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Mr. Curtis's letter was as follows:

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., May 23, 1891. TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE:

My dear Sir,-I am very sorry that I am unable to accept your cordial and alluring invitation to the Unitarian Festival on its fiftieth anniversary. It occurs at a fortunate moment, for the general activity and excitement of the religious world in this country indicate, if I may say so, the working of the Unitarian leaven. The charges of heresy against men especially renowned for Christian virtues and graces will certainly draw public attention more closely

than ever to the vital difference between the

letter that killeth and the spirit that giveth

life.

I suppose our Episcopal brethren, who cannot respect your eminent neighbor, Phillips Brooks, more sincerely than Unitarians respect him, would yet hardly care for our votes for him. But I am sure that a succession of such men as Mr. Brooks in any community would be an apostolic succession, and our votes for him would be gladly given, whether he agrees with us in certain views or not, because he is one who is with us in the faith that the cardinal doctrine of the Church universal is the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Whoever preaches that doctrine teaches as Christ taught, and whoever holds divine love and truth to be essentially superior to ecclesiastical form or letter holds the faith in its primitive purity.

This, as I understand it, is Unitarianism. This is the gospel as preached by Unitarians. This is the truth and the life which were before Abraham. Your festival ought to be a feast of thanksgiving, because during its half-century the spiritual impulse and power which are known as Unitarianism have never been more widely diffused or more triumphant than they are on this happy anniversary.

Very truly yours,

GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.

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formal opening occurred on Tuesday evening, with a sermon by Rev. Mary A. Safford of Sioux City, Ia. Her subject was "Obedience to the Heavenly Vision." She argued

that it was not so much how or where we got the vision, but whether we were true to it or not, the crucial test being always whether we put it in practice, what use we made of it. The application was made to the Unitarian position, and was illustrated by Paul's life. At the close of the service an informal reception and lunch were given by the ladies of the church.

Wednesday morning the devotional meeting was led by Rev. W. C. Gannett of Rochester, N. Y., after which the president of the conference, Hon. D. L. Shorey of spoke of the value of having a centre at Chicago, read his annual address. He Chicago to give unity and sufficiency to all the work in the West, of our historic place as inheritors of Western civilization.

The secretary's report followed. In reference to the admission of women to the Harvard Divinity School, it recited the fact that the proposition to appoint a committee of two-one to be a woman-to confer with the Harvard trustees in reference to the matter had been met with a general protest from all the women ministers, who thought the petition should come entirely from the men. A letter was read showing that when the Harvard committee met no one appeared to favor the petition, and it was given leave to be withdrawn. The report of the committee appointed at the directors' meeting in January may furnish a basis for further action. In reference to the proposed Conference Association, the delegates did not feel at liberty to attend, because the Women's Conference and the Sunday School Society were not invited. The affairs of Meadville Theological School were reported as in a healthy condition. Some portions of the secretary's work during the year is given in these figures: he travelled some ten thousand miles, preached and lectured in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and attended five State conferences. His correspondence was a third larger than for the year previous. There were 41,614 Unity Short Tracts mailed.

The treasurer's report showed a deficit of $307, to which was added $100 for treasurer's salary. This amount ($407) was made up at the evening meeting. Reports were given by State secretaries from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa. Then followed a touching tribute to the memory of Judson Fisher by Rev. J. Ll. Jones of Chicago.

In the evening the general subject was "Spiritual America," and Dr. Emil G. Hirsch of the Progressive Jews spoke of its "Foregleams in Europe." He said: "America is in history what man was in creation, -the first in thought, the last in execution.

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of our age has been to take an inventory of nature; and we have shown that history is not only a record of great names, but the means by which religious and humanitarian principles are burned into the mind of man. And it is such real history that is the contribution of America to the thought and life of the world." Rev. Howard MacQueary of Jamestown, N. Y., spoke of "The America yet to be," and showed that the American Church of the future will be independent of State control, liberal in its theology, diverse in its organization, and universal in its operations.

Thursday morning Rev. Ida C. Hultin led the devotional meeting, following which came a series of papers and addresses on "The Social Equilibrium: How to Secure and Preserve it." Rev. C. F. Bradley of Quincy, Ill., spoke of "The Natural Conditions of Social Equilibrium": "Social organization is a part of nature, and as such subject to evolution. All of us more or less distrust the present conditions,-fear the bottom may fall out. But that is because we are ignorant of nature's laws, and do not realize that everything is rooted, is a growth, and that the bad must be outgrown." Rev. H. D. Maxson of Menomonie, Wis., took the topic "Individualism." He said: "I have no specific remedy for social ills. Human nature is a part of nature, so our conscious strivings are a part of nature. The trouble is we have not got our growth. Socialism is the greatest danger of our time. Socialism is said to be fraternal, individualism unfraternal. But there is a fraternal individualism that means the opposite of isolation, and that is in harmony with cooperation. The individualist believes that the remedy for social ills must be largely internal." Rev. Mila F. Tupper of Grand Rapids, Mich., spoke concerning "Individualistic Socialism." She thought the individual must not be sacrificed, at all hazards, and said that under the present régime there was too much of that. She regards society as an organism in which two lines of development can be traced: first, individualism; second, socialism. The first means, stand alone; the second holds to the unity of humanity. The last paper in the social discussion was Rev. H. T. Root's, his topic being "After the Transition." He regards our present social state as unstable and transient. "In this period of transition there is unavoidable suffering. The present

we

system crushes the individual rights of the majority. The rewards of labor should be more equally distributed. Whatever the

future may be, it must be a state for which our past has fitted us.

In the afternoon Dr. J. G. Townsend of Pittsburg, Pa., in his address entitled "The Power of the Liberal Gospel," declared that our creed was not yet complete. "We do not expect," he said, "ever to be able to include our whole belief in a creed. We think that God has yet greater truth to reveal to men. We stand in consonance with scientific methods, and say that, if our facts and our theories disagree, so much the worse for our theories. We say there is nothing in the world too sacred for the human reason to canvass."

At the business session, among other resolutions adopted was one accepting unconditionally the invitation to join the Conference Association. It was also voted to continue the committee on the work of educating women for the ministry, with instruction to do all possible to further such education. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year :

President, D. L. Shorey; vice-president, Rev. Mary A. Safford; secretary, J. R. Effinger; treasurer, Myron Leonard; directors, John A. Roche, John Wilkinson, J. M. Wanzer, Mary A. Safford, A. M. Judy, J. D. Ludden, Florence G. Buckstaff.

The chair announced the following delegates to the American Unitarian Association Conference: Mr. Shorey, Miss Hultin, and Mr. Hosmer.

The last discussion, that on "The Coming Synthesis of Religion," was held Thursday evening. According to Rev. Dr. Thomas Kerr of Rockford, Ill., the Independents will contribute religion disciplined by the highest scientific thought and criticism, religion as an evolution, and the patience that must always wait upon evolution. Rev. P. R. Frothingham of New Bedford, Mass., said Unitarianism would contribute belief in the higher or spiritual nature of man, belief in a spiritual background to the universe, and the hope of immortality. Rev. Augusta Chapin of Oak Park, Ill., thought the contribution of Universalism would be its Bible exegesis, its ideas of universal love and law and inspiration. W. B. Sheldon of St. Louis, Mo., said the Ethical Culturists would contribute their mighty insistence on keeping the moral consciousness alive, not only establishing the idea of right, but also its application.

During the evening the $10,000 Parker Memorial Fund was completed.

On Friday evening the Unitarian Club gave a farewell reception to delegates at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Wilkinson, in which delightfully informal way the celebration of the thirty-ninth anniversary of the Western Unitarian Conference was brought to a close.

II. THE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE.

The tenth annual session of the Women's Western Unitarian Conference was held Tuesday, May 12. The session opened at 10 A. M., with devotional services, led by Rev. Ida C. Hultin of Des Moines. Mrs. Celia P. Woolley of Chicago delivered the opening address, reviewing the history of the society. Following came the report of the secretary and treasurer, Miss Florence Hilton. Prof. J. H. Allen of Cambridge, Mass., read a short address, after which the meeting adjourned until 2 P. M. The after

noon session began with the reading of the list of delegates. A discussion on the matter of disbandment and joining the Alliance followed. The adverse report of the Com

mittee on Disbandment was unanimously adopted. A resolution by Mrs. J. C. Learned of St. Louis, thanking the National Alliance for its invitation asking the conference to join them, was carried, as was a resolution declining the invitation. Mrs. S. C. L. Jones made an address on the history, work, and possibilities of the conference. Mrs. L. B. Fisher of Alton, Ill., reported the following official nominations, which were adopted :

President, Rev. Ida C. Hultin, Des Moines; first vice-president, Mrs. Celia P. Woolley, Chicago; second vice-president, Mrs. J. C. Learned, St. Louis; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. M. H. Perkins, Chicago.

The newly-elected president made a short address of thanks. An invitation from the secretary of the National Alliance, asking the attendance of the conference at the Boston meeting May 25, being referred to the board of directors, the meeting adjourned.

III. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SOCIETY. The annual business meeting of the Western Unitarian Sunday School Society was held Wednesday afternoon. The following

officers were elected:

President, Rev. Lewis J. Duncan; vicepresident, Miss Mary L. Lord; secretary, Mrs. Marion H. Perkins; treasurer, Charles H. Kerr; secretary of Summer Institute, Mrs. Ellen T. Leonard.

The treasurer reported the receipt of $1,489.57 during the year, and expenditures of $1,238.93. Miss Juniata Stafford then read a paper on the new Unitarian Summer Institute grounds at Shot Tower Hill, Wis.

On behalf of the directors of the society, Miss Lord introduced resolutions of thanks to Mrs. Ellen T. Leonard upon her retirement from the secretaryship after nine years of earnest labor. They were adopted by a rising vote.

An informal discussion of the Summer School and Sunday School Institute, to be held at Hillside, Wis., in August, followed. It was decided that the coming assembly be conducted on essentially the same plan as those of previous years. From 9 to 10.30 o'clock will be given to the Ministers' In

stitute, under the leadership of Rev. Mary A. Safford of Sioux City, Ia. The study of "Some Religions of the Older World" will be under the direction of Rev. John C. Learned of St. Louis. The afternoon will be given to recreation and amusement, and in the evening there will be a varied course of lectures.

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Rev. John C. Learned read a paper on Comparative Religion in Sunday-schools," in which he argued that he who knows only one religion knows no religion, and he who knows only the Christian religion knows but little religion, it being necessary to know just how God had made use of his truths in other faiths.

Rev. W. W. Fenn followed with a schol

arly dissertation on "The New Testament Contribution to Universal Religion." He said the New Testament will make no contribution to universal religion, but it will find its fulfilment in it.

A discussion of the second year's work in the "Six Years' Course" was opened by Rev. S. S. Hunting of Decorah, Ia., and participated in by Messrs. Hirsch, Allen, Gannett, Maxson, Jones, and Fenn, after which the society adjourned.

L. S.

ONE UPWARD LOOK EACH DAY. SUNDAY.

For Thou art All.

Art Thou the Life? To Thee, then, do I owe each beat and breath,

And wait Thy ordering of my hour of death In peace or strife.

Art Thou the Light?

To Thee, then, in the sunshine or the cloud,

Or in my chamber lone or in the crowd,
I lift my sight.

Art Thou the Truth?

To Thee, then, loved and craved and sought of yore,

I consecrate my manhood, o'er and o’er,
As erst my youth.

Art Thou the Strong?

To Thee, then, though the air be thick with night,

I trust the seeming unprotected Right,
And leave the Wrong.

Art Thou the Wise?

To Thee, then, would I bring each useless care,

And bid my soul unsay her idle prayer,
And hush her cries.

Art Thou the Good? To Thee, then, with a thirsting heart I turn,

And at Thy fountain stand and hold my

urn,

As aye I stood.

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Thy wisdom nor Thy care,

Abide in Me.

THURSDAY.

Knowing that Thou dost make for right As some rare perfume in a vase of clay

And goodness everywhere.

And so I trust; and, though my tears
May blind the present way,

I feel that with my hand in Thine
I cannot go astray.

I call on Thee, and not in vain:
Thou answerest to my heart.

I know, where there is need of Thee,
That there, O God, Thou art!

-Anna R. Taber.

Pervades it with a fragrance not its own, So, when Thou dwellest in a mortal soul, All heaven's own sweetness seems around it thrown.

The soul alone, like a deserted harp,

Grows out of tune, and needs that Hand Divine:

Dwell Thou within it; tune and touch the chords,

Till every note and string shall answer

Thine.

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Is Life Worth Living?

Is life worth living? Yes, so long
As there is wrong to right,
Wail of the weak against the strong,
Or tyranny to fight;

Long as there lingers gloom to chase,
Or streaming tear to dry,
One kindred woe, one sorrowing face
That smiles as we draw nigh;
Long as a tale of anguish swells

The heart, and lids grow wet,
And, at the sound of Christmas bells,
We pardon and forget;

So long as Faith with Freedom reigns,
And loyal Hope survives,
And gracious Charity remains

To leaven lowly lives;

While there is one untrodden tract
For intellect or will,

And men are free to think and act,-
Life is worth living still.

Self-dependence.

SATURDAY.

Weary of myself, and sick of asking
What I am, and what I ought to be,

At this vessel's prow I stand, which bears

me

Forwards, forwards, o'er the starlit sea.

And a look of passionate desire
O'er the sea and to the stars I send:

"Ye who from my childhood up have calm'd me,

Calm me, ah, compose me to the end!"

"And with joy the stars perform their shining,

And the sea its long moon-silver'd roll;
For self-poised they live, nor pine with
noting

All the fever of some differing soul.
"Bounded by themselves, and unregardful
In what state God's other works may be,
In their own tasks all their powers pouring,
These attain the mighty life you see."

O air-born voice! long since, severely clear,
A cry like thine in mine own heart I hear:
"Resolve to be thyself; and know that he
Who finds himself loses his misery!"

-Matthew Arnold.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Many of us who live a thousand or more miles away from Boston have supposed that in our part of the world orthodox bigotry must be particularly intense, inasmuch as we seldom receive any ecclesiastical courtesies from our orthodox ministerial brethren. But, to our surprise, we learn from Dr. Hale's recent biography of James Freeman Clarke that matters are quite as bad in Boston. Says Dr. Hale in a note on page 253: "Not ten instances have occurred in sixty years when an 'evangelical' minister of a Boston church has spoken in a liberal' pulpit in that city, and not five when a minister of a 'liberal' church has spoken in an 'evangelical' pulpit."

A case of religious intolerance and injustice of a very serious kind has recently come to light. It is the dismissal of Prof. W. J. Alexander from the Chair of Logic and Rhetoric in the State University of South Carolina because of his holding avowedly Unitarian views. This is intro

"Ah, once more," I cried, "ye stars, ye ducing religious tests into a State institution

waters,

On my heart your mighty charm renew;

Still, still let me, as I gaze upon you,

Feel my soul becoming vast like you!"

of public learning. An act so contrary to the spirit of our free institutions and so subversive of liberty ought to be met with

From the intense, clear, star-sown vault of disapproval and indignation by every lover

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of freedom, without regard to denomination, in the South and the North. Prof. Alexander says, with truth: "To dismiss me from a chair in the University that has nothing to do with religion, because I am a Unitarian, is to impose civil service disabilities on Unitarians, and, by parity of reasoning, on Jews also, because of their religious beliefs. No sophistry can evade this conclusion. The

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