202 THE LIBRARY 



whose work depends the intellectual, moral, sanitary, political, and 

 religious welfare and advancement of the people. 



" (5) It is the stimulus and the reliance of the literary and study 

 clubs which, especially among women, have done so much not only 

 for individual self-culture but also for civic enlightenment and 

 social betterment. This represents its numerous post-graduate 

 courses, which are taken by constantly increasing numbers. 



" (6) It has philosophers and theologians to explain and expound 

 and to exhort those who are willing to listen; but, far better, it has 

 poets and dramatists and novelists, who compel a hearing and im- 

 press on heart as well as mind the fundamental truths of morality 

 and religion. 



" (7) It is also a school of manners, which have been well defined 

 as minor morals. The child learns by example and by the silent 

 influence of his surroundings; and every visit to a library is a lesson 

 in propriety and refinement. The roughest boy or the rudest man 

 cannot fail to be impressed by the library atmosphere and by that 

 courtesy which is the chief element in the ' library spirit.' 



" (8) It imparts, as the school cannot, knowledge of one's self and 

 of one's relations to one's fellow man, and thus prepares the individ- 

 ual for citizenship and fellowship in organized society and leads him 

 to be an active force in social advancement. 



" (9) It elevates the standard of general intelligence throughout 

 the community, on which depends its material prosperity as well as 

 its moral and political well-being. 



" (10) But not last, if an exhaustive list were aimed at, nor 

 least, it supplies a universal and urgent craving of human nature 

 by affording to all entertainment of the highest and purest character, 

 substituting this for the coarse, debasing, demoralizing amusements 

 which would otherwise be sought and found. Further, it brings 

 relief and strength to many a suffering body, and cheer and solace 

 to many a sorrowing heart. It is instruction and inspiration to the 

 young, comfort and consolation to the old, recreation and companion- 

 ship to all ages and conditions. 



" I close as I began. 



" Education is the greatest concern of mankind; it is the founda- 

 tion of all human progress. The library is an essential factor in all 

 grades of education; and it is the agent plenipotentiary in the 

 betterment of society and the culture and cheer of the human 

 soul. 



" ' The highest gift of education is not the mastery of sciences, but 

 noble living, generous character, the spiritual delight that comes 

 from familiarity with the loftiest ideals of the human mind, the 

 spiritual power that saves each generation from the intoxication of 

 its own success.' " 



