The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1904-12-29

conduct an open bar; yet friend OF
mine, who has resided here for some
months, told me last night that he had
never seen but two drunken men upon
the streets. A great many of the
stores are partially open on Sunday
almost all kinds of them. On Sunday
morning I went to the Church of the
Strangers, Congregational. l had heard
the pastor of the church, Rev. N. M.
Long, D. d., preach on several occa-
sions in Springfield, and had always
been profoundly impressed by the elo-
quence, impressiveness and vigor OF his
sermons. Very few men to whom l
have ever listened have impressed me
to so great an extent. had wondered.
however, whether the sermons when l
had heard had not been somewhat ex-
ceptionai, and had asked the question
whether or not his regular sermons
could be equal to those l had heard.
To my surprise, however, the sermon
which l heard him preach in his own
church on Sunday morning was equal
to. if it did not surpass, any other ser
mon which had heard him preach, for
eloquence, logic, illumination, thought
and impressiveness. His theme was
building on Christ. would like to see
the sermon in print, but whether writ
ten or not do not know, for it was
delivered without the presence OF
scrap of paper to indicate line OF
thought. For twenty-four years this
same man has ministered to the same
congregation and l am amazed that IN
city of such size the church is not
crowded to the doors or that standing
room is not at premium.
Since writing the above l have had
the pleasure of spending an evening
with DR.. Long and learned good many
things about his life and work. Several
wears ago, before there were as many
churches as there are now in the same
locality, the church was always full,
particularly at the night service. Mem
phis is not a Congregational stronghold,
for when a religious census was taken
few years since the adherents OF the
Congregational polity numbered some
thing less than three hundred. Another
thing somewhat unusual in the history
of the church is the fact that IN us
membership are numbered not only
Republicans and Democrats, not only
Northern and Southern people, but ex-
Federal and Confederate soldiers work
ing and praying, believing and hoping
in apparent harmony. l did not learn
what the present status OF the officers
of the church is politically, but several
years ago the Board OF Trustees ana
the Board of Deacons both had ex-Fed-
eral and ex- Confederate soldiers among
its officers. The church has fine organ
and fine quartette and for twenty-four
years has stood loyalty by its pastor, as
he has by the church. l was proposing
to make a kasty visit to my friend, Rev.
G. E. Libby at Holly Springs, Miss, but
upon inquiry learned that he had left
there two or three years ago, much to
the regret Of the school and its friends.
The latter part of this letter has been
written from Springfield since my re-
turn. AS write on the 10th of Decem-
Der, the ground is covered with snow;
well, perhaps an inch and a half deep.
Is it good to see the snow? Yes and no.
Good to remind us of many happy days
spent in Maine; good to see the young
folks taking advantage of the first snow
of the season which may possibly dis
appear in the presence of the morrow's
sun No. 1t is not good for us for the
most part for we are not prepared for
its coming. We have only few sleighs
or sleds in town and as whole we are
not prepared to enjoy so nice blessing.
Springfield has made considerable prog
ress during the past two years and with
the coming in of the Missouri Pacific
Railroad, which seems to be now an as
sured thing, will rapidly push to the
front. 1t is a delightful place in which
to reside-high AMI dry, good schools,
good churches, good society and good
business. do not wish to entice any
body away from the grand old State of
Maine, but if any of your leaders con-
template a change to the Southwest let
me recommend them to take look at
this region of country and especially at
this city. W. II. W.
Springfield, Mo.
Mr.. Woodcock's Paintings.
Hart L. Woodcock of this city had
an exhibition of his oil and water color