CHAUTAUQUA.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1919, Page 4

CHAUTAUQUA.

PUBLIC INTEREST GROWING. That the Chautauqua movement has gripped the New Plymouth public was evident from the interest displayed at yesterday's sessions in the big brown tent. In the afternoon there was again a big crowd, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the programme submitted. The niusio was provided by a trio of New Zealand artistes, of whose contributions to the sessions the Dominion, as well as the young ladies themselves, may well be proud. The ladies were Misses Evelyn Harvey (pianiste), Jessie Bartlett (contralto), and A. Syinons (violiniste). They are a strong combinaticn and whether in solo or concerted work they displayed an accomplishment in their art which was highly appreciated by the audience, who demanded encore after encore, tc which the young ladies gener msly responded. Dr. Andrew .loimson, the laughing lecturer, the philosopher-humorist, gave a highly entertaining, yet at the same time a deeply impressive, lecture, which he titled "The Science ot Living Among Men,'' the philosophy of which, summed up in a sentence, wan, that people should live, not for wlui they could get out of a community, but for whut they could put into the life of the community. He believed in an aristocracy, but it should be an aristocracy of worth and not wealth. More consideration should be given to men's obligations and less heard about their rights. Life was made up of deeds and not days. C : vilisation was a body of people banded together to see how much they could do for each other. These and many other were some of the truths thrust home with foruful eloquence by the 'eeturer, who illuminated his remarks by the recital of many stories drawn from a wide knowledge of biblical, historical, and literary subjects, and the frequent applause with which the address was punctuated showed that the audience had, in his own v ords, "got it." In the evening the tent was crowded. The Junior Chautauqua occupied the lirst part of the prog'ammt, and were followed by the New Zealand Artists Trio, who contributed vocal and instrumental items, the performers being repeatedly recalled.

In the latter part Dr Johnson gave what he described as a lecture, entitled "Eli and Dennis," whatever that might mean. However, the title did not matter; it was the matter that was of consequence. It gaie him ample scope to convey to his auditors some home truths and morals, which were adorned with numerous interesting anecdotes and amusing jokes that kept the crowd in a state of merriment almost from Btart to finish. The doctor, however, does not set himself up as a story-teller or humorist, though he succeeds wonderfully, lie seeks to be a preache--philosopher, and to help his fellow-man in understanding and appreciating the way of life. In this aim he alsi succeeds admirably. He emphasises the value of character, and the need for building it up, as opposed to the mere making of money tor money's sake. He spoke of the dignity of labor, and the necessity for all to become independent and self-sustainiLg. The in New Zealand, as in other pla-.es, was underpaid and overworked. Yet he was one of the greatest factors in civilisation, for he had the moulding of the character of the boys and girls, the men and women of the future. He referred to the duty of all boys and girls becoming masters of their "job," and stressed the value of loyalty, which was the basis of all correct lives. Every man, he saM, fails when he makes up his mind to do less than his best, whilst the man who adopts the "go slow" policy hurts himself more than he hurts anyone -lse. Dr. Johnson concluded an inleresting address by a stirring appeal to evety man to do his best, and to live for and serve the other man, for only by unselfish service could they attain that D topian ideal to which they all aspired.