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held? And, surely, it needs no argument to prove that whoever possesses wealth is under heavy moral obligations. No man can rightfully lay hold of anything, and cry, "This is mine," and continue wholly indifferent to those who helped him to his possession. Wealth is a "social product," and all who possess it must pay tribute to that social order which gives value to all forms of property.

I rejoice, then, in the triumph of the toilers: it means a larger and firmer basis for civilization. But among the toilers I place those who labor with the brain as well as the hand, those who heal with their hearts' love as well as those who help with their arm's strength. I rejoice in the triumph of the toiler: it means juster laws and nobler social customs. But I call only that his triumph which sends him forth on Monday morning with a clearer brain, a purer heart, and a larger charity for all men. I rejoice in the triumph of the toiler: it means happier homes and more skilful handicraft. But I see only those working toward it in largest measure who have enlisted in the cause of universal progress, and who have put themselves under the discipline of both reason and love.

THE CHURCH.

[Under this heading we publish from time to time various statements of the purpose and faith of our churches.]

"This church is the church of the nineteenth century. It believes in God as the Universal Father, as the one power and life of the universe, as the ever-present Providence, the all-embracing love.

"It believes that God is in nature, in his tory, in humanity, the guide and inspirer of men to-day as certainly as in the ages past. It believes in the rectitude of the universe, in the sacredness and joy of human life, and that goodness will at last subdue all things to itself, and rule all things in the name of God.

"It believes in the inspiration and example of Jesus' life and death, his fidelity to truth, his sympathy with man, the charity of his spirit, and the breadth of his teachings.

"It believes in the dignity and nobility of human nature, and tries to stimulate self

respect and self-reverence as a shield against evil conduct.

"It teaches freedom in religion, fellowship in religion, and character in religion, and lifts above creed or church the holy bond of the brotherhood of all men.

"It seeks to promote truth, righteousness, and love in the world, and to cultivate a deeper faith in God and a larger hope for humanity."

MEADVILLE.

The Meadville Theological School was incorporated by the legislature of Pennsylvania in 1846, two years after the opening of the school. It is organized with a Board of Trustees and a Board of Instruction, the former limited to thirty members, the latter indeterminate in number.

In order to preserve the intended unsectarian character of the institution, its officers were prohibited, in the Act of Incorporation, from ever making any doctrinal test "a condition of enjoying any of the opportunities of instruction in the school except a belief in the divine origin of Christianity." Admission to the school is made to depend not upon profession of any form of faith, but upon evidence of good moral character, ability, sufficient intellectual training, and an earnest purpose to prepare for the work of the ministry. The institution is open to applicants from any denomination, although its patrons are to be found chiefly in the Unitarian body.

Meadville is situated in North-western Pennsylvania on the Erie Railroad. It is the shire town of Crawford County and the seat of Allegheny College, which offers to persons intending to enter the school excellent opportunities for completing their preparatory course.

All students are received into the school on probation. At such time as seems suitable to the Board of Instruction certificates of matriculation, indicating full membership in the institution, are granted. The presence of a name upon the roll of students in the catalogue is evidence of formal connection with the institution during some portion of the school year, but testifies nothing with regard to matriculation. Men and women are received upon equal terms.

The first requisite for admission is the

satisfaction of the Board of Instruction that the applicant is of unquestionable moral character. Evidence bearing upon this point should be submitted to the board at the opening of negotiations for admission. The most desirable testimony is that of individ uals known either personally or by reputation to some of the officers of the institution. Certificates from preparatory or collegiate institutions which the applicant may have attended recently and for a considerable length of time are considered of especial value. If the applicant has been connected with any church or other religious organization, this fact should be indicated and time and circumstances mentioned. In addition to the testimonials presented, it is well to furnish references to other sources of information. Full information should be furnished in advance as to intellectual qualifications and educational training. The examination for admission does not render previous testimony in this direction superfluous: detailed certificates of standing from academic institutions furnish the most desirable evidence.

Bachelors of Arts, Science, Letters, or Philosophy, will be admitted to the Junior Class without examination.

Those who have satisfactorily completed the full course of study are enrolled as graduates of the school. The members of the graduating class read essays upon assigned subjects at the anniversary in June. dents pursuing only a partial course may receive a written statement of the kind and amount of work done.

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Bachelors of Arts who have completed the full course with an average credit of not less than seventy-five per cent. may offer themselves as candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. Other candidates for the degree will be required to furnish satisfactory evidence, by examination or otherwise, that they have received a liberal education equivalent to that required for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in American colleges of good standing. This will be understood to include a thorough grounding in Latin and Greek. Correspondence concerning admission should be addressed to the president of the Board of Instruction.

Special students are those who, for reasons satisfactory to the Board of Instruction,

undertake only a part of the course. Otherwise they are subject to all the conditions attaching to membership in regular classes.

Those remaining in the institution after graduating, or returning later for farther study, are classed as graduate students.

Persons desirous of being admitted to advance standing must be examined in the previous work of the class which they wish to enter or furnish satisfactory testimonials that they have completed such work elsewhere.

The regular course of study covers a period of three years, and is arranged with primary reference to the needs of those who have had a collegiate education. In other cases a residence of four years will be required.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Our San Diego Opportunity. To the Editor of the Unitarian :

The First Unitarian Society of San Diego, though for a time depressed and scattered through the loss of its church home by fire and through other trials, has now regained its footing, and is bravely pushing forward to the building of a new church in the old Spanish Mission style of architecture. The structure is to be plain, but neat, and adequate to the probable needs of the society for several years to come. A loan has been secured from the Church Loan Fund, and money is being raised among the members; but the depressed financial condition of San Diego, due to the disastrous reaction from an inflated "boom," renders it extremely difficult to secure the amount needed for the furnishing of the new building. The society proposes to strictly avoid that incubus of debt which too often weighs for years upon a church organization as a result of over-confidence in its own growth. We shall pay off our debt to the Loan Fund by applying the amount now expended for rent. This amount we are sure of raising, together with enough to cover other necessary running expenses. But our resources are not large, and we need some assistance. We need a church organ and comfortable seats and kitchen furnishings and some extra funds for decorations. Shall we not have some help from those who are able?

San Diego is one of the most important places in our denomination, from a missionary point of view. Thousands of tourists visit our city every year, from all parts of the country. During the winter season especially our church is attended by scores of visiting tourists. Many of these deplore the absence of a church organ and other accessories of the church worship which they have been accustomed to at home. We

desire to make our church and its worship so helpful and attractive that tourists visiting us shall at once feel at home with us, and renew those pleasant associations which do so much to make a journey into a far and strange land agreeable. Many persons

come here for their health, and need all the pleasant and helpful influences possible to aid in their recovery. These facts are all potent reasons why we should be helped generously in our endeavors to maintain here in this city of sunshine and flowers a centre of reverent but progressive thought, where all that is beautiful and universal in Christianity may be cherished and nurtured, where the inspirations of the world's geniuses in religious thought may be reverently studied, and the flower and fruitage of the present century's thought may be garnered for the helping of human souls.

A special feature of our new church will be the copious ventilation without draughts, and a profusion of growing flowers and vines, made possible by the large sky-lights overhead. When completed, our church interior will present a most luxuriant and tropical floral effect, which our mild climate renders possible with no outlay for fuel. In its interior decorations our church will be unique in the denomination, and a delight to visiting tourists.

Our present attendance at Sunday morning worship is between two and three hundred, which will be increased during the winter months by visiting tourists. With this number, we hope to establish a permanent and successful centre of liberal religious thought in this growing city. Will you help us? Contributions may be sent to the pastor, Solon Lauer, or Judge M. A. Luce, president of the Board of Trustees. The smallest contributions will be gratefully received.

SAN DIEGO.

SOLON LAUER.

ONE UPWARD LOOK EACH DAY.

SUNDAY.

There's Sabbath at the Heart of Things.
I know it by the twilight hush,
The trance that follows evening's flush;
By hill and dell that, leaf-bestrewn,
Slumber beneath the autumn moon.
From breathless heavens the cloud filmed
night

Silvers it forth in pensive light;
And every star the message brings:
There's Sabbath at the heart of things.

I know it by the storms that die
In the large quietude of sky;
By frenzied cataracts that strain

To reach the vast untroubled main.
Yea, if I read the blue aright,
The meaning of its starry night,
And catch the song creation sings,
There's Sabbath at the heart of things.
-Gottfrid E. Hult.

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"Whence came and whither bound are we?"
Holds something still of mystery;
But one grave thought is clear and plain,
We shall not pass this way again.

Why waste an hour in vain regret
For common ills that must be met?
Why of the thorny road complain?
We shall not pass this way again.

The years glide by: stand strong and true!
The good thou canst, oh, quickly do!
Let gentle words soothe woe and pain,
We shall not pass this way again.
-Eliza M. Hickok.

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To live content with small means;
To seek elegance rather than luxury,
Refinement rather than fashion;
To be worthy, not simply respectable;
And wealthy, not simply rich;
To study hard, think quietly,
Talk gently, act frankly;

To listen with open heart to birds and stars,
To babes and sages;

To bear all cheerfully; do all bravely;
Await occasions, never hurry,-

In a word, to let the spiritual life
Grow up through and above the common.-
This is to be "my symphony of life."

- William Henry Channing.

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Contents.

THE article "God or Man," to which we give a prominent place in this number, will be found exceedingly valuable as a complete though condensed statement of the facts in regard to the nature of Christ, supplying almost at a glance the needed information in answering the frequently ill-founded arguments with which the young people of the orthodox churches are familiar. This essay will be reprinted in tract form, and will be obtainable at the rooms of the American Unitarian Association.

Under the heading "Our Churches" we continue the historical reviews of interesting places, this month giving the fascinating story of King's Chapel, Boston. We have some very admirable material on hand for more of these studies, and should be glad to receive pamphlets and articles from many more.

We call attention to the two articles which we have placed together, entitled "Ourselves and Others" and "Misconceptions of Unitarianism by Unitarians themselves and Others." The reader will notice that the former was written forty years ago, and the latter has just been delivered by a prominent layman. The inference may be drawn into useful illustration.

A young man from Minneapolis has sent us several poems, which are altogether above the average, and which naturally rejoice the editor's heart. We print one entitled "Genius," and include another as the first "Upward Look" for this month. Mr. Hult, the author, is now in Berlin for a year's study; but we hope to hear more from him. An article which has peculiar interest at the present time is Mr. Crooker's "Triumph of Toil." It is so calm and fair that its vigorous words cannot fail to win the authority they demand.

For denominational affairs we give our readers a thorough review under our various department headings. Mr. Batchelor's

letter, for instance, in the American Unitarian Association department is a condensed summary of the very latest condition of general denominational affairs, with the added value of the secretary's own careful opinion and suggested outlook. If this letter were widely read, and as carefully as it is prepared, it would answer a multitude of inquiries as to what the American Unitarian Association does and what interests it serves.

A Powerful Ministry.

No ministry of any denomination can be very largely composed of born preachers. The really great in spiritual genius are perhaps even rarer than similarly exceptional individuals in other fields of human effort. The real strength and effectiveness of any religious cause is therefore in the hands of men who must be fitted for their work. While this is true, how dangerous become "short-cut" methods, of which, unfortunately, we are hearing so much in the discussion of the best preparation for the ministry. Just compare the brief, loose, general sort of education considered sufficient to admit a man, if he is sound in character, to any Protestant pulpit with the training compulsory among the Roman Catholics. Seven years of rigorous study, discipline, and practice for every candidate. for the Jesuit priests. No wonder that these men know how to influence their flocks. It is said that Protestants very rarely hear these Catholic preachers, and have little idea of the marvellous mastery of language, persuasiveness, and convincingness with which they are able, as a result of the assiduousness and completeness of training, to present the gospel of their faith. That way lies power; and such power ought to be earned by the new proclaimers of the highest truth, as well as by the noble army of the older faith.

Meadville.

Ten years

EVERY church in our body ought to feel its best missionary opportunities neglected unless at least once in three years it sends some young man or woman to Meadville to study for the min istry. Some churches of course might find among their young people a much larger proportion who have the living gospel in their souls ready to proclaim if they only knew how. To such Meadville offers facili

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