The Inter-State Assembly of Kansas, Missouri, and the surrounding states,
was held at Ottawa, Kansas, from June 24th to July 4th, under the
superintendence of Rev. J. L. Hurlbut, D.D. It was a large meeting, some
estimating the aggregate attendance at fifty thousand different people,
during the eleven days; and in every way successful, whether viewed as
to the interest of its exercises, the thoroughness of the work done in
its classes (which are the backbone of an Assembly), or the financial
receipts, which are needful to maintain the institution. The C. L. S. C.
is somewhat new at this Assembly, as it was first recognized in 1883,
when only about twenty members were present at the camp-fire. This
year witnessed a great increase in the interest. Several Round-Tables
were held, and reports were received from twenty-eight local circles,
aggregating over four hundred members, all of which were represented by
members present. At the Round-Table discussions were held upon topics
such as these: “What are the advantages of the local circle?” “How may
the local circles be made interesting as well as profitable?” “How shall
they be organized?” beside endless inquiries concerning the subject of
“seals” which not even Dr. Vincent himself could always have answered had
he been present. The camp-fire was held on Tuesday evening, July 1, and
was a great success, since it not only gave delight to the members, but
awakened an interest among the public present, and was followed by forty
new members who joined the C. L. S. C. the next day, the advance guard
of the class of 1888. After the evening lecture the members gathered in
procession, marched around the encampment, and formed in a circle around
the fire. Here the songs were sung, and addresses, brief and pointed,
some grave and others gay, were made by Rev. D. C. Milner, of ’82, the
president of the Assembly, Mr. F. A. Hatch, (_the_ member of ’84 who was
present), Y. M. C. A. secretary, of Kansas City, Rev. Duncan Brown, of
St. Joseph, Mo., Mr. A. Zartman, of Kansas City, (a place which boasts
of seven circles and two hundred members of the C. L. S. C.), Mr. E.
A. Spring, our Chautauqua sculptor, and Professor W. F. Sherwin, who
belongs to all the classes. At the close the hand-clasping circle was
formed by the members, seventy-three in number, and a prayer was offered
by the superintendent of the Assembly. The C. L. S. C. tide is rising
at the Inter-State Assembly, and next year we hope to count our members
by the hundreds. One minister, who with his wife had been reading the
course alone, went home from the Assembly and organized a circle of forty
members, ready for the fall campaign; and there are more to follow. It is
proposed next year to hold a Recognition Service, and confer the diplomas
upon such members of the graduating class as live between the Mississippi
and the Rocky Mountains, and can be present at Ottawa.