In Canada the course of study for 1883-4 opened with a meeting of C. L.
S. C. workers and their friends in the lecture-room of the Metropolitan
Methodist church, Toronto, on the evening of the 29th of September. After
a few words of greeting from Mr. Edward Gurney, jr., president of the
Toronto Central Circle, Rev. Dr. Thomas, pastor of the Jarvis Street
Baptist Church, spoke for a short time on the importance and value of a
systematic course of reading. The too common habit of desultory reading,
with its waste of time and mental enervation, came in for a vigorous
denunciation from the doctor. All reading, he said, should be purposeful
and systematic, and no reading can be of any real profit that is not of
that character. The C. L. S. C. course answered two supreme questions
that can not fail to arise in the mind of any young man who is desirous
to rise: “What shall I read?” and “How shall I read?” In this age of
great intellectual power it was important that we should avail ourselves
of every opportunity for the better equipment of our minds, so that we
can use with precision the implements of our profession or calling,
whatever that may be. The multitudes that are treading upon each other
in the lower levels of life, are the incompetent; no first-class worker
in any line need remain idle. The doctor also pointed out that this is a
skeptical age, and that we should be prepared to answer, if necessary,
the reflections that are being cast upon the foundations of our faith.
Before closing he said: “I want to declare my entire sympathy with
the work and purposes of this rapidly-spreading Chautauqua tree, from
the branchings of which thousands and tens of thousands are gathering
with delight and gratitude the most luscious fruit. I thank God for
this course of study, by means of which the mind is led into the green
pastures and beside the still waters of literature. My mind has been
stirred in the matter as it would not have been if I had not examined
into it closely, and if I had not been profoundly impressed by the fact
that multitudes of our young people spend their spare moments in reading
pernicious literature in which the serpent has left his slimy trail. I am
going to join this class to-night for myself.”
Rev. Mr. Milligan, of old St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church, followed with
an earnest, practical address on “How to Read Books.” He impressed upon
his hearers the fact that books are made for man, and not man for books,
and that it is possible for us to abuse the gift of books by becoming
literary ceremonialists, just as we can abuse any other good thing. Every
investment we make in relation to books should be made with a definite
purpose, and should make us richer. In our reading, too, we should have
something more ultimate in view than the mere book; we should endeavor to
ponder and reflect on the subject which it treats. In this way we become
thinkers, and thinking becomes a necessity, and the mind and memory are
enriched and strengthened. Mr. Milligan expressed his hearty coöperation
and sympathy with the Chautauqua scheme, and his pleasure that it is
associated with the churches. A brief round-table conference followed
the addresses, in which thought and experience were interchanged, and
inquiries as to the methods and progress of the Chautauqua Idea were
answered by the president, and by the Canadian secretary, Mr. Peake. The
local press is doing good work in bringing the advantages of the scheme
before its readers, and public interest is awakening in all directions in
regard to it.