The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-11-27
Young Melfs Christian Association.
AN ADDRESS AND APPEAL F0R KOEEY
AND BOOKS. Il

-
an ADDRESS AND APPEAL FoR KoxEY
And BOOKS
-
AT nsss-meeting Of the Young Mems
christian Association OF this city, held 3 few
evenings since for the purpose Of deVfsiag
Inc best plan for replenishing their library
and addingto It's attrattEseness, it was re-
soiFed That COMMITTEES be appointed to So
lleit contributions OF money and books.
This committee was appointed, and adopted
the following address
The committee deem it advisable, as step
preparatory to their work, to call attention
to the necessities OF our Association. Itsob.
1ecss are too wei! known 70 require TO be set
forth here. We would say, no geyer, that at
no time in the history OF such institutions has
there been brighter promise OF accom-.
pilshing great good than aE tae present. a
deep religious feeling, q miraculous awaken
ing, is abroad in the ;land The practical,
searching words Of Que, and Che stirring
melodies OF another Of ourEagnen, under the
Inspiration Of one mightier than they, have
wonderfully moved, and arc now moving,
the hearts of The men Of both continents.
Asa christian community we would urge
you rot so be backward In promoting this
good work, and as q naeaEs thereto to give
q hearty response to our appeal in behalf Of
our, Association. ,s-4I Its.,e eficieac3 saependss
largely upon its ability to attract young
men within the sphere Of its influence, and
pothing will so surely attract them as full
ard well.seec,ed collection Of books.
With no funds with which TO enlarge and
keep our collection apace with the times,
with not even the means OF repairing the
rayages of time and Wear-we will soon
cease to offer any attractions at all. This
evil day. Is brought alarriugiy nearer by 3
recent heavy loss. The Virginia Historical
Society had kindly given Us the use Of avery
large collection Of books, embracing, indeed,
the bulk of the valuable matter In the libra.
~. For good and sufficient reasons, We
doubt not, the books have lately been re-
moved, aud now our bare shelves, uninVitipg
backs, and less inviting contents, proclaim
our poverty and our ineficiency. We ap-
peal to you, citizens OF Richmond, feeling
every assurance that yeu will not only come
nobly to our assistance, but lha. you will re.
gard this work as your work, and delight in
securing its consunmatioD. We ask you for
contributions of books we ask you for con-
tributions OF money.
We appeal TO you IN, this behalf not as
Christians alone, but as good citizens, who
are interested in the intellectual as well as
moral growth of our community, and who
recognize, we are sure, the .incalculabe sd-
vantage OF good library. Ours is the only
public library n the city, aud we desire to
make it not only an instrument OF good Qor
it has been that aiways) but an ornament
and an honor 10 our city. This we can do
If liberal contributions of money and of good
books can be secured. Make this what 1t
can and ought to be, and we will see not
only the young but the old of all classes
crowding our rooms and becoming inter-
ested in our work. Nor do we limit our
appeal TO our own city; We have friends
throughout our State and sympathizsrs
abroad whom we cordially invite to aid In
this undertaking.
There is scarcely house In the city that
cannot contribute from one TO twenty vol
umes of good, readable books suitable for a
circulating library of this character. Books
on any subject that can entertain, instruct, OF
improve will be gladly received. II Is the
purpose of the committee to make personal
application throughout the various congre'
cations In the city, and otherwise, as ocea'
sion nlsy offer; but we would suggest, as
calculated to tighten and aceelerae our work,
that all examine their collections Of books,
and after selecting such as they are willing
to contribute, send their address, with sht
number OF volumes contributed, to the Ii
brarian of the Young Mems Christian As50
citation, who will promptly send for them.
The books donated, however good the!
may be, will for the most part be old. Gu
library, to be efficient, must have tresI
books, periodicals, and papers. These W
cannot secure without m0ney. IL will b.
the earnest effort OF the committee to secure
permanent fund, the income from whic'
will provide regular addition of ne7
| books. 1t is from this source that we expec
the healthiest growth, and we trust that q
who can give money will do 80.
The committee will In few days be OF
ganized for regular work, aud are lookln
forward to liberal and hearty response t
their appeals.