A BIT OF VIRGINIA.

When I was a little girl, I lived in a great, rambling old house on the sunny shores of Virginia. Such a merry household as ours was! There were six children: Mark, the eldest, was fourteen; Cousin Joe and his twin sister Madge, who lived with us, were eleven; I was nine; and there were two younger brothers, Hugh and Bert.

Many were the delightful plays we used to have on the beach, building forts, houses, wells, aquariums, and the countless other things that children can make in the sand. Sometimes we would roast oysters and potatoes out there.

How much we did enjoy the long drives in our blue dump-cart! This cart had been bought for use on the farm; but father gave it to us when we pleaded that it was so much safer than the carriage, not half so easily upset, and, besides, dozens of times more fun. A queer sight it was to see that heavy dump-cart, loaded with children, jog along the roads. The dogs did bark; and men, women, and children turned out to see when we went a-driving. Often we were up and off before the rest of the family dreamed of waking. Our usual breakfast of oatmeal and milk was easily prepared and hastily eaten.

These early starts always meant a trip to the upper farm, which was one that we especially enjoyed. Father kept the colts and calves and tired horses up there, and we enjoyed playing with them. Often we rode the horses all over the meadow. In season we would get a load of melons and cantaloupes to take home.

There were many delightful plays in the house on rainy days, and long walks on Sunday afternoons with father, when he would tell us such lovely true stories.

But there is one rainy day that stands out clearer then the others in my memory. All the lessons were over for the day, and we were just finishing our one-o'clock dinner, when father, after quietly listening to our merry plans for the afternoon, informed us, in a severe tone, that he wished to see us all in the best room immediately after dinner. I think each one of us either dropped his spoon or choked, so surprised were we.

It

was a serious matter, I can tell you; for father never used such a tone to us unless something had gone very far wrong, and to be summoned to the best room was simply unheard of. We children rarely entered it; nor, in fact, did any one, except to give it an occasional cleaning. Years ago it had been my grandmother's pride; but in my mother's reign it was considered much too large and gloomy for every-day use, and certainly too unused to be hospitable as a reception-room. Its walls were hung with the gloomiest portraits. There seemed to be countless black haircloth chairs. The marble-top table stood where it had stood for years, holding the red-leather family Bible and ivory cardplate. The piano grandma had practised on stood stiffly against the wall. Over all, from ceiling to the ugly green carpet, there hung a dreary dampness that awed us children and kept us as far away from it as possible. The fact of being summoned to this best room struck us, to say the least, as uncomfortable.

Silently we filed along the hall to the door of the appointed room, where father stood waiting with his hand on the knob. When we were all there, he threw open the door; and what do you suppose we saw? An entirely empty room; every bit of furniture -carpet, pictures, even the piano-had disappeared. The green curtains were up to the very top of the sash, and light came in from all sides. Entirely empty, did I say? Not quite, for in a nice row on the hard bare floor stood six pairs of brand-new roller skates! It took but a little while for us to see through the joke; and then with one accord we rushed at father, nearly devouring him with hugs and kisses. Mother came to the rescue. Laughingly she pointed to her part of the surprise, which stood just behind the skates. It was a tall bottle of arnica, "for I prophesy many a bruise before night." In spite of the downpour outdoors, the whole world seemed full of sunshine to at least six young people that afternoon so long ago. They sprawled and bumped and shouted and laughed, and all learned to skate, except little five-year-old Bert, who spent his time begging others to pull him; and, as he was such a love of a boy, he usually got what he wanted.

B. F.

(2) "Parallel Illustrations for Biblical Incidents," by Rev. FLORENCE

BUCK, Cleveland, Ohio. (3) "A Picture and Poem Course of Lessons." by Rev. W. W. FENN. (4) "A Course of Lessons on Every-day Religion," by Rev. CAROLINE BARTLETT CRANE.

11.30 A.M. Business. Appointment of committees; amendment to the constitution.

12.00 M. Devotional meeting, led by Rev. A. G. JENNINGS, Toledo, Ohio. 2.30 P.M. Final business. Election of officers; other matters. 2.45 P.M. "Sunday-school Circles for Small Towns," by Rev. ELINOR E. GOR

CAN.

3.15 P.M. "Kindergarten Methods in the Sunday-schools," by Mrs. A. W. BRYANT, Chicago.

4.00 P.M. Address on "Young People's Religious Union," by Rev. L. W. SPRAGUE, Boston. 4.30 P.M. Reports of the Individual Young People's Religious Societies. on "Helps to

745 P.M. Four addresses

Character Building":"Literature," by Rev. F. L. HOSMER, St. Louis, Mo.

"Moral Habits," by W. M. SALTER. "The School," by G. BAMBERGER, Superintendent of the Jewish Training School, Chicago.

"The Church," by Rev. GEORGE BATCH

the results that have followed. This is a live topic in Ann Arbor now, and the story of how a sister college city has accomplished this task awakened much interest. After the lecture a reception was extended to Prof. Peabody at the Unitarian parsonage. Mr. Sunderland has just finished a series of four sermons on "Liberal Religion in India." In the first two he spoke of Unitarianism in India," giving an account of a Unitarian Association organized by Rajah Ram Mohun Roy early in the century, the Unitarian church in Madras, the important work of Rev. C. H. A. Dall in Calcutta for thirty years as the missionary of the American Unitarian Association, the visits of Mary Carpenter of England, of the work for Hindu widows by Pundita Ramabai and Sasipada Bannerjis, the remarkable Unitarian movement in the Khasi Hills under the leadership of Mr. Kissor Singh, the interesting work of Mr. Akbar Masih among the Mohammedans of the North-west Provinces, and the excellent "Mozoomdar Mission." Mr. Sunderland's third sermon was upon "The BrahmoSomaj: Its History and Leaders"; and he gave an account of his own experiences in visiting societies, and especially in attending the Brahmo-Somaj Anniversary in Cal

cutta. In the fourth sermon he considered the subject of "Orthodox Christian Missions in India," and the question, "Will the Future Religion of India be Christian?" The sermons have awakened great interest, and there is an urgent call for them to be printed.

Bangor, Me.-The recent annual parish meeting was very largely attended, and great interest shown in all departments. A sermon by Rev. S. C. Beach upon “The Citizen in Politics," has been much commented upon and highly praised for its sound advice.

Boston, Mass.-A most enthusiastic reception was given to Dr. E. E. Hale by the Hale Club in the parlors of the South Congregational Church on the evening of April 12. The occasion was in celebration of Dr. Hale's seventy-fifth birthday. The parlors were crowded. Dr. Hale and Mrs. Hale, Miss Lucretia B. Hale, and Mrs. Sarah E. Hooper received. Mr. Nazro, vice-president of the club, made the presentation of a souvenir purse, to which Dr. Hale replied with happy and entertaining reminiscences. Congratulatory letters were read from Gov. Wolcott and many others. Rev. Charles G. Ames and Rev. E. A. Horton took part in the speech-making. Poems were read from Rev. John W. Chadwick, Rev. Minot J. Savage, Rev. Robert Collyer, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, and Rev. Charles G. Ames.

Brighton, Mass.-After a seven years' vigorous and successful pastorate, Rev. Al

bert Walkley has resigned from the pulpit of the First Parish Church. During Mr. Walkley's ministry the most important progress in the history of the society has occurred, and under his personal and indefatigable care the new elegant stone church on Chestnut Hill Avenue has been built and completely and beautifully equipped.

Brookline, Mass.-Rev. Dr. Bradlee on the 9th of April, 1893, began services in Sears Chapel. From then till now Dr. Bradlee has held this post tenaciously and at considerable self-sacrifice, and is finally rewarded with a large and enthusiastic congregation. Organization has been effected under the title of the Second Unitarian Society; and it at once takes its place among our strong, wealthy, and influential city churches. Dr. Bradlee finds the labor exacted by this rapidly increasing society too much for his strength, and will sever his relations with it the first of May.

-The Suffolk Conference is encouraging services at Chestnut Hill. Mr. R. S. Loring is doing excellent work there, and the hope is that an independent society will be established in the near future.

Cambridgeport, Mass.-Rev. Augustus P. Reccord was installed as pastor of the Third Congregational Society in Cambridge (Austin Street, Unitarian) Thursday evening, April 22, at 7.30 o'clock. Sermon by Rev. John Cuckson. Rev. F. B. Hornbrooke, Rev. S. M. Crothers, and others took part in the services.

Cape Cod, Mass.-All who are familiar with Cape Cod, know that it is a place by itself; that its people belong to the purest Yankee stock, and have strongly-marked characteristics. Among these people the Rev. J. A. Bevington of Barnstable has done remarkable work, renewing their interest in religion. Our other ministers on the Cape are also doing faithful work. There are many towns, however, which are not reached by them in their labors, and it has been proposed that for three months another minister be sent into that region who shall fill successively the pulpits of the settled ministers, giving them an opportunity to preach in towns which need our gospel, and which would welcome it. The cost of such an undertaking would be about $150. Are there not those among us who would like to encourage this work, and who would contribute toward it? Any communications to this effect might be sent to Rev. D. M. Wilson, 25 Beacon Street.

Chattanooga, Tenn.-The young layman minister, Mr. Marion Ham, is giving the greatest satisfaction. His sermons are most excellent and helpful, and the whole society

Whereas the resignation of Rev. A. P. Reccord as minister of the First Unitarian Church of Chelsea is regarded as a serious loss, not only to this parish, but to the whole community, and

Whereas we desire to place upon record in the most enduring manner our high appreciation of him as a man, as a minister, and as an eloquent preacher of liberal Christianity, therefore,

Resolved, That, in accepting his resignation, we lose an earnest, faithful, and zealous worker, one who has labored industriously and constantly for the welfare and upbuilding of the community, the advancement of liberal Christianity, and the moral elevation and happiness of each individual member of the parish.

Resolved, That we sincerely regret severing the relations that have existed so happily between him and this parish as pastor and people with so much profit to us as individuals, and that henceforth we are to be deprived of his ministration and of listening to his eloquent, forcible, and spiritual instruction, and of receiving that noble inspiration, courage, and confidence from his pleasant words and consistent, upright deportment which will be felt as a personal loss to every member of the society.

Resolved, That, while we feel deeply and keenly our loss, we rejoice with Mr. Reccord in the increased prosperity that has come to him through well-earned and meritorious exertions, and most earnestly pray that he may be abundantly blessed with success in his new field of labor.

Resolved, That we are sorry to be deprived of the valuable service of Mrs. Reccord, whose intelligent business qualifications and pleasant social qualities have endeared her to us all.

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of the parish, and a copy of the same, properly certified by the moderator and secretary, be presented to Mr. Reccord.

D. W. GOULD, Moderator.

GEORGE M. STEARNS, Parish Clerk.

A beautiful Easter service was conducted by Rev. Margaret B. Barnard Sunday, April 18, taking for her text the matchless words: "I came that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." It was a sermon preached from heights of thought and depths of feeling. It quickened the Easter hope in the hearts of the many who heard her. "Blessed are they who have given us the sweet solace of holy psalms."

Chicago, Ill.-The work of Unity Church is enlarging in every department. The address recently given by the treasurer of the American Unitarian Association, Mr. George W. Stone, aroused great interest, and will without doubt be productive of much good.

At All Souls', during the absence of the pastor, Rev. J. Ll. Jones, who has been taking a much-needed rest, travelling in Europe, the pulpit was supplied most efficiently by professors of Chicago University.

Prof. Peabody of Harvard University has

preached twice at the Church of the Messiah in Mr. Fenn's absence.

Chicopee, Mass.-Rev. W. W. Peck has received and accepted a unanimous invitation to the pastorate of our church in this town.

Concord, N.H.-At the regular Sunday morning service on April 4 we had the great pleasure of listening to Mr. George W. Stone of Boston, treasurer of the American Unitarian Association, who gave a very interesting address upon the needs and opportunities of the Association in the different departments of their work. In the evening Mr. Stone spoke before the Channing Guild on "Immortality." Easter Sunday was a perfect spring day, and was observed with special services.

The decorations of the church at the morning service were very beautiful, consisting of palms, Easter lilies, and white tulips, which had been arranged by the King's Daughters in a most artistic manner. The choir rendered appropriate musical selections. Rev. Frank L. Phalen took as his text a part of the twenty-second verse of the fifteenth chapter of Corinthians,-"In Christ shall all be made alive."

The sermon was one of the most helpful and hopeful of the many strong ones that have been delivered from the pulpit by the present pastor; and the large congregation drew from it lessons of value, as well as thoughts of beauty and striking word-pictures. An Easter service was held in the Sunday-school, directly following the morning service. The chapel was well filled, and the exercises were of a very interesting character, consisting of addresses by our pastor, Rev. F. L. Phalen, superintendent, Dr. A. F. Sumner, and by Prof. Batchelder, readings and recitations by members of the school, and carols by the children. The Easter service in the new service book was used. The singing by the school was a very enjoyable feature. They were assisted by the choir, and accompanied by violin and piano; and the beautiful Easter carols were sung with much spirit.

At 6.30 in the chapel Channing Guild observed the day with an appropriate service, participated in by different members of the society.

At the morning service the annual contribution of the church to the American Unitarian Association was taken, and the Sunday-school sent its usual Easter offering to the Children's Mission in Boston.

Deerfield, Mass.-The two hundred and eleventh annual parish meeting of the First Congregational Church here was held on Friday evening, April 9, and proved a very

happy occasion. This year the executive committee and the pastor sent a special invitation to all parishioners, young and old, to be present at the town hall at halfpast six on the appointed evening. At this time supper was served. After supper, to which, in spite of the bad weather, sixty people sat down, there were a few cheerful and inspiring words from the pastor, Mr. George W. Solley, a poem written for the occasion and read by Mrs. Lucretia Eels, and a letter from Mr. George Sheldon.

After this the company left the tables to hear the reports of the parish officers and carry on other necessary business. The parish had most encouraging reports from treasurer and executive committee, showing a balance in the treasury to be applied to the floating debt of the church. The Sunday-school has been reorganized, the graded lessons on the life of Jesus adopted, together with a marking system and examinations. The first Sunday in the month has been set apart as benevolent Sunday, and the treasurer reports a balance of $15 in the treasury. The Ladies' Society is in a flourishing condition, having expended $519.75 during the year, which includes $253 paid on a parish note of $300, which they assumed last year. The Lend a Hand Club, which was organized in January 21 of this year, has now seventy-nine members. They have paid $50 to the parish, $11 toward the Ladies' Society dishes, and are now carpeting the church and upholstering the antique mahogany pulpit.

After hearing all this, with a report from Mr. Solley on the benevolences of the church, the company listened to a solo by Miss Hannah Clapp, and then to a vigorous talk from Archibald Howe, Esq., of Boston and Cambridge. Mr. Howe's words were full of religious zeal, of sense, and of humor; and they left his hearers in a glow.

The pastor and church enter upon this new year with hopefulness and vigor. On Easter Sunday there was the largest congregation which has been seen in the church for years. In the morning six children and one adult were baptized, and three persons were admitted to the church. In the evening the Sunday-school gave a choral service, with recitations and offerings from the children of contributions for the Children's

Mission in Boston and of flowers for the sick people at home.

Dorchester, Mass.-Christ Church has inaugurated an attractive preliminary to the ordinary Sunday morning service. "Beginning with Sunday, March 21, the regular morning service will be preceded by an organ recital, fifteen minutes in length, commencing at 10.30. These programmes will be made up of works from the classical