St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-02-04

The Epworth League House, under
Methodist auspices, is situated on
Hull street in the North End of Bos'
ton.
The North End, now the residence
OF Irish, Jews, Italians and Portu-
gese, was once the aristocratic center
of Boston. Epworth League House
is situated but a short distance from
the Old North church, and any small
boy OF the neighborhood will show
you, not far away, the home OF Paul
Revere. Copp's Hill Burial Ground,
which is exactly opposite the settle
ment house, General Cages head.
quarters and other interes ting his
toric places.
Epworth League House is in one of
the old aristocratic dwellings and the
frescoed ceilings and gay chandeliers
which still remain in the parlor with
bright lights, pictures, books and
piano, make the room very attrac-
tive.
Last Tuesday evening I had the
pleasure of accompanying a friend
who gave lecture on some of the
worlds famous pictures before the
girls clubs of the settlement.
During the lecture the girls, and a
very neat, bright looking company
they were, listened in silent interest,
and at the close the little president
of the BUSY Bees" as the little girls
club is called, thanked the lecturer in
prettily worded speech and pre-
sented her with the colors of the club
in carnations and ferns.
The work of this settlement, under
the charge OF Rev. Walter Merritt, is
proving very successful. There are
classes in millinery and cooking for
the older girls. The BUSY Bees" are
preparing tor fair and sale of fancy
articles in the spring. The Hull
Street Helpers" club OF small boys,
make it their object to keep Hull
street free OF waste papers. They are
reading a history of the United
States, under the guidance OF a
teacher, and are greatly interested in
it. There is night school tor those
over sixteen years OF age, an art class
under the tutelage of one OF their own
members young Hebrew who has
studied in the Massachusetts Normal
Art school, class in history, Good
Citizenship club which holds debates
and seeks to place good reading mat.
ter in the barber shops in place ot the
pernicious literature which they found
there.
There is club Of young men, sew
eral of whom have taken honors al
the Boston schools. and who are now
studying out of working hours, iol
professions. and doing admirable
work. These young men own well
selected library and pay their owr
gas bills.
Mr.. Merritt has under his charg,
a savings bank in which he uses th'
stamp system. and the children art
more and more bringing in their pen
MES to him to keep them. For every
sum brought in stamp is placed il
the bank book. The stamps are il
bright colors and the books become
gaily decorated as the hoard OF pen
, MES increases.
There is a kindergarten for the lit
tie sisters of the Bees" hall wher
religious services are held, and dis
pensary where medical help is afforded
to the poor. There is a flower mis-
, sion generously supplied by the sur
burban towns. There are socals
: and suppers and Christmas trees
5 There are lectures and music. Their
are picnics in summer and delightful
rips down the harbor.
With all this people understan
that Epworth League House is
e private residence, and must b
S treated as such. In this way tn
/. children acquire an idea of home iii
that could be gained in no other way
There is decided religious atmo.
phere prevailing the settlement. Nj
l. Morrit said, 1--WE do not try to COZ
g vert them to our religion. We Il
, them know where we stand, but the
- also know that we will not try t
: break down their religious idea
IS They have learned to trust US S
-e thoroughly in this that we even ha,
" the children OF two Jewish Rabbis
70 our classes. Weseek to make religion
- whatever form it takes, do. or the
g. all it can, and bring out the GOO
e. that exists in them all. Nevertheless
a some remarkable conversions ha'
taken place"
. The college settlement is no mo
an experiment. 1t has surely con
e to stay, and is continually provir
n its usefulness. The children a
ne taught the value OF poli,eness, Sc
70 sacrifice and service for others. T
-, instruction in domestic arts and t
a' other education which they recei
ak are sure to make happier, clean
on and more intelligent households
20. the future, and all these iphuent
&C. cannot iail to bring about, slow
'sl perhaps, but surely, better state
T. 4. 4.