won an honored name for their county, and opened wider doors of opportunity and helpfulness for men of other lands.

And shall we not, with equal earnestness and depth of feeling, if with less outward show, record our sense of obligation to one whose long life was spent in self-sacrificing efforts; in labors for the education of the young and the advancement of the community, in all

that elevates and refines and ennobles? Who shall measure the force and effort of such a life as that of our brother? Day by day for a half century, he met successive generations of children, teaching them the principles of righteousness, truth and unselfish service.

If we could trace back to their source great deeds or valor or unselfish streams of good which sometimes flow out of newly opened wells, we could find their original spring, very often, in the faithful instruction of some earnest and devoted teacher, whose words and example infused a desire for knowledge. Knowledge was the life work of our brother, whose sole desire was to lead and teach the young; and how faithfully and successfully he did it, is witnessed by the thousands who, in tender affection, cherish his memory; it is witnessed by the success of our educational system, in the development of which the best vears of his life were given; it is witnessed also by the public library which fitly bears his name, as it bears the impress of his toil and care.

The following quotations are taken from a letter given to the Youngstown Telegram by Supt. Treudley shortly after his return.

from his trip abroad. It will be remembered that Supt. Treudley followed Mr. McMillan in the superintendency at Youngstown.

I feel unwilling to have the name and work of my honored predecessor and esteemed friend, Mr. Reuben McMillan, become a memory or a treasure belonging to those only who knew him best without a public acknowledgment on my part of what I owe to him and of what he was to me.

I have had no opportunity of making such acknowledgment until now, his death ocurring while I was far away. It was not unexpected and its announcement occasioned no surprise. Nevertheless, I understood that there had passed from earth one to whom I could never make adequate return for the countless acts of kindness which I had received from him.

If I may indulge in a few reminiscences, I recall that when, years ago, my eye rested on a paragraph in one of my educational papers to the effect that he was about to retire from the superintendency and that a successor was being considered, I wrote to him and in due time received a very courteous reply. He did not know me well, as we had not been thrown closely together, and, of course, he could not speak further than he did. But when, after consideration of the various

candidates before the board, the lot fell upon me, I can never forget the sincere and hearty welcome which I received from his hands; and, I will add, the breadth of the generosity of that reception. It may be remembered that Mr. McMillan, as I recall it, entered upon the superintendency of these schools the year I was born, and at

the same age at which later I succeeded him. He had filled this honorable position during all that time, excepting a period of about ten years when he was otherwise engaged.

Necessarily a successor would have his own ways, and changes of various kinds would likely be made. I wrote him to the effect that while, without question, our ideas as to the ends to be reached would be identical, the means of reaching these ends would vary, and that he would not expect me to follow exactly in his footsteps.

I recall the heartiness with which he responded to that letter and his saying to me so emphatically that were I to attempt to do things exactly as he had done them he would not deem me competent for the place. He respected individuality, for he prized his own. And I can never be too grateful for the fact that always, under all circumstances, without one single exception, Mr. McMillan held up my hands, encouraged me, sent messages of the kindliest nature to me, rejoiced in the progress of the schools as if he were actively ministering to them, gave me good counsel and literally bore to me, a young man, a relationship that came as near being ideal as I can conceive. I know whereof I speak, for I know of the tribulations of others who were not assisted as I

was.

Mr. MicMillan was possessed of a high sense of honor. I recall with deep satisfaction one brief conversation I had with him shortly after my arrival. He said to me in substance: "In coming here you wrote to me first. You pursued the honorable course. Now I wish to say to you that my friends are

As for me, because I was a young man when I came here and none too confident, and because no man in corresponding position could have ministered to me more wisely or more kindly, I venerate his memory, and in these few words which I have written I have performed in a very feeble manner what I consider to be a simple duty toward one for whom I cannot entertain too deep an affection, whose society I would be glad to share in the world of light, the memory of whose bearing to me will always be hallowed, and whose whole life was directed toward making better and sweeter the world in which lived.

OHIO LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

BY C. B. GALBREATH.

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The Ohio Library Association met in Dayton, October 12. The weather was ideal and the attendance at the opening session representative of almost every section of the State. Frank Conover, Esq., member of the Board of Trustees of the Dayton Public Library, called the meeting to order in the spacious parlors of Hotel Beckel,

and proceeded at once to deliver the president's annual address. In setting forth the duties of library trustees he advanced many clearcut and cogent suggestions of practical interest to all persons engaged in library work. The mission of the library, he declared, was to furnish good reading to the people. Fine buildings, adequate equipment, numerous volumes of carefully selected books, trained librarians and competent assistants, all these may be considered necessary. But the most elaborate appointment and the most intelligent service in the reading-room will not, in themselves, accomplish the mission of the library. The books must circulate. If the people will not come to the library, the library must go to the people. "It is a mistake," said he, "to suppose that it is one of the chief duties of the trustees to prepare a catalogue for the use of the public. It is their business, rather, to prepare the public for the use of the catalogue." The field he considered wide and inviting. Books could be taken to the Sabbath school, the value of the library explained there and the co-operation of the church secured. They could be taken to the factory and issued to the men and women at the close of their day's work. They could be distributed in the public schools where, under intelligent direction, rare opportunity is presented to cultivate a taste for healthful literature among the young.

At the conclusion of the president's address Miss Linda A. Eastman, of the Cleveland Public Library, delivered an interesting report on library extension. Within the past year new libraries have

been opened in Coshocton, Lisbon, Logan, Marysville and Massillon.

Miss May Prentice, of the Cleveland Normal school, made a report on "Library and Schools, and Cooperation With the Ohio Teachers' Association." This included. a brief account of the meeting of the library section of that body at Put-in-Bay. In speaking of the use of the library in schools, Miss Prentice said that the books need not always bear directly upon the recitation. Some teachers would read the twenty-third Psalm to the children only to illustrate a lesson on sheep. The needs and capacity of the children should be kept in mind, and within these limits a degree of freedom should be allowed, even if it sometimes leads outside of the routine of school work.

Superintendent E. A. Jones, of Massillon, who was present as the representative of the Ohio State Teachers' Association, spoke of his mission and the intimate relation that should exist between the public school and the public library. The latter is not a supplement to our educational system; it is a component part of it. He gave a briet account of the Ohio Teachers' Reading Circle and the excellent work it has accomplished. The pupils' reading course is now read by over nine thousand children in the State. The traveling library system will enable the children in the small villages and rural districts to get the necessary books at trifling expense. Superintendent Jones stated near the close of the meeting that he was much pleased with the spirit that seems to pervade the Library Association, and

that he would have many good things to report to the educators of Ohio at their next meeting.

In the afternoon the members of the Association enjoyed a trolley ride to the National Military Home, where a very pleasant reception was tendered them. After the band concert they met in Putnam Library of the Home, where the afternoon meeting was held. In the absence of Mr. F. W. Ashley, of the Morley Library of Painesville, an excellent paper that he had prepared was read by Martin Hensel, of the Public School Library of Columbus, subject, "Some Obstacles to be Overcome in Starting and Managing a Small Library." The paper was discussed by Miss Mercer, Mansfield, and Miss McElwain, of Xenia. Considerable interest was manifested in the statement by the latter that the Xenia Library contains five thousand volumes, that it has thirteen hundred names on its list of contributing members, that it receives no support from taxation, and that the Reference Department is free to all who choose to visit the library. Others participated in the discussion. After a vote of thanks to the officers of the Home for courtesies extended, the session adjourned.

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The program for the evening included a very pleasant visit to the Dayton Public Library and an inspection of its interesting museum. The evening session was held in the assembly room of the library.

Four of the Dayton teachers participated in the work of the evening. Miss Lelia A. Thomas read a paper, "The Child and the Story," in which she gave a most interesting account of some experiments in the primary department

of the Dayton schools. The child read the story and then related it to the school. Minor defects in language were not noted. The child was encouraged to feel perfectly free. Results were gratifying. "School Libraries, Pictures and Books as Aids in the Schoolroom" was the subject of an address by Miss Agnes Bruce. Another phase of the subject was presented in a paper by Miss Lila P. Hall. She emphasized the importance of choosing safe books and books suited to the grade of the pupil. "Goody-good" books, as well as those of a questionable character, should be avoided. The discussion of this topic was concluded by Miss May Crowell, who described the methods of book distribution in the Dayton schools. At present the Public Library furnishes to the schools of the city, for distribution under the direction of the teacher, one book for every two pupils.

"Reading Without Tears" was the subject of a very thoughtful and original paper by Miss May Prentice. She dwelt at length upon the importance of careful selection. of the first picture books that are put into the hands of little children. The picture should leave a pleasing impression on the mind of the child. It should not bring tears to his waking eyes or hideous visions to his dreams. The mind never loses its impressions. We do not forget. The mind of the little child. is wonderfully receptive. Pictures that fill it with terror have more influence on the future life than most of us imagine. The child loves fun, and the things that appeal to the infant sense of humor can do no harm. Miss Prentice illustrated her address with a num

ber of drawings and several cheap picture books gathered at random from store counters.

The evening session closed with a paper by Miss Linda A. Eastman, entitled, "The Children's Room." The public library should. make special provision for the children. It should be made attractive to them. It should be managed by an assistant acquainted with their needs and inspired with the love of children.

Thursday morning's session was held in the parlors of the Beckel House, President Conover in the chair. A committee on Library Extension was appointed and made to include Hon. J. F. McGrew, President of the Ohio Library Commission.

Public Libraries, of Chicago, was made the official organ of the Association. A full account of the proceedings will be published in that journal. State Commissioner of Common Schools, L. D. Bonebrake, who was present, was called upon for remarks and responded in a strong address. Formerly the child was punished for bringing other than text books to school. Now he is supplied with attractive reading matter and his natural thirst for knowledge is directed to useful ends. Mr. Bonebrake expressed great interest in the library movement now so perceptible in different parts of the State.

Hon. J. F. McGrew, of the Ohio State Library Commission, followed with remarks full of sympathetic interest in the library movement, and pledged hearty support to the "laudable work of the Association."

Maps were exhibited showing the distribution of traveling libraries through the State within the past

year.

State Librarian Galbreath reported that over 400 of these had been sent out from the State Library. They had gone to the public schools, granges, women's clubs, Sunday schools, and other organizations.

Within the past year Librarian Whelpley presented to the Cincinnati Public Library a bust of his life-long friend, James Murdock. Mr. Porter, President of the Library Trustees of that city, spoke of the gift and said many complimentary things of the venerable donor.

"The Duty of the Trustees to the Library" was next considered. Mr. Shuey, of the Dayton Library Board, thought that the trustees could learn much by visiting the library between meetings and studying its needs. This led to a discussion on the choice of books.

Mr. A. Sheldon, of Norwalk, next presented a matter that may lead to very important results in the educational history of the State. The traveling library system, so successfully introduced by the Ohio State Library, he thought could be taken up by counties, with the county seat as a point from which books could be distributed. The suggestion was very favorably received. The State Library would favor such a plan. It would supplement the work it has already undertaken. The matter was referred to the Committee on Library Extension.

In the afternoon the Association visited the factory of the National Cash Register-the sociological wonder of the United States. Here many of the hopes of Bellamy are realized under our present industrial system. No description that we can give here will do this won