The Penn's Grove record., 1914-10-09
THE GREAT AMERICAN CHAUTAUQln IDEA
Its Growth and Cultural Value

Solomon said, "For as man thinketh
so he is"
SHAKESPEARE said, sit lie the mind that
makes the body rieh."
st. Paul said, Neglect not the gift that
is in thee; give heed to reading; whatso-
ever things are true, whatsoever things
are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are
OF good report, if there be any virtue and
if there bee any praise, think ON these
things"
The C~hautauqua idea is the most
American idea, and the most democratic
and most prevalent in an educational
cultural line outside of school and col
leges in this country. 1t includes not
only the idea of bringing the knowledge
of a high school and college education to
all who have passed the school age, but
also a systematic course of reading of
educational value to those who have
completed a college course of study. 1t
not only included the requirements of
history, literature, science and art, but
also the ethical principal in the science of
Christianity contained in the quotation
above from st. Paul. Please read it
again.
The Chautauqua Literature and Scien-
tifc Circle has extended over America
and other countries to the extent that
5000 600 persons have availed themselves
of the knowledge and cultural benefits
derived by systematic readings. The
10th anniversary of the original Institute
was celebrated at Clfautauqus, N. Y,
last August with an immense procedure.
The idea became too big to be restrict
ed to a hundred acres in New York, 50
assemblies have been held for several
years during the summer months in
other states. They have most extensive
ly prevailed in the West where people do
not not have seashore resorts to frequent.
At these assemblies instruction is to a
large extent by lecture, on subjects of
educational and cultural values. Lee
lures of a musical and amusing character
were introduced as a diversion, but these
have been of a character in keeping with
the conventional customs and laws of
Christian societies in line with st. Paul's
recommendations to the Philippines
quoted above.
The Assembly at Chautauqua, N. Y,
also at other places extent over two
months, July and August. Other places
have ~Chautauquas two weeks, some one
week and the smallest places where $500
can be guaranteed have them three
days. At those held a week and less the
lectures are OIL topics of an educational
and social uplift character while the en-
tertaining part is of the highest ethical
order.
The C~hautauquas n week long have
only been established in the region of
eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Della
ware and New Jersey within the past
five years. Now two hundred towns
have them in tents from May until Octo-
Der. The performing talents 60 from one
town to the other. The headquarters of
the Association is at Swathmore, Pa.
The original Chautauqua was not a
resort, but a community in which was
developed a social spirit by all 10 a com
munity think on something worth while,
as contained in st. Paul's address quoted
above. The C%hautauqua platform has
been the great education the past few
years in national, state and civic prob
lens.
The talent at the three.day festival is |
is not as high priced as at the larger, but
it is an improvement upon what is usual
ly sent from lyceum bureaus.
Penns Groves first Chautauqua Lyceum
Festival will be held October rs, 81, %.