Michigan (Flushing).—Our class, the “Hope Society,” has a membership of twenty-two. We meet once a week at the residence of each member in turn. The meeting is opened by singing and prayer, and at roll-call of members each one responds with some Scripture text or literary gem. We have a committee of arrangements, consisting of nine persons, to plan work for the class and prepare such questions as they think best. Three of them take the work each alternate week. We have also a committee on entertainments to procure lecturers and look to the social interest of the work. We do our reading at home, and meet to review, recite, suggest, and encourage each other, and our rules require an essay a week from some one of the class. This is our third year and we are working with increasing enthusiasm. One young man walks seven miles nearly every week to attend the meeting. We keep all the memorial days, and pray always, God bless Chautauqua.
Michigan (Sault St. Marie).—The Rev. L. T. Eastendy writes: We have fifteen members in our local circle. We meet once a week. We have done October’s work, interchanging in the schedule “Preparatory Greek Course” and “History of Greece.” My wife, daughter and I enjoy our home circle very much. I have just closed my seventeen years pastorate with the Presbyterian church here, on account of ill health, and hope now to enjoy this work and do good in it.
Michigan (Detroit.)—Five years ago a circle was formed here, with Mrs. A. L. Clarke as president. Our officers are elected once a year. They consist of a president, vice president, critic, treasurer, recording and corresponding secretaries. Three committees attend to the business of preparing the program for each evening, and the celebration of the memorial days, and are appointed by the president every three months. The instruction committee consists of five members, and apportions the work among the members. The music committee, consisting of six members, arranges the musical program for each evening. The entertainment committee consists of eight persons, who arrange the program for the socials, and take charge of the refreshments. The circle meets weekly on Thursday evenings. Meeting called to order at eight o’clock. Music, either vocal or instrumental opens the meeting pleasantly. The recording secretary reads the minutes of the preceding meeting. The critic’s report follows, and the work of the evening is then begun, on subjects assigned to members. The subject may be treated in the form of an essay, short lecture, black-board illustration, or a preparation to answer any questions that may be asked. All members are expected to take the subjects assigned them by the instruction committee. During the evening we have a recess of fifteen or twenty minutes, when new members are welcomed and introduced, and the committees can assign the work for the next meeting. After recess the program is finished, and the meeting is closed at 10 p. m., with more music. We try to have a lecture by some popular speaker at least once a month. Thus far we have had lectures from Dr. Yemans on “Geology;” Dr. Taylor, Post Surgeon at Fort Wayne, on “Storms and their Causes;” Mr. Hawley, on “Rain, Hail and Snow;” Mr. Taylor, on “Geology,” and Rev. George D. Baker, on “God’s hand in American History.” After the lecture opportunity is given to members to ask questions on any points not quite clear to them. Besides the regular meetings we celebrate the memorial days by giving a reception to the members and friends of the C. L. S. C. at the house of the president or of some member. The entertainment consists of music, a sketch of the poet’s life, and reading of selections from his works; refreshments and conversation complete the evening. In the summer, picnics are given by the members, and when the wintry days are come, the Chautauquans sometimes go sleigh-riding. Drawn thus together we form a most harmonious band. Our circle at present consists of eighty-one members, thirty-three of whom are general members. Nearly all of these have joined us since September, 1881. The first four years the circle met in the rooms of the Y. M. C. A., and averaged about thirty for each year. In September, 1882, it was decided to rent the “Conservatory of Music Hall,” it being a larger hall and nearer the central portion of the city. We have had no cause to regret the action taken, as the meetings are so well attended, and the members are so thoroughly instructed in the work. Our circle is composed of persons who range in age from fifteen to sixty-five years, and of many different lands and callings; physicians, lawyers, teachers, clerks, and busy housewives clasp hands in one grand and glorious circle. Eight diplomas were awarded to members last year. Several of these graduates are now working for seals upon their diplomas. Death has deprived us of but one member, Miss Ida Ashley, who was so faithful, earnest and persevering. She finished her studies while lying upon what proved to be her death bed. Her diploma came just before she passed to her eternal home, and her memory will ever be revered in our circle.
Missouri (Carthage).—Our circle was organized last April with five members. Officers elected under forms of constitution in C. L. S. C. Hand Book. Applications and fees for membership sent Miss Kimball for class of 1886. We appointed weekly meetings at the homes of members and spent three hours at each meeting reading Knight’s “English History,” and review papers enlarging upon the main topics and prominent characters, with a few moments given to criticisms and report of general news items of interest. June 1, in connection with the literary societies of this city, we organized a Carthage Literary Association, membership forty or more, all ladies, and held a “Longfellow Memorial Meeting,” a highly entertaining and profitable occasion, being entirely of a literary character. The members of the C. L. S. C. are now pursuing the year’s course with renewed zeal, and we number seventeen regular members. A class conductor is appointed for each week. Papers of an interesting and creditable character are read relating to the Greek heroes, both real and mythical, one member giving a prose recitation from memory of the “Iliad” and “Odyssey,” also Sophocles’ “King Œdipus.” We are now preparing for a Miltonian memorial. Our only regret is that we did not fall into C. L. S. C. line earlier. We would give a hearty God bless Dr. Vincent and Chautauqua.
Minnesota (Worthington).—The following is the program for a meeting of the circle in this town held Monday, December 11, 1882: (1) Music, “Chautauqua Song;” (2) Essay, Mrs. Cramer, “Early Greek Historians;” (3) Music; (4) Greek History, Text Book, Secs. 1 and 2; (5) Music; (6) Greek History, October Chautauquan, Q. 51-75; (7) Music; (8) Essay, Miss Mott, “The Labors of Hercules;” (9) Music, “A Song of To-day.”