London, 15th July, 1884.My Dear Fellow Students:—The pressure of engagements, which is usually at its height in the month of May, and begins to relax as June advances, has this year continued much longer than usual, and threatens now to traverse the month of July; but I must not again disappoint my dear brother, Dr. Vincent, by postponing my letter till too late, as I unhappily did last year, for which I ask his pardon, and yours.I congratulate you, with all my heart, on the work of the year, and on the wonderful growth of our Circle. How speedily has the little one become a thousand, and many thousands!I can not say that the Chautauqua Idea, pure and simple, has as yet taken root in England; but there are approximations to it, and the principles of which it is an embodiment are everywhere gaining ground. To my mind Chautauqua stands for the keeping together of many things which God hath joined, and which men are too apt to put asunder. First, I think of holiday recreation and wholesome study which many imagine to be mutually destructive, whereas our experience proves them to be mutually helpful. Well, the people here are beginning to appreciate this. In connection with the great “Fisheries Exhibition,” which was the chief novelty of the London season, last year, courses of useful instruction were organized; and this year, as an important part of “The Health Exhibition,” which has taken its place, lecture courses, bearing on important branches of sanitary science, have been delivered, and a number of useful little manuals, like those with which we have become familiar in our Chautauqua course, have been issued, one of them by Mrs. Gladstone.Then, I think of secular and sacred culture, which there has been quite too much disposition in our day to separate, and which are, in my opinion, so happily combined in our studies. Here I am reminded of the recent great Sunday-school meeting at Exeter Hall, which I had the privilege of addressing, where the chair was occupied by the Hon. A. J. Mundella, who manages with such ability and energy the educational department of the government. Mr. Mundella, who has risen from a very humble position, had the foundation of his education laid in the Sunday-school, and a night school connected with it, and when very young, received much stimulus and encouragementby the presentation of a Bible for proficiency in his Sunday-school lessons. He does not forget his obligation, and his speech that evening from the chair was eminently hearty and satisfactory. I am reminded, also, in the same connection, of an important meeting held recently in the Jerusalem Chamber, a private meeting, from which reporters were excluded, and which, therefore, I must not report to you further than to say that it was a representative gathering of leading men of all denominations, including some distinguished Roman Catholics, (one of whom, by the by, made the finest speech of the evening), to consider the question whether it was possible under a system of State Education in a country like England satisfactorily to combine secular and religious instruction.And this suggests another of our pleasing combinations at Chautauqua, the drawing together, not only in fraternal feeling, but also in important work, of Christians of different denominations. I need not say that the current of the times still sets in the same direction. The meeting in the Jerusalem Chamber, above referred to, is an illustration of it; and as a farther indication I may refer to the fact that recently the rector of St. Paul’s, Cheswick, after due announcement, preached and conducted divine service for Mr. McLeod, successor to Dr. Cumming, of Crown Court. He did it with the full knowledge that it might get him into trouble; but he was willing to have the question tested at his expense. Considerable notice has been taken of it in various ways, but no one has ventured to make any complaint.I take it that one prominent feature of the Chautauqua movement is the desire and endeavor to bring those privileges which have been hitherto to a large extent the possession of the few, within reach of as large a circle as possible—the attempt to bring the scholarship of the scholarly into far closer relations with the wants of the people. And here I am reminded of the new Oxford movement, of which you have no doubt heard—the resolution of a large number of young Oxonians to devote themselves to work in the East End of London for the educational and social amelioration of its wretched poor. The plan involves residences among the people and brotherly intercourse with them. It remains to be seen, whether, without those high Christian motives which have always been found necessary in the past, but so far are not at all acknowledged, there will be that “patient continuance in well-doing,” without which nothing worthy can be accomplished. But whatever may be thought as to the probable success and permanence of the movement, it is certainly a most gratifying sign of the times.But I am allowing myself to drift into a treatisede omnibus rebus et quibus dam aliis, and must therefore call a halt, and come to a period, which I do with renewed congratulations for the past and hearty good wishes and earnest prayers for a happy holiday season, and a prosperous and fruitful year of work.I shall not sign myself your Counselor, though you honor me with the title, for I am sure that any counsel I can give at this vast distance is of very small account, but I do heartily call myself your sincere friend,John Monro Gibson.
London, 15th July, 1884.
My Dear Fellow Students:—The pressure of engagements, which is usually at its height in the month of May, and begins to relax as June advances, has this year continued much longer than usual, and threatens now to traverse the month of July; but I must not again disappoint my dear brother, Dr. Vincent, by postponing my letter till too late, as I unhappily did last year, for which I ask his pardon, and yours.
I congratulate you, with all my heart, on the work of the year, and on the wonderful growth of our Circle. How speedily has the little one become a thousand, and many thousands!
I can not say that the Chautauqua Idea, pure and simple, has as yet taken root in England; but there are approximations to it, and the principles of which it is an embodiment are everywhere gaining ground. To my mind Chautauqua stands for the keeping together of many things which God hath joined, and which men are too apt to put asunder. First, I think of holiday recreation and wholesome study which many imagine to be mutually destructive, whereas our experience proves them to be mutually helpful. Well, the people here are beginning to appreciate this. In connection with the great “Fisheries Exhibition,” which was the chief novelty of the London season, last year, courses of useful instruction were organized; and this year, as an important part of “The Health Exhibition,” which has taken its place, lecture courses, bearing on important branches of sanitary science, have been delivered, and a number of useful little manuals, like those with which we have become familiar in our Chautauqua course, have been issued, one of them by Mrs. Gladstone.
Then, I think of secular and sacred culture, which there has been quite too much disposition in our day to separate, and which are, in my opinion, so happily combined in our studies. Here I am reminded of the recent great Sunday-school meeting at Exeter Hall, which I had the privilege of addressing, where the chair was occupied by the Hon. A. J. Mundella, who manages with such ability and energy the educational department of the government. Mr. Mundella, who has risen from a very humble position, had the foundation of his education laid in the Sunday-school, and a night school connected with it, and when very young, received much stimulus and encouragementby the presentation of a Bible for proficiency in his Sunday-school lessons. He does not forget his obligation, and his speech that evening from the chair was eminently hearty and satisfactory. I am reminded, also, in the same connection, of an important meeting held recently in the Jerusalem Chamber, a private meeting, from which reporters were excluded, and which, therefore, I must not report to you further than to say that it was a representative gathering of leading men of all denominations, including some distinguished Roman Catholics, (one of whom, by the by, made the finest speech of the evening), to consider the question whether it was possible under a system of State Education in a country like England satisfactorily to combine secular and religious instruction.
And this suggests another of our pleasing combinations at Chautauqua, the drawing together, not only in fraternal feeling, but also in important work, of Christians of different denominations. I need not say that the current of the times still sets in the same direction. The meeting in the Jerusalem Chamber, above referred to, is an illustration of it; and as a farther indication I may refer to the fact that recently the rector of St. Paul’s, Cheswick, after due announcement, preached and conducted divine service for Mr. McLeod, successor to Dr. Cumming, of Crown Court. He did it with the full knowledge that it might get him into trouble; but he was willing to have the question tested at his expense. Considerable notice has been taken of it in various ways, but no one has ventured to make any complaint.
I take it that one prominent feature of the Chautauqua movement is the desire and endeavor to bring those privileges which have been hitherto to a large extent the possession of the few, within reach of as large a circle as possible—the attempt to bring the scholarship of the scholarly into far closer relations with the wants of the people. And here I am reminded of the new Oxford movement, of which you have no doubt heard—the resolution of a large number of young Oxonians to devote themselves to work in the East End of London for the educational and social amelioration of its wretched poor. The plan involves residences among the people and brotherly intercourse with them. It remains to be seen, whether, without those high Christian motives which have always been found necessary in the past, but so far are not at all acknowledged, there will be that “patient continuance in well-doing,” without which nothing worthy can be accomplished. But whatever may be thought as to the probable success and permanence of the movement, it is certainly a most gratifying sign of the times.
But I am allowing myself to drift into a treatisede omnibus rebus et quibus dam aliis, and must therefore call a halt, and come to a period, which I do with renewed congratulations for the past and hearty good wishes and earnest prayers for a happy holiday season, and a prosperous and fruitful year of work.
I shall not sign myself your Counselor, though you honor me with the title, for I am sure that any counsel I can give at this vast distance is of very small account, but I do heartily call myself your sincere friend,
John Monro Gibson.
Many kind letters of greeting and encouragement were read. No one stirred a deeper sympathy than that from Mrs. Abbey Gough, of Westfield, N. Y., the senior graduate of the C. L. S. C.:
“Although I am too feeble to be with you to-day, and although I am nearly eighty-four years old, I am with you in spirit. God bless the C. L. S. C., and God bless the Class of ’82.”
Dr. Vincent said: “This dear woman marched in through the gate when eighty-two years of age; her son of over fifty, or about fifty, behind her; his daughter of twenty, perhaps, behind him; three generations in that Class of ’82. She still lives, at the age of eighty-four, to give greeting on this glad day.”
The letters were followed by the reports from the assemblies, after which Dr. Vincent addressed the Class of ’84 as follows:
To the members of the Class of ’84, a few words. I have watched your progress during the four years with peculiar interest. You have gained to yourselves a reputation as a class noted for zeal and earnest work in the C. L. S. C. You are known as “The Irrepressibles.” You have been characterized by an ingenuity in devising methods. In making up the history of the C. L. S. C. there are several things that may be traced to you. You number in your roll some distinguished names. You have throughout the entire extent of the Circle labored with peculiar diligence and fidelity for its general good. I am sure that the Class of ’82, and the Class of ’83, whose experience made it possible for you to be what you have been, will not complain of the tribute which at this time I seek to pay to you. I know that the other classes will follow your lead, and be glad if they can have the good reputation which attaches to your name, the name of the Class of ’84, the “Irrepressibles” of the C. L. S. C.
There are some of you who are young, in the freshness and brightness of life, with youth’s outlook. May it be a long time before the grave folds its arms about you. May you do valiant service not only in the cause of the C. L. S. C.—that were a little thing—but, using it as a platform, may you accomplish large things and worthy in the homes you represent, in the community of which you are a part, in the branch of the Church of the living God with which you may be connected, and may your impress be felt on the national life. Above all, may you do good work in God’s way, by the divine process in your own lives, that as the years go by you may build up character that shall shine as a light on the world, character that shall endure through the eternities.
Some of you are in middle life. Aches, and pain, and signs of breaking down once in awhile, make you stop and think. You wish that you could recuperate, and get back some of the old power. Probably you will. You have yet ten years, twenty years, thirty years, in which you may do splendid service. May God’s blessing through this ministry enrich these remaining years, and make you glad, and your friends glad, through every succeeding year, that you were ever identified with our Circle.
Some of you are old. You do not like to have that stated; or do you? You do not feel old: eighty-four years is nothing. May the venerable members of our Circle, who count from—wheredoesold age begin—from eighty-four and above, may you live until the new century shall dawn, and may your last days be your brightest and your best days. You do not know, you men and women of advanced years, how it warms our hearts to see you in this presence and engaged in these services. We have for all time glorified childhood. I can never allow a youngster to pass me without a salutation. There is only one place where I do not like to hear a child’s voice, and that is when it interrupts a public service. I take great delight in these little fellows whom we meet in the streets, at the front doors, and in all American homes everywhere. But I think we have glorified the possibilities of childhood to such an extent that men and women full-grown have come to think that all the possibilities of life are hidden in the earliest years. When we see men and women of advanced age coming to this place to receive the reward of four years’ work, with ambition for years to come remaining, we feel that the possibilities of this life are not limited at all.
And when we remember, as the poet says, that death is “but a gray eve between two shining days,” there is no limitation to man. Therefore, work on, work forever. God help us to begin in this life, that we shall make everlasting progress as we enjoy the fellowship of the saints in the presence of God.
So, then, my young friends of eighty-four years and under, I bid you welcome to-day to this place, and as President Miller shall authorize the distribution of the diplomas which you havewon, we shall take pleasure in handing them to you. We expect one of these days to see them glittering with seals, new seals freshly won, placed on the pyramid. When you are asleep in the long sleep, the diploma shall hang on the wall—a tribute to your ambition and faithfulness.
The class song of ’84 was sung, the diplomas were distributed to the graduates, and the Commencement services of the Class of ’84 were at an end.
There is no part of the world where the C. L. S. C. thermometer runs higher than in New England, notwithstanding the current opinion as to the general iciness of that region. The members of the circle in the six Eastern States are as enthusiastic in their loyalty, and as ardent in their manifestation of it, as any other section on the planet. This was abundantly shown at the fifth session of the New England Sunday-school Assembly, held at Framingham, Mass., from July 16 to 26, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Vincent, assisted by Rev. A. E. Dunning and Rev. J. L. Hurlbut, D.D. The work under the auspices of the C. L. S. C. was most promising.
The C. L. S. C. is a circle with several centers, hence no one will be surprised to learn that at Framingham there was more than one headquarters. At a modest little cottage with one room, Rev. and Mrs. O. S. Baketel conducted the business of the Circle, enrolled names, received fees, distributed circulars, furnished badges, and answered questions innumerable. But besides this, every class had its own headquarters, where the class register was kept and where members met for acquaintance and conversation. Of course the Irrepressible ’84 trimmed up its tent, and attracted general notice; but its example was soon followed, and it was hard to say which of the classes kept itself most prominently before the eyes of the people.
The Round-Table was held in Normal Hall, which was crowded with members at every session, and brilliant with badges, for at Framingham every C. L. S. C. wears the colors of his class. At the opening Round-Table Dr. Vincent presided, and a spicy discussion on the question “What is Education?” was participated in by many speakers. The second meeting, in the Superintendent’s absence, was conducted by Dr. J. L. Hurlbut, who wrote on the blackboard the words, “What good is the C. L. S. C. doing?” A rattling fire of answers, fifty in number, was shot off from the seats faster than the nimble pen of the reporter could take them down. Perhaps in some future article we may present some of them to the readers ofThe Chautauquan, as handy arguments for use in working up an interest in the cause. Other Round-Tables were held, alike in the enthusiasm and the interest, though differing in their subjects. New England is a land where everybody speaks in the town-meeting, and the Round-Table of the C. L. S. C. is no exception to the general rule. The camp-fire was more systematically conducted than is usual at assemblies. On the evening appointed, each class met at its headquarters and marched to the Normal Pavilion. Here the procession was formed in order of classes, with the venerable veterans of ’82 in the advance, and the infants of ’88, organized on that very day as the “Plymouth Rock Class” as last in the line. The army, five hundred strong, marched through the darkness to a natural amphitheater in the edge of the encampment, where a gigantic bonfire had been already kindled. Here a circle was formed, the members in front, and a few thousand spectators peeping over their shoulders, and wishing that they were there. Songs were sung, and speeches were made by representatives of each class, beginning with the youngest, for which Rev. A. E. Dunning spoke, and ending with Rev. O. S. Baketel for ’82, after which Dr. Vincent gave a few warm, uplifting words. Then two circles were formed, clasping hands around the dying embers. Within stood the class of ’84, about to graduate, and around them their companions of the other classes, all joining hands, while “Blest be the tie” was sung with deep feeling, a prayer was offered, and the benediction was spoken. This camp-fire was one where mirth, sentiment, thoughtfulness and religion were mingled in happy proportions. The class anniversaries formed a prominent feature in the Assembly. Every class had its organization; its headquarters was a place where social reunions were in progress nearly all the time; and in addition, each class, from ’82 to ’87, held its own anniversary, generally in Normal Hall, where speeches were made, poems were read, histories recited, prophecies predicted, songs sung, and the merits, general and specific, of each class in the C. L. S. C. over all the other classes, were duly presented to its own delight. Middle aged men and women showed all the enthusiasm of young collegians in theesprit du corpsfor their class organization. The Recognition Services were attended by nearly a thousand members of the C. L. S. C. and twice as many outside listeners. The procession, marshaled by Prof. Sherwin and headed by Dr. Vincent, “the distinguished guests,” and the band, marched around the grounds to the Auditorium. Here the heroes of the day, the class of ’84, occupied the platform, while the graduate and undergraduate classes filled the reserved seats in front. The Commencement oration was delivered by President Julius R. Seelye, of Amherst, on “The Power of Ideas.” He was followed by Mr. John B. Gough, in a few remarks both witty and wise. Then Dr. Vincent, with a brief address to the graduating class, presented the diplomas to those present, one hundred and eighty-eight in number. We are conscious that our brief paragraph is a coldrésuméof one of the most enthusiastic and glowing services ever held in New England. We must not forget to state that the New England C. L. S. C. have resolved to erect a Hall of Philosophy on the topmost summit of the hill in the Assembly ground. It is to be modeled after the classic building in St. Paul’s Grove, dear to all Chautauquans, and will gleam from far, with its columns and white roof, inviting the passers by to climb the heights of knowledge by the paths of the C. L. S. C.
The fifth annual Pacific Coast Assembly convened at Monterey, California, on Monday evening, June 30, 1884. The president, Dr. Stratton, was not able to be present at the opening of the Assembly, and Dr. C. L. Anderson, of Santa Cruz, vice president, took the chair and made the opening address. It was an admirable review of the studies of the year, a cordial greeting to all present, and an enthusiastic explanation of the Chautauqua Idea. His audience was a large and intelligent one. The hall was beautifully decorated with evergreens, flags, bunting, and the C. L. S. C. mottoes. The evening was one of rare beauty, and altogether the Assembly lacked nothing but the genial presence of a few of its usual leaders. The summer was unusually cool, and consequently there were fewer people at the coast than last year, but the Chautauquans turned out well, and there was a perceptible increase in the daily attendance over that of last year. The musical department was under the excellent management of Mrs. R. L. Higgins, of San José, and was a matter of great pleasure and congratulation during the whole session. Various clergymen were in attendance, and a brief devotional exercise opened each meeting. There is not space here for extended notice of the ten days’ literary feast, but we will briefly recapitulate the points of interest. Miss Lucy Washburn, of the State Normal School, gave two admirable talks upon the “Circulation of the Blood,” and two others upon “Methods of Bible Study,” all of which were precisely what the audience liked to hear, and were as profitable as they were pleasant. Professor Moses, of the Berkeley State University, gave three historical lectures of great value, upon that period of Roman history during which Christianity became the religion of the empire. Rev. Dr. McLean,of Oakland, gave a brilliant description of a recent trip to the Hawaiian Islands. Mr. F. B. Perkins, of San Francisco, talked wisely and wittily of “Methods of Historical Investigation.” Mr. Adley Cummins lectured eloquently upon “What the Orient has done for us.” Mr. Clee, of Berkeley, talked interestingly of the “Date Palm.” Mr. Matthew Cook, of Sacramento, lectured upon “Entomology.” Rev. Dr. Vance, of Carlisle, Penn., read a charming paper upon “Africa.” Mrs. M. H. Field, of San José, had two papers, one upon “Holy George Herbert,” and the other upon the “Women of Ancient Greece.” Miss Jessica Thompson, of San José, also had two beautiful literary papers, one upon Shakspere’s “As You Like It,” and the other upon Tennyson’s “Princess.” Mr. Joel Bean told of the “Council of Nice,” and Dr. C. L. Anderson unfolded the marvels which lie in “A Drop of Water.” Dr. Stratton gave the closing lecture—a most noble one—on “Potential Ideas.” The Sabbath included in the session was devoted to Temperance, under the excellent management of the W. C. T. U. of California. There was a glorious sermon in the morning by Rev. Dr. Briggs, of San Francisco, upon “Woman’s Work,” a grand children’s meeting in the afternoon, and a women’s mass meeting in the evening, when Mrs. McCall, of San José, read an excellent paper upon “Temperance Education.” Mrs. Browne, of San Francisco, the State President of the W. C. T. U., made a grand address, and others made brief remarks. Beautiful weather prevailed during the entire Assembly, and the utmost good fellowship. The regular business meeting was held on the afternoon of the 10th. The reports of the secretaries and treasurer were read, and an election of officers held. The old officers were reinstated, and various committees appointed. Rev. Dr. Stratton is again president; Dr. C. L. Anderson, Dr. Wythe, and Professor H. B. Norton, vice presidents; Mrs. M. H. Field, general secretary; Miss M. S. Bowman, Assembly secretary; Mrs. Eloise Dawson, treasurer. C. L. S. C. day was the closing day of the Assembly. It was as bright and sunny as could be desired, and all things were propitious. The Chautauquans gathered in the parlors, each distinguished by an oak leaf badge, and then marched two and two in long procession over to the Assembly Hall. There were but eight graduates present. Four graduating essays were read, all of marked merit. The general secretary read some clippings from her note book. Dr. Stratton made a brief address. Mrs. McCall read a beautiful memorial paper on Mrs. M. H. McKee, of San José, one of last year’s graduates, and a most efficient and brilliant member of the C. L. S. C. The diplomas were presented, and then the Assembly adjourned to meet in the afternoon on Chautauqua Beach for a Round-Table talk and a mussel-roast. The names of the graduates present were: Dr. C. L. Anderson, Santa Cruz, Cal.; Mrs. Helen Dryden, Gilroy, Cal.; Mrs. J. A. Whitney, Gilroy, Cal.; Mrs. Lillian Shuey, Brentwood, Cal.; Miss Gussie H. Wilcox, Sacramento, Cal.; Mrs. Eloise Dawson, Mrs. C. P. Baily and Mrs. Eliza Mantz, San José, Cal. There are thirty others who have completed the course but who were prevented from coming to Monterey. The Round-Table on the beach was a lively affair. Some fifteen or twenty circles were represented, and all reported their respective circles as wide-awake and pursuing their readings with unabated zeal. After this exchange of experiences the Assembly laid aside its dignity and gave animated attention to the steaming mussels which were generously passed around by “the muscular committee.” The tempting bivalves had been gathered by the bushel in the early morning, and at precisely the right hour laid upon great beds of coals in full sight of the Round-Table gathering. A bevy of young ladies assisted in serving the multitude, and a merry feast it proved. The California mussel-roast and the down-east clam-bake are convivial cousins. The Monterey Assembly closed its fifth meeting in peace and good will, and with the hope of many and many another summer school by the sunset sea.
BY JOEL BEAN.
God of our lives—past, and to be,God of the earth, the land and sea,With all Thy works, we worship Thee.In humble faith our souls would bearTo Thee our every weight of care,And all the burden of our prayer.But with what language can we raiseA fitting tribute to Thy praise,And celebrate Thy works and ways?Fresh blessings, countless as the sand,Flow as perpetual from Thy handAs do the waves upon the strand.More deep and boundless than the sea,Thy love from all eternitySides every inlet full and free.On this Pacific shore we meet,This Temple-Grove our pilgrim feetDraws to its sacred calm retreat.Make us to feel Thy presence near,And with Thy goodness crown the yearWhose harvest fruits are offered here.Our “Feast of Tabernacles” bless,Hallow these tents and cottagesWith peace, and joy, and righteousness.A host from many a church and land,We would, with loyal heart and hand,For Christ our King united stand.Thou who hast led us all our days,O’er fertile plains and desert ways,Be here analtarto Thy praise!
God of our lives—past, and to be,God of the earth, the land and sea,With all Thy works, we worship Thee.In humble faith our souls would bearTo Thee our every weight of care,And all the burden of our prayer.But with what language can we raiseA fitting tribute to Thy praise,And celebrate Thy works and ways?Fresh blessings, countless as the sand,Flow as perpetual from Thy handAs do the waves upon the strand.More deep and boundless than the sea,Thy love from all eternitySides every inlet full and free.On this Pacific shore we meet,This Temple-Grove our pilgrim feetDraws to its sacred calm retreat.Make us to feel Thy presence near,And with Thy goodness crown the yearWhose harvest fruits are offered here.Our “Feast of Tabernacles” bless,Hallow these tents and cottagesWith peace, and joy, and righteousness.A host from many a church and land,We would, with loyal heart and hand,For Christ our King united stand.Thou who hast led us all our days,O’er fertile plains and desert ways,Be here analtarto Thy praise!
God of our lives—past, and to be,God of the earth, the land and sea,With all Thy works, we worship Thee.
God of our lives—past, and to be,
God of the earth, the land and sea,
With all Thy works, we worship Thee.
In humble faith our souls would bearTo Thee our every weight of care,And all the burden of our prayer.
In humble faith our souls would bear
To Thee our every weight of care,
And all the burden of our prayer.
But with what language can we raiseA fitting tribute to Thy praise,And celebrate Thy works and ways?
But with what language can we raise
A fitting tribute to Thy praise,
And celebrate Thy works and ways?
Fresh blessings, countless as the sand,Flow as perpetual from Thy handAs do the waves upon the strand.
Fresh blessings, countless as the sand,
Flow as perpetual from Thy hand
As do the waves upon the strand.
More deep and boundless than the sea,Thy love from all eternitySides every inlet full and free.
More deep and boundless than the sea,
Thy love from all eternity
Sides every inlet full and free.
On this Pacific shore we meet,This Temple-Grove our pilgrim feetDraws to its sacred calm retreat.
On this Pacific shore we meet,
This Temple-Grove our pilgrim feet
Draws to its sacred calm retreat.
Make us to feel Thy presence near,And with Thy goodness crown the yearWhose harvest fruits are offered here.
Make us to feel Thy presence near,
And with Thy goodness crown the year
Whose harvest fruits are offered here.
Our “Feast of Tabernacles” bless,Hallow these tents and cottagesWith peace, and joy, and righteousness.
Our “Feast of Tabernacles” bless,
Hallow these tents and cottages
With peace, and joy, and righteousness.
A host from many a church and land,We would, with loyal heart and hand,For Christ our King united stand.
A host from many a church and land,
We would, with loyal heart and hand,
For Christ our King united stand.
Thou who hast led us all our days,O’er fertile plains and desert ways,Be here analtarto Thy praise!
Thou who hast led us all our days,
O’er fertile plains and desert ways,
Be here analtarto Thy praise!
The Inter-State Assembly of Kansas, Missouri, and the surrounding states, was held at Ottawa, Kansas, from June 24th to July 4th, under the superintendence of Rev. J. L. Hurlbut, D.D. It was a large meeting, some estimating the aggregate attendance at fifty thousand different people, during the eleven days; and in every way successful, whether viewed as to the interest of its exercises, the thoroughness of the work done in its classes (which are the backbone of an Assembly), or the financial receipts, which are needful to maintain the institution. The C. L. S. C. is somewhat new at this Assembly, as it was first recognized in 1883, when only about twenty members were present at the camp-fire. This year witnessed a great increase in the interest. Several Round-Tables were held, and reports were received from twenty-eight local circles, aggregating over four hundred members, all of which were represented by members present. At the Round-Table discussions were held upon topics such as these: “What are the advantages of the local circle?” “How may the local circles be made interesting as well as profitable?” “How shall they be organized?” beside endless inquiries concerning the subject of “seals” which not even Dr. Vincent himself could always have answered had he been present. The camp-fire was held on Tuesday evening, July 1, and was a great success, since it not only gave delight to the members, but awakened an interest among the public present, and was followed by forty new members who joined the C. L. S. C. the next day, the advance guard of the class of 1888. After the evening lecture the members gathered in procession, marched around the encampment, and formed in a circle around the fire. Here the songs were sung, and addresses, brief and pointed, some grave and others gay, were made by Rev. D. C. Milner, of ’82, the president of the Assembly,Mr. F. A. Hatch, (themember of ’84 who was present), Y. M. C. A. secretary, of Kansas City, Rev. Duncan Brown, of St. Joseph, Mo., Mr. A. Zartman, of Kansas City, (a place which boasts of seven circles and two hundred members of the C. L. S. C.), Mr. E. A. Spring, our Chautauqua sculptor, and Professor W. F. Sherwin, who belongs to all the classes. At the close the hand-clasping circle was formed by the members, seventy-three in number, and a prayer was offered by the superintendent of the Assembly. The C. L. S. C. tide is rising at the Inter-State Assembly, and next year we hope to count our members by the hundreds. One minister, who with his wife had been reading the course alone, went home from the Assembly and organized a circle of forty members, ready for the fall campaign; and there are more to follow. It is proposed next year to hold a Recognition Service, and confer the diplomas upon such members of the graduating class as live between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains, and can be present at Ottawa.
While the opening exercises of the Inter-State Assembly at Ottawa, Kansas, were in progress a similar service was being held for the first time in a large pavilion on the grounds of the Maplewood Park Assembly near Waseca, Minn. The location of this new Assembly is delightful. It is on the high lands of Central Minnesota, about sixty miles south of the great cities of the Northwest, St. Paul and Minneapolis, and central to a large and wealthy agricultural region, in which within easy reach of the grounds are a number of thriving villages. The grounds consist of a peninsula putting out into Waseca lake and covered by a heavy growth of maple, beech and elm forest trees. The nucleus of a C. L. S. C. organization existed in a local circle in the village of Waseca. During the ten days of the Assembly several meetings were held, the plans of the Home College explained, converts made, and on the evening of July 1st the first camp-fire was kindled in the presence of a large audience. Addresses were delivered by Reverends Levi Gilbert, H. C. Jinnings, John Stafford, Dr. Emory Miller and others. The meetings were pronounced successful, and the prediction of still larger successes volunteered.
At Island Park Assembly, located near Rome City, Indiana, interest in the work and delightful associations of the C. L. S. C. began with the observance of the Sunday vesper hour on the Sunday preceding the opening of the Assembly. From that the enthusiasm and interest grew, reaching a climax on Chautauqua Day. A new hall had been erected on a beautiful point of land projecting into the lake, through the open window of which came the glint of sunset light and the rippling of wavelets on the beach to mingle with the voice of “Evening Praise.” The Sunday evening vespers were among the most delightful and helpful religious influences of the Assembly. At the daily Round-Tables a series of brief lectures were delivered, three by Dr. Wm. M. Blackburn on “English History,” two on “Biology” by Dr. W. F. Yocum, one on the “Study of Literature” by Wallace Bruce, and three on “Astronomy” by Prof. F. H. Baily. “Chautauqua Day” was the red letter day of the Assembly. Early in the morning people began to gather, each train reinforcing the crowd, all eager to see and hear the “Commencement exercises.” The Tabernacle was beautifully decorated with flags, bunting, flowers, oak leaf wreaths and festoons, the mottoes of the C. L. S. C., monograms and other devices. On the edge of the platform stood a representation of the “Golden Gate,” under the arch of which the members of the class of ’84, present to receive their diplomas, passed to their seats on the platform. The procession was of imposing proportions, the largest ever seen at Island Park. The oration was delivered by Counselor Lyman Abbott, D.D., and his eloquent words of counsel will not soon be forgotten. Sixteen members of ’84 received their diplomas. In the evening, after the Chautauqua vesper service, the night procession was formed and escorted along the illuminated way under arches on which the legends, “Religion,” “Art,” “Science,” “History,” “Literature” and “Philosophy” could be read, to the place of the camp-fire. Here by the light of a magnificent fire an hour was spent in singing Chautauqua songs, listening to bright and witty speeches, brief recitations and reminiscences of similar fires at Chautauqua, closing with the “Night Song” and prayer for light and blessing on members of the Circle present and absent.
Monona Lake Assembly promises to be one of the more important centers of C. L. S. C. work. The grounds are situated on the banks of one of the four lakes surrounding the capital city of the State of Wisconsin, and within a mile of it. Seventy-five passenger trains go and come each day, making the grounds accessible from all directions. In spite of rainy weather and low temperature the attendance this past season was large and enthusiastic. Daily Round-Tables were held and though often interfered with by other meetings and lack of a suitable and permanent place of meeting, were well attended and proved very interesting. Thursday, July 31st, was C. L. S. C. day, and about three hundred and fifty members participated in the Recognition Service. The oration was delivered by Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, D.D., the theme selected, “The True Education” was ably discussed and a source of encouragement to many members of the circle. The camp-fire was lit on the highest point of land on the grounds, and the spot thus dedicated was tendered by the Board of Directors as the site for a new Chautauqua Hall. A vigorous canvass of the State will be made in the interest of the C. L. S. C., and it is expected that a new and commodious hall will be erected in time for our next annual gathering.
This flourishing gathering of students, religious and secular, was preceded this past summer by a large assembling of the teachers of Ohio and vicinity, and the people were already admirably prepared for the direct work of the Assembly. The program was the finest ever enjoyed by the patrons of this place. In lectures and miscellaneous entertainments, as well as normal class and children’s class work, it was not behind the best in every feature of such gatherings, and the promises for future years are most encouraging. Neither is Lakeside a whit behind its “old mother” of the fair Chautauqua Lake in enthusiasm on the subject of the C. L. S. C., although it necessarily lacks in numbers, and in the distinction which comes of being the great “head-center;” a distinction belonging, of course, to but the one place. But that all the people who have interests at Lakeside, and who come under the influence of its work, shall have something to do with this great reading circle, and get a measure of its benefits, is one of the intense desires and energetic aims of the Lakeside authorities. In accord with this purpose a day was set apart, as usual, at the summer session of 1884, for the recognition of as many members of the class of ’84 as might be present. Chancellor Vincent was on hand and delighted the audience in the forenoon of the day with his lecture on “Our Minister,” and in the afternoon held the special Recognition Services, delivering one of his characteristic addresses on this theme so near his heart, and moving his large company of hearers to increasing zeal in behalf of the movement. Quite a representation of the class were formally graduated. A large distribution of circulars relating to the C. L. S. C. was made, and hundreds of people who had not before come into direct knowledge of the subject were stirred into interest, and doubtless many are thereby now at wholesome work. Several Round-Tables were held during the Assembly, one by Dr. Vincent, on the evening of the Special day, another by S. A.Wildman, Esq., and still another by Rev. B. T. Vincent, the superintendent of the Assembly. At these there was much interest manifested, and much more promoted, and evidences of good work within the patronizing territory of Lakeside were given. It is confidently expected that there will be a large representation of the Class of 1885 at the Recognition Services which are provided for in the outline of the program for the next year. And while, of course, all who can go to Chautauqua and graduate under the brilliant circumstances which attend the Commencement day there, will gladly do so, yet it will be in some degree a delight, if that is not possible, to graduate at this nearer point.
The Nebraska Sunday-school Assembly, held in August, at Crete, twenty miles west of Lincoln, Neb., aroused much interest in the C. L. S. C. A paper was read on the “History and Aims of the Circle,” by Rev. W. B. Dada, of Stanton, Neb. Rev. A. E. Dunning, of Boston, president of the class of ’88, followed with most encouraging words. Thirty-five persons gave their names as members of the new class. Badges were secured, and the freshman class is full-fledged for action. There were also a few representatives of the classes of ’84, ’85, ’86 and ’87 present. Three Round-Tables were held and many questions asked and answered. The interest seemed to deepen as the session advanced. On August 23 all the members of the different classes took a boat ride on the Blue River, and on Thursday evening, August 26th, held a grand camp-fire on the grounds of the Assembly, around which able speeches were made, cheering words spoken, and Chautauqua songs sung. After the exercises the Chautauqua salute was given in honor of Mr. F. I. Foss, of Crete, who the night before publicly gave the Assembly a clear title deed to all the grounds which it occupies, one hundred and nine acres, valued at $7,500, a gift most noble and generous, accompanied with a condition as a spur for others to lend a helping hand, namely: that $10,000 be raised for buildings and improvements. The next day the citizens of Crete generously subscribed nearly $5,000. Thus we have a young Chautauqua out here in the far west, an infant child of but two years, but with the promise of a glorious future. Rev. A. E. Dunning, of Boston, Mass., is to be managing conductor next year.
Monteagle is about midway between the east and the west ends of Tennessee, on the south side. It is about 2,400 feet above the sea. The Assembly grounds are on the top of a plateau, and comprise about three hundred and fifty acres. On one side they are bounded by a precipitous bluff which goes straight down nearly a thousand feet. Monteagle is two years old. They have their Amphitheater, and they have a Hall of Philosophy, the pillars being the natural trunks of trees. There was present there this summer a mass of representatives from the Southern States. Electricity seemed to be in the air, and they gave salutes in a manner never excelled. On C. L. S. C. day Rev. Frank Russell delivered an address showing the design of the great Circle. In Mr. Russell’s report at Chautauqua of the work done there he gives a pleasant description of the decorations, the gate and arches. “The Hall of Philosophy was not quite completed. The arrangement of the arches and the gate was a little crude. I visited the spot some time Saturday morning, and directed the carpenters how to make the gate. I regretted that it was not a golden gate, and that there was no time to gild it. The ladies said they would fix that. They took the ‘golden rod,’ which grows so profusely all around there, and when we went there in the afternoon in the mixed procession for the graduating class of ’84, the gate was upholstered and really quilted in golden rod. It was a golden gate. We had the complete procession, and the children with the flowers. The diplomas were given and the Hall was dedicated.” One thing must be especially interesting to the C. L. S. C. there, and that is that the Assembly at Monteagle was not put to a dollar of expense for the building or any of the lectures before the C. L. S. C. They collected the money themselves, and their treasurer disposed of it. When they completed the Hall of Philosophy there was a little money left in the treasury. In the evening they had a camp-fire at the end of the Hall. It was a beautiful cone of flame which stood until it was all consumed. The speeches were of a high character, without preparation, thoroughly spontaneous.
Round Lake is located very near Saratoga Springs, twenty-five miles north of Albany. In 1878 Dr. Vincent inaugurated Sunday-school Assembly work there, and since that, with one exception, it has been kept up. C. L. S. C. work has spread over the eastern part of the country very rapidly. Its tidal wave caught the Round Lake people and bore them on to high tide, and has kept them there ever since. They have thrown much energy into their labors. The C. L. S. C. is a one-idea ism. On C. L. S. C. day at Round Lake they were fortunate in having Counselor Wilkinson present. His address was able. They are planning to do better and better, and expect to stir that whole section by another year.
To accommodate the growing circles of the C. L. S. C. a regular Chautauqua Assembly has been established at Long Beach, Southern California. This locality, after deliberation, was chosen as being central and accessible. It is twenty-two miles from Los Angeles by rail, on a splendid ocean beach ten miles long, where tourists and invalids may enjoy surf bathing the year round, with all the accommodations of civilization, in a mild climate, tempered by the ocean in winter and summer. Six months ago Long Beach was little more than a sheep ranch. Now it has a great hotel, and lesser ones, forty cottages, and over a hundred tents. Artesian water is brought three miles and delivered in iron pipes on many streets. On the 21st we had a regular field day, and good audiences. At 10 a. m. a lecture on the “Chautauqua Idea” was delivered by Dr. Clark Whittier, of Riverside, and other speakers. At 3 p. m. a regular Round-Table was held by Rev. S. J. Fleming, of Ontario, California, and a masterly lecture by Prof. G. F. Bovard, of the University of Southern California, followed. At this meeting a committee on permanent organization was formed, and Dr. Clark Whittier was elected president. Plans are made to organize, if possible, a C. L. S. C. in every pastoral charge, school district, mine, and Y. M. C. A. in the seven southern counties of California. We mean aggressive work on the borders of the great Pacific.
The first Local Circle Assembly of which we have heard was held on June 30th, at Lake Grove, Auburn, Me. Six different circles in the towns of Lewiston, Auburn, and New Gloucester were represented, and with their invited guests made a gathering of several hundred people. This was the first out-of-door C. L. S. C. Assembly ever held in Maine. The occasion was one of great interest. A program of delightful exercises was carried out. There was a grand banquet and a long list of witty and entertaining after-dinner speeches. Among the pleasant features of the occasion was the following kindly letter from Dr. Vincent to the Assembly:
New Haven, Conn., June 18th, 1884.My Dear Sir and Brother:—Through you I desire to salute the members of the C. L. S. C. to assemble at Lake Grove. Nothing but official engagements of an imperative character could keep me from the fellowship of the six circles on the 30th inst. I hail with joy all these movements which tend to develop the social life of our members, and to create withinthe circle something of the class and society spirit which characterizes the college. An important factor of school life is the association of students and the sympathy growing out of similar aims and experience. The delight which accompanies the development and play of such sentiments is not limited to the early years of life, nor are the relief, the recreation and the inspiration which it furnishes alone needed by youthful students. Full grown men need and can appreciate the same; and it is the object of the C. L. S. C. to promote it by our class spirit, by our annual and class songs, by the mottoes, often repeated, by the sundry devices which tend to make the C. L. S. C. a union of hearts. Accept my hearty salutations. May I exhort you all to be diligent missionaries of the C. L. S. C. Idea? Enlist as many members as you can in the class of 1888; and where it is impracticable to enlist members as members of the C. L. S. C., present to them with strong argument, the scheme of the “Spare Minute Course,” which will sooner or later result in larger work proposed by the older society. Praying that our Heavenly Father may be in the midst, that you may continue to study his word and works, and in all these you may never be discouraged, I remain your affectionate fellow-student,J. H. Vincent, Supt. Instr. C. L. S. C.J. C. Haskell, Pres. Auburn C. L. S. C.
New Haven, Conn., June 18th, 1884.
My Dear Sir and Brother:—Through you I desire to salute the members of the C. L. S. C. to assemble at Lake Grove. Nothing but official engagements of an imperative character could keep me from the fellowship of the six circles on the 30th inst. I hail with joy all these movements which tend to develop the social life of our members, and to create withinthe circle something of the class and society spirit which characterizes the college. An important factor of school life is the association of students and the sympathy growing out of similar aims and experience. The delight which accompanies the development and play of such sentiments is not limited to the early years of life, nor are the relief, the recreation and the inspiration which it furnishes alone needed by youthful students. Full grown men need and can appreciate the same; and it is the object of the C. L. S. C. to promote it by our class spirit, by our annual and class songs, by the mottoes, often repeated, by the sundry devices which tend to make the C. L. S. C. a union of hearts. Accept my hearty salutations. May I exhort you all to be diligent missionaries of the C. L. S. C. Idea? Enlist as many members as you can in the class of 1888; and where it is impracticable to enlist members as members of the C. L. S. C., present to them with strong argument, the scheme of the “Spare Minute Course,” which will sooner or later result in larger work proposed by the older society. Praying that our Heavenly Father may be in the midst, that you may continue to study his word and works, and in all these you may never be discouraged, I remain your affectionate fellow-student,
J. H. Vincent, Supt. Instr. C. L. S. C.
J. C. Haskell, Pres. Auburn C. L. S. C.
It is hoped that a summer school will follow in the train of this first meeting.
During the past year plans have been matured for holding an Assembly at Lake D’Funiak, Florida. The C. L. S. C. will, of course, be the great feature of the gathering. As the Assembly meets in February we may hope to report its work in the present volume ofThe Chautauquan.
Beautiful for situation in one of the many lovely glades of the Alleghenies, nearly 3,000 feet above the sea, in the very midst of grand and imposing mountain scenery, and where the freshness and crispness of the air itself gives inspiration, Mountain Lake Park, Garrett Co., Maryland, although but in the third year of its existence, owing to the facility with which it is reached from the Mississippi Valley and the Atlantic slope, and to its increasing celebrity as a delightful and healthful summer resort, already numbers about eighty cottages and four or five hotels or boarding houses, which in the height of the season are inadequate to accommodate the guests who desire to avail themselves of its many advantages. The Mountain Lake Park Assembly commenced its second annual meeting here on August 14th, under the most favorable auspices. The lecture course was an unusually brilliant one. The names of Revs. D. H. Muller, D.D., of Cleveland, Ohio, Washington Gladden, D.D., of Columbus, Ohio, Jesse Bowman Young, A. M., Philadelphia, Penn., J. B. Van Meter, D.D., Baltimore, Md., Prof. Charles J. Little, Ph.D., State Librarian of Pa., and others are themselves a sufficient assurance of the very high character of the literary feast provided for the deeply interested and discriminating audiences who daily listened to them. The Chautauqua Sunday-school Normal Course was one of the marked features of interest during the Assembly, the instructors being Rev. J. T. Judd, Lewisburg, Pa., president of the Assembly, Prof. J. B. Young, Philadelphia, Rev. Wm. M. Frysinger, Baltimore, and Prof. W. A. Lindsay, Carlisle, Pa. After passing a written examination, diplomas of the C. T. U. were granted to Rev. L. E. Peters, Clarksburg, W. Va., Dr. Robert W. Armstrong and Miss Laura Rice, of Baltimore, Maryland. Thursday, August 28, was C. L. S. C. day. The members of the circle, the officers of the Assembly, and the president and directors of Mountain Lake Park Association assembled at 11 a. m., at a designated place in the grove. The marshal of the day, C. O’Brien Mettee, Esq., of Baltimore, formed the line of procession, which was headed by a number of little girls bearing flowers to strew the path of the graduate, Mrs. A. C. Rodgers, of Baltimore, who followed immediately with her escort of four maids of honor. The officers of the Assembly and of the Association, with the members of the circle, and other Chautauquans present, each wearing a sprig of golden rod as a badge, brought up the rear of the line. While marching from the Grove to the Auditorium the procession united in singing Chautauqua Hymn No. 1, “We gather here a pilgrim band,” after which, while the members and invited guests took the seats reserved for them, Rev. Jesse B. Young, A. M., made the Commencement address, after which all joined in the responsive service appropriate to the second motto, “Let us keep our heavenly Father in the midst,” and in the Chautauqua Hymn of Greeting. The president of the Mountain Lake Park Association, Rev. Dr. J. B. Van Meter, of Baltimore, made the salutatory address, Rev. C. W. Baldwin, of Cumberland, Md., offered a few words, and President Judd then made a brief but eloquent and suggestive address, concluding with the presentation of the Chautauqua diploma to the graduate, Mrs. A. C. Rodgers, of Baltimore. At a meeting of the circle on August 29, a unanimous vote of thanks was tendered to President Judd, “for the able and kindly manner in which he had presided over its sessions and in various ways furthered its interests.” The secretary was instructed to furnish a copy of his report toThe Chautauquanfor publication. The closing meeting of the Assembly was held at night, followed by a general illumination, camp-fire, corn-roast, stump speeches, and a general hand-shake good-bye. Rev. J. T. Judd was unanimously reëlected as president for the ensuing year, and Dr. Robert W. Armstrong, of Baltimore, was elected secretary, in place of Miss Jennie Jones, resigned. Between twenty and thirty new members were added to the circle.
BY REV. J. H. VINCENT, D.D.,Superintendent of Instruction.
The season is over. The crowds have gone. The classic groves are again quiet. The silent lake lies by a silent shore, reflecting the lovely verdure of trees and terraces, and the deep blue of overarching heavens. The Temple, busy scene for all these weeks, is solitary now as a deserted abbey. The huge amphitheater with its capacious concave, its chairless orchestra and sealed up organ, seems awful in its vast emptiness, and sacred with haunting memories of eloquence and song, and of surging, enraptured, applauding multitudes. Palestine is deserted. Jerusalem is solitary. The waters of the Dead Sea have backed up until Jordan has far overflown its banks. The fountains have ceased their play, the electric light no more vies with moon and stars, the walks are well-nigh forsaken, and again in the primeval forest one walks alone, and undisturbed meditates in the temple of nature. One spot is doubly sacred since the crowds have gone. It is the Hall of Philosophy.In impressive majesty it crowns the hill. Its white columns present a fine contrast with the brown and gray trunks, and the now changing foliage of the trees in St. Paul’s Grove. The vesper song has ceased. The voices of query and counsel, raillery, jest and melody, are no more heard. The earnest souls who hither came with love and zeal, with hope and desire, have passed forth into a busy world, with memories not soon to be forgotten, joys never to be wholly extinguished, and resolutions which reach out towards the higher, larger plane of human aspiration, to find their end and crown in God.
There is to me an ineffable charm about this dear old Hall. In it nature dwells and God reigns. In it many a burdened soul has found in earnest thoughtfulness, freedom and rest. Many an unsyllabled vow, without human sign to mark it, has here brought peace and strength out of the silent but all-encompassing heavens, to prepare human souls for human and divine service in far away homes, and in coming days of struggle and sorrow. The most sacred center of the whole Chautauqua world is the “Hall in the Grove.” It is not far thence to heaven.
As I linger a few days in these silent and sacred sanctuaries after the multitudes have gone, to rest myself and prepare for severer duties out in the world, I think, of course, of the great and goodly company of readers and students in the C. L. S. C. over this and other lands, and I know you will receive a few words of advice that spring from the grasses and drop from the trees, and steal out of the silences as enthusiasm turns a listening ear to what the unembodied spirit of Chautauqua may say to the sons and daughters of Chautauqua everywhere.
1. First of all let me say that enthusiasm, enkindled by solemn services such as we have here enjoyed, needs to be incarnated and exercised in plain, straight-forward, everyday doing through the whole year. Songs and raptures, longings and covenants, must be transformed into heroisms of a plain and practical type in the unsentimental and homely fields to which stern duty may lead us. The Chautauqua fervor must become fidelity. The Hall of Philosophy must help shop, kitchen, school-room and parlor. Emotion must go into motive and muscle. Songs in August must make sinews for October and May.
2. Our work must be more regular and steady. Spasmodic reading “to catch up” are not as useful as everyday readings with plenty of time to think over what one has read. System demands will-power. In resoluteness is discipline. We retain and appropriate more effectually what we read without a sense of hurry. A feeling of regret and of anxiety must hinder the best action of mind. Therefore let us get into the way of doing a little every day. Overcome the apparent or real difficulty in your way. Resolve and then work your resolve, until it is worked out into action. Make up your mind to this and keep it made up.
3. Don’t wait for local circles to be organized. Be your own local circle till others become a part of you. Don’t regulate your life by the plans, purposes, or whims of your neighbors. Be, and let your simple being stir up other people to be and to do.
4. Go after other people. Talk to them. Tell them what this C. L. S. C. movement means. Put “circulars” in their way. Send messages and ambassadors to them. Don’t “bore” them exactly, but bear on them till they at least examine the claims of the C. L. S. C.
“Day is dying in the West,” and it is time for closing words. Very soon autumn leaves will strew the ground, and very soon the glory of autumn will be hidden by the crystal splendors of winter. The blessed reunions of this summer will have passed into history, and our scattered fraternity be engaged in the conflicts of this weary and busy, but after all, glorious world. In the strife and the weariness and the work let us remember every inspiring service of the past, and gather strength also from our look of faith into the future, the future that is nearest, and the future that is very far off—a future in which we shall be the glad children of a good Father—that father a great King, and that King immortal, invisible, eternal, who has wonderful things for us which one day he will give to us when he gives to us himself.
Chautauqua, September, 1884.
ONE HUNDRED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON “BRIEF HISTORY OF GREECE” AND “PREPARATORY GREEK COURSE IN ENGLISH.”
BY A. M. MARTIN,General Secretary C. L. S. C.
1. Q. So far as we know where did the history of Europe begin? A. In Greece.
2. Q. Who first settled the country, and who first conquered the land? A. The Pelasgians, a simple agricultural people, were the first to settle the country. Next, the Hellenes, a warlike race, conquered the land.
3. Q. To what did the blending of the Pelasgians and the Hellenes give rise? A. To the Grecian language and civilization.
4. Q. What were two great “holding-points” for all the Greeks? A. The half-yearly meeting of the Amphictyonic Council, and the national games or festivals.
5. Q. What are the subjects of four of the early legends in the history of Greece? A. The Argonautic Expedition in search of the Golden Fleece, the Twelve Labors of Hercules, the Siege of Troy, and the Hunt of the Caledonian Boar.
6. Q. What was one of the first clearly defined events of Grecian history? A. The Dorian migration. The Dorians descended from the mountains, moved south, conquered the Achæans in the Peloponnesus, and occupied the chief cities—Argos, Corinth, and Sparta.
7. Q. What two races came to be the leading ones in Greece, and what rival cities represented their opposing traits? A. The Dorians and the Ionians. Sparta represented the Dorians and Athens the Ionians.
8. Q. Who finally crystallized into a constitution all the peculiarities of the Spartan character? A. Lycurgus, a member of the royal family.
9. Q. What are some of the regulations Lycurgus prescribed in his aim to make the Spartans a race of soldiers? A. Trade and travel were prohibited. No money was allowed, except cumbrous iron coins. Most property was held in common. Boys were educated and cared for by the state.
10. Q. What conquest made Sparta dominant in the Peloponnesus?A. The conquest of Messenia in two long, bloody wars.
11. Q. According to the legends, what did Cecrops, the first King of Athens, teach the people of Attica? A. Navigation, marriage, and the culture of the olive.
12. Q. After the death of Codrus, the last monarch, how was Athens governed? A. By archons, who first ruled for life, then for ten years, and finally for one year.
13. Q. What was the character of a code of laws prepared by Draco for the government of Athens? A. They were said to have been written in blood, every offence being punished with death.
14. Q. Who drew a new constitution, repealing the harsh edicts of Draco, and what was the effect upon Athens? A. Solon. Athens prospered under his wise management.
15. Q. What tyrants subsequently governed Athens? A. Pisistratus, and his sons, Hippias and Hipparchus.
16. Q. After the assassination of Hipparchus and the banishment of Hippias, what form of government was established in Athens by Cleisthenes as archon? A. A democracy.
17. Q. What brought about the Persian wars near the beginning of the fifth century? A. The attempt of Cyrus, the King of Persia, to punish Athens for assisting the Ionian cities of Asia Minor in throwing off the Persian yoke.
18. Q. What was the result of the first expedition against Greece, sent out under Mardonius, the son-in-law of Darius? A. The land troops were defeated in Thrace, and the fleet was shattered while rounding Mount Athos.
19. Q. In what famous battle were the Persians defeated on a second expedition against Greece? A. The battle of Marathon, the victorious forces being commanded by Miltiades.
20. Q. After the death of Miltiades what two generals associated with him at Marathon came to be the leading men in Athens? A. Themistocles and Aristides.
21. Q. Under whom was the third invasion of Greece by the Persians attempted? A. Under Xerxes, the son and successor of Darius, with over a million soldiers.
22. Q. At what place were the Persian hosts held in check by a small band of Greeks under Leonidas, a Spartan? A. At the pass of Thermopylæ.
23. Q. On the third day, a traitor having pointed out a mountain path by which the Persians gained the rear of the Greeks, what was the fate of Leonidas? A. He, with three hundred Spartans and seven hundred Thespians, perished, fighting to the last.
24. Q. What leading city of Greece did the army of Xerxes burn? A. Athens.
25. Q. In what naval contest were the Persians soon after totally defeated? A. The battle of Salamis.
26. Q. On the same day of the battle of Salamis what contest occurred at the island of Sicily? A. The battle of Himera, in which the Carthaginian forces under Hamilcar were utterly routed by Gelo, the tyrant of Syracuse.
27. Q. In the following year what land and what naval battles gave the final death blow to the Persian rule in Europe? A. Platæa and Mycale.
28. Q. What league was formed to keep the Persians out of the Ægean? A. A league called the Confederation of Delos, the different states annually contributing to Athens a certain number of ships, or a fixed sum of money for the support of the navy.
29. Q. After the banishment of Themistocles and the death of Aristides, who were the leading men at Athens? A. Pericles and Cimon.
30. Q. To all students of Grecian literature, who must always appear as the central figure of Grecian history? A. Pericles.
31. Q. What is the period during which Pericles ruled Athens called? A. The Age of Pericles.
32. Q. During the latter part of the life of Pericles what war broke out in Greece, which lasted twenty-seven years? A. The Peloponnesian war in which nearly all the states of Greece took part, Athens and Sparta being on opposite sides.
33. Q. What was the plan for the conduct of the war on either side? A. The Spartan plan was to invade and desolate Attica, while that of Athens was to ravage the coast of the Peloponnesus with its fleet.
34. Q. While the citizens of Attica were seeking protection within the walls of Athens, what leader died during the pestilence that followed? A. Pericles.
35. Q. Who was chief among the demagogues that now arose in Athens? A. Cleon, a cruel, arrogant boaster, who gained power by flattering the populace.
36. Q. What was the fate of Platæa during this war? A. It was besieged by the Spartans, and when those defending the city surrendered every man was put to death and the city razed to the ground.
37. Q. After peace had been established, by the influence of what demagogue was the bloody contest renewed? A. By the influence of Alcibiades, a young nobleman, the nephew of Pericles and pupil of Socrates.
38. Q. What naval expedition was fitted out at the instance of Alcibiades, and with what result? A. An expedition against Sicily. The Athenian ships were defeated, and the troops attempting to flee by land were overtaken and forced to surrender.
39. Q. Before the final defeat of the expedition, to what rival city had Alcibiades given his support upon being summoned to Athens to answer charges that had been brought against him? A. To Sparta.
40. Q. How was the Peloponnesian war ended? A. By the surrender of Athens and her fleet, and the destruction of her long walls.
41. Q. By whom was Athens now for a time ruled? A. An oligarchy of thirty persons. After they had ruled only eight months the Athenian exiles returned in arms, overthrew the tyrants, and re-established a democratic government.
42. Q. What is meant by the “Retreat of the Ten Thousand” in Grecian history? A. The march of ten thousand Greeks from the heart of the Persian empire through a hostile country back to Greece.
43. Q. What battle, under what general resulted in the overthrow of Spartan rule, and made Thebes the chief city in Greece? A. The battle of Leuctra, the Theban army being led by Epaminondas.
44. Q. At what place did Epaminondas fight his last battle and die in the moment of victory? A. At Mantinea.
45. Q. When Philip came to the throne of Macedon, to what end did he bend every energy of his mind? A. To becoming the head of all Greece.
46. Q. What wars grew out of Philip’s scheme? A. The Sacred wars.
47. Q. At what battle did the Macedonian phalanx annihilate the armies of Thebes and Athens? A. The battle of Chæronea.
48. Q. What befell Philip as he was preparing to lead an army into Persia? A. He was assassinated at his daughter’s marriage feast.
49. Q. Who succeeded Philip, and by his conquests established a vast empire in Asia? A. His son, Alexander.
50. Q. Soon after the death of Alexander, among whom was his empire divided? A. Among his principal generals.
51. Q. What is the specific object of the “Preparatory Greek Course in English?” A. To put into the hands of readers the means of accomplishing, so far as this can be done in English, the same course of study in Greek as that prescribed for those who are preparing to enter college.
52. Q. Of what three most famous peoples in the world are the Greeks one? A. The Jews, the Greeks, and the Romans.
53. Q. By what name did the Greeks speak of themselves, and what was their name for the land in which they lived? A. Hellenes, and Hellas was their name for the land in which they lived.
54. Q. When trustworthy history begins, what were the three chief divisions of the Hellenic stock? A. The Dorians, the Æolians, and the Ionians.
55. Q. For what two things is the literature of Greece equally remarkable? A. For its matter and for its form.
56. Q. What is there remarkable about the form of Greek literature? A. There never has been elsewhere in the world so much written approaching so nearly to ideal perfection in form as among the Greeks.
57. Q. In what department of literature do we without reserve have to acknowledge the supremacy of the Greeks? A. In eloquence, and in the literature of rhetoric, of taste, and of criticism.
58. Q. What is the golden age of Greek literature, Greek art, and Greek arms? A. The age of Pericles.
59. Q. What do we know of the pronunciation of their language by the ancient Greeks? A. Nobody knows with certainty exactly how the ancient Greeks pronounced their language.
60. Q. What has been the general rule for scholars in the pronunciation of Greek? A. To pronounce somewhat according to the analogy of their own vernacular.
61. Q. What attempt, only partially successful, has recently been made to introduce uniformity in the pronunciation of Greek? A. To secure the common adoption of the pronunciation prevalent in Greece at the present day.
62. Q. What four Greek grammars are mentioned as perhaps the best? A. Hadley’s, Goodwin’s, Crosby’s and Sophocles’.
63. Q. To what source of Greek learning do all these manuals acknowledge their indebtedness? A. To German sources of Greek learning.
64. Q. Who is the most recent of the great German authorities in Greek grammar? A. Curtius.
65. Q. In what dialect are the books chiefly written from which the selections are taken in making up Greek readers? A. The Attic dialect.
66. Q. How many chief dialects were there of the Greek language, and how were they created? A. There were three—the Ionic, the Doric and the Attic—created in part by differences of age, and in part by difference of country.
67. Q. In whose writings is the Ionic dialect exemplified, and how is it characterized? A. In the writings of Homer and Herodotus, and is characterized by fluent sweetness to the ear.
68. Q. In what dialect were the most of the greatest works in Greek literature composed? A. The Attic.
69. Q. What are some of the distinguishing features of the Attic dialect? A. It is the neatest, most cultivated and most elegant of all the varieties of Greek speech.
70. Q. To whom are the fables commonly attributed that are generally found in Greek readers? A. To Æsop.
71. Q. Who made the collection of fables that go under Æsop’s name? A. They are mainly the collection of a monk of the fourteenth century.
72. Q. What are the names of some of the eminent persons about whom anecdotes are usually related in the collections found in Greek readers? A. Diogenes, Plato, Zeno, Solon, Alexander, and Philip of Macedon.
73. Q. What Greek writer of the second century after Christ is more or less quoted from in the ordinary Greek reader? A. Lucian.
74. Q. What famous dialogues did he write? A. Dialogues of the dead.
75. Q. Of what have these dialogues been the original? A. Of several justly admired imitations.
76. Q. In what direction did Lucian exercise his wit? A. In ridiculing paganism.
77. Q. What are some of the kinds of other matter that goes to make up the Greek reader? A. Bits of natural history and fragments of mythology.
78. Q. From what work of Xenophon do Greek readers often embrace extracts? A. His “Memorabilia of Socrates.”
79. Q. What was the design of this work? A. To vindicate the memory of Socrates from the charges of impiety and of corrupting influence exerted on the Athenian youth, under which he had suffered the penalty of death.
80. Q. What is the plan of the work largely? A. To relate what Socrates did actually teach.
81. Q. What work by a Christian writer did pagan Socrates in large part anticipate? A. “Natural Theology,” by Paley.
82. Q. What was the chief characteristic trait of the method of Socrates in teaching? A. His art in asking questions.
83. Q. What is the book usually adopted in sequel to the reader for giving students their Greek preparation to enter college? A. Xenophon’s “Anabasis.”
84. Q. In what two respects is this work highly interesting? A. First, as a specimen of literary art, and second, as strikingly illustrative of the Greek spirit and character.
85. Q. What is the meaning of the word “Anabasis?” A. “A march upward,” that is, from the sea.
86. Q. Of what is the book an account? A. Of an expedition by Cyrus the Younger into Central Asia, and the retreat of the Greek part of his army.
87. Q. Who accompanied Cyrus on this expedition? A. An oriental army of about 100,000, and a body of Greeks numbering about 13,000.
88. Q. What was the object of this invasion on the part of Cyrus? A. To obtain possession of the Persian throne, occupied by his brother, Artaxerxes.
89. Q. In what does the main interest of the Anabasis as a narrative lie? A. Rather in the retreat than in the advance.
90. Q. From what does the whole matter of the famous advance and retreat of the ten thousand derive grave secondary importance? A. From the fact that it resulted in revealing to Greece the essential weakness and vulnerability of the imposing Persian empire.
91. Q. When was Xenophon, the author, born, and with whom was he not far from contemporary? A. He was born about 431 B. C., being thus not far from contemporary with the Hebrew prophet Malachi.
92. Q. What did Xenophon’s presence of mind and practical wisdom give him in the retreat? A. A kind of leadership which he maintained until a prosperous issue was reached on the shores of Greece.
93. Q. Among the other chief works of Xenophon what one is prominent? A. The “Cyropædia.”
94. Q. What was the starting point of the expedition related in the Anabasis? A. Sardis.
95. Q. During the march what city did the army plunder where four hundred years later the Apostle Paul was born? A. Tarsus.
96. Q. When they reached the river Euphrates what did Cyrus openly tell the Greek captains as to the object of the expedition? A. That he was marching to Babylon against the great king Artaxerxes.
97. Q. What was the result of this disclosure when made to the men? A. They felt, or feigned, much displeasure, but by lavish promises the majority were prevailed upon to adhere to Cyrus.
98. Q. What Persian commander among the forces proved a traitor and met with a tragic death? A. Orentes.
99. Q. Where did the armies of Cyrus and Artaxerxes finally encounter each other? A. At Cunaxa.
100. Q. In what way did Cyrus meet with his death? A. While engaged in a personal contest with Artaxerxes Cyrus was struck with a javelin under the eye and slain.