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Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene - Ellen G. White

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Chapter 15<br />

Mental Inebriates<br />

What shall our children read? is a serious<br />

question, <strong>and</strong> dem<strong>and</strong>s a serious answer. I am<br />

troubled to see, in <strong>Christian</strong> families, periodicals<br />

<strong>and</strong> newspapers containing continued stories that<br />

leave no impress of good upon the mind. I have<br />

watched those whose taste for fiction has been thus<br />

cultivated. They have had the privilege of listening<br />

to the truths of God’s word, of becoming<br />

acquainted with the reasons of our faith; but they<br />

have grown to mature years destitute of true piety.<br />

These dear youth need so much to put into their<br />

character-building the very best material,—the love<br />

<strong>and</strong> fear of God <strong>and</strong> a knowledge of Christ. But<br />

many have not an intelligent underst<strong>and</strong>ing of the<br />

truth as it is in Jesus. The mind is feasted upon<br />

sensational stories. They live in an unreal world,<br />

<strong>and</strong> are unfitted for the practical duties of life. I<br />

have observed children allowed to come up in this<br />

way. Whether at home or abroad, they are either<br />

restless or dreamy, <strong>and</strong> are unable to converse,<br />

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