The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-06-18
Our Chautauqua Literary and Sci.
eutil q circle ana it's Object.

A Chautauqua circle is not an unusual
thing In almost every city, town and ham
let in the United States and these circles
are not bound by the limits of our own
country the place of its origin, but have
rapidly spread TIL they have oveistcppcd
the Canada line, entered New Foundland,
been waited to the Sandwich Islands, and
even the 5000 miles Of the Atlantic is not
sufficient to hem in the influence which
they exert, for South Africa sends encour-
aging news of their little gatherings, and
far away japan tells us of an organization
of 800 members. The first class was organ
lied in 1878, and now there are over 90, 900
pupils in these home schools. 1t is school
that pupils of any age are allowed to en-.
ter. Some have reached, and some gone
beyond the three score and ten. Although
this plan originated in Methodist society,
1t is purely unsectarian. Its course of
study is simple, entertaining and instruc-
tive. 1t includes ancient history, the only
source we have Of learning of the achieve
ments, government and literature of the
generations before us, modern history, the
period from which we date the renovation
of the world, giving us a record of the
transactions which have been and are TAX
ing place up to the present, with min
Cling of political, religious, physical, moral
and mental science. The object of these
meetings is to afford every person an op-
portunity who has any desire to improve.
Those who have had few advantages, aud
are necessarily not well informed, need
not hesitate to join us. There is nothing
| to embarrass the most timid. There is no
compulsion in the plan of study and you
undergo no examination to enter. A reg
ular course embraces four years. but you can
withdraw at the close of one year, or at
any time when so disposed. The progress
you make and the benefit you derive from
1t depends upon yourself. The course of
an ordinary memory, aud perscvere there
is nothing to hinder your success. Some
may say can obtain the books, and read
without joining the circle. They can do
| so but cannot reap the benefit we derive
from each other; for the knowledge we ac-
quire is facilitated by expressing and in
| termngling our thoughts. In discovering
the difference of opinions our views are
broadencd, our ideas expanded and our
zeal increased. This fountain is open, free
OF access to all ages, circumstances and
| surroundings. In lone and distant por-
tion of the far west is little circle of three,
| a mother SO, the husband So and the wife
90, and they speak of it as feast that can
not be equalled. Another of two poor
young men, living FIVE miles apart in their
little cabins upon the mountain side in a
barren and neglected country and yet the
distance is not too great, nor the weather
too severe for them to enjoy what they
consider an incalculable blessing. Hun
dreds of young men and women who have
been cast upon their own resources when
young, and deprived of obtaining an edu-
cation in a school room, have received the
pass word of the Chautauqua movement,
and are stimulated to walk in paths of
higher thought and action. Mothers, who
are rearing sons and daughters surrounded
with all the light and advantage OF the
present, which they were not permitted to
| enjoy, can have their sleeping faculties
aroused, quickcned and brought into ne
life, whereby they will be enabled 10 ira.
verse with these sons aud daughters the
vine clad hills of sunny Italy, enter the
domes where the Caesars once bore sway,
as they gathered and enriched Rome with
the spoils Of other nations. Together they
can follow Cicero, one of Romc's greatest
| orators, through his ora''ons, or Virgil
through the literary history of the Aeneld
| thereby being better companions for their
| children, and enabled to assist them in
their inquiry after knowledge. making
their search both pleasant aud profitable.
With another meeting our first year OF
the course closes. Our circle though small
is enthusiastic in the work, and we fee
that we have been greatly benefited The
second years work commences in October,
when we hope to gladly welcome many
more to work with US; so that the treas
ures of literature, history and science may
be theirs as well as ours.
A MRyBRR.