ch Fires lighten up St. Paul's Grove with
their flaring tongues. Generally more people are standing outside the
pillars of the Hall, watching the ceremonials, than are seated before
the platform, for none are permitted to enter except members of the
class about to graduate.

I am not sure whether it was in this year, 1881, or the following that
Dr. Vincent inaugurated the Society of Christian Ethics. This was not an
organization with a roll of membership, dues, and duties, but simply a
meeting on Sunday afternoon in the Children's Temple, at which an
address on character was given, in the first years by Dr. Vincent. It
was especially for young people of the 'teen age. No one was admitted
under the age of twelve or over that of twenty. The young people were
quite proud of having Dr. Vincent all to themselves, and strongly
resented the efforts of their elders to obtain admittance. No person of
adult years was allowed without a card signed by Dr. Vincent. These
addresses by the Founder, if they had been taken down and preserved,
would have formed a valuable book for young people on the building up of
true character. They were continued during the years of Dr. Vincent's
active association with Chautauqua and for some time afterward;
addresses being given by eminent men of the Chautauqua program. But very
few speakers could meet the needs of that adolescent age. By degrees
the attendance decreased and after some years the meeting gave place to
other interests.

The regular features of the season went on as in other years. The
schools were growing in students, in the number of instructors, and in
the breadth of their courses. The Sunday School Normal Department was
still prominent, and on August 17, 1881, one hundred and ninety diplomas
were conferred upon the adults, intermediates, and children who had
passed the examination.

CHAPTER XIII

THE FIRST RECOGNITION DAY (1882)

THE opening service of the ninth session was begun, as all the opening
sessions of previous years, in the out-of-doors Auditorium in front of
the Miller Cottage. But a sudden dash of rain came down and a hasty
adjournment was made to the new Amphitheater. From 1882 onward, "Old
First Night" has been observed in that building. A few lectures during
the season of '82 were given in the old Auditorium, but at the close of
the season the seats were removed, save a few left here and there under
the trees for social enjoyment; and the Auditorium wa