Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-16
LETTER FROM BOSTON

| Boston, April 18th, II.
To Tie Editor Of the Henaebee Journal.
| One Of the most brilliant assemblies which has
ever taken place in Boston was held at Music
Hall Monday night, the object of the ball being to
increase the "Old South Preservation Fund"
The most delightful time was enjoyed by all for
tunate enough to attend, and the ball more than
realized the expectations which were raised re-
garding it. The decorations were extremely
beautiful and most artistic, and all in the best OF
taste. On the balconies were draped trophies Of
naval squadron signals, surmounted by cutlasses
and rifles polished to the last degree of brightness
The clock on the front of the rear lower balcony
was draped with flags and surrounded By swords
From each gas bracket hung basket Of beautiful
flowers, and under the chandeliers were larger
baskets filed with beautifully trailing vines, ferns
and blossoms of every description. In front Of the
organ was regular bank of hot house flowers
and exotics. As may be supposed the hall was
perfect bower of beauty. Many well known for
lists sent handsome contributions, as well as many
ladies and gentlemen, who showed themselves ex-
tremely liberal in their gifts.
| The famous Germania Band, in full uniform,
and the Boston Cadet Band were in attendance,
and the music was of the BEST and much enjoyed
both by the dancers and those who came as spec
tators only. Many antique costumes were worn
His Excellency Governor Rice. in full evening
dress, accompanied by his military staff in their
splendid uniforms, was present, and also man,
others of social and political distinction. The
costumes Of the ladies were elegant and rich,
many of them never having been surpassed il
beauty at any previous entertainment. The bali
closed at two O'Clock, the supper room having
been thrown open at eleven o'clock, the rev.
oilers partaking Of q sumptuous repsst. Alto
gether the ball was a decided success, and will
be long remembered by those who participated in
its enjoyments.
The work entitled "Lives Of Moody and San
key" by the Rev. Elias Mason, will find ready
sale among those who are interested in the good
and great work which these evsngelists are doing.
The book is of about three hundred pages, and
sketches with enthusiastic fidelity the lives of the
men who are achieving such q merited success
wherever they hold services. The Tabernacle is
crowded by eager listeners on the occasion of ev-
cry service, and no one who sees the vast audi
ences drawn by the power Of these wonderful men,
to the house where naught but good is learned,
can doubt that the blessing of heaven has de-
scended upon these men. Their faces are an in
dex of the spirit which dwels within them, and
no one can doubt the sincerity Of either. No
scofers or unbelievers eau deny that great work
is in progress, that much good has been and is be-
ing accomplished and that people are being drawn
to look into their hearts and to examine them more
closely than ever before. BY the multitude they
Gnb in, .ba;r nj
full work, and the regrets of hundreds will follow
them when they leave this city.
For the benefit of those who will probably
never see the Tabernacle, will endeavor to give
slight description of it. The building is of red
brick, huge and strong, and with not the faintest
attempt at beauty or ornament. Inside are bare
rafters and seats composed of chairs fastened TO-
gether by means of strips of wood. On the walls
are scriptural texts painted in large black letters
which can be read at any distance. The seats &C.
commodate 200 people, but the attendance at
the evening services greatly exceed that number,
and on Wednesday evening noted that there
were hundreds of men, women and children
standing up near the doors, colored and white,
without regard to social distinction. There are
four inquiry rooms, which are we'll filed at the
close Of every service. Mr.. Moody and Mr. Sam
key are both handsome men Mr.. Moody's face
being an index of the spirit of religion within his
heart. Both are stsut Mr.. Moody particularly So
His sermon on Wednesday evening was on the
broken hearts among us, and for over an hour
he discoursed IN an eloquent and interesting man
ner. There was no yawning or other symptom
| OF WEAKNESS among the audience. All were
deeply interested, and many were weeping. Mr..
Sankey sang twice, and the audience was so still
that every word he uttered could be distinctly
heard.
Last Saturday the Reading Railroad corporation
suspended all the engineers thirty two in num-
Der, employed upon the Germantown and Norris
town branch who were members of the Brother
hood" They are to have few days in which to
decide whether they will remain in the employ of
the Company and leave the Brotherhood, or leave
forever the employ of the Company. 1t is said
that in this contest the existence of the Brother
hood Of locomotive engineers is at stake. About
| forty men have been discharged on the Boston g.
Albany Railroad, owing TO the decrease in bust
| ness, and in some cases those who have been re
tanned have had their wages reduced. A Boston
paper recently stated that il is estimated that since
the panic Of 1873. there has been direct loss of
$500, 600 900 to the working men of the United
States by means Of strikes. This should show the
folly of which the engineers have been guilty, and
teach lesson to all working men.
The spring openings at the various large estab-
iishmehls in Boston, have been of the most en-.