Black Beauty's next companion is Hotspur, a horse that finds in his greater freedom compensation for his "come down" from a gentleman's stables to a cab-stand.

But this comfortable life is brought to a close by the illness of Mr. Barker, who has waited in a cold rain two hours for some card-players who did not keep their engagement to leave at eleven o'clock. It becomes a sad but necessary measure to part with Black Beauty; and great hardships follow to our hero. "My life was now so utterly wretched," he says, "that I wished I might, like Ginger, drop down dead at my work, and be out of my misery; and one day my wish very nearly came to pass.

"But, at last, a final change for the better came. My master sold me. A kind-hearted little boy persuaded his grandfather to buy me. A soft meadow, good food, kindness, and rest were all that was needed to bring me to a comfortable working condition. The family tried me, and found me safe for their use. Most wonderful of all, my groom was the little Jo Green, now grown up, whose ignorance was the cause of my first serious illness. And now, O joyful thought, I was no more to be sold!"

Here we leave this interesting story, so full of beauty, pathos, humanity, and wisdom. The book is having a very large sale in this country as well as in England, and it has already been translated into several of the languages of Europe. It ought to go all over the world, wherever horses and men dwell,- wherever men are unkind and horses suffer. It is a book of most practical and noble ethics. It is a book teaching a kind of religion that every community needs more of. E. A. LIVERMORE.

Milford, N.H.

BETTER A MAN THAN A GOD.

There is in the Mahabarata a beautiful story of the marriage of Nala and Damayantí. Damayantí was a beautiful maiden who had given her heart to Nala, by whom she was tenderly loved. According to a custom of the time there was a gathering of heroes, from among whom Damayantí was to select a husband. She cast her eyes over the assembly in search of him whom her heart had already chosen; but, to her dis

66

may, there were five Nalas. Four divinities also loved her; and, knowing her love for Nala, each had assumed his form, hoping thus to be selected by the maiden. She prayed them sweetly to resume their proper forin, that she might distinguish the object of her love. They granted her request, and stood before her in their full divinity. "Their feet did not touch the earth, their eyes winked not, their garlands were as fresh as if newly gathered, and not a stain of dust lay on their raiment nor a drop of perspiration upon their brows." And Damayantí saw also the true Nala, for he stood before her with shadow falling to the ground, and twinkling eyes, and drooping garland, and moisture was on his brow, and dust upon his raiment." Such were the marks of his humanity, and with them he was dearer to her than the immaculate gods. In like manner, may not a human Jesus be nearer to the hearts of men than one separated from them by a supernatural impeccability? — Prof. C. C. Everett, in the New World.

A VISIBLE CHURCH.

The modern tendency of Christianity to express itself in works rather than entangle itself in doctrines is receiving comment on every hand. In an article in the June number of the New World, entitled "The Next

Step in Christianity," Rev. S. D. McConnell

reiterates that "the interest for salvation is surely receding behind the interest for conduct." As a practical example of what can be done in this direction in our own denomination, we call attention to the Year Book of the First Church, Boston, just published. Under the able and discriminating leadership of Rev. Stopford W. Brooke, this church has steadily extended its activi ties, and brought them to a truly remarkable degree of organization. It now issues as a Year Book an exceedingly interesting report of the numerous educational and charitable enterprises in which it is engaged. The pamphlet is divided into the following four headings : —

I. The Church.-Hours of Services. Committees. Choir. Alliance. Decorations.

II.

Funds.

Work among the Young.-Sundayschools. Savings Society. Girls' Club.

THE FIRST CHURCH EMPLOYMENT SOCIETY.

This society, which was organized in the autumn and which has grown out of the Sewing Circle of former years, has been most successful. As the interest of the ladies has been general and cordial, so in proportion has the work increased. Several ladies have kindly sent applicants for employment to the society, and have paid them for their sewing; and many families have reaped the benefit of this charitable and enlarged work. Institutions, well known and deserving, have received numerous garments that must have added greatly to the comfort of their inmates. The hospital wards, 'also, which are supported by this church have been provided with various articles.

THE BOARDING-HOUSE FOR WORKING-GIRLS.

This House, situated at 115 and 117 Berkeley Street, was opened Sept. 1, 1891.

While we have accommodations for 38 girls, we have very often had 42; and for weeks the average has been 40. This number, with the 6 table boarders, taxes our house-room to the fullest extent.

Besides supplying the need of those girls desiring a permanent home, we have been able to make this a pleasant, safe home to many girls who have needed protection and care for a few days. Thus have 87 different girls shared the comforts of the house. 20 of the original number are still here. There has been one death. Two girls have left us to start homes of their own, and eight have gone into domestic service as companions, etc.

GIRLS' FRATERNITY CLUB.

We are glad to be able to record a fourth year of profit and enjoyment at our club. The number of members is a little larger than in previous years; namely, 115, with an average attendance of 43. We meet in our pleasant rooms in the Parker Memorial Building, on Wednesday and Friday evenings, for the regular classes in millinery, embroidery, the Swedish system of woodcarving, cooking, gymnastic exercises, elocu

in embroidery and on the piano are taught by young ladies from the church; for the other classes, a teacher is paid by the club.

LITTLE GIRLS' GYMNASIUM.

This gymnasium is intended for girls under fourteen who are too young to enter the evening club. It meets on Tuesday afternoons after school hours. There have been 42 children in the class this winter.

THE DRESSMAKING SCHOOL.

There have been 23 scholars in the Dressmaking Class this winter. The girls are asked to come for three years, after which they are considered to have learned all that

the school can teach them.

THE SEWING SCHOOL

Has been carried on as usual every Saturday afternoon, from 2.30 to 3.30, since early in November. The number of scholars has been a little larger than it was last year, over 100 names being now on the list.

FREE HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN.

The bed supported by this church has been in constant use during the past year, and its eight occupants have received all the benefit that medical skill and faithful nursing could accomplish.

THE COUNTRY WEEK.

The Country Week Committee of the church acts in unison with the central committee at 48 Boylston Street. Its business is to ascertain the names of the children in the Sunday-school who are of the prescribed age,-twelve or younger,-and also of those who, by reason of illness or for other reasons, would be specially benefited by a week or ten days of country life, and then to decide on the list to be sent to the central committee. This year we sent 92 children.

THE HAMPTON INSTITUTE.

Since the year 1883 many of the ladies of this church have been interested in the sup port of more or less scholarships for the colored and Indian races in Gen. Armstrong's school at Hampton, Va.

With the exception of one year, five young people have been annually assisted in their education by the kindly help of this society.

Owing to the absence of a few constant friends, and also to loss by death, but four scholarships were sent last year. But in November last, at the occurrence of Gen. Armstrong's alarming illness, it was thought

that it would be a pleasant and timely proof of our sympathy for him to increase, if possible, the number of our scholarships for his school. As a result of our recognition of the great misfortune to the General, and the greater need of prompt and hearty co-operation in the work of the school, our gift was much enlarged, seven scholarships being almost immediately collected and sent. Hampton's work is now familiar to the most of us: it simply means helping those who wish to help themselves and who are willing to struggle with the hardest labor to do so. It is well known by Hampton's best friends that in no church has the school received the substantial and prolonged help that has been given it by the First Church, Boston.

THE NORTH END UNION.

Last December the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches resolved to undertake a new experiment at the old Parmenter Street Chapel. They started there an institution called the North End Union, under the superintendence of Samuel F. Hubbard and in charge of the following board of directors: Edward A. Horton, S. W. Brooke, Edwin D. Mead, and Charles W. Birtwell. The object of this institution is best defined in the words of its first circular:

"The object of the North End Union is to make a social home for young men, to stimulate a better intellectual life, to promote good citizenship, and to lend a hand wherever needed. To this end a Readingroom has been provided, which will be open every evening, where daily papers, illustrated weeklies, magazines, and books may be found. A class in gymnastics, with a competent instructor, has been formed, together with a drill club, a fife and drum corps, a chorus, and classes in various subjects. Illustrated lectures, concerts, and other entertainments will be given; and many features of interest will be added as the work of the Union develops."

This excellent institution has been made possible largely through the active interest and generous contributions of members of the First Church.

CHARLOTTE HARRINGTON CAIN.

In the death of Mrs. Cain, who died on May 20 last, Dorchester loses one of its oldest and most respected residents. She has lived since 1813 in one section of the town, the "Lower Mills, "-and has seen all who were residents at her coming pass away before her; and three generations have come upon the stage during her lifetime, while "Old Dorchester" has changed into a popu

lar residential section of "New" Boston. When we recall that she was born while Washington was still President of the United States, we are impressed with a sense of the wide and varied experience which this life of nearly a century covers.

Charlotte (Harrington) Cain was born in the town of Edgecomb, Me., Oct. 14, 1794.

She came to Dorchester in 1813, and on

Oct. 9, 1814, was married to Zechariah Cain children were born to the young couple,of that town by Rev. Dr. Harris. Five one son, the late Manly Cain, and five daughters, three of whom survive her.

church.

These daughters have always lived near the mother, two for many years in the same household. Though Mrs. Cain had outlived all the companions and most of the customs and interests of her early life, she never lost interest in the present. She lived in her children and children's children, who all loved her and cherished her tenderly in return. She was of deeply religious nature, and preserved a lively interest to the last in all matters pertaining to the She joined the Church of the Third Religious Society Jan. 3, 1830, while the first minister, Rev. Dr. Richmond, was still its pastor. Her faculties remained unimpaired almost to the last, except her hearing, which partially failed many years ago; but she never complained, and always declared herself among the "richest" people in Dorchester. She was accustomed to say that none could be "richer" than one whose "children had all grown up to be good Christian men and women, as hers had. She was "rich" in their character and affection, though poor in "this world's goods." She had the old-time love of work, and even to her last days was seldom found idle. When I was her pastor, I used to say that the happiest person in the parish was "Grandma Cain"; and whoever knew her well would feel the influence of her happy, strong, and patient spirit whenever he saw her.

plaintive way, that she was beginning to She would sometimes say, in a playful, think that the "Lord had forgotten to call her home." But we all knew that no trust was deeper than hers. Her home for many years has been with her widowed daughter, Mrs. Lucy Leaman, and in the household of her son-in-law, Deacon John Duffield, who has been a true son and brother in all the years. Mrs. Leaman, Mrs. Duffield, and Mrs. Marden, her daughters, were all with her at the last. She was a strong, consistent, "old-fashioned" Unitarian, and

no

one ever went out through the "dark valley" more trustfully or willingly than she did. She lived a long life, full of faithful, kindly work; and now that she is gone the memory of her kindly and loving presence remains like the glow of a bright sunset in the lives of all who have known her. GEORGE M. BODGE.

Leominster, Mass.

BED-TIME.

Bed-time: we lay us down to rest in peace, To slumber through the happy hours, nor dream,

As slowly all our cares and strivings cease, Of what shall come when morrow's sun shall beam.

Bed-time: kind nature draws the curtains, too, And soothes us sweetly to our certain rest, Nor tells if we the ages slumber through,

Or wake at once to be the future's guest. Yet, Nature, let thy gentle forces fall,

Bind up our wounds and give us blessed rest: We question not God's loving care for all, And he in love shall give us what is best. O. R. WASHBURN. Canton, N. Y.

THE EPILEPSY OF SAINT PAUL.

To the Editors of the Unitarian:—

A good brother, a physician, in the Unitarian for May comments upon my article in the April number entitled "New Testament Evidences of Immortality." When I read this comment, I at first laughed heartily, the whole situation seemed so ludicrous. Think of it! Saint Paul an epileptic! The chief apostle of Christianity converted by an attack of the falling sickness! Christianity founded on insanity! Where will this sort of thing end?

But, as I thought longer and more seriously of the attitude of mind which our medical brother represents, I felt a certain pain that our liberalism has come to this; for thousands of honest intellectual men explain the so-called miraculous as Dr. Morgan explains it.

I would not have my position misunderstood. I do not believe that the chief or best evidence of immortality is to be found in psychical phenomena of any kind. I recognize the voice of the soul itself as the highest and last authority. But I do say that to the scientific mind, bent on trusting nothing but "facts, good, clean, believable, wholesome reason," this psychic evidence is the only sort that has any real weight. I do not believe in miracles, as violations of nature's laws. But I do say that nature has a great many laws not yet discovered by In the higher realm of mind, spirit, there are forces and laws which, from the little already learned of them through the efforts of our societies for psychical research, promise to account adequately and upon natural grounds for nearly all the so-called miracles of Christianity.

human reason.

Our Unitarianism is threatened with spiritual paralysis because of this scepticism which has come upon many. If any psy

chical research can discover a basis of truth in the so-called miraculous element of Christianity, for the love of humanity and the sake of religion let us have it! Let us not resort to insanity and epilepsy to explain these sacred mysteries until all other possible explanations have been exhausted. Must it come to this, that, in order to believe in Christianity, we must be idiots or believe that Paul was one? Must we renounce our reason, or else believe that Saul had lost his when he was converted? "Revivalist excitement"? Strange that Saul should be accused of that! When his attack of "epilepsy" came upon him, he was zealously persecuting the Christians even unto strange cities.

Science must not become unscientific in her endeavor to explain these mysteries. Her motto has been "Light, more light!" If the method of Dr. Morgan shall prevail, this motto must be changed to "Epilepsy, more epilepsy!" And then, as the possivealed, the mysteries of religion will disbilities of epilepsy and insanity are reof science, and see no more those dim stars appear, and we shall bask in the sunshine of faith that have shone always above the horizon of the human soul.

SOLON LAUER.

SUMMER SCHOOL OF ETHICS.

lege; "Functions of Philanthropy in Social Progress," by Faith Huntington of New York and Miss Adams of Chicago; "Functions of Law in Social Progress," by Prof. Taussig of Harvard University; statistical presentation of industrial and social questions, by Hon. Carroll D. Wright, Commissioner of Labor, Washington, D.C.; and "Critical Study of the Labor Problem and Monopoly Problem," by Prof. H. C. Adams.

In the department of ethics the principal course will be given by William Wallace, M. A., Whytes Professor of Moral Philosophy at Oxford, Eng. It will consist of fifteen lectures on variations of the moral standard, illustrated by the history of ethical theories.

The shorter courses in the department will include "The Relations of Civil Government and the State to the Church and Religious Organizations, Historically and Legally Considered," by Prof. John W. Burgess of Columbia College; "The Moral Evolution of our Political Institutions," by W. L. Sheldon of St. Louis; "The Idea of Justice, with its Political and Economic Applications," by William M. Slater of Philadelphia; and "The Legal Aspects of the Temperance Question," by Gen. A. R. Nettleton of Washington, D. C.

ONE UPWARD LOOK EACH DAY.

PRAYERS SELECTED FROM THE RECENTLY
PUBLISHED VOLUME OF "HOME
11
PRAYERS,' BY JAMES
MARTINEAU.

SUNDAY.

O God most holy! if none but the pure in heart might draw nigh to thee, we could but stand afar, and cry, "Depart from us: we are sinful men, O Lord!" In turning our face to thee, we remember how many things thou hast against us, for proud thoughts and idle words and unloving deeds, for wasted moments and reluctant duties and too eager rest, for the vain fancy, the wandering desire, the scornful doubt, the untrustful care, for impatient murmurs and unruly passions, and the hardness of a worldly heart. Thou, Lord, canst call us into judgment, and we have naught to answer thee. But, O Most Merciful, the contrite also are dear to thee, while the purer fires of their hearts are not yet wholly quenched! And thou art witness that we do not love our guilty ways. Oh, make our conscience true and tender, that we may duly hate them as enemies to thee. Stir up within us an effectual repentance, that we may redeem the time that we have lost, and in the hours that remain may do the work of many days.

Father of Spirits, thou lovest whom thou

chastenest! Correct us in our weakness as children of men, that we may love thee in our strength as sons of God! May the same mind be in us that was also in Christ Jesus, that we may never shrink, when our hour comes, from drinking of the cup that he drank of!

Lord of Life and Death! thy counsels are secret, thy wisdom is infinite. When our hour arrives, may we freely trust ourselves to thee, and say, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!" Amen.

MONDAY.

O Righteous God, it is a solemn thing to live by day and night beneath thy constant eye and move onward to thy mysterious eternity. Touch us with a sacred dread, that we may stand in awe and sin not; and then may we have no other fear. Open our ears, as at a midnight watch, that we may be intent at the faintest approach of evil and the softest whisper of thy grace. Amid the temptations of passion and the eagerness of the world, may we be of quiet heart, seeing that the fashion of this world passeth away. Set together by thee on the same field of duty and of danger, may we be all of one heart and mind, in pity relieving, in mercy forgiving, and in honor preferring one another, able to endure hardness together, as true soldiers of the cross, and seeing that we fall not out by the short and narrow way that leadeth unto life.

O God, forever faithful, ever sure, we commit ourselves to thee! There is no Let us place or time where thou art not. not die alone, O Lord! In the shadow of that hour let thy light arise and shine! And unto thee, who canst keep our souls from death, may we render then the offering of purer praise and the service of immortal powers. Amen.

TUESDAY.

God of all power and might, thy secret place shall be our shelter still! On one thing our heart is fixed, that we will put our trust in thee, though terrors also are around thee. Thou hangest the world upon nothing; yet we dwell thereon in peace.

secu

Never may

But, O God most just, let not our rity be the confidence of fools! our blind hearts say, "How doth God know? the heavens are covered that he seeth not"; but always may we lie open to thy living presence, and in the silence of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon man, feel the passing of thy spirit, and say, "We are not alone, for the Father is with us." Only on thy tender mercy can we rest.

O God of our life, we know not our hour, and thou keepest silent about our end. May we maintain our watch with patience, and be ready, without any struggling will, to make the lonely pass with thee! Amen.