St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-02-13
Our Boston Letter.
BOSTON, Feb. 9, 1880.


changed seasons with Florida. 1t is a
singular and noticeable fact that there
has been marked change in our sea-
sons for few years past, and we have
observed that whatever people are I'M
able to account for in changes of the
weather, they attribute to the approach
of the Gulf Stream. The exact philOso-
ply of the thing we are unable to ex-
plain satisfactorily.
Rev. R. R. Meredith of South Boston
still continues his Saturday afternoon
Bible class, when the Sabbath school
lesson for the day following is fully dis
cussed and explained. He has another
large class in Cambridge, and one in his
own church phillips church), Tuesday
evenings. He is remarkably we'll adapt
ed for being leader of such class.
He is large and commanding looking,
has stentorian voice, is well read in
the Scriptures and quick in repartee, so
when persons of somewhat heterodox
belief probe him with questions, they
rarely gain the advantage in the argu-
ment, but more frequently are silenced
by some pointed passage of Scripture
or quick witted sarcasm much to the
satisfaction of his audience, which is
much larger since the meetings have
been held this year in the Baptist
church Oh Beacon Hill.
The church and galleries are gener-
ally packed by three o'clock, and after
an opening prayer and the singing of
some old hymns, not emitting the col
lection, Mr.. Meredith takes up the les
son, beginning with the first verse and
asks general questions. Quick and
prompt responses follow from persons in
the gallery or main part of the church,
from men or women promiscuously,
which the leader echoes for the benefit
of all present, summing up all the clear
and comprehensive answers, ETC., re-
jecting the others. The subject "The
Temptation of Christ" two weeks
since, brought out diversity of opin-
ions and sharp and animated debate.
Some rejecting the personality of the
Devil and attributing all the evil to our
own human nature.
The associated Charities of Boston
have this year found an alliance with
different churches i'll the city, and each
Ward has meeting of it's officers to
report and consider the cases assigned
them. Many wealthy ladies, or those
of leisure, take from one to five or six
families to visit every week, and ascer-
tain their needs and report at the union
meeting upon Friday afternoon.
In attending such meetings and lis
tening to such reports, you gain an in
sight into the condition of the poorer
classes which you could in no other
way. You are surprised to learn how
much good our city missionaries are ac-
comprising. 1t is touching to hear
some cases cited. One poor woman has
for twenty eight years worked and sup
ported an invalid and deranged sister,
and only two years since asked for any
assistance. Another poor widow is sick
and alone, vainly trying to support her
children without help. In fact the city
seems flooded with so many such cases,
and all that many think of doing is to
try and tide them over to dry land,
where they can take care of themselves.
There has been some excitement the
past week in the Chambers street
Presbyterian church, owing to a lecture
given by Rev. [. P. Rathburn on Free
Masonry. He has been lecturing the past
10 years he claims, exposing this secret
society and declaring it is not only nom
Christian, but nti-Christian.
Prof. w. P. Atkinson of the institute
of Technology, has been delivering a
very interesting course of lectures at
the Institute on English Literature. His
lectures partake more of the nature of
familiar conversation on English au-
thOrs, when he gives you short sketch
and diagram of writers on historical
subjects and characters in different cen
turtles, and often reads short extracts to
illustrate the style of their writings.
Prof. Henry W. Haynes has Just
commenced a course of lectures on Pre-
historic Archaeology in Europe. His first
lecture was "The Fossil Man in the
Quaternary Period"
The Boston Art Club has closed its
exhibition. There were some lovely
pictures on exhibition which attracted
the attention of the lover of art but
the sale of VIM. M. Hunts pictures has
been the great object of interest. They
have been on exhibition for some weeks
in the rooms of the Art Museum, and
people have had ample time to examine
them at leisure. The prices many OF
the pictures, especially the charcoal
sketches, have brought, astonished ev.
cry one.
The Public Library now has some OF
the prominent magazine monthlies
bound in board covers, so they can be
taken out for seven days, the same as
new books, which affords the readers
great pleasure, Heretofore persons
were only allowed to take the maya