THE C. L. S. C. CLASSES.
Reading edition
CLASS OF 1885.
“Press on, reaching after those things which are before.”
OFFICERS.
President—J. B. Underwood, Meriden, Conn.
Vice President—C. M. Nichols, Springfield, Ohio.
Treasurer—Miss Carrie Hart, Aurora, Ind.
Secretary—Miss M. M. Canfield, Washington, D. C.
Executive Committee—Officers of the class.
Class badges may be procured of either President or Treasurer.
The badges for ’85, phœnix-like, have risen from their ashes and can now be furnished promptly.
President Underwood would be glad if circles composed of members of the Class of ’85 would inform him of their existence and send name of president and secretary, that he may visit them when possible.
A Canadian classmate writes: “I am prosecuting my studies in connection with the C. L. S. C. all alone in a remote corner of our country, and find my greatest pleasure in holding communion with the good and great of the present and past ages. I am well pleased with the motto for our class and hope to be among those who verify its appropriateness by passing through the Gates next summer at Chautauqua.”
One member of ’85 writes: “Having just read the December column of ’85 in The Chautauquan, have concluded to show my enthusiasm by sending for our colors.” We can all say amen to this: “Please place my name on the roll of the Invincibles, and may God for dear Jesus’ sake help us all to ‘Press on, reaching after those things which are before.’”
Another says: “Although I was nearly fifty years of age when I commenced study in this way, yet am greatly interested and love it more and more. I hope to ‘press on, reaching after those things which are before,’ until I can stand in the immediate presence of Him whom my soul loveth.”
From Kentucky comes this testimony: “I am hoping to be able, literally, to ‘pass through the Gates’ next August and receive from Chancellor Vincent my diploma. I was at Chautauqua in ’83, and will not be content till I go again. My interest and enthusiasm increase as the four years draw to a close. During this time I have pursued my studies alone, having failed entirely to form even a ‘straight line’ in my neighborhood, five miles from Versailles. Although I would doubtless have enjoyed being connected with a circle, I know that studying the course, even alone, has very greatly benefited me. One of these benefits, and by no means the least, has been the increasing and strengthening of my taste for solid reading.”
New York.—“I have often wished that I could express my gratitude for, and appreciation of, my C. L. S. C. studies and associations, but when I attempt it my list of adjectives seems all too meager and inadequate. Since taking up the course, life and all that pertains to it assume a different aspect. I have gained an outlook which gives life a charm and attractiveness of which I had never dreamed. I had passed my forty-fifth year when I comprehended the C. L. S. C. plan sufficiently to see that it was for such illiterate people as I. The benefits I have received are past computation.”
Our Class Memorial to our loved alma mater must not be forgotten. We want to prepare for a memorial, a present worthy our name and aim. Fifty-five (55) names have up to this time been sent to the treasurer, with contributions to the class fund (some sending more than the amount requested). That is but a small beginning of the hundreds to hear from.
CLASS OF ’86.
“We study for light, to bless with light.”
CLASS ORGANIZATION.
President—The Rev. B. P. Snow, Biddeford, Maine.
Vice Presidents—The Rev. J. C. Whitley, Salisbury, Maryland; Mr. L. F. Houghton, Peoria, Illinois; Mr. Walter Y. Morgan, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Delia Browne, Louisville, Kentucky; Miss Florence Finch, Palestine, Texas.
Secretary—The Rev. W. L. Austin, New Albany, Ind.
The officers of ’86 send greeting to their classmates and co-workers.
The new class badge will soon be ready to send out. The color of the badge remains the same, but the class emblem and motto will be added.
From Colorado—Durango—comes this encouraging bit of class news: “We have eleven members in our class and are pursuing our studies this winter with unabated interest. Belonging to the class of ’86, we mean to be true to the name ‘Progressives.’ We hold our meetings every Monday evening, and follow the program laid out in The Chautauquan. There seems to be a growing interest in the Chautauqua work, and we hope to have another class organized in our little town before many months. The members of the present class are busy workers, teachers, mothers and housekeepers, but they have continued the course with increasing interest to this the third year, and purpose finishing the full course.”
CLASS OF 1887.—“THE PANSIES.”
“Neglect not the gift that is in thee.”
OFFICERS.
President—The Rev. Frank Russell, Mansfield, Ohio.
Western Secretary—K. A. Burnell, Esq., Chicago, Ill.
Eastern Secretary—J. A. Steven, M.D., Hartford, Conn.
Treasurer—Either Secretary, from either of whom badges may be procured.
Executive Committee—The officers of the class.
Class paper may be procured from Mr. Henry Hart, Atlanta, Ga.
The Canadian Pansies are doing good work in the promotion of the Chautauqua Idea.
The leaves swung lazily and slow, The wind hummed low its reverie, Chautauqua bells with loving chime Pealed forth their sweetest melody. Their quaint, weird music rolling on, Mingling with heaven’s azure ray, Enwrapped the earth with bright, new joy; It was our “Pansies’” natal day. Remembrance fond brings back the hour When on our breast the pansy blue We placed, with earnest, fervent prayer That to its trust we might be true. Again, again, and yet again, Our widening circle grew apace; And pansies bloomed on every side; North, South and West each claimed a place. And now a year with hurried tread, Has paced its tiny cycle round, Girdled with moments richly spent In wanderings on classic ground. Methinks we scarce could well have crowned The year agone with richer gems Than these bright visions of the past, Tho’ culled from monarch’s diadems. A goodly company our band— Twice seven thousand now we claim; And purpose with a royal love Thro’ every land to spread its fame. Tinted is the horizon’s rim With wisdom’s deep, ethereal blue, Yet all may reach its shining goal, If firm their trust and true. E’en though the path may rugged be, And lengthening shadows bar the way, Onward we’ll press with firmer zeal, Knowing success shall crown the day.
The New England Branch of the Pansy class held its reunion November 28th in the People’s Church in Boston. The first hour, from one to two p. m., was spent in social enjoyment. Prof. Sherwin then introduced himself in one of his characteristic speeches and concluded by presenting the New England president, the Rev. F. M. Gardner. He was unknown to many of the members, as he was elected on the last day of the Framingham Assembly, when many of the class had gone home. The president made an appropriate and pleasing address. The secretary, Miss Corey, then read her report. The pupils of the Boston Conservatory of Music, under the direction of Prof. Sherwin, gave a delightful musical entertainment. At the close of the musical program the Rev. J. W. Hamilton, pastor of the church, addressed the class in a very happy and interesting manner. A class poem was read by Miss Nell Robinson, of Lowell, Mass., which finds its place in this Pansy column this month. After some business the meeting was closed by singing a Chautauqua song. Nearly one hundred and fifty were present at this meeting. During the session the secretary called attention to the samples of class paper which had been sent on from Atlanta by direction of the committee appointed at Chautauqua last summer. The samples met the approval of those present.
CLASS OF 1888.—“THE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.”
“Let us be seen by our deeds.”
CLASS ORGANIZATION.
President—The Rev. A. E. Dunning.
Vice Presidents—Prof. W. N. Ellis, Brooklyn, N. Y.; the Rev. Wm. G. Roberts, Bellevue, Ohio.
Secretary—Miss M. E. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio.
Treasurer—Miss M. E. Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio.
All items for this column should be sent to the Rev. C. C. McLean, Jacksonville, Florida.
The Class of ’88 will undoubtedly increase its numerical strength at the Florida Chautauqua, to be held at Lake De Funiak, February 10th to March 9th, 1885.
Miss Ella Pearsall, the secretary, writes that in October a C. L. S. C. was organized in Matteawau, New York, taking as its motto, “Labor and Progress.”
One from New Haven, Conn., writes objecting to our name, “Plymouth Rock.”
Mrs. C. H. Pike, of New Haven, Conn., informs us that at one of their meetings, they made successful experiments in chemistry, before a delighted audience. Speaks well for our ’88s.
The Rev. H. L. Brickett, of Linnfield Center, Mass., class ’88, was appointed as a committee of one to confer with the granite companies of New England in regard to a base of granite for the proposed new Hall of Philosophy at Chautauqua, and has been successful in having donated one from the best granite, to be highly polished, bearing our name, monogram, motto, and year of our class. It is valued at $100. We extend to him, in the name of the “Plymouth Rocks,” the ’88s, more than thanks.
The Rev. Dr. Dunning, of Boston, has consented to deliver the address at our first annual “spread” in August next.
Stationery and badges for ’88 may be secured of Henry Hart, Atlanta, Ga.
Good for ’88. In the eight or ten circles found in St. Paul, Minn., about four fifths of the members are of the class of ’88.