The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-11-05
WORDS OF WISDOM.

An ADDRESS Dy the freslOent)
Fellow Chautauquans: In a special paper for to.
day am going to offer few suggestions in regard
to the method of study and also class reports on
the current studies of the year. 1t is trite say
ing that what is worth doing at all is worth doing
well; and it is none the less true in Chautauqua
than in other work. will say in the start. that
do not offer this paper in the way OF criticism
anyone, but simply offer these hints for what they
are worth and especially to the members to
give them idea from which they can lay out
and formulate their work in the current studies
for the year 1922. To lay out a distinct path
which must be followed at all times with precis.
ion in making reports regardless of all things else
is impossibility, for it would degenerate and
destroy the vital principle of Chautauqua work
namely. freedom of thought; but set
tain stakes which shall act as beacons to light us
along the pathway Of that universal knowledge
to which we all aspire and Of which ChautauQua
is the fountain head.
Now then, we come to our studies of this year,
(Which is the American year, which are confined
mostly to American history, and to American
this point cannot be emphasized too much. In
order to acquire the best understanding of history
we must begin at the beginning and study
fully the events as they occur and fix them
minds in their order, remembering always that all
histories are made up of events. each event lead
ing on to another event. each and every one being
part and parcel of some great epoch; something
which the future alone shall disclose, but the
less real and vital in its application to society
general. For this purpose should follow along
in our studies as time progresses and in making
reports conine them possible to
that particular history which we are presumed to
be studying at the time in which make it. Of
course we must make some exceptions to this
rule, for there may be some particular event in
history with which we may have more particular
and greater knowledge than the class have been
able to attain from their text books, so that we
can throw new light upon this or that point and in
this way by reporting upon it at length we would
be doing the class and ourselves also lasting
benefit. But, above all things, do not try to
too much ground while making report, for in
this way you not only make your report too long
but IN trying to cover too much ground there will
be great deal which you will miss. and what you
do get will be obscure and incomprehensibei in its
meaning. In writing state your facts briefly.
plainly, and to the point. using as few words to
convey your meaning you can, and do it intel.
lightly. And here 1 will give you little advice
which an editor of Boston paper gave me some
years ago-when l accepted position upon the
staff as reporter-which is as follows: young
man. when you write an article read it over care.
fully and see how much you can cut it down and
still have the substance remain ineligible, and
when you can't cut it any more send it in" This,
think, may be yell applied to our reports in this
circle. We have also two studies which are not
on American history namely, '"Two Old Faiths
and .'Classic German Course in English" and
the same rule viii think apply to these studies