New Britain herald., 1925-01-20
INTERESTING STORY
 0F BERLINUBRARY
Started Behind Pulpit in Church
 Built in i774
(BY F. 8. B.)


 the name of Warrington school over the front door. But 1t has history. It was built in 1774 for a church.
 If those old walls could speak what interesting tales they could tell of the Revolutionary war, (be- cause there were number of old soldiers who worshipped there) of sermons and songs and political talks. At that time all meetings were held in the church. It had high pulpit with a sounding board over the minister's head.
 There early settlers were very progressive and believed in educa- ton. Soon after they built their churches, schools were started, and in 17S2 many years before the steeple with it's beautiful spire, or bell or clock were added to the building a public library was found- ed. The books were kept behind the pulpit. It was not a large library but such books as "Plutarch's Lives" Rollins Ancient History" Addison, and many books of travel were to be found there. It WIS named the Worthington library.
 l had the pleasure of seeing one of the books last year. It was pub lished in 17S9 in Dublin. "The His tory of England from the earliest Times to the Death of George the Second" in four volumes by Dr. Goldsmith. There was no book plate. ''This book belongeth to the Worthington Library" was written on the inside cover. In the present li- brary is a life of the Rev. Thomas Scott" published in 1924, with a small book-plate bearing the name of Worthington Library. How many years it remained in the old church is not known. The records tell us that Pete Calpin was charged in 17S4 for "Chesterfeld's Letters" in two volumes.
 Captain Samuel Hart was first clerk and treasurer of the Second Congregational church of Berlin in 1775. He was lover Of books and he would gather his large family about the open fireplace and read to them from the best English au- thors, Young, Locke, Thomson and Milton, books 10 be found in the early library. From these writings his daughters, Emma Hart Will lard and Mrs. Lincoln Phelps, after ward became famous educators, first received their love of literature. In 1885 a chapel was built on the north side of the house now owned by George Prentice. It was 6 one story unpainted building and inside just opposite the front door stood one case full of books and its name had been changed 10 the Berlin library. The building was also used for singing schools and lectures. In 1856 this chapel and land were sold and the building was moved and at- tached to the barn on the Prem tice place.
 The library was now without a home. it travelled about finding a resting place in different buildings, at one time in the home of Dr. F. Brandegee when he lived where Mir. Showalter now resides. Rev. Sam uel Goodrich, third pastor of the Second Congregational church from 1911 to 1888 purchased the house just north of the community grounds and his son, Rev. Charles Goodrich, who lived on his fathers place until 1S47 had small build ing for a study in the south yard, and in 1863 the library was in this building and William Bulkeley was librarian. This study was, after a few years, sold and joined to Q house on the community grounds, where it was destroyed by fire.
 The library next found home upstairs in the academy. It had added to it's shelves, having now three red book cases, which are used Tn the public schools, and one large case given to 1t by Rev. A. Washburn, which has been loaned to the Second Congregational church and stands in the dining room. It was so large it had to be drawn through the upper window of the academy. When the school needed the room Deacon Alfred North offered the library @ place in his grocery store, here 1t re- mained until the store was sold. and it was asked to move. There was no room in the village and com mlttee was appointed to raise funds for a. permanent home.
 Friends in town and out respond ed to the needs Of the library and in January, 1892. the new building was finished and dedicated. At the dedication Frank Wilcox gave a brief history of the libraries of Ber- lin. Mr. B. K. Fields address was, Now You Have a Library; What Will You Do With It." Rev. Thomas Clayton's paper was on '"rhe Read ing Habit and What to Read," and the following poem was read, writ ten for the occasion by Mrs. Flor ence Brandegee.
 Lines on Dedication of Berlin
 Library
 Once the great princes could not
 read
 The book Q rare and costly thing, And patient monks in convents dim Wearied their eyes with lettering. But now on tirelesS wings thought
 flies
 She goes to every race and land, Eager to teach the humblest one, That offers her a welcome hand. Each child the ages' wealth may
 own
 May gather all the fruits of time, And garner to the hearts content