Wherever the Board of Trustees hold their annual meetings a lively interest is created, especially among press reporters and in the C. L. S. C. part of the community. In this respect Pittsburgh surpassed any other place ever visited, Jamestown and Cleveland not excepted. On reaching the city it was found that a reception had been arranged by the alumni and members of the Chautauqua Circle, to be held in Christ Church on the evening of the 13th, and that an elaborate program of exercises had been provided. The Rev. Mr. Williams, of the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate, occupied the chair. Music was furnished by Hamilton’s Junior Orchestra. Dr. Hirst, pastor of Christ Church, delivered, in chaste and eloquent language, an address of welcome. Prof. Holmes, Registrar of the Chautauqua University, in reply, spoke at length, explaining its aims and method of operation. President Miller followed in his happiest vein, and made clear the point that the educational scheme of the Circle was well suited to meet the constant and progressive changes ever going forward in society. On being introduced, Dr. Vincent was received by the great audience with a storm of applause. In his own usual taking way he unfolded the principles embraced in the Chautauqua Idea. We deal mostly, he said, with the mature mind that is athirst for knowledge. We make use of practical methods to supply the great want of the day, which is a rational society.
Dr. Flood, editor of The Chautauquan, was presented and spoke for a few moments. The music was fine, the speaking the happiest, and after the formal exercises had closed a season of free social intercourse followed. The power Chautauqua had exerted upon the city of Pittsburgh appeared in the great number present, who rose to their feet as witnesses; and most of the cities of the nation could produce like evidence of its popularity and influence.
The lavish expenditures of money which have been made upon buildings at Chautauqua in the past have created such facilities for work of all kinds that at present nothing further is required in that direction. This was a satisfaction not only to those who have heroically carried heavy financial burdens, but to those who have regretted that they were able to give only their sympathies to the cause. The brief address made by President Miller to the Board of Trustees consisted of a brief and cheery review of the past and a hopeful glance into the future. There is, he said, much yet to be done, sacrifices to be made, for Chautauqua is yet in its infancy, and its enlarged work from year to year will demand increased attention. Secretary Duncan in his annual report informed the trustees that during the past year his receipts had exceeded his expenditures by nearly ten thousand dollars, and that this sum had been used as far as it would go to liquidate the floating debt.
The following written report was presented by Chancellor Vincent:
“For the first time in the history of the Chautauqua Assembly I present to the Board a formal report. This has hitherto seemed to me unnecessary, and you have generously accepted a verbal statement in lieu of a full, official communication. I no longer thus tax your generosity, but under a keen conviction that an important crisis has arrived in our history, I beg leave to lay before you the following statements and suggestions:
“The Chautauqua movement is a marvel even to its projectors. However all-embracing may have been the original conception of our noble president, Mr. Miller, when he proposed a summer gathering in the grove at Chautauqua, the gradually unfolding scheme has been a source of surprise and delight to the world of curious and interested observers.
“Chautauqua in its various departments is a unit. However diverse the outward forms, the name which marks them all proves them one. The ‘Chautauqua Assembly,’ the ‘Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle,’ the ‘Chautauqua School of Languages,’ the ‘Chautauqua Teachers’ Retreat,’ the ‘Chautauqua Young Folks’ Reading Union,’ the ‘Chautauqua School of Theology,’ the ‘Chautauqua University’—all are but developments of the radical idea of Chautauqua, which is popular and symmetrical education; education for all people; education in all lines, according to varied tastes, needs and opportunities.
“Our constituency is as broad as are the aims of the institution: Sunday-school and other Christian workers, day school teachers, students of language, ministers of the gospel, citizens who mold the nation, mothers who mold citizens by making homes—these all, and all beside who seek knowledge, character and usefulness, are the people for whom Chautauqua was organized.
“With this wide reach of purpose it was necessary that Chautauqua should project the lines of its intention in plans and departments, that the world might see its magnitude, and that the full territory it proposes to occupy might be preëmpted. Until this projection was made, the Chautauqua Idea was irrepressible. And now Chautauqua with its variety of departments is not like a mere pile of buildings, with additions, lean-tos, unrelated edifices, and other after-thoughts, the results of unmanageable ingenuity. It is a growth and development, a provision according to the highest law, to meet the necessities which called it into existence.