eir view representations of naked human forms in attitudes of
luxurious abandon? Public taste may demand it. But let those who have
the power endeavor to reform public taste.

9. WIDELY DIFFUSED.--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 of
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]

[Illustration]

* * * * *

STARTLING SINS.

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.

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 center the harvest
of corruption which has come from the toleration and encouragements
given by the legislature, the police, and the magistrates to