The Influence of Good Literature

Good literature is important in the refinement of character. It helps the reader see the consequences of good or evil. It broadens one's understanding of the world and of the different personalities of people. To test whether or not literature is truly classical or truly worthwhile, one should use this criteria: * Does the literary piece have a point, or is it just rambling? * Does the story provide a clear contrast between good and evil, or does it try to justify wrongdoing? * Does the literature show the differences between men and women rather than blending their roles? * Does the story lead the reader to proper conclusions in his mind about the characters? * Do the "bad guys" and the "good guys" get the proper reward, or does it leave the reader in limbo? * Does the reading of the literature help improve the character of the reader, or does it bring the reader's mind into unsavory, impure thoughts? * Is the story well written enough that the reader can form pictures and conclusions in his mind without having to read tedious descriptions?

Girl Reading Charles E. Perugini You May Order This Art Print At AllPosters.com

There are thousands of books, but only a few real classics that have withstood the test of time. There is reason to beware of some so-called classics, however, as there is the occasional story that exalts the wrongdoer, while ridiculing the righteous. You should be very discerning in your choice of literature, and only read the very best. The libraries unfortunately have gotten rid of a lot of good books and replaced them with evolutionary, humanistic or secular books. Even children's books subtly teach things like situation ethics and values clarification. To remedy this, I decided that any book that was worth reading, was worth owning. Now I have my own library, from which my family can take books whenever they like. If I find myself going back to the bookstore and looking at the same book over and over, I will buy it. Having my own library saves me that extra running around. The public library, however is a great place to view a book before you buy it, and they are good about ordering books for you to check out. They will often order a book you like and allow you to buy it.

The L.A.F. site has a wonderful Bookstore for women, and the books are worth owning. Check out Vision Forum for more wonderful books. This month, I would like to recommend Blackstone's Law, especially if you are raising young men in your family. If you can possibly find a way of purchasing these law books, even if you have to "put them on layaway" somehow, you will not regret it. The books in the L.A.F. Bookstore provide an excellent way begin or build your library on Biblical Womanhood. They have some great instruction in them to help you in all aspects of homemaking and conduct. Additionally, you can find many free downloadable e-texts on the 'net. An essay worthy of reading for women, called "The Wife," was written by Washington Irving (1783-1859) and is about a husband whose circumstances had been reduced to nothing, and how his lovely wife adjusted and encouraged him. He also wrote "A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus." I'd recommend running a search on Google to find these excellent works.

Young Woman reading in Oregon, U.S.A. The book is "Thoughts for Everyday Living" by Maltie Davenport Babcock, published in 1901, a discussion of various verses of the Bible.

Picking Flowers for a Posy Charles Haigh-Wood You May Order This Art Print through AllPosters.com This painting is like the description of "The Wife" in Washington Irving's essay, mentioned above.

Blackstone's Law was a set of commentaries used in the law schools, which judges and lawyers and others used as their basis for forming laws in the United States. It was based upon the laws of the Bible and had many scriptural references in it pertaining to law and morality. In the 20th century, people who did not respect God began to despise these law books and work to have them thrown out of the schools. The year that they were replaced with other things, one man made the comment, "At last, they've gotten rid of Blackstone." If you want to know what you can do for your country, then think about reviving some of the literature that was studied by the colonists, the pioneers and the antebellum generations. Read it to get a sense of what America is supposed to be like. Read it to develop your own character. Read it to understand how to make things right and how to live properly.

Another brilliant piece of classic American literature that needs to be revived is a story by Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909), reat-nephew of Nathan Hale, called "The Man Without a Country." This piece of literature was so well written that many readers of the time believed the story to be true. It was intended to demonstrate several lessons: First, the tragic results one can experience by uttering rash words in a moment of anger, causing things to happen which cannot be undone; and secondly, the heartache of being disloyal . This story was required reading clear into the early 1960s in government schools and gave students a keen awareness of the privilege of belonging to such a beloved country. In the middle 60s the story was no longer heard of in the schools. It is a story about a young man named Philip Nolan who made an outburst to a judge in a courtroom, stating that he wished he would never hear of or see the United States again. The young man was merely letting off steam, as they say today, but the judge decided to give him what he asked for. He sentenced him to a lifetime on a ship, where he would never be allowed to set foot in the United States again.

Peaceful Harbor Robert G. Radcliffe You May Order This Art Print through AllPosters.com

During the years of his confinement away from his country, Nolan began to realize his great wrong and regretted the heated hatred of his youth. Sometimes we do not see the value of something until we lose it. Another rule that was applied to the punishment of Philip Nolan was that anyone boarding the ship was not allowed to utter a word about the United States to him. He, however, had learned to ask questions in such a way that he could learn what changes were happening in the country. The ships' stewards would cut out references to the United States from the newspapers and books before he was permitted to see them. From the missing sections of maps and articles, Mr. Nolan was able to piece together the states and their places on the map.

One visitor on the ship read a poem by a popular poet, Sir Walter Scott, which pierced Mr. Nolan's heart:

Breathes there a man with soul so dead,

Who never to himself hath said,

"This is my own--my native land!"

Whose heart has ne'er within him burned,

At home his footsteps he hath turned,

From wand'ring on a foreign strand.

When he died on board the ship, Nolan's room contained a large, complete map on the wall with all the added states in the Union, made from the holes left in the cut newspapers and books. He had American flags and many American things in his cabin. He had also managed to figure out who was president and when each was elected. His Bible was marked with a slip of paper next to a verse that he had marked, which said, "They desire a country, even a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."

White Caps Alex Dzigurski You May Order This Art Print through AllPosters.com

Nolan's friend, who told the story, said that Nolan prayed this prayer every night and morning while on the ship: "Most heartily we beseech Thee, with Thy favor to behold and bless Thy servant, the President of the United States, and all others in authority."

This story is also available on video from WorldVision home video company. It is so well dramatised that it brings tears to the eyes of even the most hardened heart! Teachers asked students the following questions about this great story: Explain how a person who is not patriotic is self-centered. What activity can you do to help young people in your neighborhood know and love our great country? How can you show that you love America? What caused Philip Nolan to realize the folly of his words and his own tragic loss? What makes the story seem so true? Compare Philip Nolan at the beginning of the story to Philip Nolan at the end of the story.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse Rudi Reichardt You May Order This Art Print through AllPosters.com

Good literature should build good citizenship; not tear down loyalties and good morals. Many students suffer depression because they are not given worthwhile literature that builds a fire of loyalty in them. Good literature inspires the reader to be constructive and creative rather than destructive and pessimistic. Read whenever you can, and, at all costs, read great literature with your children and grandchildren!