Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-02-14

man, whom, I doubt not, dictated his
own salary and how and when he should
receive It, got up and inquired II that
WAS going INTO the world and preaching
the gospel to every creature7 When this
query was answered the world took
step forward. Christianity became
more practical, the novel and
the stage were benefited and
ChristianIty, instead OF being contain
mated, grew stronger by the exercise OF
the muscles and brains given 1t to work
with. The religious, along with the ma
terlal and mechanical worlds, Is making
mighty strides forward.
-
One OF the most astonishing successes
OF modern times IL the scheme OF home
readings, inaugural ID by Dir. John II.
Vincent, the founder Of the Chautauqua
institututions, which derive their name
from the pretty little lake In Western
New York. Here 100000 people gather
every summer. They como chiefly from
the West and South, and Texas is always
well represented. Chautauoua, let
me say OF the outset, Is not
money.making institution, nor
has It ever been conducted with that end
IN view. II ~ simply sought 20 make it.
self sustaining. DR. Vincent has given
twelve Of the best years of his life TO II
and received not a penny of pecunlary
reward beyond his bare living expenses.
In great auditorium located in beau.
tiful grove at Chautauqul, some Of the
best lecturers of modern times have ap
peaIed and have given current to some of
the ablest and the best OF modern
thought.
This mental treat lasts but one month
Of the year. DR.. Vincent undertook a
plan for home readings that might be
pursued throughout the entire year. He
! invited such men as Noah Porter, pres
ldent of Yale college; the late Bishop
4 Simpson, Dr. Lyman Abbott and
others 10 recommend course Of
| home reading that should en-
brace the best in the great range
Of literature. They complied with his
request, and DR. Vincent named the per.
sons who should pursue this course OF
readings, "Chautauquan and their or
ganization, the "Cbautauqua Literary
and Scientific Circle.p
The idra has proved immensely popu.
lar. No less than 100000 persons are
now regularly following this course. They
are persons IN every walk Of life, resident
! in every state and territory In the Union
! in Australia, the Sandwich islands, the
British provinces, japan, South Africa
and in every country in Western Europe
! The course OF reading is mapped out
for each week, like college course, anC
examinations are conducted from head
on'ce located at Plaln1ed, N, j, These
examinations cover work done and are con
Quoted by postal-card. The course EN-.
braces history, the sciences, art, poetry
and every description OF sound reading
IL Is not churchly nor sectarlan 1t
covers four years time, and at the end
of that period, II the work has been
faithfully performed, diplomas are given,
similar to those given by colleges.
The benefit OF the examination Is read
lily seen. II one has no taskmaster he is
very apt to have no stinted task, and the
best Of resolutions come to naught, The
readers Of this course are housewives
teachers, students, clerks, in fact anybody
who wants to improve his mind at his
own home, to husband his spare
moments, and TO do 1t all undei
and by the advice Of some OF the best
minds Of the nation. Last year the grad
yates were nearly two thousand in mum
Der. They were what got through out o
those who began TO read four years ago
Since then the movement has so enlarged
that the class that began reading las
October and which will graduate in 1889
II all are faithful to the end, numbe
10000 persons.
The expense OF pursuing the course i
very small. The cost Of being enrolled |
only fifty cents, sum that barely cover
the cost of examinations. The books
while they are standard and often familia
works, are especially bound in an mex
pensive way on purpose for this grea
army of readers.
~
The Chautauqua Literary aud ScientiA
circle is great institution, aud its inHu