of officers, etc. 4.55, half-hour vesper service, Rev. F. L. Hosmer, St. Louis, Mo.; 7.45, platform meeting. Subject, “A Liberal Religion": (a) Its Rise and Progress, Rev. W. W. Fenn, Chicago; (b) Its Climacteric or Critical Period, Rev. W. M. Backus, Alton; (c) Its Decadence, Rev. C. F. Elliott, Hinsdale; (d) Its Prognosis or Prophecy, Rev. Ida C. Hultin, Moline.

Los Angeles, Cal.-Rev. J. S. Thomson has decided not to withdraw his resignation. The church reopened October 7, Rev. W. E. Copeland preaching. On the 14th Rev. Mr. Phillips of Los Angeles supplied. Rev. C. W. Wendte has been requested by the trustees to visit Southern California, and address them as to the permanent occupancy of their pulpit.

Michigan Conference.-To be held at

the Unitarian church, Detroit, November 3, 4, and 5. Programme: Wednesday, November 3: 7.30 P.M., address of welcome, Reed Stuart, Detroit; 7.45, response, Mrs. Bartlett-Crane, Kalamazoo; 8.00, conference sermon, Rev. L. W. Sprague, Grand Rapids; 8.45, social in church parlors. Thursday, November 4: 9.30 a.m., conference organized, president's address, secretary's report, committees appointed, reports from the churches; 12.00 M., devotional meeting, led by Rev. Lucy Textor, Grand Haven; 12.30 P.M., lunch served in the church; 2.00, paper, "Manhood in the Pulpit," Rev. George W. Buckley, Battle Creek; 2.30, address, "Liberal Religion in India," Rev. J. T. Sunderland, Ann Arbor; 3.00, address, "Woman's Work in the Church," Mrs. Robert H. Davis, New York City; discussion led by Rev. L. W. Sprague. Platform meeting, "The Modern Church": 7.30 P.M., "A Cheering Home for Struggling Men and Women," Rev. T. P. Byrnes, Manistee; 8.00, "An Institutional Church," Rev. Caroline Bartlett-Crane, Kalamazoo; 8.30, "A Church of High Devotion and Worship," Rev. Robert Collyer, New York City. Friday, November 5: 10.00 A.M., business session, election of officers, plans for State work; 12.00 M., devotional meeting, led by Rev. L. W. Sprague; 12.30 P.M., lunch served in the church; 2.00, address, "Teaching Religion to the Children," Rev. A. W. Gould, Chicago; 2.30, address, "Personal Element in Sunday-school Work," Rev. Lila Frost Sprague, Grand Rapids; discussion; 3.30, address, "Club Work," Mrs. A. G. Jennings, Toledo, Ohio; 3.30, address, Rev. Lee McCollister, Detroit; 4.00, closing business session; 7.30, address, Mrs. J. T. Sunderland, Ann Arbor; recitation, Marie Nelson Lee, Manistee; 8.00, address, "The Unitarian Emphasis," Rev. A. G. Jennings, Toledo, Ohio.

Needham, Mass.-The Guild of Christian Endeavor of the First Parish had its first service for the season Sunday, October 10. The vestry was bright with flowers and the banners of the Ten Times One Clubs. Papers were read by the president, Mr. Clague, and by the national secretary and remarks made by the pastor. This of the Young People's Religious Union, guild has had seven years of success, and its advice might be helpful to other unions.

Newburyport, Mass.-Rev. Daniel T. Fiske, D.D., for many years president of the trustees of Andover Theological Seminary, celebrated the golden anniversary of his settlement over the Belleville Congregational church in Newburyport September 14. Prof. Egbert C. Smythe of Andover, President Franklin Carter of Williams College, and many other prominent men of the denomination were present, and spoke at length. Rev. Samuel C. Beane, D.D., of the Unitarian church, was chosen by the managers to speak in behalf of the ministers and churches of Newburyport, and in his address said, "If, as I have heard to-day, and have always believed, church unity begins at the heart, and proceeds to the head, it must in the present instance have extended nearly to the crown; for in all this day's proceedings I have not listened to five words to which any Christian could not heartily subscribe."

New Hampshire Unitarian Association. One of the most memorable and valuable meetings of the New Hampshire Unitarian Association was its thirty-fifth annual meeting, held with the First Unitarian Society of Laconia October 20 and 21. A good man was selected to sound the keynote of the meeting, Rev. W. H. Walbridge of Rochester, N.H., who conducted the devotional meeting Wednesday evening, October 20. His message was "The Necessity of Receiving Power from on High." He said, as a body of Christians, we made too much of evolution, and not enough of involution. Then came two earnest and thoughtful addresses by Rev. C. B. Elder of Keene and Rev. F. W. Pratt of Walpole, on "Denominational Loyalty."

At 8.30 A.M., Thursday, a devotional service was led by Rev. A. J. Rich of Milford, N.H. In a very fresh and original way he called attention to the "fruits of the Spirit," love, joy, etc. He bade us mark the lesson of the autumn season, the time for the ingathering of fruits, and urged the necessity of cultivating the fruits of the Spirit as the most imperishable of all possessions.

Then came the election of officers with the following result: President, Hon. C. C. Danforth, Concord. Vice-presidents, Clar

ence E. Carr, Andover; Woodbury L. Melcher, Laconia; Geo. T. Cruft, Bethlehem. General secretary, Rev. F. L. Phalen, Concord. Recording secretary, John C. Mitchell, Lebanon. Treasurer, J. C. A. Hill, Concord. Directors, Hon. James O. Lyford, Concord; Hon. T. Nelson Hastings, Walpole; Hon. C. F. Stone, Laconia; Rev. Chas. B. Elder, Keene; Rev. C. J. Staples, Manchester; Rev. Enoch Powell, Nashua; Rev. A. J. Rich, Milford.

At 10 A.M. Rev. C. D. Reynolds of Lancaster, N.H., gave an earnest and practical paper on "The Importance of Business Methods in Religious Work." The paper showed careful preparation, and was an able presentation. A discussion followed. Rev. C. J. Staples made a ringing speech in favor of more practical business methods in church work, and pressed the point that clergymen should be trained in business processes, and not content themselves with sprinkling rose-water on Sunday morning. Rev. F. W. Pratt urged with fine force that the sphere of the minister is not business, but religion. He said, "God deliver our parishes from business ministers, who are all the time scheming for a dollar." Senator Chandler, called upon to take part in the discussion, said, "A church, in order to be successful, must employ both spiritual and business methods."

At 11 A.M. an address was given by Rev. E. A. Horton of Boston on "The Signs of the Times in Unitarianism." He considered the church, the Young People's Religious Union, and the Sunday-school. The address was inspiring and hopeful.

In the afternoon at 1.30 George W. Stone of Boston read a paper. Subject, "Religion and Theology." It was in every way a straightforward manly discussion. At 2.30 P.M. was Laymen's Meeting. Topic, "The Needs of the Hour." Undoubtedly, some of New Hampshire's most distinguished sons who are now living permitted their names to be placed upon the programme. Some were detained on account of business from being present. But there was upon the rostrum our distinguished senior senator, William E. Chandler, Congressman Frank E. Clarke, Hon. James O. Lyford, and the Hon. Charles F. Stone. It is generally conceded that the meeting reached its high-water mark in this number of the programme. Senator Chandler said that, in his judgment, the greatest need of the Unitarian people was for them to do something for their own denomination, to gather in the results of the liberal movement which rightfully belong to them.

At eight o'clock in the evening a mass meeting was held. Topic, "Our Young People." The first speaker was Rev. B. R. Bulkeley of Beverly, Mass. He gave an

Rev. C. J.

And

earnest and forceful address. Staples next spoke with great earnestness and power upon the same theme. Rev. Enoch Powell gave the closing address. It was a pithy and valuable outline of what he would have said, had there been time.

Thus closed a session of which the New Hampshire Unitarian Association may justly be proud. All the meetings were well attended and inspiring. Great credit is due to Rev. F. L. Phalen, the general secretary, for inaugurating such a fine programme, and seeing to it that it was carried out so successfully. Great credit is also due to Rev. Heber Rice, the pastor of the Laconia church, and to his charming wife, and to the members of his parish for entertaining so cordially the members of the association. This meeting will live long in the memory of all who were present, and its influence will be most inspiriting and helpful to the Unitarian churches of the Granite State. John C. Mitchell, Secretary.

North Easton, Mass.-A unique gift to the Unitarian church here has just been completed, after two or three years' work, in This screen the form of a memorial screen. is the gift of Mrs. Ames, in memory of her husband, and is one of the most perfect works of the kind in the country, if not even the most beautiful. The marvel of delicate carving must be seen to be at all appreciated. It is described by the architect, Mr. Vaughan, as follows: "The screen is executed in oak, in the style of late fourteenthcentury Gothic. It occupies the entire end of the building. In the centre is the pulpit, which is entered by a stair behind the screen on the left. On the right is the organ, and seats for the choir. The screen consists of ten bays, divided by muntins. Up to the transom the screen is solid with carved traceried panels. For ten feet above the transom it is opened, and filled at the Above these top with arched tracery. arches are richly canopied niches, ten on either side of the pulpit. In these niches are carved angels, each playing upon a different musical instrument. Above the pulpit is a groined canopy of open tracery work. Immediately over the screen is a hammer beam truss, richly carved with figures of angels with outstretched wings, holding in their hands musical instruments. The length of the screen is about forty feet, the height seventeen feet. The canopy over the pulpit is twenty feet high. The work was executed by Irving and Casson," of Boston.

North Middlesex Congregational Conference.-The sixty-third session of the North Middlesex Congregational Conference was held on Wednesday, October 6, with the First Parish of Westford, of

which Rev. Louis H. Buckshorn is the minister. The morning devotional meeting was conducted by Rev. Isaac F. Porter of Littleton, who took "The Problem of the Unsuccessful" for his theme. The president, Thomas H. Elliott of Lowell, opened the conference in a few well-chosen words, and invited Rev. J. W. Roberts of Ayer to offer prayer. The secretary, Rev. George C. Wright of Lowell, read the minutes, and reported that the parishes of Peterboro and Wilton and East Wilton, N. H., within the conference, were now without settled ministers. On motion the president appointed a nominating committee, at the same time expressing his personal wish that he be not renominated, and thanking the conference for its consideration of him during his two years of incumbency. The secretary reported that the First Parish of Ashby, through its minister, Rev. George S. Snow, extended its full hospitality to the conference for the sixty-fourth session in June, 1898. Rev. Minot O. Simons of Billerica then read a thoughtful and interesting paper on "The Attitude of Modern

Thought toward Sin.'' The discussion of it was opened by Rev. William Brown of Tyngsboro, followed by Rev. Enoch Powell, Rev. Granville Pierce, Rev. Charles T. Billings, Rev. George S. Shaw, Rev. Isaac F. Porter, and Rev. George C. Wright.

Rev. Mr. Simons spoke again in conclusion. The conference then adjourned for dinner; and, during the recess, the delegates, by invitation, visited the new and beautiful J. V. Fletcher Library Building.

The afternoon meeting opened with Mrs. S. H. Fletcher at the organ, and singing by Mrs. Daisy Shaw Merritt. The roll-call of the churches showed an attendance of fourteen ministerial and three hundred and five lay delegates. The following officers and committees were then elected: Rev. Thomas H. Elliott, president; Asahel W. Sawyer of Littleton and Henry A. Brown of Ayer, vice-presidents; Rev. George C. Wright, secretary; Charles H. Coburn of Lowell, treasurer; Prudential Committee, Rev. Enoch Powell of Nashua, Rev. Granville Pierce of Chelmsford, Miss Lucy A. Young of Groton, Rev. A. J. Rich of Milford, N. H., and Rev. J. W. Roberts of Ayer; Sunday-school work, Rev. Emeline Harrington of Pepperell, Miss Henrietta Prescott of Nashua, and Rev. J. S. Moulton of Stow; missionary work, Rev. Isaac F. Porter of Littleton, Rev. William Brown of Tyngsboro, Rev. George S. Shaw of Ashby, Rev. C. B. Elder of Keene, and Rev. Charles T. Billings of Lowell. The chairman of the Nominating Committee announced that J. Tyler Stevens, Esq., of Lowell, had declined renomination.

Votes

of thanks were extended to the First Parish of Westford for its bountiful hospitality and to the essayists; and a standing vote of sympathy was extended to Mr. John W. Abbot of Westford, now critically ill.

Rev. Charles F. Dole was the essayist of the afternoon. By invitation he gave "The Points of Contact and Difference between Unitarianism and the New Orthodoxy." Mr. Dole's treatment of the subject enkindled spiritual interest in the hearers. Rev. Charles T. Billings of Lowell opened the discussion; and he was followed by Rev. Louis H. Buckshorn, Rev. Joshua Young, D.D., Rev. J. W. Roberts, and Rev. Isaac F. Porter. The closing devotional service was conducted by Rev. A. J. Rich, in which he gathered up some of the striking thoughts of the day's session, and recalled afresh some of the essentials of righteous living.

Oakland, Cal.-Our church is in the full tide of its autumn work. Mr. Wendte's course of musical lectures are well attended and enjoyable. Two have been given, with Von Weber and Schubert as their topics. The music is delightful, our best artists vying with each other to illustrate the genius of the composers treated,

The Sunday evening course on "Crime and its Treatment" crowds the chapel with some of the most earnest people in Oakland. The discussions are lively; and the newspapers give excellent summaries, thus extending the influence of the meetings. President Jordan of Stanford and Chaplain Drahms of San Quentin have given the two principal papers thus far.

The Starr King Fraternity also held an interesting session on Mountain Climbing, at which various gentlemen gave their experiences. The discussion of "Quo Vadis" crowded the parlors, and was very interesting.

The Ladies' Auxiliary is busy with its bazaar to be held early in November, and has also arranged for a series of ethical meetings to be held once a month. The topics are: Proportion in Life, The Training of Children, Personal Religion, Social Ethics, Sincerity and Conventionality, Elements of Happiness. A neat syllabus of the course has been printed for distribution.

Portland, Ore. On Sunday, the 19th of September, our Sunday-school was reopened for the winter, with a good attend

ance. The series of lessons on the "Parables of Jesus" and the "Acts of the Apostles" having been finished before the summer vacation, the school has started a new series on Israel.

Quincy, Ill.-The attendance at the Sunday evening parlor meetings for the study of the Bible proved so large that the meetings are to be held henceforth in the Sunday-school rooms of the church. Our pastor, Rev. Thomas J. Horner, is to be duly installed on the evening of November 2, when the Illinois Conference opens its meetings

in Quincy. Rev. W. W. Fenn of Chicago is to preach the installation sermon.

Salem, Mass.-Great interest is manifested, not only in the churches most intimately concerned, but throughout the city, in the union of the Barton Square and East Churches. The congregations, Sundayschools, guilds, and alliances are united; and the most perfect harmony prevails. The proprietors have agreed upon a petition to the Supreme Court for a complete legal union in a new church, to be called the "Second Church in Salem," for whose benefit the properties of the old churches shall be administered.

Services will be held in the East Church, and are already largely attended. This movement arouses interest in the other churches of our faith in the city and neigh

borhood.

The chapel of the First Church has assumed a pleasing form, and its completion is awaited with interest.

The North Church welcomes the Union Sunday-school Teachers' Meeting on Saturday afternoons.

San Francisco, Cal.-First Church: The last two Sundays in September were given to sermons on what Dr. Stebbins called his creed, the first being devoted to his belief in God, and the second to his belief in man and his relation to God. On the first Sunday in October he completed the brief course by a sermon on human destiny. The Sunday-school held an informal entertainment on the evening of September 17, giving pupils, teachers, and parents an opportunity for better acquaintance. Dr. Stebbins has taken the Bible class, with the effect of considerably increasing its numbers. On Monday, September 27, a most enjoyable meeting of ladies from the various Unitarian churches around the bay was held in the church parlors. The attendance was large, the brief papers were excellent, and a fine spirit was in every way manifest.

San José, Cal.-The Unitarian church gave a reunion and social in the parlors of the church September 18, which was highly successful from every point of view. After the banquet the following programme was given, consisting of five-minute responses and music: "What can a Church do for a Backslider?" S. P. Sanders; "Some Impressions of Boston Unitarianism," Mrs. E. C. Gailbraith; song, Mrs. HillmanSmith; "The Value of a Reunion to a Church," Mrs. E. O. Smith; "The Church and the School," Prof. R. S. Holway; "The Higher Citizenship," John G. Jury; "The Church as a Help to the Spiritual Life," Mrs. E. L. Watson; zither solo, Mrs. Lange; song, with guitar accompaniment, Miss Lange; "The Unitarian Church, and What

it does for the Community," W. E. Crossman; "The Church and the Child," Prof. W. P. Smith; "A Closing Word," Rev. N. A. Haskell; vocal solo, Mrs. Hillman Smith; instrumental solo, Miss Frazier. The remainder of the evening was spent in a social time.

Santa Maria, Cal.-Our numbers in attendance and deep interest manifested are steadily increasing since the coming of Rev. F. P. Smedley to us as minister. The Ladies' Auxiliary gave a reception at the hospitable home of our president, L. E. Blochman, in honor of Mr. Smedley's birthday, which was largely attended. The ministers in charge from churches-Presbyterian and Methodist-kindly added to our pleasure by their presence and sociability. Our Sunday-school, like our church, is constantly increasing in interest and members; and we are well pleased.

Springfield, Mass.-Church of the Unity: October 3 the baptism service, postponed from Children's Sunday last June, was held after the morning service.

October 5 the annual meeting of the Connecticut Valley Conference of Unitarian Congregational and other Christian Churches opened with an evening preaching service. Rev. Dr. Daniel Merriman of Worcester delivered the sermon. He was assisted in the service by Rev. Mr. Anderson of Pittsfield, Rev. Mr. Tucker of New London, Conn., Rev. George F. Piper of Northfield, Rev. Richard E. Birks of Bernardston, and Rev. Mr. Headle of Rockville.

October 6 the conference assembled for business at 9.45 A.M. The following officers were elected: president, George A. Denison of this city; vice-president, J. W. Stevens of Greenfield; secretary and treasurer, Rev. Alfred Free of Florence; directors, Rev. George F. Piper of Northfield, Herbert Wright of Chicopee, Rev. G. W. Solley of Deerfield, T. M. Shepherd of Northampton, and Rev. E. P. Ordway of Windsor, Vt. There were present at the conference one hundred and eighty-two delegates, representing eighteen societies, besides the special delegations of not less than six young people from each parish, who came to the morning "rally" in the interests of the Young People's Religious Union, in charge of Rev. Edward A. Horton of Boston. The other speakers were Mrs. Mary P. Wells Smith of Greenfield, on "What can Young People do for the Church?" and Miss Edith Callendar of Northfield on "Our Young People's Work in Village Life." The collation provided by the women of Unity Church at 12.30 was worthy of the hearty vote of thanks it received.

Three addresses were given at the afternoon session: "The Positive Emphasis in Religion," Rev. Loren B. Macdonald of

Concord; "The Obligations of a Free Church," Rev. John D. Reid of Greenfield; "The Demand for a Free Church," Rev. W. W. Peck of Chicopee.

October 21, the first of the meetings of the Women's Alliance for the season of 1897-98. Business meeting at 5 P.M., with president's address. Supper at 6.30, followed by a short address by Rev. George Batchelor of Boston.

The Sunday-school of the Church of the Unity are studying Hebrew history and literature, one feature of the work being to commit to memory some of the most famous Psalms.

Sixty

The Connecticut Valley Conference of Unitarian Congregational and Other, Christian Churches held its annual meeting at the Church of the Unity in Springfield, Mass., on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 5 and 6. The conference sermon was preached on Tuesday evening by Rev. Daniel Merriman of Worcester. The entire forenoon session on Wednesday was devoted to a rally in the interests of the Young People's Religious Union. Rev. E. A. Horton presided, and delivered the opening address. He was ably followed by Mrs. Mary P. Wells Smith of Greenfield, who outlined "The Work which our Young People can do for the Church.'' Miss Edith Callender of Northfield then read a practical and valuable paper on "Our Young People's Work in Village Life." The liturgy and rally songs of the union were effectively used, and added much to the enthusiasm of the occasion. At the close of the meeting the conference voted to donate $25 to the treasury of the National Young People's Union. two delegates from local unions within the conference were present, in addition to one hundred and eighty-three delegates to the conference. At half-past twelve o'clock the meeting adjourned, by invitation of Unity Church, to partake of an excellent collation spread in the vestry. At two o'clock the conference reassembled, and the following officers were elected: president, George A. Denison of Springfield; vicepresident, J. W. Stevens of Greenfield; secretary and treasurer, Rev. Alfred Free of Florence. The president then introduced Rev. Loren B. Macdonald of Concord, who spoke eloquently on "The Positive Emphasis in Religion." He was followed by Rev. J. D. Reid of Greenfield, who ably presented "The Obligations of a Free Church." The concluding address of the session was made by Rev. W. W. Peck of Chicopee, whose theme was "The Demand for a Free Church," Before the adjournment the following donations were voted: to Miss Wilson's school for colored pupils in South Carolina, $10; to our churches at Rockville and New London, Conn., $25 each.

Toronto, Can.-A correspondent writes: "Our pastor, Rev. Oscar B. Hawes, is striving with characteristic energy and renewed effort to build up the church membership. Last Sunday thirteen new members publicly announced themselves in sympathy with the movement by signing the church-membership roll and receiving the right hand of fellowship. The Browning Club will resume its work this month; and at the first meeting Rev. W. C. Gannett of Rochester, N. Y., will give "A Talk about Browning," to be followed by a recitation of "Saul" by Mr. Hawes, after which there will be a general discussion. The church has been improved during the summer by a general renovating of the interior, including the school-room.

Washington, D.C.-All Souls' Church reopened for services October 3. During the summer the church building has undergone extensive repairs. Electric lights have been introduced throughout, a motor has been put in for the organ, and the entire building, including parlors, chapel, and study, has been frescoed. The work has been splendidly done under the direction of Mr. Bernard R. Green, the builder, and now superintendent of the New Library of Congress. On the opening Sunday nearly every seat was occupied; and the attendance in the Sunday-school, which now has something less than two hundred and fifty enrolled pupils, was the largest in its history. The Young People's Union has held is meetings uninterruptedly during the entire summer.

West Roxbury, Mass.-Services were resumed in the First Parish Church on the first Sunday in September. It was pleasant to meet once more after the long vacation, and particularly gratifying to find so many ready to take hold of the church work. The Sunday-school met two weeks later, and several new teachers were added to the roll. All the women's organizations of the church have banded together under one head, to be known as the First Parish Branch Alliance. This union does not mean a weakening of any of its branches, but rather a strengthening of power, which will increase and broaden the activities of the church.

The subject for the year's study will be "Church Hymns,” and is divided under the following heads: "Hymns of Israel," "Pagan Hymns," "Hymnody of Early Church," "Gregorian Hymns," "Mediæval Hymns," "Luther and his Hymns," "German Hymnwriters," "Puritan Hymns."

The first meeting of the season was held in the church parlors on October 13, when Miss Brigham of the Central Lend a Hand Club of Boston gave a talk on "Prison Work in the South."