_President_—The Rev. B. P. Snow, Biddeford, Maine.
_Vice Presidents_—The Rev. J. T. Whitley, Salisbury, Maryland;
Mr. L. F. Houghton, Peoria, Illinois; Mr. Walter Y. Morgan,
Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Delia Browne, Louisville, Kentucky; Miss
Florence Finch, Palestine, Texas.
_Secretary_—The Rev. W. L. Austin, New Albany, Ind.
* * * * *
From all quarters there comes up the assurance from members of ’86 that
they mean to be at Chautauqua or Framingham this summer. Attendance at
an Assembly, with its enthusiastic “Round-Tables,” conferences upon
literature, art and science, new lights upon past reading, and new
outlooks for the future, well nigh doubles the value of the course. Come,
earnest readers of ’86, and see.
* * * * *
Plans are already being formed for the graduation exercises at Chautauqua
next year, and the hardly less interesting observances at the New England
Assembly. Any suggestions bearing upon this important matter may be
freely made by letter to the president or secretary, by those who can not
be present at the Assemblies. The class of ’86 is the first _large_ class
to graduate; it has done grand work in the course, and it means to honor
Chautauqua and itself by suitable exercises and observances, when its
thousands shall come up to receive from the University their diploma in
August, 1886.
* * * * *
We shall hear, personally or by letter, at the Assemblies, from our
honorary members, of whom the class of ’86 is justly so proud.
* * * * *
Will members of ’86, in New England, remember the new Hall of Philosophy
at Framingham, now under way, and to be completed by July 1st? Send your
subscription, if you have not done so; subscribe and send at once if you
have not yet taken a share in this grand enterprise, and induce your
friends to lend assistance, that the few hundred dollars needed to finish
and furnish the building may be at once forthcoming. Remit to N. B. Fisk,
Woburn, Mass.
* * * * *
It is hoped that there will be a large number of the New England members
at the Framingham Assembly in July.
* * * * *
Let your light shine! hold the torch on high! let every one see that the
class of ’86 is true to its name—“Progressives.”
* * * * *
Miss Alice C. Jennings, ’86, whose poems from time to time have appeared
in THE CHAUTAUQUAN, writes as follows: “A severe sickness in childhood
deprived me entirely of the sense of hearing. This has been more
effectual than bolts and bars in excluding me from all institutions of
learning. You can easily imagine how precious to a person so situated
must be the opportunities of the C. L. S. C., and of the ‘Society to
Encourage Studies at Home.’ At least four of my deaf friends have joined
the C. L. S. C. on my own solicitation. We have tried to have a circle
among ourselves. We live in five different places, but our headquarters
are at Boston Highlands, and we send reports there every month.”
* * * * *
“We study for the light,” we would not be
Like the black hue, absorbing every ray,
But like the white, gladly reflecting all,
That we may be true children of the day.
“Blessing with light,” as we have each been blessed,
For wisdom makes the weary earthway bright,
And walking in its ways we soon shall rest
With _Him_ in realms of everlasting light.
—_Mrs. E. J. Richmond._
* * * * *
To the New England Branch a suggestion is made in the interest of the
class, and in behalf of the excellent Secretary of the New England
Branch. Will not _every_ member not able to attend at Framingham this
summer send (July 15-28) to Miss Mary R. Hinckley, South Framingham,
Mass., a postal card with postoffice address, and bearing, if nothing
more, “Yours for ’86”? To ascertain those who and how many are affiliated
with “the good class of ’86” in New England, is most desirable for
weighty senior and graduation interests.
* * * * *
Reports from various quarters lead to the conclusion that, compared with
the whole number at any time enrolled in the class of ’86, the number
entering upon the Senior year will be exceptionally large. It ought to be
large—larger than any class preceding, more thorough, more enthusiastic.
We have the advantage of the experience of all who have gone before. Let
us rise to our privileges.