CLASS OF 1888.—“THE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.”
“Let us be seen by our deeds.”
CLASS ORGANIZATION.
President—The Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D., Boston, Mass.
Vice Presidents—Prof. W. N. Ellis, 108 Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.; the Rev. Wm. G. Roberts, Bellevue, Ohio.
Secretary—Miss M. E. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio.
Treasurer—Miss M. E. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio.
All items for this column should be sent, in condensed form, to the Rev. C. C. McLean, St. Augustine, Florida.
The “Chautauqua Quartette,” Avon, Indiana, organized December 5, 1884, writes: “We are four country girls, living two to three miles apart, but hold weekly meetings, alternately, at our homes.”
In Harlem, N. Y., is a class of seven, organized October 1, 1884. The secretary writes: “Each member in turn takes charge, assigning lessons and questioning the class.” In addition to the required study they take some prominent author, giving biography and quoting from works.
From Portland, Maine, we learn that they have a large and interesting circle, meeting semi-monthly.
The “Castalian,” of Philadelphia, ten members, was organized October, 1884. This circle thinks too many members make each other timid, and therefore advocates many circles of few members. They are fortunate in having a president who makes chemical experiments.
A flourishing circle of fifty members was organized in Batavia, New York, October, 1884.
The Rev. J. D. Gillilan, of Toocle, Utah, writes that “here among the Mormons a class of three is formed; one of the number was a Mormon when he joined the circle, but has since united himself with the M. E. Church.” There is a flourishing circle in Salt Lake City.
The “Wilkesbarre” circle, of Wilkesbarre, Pa., was organized October, 1884, with sixty members. This circle meets every alternate week, each member responding to roll call with a quotation from the “readings.” A physician makes fine experiments in chemistry.
A circle has been organized in Topeka, Kan., with thirty members. The secretary says: “Most of us are busy girls, figuring as teachers, office and store clerks, but find time to take the reading course thoroughly, and hope to graduate with the 88s.”
Kansas.—“I am well pleased with our class motto and name. I am a sculptor by profession and wish a higher aim, a sculptor of life, for I have caught that angel vision. I am pursuing my studies with energy and enthusiasm, and life to me is more pleasant since I have taken up the course. Whenever I feel vexed and comfortless I only need to read over Chancellor Vincent’s articles in The Chautauquan for encouragement.”
From Buffalo, Pa., a friend says that “all dislike the Class name, and desire it changed.”
Toronto, Canada, raises a protesting voice against our name, saying, “I am well aware of the fact that the name stands on history’s page as a synonym for grand and noble qualities, but I am forced nevertheless to object to it on account of its ‘fowl’ association. Could we not have a name unwinged, unplumed, and of no marketable value.”
One of the ’88s, who is reading alone, tells us, “In the study of the past four months I have received more instruction and enjoyment than in any amount of the general reading done in the same number of years.”
“Vincent” circle, of Portland, Maine, sends us an interesting program of a meeting held January 16th. A most exquisite Plymouth Rock engraving graces its first page.
“Longfellow” circle, of Eastern Promontory, Portland, Maine, sends us their constitution and by-laws, including the names of its 103 members.
Kansas.—I am pursuing the course alone, and feel that I need the stimulus of outside aid and correspondence. Since my school days were over my reading has been of too miscellaneous a character to result in the profit it should have done. I am enjoying the Greek History and the Preparatory Course very much. My husband has been brushing up his knowledge of the Greek language, and comes to my assistance occasionally, so it is a source of profit to him as well. Even my eleven-year-old boy has caught the spirit, and begs me to mark all the battles for him to read, and is learning the Greek alphabet. I am pleased with the name of our class—“The Plymouth Rocks.” My ancestors were among those that landed on the bleak old Rock, and I know something of the sturdy perseverance and uprightness of their character. I can only hope that the “mantle” of those old pilgrims will fall upon us as “Plymouth Rocks,” and that, like them, we may grow strong in wisdom and goodness.