Evening journal., 1920-07-24
BOOKS AND THEIR HELP.

Ix1HE question svVhat Book Has Helped You Most7"
as addressed by the New York City Executive Com
mlee OF The Books for Everybody" movement OF he
American Library Association TO and women prom-
nont public life has brought forth replies which,
aside from the anticipated general agreement on the
Bible and Shakespeare are stimulating in their range
Clergymon declared for The Bible almost without ex-
ception, did educators such DR.. John II. Finley,
Commissioner OF Education OF New York STATE who said
that although hie mother died when he eleven
years old ne had read he Bible through twice with her
and that ne had read 1t from to at least
three times in mature life. large body OF opinion
among business favor OF the Bible is represented
by the declaration Of Jacob II schr nancier who said
that the Mosaic Bible has influenced his life more than
any other book.
"The Bible and Shakespeare" said David Beasco, "con-
tain the great poetry and the great truths John Drew
nnds that out Of tho Catholic experience OF the theatre
Shakespeare emerges as the most determining book.
Arthur Brisbane, journalist said that sxpence ed-
lion Of Shakespeare smallest print and poorest paper
had been his only English book at boyhood school in
France, where but he spoke a word OF English He
read IL and over picking out the Nights and other
incidents which appealed to him as a boy OF nfteen
on the expressed assumption that tho Bible and
Shakespeare obvious an influence on life and
thought number OF replies gave second choices. Two
books which exerted great influences over in my
youth, said Or. Lyman Abbott, MY Fathers Young
Christian from which I derived much Of amy faith In
the simplicity Of Christianity and Fosters Essay on
Decision OF Character which helped TO acquire the
COURAGE necessity TO accept the responsibility Cor my
own lfe" Next TO tho Bible her mothers pilgrim Is
Progress" had the most profound effect Mrs Helen
Gould shepard OF York City. Carlyes Heroes and
Hero Worship" and little book OF selections from
Browning went home very powerfully TO Chancellor
Elmer E. Brown New York University, at an age wher
he was most open 10 Impressions.
Women In general revealed shades OF opinion
The poems OF Alfred Tennyson opened the door to TO
nance and history and chvay for Theodosa Garrison
who ls Mrs Lindley NJ. Garrison. prominent woman
lawyer OF New York City sim reads Alice in Wonder
land" 10 fortNy herself for the prosecution OF case
she considers the court OF the trial Of th
Mad Halter the finest piece Of satire in literature Mr.
Bernard f. polak president Of the National League o
Girls Clubs has returned again and again TO Emerson
essays and 10 omar Khayyam Mrs James Lees Laidlaw
director OF the League OF Women Voters OF New Nor
Cty. thinks that Herbert Spencer and Emerson "lcEe
her mind into shape" prominent social worker give
FIRST place TO George Eliots "The Min on the Floss
Hamilton Holt editor OF the independent thinks th'
Les Mserabes" Is more kinds OF great hook ina
any other ne has ever read" Among several men OF moi
who declared themselves unable 10 answer the quer
was Thomas A. Edison who found his reading too arsel
technical and onesidcd 10 permit satisfactory answe