EXCERPT FROM THE CHAUTAUQUAN

EXCERPT FROM THE CHAUTAUQUAN VOLUME 2, 1881

A Monthly Magazine devoted to the Promotion of True Culture Organ of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle

MONTEREY C. L. S. C. ASSEMBLY
by Miss M. H. Fields

“It is surely right that this thriving western scion of the great C. L. S. C. should report itself at headquarters, although it has a local habitation, and an assembly of its own. The quaint old seaside town of Monterey has become, by universal consent, the home of the California C. L. S. C, and the second assembly, just held there, has greatly strengthened and confirmed the attachment. The old town has what some one has called "the unction of hoariness," and is of itself an inviting field for historical research. The assembly ground, "Pacific Grove," is as picturesque and charming as stately pines scattered over softly undulating ground, a background of noble mountains, and a foreground of beautiful bay, opening out to the illimitable sea, can make a bit of mother earth. It is true that the climate, considering that it is California, has had rather an unpleasant reputation. Bleak, cold, foggy are the terms which have been applied to it, and it must be confessed that Monterey does have "spells of weather;" but something, as usual, can be said on the other side, and they who have sojourned there when for weeks the sun has shone gloriously, the sea been scarcely ruffled by a breeze, and the pines have whispered peace to the tired spirit, would feel themselves most ungrateful did they not bear testimony to the rare charms of Monterey. A thousand conveniences for a grand camp meeting are found at Pacific Grove. It is accessible; the railroad brings one almost to the ground, and, during the session, for half fares, adding to this free transportation for camp equipage. The camp-grounds are beautifully kept, and are laid with convenient streets and avenues, which are nicely graded and gravelled. Long rows of neat tents and cottages, well-furnished, stand ready for tenants, while campers are given ample accommodations.
 
There are sea and platforms for outdoor meetings, a well-kept restaurant and boarding- house, a grocery, meat and fruit market, well appointed bath house, and, best of all, a new, commodiium: hall for indoor meetings, with rooms for committees. Built by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company for the press accommodation of the C. L. S. C. Ah, if the Sunday school Assembly of '79 had only possessed such a gathering place, how it would have mitigated the sufferings and mollified the feelings of the eastern element then present. But now, if visitors come with warm clothing, ready for impossible, nay probable, foggy days, and are comfortably housed or tented, there is no reason why they should find the weather inhospitable. We hope yet to welcome large deputations from our alma mater, who shall go homeward, in due time, singing the praises of Monterey.

The Assembly of '81 convened on the 29th of June, goodly number of earnest, intelligent, and congenial people,—not a crowd, but quite an increase upon last year's attendance. The President, Rev. Dr. Stratton, was unavoidably detained in Oregon till the second week of the Assembly, but his place was filled by Professor H. B. Norton, of the State Normal School, who gave us an opening address ' great beauty and appropriateness on the services which science has rendered to religion. He says that the C. L. S. C. opens to people of limited time, the busy housemother the ever-toiling mechanic or farmer, a wide course of study and noble avenues of thought. An objection had been urged to it, that it takes science and scientific methods into our religious thoughts to an unwise degree. He took the ground that science is the handmaiden of religion, and reviewed in a vivid manner the grand scientific discoveries and inventions of the century, showing that they have wonderfully aided the growth of religious enterprises. The Lord promised that his followers should do greater worth than he did, and that promise has been literally fulfills! Where Christ healed a leper here and there, modern science; has enabled us to almost banish the disease from the earth. The rapid increase of the bread production of the world is a greater miracle than the feeding of the five thousand. Theology has made great progress. Men have grown practical, and are more concerned about deeds than words. Religion should not be an idle clinging to old positions, he said in conclusion, but a joyful progress God ward. We hope to be able hereafter to present further abstracts of some of the more important lectures delivered during the Monterey Assembly. During almost the entire session Mr. Norton ably occupied the chair, taking the entire bill of fare with the utmost patience and fortitude.

The Assembly remained in session two weeks, with growing numbers and increasing interest. Classes for scientific instruction and practical study met daily under capable leaders. Delightful excursions were frequently made. Dr. Anderson led his pupils to the seaside to illustrate his lessons upon algae and Dr. Wythe gave similar illustrations of his department, biology. The facilities for the study of both coral and marine botany are admirable, and are wisely improved. Dr. Wythe, of the Pacific Medical College, San Francisco, is so familiar with protoplasm, and bioplasm, and microscopic work generally, as to fairly amaze the ordinary student, and his daily lectures were largely attended. Miss Norton, of the State Normal School, worked heroically with botany classes and herbariums, assisted by those enthusiastic botanists, Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon, of Oakland, California. Professor Keep, of Alameda, gave excellent instruction in conchology. He has prepared a valuable little manual on the subject for the use of schools. Professor Norton discoursed upon entomology, a subject on which our California fruit-growers are becoming painfully alive. Professors More, of the State Normal School, and Moses, of the State University, lectured most acceptably upon historical subjects; Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon on the wonderful growths of the Sierras, and Mrs. Field, of San Jose, on American literature. Dr. Stratton came in rather late in the day, but with admirable lectures upon Race Origins, and the Schliemann discoveries. The two Sabbaths of the Assembly were occupied with delightful religious services, and made memorable by two noble sermons, one by Dr. Patterson, of Oakland, the other by Dr. Dwindle, of Sacramento. The whole session was characterized by great harmony, and was much enjoyed by all the members. The weather was perfect, the attendance good, the lectures instructive, and the spirit of devotion to study most encouraging to the founders of this excellent association. The cordial words from Dr. Vincent were duly appreciated, and the decision of the Executive Committee to synchronize the course of study for the coming year with the parent society met with warm approval. Our faithful Secretary, Miss Washburn, was reluctantly allowed to resign, on account of an intended stay of many months at the east, and Miss M. E. B. Norton was elected in her place. The society received many valuable donations to the Museum of Natural History, which is to be collected and kept at Monterey. The Herbarium contains already two hundred plants named and classified. Dr. Wythe gave biological charts, Mr. M. W. Woodward, a valuable historical chart, and Mr. Lemmon a collection of Sierra cones. We feel confident that from these beginnings will grow a grand museum and a library of reference. The Assembly closed with renewed purposes of work, and with most favorable prospects.”

REFERENCE
Fields, M. H. (1881) Monterey CLSC Assembly. The Chautauquan, Volume 2, [From October 1880 to July 1881]. Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, Chautauqua Press., 1881. Pages 52-53.