divinelv ordained panacea for the Ills
hat sfiict humanity. and preemlnsntly
90 for the dread affection Of sexual SIN.
Note the teachings OF tie Master while
lie ministered among men in the flesh
they were primarily directed 20 indI-
yidual probity and rectitude Of life.