Volume 5 — THE C. L. S. C. CLASSES.

CLASS OF 1885.

BY C. M. NICHOLS.

“Press on, reaching after those things which are before.”

“The Outlook.”—The Class of ’84 printed a handsome and ably conducted quarterly sheet, called The Outlook, but the class of ’85 decided, after full consideration, to accept the offer of The Chautauquan, of the use of a page or more each month in the official organ of the C. L. S. C. It was believed that through this department of The Chautauquan all the members of the Class could be promptly reached; that all the purposes of the Class could be promoted efficiently in the department, and that, through it, the members of the entire fraternity—the alumni as well as the members of ’86, ’87 and ’88, could be advised each month of what the Invincibles were about. Accordingly, with this number we begin a class page for the ’85s.

The Invincibles at Chautauqua in 1884.—The Class of 1885 “come out strong”—as the late Mr. Mark Tapley would say—at Framingham, this year, and there was also a good representation of its members at Chautauqua. A delightfully fraternal feeling was manifested on the several occasions when class meetings were held. President Underwood improved on acquaintance and showed himself to be a lively and pleasant gentleman, as well as an industrious and efficient officer—to such an extent and to such universal acceptance and approval that he was reëlected to his honorable position by the unanimous voice of the members present. Mrs. Philomena Downs, of Burlington, Iowa, being in ill-health and not able to be present this year, sent in her resignation as vice president and insisted on its acceptance, and Mr. C. M. Nichols was elected in her place. Miss Carrie Hart, of Aurora, Indiana, who had proved especially serviceable as treasurer, was reëlected, and Miss N. M. Schenck, of Osage City, Kansas, feeling that her remoteness from the Chautauqua center was a feature of inconvenience, desired a successor appointed, and Miss M. M. Canfield, of the Third Auditor’s office, Washington, D. C., was chosen secretary in her place. These persons compose the executive committee.

The Commencement orator for 1885 will be selected by Chancellor Vincent.

By unanimous vote of the class, Mrs. Frank Beard, of Syracuse, New York, was selected to write the class song for 1885, and Prof. W. F. Sherwin, of the Boston Conservatory of Music, was asked to set it to music.

Chancellor John H. Vincent, D.D., was asked to preach the baccalaureate sermon for 1885, and he has kindly consented to do so.

It has been decided by the class to ask each member to send twenty-five cents to the treasurer, Miss Carrie Hart, Aurora, Ind., as a contribution to the class fund for 1885. It is important that these contributions should be sent early, and that they should constitute, in the aggregate, a good round sum.

The Class of ’85 is indebted to the Class of ’84 for a pleasant excursion by steamer, from Chautauqua to Lakewood.

Badges for the Class of 1885 may be had of the president, Mr. J. B. Underwood, or of the secretary.

Mr. Henry Hart, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been selected to prepare the stationery for the Class of ’85, and those wishing note paper and envelopes can order them of him. The design is a heliotrope, with the word “Invincible” over the figures “’85,” with the motto of the class. The envelopes are to match and the price of a box of the note sheets and envelopes will be only fifty cents. It is thought they will be very neat and tasteful.

“Fall In!”—Those members of the Class of 1884—the “Irrepressibles,”—who “failed to connect” at the Golden Gate, on Commencement day, are cordially invited (“by these presents”) to fall into the ranks of the “Invincibles” and march with them to victory.

CLASS OF 1887—THE PANSIES.

This column is devoted to the Class of ’87. Items of interest, facts and incidents will appear each month, and we hope occasionally to have something from “Pansy.”

The first meeting of the Class of ’87 held at Chautauqua this year was called at the request of members present, in the Hall of Philosophy, Rev. Frank Russell presiding. It was decided there that the officers elected last year were chosen for four years, and they were requested to continue in the service of the class. At a subsequent meeting in the Temple one member said that he had good authority for stating that any member of the class who was behind and would make up the reading for the year could do so and hand in the memoranda this year or any time during the four years. The numbers of the class could still be increased by looking up former members of other classes who had read one year or more and dropped out. All were urged to become helpers in this respect. It was also advised in the interest of our alma mater that we should use our efforts to increase the Class of ’88, which is now being formed, and bring the new members into local circles.

The members of the class enjoyed a social hour with Mrs. Alden in the grove at Chautauqua the past summer. Many written questions were presented to her which were promptly and wisely answered. To the question, “Will Mrs. Alden write a book, dedicated to the Pansy Class?” she replied, “Yes, if every one present will write me a four page letter of incident relating to C. L. S. C. work.” All most heartily voted to do this. These letters must be in her hand (Mrs. G. R. Alden, Carbondale, Pa.,) before February 1st, 1885. Of course Mrs. Alden will be happy to receive letters of incident in the work from members of the class that were not present. It goes without the saying that every member is delighted with the promised book, and who of our 18,000 will not peruse with delight the gifted author’s words of wisdom when they shall appear.

Our class has over 18,000 names on the two great books at the office in Plainfield. It is a great privilege as well as an honor to be one of such an army of all ages and conditions and in all lands, who are vieing with each other to improve the passing moments in training body and soul for highest interests for this life and the life to come.

Is it too much to expect that a round ten thousand of the Pansy Class shall graduate, and that one-half of them shall receive their diplomas at Chautauqua? Think of every seat in our vast Amphitheater being filled with the graduating class in August, 1887!