Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-10-20
SCHEME ROB
THE HOME READING

Many of our readers know in a
general way of the Chautauqua
scheme of education, but have had no
personal acquaintance with its adj
mirable methods, and at this time of
year when hundreds of people are
looking for just the sort of direction
tlhat Chautauqua offers, it may be
timely to give in brief a general idea
Of the winter work of the institution
IS directed from it's lakeside home at
C~hautauqua, New York. The Read
ing Circle was started in 1878 by
Bishop John H. Vincent in the belief
that there was a widespread need
among out of school people for a
definite course of reading which
would broaden their outlook, bright
en- life, and develop their intellectual
powers. He held firmly the conyic-
ion that all life is a school, and that
lot only the younger people could
lroft by direction in study, but that
those in mature life were peculiarly
fitted by their experience of the world
to gain much from such a scheme of
education. The result not only justi-
fed his faith in the aspirations of ey-
eryday people, but so far exceeded
mis- expectations that the Chautauqua
idea became known all over this
country and Europe. In the years
that have elapsed since 1873, some
three hundred thousand persons have
enrolled as members and the Circle
has directly influenced half a million
%people. One striking feature of the
plan which at once appealed to the
older men and women was the Col
lege Outlook" Fathers and moth
/ ers with boys and girls going to col
ilege eagerly welcomed a course which
helped them in some degree to enter
Into sympathy with the college stu
dents point of view. Circles sprang
mp almost by magic all over the
country, for people wanted to get to-
gether and compare notes. At the
same time the plan reached out tor
isolated people in mining camps, and
il lonely farm houses, in far western
ranches, and even on the high seas.
The c. l.. s.. has ever since held a
firm place among American educa
tional institutions. The reader in
his four years. course, comes into
touch successfully with Classical
lands, England, America and Modern
Europe. He gains the habit of look
ing at subjects in a broad way in the
light of their historical development
He sees new significance in things
that he scarcely noticed before, and
4 in short becomes a citizen of the un-
iverse instead of a mere provincial.
The C. l.. S. C. is in this way q
4 preparation for and an incentive tc
/ life long study. And it does what
\ even the university cannot-utilize'
4 the intellectual discipline which prac'
4 teal experience in everyday life
4 guarantees to thoughtful people who
1 have not enjoyed college opportunl
4 ties. Back of it all is the strong
4 sane, ethical spirit which pervade'
/ the work of Chautauqua so that |
I not only %cultivates a taste for The
4 best literature, and stimulates habits
1 of thinking, but promotes also an in
\ lteresting, enriched and e%nriching life
4 useful and active in helpful service
4 During the coming years course
/ Chautauqua is to approach great cur
4 EN- questions from a unique poin
4 of view. 1t is the Classical Year" il
] the c. L. S. C. The Orient is at pres
Il ent a factor of absorbing present da.
d interest. ChautauQua has utilized
1 this psychological moment" and it
4 readers are TIC study the development
\ OF the East through India and Chin;
1 and Japan as compared with the de
! velopment of the West through
Greece and Italy. 1t is a most at
4 tractive scheme, and fortunate viii
1 be those who improve the oppor