The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-10-18
THE c. L. S. G.
An Interesting Paper Read at the
Meeting Friday Evening.


have not the power to express in words
the magnificent scene spread out before
me, but, by closing my eyes, can see it
all, for it is indslibly stamped on memory's
page, never to be effaced while memory
lasts. While standing there 1 heard a
voice gayly ask, "What are you doing?"
and, turning to the sweet face beside me,
I answered with deep drawn sigh Lay
ing up pleasant memories for old age.
Four years ago 1 became acquainted
with the merits of the G. l.. 5. @, but
procrastination, that "thief of time" and
ONE of the worst foes the would-be Chau-
tauquan has to contend with, stepped in,
and for two years prevented me from
joining the G. L. S. G.
In 1856, however, 1 made brave effort
and struck out boldly, aud became
Pierian.
What is Pierian? "We are told that
one of the earliest seats of the worship of
the MUSES., was in Pieria, on the slopes of
Mount Olympus, and the inhabitants of
the land we're famous in early Grecian
poetry and music. Hence, all lovers OF
science or art, all followers of the MUSES.,
are called Pierians."
"A little learning is dangerous thing,
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
The motto for the GLASS is, "redeeming
the time, (which is certainly very applicable.
Last fall, when this circle was formed, l
rejoiced to have company, and 1 wish
had the power TO express even a part of
tt pleasure and benefit I have received
during our last years, reading in this
pleasant companionship.
l can only repeat what 1 said more than
decade ago. and which brings me back
to my starting point. am still laying up
pleasant memories for old age. Some one
has said that "the pleasantest things in
the world are pleasant thoughts, and the
great art in life is to have as many of
them as possible"
Our weekly meetings the past year will
always be one of the pleasant memories of
my life.
The months passed all too quickly, the
years reading came to an end, and we
parted for a few months. To. night we
meet again, eager to commence another
years work. May I here and now ask
and answer a few questions relating to
the G. L. S. c.? Mystic letters are they
to the uninterested, but to the Chau-
tauquan they mean so much, and grow
dearer with each year.
Who are the true Chautauquans?
The true Chautanquans never for one
moment think of stopping with the four
years course, but look forward with eager
anticipation to years of earnest work, to
earn the seals of the after years, special
courses.
First and always: The true Chautauqua: 8
are enthusiastic. Emerson tells US that
''Nothlng great was ever achieved without
enthusiasm"
The four years, reading means work;
earnest work, no alf-heartedness about
beenthusiastic. They must aim high at the
start. every arrow that flies feels the
attraction of the earth;" and as the
months go by the attraction of many
things will try to deter them
from pursuing the end in view, but the
true Chautauquan has started out to win,
and win they will, because earnest, whole
hearted effort never did, and never will,
fail to win in the end.
Who are the successful Chautauquans?
They who put heart into their work; they
who, having purpose, work for that pur-
pose, strive for it, and have no such word
as fail in their vocabulary. Permit me
to quote Emerson again when he says,
"the height of the pinnacle is determined
by the breadth of the base," and the
height which the Chautauquan will attain
is determined by the breadth of the will
and the desire for knowledge that exists
within.
What are the benefits to be derived from
the course?
lam puzzled to know where to begin tC
enumerate them. 1t teaches US to take
care of our spare moments so often wasted
in mental laziness and frivolous pursuits
Our intellectual life depends upon the way
we use our leisure, our spare moments.
venture to assert That some of US since
beginning the course have learned, as we
never knew before, the full value of 6C
seconds.
It is selected reading, and provides food
for mental growth and thought, filling d
long felt want by answering the question
so often asked "What shall 1 read to
improve neglected educstion?" 1t is a
blessing to all eager for self-culture, tC
all laboring under the educational disad
vantages of youth.
Especially is it adapted to the
needs OF women, to the busy house
keeper, in her quiet home, occupied with
the care of her children and the rather be
lifting and narrowing cares of the house
hold; it opens up new v1stas to view.
Outside of the home, in the church, in
social life, they branch out little, but not
sufficiently.
1t is only through the medium of books
that they can reach out and grasp the
great questions of the day. The daily
newspaper does not go into these ques-
tions; it merely touches the outer edge
and yet the daily newspaper is all that
majority OF the people ever read.
With books, though tied at home, they
can still travel through foreign lands
their hands occupied with their daily
duties they can still think upon the cur
rent events of the day; for lack of the
where-with all they cannot attend lectures
but they can, in the quiet sanctity OF
home, read the thoughts of the master
minds of the world.
And this Is equally true for men I'm
mersed in business, scrambling to rise IL
the world; the desire to make money,
with all its sordid influences, get;
to be the sole ambition o.
our men. Carlyle tells us that the rea
hell that mar fears is the terror OF no
succeeding-of not making money"
What do our young people read? A
truthful answer might astonish some of US
One thing tn be noticed about the @. l.