St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-11-29
A Strangers Sabbath in Boston
[From the Transcript, Oct. 2s.l

From the Transcript. Oct. %.
In turning the corner of School and
fremont streets | came upon narrow
entry, at the door of which was pla-
card, with the words, "Prayer Meeting,
All Welcome" and without further con-
sideration l followed the passage way,
and guided my footsteps by the sound
of some songs of praise, sung, evidently
by earnest lips and hearts. encoun-
tered IL CHEEKY looking, white haired
man, of more than middle age, who,
whilst he walked along with firm and
active step younger than his years, was
singing softly to himself the hymn
whose tones resounded in the distance.
Seeing me hesitate, he advanced at
once, holding out his hand, addressed
me with considerable warmth, "GOod
morning, brother; stranger in Boston ~
and on receiving my answer, said,
"Why, this is the strangers Sabbath
home, fremont Temple glad to see
You shaking my hand again well
come! No friends i'll the cityg Alb
You must be at home herel Come
spend the day with us Right glad to
see you! Well show YOU all the work
that is carried forward in this building
on the Sabbath" There was no gain
saying such an invitation, and it's very
warmth seemed to chase away from my
mind all the unpleasant feelings of an
hOm ago. My newly-found friend led
me to room from whence | had heard
the singing, and said, "Just step in
here; this is our early morning prayer
meeting previous to the preaching ser
vice i'll the Temple up stairs; take
seat whilst | pay the pastor visit in
the deacons' room, and | will call for
you shortly" A friendly seat was at
that moment offered me 10y brother,
and | passed a very pleasant time dur
ing the balance of the meeting, the
spirit of it being full of simple fervOr,
resembling home family worship, and
attended by from seventy to a hundred
people. A beautiful idea, this early
preparation for the Sabbath, and worthy
OF more general adoption. AS the meet
ing closed, my friend appeared again,
ready to conduct me to the regular SER
vice in the Temple up stairs. When
found myself there, | felt the influence
of such IL magnificent building dedicat-
ed to the Creator, and as the organ,
skilltully handled, gave out its impress
sive tones, now sweet and tender, now
deep and soul stirring, thanked God
for the prospect of such Sunday as
seemed opening to me. The spacious
hall seemed large enough to hold 5000
persons, and was filling rapidly. Ex-
actly at halt-past ten o'clock, a 1.-the.
slight figure appeared on the stage-a
powerful face, dark complexion and
hair; and upon inquiry l found this
gentleman to be the regular pastor, Rev.
George c. Lorimer. He cast IL rapid,
searching glance around, as though
taking in all surroundings at a look,
and seeming to calculate the presence
or absence of the members of his church.
He soon opened the service by reading
lmpressively few passages from scrip
ture. Then followed excellent congre-
gational singing, prayer and singing by
Il fine quartette, and lastly the sermon,
Il powerful one indeed, delivered with
out notes, and full of Bible teachings,
eloquent pleadings to follow a true life,
urgent appeals to forsake worldly aspi-
ratiOns, and turn thoughts and heart
towards that inevitable future that
OvershadOws us all. Tears flowed not
only from the eyes of many listener,
but from those of the reverend preach
er, too, whose earnestness, language
and power must have touched the ston-
lest heart. Then followed the baptism.
-Four or five candidates were immersed
by the pastor, accepting the faith and
leaving their sins with the Lord Jesus.
AT the close of this interesting ceremo-
ny saw the pastor moving amongst
the congregation, saying ii word to this
one, shaking hands with another, and |
received many words of welcome from
those around him, L was not surprised
when the pastor himself accosted me
with the words '.Glad to see you,
friend come again." My friend of the
early morning was soon by my side
once more, and conducted me to large
room called the "Social Hall,n where
tables were spread, and hundred or
so, members, including the pastor, dea-
cons, and friends who were unable to
return to their homes between services,
were partaking their luncheon, and tea
and coffee. An hour was agreeablv
spent here, and if cOrdiality will make
stranger welcome, was welcome in-
deed. Soon after we went to large
hall purposely for the use of the Sab
bath school, where assemble every Sun
day about twelve hundred pupils, in
Guiding the classes in the adjacent
rooms, and those held by the pastor
and others in the Temple up stairs. |
here discovered my friend to be the su-
perintendent of the Sabbath school.
where he was busy as bee, in this lit
tie world of itself, where old and young.
in ages varying from five to eighty
years, gain knowledge of the Bible and
guidance for everyday life. l was here
introduced to the assistant superintend-
ent, man OF earnestness and fidelity
In his work, and also to many teachers
OF the different classes, intelligent men
and women specially chosen for their
aptitude, and to the character and ages
of the classes to which thew are an
pointed. But a few years that Sab
bath school work has developed itself
throughout our country in such perfec-
ton. In other parts of the world it is
comparatively in its infancy, and the
force OF this is realized when we con-
trast The present advantages offered for
the attainment of biblical knowledge
on our own shores with the system car
r1ed on in our fathers time, when if
merely consisted of the children gath
erlng together, the only lesson being a
verse or two of scripture committed to
memory. These interesting exercises
closed about three o'clock, the members
returning then to their homes for rest.
the services and extra meetings having
occupied since $50 a. m.
At half-past six in the evening there
was prayer meeting held for young
people, attended by from three to four
hundI led, led by one of the Iaymen. A
delightful hour of praise and prayer was
here spent. a thnrnnnh Snirit nf do.r.