Morning journal and courier., 1883-11-05
First Methodist Church.

First Methodist Church.
 Sermon by Rev. Mr. Buck On the Choice
 of Literature-FIis opinion Regarding
 Newspapers.
 At the First Methodist church last evening the pastor, Rev. Mir. Buck, preached an able discourse, being one of series of sermons to young people. His subject was, 'sThe Choice of Books-What Shall Not Read7' He selected as the basis of his remarks the Proverbs: 'The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness P
 In his opening remarks Mir. Back said.
 The printing press is a fountain that "sends forth at the same place sweet water and bitter" The first samples of printing after the discovery of the art were playing cards and the manuals of religion. ttA varf- ety." ss one has said, fat the beginning which has been observed ever since; the devil and the Lord having divided interest in the art" Of all the devices" of Satan for corrupting truth and destroying souls none is mighter thas his inspiration of a permiscuous literature. The power of one bad book is fearful; but millions of them are printed and read every year. Concerning them I preach tonight. They are the ''foollshness' on which the stmouth of fools feeds.''
 Avoid skeptical books. They abound. Sometimes they aVow their purpose ie prop agate error; at other times they conceal their infdelity under the high sounding as- sumptions of "more liberal Christianity" !" Ga Christianity for the times" Many of these works do not teach any positive form of disbelief. They may not even contain a sentiment that could be interpreted as hostile to Christianity, yet the whole tendency of their thought is to lead into the murky dreamIand of doubt. Such books are not saef guides nor proper companions In whatever form they come they should be labelled poison and put by. I do not mean by this that Christianity or the Bible shrink from the severest criticism. I simply mean that it is unwise for you to attempt to settle these questions by reading infidel books You may not have sufficient knowledge to dis criminate between what is true and false. You may not be able to detect the fallacies and sophisms with which such works gene rally abound. The proper test of any system is that given by Christ-''by their fruits shall ye know them" The question is not so much what the argument is but what the system. Compare the tendencies and results of Chris tianity and infidelitv and you need nothing more to determine what is truth.
 Avoid sensational novels, novels that are not true to life They are mere chaff. Their titles are low and the story is full of vapidity and ghastliness. To read such stuff is to turn from the healthiest viands of literature and feed on garbage.
 Such reading brings mental imbecility, fos- ters craving for unnatural excitement and units for the practical duties of life They dazzle by visions, excite by ideal delights that have no corresponding realities and thus shadow life with disappoint- ments. They stir the feelings not by touching the fine chords of the heart," but by coarse congregations and unnatural scenes They who shed tears over illusive heroes and heroines have but little sympathy with the actual suferings of men.
 Avoid all immoral literature. Sometimes newspapers, even the best, are at fault. Many of the reports of degrading amusements, of scandals, murders and lustful practices of every kind are demoralizing. These things may give spice to 8 newspaper, but it is at the expense of virtue. Then there is class of sensational newspapers which pander to grossly immoral taste. Their influence is as pestiferous as the blast ofsthe plague. Im- moral literature comes to us In class of f1i thy books that pretend to be medical and in- structive. They are really designed to pam der to the sickliest curiosity and the basest desires. The most harmful form of immoral literature is the corrupt novel. Their story is only decoy to innoculate the deadliest poison. Their scenes bring the reader into
 
 is mockiug. They instil sense of delight in the pleasures of lustful self-indulgence. Virtue is caricatured; vice is made enticing Iicentiousness and depravity are tricked out ip the garb of decency. The vilest desperadoes are converted into heroes and an air of romance is thrown around a life of crime and infamy. By such reading life becomes poisoned at the fountain. It cor rupts principle, infames passion and fre- quently leads to crime. In closing, MT. Buck appealed to the young people to touch not, taste not, handle not papers or books that are immoral. Have you such 8 one in your pocket or trunk, destroy it. Never revel in its deadly sweets. Never peruse 8. work you would blush to read in the presence of father, mother or sister. Poison not your soul with pernieious reading. Be not fool feeding on foolishness, but wise man seek ing knowledge.
 At the Church of the Messiah the pastor, Rev. M. H. Houghton, preached 8 fore1ble and logical sermon yesterday morning on ''What Becomes of Unbelieyers?' In the evening the pastors brother, Rev. F. M Houghton, of Middletown, occupied the pull pit and discoursed on 1.-The Golden Age.'' His remarks were deeply interesting and in structive and evidently pleased his hearers.