The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
STRATFORD

There was an unusually large gath
-sring last night of the members of the
Mems Club at the home of McLaren
Stevenson. to listen to an address on
The Peoples University by Rev.
Richard L. Swain. pastor Of the South
church OF Bridgeport He remarked
that he was glad to face so many men,
fine looking specimens and intelligent
He did not see why Stratford might
not be a remarkable town Some
speak of a library as being a univer-
sity for the people. It is a sad fact
that many of our libraries are poor in
quality The town should be regard
ed as the peoples university. The
university has for it's function dis
semination and advancement Of
be helpless without a library. The
library must grow up with the uni
versity and supply its needs. One
shotdd be able to find the best there
is In any given line of investigation.
The library Is but q mere tool The
university does more or less Of orig
inal work 1t exists as a town. which
l. an institution for progressive work
A town should know itself and what
It must have as asreason for its exist
ence
What would a town be unless It
comes to self consciousness? What
say win fail unless you do the think
ing. Is this town getting a grasp on
its resources? What will be its out
look? lido not know the resources
OF stratford. But there should be a
splendid opportunity for social life;
the beautiful thing Is. it is an organi-
zatfon just as much as the big trees
on your streets. A town should have
zation-something to look forward to-
DIR. Swain illustrated this by speak
ing of walk he took In Holyoke. with
a stranger. who asked what are all
the big mills which line the river?
The peoples university. was the re-
ply. You would be surprised to find
what expert chemists there are in
those mills: what a large number of
men are employed who have exact
technical knowledge. There should be
opportunity for mental development in
town. There is the same problem
here as in a university-aH the depart
ments should coordinate. Take the
question of economics: it must be
studied to get the best result. 1t is
just as much of a study in Stratford.
all political questions should be stud
led They are more vital than in a
college for you have got the real
thing. Students are only getting
ready to do-you have the practical
and concrete to deal with. Do some
Of politics. of civics. 1t is a wonder
full thing to make a town come to
something. See what your economic
opportunities are. All of your prob
lens are to be interesting because
they are real. In the matter of pub
lie improvements some towns let them
90 in almost any sort of an old way.
A man cannot be much greater than
the society In which he lives. If [
grow other men will grow with me.
One man is no man at ALL
An organization is a thousand times
more wonderful than Disqualification
We must be organic socially. Every
mans life is run down at the heel
An isolated man is worthless indi-
viduai Study problems: look upon
yourselves as university men, Then
YOU Will create an atmosphere for the
town. and every town has an atmos-
phere Of some sort. All that you do
Is vital. Take the problem of the
streets: the school problem; how to
inspire men. and women and boys
doing for your youth? Are you study
ing amusements? Be a sort of DR..
Grenfell In some old worn out town,
and bring it to life. This is a fas-
am almost tempted to give up my vo-
cation and 20 into some poor old town
in New Hampshire. and work for it's
good. A library should grow up
around an the needs of a town: there
should be books on all special sub
jects: something more than general
reading. Get connected with some
thing that is big: get inside the traces
study with vengeance. Bend your
back TO the burden.
Last of all there is a chapel con-
nected with university Society in
the shape OF town is a highly organ
lied institution. Some towns are like
an oyster. Man is specialized in his
parts. and this makes him very won
derfui. All fer each. and the brain
is the central organization and func-
ton. There was time when the
cbzrch run the town I'm law. theology.