Surely it must bring a feeling of degradation to reflect that one's sex cells, over which he has no control when once gone from him, are in the womb of one who is not his wife. A conscientious man will take no chances for parentage under those evil conditions. Only a relative degree of comfort, furthermore, can be found in leaving the carrying out of measures to prevent conception to the unknown skill and faithfulness of a woman who is ipso facto untrustworthy.
Even a moderately clean minded man would recoil from intercourse with an unhealthy woman, and, if he himself were diseased, would not submit his paramour to the danger of partaking of his affliction, which is a far greater menace to her.
When these things become better understood men are not going to talk of their illicit amours, but will be forced by public opinion to keep their mouths as closely shut about their sexual escapades as criminals do about their felonious deeds.
Thus the onus of shame falls heavily upon the sensualist, and upon those who attempt to defend the meannesses and blemishes of acts which are outside of normal limits.
Elsewherel attention has been called to the readiness of men to follow austere ideals, in war for instance. Non resistance to unworthy impulses is craven. The doctor, the nurse, the coast guardsman, the fireman, or the policeman endangers himself for those who need succor; the patriot scorns injury; the pioneer, the martyr, the lover, the parent, kindle into heroes who, ignoring recompense, burn with desire to do their duty.
They are content to endure pains and resist allurements, and are uncompromising in their opposition to lower considerations. Morality may require you at any time to jump into the sea, to plunge into the fire, or to physically injure yourself, but in accordance with the general course of events it is immoral to lower the fulness and vigor of one's body.
We shall hardly allow those who shrink from things which are painful and dangerous, or who flinch and hang back from their moral duties, to brag or to ridicule those who hurry to the front. They cannot have the fun and the honor too.
Men forever remember with satisfaction their battles, and brave deeds, and honorable hardships, while recollections of sumptuous banquets and hilarious carousels clog the mind and leave few valued impressions. We do not expect those who are gradually to mould future public opinion to have pleasure uppermost in their thoughts. But we do wish them to have bounding health, and power, and joyous ness, and healthy mindedness, along with a dignified seriousness.
Undoubtedly it is a hard struggle to belong to the severely continent class. Atrophy of the sexual organs never occurs to help them out of the difficulty, and, so far as the author has been able to discover, continence never causes any malady whatsoever which reduces their virility. Quite other reasons and impulses must uphold them and determine their conduct. As aids toward discharging their moral obligations they should pursue physical exercises, take due recreation and healthful pleasure, lead temperate lives, and avoid hysterical outbursts of profane speech which so greatly damages self control, lowers dignity, and places one out of harmony with better conceptions and actions.