Middletown transcript., 1895-11-23
CLUBS AND SOCIETY.

hs
Clubs, Euchre Clubs, Cycle Clubs, ORA
matte Clubs, Dancing Clubs, even o
Poker Clubs, but never word of
Literary Club. What does this mean
cannot answer the question; or rathe
the answer that could give would no
be complimentary to the intelligence o
the people of Middletown. Have yol
an explanation 7
A CONSTANT READER.
Perhaps the explanation is that Their
is more literary work planned and ac
complished in Middletown than "Con
slant Reader'' knows of. To begiI
with, the churches have societies which
should be, and undoubtedly are, uset
as literary schools. We refer to th'
Christian Endeavor and the Epwortf
League. We imagine that a part o.
their work is to encourage literary ef
forts along the lines of Church history
polity and doctrine; the preparation
and presentation of papers upon topics
| Of this character at regular stated in
tervals. OF course the field is contrac.
ted here, narrow if you wish to so pu'
it, but necessarily part of ones edu
cation, and it is the duty as well as the
privilege of the Church to instruct hel
members in all these matters. Let
"Constant Reader inquire as to the
work done in the town along this line.
And again we hear Of ''little bands"
who meet for reading and study regu-
larly who do not dignity their gather
ings with the title of club or soci-
ETY. and yet they are profted as much
as though they worked under a high
sounding name. 1t is possible that
they are selfish in their quiet little
gatherings, so selfish as not to invite
the world to participate in their feast
of literatur, and yet we have no doubt
'Constant Reader" being desirous of
an opportunity for congenial compan-
ionship in study, would be welcome to
the select circles.
These circles might be proftably en-
larged and with pronounced object
in view, definite plan, and a course
Of work laid out. So far as we know
not gentleman belongs to such a COM
pan y in Middletown, but like "Con-
stont Reader" we may not be well in
formed in these matters. 1t is not be-
cause the gentlemen are not competent
to take an active part, many of them,
nor is it because there are not many
who need the information, but it is, we
think, because in the pursuit of busi-
ness they lose sight of the pleasures of
study, the delights of literature. FFhe
gentlemen attend the Whist Clubs, SC.
and right there may be the secret for
which '.Constant Reader" is looking.
Take the gentlemen into these societies,
circles or bands; make them active,
not honorary members, and the same
interest found in the card party may be
discovered in the literary work.
Has "Constant Reader" ever
thought how the Euchre Club was
formed2 Several players of the game
inyite other friends to join them in
establishing such club, the invitations
are accepted and the club is formed.
In the same way a Reading Circle, a
Literary Society, a Shakespearian Club
may be organized. Instead of finding
fault, go to work and do something;
snrn something up instead of waiting
everlastingly for something 10 turn
up"
The Dramatic Club IS as yet merely
sugg estion, a suggestion made by the
TRANSCRIPT last spring, and one that
We thought then, and think still, is
worthy of consideration. Middletown
has not little musical and dramatical
talent, an orchestra second to no
amateur orchestra in the country, and
the churches are not prejudiced against
the stage, as they are i'll some COM
munities. Indeed if one may judge
from appearances, the church societies
encourage The amateur drama, and why
not? 1t brings funds to the church
and innocent amusement, if not real
culture, to its participants. Then why
not have dramatic organization
thy Of the name such as the TRAN
SCRIPT advocated last spring?
But this need not prevent the orga-
nization of Literary Clubs such as by
implication Constant Reader" advo-
Gates. If there are those who ale
anxious for such an association and
yet do not know how to get at it, the
TRANSCRIPT will act as a medium of
communication, not by publication but
privately. and will put in the hands of
Constant Reader" any letters and
suggestions sent in care of the paper.