The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-02
Tremendous Growth of the Chautauqua
Idea, Conceived by Bishop Vincent
and Lewis Miller on Aug 4, 1874

truly for there are difficulties in the
way of the presence at Chautauqua Of
class members from the far West.
China. South Africa and other distant
portions OF the globe.
Then comes the geographical roll call
Folk from foreign countries are there
The South stands up thousand or
more strong. There is an unending
rivalry among New York and Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio as to which sends the
biggest delegation. Everybody is in
great good humor and strolls To the
lakeside afterward to see the fireworks.
In 1S1i-it was August Of that year
too-Dr.. now Bishop. John IIeyl Vim
cent and his coworker. Lewis Miller of
Akron. ohio. father-ln-law of Thomas
\. Edison. gathered about them at Fair
Point on Lake Chautauqua the people
whom they had been interesting in the
new idea for the past twelvemonth.
Or. Vincent explained to them his plan
for training Sunday school teachers.
To-day 1t would Ice called improving
their efficiency in the highest sense. For
| n fortnight they camped. studying hard
| by day. listening to popular talks and
| good music In the evening, sleeping In
| tents at night.
with n world of difference in details
! the fundamentals of the assemblies at
| Chautauqua have not changed The
session has heightened from a fortnight
| To two months. Instead of one type Of
subject a variety of themes. literary,
sociological. historical pedagogical. are
presented on the platform and the sum
mer schools offer some $50 courses in
fourteen depaI tments.
The camp meeting ground has grown
into fenced village of some 600 houses
with business block, "A hotel. two audi
forums. three class buildings, arts and
crafts studios. eight dcnuminational
houses. three halls and sundry other
buildings-a million dollar plant in all
exclusive of the privately owned cot
tigcs. II is all bigger and better and il
is very up to date. Pine knots are re-
placed by electricity and the kerosene
cooker by natural gas but the Chautau-
qua idea. Of mutual service, Of develop
ing the possibilities Of the adult, of
actuilzng vision, has not changed a
bit.
And how the idea spread No wonder
1t was called "A movement, within tel
years 1t seemed as II the whole middle
West was alive with assemblies, all bor-
rowing the name Chautauqua, though
not one had or has now any organic
connection with the parent assembly
To-day there are some 5000 of these
assemblies. either independent local or
ganiza lions or circuit Chautauquas, an,
it is estimated that 10000 people ar,
in attendance on them annually.
At Chautauqua. y. Y, there ar
about 10000 visitors every summer thu
greatest concentrati ion being during oil
first night week and recognition week
both in August. Recognition week |
the great time for the G. l.. $. c., tn
home reading course people, Then al
the graduates who can reach Chau
taudila gather for the ceremonies
which mark the celebration Of the end
ing of four years cycle OF work.
ON Sunday there is a baccalaureat
sermon. This year IL is to he preache'
| by Or. George W. Truett Of Dallas
The Dickens class members will marCl
from the C. l.. :. &. Alumni Hall to tn
! amphit heatre escorted 10y the grad
yates of other years, who are seate
) by classes In tie afternoon Chancello
Vincent is to give an address to tn
lallS at the NoSpcr service. In IN