THE CHRISTIAN FATHER'S PRESENT то HIS CHILDREN. exo BY J. A. JAMES. "And thou, Solomon, my son, know thou the God of thy father, and "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth,' IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. FOURTH AMERICAN EDITION: NEW-YORK: PUBLISHED BY JONATHAN LEAVITT, 182 BROADWAY. 1827. THE CHRISTIAN FATHER'S PRESENT TO HIS CHILDREN. CHAPTER XIV. On Books. THE invention of the art of printing, forms an era in the history of mankind, next in importance to the promulgation of the law, and the publication of the gospel. Until this splendid gift was bestowed upon man, books, which were all in` manuscript, were circulated within a comparatively narrow sphere, and knowledge was in the possession of only a privileged few. This invaluable art, however, rendered the fountains of information accessible to all, and gave opportunity to the poorest of our race, to slake their mental thirst at the deepest and the purest streams of truth. There was a time when ignorance was rather a misfortune than a reproach; and when, indeed, a craving after information would, with many, have been rather a calamity than a benefit, since the means of satisfying the appetite were beyond their reach. The state of things is altered now, and almost a whole circle of science may be purchased for a few shillings. |