The herald., 1894-08-20
THE EVIL OF VILE BOOKS,
An Able Sermon on the Library
Subject.
DR.. Campbell Makes Some Pointed
Remarks on Books.
The Sermon Bearing on tho Same Sub
jsot by tho kev. w. A. Kuighten.
The Church of the Twsn-
tisth Century.

tisth Century.
The First Methodist church was
crowded last evening to listen to the
sermon by Rev. j. W. Campbell on the
Diet of Ink, which had been announced
as the evening text during the morning
services. The audience gave the most
rapt and profound attention, and at the
close of the sermon many expressions of
congratulations were heard. Following
is what the doctor said:
DIET OF INK.
"How readest thou?' Luke 1925.
! hope what l may say upon this subject
may be given a latitude commensurate
with good judgment and proper spirit.
My attention was called to an article
which appeared in one of our public
dailies respecting certain book which
was in circulation through our library.
We were shocked at the insinuations
made in such article. We. however,
visited the Office of the paper which gave
publicity to the article referred to, and
to our establishment and disgust found
that the book mentioned WAS OF too
vile a character for US to believe
possible to have ever been
classified, numbered and catalogued in
our public library. We listened to parts
of different chapters. and asked the
reader to stop his reading. I then
asked: "Do you mean to tell me that
.roh n hoolr a. that 10 tho pyoparty of
the good citizens of Los Angsles?"
left the Office. determined to speak from
my pulpit this evening from the above
subject. as a result of what 1 heard and
saw last Sabbath night under the head
OF classified literature. We do not pur-
pose to fssten the responsibility for the
presence OF such book, with others Of
possibly like character, upon any per-
con or persona; but the verdict of any
community could soon be obtained as to
where the responsibility belongs for the
existence OF such q volume in the
library.
Who is at fault? Tho people who per-
NIT the crime. We cannot delegate our
responsibility. and say that persons en-
ploysd are wholly at fault for the
strength or weakness of the institution.
trust that upon proper investigation it
will be found that directly no one is
responsible for the book mentioned.
But can such verdict be rendered? II
30, then as q people We must suffer the
humiliation of our relation TO the most
important institution outside OF the
public schools in our city. Such an
attitude must embarrass the best citi-
Zene.
If we assume the responsibility OF the
right conduct and character of our
and shame for the permission of such
cases of this beautiful building on
Broadway known as city hall.
1t has been suggested that the public
press which gave publicity to the fact
that such book existed was a greater
evil than the fact itself. We are told
that since the publication and condem-
nation on the part of the HERALD began
the demand for the book has been
enormous. What does that teach if it
be true? We have but one answer, and
that is that our Libraries should be
under the care of the most vigilant and
careful auperintendency. II the de.
mand of this public, or fraction OF the
public. ia OF go depraved q nature after
being duly warned Of the vicious con-
tents of certain books and 10 90 bold
and unblushing, how much greater
the necessity that eur city library
should be clean and sheuld possesa only
such literature as 10 conducive to the
good Of the reader. II books must be
kept which are not intended for the
youth then why should there not be
proper restrictions placed over the
uf.o nv ak
safely draw their books? But library
restrictions are not enough when we
study the history of the enormous re.
tults of books.
There must be parental restrictions.
There perhaps never was such superb
oial reading as in the preRsnt age, known
to man. The chief reason for this is
the world ia flooded with light and su-
perficial literature. The mind of the
youth has been influenced to such de-
gree that the steam press OF all lands ia
put under an embargo to supply tn Q
demand. Flippant fiction is on the in
c crease and next to the gigantic crime
of rum in the world, is this evil of a
g flooded market of superficial, weak and
e1icked works upon which the youth Of
6sday feed their minds. Parents, do
you know what your children are read.
ing? A bad book ia far worse than
cards, dancing or many things which
the church condemns. II were to dis
tinguish between these things would
say that the bad book in the hands of q
boy or girl 10 much the more dangerous
because OF its peculiar effect upon the
Y mind in its final moulding. Books are
immortal in their matter and character.
Samuel Smiles aays of books: "They are
by far the most lasting products of hu-
man effort. Temples crumble into ruin !;
pictures and statues decay; but books
survive" What is true OF tho effects of
8 good book as to lasting results
ia also true OF bad books. Parents, re-.
strict your children in their selection OF