The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-09-12
How to get it is the problem. At all
events il must come very SLOWLY

but found 1t closed. Found st. Johns
Methodist church not far away, where
we enjoyed the service much; the sing
ing was really very inspiring entirely
congregational. Though almost from
the start the preacher used nearly twice
as much voice as he needed, his sermon
had practical interest, particularly in
the conversational parts. He said the
congregation was ut low water mark in
point of numbers. yet there must have
been $50 people present.
The seats all without cushions-En-
glish people seem to care little for the
luxurious furnishing of churches that
We are so fond of in America. After the
service, took tram car right to the end
of Commercial Road. in the East End,
thence walked across the bridge into
Canning Town to Mansfield House, where
we we're to lunch. After lunch had
good talk with the members of the
place. Thence went to one OF their
Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Services"
in very large hall near by; about 400
people present. Hymn singing; fine or
gan, also fairly good soprano solos =
were told that they usually have an or
chestra,-reading of Scripture and pray
er. then address by stranger upon the
Drink Problem. We stayed here only a
little while, then b FASTENED away to get a
glimpse of another similar meeting
for women only held in another hall;
about $50 women present. The speak
ers are all women, and though not
in connection with Mansfield House,
are working in conjunction with them.
After getting an armtul of literature on
the work in this Social Settlement. we
go, in company with the courteous Mr..
Creighton, to see the "Wave," so-caled,
cheap clearinghouse for men who are
nearly stranded and have no place to
%. They have very good house;
good comfortable beds, though not over
clean. lodgings are furnished for four
pence; and little more retired with only
three beds 10 the room, for six.pence
a night. am constantly saying, "What
way for any human being to be liv-
ingI" On the other hand | am saying,
What blessing such place must be
to men who are stranded and nearly
wrecked, without homes! Such places,
under good auspices. are needed in Bos.
ton IIpOp tho uubolo ba M
OF the social settlements of Oxford House
and Mansfield House imp esses me as
being most real and earnest, though |
cannot rightly judge Of Toynbee Hall,
since most of their work was suspended
for the summer; the other hand, with
all the multitude of people around | was
asking, Why should it be suspended for
the summer?
AUGUST 3. Take rest from Social
Investigation. Visit Windsor Castle
and the old church in Stoke Pogis, in
whose graveyard Gray wrote his Elegy.
AUGUST 4. Visited Cambridge. the
famous old university town, particularly
with view to getting an insight into
University Extension Work, with fair
success.
AUGUST 5. 6, z. 8. In Paris, my first
real rest. Am in the hands of one of
the most courteous gentlemen, who has
been in Paris for a year and speaks
French huently. have not a care nor
a thought; he is my guide. perhaps l
ought to say my deliverer, as he was Ger.
tainly my excellent friend. For the pur-
poses of this article need not go into
details.
AUGUST o. 1t has rained all day. For
convenience l have drifted into two
churches near at hand; nothing remark
able about the service or the sermon in
either case.
AUGUST 10. Back to the Salvation
Army once again! Most of the day was
spent in the Agricultural Hall, where
an exhibition is being held by the Sal.
walton Army. representing all sides of
their work, social as we'll as religious. |
had the pleasure of brief interview
with Mrs. Bramwel Booth-a most in
tellgent, earnest woman, whom it is a
pleasure to meet. She seems to know
exactly what thing is to be done. and
goes at it with directness and an ear
nestness in every way most admirable.
She has charge of the Rescue Work of
the Social Wing of the Army. Tomor-
row, in company with Mrs. aud Miss
Hobart OF Boston, | shall visit five of the
Rescue Stations. At o'clock General
Booth and his multitudes of assistants
conducted religious meeting in tina
general auditorium. 1t Was a typical
Salvation Army meeting, under excell-
emit auspices, with all the machinery ia
miliar to them brought into use. Their
earnestness was admirable. but from
first 10 last it only interested me; it did
not touch me. | could not think OF re-
ligion in connection with it. 1t was
ethical. but not religious. With the
devotion these people have to social
work we should surely excuse any &C.
centricities. In the evening l saw per-
haps the most gratifying work that l
have yet discovered under Church of
England auspices-the Rev. Mr.. Cart
wright, of Christ Church, Battersea, ex-
tended to me a cordial invitation To dine