BRAY, Thomas (1658-1730).   Apostolick charity, its nature and excellence consider 'd. In a discourse upon Dan. 12. 3. preached at St. Paul 's, at the ordination of some Protestant missionaries to be sent into the plantations. London: E. Holt for William Hawes, 1700.  

8vo (200 x 150 mm). Title printed within double rule border. (Lacking final blank.) 20th century half morocco gilt.  

Third edition, preceded by editions of 1698 and 1699, issued with "A circular letter to the clergy of Mary-land" (caption title, here pp. 31-32), which was previously published separately (see Wing B4291). The third edition also includes an unnumbered 8pp. section with the caption title, "Proposals for the encouragement and promoting of religion and learning in the foreign plantations", which was also published separately.  

Thomas Bray was the founder of parish libraries in the United States, and particularly in Maryland.   He was the found of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. He is considered the first advocate of the public library in America. SCARCE: According to online records, no copy of any edition of Bray's pamphlet has appeared at auction in over 60 years. Church 770; ESTC R434; Sabin 7473.  

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