The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-05-04

tact with catalogues Of many libraries, in
various sections, has disclosed such an array
of poetry, prose, biography, felton, history,
arts, science, &C., as to be really strange and
startling The lives of Caesar, Columbus, Ma
polean Bonaparte, with "Wild Western
Scenes, E" Young MarOoners," &C., &C., may
not be amiss upon the shelves of the "boys
own library" at home, for study, and weekday
reading; but surely are unfit to supplement
our Sabbath teachings. And children are
fully persuaded that whatever comes from
the Sunday School library, is proper SAB
bath reading. Hence, how careful should
1--WE be to raise their taste to the good, the
pure, the beautiful Children aOiU listen to,
and read eagerly and attentively for hours,
life-hke and simple sketches of Bible char
acters; and the "0ld, old story, Of Jesus
and his love- though oft repeated, never
fails to interest. Walking on certain Sab
bath toward my evening mission school, l
overlook poor ragged, little girl, on her
way to the school. Noticing in her hand "a
carefully wrapped parcel, I asked, swell
little Ella, what have you there?' 90, sir,
it's my Sabbath School book, and it is so
sweet-for its all full Of Jesus" And no
greater delight is ever manifested, in that
mission school, than when at the close of the
session, the Superintendent sometimes pro-
poses to read single chapter, from book
called "Hours with Mann" which con-
sists only of Bible stories, told in a simple
way, to her little Charlie and Anna, in the
quiet of the Sabbath evening hour.
But hOV can we best prOvide Our schools
nth that wdich as truly good? More than
six thousand, so called, Sunday school books
are now published, by the various Societies,
Boards, Committees, and private publishers;
and no teacher or officer, can expect to be-
come critically acquainted with them all.
And yet, to purchase them indiscriminately
fully one, fourth would be surely rejected.
In every church-for l speak of the
school and church as one-there should be
careful library consuaattee, who shall have
full oversight and care of this matter; and,
where supply is accessible to them person
ally, select and purchase the books. If this
cannot be done, then let them send their
orders to those dealers in whom they can
safely rely, and who make it their business
to CLEAN for the cheat in this fruitful field
Your own committee, brethren, is engaged
in this very work, and no Sunday school
book is ever offered for sale, by whomsoever
published, until it has been carefully read
through, while the immense libraries they
are constantly sending forth are giving en-
tire satisfaction, and the privilege extended
to purchasers of returning any book that
proves unsuitable, has never yet been availed
Of
Upon one other point, in the purchase of
our Sunday school books, l am fully per-
suaded, viz: the folly of "spasmodic libra
ries." Once in two or three years, great
Juror is aroused for new library. The
effort is made, and is successful-and no
scholar in the school will touch an old book,
at least until the gliding of the new has be-
come dimmed, so that all appear alike 10
avoid this, let your library committee be on
the watch for choice new books, and, from
time to time quietly place in the library a
number of new volumes; thus keeping the
shelves fully replenished, without detriment
to the library as whole.
A special selection of books in our libra
ries should always be made, for the use of
teachers and officers, consisting in part of
Bible Dictionaries, Concordances, and a
variety of other well known helps; all of
which would greatly aid these faithful work
ers. in their preparation for the Sabbath.
Finally, as to character, let us demand
that our Sunday school books shall possess
clear and aceU defined religious bearing.
Let their teachings alaoays lead to "Christ
and Him cruci6ed" Let US watch that they
be free from error and false doctrine, and
their lessons be such as to lead our children
and youth to sit at Jesus feet, and to as ire
only to that ''crown of life which fadeth not
away, eternal in the heavens
MANAGEMENT.
The management of the Sunday School
Library, the distribution of books, &C., &c,
are themes that have been most thoroughly
discussed, at almost every gathering of the
Sunday school workers. And yet, so far as
am informed, no plan for general adoption,
and calculated for all schools, has yet been
found. The methods proposed are nearly
as numerous as the schools themselves
In some schools, the teachers leave their
classes, during the hour for teaching, and
cluster in the library. The classes thus left,
become restless and noisy, the whole school
demoralized, and precious time scasted. in
other schools, the librarian with his basket
of books visits each class IN the midst Of the
lesson, and, in wild scramble the books are
exchanged, and the teachers lesson is
ruined
Besides these modes, we have host of
patented "check and register system, most
of which are worthless; and some good, pro-
,;lnI un hnno real hnsinass M ON for nnr Ehra