rosity and his benevolent feelings without expense. Indeed one prominent evil of the plan of indiscriminate tract circulation is that no gratitude is awakened in the bosom of the recipients. It is supposed that the gift cost the giver nothing, hence no kindly feeling is awakened; and since, as a matter of property, it has no value, it is too often received with indifference and treated with neglect.

"As it may sometimes be expedient to give books to Natives, the rule which this Society has adopted of circulating its publications only by sale must on some occasions operate unfavor ably. But, as remarked in a former Report, Some general rule in reference to this subject must be adopted and adhered to, else injustice and dissatisfaction will be the inevitable result. If tracts and books are granted to one Mission or one individual, they must be granted to all in similar circumstances. If sold at trifling rates to one, they must, in like manner, be sold to others who are similarly circumstanced. The Committee therefore have found it necessary to choose between the plan of supplying tracts gratuitously to all those engaged in their circulation, and that of furnishing them at certain fixed rates.'

Between these two plans they cannot for a moment hesitate. And it is gratifying to find that their decision has met with such general approval."*

Longer experience has simply confirmed the Committee in their course. The Report of 1863 says, Much as we have printed, our issues exceed by 23,738 the number received into the Depository. They would have been still larger, if the supply of many works had not fallen short."

The selling system has been tried to some extent in other parts. Generally, however, it has not been taken up warmly, and, as might have been anticipated, has not been very successful. Some Missionaries give away, without charge, tracts purchased by the Mission; others attempt to sell. The two plans cannot be combined in the same district. Handbills and short tracts may be circulated gratuitously after preaching; larger

* Report, pp, 19-21.

publications should be sold. Thus every object will be gained.

Book Shops Every Mission occupying a town should have a Book Depôt. A few of the CONDITIONS OF SUCCESS may be noticed.

1. A favorable Locality. Of course, a village is not a place for a book-shop. A populous city possesses most advantages. A small town, if the principal station in a district, will also answer in many cases. People come in from all parts to attend the public offices. The book-shop should be, if possible, in a principal street in the native part of the city. A large sign-board should indicate what is sold within.

2. A good collection of books properly displayed.— A depôt for purely religious works would fail; the demand is too limited. As large a variety as possible of books of a suitable character should therefore be brought together. This will lighten the expense and render a depôt worth keeping up, while otherwise the cost would be too great. Besides, persons coming merely for books on general subjects, are sometimes induced to purchase others of a religious nature.

Three classes of books should be kept on sale.

(1.) Scriptures.-Vernacular Scriptures can easily be obtained on commission sale from the Bible Societies. At large stations there is a demand for English Bibles, which may be sold at remunerative rates. One almirah, with glass front, might be appropriated to Bibles in English and the Vernacular.

(2) Publications like those of the Religious Tract Society. With the spread of English education, works in that language will be increasingly circulated. Success in sales will depend a good deal upon the selection. As a general rule, books for children are in greatest request, especially those with coloured illustrations.

The demand will vary according to the readers. Europeans and East Indians, are the principal pur

chasers of books like the Saint's Rest. Educated natives prefer works like Self-Improvement, Histories of Greece, Rome, &c., Angus's Hand-book to the English Language, &c. Some Muhammadans acquainted with English will purchase, The Arab, Life of Muhammad ; while Roman Catholics occasionally take the Life of Luther. All classes buy freely books for children,

It will be prudent, at first, to order only a limited number of each publication, till the demand is ascertained.

The Vernacular Publications of the Indian Tract Societies should also be kept on sale. Though the call for them may be very limited at present, with the greater variety of books and the progress of Missions, their circulation will increase.

(3.) School Books.-Works of this description sell freely. By requiring school children to purchase their books at the depôt, some sale would at once be secured ; while it would tend to make the depôt known.

The Christian Vernacular Education Society supplies school books to Missionaries on commission sale, allowing 12 per cent., or two Annas on the Rupee, discount.

3. A fit person in charge.-Care is necessary in the selection. Trustworthiness is the first requisite. In more cases than one, the person to whom books have been given for sale, has decamped with the proceeds. This, however, may be prevented by requiring the amount of the sales to be paid over weekly. Another safeguard is to count the books, give them in charge to the keeper, and hold him responsible. Activity and tact are other essentials. If the person in charge sits lazily chewing betel, and gruffly replies to any questions, he may sell very little. On the other hand, the writer has sometimes seen when a man came into a book-shop inquiring for a heathen book, that by showing him an attractive Christian work (especially one in poetry) and expatiating upon its excellencies,

he has been induced to become a purchaser. Zeal for God's glory would be the best impelling principle; but in most cases this cannot be looked for in a high degree. Even where it exists to some extent, the faculties of the person in charge will be greatly brightened and his activity increased, by making his remuneration depend, to a large extent, on the sales. At first it will be necessary to give him in addition a small fixed salary; but eventually the profits alone will suffice.

The person in charge of the depôt should in no case give books on credit, and should pay monthly, of oftener, to the Missionary the proceeds of sales, deducting his commission.

The strict observance of this rule is of vital importance. Its neglect will lead to dishonesty, both on the part of seller and buyers.

Accounts should be properly kept. All books received and sold should be entered. There should be a small pass book in addition, in which the Missionary should sign his initials, acknowledging the receipt of the proceeds of sales. Two pages in the Station Account Book should be allotted to the Book Shop,-one side containing entries of the value of books received, the other of sales. Stock should be taken annually. The Agent in charge should have all the books arranged, and a list of the stock made out. It is very desirable that the Missionary himself should give a quarter of an hour to counting one or two books to test the accuracy of the Return. A Catechist, or some other trustworthy person, might go over the whole stock.*

If the above rules are attended to methodically, very little time will be required, and all will go on smoothly. Some Missionaries may complain that they

*See "Notes on Formation of Auxiliary Tract Societies' Depositories" and "Notes on Religious Tract Society Depôts," published by the Religious Tract Society.

are so much engaged that they cannot attend to such things. It may be said in reply that others, with some of the largest and most flourishing Misson districts in India, do not raise the same objection. Habits of order make a vast difference in the amount of work a man can accomplish.

The persons who visit the book-shop will be the most intelligent and thoughtful among the people. It is very desirable that such should be introduced to the Missionary, at least where they show any disposition to inquire into Christianity. One important duty of the depôt-keeper should be to direct such anen to the proper quarter.

In some Missions all Catechists are expected to sell Christian books. The Rev. N. Honiss, Tinnevelly, says:

"Our Catechists now recognise the sale of books as a regular part of their duties. The number of books they sell is either a proof of their diligence, or an exposure of their negligence, but in all cases is a great help to the work of preaching. During the past six months, with God's blessing, we have sold 3,197 small volumes, all of which, with very few exceptions, contain some Scripture and more Scripture truths." Madras C. M. Record, November, 1864.

Were the above plan generally adopted, the cireulation of Christian literature might soon be doubled.

Book-Agent.-Book-shops cannot succeed in rural districts. Still, a good deal may be done to promote sales by appointing a fit person to act as Publication Agent, as mentioned in a previous chapter. Catechists and others from out-stations coming to the Missionary may purchase to some extent. The Agent depending for support on other means and selling merely when at leisure, is no drain upon Mission funds.

Book-Hawkers-This agency is more aggressive, and the principal towns in the district, can be visited. Markets and religious festivals, can also be attended.