The following brief but highly valuable testimony is from the distinguished superintendent of the Massachusetts Lunatic Hospital at Worcester:
“Dear Sir:—The subject of your Lecture to Young Men, has been much neglected, although of great importance.
This lecture, while it sounds the alarm to the young, will not fail to awaken the attention of parents, if once perused. It is couched in language as delicate as the nature of the subject will admit, and may be read with propriety and benefit by all.
The evil of which it treats, if I mistake not, is more extensively sapping the foundation of physical vigor and moral purity, in the rising generation, than is generally apprehended, even by those who are awake to the danger, and who have witnessed the deplorable influence of it upon its victims.
Yours, with respect,
S. B. WOODWARD.”
The following is from Dr. Alcott; author of the works advertised on the preceding pages—addressed to Dr. Graham.
“Dear Sir:—The subject of your Lecture to Young Men is one of immense importance, and demands the profound attention of every friend of man. It is vain longer to shuffle it off, when those whose opportunities best qualify them to give an opinion, do not hesitate to say that solitary vice is rapidly gaining ground among us. It is a subject which must be met.
In this view, I rejoice to find that an increasing demand for your little work has justified the publication of a second edition. I rejoice, especially, to see such sound principles in physiology inculcated and warmly enforced. I have no hesitation in saying that it ought to be circulated throughout our country. It would thus not only save many a young person from the murderous fangs of quackery, but—what is much better—it would prevent the necessity of his applying either to quacks or physicians for relief from a situation in which he ought never to be placed.”
The following is an extract from a letter written by the chaplain of one of our New England State Prisons to a brother clergyman in a neighboring state: