valuable truths and suggestions about this matter, and I cannot do
better than pass them on to you.

_Firstly_, what are the facts about its consequences? These have been
exaggerated. Its effects are chiefly psychical. It does not affect the
intelligence or weaken mental power. It takes long to weaken the body,
and it is rarely, if ever, a cause of insanity.

On the other hand, it does destroy self-respect; it does leave men
psychically disturbed, and for that reason it affects consciousness of
the presence of God disproportionately quickly as compared with other
sins, and produces the feeling of loss of spiritual power. There are,
in fact, abundant reasons for desiring deliverance, though there is no
reason for panic.

As has been said again and again in this book, our sexual nature is a
gift from God, with glorious possibilities in it of enriching
experience. That is why it is so very important not to misuse it.

Now if you really want deliverance, you have first to realize that the
seat of the trouble and of the cure is in the mind. (Occasionally there
is a slight abnormality that requires surgical treatment, but that is
exceptional.)

The content of the mind in ordinary times is even more important than
at the crisis. It may be too late then.

You must prepare the ground by resting on God even when you do not feel
the need of Him. Fill your mind with clean, healthy things, and expel
lustful thoughts, even though they may seem to have no special physical