Morning journal and courier., 1885-04-04
oHILnREN,s mEEr1NG.

A Large Attendance In Center Church
Yesterday Interesting ExercIses-
Address BY Mr.. Ls1teh of India
Remarks by Rev. MIR. BlakesIee.
Yesterday afternoon the children's mis-
sionary meeting was held in the Center
church. Almost every Sabbath school in the
city was represented, and the church was
filed to its utmost capacity. Benches were
placed in the aisles for those who could find
no other seats. Rev. Mr.. Blakeslee pre-
sided. The singing was conducted by Pro-
lessor Jepson. One of the interesting fea-
lures of the occasion was the singing by a
double quartette of boys under Mr.. Jepson's
direction.
The exercises were opened with singing
ssRaise the Banner of the Cross by this
choir, after which Mr.. Blakeslee led in
prayer. The next hymn was composed ex-
press1y for the occasion and was sung
by the congregation with great en-
thusiasm. 1t runs "Praise to the Lord of
hosts, praise to his name, deeds of his
mighty arm, joyful proclaim" etc. Mr..
Blakeslee then read the scripture from the
fifth chapter of Isaiah. The choir rendered a
song entitled "Work in Gods Vineyard" in
an admirable manner, after which the first
address was heard. It was given by Mr..
Blakeslee, who gave a running description
of the twenty nine islands in the Pacific with
which mission work is most closely connect
ed and the missionary work that has been
and is being done there. He explained the
need of the Morning Star" and the excel
no.
those islands. The ship is to be paid for
by ''shares," and each one Of the children is
invited to invest the small sum necessary to
procure one or more of these shares. Upon
Mr.. BIakeslee's putting the question how
many of the children wanted shares in the
vessel great many hands were raised, which
shows that the children are greatly interest
cd in the enterprise.
After the singing of the hymn "Hasten,
Lord the Glorious Time" and selection,
solo and chorus, "Father, Lift Me Up" by
the choir of boys, Mr.. G. w. Leitch gave his
illustrated lecture on India and Ceylon. The
stereopticon views were excellent and with
the description given by Mr.. Leiteh one
could easily gain a good glimpse of life in
India and Ceylon. The speaker explained
the houses, method of living and of working
in the country, the superstitions of the PEG
pie and the mission work among
Gnem, anu also GAo IeAPIoS, "nASn
are famous all over the world
for their massiveness, grandeur and
strength of architecture. The first view was
the picture of the new Morning Star" of
which every one knows. The other views
included Barber shaving the head. This
custom is kept up, the head being shaved ex-
cept small spot on the back of it; Brahmin,
washerman, native house and family; potters
making earthen ware, milking cows. The ma
tives always milk in very small cup and
pour the contents when it is filled into a
larger vessel. Mr.. Leitch said that a COW
which would give quart of milk would be
the best COW in the country. View of banyan
tree showing the queer structure of the
roots and branches Some of the most in
teresting views were those in Menachi's
temple in Madura, one of the most famous of
the temples in Southern India. They gave
general views of the temple; the carved fig
ures lining its entrance; the idols, paintings,
sacred bulls, etc., in it. Among the views
the Sacred Beggar," the FDevl Charmer''
and the people wearing cages and carrying
kavadies were especially noticeable. Mr..
Leitch explained the system of caste which
is SO great drawback to the enlightenment
of the people, and in Illus
tration of the mission work
views of missionaries and catechlsts' handles,
girls boarding schools, high caste families,
missionaries and native Hebrews, Hindoo
princes and princesses, ETC., were given. The
lecture was very interesting, giving one a
chance to see the aspects of missionary life
and also the state of the people regards
customs and ways of living. Mr.. Leitch has
the thanks of his many hearers for the lee
ture. After singing s'Saviour sprinkle many
nations" and receiving the benediction the
congregation dispersed.