_President_—The Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D., Boston, Mass.
_Vice Presidents_—Prof. W. N. Ellis, 108 Gates Avenue, Brooklyn,
N. Y.; the Rev. Wm. G. Roberts, Bellevue, Ohio.
_Secretary_—Miss M. E. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio.
_Treasurer_—Miss M. E. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio.
All items for this column should be sent, in condensed form, to
the Rev. C. C. McLean, St. Augustine, Florida.
Class badges may be procured of either President or Treasurer.
* * * * *
The following are among the circles not yet reported in our column. I
first give name of circle, then place and number of members: “Gradatim,”
Kennebunk, Me., four; Bloomfield, Ind, seven; Niobrara, Neb., eight;
“Master” (motto, “Labor is the price of mastery”), Ionia, Mich., eleven;
“Peripatetics,” Chicago, Ill., twelve; “Magnolia,” Marianna, Fla.,
fourteen; “Philomathean,” Lancaster, N. Y., eighteen. The last named has
by quotations, recitations, readings and essays celebrated the “memorial
days.” For six months none but ladies composed the circle. They, however,
so charmed three gentlemen that they sought admission and became
enthusiastic students. The members of this circle so dislike the class
name that they have refused to adopt it. They are among the others who
express their enjoyment of the class reports in our ’88 column.
* * * * *
The circle at Hastings, Minnesota, twenty-three members, has instructed
its secretary to write their objection to our name. Among other things
is the following: “In THE CHAUTAUQUAN we read of one class talking of
establishing a ‘Heliotrope Bed’ at Chautauqua, and another a ‘Pansy Bed.’
We might send a coop of ‘Plymouth Rocks,’ but we fear they might demolish
the beds of flowers.” We have received encomiums of praise of the name.
One from Mount Carmel, Connecticut, says: “Our name, like every other
worthy thing, in spite of its ‘fowl’ associations, needs no defenders.”
One from Toronto, Canada, writes: “I am satisfied with our name, for
although it represents a speckled bird it will ‘crow’ a good deal when
four years old.” Another from Marine, Ill., after thanking Chancellor
Vincent for “How to Read Alone,” protests against a change of name or
motto.—A member of our class, a boarder in a Young Women’s Christian
Association of New Haven, Connecticut, writes: “I think as one takes up
Chautauqua books he loses the relish for stories, e’en though written by
good authors. What an opportunity for gaining knowledge of the highest
order!”—“Angle” circle, North Groton, N. H., is bereaved in the loss of
one of their earnest workers, Mrs. E. E. Merrill, a lady who read much
and well, and yet in the five short months had become so fascinated with
the C. L. S. C. that almost her last words were those of appreciation of
the same.—The East Norwich, L. I., circle is likewise bereaved in the
death of a devoted member, Miss Lizzie Franklin.—A class of unmarried
ladies complains that they have not been noticed. If they will send us
another letter, writing the name of their circle so we can decipher it,
and also give the town, or city, and state in which they live, we will
gracefully and gladly bow our recognition.
* * * * *
“Among the Indians: Osage Agency, Indian Territory.—Our circle consists
of six members—five teachers and one bookkeeper. Although each lives
a busy life, we have had weekly meetings, kept up with the required
reading, and celebrated two authors’ days, Bryant’s and Longfellow’s.
Surrounded as we are by Indians, who still wear blankets instead of
citizen’s dress, and who are not far advanced in the arts of civilized
life, we feel doubly thankful for the benefits arising from such a course
of reading.”
* * * * *
In Bingham Cañon, Utah, a mining camp situated about twenty-eight miles
southwest of Salt Lake City, the New West Education Commission has a
school established. One of the teachers proposed taking the Chautauqua
course alone, but, mentioning it to several, organized a circle of six.
Of the name she writes: “I like it so much. My home is in Plymouth, Mass.”
* * * * *
Half of the members of “Carleton” circle, Hudson, Mich., live out of town
from two to six miles, yet they are numbered among the most enthusiastic
and faithful. They have had full programs at every meeting, and have
observed all memorial days. They number thirty-seven, twelve being of our
class. The ’88s wear on their hats a symbolical badge (a _fac-simile_, in
brass, of the pedal extremity of a Plymouth Rock). They like the _motto_,
but not the _name_.
* * * * *
One from Gilbert’s Mills, N. Y., writes: “I can not longer refrain from
expressing how much I enjoy the reading of the course, although I am
pursuing it alone, occasionally meeting with the circle at Fulton, five
miles from here, which I much enjoy. The more I read and learn, the more
anxious I am to go on, that I may be no disgrace to our grand class name,
that takes me back to dear New England, and home. I would prove myself
worthy of it and of our motto.”
* * * * *
The “Chippewas” is the name of a circle of twenty-two members, formed at
the city of Eau Claire, Wis., October of 1884. Four of the members belong
to the class of ’86, the others to that of ’88. The society has met once
a week, and has observed the memorial days. In addition to the prescribed
course, the class is reading the two volumes of Timayenis’s History of
Greece.
* * * * *
“Mountain City” circle, Frederick, Md., very appropriately and
enthusiastically celebrated “Shakspere Day.” The program consisted of a
“Sketch of his Life,” and the reading of “The Merchant of Venice,” the
members taking the different characters.
* * * * *
Mrs. F. B. Edwards, who with her daughter joined the class of ’88 last
fall, and was a faithful and diligent member, died at her home in
Hartford, Conn., March 14, 1885. She was a lady of excellent education,
and had also the culture of much foreign travel and residence in Europe.
She was delighted with the C. L. S. C. plan, and especially with the
opportunities it offers for mental and moral growth.
* * * * *
One of the most earnest and beloved members of the “Pierian” circle,
of Brooklyn, N. Y., Morgan Morgans, has lately died. Mr. Morgans was a
young man of but twenty years of age—a member of the class of ’88, and a
zealous Christian.
* * * * *
So much having been written _pro_ and _con_, respecting our class
name, it is proposed to have the entire class vote for or against the
name. The circles will send their vote, giving the number in favor and
against present name. Those who are not in circles can send their votes
as individuals. The vote should be sent to the Rev. C. C. McLean, St.
Augustine, Fla., at as early a date as possible.
* * * * *
Thoughts are but the seeds of truth ready for the ground,
Promises of future good that will within be found;
Yet, with purer, truer thoughts the words have purer sound.
Words are slender saplings, growing in the earth,
Starting from the very spot where the thoughts had birth,
But the noblest words can never tell the deed’s great worth.
Deeds are mighty forests, towering and grand,
Not results of thoughts that were planted in the sand,
But deeply rooted, broad-leaved trees that will forever stand.
Thoughts are truly noble, yet their work lasts but a day,
Words are often mighty, still their power may not stay,
But the influence of noble deeds can never pass away.
—_Emily G. Weegar._