Influence of Books and Papers.
PARENTS, do you think of this, when you place a book or periodical on your centre-table? Do you consider its influence for good or evil? Every book, every paper, has a soul, breathing a spirit, good or bad. It is the soul of its author, and, when spread over the pages of the book, that soul acts upon its reader as truly as when acting directly. The person who touches the book comes in contact with that soul, and is affected by it. And no contact with it is more influential. In reading an author's book, you are conversing with him, under circumstances very favorable to your becoming like him; for, in the book, every thing is generally deeply thought out, in shape to convince, or carefully dressed up, in a manner to bewitch. And all this only indicates the necessity of reading with care and caution. Would you, when purchasing books or papers for your children, have their minds contaminated with vicious principles, let them read every thing that pours forth, like a torrent, from the press of the day. Remember, while extolling the value of the press, that it is as powerful for evil as it is great for good. Why should we be so careful in regard to the food with which our bodies are nourished, while we pay so little attention to the mental pabulum which our minds receive? Remember, we can as easily plant the seeds of disease in the mind, as in the body; and that disease implanted in the mind, is very likely eradicated with more difficulty than from the body. A book or paper exerts an influence, not only in time, but as eternity rolls on! O, how infinitely, momentously important, that a wise, judicious selection of reading be made for all, especially for the rising age.