By Rev. J. H. VINCENT, D.D., SUPERINTENDENT OF INSTRUCTION.
Memorial Days for February: “Special Sunday,” February 10. Read Psalm
xix—an exquisite poem about the Works and the Word of God. “Longfellow
Day,” Wednesday, February 27.
* * * * *
The office will send out free to all members of the Circle, within a few
weeks, a copy of “Memorial Days of the C. L. S. C.,” with readings for
those days.
* * * * *
Required Readings for February: “Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation,”
by J. B. Walker, completed; Chautauqua Text-Books—No. 21, “American
History,” No. 24, “Canadian History;” “How to Get Strong, and How to
Stay So;” Required Readings in THE CHAUTAUQUAN in “American History and
Literature,” “Physical Sciences,” “Commercial Law,” “Arts, Artists and
their Masterpieces,” with “Sunday Readings.”
* * * * *
Concerning the life of Milton, the following information is received
from a distinguished Professor of English Literature in one of the great
universities of America: “The book you ask for is ‘Milton,’ by Mark
Patterson, B.D., Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford. It is in the ‘English
Men of Letters’ series, edited by John Morley. It is pleasantly written,
interesting, animated, and to the point. A very large work is the
‘Life of Milton in connection with the History of the Times,’ by David
Mason, M.A., LL.D., Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature in the
University of Edinburgh.”
* * * * *
In the organization and conduct of Local Circles, there are developed
many ingenious and useful schemes, devices, exercises, etc. I shall
always be glad to receive suggestions from persons who devise and test
such novelties of method.
* * * * *
A California friend writes: “There are doubtless many reading the C.
L. S. C. Course who have not the advantage of Local Circles, and who,
beside, have no friends who are interested in the work with whom they
might correspond. Why would it not be a good plan to form a C. L. S. C.
Correspondence Circle for such as wish to improve themselves in that
way?” Persons desiring such correspondence may send their names, with
postoffice addresses, to Miss K. F. Kimball, Plainfield, N. J.
* * * * *
Members of the C. L. S. C. in Plymouth, Massachusetts, have sent a
fragment of Plymouth rock, which is to be attached with great care to the
banner-staff of the C. L. S. C. Our correspondent says: “Perhaps it would
be of interest to members of the C. L. S. C. in general to know that the
rock is said by geologists to have been brought here from the far north
during the glacial period, and is the only one of its kind on the coast.”
Our correspondent adds: “Our Circle received with much pleasure your
proposal for the C. L. S. C. picnic at Plymouth in 1884, and are ready to
enter into any plan which you may suggest.” We hope to have that picnic
in June.
* * * * *
A New England woman writes: “I know mothers with from four to six little
children, who take the Chautauqua course, and find that economized time
is a gain in all things, while their homes are as scrupulously tidy, and
their social relations as well sustained, as if they had not undertaken
it.”
* * * * *
An old lady 68 years of age dreads “the _examination_ of the C. L. S. C.”
Does she not know, or will not some one tell her that, while we desire
thoroughness of work, and while we do provide a university course with
rigid examinations for those who are qualified to attempt it, the C.
L. S. C. does not require any “examination” whatever? It requires the
reading of certain books, and the statement to the central office that
they have been read. It also desires the filling out of certain memoranda
which are not in any sense examination papers. Let us encourage the
fearful, that they may join the Circle, prosecute the readings, catch the
inspiration, receive the diploma, and continue through the coming years
to read the appointed books!
* * * * *
A distinguished educator and personal friend of other years, resident in
Kingston, Jamaica, writes: “I think I have hit on the way to introduce
reading matter into the homes of our peasantry. In some districts where
a minister or intelligent schoolmaster will take hold of the affair, I
get a number of people, (from ten to twenty) to subscribe one shilling
(twenty-five cents) each. With this money I send for a number of
illustrated monthly papers, costing with postage, two shillings each
_per annum_. These are circulated among the subscribers, each keeping
the paper a week. In the course of the year I get the reading of what
would otherwise have cost ten shillings to secure. Many that could not be
induced to pay two shillings for the exclusive use of one would venture
upon one shilling for the privilege of reading many papers.”
* * * * *
D. Lothrop & Co. consent to make an edition of “The Hall in the Grove”
at seventy-five cents, binding it in strong manilla cover, for the use
of the C. L. S. C., which decision enables us to retain “The Hall in the
Grove” on our list.
* * * * *
A good housewife writes: “My fall work out door is about done. My corn is
all gathered, and the two pigs are ready for killing. As soon as it is
colder I shall be ready to go to work in earnest. You would laugh to see
me at work in the garden, about my potatoes and onions, and then coming
in, getting dinner and making my toilet, taking my embroidery and sitting
down to earn a few cents beside what I can raise. Agriculture, science
and art, are in reality connected. Then there is a basket of Christmas
gifts yet to make for the Sunday-school children, by myself, and I have
just done re-papering a small room that I may read, write, and work with
comfort. I buried my aged husband September 23. He was nearly 84 years
old. We were nearly forty years married.”
* * * * *
All new Circles should report at once to the C. L. S. C. office,
Plainfield, N. J.; and if any of the members know of Circles not
reported, please send names and address of the officers at once. We are
anxious to get all the Local Circles on our list.
* * * * *
The number of class 1884 enrolled was about 7,000; motto, “Press
forward—He conquers who wills;” badge old gold. Class 1885 numbers about
6,000; the president writes that the motto will probably be, “We press
on, reaching after those things which are before;” badge lavender. Class
1886 numbers over 14,000; motto, “We study for light to bless with
light;” badge white. Class 1887 numbers about 12,000 at present, and
“still they come;” motto, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee;” badge
blue.