_Beloved Friends and Co-Laborers_:—We greet you with joy and gladness as
we enter upon our four years’ college course of reading and study. It is
wisely selected and admirably prepared for us in our home life. We that
toil ten hours in the shop, office, and store, with the never ending
farm life and detail of housekeeping, will know not a little struggle
to command forty minutes per day; but we need it and will do it. Mary
A. Livermore was forty-five years of age before ever attempting public
speaking, and in a decade was queen of the American rostrum. Some of
you at Chautauqua, last August, remember the determined earnestness of
Louise R. F. Jones. She writes: “Aiken, S. C., Oct. 6. Have formed a
local circle of thirteen; first meeting last night at our house, two men,
eleven women; sent for our books yesterday. Have persuaded two persons
in Augusta, Ga., to join the C. L. S. C. In Langley, a small town eight
miles out, my ‘Hall in the Grove’ has been read, and a circle is the
promise. In Spartanburg, S. C., a circle is formed, which, with Aiken,
are the only two in the Palmetto State, so far as known.” This Pansy
Class of ’87 ought to graduate at least 10,000, and with five hundred
members like our South Carolina friend, it would be accomplished. One
of our class travels, and in forty days visited over thirty newspaper
offices, begging editors to publish the C. L. S. C. leaflets, and
securing their sympathy. Another one, (just completing his three score
years) when on trains, goes from car to car, and politely and quietly
seating himself in front or back of the passenger, introduces the
“People’s College.” Our motto, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee.”
Inspired words! Let each one of us make them ours in the best sense.
Let us introduce circles as rapidly as possible. Every day that passes
now is forty minutes behind, and it is difficult to catch up. It can be
done up to the first of January. Class writing paper has been prepared.
Communicate with either of the undersigned concerning it. Rev. Frank
Russell, Mansfield, Ohio, president Class of ’87. K. A. Burnell, 150
Madison St., Chicago, secretary Class of ’87.
* * * * *
The Rev. C. S. Woodruff, of Bayonne, N. J., class of ’82, was present
at Chautauqua this year, and passed under the Arches with the class of
’83. On his return home he took occasion to preach upon the subject of
education, and mention the Chautauqua plan particularly. As a result he
has organized a local circle of over sixty, and it is still growing. He
says: “Every pastor ought to visit Chautauqua. After being inspired he
should spread his enthusiasm among all his people. Let us cast out the
devil of bad literature by giving the people good reading.”
* * * * *
The Johnstown, N. Y., local circle, includes among its officers a critic
and an orthoepist—two excellent officers. Much exact knowledge of
pronunciation, spelling, use of words, and forms of expression may be
obtained at evening sessions, if critical and wise persons are selected.
* * * * *
There is an energetic circle of twelve members at Shushan, N. Y., the
outgrowth of one member who began the readings two years ago. There is
something contagious in the C. L. S. C.
* * * * *
Nothing could show better the peculiar work of the C. L. S. C. than the
following suggestive toasts offered at the “Opening Day Exercises” at
Meriden, Conn.; they were: “The C. L. S. C., a beneficial force in the
life of a business man; as a coöperative with the duties of a school
teacher; for young working people, establishing an alliance between labor
and culture; as promoting Christian growth and culture; for the wife and
mother at home.”
* * * * *
A very pleasant and inspiring piece of news comes from the same circle.
A young printer belonging to the circle became so much interested in his
studies, and so anxious for further development that leaving his trade
he has undertaken a college course. The circle did a kindly act when
they presented to him that most necessary book for a student—Webster’s
Unabridged Dictionary.
* * * * *
A local circle whose work is done by correspondence has been started in
the province of Ontario. There are but two members, but a dozen might
carry on the work with equal success. For readers who are remote from
the regular societies this plan may be utilized and made a means both of
culture and of sociability.
* * * * *
A novel and exceedingly useful idea comes to us from Union City, Indiana.
On a neatly printed program there is given the outline of the exercises
for four months. The circle meets fortnightly, and the date, place of
meeting, exercises and participants are given for eight sessions, so that
there can be no mistake or misunderstanding about the work to be done.
The plan is to be commended to all circles.
* * * * *
The class of ’85, C. L. S. C., held a meeting at the grounds of the
New England Assembly at Framingham and organized by the election of
the following officers: President, Rev. J. E. Fullerton, of Hopkinton,
Mass.; Vice Presidents, Miss Lena A. Chubbuck, New Bedford, Mass., Alice
C. Earle, Newport, R. I., Miss Marcia E. Smith, Swanton, Vt., J. B.
Underwood, Meriden, Conn.; Secretary and Treasurer, Albert B. Comey,
South Framingham, Mass. Plans were suggested looking to the social and
other interests of the New England members; said plans to be perfected
as soon as the details can be arranged by the executive committee. It is
earnestly desired that all persons in the New England States belonging
to class ’85 will send their name and address to the Secretary. The
President cordially solicits correspondence from members of the class
upon matters pertaining to its interests.
* * * * *
From the Silver Creek, N. J., _Local_ we learn that the meeting for
re-organization of the C. L. S. C. has been held, and that on October 8
the first regular meeting took place. Several new members have joined the
circle.
* * * * *
At Spring Mills, N. J., though several members have moved from the
village, and a few have dropped the course, they report a prospect of
doubling their numbers.
* * * * *
A circle of eleven members is reported at Greencastle, Pa.
* * * * *
Osceola, Iowa, has a circle of seventeen members, class of ’87.
* * * * *
Some one inquires for a copy of “the rules of the C. L. S. C. to guide
in their meetings.” There are no rules to guide in the meetings of the
local circles. The wide diversity of circumstances under which they exist
would make a fixed organization impracticable. What would fit the great
circles of Troy, N. Y., and Pittsburgh, Pa., would be of little use to
the small circle of the village. The many plans and outlines of work in
this department are presented especially to guide new circles to the plan
best suited to their needs.
* * * * *
Montana has sent us reports of several energetic circles; the one at
Bozeman, of fifteen members, is the last reported.
* * * * *
A circle has been organized at Hood River, Oregon.
* * * * *
The Summer Assembly at Monteagle, Tenn., did some excellent work in the
interest of the C. L. S. C. Many circles are being formed as a result of
the efforts made there to spread information concerning the methods and
object of the organization.
* * * * *
One zealous C. L. S. C. worker writes us that while traveling through the
west in search of health she has succeeded in making many think about the
course, and has persuaded ten to enroll for ’84. It is such individual
effort that extends the boundaries of our work.
* * * * *
At Mountain Lake Park, Md., Assembly there was formed last summer a very
interesting circle. The members are widely scattered. They come from West
Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, but have formed the “Mt. Lake Park
C. L. S. C.,” which they are keeping up while belonging to the local
circles at their homes. There are some forty-three members.
* * * * *
As an example of how the attention of your community may be drawn to the
C. L. S. C., we quote the following from the Petersburg Va., _Mail_:
“Everybody has heard of Chautauqua, and the readers of _The Mail_ have
enjoyed several excellent papers concerning that institution from the
pen of Mrs. C. D. Tinsley, of this city, who spent the summer there. But
there are many people who do not know that the C. L. S. C. is spreading
out its branches in all directions and offering very fine advantages to
people who desire to undertake a systematic course of reading. The course
extends over a period of four years, and embraces religious, scientific,
and general literature of a substantial character. The books are cheap,
and it is said that one may cover the whole course by reading for forty
minutes each day. At the end of the fourth year, if the student has gone
over the ground, a diploma is given, bearing the seal of the C. L. S.
C. A number of ladies and gentlemen of this city have handed in their
names. The writer is favorably impressed with what he has seen of it, and
cheerfully commends it to the public. All information required may be had
of Mr. C. D. Tinsley, of this city.”
* * * * *
A member from Canada writes: “As one of the class of ’84—the
‘Irrepressibles’—and having caught the inspiration at Chautauqua, I can
hardly write or say anything strong enough to express my admiration of
the movement. I wish the officers could do something for Palestine. When
visiting it a year ago I induced my dragoman, Herbert C. Clark, of Joppa,
to subscribe then and there for THE CHAUTAUQUAN, as we were sitting on
the ruins of the old wall of Mount Zion, above the valley of Hinnom. Mr.
Clark writes me that he enjoys it exceedingly. I was much of the time
for ten days with Dr. Selah Merril, the U. S. Consul, and his lady, who
worthily represents the women of America. There are many fine people
speaking the English language in Jerusalem and other points, who are cut
off from many of the advantages of our Christian civilization. Nothing
prospers under the administration of the stupid Turk, and literature
especially is discouraged. I believe the C. L. S. C. is just what these
good people need.”