Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-11-14

We are well aware that by many very good
and religious people sermons and sermon
reading outside the pulpit are looked upon
with sort of horror, and, to say the very
least, as being decided bore. But, in full
view of this fact, we do not hesitate to urge
upon our readers, and especially on the young,
a careful perusal of the sermon on Books
and Reading" which we publish on our first
page to-day. The evil at which this sermon
is primarily aimed-that of a vile and corrupt
Ii literature, which is making alarming inroads
among the young-is serious and widespread
and those parents who do not heed this, and
scores of other similar warnings and see for
themselves what their children are reading
are criminally negligent. But it is not so
much on account Of this feature of the dis
course that we call particular attention to it,
as because of the sensible and practical hints
which it gives toward the formation of a cor
rect taste for reading and these hints are
especially opportune at this time just as the
long winter evenings are setting in, and the
season for mental culture and the intellectual
harvest of the year is at hand
To those persons, young or old, whose
reading has been purely desultory, and con-
fined almost entirely to newspaper stories
and the lighter and m ore questionable kinds
of current literature, the cultivation of a taste
for really good reading must be a slow pro-
cess, but it may be an eminently sure and
satisfactory one if attempted perseyeringly
and under wise direction. The thing which
we would urge upon our readers is this
That no young person, nor any person whose
mind has been suitably awakened on this sub
ject, can afford to let this season of long
evenings and ample opportunity go by with
out some plan, faithfully followed, for lis or
her intellectual improvement through the me-
dunn of good reading. The beginning may
be small, but if made in the right direction,
it will be stepping-stone to well-defned re-
suits in the future. If the individual has not
the disposition or the courage to undertake
the task alone, let it be done in company with
some one or more friends or companions.
The ChAtauqua Circle is, without doubt, all
that its friends and members claim for it, but
every village and every rural neighborhood
may have Chatauqua club of its own which
shall accomplish results of lasting benefit and
importance.
When we consider the enormous mass of
books and the immense volume of written
knowledge which are in the world, it is no
wonder that the person who stands at the
foot of the ladder and looks up should turn
back appalled, and declare it to be of no use
to begin. But let it be remembered that the
beginning is the main thing, and that he
who has thoroughly mastered one good book
has gained for himself q fellowship in the
great world of literature and learning. He
who would avoid discouagement and failure
must not undertake TO feed at the start on
solid" reading, in the common acceptance
of that term, but his progress must be from
that which is good in fiction, biography and
travel, up to the best thoughts of the best
minds. The hints on this point in Mr.. Mer-
rilPs sermon are admirable, and will of them
selves lead enquiring minds in the right di-
reotion. If, however, we can supplement
them with any definite suggestions as to the
best beginnings in history, science, or gener-
al literature, we shall be glad to do so. To
this end we will cheerfully undertake to an
swer, either by letter or through our columns,
any questions which our young readers may
wish to ask on suchpointsas are here indicated
or with regard to the pursuit of any special
branch of reading. Our highest purpose in
the premises will have been accomplished if
We are instrumental in making any of our
young readers begin to realize for themselves
during the coming winter, the truth of the
principle which our reverend friend from
West Brattleboro so tersely lays down. that
"a taste for good reading is of itself no poor
equivalent for liberal education"