The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1898-01-08


part OF the leaders and the readers Of
the papers; and on the part OF the audi
ence Of men and women an alertness OF
attention that made the other meetings
Of the convention fade away beside its
freshness and originality like the sba-
dows OF bas-relief in dim light. The
ideas presented we're not new, nor was
any eloquence on top; it was merely
that the atmosphere see med to be rari-
fed by the evident belief in themselves
and the work displayed by women who
addressed the gathering especially the
young women TIE subjects discussed
were: Teachers ideas Of parents duties
Duties OF parents from the parents
standpoint" and Ethics in the schools
all the papers bearing directly upon the
relations existing between children in
school and their parents and teachers,
and upon the nature OF the assistance
that could be offered by the clubs.
Last week We stated that the fret
club in Lincoln was organized in De-
cember 1868, and certainly il others ex-
listed at an earlier period they must
have been Indian clubs. In that year
young Episcopal clergyman. the Rev. w.
B. Bolmer, just from the theological
and filled with the energy OF
youth and the fervor Of his recent con-
secration vows. came to Lincoln. He
found here, besides those amongst whom
he was to labor, a goodly number OF
cultivated people Of other denomina'
tions, accustomed to the Pleasures
Of intellectual intercourse in their
eastern homes, who gladly welcomed
him to their companionship. No Epis.
copal church existed at that time. but
services were held in Representative Hall
at the Capitol. The eloquent young
soon became the centre
around which gravitated cOterie Of
literary friends, which gradually became
known te the members as "Our Literary
Club The meetings were held in the
evening. and were usually OF a social as
we'll as literary nature. The first sub
iect taken up was American literature,
and began with the study Of Irving and
his Knickerbocker's History Of New
York. One object OF the club was the
welcoming OF strangers who came to
make Lincoln their home, and especially
homeless and friendless young men who
were Il, quently its invited guests. The
club also took an active interest in
everything that pertained to the well
fare Of the town and enthusiastically as
sisted in its upbuilding by giving both
time and money. The surviving men,
bers cannot forget tina interest with
which they watched the bill for the es-
Establishment OF the University and the
Joy with which the granting OF the char
ter was hailed on the l4th of February.
1863. The club, though small. exerted
strong personal influence on the public
sentiment of the day; an instance OF this
was shown at the contemplated opening
OF the University.
On completion Of the first building
the dancing element were DESTROYS to
celebrate the occasion by a ball in the
chapel; but the Literary Club opposed
this quietly though strenuously. and the
dance was abandoned, the University
being opened by appropriate literary ex-
ercises instead. When on the arrival OF
the first chancellor and his wife, Mr.. and
Mrs. Benton. from none did they receive
a more earnest and cordial welcome than
from this came little circle. Mr.. and
"