p. 18 | Missionary Volunteer Circulating Library

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 28, 1915

Missionary Volunteer Circulating Library

By Mrs. Bertie C. Richards

On my first visit among the churches, I found a number of young people and children who could not buy the Reading Course books. They were anxious to read them, but there was no way that we could find by which these persons could secure the books. I remember especially one boy about sixteen years old, the sole support of his aged grandfather and grandmother, who told me, with an earnest, troubled face, that he could not buy books, but that he was actually hungry for something to read. He had read all the good books in the neighborhood, and as he had decided to leave books of fiction alone, he had nothing to read. Right then and there I determined to find a way to get books for this boy. He became interested at once in the Standard of Attainment study and the morning watch. This gave him something to do, and I left him feeling much happier and more contented.

Not long after this, away out twelve miles in the country, I found a quiet, studious girl. She could not buy the Reading Course books, but I noticed how she drank in every word I said about them. When I was ready to retire, she asked if I would allow her to take the books and read awhile. I gladly gave my consent, and went to bed thinking no more of the matter. You can imagine my surprise next morning at about four o'clock when I found her still reading. She finished one book before I left that day. This experience, as you may know, only added to my determination to get books for these young people.

When I reached home, I was not long in telling these and other experiences; and I soon won the support of the tract society secretary and the conference treasurer. The privilege of going over the shelves of the conference supply room and selecting books was gladly given, and I gathered about thirty-five. A few of these were sample books of past Reading Courses. The rest were mostly the works of Sister White. The conference committee gave me these books for the beginning of a circulating library. I asked for money with which to buy all the books of the past Reading Courses and several copies of “The Great Second Advent Movement,” the total cost of which would be over ten dollars. This was promised in case the circulating library proved successful.

It was a success from the very first. A list of the books was prepared and sent with a circular letter explaining our new departure to all Missionary Volunteer Societies, to all conference workers, and to elders of churches. We took pains to see that every young person received a list of the books, with directions for ordering and returning the same.

The conference pays the postage on all books sent out, the only cost to the readers being the return postage. Small books are allowed to remain out one month, and the large books two months. A record is kept of the name and address of each person receiving a book. A register is also kept of requests for books. Applicants for books were required to make first, second, and third choice of books.

The books are neatly covered with heavy paper, the titles being plainly written or printed on the back. The conference stamp, giving name and address, is used to stamp all books on outside and inside of covers and on blank spaces in the body of the book, or on the margin of leaves. This plan insures against loss, and is a constant reminder to the reader that the book must be returned at the end of the allotted time.

In all the Reading Course books the review questions are placed. When sending out a Reading Course book from the library, I have found it pays well to write a letter calling attention to the review questions, and urging the claims of our Reading Course plan. A Reading Course leaflet inclosed in such a letter is helpful. In working for the Standard of Attainment, the young people are reminded that we have “Bible Footlights,” “The Great Second Advent Movement,” “The Great Controversy,” and other helpful books which may be had for the asking.

Our library has been in existence a little over a year, and our Standard of Attainment members have increased from ten to thirty. The circulating library alone is not responsible for the increase, but it goes well with the work of the Reading Course and of the Standard of Attainment. The three are like the legs of a tripod—all are useful.

It might seem a strange thing in this age of books to plead in favor of good reading. Yet we find among us many who have never read through one of our standard books, but not a few of these persons find time to read the criminal news of the daily paper. The youth need especially to be protected against the flood of unwholesome literature that is filling the land today. The surest protection is a mind filled with good.

When Abraham Lincoln as a young man visited the slave market and realized more fully the misery and sorrow caused by the institution of slavery, he determined to go home and study how it could be destroyed. A few years afterwards we find him proclaiming liberty to every slave of the Union. All Missionary Volunteers and other young people have a like opportunity today. If by earnest effort they get ready to meet the issues of our time, which are the final issues of the ages, they may declare God’s emancipation proclamation to many slaves of sin.

MRS. BERTIE C. RICHARDS.