LIFE AND LETTERS OF JOSEPH HARDY NEESIMA
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86 SCHOOL AND COLLEGE DAYS. leaked all over, but rubber blanket kept me dry. The next day was the Lord's day, but there was not any house where I may keep the day. Many folks round that way would not care about the day. Some of them worked in garden. So I was obliged to travel nine miles on that morning. I arrived at a meetinghouse of 0--just before the morning commences. Out appearance of the house is very old and looks unpainted, but inside is very well furnished. They had not a regular pr~aching there on account of the absence of their pastor. The people of that place seem me very rich. Yes, rich enough to support several pastors. Yet they did not get any minister to supply the pulpit. The people dressed very nicely, but they appeared only cold in the worship. I can say surely that I never have been such a dry and cold meeting since I came to America. I went in some old g~ntleman's class in the Sabbath-school. It is most cold and uninviting school I ever been. I crossed the river and went in F---meeting-house that afternoon. I heard an old and bright preacher there. I found out afterwards it was Miss McKeen's father, and I tried to see him, but he does not reside there. A gentleman received me cordially, and I was also invited to make some remarks in prayer-meeting. I told them our heathenish customs and manners. The night after I stopped in a part of Windsor, Vt. When I went near to a house I saw a young gentleman sitting on a chair. I asked him whether he would let me sleep in his barn over the night. He asked me who I was and whence I came. I told him my name and where I came from. He called up his mother to see me. When she understood I am a Japanese she told me she read something about me in a religious
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