dance halls, abound in sexual suggestion and stimulation.[34] These agencies stimulate an excessive stream of sexual desire, with all its physical accompaniments, in boys and men:  the natural and inevitable result is an overwhelming impulse toward illicit satisfaction in self-abuse or sexual immorality.  Society in self-defense and the interest of its youth must wage war upon this mercenary exploiting of the sex impulse.  Licentious thinking is the great foe of continence; the saying of Jesus may be paraphrased thus with physiological correctness:  “He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath already committed the sexual act in his nervous system.”

Hence, the second task in this connection is to arouse and arm the youth against the lusts of the mind, and lead him in a resolute fight for mastery over his own thoughts.  “Do not harbor in your mind anything you would fear to have your enemies know, or blush to have your friends know,” is a good motto for boys and youth.

When we come to instruction in matters of reproduction and sex, the first principle is that it should be given in organic relation with the rest of life and thought.  It arises naturally in two main connections:  in response to the child’s own questions and problems; and as part and parcel of biological science.  The common questions of the little child, “Where does the baby come from?” or perhaps even earlier, “How does the hen make the eggs?”—­an actual question of a four-year-old—­are the signal and the open door for easy and natural enlightenment.  Seize the opportunity:  tell the truth, as simply and briefly as possible, and the beginning is made; watch for and utilize all such opportunities, as they come, and the main road of the task is marked out; shock is minimized, if not eliminated, mutual confidence is engendered, and a priceless reward may be won.  But if at that first question we falter, quibble, blush, lie, jest, or repel, we have entered the wrong road which leads eternally astray.  Let no question ever be either ignored or neglected, least of all repelled.  It is the golden opportunity for parent, teacher, or friend.  To guarantee against the child seeking promiscuous and irresponsible sources of information, let his questions ever find the warmest welcome and kindest response at the parent’s knee.[35]

Now the movements of the child’s own mind in matters of sex and reproduction may either be actual questions more or less explicit, or they may be subtler seekings for light,—­hints, vague inquiries, gropings after what he cannot phrase or hesitates to utter; these inward stirrings are vital, and the alert and sympathetic and patient parent can in the main perceive them and bring them to light.  But success need not be hoped for in this respect unless first the beginnings are attended to; uncounted parents can testify to the infinite difficulty of breaking to the boy or girl the silence long practiced with the child.  Nor will occasional or spasmodic fits