b THE EETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



do not know Avhen we have our meetings, or they would 

 be present. 



At the last annual meeting it was stated that some of 

 the women connected with the Society proposed to form 

 a class for the study of local history. Such a class was 

 begun earl}^ in June last, and has continued during the 

 year. Miss Helen D. Lander, the Secretary, will read to 

 the meeting a most excellent report of the doings of that 

 very successful class. With regard to this matter, 1 have 

 only to say that, in my judgment, this is the most impor- 

 tant movement made in the Institute for years. I will 

 not except even the Chicago boom, — for one of the prin- 

 cipal objects of the society is the investigation and study 

 of local history. 



As is perhaps well know^n almost everywhere now, we 

 hold the key to the broadest church in the land. Koman 

 Catholics, Protestants, Trinitarians and Unitarians, all go 

 to this church. Between l;),000 and 10,000 have been into 

 the church this year, the largest numl^er ever reported. 

 It is amusing to hear remarks often made about this house 

 of worship. As we have a card posted up explaining the 

 matter, visitors have ceased to ask how they got up in the 

 gallery. One party who applied for admission asked if 

 they " could be permitted to walk through the church," 

 meaning, 1 suppose, up the broad aisle and down another. 

 One man from New York, upon returning the key, said, 

 " That'll do well enough to show to countrymen, but I can 

 hardly swallow it." One person asked how long the 

 church continued to be Baptist after Roger Williams left. 

 Another asked if all the seats were like the old " settle " 

 we have there. 



The following societies have visited Salem the last year 

 and received attentions from the Institute and the Peabody 

 Academy of Science : The Auburndale Review Club, on 

 June .5, the Asburv Grove Methodist Trustees on June 



