The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-07
CHAUTAUQUA DAYAT ACTON.
The Lecture of Rev. Frank Russell, Yes
terday, on the "WOrld a-Reading."
Rev. l.. F. Van Cleave on the "Chautauqua
Idea"-The Good Accomplished Through
the Medium of the Literary Circle.

! Yesterday was Chautauqua Day at Acton
| Park, and the attendance was the largest of any
| weekday during the assembly. The cottagers
| preparing for the Grant memorial services on
| Saturday. have wreathed and festooned their
| cottages with leaves, INTERVENING these forest
| trophies with sombre drapery and the national
| colors
The afternoon lecture, 1.-THE World a-Read
ing was delivered by Rev Frank Russell. of
| Mansfield, O.. president of the c. L. S. c. class
of 81, which is the largest of the Chautauqua
| classes and at the last enumeration showed a
membership of 19, 63S He is pastor of the Con
gregational Church at Mansfield.
Mr.. Russell spoke upon the results of this
branch Of Chautauqua work. showing that there
has been a wonderful growth during the last
score of years in Individual study, thousands
more taking courses upon themselves in various
branches of study than were heard of few
years ago. The demand for this has come about
largely through the necessity of personal and
special preparation for different occupations.
This has multiplied the courses of special study
and increased the works in various branches.
But besides this there has been a great mental
stimulus engendered everywhere in all ranks of
society. We are happy to add to this that there
has also been and is now progressing a revolt
from printed trash. Worthless books in pro-
portion to the number of readers are less sought.
This is testified to by the fact that several of
our railways have exercised them from book
stands and news companies. Many publishers
are now boasting that they are doing better
line of work in the character of what they pub
fish than a few years ago. Especially is this
the case with number of publishers of the dime
novel order
This individual study was therefore realized
at once spontaneously here and there. Young
men preparing themselves for various industries,
in the mechanic arts, in literature were anxious
to read whatever pertained to their
speciality Our American universities are
happily modelling in some respects on plans long
known in Europe which look to the abolition of
the marking system and loosing of the rigid
curriculum, opening up elective courses and
securing to the student his degree on the basis
of actual work that has been DONE rather than
the number of years during which he has been
at 1t. Special sboaras Of examiners have been
appointed in many places under the direction of
faculties to secure the examination of pupils at
a distance without the necessity of their being
personally at the institution.
At the last meeting of our international Sun
day school lesson committee there were many
petitions and requests made most earnestly,
and some with elaborate explanations, asking
this committee to devise courses of special
scripture study in lieu of the regular lessons,
and SO arranged that they might be taken up by
individuals at their homes. Some were disabled
and some others had providential reasons
for not being able to attend the
regular sessions of the Sunday school.
Now, the Chautauqua literary and scientific
Circle came in at the fullness of time to realize
this idea Of individual study, and in large part
to regulate it as we'll as to supply the demand.
The curriculum they make is like that of the
regular college, four years in extent Each class
| pursues every year a uniform study. Four of
| these years cover the course mapped out. 1t is
safe to say that no literary course of reading
| study has been made with greater
| Proceeding upon the basis that we really study
only four banches anywhere and in all our lives,
the courses include these four-history, religion,
poetry, science Whatever is read orsstudied
springs from these four streams, like the streams
that we enumerated in Eden flowing through all
the garden.
This course is no longer in any antagonism
with any Of the established schools and colleges
neither can it be held to be so. 1t has come
to be the herald of the college. It creates as
we'll as satisfies the college idea in the young man
and woman, even in the boy and girl 1t
lncites toward the making of useful courses of
study. 1t brings course we'll adapted to all
needs. 1t sets times and seasons for the accom-
plishment of the course and so establishes the
college idea at once. In the working out of this
course it lifts the vision Of its pupils also into
the college outlook, the practical application in
the hope of life and accom- lishment of that
which is gained in the course Of study. 1t brings
also to the homo the college atmosphere, and
enlarges the range Of topics for home discussion.
1t multiplies many times researches made in the
home to satisfy ten thousand questions which
arise; it makes the purchase of the freshest and
best books necessity: it compels the abandon
ment of many things that are foolish and tr;fling
in order that those that are better may be
gained, and inspires the children of the
growing family with a college ambition
There is now no chasm between the colleges and
the Chautauqua idea The text books made for
the special courses have several years since be-
come text books in our college courses, and are
recommended without reserve by hundreds OF
professors and teachers.
This system of Chautauqua instruction has
mighty leveling influence in society The young
men who go from community To the great
colleges are, on their return to their homes, not
so very much divided from brothers, sisters,
parents and neighbors who never tread
the college halls, because classic litera-
ture and scientific research are famil-
lar already at the hearthstones from
which they went-are subjects of common
conversation throughout communities where are
to be found the Chatauqua literary and scien-
tifc circles. The college graduate sits down
now to talk to the farmer and his wife and
daughter on a multitude of subjects once held to
be distinctively collegiate-now spread every
where through this universal reading course.
Better than all, thus working for themselves,
great topics in concise and systematic shape put
into the homes of our people, creates on the part
of hundreds an ambition to make larger and
larger attainment. 1t is intended to be inspir-
ing for better things to come, to give impulses
for the work of future years, and this
it does most successfully. A little of
inward personal ambition in the soul of
any young Pa man or young woman
is worth train loads of persuaslons and argu-
ments from the outside Many parents secure
the assistance of their pastors to persuade John
to so to college, or Mary to the seminary, but it
is hard to start locomotive by building any
number of bonfres about it. The fire must be
within, and that once generated is theone source
of true motion. Our college professors in humid
reds of instances are asking applicants for the
had toward the college course, and already there
are thousands that can say the Guantanamo