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circulation of books and tracts favourable to the cause of genuine Christiiqaky and the practice of virtue . " One labour of love , necessary as a preparation for the accomplishment of such a purpose * has long and extensively been carried on in the numerous schools which are every where around us . There are now , it is probable , comparatively few in the population of our large towns who cannot read .
But there are many , it is also probable , who make but little use of their ability to read ; and not a few , it is to be feared , who , to say the least , do not make a good use of it . Besides , of those who are disposed to employ some portion of their leisure in reading , and who would be glad to read for instruction as well as entertainment , there must be many who cannot easily
obtain books . Or if this difficulty seems , in a manner , vanishing before the increasing number of extraordinarily cheap publications , yet the knowledge thus offered to the poor may not always be that which is most adapted to have a favourable influence on their character , not always that which will most enrich their souls , and be to them a treasure of hope and comfort for all the difficulties and all the trials of their lot .
The elementary education of the school requires then to be followed up by those who have learnt of Christ to care for and wish well to their fellowmen , in farther efforts to turn that education to good account . It requires to be followed up by efforts to cherish in those who read a taste for reading , and to direct the love of knowledge , where it exists , to its worthiest objects .
Now this is what is professed by such associations as that which I am recommending ; and this is what is provided for in collections of books and tracts , from which each member of such an association may easily supply himself with the means of giving the information that he finds any where needed , on the evidences , doctrines , duties , benefits , and comforts of religion .
I Irave said , ** that may be any where needed . " For information on these subjects is often very much needed , not merely among the poor , but among all classes . The educated , and those who are considered well educated , are not seldom found very ignorant on these subjects . Much , indeed , has lately been done for the diffusion of what is expressly called * ' useful knowledge . " But when we examine what kind of knowledge is meant , we
find that it is chiefly knowledge relating to the arts and conveniences of this life , to the construction and laws of the material world , to the history of political events and changes ; in short , to subjects which address themselves to the curiosity and the understanding , but which rarely , if at all , bring into view the connexion of this life with another , and the awful responsibilities of man as the subject of God ' s moral government , and the destined heir of immortality .
Wow I mean no disparagement of the knowledge which is so especially recommended as useful . It is useful . Whatever tends to make rnen exercise their minds , and teaches them what powers they have for improving their own condition , and stirs up their exertions by shewing how much has been done by others , must be useful . I heartily wish such knowledge to be diffused as widely as possible . But still , I will contend , there is another kind much more usefuL T wish to see men intelligent , thoughtful , provident ,
induBtriouB , sober , rational in their amusements and pleasures , I wish to see them making the best of their means and capacities for the comfort of this present life . And they may be much helped to this by the knowledge whidh is called useful . Perhaps , too , it may be the fact , that man can never be ( made sm intellectual and thoughtful being , without halving some moral principles also called into exercise . But I farther wish to see men full of a generous concern for each © tber ' u wetfiwe , full of u noble superiority * o this
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390 Lancashire and Cheshire Booh and Tract Society .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1831, page 390, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2598/page/30/
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