This subject is perhaps the most controversial of all those which are treated in these canons of ethics. It has been suggested that one's dissatisfaction should be brought to the attention of the librarian, in order that conditions may be remedied. But a mere notice that an assistant is "looking about" may result in uncomfortable personal relations lasting for several months or even years. The librarian should be careful not to prejudice himself against an assistant who desires advancement in another field of service when the right opportunity offers.

A librarian owes much to other librarians and to the professional associations, which are created for mutual benefit. We are not free lances engaged in warfare with our fellowworkers. In these relations we have:

XVII. EXPERT ADVICE

A librarian may not accept an appointment to act as an expert adviser to the trustees of another library, even when solicited, without the request, or at least without the full knowledge, of the librarian concerned.

The analogy is to be found in the physician, who may not advise a patient unless the attending physician requests it, or until the attending physician has been dismissed. At the same time there are the "survey" and the "efficiency test" that are becoming popular means of improving conditions. The expert librarian will in time take his place with the "consulting expert." It is a natural function of the leader in his profession. Nevertheless there must be reasonable consideration for the humbler brother of the same profession.

XVIII. PRIVATE ADVICE

A librarian should feel free to claim counsel from others in the same calling, and should be willing to give such counsel

when requested, without publicity or ex

pense.

One of the outstanding merits of a certain librarian who was still "in harness" at the age of ninety-two was his willingness to consult men young enough to be his grandsons. Questionnaires, however, too often go beyond bounds in their call upon the librarian's time.

XIX. RIVALRY

Librarians should be slow to publish statistics in order to show superiority of a library over neighboring libraries, such statistics often requiring qualification or explanation. A similar comparison in words is of questionable taste, and any printed criticism should always bear clearly the librarian's name.

One can turn to annual reports of librarians which give comparative statistics with the undoubted desire to enlighten taxpayers. At the same time in so doing the librarian may embarrass other librarians who happen to be placed in a less favorable position. XX. ENGAGING AN ASSISTANT

A librarian may not take the initiative in negotiation for the services of an assistant in another library until he has made his intention known to the assistant's superior officer; or he may make his intention known to both assistant and official superior simultaneously.

Objection has been raised to consultation with a librarian over his minor assistant, but most librarians agree that before negotiations begin with an important member of another staff courtesy at least calls for a personal letter to his or her chief.

XXI. PREDECESSORS

A librarian who makes a habit of commenting unfavorably on the work of his predecessors in office invites criticism of his good taste.

The coming of a new librarian is a strain upon the staff, and if the mem

bers are to give him their loyalty he should not speak slightingly of one to whom they have given their loyalty in the past.

A librarian's obligation to the public exists in many forms. He needs to keep constantly before his mind that it is the use of knowledge rather than the storage and classification of knowledge that is the vital factor in his work.

XXII. A LIBRARIAN'S PROVINCE

It is the librarian's duty to be a force in the community, and contact with people even more than with books engenders force. We must not confuse the duties of librarian and assistant; the one is always associated with people, although in a small library he (or she) may do all the work; the assistant may or may not be called upon to meet the public, but generally has specific duties to which specific hours must be given.

The great Panizzi of the British Museum so far failed to heed the principle involved in this canon that he came very near to losing his position. He wished to do the work of a bibliographer, delegating his powers to a subordinate while he retained the honors of a head librarian. The subordinate by contact with people soon became his master.

Censorship of reading is a perilous No Man's Land on the boundary of a librarian's province. How far an executive should go in exposing for use books which are in his opinion destructive of morals and society, and those issued frankly as propaganda, is a serious question. The annunciation of a policy lies with a board of trustees, rather than with the librarian. Mr. H. C. Wellman in an address entitled "An Article of Faith" discusses very clearly the librarian's responsibility in the field of censorship.

XXIII. REPUTATION

A reputation acquired by work for the public in the profession or in kindred paths of

service adds to the dignity and power of the librarian. But the value of the work must advertise the worker, and self-advertising is outside the pale.

A profession is like a sonnet. It confines the effort to a prescribed channel, but stimulates a higher standard of excellence within the self imposed bounds.

XXIV. BEARING IN PUBLIC

A librarian as a person of influence, and seeking the respect of all his fellow-citizens, cannot carelessly choose his company, nor indulge in habits and tastes that offend the social or moral sense. These self-limitations are in the nature of hostages which he gives for the general good. He must not limit his advisers to one circle, for he needs a wide horizon, ready sympathies, and the good will of all classes.

One may have heard a librarian say: "It is nobody's business what I do outside the library." That type of library worker has merely mistaken his calling and should change his vocation.

XXV. USE OF HIS NAME

A librarian should stand on neutral ground and should be chary of lending his name to a public controversy to add weight to the contention of a local faction, or to commercial enterprises, even those that have an educational or philanthropic motive. Having a financial interest in any material device, invention, or book proposed for purchase in his library, the librarian should inform his trustees of this interest. It would be better not to have a financial interest in companies whose business is largely with libraries.

His advice will very naturally be sought by his constituents increasingly as his influence grows, but giving for publication a testimonial to a book is likely to lead to serious abuses. Standing on neutral ground, he should be all things to all men. "He loves all ideas even when he despises them and disbelieves in them-for he knows

that the ferments and chemic reactions of ideas keep the old world from growing mouldy and mildewed and effete."

XXVI. HONORARIUM

An honorarium for work done in library hours should not be accepted, and a librarian should be slow to undertake commissions for work outside library hours which might easily be executed in library hours without expense to the citizen.

If a librarian feels impelled to add to his income by outside work it is wiser to earn by an avocation than by his vocation. Work which claims much of the librarian's strength and does not add directly or indirectly to his reputation or to that of the institution should be made known to the trustees.

XXVIII. SPECIALIZING

The librarian should not permit specialized book collecting or book reading to narrow his field of interest, nor to bias his judgment, nor to make him a rival collector to his library. The number of points of contact with knowledge and with his public determines to some extent the librarian's usefulness.

The fringes of all knowledge bound the administrator's province, but he, like his assistant, may by mastery of a single subject increase the renown and the usefulness of his library.

XXIX. RELATION TO AGENTS A librarian is bound to expend the funds intrusted to him with the best interest of the library in view. But he should remember that in employing an expert, ability and efficient service are worthy of proper compensation, and to sacrifice them for slightly better terms or to make frequent changes may not result to the library's permanent advantage.

He should not jeopardize his independence by accepting special favors from business firms.

If a librarian is in doubt about the propriety of accepting a gift he should at least insist that the gift be public knowledge. Favors often come disguised in a form to flatter the unsuspecting librarian.

And in conclusion:

XXX. PROFESSIONAL SPIRIT

The literature and the organizations of the profession claim consideration from the earnest and progressive librarian.

sound training, clear ethical standards, A high professional spirit calls for

and sustained enthusiasm for the fellowship of librarians. Non ministrari sed ministrare.

article on this subject by saying that the ministry as a body has no code of professional ethics. This statement would be true enough if by a professional code we mean one that is formally accepted by all who are called ministers. There is for the ministry no formulated code defining conditions of membership and giving formal standards concerning professional conduct. Yet this statement, while true in form, would be far from the truth and would convey a wholly wrong impression. For the ministry as a body of men dedicated to a certain life and service, has very rigid standards by which men are pledged and their conduct is tested.

The various professions have their codes and standards. Why is it that the ministry, which is supposed to represent the highest ideals, has no such formulated and recognized code? The answer to this question will carry us a part of the way toward the answer to our larger question.

The ministry is regarded as a calling rather than a profession. Whatever may be the motives which induce men to enter the various other professions, such as medicine, law, teaching, engineering, or the various vocations, as business, banking, manufacturing or trade, there is but one motive that is supposed to be dominant in the ministry. Men in the ministry are expected to know the will of God, to interpret His truth to men, to be spokesmen for God and His cause in the world. "No man taketh this office on himself, but he that is called of God." Practically all religious bodies hold this conception; they therefore expect all who

valid call from God; they believe that this call is higher than any considerations of personal profit or pleasure. In these times at least, in practically every communion, a man who admitted or gave men reason to believe that he was actuated by selfish motives, would be sadly discredited. Theoretically, at least, he is a man set apart by a special call for a special work. We need not discuss the question how far the ministry as a body is true to this conception; nor need we here inquire how far the conduct of ministers in general justifies their high office. We are accounting for the fact that there is no formulated code of ethics for the ministry.

REASONS FOR LACK OF FORMAL CODE

It is felt that such a professional code of ethics would cast discredit upon the very idea of the ministry. It is expected also, by the very nature of their calling, that its practitioners will be men preeminent in all the virtues that are esteemed among men.

Then, as every one knows, the religious bodies are divided into many and divers denominations. Religious convictions or opinions, whichever word may be accepted, are probably the strongest in human nature and take precedence of all others. precedence of all others. It follows, then, that religious divisions and differences are very strong and keep the churches apart. In some cases a religious body regards itself as the only true church, and hence regards all other bodies simply as sectarians, if not heretics. It is therefore impossible to bring together representatives of the stronger religious bodies for the full

and free discussion of any questions either of faith, polity or conduct. So in the medical profession there are several schools of medicine and, as every one knows, there is much criticism and rivalry. But all schools recognize certain obligations toward patients and certain methods of procedure. Thus while each religious body has, nevertheless, its own standards and codes, all of these are high and right.

In every body with any such thing as a recognized ministry, there is some ordination service. At this time there is careful scrutiny of the candidate's life, his call to the ministry, his fitness for the work, his ability to adorn the calling to which he is set apart. In all of these bodies there is some supervisory official, Bishop, Presbytery or Council, that may be asked to pass upon the man's life or conduct when in the ministry. When any charges are circulated against him he may be investigated and called to account, and, if found guilty of conduct unbecoming a gentleman and a clergyman, he may be warned, deposed and unfrocked. An unworthy or immoral man may continue for a time; but every one familiar with the inside history of churches knows that in practically every case such conduct brings the revocation of his ordination and his expulsion from the ministry.

As every one knows, and as must be admitted with regret, some ministers do wrong and a few are convicted as criminals. But all this is also testimony to the high standards of the ministry. Perhaps, in proportion to numbers, more ministers are unfrocked than there are lawyers disbarred. But, be it understood, ministers are unfrocked for private conduct, which does not enter into account against an attorney. No man can long continue in the ministry of any religious body who is known to be immoral in sex matters.

The standards of the ministry include the personal and private life; whereas, professional codes deal primarily with professional conduct. The professions expel a member whose professional conduct brings reproach upon the professions. The churches discipline men whose private lives are known to be immoral or unworthy.

One other reason may be mentioned why the ministry has not formulated a code of professional ethics. The churches that bear the Christian name have been given some definite principles which cover practically all of the points of a code; and these principles are accepted as authoritative and final. In the New Testament, and especially in the letters of the Apostle Paul to Timothy and to Titus, we have some very definite instructions concerning the ministry. These charges deal with the minister's life and conduct as a man, a husband and father. They define his qualifications in personal character, in aptness to teach, in general deportment. They deal explicitly with his studies, his work as preacher and pastor; they indicate also the motives that are to determine his life and service. These writings, it may be said, are accepted as authoritative by churches and pastors. In view of this, it seems almost needless to attempt any formal and elaborate statement of professional ethics.

In the theological seminaries students for the ministry receive very careful instruction in ministerial ethics. Unfortunately in some bodies a considerable proportion of ministers do not receive any adequate theological and collegiate training. Yet, as I have stated, all churches and ministers accept the writings of the apostles as authoritative. And so it is that all ministers have definite instructions, regarded as inspired, which contain all of the essentials of a professional code.