A MESSAGE TO YOUNG MEN by Mrs. M. C. DuBois

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 21, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 34.

A MESSAGE TO YOUNG MEN.

By Mrs. M. C. DuBois

I AM permitted to make use of the following extract from a letter written by a young man to his mother, as a foundation for a short talk to young men; with the desire to point them to the only path of security, the sure platform upon which a young man (or older man, for the matter of that) can stand and be safe. The extract in question is as follows:—

Mother, you do not know what temptations a young man has to meet in the company of most of the young women. Nine out of ten have lost their good name, and gone to ruin. I tell you, mother, it is frightful; the temptations we meet in the country are fully as bad as in the city.

My heart aches over these words. Are they true? God knows. Take your Bible and turn to the one-hundred and nineteenth psalm, verses 9 to 11. Here a question is asked and answered: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy Word. . . . Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”

Men have always had to meet temptations from evil women. Joseph met such temptation, and by having the Word of God hid in his heart, he came out pure, unsullied, and strong in character.

God has put within the reach of every young man the means of escape from every temptation; so that any one who really wants to stand pure can do so. Joseph said, How “can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Gen. 39:9.

Not only once was the temptation put before him; day by day, the Record says, was the same repeated. But he resisted, even when the delicate, detaining hand was laid upon him. He stayed not to listen to the seducing words of his exalted temptress, he heeded not the witchery of her smiles, but turned and fled, casting off his outer garment in his haste to get away from the siren voice. Had he lingered, trusting in his power to resist, he probably would have fallen, as many a man has fallen under similar temptation.

Young man, no matter what temptation may confront you,—wine, women, any sin Satan can invent,—there is help for you. Be a Joseph, in the strength of God, and overcome the temptations of life. Do not think because some thoughtless girl or evil-minded woman puts temptation before you, you must fall. There is power in Christ to keep you from sin if you will let Him keep you, but do as did Joseph, flee. It has become the universal excuse from Adam down, The woman tempted me, and I did yield. O my brother, young or old, make use of this plea no more, but in the fear of Joseph’s God say, How “can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” “I will not; I can not.” Then like Joseph, flee, and you are safe.

I know that there are strong temptations set for young men. There are those in quiet country homes who do not fully realize the corruption of society, and how evil is cloaked under a garb of professed religion; that as we come near the close of probation, sin of every hue waxes stronger. There is, however, a tendency to gloss over evils and to prophesy smooth things; but to the student of God’s Word, the true condition of society is revealed in these words, “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” We dare not refrain from sounding the note of warning, and holding up the only safe way out of the perils of these last days. I am sorry, O so sorry, that any woman should allow Satan to use her to tempt others from right paths. Some young girls are innocent of all intent or purpose of acting the part of a temptress. They have not been wisely taught to shun the very appearance of evil upon these subjects, and know not that their free and easy ways in the company of young men, act as fuel to the fires of evil burning in the veins of many young men. Mothers, do your duty in the fear of God, and teach your girl to be careful of every word and act when in the company of young men.

Some may feel that I have written too plainly upon a subject which ought not to appear in the columns of this paper, but when I see young men falling, and going to ruin on every side, I feel that I must point such to a way of safety, a sure refuge from the evils which beset their path. Take the Word of God as your chart and compass. Hide its teachings in your heart, and it will be a “light unto your path.”

“Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Tim. 2:22.

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Prov. 1:10.

“For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil: But her latter end is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on hell.”

“Let not thine heart decline to her ways, Go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: Yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, Going down to the chambers of death.”

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; Remove thy foot from evil.”

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.”

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Cor. 16:13.

“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” 2 Thess. 3:3.

May God bless every young man who may read these lines, and give him victory over every temptation and hurtful lust, is my prayer.

MRS. M. C. DuBois.

Grand Lodge, Mich.