The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-03
Letter from Boston.
Boston, Sept %, 1862.

Boston, Sept %, 1862.
To the Editor of The Caledonian:
A few Sabbath evenings since, at Union
prayer meeting in this city, the Rev DR.
Cleveland, formerly of Lowell, gave some in.
teresting sketches respecting his labors and
observations while acting as chaplain at Ship
Island, near New Orleans. lie stated that
Gen Butler invited him to accept of the ap-
pointment, remarking, "You know l don't
know much about such matters. but have a
multitude Of applications, and if you will ac-
cept, the question is settled. A good chap
lain has as much influence as the colonel in
the regiment, while POOR one, or one who
does not understand his place, does nothing
but bring himself and his calling into con-
tempt" Accordingly, DR. Cleveland resigned
his place, as pastor, and contrary to the ad-
vice of many friends, who thought his three
score years sufficient disqualification in a
case involving an unhealthy climate, and a
long voyage. He had been, and amid the
discharge of his arduous duties, and many
trials, his health had been good, and he could
not be too thankful for the privilege of min
stering to the sick at the hospital On the IS
land, where his usefulness in many respects
was source of qualification to himself as
we'll as to others. In an address of some 5
minutes, he made many reflections and state
ments in regard to the war, which. from their
practical character, deserve more than pass
ing notice. He spoke of the damn ness of
climate, which during the night was so great
as to almost require that ones clothing should
be wrung out in the morning. Of the conf
dence we ought to feel that, whether this.
that or the other general advanced or retired
before the enemy, to-day or tomorrow, the
ultimate success of the Union cause was be-
yond all question ;just as sure as that there
was an overruling Providence above and that
the rebellion, as he had not the least doubt,
was from the regions below-and that We
ought not to allow our faith to stagger, but
to keep good natursd ,and not allow ourselves
to become excited.
DIR Cleveland gave an amusing account of
the terrible ram of commodore Hollins-the
Manassas He said the excitement was very
great. She was expected at any hour, and
her arrival was looked for with terror Like
Christian philosopher, he spoke to the
commander of the steamer Mississippi, stat
ing his belief in the care of kind Provi.
dence, wrapped his cloak about him and went
to sleep as usual. The next morning when
he awoke, that formidable engine of destruc-
ton was lying there in plain sight, bottom
up.
As the manner of the speaker was of the
most energetic kind, the Rev DIR Parker, who
presided, quietly remarked that he "did not
know but some of the audience might think
that his brother Cleveland ought to profit by
the caution he inculcated, but to him his
manner was one of simple and sincere ear
nestness, such as true man would feel in
view of such vast results, seen and cCmpre.
hended SO clearly by his own mind. Fol
himself, though he had resided several year,
in the slave States, and had realized that sla
very was a mighty evil, he was ready to be
placed anywhere, or do anything his friend.
might think advisable in aid of the present
struggle" Upon this MIR Cleveland quietly
suggested "Ship Island" to which DR. Parke,
good naturedly replied by asking if "som.
place nearer would not do as we'll"
You are posted in what this city is doing
and may think there is lack of men han dl,
creditable to US, but it must be remembered
that a large proportion of people who do bu
siness here reside in the neighboring town,
and cities.
1t is true in many respects that we do no
seem quite up to the mark. Business seem.
to keep along without any failures, though
the amount aside from branches connected
with the war is limited compared with former
years.
Improvements in the city keep along with
little interruption, Repairing the streets
filling up Back Bay, building streets Of new
houses-1 had almost said palaces-and With
in two years, five churches, one of which cos
about SljO, 900, have been erected within l;
minutes walk of the humble dwelling of you
correspondent. H.K.
HARPER'S MONTHLY.-The October mum
her contains an illustrated narrative of tn,