JOHN H. VINCENT 481 assemblies are maintained. It is f ortonate in having the good will of the best people. It stands for democracy and education; it brings new visions and inspiration to the young; it is a feeder to coU^^ and universities; and it leaves a defin- ite effect for good on the community life where the assemblies are held. Above all, however, the Chautauqua stands for the development of the more mature. It has brought to li|^t the possibility of continuous education even in the midst of busy life. It was the hand of John Heyl Vincent that planted the grains, so long undiscovered, that have produced this abund- ant harvest Deprived of the advantages of a coU^e training, John Heyl Vincent has brought those advantages within reach of the multitudes who, like himself, have felt the need of such train- ing but were without the means of acquiring it in early youth. They have been enabled to satisfy a thirst for knowledge, which, without his intervention, would have been ungratified. More than this, he has been the creator of a desire for knowl- edge in thousands of individuals, who, but for the opportuni- ties and incentives presented by him, would not even have entertained such aspirations. The Chautauqua idea, with its practical illustration during forty years, at the original as- smnbly and its numerous followers, and in the Home Beading Circles, has proved an inestimable blessing to multiplied thou- sands of people. Some men are bom, live, and die without materially af- fecting anything more than the small drde immediately sur- rounding them. CMhers, with no better opportunities, exert an influence that is ever widening until countless multitudes are molded in character, life purpose, and efficiency for good, not for a single generation only, but for all time to come. The first class have little to do in giving character to the age, in shaping public opinion, or in promoting the advance of civili- zation. As they found the world, so they leave it, if not worse, at least no better because they have lived in it. Beyond add- ing a name to the census they contribute nothing to the live assets of the community in which they have lived. While
