The Chautauquan, Vol. 04, December 1883Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
History
The Chautauquan, Vol. 04, December 1883
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
Chautauqua Institution -- Periodicals; Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle -- Periodicals
Rev. Mr. Milligan, of old St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church, followed with
an earnest, practical address on “How to Read Books.” He impressed upon
his hearers the fact that books are made for man, and not man for books,
and that it is possible for us to abuse the gift of books by becoming
literary ceremonialists, just as we can abuse any other good thing. Every
investment we make in relation to books should be made with a definite
purpose, and should make us richer. In our reading, too, we should have
something more ultimate in view than the mere book; we should endeavor to
ponder and reflect on the subject which it treats. In this way we become
thinkers, and thinking becomes a necessity, and the mind and memory are
enriched and strengthened. Mr. Milligan expressed his hearty coöperation
and sympathy with the Chautauqua scheme, and his pleasure that it is
associated with the churches. A brief round-table conference followed
the addresses, in which thought and experience were interchanged, and
inquiries as to the methods and progress of the Chautauqua Idea were
answered by the president, and by the Canadian secretary, Mr. Peake. The
local press is doing good work in bringing the advantages of the scheme
before its readers, and public interest is awakening in all directions in
regard to it.
SUNBEAMS FROM THE CIRCLE.
C. L. S. C. class of ’87 sends out the following circular to its members:
_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
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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