The Plague of the Present Day

'Now there are certain things that strengthen the prominence of evil thoughts in us: bad companions, bad books, a forgetfulness of daily duties, and the viscious habits that result. But of all these, bad books are the worst. They are the plague of the present day.

'A book is bad not only when it contains impure and immoral thoughts, but when it gives false ideas, pretending to be the judge of everything, to ridicule everything sacred or honorable. These sorts of books are all the worse when they are beautifully written, as they generally are. They debase the taste, making healthy food seem disgusting....

'Forgive me for saying all this; but I know your passion for reading, and all I would venture to say to you is this: don't play with poison.' 

St. Theophane Venard

Painting: Eduard von Grützner, in US public domain due to age

Touch Thou the Lock

'The book' I was heavily quoting is now back with its rightful owner.  We have no cause to be distressed, however, for my generous friend loaned me two more titles by the same author.

I will share, of course!  After all:

'God's grace flows mightily upon us
through the channel of good books....
How shall I find (Your message),
Lord, within the folds?
Unless Thou give the light,
how shall I know
the precious lessons
Thou would have me learn?...
Touch Thou the lock!
Sweet gems of thought shall stream
to flood my soul and waken it to love.
Hear Thou my prayer,
O Lord, that I may see!
I seek but Thee in true simplicity.'


(from Fervorinos from the Lips of the Master, compiled by a Religious, Pelligrini, Australia, 1940, p. 158)
 
Painting: Girl Reading, 1909, Edmund Tarbell 
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