St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1886-08-05
MooDY,s SUMMER SCHOOL.
A Letter from C. HI. Sage, n Member of
the School.

the School.
Dear Caledonian: Leaving the heat
and hustle and wickedness of the Bow
cry in the morning and reaching the
quiet of Mt. Hermon in the evening is
a change from a place very much like
"sheol" to an earthly paradise. This
little flag station few miles above
Greenfield has suddenly become great
centre. Toward this point many eyes
cow turn with loving interest. Here
warm hearts beat in loyalty to the
Master, whose great workman, Dwight
l.. Moody, has brought before the
world the beauties and advantages of
this spot.
One approaches the school buildings
over winding road through long
stretch of woods, fragrant with piney
odor. Crosby Hall, the dormitory, is a
large brick building, reminding one
somewhat of South hall in st. Johns
bury. Near 10y is the large dining hall
with facilities for accommodating 200
or 300 students. The kitchen is a
model one in it's arrangements. Nearly
all the cooking is done by steam and
the boys wait on the tables.
The other evening the bell changed
violently and soon over 200 were fight
ing fire in the upper story. Although
one room was all afiame and the parti-
tions afire, after holes were cut in the
roof, three hand grenades were thrown
in and almost instantly the danger was
over.
South of this hall are three or four
very pretty cottages each holding
about 25 persons. During the term a
lady has charge of each of these, thus
giving real home to the students
rooming there. A walk of two min
utes toward the river brings one to
Recitation hall this is beautifully fit
ted up with class rooms, library and
reading room, museum, etc. Every
thing speaks of system and wise su-
pervisiOn. The buildings stand on a
bluff half mile or so back from the
river with the fertile Connecticut val
ley stretching away north and south
for miles. Mortified is in plain sight
across the river 81 miles to the north.
Over there is where the school for girls
is situated. Many persons believe the
two schools to be identical and in the
same locality, while they are entirely
separated by the river. A more de-
lightful situation for such school, or
for such gathering as is now in SEES
sion here, could not be chosen. The
air is delightful and the views magnifi-
cent. On a clear day Mount MOnad-
mock can be seen looming up between
a rift in the mountains across the river.
The lights and shadows as the sun sets,
are wonderful. The haze at midday
reminds one of a mirage, as he looks
away to the distant peaks.
The regular students are of many
natiOnalities. They are a bright look
ing set of young men, too. CHANGING
round we see company of them hoe
ing corn in the field others at work in
the laundry and kitchen. Each boy
spends two and half hours daily in
some such work. However, at this
time, the Mount Hermon boys are in
the minority. For two months previ-
Gus to this gathering invitations were
sent to all the College Y. NJ. G. A.'s in
America. In answer to this and the
call of the International committee of
the Y. M. G.. AIS of the land, $50 bright
young men, from 80 different colleges,
and 25 states, had packed their trunks
and come from all directions to share
in this first "College Students Summer
School for Bible Study" What a
queer collection in those trunks
Wooden shirts, walking shoes, Bibles,
concordances, notebooks and all sorts
of supplies for games, base, foot and
tennis balls, ETC., etc. No long faced,
"namby- PANTY" fellows
these! Whether they use Bibles or
bats; talk or walk or listen, they do it
with will. Here are the leaders in
our colleges; the men who have won
first places in class work, athletic and
glee clubs, boating crews, as well as in
Christian effort in their associations.
All who have lOnged for such type of
manhood as is given in "TOm Brown
at Oxford" would find in these Ameri-
can students gathered here, characters
as noble and high minded as any ever
yet portrayed.
1t will interest your readers to have
the outline of a days programme. The
rising bell rings at six o'clock break
fast promptly at seven. At eight
is held for three-quarters OF
an hour by one of the college secreta-
ries, during which methods of work in
college Y. M. G.. AS. are discussed. AT
ten the preliminary service of the
morning begins. All the $50 young
men and many other visitors and towns
people from across the river, increas
ing the audience to about COCOON
mence singing from the Gospel Choir"
under the direction of Mr.. MOOdy's
new singer, Prof. Towner. He is a
wonderful leader and the melody,
brightness, and intensity of this praise
service is marvellous. Those who have
heard ten or a dozen college boys sing
ing know the vim and dash they give
TO an air. Multiply the volume fifteen
fold add hymns that anneal to the |