Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1911-11-01
Cere6O WOman's Club.

organization of the Ceredo Wo-
mans club, the hospitable hone
OF the Misses Bush was throw
open IN cordial welcome to it's
members on Thursday evening
Oct. 10, 1911. A large attend
ance was present. There being
no busiLess to transact, the fol.
lowing long anticipated program
was delightfully."- rendered.
Miss Anua Lederer, who has
charge OF the literary department,
selected for her general topic,
Literature as an Interpretation
OF Life" and her subject, "Litero-
tore, Art aud Life" was the first
of series TO be gwen throughout t
the year. In every way their ex-
pectatlons, based upon the talent
and recognized ability of Mis- =
Lederer, who IA pricIpal of the
Ceredo-Keuova high school. wern
realized. Her paper dealing with
subject so dear to the principles
of the club woman, might have
been profe ssionsl treat so we'll
was 1t Executed. 1t will long be
remembered. From the introduc
ton which contained touching
pen picture TO its conclusion
that reflected profound consid-
Grafton of her topic, 1T showed in
every way the touches of her IN
dividualIty, and the charm Of her
personality served only TO en-.
hance the effect upon her listen
ers. The following excerpts were
taken from her manuscript:
'Literature as one of the fine
arts likewise aims to bring about
transfer of feelings But here
the appeal is not so direct. Music,
for example, is conveyed Imme-
diately to the nerve center and
feeling results at once. Not 40,
however, with literature. The
literary artist muet seek to pro-
duce the emotion indirectly
through the medium of the imagi.
nation. Literature is defined,
by one writer, as 'the written
presentation to the feelings of
such thoughts, emotions and
deeds as exaIt the soul Now,
such presentation cannot be
made through mere statements
or declarations. These appeal
only TO the intellect; they arouse
no feeling, hence they are not
literature. The language of liter
ature must be such that it en-
ables the reader lmaginatIvely to
pass through the given expert
ence.
"It is not only the presenta-
tion of inspiring thought and
noble deeds that is soul-exalting.
The study Of a strong and beautI-
ful character, the contemplation
of the wonders and beauties of
Nature, even some humorous sIt-
uatIone, arouse emotions that
prompt to noble action and to
healthful living.
"Life covers wide range of
emotions, therefore all great lit
erary works present q variety OF
feelings, usually with one prin.
cipal Interpretation as the theme
of the whole work. Character
study, since it reveals TO US the
possibilities Of our own natures,
ls a never failing source of in
spiratiou; tor this reason the
great writer's have made exteu.
sIve use Of character develop
meut III the presentalion of the
truths they seek TO make known.
'To cay that literature should
suggest sourexalting feelings
does not mean that undesirable
emotions are not 10 b5 considered
at all. 1T does mean, however
that the latter must not be pre-
sented - as to arouse similar
emotions in ourselves. Selfish.
u -ss, jealousy, envy and the like
have been made the theme OF
some of our greatest writings, but
always IN such a way as 20 make
those debasing passions repulsiye.
There IS a class OF llterature-so
cal!ed-however, that awakens
only morbidness, unwholesome
desIres, disgust with life. The
sensational novel that racks the
nerves aud disturbs the senses >
the realistic novel that lays bare
the uglIuess IN life and induces
contempt for humanity--these
cannot be ennobling; indeed they
can be nothing else than debasing
to the soul, hence they are not
worthy the name of literature.
"Acquaintance with the great
literature of the world is the key
TO an annrnciaiinn Of Tho in.,. o.. 4