The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-17
BAD BOOKS AND BAD NEWSPAPERS
Sermon by Rev. G. w. WoodruG

Sermon by Rev. q. w. Woodruff.
sermon was delivered last evening ON the abo1
named subject in she Seventh street Methodist Episcop
church, by Rev. G. w. Woodruff the PASTOR in the pre-
epce Of large congregation. The preliminary exercise
consisted usual Of pretty good singing OF hymns an
anthems, prayer and the reading Of a portion Of "a
scriptures In the prayer the reverend gentlema
trusted that the great influences the press which ar
often used for mischief will be more used 70 the a
vancement Of the glory Of the Saviour and His domi
ion.
The preacher took as his text the nineteenth verse
the tenth chapter Of the Acts Of the Apostles a.
lows:-"And many OF them brought their beol
together and burned them"
The Reverend gentleman then proceeded 70 say ths
he wanted to speak Of bad books aud bad newspaper
In days Of St. Paul those that had bad books broug
them together and burned them; and it would DO We
for society II grand bonfire were made OF all the ba
newspapers pictures books and poems Of the preser
day all good people should become police against
foolish and vile press and is my work 70 say somehn
on the subject o-night No class OF has . right
say what books shall or shall not be read. ! wi
do no such thing Reading should be free. The Caaht
lie church makes great bunder when she dictates WIS
shall and what shall not be read will speak and the
Judge for yourselves. / would rather son Of min
should read every thing than nothing What Is Al tn
bottom of all the rowdyism Of large city, the gamn
table, war every evil II is the fact that there
SO many among whom there is reading. Though youn
be wearied with long hours Of labor they shout
find time for reading. ! tremble for young man thai
does not read or young woman. Better read every|
thing than nothing Give yourselves TO reading bad
book and had newspaper: have now 10 show what
these They nearly all to be found In the rego
OF fiction some OF the purest conceive
have been put in ction but this Is no excuse Tor Do
fiction There three classes OF ctionthe good. ID
written to uphold truth and virtue are good
Some are in defence Of temperance, of religion Thes
should live. Books like bad, Indifferent and|
good. An indifferent forgotten when he 0i08I
just like indifferent books that milk and water
good for nothing without point or power There mol
books and newspapers are those which throw shade
over virtue and treat religion with contempt These make
familiar with and excite the imagination Thes(
all bad Reading these brings fever like eatind
opium The wicked publishers publish these 10 max :
SUCH reading IS bad rainous dreadful Reading sSsd
famarizes with crime is bad-murder on the seas In q
brothel, such pictures Of crime and vice. These
should only be recorded in the courts OF Justice or the
dry columns Of newspaper. Finally all reading that
throws shade virtue or treats religion with con-
tempt bad In these instances vice appears in high
coIors virtue in sackcIoth and religion is subjected ID
sneers Seduction, the theatre private marriages. these
all glitter the pages Of these books These herade
famous papers indicate their character Who wants u
read such book the Mysteres OF Parish 70 know
their title as we'll as II we waded through their pages q
impurity. ] want to announce the reason why such
books should be burned-destroyed: But it Is . most
frivolous reason Think how little time people
generally have for readng, and lot th9 b0ur he
Stolen BY bad books or newspapers and what Is the f.
suit? They are lost Such hours are gone and wasted
forever. Religious, historical and other books that
would carry through the noblest thought and back 70
the very fountains OF time are passed over and IN
known Their beauties ard their information worse
than lost to millions. whose minds instead Of beng
stored by them, filled with the most poisonous OF
useless sentiments. Fictitious reading is . nold
robbery of time. Such books give US . false
idea OF life Home life and reality become
too tame No man was ever represented in these books
in poverty without being painted as wretchedi no
heroine or hero in wealth without being happy. Theee
do not teach 70 do duty at home like men and DC
natural No, reality too stale, too fiat for ROMANCE
Such reading keeps down the intellect The mind only
thrives whom 1t thinks Romance only excites, and
could point out any one who has been in the habh OF
INDUCING In reading 1t constantly. There Is not reader
of fiction who could say with 81. Paul. "w When !
became man put away childish thngR" II the read
ing Of fiction dwarfs the mind gives false ideas Of life
worse, such reading coupts the heart The heroes Of
fiction are the thief and the gambler and all wreched
individuals We would not invite these people 70 ouE
them they represented bring them into the
society Of ourselves and families Ayoung once
said he was awakened by the voics Of God, but his
lost died without God. The Gospel has many obstacles
TO overcome, but worse than fictitious reading.
This literature 10 not what IL once was book terA
literature, as numerous as the leaves Of The forss
Fictitious literature 10 taking place with the
stage and 10 similar In its Influences; end
and morality II could only The mischief dons
by these books how would wish see them burpeo
An only son OF widow once read the history Of Q
robber-the exploits OF successful robber-and he
afterwards when in prison, confessed that that book
the cause Of his misfortune. Take care Of your
reading Be familiar no longer with bad books or bad
pewspspsrs and may God bless you and take care Of
The reverend gentleman here brought hs remarks TO
close, and after prayer and the singing Of the
Doxologv the services were concluded