After the regular exercises, which began at 7:30, closing at 9, an hour
was spent in a social way.
* * * * *
=Massachusetts= (Lawrence).—Immediately after the Assembly at Framingham,
a meeting was called in the interests of the Circle in one of our
city churches, at which its purpose and method of working were fully
explained. Two circles were already in existence, and with these as a
basis we put in some hard work during the month of September, securing
to date forty-two new members, with more to come. Two additional circles
have been formed, so that we now have four, with a total membership of
about one hundred. October 1, Opening Day, was duly observed by a union
Round-Table of all the circles, and a large number of invited friends.
A program consisting of music and readings was given, all appropriate
to the occasion. We have engaged Prof. W. C. Richards for a course of
lectures in November, and shall have others from time to time through the
winter. We have also arranged for a monthly union meeting, each local
circle in turn conducting the exercises for the evening.
* * * * *
=Massachusetts= (Franklin).—As the Bryant Bell at Chautauqua rang out its
call to study on October 1, the members of our local circle assembled to
celebrate the first anniversary of their existence as a local circle.
Complimentary tickets were issued to their friends, and at the hour of
opening the chapel was filled, the audience numbering not far from five
hundred. Promptly on the hour, the new members of Class of ’87 (the
Pansy class) marched into the room, and taking position in open ranks
allowed the Class of ’86 to pass through; they taking position on the
right, opened ranks, and allowed the president of the circle and the
speaker of the evening to pass through, receiving as a greeting the
Chautauqua salute. The program consisted of instrumental music, singing
of selections from Chautauqua Songs, an address of greeting from the
president, Rev. G. E. Lovejoy, the commencement address by Rev. A. E.
Winship, of Boston, and the recital of the anniversary poem by Miss
Laura Pond. The whole affair was a helpful and enjoyable opening of the
Chautauqua work for 1883 and 1884. The circle starts upon its work with
increased membership and enthusiasm, and one and all are ready to say God
bless the originator of the C. L. S. C., and God speed the work in the
days to come!
* * * * *
=Connecticut= (Meriden).—The Meriden branch of the C. L. S. C., held
Opening Day exercises; nearly every member was present, together with a
few invited guests, mostly those who have especially assisted them in
their work during the past three years. The exercises were opened by
the circle singing from Chautauqua Songs a song of welcome, after which
an address of introduction of the several classes to the guests and a
synopsis of the work of the Circle, was delivered by the president, who
also took occasion to speak encouragingly to each class, and referred
to their several colors and what they symbolized. At the close of the
address a prayer of thanksgiving was offered, when the company sat down
to a banquet of good things. After supper several toasts were offered and
responded to, and several testimonials of interest in the success of the
organization offered. The C. L. S. C. feel justly proud of their success,
and all who have taken time to examine into its aim and the results
accomplished, commend them highly.
* * * * *
=Connecticut= (Hartford).—Within a few days a general interest has been
manifested with regard to a C. L. S. C. circle in Hartford—more than
fifty having expressed their desire to become members of the Class of
’87. Last year, however, Hartford had but a few Chautauqua readers. Among
them was a little circle of five young ladies not long out of school.
They found the Chautauqua course just what they needed to give form and
direction to their studies, and they sat down to the table of good things
spread before them as to a mental banquet. A severe bereavement met the
circle in the loss of one of their members, a young lady who had been
an eager student and whose enthusiasm had done much to help the circle.
By her suggestion Greek had been introduced into the course, and the
Iliad was being read in connection with the Greek literature. At the
last meeting before her death when it was proposed to omit some of the
less interesting portions, she said, earnestly: “Don’t let us skip any.
Let us do our duty.” The shock of her death was such that at first it
seemed that they could not go on with their work, but the words of their
departed friend came back to them with peculiar meaning: “Let us do our
duty,” and with chastened hearts they took up their work again. They did
not find the course too laborious, but were able to add to it the White
Seal course and some valuable supplementary reading upon the topics in
question. Now, with undiminished interest, they are ready to go on with
the second year, hoping that a large band will be ready to accompany them.
* * * * *
=New York= (Johnstown).—A meeting for the reorganization of Johnstown C.
L. S. C. was held September 26, 1883. The names of fifteen new members
were enrolled; so we launch our little craft of twenty-two members, with
a prospect of taking an occasional recruit as we journey on. We have
decided to meet every alternate week. At our next meeting, October 10,
we read an outline on Greek History, Vol. ii., Part vii., a paper on
American literature, and selections from THE CHAUTAUQUAN.
* * * * *
=Pennsylvania= (Erie).—The officers and members of the Erie local circle
of the C. L. S. C. presented a very elaborate program at its opening
session Monday evening, October 8, at the Y. M. C. A. Hall in this city.
The hall was densely crowded, and the interest steadily increased to
the close. The organization was completed, and its roll bids fair, this
season, to be seventy-five strong.
* * * * *
=Delaware= (Wilmington).—Through the zealous efforts of the pastor
of Asbury M. E. Church, the Asbury local circle was organized during
September last. It has about thirty members. Among the members is one
graduate of the class of ’83. Considerable interest in the course has
been aroused through the city, and there are more persons to join.
* * * * *
=District of Columbia= (Washington).—A meeting of the Banneker Circle
was held September 17 for reorganization and general talk concerning
the work for 1883-84. Quite a large number of our members of last year
attended, and from the number of applicants for admission, it seems
that we will be compelled to abandon our idea of meeting from house to
house of the several members and meet at the church. It is exceedingly
gratifying to note the continued interest in the work. Our meetings are
held every Monday night. The pastor of one of the churches in another
section of our city, attended our last meeting, in order that he might
learn enough about the C. L. S. C. to organize a circle among many of his
members, who seem anxious to join. We spent many pleasant and instructive
evenings last year over our work, and hope to realize as much benefit
from the studies of this year. Knowing of the benefits of the C. L. S. C.
we are always glad to help others to join. One of our members has been
influenced, through last year’s work, to attend college.
* * * * *
=Ohio= (Cincinnati).—The reception to the Class of 1883, of Cincinnati
and vicinity, took place on Friday evening, September 28. The spacious
parlors where the reunion was held were fragrant with flowers. A
beautiful piece of crayon work—“Welcome, 1883,” with C. L. S. C.
monogram—prepared by the superintendent of penmanship of Cincinnati
public schools, together with a fine portrait of Dr. Vincent, held
conspicuous places. The following was the program:
Piano solo—Miss Clara Looker.
Address of welcome to the Class of 1883—Mr. John G. O’Connell.
Class song of 1882.
Toast—“The Class of 1882.” Response by Mrs. M. J. Pyle.
Class song of 1883.
Toast—“The Class of 1883.” Response by Mr. Clifford Lakeman.
Vocal solo—“The Flower Girl.” Miss Clara Looker.
Toast—“The Cincinnati Circles.” Response by Miss Bessie Hicks.
Song—“Join O Friends in a Memory Song.”
Toast—“Chautauqua.” Response by Mr. M. S. Turrell.
Song—“C. L. S. C. Commencement Carol.”
Toast-“Our Chancellor, Dr. J. H. Vincent.” Response by Miss
Harriet Wilson.
Song—“Sing Pæans over the Past.”
Letters of regret were then read from unavoidable absentees. Time and
space will only permit of the publication of the following letter, which
is an embodiment of the sentiment contained in the others:
HOT SPRINGS, ARK., September 24, 1883.
_Rev. J. G. O’Connell, President C. L. S. C. Alumni Association
of Cincinnati, Ohio_:—Please accept my thanks for your very kind
invitation to attend the C. L. S. C. reception, Friday evening,
September 28. The intervening 700 miles will prevent. But does
not the Chancellor of the Out-of-Doors University say that,
“When the bell at Chautauqua rings on memorial days, all true
Chautauquans hear its echo?” And as this same Chancellor teaches
so diligently the superiority of mind over matter, why may I not
apply this teaching to my own case and say to you that I will be
with you in some sort of soul-telephonic manner, and hear your
speeches and join in your songs, and enjoy with you the feast of
reason and the flow of soul?
I am sorry I said I couldn’t go. I think you may expect me. I
read most carefully the report of Commencement Day, and welcomed
(in my heart) all the ’83s.
A popular writer in a most popular magazine says: “There are in
this life three stages of existence. The first, when we believe
every thing is white. The second, when one is sure every thing is
black; the third, when one knows that the majority of things are
simply gray.”
Members of the C. L. S. C. have gone a step further than that.
To us, all the world has a _golden_ hue. How _can_ one fully
understand the meaning of the terms, “communion of Saints,” and
“brotherly kindness,” unless he has spent a season at Chautauqua
_as a student_, in full sympathy with the great work being done
there? What grand opportunities are there afforded for growth and
symmetrical development of character.
Please tell your Alumni Association how glad I am to be counted
one of its members. I thank you again for your kind remembrance
of me.
Wishing you a most joyous reunion, and uniting with you in
warmest love for our Alma Mater, I am yours sincerely,