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.]

ANNIVERSARY WEEK IN BOSTON.

Owing to the unusual lateness of Anniversary Week this year, we go to press before the meetings have begun. We give below the fullest announcements which can now be made of the many opportunities of a devotional, intellectual, and social nature which will be offered during the week:

King's Chapel.-Devotional services will be held each morning during Anniversary Week at 8.30.

Ministerial Union in Channing Hall, Monday, May 29, 10.30. Annual meeting, with address and election of officers. The address will be given by W. M. Salter.

Reception to Ministers.-The Boston Association's Anniversary Week reception to visiting brethren is tendered under the hospitality of Rev. Edward E. Hale, D.D., and Rev. Minot J. Savage. These members cordially invite all of the association, and all other Unitarian ministers who may then be in Boston, to meet with them on

Monday, May 29, in the South Congregational Church, corner of Newbury and Exeter Streets. It is hoped that a large number of the members will be present to assist the hosts in their hospitable duties. Social intercourse from 4 o'clock to 4.30. Paper by

Rev. Joseph May, of Philadelphia, on "The Place of Jesus among Unitarians," to be read by Rev. M. J. Savage, and followed by discussion. Supper at 6. C. D. Bradlee, D.D., Moderator. Charles G. Ames,

Scribe.

The American Unitarian Association will hold its annual meeting in Boston, on Tuesday, May 30. There will be three sessions, in the morning at 9.30 o'clock, and in the afternoon at 2.30, at the Arlington Street Church. The evening session will be held in Music Hall, at 7.30. The delegate and life members will occupy, at the morning and afternoon sessions, the seats in the body of the church, and will be admitted by tickets sent them for that purpose. Should any fail to receive such, they can be had on application to the Association, 25 Beacon Street, Boston. To transact the business of the Association, it is necessary that the body of the church should be reserved for members. But the gallery will furnish accommodation for others who desire to be present. At the Music Hall meeting, in the evening, all seats will be open to the public.

At the morning session, after the usual regular business of the annual report of the directors and treasurer, the consideration of the amendment to the by-laws proposed at the last meeting, etc., remarks are expected from Rev. Clay MacCauley, the Association's missionary in Japan, and Rev. John W. Chadwick, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

At the afternoon session there will be addresses on the needs and opportunities of our work in its various fields by Rev. S. A. Eliot, of Brooklyn, N. Y., Rev. Joseph Waite, of Hartford, Conn., Rev. Charles J. K. Jones, of Louisville, Ky., and Rev. John E. Roberts, of Kansas City, Mo.

The evening meeting will be of a character suited to Memorial Day, the subject for consideration being "The Effect of the Civil War on the Religious Life of America." Addresses are expected from the president, Hon. George S. Hale, and Rev. Robert Collyer of New York, Rev. Edward E. Hale, D.D., of Boston, Rev. George A. Thayer, of Cincinnati, Col. Thomas W. Higginson, of Cambridge. Clergymen are invited to take seats on the platform, at the Music Hall meeting, and to be in the anteroom for that purpose at 7.25.

The Younger Ministers' Association will lunch at the Bellevue, Beacon Street, on Tuesday, May 30, at 12.45. Speeches by visiting members.

The Berry Street Conference will meet in the vestry of Arlington Street Church, Wednesday, May 31, at 10.30 A. M. Address by Rev. Robert Collyer, of New York.

The "New World."-The editorial board of the New World cordially invite the Unitarian clergy interested in the new review to dinner at the Hotel Thorndike, at one o'clock, on Wednesday, the 31st inst. After-dinner remarks may be expected from Prof. C. C. Everett, who will preside, Rev. George A. Gordon, Prof. James B. Thayer, of the Harvard Law School, Rev. J. H. Crooker, Rev. F. Tiffany, and the managing editor. Rev. P. S. Moxom, D.D., will also be present, if in town. The menu this year will be of a more substantial nature than last year, and $1 will be charged for admission, the arrangements for the dinner being entirely in the hands of the proprietors of the Hotel Thorndike. Tickets are to be had only at the clerk's desk.

National Alliance of Unitarian and other Liberal Christian Women.- The annual meeting will be held at the South Congregational Church (corner Exeter and Newbury Streets) Wednesday, May 31, at 10.30 A. M. Lunch at one o'clock. Visitors from all parts of the country are expected to be present, and will speak. All Branches are requested to send representatives, and all interested are most cordially invited to be present.

The National Guild Alliance will hold its annual business meeting in Room 10, American Unitarian Association building, May 31, at two o'clock. All guilds are invited to be represented on that occasion. Reports of committees will be given, and the election of officers will occur. Each guild is represented by the minister and two delegates. The annual public meeting will be held at three o'clock in Channing Hall. Rev. B. R. Bulkeley will preside. Addresses will be made by Rev. John Cuckson, Rev. Thomas J. Van Ness, Rev. Charles G. Ames, and Rev. George W. Cooke. Miss Kate L. Brown will tell about the work. Mrs. A. J. Culp and Miss Frances Morrill will speak of junior guilds. We request the guilds to send large delegations. All are invited.

The Massachusetts Convention of Congregational Ministers (of which all ministers of Congregational churches in the State-Unitarian as well as Trinitarian-are ex-officio members) will holi its annual business meeting in the Supreme Judicial Court Room, in the Court House, Court Square, Boston, on Wednesday, May 31, at 5 P. M. The convention sermon will be preached in the South Congregational Church, corner of Exeter and Newbury Streets, on Thursday morning, June 1, at eleven o'clock, by Rev. Samuel C. Beane, of Newburyport.

Meadville Alumni Association.-This association, which was organized last year in Anniversary Week, will hold a stated meeting on Wednesday, May 31, at 3 P.M., 25 Beacon Street, Room 10.

The Children's Mission.- The fortyfourth anniversary of the Children's Mission to the Children of the Destitute will be held on Wednesday afternoon, May 31, at three o'clock, at Arlington Street Church. Short addresses will be made by friends earnestly interested in the Mission's work for children. A brief report of the year's work will be given. Singing by children of the Mission, and of the Female Asylum.

Unitarian Sunday School Society.The sixty-sixth anniversary meeting of this society will be held at King's Chapel, Boston, Thursday, June 1, at 2 P. M. The following programme has been arranged: Rev. Benjamin R. Bulkeley will speak on "What does the Sunday-school stand for?" Rev. W. Hanson Pulsford, on "Bible Study,not Less, but More"; Rev. Charles G. Ames, on "Character the Aim of Sundayschool Training"; Rev. Minot J. Savage, on "The Place and Value of Doctrinal Teaching"; Mrs. Laura Ormiston Chant, on "The Church's Great Opportunity."

Unitarian Festival will be held in Music Hall Thursday afternoon, June 1, at five o'clock. Tickets at W. B. Clarke & Co.'s, 340 Washington Street. Hon. Roger Wolcott will preside. Speaking after dinner by

Ann Arbor, Mich.-Mr. Sunderland has recently exchanged with Rev. T. G. Milsted of Chicago, and Rev. Caroline J. Bartlett of Kalamazoo. The former, in addition to preaching Sunday morning and evening, lectured on Monday evening in the Unity Club course on "Emerson: the Man, the Thinker, and the Poet." Mrs. Ormiston Chant of London spent three days here about the middle of May, lecturing on "Tennyson" on Friday evening, meeting about three hundred of the young lady students of the university on Saturday afternoon, preaching for Mr. Sunderland on Sunday morning, and speaking before the Students' Bible Class Sunday noon. This

is the third time she has visited Ann Arbor, where she is very popular. Her coming was a delight and an inspiration to every body.

Brooklyn, NY. The services at the Church of the Saviour, May 18, at the installation of Rev. Samuel A. Eliot, were exceedingly impressive. An innovation upon the usual order of such services was made in the omission of a sermon, Rev. Robert Collyer extending a glorious welcome to the wide fellowship of the churches, Rev. Alfred P. Putnam offering the home welcome to the Church of the Saviour, to which the new pastor earnestly responded. Rev. Richard S. Storrs, minister of the old Church of the Pilgrims, eloquently welcomed Mr. Eliot to the city of Brooklyn. The invocation was made by Rev. D. W. Morehouse, and prayers were offered by Rev. T. C. Williams and Rev. Stephen H. Camp. The great success which attended Mr. Eliot's earnest ministry at Unity Church, Denver, Col., is sure to follow him in the consecrated devotion with which he enters upon this new labor.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa.- The Evening Gazette prints in full the fourth anniversary sermon of Rev. J. H. Palmer of the Universalist church, who is doing a strong work for liberal Christianity in this growing city.

Cincinnati, Ohio. The Unitarian church, of which Rev. George A. Thayer is pastor, has been the happy recipient, within two years, of memorial gifts in carved oak, for its pulpit and choir platform, to the value of three thousand dollars. The latest of these memorials is a superb bookcase dedicated to Sallie Ellis, the originator of the Unitarian Post-office Mission, now widely adopted in our churches. Miss Ellis also established a loan library made up of the books of the best known leaders in Unitarian theology. This library will find a fitting home in this new bookcase, which is to be the first object which greets the eyes of the attendants upon the church.

Cleveland, Ohio.-Rev. Solon Lauer, late of Boston, occupied the pulpit of Unity Church, Cleveland, May 14. He is en route to Southern California, and will give his illustrated lecture on "The World's Columbian Exposition" at various points.

Concord, N.H.-The recent pulpit treatment of great subjects by Rev. F. L. Phalen has called out large audiences. Mr. Phalen's sermon on "Evolution in Religion" received an urgent demand through the

public press for immediate repetition, which was met by a special evening service the following Sunday, at which Mr. Phalen delivered his discourse to a crowded house, many ministers of other denominations being eager listeners.

The social event in Concord at this season of the year is the children's May Day Festival, given by the Unitarian society, and held in the opera house. The beautiful and elaborate fancy dances were faultlessly rendered. The whole affair was both enjoyable and profitable, netting $700.

Des Moines, Iowa.-By the action of the Ministerial Association of this city, in adopting a constitution by which only the ministers of Evangelical churches are eligible for membership, Rev. Leon A. Harvey, the pastor of the Unitarian church, is virtually expelled. Mr. Harvey has been a member of the association for two years, and great indignation has been widely expressed at his exclusion. Commenting upon the affair in a strain of moderate sarcasm, a local paper says:

"A great ado is made because the Ministerial Association believes in the Nicene Creed, and makes that venerable relic of a religious past rich in theological disputations and theological wars the basis of its membership. The chances are that those who speak thus lightly of the Nicene Creed as a basis for a modern ministerial association have never meditated in their closets, or elsewhere, upon Christian consubstantiality,' which, if we remember correctly, was one of the fatal things which split the Council of Nice into two parts. It may be true that Mr. Harvey believes in Christian

charity and Christian character; but as long as he does not believe in Christian 'consubstantiality,' his friends ought not to feel offended because he is excluded from the holy of holies, where that eminent doctrine is believed and taught with all the nicety and exactness of fourteen centuries ago. The argument that Christ himself knew nothing of consubstantiation, and cared nothing for it, does not prove that the Ministerial Association is wrong. That is arguing after the manner of Philistines.

"On general principles, however, it will do no harm to feel a little sorry at the thought that such imaginary lines are drawn in the nineteenth century; but, if a body of clericals deliberately draws them, why, then, all we can do is be sorry for them,-more sorry, in fact, for those within the circle than those without. Mr. Harvey will find some consolation in the fact that a great many other eminent men, dead and living, are, and would have been, excluded from the Ministerial Association of Des Moines. The first names that occur to us are those of Shakspere and George Eliot, who, between them, had more brains than a whole generation of ordinary Englishmen. In America we will simply name Lincoln, Grant, Emerson, and Longfellow. The fact that such men would have been excluded is no reflection on the Des Moines Ministerial Association, nor is it any reflection on these men; and none is intended."

Detroit, Mich.- The Church of our Father prints a bright little weekly paper, which it makes very useful in its manysided work in the community. A pamphlet sermon by Rev. Lee S. McCollister, entitled "Christian Monopolies," protesting against the narrowness of the newly organized Young Women's Christian Association in not admitting Unitarians and Universalists, has had a wide circulation, and proved a valuable liberal tract.

Elgin, Ill.-Rev. A. N. Alcott has just completed seven years of active, earnest, and very successful work with the Universalist church here. The society has built a fine new house of worship, and more than doubled in strength, since his coming. He is one of the broader men, who knows no difference between Universalist and Unitarian, and whose sole aim is to build up a progressive, inclusive, helpful, and living Christianity of love to God and love to men.

Hillsboro' Bridge, N.H.-A Unity Mission is being successfully carried on here, holding Sunday evening services at Odd Fellows' Hall. During May the Rev. George Batchelor of Lowell; Rev. W. J. Batt, chaplain at Concord, Mass., Reformatory; Rev. A. J. Rich of Milford; and Rev. D. M. Wilson, American Unitarian Association Superintendent for New England, preached to most attentive congregations.

Hyde Park, Mass.-The annual May festival of the First Unitarian Society in this place was held in Waverly Hall, Monday, May 1, and, for all the threatening weather, proved a great success. Upwards of ninety children took part in the various dances, while there were at least seven hundred spectators. The event was very bright and entertaining, from a social point of view, and the receipts above expenses, to be handed over to the society, will probably amount to nearly two hundred dollars.

Iowa City, Iowa.-The Daily Republican reports at considerable length a lecture given by Rev. C. E. Perkins in the Unitarian church, on "The Bard of Avon."

Ithaca, N.Y.-Writing to the Christian Register in regard to the needed church building to replace the one burned, Rev. J. M. Scott says: "" Already we have promised, mainly in Ithaca, about $11,000, the major part of this being from our own people. But the general citizenship of Ithaca have shown substantial sympathy. We have subscriptions from Jews, Catholics, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Episcopals, and those of no church. President Schurman, ex-President White, and Mr. Sage, chairman of the board of trustees of the Cornell University, have each subscribed. The citizens of Ithaca have shown a most tender regard for us, cordially recognizing our place of usefulness in the life of the city. We wish to build a stone church; not an extravagant one, but yet one neat, fully adapted to our work, a substantial contribution to the architecture of our city. In order to do this, we hope to have at least $5,000 more subscribed to our building fund; for it is our purpose to build within our means, and carry no debt. We shall have the insurance on the old church of $4,500. This, in brief, is the financial statement."

Leicester, Mass.-Rev. James H. West has resigned his pastorate here, and preached his farewell sermon on April 9. The sermon, on the subject of "Growth," which he calls "a memorial of two happy years, printed in pamphlet form.

Minnesota Conference.-Through the hospitality of the Unitarians of Menomonie, Wis., a joint meeting of the Wiscon

sin and Minnesota Conferences was held in that town May 10, 11, and 12.

Had there been no addresses, but simply the assemblage of souls in that beautiful Memorial Building, the conference would have been an inspiration. The spirit that prompted the father's heart to embody his loving memory of his daughter in a monument that benefits the whole community in which it is raised, and the liberal cause everywhere, seemed present with us through the various sessions.

Rev. L. H. Stoughton of Baraboo, Wis., gave a paper on "Sunday-schools and Guilds," laying the most stress upon the necessity of the latter as being an effectual means of holding the young people who feel too old for the Sunday-school and too young for general church work. The paper

was followed by a short discussion, with several good points. Rev. S. M. Crothers urged in Sunday-school teaching "the truth, above all things"; and in Bible lessons and others the effort should be to make clear the reason for difference from the orthodox beliefs.

Rev. Kristofer Janson, in his address on "Religious Work with and for Foreigners," spoke on the advisability of dealing with and preaching to foreigners in their own tongue. That method need not prevent assimilation, because the children will bring that in the near future. He suggested that "the West is the witch-kettle that will boil down the diverse nationalities," and out of the caldron will come forth the future American.

After a bountiful lunch, the conference listened to two papers on "The Free Church." Rev. F. C. Davis of Winona talked of its work, and Rev. Sophie Gibb of Janesville, Wis., of its opportunities. Mr. Davis: "Never was the call louder or greater than that to the liberal Church. It should work for the grander life here, making each free man and woman the embodiment of the Christ life. Mrs. Gibb said: "Its opportunity is, first, to be; and the free Church, in its being, should make the world a better place to live in. It should adjust itself to the common needs of humanity. Good sewers here are better than soulsaving for the future life. Amusement and bath-rooms in church architecture are better than steeple or bell.

Rev. M. W. Chunn remarked, "Men should no longer say, 'Believest thou?' but 'Lovest thou?'"

Rev. S. W. Vail was the first speaker in the evening. He emphasized the need of patience and endurance in the rank and file, as much as in the ministers. We are moving, and God is with us.

Rev. S. M. Crothers spoke in "Praise of Narrowness." In depth let us make our breadth; avoid the danger of the broadness that leads to marshy stagnation or indiffer

ence.

Rev. J. L. Jones closed the evening with an earnest, vigorous, but somewhat timelimited talk, as the train for Chicago could not wait for speech-making. "Trust the future, and the past will not desert you."

Rev. C. J. Staples opened the morning session with a paper on "Temperance, counting it as one of the reforms in which the liberal Church should take an active part in which there should be no middle ground. The Church is bound to be a supporter of all things that aim for the overcoming of the great evils. Rev. Sophie Gibb followed with a thoughtful address on the stand the free Church should take on the social and industrial questions of the day.

Rev. Mr. Skinner, continuing the subject of "Reforms," gave an account of some associated charities, and the general plan, with the motto, "Not alms, but a friend. This was followed by a patriotic paper on "Emigration," appropriately by Rev. F. W. N. Hugenholtz, Jr. "The land is God's, not ours. True patriotism is cosmopolitan, with the one Father of all the children of men. ""

After a short discussion, Mr. C. M. Marsh of Menomonie expressed his thanks for being allowed to tell his religious experience on a Unitarian platform, and stated a beautiful, trustful faith in many points in accord with our own.

At the closing session Hon. H. M. Lewis took the place of Rev. Eliza T. Wilkes, who was unable to be present. He gave a practical talk on "Our Aims." Rev. C. J. Staples followed with "Our Methods," and Rev. T. B. Forbush, with watch in hand, of "The Results."

HELEN G. PUTNAM,
Secretary.

Olympia, Wash.-Rev. David Utter, formerly pastor of the society here, has promised us a visit some time during the second week in June. He was pastor of the church here twenty years ago, and did missionary work throughout the Sound country and elsewhere in the Territory. He held the first Unitarian service in Seattle, and sowed the good seed in new soil in several other places. The service of temperance and purity in memory of Rev. John Pierpont was used with good effect in the Sunday-school here on May 14.

Pacific North-west Unitarian Conference. The second annual session was held in Seattle, Wash., May 3-5. Delegates were present from Portland and Salem, Ore., Olympia, Puyallup, Tacoma, and Seattle, Wash. The conference was timed so as