THE C. L. S. C. CLASSES.

CLASS OF 1885.—“THE INVINCIBLES.”

“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.

There will be excursions from Chautauqua to Niagara Falls every few days during the season, and there will be no difficulty in securing ample and satisfactory accommodations for the class of 1885, or any portion of it.

The challenge of our classmate in Kansas brings forth the following from Maryland: “I see in the May Chautauquan a chivalric old gentleman hailing from Kansas, claiming to be the oldest member of the class—being born in the year the battle of Waterloo was fought. Now, I have entered on my seventy-fifth summer, and remember distinctly the battle of Waterloo. But, he claims also to be the youngest. Now, if I shall have the pleasure of meeting him at Chautauqua, and he is so disposed, we will run a foot race. But, really, this is the time for ‘grave and reverend seigniors’ to speak out. Who comes next?”

Nebraska.—I trust that I shall be numbered with those who shall “pass under the Arches” at dear Chautauqua this summer, thereby proving that I am one who is earnestly striving to “Press on, reaching after those things which are before.” The C. L. S. C. means a great deal to me. These magic letters are the key which unlocks all the enthusiasm of my being. These four years have been a new revelation to me, and have been of deep, abiding interest, and a well-spring of joy. Last year my dearest friend, a devoted Chautauquan, a member of the class of ’85, a thorough “Invincible,” in every sense where right was involved, went on before. Since that time I have read alone, but hope to be one of the successful many who shall pass under the Arches and “begin” again, instead of ending on Commencement day.

An earnest society lady writes: “The whole bent of my life is changed by the C. L. S. C. Next to being a Christian, it is the greatest blessing of my life. I read and listen to sermons and lectures more intelligently, and have been led into a spiritual life.”

Ontario.—I have often felt it my duty to express my thankfulness to the C. L. S. C. for the information I have received from their well chosen books. Words are inadequate to express my gratefulness to Chancellor Vincent and his coadjutors for the great and lasting benefit I have received from this course, although being unable to do the work as thoroughly as I would if time permitted. I complete my four years this summer, and I am more anxious than ever to explore other books which I have not read. This circle of reading has created a desire for some branches that hitherto was dormant, and revived the desire for others. From the first I have been anticipating a trip to Chautauqua, but will be unable to gratify my desire this summer. I hope to be able to receive my diploma at home. I think our class motto is excellent, and hope we will all prove worthy of our name—“Invincible.”

CLASS OF 1886.—“THE PROGRESSIVES.”

“We study for light, to bless with light.”

CLASS ORGANIZATION.

President—The Rev. B. P. Snow, Biddeford, Maine.

Vice Presidents—The Rev. J. T. 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.

From all quarters there comes up the assurance from members of ’86 that they mean to be at Chautauqua or Framingham this summer. Attendance at an Assembly, with its enthusiastic “Round-Tables,” conferences upon literature, art and science, new lights upon past reading, and new outlooks for the future, well nigh doubles the value of the course. Come, earnest readers of ’86, and see.

Plans are already being formed for the graduation exercises at Chautauqua next year, and the hardly less interesting observances at the New England Assembly. Any suggestions bearing upon this important matter may be freely made by letter to the president or secretary, by those who can not be present at the Assemblies. The class of ’86 is the first large class to graduate; it has done grand work in the course, and it means to honor Chautauqua and itself by suitable exercises and observances, when its thousands shall come up to receive from the University their diploma in August, 1886.

We shall hear, personally or by letter, at the Assemblies, from our honorary members, of whom the class of ’86 is justly so proud.

Will members of ’86, in New England, remember the new Hall of Philosophy at Framingham, now under way, and to be completed by July 1st? Send your subscription, if you have not done so; subscribe and send at once if you have not yet taken a share in this grand enterprise, and induce your friends to lend assistance, that the few hundred dollars needed to finish and furnish the building may be at once forthcoming. Remit to N. B. Fisk, Woburn, Mass.

It is hoped that there will be a large number of the New England members at the Framingham Assembly in July.

Let your light shine! hold the torch on high! let every one see that the class of ’86 is true to its name—“Progressives.”

Miss Alice C. Jennings, ’86, whose poems from time to time have appeared in The Chautauquan, writes as follows: “A severe sickness in childhood deprived me entirely of the sense of hearing. This has been more effectual than bolts and bars in excluding me from all institutions of learning. You can easily imagine how precious to a person so situated must be the opportunities of the C. L. S. C., and of the ‘Society to Encourage Studies at Home.’ At least four of my deaf friends have joined the C. L. S. C. on my own solicitation. We have tried to have a circle among ourselves. We live in five different places, but our headquarters are at Boston Highlands, and we send reports there every month.”

To the New England Branch a suggestion is made in the interest of the class, and in behalf of the excellent Secretary of the New England Branch. Will not every member not able to attend at Framingham this summer send (July 15-28) to Miss Mary R. Hinckley, South Framingham, Mass., a postal card with postoffice address, and bearing, if nothing more, “Yours for ’86”? To ascertain those who and how many are affiliated with “the good class of ’86” in New England, is most desirable for weighty senior and graduation interests.

Reports from various quarters lead to the conclusion that, compared with the whole number at any time enrolled in the class of ’86, the number entering upon the Senior year will be exceptionally large. It ought to be large—larger than any class preceding, more thorough, more enthusiastic. We have the advantage of the experience of all who have gone before. Let us rise to our privileges.

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., 150 Madison Street, Chicago, Ill.

Eastern Secretary—J. A. Steven, M.D., 164 High Street, Hartford, Conn.

Treasurer—Either Secretary, from either of whom badges may be obtained.

Executive Committee—The officers of the class.

At a great camp meeting near Indianapolis, in the first week of August, the Rev. Frank Russell, President of the class of ’87, is to set forth in an address, the nature of the C. L. S. C. as an educational and moral force.

The wake of a C. L. S. C. class is found to kindle a bright way for the next. Much correspondence of the officers of the class of ’87 has been toward the interest of the class of ’88, and is now extending even toward that of ’89. Each succeeding class seems to promise increasing numbers and power.

A member of ’87 has succeeded in forming a circle at Jefferson, Ohio, of ten members. She writes: “I can not tell you all the good our circle is doing for us individually. We have enjoyed our chemistry very much. We were very pleasantly entertained and instructed by experiments given by Professor Perry in April.”

From St. Johns, N. B., Mr. G. A. Henderson sends the following account of the C. L. S. C.: “We organized with five ‘Pansies,’ and were joined this year by seventeen ‘Plymouth Rocks.’ We were the means also of influencing the formation of another circle of ’88, over twenty in number. At present there are about sixty reading the course in our city. We look forward with deep interest to the publication of the book by our chief ‘Pansy,’ and although we have not contributed to it, we hope to meet and march with you through the Gates in ’87.”

Hannah Percival Hamer, a member of the “Pansy” class, died at her home in Taunton, Mass., April 24, 1885. She was a most faithful worker and firm advocate of the Chautauqua course.

On the 9th of April Miss Maggie B. McKnight, of Chambersburg, Pa., a member of the “Pansy” class, died. She was a devoted and enthusiastic Chautauquan, and looked with great pleasure toward the time when she could visit Chautauqua. She was reading with another member of the class, who intends, however, to keep on, saying that she “could not do without it now.”

Westfield, N. J., is the home of a “Pansy” circle, calling itself by the cheerful name of “Hope.” It began with three sisters reading the course together. It was very fitting that they should receive their first inspiration from reading “Four Girls at Chautauqua.” The “Hope” is working hard to increase its membership.

CLASS OF 1888.—“THE PLYMOUTH ROCKS.”

“Let us be seen by our deeds.”

CLASS ORGANIZATION.

President—The Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D., Boston, Mass.

Vice Presidents—Prof. W. N. Ellis, 108 Gates Avenue, 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, in condensed form, to the Rev. C. C. McLean, St. Augustine, Florida.

Class badges may be procured of either President or Treasurer.

The following are among the circles not yet reported in our column. I first give name of circle, then place and number of members: “Gradatim,” Kennebunk, Me., four; Bloomfield, Ind, seven; Niobrara, Neb., eight; “Master” (motto, “Labor is the price of mastery”), Ionia, Mich., eleven; “Peripatetics,” Chicago, Ill., twelve; “Magnolia,” Marianna, Fla., fourteen; “Philomathean,” Lancaster, N. Y., eighteen. The last named has by quotations, recitations, readings and essays celebrated the “memorial days.” For six months none but ladies composed the circle. They, however, so charmed three gentlemen that they sought admission and became enthusiastic students. The members of this circle so dislike the class name that they have refused to adopt it. They are among the others who express their enjoyment of the class reports in our ’88 column.

The circle at Hastings, Minnesota, twenty-three members, has instructed its secretary to write their objection to our name. Among other things is the following: “In The Chautauquan we read of one class talking of establishing a ‘Heliotrope Bed’ at Chautauqua, and another a ‘Pansy Bed.’ We might send a coop of ‘Plymouth Rocks,’ but we fear they might demolish the beds of flowers.” We have received encomiums of praise of the name. One from Mount Carmel, Connecticut, says: “Our name, like every other worthy thing, in spite of its ‘fowl’ associations, needs no defenders.” One from Toronto, Canada, writes: “I am satisfied with our name, for although it represents a speckled bird it will ‘crow’ a good deal when four years old.” Another from Marine, Ill., after thanking Chancellor Vincent for “How to Read Alone,” protests against a change of name or motto.—A member of our class, a boarder in a Young Women’s Christian Association of New Haven, Connecticut, writes: “I think as one takes up Chautauqua books he loses the relish for stories, e’en though written by good authors. What an opportunity for gaining knowledge of the highest order!”—“Angle” circle, North Groton, N. H., is bereaved in the loss of one of their earnest workers, Mrs. E. E. Merrill, a lady who read much and well, and yet in the five short months had become so fascinated with the C. L. S. C. that almost her last words were those of appreciation of the same.—The East Norwich, L. I., circle is likewise bereaved in the death of a devoted member, Miss Lizzie Franklin.—A class of unmarried ladies complains that they have not been noticed. If they will send us another letter, writing the name of their circle so we can decipher it, and also give the town, or city, and state in which they live, we will gracefully and gladly bow our recognition.

“Among the Indians: Osage Agency, Indian Territory.—Our circle consists of six members—five teachers and one bookkeeper. Although each lives a busy life, we have had weekly meetings, kept up with the required reading, and celebrated two authors’ days, Bryant’s and Longfellow’s. Surrounded as we are by Indians, who still wear blankets instead of citizen’s dress, and who are not far advanced in the arts of civilized life, we feel doubly thankful for the benefits arising from such a course of reading.”

In Bingham Cañon, Utah, a mining camp situated about twenty-eight miles southwest of Salt Lake City, the New West Education Commission has a school established. One of the teachers proposed taking the Chautauqua course alone, but, mentioning it to several, organized a circle of six. Of the name she writes: “I like it so much. My home is in Plymouth, Mass.”

Half of the members of “Carleton” circle, Hudson, Mich., live out of town from two to six miles, yet they are numbered among the most enthusiastic and faithful. They have had full programs at every meeting, and have observed all memorial days. They number thirty-seven, twelve being of our class. The ’88s wear on their hats a symbolical badge (a fac-simile, in brass, of the pedal extremity of a Plymouth Rock). They like the motto, but not the name.

One from Gilbert’s Mills, N. Y., writes: “I can not longer refrain from expressing how much I enjoy the reading of the course, although I am pursuing it alone, occasionally meeting with the circle at Fulton, five miles from here, which I much enjoy. The more I read and learn, the more anxious I am to go on, that I may be no disgrace to our grand class name, that takes me back to dear New England, and home. I would prove myself worthy of it and of our motto.”

The “Chippewas” is the name of a circle of twenty-two members, formed at the city of Eau Claire, Wis., October of 1884. Four of the members belong to the class of ’86, the others to that of ’88. The society has met once a week, and has observed the memorial days. In addition to the prescribed course, the class is reading the two volumes of Timayenis’s History of Greece.

“Mountain City” circle, Frederick, Md., very appropriately and enthusiastically celebrated “Shakspere Day.” The program consisted of a “Sketch of his Life,” and the reading of “The Merchant of Venice,” the members taking the different characters.

Mrs. F. B. Edwards, who with her daughter joined the class of ’88 last fall, and was a faithful and diligent member, died at her home in Hartford, Conn., March 14, 1885. She was a lady of excellent education, and had also the culture of much foreign travel and residence in Europe. She was delighted with the C. L. S. C. plan, and especially with the opportunities it offers for mental and moral growth.

One of the most earnest and beloved members of the “Pierian” circle, of Brooklyn, N. Y., Morgan Morgans, has lately died. Mr. Morgans was a young man of but twenty years of age—a member of the class of ’88, and a zealous Christian.

So much having been written pro and con, respecting our class name, it is proposed to have the entire class vote for or against the name. The circles will send their vote, giving the number in favor and against present name. Those who are not in circles can send their votes as individuals. The vote should be sent to the Rev. C. C. McLean, St. Augustine, Fla., at as early a date as possible.