The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-08-06
Fine Lecture Given By Chap.
lain kipIinger
The Children Also Entertain
On Closing Night

Violating the speed limit of sc
laughs per minute, Strickland W.
Gillian, who closed most successful
Chautauqua season Wednesday even.
ing, sped along at fractions rate,
bowling over in his headlong fight
the cranky individual and the pessi-
mist, and giving just cause for a dam
age suit to the pronounced "sour-ball. /"
His mad dash over the well-piked
road of humOr left in it's wake many
reckless accidents such as the dam.
age OF dignity, the fracturing of gloom
and the complete and utter destruc-
ton of the blues"
Despite this chaotic ride. there was
prudence in Gillilan's manipulation
OF his vehicle which was displayed
when Home, the home of all of us.
was passed, and baby's cry, more
commanding than all the danger sig
mails, bells and whistles on the entire
Journey, ordered slower progress.
Gears were shifted into low speed and
the ride past Home was negotiated.
tenderly, solemnly and reverently.
Hence, loathed Melancholy" are
tie magic words Gillian might well
Lave uttered, as his first appearance
on the stage banished all gloom. not
a vestige remaining He is the apos-
tie of sunshine, the disciple of mirth
and leader of men into paths of
laughter and jollity rarely trod over.
He draws his audience to the stage
and forces them to survey the world
through brilliantly -colored pair of
glasses which make everything light
and bright and carry no suggestion
that darkness even exists. His
humor Is all-compelling and irresist-
ible.
And still there Is a sermon behind
the light surface of Gillilan's mean
derings. Strive as he would, the
humorist could not conceal it. He
even assured the audience that his
purpose was to instill optimism into
every heart, defining optimism as
that which brings rainbow into
every tear in the eye" But it was
plain to be seen from the manner in
which mothers in the audience hug
sed babes to their breasts at various
lines during the evening that the
real purpose of the humorist was to
Estill love of home. family and par
.icularly the children and had he but
seen the sights which greeted ones |
ayes from the rear of the tent he
would have felt that his efforts were
'ewarded and his mission accom-.
,lished.
Sunshine and Awkwardness" was
he subject of Gillilans discourse, to |
which he alluded but once, and then |
o remark that the audience repre-.
ented the sunshine, while he was the
motive power" The talk took on
he reminiscent account of the humor.
SITS life which, strange as it may
eem, held very closely to fact. His
oyhood days. spent near Jackson, O.,
material for a number of
ouching poems, original compost.
ions, which Gillian recited during
he course Of the evening. His humor-
us account of the church choir. the
oliege quartet and like vocal exper-
>nces will long be remembered.
There was an easy carriage about
lillian, an offhandedness in his man
or of speaking and sincerity in
is narration of the homely little de-
lils of his life that won him instantly
he hearts of his auditors. He seemed
desire Identification as plain, hu.
ian being and not as very success.
Al humorist and lecturer. This ap.
eal made itself felt and there is not
person in the audience who would
ave grasped Gillilan's hand without