[We request the president or secretary of every local
circle to send us reports of your work, or ask the
circle to elect a member to write up your method
of conducting the circle, together with reports of
lectures, concerts, entertainments, etc.—Editor THE
CHAUTAUQUAN, Meadville, Pa.]
=Maine (Saco).=—The Wilbur F. Berry Circle was started January 1, 1882.
No organization was formed, however, until the next October. As we were
three months behind at the beginning, the work seemed somewhat hard,
but the interest did not flag, and the course for the second year was
entered upon with much zeal. We have a membership of sixteen. Deep
interest is manifested by the members.
* * * * *
=Massachusetts (Magnolia).=—We have received the sad news of the death
of Miss E. O. Tuck. Her mother writes: “My daughter died very happy;
her Savior’s presence lighted the dark valley. She was much interested
in the C. L. S. C., having induced more than twenty to join it. She
would have graduated this year, having completed the reading required
for the White Crystal Seal Course.”
* * * * *
=Massachusetts (Rockville).=—Our village is so small that we try to
be united in every good work; therefore when we started our circle
we found only six who thought they could afford time and money for
the full course. Seven others subscribed for THE CHAUTAUQUAN, five of
whom met with our circle as often as convenient. We sold tickets for a
course of lectures, and all who bought them were made local members, to
give them an ownership feeling in the C. L. S. C. One of our members
lives at Norfolk, three miles away. She must harness and drive over
herself when she comes, and she has not been absent a half dozen times
since we organized. One of our members, a young girl, has a bed-ridden
sister, and is unable to go from home for an education, so the C. L. S.
C. is a God-send for her. As we have no minister here and can not call
upon those in the neighborhood, we are reading the sermons from THE
CHAUTAUQUAN. Thus the good seed reaches many hearts.
* * * * *
=New York (Troy).=—The Troy _Times_ contains the following: “The
‘Vincent Circle’ of the C. L. S. C. met at the North Second Street
Methodist Church last evening and had a packed house, a fine program
and a most spirited meeting. The program was wholly astronomical in
character. The Round-Table conducted by the president was facetious,
varied and instructive. It is looked forward to by the circle with keen
relish. The _conversazione_ on Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler added
interest, and showed how the members were posting themselves on the
subject of astronomy. It was announced and received with great delight
that Dr. John H. Vincent would lecture in our city shortly before the
circles of this vicinity.” This circle numbers over two hundred, and
enthusiastically writes us: “We’re alive.”
* * * * *
=New York (Friendship).=—We have a small circle of seven ladies of
the classes of 1883 and 1884. We follow the plan of work given in THE
CHAUTAUQUAN and find it a help, as all know what is to be reviewed;
our plan is to talk the lesson over. While going through Greek history
we had one or two short essays each week—subject assigned by the
president. A lady nearly seventy years old gave us a beautiful essay
on Geology. She is a member of the class of 1883, and expects to be
at Chautauqua next fall to receive her diploma. There are none of
the class more enthusiastic than she. Her reading has been a source
of comfort, as well as profit; has lightened her burdens, giving her
little breathing spells in the busy whirl of her life. Last year we
had no organized class and feel that much is gained by meeting and
conversing on the subjects.
* * * * *
=New York (Jamestown).=—By the March number of THE CHAUTAUQUAN I see
that the president of the Pittsburgh association, Mr. Martin, did not
know when he hopefully placed that organization of C. L. S. C. as
“first in paying homage to our alma mater.” On the evening of September
30 the graduates of Jamestown, the class numbering twenty-five, met
for a “jubilee reunion.” The secretary of all the years, Mrs. D. W.
Hatch, read a condensed history of the work and life of the circle,
and its diminishing size during the years’ siftings. The president
discussed the “Chautauqua Idea,” congratulating the members in this
the overcoming of the hindrances and discouragements, that he knew had
attended the years now ended. If there had been any lack of enthusiasm
it would have been supplied by the “real presence” of the C. L. S. C.
flag and banner, that had been brought from its secure storage for
another purpose, and which, for the first time, was hailed by a few
who had not been able to follow it through the Golden Gate; and that
old flag told such a story that it seemed almost sacred. Jamestown has
also an earnest circle of twelve girls from the Sunday-school of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, organized this year, and doing good work,
under the supervision of Mrs. M. Bailey. Good idea.
* * * * *
=Pennsylvania (Allegheny).=—A local circle was formed here December 22.
We are now advancing splendidly, and every meeting shows an increased
interest in the work.
* * * * *
=Pennsylvania (Stroudsburg).=—On Saturday evening, June 24, 1882, Mr.
O. W. Deck, of Rehresburg, also a member of the C. L. S. C., delivered
a public lecture under the auspices of the circle, his subject being
one of the mottoes of the C. L. S. C., “We study the word and the
works of God.” The lecture has been very highly spoken of by all who
attended. Our circle is growing, and we believe a great amount of good
has been and is being done.
* * * * *
=Pennsylvania (Media).=—A number of the ladies of Media, feeling the
need of higher culture, and the pleasure of seeking that culture in
connection with each other, met on the evening of October 3, 1882, and
organized a society, with constitution and by-laws, the society to be
called the “Chautauqua Local Circle of Media.” There are seven now in
our circle, with abundant promise of a larger circle next year.
* * * * *
=Pennsylvania (McKeesport).=—We have received a poem read by Charles
A. Pitts, of McKeesport, Pa., on board the “Vincent” on the evening
of August 16, 1882, at an excursion tendered the class of ’84 by Mr.
Fairbanks, of Chicago. We regret that we cannot publish the entire
poem, but lack of space prevents. We give the following stanzas:
The Fates revealed to me last night,
The honor held in store,
For those who keep their armor bright,
In the class of ’84.
They bade me “write it in a book,”
“In letters large and bold;”
That on our history all might look,
And labor’s fruits behold.
“True statesmanship shall bud and bloom,
Upon your classic tree;
Corruption’s reign of crime and gloom
Shall by you banished be.
The church shall rise in majesty,
To plains she never trod;
And sweet zephyrs bear you minstrelsy,
To the Eternal God.”
* * * * *
=Pennsylvania (Girard).=—At Girard, Pa., a little town of about one
thousand inhabitants, the C. L. S. C. members of the Class of ’82
organized a local circle in 1878. The circle was reorganized in
October, 1882, and at present has a membership of thirty-four, five
of whom were graduated with the Class of ’82; four are of the Class
of ’83, twenty-one of the Class of ’86, and the other four are local
members. The object of our circle is to hold together and help the
regular members of the C. L. S. C.; hence we have not made our meetings
public, and admit local members only on condition that they read at
least one hour a week of the required reading. Most of our work, aside
from reading and study at home, is done in sub-local circles, of three
or four members each, who meet about once a week, talk over their
special work, and bring difficulties and results to the regular monthly
meeting.
* * * * *
=Pennsylvania (Houtzdale).=—This is a community of about eight thousand
people. The Philomathic Circle was organized November 28, 1882. We
now have succeeded in reading up with the advance, and are taking a
review. The membership has been limited to twenty-five, because we are
obliged to meet at the houses of the members. We are looking forward to
the time when we can have a regular place of meeting and increase the
membership. There are many here who would like to join us.
* * * * *
=Pennsylvania (Bradford).=—The Bryant branch of the C. L. S.C. was
organized in November. We have nine regular and several local members.
Thus far the meetings have been very prosperous, and out of nine
members we have had an average attendance of eight. We have some hope
of increasing the numbers of our circle, as another circle here has
been broken up and several members have expressed a desire to join
us. At our last meeting we voted to have a critic appointed at each
meeting, who shall take notes, and at the end of each exercise shall
bring his criticisms before the circle.
* * * * *
=Pennsylvania (Erie).=—We commend to local circles everywhere the
following excellent plan for studying the geography of the heavens,
sent us by Prof. H. A. Strong, of Erie:—At the beginning of the study
of astronomy, the circle took up the subject of celestial geography,
and intend to pursue it the entire two months until the map of the
heavens becomes as well outlined as that of the earth. We turned to the
chart of the heavens given on pages 201, etc., in Warren’s Astronomy,
and entered on the study of these celestial maps immediately. We had
no trouble with the circumpolar constellations as given in figure
67 of the text-book. These were readily found in the heavens above,
traced and mastered. But further on we find the other constellations
are described and located in the heavens for September and November,
and such location only confused and led astray for the present study.
Our researches in the heavens were well nigh blocked, when we had the
good fortune to find a chart of the entire heavens that removed all our
difficulties and made the study of the stars easy and delightful. This
chart is entitled a “Movable Planisphere of the Heavens,” the work of
Henry Whitall, 130 Grand St., New York, adapted as an atlas to go with
Burritt’s “Geography of the Heavens,” and the chart was copyrighted
in the year 1862. The perfection of this atlas of the heavens is that
it can be so arranged by a simple adjustment as to show the visible
heavens, with the position of all the constellations, and the names of
all the principal stars, for any observer in any hour or any night of
the whole year. It is a key that unlocks the heavens, and any layman
can use it. The chart consists of two circular boards about fifteen
inches in diameter attached to each other, with the upper one pivoted
upon and revolving about the lower one. The lower and immovable board
has painted upon it the geography of the starry heavens as divided into
constellations, and the upper board being set for any night of the
month shows what constellations are rising, setting, on the meridian,
or in any part of the firmament. Actual trial has proved its use and
success as compass and guide book. Such a method in this study gives
a delight that only trial can reveal. Astronomy thus studied illumines
the page of inspiration; and the works of God explain the Word of God.
Such readings of the heavens gem with added lustre the divine question,
“Canst thou bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades or loose the
bands of Orion?”
* * * * *
=District of Columbia (Washington).=—A few of us concluded to push the
Chautauqua movement here, and so we went to work to ascertain how many
circles had been formed, and as a result representatives from Parker,
Union, Foundry, and Dumbarton circles met and organized a Chautauqua
Union, the object being for mutual interest and to endeavor to organize
other circles during the coming summer and fall, to secure lectures
upon the topics connected with the readings, and to do anything that
would bring to popular attention the grand C. L. S. C. The first thing
we did was to go to the fountain-head, and on March 16, Dr. J. H.
Vincent lectured in the Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church, before
the Union and a very large audience, upon the Chautauqua work, with
marked success, and with his usual eloquence and power to interest
and instruct. The lecture was free, as we wished those to come who
could not well afford to pay for admission. We wish to reach the very
lowliest. His lecture caused many to join circles, even at this late
day, and we expect to reap a grand harvest next October. But this is
not all. Our lines have fallen in pleasant places. On the 20th Mrs.
Spofford, a large-hearted lady, invited the Union, through Foundry
Circle, to meet in her parlors Bishop H. W. Warren, a counselor of the
C. L. S. C., and author of “Recreations in Astronomy.” There was a
large gathering, and the bishop and his fair daughter were cordially
welcomed. Mrs. Lydia H. Tilton welcomed the bishop with the following
lines:
To you who talk with distant suns and stars;
Find proofs in light of undiscovered spheres;
Keep time with Vulcan or moons of Mars,
And balance cycles with eternal years,
Yet count as highest in God’s universe,
And worthiest our study and our care,
One human soul, we bring in simple verse
A grateful welcome; counting it a rare
Good fortune, for one happy hour, to tread
Your larger orbit, sharing in your light,
And being by your inspiration led
To study truths that everywhere unite
To show us God, not as a dread unknown,
And far away, but _here_ in watchful care,
Where every heart that yields to him a throne,
May, e’en as suns and stars, his praise declare.
* * * * *
=Florida (Miccosukie).=—Our local circle was organized March 14, with
Rev. W. S. Richardson, president. I think it is the first local circle
in the State; there are several members of the C. L. S. C., however,
who are pursuing their studies alone. We organized with five members,
all of whom seem deeply interested in the work.
* * * * *
=Ohio (Plain City).=—About October 1 we organized a local circle of
fourteen members. Soon after, by the appointment of conference, our
pastor’s family was removed, which, with the removal of another family,
deprived us of five of our most reliable members, and disspirited
the remaining ones. The consequence is that we have not attained a
very sure footing as yet. We have not succeeded in having enough
members present to accomplish anything at meetings more than once or
twice, although one or two of us have exerted ourselves to secure an
attendance, and have a program prepared. Most, however, are doing the
reading and enjoying it. If some enthusiastic Chautauquan can suggest
a plan by which we may bring about a better state of affairs in our
circle, we shall be glad to hear from him or her.
* * * * *
=Ohio (New Albany).=—We are all very well pleased with the course. We
feel much stronger now than when we commenced last October. The work
commends itself to all, old and young.
* * * * *
=Ohio (Norwalk).=—Our circle is doing a grand work. All of the
graduates are members of the local circles, and are reading the seal
courses.
* * * * *
=Indiana (Monticello).=—We organized a local C. L. S. C. January 24,
1883. Seven of us are taking the full course, two of whom did last
year’s work. Besides those taking the regular course, nine are taking
THE CHAUTAUQUAN this year with the intention of reading the full course
next year. It is impossible to tell you how much we love the work. Many
are becoming interested in the readings, and we hope to have a better
report next year.
* * * * *
=Illinois (Chicago).=—One of the most difficult things we found was
naming the circle. It was weeks before we could find a suitable
name, but our motto was “_nil desperandum_” and at last we came off
conquering, for we are now the “Vincent (conquering) Circle,” of
Chicago.
* * * * *
=Illinois (Hampshire).=—Our meetings are conducted wholly on a
conversational plan, led by our president and everyone taking part. The
members are all very much interested in the work, and show a great deal
of enthusiasm. Each book is left with regret.
* * * * *
=Illinois (Peoria).=—The Y. M. C. A. of Peoria has been trying to
find the best method for putting their members in the way of doing
themselves a permanent good, and to get an interest in their thoughts
and hopes, tastes and inclinations, so as to guide them to that which
is higher and better. After many efforts they believe they have found
it: “We have our gymnasium for those who like it, some receptions with
refreshments, and some games, chess, checkers, etc., and a library,
and the periodicals, but such things do not take a hold upon earnest
natures so as to create a new life in them. They are not exhilarating
or inspiring. We finally have concluded that the C. L. S. C. was just
what we wanted, and adopted it. There is certainly a very great benefit
in the knowledge that 30,000 people are taking the same course, that
our work is all laid out for us, a definite amount for each week.
It is a great advantage to the committee on program; they are not
compelled to spend any time in discussing what they will take up next,
and how much. The members of the circle waste no time in suggesting
this, that and the other thing to the committee. Many a circle would
be disintegrated and broken up if they should attempt to discuss
what study they would take up next, and how much and in what manner
it should be studied; just as many persons waste their lives vainly
attempting to determine the question what they shall do, and most
people waste a large part of their leisure moments because they have
no plan for using them systematically. I look upon the ‘Chautauqua
Idea’ as one of the greatest and best ideas of our wonderfully rich and
fruitful century, and I believe it is only in its infancy, and anything
I can do to help it along I desire to do. It seems to me that the C.
L. S. C., and the Book-a-month, and the C. Y. F. R. U, are very proper
departments of Y. M. C. A. work, and that their introduction into Y. M.
C. A.’s would greatly strengthen the associations and greatly benefit
the members, and I can (now) see no objection to the Y. M. C. A. being
used to introduce the ‘Chautauqua Ideas,’ and thus be made to do good
and get good. Mr. Hill, of Ohio, has succeeded in having the movement
favorably endorsed by the Y. M. C. A. State Conference of Ohio. I
think I will try to attend the International Y. M. C. A. Conference
at Milwaukee this spring, and bring the matter up there; but in the
meantime if it could be brought before State and local organizations,
it would be so much time saved. It seems to me that small Y. M. C.
A.’s would be even more benefited than large ones by the C. L. S.
C., and that they might be maintained with a C. L. S. C. in country
neighborhoods and small hamlets where they could not exist alone. The
size of our C. L. S. C. puzzles me now, and I hardly know what to do
about it. Owing to the large number of members we are compelled to
limit each member to answering one question, and to something like one
minute in which to do that. If the circle were smaller each one would
have more time. But I am afraid to try to divide it, for fear some will
thereby be discouraged. Still there are new members who wish to join,
and if size was no detriment to a circle, I think we could commence
the next year with two hundred members. We have rather encouraged the
organization of a local circle in the R. E. Church, of which Alex. G.
Tryng is a member. I think they have about fifteen (all local) members,
no regular C. L. S. C. We have not encouraged any but regular C. L. S.
C. members to join our circle, though we have seven local members.”
This circle sends in a report of fifty-seven regular members, with an
average attendance of forty-five.
* * * * *
=Wisconsin (North Leeds).=—I have read much, but no course of reading
that I’ve ever undertaken has afforded me the genuine satisfaction
which I have received from the C. L. S. C.
* * * * *
=Michigan (Davison Station).=—We organized a circle here in December
last, and now have a membership of fifteen. Commencing so late in the
year, we are still somewhat behind in our reading, but we are trying to
do extra work, and hope to finish the year’s work in time to begin with
the class next October.
* * * * *
=Tennessee (Memphis).=—The Memphis local circle was organized on July
23, 1880, with eight members. Mr. J. R. Pepper was elected president.
The membership increased to twenty-nine during the first few months
following its organization, and thirty-five joined the Class of 1885
formed in October-December, 1881. During the winter of 1881-82 there
were seventy-five persons engaged in reading the course, although only
fifty belonged to the local circle. The Memphis local circle held
monthly meetings from the date of its organization until October last,
when its members were divided into three local circles, the smaller
bodies proving more beneficial in their results and more convenient,
since the members are scattered over the entire city. The three
societies now in existence are the Central, Chelsea, and the South
Memphis local circles. The Central circle consists of sixty members,
and meets on the first Friday evening of each month. The Chelsea circle
meets in the school room at the brick church, on the evenings of the
first and third Tuesdays of each month. It contains thirty-two members.
The South Memphis circle, containing about twenty members, meets in the
Second Presbyterian church, on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings
of each month. All the circles are in a prosperous condition, and the
interest taken in them is progressing steadily.
* * * * *
=Minnesota (St. Paul).=—We have received from Professor Daniels, of
the Academy of Science at St. Paul, some encouraging words: “I came up
here on account of some Geological work in the Rocky Mountains last
fall, and have remained with my family to begin the organization of a
campaign for scientific and industrial education in these new States. I
have hunted up the scattered Chautauquans, and endeavored to persuade
them to enlarge their circle, and take up the scientific part of the
course with greater earnestness. I see a mighty future for your work,
and am stirred to enthusiastic admiration of it, and it seems to me a
grand opportunity is opened to ally it with scientific development and
place it in the front rank of educational progress. Myself and my whole
family have joined the class, and we are live Chautauquans, doing our
class readings and drawing others into it as we can. We meet to-morrow
evening at the house of Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller, well known to you
I presume.”
* * * * *
=Iowa (Maquoketa).=—This is the first year of a branch of the C. L. S.
C. in Maquoketa; although we did not organize our local circle until
late in November, we have thirty-eight members, who seem to be in
earnest and doing good work. Rev. F. C. Wolf is our president. It was
through his efforts that the interest in the C. L. S. C. was awakened
and a circle organized. We have a committee of three, who arrange
a program for each meeting. We have essays and talks on subjects
assigned, written questions brought in by the members to be answered by
the circle, readings of selections from THE CHAUTAUQUAN, or the books
we have been reading, and the last half-hour devoted to “Round-Table
Talk.” Our president had great difficulty at first to get the tongues
loosened, and we had numerous long pauses in the conversation, but we
know how to improve the time now, and all enjoy it.
* * * * *
=Iowa (Washington).=—Our local circle has a membership of thirty-eight,
six of whom have taken up the four years’ C. L. S. C. work. We meet
every Monday evening at the homes of the different members, and our
program consists in reading, answering questions in THE CHAUTAUQUAN,
and general discussion of the subjects under consideration, after which
the secretary calls the roll, and each member responds with a quotation
from a favorite author.
* * * * *
=Missouri (St. Louis).=—Under the efficient leadership of its
president, Miss Helen Peabody, the circle here is doing good work, and
is one of the largest and best sustained literary societies in the city.
* * * * *
=Kansas (Leavenworth).=—This circle was organized March 5, 1883, with
eighteen members, which have since been increased to twenty-nine. At
the meeting, Mrs. Burrows, of Ohio, a graduate of C. L. S. C., was
present, and it was largely through her influence and zeal (according
to knowledge) that the circle started so auspiciously. The membership
includes teachers, lawyers, merchants and others, and all seem
thoroughly alive to the benefits of the mental and social culture which
the course affords. We begin several months behind the class of 1886,
but we don’t forget that we live in a State whose motto is “_Ad astra
per aspera_,” (“To the stars through difficulties.”)
* * * * *
=Idaho Territory (Ketchum).=—We are two. Only a Chautauquan couple in
this far-away little mining-camp, whose natural location brings to mind
with new beauty the words, “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem,
so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even forever.”
We have had our books less than one month, and are still in our first
enthusiasm over the glad fact of each being one of the 12,000 of the
class of 1886. Beginning with the readings for October, we have read up
to date—everything on English History—Ancient Greece, Preparatory Greek
Course, Scandinavian, and Sunday Readings, besides pouring delightedly
over every thing in THE CHAUTAUQUAN relating to the C. L. S. C. work,
longing for the time when the completion of the required reading will
allow us to enjoy all of the excellent things therein. With cordial
greetings for all Chautauquans, and especially warm ones for the
lonely ones scattered in solitary places, we hope to remain unto the
end.
* * * * *
=Oregon (Portland).=—On December 11, 1882, was organized the first
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (within our knowledge) in
Oregon. We feel quite encouraged, as we had so little difficulty in
getting started, and all seem to take a great interest, notwithstanding
our class is composed almost entirely of working people. By this I
mean those who have little or no leisure even, outside of daily labor,
but what should in a measure be devoted to the home circle; still we
are becoming (even within so short a time) so attached to our class
or circle, that we class it among one of our household and family
treasures that both old and young can cherish and enjoy. Our class
numbers sixteen. Now we are prepared to go along with the lessons of
THE CHAUTAUQUAN, and feel that we are more united to the Class of 1886.
* * * * *
=Southern California (Riverside).=—We have a large circle, meeting
monthly in the Methodist Episcopal church, and each two weeks at the
residences of members.
* * * * *
=Canada (Toronto).=—The Toronto Central Circle has a membership of
about two hundred, and includes all Chautauquans in Toronto and
vicinity. About seventy-five of the two hundred members are of the
class of 1886, and have therefore only just begun, while others
are completing their course. As yet we have only one alumnus, our
enthusiastic secretary, Mr. L. C. Peake. In connection with the Central
Circle are two or three strong local circles, one at least of which
meets regularly, and has very interesting meetings. I think, if we may
have a little space in THE CHAUTAUQUAN occasionally, we can furnish
you with an item now and then to let Chautauquans know that Toronto
is pushing ahead, and will soon have a band of Chautauquans second to
no city of its size in numbers and enthusiasm. I may say we expect to
have Dr. Vincent lecture here in Shaftesbury Hall soon—subject, “On the
Heights.” We anticipate a rare treat. Dr. Vincent is perhaps the most
popular lecturer we have on the Toronto platform.