The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-02-29
CHANCELLOR VINCENT.
The Career of the Founder OF the
Chautauqua System.


Chautauqua System.
IA Paper prepared and read before the L0ngfel-
low Circle by Mrs. K. II. Turner.l
In Tuscaloosa, Ala, the land Of orange
blossoms and magnolia groves, John II. Vim
cent was born Feb. %, 1882. His father
was man Of character, agreat reader. an ad-
mirable talker, highly conscientious, and de-
voting his best energies to the careful educa-
ton Of his children. His mother was wom-
an Of singular beauty Of nature, patient,
amiable, living as though she belonged to
Heaven rather than earth. Often at the
twilight hour, especially on Sundays, after
the family circle had joined in prayer and in
singing, she would take her children to her
own room, and there sweetly and tenderly
tell them of the life to come, and point out
plainly their faults aud spiritual needs
The eldestchild, John, with fine physique
and impulsiye nature, would naturally have
inclined to the boisterous sports peculiar to
boyhood, and to athletic feats, but this early
training made him serious and reflective.
Before he was six years old, he would gather
the colored children of his fathers place and
of the neighborhood and then while with a
whip he ensured their sitting still, he
preached the Gospel to them. Under gov-
erness he fitted for and entered Milton Acad-
emy An eager reader, before he was fifteen
he had read many of the standard works in
his fathers library, Addison's Essays, ROl-
Inns History, Gibbons Rome, Pitkin's Civil
and Political History Of the United States,
Young, Pollock and such biographies as the
lives Of John and Mary Thatcher. The sim
plicity Of Addis0n's style delighted him,
while the story Of the Wesleys was an In
spiration to the youth who believed ne to9
should do something in his life for the good
of the world. AT fifteen he was asked to
teach a country school near his fathers
house. Desiring work and believing that he
should enjoy teaching, he accepted and per-
formed his newly chosen duties with great
endowment, The next year he took charge of
another school, and later still, taught on the
Juniata, some distance away. This was his
first genuine absence from home. He dread
ed to go. The time came at last for him to
start, at midnight. The dear mother tried
to make the home even brighter and cheerier
than usual. The house was gaily lighted,
the younger children sat up till the tired
eyes could keep open no longer. There was
smiling cheer on every hand. DO not eTy Ely
mother; but when the hour came, with pale
| face and with tears on her cheeks that she
could not keep back, she put her arms about
him, but she could only say; ,, MY son, live
sixteen went out into the world with these
words ever before him In lettsrs as Of fire.
During four years of teaching he had con-
tinued his own studies, and registered at
Allegheny College. Meadville, Pa. It Of
course had required unusual will and per-
severence to teach all day. to hear private
pupils in the evening, and at the same time
to study so Systematically as to be ready Tor
college. He must have been tired often,
often, like other boys, longed for recreation
and freedom, but he never lostsight OF his
aim, or let 90 his hold Of his self appointed
But now came an unexpected turn Of plan.
Having Joined the church when Sunday
school scholar, he hoped sometime to become
preacher. why not enter the ministry at
once?" argued some clergymen who were
friends of the family. 1.-The world needs to
be saved and there is no time to be lost"
Young Vincent knew, yet not so well as
man knows 1t in later life, how necessary IS
a college training for one who has resolved
TO become leader Of thought.
After some debate he took the advice Of
these unwise counselors. abandoning his
plans for immediate collegiate education, and
at twenty years of age, on horseback with
pair Of saddle bags, started out to preach on
a thirty mile circuit, over the mountains and
through the valleys OF Pa. he usually
spoke three times each Sunday, and so elo-
quent was he that he was sometimes called
the "Young Summerfield," after the brilliant
preacher who died in New York Ia 1879 only
27 wears of age. After some years Of preach
ing he became pastor for two years, at North
Belville, N. j., and for the following two
years at Irvington.
1t was now, not satisfied with pulpit work
alone, that he developed an educational plan.
Every Saturday afternoon pastor and people
came together. imagining themselves band
Of tourists in Palestine Bible History and
Geography were studied. Every scholar was
personally examined, and as he OF she had
made progress was promoted by grades to
Pilgrim, Explorer, Dweler in Jerusalem and
Templar. During later pastorate, where
similar class had been organized, the pastor
wrote weekly letters for the village paper,
and so CRATIC and interesting were they
that many believed there was an actual ex-
cursiOn. Meantime he had pursued the four
years course of theological study required
by his church. lie was now thirty-four, yet
the foremost leader in Sunday school work.
He was made agent of the Sunday school
Union of Chicago, and little later, the sec
retary Uf the Sunday school Union OF the NJ.
L. church. When appointed to the secreta-
ryship, he removed to Plainheld, n: J.,where
his home became centre Of social and in
teectual activity. Says a leading clergyman.
CDR. Vincent has preached in the Presby-
terian, CongIegatlonallst, Baptist ana other
churches in Plainfield many times. His
name crowds any church on any occasion,
in hard rain or hot night, and this has
lasted for 16 years. Dr. Vincent mas lew
peers in the American pulpit lie Is a
princely preacher. All these years he mad
recognized for himself as well as others, the
necessity of collegiate education. The alb
sOrbing question with him then became,
"HOw can the great world catch the college
outlook. In 1874 the first Sunday School
assembly was held at Chautauqua, the place
being selected by Mr.. Miller. Four years
later while DR.. Vincent was crossing the
ocean homeward after resting time at the
foot Of the Alps, the idea Of college read
ing course for the people was matured, and
ON Aug. 10, 1873, the 9, h. ). z. was lnan-
numbered 5000 people. How the work has
spread we all know. Out Of this work has
grown the Chautauqua University. The
young preacher who rode over MS
mountain circuit in nhoncs,,o9 ia at twenty twenty
and honored throughout the world.
Still he has found time for other labors, as
those know who have listened to his lectures
and read his books. One secret Of his re-
markable success Is that his enthusiasm and
sympathy never fail. Another is that while
| the details Of his varied labor Is something
unparalleled, his home life Is joyous and re-
| freshlng.
The Vincent home is like the fathers in
early days, most hospitable. Dr. Nlneent
and his only son. a young man 0I great
promise, are like brothers eounselllng to-
| gether He was once heard to say, MY DOy
| Is my only pet" !" like birds in the Tree ar
of heaven, l like dogs IN my gpd,, helgnppotds
yard like cats in pictures and at somebody
| eise's fireside, like horses when somebody
else drives them.
In this grand work going on so nolselessly
and SO closely all around US that we can
| hardly get he-"distance" from which to sur
yey It's noble outlines, its protector may
sometimes feel fatigue, but exhaustion
never. -
1t Yields him, as all work Of pure beneh-
cence always does, new ideas, new aims
| -. f,,.k ha odyoUoaunauf Of the OeO-
pie.
To salute and greet him as bishop Of the
NJ. z. Church would give great pleasure 10
| the many thousands OF Chautauquans'