“All parents seem to teach their offspring, as early as possible, the danger of a hot stove, a sharp knife, the evil of intemperance, the bite of a poisonous serpent; but the evils of sexual licentiousness, resulting from an inadequate knowledge of the sex relations, is, as a rule, not only not taught by _your_ parents, but it is actually suppressed by a false, fashionable standard of modesty. A knowledge of the evil consequences of an act is the deterrent that must keep us from doing that evil act. As long as we know no evil consequences resulting from the act of placing our hand against a hot stove, we are as likely to place it against the hot stove as into a glove. Our faculty of inquisitiveness may prompt us to reach out our hand in a state of ignorance, to examine a cherry red stove, but our knowledge of the painful consequences resulting from such an act deters us from it. We should learn the truth about _all_ things, including the sex relation, and the sooner the better. We are never too young to learn. “The sexual function is perhaps as deeply grafted into our nature as any other function. An improper adjustment of this function entails an immense amount of physical and mental injury.” “That is what we believe,” said Mrs. Uwins. “The question of sex relations is as openly discussed in our family as any other question of information. Our children are nearly as well informed on those questions and functions, their use and abuse, as we are.” “No, Mr. Midith, you need not feel backward about giving us the true and full explanation of your sex relation in the presence of our family,” said Mr. Uwins. “We keep the most complete and best illustrated physiologies in the most conspicuous place of our library. We all study them.” “I am pleased to hear that you are as eager to learn on these subjects as you are on others,” continued Mr. Midith. “We should undoubtedly understand ourselves as well as possible in _all_ particulars. Our whole aim on this subject, as well as on all others, should be to make individual intelligence the safeguard of life, health and happiness.