VOL. 7. "Not to be ministered unto but to minister." BULFINCH PLACE CHURCH, NOVEMBER, 1910. The Upward Way. Clinging to Thee, Father of all, Loving with Thee, living in love, Trusting thy tender care; Following Christ, easy or hard, Humbly we'd walk, closer with Thee, Cora Lillian Donnell. Wisdom and Grace. NO. 1. things, though fair and beautiful, can satisfy, but only the pure, sweet, strong and beautiful life within. By the grace of God some understand the favor of God, but I like best another meaning, namely that indefinable something which like an atmosphere full of beauty and light surrounds, or emanates from, a consecrated life. We speak of the grace of the athlete. perfectly developed by exercise-all his motions free, easy, beautiful. We see the same in wild animals, the bird, the leopard, the antelope. We know what physical grace is. Then we know that the world by teaching good manners, politeness and courtesy, can so finish a gentleman or a gentlewoman as to add to all other pleasing virtues a peculiar charm-a grace, a graciousness which is, beautiful. Something like this, only spiritual, is what I associate with the expression "the grace of God." We read, for example, that the grace of God was upon As contrasted with Knowledge, we un- Jesus. In the New Testament it seems to mean the spirit of gentleness and peace, and of a good life among men at least that is what Paul meant by the "wisdom from above." I take it then that when we are told that Jesus, as he grew, was filled with wisdom, spiritual and not worldly wisdom is meant: and that spiritual wisdom means that insight into eternal values that exalts the things of the spirit and gives them the commanding place. "Seek ye first the righteousness of God." Jesus said. Not even the words "Lord, Lord." are sufficient, but "doing the will of God." Not the appearances of virtue, not the outside Does that not mean that as he grew physically stronger, from childhood to youth, and from youth to manhood, the movements of his spirit, towards man his brother and God his Father, towards everything good and true and beautiful, towards duty and ideals, towards the work he was called to do, became as free and natural, as full of grace and beauty, as the leaping of the wild deer, or the strong effortless soar. ing of the eagle? one May not the grace of God really mean the free movements of a will at with his, and of a life full of love like his? What better can it mean than the freedom of a spirit "at one with the Law that beckons the worlds along." Shall it not mean for us the joyous, effortless self-surrender of the soul to those divine ideals which constitute the Eternal Purpose? "To watch the corn grow and the blossoms set, to draw hard breath over plow-share and space, to read, to think, to hope, to love, to pray, these are the things that make men truly happy." John Ruskin. The Harvest Festival. The Harvest Festival was a complete success. The notable features were the fine baskets of vegetables and fruit contributed by the Sunday School classes and the artistic decorations. The latter consisted chiefly of a quantity of corn stalks which grew on the grounds of the Home on Revere Street. These were bunched in masses about the pillars and carried up to the ceiling in such a way as to give the effect of Gothic arches. It was very beautiful and was allowed to remain over Sunday. With the baskets and barrels, overrunning with apples, grapes, squashes, etc., were quantities of autumn leaves. The Infant Class contributed a nest of fresh eggs. Some of the gifts came from great distances a barrel of apples from Portsmouth, N. H., and vegetables from our friend, Mrs. Dwire, Middlebury, Vt.. with a letter of greeting. The entertainment, arranged by Miss Leon, included readings, songs, “Cousin Jedediah," and "Jack o' Lantern Joe.” A special message from Rev. S. H. Winkley, our Pastor Emeritus, was read by Miss Leon. Mr. Hobart Winkley said a few pleasant words, and Mr. Eliot explained that the gifts on the platform were our offerings, in gratitude for the Harvest. He read a part of Dr. Hale's "Thanksgiving Psalm." On the day following the Festival the contributions of fruit and vegetables were given away. Women's Alliance. Two meetings of the Alliance have been held during October. The first Study Class was held on October 11. at which Mr. Eliot spoke on the "Pentateuch." The first regular meeting was on October 26, when Rev. James De Normandie read a paper on "How to Study the Old Testament as illustrated in the Book of Judges." At this meeting it was voted to give $10.00 to the fund for the Memorial Statue of Edward Everett Hale. The November meetings will be held as follows: November 9, Study Class. November 30, regular meeting, at which Mrs. M. C. Whitman will give us a falk on Dr. Hale as she knew him. "Boston. 1915." Young People's Meeting on Nov. 20. at 3.30 P. M.. at Tremont Temple. The Howard Sunday School. The Sunday School has made a good beginning, with an average attendance of about 117, including teachers. The Infant Class especially is flourishing. During the summer a handsome closet has been built for the Reflectoscope and Stereopticon. More recently shades have been put in place, so that the Sunday School room can be darkened for showing pictures in the daytime, and it is the intention of the Superintendent to use the Reflectoscope at least once a month to illustrate the lessons, "Life Studies," which lend themselves readily to such a plan. On Oct. 28 a quarterly teachers' meeting was held by special invitation at the residence of Miss Porter. It was a very pleasant and successful meeting. After the usual business, Mrs. Clara B. Beatley, until recently Superintendent of the Disciples' school, explained the methods used there to interest the chil dren and young people in social service. The teachers were moved to appoint a committee to see whether we may not improve our own methods by making them more systematic and regular. Miss Porter, Miss Crocker and Miss Brown were placed upon this committee. with the Superintendent ex-officio. It was voted to purchase a bulletin board for registering the attendance, collections, etc., from Sunday to Sunday. Mr. Eliot referred to the Home Department of the Sunday Scnool, which is an attempt to enlist the interest of persons who cannot possibly become members, but who will agree to study the lessons at home. About twentyfive such have been enrolled thus far. It is hoped that this will not only extend the influence of the school outside its regular membership, but eventually enlarge that membership. After the meeting the teachers were most hospitably entertained by their hostess. "If you'd ever stop your groaning. Do it now! Drop all waiting and postponing, Do it now! Say "I will," and then stick to it. If you don't, perhaps you'll rue it. There's but one right time to do it. Do it now!" Eliot Circle. The Mother Goose Market is the subject of interest now. Our friends know that we are dependent upon a sale, held once in two years, for means to carry on our work. Those who visit us on Nov 17 will find members of the Mother Goose family selling fancy and useful articles, toys, handkerchiefs, children's clothing, preserves, pickles, pictures and candy. The hours are from 10 to 10. A good dinner will be served from 12 to 2, and supper from 5 to 7, each 25 cents. We ask the hearty co-operation of all in order to make the occasion a signal success, both socially and financially. Mother Goose Market. Sing a song of sixpence! And pray, what will that buy? The Mother Goose's Market, Nov. 17, "Old Mother Hubbard" will be there,- Come, at 12 and have your dinner, f you don't, you will regret it, Just as sure as you're alive. Mabel C. Stokes. The Boston Federation. The semi-annual meeting will be held on Sunday afternoon and evening, Nov. 27, at the First Parish Church, Brighton. The programme for the meeting is in preparation and the business session Full promises to be of special interest. details will be announced later. This is the first time the Brighton Union has invited us, and we want to show our interest and appreciation by attending in good numbers. To reach the Church, take Newton Boulevard cars to South Street. First Stereopticon Lecture on Nov. 9. at 8 P. M. "The Land and Game where Roosevelt Hunts." by Peter MacQueen, F.R.G.S. The Winkley Guild. The first month of our new year has gone and we all feel encouraged, looking forward to a good season's work. The words of advice given by our counselor should spur us on to new efforts to make of the Guild a more useful organization in the life of our Church. The programme for November is as follows: Nov. 6 Channing and the Peace Movement." Miss Lillian M. Jackson. Nov. 20- "William Morris, Craftsman." Rev. Chester A. Drummond of Somerville. We have voted to give an entertainment in April, 1911, for Sunday School. Let every one bear this in mind and be ready to do everything to make it a great success. Dr. Hale's Rules for Growing I. Young. Rule both mind and body with an iron hold. You are master. II. For the body enough sleep, enough good food, enough good exercise. III. For the mind-regular work, work in the line of your genius, and to stop when you are tired. IV. After you are forty, you may, if you are not a fool, choose your own rules, your own medicines, and your own food. But you will find that the more you are in the open air, and the more you are with other people, the better you succeed. You will also find that there is nothing gained by brooding over failure. V. The great central statement of life and history in this matter is "he made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant.” Everyone will regret sincerely the accident which is keeping Miss Jones away, temporarily, from her place in the Church and Sunday School, but we al rejoice that she is doing so well and will soon be with us again. Every cloud has its sunny side, we say, and Miss Jones, kept at home by a broken arm, is enjoying the flowers, letters and other tokens of sympathy and friendship that come to her every day. In the meantime, we are finding out how large a place is hers in our Church and in our hearts. Young People's Religious A rousing Young People's mass meeting is to be held on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 20, at 3.30, in Tremont Temple. All the Young People's organizations of Greater Boston are to take part, cooperating with the Civic Advance Campaign of "Boston, 1915." The general subject will be "Opportunities and Methods for Young People's Work for Civic Righteousness," The speakers will be Rev. Clarence A. Vincent of Roxbury, Rev. Samuel M. Crothers of Cambridge and Mr. Guy A. Ham of Dorchester. Invitation tickets may be secured from the President of the Guild. Here is our opportunity to show our belief in this 1915 movement. Let us go to this meeting, hear the speakers, and then go home to do what they tell Nov. 30 The Netherlands and the Rhine." By Henry C. Wilson. Holland, a country of fascinating surprises. Leyden, "the Athens of the West." A Dutch wedding. Castles and legends of the Rhine. The invention of printing and what it has wrought. Dec. 7 Spanish Cities and Spanish Artists." By Martha A. S. Shannon. Toledo, the Ancient City. Madrid and the Padro. The Escorial and its Treasures. Seville, the City of Murillo. Granada and the Alhambra. Dec. 14—“Hunting with Canoe and Camera in New Brunswick." By Wm. Lyman Underwood. Flashlight pictures of deer and moose. Photographs of birds and other animals. Thrilling experiences. All pictures taken and colored by Mr. Underwood. Items of Interest. Meeting of the Bulfinch Peace Church Temperance Union on Sunday evening, Nov. 13. Subject: "Temperance in Foreign Countries." The speaker will be Miss Forsyth, formerly Superintendent of the juvenile department of the International Good Templars, which included two hundred and fifty thousand children, all over the world. Mother Goose Market, Eliot Circle Fair, with lunch and supper, on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 10 to 10 o'clock. Boston Federation Meeting on Sunday, Nov. 27, at the First Parish, Brighton. During the week of Oct. 27 to Nov. 3 the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church has been holding its forty-first annual session in the Temple Street Church, and it has been our privilege to extend the hospitality of our parlors and auditocommittee rium to its delegates for work and other meetings. This has made our building a busy place almost every afternoon and evening. On Sunday we welcomed to our pulpit Dr. Mary Ketring, who has been for over twenty years a medical missionary in China. She told us about her work in a simple but picturesque way and interested everyone. While we were extending our hospitality. the Baptists at Ford Building and the Swedenborgians at their Church on Bowdoin Street were doing the same. Thus four denominations were drawn closer together in the unity of Christian sympathy and good will. "Not to be ministered unto but to minister." VOL. 7. BULFINCH PLACE CHURCH, DECEMBER, 1910. THE HOLY NIGHT: AN OLD ENGLISH CAROL. As Joseph was a-walking. "He neither shall be born In housen nor in hall, Nor in the place of paradise. But in an ox's stall. "He neither shall be clothed In purple nor in pall, But in the fair white linen That usen babies all." Then be ye glad, good people, This night of all the year, And light ye up your candles. For his star it shineth clear. NO. 2. |