NOVEL-READING.
As Bessie approached her sixteenth year, Mrs. Worthington became very
anxious about her. The mother thought that she could notice a change in
her daughter's actions and disposition. Instead of being confiding and
happy, she seemed listless, forgetful, and nervous. At first the mother
could not understand this change; but by close observation she found
that her daughter was indulging in light reading.
Some magazines and weekly papers containing continued love-stories had
found their way into the Worthington home. At first they were not
attractive to Bessie. She would merely glance through the pages; but she
gradually came to overlook the good, substantial reading and to enjoy
the part that stimulated the romantic and imaginative part of her
nature. The effect upon her mental and moral powers was much the same
as that produced upon the digestive organs by rich and stimulating
foods. Her mind was thus weakened and robbed of its relish for wholesome
reading. She was ever looking forward for something to excite or satisfy
her abnormal desire for the romantic or the dreadful.
As soon as Mrs. Worthington realized her daughter's danger, she sought
an opportunity to instruct her on the dangers of novel-reading. "Some
effects of novel-reading," said she, "are worse even than those produced
by dancing. Many novels are hurtful because of the many false ideas
interwoven in the stories. Some novels attract the pure-minded by their
morality; but it is unsafe to read them, for the reason I have already
given you, and because, as with any bad habit, the exciting influences
must be constantly increased. In this way some persons are deceived and
drawn into many of Satan's snares.
"In most novels there is much that is good and true; but the immoral,
the worldly, and the untrue are so interwoven with it that the reader
unconsciously finds himself taking pleasure in thoughts which, before he
began reading novels, would have been disgusting. In this way the
reader's sense of right is lowered and an appetite created--an appetite
that can not be satisfied; the more it is fed, the more depraved and
exacting it becomes. Gradually the desire for the romantic increases
until the novel-reader longs to have a romance of her own. Her sense of
duty is so blunted and her better judgment so blinded that she often
agrees to a secret marriage with some one who is wholly unfit to be her
life companion. It is in this way that many a girl has been deceived and
led into sin. Many times, too, habits have been formed, from which
nothing but the grace of God could deliver. In looking back over a
wasted life, many a person can see that his or her downfall had its
origin in the first novel.
"My dear child, there are many good books that you will find both
helpful and interesting, but the Bible should be the pattern of your
life. Let it be the principal food for your mind and soul. Your time all
belongs to God, and you should waste none of it in reading unwholesome
literature."
As Mrs. Worthington finished speaking, she was glad to see a changed
look in Bessie's face. She knew that God was talking to her daughter;
and as she arose to go, she said: "Bessie, do not forget from whom you
may expect strength. I am praying that God will entirely take away the
unnatural appetite which you have been fostering."
It was not long until Bessie rejoiced in full deliverance from her taste
for novel-reading, and her interest in her mother's talks returned. As
they read the Bible together and praised God for the precious truths it
contained, cherishing them within their hearts as priceless treasures,
Bessie's understanding seemed to open, and she was able to comprehend
many of the deep truths of God's Word. The reading of God's Word gave
her such unbounding joy, such complete spiritual happiness, that nothing
could compare with it. Its truths, so simple and yet so grand, were at
once a guide and a reproof to keep her feet from straying from the
narrow way.