Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1909-05-22
The OBJECT And AIM
OF The c. |. S. c.
cHAUTAUoUA THOUGHT en-
Braces AL SIDES OF LIE.
Perfection IN Man impossible. But I'm
provsmsnt Is Within the
Reach Of Everyone.
tContrIbutedD

The Chautauqua thought embraces
an sides OF our many-sided life and
aims az the perfection OF all We
must acknowledge that perfection IL
impossible 20 man I'm his present
state. but we should strive 20 keep
before as a splendid conception OF
q strong, symmetrical character.
To know is good. to do is better.
20 be O. best. We do not receive
grace and goodness as we do our
merchandise-to order. We work out
while God works IN us.
we live in deeds. not years. in
thoughts. not breath; IN feeling. not
In figures on the dial We should
count time by heart thrObs
when they beat. For God, for
man. for duty. He most lives
who thinks most. feels nOblest. acts
the best Life IL but a means unto
an end: that end beginning. mean
en- end 90 an things. God"
The FIRST great object Of the Chau-
tnuqua movement is 10 promote self
culture. Il Is pleasant 90 know and
a a. useful One who knows IL
worth much more than one who does
not know selfeducation Is not
reading for amusement alone. The
cultivation % reading is an excellent
thing as a means OF enlarging our
ideas and refining our tastes. but Il
does not help one 20 rise above the
position IN which circumstances may
have placed him. Il Is study that
does this. Franklin the printer
did not become Franklin the philos0-
pher and statesman by reading only.
but By study; and we do not read Of
his studying under teachers. His edu-
cation progressed under the direction
Of his own mind. But usually men
are not willing % devote themselves
20 that process Of slow. tollsome self
culture which Is the price Of great
success.
Reading IL 20 the mind what eating
a. 20 the body. and reflection Is SINH
lar to digestion. To eat without Civ
ing nature time 20 assimilate the
food IL unwise; 50, 20 cram the mind
By reading Is 90 weaken Il. Learn
% reflect upon what you read.
A vast amount 90 knowledge may
BE- gained By using the leisure mo-
ments and then while our hands are
employed with the practical affairs Of
life We can reflect upon what We have
read. This gives 90 the everyday
life OF kitchen. nursery. parlor. work
shop and field dignity and glory and
helps 20 make life more truly worth
the living.
mot on. the outer world
For inward Joy depend:
Enjoy the luxury OF thought
Make thine oWnself thy friend.
Good company have they
Who By themselves do walk.
n they have learned on blessed
themes
With their own souls 10 talk.
Drink waters from the fount
That In thy bosom springs.
self-knOwledge and selfculture mount
To uneomputed gains"
In striving for mental excellence
= - ~. - HaH
gent. and the good viii have an In.
spring and refining influence. The
Perslans have this beautiful fable 10
show the value Of good company:
a philosopher Was one day astonish.
ed By the fragrance OF a piece OF clay.
On asking how Il came 20 have 80
sweet a perfume. the clay answered.
II was once a piece OF common clay.
bat I was placed for some time In
the company OF a rose. and the quality
Of my company was communicated
20 me"
The second great ideal Of the
ChauiauQua movement a. good fellow
Ehip. Cicero says; IL IL no less
an eyil Cor d man 90 b. without
friend than the heavens % be- with.
out q sun" Socrates. when asked
Why he had built Tor himself 30 small
a house. replied. small as Il is.
Wish ! could ON Il with friends
These are. indeed. an a wise man
would assombla. Tor a crowd A not
company. TIE sweetest and most