The Portland daily press., 1885-08-01
THE CHAUTAUQUANS.
Closing of the Second Annual AS
sembIy lat Fryeburg.

The Maine Chautauqua Union closed its
session at Martha's Grove, Fryeburg, Friday
evening by very interesting social gath
ering. The rain fell at intervals quite heav-
lily. but within the brilliantly lighted hall
all was bright, sparkling and lively
At the morning meeting prayer was offered
by Rev. j. K. Mason of Fryeburg.
Miss Dodge of Bridgton read well-writ-
ten essay.
Considerable interest was manifested in
the ceremony of presenting a diploma to
Mr.. Reynolds of Washington, who has fin
ished the four years course. 1t was also
stated by the president of the Union that
Mrs. Stickney of Brownfeld was also en-
titled to a diploma.
Rev. B. P. Snow, in his address upon "An
Unexpected Reinforcement set forth the
underlying principles, the aims, methods
and distinctive characteristics of the Chau-
tauqua movement. 1t does not propose to
give collegiate course, nor does it in any
way antagonize the college, but it opens to
the poor, the busy, those past school years.
to all really desiring to improve the road to
increased knowledge and better thought by
mapping out for such wisely chosen and
oyobCllldIlC lOQl ytdlo COuISc VI IOdulDS. lie
claimed that this course of reading in litera-
ture, science, art, ethics, and religion is of
great value in an educational point of view.
and of breadth and worth to strongly rein
force the ranks of the well-informed, the ed
ucated and even the cultured.
The ChautGuqua Literary and Scientific
Circle with its seventy thousand well-organ-
lied and enthusiastic readers has already
brought help and reinforcement to every
line OF right thought and work, and is des-
tined in virtue of its spontaneous and yigor-
ons life to do far more than at present.
This is a movement that met the popular need
and the people have adopted it by mani
festation of their favor and APP
proval such as finds no precedent or
parallel in the history of education.
The aid that comes thus into the field is
largely from forces hitherto unused, and
therefore it constitutes genuine reinforce
ment. Chautauqua does not offer premium
for shallowness, but calls for, expects and
actually secures downright intellectual work.
The Chautauqua scheme of education asks
investigation. Whenever examined, in itself
and its results, the educators are its warm
supporters. 1t is not held up by money
making nor advertising, nor managing but
by the merits and attractions of the move
ment itself. The-attention of all who would
benefit humanity and promote truth, right
and religion is confidently asked for this new
departure in popular education. 1t has now
achieved a brilliant success, and yet it may
pc reasonably claimed that now only the be-
ginning of the work has been seen.
The afternoon exercises opened with an ine
imitable poem by Rev. John Collins of Che
beague Island.
The regular exercises opened with singing
by Mrs. Cutler.
Prayer by Mr. F. E. Davidson of Auburn
dale, Mass.
Rev. DR.. Bashford then lectured upon ora
tors and oratory. He treated the subject
| from the three standpoints of the speaker,
the subject and the audience, or personality,
truth and art. He classified the various text
| books upon rhetoric.
DR.. Bashford's lecture was preceded by a
very interesting paper by Miss Arietta Fos-
| ter of Portland, on Mr.. Huxley and his
teachings