[p. 78] —to decide moreover, (in the event of the foregoing proposition meeting with your approval) on the measures proper to be devised for the gradual increase of the Library and for the management of its concerns.
Your affte. & obliged pastor
August 28, 1825.
The committee to whom was referred the subject of a Social Library have met and had the subject under their consideration, and they now report:—
That they think such a Library under proper regulations will be very beneficial to all classes of society.
They find on enquiry that few towns in our vicinity are without one; that they are highly approved of wherever established, and that they have been found to be particularly serviceable to the poor, who would not otherwise have the means of general intelligence within their reach.
Your committee therefore beg leave to recommend that a subscription paper be set on foot as soon as possible for the purpose of getting the means necessary for collecting such a Library.
That all the inhabitants of the town able to subscribe be called upon, that subscriptions in money or in books, or in loans of books, if there are any so valuable that their owners may be unwilling to give them, and that a committee be now nominated generally, to carry these several objects into effect.
Your committee take the liberty respectfully to suggest that in their opinion the library ought not to be confined entirely to Theological works, nor of a strictly religious character.
Books of general intelligence, History, Discussions in morals, even Philosophical treatises, in short, any book that is calculated to give instruction without exciting a spirit of controversy, or bad feelings, would in their opinion be a valuable acquisition and should be admitted.
They think however, 