404 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



object. A boy with a matchbox in a powder magazine 

 would be in no greater danger than in the company 

 of most of the lads who attend our public schools and 

 play upon the streets. It is astonishing how early chil- 

 dren, esj^ecially boys, will sometimes learn the hideoiis, 

 shameless tricks of vice which yearly lead thousands 

 down to everlasting death. Often, children begin their 

 course of sin while yet cradled in their mother's arms, 

 thus early taught by some vile nurse. Boys that fight 

 and swear, that play upon the streets and disobey their 

 parents, may be wisely shunned as unfit for associates. 

 In many instances, however, boys whose conduct is in 

 other respects wholly faultless, sometimes indulge in 

 vice, ignorant of its real nature and consequences. 



At the first intimation of evil on the part of a com- 

 panion, a boy who is yet pure should flee away as from 

 a deadly serpent or a voracious beast. Do not let the 

 desire to gratify morbid curiosity deter you from flee- 

 ing at once from the source of contamination. Under 

 such circumstances, do not hesitate a moment to escape 

 from danger. If an evil word is spoken, or an indecent 

 act of any sort indulged in by a companion, cut the ac- 

 quaintance of such a boy at once. Never allow yourself 

 to be alone with him for a moment. On no account be 

 induced to associate with him. He will as surely soil 

 and besmear with sin your moral garments as would 

 contact with the most filthy object imaginable stain 

 your outer garments. 



It were better for a boy never to see or associate 

 with a lad of his own age than to run any risk of being 

 corrupted before he is old enough to appreciate the 

 terrible enormity of sin, and the awful consequences 

 of transgression. It should be recollected, also, that 

 not only young boys, but vicious youths and young 



