Conscience-Technology and Common Sense # 1802
Did you ever hear the dream of Gutenberg?
(George Everard, "The Importance of Reading" 1885)
Did you ever hear the dream of Gutenberg? He was just about to put forward his invention of the printing press, and it seemed to him as if an angel came and spoke to him:
(George Everard, "The Importance of Reading" 1885)
Did you ever hear the dream of Gutenberg? He was just about to put forward his invention of the printing press, and it seemed to him as if an angel came and spoke to him:
"John Gutenberg, you have made your name immortal--but at what a cost! Think well what you are doing! The ungodly are many more than the godly. Your work will but multiply their blasphemies and lies. You have uncovered the bottomless pit--and a swarm of seducing spirits shall henceforth come out and turn earth into Hell. Oh think of millions of souls corrupted by your achievement. See the poison of fiends distilled into the souls of boys and girls, making them old in the experience of sin! See that mother weeping over her depraved son, and that grey-haired father hiding his face from his daughter's shame. Destroy your press, for it shall be the pander of blasphemy and lust! Destroy it, and forget it! Forbear, by multiplying the resources of the wicked, to make yourself through all ages the partaker of their crimes!"
We are all aware that the dream has had a very sorrowful fulfillment. Amidst the vast amount of printed matter sent forth daily, it is to be feared that the evil sadly exceeds the good. None can tell how the minds of multitudes are corrupted by the publications that they peruse. Therefore, my friend, be careful what you read!
Give heed as to what you read. If you knew that on the table there were poisoned dishes, as well as food that was wholesome and nourishing--you would be on your guard, and touch nothing about which you were doubtful. Just so, exercise wise forethought as to the books and magazines you take up and peruse.
It is true that "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." But it is no less true that as a man reads--so very much will he think. Mind, memory, conscience, imagination, will, affection--all will be influenced by that which you read.
The questionable novel, with its picturing of the worst passions of the soul, as is too often the case--ought not to be devoured as if it would leave no bad impression behind. I know quite well, that we all need recreation, but it is not genuine recreation to spend hour after hour pouring over that which is trashy, nonsensical, and worse--and will only unfit you for anything higher and holier.
Give heed as to what you read. If you knew that on the table there were poisoned dishes, as well as food that was wholesome and nourishing--you would be on your guard, and touch nothing about which you were doubtful. Just so, exercise wise forethought as to the books and magazines you take up and peruse.
It is true that "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." But it is no less true that as a man reads--so very much will he think. Mind, memory, conscience, imagination, will, affection--all will be influenced by that which you read.
The questionable novel, with its picturing of the worst passions of the soul, as is too often the case--ought not to be devoured as if it would leave no bad impression behind. I know quite well, that we all need recreation, but it is not genuine recreation to spend hour after hour pouring over that which is trashy, nonsensical, and worse--and will only unfit you for anything higher and holier.
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You may want to read Miller's superb 2 page article, "Books Worth While".
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Feel free to forward these gems to others who may be encouraged or profited by them!
21st Century Life is a bottom less ocean of Technology
Like all things, always the other side human beings waste 4.4 billion hours each year viewing pornography. by way of the eyes the optic nerve system which goes through the brain giving sight at the back of the head, seeing is a learning process. I still remember, 60 years ago, the first pornography magazine I ever saw ... Shown to this young boy by an adult. But, Just think of all the great books I have read studied collected. I have 5000 wonderful first editions here in my house I can not see or read them but I do enjoy feeling them. thanks to Gutenberg and others I can still see my grandmother reading the large print testament Which I gave her. Thanks to Alexander Gramm bell and Others my ancestors could talk by phone with family members who they seldom saw. Much Evil comes from the Telephone and the Television, The Computer, The Micro Wave Oven Even The motor vehicle. But think of the good. With empty hands you grab for the good', Rid your hands of the trash your conscience - common sense knows the difference And, God knows and Cares
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