Evils of Novel-Reading by Grant Priddy

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 2, 1910

Evils of Novel-Reading

By Grant Priddy

GRANT PRIDDY

The reading of fiction is a great evil. The mind is not led to think upon that which is pure and holy; but in beautiful word-pictures false ideals are continually placed before the reader. Many novels are based on love affairs of the most objectionable kind. Not infrequently the moral standard of the writer is low, and of course the story partakes of the nature of its author. Weak, sentimental ideas of love, intermingled with false notions regarding courtship and marriage, are all too painfully prominent. Often the writer ventures just as far as he dares with immoral insinuations. Since it is a law of the mind that by beholding we become changed, how can we expect our boys and girls to remain pure if we allow such reading to be placed in their hands?

It is difficult for the reader of fiction to appreciate or relish wholesome literature. To a greater or less extent, his moral and intellectual taste becomes vitiated. Good, solid, sensible reading seems to him insipid or dull. He has not the patience to sit quietly down, and carefully

peruse God's Word, that he may learn those great truths of Inspiration which, when incorporated into the character, will give an abundant entrance into the eternal kingdom.

The memory is injured by reading works of fiction. The novel lover is almost certain to be a careless reader. He has no time to learn the meaning of unfamiliar words, but hurries on to the climax, to learn the sequel of the story. This rapid reading does not permit him to form complete mental images, many of the thoughts are indistinct, and there is little attempt to remember; thus forgetting soon becomes a confirmed habit. Any one who allows himself to drift into this condition is certainly to be pitied.

We have no right to waste precious time in reading literature of a fictitious character. Our time is a talent lent us by our Creator, and we shall be required at the last day to give a strict account of the use we make of it. We have been bought with a price, even the precious blood of Jesus Christ; and we have no moral right to spend life's fleeting hours in an unprofitable manner.

Ellesmere, Ontario.