News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-06-18
our Boston Letter.

A noble amphitheatre whose outer
aisle measures more than four hun
dred feet; a sharply descending floor
centering around the graceful chancel
rail; vast gallery almost as capa-
cious as the main floor, and which
swings clean around the building,
and from organ to organ again;
a superb organ towering above this
wilderness of orchestra chairs and
forming a background for the speak
er's platform; aliberal platform with
out q pulpit-such at a glance is the
Peoples Methodist Episcopal Church
in the city of Boston. The famous
stained glass window in its 'front.'
probably as fine piece OF work as is
to be seen in America-given in me-
moriam to Bishop Gilbert Haven by
his once fellow-clerks, Eben Jordan
and ex-Sheriff Clark, is itself worth n
visit to the church. 1t represents
Christ bearing his cross through
the streets of Jerusalem. There are
two or three other noteworthy win
dows in the sacred edifice.
This is the most capacious Protest
ant Church in New England, and one
of the largest auditoriums in Boston.
It's full seating capacity is about
$500. Yet so compact is the allot-
ment of chairs, that the speaker
seems to be within conversing dis
| tance of the remotest hearer, as 1t
seemed to me.
The building has a remarkable his
tory. Rev. j. w. Hamilton, ID. d.,
became known through English
speaking Christendom by its con-
struction. More than $4,000 was
at one time raised fer it by ten-cent
pieces alone. Ten cents bought n
brick. Literally the Christian world
contributed. Hundreds who read
this will remember the red brick on
paper, and the heroic builders circu-
lar appeal. Such readers will beglad
to know that the largest free church
building in Boston, to which they
gave their mite, is now free from debt
at last. The property is well worth
100000 in the estimation Of good
Judges, and must soon enhance by
land value alone to half n million.
1t is a Methodist Episcopal Church
vet the well-known breadth and
iiberalitv of that branch ofChristians
is here given, if possible, a new en-
phasis. Its history compels the Peo-
ple's Church to be cosmopolitan. 1t
stands for Christ and humanity. Ii
is a church of the people from peak to
foundation, steadfast in creed, fer
vent in working purpose. A signit-
cant fact in connection is that this
Peoples Church is the first to be call
ed by that name. So kindly did
men take to it, that the title was
at once adopted in many cities OF
the United States. Several in Eng
land also bear it to-day.
During nine years of tremendous
labor DR.. Hamilton was in charge o
this unique work. The incredulous
community awoke at last to wonder
and admire, and then to assist hi'
labors to success. To him and to th'
gracious lady, his wife, who yielded
up her young life on its alters, tn,
reverent love of the city offered itself
Rev. C. f. Davis, ID. D., and Rev
X. Il. OfeeHe, IL. u, III HuOSStbiit
pastorates conducted the enterpris
to the goal ofsecurity-freedom from
debt. In the final struggle, so i'm
portant did this pivotal point seen
to them, that nearly the entire boar'
of Bishops drew their pocket-books
five hundred dollars apiece, AM
Methodist laymen emulated them
A recent Sabbath spent IN TIN
church was exceedingly impressive
At 9. BOA. NJ. n devoted band ms
sembled for early prayer-meeting
The service was held in one of tn
rooms of the ample chapel adjoining
the main edifice. The spirit of til
meeting was fervent with old Metl
odist fire. At 1915 as we came on
thousands of people were throngin