A CHAPTER FOR GIRLS 455 



making a last effort for help. She had grown up in 

 utter ignorance of the laws of health, and of the re- 

 sults of the vice of which we are writing; and having 

 been early taught the sin, she had indulged it for a 

 number of years with the result of producing a most 

 terribly diseased condition of the sexual organs, which 

 had baffled the skill of all the physicians who had 

 attended her, none of whom had ever been made ac- 

 quainted with the true cause of the difficulties. 



"V\nien apprised of the real facts in the case, that 

 she alone was responsible for the sad condition into 

 which she had fallen, her eyes were opened to see the 

 wickedness and vileness of her course. She bitterly 

 bemoaned her past life, and heartily repented of her 

 sins. Of the sincerity of her repentance she gave evi- 

 dence in the earnest efforts which she put forth to 

 help herself. She spared no pains to do well all re- 

 quired on her part, and was soon rewarded by feeling 

 that her diseases were being removed, and health was 

 returning. Still she was constantly reminded of her 

 former sins. Wlien the will was off its guard during 

 sleep, the mind, long indulged in sin, would revert to 

 the old channels, and riot in vileness. Unchaste dreams 

 often made her dread to sleep, as she awoke from these 

 unconscious lapses enervated, weak, and prostrated as 

 though she had actually transgressed. But though 

 often thus almost disheartened, she continued the strug- 

 gle against evil, and was finally rewarded by gaining 

 a perfect victory over her mind, sleeping as well as 

 waking, and recovering her health sufficiently to enable 

 her to enjoy life, and make herself very useful. 



Not a few similar cases have come under our ob- 

 servation; and it seems to us that the pain, anguish, 

 and remorse suffered by these poor victims, ought to 



