CLASS OF 1885.—“THE INVINCIBLES.”
“Press on, reaching after those things which are before.”
OFFICERS.
President—J. B. Underwood, Meriden, Conn.
Vice President—C. M. Nichols, Springfield, Ohio.
Treasurer—Miss Carrie Hart, Aurora, Ind.
Secretary—Miss M. M. Canfield, Washington, D. C.
Executive Committee—Officers of the class.
Class badges may be procured of either President or Treasurer.
The thousands of men and women who belong to the Chautauqua Class of 1885 are beginning, we think, to feel the pressure of the responsibility of their position—which is something more than that which has rested upon the shoulders of their honored predecessors; that the expectations of the Chautauqua public are becoming higher, year by year; that what was equal to the great occasion in former years will not meet the hopes that will be entertained by the masses of people who will be gathered on the grounds this year. The readings must not only be faithfully and intelligently completed, so that the diplomas may be earned and received, but it should be the purpose of every member to answer, entire, the list of questions submitted, and answer them correctly. And an organized attempt should be made to secure the attendance of all members of the class who can possibly be present on Commencement day. We should have a larger class present in front of the Golden Gate than has ever appeared in that conspicuous place. Members should commence their preparations at once, and so arrange matters as to enable them to do their part in swelling the ranks of a class which is to honor itself by the work of the year, and by the demonstration of strength and spirit which shall bring it to the front at the supreme hour!
For Chautauqua is growing! And its career is onward, and upward, and outward! It has planted itself in hundreds of cities and villages throughout the land, and in some other lands, and in thousands of social circles it has shown an influence and potency that is not only wholesome, but inspiring and wonderful. Well may the class of 1885 sing in behalf of the whole fraternity:
“No pent-up Utica contracts our powers;
The whole boundless continent is ours!”
And the whole world, too! For Chautauqua is not only reaching outward, in all countries, but the peoples of all climes and zones are beginning to reach toward Chautauqua. Her representatives have their hands upon the machinery which moves many of the country’s most important enterprises; the new administration could not carry on its work without Chautauquans, and we can not now tell whereunto this great thing will grow. For the end is not yet. Chautauqua has only made a fair beginning. Let us hope that Dr. Vincent and Mr. Lewis Miller will live to experience a long series of annual surprises at the wonderful developments and achievements of Chautauqua!
The work of generating, cultivating, and executing the first of these surprises belongs to the class of ’85. Classes of former years have done so well that it will require thought, and effort, and scheming, and coöperation, and energetic pushing on the part of our class to do better! There must be hard studying, and close figuring on expenses, and a vast deal of management, and a world of rallying and enthusiastic work, if we are to have the best and the largest of classes at the foot of the Chautauqua Acropolis this year! But let us have it! Let the ’Eighty-Fivers, of all classes, sexes and colors, flock toward Chautauqua early in August, from Oregon, and California, and Texas, and Florida, and Canada, and England, and China, and India, and the Soudan, with a common impulse, and inspiration, and a common purpose to honor their alma mater and the cause of popular, intellectual and moral culture, and growth, and progress, which she represents.
Notes From Members.—One lady, mother of two little children, writes: “I only wish every young mother in this land could see her way clear to try this course, not only for her own pleasure, but the influence it would have on her home.”
Another from Massachusetts, “the solitary ’85” in a circle of fourteen, writes: “I read alone for a year, then succeeded in starting a circle. I have had some advantages of education, but this C. L. S. C. has made my life very different from what it would have been without it.”
From Philadelphia, likewise, report comes of good work by the ’85s, who organized the “Ivy” circle of that city.
An “Invincible” asks, “Why can not the class of ’85 have a seal for reading the course of biographies, etc., which was provided for the ’84s last year?”
A classmate now residing in Kansas challenges all his fellow-students that, being born in the year in which the battle of Waterloo was fought, he is the oldest—no, the youngest, who will claim his diploma this year among the “Invincibles.” Does any one dispute the honor? His letter, together with many others, will be read at our class gatherings at Chautauqua, the coming season. Let us all be there.
Those of the ’85s who can not possibly be at Chautauqua this summer, but who can visit, if for only one day, Ocean Grove, N. J., will be pleased to learn that during the Sunday-school Assembly exercises at that popular resort, C. L. S. C. Recognition services will be held, July 29th, and then those who have won their parchments can not only obtain them, but also hear eloquent words of congratulation from Dr. Vincent, who has consented to be present. All who expect to be present, and desire their diplomas, should send their names immediately to the Rev. E. H. Stokes, D.D., the president of Ocean Grove, or the Rev. B. B. Loomis, Superintendent of Instruction for Ocean Grove Assembly, at Troy, N. Y.
It is proposed that the “Invincibles,” after their graduating exercises are over, publish in a small volume the Baccalaureate Sermon by Chancellor Vincent, Oration by Bishop Warren, Class Poem by Mrs. Frank Beard, the Memorabilia of the Class Meetings, and whatever else may be deemed of interest. Such a book could be issued and bound in cloth, in class colors, for fifty cents each, or seventy-five cents in gilt edges, if (500) five hundred copies are desired. If enough names are received by Miss M. M. Canfield, our secretary, Washington, D. C., before July 1st, arrangements will be made to issue the book.
Many inquiries are still made, notwithstanding several explanations have been given in this column, as to the purpose of the class fund. It is that we may present to our alma mater a suitable remembrance of the “Invincibles.” Just what it shall be will be decided by the class at Chautauqua, at such time as the largest representation may be on the grounds. Every true ’85 should send their contribution at once to Miss Carrie Hart, Treas., Aurora, Ind, as it is very desirable to have as little of this business to do at Chautauqua as possible; we want all the moments then for the ever-to-be-remembered “good time coming,” when we meet as a class at the Hall in the Grove.
The Rev. J. H. Vincent, D.D., Chancellor of the Chautauqua University, will conduct Recognition services for the benefit of ’85s who can not be at Chautauqua, at Ocean Grove, N. J., July 29th, and at Framingham Assembly in July—date to be announced in next Chautauquan.