LETTERS.

GLOUCESTER, JULY 9, 1884.

HON. SAMUEL E. SAWYER:

Dear Sir:- Permit me, among your numerous friends, to congratulate you upon the culmination of the design which, for so many years, has been a leading sentiment, amid your many kind and philanthropic projects. Knowing, as I do, the great interest cherished by you for so many years, going back to the time when, under your direction, I obtained the dimensions and design of the public library of the City of Newton, which was intended to be the character of your gift to your native city, and realizing now, as then, that your interest in our public schools was of no stinted character, but based upon the broadest liberality; yet with the keen foresight of a practical business life, you saw that the teachings of the schools must of necessity be of a routine nature and which by a broadening and widening influence would develop the highest form of useful education, if the means and right influence were available to supplement the schools.

The library was your conception of improvement to make the home and the hearthstone not only pleasant and desirable, but instructive and liberal; from this fountain would flow the sweet influences, valuable alike to youth and age, and it was the broad and catholic spirit that conceived and held fast through long years,

this conception of usefulness, that is now typified in the institution that bears your name.

Citizenship, truly honorably borne, is virtue, even in a negative sense; but the citizenship that can anticipate the highest development of its surroundings, can guide with unerring hands the instinctive impulses born of a wide comprehensiveness, and fitly crown them with deeds like this, fears not to stand in the presence of kings. Honored in its own personality it still addresses itself to future generations and challenges its peers in future imitative usefulness.

Thanking you as one who loves the name and fame of his native home, I doubt not that your own conscious satisfaction and the gratitude of the community will ever abide with and bless you.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. J. BABSON.

DODGE CITY, KAN., JULY 16, 1884.

Dear Uncle:-Allow me to be one of the many who congratulate you upon the consummation of the work which has been so near to your heart for the years that are passed. A friend sent me the Gloucester paper containing the account of the opening of the library. I read it with much interest, and take this, my first opportunity, to express my thanks for your very generous gift; for, although I may never be placed in the position to enjoy its advantages, I know that many others will, who must and will appreciate it.

I have always taken a deep interest in the founding

of libraries, but this one, bearing, as it does, the family name, will ever be nearest to me in point of interest, and I shall look forward to its growth from year to year with greatest pleasure. We are eighty miles from the post office which will account for the seeming tardiness of this letter. Again congratulating you, I am, with highest regards,

Cordially yours,

WALTER L. SAWYER.

SERMON.

THE SAWYER FREE LIBRARY.

A Sermon preached in the First Parish Church, on Sunday morning, June 28, 1884, by the pastor, Rev. John S. Thomson.

Text, He had in his hand a little book open.-Rev. x: 2.

Next Tuesday afternoon, the new and permanent home of the Sawyer Free Library will be dedicated; and, as the dedication will be one of the most important events in the history of the intellectual development of our ancient town, I have deemed it proper that we should devote this hour to a study of the uses and promises of the institution. The occasion will suggest many thoughts to us, and it is our duty to convert these thoughts into moral and religious lessons.

The purpose of a good book is to educate, or to amuse, or to inspire, the reader. A good book may have any one, or all, of these three purposes. Our only standard for judging a book is the question, Does it give useful knowledge? or, Does it afford healthy amusement? or, ds it an inspiration to a good life? We may, therefore, divide all good books into three classes. In the first class, we have books on science, philosophy, theology, art, industry, education, and history. These books educate the intellect, and prepare the reader to win success in some of the many avenues or depart