The Summer Play-School.

From July 5 to Aug. 23, seven weeks, a vacation Playroom or Playschool was carried on in our Sunday School rooms. It was the Playroom of previous seasons somewhat modified by the introduction of more systematic teaching. The plan this year was to sing and play games for a half or three quarters of an hour and then to divide the children into classes for more helpful occupations. It was an experiment, but it met with encouraging success. The older girls were taught housekeeping in as practical a way as possible-making a fire, setting tables, making beds, etc. This course was varied by Nature studies and light gymnastics and two or three excursions into the country.

The younger children had paper folding and pasting, clay modelling and other Kindergarten occupations. At the close of the season an exhibition of the work done was given, to which a number of friends were invited. The children sang their songs and were delighted to show what they had, could do or had done. Much credit is due to the teachers, Miss Wyman, Miss Rennells and Miss Levy, for their success in carrying through a somewhat difficult experiment. The number of children was not nearly as large as in the old "Playroom," but the work accomplished seems to have been more satisfactory.

Stereopticon Lectures.

It has seemed best to open the lecture course earlier than last year so as to end the first series before the Christmas season.

Six lectures will be given on Wednesday evenings (with one exception, Tuesday, Nov. 14), commencing on Nov. 1. The full programme will be printed later, but we are glad to announce that the first lecture will be given by Senorita Huidobro, upon the "Marvels and Wonders of Peru," and that the last, on Dec. 6, will be by Hon. Arthur K. Peck, upon the "Storm Heroes of our Coast." Of this lecture, Mr. Frederic O. North (who was manager of the Stoddard lectures) says:

"The subject matter was particularly well treated and the views were really wonderful."

Tickets for the course will be 25 cents; single lectures 10 cents. These prices are certainly within the reach of everybody and we look forward to a large attendance.

Why A Gymnasium?

Some people may ask, "Why should we have a gymnasium in connection with our church?" At all events, it will do no harm to state some of the reasons for what is at least a somewhat unusual feature in church work.

1. Our beautiful gymnasium, with its opportunities for exercise and bathing, stands for a certain ideal not to be ignored by the church, namely, physical health and strength. God has made us with bodies as well as souls, and it is a part of his design that both should be cared for and rightly developed. Consequently it is a part of everyone's duty to obey the laws of health and it is a part of the duty of the church to emphasize this duty and to show its relation to other duties. Our gymnasium is one way of accomplishing this end. It seems to say: "There is a gospel of physical health and strength as well as of spiritual health and strength. Cleanliness, personal purity, rightful exercise, temperance as to meat and drink, are important duties. The body is not to be neglected either by saint or sinner, but to be guarded as the sacred temple of the soul and trained to be its profitable servant. 'Know ye not,' said the apostle Paul, 'that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own." "

2. A second reason for the existence of a gymnasium in connection with a church may be found in the word "happiness." For happiness is one of the legitimate objects of religious fellowship and at the same time it is greatly dependent upon that good physical condition for which a gymnasium stands.

Everyone knows the intimate rela

OUR WORK.

Published monthly under the auspices of the Wink. ey Guild, in the interests of the work at Bulfinch Place Church.

Copies will be distributed freely, or will be mailed regularly to any address upon the receipt of ten cents to cover postage.

As the publication date will be the first of every month, all notices or contributions for insertion must be sent in by the twentieth of the preceding month. This matter is to be sent to Mr. Philip C. McMurdie, 25 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.

THE EASTERN PRINTING CO.

tion between a fit of indigestion and the "blues," or between a sound body and a sane mind. Cheerfulness, contentment, hopefulness and courage, patience and charity and kindness, as well as a host of virtues conducive to a state of happiness, depend more than we often think upon vigorous health. The gymnasium is therefore a means of grace.

3. But far more important than either health or happiness is character and it will not surprise anyone who thinks, to be told that the gymnasium, because of the physical exercise and training which it gives, is the able ally of school and church in teaching morality and establishing habits of self-control and self-respect and mutual forbearance.

Especially is this true of class work with a well-trained teacher. The motions taught or the exercises given are then but a small part of the end sought. That relates to character. It is to give such discipline, seemingly physical, but in reality mental and spiritual, that each member of the class will be trained to a nobler manhood or womanhood. Many a gymnasium doubtless has no high ideals, existing merely to produce extraordinary muscles or for pleasure only. A church gymnasium should have the highest ideals and justify itself by its loyalty to these.

Gymnasium Classes.

The gymnasium will open early in October. The class for girls and women will meet on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 o'clock. Miss Morlock will not be able to take the class, as she has charge of a school in Indianapolis, but another graduate of the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics, Miss Miriam Harris, has been engaged. She will be ready to meet pupils on Monday, Oct. 9, at 7 o'clock. The terms will be the same as last year, one dollar for the course and fifty cents for the use of a locker. The class will be limited to about thirtyfive and it is desirable that application for membership be made at once.

The evenings for men and boys over fourteen will be Tuesdays and Saturdays. A teacher will be secured and the membership fee will be the same as for the women's class.

Classes for younger boys and also for younger girls will be arranged as soon as possible. For these there will be no charge.

Shirley Days.

For four years the "Knights of the Round Table" and several other children from our church have been the guests of Miss Caroline P. Cordner, at the Holiday House, in Shirley, Mass. It is always a time looked forward to and enjoyed by the children, for the days are filled from morning until night with good times.

About a mile from the house is a lake which affords much pleasure in boating and bathing. A visit to the Shakers, a walk to the brook, a morning of berrying, a drive to the village and many other jolly times, counts this week among the "Red Letter days" of the summer.

The attention of many has been called to the pretty little ferneries in the area windows of the church. They have been the work and care during the summer of our sexton, Mr. Sandwall, who has transformed an unsightly place into one of beauty.

VOL. 2.

Our Work.

This number of Our Work is the first number of the second volume. We wish to call attention to two things, first that now is the time to renew your subscriptions and now is the time for us to solicit your help for the second year. In regard to the first, we have sent out this number to those whose names were on our list for Vol. I., but the second number will not be sent unless we hear from you in the meantime. As you will see on Page 4 of this issue, top of the first column, the paper will be mailed to all who will send ten cents to cover postage. Now about the second thing. As you will of course realize, the ten cents will only pay for the postage; so we have to look further for the financial support. It will cost just about $100 to publish this volume. We do not have any subscription price, so we cannot expect any help in that quarter; now we put the question before you.

There are a few friends

who have promised to subscribe a certain amount each month, and some of the clubs will probably contribute, but we need to have more friends. We have every reason to feel that the paper has proved itself of sufficient value to warrant its being continued, so we now ask if there are not more friends who will be glad to subscribe a small amount towards the expense of publication. Any amount will be gratefully received by those who have the paper in charge. Contributions may be sent to either Mr. Philip C. McMurdie or Mr. Chas. H. Sampson.

It is earnestly desired by some that "Our Work" may grow and become a larger paper, and we give you here one of the ways by which such a result may be reached.

Women's Alliance.

The business of most importance to Alliance members at present is the "Fair" which is to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, November 15th and 16th, from 11 a. m. to 9.30 p. m.

NO I.

There are to be various tables, as follows:

Fancy articles, Mrs. A. E. Lawrence, chairman; pickles and preserves, Mrs. Walter J. Young, chairman; candy, Mrs. M. F. Howard, chairman; handkerchiefs, Miss Charlotte F. Higgins, chairman; household articles, Mrs. C. R. Eliot, chairman; Eliot Circle, Miss Stokes, chairman; lemonade booth, Red, White and Blue Club. Miss Jones will have charge of the rereshments, and a substantial lunch, at reasonable prices, will be served each day. It is hoped that all our friends who are obliged to take meals in the city will patronize our "Cafe."

The Alliance asks the hearty cooperation of all connected with the church in any way, in this fair, that it may be socially as well as financially a success.

Harvest Supper.

The Harvest Supper, on Oct. 18, was a great success. Tables were set for 150 guests and every seat was taken. The decorations were particularly appropriate, consisting of stacks of cornstalks, squashes, apples, autumn leaves and flowers. The cornstalks grew in the West End, in the yard of the Old Ladies' Home, on Revere Street. Many of the vegetables and leaves were brought from Carlisle, Mass., by Edgar Davidson, a non-resident member of the Red, White and Blue Club. The artistic arrangement of the corn was made by Mr. Sandwall and was greatly admired.

After the supper and an address of welcome by Mr. Eliot, an entertainment of singing and reading was given by Mrs. Breed, Mr. Saville, Mrs. Howes, and Miss Richardson.

A spirit of cordial hospitality prevailed and everyone had a good time. Our hearty thanks are given to those who so generously contributed for the supper and entertainment.

The Winkley Guild.

The new year started off in a very encouraging manner, opening on October 1st with an interesting address by Mr. Percy A. Atherton. He gave us much good advice and many helpful suggestions as to the conducting of young people's meetings. The most pleasing feature of the evening was the beautiful and characteristic message from Rev. S. H. Winkley, which follows this article.

On Wednesday, October 11th, the social was held. There were about 30 present, and all seemed to enjoy themselves. The fortunate ones to carry oif the souvenirs were Mrs.

Archer, Mr. Geo. Johnson, Miss Edna Young and Mr. i'ercy J. Young.

Although we started well, there is stili room for improvement, and it is hoped that when we get more used to the new room, which, by the way, is very cosy and homelike, there will be no complaint for lack of attend

ance.

The program for November follows: November 5th-To be announced. November 12th-Social Settlements, Miss Theresa Frolick.

November 19th-The Eliot Circle. November 26th-Boston Federation at East Boston.

Special attention is called to this meeting of the Boston Federation. It is the semi-annual meeting and it is hoped that business of importance will be considered. A full attendance is urged, and as there will be no meeting of our own union that evening, there is no reason why all of our members should not go.

The following is the message from Mr. Winkley, above referred to:

A few days ago I saw an unusually beautiful rainbow. That sight was the gift of the Good Father to me. He gave me the eyes through which he could pour that joy into my soul. More than that, he hung that picture in my memory so that for a long time hence, probably, I shall retain it as a source of delight. Presently two of my friends, as they caught sight of it exclaimed, "Isn't that glorious!" "Indeed it is," I replied, and there we stood gazing at it filled with joy. You

may think that in this addition of my two friends I had no increase to my gift from the Father, but this is a mistake. We three were together in that experience and so were one.

But a grander experience he has bestowed upon you, my dear friends. You have, through the eye of faith, seen that blessed Son as the bow of promise for all time and eternity. To see him distinctly, dismiss all ordiLook nary associations with him. upon him as a young man from 30 to 35 years of age, dwelling here in Boston, and mingling in all our common affairs. Let us say that some of you met him at a wedding. In many ways he added to the real enjoyment of the occasion. His great soul was

on the lookout to see if anything were needed to add to the value of the feast. The moment he discovered any such lack he hastened to supply it. On another occasion you saw how the children

were drawn to him. He took them in his arms and blessed them, a very sure way of reaching the hearts of the mothers. Others of you saw that where a few or many were hungry he hastened to feed them. That he had a peculiar skill in healing the sick and delighted to exercise it. That no sorrowing heart failed of his quick and blessed sympathy.

The number increased who listened him because he did not observe their ing to bear testimony that "Never man spake like this man."

Some of our bigoted citizens despised his because he did not observe their ritual. Others, because he knew neither rich nor poor, and made no heart distinction between native and foreigner. You have seen what profound pity he had for the wrong doer. Surely, he knew that the way of the transgressor is hard; and you have seen how he has enlightened darkened minds and won the sinful into a life of love to the Father and so has proved himself the "Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world."

As individuals, looking upon him, the more you clearly perceive the real heart of Jesus, all the more that individual experience has been valuable beyond all others. But you have gained more than this. It is not simply three together gazing at the

and at least two meetings a year are

to be held. At these meetings the interests of Bulfinch Place Church will be represented by Miss Stokes.

The officers for 1905 are: Mr. Samuel F. Hubbard, President; Mrs. Jas. J. Storrow and Mr. E. J. Holmes, VicePresidents; Mr. Meyer Bloomfield, Secretary; Mrs. J. H. Hecht, Treas

urer.

The Union is modelled after the South End Social Union which has done so much for that part of the city.

The Sphinx Club.

The Sphinx Club opened its classes in sewing and music on Saturday, October 21st, at 9 o'clock. The teachers were glad to welcome back so many of last year's pupils and all extended a hearty welcome to the newcomers. After the classes, the President, Miss Alice Foster, called a meeting of officers and teachers, at which the work for the year was discussed.

The Sphinx Club has received a liberal donation from Miss Howard, who, though not an active worker, is much interested in what the club accomplishes. Through the kindness of Mr. Grozier the cooking class can be continued this year, notice of which will be given later.

From Treasured Thoughts. We must become a loving being before we can begin to receive the

meaning of the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven cometh not by observation; it is within you.

Thanksgiving Proclamation.

When nearly three centuries ago the first settlers came to the country which has now become this great republic, they fronted not only hardships and privation, but terrible risk to their lives. In those grim years the custom grew of setting apart one day in each year or a special service of thanksgiving to the Almighty for preserving the people through the changing seasons. The custom has now become national and hallowed by immemorial usage. We live in easier and more plentiful times than our forefathers, the men who with rugged strength faced the rugged days, and yet the dangers to national life are quite as great now as at any previous time in our history. It is eminently fitting that once a year our people should set apart a day for praise and thanksgiving to the Giver of good and, at the same time that they express their thankfulness for the abundant mercies received, should manfully acknowledge their shortcomings and pledge themselves solemnly and in good faith to strive to overcome them. During the past year we have been blessed with bountiful crops. Our business prosperity has been great. No other people has ever stood on as high a level of material well-being as ours now stands. We are not threatened by foes from without. The foes from whom we should pray to be de