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Saturday night I went with Humphrey to call upon Mrs. Child he introduced me Sabbath forenoon I went to the Central Church Winter Street, Rev. Mr. Rogers church. It was about the first church I was ever in I believe. The Choir of singers was nearly 100. A Mr. Angell I believe his name was of Buffalo, New York, preached, about as smart a Sermon as I ever heard. In the Afternoon I went to hear Mr. Kirk in his new ? church on Beacon Hill. He is called you know the greatest pulpit Orator in North America. Perhaps the celebrated Mr. Kirk (not knowing that I was to hear him, you see! did not put his Mighty Powers to the utmost: but I certainly thought the Buffalo man preached the greatest sermon. Both Mr. Kirk's & Mr. Roger's churches are new and both finished off in the same way. The Pews are all arcs of Circles, clear round, having the Pulpit in the centre. There are two broad aisles, and the side aisles are next to the wall all around; no wall pews: These Churches seat 1200 people each. By the way Mr. Benjamin W. Bush belongs to the Central Church. I saw him in the street Saturday, om Sabbath I sat in his pew, and his little Ben took me by the hand and pulled me home to dinner with him. They had all manner of enquiries to make about Folks, especially about Millerism in relation to James & Almeda etc.etc.
Mr. Bush who seems to be a very sensible man in all subjects, seemed to fear they had been led into excuses & extravagances as others were. And told me something of their doings in Boston.
In the evening I went with Humprey to the Tremont Temple and heard Dr. Beecher of Cincinnati address young men upon the importance of the Sabbath. What a place that Tremont Temple is. I do not know how many thousands of people it can accommodate some 4000, 5000, I should think though. The speaker has his hearers above and below and around him. before, behind, and on all sides. That night every seat was crowded and the aisles & passages filled up besides. I got a pretty good seat at first but gave it up to some ladies, there were very many standing, and crowded myself up the aisle, for I think a great deal of having a good chance to see a speaker's eyes, as well as to not and understand his hands. On this occasion I cared twice as much for this as I did for a Seat. However they began to bring Settees from the Vestries into the aisles, and I got a good seat on one, close to the speaker. What little iron faced, rough looking fellows those great Western men are the Beechers and Prof. Stowe. Old Dr. Beecher has a splendid way of 'laying it down' though. I mean to take his oratory sometime to knock over our stiff 'Tutor Boody', that we declaim before with. Neither he, nor Mr. Kirk, nor the other great folks, were afraid to raise their left hands occasionally, or even to move their boots on the floor sometimes. Humphrey goes to Mr. Huntingdon's Church with Mrs. Child. He goes there and goes to Meeting with her always, I guess.
Humphrey's folks, Mr. Albee's go to Dr. Beecher's jun. Church in Salem Street. Mr. Albee has a small store of most every thing, country trade. His wife, rather a pretty sort of a woman. Humphrey said is his cousin. I know nothing who she is, but she seemed to know about every body, and inquired for you folks. Who is She? Her name is Martha. She has two children. I though from what Mrs. Child Said that she though Humphrey and Albee were in partnership. I understood him that he has $30.00 per Month.
Sat. I attended the Exhibition of the Boston Latin School. Consisted of 20 related declamations and then Assignment of Peices. They were all boys. The first prize was given to a little fellow H.H. Coolidge hardly bigger than little James Searles! We must have better teachers of Rhetoric and Oratory here before Bowdoin Students can appear as well, in the matter of ease and grace that is, as those Boston boys did.
There were 5 Prizes for declamation and 15 for Translations, versions and theme. besides which a dozen were called out on the whole and publicly honored for exemplary conduct and industry.