" THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING "
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—It may be of interest, in connexion with this subject, for your readers to learn what is being done in one of the smaller country parishes : possibly it may lead to others taking similar action, and thereby providing more of the clergy with the very assistance and encouragement that they require. At a meeting of our church council, held recently, it was unanimously resolved to devote a certain sam of money annually to the purchase, for the use of the incumbent for the time being, of works on theology and kindred subjects.
It is felt that, in thus making arrangements for a steadily growing Incumbents' Library," they are not only providing a valuable parish property, but are assuming a responsibility that, in many respects, is as much theirs as that of the vicar, Personally, I am inclined to think that there is more to be gained by having a smaller number of books always available than by borrowing a larger number for a short time and being compelled to return them after an all-too-hurried perusal. For this reason I very heartily commend the action of this parish council to the consideration of others, especially those
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