1910 AT CHAUTAUQUA The Gladstone Class is graduated. With the class president, Mr. Arthur E. Bestor, on the grounds from the very beginning of the season, 1910 had reason to hope for many good times before the diplomas were given out. Day by day newcomers registered at the C. L. S. C. office. The first general meeting was at Mr. Bestor's house and thereafter gatherings were of frequent occurrence. On the Sunday before Recognition Day Bishop Vincent preached the Baccalaureate sermon which will be found in the Vesper Hour of this number. The Amphitheater was crowded and the graduates felt that they had the sympathy of all who heard the inspiring address and realized its especial meaning for the 1910's. That evening the class held its Vigil in the Hall of Philosophy. Dr. Jesse L. Hurlbut explained the historic custom, dating back to early days of the C. L. S. C., when, like the young knights of old who watched beside their armor before they received the accolade, the students about to be graduated pondered on the experience that lay just before them. While the Athenian fires flared against the trees, verses of inspiring poetry were read by Prof. S. H. Clark of the Chautauqua School of Expression. The next day the most enthusiastic meeting of the season listened to Mr. Frank Chapin Bray, Managing Editor of Chautauqua Press, who spoke on the value of the reading courses. A large proportion of his hearers expressed their intention of keeping on with the reading. On the same evening a reception was given to the class by Mr. and Mrs. Bestor, Bishop Vincent being in the receiving line. On the evening before Recognition Day the class gave a reception in the council room of Alumni Hall. The walls were decorated with boughs of beech, the class emblem, and an electric "1910" blazed on one side of the room. The class banner, which was designed by Mr. Henry Turner Bailey of the Chautauqua School of Arts and Crafts, and embroidered under his supervision, stood against the wall for the admiration of all beholders. C. L. S. C. members, after visiting the other rooms, in all of which classes were entertaining, gathered here to offer their congratulations to the 1910's. Recognition Day is like Harvard Class Day, always clear. Under beautiful skies the class gathered before the Golden Gate and marched between the flower girls and the choir under the arches and up the steps of the Hall of Philosophy, decorated for them by the juniors, where they were met by the Chancellor. Seated together with graduate and undergraduate friends about them, they "assisted" at the dedication of their tablet and listened to the familiar words of the beautiful Recognition service. At the end of the hour, their banner borne by Mr. John T. Rowley, they led the way to the Amphitheater, where, grouped beneath their motto, "Life is a great and noble calling," they listened to the Recognition Day address on "Literature and Culture" by Mr. Edward Howard Griggs. In the afternoon the graduates gathered again in the Hall of Philosophy, where Bishop Vincent gave them their diplomas. Being now full-fledged members of the Society of the Hall in the Grove, they joined their fellows in the evening at the annual banquet at the Hotel. Mr. Bestor achieved his usual laurels as toastmaster. The speakers were Dr. Hurlbut, Mr. E. H. Blichfeldt, a vice-president, who responded to the toast to the "Class of 1910," Miss M. E. Landfear of South Africa, Mr. J. W. Bengough of Canada, Miss Mabel Campbell, president of the Decennial Class, Mrs. Frank Beard, and Mr. Edward Howard Griggs. An interesting feature of the day's procession was the fact that through the Gate passed representatives of every class but two previous to 1900. |