Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-04-18
Rutland County, 1888.
LETTER vi. AND LAST.

To the Editor Of the Vermont Telegraph. |
Libraries for Schools, Families, Sc.
advert to this subject again, because
promised to do so, and because wish the
position we take to lie distinctly understood.
More than ten years ago the attention OF
the American Sunday School Union was
called to the need Of series of books,
which should be entertaining and instruct
i've, and at the same time exert a heahhful |
religious Influence on the children and
youth In our common schools. We had
enough to do then to furnish supply of
books specially adapted to Sabbath schools
In September 1888, merchant, then of
New-York, but now OF Connecticut sug-
gested to US the importance OF forming
selection Of our books into cheap circulat-
ing library for common schools, and urged
the measure with considerable earnestness,
but it was postponed.
In May 1887, very strong appeal was
made to US on this subject, and it was sus-
tanned by the opinions of some Of the most
judicious and influential men in the coun-
try. The subject was introduced at the
last annual meeting Of the sociery, and the
board were instructed to prepare such a
library without delay.
As it was among the primary objects of
the society, as expressed in the very first
article Of its constitution, "to disseminate
useful information, and TO circulate moral
and religious publications in every part of
the land" and as we could prepare such a
library as vas contemplated, without at all
enlarging the machinery of the institution,
or embarrassing any of its operations, meas
ures were taken to comply with the request.
/ We have selected from our several hun
dred publications, one hundred and t1oenty-
oaae rotumes, chiefly biographies, travels,
and illustrations Of Jewish manners, Gus
toms and scenery. They are uniformly
printed and bound. and will be lettered 10
order, either S. L. for School Library, or
Lib. Of Sch. District Moor Factory Ii
brary, or Academy Library, or whatever
else may designate its particular use. We
suppose there are many associations of
children and youth, not only in public or
common schools, but in private schools,
academies and neighborhoods, and espe-
cially in factory villages, which abound in
some parts of New-England, where such a
collection Of books will be regarded as in =
valuable.
AS they are put up in cases, with all
necessary hangings and Gastenings, and
furnished with several dozen printed cata-
Iogues, and sold complete and ready for use
at the very low rate Ct $33, including the
outer box in which the case is packed, we
suppose that hundreds of benevolent indi-
vduals will be found, who will purchase
and give them away to institutions or neigh
borhoods, in whose intellectual and moral
culture they may feel an interest.
| A large number Of school districts also.
WILL we have no doubt, be glad to avail
themselves OF this cheap and very accessi-
Bile fountain of useful knowledge and moral
influence. Each district has, of course, the
control of its own concerns in this respect
and where disposition prevails, to re-
ceive such collection of books, their intro
duction would be attended with important
benefits.
In many factories, where most of the
persons employed are usually too far adj
vanced in lie to be willing to attend Sab
bath school, a few of these Libraries would
DC found Of great value. Free access to
them, in intervals of labor, would prevent
much improbable conversation and con-
duct TO say nothing of the intelligence and
noIal influence which they would unques-
tionably difuse. 1t can be shown, very
cobciusively, that your Sabbath schools dc
not put these books into the hands of one
tenth of the Juvenile population Of New
England-probably not one-twentieth. Of
course our plan involves no unnecessary OF
wasteful multiplication of them.
+ Thai these libraries are decidedly reli.
lgious in their general character, we suppose
IS universally known; and, to many, this Of
4 itself would be a sufficient objection to theil
use anywhere, but especially in common
schools, which seem to be regarded by some
as shut out from the common blessings oI
heaven, never to be visited by genial sun
4 shine or gentle showers, but doomed 10 be :
moral desert, where ano flower blooms, n.
i Terdure quickens, and not solitary plan
= takes rbot.h we believe. however, that III