New-York tribune., 1870-02-05

ing. The Union, as tnus locateu ap" vi e"""'N ~ ~
use the expression Of the lady whom iound III
charge of the amusement room, the reahzed drea'n
Of Mr.. William b. Weeden, wealthy whaling mer-
chant of Providence It pleasant to hear towns
men speaking well of their more prominent and
wealthy fellows, that am tempted to add that
others say that Mr.. Weeden is not only active IN
this but all other worthy charities and that during
the late war he left his business to command bat
terry Of ois hwn equipment In the Government service
The Association, which numbers only about 80 or
co members, Though the Union has an attendance OF
several hundred different personsl, is divided Tor
working purposes into four sections, each having
certain allotted duties. These called Committees,
and are known as the Committees on Worship, Edu-
cation Hospitality, and Benevolence. The first
named Committne looks after the church-service
property, securing ministers-of any denomination
to preside at the free meetings each Sunday even
ing in the Hall. During the year 1869 Baptist, Con-
gregationalist Episcopalian, Unitarian and Method
lst ministers preached to congregations embracing
members from all these and many other denomina-
tions Among the ministers thus officiating notice
the names of the Rev. Freeman Clarke, II. w. Bel
lows, T.. +. Hale, o. B. rockingham. George l..
Clancy, and Samuel Osgood.
The Committee on Education has charge OF the free
library, provides for Sunday afternoon moral in
struction-a sort Of Sunday school for old and young
lectures discussiOes, and classes generally The
lecturers have been K. w. Emerson Seven eyenings),
Prof Cooke. Mr. Jackson, Dr. Lemercier. and DR..
Hedge. Exhibition of paintings. photographs. &c,
have also been giyen and are to be occasionally re-
sumed Glasses in light gymnastics, French, me-
chanica drawing, shorthand writing. English lite
nature, and on the sewing machine have been
Quoted and largely attended by the working classes
~. .I, o,t Iaotau i,a.a ftaa TIal n
daughter of the late Dr. Hall of Providence, lectured
to a class of 80 young women English literature.
She informs me that the members of the class are
generally ladies in charge of industrial establish
ments, with little leisure for study. the younger
teachers in the primary departments of the public
schools and young ladies who, finding themselves
too fond of novel reading are anxious to cultivate
a better taste. The Library-the only tree one in
this city of 5000 or G9QQ9 not large
there are but coo voumes--but quite select and
largely used. 1t is open without restriction OF fee to
all persons living in Providence. The rcadlngroom
is supplied with the current English aud American
papers and magazines: there are besides desks with
pen ink and paper for all who wish to write letters
or make notes. The sewing machine class is the only
attempt made in the way of industrial education.
Two sewing-machines are provided, and young girls
are taught to use them by one or more OF the men-
bers who understand the mystery. This class Is al
ways full the daughters of poor parents being natur
ally the who accept its instruction and advan
tages One of these advantages, not anticipated 'y
those who first suggested the class, or by those at
tending it, is this: While learning the lessons of in
dustry the pupils also admitted to social inter
course with class in different rank of society,"
and thus acquainted more readily find employment
in the families of these persons.
The Section or Committee on Hospitality has charge
of what is known as the Amusement Room 1t is
the largest of the committee rooms being about -
by 60 feet 1t is furnished with a reading table, on
which are the latest newspapers and the magazines OF
the previous month, the current magazines beng
kept in the readingroOm above. Besides. there Is
piano always open and generally going. On Satur-
day evenings, hour is specially devoted to music
A professor of the art generally presiding. and the
crowd in attendance joining in the singing at WILL
There is also table on which are displayed stereo
scopic views with the proper instruments at hand
Besides these are six or eight croquet tables and
about Is chess, back CANNON checker, and domino
tables These seem to be busy at all times. Abilard
table was used. but discarded; it was found to be
mistake, as it attracted disorderly element, and
gave people outside false idea of the organization
noticed that the readingtable in this noisy room
was well filed, and report Of the Committee on
Education says explaining this fact our experience
shows that the largest number of readers prefer
room which il full of life and animation to which
is kept quiet for the purpose of study" lsuppose
the explanation is found in the fact that those readers
with this singular taste are readers merely, not
students The attendance in this room alone amounts
to from $50 to 800 persons day. the largest number
attending Oh Saturday afternoons after working
hours The most perfect order the most genuine
courtesy prevail here without the presence of police
or any other like regulating power; the presence at
all times of ladies has proven the best and only
necessary monitor
The Benevolence Section or Committee dspenses
the charity Of the Union IL visits aud supplies the
poor of the city and ministers to the sick. Sub-com
mittees visit not only the hospitals but prisons and
one of the chief duties of the section is to take charge
of and find employment for prisoners discharged from
the Reform School and State Prison.
This is a brief outline of organization which,
though initiated elsewhere. has succeeded only here
II has certain features which are well worthy of
being ingrafted on such institutions every city
furnishes under the name of Christian Associations
by such institutions the Cooper Union. plymouth
Bethel, &c; and with the view of suggesting these
10 such associations well as TO direct strangers TO
the one described. have written the above. / am
compelled to cOniine myself to an outline of its
ganizaton. description of its operation would fill
a column more and make pleasant picture. In lieu
of the description advise all who have the oppOr
tunIty to examine the picture for themselves.
DOGS AND WOMEN.
IN, Edffor The Trtbuue