Kind of Books Needed
97
good for this field as the more expensive work. Cheap, simple books
must be issued....
The South is a world of its own, and publishing should be done in
the field. Without proper books to put into the hands of the people,
talking and preaching will lose the hold on the mind. But if proper
reading matter can be placed in their hands, so that they can read
the truth and see the pictures accompanying the reading matter, it
will stay in the mind and have convincing power. Then other and
larger books should be issued to meet the needs of the better educated
[147]
classes.—
Manuscript 28, 1903
.
Books Essential for This Time—Letters have come to me with
inquiries regarding the publication of books, asking whether there
was not danger of placing before the people many things which do
not relate to the truths so important to us as a people. I have been
instructed that the common stories put into book form are not essential
to our well-being. The world is flooded with this class of literature, and
the fact that such books find a ready sale is by no means evidence that
they are the books which should be circulated. The passion of stories
is bringing into existence many thousands of worthless books, which
are as hay, wood, and stubble. These books are written by those whose
minds have been educated to run in a channel of romance. Everything
that the imaginative mind can think of is woven into the book, and
presented to the world as mental food. But very often it has no food
value. “What is the chaff to the wheat?” We do not need novels; for
we are dealing with the stern realities of life.
Cheap, worthless romances are not to be advertised or sold by our
publishing houses. Many of the books now offered for sale are not
after God’s order. There might have been a time when the sale of these
books would have been more seemly, but we are now altogether too
near the close of this earth’s history to keep before the attention of the
people a class of books which do not contain the message which our
people need. Draw their attention to books treating on practical faith
and godliness. Cleanse and sanctify the camp. There is an abundance
[148]
of books which will give light to the world.
I cannot understand why our papers should contain so many notices
of books unessential for this time. Plenty of such books can be obtained
in all bookstores. Why not draw the minds of the people to subjects
relating to the words of eternal life. Why not make an effort to obtain