The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1886-01-29

n statement Oh tho <A1mS 8ua l8oB Ox
Useful and Popular Educational Enter
prise.
In the summer Of 1878, at Lake
Chatauqua in Northwestern New York,
was formally organized the Chatauqus
Literary and Scientific Circle, usually
abbreviated the C. L. S. C.. This n.
stitution has since become widely
known in every civilized land and i
doing more for young people than any
other educational agency, the pubfe
schools only excepted. A statementd
the aims and plans of this useful and
potential institution will therefore h.
terest everybody. The plan originatea
with the distinguished John II. Vim
cent, d. D., and in its development
and subsequent history he has had the
help and endorsement Of Christian men
and women of ripe scholarship and IN
selfish public spirit of every denomins
ton in every part of the land. The C.
L. S. C. aims to promote habits q
reading and study in nature, art
science, secular and sacred Literature
at home, either individually or assoc
ately. It is intended to give to all mem
bers the students outlook into all fieldk
of learning which go to make up gem
eral scholarship. Thousands Of peop1s
feel their limitation in education, hu1
are either too old to go to school or col
lege, or too busy, or too poor. There
are multitudes who would like to renew
the pleasures of study, and every one
feels the very great importance Of q
systematic, wisely-chosen course q
reading. The demand had long been
felt for something which would secure
the formation of correct taste among
young people, leading them into sats.
profitable and pleasant employment
in leisure hours, and teach them %
save the spare moments. To all these
classes and many more in this busy
world the C. L. S. C. commends itseh
1t becomes a home college, and 4
course Of reading and study, which e.
tends through four years of ten months
each, is so arranged that it may -
done by using forty minutes each dsy
or two whole evenings per week. y
is not pretended that this will give
q finished education to an uneducatea
person. but that so much time vi
be spent with thoughtful and wisely
chosen books will impart to auy
mind . knowledge of literature
a measure of intelligence and an N
tellectual training by no means to p
despised. The course embraces IL
general subjects of History, Sciences
Literature and Bible study. Some Do
the reading alone, others associate
themselves into local circles, meeting
weekly or less often, to talk over u
work and carry out programme. II
work has q wonderful inspiration froD
the fact that nearly IS 900 other pe0ple
are pursuing the same course. Them
are fourishing circles in Africa. lndia,
Japan, Russia and all parts of Europe.
At intervals through the year, interest
ing Memorial Days" are observed.
such as "Longfellow's Day." Add
sons Day." "Bryant's Day." ete
In the evenings of these days -
local circles arrange deli2htlA
programmes, made up Of Chant
songs, readings, reviews, reminisceeoe
and prepared papers-all bearing up0
the life, genius and writings of the =.
vorite author. Besides the intellect
benefits are delightful social pleasurst
as the meetings at the members home
are fountains Of pure recreation -
joy. All readers are expected to reg
ter in the Secretary's Office in Plan
field, N. j., from whence are sent ne9
the close of June examination pap0
which are to be filled out and returns
At the end of four years of satisfacto5
work diplomas are granted and =
members may graduate either at Chs
tauqua or any of the summer asse1
blies with Chautauqua.