An institution which began that year and has been perpetuated must not be omitted--the Devotional Conference. Both of the Founders of Chautauqua were strong in their purpose to hold the Christian religion ever in the forefront at the Assembly. Various plans were tried during the early years, but none seemed to reach the constituency of Chautauqua until Dr. Benjamin M. Adams, at Dr. Vincent's request, began holding a daily service of an hour. This attracted a large attendance and was continued for a number of years, as long as Dr. Adams could conduct it. Afterward an arrangement was made which has become permanent. Every season a series of eminent clergymen are engaged, each to serve for one week as chaplain. He preaches the Sunday morning sermon in the Amphitheater, and on the following five days at ten o'clock conducts the Devotional Hour in the same place, giving a series of discourses, Bible readings, or addresses. The speaker of each week is a man of national or international fame. The greatest preachers in the American pulpit have spoken at this service, and the audience is surpassed in numbers only by the most popular lectures or concerts. Many there are who deem this the most precious hour in the day. FOOTNOTE: [1] After Dr. Vincent's title was changed to "Chancellor of the Chautauqua University" that form was used; and in his absence the President said instead "as representing the Chancellor of the Chautauqua University." CHAPTER XIV SOME STORIES OF THE C. L. S. C. (1883, 1884) WE must hasten our steps through the passing years at Chautauqua. Our readers may take for granted that the regular departments were continued; that the Summer Schools were adding new courses and calling new professors; that the Normal Class for the training of Sunday School workers was still held, no longer in the section-tents nor in the Children's Temple, but under a large tent on an elevation where two years later was to stand the Normal Hall, built for the class, but after some years transferred first to the Musical Department, later to the Summer Schools and partitioned into class-rooms. The Children's Class was still held by Dr. B. T. Vincent and Professor Frank Beard, for our friend with the crayon was now in the faculty of the School of Art in Syracuse University.