Woman's chronicle. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1888-1???, 1891-01-03
Vicious Literature.

The power OF the press is proposition too clear
to render any argument necessary in support of
it, But it depends upon the use to which 10 is ap-
Piled whether in be power for good or evil We
are reading people, and our lives are influenced
largely by what we read. Awicked and licentious
press is one of the most fruitful sources of vice
and crime incident to modern civilization. II
polsons the home, debauches our Young people,
vitiates public sentiment, and blights everything
it touches.
1t is written, 1.-THE children of this world are
wiser in their generation than the children of
light Publishers of vicious literature are too
often more active and persistent in promoting its
circulation than are the friends of truth and right
eousness in disseminating moral and religious read
ing matter. We need to redouble our diligence
just at this point, and resist the encroachments Of
the enemy. Christian people should buy, read
and circulate such publications as will be eevating
in their nature and help to counterfeit the force of
evil 1t is their duty to aid in supplanting the is
sues Of corrupt and demoralizing press with that
which is pure wholesome and instructive The
happiness of home the welfare of Church and
State, and the character and destiny Of millions
are involved.
Few persons are aware of the extent to which
morazing literature is carried on in this country
to-day. Anthony Comsteck, secretary of the New
York Society for the Suppression of Vice, is
authority for the statement that there are four
thousand persons engaged in this iniquitous bust
ness. These infamous smut-dealers are cunning,
persistent, and INSCRIPTIONS in plying their nefa-
rious trade. Their vile productions are often put
up in form that is quite attractive. We find
them at news-stands, on RAILROAD trains on steam
boats, and in the homes of the people. Such pub
licatons scattered over the country are standing
menace to the purity and usefulness of our young
people of both sexes.
Boys and girls are often rendered mentally dys-
peptic by reading the hgh-wrought fiction and
demoraizing trash that is constantly being issued
by the secular press. The sensational reports of
crime, the minute descriptions of social impurities,
the detailed accounts of the many wicked deeds OF
bad men and women-al have baneful influence
upon the youthful mind. Those who habitually
read these loathsome details must necessarily have
their moral sensibilties impaired. In this way
many young men are led astray and ruined. They
grow familiar with crime learn to relish foul sto-
RES feel desire for adventures of this character,
and finally commit crimes which at first would not
have been thought of for moment
Our young people must and will read something.
If good impressions and habits are not formed,
the devil and his works will gain the ascendency.
The evil influence of one bad book or paper may
do vast amount Of harm. Yet there are many
thousands of such books and papers every year
printed and read. The satanic press of to-day,
in creating cheap and vicious literature, is poi
soning the very fountains of public and private
virtue. When the youthful mind becomes thor
oughly saturated with foul stories, criminal deeds,
or blasphemous TRADES, the godly admonitions OF
pous mothers are soon forgotten, and the dictates
Of conscience disregarded.
Let parents, guardians, and teachers exercise