Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-29
The Chautauqua Literary aud Scien-
tific Circle.

The Chautauqua Literary and Scien.
tific Circle.
BY far the most valuable fruit of the
Chautauqua plan, at least in an educa'
tional sense, will come from the Chsu'
tauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
This was the natural outgrowth of the
Assembly; but it had its origin as fal
back as 1856 in an attempt made by DR.
Vincent in Newark, New Jersey, to
establish a course of home study and
reading for young ministers who had
lacked early advantages. Several meet
ings were held in furtherance Of the
project, but it was finally abandoned
for the time. In August, 1878, DR..
Vincent felt that the time had arrived
for the resumption of the plan on 9
more extended scale. His travel and
experience had convinced him that
there were hundreds of men and women
in all the ranks of life who had from
various causes failed to secure the
benefits of liberal education, but who
were anxiousfor knowledge, and would
gladly pursue course of home study il
in some manner their investigation
could be placed under judicious guild.
ance. They were conscious of their
needs, aud willing to make the neces'
sary individual effort, but they lacked
a knowledge of the right means and
direction of their labors. It was to
meet this want that the G. L. S. G. was
organized. The plan, in brief, en-
braces the following features: first, ii
has prescribed curriculum covering
four years; second. its aim is to give
the college students outlook; third, ii
covers in special courses the entire
range of study in art, science. literature,
and history 1.-THE general and four years
course may be thought circumscribed
or superficial, but this only prepares
the way for exceedingly thorough
special courses afterward); fourth, it is
based upon religious truth, and EN-.
braces Biblical studies from an evan
gelical standpoint; fifth, the course of
study is carefully prepared by expert
and practical scholars-college pro-
fessors, scientific students, and teachers
of experience; sixth. a series Of exami-
nations is held by means of printed
questions sent to each member of the
class (the first list of questions is be-
fore us, and appears to he devised with
exceeding skill; any one'who answers a
reasonable percentage of the inquiries
must have pursued the course faith
fully, as no system Of examining"
would make it possible to meet the test
successfully; seventh, a diploma will be
given to all who complete the four
years course Ito this diploma will from
time to time be added seals for the
Especial courses" completed, and it
may III time become valuable from the
number of special seals attached to it,
each Of which, issued by the professor
in charge, shall certify to really hard
and faithful labor); eighth, each men,
Der is kept in constant communication
with the president by reports and by
printed circulars containing suggestions
and items of interest in connection
with the course of study (this plan
keeps alive the interest OF the men,
bers, and affords constant stimulus to
faithful study.
The register for membership was
opened on the 10th of August, and by
the Goth of November-when entries
for the first class were closed-contained
over eight thousand names. From the
reports received it is known that about
tina. number are actually engaged in the
prosecution of the prescribed course of
study at the present time. When it is
borne in mind that the effort is entirely
voluntary, that the textbooks for the
year cost the members about five dollars,
and that on an average forty minutes
must be devoted to the course each
weekday for nine months, the result
will be admitted to be exceedingly
gratifying and signifcant.-D. H. PosT,
in Harper's Magazine.