The Penn's Grove record., 1914-09-25
The GREAT CHAUTAUQUA IDEA
Its Origin, Purpose and PrevaIenc,

Its Origin, Purpose and Prevalence.
Chautauqua is ali Indian name which
first designated a lake, in the south west
extremity of the State, of New York, 20
miles long, 2 miles wide, 700 feet above
Lake Erie from which it is 10 miles dis
tant. Along its shore a summer resort
was established in the County Of the am
name.
Rev. John H. Vincent, who is now a
retired Bishop OF the M. E. Church, was
| the head OF the movement which led to
the study of the same Bible lessons in all
the Sunday School by the action of the
general Conference in 1872, which idea
has been adopted by other denominations.
The idea to have a summer course of sys-
tematic instruction for Sunday school
teachers i'll the woods at Chautaqua led
to giving popular lectures in literature
science and art.
In 1874 the Chautauqua Assembly was
founded by Bishop Vincent and financed
by Lewis Miller, a wealthy resident Of
Ohio. In 1878 the Cllautauqua Literary
and Scientific Circle was organised. The
distinctive mission of this '~'circle' is
stated to be 'to direct the reading habits
of grown people, both those who have re-
ceived the best that the educational in
situations can give, and desire to pursue
an latter SCHOOL, course, aid those who
for any reason failed to receive a college
education i'll early life, but who now de-
sire to secure to themselves the college
Students general outlook upon the world
and life and to develope the habit of close
connected persistent thinking. The
system comphrehends a four years course
of home reading and study to be pursued
under the advisory supervision of the
officers OF the institution, on the COM
pletion of which diplomas are awarded.
Postgraduate and special courses are also
provided for those who desire to prosecute
particular branches of study beyond the
limits laid down in the regular course.
On the tenth anniversary of the Circles
organisation. it was stated that about
20O, 900 persons scattered thru all parts of
the world. belonged to the association;
most of them are members of local cir
Giles formed in accordance with the gen.
eral plan of the scheme fol- the more
efficient prosecution of the studies.
In fact, it was the first great CORES.
pondence school.
"The Chautauqua College of Liberal
Arts is another department. of the work,
A faculty Of able professors gives instruc-
ton by correspondence, and after rigid
examinations the regular collegiate de-
gress are conferred under charter from
the state of New York. The CHAUTAU-
QUA, a magazine of large circulation, the
organ and exponent of The Chautauqus
Idea,' is published at Meadville, Pa,
"The Chautauqua Assembly Grounds,
situated upon the northern shore Of the
lake, comprise about 165 acres, contain
ing over 500 attractive summer cottages
a fine hotel, a museum of archaeology, al
amphitheatre with a seating capacity O
over, 5000, several halls for meetings, and
and numerous other appliances for com
bining recreation with instruction
Large numbers of students and visitors
congregate here in the summer season
'Chautauquas,' more or less OH the plal
of the original with buildings, lectures
&C., have been established in various
parts OF the United States.
There are residents of Penns Grow,
who never had all opportunity to attend
a high school nor college who took TIN
Chautauqua course of home study which
consisted of reading books and sending
written articles upon what was read
By so doing they acquired not only
valuable fund of information which j
acquired in high schools and. colleges
but also broader higher and nobler idea
i'll life. Those who belonged to Chan
tauqua reading circles met at the home
Of the members. Instead Of talking i'd
| gossip and dissectiDg characters of pei
sons they talked Of things and ideas, &C
+ quired from books read, which leads t
the nobler walks and talks OF life.
d Penns Groves Chautauqua will b
. held October 26, 81, %. Tickets for l
entertainment only 81; Child's ticket
: 75c; single admission 35c; child 25c.