donald, seconded by Miss Stearns, a salary of $600 was voted as compensation for such labor, Messrs. Horton and Hartwell casting their favorable votes in writing. A circular requesting each local union to send in a list of topics for next year's consideration was ordered published. A statement drawn by the secretary and read to the directors will soon be published, outlining a general plan for organizing local societies in accordance with the constitution of the general body. It will be remembered that at the first meeting a motion was passed providing for an Advisory Committee of not more than ten members. The members of that committee were named at this meeting, as follows: Mrs. Thomas L. Eliot, Portland, Ore.; Hon. John H. Gabriel, Denver, Col.; Prof. Carruth, Lawrence, Kan.; Rev. U. G. B. Pierce, Pomona, Cal.; Prof. Townsend, Washington, D. C.; Rev. Mary A. Safford, Sioux City, Ia. ; Rev. Frank L. Phalen, Concord, N. H.; Rev. John H. Applebee, Buffalo, N. Y.; and Rev. Caroline J. Bartlett, Kalamazoo, Mich. A card containing a pledge for $1 subscriptions was ordered published. This will be used at rally meetings and similar gatherings as a means of augmenting the income of the union.

The constitution of the union provides that any society of young people in sympathy with the purpose of the union may become a delegate member by written application to the secretary, accompanied by a contribution to the treasurer of the union. In accordance with this rule, two societies have joined the union; namely, the Hayward Guild of Medfield, Mass., and the guild of the Unitarian church of Tyngsboro, Mass. It is expected that few societies will find it convenient to take action before autumn, though a cordial welcome awaits those which are able to send in their applications and contributions during the summer. It is regretted that Mr. Ames will be unable to deliver the sermon at Weirs, July 31. His inability to respond will necessitate a change of programme; and the morning service will be shared by the treasurer and secretary of the union and one or two other ministers, leaving the evening meeting open for a song service and impromptu addresses by friends who may be present. The afternoon meeting will be in the hands of the younger laity,-young men and women.

A second rally will be held at Farm
Pond, Sherborn, Mass., Sunday afternoon,
August 16. Topic, "Our Young People's
Work":
(a) For Themselves," Rev.
L. R. Daniels; (b) For the Community,"
Rev. B. F. McDaniel; (c) "For the
Church," Rev. Leslie W. Sprague. Leslie
W. Sprague, Secretary.

Chelsea, Mass.-Miss Margaret B. Barnard has resigned the superintendency of

the Sunday-school. For four years she has labored in this sphere as one who loved her work. Teachers and pupils have sat under her guidance and instruction with equal pleasure and profit. Words of regret sprang quickly and naturally to the lips of each when the fact of her resignation was made known and discussed; and their love for her found partial expression in a tribute of flowers on Flower Sunday and in the gift of a beautiful revolving bookcase, while every heart echoed the salutation of

"Honor and reverence and the good repute
That follows faithful service as its fruit
Be unto her!"

Rev. A. P. Reccord will be the succeeding superintendent.

Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a delight for the three English-speaking liberal ministers of Cincinnati, Rev. Messrs. George A. Thayer, George R. Gebauer, and U. S. Milburn, to join in the services of ordination of two recent graduates of Meadville on Sunday evening, June 28, before a congregation filling the large St. Paul's German Evangelical Protestant Church, and to hear the hearty choral singing of worshippers who have inherited both the ancient hymns for which they need no book and the custom of joining with one voice in their melody. Ernst and Carl August Voss are sons of one of the ministers of the Evangelical Protestant congregations, of which there are several in this city, whose doctrines are in many respects closely allied to the faith of Unitarians; and for the consecration of these young men to a ministry which is quite as likely to be within our Unitarian fold as in the church of their fathers some fourteen or fifteen ministers assembled. The laying on of hands was participated in by Rev. Messrs. Edward Voss (the father), Gilbert Schmidt, and George A. Thayer, after which twelve brief and hearty Begruessungansprachen— words of friendly welcome-were uttered by the ministers present from sister German churches. The two candidates for the ministry preached each a sermon of fifteen minutes in length, one in English, the other in German, and showed excellent promise of efficient pulpit service. For the first time in its history this Evangelical Protestant congregation listened to a service in which the English tongue had a conspicuous place, the prayers and an address on the Bible being offered severally by Messrs. Gebauer, Milburn, and Thayer.

Cohasset, Mass.-A call has been extended to Rev. W. R. Cole, formerly of Atlanta, Ga.

Concord, N.H.-On Sunday, July 12, services in this church were discontinued until September. On Sunday, June 28,

Rev. F. L. Phalen being absent from the city, morning service was conducted by two of the laymen. The regular service-book was in use, and Col. Solon A. Carter acted as reader. After the usual opening exercises Hon. James O. Lyford delivered an address upon "The Misconceptions of Unitarianism by Themselves and Others." He spoke, in effect, as follows: The popular misconception of Unitarianism in other churches presupposes that release from ancient creeds gives license for wrong-doing, that disbelief of dogmas absolves one from all religious thought and feeling, and that the secession from Orthodoxy does away with the necessity for church association and church-going. Some Unitarians think that the sole mission of Unitarianism is to combat erroneous beliefs. Unitarianism is nothing more or less than the teachings of Jesus Christ in all their simplicity and purity with that dross removed which for eighteen hundred years of mysticism and superstition has enshrouded it. In puncturing old creeds, in abolishing hard conceptions of the Deity, in casting out personal devils and the literal hell of Orthodoxy, nothing of the teachings of Christ has been destroyed. The lessons of right living are left: the beauties of the Golden Rule are as impressive as when first uttered in Judea. Teaching the dogmas of right because it is right, and not because it will save from terrible consequences after death, is as essential now as ever. Simple as the Gospels are, they must be taught over and over again as long as the world lasts. Although it is no longer necessary for the Unitarian Church to combat with other churches regarding creeds, yet there is the same necessity for its work as for that of other churches. Its mission is not simply to liberalize the creeds of other denominations, but to preach the Gospels as they were first expounded by the first great leader.

Dover, N.H.-The Dover branch of the Young People's Religious Union has had a card printed with its constitution and rules as adopted June 16. It provides for public meetings for literary and religious purposes and for social gathering.

Eastport, Me.-At a special meeting of the First Congregational Society, June 29, resolutions were adopted, expressing deep regret at the resignation of the pastor, Rev. H. D. Catlin, and an earnest appreciation of his worth and faithful service both as a man and as a minister. Mrs. Catlin has ably seconded him in his parish labors, and is considered an ideal pastor's wife. The best wishes of the parish go with them.

England.- BURNLEY. - The Primitive Methodist Connection have just held their

conference in Burnley; and the committee of the Unitarian church last week forwarded to the secretary of the conference the following resolution: That the members of this committee, representing the Unitarians of Burnley, desire to be permitted hereby to join in the general welcome accorded to the Primitive Methodists on the occasion of the holding of their annual conference in Burnley. Although differing from you on many points of doctrine, they are quick to recognize your loyalty to your view of the truth, your strenuous efforts to rescue the degraded, and your unswerving fidelity to the principles of civil and religious liberty. These have always been prominent characteristics of Primitive Methodism. We believe that the sacerdotal tendencies of the times and the attempt to accentuate sectarian differences by means of the new Education Bill will meet with uncompromising opposition from your ministers and laymen alike. While frankly avowing our difference of view, we are one with you in upholding the ethical teachings of Jesus, and in endeavoring to promote the spiritual religion of which he was the great exponent and Master." According to the newspaper report, the reading of the resolution was followed by applause. The following resolution has been sent to the secretary of our Burnley church, in reply: "That the members of this conference desire to express the pleasure with which they have received the resolution, welcoming them to Burnley, from the committee of the Trafalgar Street Unitarian Church. While firmly adhering to their own doctrinal standards, the conference regard charity as the greatest of all things. They gladly recognize the services which some of the leaders of Unitarianism

notably, Dr. Martineau-have rendered in many ways to religious truth, and the labors of Unitarians in general on behalf of civil and religious liberty. The conference prays for an increasing measure of divine light, 'till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God."

Holyoke, Mass.-Rev. T. E. Chappell of Upton, Mass., has been called to the pastorate of the Unitarian church here.

Ithaca, N.Y.-The report of the spring meeting of the Unitarian Conference of the Middle States and Canada should have been forwarded for last month's issue. The dedication services were held May 19. The beautiful service was written for this occasion by Rev. W. C. Gannett. The music of the hymns was also specially written for this service, as well as two hymns by the pastor, Rev. J. M. Scott. All the meetings were well attended. The inspiration and brotherly feeling awakened will long remain with us all.

The Ethical Section of the Unity Club, the continuation under a new name of the Ethics Class, began its sessions under the present leader on the 24th of February, 1895, taking up the work which Prof. Oliver had so much enjoyed and had done so well. The class is made up of men and women, the young, the middle-aged, and the old, furnishing a wide experience of life, and thereby adding interest to the sessions. The present attendance is about twentyfive. From the number and quality of those present and from the interest shown in the discussions it is hoped that the sessions are of some service. William H. Riley, Leader.

bers are elected by the church. To facilitate business still further, the trustees appoint an executive committee to act upon matters of minor importance between the meetings of the board. All this is done, not to curtail the rights of the individual members, but to insure prompt action and to avoid the confusion that would result from the unauthorized action of individuals. If, then, any member has any suggestion to make as to the management of the church in any respect, the proper course to pursue is to lay the matter before the chairman of the proper committee or of the board of trustees. If his suggestion should not meet with the approval of these bodies, he may then request the president to call a special meeting of the church, or may lay the matter before the annual meeting. While the pastor may be consulted in regard to any plans of individuals, and perhaps should be, in view of the fact that his

study and in an admirable style, and they are so given as to hold the interest of the hearer from first to last. The Shaksperian lectures are worthy to be named with the best that we have in this country.

New England Associate Alliance.

The Executive Board of the New England

Associate Alliance desire to put on record their appreciation of the discretion, fidelity, and executive ability with which Mrs. George S. Hale has performed the duties of secretary of the Alliance. It is very largely owing to her extensive correspondence and personal intercourse that the various separate church alliances have joined the Associate Alliance. While we regret that other duties have compelled her resignation as secretary, we yet rejoice that we can have the benefit of her guidance as director, and that her place will be ably filled by Miss Mary L. Hall. Signed, Kate Gannett Wells, Ellen C. Goodwin, Marcia B. Jordan, Mary L. Hall, Eliza M. F. Bartlett, Mary C. Warder, Mary A. Downing, Phebe M. Waldo, Mary E. Cleveland, Sarah Theo. Brown, Laura Dewey Russell, Emily O. Kimball.

Newburg, N.Y.-The form of government in the Unitarian church is congregational. This means that each church regulates its own affairs, and is not controlled by any other churches, board of clergymen, or bishops. In our own church all authority rests in the membership as a body, except that absolute freedom of belief and conscience is guaranteed to individual members by the constitution. As it is not easy for the church as a whole to act on all the details of its work, its authority is delegated to a board of trustees and to committees (standing or special), whose mem

details of the work, yet he has no authority except as it may be conferred upon him for special purposes. We have gone into this subject somewhat fully because so many of our members have recently come from other churches where the form of government is quite different, and because, also, it is only by conforming to the proper methods of transacting business that ill-feeling can be permanently avoided.

Northampton, Mass.-Rev. Dr. Cressey of Salem has been invited to the pastorate of the Second Congregational (Unitarian) Church.

Oakland, Cal.-Activities were largely suspended June 1. The Unity Club and Starr King Fraternity hold no meetings during the summer months. The pulpit has been supplied by Rev. William G. Eliot, Rev. G. Heber Rice, Rev. N. A. Haskell, and Rev. Eliza Tupper Wilkes. Congregations are, as usual in summer, much reduced. Rev. Mr. Wendte will prolong his vacation through July.

Ontario, Cal.-Sunday, June 21, was a day of deep rejoicing with our society; for then we dedicated Unity Chapel, our new home, situated in the best part of the thriving colony. The chapel promises to serve its purposes admirably. It is a substantially built wooden structure, somewhat after the colonial style. It is finished in the natural woods, the strong beams, rafters, and trusses giving the chapel an idea of solidity that comports well with its high mission. About two hundred can be comfortably seated, and the acoustic properties seem perfect. Not the least beautiful feature of our home is that nearly every one of the congregation has lent his personal assistance in the work. Both in our own ranks and outside people have been most kind. As is usually the case, the women

have done more than shows. untiring aid little could have been accomplished, The dedication service was arranged by the minister, Rev. U. G. B. Pierce. Rev. D. V. Bowen also assisted in the exercises. The sermon for the occasion was preached to a large congregation by Rev. Eli Fay.

Roxbury, Mass.-All Souls' Church has extended a call to Rev. H. T. Secrist of Milwaukee.

Salt Lake City, Utah.-The last Sunday in June brought to a close the most successful church year since the organization of our society. Prior to the year 1894-95 services were held in the Salt Lake Theatre, with good attendance, but with little opportunity for thorough organization. Business depression and consequent loss of members and revenue compelled the society to change its place of meeting to a small and inconvenient hall on the second floor of a business block on Main Street, where services were held during the year, but with diminishing numbers, so that it became impossible to provide for current expenses. With the aid of the American Unitarian Association, however, and the counsel and encouragement of its Western superintendent, Mr. Forbush, it was decided to continue the society another year. Rev. Adelbert L.. Hudson of Harvard Divinity School was called to the pastorate, and services were begun last September in the little second-story hall, with unpaid bills left over from the preceding year amounting to $257, and with some feeling of discouragement among the few faithful members, and doubt as to the outcome. The congregations, however, increased rapidly in numbers, so that by December they had quite outgrown the capacity of the old hall. A lease was secured of the first floor and basement of a centrally located building, 40 x 114; and on the first Sunday in January services were held in the new hall. Financial prosperity came more slowly; but confidence in our ultimate success had been restored, and the trustees, aided by timely gifts, were able to expend $765 in furnishing and fitting the new hall. This expenditure, together with the unpaid bills left over from 1894-95, and all current expenses of the present year, have now been paid in full, excepting a small balance of borrowed money, which is provided for by sums due the society from reliable sources.

The gain in numbers, enthusiasm, and organization, has been even more marked than the financial prosperity of the year. Since January 1 the congregations have averaged three hundred, and frequently exceed four hundred. Our Sunday-school numbers over one hundred, and has a wellconducted library, which has grown during the year from eighty-four volumes to nearly

Unity Circle has done much to organize the social forces of the church, bringing together each month over two hundred members of the congregation, and thus cultivating more general acquaintance and closer church relations.

The Men's Unitarian Club has developed interest in the plans of the society among business men, and furnishes a practical and virile element too often lacking in church work. Along with this there has been matured a well-considered financial system, whereby all regular members of the congregation have been distributed into revenue committees which contribute monthly sums through their chairmen to the general rev

enues of the church. This tends to develop a sense of personal interest and responsibility in each member of the congregation, while at the same time materially aiding the finances of the church.

Much gratitude is felt among our people for the wise and timely aid of the American Unitarian Association which has made this progress possible. Without it there would be no liberal religious society in Utah to-day. As it is, the permanent success of our society is assured; and there is every reason to believe that after another year it will become entirely self-sustaining and a centre for Unitarian influence and growth in this region.

Thanks are also due for contributions to our improvement fund from the Arlington Street Church, the First Parish in Cambridge, the Alliance Branch of the Jamaica Plain society, and Prof. Peabody of Harvard; and for contributions to our Sundayschool library from Unitarian societies in Dorchester, and Springfield, Waltham, Mass., and Flushing, N.J., from the Ar lington Street Church, the First Church in Boston, the Second Church in Boston, the North Society in Salem, Miss M. E. Hawley of Albany, N. Y., and unknown friends, who have sent books by mail without giving name or address. Especial thanks are due Mr. Horton for his active and efficient efforts in this behalf.

Mr. Hudson has gone to Northern Wisconsin for his summer vacation, and will return to resume work the first week in September.

San Francisco, Cal.- First Church: Evening services were discontinued, begin. ning with the first Sunday in June, to be resumed next October. Morning services will be held regularly all summer. The Sunday-school vacation begins June 14. Sessions will be resumed August 9. It has been the experience of Pilgrim Sundayschool that a vacation at the time of the vacation in the public schools is wise. A

vacation is a justice to the teachers, a rest for the pupils; and, so far as known, no pupils have ever been lost thereby. On the last Monday in May Mrs. W. G. Barrett entertained the Society for Christian Work at her beautiful home in Sausalito. It was one of the pleasantest social occasions that the members of this society have ever enjoyed. At the last meeting of the Channing Auxiliary Miss Emma Frances Dawson read from her own poems, and was warmly appreciated and applauded.

Rev. Roderick Stebbins of Milton, Mass. arrived Monday evening, June 29, and will be in San Francisco a month or more. The Bible Class for adults, under the leadership of Rev. Samuel Slocombe, has concluded a most interesting and regularly attended course of lessons on "The Life of Jesus in the New Testament."

Sheffield, Ill.-Almost the last event of the church year was the marriage of the pastor, Rev. Stanley M. Hunter, to Miss Rose H. Larson of Salt Lake City. Miss Larson was a member of the Unitarian church of that famous city. She was the originator and teacher of a very successful Sunday-school kindergarten class, and was very active in the many activities of the church. What is Salt Lake's loss will be Sheffield's gain. The ceremony which united the young minister and the Western maiden was performed at the Sheffield church on the afternoon of June 22, the bride elect proceeding directly from the train to the marriage altar, where Rev. Chester Covil of Buda, the much loved and respected father" of, this neighborhood, officiated. The church was beautifully decorated with flowers. All the pews were filled with interested friends. The Sundayschool children sang welcome to the bride elect, and the ceremony proceeded happily to the end.

a

Two days afterward, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Howard, a reception was tendered to the pastor and wife by the Ladies' Society. It was a very successful affair, as are all the efforts of the Ladies' Society. The bride and groom were presented by the friends of the church with many substantial as well as ornamental testimonials of esteem, among which were handsome dining-room and bedroom suites, two moquette rugs, four rockers, a parlor clock and a bedroom clock, a handsome wrought-iron lamp, and a brass flowerstand, a dinner-set, and a chamber-set, together with many pieces of bric-à-brac. The occasion was a very happy one, and will be always remembered by those present.

Much credit is due, both for this and the smoothness of the wedding, to the Committee of Arrangements, consisting of Mrs. A. A. Gunkel, Mrs. James Curtis, Miss L. L. Dewey, and Miss Cyra Battey.

For the past thirty years, ever since the

founding of the church, there has been no parsonage in connection with it, because during that time, with but one exception, the pastors have kept bachelor's hall. But now there is to be a parsonage, Mrs. Ednah C. Whipple being the promoter of this as of many other things conducive to the welfare of church life. She is generously backed by other friends of the Unitarian cause in Sheffield. The parsonage is to go up on a lot west of the church, and owned by the church, which seems to have been waiting all these years to be built upon. It is hoped that by the end of the summer vacation the parsonage will be ready for occupation.

The church year closes very auspiciously. The promise of future usefulness in this town and neighborhood is great. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter feel that they are surrounded by a band of capable and earnest men and women, who realize the greatness of the trust that is theirs. Services will reopen the first Sunday in September.

Fif

Spokane, Wash.-About one hundred Unitarians sat down at the annual dinner of the Unitarian church recently, and had a most delightful time. An ample collation was provided; and after dinner speeches were made by Rev. O. J. Fairfield, Judge Dunning, J. M. Comstock, and Dr. J. E. Gandy. A correspondent writes: "We are feeling quite hopeful as to the prospects of the society, and trust that our growth is to be permanent. teen members have joined the church within the last quarter, and we have organized a Unitarian Club to meet monthly from September to May. Our society is very small compared with what it should be from the number of liberals in the city who are unchurched. We have liberals here of every shade of belief or prejudice, which makes it more difficult for us to come together on one platform. Of the one hundred who were present last evening, only fifteen had been brought up in the Unitarian faith, and half of that number (seven) were young people of our parish. In a great region here, larger than the State of Ohio, of which Spokane is the centre, we are the only liberal church. We trust this is not to be so always."

The

Sterling, Mass.-The installation and ordination of Rev. John Noyes Woodman as pastor of the church at Sterling took place June 24. The day was perfect. whole town was interested, the town hall being used for the dinner, and the library closed for the occasion. The church was tastefully trimmed, and a large audience listened to the exercises. Rev. S. M. Crothers preached the sermon on "The Relation between Opinions and Character." The invocation was by Rev. G. W. Kent of Worcester; Scripture reading, by Rev. J. C.