The state herald., 1891-09-25
THE cHAurAuouA IDEA.
Some Points of Explanation on the
Methods of Work Of the Chautau-
qua Literary and Scientific Circle.

A"nAAAoi Wieh tuo iuitiuio ~ L. ..
c." through seeing reports of the
assembly ut Glen Park and other ref
erences to the work OF Chautauqua
circles throughout the West, but
there are probably many people in
Colorado who are not ut all familiar
with the actual working plan OF this
young and rapidly growing organiza-
tion. To such 1t may be OF interest to
know what the name implies and what
the general outline OF Chautauqua
work is.
The idea'of the Chautauqua Literary
and Scientific Circle, or the Peoples
University, as it is sometimes called.
originated with Bishop John II. Vim
cent about sixteen years ago. Its
first "habitat" was at Lake Chautau-
qua in northwestern New York, where
Its yearly meetings are still held dur
ing several weeks In the summer.
These meetings are made interesting
and instructive by programmes of
variety and merit, the best talent in
the lecture field and in the ranks OF
musicians being secured to entertain
the vast crowds that attend.
But although Chautauqua Lake is
the Mecca toward which every true
Chautauqua readers turns his longing
gaze, there nre thousands OF readers
who have completed the course with
out being present at the graduation
day exercises. The assembly at Lake
Chautauqua like the numerous other
assemblies that have sprung up in all
parts of the country, is merely IL holp-
er to the reader OF the course.
The essential idea OF DR.. Vincent
was to help busy people throughout
the country who desired to read, by
selecting for them certain set of
books. literary and scientific, that
would, in popular form, supply to
them part. nv least, OF the educa-
ton which they had been unable to
secure by attending college. In pur-
suance of this plan II four-years'
course has been recommended by the
committee in chargc-of which our
Bishop Warren Is one-consisting OF
four yearly courses in history Greece,
Rome, England and the United States.
with accompanying studies in the lit
erature OF those and other countries.
With these series of historical studies
is taken up Il course in the sciences
and the questions OF the day, which
are presented in the most attractive
way possible In the Chnutauquan
magazine and in text books prepared
especially for these readers by schol-
ars of eminent ability. Upon the
completion of this four years course,
the graduate is presented with di-
ploma as proof Of II persevering at
tempt 10 gain knowledge.
The great advantage OF the Chau-
tauqua course lies in its adaptability
TO all ages, classes and conditions of
people. Boys and girls in their teens
may read IL with their grandfaihcrs
and grandmothcrs. 1t is equally
suitable to the college graduate who
wishes to refresh his memory, and to
the man whom the bard hand OF mis-
fortune has allowed no time for even
common school education. These
readings may be "gulped down" by n
woman who barely has time TO snatch
the necessary thirty or forty minutes
each day from household cares, or
the books nIny serve ms nm Inspiration
10 the lady OF leisure TO go in search
OF other riches Of learning.
Although the course Is perfectly
adapted TO the individual reader un-
assisted by any teacher, the expert
cnce OF years hns demonstrated the
fact That the most satisfactory and
helpful plan is to organize these read
ors into "circles' OF amy number OF
persons where usually one member Is
selected to act as the teacher to ash
questions that shall help TO fix in tho
minds OF members the facts rcnd dur
ing the previous week. Quite clab-
1rale programmes are sometimes pre-
pared for these circle meetings, and
essays. Iecitations and music arc
found 10 add materially 10 their at.
trnctiveness.
A unique aud convenient feature OF
tho course is found In the fact that
the four yearly sets OF readings are
OF equal difficulty, and all Chautau-
quans study the same set OF books
during given year This makes II
possible for persons TO be members
OF the same circle who are Ia their
first, second, third or fourth year OF
study.
There arc many persons In Colo
,FuI,. and at h..,. nf ~. Waat H..
have been deprived OF the advantages
OF n college or even OF u high school
education. They nre frequently
among our most intelligent citizens
and are not content 10 abandon the
acquisition OF knowledge. 4, Il said
that upon coming to Colorado men
and women find that the climate af.
iects them In such wny MS To make
II more difficult TO apply themselves
TO books thnn II was In the Enst.
Who,hcr this be true or not II Is GER
tainly fact that II Is very easy even
for intelligent people 10 drift into
novel md newspaper ronding TO the
entire exclusion OF more solid litora-
turc.
The books laid down In tho Chau.
tauqua course arc selected with os-
pccial reference TO this class OF read
ora, ard they nrc so attractive and 30
easy 10 comprehend that thoy seldom
fail TO interest any ono with the least
desire for knowledge.
A Chnutauqua circle should be
formed In every town In the noun
iains and on the plains Of Colorado.
for II would not only prove stimu-
lntor OF study 10 many men aud
women but also offer opportunity for
social gatherings that nrc OF great
value TO small communities. School
teachers. preachers, and others who
ARE Interested In things intellectual.
should see to II tim, on the first OF