.--Good men have ever lamented the pernicious influence
of a depraved and perverted literature. But such literature has never been
so systematically and widely diffused as at the present time. This is owing
to two causes, its cheapness and the facility of conveyance.

10. INFLAME THE PASSIONS.--A very large proportion of the works thus put in
circulation are of the worst character, tending to corrupt the principles,
to inflame the passions, to excite impure desire, and spread a blight over
all the powers of the soul. Brothels are recruited from this more than any
other source. Those who search the trunks of convicted criminals are almost
sure to find in them one or more of these works; and few prisoners who can
read at all fail to enumerate among the causes which led them into crime
the unhealthy stimulus of this depraved and poisonous literature.

[Illustration]

{423}

Startling Sins.

[Illustration]

1. NAMELESS CRIMES.--The nameless crimes identified with the hushed-up
Sodomite cases; the revolting condition of the school of Sodomy; the
revelations of the Divorce Court concerning the condition of what is called
national nobility, and upper classes, as well as the unclean spirit which
attaches to "society papers," has revealed a condition which is perfectly
disgusting.

2. UNFAITHFULNESS.--Unfaithfulness amongst husbands and wives in the upper
classes is common and adultery rife everywhere; mistresses are kept in all
directions; thousands of these rich men have at least two, and not seldom
three establishments.

3. A FRIGHTFUL INCREASE.--Facts which have come to light during the past
ten years show a frightful increase in every form of licentiousness; the
widely extended area over which whoredom and degrading lust have thrown the
glamor of their fascinating toils is simply appalling. {424}

4. MORAL CARNAGE.--We speak against the fearful moral carnage; would to God
that some unmistakable manifestation of the wrath of God should come in and
put a stop to this huge seed-plot of national demoralization! We are
reaping in this disgusting centre the harvest of corruption which has come
from the toleration and encouragements given by the legislature, the
police, and the magistrates to immorality, vice, and sin; the awful fact
is, that we are in the midst of the foul and foetid harvest of lust. Aided
by some of the most exalted personages in the land, assisted by thousands
of educated and wealthy whoremongers and