Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 23, 1908

Immoral Books

THE evil which is being done by immoral books is beyond the power of any one to compute. That the danger is real, none can deny; that the moral fiber of old and young is being gradually debased by imbibing the noxious principles contained in such literature, is being demonstrated continually. It is even being recognized by those who sell this class of reading-matter. At the American Booksellers’ Association meeting held in New York the latter part of May, the following resolution was passed:—

Resolved, That, recognizing the responsibility of the booksellers in distributing the literature of the community, this association feels called upon at this time to use its influence to discourage the publication and sale of books of pronounced immoral plot and tone.

It is recognized that it is a very difficult matter to determine just what novels will fall under this proscribed class; and with many persons to learn that a certain book is not proper reading is to create an uncontrollable desire to know just how bad the book is so they can be able to warn others. There is only one safe course, and that is to avoid the novel as any other plague is avoided.