The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-03-24
The Worlds Great Literary Bibles.
Reading Course No. l.
Commissioner

Reading Course No. l..
Among all the books OF the world q
few are so preeminent for content and
style that they have been called the
Literary Bibles. These are the Ilaid
and the Odyssey OF Homer, the Divine
Comedy OK Dante, the greater dram
as of Shakespeare, and Goethes
Faust, Each OF these is the embodi-
ment and revelation Of the ideals of
race, an age. or u civilization. They
came out OF the hearts and minds Of
the people, for whom their authors
We're only the spokesmen. They are
therefore simple. fundamental, and
comprehensive. They appeal to the
hearts and grip the minds Of all peo-
pie everywhere, young and old, learn
ed and uulcarned of whatever race or
creed. They are human books and
take firm hold on the human life
which We all live. which tew under
stand. but which IN all it's phases has
interest without end" They are
broadminded. catholic books. Their
authors saw life steadily and saw 1t
whole. Kings and priests to God and
humanity, they interpreted for man
the eternal mysteries. Prophetic
men. they stood on the mountain tops
and caught the glow of the ever
dawning new day. Finely organized
men. they felt the heart-throb and
pulse beat OF the human race. and
understood the hopes and fears and
aspirations OF humanity better than
most. and have set these to the music
OF rhythmic. winged words.
These books should be read by all
who would know the worlds literature
and life. The United States Bureau
Of Education has. therefore. chosen
them for it's first course in reading,
and invites all serious-minded young
men and women to join this, it's first
National reading circle, the members
OF which will undertake to read each
OF these books. at least twice within
the next 3 years from the time Of
Joining the circle.
For admission TO this circle 1t is
only necessary to write to the Home
Education Division Of the Bureau Of
Education, Washington, ID. c., giving
your name. postofilce address, your
age. and n very brief statement of
your education and occupation. You
should also write the home education
division OF the Bureau when you have
finished reading any book OF THE
course.
To each person giving satisfac ctory
evidence Of having read all the books
on the list there will be awarded a
certificate bearing the seal Of the
United States Bureau Of Education
and signed by the Commissioner of
Education. All Young men and wo-
men who want TO know the best there
Is in the literature of the world and
10 gnin tho inspiration il gives are in
vitcd 20 join this National ret dnp
circle, and IL Is hoped many thousands
may do so.
I. The Ilaid of Homer-Lang. Lea
ana Mycr.. -. =. e.. g. ..25t
The Macmillan Com any. New
York or The llaid Of Homer
William Cullen Bryant. students
edition.. e. =. E. 81 OF
Houghton. MilI'in company, Bos
ton.
2. The Odyssey OF Homer-Butche
and Lang :. E. SO,
The Macmillan Company OF New
York. or The Odyssey of Homer
William Cullen Bryant. students
edltloh'. go. i. .O'
Houghton, Miiilin Company, Bos
ton.
= 3. The Divine Comedy Of Dante
Cary students edition.. ... so
Thomas Y. Crowcll & Company
New York. or The Divine Com