From Cincinnati we have an encouraging account of the good things the circles have been enjoying there. The topics discussed at their Round-Table are particularly good. “The second Round-Table of the C. L. S. C. of Cincinnati and vicinity was held at Christie Chapel on April 22. An essay was read on ‘Stray Leaves from a Chautauqua Journal,’ and one on ‘Tent Life at Chautauqua.’ Then followed some impromptu talks on Chautauqua, and some experiences, amusing and otherwise, were related. The second topic of the evening was ‘The advantages of the study of the classics in the original, and as we study them in translations, in the C. L. S. C. Course.’ The discussion of this was fully participated in by the members, and a goodly meed of praise was given to the C. L. S. C. Classical Course. On April 24, at the invitation of the Grace Church Circle, the other circles were treated to a very fine lecture by their pastor, Rev. A. L. Reynolds. His subject was, ‘The Survival of the Fittest.’ The fifth annual reunion of the C. L. S. C. of Cincinnati and vicinity was held at Grace M. E. Church on Friday evening, May 9. It was a most enjoyable affair, and brought together members from some sixteen circles in and around the city, including Cheviot, Elmwood, Madisonville, Athens and Ironton, Ohio, and Covington and Newport in Kentucky.”
A very delightful thing it is to have a C. L. S. C. home, a room that belongs to your circle, where you may surround yourself with the emblems, mottoes and banners of your brotherhood, and with the implements for successful work. Such a home belongs to the circle of Lima, Ind., of which they write: “We have a large and handsome room for our meetings. At present it is modestly furnished, but money is in the treasury to be used in making the room more attractive with bright rugs, fanciful screens and pictures.” This circle succeeded in doubling its numbers last summer by holding a Chautauqua reception, at which the attractiveness of the work was so well shown that no trouble was experienced in increasing the circle.
Petersburg, Ind., reports a circle of seven members; Rushville, Ind., one of twenty-two; and Liberty, Ind., one of eleven. All three are energetic, faithful bodies, up in their readings, loyal to the customs of the C. L. S. C., and full of enthusiasm.
A brief history of “Alpha Circle,” of Quincy, Ill., has lately been sent us. This circle was formed in January, 1883, with thirteen members. Eleven were added the following season. At the close of the studies in June, 1883, a literary and musical feast was prepared at the home of one of the members. Fifty invitations were sent out to the members and interested friends of the circle. A public meeting was held in September, for the purpose of explaining the objects and aims of the Circle, and an effort was made to organize others. At least two societies resulted from this meeting: the ‘Beta’ Circle, composed entirely of ladies; they are great workers, and are giving the subjects very thorough attention; beside this, a small circle has been organized in the neighboring township—Melrose. The circle has had several little excursions, etc., and spent the fourth of July most delightfully in the woods on Bredewig’s Alps. The ‘Alpha’ and ‘Beta’ Circles joined in observing Longfellow’s day. Seventy-five invitations were sent out to friends, and the program was highly interesting. The meetings of the circle are very interesting.
Alton, Ill., also has a circle with a steady membership of twelve.
On Longfellow’s day the three circles at Sycamore, Ill., held a delightful service in the poet’s honor; essays, music and recitations made up the program. One of the circles at Sycamore reports: “Our first meeting was held November 14, 1882, when we organized a class with twelve members; now we have sixteen, four of whom are local members only. We have good officers and most of our class are doing very thorough work, though we are nearly all busy housekeepers and mothers. We grow more and more in love with the work. We have lively and free discussions on all topics studied, and meet every week, rain or shine.” The “Dunlap” local circle was organized in the fall of 1883, and consists of some thirty members, mostly of the class of ’87, but with two members who have completed the four years’ course. Considerable enthusiasm prevails. Each meeting has been well attended, and all who started in with the course are steadily pursuing it. April 21 a “Shaksperean Social” was held. A program was presented consisting of music, essays and readings. Refreshments were served to some forty members and their friends. Every one went home more enthusiastic Chautauquans than ever. A “Cicero” night was recently held, and a “Virgil” night is the next on the program.
At Memphis, Tenn., the South Memphis local circle of the C. L. S. C. is composed of fourteen active members, beside several who are only local members. There is a good average attendance, and each one takes an active part. The meetings are begun with roll call, followed by reading of minutes, songs, and a full program of essays, readings, and “talks.” These latter are really essays memorized and recited without notes. The circle is very earnest in its work.
A few ladies of Prairieville Center, Mich., belonging to classes 1886 and 1887, would acknowledge some of the pleasure brought into their busy lives by Chautauqua. Last year, as a nucleus, four ladies met once a week, read or held informal conversations on the lesson; now they are officered and dignified by the title of the “Kepler Circle,” including five farmers’ wives, one school teacher and one gentleman—five members, two local. As yet they have had no help, such as observance of memorial days or lectures, but are trying by personal influence to help on the work.
Atlas, Mich., has a live C. L. S. C. organized in March, though several of the members began the course in October. There are eight regular members and ten local ones, who will probably take up the full course next year.
Dr. Vincent has kindly sent us a very remarkable report of the results of the circle work at Detroit, Mich. We have given much of the letter, for it shows vividly how much individual growth oftentimes is due to the thoughtful reading of good books. The writer says of the circle: “Nine persons met on October 1st, and formally organized. The growth both in numbers and interest was small during the first month, but continuing, we have held up to date twenty-one meetings, at which two hundred and twenty-two persons have been present; we keep a record of each evening’s work, and also a visitors’ list, trying to have a visitor each evening, which has generally ended in a new member. We open with singing, responsive reading, roll call with quotations, literary exercises, question box, Round-Table. For the first three months we were obliged to use ‘Gospel Songs,’ but, thanks to Miss Kimball, we now have the Chautauqua song books and are learning to enjoy them. By unanimous consent the responsive service consists of a selection of Scriptures by the leader, each member bringing her Bible. It has been our aim to conduct ‘Pansy’ Circle on as near the Chautauqua principle as possible; now for a few results. At the commencement of this season a neighbor was induced to visit the circle, with the promise of exemption from questions, etc. To-day that lady is a member of the general Circle, and an active member of the local, and from formerly being in such ill health that she was in a fair way of losing her mind, she has now quite recovered, and it is due to the C. L. S. C. Another member, who does not profess religion, was offered a copy of Ingersoll’s works, by a fellow workman, but it was refused, with the statement that he had a better book to read, which proved to be Walker’s ‘Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation.’ That book has done wonders, bringing into active Christian life several hitherto backward ones. Another member told me that having lacked educational advantages, and feeling the need of them, she made it a subject of prayer, but for a long time seemed to have no answer, until an apparently accidental call on a friend discovered to her the C. L. S. C., and now she is one of our most enthusiastic members. There are many other cases worthy of mention, where the C. L. S. C., working like leaven, transforms individuals into active factors in life’s warfare. It is indeed a glorious cause, and I am never weary of sounding its praises. We are a household altogether Chautauquan, singing the songs with our children; indeed, we have a six months’ old girl who will not be quieted by me unless I sing ‘The Winds are Whispering,’ and our boy looks anxiously forward to the time when he can join the Circle. May your life be spared to see the ingathering from the grand Idea.”