He rolled his eyes at me, but spoke no more.
In the early hours of the following day I saw the same two companions enter Hall No. 13 devoted to “The Best Literature for a True Christian to Read.” They moved leisurely from table to table scanning and reading the books and booklets which, in great variety, lay before them.
Weariness urged them to a seat in the lecture department where they were entertained by a scholarly address on “_Choice Literature for a Christian._”
“It must not be forgotten.” said the speaker in one part of his address, “that the mind can be ruined by lack of vigorous exercise. In the physical body the stomach would become weak and sickly were it not compelled, quite frequently, to digest strong foods or a great variety of them. So also the mind, in order to reach its true development, needs a wide variety of thought-food. Not alone that of a sickly-sentimental or sanctimonious kind which in its place is all right, but such a variety as will best stimulate the mind in a well-rounded, liberal education. In particular, a good Christian should peruse such literature as will inform him thoroughly concerning the enemies of Christianity. He should not spurn, but rather study infidelity, skepticism and every other hostile movement, so that he may be able the better to appreciate his own position. The Bible is not so much a book for reading, as a book of reference, and therefore a Christian’s loyalty to Christ must not be measured by his reading and studying the Bible, but by his success in locating the enemies of the cross and studying their designs, looking over their encampments, and estimating the strength of their weapons. If he becomes thus acquainted with the foe, he is in better position to order an advance, or to effect a treaty whereby much strife may be avoided.”
Hall No. 16 was next visited. It offered to its patrons a happy time. Here the work of the artist was in pleasing evidence. On beautiful walls were pictured retreats of all kinds. The games and sports, in endless variety, which make merry the park, field and glen, were the subjects of some of the paintings.
These were the titles of some of the larger wall paintings:
“A restful day under the oak.”
“The campers at the midday meal.”
“An hour of idle reading.” “Around the camp-fire at night.”
“At rest beside the bounding brook.”