Still thy love, O Christ arisen, Thursday. The weariness and sadness of life come from persistently closing our eyes to its greatness. . . . There is no life so poor as that which through too close a grasp of visible things has lost all conscious hold upon unseen realities. Lifted into the atmosphere of Infinite Greatness, the soul itself grows great. Unfolded within the perfect love, the life itself becomes love. When we are aware of an eternal life encircling us, of which we are a part, of a loving presence within us, to whom we belong, simply to be alive is almost an overpowering blessedness. Lucy Larcom. AMERICAN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION. The April meeting of the directors of the Association brings the active work of the year to a conclusion. $5,300 was distributed among the parishes of New England as follows: to the Congregational Unitarian Society, Andover, N.H., $100; to the First Congregational Church, Athol, Mass., $150; to the First Ecclesiastical Society, Brooklyn, Conn., $100; to the First Unitarian Society of Christians, Dover, N.H., $200; to the First Unitarian Society, Exeter, N.H., $250; to the Independent Society, Presque Isle, Me., $150; to the First Congregational Church. Rowe, Mass., $100; to the First Parish, Tyngsboro, Mass., $100; to the First Unitarian Society, Millbury, Mass., $200; to Grace Chapel, Marshfield, Mass., $200; to Unity Church, Pittsfield, Mass., $500; to the First Unitarian Society. Wolfeboro, N.H., $200; to Central Church, Yarmouth, Me., $100; to Church of the Unity, Rochester, N.H., $250; to the First Unitarian Society, Farmington, Me., $350; to the First Unitarian Society, Whitman, Mass., $150; to the South Unitarian Congregational Society, Worcester, Mass., $500; to Church of the Unity, Beachmont, Mass., $150; to the Liberal Christian Union Society, Melrose Highlands, Mass., $250; to the Church of Our Father, Westerly, R.I., $300; to the Unitarian Society, New London, Conn., $300; to the First Unitarian Church, Rockville, Conn., $300; to Rev. George H. Rice, Laconia, N.H., for missionary work, $150; for missionary work on Cape Cod, $150. About twenty-five years ago a very serious question arose concerning the fate of the old first parishes in country towns. The great changes made by the opening of new territories in the West and the aggregation of people in cities had caused a drain of the population from these older towns. In most cases the younger men and women moved away, leaving the churches weak, not only in present strength, but in hope for the future. For the Association the question was, "Shall these older churches be allowed to perish, or shall they be assisted in the hope that they may renew their strength?" For several reasons it was decided that assistance should be given. This was demanded by many of our best contributors who loved the churches from which they came to the city. They insisted that their contributions should to some extent be used in this way. It was also requested by neighboring churches or the congregations to which they belonged. It was hoped also that prosperity would return to these old towns, and that after a period of depression the churches would gain their ancient strength. This hope has to a considerable extent been justified. There has been a steady reduction of the appropriations made for the older churches, with a prospect of making thirty or forty of them again independent and helpful to others. The Western Conference will be held in Unity Church, Chicago, in the first week of May. The secretary of the Association will be present, and assist to the extent of his ability in promoting interest and fellowship. In the week following the directors of the Association will reckon up the receipts and expenditures of the past year. More than one-half of the annual income from the churches is received in the last two weeks of April. The indications at present are that income and expenditure will approach each other very closely. Then, with the obligations for the new year considerably reduced, the officers of the Association will undertake the tasks before them with lighter hearts. Anniversary Week in Boston begins May 24. The annual meeting of the Unitarian Association will be in Tremont Temple, Tuesday, the 25th. In the morning the order will include the directors' report, general discussions, and election of officers. In the afternoon there will be addresses. In the evening there will be a full religious service, with a sermon by Robert Collyer. GEORGE BATCHELOR, Sec'y. SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. The following items are from the lively editorial columns of the Pilgrim Teacher for May. Mr. Hazard, the editor, makes this observation on the injury which needless criticism of the superintendent can create: "When the superintendent is backed by the whole school, he can accomplish a great deal, even if he is not conspicuously qualified for his position. Let all in the school, then, cheer on the superintendent. It takes a good many bees to fill a hive with honey, but one hornet can make a whole camp-meeting unhappy." He also refers to a lecture given in Boston lately by George W. Cable, in which he referred to the evil effects of reading bad books. "Then, with one of the quick turns for which he is remarkable, he added, 'But what of the bad reading of good books?"" There is a great deal in that suggestion. We sometimes think that Sunday-schools are disorderly, and wonder how right order shall be maintained. I always contend we are improving in these matters, and all that is needful is a long enough look backward to see what conditions were some time ago. Here is an extract from the by-laws of Saint Ann's Sunday-school in 1828. What should we think of such a rule at the present time? "No teacher shall appear with a rod or cane in his or her class, but order shall be maintained in the several classes by most temperate measures. They shall deliver over all disorderly scholars to the superintendent, who shall report them, and take such other measures as will insure their good order and obedience." Preparations are on foot for an interesting anniversary meeting of the Unitarian Sunday School Society at King's Chapel on Thursday, May 27, at 2 P.M. There will be prominent speakers and vital topics. These meetings seem to be increasing in interest, probably from the fact that those who attend find something which is not only information for the mind, but quickening of zeal. The current leaflet lessons for May include an unusual series of subjects. Certain books of the Old Testament are treated which are often stumbling-blocks to many readers of the Bible, as, for instance, the books of Jonah and Esther. The latest scholarship is drawn upon to illuminate the inner meaning of these books. The subjects are "Chronicles," "Ruth, the Moabitess," "A Jewess Queen (Esther)," "Jonah," and "The Greek Bible." The Primary grade, which is printed on a four-page illustrated leaflet, is prepared by Rev. Albert Walkley, the Intermediate by Rev. Edward A. Horton, and the Advanced by Rev. W. Hanson Pulsford. The Intermediate and Advanced grades are printed together on a four-page leaflet. Price 50 cents a hundred leaflets. The Unitarian Sunday School Society receives orders for the admirable series of leaflets entitled "Questions on the Way of Life." These are well calculated for use in advanced classes and religious unions. Four of these have thus far been issued, with the following titles: "Can I make God Real?" "Can I Follow Jesus?" "How shall I Pray?" and "What is Required of Me?" Price, 10 cents a dozen, or 50 cents per hundred. Easter was more widely observed than ever by our Sunday-schools, in many cases the church uniting and holding joint exercises, good alike for both young and old. This calendar day of the Church is fast assuming rank with Christmas; and why should it not? It strikes the note of vic tory, and gives fresh courage. Another helpful book for Sunday-school teachers and ministers in Sunday-school talks is "Addresses and Illustrative Stories," by Julie Rawlins. This is an English publication. Copies can be ordered of the Unitarian Sunday School Society. Pages 174. Price 75 cents. "Our Faith," printed on thick paper, 22 × 28 inches, is having a large sale. It is a good thing to hang on the walls of the Sunday-school room or in the vestibule of the church. No better summary of Unitarian belief has been published. Price 25 cents, postage prepaid. The Western Unitarian Sunday School Society will hold its fourteenth annual meeting in Unity Church, Chicago, Ill., Wednesday evening, May 5. Besides the business meeting there will be addresses on "New Features in Sunday-school Work," "Sunday-school Circles for Small Towns," "Auxiliary Societies Societies for Sunday-school Pupils," and "Kindergarten Methods in Sunday-school," by many Sunday-school leaders in the West, such as Rev. Florence Buck, A. W. Gould. W. W. Fenn, Caroline Bartlett Crane, Albert Scheible, Juniata Stafford, A. G. Jennings, Elinor E. Gordon, L. G. Duncan, Mrs. A. W. Bryant. The general verdict of experts who are introducing kindergarten teaching in the Sunday-schools is that as little of the details which find place in the every-day kindergarten should be used as possible. The cards and somewhat similar aids are approved; but the elaborate system of clay, crayons, perforated cards, etc., is not advisable. There may be good reasons for criticising this verdict, but it is one quite widely held. The kindergarten or primary department has evidently come to stay in Sundayschools. And now it behooves the wise teacher to be careful and not overwork this department. There will be no new services for Flower Sunday or Children's Sunday issued by the Unitarian Sunday School Society for this year, but the popular services of 1893 and 1894 will be republished. These contain carols by Carl Pflueger, E. H. Bailey, W. L. Glover, Arthur F. Burnett, Frederic O. MacCartney, Howard M. Dow, Arthur M. Raymond, Mrs. A. T. Cobb, and R. H. Clouston. Price 5 cents a copy, or $4.00 a hundred. EDWARD A. HORTON. Arrangements are making for a fine programme of exercises for the meetings of the Y. P. R. U. Anniversary Week. Wednesday, May 26, will probably be the day; and the morning session will be given up to election of officers and routine business. the evening there may be a union meeting with the Young People's Christian Union of the Universalist denomination. The Christian Register will give details. In Our new Hymnal Leaflet, No. 1, is meeting with great favor. It contains the fine rally hymn of Rev. J. T. Sunderland and several other inspiring hymns, with a short liturgy, and can be obtained from the central office for 20 cents per dozen. No society can afford to be without this able helper. Clubs are sending in items of special features which we shall give in our columns, as space permits, as suggestions to other unions. There can be much co-operation in work; for instance, that of "Country Week," one society furnishing money and another homes for the sick and tired little visitors. We are glad to hear from any or all unions hints, questions, problems solved or unsolved, and may perhaps thus aid one to help another. We wish our unions knew the value of the Question Tracts issued by the Unitarian. They are excellent for use on topics or for general missionary distribution, and sold at so low a rate all unions can get them. NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF UNITARIAN WOMEN. NEW YORK LEAGUE.-The regular meeting was held Friday, April 2, at Unity Church, Brooklyn, with an attendance of about two hundred and seventy-five, Miss Emma C. Low presiding. After the reports of the secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Smallwood in behalf of the Religious News Committee gave an account of the Middle States Conference at Philadelphia. The Philanthropic News Committee had invited Mrs. Sessions, president of the Consumers' League of Brooklyn, to present their line of work. Mrs. Dix traced the movements of Mrs. R. H. Davis up to date, in her Western trip, and then made a special appeal for help for the struggling Unitarian church at Richmond, Va. A collection, the third of the year, was taken; and the sum of $33 was raised. The subject for the day's consideration was "The Legitimate Basis for the Acquisition and Expenditure of Wealth." The first paper, by Mrs. Thomas R. Slicer, of Buffalo, treated the subject from the standpoint of a person in comparative wealth; while the second, by Mrs. Becker, was from that of one who earns her living. In the absence of Mrs. Slicer, Mrs. Gilman Tucker read the paper. After scoring woman's sentimentality when it shows itself in politics, for instance, she rejoiced that it had some legitimate place, else what would become of grace and beauty in the world? Wealth has given great encouragement to the fine arts. It is a mistake to suppose that wealth brings only pleasure, self-indulgence, and excitement: it also gives increased responsibilities. We are getting over the Puritan idea that life is one long schooling to live without pleasure, crucifying the desires of life, erasing all the finer, sweeter obligations. We owe it to the world to be happy and grateful. The poor lose mueh of this happiness because of monotonous toil, the rich from satiety. Wealth is a great test of character: it gives leisure to use one's best self for humanity as well as for one's own home. The miser, beginning life with necessary thrift, suffers a deterioration of character by continuing to exercise these same traits. Ostentatious display of wealth by the vulgar she thought not so great a sin as the hoarding, miserly spirit. She advocated rather the spending and the giving away of the surplus, in small sums, throughout life. Hospitals and charitable institutions can better be supported from many small sums than one large gift. The slavery of patronage follows great donatious. In advocating simplicity in life, Mrs. Slicer remarked: Simplicity means fitness, and is not always easy of attainment. It may mean on the street $4 a yard and a tailor bill besides. The real concern of life is the human soul and its relations to God, and wealth enables one to bestow one's self to those who need the uplifting hand. Character may grow out of wealth. Mrs. Mary Lamberton Becker of New York then followed. She defined wealth as the surplus over and above what we may spend. The wholesome bitter-sweet of earning money was strongly advocated; for it establishes a high standard of excellence, especially when there is keen competition, it encourages self-respect, and prevents the miserly hoarding of money, as the wageearner sees money merely as a medium of exchange. Work must be for work's sake, and the pay a necessary but secondary adjunct. She thought women might improve their housekeeping even, if they kept house in this spirit,-as if some alien and impartial purchaser were daily expected to criticise and examine. While fitting one's self for a profession, it is often necessary to earn one's living in any way, so long as it is honest; but otherwise she urged the choosing of one's work with care and thought. There is a valuable element in our civilization, what she called the student class, not self-supporting, which was not ignored. Wealth has an opportunity, through the universities, of enabling these investigators to pursue their studies by which all mankind is benefited. Thus wealth can furnish not only the sinews of war, but of wisdom. The altruism of those who have money should be broad and farreaching. Because large fortunes can only be amassed through the existence and co-operation of a great community, hence the publie has some claim to them. They should be used for the furtherance of the world's higher life. Miss Edith Putnam led the discussion. She spoke feelingly of the new burdens higher education for women has brought upon the amiable father, who wears himself out in trying to gratify all the legitimate desires that follow culture. She suggested several practical schemes by which the home atmosphere of comfort, freedom, and happiness, may be preserved, and still the daughters turn their talents to some lucra The following are some of the books approved by the Ladies' Commission on Sunday-school Books: "Baffling the Blockade." By J. Macdonald Oxley. (New York: T. Nelson & Sons, 1896.) pp. 375. $1.25. A tale of our Civil War. Interesting as written from the standpoint of an inhabitant of Charleston, S.C. A tale of adventure rather than patriotism. For boys over fourteen. "Black and Blue." By Ascott R. Hope. (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1896.) pp. 364. $1.50. The experiences of a lad in England and Scotland. Good lesson of contentment and consideration of others. For boys of fourteen and over. "Black Tor, The." By G. Manville Fenn. (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1896.) pp. 328. $1.50. A story of the time of James II. It has no historical worth, but the lesson of heroism and peacemaking make it valuable. For boys of fourteen and upwards. "Boys of Clovernook, The. The Story of Five Boys on a Farm." By Mary Barnes Beal. (Boston: Lothrop Publishing Company, 1896.) pp. 351. $1.50. Valuable and interesting lessons of loving kindness, truth, and honor. Accepted in spite of the regrettable incident of child-stealing by a tramp. For readers between nine and fourteen. "Cape May Diamond." By Evelyn Raymond. (Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1896.) pp. 325. $1.50. A story teaching an admirable lesson of unselfishness, though somewhat improbable in incident. readers between nine and fourteen. For "Fairies of Fern Dingle, or Little Lessons from the Little Folk." By Harriet A. Cheever. (Boston and Chicago: Congregational Sunday School Publishing Society, 1896.) pp. 250. $1.00. It is not really a fairy story, but under the guise of fairies a little girl is told many interesting things about nature. "For King or Country. A Story of the American Revolution." By James Barnes. (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1896.) pp. 269. $1.50. Interesting and instructive story of twin brothers brought up in a Tory family in New Jersey: one, taken to England, remains a royalist; the other becomes an ardent patriot. For boys over thirteen. Specially approved. "Hermit Princes, The. A Tale of Adventure in Japan." By Eleanor Stredder. (New York: T. Nelson & Sons, 1897.) pp. 315. $1.00. Deals with Japanese politics and customs. For readers over fourteen. "History of Jack the Giant Killer, and Other Stories, The." Based on the tales in Andrew Lang's "Blue Fairy Book." Longmans' Supplementary Readers. (New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1892.) pp. 111. 20 cents. Abridged for little children. "How Dick and Molly saw England." By M. H. Cornwall Legh. (New York: Edward Arnold.) pp. 312. $1.50. An account of the travels of two childreu with their parents, containing much curious and valuable information. For readers between nine and fourteen. "Little Peterkin Vandihe: The Story of his Famous Poetry Party." (Boston: Alpha Publishing Company.) Pp. 154. $1.00. A slight story, charmingly illus trated, of how a little boy turned his own pleasure to the service of some "Country Week" children. "Making of a Hero, and Other Stories for Boys, The." By Mrs. George E. Paull. (New York and Chicago: Fleming H. Revel Company, 1896.) pp. 87. 50 cents. A good collection of short stories for boys. For readers of ten and twelve. A "Merry Five, The." By Penn Shirley. The Silver Gate Series. (Boston: Lee Shepard, 1896.) pp. 155. 75 cents. pleasant story of the vacation of five Californian children. For readers between nine and fourteen. "Orange and Green." A tale of the Boyne and Limerick. By G. A. Henty. (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.) pp. 352. $1.50. A good impartial story of the beginnings of the Protestant and Catholic strife in Ireland. For readers over twelve. "Palace on the Moor." By Eleanor Davenport Adams. (New York: Edward Arnold, 1896.) pp. 192. $1.00. A spirited and wholesome story, with good lessons of moral courage. For readers between nine and fourteen. "Plants and their Children." By Mrs. William Starr Dana. Illustrated. (New York: American Book Company.) pp. 272. 65 cents net. A good book for teachers to read with little children. |