C. L. S. C. WORK.
By Rev. J. H. VINCENT, D.D., Superintendent of Instruction.
Memorial Days for February: “Special Sunday,” February 10. Read Psalm xix—an exquisite poem about the Works and the Word of God. “Longfellow Day,” Wednesday, February 27.
The office will send out free to all members of the Circle, within a few weeks, a copy of “Memorial Days of the C. L. S. C.,” with readings for those days.
Required Readings for February: “Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation,” by J. B. Walker, completed; Chautauqua Text-Books—No. 21, “American History,” No. 24, “Canadian History;” “How to Get Strong, and How to Stay So;” Required Readings in The Chautauquan in “American History and Literature,” “Physical Sciences,” “Commercial Law,” “Arts, Artists and their Masterpieces,” with “Sunday Readings.”
Concerning the life of Milton, the following information is received from a distinguished Professor of English Literature in one of the great universities of America: “The book you ask for is ‘Milton,’ by Mark Patterson, B.D., Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford. It is in the ‘English Men of Letters’ series, edited by John Morley. It is pleasantly written, interesting, animated, and to the point. A very large work is the ‘Life of Milton in connection with the History of the Times,’ by David Mason, M.A., LL.D., Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature in the University of Edinburgh.”
In the organization and conduct of Local Circles, there are developed many ingenious and useful schemes, devices, exercises, etc. I shall always be glad to receive suggestions from persons who devise and test such novelties of method.
A California friend writes: “There are doubtless many reading the C. L. S. C. Course who have not the advantage of Local Circles, and who, beside, have no friends who are interested in the work with whom they might correspond. Why would it not be a good plan to form a C. L. S. C. Correspondence Circle for such as wish to improve themselves in that way?” Persons desiring such correspondence may send their names, with postoffice addresses, to Miss K. F. Kimball, Plainfield, N. J.
Members of the C. L. S. C. in Plymouth, Massachusetts, have sent a fragment of Plymouth rock, which is to be attached with great care to the banner-staff of the C. L. S. C. Our correspondent says: “Perhaps it would be of interest to members of the C. L. S. C. in general to know that the rock is said by geologists to have been brought here from the far north during the glacial period, and is the only one of its kind on the coast.” Our correspondent adds: “Our Circle received with much pleasure your proposal for the C. L. S. C. picnic at Plymouth in 1884, and are ready to enter into any plan which you may suggest.” We hope to have that picnic in June.
A New England woman writes: “I know mothers with from four to six little children, who take the Chautauqua course, and find that economized time is a gain in all things, while their homes are as scrupulously tidy, and their social relations as well sustained, as if they had not undertaken it.”
An old lady 68 years of age dreads “the examination of the C. L. S. C.” Does she not know, or will not some one tell her that, while we desire thoroughness of work, and while we do provide a university course with rigid examinations for those who are qualified to attempt it, the C. L. S. C. does not require any “examination” whatever? It requires the reading of certain books, and the statement to the central office that they have been read. It also desires the filling out of certain memoranda which are not in any sense examination papers. Let us encourage the fearful, that they may join the Circle, prosecute the readings, catch the inspiration, receive the diploma, and continue through the coming years to read the appointed books!
A distinguished educator and personal friend of other years, resident in Kingston, Jamaica, writes: “I think I have hit on the way to introduce reading matter into the homes of our peasantry. In some districts where a minister or intelligent schoolmaster will take hold of the affair, I get a number of people, (from ten to twenty) to subscribe one shilling (twenty-five cents) each. With this money I send for a number of illustrated monthly papers, costing with postage, two shillings each per annum. These are circulated among the subscribers, each keeping the paper a week. In the course of the year I get the reading of what would otherwise have cost ten shillings to secure. Many that could not be induced to pay two shillings for the exclusive use of one would venture upon one shilling for the privilege of reading many papers.”
D. Lothrop & Co. consent to make an edition of “The Hall in the Grove” at seventy-five cents, binding it in strong manilla cover, for the use of the C. L. S. C., which decision enables us to retain “The Hall in the Grove” on our list.
A good housewife writes: “My fall work out door is about done. My corn is all gathered, and the two pigs are ready for killing. As soon as it is colder I shall be ready to go to work in earnest. You would laugh to see me at work in the garden, about my potatoes and onions, and then coming in, getting dinner and making my toilet, taking my embroidery and sitting down to earn a few cents beside what I can raise. Agriculture, science and art, are in reality connected. Then there is a basket of Christmas gifts yet to make for the Sunday-school children, by myself, and I have just done re-papering a small room that I may read, write, and work with comfort. I buried my aged husband September 23. He was nearly 84 years old. We were nearly forty years married.”
All new Circles should report at once to the C. L. S. C. office, Plainfield, N. J.; and if any of the members know of Circles not reported, please send names and address of the officers at once. We are anxious to get all the Local Circles on our list.
The number of class 1884 enrolled was about 7,000; motto, “Press forward—He conquers who wills;” badge old gold. Class 1885 numbers about 6,000; the president writes that the motto will probably be, “We press on, reaching after those things which are before;” badge lavender. Class 1886 numbers over 14,000; motto, “We study for light to bless with light;” badge white. Class 1887 numbers about 12,000 at present, and “still they come;” motto, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee;” badge blue.
