The Indianapolis journal., 1885-05-31
CLUBS.

Written for the Indianapolis Journal.
The club is, in Indianapolis, at least, one OF
the recognized institutions of modern life. Its
range extends from that Of the nursery darling
to that of the venerable ''old settler" and its
purposes are quite as varied as its range.
We hear of cooking, sewing, amusement clubs
of all kinds-the most popular of which, at the
present time. seems to be that of progressive
chre-conversational, literary, musical, art,
scientific. pedagogical philosophical and minis
terial clubs The fact that they occupy the at
tention of so large majority of the people
makes the subject worthy of consideration, if it
have no other claim.
Fly looking minute we see that the club has
its origin in the fundamental ideas of modern
civilization cooperation and combination. An
exchange of materials is always attended with
one of ideas, or less, oftener less but when
thoughts alone furnish both the substance and
the occasion for profitable and enjoyable time,
we have gone long way. We have reached
the Towering of the social branch of the CO.
operative tree. We sip tea from Asia quite a
while before the time comes when we meet the
study and discuss ''The Light of Asia" The
latter process is not now dependent on the for
mer; but whether we could have had Asia's
ideas without her wares is a question to be de-
cided.
If it be true as Carlyle claims, that ''univer-
sites have been modified by the existence OF
books surely it We're vain statement to say
that universities have, in measure been sup
plemented by clubs in their highest sense.
To such an extent is this true that the travel.
ing scholar has again made his appearance.
Some of the most valuable lecturers-if not the
most popular-count quite as much upon their
parlor talks to the different circles as they do
upon their public audience If they are deeply
interested in some special line Of thought which
they present for its sake and for the love of
it. they indeed prefer limited audience, where
every spirits with the speaker, to one where
numbers form the chief merit
The university is, in its true sense, for ma
tured minds. Since the responsibilities of life
come upon--or are assumed by-many people
before the time arrives or the development is
reached for entering the university, something
must be provided to enable them to put forth
| their powers and remove as far as possible their
| limitations Here the cub door is wide open that
| each may enter and carrv out the wished
| ideal. Also, those for whom the university has
done most find their disciplined powers eager to
attack and master the great questions of lifeso-
cial, political and religious The club affords an
opening for this
The moral obligation to meet and work with
others is in itself, of value. Then mind
good Too, we get out of the groove of routine
By and by we have the pleasure of seeing fruit
fu hours made of snatched moments, each of
which we seized and held till it yielded to US it's
treasure.
Clubs have been great factor in bringing
about the gradual emancipation of woman that
is taking place She needs first to be emanci-
pated out of the personal element Perhaps
nothing has done more towards this than club
organization. The temperance club has taught
her that legislation must help prayer if the sa-
loon-door be closed, and that voice in the law
would forward this.
Clubs also have negative side. Sometimes
their existence is entirely negated by the pres
enee of an inharmonious spirit
Clubs fail in their purpose when they claim
the attention that some higher duty demands
They destroy the spirit for thorough and ex-
haustive work when without good leader.
They disappoint those who attend them to hear
from others, without first hearing from them
selves that must be done in the silence of home.
They do, however, emphasize the facts that
what is outside of us only appeal to what is
within; it cannot create the ''wthin;" that ali
knowledge is recognition, and that the precious
possession Of common sense is not transferable
INDIANAPOLIS. CD