THE SOUTH CHURCH. 143 



in order that access to it might be more general, and it might Ijecome 

 more widely useful. 



In 1869 Dr. Lucius Woodruff, for several years superintendent of 

 the school, presented to the teachers a valuable reference library of 

 one hundred and fifty volumes. This included choice works on church 

 history and theology, together with commentaries on all parts of the 

 Bible. Important additions to this collection have recently been made, 

 so that it now numbers about four hundred and fifty volumes. It has 

 also been recently rearranged and newly catalogued. On the death of 

 Dt. Woodruff in 1872, the Sunday-school came into possession of 

 $5,000. This generous bequest is to be kept as a permanent fund, its 

 income being used for the benefit of the libraries for teachers and 

 scholars. 



In considering the general library of some two thousand books, it is 

 needful that we remind ourselves of the promiscuous character of our 

 school, which represents wide differences of intelligence, culture, and 

 spiritual need. The books, which some of the scholars most appre- 

 ciate and enjoy, often do not appeal to others, and since tastes and 

 opinions differ regarding Sunday-school books, as other things, our 

 large membership compels a varied supply in order to meet the many 

 demands. 



Your present committee has very nearly completed its task of 

 renovating the library. Some of the oldest books have been put aside. 

 Many have been rebound, and others duplicated. New books have 

 been added, new cards and catalogues provided, and now it remains 

 for the library to be used. 



The standard of the church for the library has been "books 

 which inculcate, directly or indirectly, moral or religious truth, 

 and also those which contribute towards a knowledge of church 

 history, or minister to the upbuilding of character." This year 

 an attempt has been made to extend its usefulness along these 

 lines by the addition of good poetry and literary criticism, such 

 as would tend to the Christian culture of our people ; and also such 

 books on patriotism, as those of Samuel Adams Drake, John Esten 

 Cooke, Brander Matthews, "Poems of American Patriotism," and the 

 "Makers of America" series. Prof. Broadus has said : " AYe may 

 help young children not a little by deepening their interest in any 

 impressive natural objects within the reach of their vision, by striving 

 to interpret for them, in sympathetic fashion, the meanings of nature." 

 The committee has hoped to lead our children "through nature up to 

 nature's God," by giving them books like Olive Thorne Miller's "In 

 Nesting Time," "Star-land" by Sir Robert Ball, and the pleasant 

 science lessons from the " Sunshine," by Amy Johnson. Some of the 

 old stories have been retained and others added, for it has seemed that 



