New York, N.Y.-The Church of the Messiah, at the corner of Park Avenue and Thirty-fourth Street, was crowded to its utmost November 22 by members of the congregation, who came to see Rev. Minot J. Savage, DD., installed as associate pastor to Rev. Robert Collyer, pastor of the church. The church was decorated with palms, while in the chancel were large palm plants and bunches of chrysanthemums. The installation services began shortly after eight o'clock, and were impressive throughout. An invocation by Rev. Stephen H. Camp of the Third Unitarian Church of Brooklyn was followed by the reading of a Scriptural selection by Rev. Samuel A. Eliot of the First Unitarian Church of Brooklyn. Then, after a hymn by Rev. D. W. Morehouse, superintendent of missions, Rev. Edward Everett Hale, D. D., of Boston delivered a short sermon. He said: "The installation of a minister is the new consecration of the church. And to-night we have no need to go into argument or illustration as to the value of such institutions as churches, as to the need of religious instruction, or as to the worth of what got itself called the ministry of religion. Our friend seeks new consecration to-night for the duties of such a ministry; and this church pledges itself to God, and its members pledge themselves to each other to-night, as they seek new consecration in their share of the duties of such a ministry. And the great reality which must occupy our thoughts to-night, as we pray and as we resolve, is the truth that together we must enter this work, or there will be no success in this church. To-night this minister and this church are consecrated anew for the higher life of this people.

Rev. Robert Collyer offered prayer, and asked that all love the new pastor and prayed that his work be blessed. Rev. Merle St. C. Wright welcomed Dr. Savage in behalf of the congregation and the clergymen. Rev. E. C. Bolles, D. D., of the Church of the Eternal Hope, delivered the charge to Dr. Savage, and stated that he would find the field for work large and plenty of it. Rev. John W. Chadwick of Brooklyn delivered the address to the people, and asked the congregation to work with the new minister and love him, and success would follow.

Dr. Savage made a short address, in which he promised to co-operate with the revered pastor, Rev. Dr. Collyer, in extending the influence of the church and in working for the uplifting of the people

committed to his ministerial care.

Oakland, Cal.-A very remarkable service was held at the First Congregational Church, October 31. It was a service of commemoration of the three hundred and seventy-ninth anniversary of the Protestant

Reformation. In Germany the Reformation is dated from the day (Oct. 31, 1517) on which the intrepid monk, alone and singlehanded, following the dictates of his own God inspired conscience, nailed on the church door at Wittenberg his ninety-five Latin theses against the abuses of Rome.

The idea of such a service was suggested by Rev. C. W. Wendte, and heartily taken up by all the Protestant ministers of the city. The following ministers took part: Invocation, Rev. C. R. Brown of the First Congregational Church; address, Rev. R. F. Coyle of the First Presbyterian Church; address, "Sketch of the Life of Martin Luther," by Rev. J. E. Bushnell, D.D., pastor First English Evangelical Lutheran Church; address by Rev. Prof. Frank H. Foster, D.D., of the Pacific Theological Seminary; address by Rev. Alfred Kummer, D. D., pastor First Methodist Episcopal Church; anthem, "The Hallelujah Chorus," by Handel, sung by the united choirs; offering, introduced by Rev. E. S. Chapman, D.D., pastor Market Street Congregational Church; remarks by Rev. J. K. McLean, D.D., president Pacific Theological Seminary; exhibit of stereopticon views illustrating "The Protestant Reformation and Luther's Life," with remarks by Rev. C. W. Wendte, pastor First Unitarian Church; closing hymn, "America," announced by Rev. F. J. Mynard, rector St. John's Episcopal Church; benediction by Rev. Dr. Jefferson, president Christian Bible Seminary.

Philadelphia, Pa.-On the 6th of November, 1876, Rev. C. G. Ames delivered in the Hall of the Spring Garden Institute the first of a series of Sunday evening lectures, intended particularly for persons who were not in the habit of attending any church. These meetings resulted in the formation of the Spring Garden Unitarian society, of which Dr. Ames became the first minister. In commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the first service, Mr. Ames repeated on the 8th inst. the address then delivered, which had lost nothing either of its power or appropriateness. He was assisted in the service by Rev. Joseph May, LL.D., and Rev. Frederic A. Hinckley. The new church now being erected by this society is expected to be completed early next year.

Redlands, Cal.-We regret to learn that our honored and beloved fellow-worker in this charming town, Rev. J. Frederick Dutton, is compelled, by the serious condition of his health, to give up his pastorate and all ministerial work whatever. It is hoped that rest and the winter sunshine may restore him to some degree of health and the enjoyment of life. It is quite a severe blow to the society, which has embarked in the enterprise of building a

church edifice. We learn that Dr. Fay and Mrs. Fay are temporarily looking after the pulpit. It is hoped to secure a successor to Mr. Dutton at once, and negotiations to this end are already in progress with an Eastern clergyman.

Reno, Nev.-A Sunday-school and Unity Circle is maintained here, of whose work we hope some time to be able to report with better knowledge.

Rowe, Mass.-In the Unitarian church in Rowe, Mass., on the evening of October 14, occurred the ordination and installation of Rev. Edward Pearson Pressey, A.B. The weather was most unfavorable, and many were disappointed in not being able to be present; but to those who were it was a most interesting and impressive occasion. The old church was very appropriately and tastefully decorated with autumn foliage and a few flowers. After a voluntary, the opening prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Anderson of Pittsfield. The sermon was by Rev. Dr. G. C. Cressey of Northampton. The ordaining prayer and charge to the people were by Rev. D. M. Wilson of Boston; the right hand of fellowship by Rev. Alfred Free of Turner's Falls. The charge to the minister was by

Rev. Stilman Barber of Bernardston, who was ordained in the same church in 1850. A feature of the service was a hymn written for the occasion by Mr. Pressey. There were solos by Miss Bessie Smith and Mr.

F. A. Browning of Rowe. The doxology

and a benediction by the pastor closed the service.

symbolizing the bounty and beauty of nature in this genial clime, made the spacious platform a veritable garden of beauty and perfume. A choir of twelve voices rendered a fine musical programme; and the pastor, with the joy of achieved hope beaming on his face, gave a sermon on "Our Message" which filled the hearts of his hearers with a new conception of the responsibilities and opportunities of the Unitarian cause, and opened the eyes of many to the real meaning of our gospel. In the evening a platform meeting was held, with special music, and short addresses from the pastor, Mrs. Horton, Messrs. Luce, Hendricks, and Meakin, with a brief report from Mr. White, the treasurer. This report showed that the average attendance in 1895 was 125, and, for thus far in 1896, 223; that, with the exception of one rainy Sunday in February, the lowest attendance on any Sunday in 1896 was above the average of 1895. This showing indicates the hopeful outlook for the future.

building from the Sun of San Diego: "The The following is an account of the new general exterior plan of the building is on the old mission style. It is forty-seven feet wide, ninety-seven feet long, and about The outside forty feet high in the clear.

walls are of plaster and cement, and the interior is finished throughout in mountain pine and cedar. No windows or doors of any kind appear on either side of the entire building; but the building is excellently skylights, which let in a copious flood of lighted, for all that, by a large number of light from above. There is also a large, circular window of stained glass on the street front over the entrance. The building is entered through a double lobby, or entrance, with two sets of plate-glass stormdoors, thus preventing any draft through the entrance, and dividing the lobby into two rooms, making it very convenient for lodge purposes. On either side of the entrance are large cloak and hat rooms, sixteen by eighteen feet, off from which are wash-rooms and closets. The platform at the west end is sixteen by twenty-seven feet in size, and on the right side is the library and pastor's reception-room; while on the other is a completely furnished kitchen, with range, patent dishwasher, and all kitchen conveniences. The auditorium will be seated with white cedar folding benches and opera chairs. The seating capacity will be about four hundred in ordinary circumstances, but six hundred can without serious inconvebe crowded in nience. The acoustic properties of the hall are as nearly perfect as possible, a voice of ordinary strength being plainly audible in all parts of the house."

San Francisco, Cal.-First Church: Dr. Stebbins has preached several strong

sermons during the past month. The French lectures of the Channing Auxiliary have been very interesting and well attended. Dr. and Mrs. Stebbins invited the young people of the church to meet them on Saturday evening, October 24, in the church parlors. There was a general response; and the evening was pleasantly spent in conversation and social intercourse, and in discussing what should be undertaken for Christmas. "The Birds' Christmas Carol" was chosen. -Second Church: The energies of the ladies of the Second Unitarian Church are at present largely absorbed in preparing for the bazaar to be held in December; but, in the mean time, they have made arrangements for two other entertainments to take place in the near future.

Santa Barbara, Cal.-Mrs. Harriet Kelsey Fay has recently supplied the pulpit, with great acceptance, in the continued absence of the minister, Mr. E. R. Dinsmore, at the East. Rev. Mrs. E. T. Wilkes spoke for "Woman Suffrage" in this town on the 13th of October.

Santa Maria, Cal.-During the month of June last, Mrs. Weaver, the Unitarian pastor's wife, organized a "Travel Class" for the purpose of teaching history, geography, biography, art, etc., illustrating the lessons with lantern-slides. The class, composed of the young people of the town, meets in the Unitarian hall every Friday evening. It was organized with sixteen members, and now numbers more than seventy. The many expressions of appreciation from members of the class, especially high-school scholars, parents, and even teachers, indicate the helpfulness the class has been to all who have attended.

An entertainment, "The Carnival of Nations," given by Mrs. Weaver on a recent evening, in McMillan's Hall, to provide means to meet the current expenses of this class, was in every way a success. Five nations were represented, with forty characters in costume. The programme consisted of marches, dances, court scenes, recitations, music, etc. Refreshments were also served. The hall was crowded to its utmost with an enthusiastic audience; and the net proceeds were considerably beyond the amount that had been anticipated, insuring the future success of the class.

At present the pastor of the Unitarian society is giving a course of Sunday morning sermons on "The Distinctive Doctrines of Unitarian Faith." For Sunday evenings he has resumed a course of lectures, begun last year, on "The Heroes of the Past, to whom We are Indebted for our Heritage of Liberal Thought." One of each Sunday's discourses continues to appear in one of our town papers, doing missionary work for our liberal cause in a field far beyond

The Woman's

course of lectures has been given by the pastor at the evening services of the Church of the Unity, during the month of November. Four religious leaders of England and Scotland have been taken up, John Wycliffe, Hugh Latimer, Thomas Cranmer, and John Knox. Alliance held its meeting November 5. After a paper read by Miss Frances Fowler on Unitarianism in the Early Church" the value of doctrinal study' was discussed. The Unity Club has been organized with the following officers: President, Rev. Bradley Gilman; vice-president, Joseph F. Pynchon; secretary, Miss Clara R. Orne; treasurer, George A. Bacon. The purpose of this club is to promote social life among the young people in the church, and by a series of entertainments to raise a little money for church work. The first entertainment-a coffee party, given November 19-was a very pleasant affair. The King's Daughters and the Post-office Mission have held their regular meetings this month. The Peabody Circle has held its annual sale.

66

St. Louis, Mo.-The literary programme of the Church of the Messiah for this winter is: December 2, "Stephen Crane and his Verses," William Schuyler; December 16, "Disraeli, "Rev. Leon Harrison; January 6, "The Legend of the Grail," Mrs. J. C. Learned; January 20, "Leaves from a Sketch book," George W. Chambers; February 3, "An Evening with the Poets,' Rev. John Snyder; February 17, Jackson and Clay Two Types of American Statesmen, William Schuyler; March 3, "England and South Africa,'' Leverett Bell. A union service was held on Thanksgiving Day in Rev. Mr. Hosmer's church, Rabbi Sale, Rabbi Harrison, Mr. Hosmer, and Mr. Snyder all taking part. Our Sundayschool had an entertainment the night before Tranksgiving. They all brought fruit for a fruit shower; the fruit was given to our Mission Home for the children's Thanksgiving dinner.

Wellesley Hills.-A sale of useful and fancy articles will be held by the ladies of the Unitarian society on Wednesday, December 9, beginning at eleven o'clock A. M., and on Thursday, December 10, beginning at 2 P. M.

West Buxton, Me.-In this town Unitarian services have been held for about a month. The superintendent, assisted by Rev. J. L. Marsh of Saco, has gathered together a large congregation; and Mr. C. E. Ordway, a graduate of Meadville Theological School, is now devoting his energies to the establishing of a society.