popular magazine is made, and Mr. Hamlin Garland is to talk about the mission of the short story. Such a club cannot fail to be of interest and profit. In a greater or less degree, several of the Un ity Clubs are doing substantially the same thing, though not in quite the same way or with so excellent facilities.

The National Bureau of Unity Clubs is actively at work to promote the general interests of all societies connected with our churches. It stands ready to help every such club, society, or fraternity in any way desired. Correspondence is invited, calls are solicited. The secretary is always in his room, No. 11, Unitarian Building, 25 Beacon Street, Boston, on Mondays. He devotes much time to the work of the clubs, the guilds, and to the Unitarian Temperance Society. He is solicitous, however, of becoming more useful to these organizations.

One who carefully studies with each year the programmes of the clubs will see that they are growing constantly better. The objects had in view are more definite, the work done is more creditable, and the programmes are planned with a better purpose. The entertainment spirit is less prevalent, and there is a stronger desire manifested to make the clubs really helpful. Much improvement is yet possible, however, in making the clubs more directly helpful to the churches with which they are connected. Some of the clubs aim too much at intellectual recreation, and too little at what will give an uplift to the lives of the members. We are so much interested, however, in any attempt to give people a wider intellectual horizon that we do not care to press this suggestion too far. We are convinced that many churches, as well as many communities, need to come in contact with the intellectual life of the time, and to catch its broad, courageous spirit. We see too little of this spirit, and far too much of what is quite other, to make or wish to repress any earnest desire for more knowledge. Not everything can be done, however; and what is done should be carefully and wisely planned, so that the most of uplift can be had, along with the most of intellectual

earnestness.

The class of twenty-five young ladies which has now for five years met once a fortnight in the parlors of Mrs. E. B. Fellows of Manchester, N. H., to read Emerson and other such authors, has found much of profit in so doing. It is not simply that they have read so many pages and books under Mrs. Fellows's guidance, but that their intellectual horizon has been much widened, and that their spiritual natures have been deepened and purified. Probably nothing else connected with any of our churches could give just that searching experience which is had by such communion

of soul with soul, under guidance such as this, by the great spiritual thinker, and the earnest word and counsel of an older person. It were well if many more such classes came into existence.

GEORGE W. COOKE.

LITERARY NOTES.

"John

Readers of the fine articles on Huss and Jerome of Prague," by Rev. S. Fletcher Williams of Scarborough, Eng., which appeared in the Unitarian of October and November, will be glad to welcome the same pen in our present issue, and also to know that the article on "John Stuart Mill" is to be followed by "Notes on Bossuet," "Notes on Fénelon," and "Notes on Pascal."

Not Mrs. Helen N. Bates of Watertown, Me., but Miss Helen N. Bates of Waterville, Me., is the person who has raised the fund for printing the hymn-book for Mr. Kissor Singh of Jowai, India. The error was made in our November number.

The Year Book of the Unitarian Congregational Churches for 1892 is just out, containing lists of societies, ministers, associations, and conferences, and other denominational information; also, a complete list of Unitarian societies, with their ministers, in Great Britain and Ireland. Price 20 cents. Order from the American Unitarian Association, 25 Beacon Street, Boston.

We are in receipt of the Universalist Register (Year Book) for 1892. It contains 112 pages, and is crowded with statistics and other information regarding the Universalist denomination. Its editor is Richard Eddy, D.D. Its price is 25 cents. Order from the Universalist Publishing House, 30 West Street, Boston.

Rev. Messrs. Robert Collyer and Theodore C. Williams of New York, Joseph May of Philadelphia, and Thomas R. Slicer of Buffalo have begun printing a joint series of weekly sermons entitled the Weekly Exchange. Each preacher prints one sermon a month. The primary object is in this way to provide constantly fresh reading matter for distribution from the tract-racks of the several churches. But others outside will be supplied, and at very low rates. Address Miss E. B. Wheelock, Unitarian Headquarters, 104 East 20th Street, New York. The plan of several pastors joining thus to print a sermon series seems a good one, which others also might adopt to advantage.

The last sermons of James Freeman Clarke on "The Lord's Prayer" have been published by the American Unitarian Association, in a small volume to be sold for

fifty cents. These sermons were published in book form in London soon after Dr. Clarke's death. We are glad they are now given to us in this country.

"Three Bits of Rhyme" is a pretty little pamphlet containing poems upon "Saxon Grit,"" Under the Snow," and "The Legend of the Two Kings," written by Rev. Robert Collyer in his familiar and popular way. It is published for the benefit of the Messiah Home for Little Children, 4 Rutherford Place, New York. The price is 25 cents, and it can be obtained from Miss H. Flint, 109 East Thirty-ninth Street, New York City.

Mrs. Humphry Ward's new, novel, "The History of David Grieve," is to be published in this country by the Macmillans about the middle of this month. It is understood that it will trace the career of a disciple of Robert Elsmere in work among the poor of London. We are told that the advance orders for the book are very large. That there is an increasing public interest in philanthropy and charity is indicated by the following among many other facts: 1. Scribner's Monthly announces for the coming year a series of articles upon "The Poor of the World's Great Cities." 2. The new English religious monthly, the Review of the Churches, begins its career with the first of a series of papers from Archdeacon Farrar upon some of the more important philanthropies of our time. 3. The Charity Organization Society of the city of New York has begun the publication of a monthly called the Charities Review. These are all hopeful signs of the times.

The second regular meeting of the New York League of Unitarian Women was held at the Second Unitarian Churchi, Brooklyn, on Friday, December 4, at 11 A.M. The president, Mrs. Morse, called the meeting to order. The report of the last meeting was read and adopted, also the report of the treasurer. The Religious News Report was read by Mrs. Chadwick. The item of chief interest to the league was the announcement of the election of Mrs. Dix as president of the National Alliance. Mrs. Dix thanked the ladies for their hearty reception of this announcement.

The Philanthropic News Report was given by Miss Conway, and was upon "Neighborhood Guilds," especially one in Forsyth Street, New York, of which Miss Conway is vice-president.

Mrs. Morse then introduced Mrs. Catlin, who, in response to a very general request, read a paper on the subject, "Wanted, for Unitarian Women, Training, Organization, Contact." Mrs. Catlin first told of a paper on "Millinery," read before a literary club recently, which showed that millinery is not a trade, but an art, a science, and based upon ethical principles.

A group of girls enter for the course of twelve lessons, from three classes: I. The Bread-winner; II. The Home Girl.; III. The Society Girl. At the end of the course, the bread-winner is ready to earn a comfortable living, the home girl to be a real helper, the society girl has learned something of what her luxuries represent. Striving for the perfection demanded of all, a mutual respect has been engendered. Through contact they have learned that girl nature is a good deal alike, having the same wants and aspirations. This illustration shows three wants of Unitarian women, and the methods of meeting them. The need of training was at the foundation. The failures of many of our public women are due to that lack. But the time has passed when any excuse can be offered for leaving our girls untrained, and nothing too severe can be said against parents or guardians who allow daughters or wards to drift into purposeless lives. But those whose time for special training has passed,-where shall they find their training school? Is it not in women's organizations? Women's organizations, for alone we must work, without help, save from each other, till we are respected, and not tolerated, till we have

proved ourselves competent beyond all question. Several illustrations showed the value of organizations as a means of voicetraining, and of gaining accuracy and a knowledge of business method. But perhaps the best result of the millinery class was the levelling process inevitable to such association and training. It is impossible to level in the sense of "equalizing." There must be degrees of moral as well as of intellectual endowment. Only artificial barriers can come down. To this end mutual understanding is necessary, and women's clubs are a means to this end. Of comparatively recent date has been the recognition by Unitarian women of the value of organization. We have rather enjoyed an exclusive and isolated position, which we have been pleased to consider an elevated one. But the spirit of the age is capturing us, too; and we are making a practical application of our faith in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.

The subject for the day was "Careers." I. The advantages and disadvantages of training in particular directions.

II. The danger of excelling and also of doing many things only moderately well.

III. How much should be sacrificed to one's chosen career? The paper was read by Mrs. Waller, who stated at the outset that she would speak of the career of the citizen in embryo, or of the training we give our children in school to equip them for the days to come, when they shall bear the burden and the heat of the day, and we shall stand aside and wish we had been wiser in our day and generation. Education is a means of developing the whole nature, intellectual, moral, and physical. There is an increasing demand, not only for men of knowledge, but for men of skill in every department of human activity.

The New Education, with its attention to the early childhood by means of kindergartens, and later by the introduction of manual training, was spoken of, both as regards its methods and results. Schools of pedagogy were also noticed. It was shown by several quotations that the ideas in the new system, so called, are by no means new, but very old; that we are just beginning to talk about them, but not yet to apply them. The question was asked of an eminent professor in one of the schools of pedagogy what impression his teaching had made upon our schools, say in New York. replied, "We do not expect to make an immediate impression: we shall be satisfied if we revolutionize the profession of teaching any time within one hundred years.'

He

But the slow progress of any reform is due to the clogging weight of public apathy. If we insisted that we would have the best and most progressive methods taught in the schools we support, both public and private, we should have them; and, if not in time for our children, our grandchildren would rise up and call us blessed.

In the general discussion, Mrs. D. W. Pond said that the word "career" was not a favorite with her, suggesting a race-course; that it was better to devote life to seeking to establish more just relations among men than seeking a career for one's self.

Miss Smith gave one of her personal experiences in teaching the freedmen, as illustrating the need of training for women, as spoken of by Mrs. Catlin.

Miss Viduad said that duty was usually so imperative that the question of a career could hardly be considered; that only a genlus could and would break through all bonds, and be recognized as such.

Mrs. Brockway advocated doing one thing very well, and with the idea of a money return, but felt that, in order to do one thing very well, one must know how to do many things moderately well.

Mrs. Deering recited the poem "Longing"; and with singing a hymn and repeating the Lord's Prayer the meeting closed. Brooklyn, N.Y.

F. W. H.

NEWS FROM THE FIELD.

[News items are solicited from all our ministers and other workers. Send them to the EDITOR OF THE UNITARIAN, 141 FRANKLIN ST., BOSTON, before the 18th of the month.]

Committee on Fellowship of the National Conference of Unitarian and Other Christian Churches hereby make known that Rev. John Milton Scott of Sewickley, Pa., formerly a minister of the Baptist church, having asked to be admitted to the Unitarian fellowship, and having furnished satisfactory proof that he is well fitted to do good service in our ministry and is eminently worthy of our recognition, is hereby cordially commended to the confidence of our churches and the fellowship of our ministers.

J. F. MOORS, Chairman.

D. W. MOREHOUSE, Secretary.

This certifies that we have examined the credentials of Rev. F. C. Davis, formerly a minister of the Independent Presbyterian church in England, and that we are satisfied of his fitness for the work of the Unitarian ministry. We therefore cordially commend him to the fellowship of our churches.

S. M. CROTHERS, T. B. FORBUSH, J. R. EFFINGER,

Western Committee of Fellowship. Barre, Mass.-The Unity Club is carrying on a series of studies of "Spain and the Spanish Conquests in America."

Bangor, Me.-On the 18th of November Rev. Seth C. Beach was installed as pastor of the Independent Congregational Society here. Rev. J. H. Allen, D.D., preached the

sermon. Others who took part in the service were Rev. J. A. Savage, Rev. J. C. Perkins, Rev. Amory Battles, Rev. J. L. Seward, and Rev. G. C. Cressey. The following hymn was written by Mr. Cressey for the occasion:

HYMN.

From yonder star each throbbing ray
Its flight through trackless space began,
Ere mind had crowned the rising day

Or Nature brought her gifts to man.

So shines, O God, from depths unthought
Thy truth, eternal and sublime,
In noblest life of ages wrought

And thrilling in the heart of time.
Here may our every effort rest,
Here life and precept sweetly blend,
Thy truth in fulness to attest,

In love and power its cause defend. Make deep and pure, O God, the springs Whence streams reflect the light above, While loud the call to labor rings,

And love is work and work is love.

Big Rapids, Mich.-Although laboring under many difficulties, our church is making gradual progress. The Sunday-school is well attended. The Ladies' Society, although not large, has been a great factor in taking care of all the incidental expenses of the church. A Unity Club has been organized, and is now in a flourishing condition. Its course of study is American history and certain of Emerson's essays; and it publishes the following attractive list of lecturers: Rev. Charles Fluhrer, Grand Rapids, Rev. C. S. Root, Grand Haven, Rev. Mila F. Tupper, Grand Rapids, Rev. Caroline Bartlett, Kalamazoo, Rev. W. D. Simonds, Battle Creek, and Mrs. E. R. Sunderland of Ann Arbor. It is hoped that the present effort to put this society upon a sure foundation will result in success.

Boston and Vicinity.-The continued strain of parish duties has compelled Rev. E. A. Horton to consider the necessity of resigning his eminently successful pastorate of the Second Church. Few people outside Mr. Horton's own parish have any idea of the immense amount of organizing work he has perfected within the last few years. A heavy debt has been paid off; and spiritually, socially, and financially Mr. Horton's has been the most thoroughly successful administration the Second Church has known. Flattering offers have been made to Mr. Horton to take charge of certain denominational work which would give him a complete change of occupation, and yet keep him still a leader in the city. His decision is awaited tremblingly by his parish and anxiously by a host of outside friends.

It would be greatly to be lamented if three of our leading Boston churches should at the same time be left pastorless. We hear,

however, that the Arlington Street Church have very wisely determined neither to candidate nor to allow their pulpit to remain unoccupied upon the departure for England of Dr. Herford, but have already invited Rev. Samuel Atkins Eliot (son of President Eliot of Harvard University), now settled at Denver, Col., to become their pastor. If Mr. Eliot accepts, as seems most likely, he will be the recipient of a hearty welcome from a very large circle of friends, who will be rejoiced to receive into Boston society so popular a young couple as Mr. Eliot and his most charming wife.

-The younger Unitarian clergy give a complimentary farewell dinner to Rev. Brooke Herford at the Vendome Tuesday, January 12. Tickets can be had upon application at the American Unitarian Association

Rooms.

-Beginning Jan. 9, 1892, and continuing on successive Saturday afternoons, there will be given in Channing Hall, under the direction of the Unitarian Sunday School Society, a series of eight lectures on "The Study of the Bible." The topics and speak

ers are as follows: "The Old Testament as Literature," Rev. J. T. Bixby; "The Characters in the Old Testament," Rev. C. F. Dole; "The Teachings of the Hebrew Prophets, " Rev. S. R. Calthrop; "Between the Testaments," Rev. T. R. Slicer; "The Synoptic Gospels in the Light of Modern Criticism," Rev. J. T. Sunderland; "The Historic and the Ideal Christ," Rev. C. C. Everett, D. D.; "Saint Paul and his Work," Rev. W. W. Fenn; "The Beginning of Christian History," Rev. E. E. Hale, D.D. -Rev. E. E. Hale has issued a circular letter to the secretaries of conferences in Massachusetts, asking that some one in every conference shall mail him copies of all printed sermons, tracts, articles, announcements, even handbills, issued in the conference in connection with our religious work. Mr. Hale proposes to preserve and have classified this material for future historical reference.

Bridgewater, Mass.-A course of vesper lectures is being given this winter in the Unitarian church by its pastor, Rev. Thomas W. Brown, upon the following themes among others: "Christ in Modern History and Life"; "The Dramatic Element in the New Testament"; "The Debt of Religion to Science"; "The Relation of Music to Religion"; "Altruism"; "The Pulpit and the Press"; "What constitutes Heresy in Religion?" "On Manliness: What is it to be a Man?" "The Religion of the Body"; "How does a True Reverence manifest itself in the Spirit and in the Life?" "Col. Ingersoll and his Religious Position"; "On Art in its Relation to Religion"; Civilization as interpreted in the Light of our own Century"; "Ought we to seek to indoctrinate Others in Matters of Religious Belief?" These lectures thus far have been better attended

than any which have previously been given for years in the same church.

Brighton, Mass.-The Unitarian Club held its regular meeting Thursday evening at the Faneuil House, where a most excellent supper was furnished by the landlady. The guests of the club were Rev. Messrs. W. H. Savage, B. R. Bulkeley, E. Nute, and W. W. Kent. A committee composed of the following gentlemen was elected to bring in nominations of officers for the Messrs. ensuing year: Dr. Haynes and Brown and Elliott. Mr. J. P. C. Winship was nominated and elected to represent the club on the Pastoral Committee.

was

The subject for discourse for the evening "What the Average Man owes the State." The discussion was opened by the president, Hon. Bentley W. Warren, who urged in a few earnest and eloquent words the duty of the citizen to pay more attention to the work done by our State legislature.

Rev. Benjamin R. Bulkeley of Concord and Rev. W. H. Savage of Watertown also spoke. The president called on the different members of the club to speak, many of whom responded. The meeting was the very best the club has held.

-The ladies of the First Parish have just held a most successful fair. The interest aroused was apparent in the crowded attendance each night. Seven hundred dollars were cleared, which will go toward the new church building now in contemplation.

Brockton, Mass.-Rev. Arthur W. Littlefield of Wayland has accepted the call of the Unity Church Society here, and is to be installed at an early date.

Canton, Mass.-Sunday, December 20, Rev. Henry F. Jenks made an exchange with Rev. Mark B. Taylor of the "Orthodox Congregational" Church, and preached on "The Pilgrim Character." This is the fourth successive year that Mr. Jenks and Mr. Taylor have exchanged pulpits, apparently to the mutual satisfaction of their respective parishes.

Cincinnati, Ohio.-Many years ago a paper Ohio Conference was formed, which never went so far as to hold a meeting. It lately seemed to some of the scattered churches of that great State that the time had come to retrieve their reputation for masterly inactivity; and on Tuesday and from Louisville, Toledo, Marietta, and the Wednesday, December 8 and 9, delegates two Cincinnati churches, with several Universalist ministers as approving lookerson, met in the First Congregational Church of Cincinnati and formed the Central States Conference, with the following officers: president, Rev. George A. Thayer of Cincinnati; vice-presidents, Rev. Charles J. K. Jones of Louisville and Rev. George H. Rice of Marietta; secretary and treasurer,