The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-04
SUNDAY SERVICES ON THE COMMON
An Odd Feature or Lite In Boston During the
season OF Hot weather.

season OF Hot Weather.
BOSTON, July 3.-One OF the oldest features of
summer life at the Hub is the systematic con.
Quoting OF Sunday services on Boston Common.
1t may be a relic of the provincialism that clings
to the city. or 1t may be the result of a certain
serious mindedness handed down from our
Puritan ancestors.
The work Is not spasmodic, but regular and 10
quite an extent under the city's control. In
order to hold services on the Common one must
first apply each year to the Mayor for a permit,
and this Is taken to the Superintendent Of the
Public Grounds, who fixes the time and place
where the meeting shall be hold each Sunday.
Under the ninth tree from the walk on the
Charles street mall, for instance. the Unitarians
hold forth. and any one who wants to hear that
doctrine can go there on n pleasant Sunday
afternoon with as much certainty Of finding
what he desires as at Kings Chapel in the morn
ing. No other creed or belief will be preached
here. for the police officers on the Common
know the location OF all tho permits and will
allow no usurpers. Neither can any man speak
on the Common without a permit, and IL any
one tries it he straightway gets into trouble. as
did the Harvard graduate who Is now in jail
paying tho penalty OF his belief that. as this is 8
free country, he could talk where he pleased.
Time was. eight or ten years ago. when the
permits were confined to those who wished to
hold religious services. But the clerk who is
sued permits was so often called upon to decide
between beliefs and religion THAT he gave
1t up. SO now the man or society that wants TO
advocate the single tax theory has just M good
a chance TO eXhort AZ the one who breaches
from n Bible text and urges his hearers 10 en-
brace religion. In fact, the sunday afternoon
stroller through this forum can hear preached
all shades of religious and political beliefs.
Most of the services are well attended and the
speakers are listened to with respect and atten-
ton. The hoodlum element is conspicuous by
its absence and the services seem Ia. reach q
class OF people disinClincd to dress up" and sit
in discomfort in church on n hot day.
The unitarians. In their little o!m.treo chapel
seem to have the largest attendance, and prob
hymns. In which the whole throng joins with a
fervor that puts to shame tho GOODNESS and re-
Rev. DR.. Edward Everett Hale often speaks at
these meetings and other well-known preachers
The purple and yellow banner of theosophy
always drawsa big crowd with its motto, mo
religion better than truth and BROTHERHOOD"
Enemies of the national bank system, Social.
lists, and students OF different phases of political
economy all form centres OF listening groups.
nation ofthe Salvation Army Is a conspicuous
feature Of ono spot.
afternoon. AT the latter hour the band strikes
up from its place in the centro of the forum, and
within q minute worshippers and students OF
political economy arc in one mass about the
band stand. They have had their serious hour,
and are ready for recreation.
the Common" are issuod each year. two-thirds
OF tho number being regulars and the rest new
ones. Among societies that received permits
this year arc the Free Church Association OF the
Episcopal Church. Boston section, Of the Social
isiic Labor party, New England Theosophica
Corporation, boston Philosophical Society, Hos
ton Single Tax Society. Social and Economic
Club, Baptist Ministers Conference, Benevolen'
Fraternity OF Churches lUnitarian)' and the Sal
walton Army. ,
There are three women who have the Mayor
permission to talk on the Common this year DO
sides those who speak under the auspices o
societies.