One of the most interesting and venerable persons in Boston today is Mrs. Julia Ward Howe. Born in the city of New York on May 27, 1819, she has lived in or near Boston since 1844, and is now in her ninetieth year. Her husband was Samuel G. Howe, the founder of the Massachusetts Institution for Blind in South Boston-the first of its kind in this country. It was he who first demonstrated, by his wonderful success with Laura Bridgman, the possibility of "bringing the gifts of human speech and knowledge to a blind deaf mute." Mrs. Howe is best known as the

author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," composed one night in Washington, upon the suggestion of her minister, Rev. James Freeman Clarke, and after hearing the soldiers singing "John Brown's Body." Mr. Clarke and Mrs. Howe both felt the need of worthier words, and the result was this hymn, which was soon sung in hundreds of Union camps, and is now heard in the North, South, East, and West.

Mrs. Howe was a follower of Theodore Parker, but later joined the Church of the Disciples, where she still goes. She early espoused the cause of freedom,

and took an active part, by voice and pen, in all movements for the intellectual, religious, or social emancipation of mankind. She pleaded for the slave, and has been a trusted leader in woman suf

frage for many years. Her ideal was

that of true womanhood-"woman in her direct relation to the divine plan and purpose, a free agent, fully sharing with man every human right and every human responsibility." Her husband said of her: "Mrs. Howe is not a great reader, but she always studies," and she said of herself: "I have followed the great masters in my heart." She represents the noblest type of womanhood in the home, church and state, a womanhood characterized not only by the highest culture and a splendid courage, but by gentleness, appreciative sympathy, and love.

The Valentine season has been a most enjoyable one, beginning with the meeting on February 5, when we had a helpful talk by our friend, Mr. Shurtleff, who spoke on the duty of finding joy in our everyday life. The mite-box co!lection enabled us to send two hundred and ten valentines to invalids and shutins. Our Valentine party, given to all our friends on the evening of February 10, was a happy occasion, with music, reading, valentines, ice cream and cake.

The valentine sent to Dr. Hale consisted of a string of one hundred and fifty red hearts, with the message,

THE WINKLEY GUILD. The meetings for this month are as follows:

March 7.-"Moral Courage," by Frederick M. Eliot. March 21.-"Companions," Miss Emma J. Lang.

On Sunday, February 28, twelve of our members attended the mid-year meeting of the Boston Federation at Wollaston. A very interesting meeting was held in the afternoon, when announcements were made about the National Union Fair, to be held in October. A Hospitality Committee for the annual meeting of the National Union was appointed, with Miss Hargrave as chairman. Further announcements of the plans of this committee will be made later. In the evening, Rev. Samuel M. Crothers, D. D., of Cambridge, gave a very interesting sermon on "The Romance of the Moral and Religious Life."

WEST END IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

This society is steadily growing, and now numbers over eighty members. While not in any way connected with our church, or any other, every church ought to be interested in its work.

On February 12, Lincoln's birthday, a large and enthusiastic meeting was he'd at Wells School. The crowd was SO great that the doors had to be closed a half hour before the meeting began. A chorus of one hundred girls from the Wells and Washington Schools sang patriotic songs, and an orchestra from the West End House rendered national airs. Lincoln's address at Gettysburg was given by Master Lewis Brown, and selections from the Second Inaugural by Miss Mamie Labovitz. Addresses were made by Mr. George N. Hill of Post 26, Roxbury, and Mr. E. H. Marston, Post 139, Somerville. The meeting closed with "America," sung by the chorus and audience. The souvenir program, with two portraits of Lincoln and selections from his speeches, could not be distributed that evening, but were sent later to the members of the chorus, older pupils in the schools, and all members of the society.

On February 26 a hearing was held at the State House, before the Committee

on

Cities, upon the petition of the Schoolhouse Commission for land on the West End Park upon which to erect a schoolhouse. The West End Improvement Society presented a remonstrance signed by about 300 representative residents and uttered its protest with no uncertain sound. Mr. Mitchell Freiman conducted the hearing for the Society. The next meeting of the Society will be at the Wells School on Tuesday,

March 9, at 8 o'clock. It will be a public meeting and Mr. Lincoln Steffens, the well-known authority upon city problems and whose articles in the magazines have attracted wide attention, will speak upon "Politics from the Ward Up."

MILDRED ELLIS CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Mildred Ellis Club was held on Tuesday, February 15. The following officers were

elected: President, Miss Jones; VicePresident, Jane Ray; Secretary, Lillian Jackson; Treasurer, Margaret Pfleghaar.

The annual report of the secretary

showed a good year's work. The making of scrap-books, wonder-balls, paper dolls, dusters, candy-bags for the kindergarten at Barnard Memorial at Christmas time, and other Lend-a-Hand work, proved that the members had accomplished a great deal this year.

The birthday of each member was remembered, with a birthday cake at the meeting nearest the date of the birthday, and a specially good time.

There are sixteen members in the club Meetand all are actively interested. ings are held on Thursday afternoons at four o'clock. Friends are invited to visit the club.

RED, WHITE AND BLUE CLUB. Rehearsals are being held for the annual entertainment, the proceeds of which are to be deposited in the reserve fund of the club.

A departure from the usual order of things will be the fact that the play this year is original, having been written by two of our members. It is a three-act play entitled "The District Attorney." It will be given in Potter Hall, 177 Huntington Avenue, on Thursday, April 1. at 8 o'clock.

All seats are reserved at 25, 35 and 50 cents, and may be procured of the members or at the box office on the night of the entertainment.

This is a decided change in our plans, and all our friends are earnestly requested to do what they can to encourage the club by buying tickets, thus testifying to their faith in its efforts.

STEREOPTICON LECTURES. The four lectures to come are as follows:

March 10.—“Beauty in Common Things," by Mr. Henry Turner Bailey, a delightful and fascinating lecturer. Mr. Bailey is remarkable in his blackboard illustrations.

March 24.-"Wall Mosaics, Old and New," by Miss Frances S. Emerson. The pictures are quaint and interesting, as well as beautiful.

March 31.-"Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel," "by Mr. H. H. Powers. Mr. Powers is at the head of the Bureau of University Travel. His lectures are said to be of unusual character and interest.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT.

It was an "Animal Social," and a very lively one. Even the sandwiches were cut into the shapes of dogs and cats and other animals. Animal crackers there were, of course. Then there was a "rabbit hunt" for the younger children, cunning little rabbits having been hidden all over the two rooms. There was a guessing menagerie for the older people. An "elephant," led by the circusmaster, Mr. Edgar Jackson, paraded the room and gave the little children rides. A pigmy dance made fun, as did the game of "Tailing the Donkey." But the jolliest Was the distribution of the "white elephants," which so many had brought, to get rid of, or to exchange for what others did not want. The boy who got the bag of flour was especially happy and took it home proudly to his mother. The boy who after breaking open his big box and taking off dozens of wrappers, found only an English walnut, appreciated the joke. Every one seemed pleased and happy. When it came time for the animals to feed, they did full justice to the refreshments. Thanks to our entertainment committee for February. What next?

THE TEMPERANCE UNION.

A very interesting meeting was held in the parlors of the church on Sunday evening, February 21.

Mrs. Transeau, a Secretary of the Scientific Temperance Federation, gave a splendid talk on the work and methods of the Federation. She illustrated by charts the effects and dangers of alcoholic stimulants, both on men and animals.

The annual meeting of the Union will be held on Sunday evening, March 28, for the election of officers and committees for the ensuing year.

HOWARD SUNDAY SCHOOL. The Annual Teachers' Meeting was held on Jan. 13 at Miss Faulkner's home, and, as in other years, we were given a bountiful and hospitable welcome. A

half hour was devoted to the lesson for Sunday, and then the usual reports were read. Miss Crocker reported the largest contribution yet made for the Children's Mission and a successful Lenda-Hand year. Miss Jones gave an account of the Christmas Tree expenses and the good time all enjoyed, referring especially to the more general co-operation of the teachers. Miss Leon told of the Sunday School Rally, the Supper in March, and the Harvest Supper in October. Mr. Breed gave the usual statistics of membership and attendance; and the Superintendent reviewed the work of the year. He called for greater punctuality and regularity and a deeper interest on the part of every teacher, regarding the standard set by the teachers in these matters as of supreme importance. He recommended a "Parents and Teachers Conference," such as is held from time to time at the Church of the Disciples.

The election of officers and committees resulted in the re-election of those of last year, with the addition of Mr. McMurdie to the Christmas Tree Committee and Mrs. Peabody to the Teachers' Meetings Committee. After the business a delicious supper was served.

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

The Mildred Ellis Club supper will be on March 12.

Meetings of the Guild on Sunday evenings, March 7 and March 21. Remember the opportunity offered for those who wish to stay to supper before the meetings.

The next Sunday School entertainment will be given on Thursday, March 25. It will be one of the best. Plans will be announced later.

The Lend-a-Hand clubs are contributing towards the furniture for the Lend-a-Hand Reading Room in Dr. Grenfell's Sailors' Institute to be built at St. John's, Newfoundland. One of our teachers has given a large and beautiful copy of Raphael's Sistine Madonna, and her gift led to another, by a friend once in our Sunday School, namely, the picture of "Christ and the Fishermen."