The Nebraska Sunday-school Assembly, held in August, at Crete, twenty
miles west of Lincoln, Neb., aroused much interest in the C. L. S. C. A
paper was read on the “History and Aims of the Circle,” by Rev. W. B.
Dada, of Stanton, Neb. Rev. A. E. Dunning, of Boston, president of the
class of ’88, followed with most encouraging words. Thirty-five persons
gave their names as members of the new class. Badges were secured,
and the freshman class is full-fledged for action. There were also a
few representatives of the classes of ’84, ’85, ’86 and ’87 present.
Three Round-Tables were held and many questions asked and answered. The
interest seemed to deepen as the session advanced. On August 23 all the
members of the different classes took a boat ride on the Blue River, and
on Thursday evening, August 26th, held a grand camp-fire on the grounds
of the Assembly, around which able speeches were made, cheering words
spoken, and Chautauqua songs sung. After the exercises the Chautauqua
salute was given in honor of Mr. F. I. Foss, of Crete, who the night
before publicly gave the Assembly a clear title deed to all the grounds
which it occupies, one hundred and nine acres, valued at $7,500, a
gift most noble and generous, accompanied with a condition as a spur
for others to lend a helping hand, namely: that $10,000 be raised for
buildings and improvements. The next day the citizens of Crete generously
subscribed nearly $5,000. Thus we have a young Chautauqua out here in the
far west, an infant child of but two years, but with the promise of a
glorious future. Rev. A. E. Dunning, of Boston, Mass., is to be managing
conductor next year.