The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-11

The modern religious book is a very virile
piece of literature. Some of the best sellers
today are religious novels. They may may
not be religious books. A religious book is any
book that turns the light of truth inward on
the problems of human life and inspires men
to follow the higher rather, than the lower
choices A religious book may be a treatise on
theology or discussion of some scientific prob
lem. 1t may be political or economic. 1t may
be sociological psychological. 1t matters
not long it strikes the foundations Of
life, lifts the clouds from the mysterious prob
lens and illumines path toward better living.
A great number of religious books are utterly
worthless They lack originality and that
honesty toward truth that should characterize
all serious thinking. Some of the greatest of
recent books that have made strong appeal
to all classes of people are religious books.
Accepting the principle that any worthwhile
book, teaching life lessons that will help one
toward right Interpretation of life, is a relig-
ious book, the book stores and Libraries are
filled with such volumes, and the public can
read them without being bored.
America has been observing a religious
week. Libraries have been making special ex-
hibits of religious books and newspapers have
been carrying articles and editorials to stimu-
books that are life teachers. Presumably the
publishers desired to improve trade, but they
have rendered a public service in improving
the standard of religious literature and bring
ing out books that not intended for the
clergy only. The laity has been reading a great
number Of religious books in recent years and
no questions more discussed than the great
religious problems Nor is the discussion
merely academic. 1t is characterized by an
earnest quest for truth. The bible continues
to be the best seller and is printed in more
languages than any other book 1t is the cheap
est book in the market There is no good ex-
cuse for lack of familiarity with the bible. Nine
hundred newspapers are publishing daily
texts from the bible. The Topeka State Journal
is printing the entire bible in installments
number of years ago the revised version Of the
new testament was cabled from London to New
York and printed in a special edition by the
Herald. The interest in the bible does not
wane.
One cannot discuss religious book week
without referring to the need for better &C
quaintance with the bible, but the particular
emphasis should be on the modern religious
books that discuss the practical problems of
every day life. The man who has made
friends of few really good books has acquired
riches that no circumstance can take from him
In this day when good religious books are avail
able everywhere the man or woman who does
not read his share of them is losing one of his
finest opportunities 1t is worth while 10 visit
the library and look over the list of religious
books. Great books to be classed with the
great possessions of nation. No man is poor
who has enriched his life with the treasures
Of the great literary masterpieces. Yet there
are many people who seldom read a worthwhile
religious book. Some of our best homes do not
possess single volume that is worth reading.
There are millions of people who have never
bought or read single great book. The great
est books should be religious books, and as a
matter of fact they are. Let every family pos
sess some and read them. They will learn to
number them among their best friends.