Who Reads? by G. D. Ballou

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 24, 1883

Who Reads?

By G. D. Ballou

My brother: I am almost sure your eyes will light on this little article over here on the last page. I know it because I remember that you have a habit of scanning the last page about the first thing when the paper arrives. I have observed that you have formed quite a habit of glancing rapidly over all the small items, and entirely passing by almost every one of the lengthy articles. Let me tell you that this habit is a most pernicious one. You are gradually losing your power to think deeply on a close, connected line of thought. You are, I fear, losing your taste for earnest, mental application to the most important themes that ever stirred the world.

If on reflection you observe any tendency toward such a state of things as I have here suggested, let me say that you will be sure to find some most excellent articles in every number of your paper, and it will do you great good to carefully digest some, if not all of these articles. They will furnish food for solid thought, and promptly arrest the malady which has begun to prey upon you. You will begin to like the SIGNS better, and will feel like recommending it to your friends. Don't you think it would be well to take more solid food along with the spice and condiments?

G. D. BALLOU.