most deeply touched the life of the child and influenced the after life in the woman. It was therefore with keen enjoyment that remembrance and esti-. mate of companions and friends were listened to as the verdicts were passed: "You were a shy girl, not much given to outward demonstration." "You were quite serious, very much in earnest." "You were faithful and always ready,”—and, oh, joy! from one who came closer to the home ties,-"A veritable Tom-boy." But no one had discovered the longing of the girl for some means of self-expression in true usefu`ness. And so, as heart and brain developed under school and church in iuences, strong and deep impressions were being firmly imbedded for future use, seed sown well, which might develop into fruit later on.

Distance could not weaken the heartthrobs nor time efface the images imprinted on the memory. A burning desire to re-visit old home scenes and friends grew stronger with each year of separation.

One day some one proposed a trip to Europe, to be taken by a party of friends. All entered into the plan with one accord, but none more eagerly than this exiled friend. Yet while planning for a most enjoyable time abroad, her real "Mecca" loomed before her and lured and inspired her to herculean effort in the face of all obstacles. This Mecca was her old home in Bos ton, for which purpose a special and solitary itinerary was mentally prepared. First, a visit to home surroundings, so as to be over the heartaches as quickly as possible. Next, old friends who had proven themselves always faithful. Then schoolmates and teachers, with the hope that some might be found who had not forgotten -which hope was more fully realized than it was possible to expect. Also the old buildings where they were wont to assemble.

But uppermost in heart and mind was the desire to enter with the child heart into the old place of worship, so long the regular Sunday gatheringplace of mother and brothers after Sunday-school exercises, and to sit in the same old seat and recall the inspiration and comfort so often obtained and so well remembered during later years.

At last the haven is reached. The

heartaches have been endured, a little home-feeling has penetrated the loneliness produced by change. Sunday arrives, and the heart beats rapidly. Progress towards the old chapel is all too slow. As the neighborhood is approached, it is with difficulty that rapid steps are held from running and leaping. Oh, happiness! the exterior of the building is the same:-the entrance door, the windows, the little passage in the rear, all recalling the assembled groups and classes within, and each having some childish association. little passage in the rear, for instance. One day on coming a little late, the child, afraid to enter before the school, crept into the alley and sat on a window sill. Looking down, she found a little mouse snuggled close to the building, on the floor. Putting her finger on its head to pet it, she saw with much wonder and some fear, perhaps, a pair of dark, horny wings expand from its shoulders, fitting punishment for a lit tle girl who had played truant from Sunday-school!

The

Well, the interior is to be seen. Rumor has it that alterations have been made, will it be as disappointing as the rude sacrifice of home images? Of course the beloved pastor has long been denied the privilege of ministering to his flock. All hope of meeting him has been long abandoned. But the place

itself? What will that be?

A hand invisible turns the door-knob,

and opens the door. A kindly face peers forth, and a more kindly voice extends a welcome. The visitor enters, is ushered into the parlors in the same spirit as in days of old. A word or two of explanation and she is kindly reassured; the building is thrown open to her. From room to room of the dear, familiar place she is led, and the good work of the societies and children explained to her. Changes? Yes, but the general appearance essentially the same, especially in the Sunday-school rooms. Miss Fanny's spirit still lends life to her room and quickens her portrait. The stairs to the upper auditorium have been extended, and a part of that room transformed into work and playrooms at the expense of its seating capacity, for the attending congregation is smaller, and the work of the societies great. The upper floor has been finished off into gymnasium, shower baths, domestic training rooms,

etc., a fitting evolution of the little Saturday play and study classes of so long ago. Yes, and one change devoutly to be praised, the church building is open daily to those who wish its help and inspiration. One need not go inside, always, however, for such encouragement. A beautiful thought is placed outside the door. on the church door pulpit, that all may read and enjoy. Good people are dispensing comfort and joy in flower service and other mission work daily.

Could any home-coming be more joyful and comforting? The dream of a lifetime realized, the ideals of dreamland a reality. Of the teachers and friends of the past a faithful few remain. Of the new helpers there are many, but they are not strangers. One feels immediately in touch and at home in spirit with them. It is an atmosphere of love and joy and helpful

ness.

And as the dreamer sits in her old place and gazes at the class of little ones and their teacher. and notes the gentle influence extending over their spontaneous activity, she wonders how many of those irrepressible spirits will carry away those joyous and happy impressions for their help in future years.

If there is one regret more than another. beyond the impossibility of seeing dear Mr. Winklev, it is that the present pastor, of whom his co-workers say so much that is good, could not be met, as his vacation had not yet expired. But his work is there to speak for him and one whose life has been influenced by early environment, to the extent that Sunday is still the happiest day when spent in Sunday-school and church, now returns to her California home refreshed and inspired and encouraged by her all too short visit to Bulfinch Place Chapel."

REBECCA F. ENGLISH.

ELIZABETH S. EMMONS.

By the passing of Miss Emmons from this life, the churches of Boston have lost a true and faithful friend. She had passed the ninety-first milestone of her life, but it may be truly said that the whole of it had been devoted to the service of others. From the time when. as a young girl, the responsibilities of her family fell upon her shoulders, to these later years, when, in spite of failing strength and infirmities of age, she

persevered in the work of Morgan Memorial and the Howard Sunday-school, her heart was full of unselfish love and her hands busy with helpful deeds. Early taking her mother's place as the home-maker, she also assumed the care and education of her nieces and became a second mother to them.

She was a successful teacher in the Winthrop School under that veteran schoolmaster, Robert Swan, whom so many still remember and delight to honor, and it was thus that she earned enough to keep the home together and to save, by the strictest economy, enough to provide for her declining years. She gave up teaching however, and at a large pecuniary sacrifice became an assistant in the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, a work to which she felt herself called. When changes were made a few years later, she lost this position; but instead of dropping the work, she continued it to the end of her life as a volunteer. She had been a public school teacher in Boston for about fifty years; a paid assistant at Morgan Chapel for three years; and her volunteer service there covered eighteen years.

In the meantime, she became a teacher in the Howard Sunday-school. She joined it when at Pitts Street Chapel, in 1836, and soon was given charge of the Infant Class. From that time to the end of her life she was a member and teacher in that school, a service which was fittingly celebrated in 1906 by a reception in her honor. She had then been a member of the school for seventy years, and a teacher for sixty-eight. A full report of this interesting occasion was printed in "Our Work" on Nov. 1, 1906.

In her public work. Miss Emmons took a deep interest, not only in the intellectual life of her pupils, but even more in their physical and moral welfare. She would visit them frequently and render wise and valuable assistOne result of this interest ought never to be forgotten, and it may be told in her own words quoted from a letter written to a friend in 1900:

ance.

I was teaching a class of girls of from fourteen to seventeen years of

age. when a girl of nearly sixteen

walked in. with her dress ripped at the belt, and the skirt dragging on the floor. I exclaimed. "O Mary, I would not go through the streets in that plight; why not take a needle and mend it?"

In the most nonchalant manner she replied, "I do not know how to sew."

"Then ask your mother to teach you." She replied, "The ladies of the Church Sisters give us dresses, and my mother never sews."

to

I was horrified at the thought of sitting five hours a day with such ignorance. I applied to the School Committee for permission to use one half-day in the week to teach sewing. My request was granted. I went Rev. Rufus Ellis and Rev. E. E. Hale, and asked them if their ladies would give me pieces cut from their work, to help me with material. They very cordially met the request. The girls were enthusiastic. I began to teach them to cut and make their own clothing. Fr. Hale and Rev. George L. Chaney interested Mrs. Mary Hemenway, and she supplied a teacher to help me, for I had about fifty pupils; and the work proved so successful that these friends, with some other friends of Mrs. Hemenway, asked for a hearing before the School Board. Several meetings were held, and sewing became one of the items of public instruction

in our schools, after Mrs. Hemenway, aided by the indefatigable efforts of Mr. Robert Swan of the Winthrop Grammar School, had spent money freely for the work."

After entering upon her work at Morgan Chapel (now Morgan Memorial) Miss Emmons devoted herself especially to the children of that neighborhood, and did valiant service in keeping them off the streets and helping them to live respectable and virtuous lives.

was

With a warm, loving heart she had great force of character and a determined will. She the children's best friend, but was held in wholesome She was never awe by wrong-doers. discouraged and would sometimes say, "I never fail." Her abounding faith and optimism saved her from despair and many a child from ruin.

She re

joiced to be in the thick of the fight for virtue and the kingdom of God. She was a patient worker among the intemperate, and many a reformed man or woman has good cause to bless her memory. A loyal Unitarian, she was truly liberal and worked in perfect harmony with other denominations. Her trust in God was absolute; her faith in prayer was supreme; her gratitude was unceasing; and her love of God and man a perpetual fountain of good cheer.

THE WAYFARER.

By Maud L. Kingsbury.

It is not always easy, Lord,
To do the kindly thing,
To keep the peace, to lift the cross,
To wear a smile and sing.

It is not always easy, Lord,
To pass vexations by,

To keep unruffled 'mid Life's storms,
To heed our neighbor's cry.

It is not always easy, Lord,

Thine outstretched hand to see, To pierce the shadows of the night, To keep close, close, to Thee.

It is not always easy, Lord,
To climb the rugged way,
Or wait with patient, folded hands,
And watch for break of day.

But Lord, dear Lord, Thy children know,

Thy love restores anew,

And burdened hearts are healed and blessed

That seek Thy will to do.

Secure in that protecting love,
We cast aside all fear,

And use these stepping stones of life,
To journey homeward here.

THE HARVEST FESTIVAL.

Home-coming Sunday was a glorious time, in spite of the rain, and so was the Harvest Festival. On both оссаsions our members turned out in full force.

There was a special reason for it, of course, and Mr. and Mrs. Eliot have expressed their hearty appreciation of the whole-souled welcome extended to them upon their return from Europe. On Sunday Mr. Eliot told us that he is quite as much a member of the congregation as a minister in the pulpit. He welcomed himself, therefore, quite as heartily in the former ca. pacity as he was welcomed by the people in the latter.

When it is not

so easy to tell "which is which" or "who is who," we stand nearer to the kingdom of heaven.

The flowers on Sunday were beautiful, all the better for not being too many (the minister is writing now), but the fruit and vegetables and deco

rations at the Festival called forth universal admiration. The cornstalks from the Old Ladies' Home on Revere Street were very effective, and the baskets of fruit and vegetables from the Sunday-school classes most generous. It is a surprise sometimes to see how beautiful the most useful, indeed the most commonplace things, can be. What with peppers, and carrots, and egg plants, and pumpkins, to say nothing of the apples and grapes, the color effect was superb. Then we had good music, piano and singing, provided by Mr. Taylor, our organist. Mr. Eliot (now the congregation is writing) told us about the wonderful vineyards in Italy and Switzerland, preaching a little sermon from that text. Everybody was particularly happy, and even if we did not say so, we were very grateful to the committee in charge.

WOMEN'S ALLIANCE.

The members of the Alliance, and many of their friends, are hard at work on articles for the "Harvest Sale" which is to take place on Nov. 17-18. A good Lunch and Supper will be served each day, and it is hoped that many people will avail themselves of this opportunity of helping the "Fair." There will be tables of Useful and Fancy Articles, Handkerchiefs, Baskets, Bags, Groceries, Preserves and Pickles, and Candy. It is hoped that everybody connected with the Church will come and help by their presence. At a meeting of the Alliance to be held on Dec. 1. Miss Elinor W. Crocker will give a talk on the recent National Conference at Chicago. It is hoped that many friends will be present to hear this talk.

COMFORT CARRIERS CLUB.

The Club will hold monthly meetings this winter, opening with supper at 6.30, followed by a short service, and afterwards by a business meeting. The club members are making babies' outfits for the Social Service Department of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and have contributed small amounts to the Lunch Counter of the Out-Patient the same Institution. Department of The Club now has eleven active members.

THE WINKLEY GUILD.

The year opened very well on Sunday, Oct. 10, with an address by Rev. Henry H. Saunderson, followed by Rev. B. R. Bulkley on Oct. 17, who took for his theme, "The Value of a Day." Mr. Bulkley was particularly interesting, especially to the younger members, and gave us a word of inspiration that we cannot soon forget.

The meetings for November are as follows:--Nov. 7, "Self-Restraint," Mr. Oscar Dahlstrom; Nov. 21, "Youth and Life," Mr. 0. A. McMurdie. Both meetings will be in charge of the Vice-President. All members of the Sunday-school are urged to join the Guild in order to strengthen it, and help make it a more useful organization in the life of the church.

THE BOSTON FEDERATION.

The semi-annual meeting will be held at the Channing church, Dorchester, on the afternoon and evening of Nov. 28. All members of the Guild are asked to bear the date in mind and attend if possible. The plans for the meeting will be announced later.

ELIOT CIRCLE.

The October meeting was largely a Memorial to Dr. Hale, our "chief." The programme consisted of a short address by the president, violin solos by Miss Pearson, and songs by Master Clyde R. Close. The attendance was large and six new members were added to our number.

The "Rummage Sale," announced for Oct. 18, was postponed for lack of material. We hope now to have it on Nov. 13. Our friends are asked to remember this, and send their contributions promptly.

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

A "quarterly meeting" of the teachers of the Howard Sunday-school will be held at the residence of Miss Porter, on Friday, Nov. 12, at 7.30 P. M. A full attendance is earnestly desired.

Instead of two courses of stereopticon lectures, there will be only one this season. A series of eight lectures will be arranged, to begin on Feb. 2. The next meeting of the Bulfinch