The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-08-21
NOrtbne1d.

Northiield is place of which the world
generally knew very little few years ago
but II is beginning TO be famous, and may
soon rival Chautauqua in that respect. 1t
lies in the valley of the Connecticut, on
the northern edge of Massachusetts,. As
write look into New Hampshire and Yer
mont, over scene as beautiful as the view
from the Bloomsbury Normal School and
more extended. The absence OF fences
gives park-likc or European aspect to the
landscape. The two railroads, from New
Haven and New London, across the river,
| do not mar the beauty or break the still
ness. The village consists OF one long
street, wide enough to contain from two to
four rows Of large elms anu naples and
room for play grounds between. can
find only two general stores. These with
tailor, shoemaker, harness and tin shop,
a barber and hotel, monopolize the busi-
ness without any difficulty.
What threatens to secure place for
Northield on the maps is that d. H., as he
is called by his townsfolk to distinguish
him from the other Moodys, came back to
the home Of his boyhood few years ago
to reside, has established a seminary for
girls and in the adjoining township a school
for boys and is gathering some kindred
spirits around him. Sankcy, the singer,
and Pentecost, the Evangelist, have settled
here McGranahan is coming and John
Wanamakcr has cottage near the SEM
mary.
The seminary was started on a small
scale in a dwelling house. 1t was soon
housed in a large brick building on a com
manding site, the East Hall. Another
large brick dormitory has been added by
the Marquand estate; and beautiful stone
hall has been built for recitations. Moody's
object is to help girls of moderate means
to obtain an education that shall fit them
for real usefulness in life by its thoroughly
Christian character. Each pupil is to ray
$100 year and take share In the lighter
work OF the household. There is, of
course, heavy deficiency for Mr.. Moody
and his friends to make up. understand
that part, If not all, Of the royalty from
the hymn books goes into this enterprise.
1t all goes to BENEVOLENT work Of some sort.
The boys school at Mt. Hermon, on a large
farm, IS conducted on the same principles.
There were 100 pupils last year and they
are preparing for 800 next year. 1t con-
tains representatives from China, Japan,
our Indian tribes, and Europe. There arc
some 40 boys from Great Britain.
Apropos of Great Britain, among the ar
RIVALS on Saturday night was Mr.. Studd,
one of the gentlemen cricketers who have
Just come over. l see him now, in his
short pants and russet shoes, with his Bible
under his arm, tramping away from the
stone hall, where the meetings of the
Northfield Convention of Christian Work
ers is held. He was one Of the students
who stood by Moody at Cambridge Univer-
sity in England and was converted. In
the mems meeting last evening (for there
was woman's meeting and so the men
were left to themselves) Mr.. Studd told in
very simple and interesting way of the
interest awakened in the British universi-
ties on the subject of "Foreign Missions"
and of the seven young men (of leading
society in London, according to Moody
who have lately gone to China, one OF them
his brother. He traced the movement back
to the meetings of Moody and Sankey at
Cambridge.
The principal interest of the Convention,
so far, centres around DIR. Gordon, of Bos-
ton, DR.. Picrson, of Philadelphia, and
Moody, as speakers, and Messrs. Sankey,
Towner and Parker, as singers. Mr.. Park
er is singing Evangelist from Spurgcon's
college, who tells me he has been holding
meetings in every country in England, save
one. Mr.. Towner was brought in connec-
ton with Moody in Cincinnati where he
was teaching music, and has now devoted
himself to evangelistic service under
Moody's direction. He has powerful
voice and is good leader. Sankey's sing
ing seems to me as sweet as ever.
Moody presides at all the meetings in the
stone hall, and keeps everything under con-
troll, from the timing Of a speaker down:to
the seating of the people and even to the
charges of the hackmen. He does not
talk often himself. | have heard but one
sermon, or long speech from him. That
was grand in its simplicity and fullness of
Gospel truth. S. NJ.