FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.
There is no part of the world where the C. L. S. C. thermometer runs higher than in New England, notwithstanding the current opinion as to the general iciness of that region. The members of the circle in the six Eastern States are as enthusiastic in their loyalty, and as ardent in their manifestation of it, as any other section on the planet. This was abundantly shown at the fifth session of the New England Sunday-school Assembly, held at Framingham, Mass., from July 16 to 26, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Vincent, assisted by Rev. A. E. Dunning and Rev. J. L. Hurlbut, D.D. The work under the auspices of the C. L. S. C. was most promising.
The C. L. S. C. is a circle with several centers, hence no one will be surprised to learn that at Framingham there was more than one headquarters. At a modest little cottage with one room, Rev. and Mrs. O. S. Baketel conducted the business of the Circle, enrolled names, received fees, distributed circulars, furnished badges, and answered questions innumerable. But besides this, every class had its own headquarters, where the class register was kept and where members met for acquaintance and conversation. Of course the Irrepressible ’84 trimmed up its tent, and attracted general notice; but its example was soon followed, and it was hard to say which of the classes kept itself most prominently before the eyes of the people.
The Round-Table was held in Normal Hall, which was crowded with members at every session, and brilliant with badges, for at Framingham every C. L. S. C. wears the colors of his class. At the opening Round-Table Dr. Vincent presided, and a spicy discussion on the question “What is Education?” was participated in by many speakers. The second meeting, in the Superintendent’s absence, was conducted by Dr. J. L. Hurlbut, who wrote on the blackboard the words, “What good is the C. L. S. C. doing?” A rattling fire of answers, fifty in number, was shot off from the seats faster than the nimble pen of the reporter could take them down. Perhaps in some future article we may present some of them to the readers of The Chautauquan, as handy arguments for use in working up an interest in the cause. Other Round-Tables were held, alike in the enthusiasm and the interest, though differing in their subjects. New England is a land where everybody speaks in the town-meeting, and the Round-Table of the C. L. S. C. is no exception to the general rule. The camp-fire was more systematically conducted than is usual at assemblies. On the evening appointed, each class met at its headquarters and marched to the Normal Pavilion. Here the procession was formed in order of classes, with the venerable veterans of ’82 in the advance, and the infants of ’88, organized on that very day as the “Plymouth Rock Class” as last in the line. The army, five hundred strong, marched through the darkness to a natural amphitheater in the edge of the encampment, where a gigantic bonfire had been already kindled. Here a circle was formed, the members in front, and a few thousand spectators peeping over their shoulders, and wishing that they were there. Songs were sung, and speeches were made by representatives of each class, beginning with the youngest, for which Rev. A. E. Dunning spoke, and ending with Rev. O. S. Baketel for ’82, after which Dr. Vincent gave a few warm, uplifting words. Then two circles were formed, clasping hands around the dying embers. Within stood the class of ’84, about to graduate, and around them their companions of the other classes, all joining hands, while “Blest be the tie” was sung with deep feeling, a prayer was offered, and the benediction was spoken. This camp-fire was one where mirth, sentiment, thoughtfulness and religion were mingled in happy proportions. The class anniversaries formed a prominent feature in the Assembly. Every class had its organization; its headquarters was a place where social reunions were in progress nearly all the time; and in addition, each class, from ’82 to ’87, held its own anniversary, generally in Normal Hall, where speeches were made, poems were read, histories recited, prophecies predicted, songs sung, and the merits, general and specific, of each class in the C. L. S. C. over all the other classes, were duly presented to its own delight. Middle aged men and women showed all the enthusiasm of young collegians in the esprit du corps for their class organization. The Recognition Services were attended by nearly a thousand members of the C. L. S. C. and twice as many outside listeners. The procession, marshaled by Prof. Sherwin and headed by Dr. Vincent, “the distinguished guests,” and the band, marched around the grounds to the Auditorium. Here the heroes of the day, the class of ’84, occupied the platform, while the graduate and undergraduate classes filled the reserved seats in front. The Commencement oration was delivered by President Julius R. Seelye, of Amherst, on “The Power of Ideas.” He was followed by Mr. John B. Gough, in a few remarks both witty and wise. Then Dr. Vincent, with a brief address to the graduating class, presented the diplomas to those present, one hundred and eighty-eight in number. We are conscious that our brief paragraph is a cold résumé of one of the most enthusiastic and glowing services ever held in New England. We must not forget to state that the New England C. L. S. C. have resolved to erect a Hall of Philosophy on the topmost summit of the hill in the Assembly ground. It is to be modeled after the classic building in St. Paul’s Grove, dear to all Chautauquans, and will gleam from far, with its columns and white roof, inviting the passers by to climb the heights of knowledge by the paths of the C. L. S. C.
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA.
The fifth annual Pacific Coast Assembly convened at Monterey, California, on Monday evening, June 30, 1884. The president, Dr. Stratton, was not able to be present at the opening of the Assembly, and Dr. C. L. Anderson, of Santa Cruz, vice president, took the chair and made the opening address. It was an admirable review of the studies of the year, a cordial greeting to all present, and an enthusiastic explanation of the Chautauqua Idea. His audience was a large and intelligent one. The hall was beautifully decorated with evergreens, flags, bunting, and the C. L. S. C. mottoes. The evening was one of rare beauty, and altogether the Assembly lacked nothing but the genial presence of a few of its usual leaders. The summer was unusually cool, and consequently there were fewer people at the coast than last year, but the Chautauquans turned out well, and there was a perceptible increase in the daily attendance over that of last year. The musical department was under the excellent management of Mrs. R. L. Higgins, of San José, and was a matter of great pleasure and congratulation during the whole session. Various clergymen were in attendance, and a brief devotional exercise opened each meeting. There is not space here for extended notice of the ten days’ literary feast, but we will briefly recapitulate the points of interest. Miss Lucy Washburn, of the State Normal School, gave two admirable talks upon the “Circulation of the Blood,” and two others upon “Methods of Bible Study,” all of which were precisely what the audience liked to hear, and were as profitable as they were pleasant. Professor Moses, of the Berkeley State University, gave three historical lectures of great value, upon that period of Roman history during which Christianity became the religion of the empire. Rev. Dr. McLean, of Oakland, gave a brilliant description of a recent trip to the Hawaiian Islands. Mr. F. B. Perkins, of San Francisco, talked wisely and wittily of “Methods of Historical Investigation.” Mr. Adley Cummins lectured eloquently upon “What the Orient has done for us.” Mr. Clee, of Berkeley, talked interestingly of the “Date Palm.” Mr. Matthew Cook, of Sacramento, lectured upon “Entomology.” Rev. Dr. Vance, of Carlisle, Penn., read a charming paper upon “Africa.” Mrs. M. H. Field, of San José, had two papers, one upon “Holy George Herbert,” and the other upon the “Women of Ancient Greece.” Miss Jessica Thompson, of San José, also had two beautiful literary papers, one upon Shakspere’s “As You Like It,” and the other upon Tennyson’s “Princess.” Mr. Joel Bean told of the “Council of Nice,” and Dr. C. L. Anderson unfolded the marvels which lie in “A Drop of Water.” Dr. Stratton gave the closing lecture—a most noble one—on “Potential Ideas.” The Sabbath included in the session was devoted to Temperance, under the excellent management of the W. C. T. U. of California. There was a glorious sermon in the morning by Rev. Dr. Briggs, of San Francisco, upon “Woman’s Work,” a grand children’s meeting in the afternoon, and a women’s mass meeting in the evening, when Mrs. McCall, of San José, read an excellent paper upon “Temperance Education.” Mrs. Browne, of San Francisco, the State President of the W. C. T. U., made a grand address, and others made brief remarks. Beautiful weather prevailed during the entire Assembly, and the utmost good fellowship. The regular business meeting was held on the afternoon of the 10th. The reports of the secretaries and treasurer were read, and an election of officers held. The old officers were reinstated, and various committees appointed. Rev. Dr. Stratton is again president; Dr. C. L. Anderson, Dr. Wythe, and Professor H. B. Norton, vice presidents; Mrs. M. H. Field, general secretary; Miss M. S. Bowman, Assembly secretary; Mrs. Eloise Dawson, treasurer. C. L. S. C. day was the closing day of the Assembly. It was as bright and sunny as could be desired, and all things were propitious. The Chautauquans gathered in the parlors, each distinguished by an oak leaf badge, and then marched two and two in long procession over to the Assembly Hall. There were but eight graduates present. Four graduating essays were read, all of marked merit. The general secretary read some clippings from her note book. Dr. Stratton made a brief address. Mrs. McCall read a beautiful memorial paper on Mrs. M. H. McKee, of San José, one of last year’s graduates, and a most efficient and brilliant member of the C. L. S. C. The diplomas were presented, and then the Assembly adjourned to meet in the afternoon on Chautauqua Beach for a Round-Table talk and a mussel-roast. The names of the graduates present were: Dr. C. L. Anderson, Santa Cruz, Cal.; Mrs. Helen Dryden, Gilroy, Cal.; Mrs. J. A. Whitney, Gilroy, Cal.; Mrs. Lillian Shuey, Brentwood, Cal.; Miss Gussie H. Wilcox, Sacramento, Cal.; Mrs. Eloise Dawson, Mrs. C. P. Baily and Mrs. Eliza Mantz, San José, Cal. There are thirty others who have completed the course but who were prevented from coming to Monterey. The Round-Table on the beach was a lively affair. Some fifteen or twenty circles were represented, and all reported their respective circles as wide-awake and pursuing their readings with unabated zeal. After this exchange of experiences the Assembly laid aside its dignity and gave animated attention to the steaming mussels which were generously passed around by “the muscular committee.” The tempting bivalves had been gathered by the bushel in the early morning, and at precisely the right hour laid upon great beds of coals in full sight of the Round-Table gathering. A bevy of young ladies assisted in serving the multitude, and a merry feast it proved. The California mussel-roast and the down-east clam-bake are convivial cousins. The Monterey Assembly closed its fifth meeting in peace and good will, and with the hope of many and many another summer school by the sunset sea.
THE PACIFIC GROVE RETREAT, 1884.
BY JOEL BEAN.
God of our lives—past, and to be,