benevolent character; and as such the friends of God and man are induced voluntarily to enlist in it, giving it their efficient coöperation as a means of advancing the cause and kingdom of Christ; while the mass of the people are far more ready to purchase when the books are issued and brought to their doors solely for their own benefit, irrespective of all motives of pecuniary emolument."

The number of books circulated by the Society's agents and the voluntary coöperation of Christians, also led the Committee at this time to change their mode of procedure in respect to copy-right volumes, for several of which they had paid a given sum on each copy circulated. They say, "The rights of authors to the fair mercantile value of their productions, it would be absurd to question; as it would be to deny that, among the volumes held by copy-right, are some of those best adapted for usefulness in the Society's channels of circulation. The fact, however, that the extent of the Society's volume circulation depends in a great measure upon the voluntary efforts of Christians, and the exertions of agents supported by the Society, irrespective of the merits of each particular volume, led the Committee to propose to all the proprietors of the copy-rights of volumes circulated by the Society, to receive outright a specific sum as compensation for permission to the Society to circulate such volumes indefinitely, the proprietors reserving the right of issuing the same at pleasure in any and all other channels. In accordance with these principles, the Society purchased the copy-rights of all the works for

which they had arranged to pay a premium on each copy issued."

Previous to the close of the year 1837, the Rev. R. S. Cook, the failure of whose voice for a time, had caused him to suspend his stated ministrations in Berkshire county, Mass., providentially called at the Tract House to obtain volumes for his own use. The thought there occurred to him, that through these volumes he might still preach to his people, and likewise return to neighboring congregations the kindness which their pastors were conferring by occasionally supplying his pulpit. In prosecuting these efforts, he soon perceived that the Society's volume circulation was a means admirably adapted for usefulness; he was cheered with the coöperation of ministerial brethren and Christians, and pursued the work till most of the county was supplied; in reference to which he says, in his report presented November 1, 1838,

"I cannot but believe that the Lord has employed this instrumentality in effecting more good, present and ultimate, than all my labors as a pastor could have accomplished. It is not too much to say, that most of the precious revivals enjoyed in that county, during the last winter, were greatly promoted by the influence of this enterprise on distributers and readers, attended with the Holy Spirit. I have heard of many cases of hopeful conversion by this means, and know of at least three instances where God has evidently blessed volumes which I have given to these who might have perished without them The amount circulated in the county, including

more than 100 libraries, is nearly 7,000 volumes, in value about one thousand seven hundred dollars."

Mr. Cook soon entered on his duties as General Agent of the Society for the volume circulation. In June, 1838, he presented the object in the city of Hartford, Conn., and the results of the effort were reported as follows:

"The effort was commenced with trembling, and I trust, in reliance on God. It cannot be looked upon now but with rejoicings by every friend of Christ and the truth. I want your help to praise God for his smiles upon this enterprise, and the rich blessing extended, through it, to this noble city.

"The object was presented before the several congregations of the city, and followed by a union meeting of great interest in the Centre church. The next morning about sixty voluntary distributers entered upon the work simultaneously, in the different sections of the town, and have been faithful and untiring in their efforts to do good to souls. It would have gladdened your heart to see the tearful and flashing eye, or heard the subdued and solemn voice, as one and another related the incidents of their self-denying service, and expressed their interest in this work as connected with the eternal destinies of immortal beings. I know of no exception to the remark, that the distributers are decidedly quickened and profited by their engagement in this good cause.

"I have only time to communicate the fact, that in Hartford- -a town better supplied with religious reading, perhaps, than any other of its population in the countryabout 4,000 volumes have been sold, including 120 sets of the Evangelical Family Library, in value about $1,200.

"The question is now settled as to the adaptation of the volume enterprise to the wants of cities, and the practicability of carrying out the scheme for the supply of a large population as well as a limited one. The success of this effort is vastly important in this view, as well as its immediate and incalculable importance to this community. I know not what should hinder an immediate enlargement of your operations in this department, so as to embrace the whole country. It is needed everywhere; it is everywhere practicable. The blessings of a thoroughly biblical literature may and will be enjoyed everywhere, if you will but spread yourselves over the land, bearing Gospel truth, and scattering the blessings of a Gospel salvation."

In the following month, Mr. Cook made a similar effort in Providence, R. I., of which he said,

"I know it will rejoice your hearts to learn that the Lord has blessed the efforts for the volume circulation in this city. It was found here, as elsewhere, that the mass of the people were uninformed of the character of the enterprise for the supply of religious reading for the whole community. So far as the public could be reached from the pulpit, they were apprised of the nature of the enterprise, and prepared to welcome the self-denying laborers who should devote themselves to the work of supplying the city with a sanctified literature. Several churches of the Episcopal, Baptist, Congregational, and Free Will Baptist denominations, were addressed separately, while a more full commendation of the object was given at a union meeting, by pastors of churches in the city, and other distinguished clergymen.

"About eighty voluntary distributers, of all professions and employments, engaged personally in the distribution of volumes in their several districts, with various zeal, and of course with different success. Had all entered upon the work with the noble views entertained by some of its importance and power, the circulation would have been without precedent, and an amount of present and ultimate good accomplished, which no mind can conceive. Those who imagine that work so simple can be done by any body, mistake greatly the nature of the enterprise, and the nature of mankind. Multitudes will receive from the hands of a respected friend or neighbor, whose station and character is a sufficient guarantee for its purity, a volume or library which may be the means of salvation to whole households, while the application of a stranger might be immediately rejected.

"I was never more impressed with the importance of having enlisted in this work men of experience, and character, and devoted piety; nor have I ever been so much delighted and encouraged as with the cordial cooperation of some of this class in this city. One individual, whose generous and enlightened devotion to this cause will be remembered with gratitude by others than your correspondent, sold nearly 400 volumes, including 17 sets of the Library, value $135. A brother of the Baptist church has already circulated volumes to the value of $75. Another of the Episcopal church about $60. A young lady of the Free Will Baptist church— herself converted by the Divine blessing on the reading of Baxter's Call-about $70. A brother of the same denomination, about $100. The rector of Grace church addressed his people twice on the subject, and secured