No Scenes of Horror—Keep out of the books illustrations of auto-da-fe, Catholic pictures of persecution and burning. It is enough to read of these wicked deeds, without trying to bring them in all their terrible details before the eyes.—Letter 28a, 1897. (CW 172.1) MC VC

Choice Rather than Numerous—I am troubled in regard to the use of pictures in our publications. Some of our papers seem bent on using them in season and out of season. And some of the cuts used are very inferior, and poorly illustrate the subjects represented. I hope our publications will not come to resemble a comic almanac. I would not altogether condemn the use of pictures, but let fewer be used, and only such as are good illustrations of the subject ... If you choose to have a few pictures and good ones, I do not object. Let illustrations be choice rather than numerous.—Letter 28a, 1897. (CW 172.2) MC VC

Inappropriate Periodical Illustration—I was greatly pained to see on the first page of a recent issue of the Signs a picture of the birthplace of Shakespeare, accompanied by an article on Shakespeare. May the Lord pity our discernment if we have no better food than this to give the flock of God. It greatly distresses me to see those in positions of trust, who should daily be gaining a rich experience, placing such matter before the people. (CW 172.3) MC VC