Ruel W. Roberts

              POPULAR LECTURES IN
ASTRONOMY

Figure


AS GIVEN BY
REV. RUEL W. ROBERTS
PREACHER
LECTURER
ASTRONOMER

At Last Something New in the Lecture Field



Just replaced by a fine $500 Brashear telescope of five inches clear aperture.
The Telescope

Figure


THE LECTURES ARE ILLUSTRATED BY A LARGE AND POWERFUL TELESCOPE, as shown in the halftone.  The optical parts are of the very highest power and alone represent a value of about $130.  The telescope with its complete equipment costs about $250.  The tube is five feet long and four inches in diameter.  The most important optical part to such a telescope is the objective and in this case is 3(3)(4) inches in diameter and alone costs $70.  The eye-pieces are the less expensive part of a telescope but these cost $5 each and this instrument is equipped with six.  When used in viewing, the instrument stands about seven to nine feet in height.  Ease in viewing is assured by what is called a diagonal prism which makes it possible to stand or sit in an easy posture and look down into the instrument instead of getting down in strained positions as is usually the case.  The value of a telescope is nearly doubled by such an equipment for one can see the details more clearly, and objects have actually been seen in this instrument which could not be seen in a six-inch telescope that did not have this expensive attachment.  Many have had ambitions to own such an instrument but few can afford it.  This valuable equipment is at your disposal.

It presents as a grand sight the 400 attractive objects in the Moon, Jupiter with four of his satellites and the noted bands, and Saturn and his strange rings.  The other planets, double stars, the Orion Nebulae, such beautiful stars as Sirius, Vega and Arcturus, and comets and star clusters are a few of the thrilling objects one may see thru this instrument.




LECTURES

LECTURES IN ASTRONOMY

The Parent and the Rest of the Family—General and Introductory Lecture
Is Mars Inhabited?
The Dead Man in the Moon
How We Gain Knowledge of Other Worlds
Sun Spots and the Weather
Halley's Comet
Comets And many other themes



OTHER POPULAR THEMES

Silence
Experimenting with Frogs A popular lecture in Psychology
The Evolution of Ideals




Lectures and Study Classes
THERE are very few in the United States who have undertaken to popularize this great theme of astronomy.  Fewer still, if in fact any, have put the work on so substantial a plane as the lecturer.  He has made his lectures popular and entertaining but still thoroughly instructive.  He has gone further and organizes classes and amateur astronomical associations in places where he gives his lectures or conducts chautauqua work.  All of this opportunity is open without extra cost to those who obtain his services.  The matter is not urged at all and will only be presented where a request is made for it.  The author has organized an amateur astronomical association in his home city and conducts regularly two classes in the subject—one for adults who are studying a text and another for youths from eleven up who do reading and meet with him once a week to talk over interesting subjects, learn the stars and constellations and observe the celestial objects thru his telescope.  He will be glad to tell you how such work is conducted and advise any such group of people how they may easily come into the possession of a good telescope adequate for such work.  Are you interested along this line?




Personal and Press Caption and Comment
Work on Astronomy by Mr. Roberts Proving a Drawing Card

It is already becoming evident that the work in astronomy is becoming popular.  Last evening during the program, Mr. Carley saw a large crowd out some distance from the tent and went out to investigate what the trouble was.  He found a large group already looking through the telescope.  One man remarked that there were nearly as many about the telescope as were in the tent.—
Galesburg, Ill., Republican-Register, Saturday, July 24, 1909.


About fifty are attending the class in astronomy each afternoon.  It is gratifying to notice the practical grasp even the youngest are gaining of the subject.
One of the features of Chautauqua that is proving more instructive day by day is the astronomical work under the direction of Prof. Ruel W. Roberts.  A class in this subject was organized and now numbers about forty active members.—

Galesburg, Ill., Republican-Register, Wednesday, July 28, 1909.

The work presented last summer by Mr. R. W. Roberts at our Chautauqua proved to be a valuable feature and he certainly made good with our assembly.  The lectures, class work and observations proved popular with large numbers and I heard his work spoken of in the highest terms by several of our lecturers, Dr. Crane especially commenting on his work as being both interesting and instructive.  No Chautauqua need hesitate in putting him on as one of their attractions.  I know of no one who combines the popular features with real instruction as well as he does.—J. M. Carley, Secretary and Manager Galesburg, Ill., Chautaqua, March 19, 1910.

I attended the lecture given in Memorial Hall on Astronomy by Rev. R. W. Roberts.  The lecture was intensely interesting and very instructive.  The stereopticon views were excellent and added much interest to the lecture.  Rev. Roberts is a very ready and pleasing talker and he possesses in a marked degree the faculty of simplifying and presenting the subject of Astronomy in an attractive manner.—G. K. MacInnis, Pastor M. E. church, Edgerton, Wis., April 25, 1910.

A very interesting lecture on Comets was given in the Public Library auditorium February 4th.  Mr. Roberts is very fortunate in being able to present scientific subjects in a way which is easily understood and very instructive to both old and young.  He has many very fine views of comets and his own enthusiastic interest in astronomy seldom fails to arouse a like enthusiasm in his hearers.  As a result of the lecture two classes in astronomy were organized—one for adults, called the Amateur Astronomical Association, and the other a class for boys which meets with Mr. Roberts once a week for study and observation.  All of the members of these classes enjoy looking through the telescope and are deriving much benefit from their study.—Leora E. Mabbett, Librarian, Edgerton, Wis., April 25, 1910.

The lecture on Astronomy delivered in my church by Rev. Ruel W. Roberts was highly appreciated.  Mr. Roberts is an enthusiast on his subject and has the culture, experience and natural ability to make good.  We hope that he may come to us again.—J. H. Berkey, Pastor Union Church in Christ, Monroe, Wis.

Our people were very enthusiastic over your lecture in our church and I am glad to hear that you can give some time to other fields.  It ought to stimulate to higher ideals and we wish you success in the work for which you seem so eminently fitted.—C. E. Enlow, M. D., Pastor Congregational church, De Long, Ill., April 23, 1910.

Recently we had the pleasure of listening to Rev. Ruel W. Roberts in a lecture on Astronomy.  He took his audience from the sun to our outermost sentinel—Neptune.  It was a grand trip, and should Mr. Roberts return to our city we shall all want to listen to him again.—J. W. Edelman, Monroe, Wis.

The lecture on Popular Astronomy delivered in Library Hall by Mr. Ruel Roberts interested all who heard it.  By the addition of a lantern and slides the subject was made very entertaining and instructive.  Mr. Roberts has a pleasing delivery and is himself very much interested in his subject.—E. L. Roethe, Prin. of H. S., Edgerton, Wis., April 21, 1910.