Monona Lake Assembly promises to be one of the more important centers of C. L. S. C. work. The grounds are situated on the banks of one of the four lakes surrounding the capital city of the State of Wisconsin, and within a mile of it. Seventy-five passenger trains go and come each day, making the grounds accessible from all directions. In spite of rainy weather and low temperature the attendance this past season was large and enthusiastic. Daily Round-Tables were held and though often interfered with by other meetings and lack of a suitable and permanent place of meeting, were well attended and proved very interesting. Thursday, July 31st, was C. L. S. C. day, and about three hundred and fifty members participated in the Recognition Service. The oration was delivered by Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, D.D., the theme selected, “The True Education” was ably discussed and a source of encouragement to many members of the circle. The camp-fire was lit on the highest point of land on the grounds, and the spot thus dedicated was tendered by the Board of Directors as the site for a new Chautauqua Hall. A vigorous canvass of the State will be made in the interest of the C. L. S. C., and it is expected that a new and commodious hall will be erected in time for our next annual gathering.
LAKESIDE, OHIO.
This flourishing gathering of students, religious and secular, was preceded this past summer by a large assembling of the teachers of Ohio and vicinity, and the people were already admirably prepared for the direct work of the Assembly. The program was the finest ever enjoyed by the patrons of this place. In lectures and miscellaneous entertainments, as well as normal class and children’s class work, it was not behind the best in every feature of such gatherings, and the promises for future years are most encouraging. Neither is Lakeside a whit behind its “old mother” of the fair Chautauqua Lake in enthusiasm on the subject of the C. L. S. C., although it necessarily lacks in numbers, and in the distinction which comes of being the great “head-center;” a distinction belonging, of course, to but the one place. But that all the people who have interests at Lakeside, and who come under the influence of its work, shall have something to do with this great reading circle, and get a measure of its benefits, is one of the intense desires and energetic aims of the Lakeside authorities. In accord with this purpose a day was set apart, as usual, at the summer session of 1884, for the recognition of as many members of the class of ’84 as might be present. Chancellor Vincent was on hand and delighted the audience in the forenoon of the day with his lecture on “Our Minister,” and in the afternoon held the special Recognition Services, delivering one of his characteristic addresses on this theme so near his heart, and moving his large company of hearers to increasing zeal in behalf of the movement. Quite a representation of the class were formally graduated. A large distribution of circulars relating to the C. L. S. C. was made, and hundreds of people who had not before come into direct knowledge of the subject were stirred into interest, and doubtless many are thereby now at wholesome work. Several Round-Tables were held during the Assembly, one by Dr. Vincent, on the evening of the Special day, another by S. A. Wildman, Esq., and still another by Rev. B. T. Vincent, the superintendent of the Assembly. At these there was much interest manifested, and much more promoted, and evidences of good work within the patronizing territory of Lakeside were given. It is confidently expected that there will be a large representation of the Class of 1885 at the Recognition Services which are provided for in the outline of the program for the next year. And while, of course, all who can go to Chautauqua and graduate under the brilliant circumstances which attend the Commencement day there, will gladly do so, yet it will be in some degree a delight, if that is not possible, to graduate at this nearer point.
CRETE, NEBRASKA.
The Nebraska Sunday-school Assembly, held in August, at Crete, twenty miles west of Lincoln, Neb., aroused much interest in the C. L. S. C. A paper was read on the “History and Aims of the Circle,” by Rev. W. B. Dada, of Stanton, Neb. Rev. A. E. Dunning, of Boston, president of the class of ’88, followed with most encouraging words. Thirty-five persons gave their names as members of the new class. Badges were secured, and the freshman class is full-fledged for action. There were also a few representatives of the classes of ’84, ’85, ’86 and ’87 present. Three Round-Tables were held and many questions asked and answered. The interest seemed to deepen as the session advanced. On August 23 all the members of the different classes took a boat ride on the Blue River, and on Thursday evening, August 26th, held a grand camp-fire on the grounds of the Assembly, around which able speeches were made, cheering words spoken, and Chautauqua songs sung. After the exercises the Chautauqua salute was given in honor of Mr. F. I. Foss, of Crete, who the night before publicly gave the Assembly a clear title deed to all the grounds which it occupies, one hundred and nine acres, valued at $7,500, a gift most noble and generous, accompanied with a condition as a spur for others to lend a helping hand, namely: that $10,000 be raised for buildings and improvements. The next day the citizens of Crete generously subscribed nearly $5,000. Thus we have a young Chautauqua out here in the far west, an infant child of but two years, but with the promise of a glorious future. Rev. A. E. Dunning, of Boston, Mass., is to be managing conductor next year.
MONTEAGLE, TENNESSEE.
Monteagle is about midway between the east and the west ends of Tennessee, on the south side. It is about 2,400 feet above the sea. The Assembly grounds are on the top of a plateau, and comprise about three hundred and fifty acres. On one side they are bounded by a precipitous bluff which goes straight down nearly a thousand feet. Monteagle is two years old. They have their Amphitheater, and they have a Hall of Philosophy, the pillars being the natural trunks of trees. There was present there this summer a mass of representatives from the Southern States. Electricity seemed to be in the air, and they gave salutes in a manner never excelled. On C. L. S. C. day Rev. Frank Russell delivered an address showing the design of the great Circle. In Mr. Russell’s report at Chautauqua of the work done there he gives a pleasant description of the decorations, the gate and arches. “The Hall of Philosophy was not quite completed. The arrangement of the arches and the gate was a little crude. I visited the spot some time Saturday morning, and directed the carpenters how to make the gate. I regretted that it was not a golden gate, and that there was no time to gild it. The ladies said they would fix that. They took the ‘golden rod,’ which grows so profusely all around there, and when we went there in the afternoon in the mixed procession for the graduating class of ’84, the gate was upholstered and really quilted in golden rod. It was a golden gate. We had the complete procession, and the children with the flowers. The diplomas were given and the Hall was dedicated.” One thing must be especially interesting to the C. L. S. C. there, and that is that the Assembly at Monteagle was not put to a dollar of expense for the building or any of the lectures before the C. L. S. C. They collected the money themselves, and their treasurer disposed of it. When they completed the Hall of Philosophy there was a little money left in the treasury. In the evening they had a camp-fire at the end of the Hall. It was a beautiful cone of flame which stood until it was all consumed. The speeches were of a high character, without preparation, thoroughly spontaneous.