Wrong and Right Methods of Dealing with Social Evil/front matter
COUNSEL TO PARENTS.
NOTICES OF THE PRESS.
N. Y. Tribune, Nov. 11, 1879.
"The author of this volume boars an honored name on the roll both of science and of philanthropy, and is equally distinguished as a woman of rare elevation of principle, of high educational attainments, as a sagacious and successful medical practitioner, and a wise medical counsellor. In a series of thoughtful and impressive reflections she here treats of the moral education of youth, considered in relation to sex. . . . .Of the truth and importance of the principles which she lays down, she presents many forcible illustrations, contending that they rest on the deep foundation of physiological law, and are confirmed by facts of universal experience. Her appeals to parents at the close of the work in behalf of the principles which she defends exhibit the eloquence of profound conviction and earnest purpose. . . . ."
N. Y. Times, Nov 8., 1879.
"Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell makes a foreible appeal to parents to stop the ever-growing deterioration of morals among the young men and women of the present day. . . . .'The first falsehood,' says Dr. Blackwell, 'that must disappear, is the belief that the higher classes of women — the cultivated, the refined, the virtuous—have nothing to do with sexual vice; that they must remain ignorant of facts and see nothing but what is pleasant to see. . . . .'"
The Nobility of Sex.
N. Y. Star, November 10, 1879.
"Elizabeth Blackwell deserves well of the moral community for having recently said bravely and pointedly some things which most of our moralists, however good their intentions, are not stout-hearted or clever enough to say openly and inoffensively.
"Her little book, with the unpretentious title, 'Counsel to Parents on the Moral Education of their Children,' covers much broader sociological grounds than such a title indicates.
"Although written, as the author declares, to show the necessity for the proper development, distinctions, and discipline of sex in the young, it touches upon the important questions of the tendencies of sexual vice in modern civilization, and upon the disastrous results of those sins which society winks at, upon woman. . . . .
"Coming from a woman, this book is unique, but its testimony is so bravely given, its arguments are so dispassionately and calmly piled up, without oven the bias of sex, and its physiological authority is so complete, that it must be welcomed by all sincere moral workers as one of the ablest, if, indeed, it is not the ablest appeal that has been made in our time in behalf of chastity and sexual nobility of life.
"The chief value of the book to the young themselves is its convincing statement of the fundamental truth that happiness, health, and power are on the side of morality. Stated merely as an ethical proposition, this will not have any new weight. But shown as a physiological principle, founded in Nature herself, bearing always with it its own rewards and penalties, physical and moral, it must be of immense service.
"It is rarely that a book is written which dares to treat of the themes here embodied with the simplicity, earnestness, and candor that the evil of society demands. But Dr. Blackwell's little book may be placed in the hands of our sons and daughters unhesitatingly, and it can not fail to make them wiser and better, inasmuch as it will teach them that the happiness of the individual and of the race hangs upon the proper use and the reasonable discipline of the functions of sex."
The Moral Education of Children.
N. Y. Sun, Nov. 9, 1879.
"A subject of supreme concern to parents, yet one whose adequate treatment calls for a rare union of experience, insight, and delicacy, is discussed by Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell in a little treatise entitled 'The Moral Education of Children in Relation to Sex' (Brentano). No one can read this essay without cordial respect for the author's motives and abilities, or without a conviction that her just strictures and acute suggestions will be turned to large, immediate, and beneficent account by thoughtful men and women. Here is a book which examines in a sufficiently plain-spoken, yet clean and wholesome and profoundly earnest way, questions which perplex and occupy the mind of every mother—questions of vital import to the well-being of youth, and of decisive bearing on education and society. We know of no other work on the same urgent, but awkward, topic which combines so much substantial worth with such purity of form. It would be well for the community if the author's cautions and counsels could be pondered in every household."
Observer, Nov. 20, 1879.
"Brentano's Literary Emporium publishes Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell's Counsel to Parents on the Moral Education of their Children,' a little volume full of wise suggestion aud argument, all of which is timely, needful, and on the side of truth, health, honor, usefulness, and happiness"
Graphic, Dec. 6, 1879.
"In this little treatise Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell discusses, with commendable frankness and earnestness, a subject which is of the gravest importance not only to parents and the youth they have in charge, but also to society at large, which is, in fact, only a family circle of wider dimensions, whose interests are clearly identical, and not easily separated from those of the narrower band of home members. The writer's experience of twenty-eight years as a physician enables her to write intelligently on a topic which is usually tabooed in polite society from motives of false delicacy, and she has done so with an ability which should win from the public which she desires to touch a careful consideration of the views put forth. . . . . Woman has an important part to fill, in the special duties which devolve upon her as wife, mother, sister, ruler of a household, and member of society. When she fails in these, we are fain to believe it is through ignorance. Would that she might have such a valuable mentor as this little work of Dr. Blackwell's constantly near to help her realize her responsibility. It is a book written for a good purpose, is well done, and should be commended."
OPINIONS OF THE ENGLISH PRESS.
"Wise and useful."—Literary Churchman.
"Should be read by parents and guardians. It behooves all who are charged with the care of young people to ponder well the grave arguments which the talented authoress addresses in support of her views."—Public Opinion.
"Ought to be in the hands of all well-educated fathers and mothers. We desire to offer the authoress our most hearty thanks for her wise and earnest words, pleading as they do, with all the force of thorough knowledge and long experience, for keeping the body in chastity."—Church Bells.
"It must be admitted that Dr. Blackwell has executed her delicate task with great propriety."—Naval and Military Gazette.
"Some important considerations, which should be carefully pondered by those whom they specially concern. They are solemn and weighty."—Christian World.
"We earnestly commend it to parents who have young people growing up. The subject is of immense importance, and deserves careful and courageous treatment."—Nonconformist. NOTICE.
WRONG AND RIGHT METHODS OF DEALING WITH SOCIAL EVIL. By Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.
MORAL EDUCATION IN RELATION TO SEX. By Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.
Either of the above works may be obtained for distribution by Physicians, Ministers, and Educational Societies, in packages of 100, at a reduced price, by applying to
S. E. BLACKWELL,
Box 193, East Orange, New Jersey.