contains a great deal of matter related to Sunday-school instruction. Lessons for class work will appear in its pages during the current year on "Mother Nature's Helpers," by Mr. Gould; on "Every-day Religion, or Studies in Good Citizenship," by Rev. Caroline Bartlett Crane; also "Unity Bible Studies," by Rev. Florence Buck, on the Old Testament. It will thus be seen that Old and New is quite a helper for Sunday-school teachers. The publication office is 175 Dearborn Street, Chicago. Price for a year's subscription, 50 cents; single copy EDWARD A. HORTON.

5 cents.

YOUNG PEOPLE'S RELIGIOUS UNION.

Truth. Worship. Service.

[Headquarters, Room 11, 25 Beacon St., Boston, Mass.]

The meeting at Saratoga Conference in the interests of our "young people, Sunday School and Religious Union, was presided over by Rev. Edward A. Horton, who spoke most earnestly of the great possibili

ties in these lines. Rev. Thomas Van Ness

gave an eloquent plea for the work of the Union, showing the need for a rational religion, a closer union with God, and a life of self-sacrifice. Rev. J. M. Pullman, D.D., also emphasized the might of the young, which was a surprise even to the most earnest. We have here a great power to lift the world. The rally hymns, as ever, were sung with spirit. From all sections of the country were expressed surprise that so much had been done in the Union, and the positive conviction that this movement was the one which promised greatest hope for the future growth and progress of the Unitarian faith. New unions joined us, and many others are promised.

The following summary gives in brief much of interest regarding the Y. P. R. U. :— Union organized May, 1896. Branches now enrolled, 100 (representing nearly onethird of the active churches of the denomination); total membership, 3,500; average, 35; largest, 100.

The National Union has been represented on twenty local conference programmes; at the Western Conference, Chicago; Pacific Unitarian Conference, Portland, Ore.; at two summer sessions at the Weirs, N.H., and one at the Isles of Shoals.

It has held forty local rallies, one New England rally, and one union rally in Boston with the Universalist Christian Union. It sent Rev. J. T. Sunderland as fraternal delegate to the Universalist Christian Union National Convention.

It has distributed over six thousand leaflets, topic cards, and aids.

It furnishes regularly a column for the Christian Register, the Unitarian, Old and New, and the Pacific Unitarian.

Local unions have held lay service, in pastorless churches, raised funds for church and missionary purposes, been active in all charities, stimulated the religious life of the individual and of the church. Not one union has withdrawn from the work.

We need your help. A little time and a reasonable amount of money will utilize in all our parishes, even where "the situation is peculiar," this mighty, unused power of our young people in the enginery of spiritual life.

BOOKS.

Without Prejudice. By I. Zangwill. New York: The Century Company.-This title was used by Mr. Zangwill for several years over his varied contributions to the tion is to convey the idea that the miscel Pall Mall Magazine. Presumably, its intenwritten in the spirit of happy good fellowlaneous essays gathered beneath it are ship, as indicated by the unique dedication "To You." But to any one familiar with the author's irresistible convictions the idea is as funny as the suggestion that Mr. of his writing anything without prejudice Labouchere should be made Governor of Crete. Not one person would be fascinated, as every one must be, with this volume if it were expurgated of all the odd, brilliant, intuitive prejudice, which is the very sign manual of Mr. Zangwill's literary work. "God created the world to give the Mr. Zangwill's creed; and, surely, he has literary man something to write about" is Nothing known to exist has escaped the tried to perform his whole duty thereby. hall-mark of his ink. Even this compact volume alone disposes of ethics, love, fame, marriage, and death, with all the world's innumerable philosophies and most of its sins. Any page furnishes brilliant amusement. The trail of the I, which in this case is the I. Z., is over every sentence; and the wise, for this is a book that should be read reader certainly would not have it otherwithout prejudice.

Rev. George H. Young of Lawrence, Mass., is giving a most instructive course of lectures on "Religious Leaders,"-Jonathan Edwards, "Orthodox"; Francis Wayland, Baptist; Cardinal Newman, Catholic; Phillips Brooks, Episcopal. Mr. Young will arrange to deliver this course for Alliance Branches or other organizations in a way to assist such societies in raising funds.

THE TALK OF THE WORLD.

"I should like," said the vase from the china store,

"To have seen the world a little more.

When they carried me here, I was wrapt up tight. But they said it is really a lovely sight." "Yes," said a little plaster bird,

"That is exactly what I have heard:

There are thousands of trees; and, oh, what a sight

It must be when the candles are all alight!"

The fat top rolled on his other side.

"It is not in the least like that," he cried. "Except myself and the kite and ball, None of you know of the world at all. "There are houses and pavements hard and red, And everything spins around," he said: "Sometimes it goes slowly, and sometimes fast; And often it stops with a bump at last." The wooden donkey nodded his head. "I had heard the world was like that," he said. The kite and the ball exchanged a smile; But they did not speak,-it was not worth while,

In old English the buttercup was known as the "button-cop," which means simply "button-head," in allusion to the round, button-shaped flowers. The word "cop" meant head in old English; but it has now been superseded by cup, and the old meaning has been wholly lost. Button gradually degenerated into butter, until every one now says "buttercup." This is a peculiar instance in which the common name of a plant suggests its own origin, but suggests it falsely. The buttercup was once known as "gold-cop," or "gold-head," and "kingcop," names which are still preserved in "gold-cup" and "king-cup."-The Ladies' World.

An exhibition of mice! This remarkable show is open at Stratford-by-Bow, and is the third annual collection of the kind. It is organized by the National Mouse Club. The one hundred and seventy exhibits are not the impudent little plunderers of domestic stores. Their coats of many colors range from white to black, with cream, fawn, silver-gray, tortoise, chocolate, and piebald between. To the best of these aristocrats a fifteen-guinea challenge cup has been awarded, to say nothing of minor prizes. The usual foe had better beware of approaching them, guarded as they are by traps able to hold either cat or dog. Dwelling in many and in some cases distant parts of the country, the owners include a large number of young ladies and one or two clergymen.

item

Brooklyn, N.Y. First Church: The church and chapel reopened on September 12, the minister, Rev. Samuel A. Eliot, preaching in the morning, and the assistant minister, Rev. Walter A. Taylor, in the evening. The summer work of the parish has been well sustained. Rev. L. A. Harvey has had charge; and, besides maintaining the regular Sunday services at the chapel, he has conducted a children's service every Sunday, which has served to keep the Sunday-school together, and which has been much enjoyed. The men's club and the mothers' meeting have kept up their meetings, though with diminished attendance. Forty-two children of the chapel Sunday - school have been sent, through the co-operation of the Fresh Air Fund, for two weeks' stay in the country, the first party going on July 15, and the last on August 14. Three hundred tickets for barge excursions down the harbor have been furnished to mothers with little children; and several sick babies, with their mothers, have been refreshed by a stay at the Seaside Home of the Children's Aid Society. The Summer Home for Children maintained by the church at Bayonne, N.J., has been open from June 21 to September 1, in charge of the chapel kindergartners, Miss Harrington and Miss Coon. There forty of the little children of the chapel neighborhood have found a happy home; and there the tired mothers, or some of the older children, have been able often to come to spend the day and enjoy the quiet and the coolness and the pleasant company. The cost of maintaining the home for the season has been $540. These summer charities commend themselves more and more to the generous people of this parish, and it would be well if more of our churches could find like satisfaction in good work.

Concord, N.H.—Regular services at the Unitarian church were resumed Sunday morning, September 12. A large audience was present; and the sermon was by our minister, Rev. Frank L. Phalen. Mr. Phalen has spent the summer with his family on the shores of Lake Sunapee, and returns much improved in health.

Connecticut Valley Conference.-The annual meeting of the Unitarian-Congregational and Other Christian Churches will be held in the Church of the Unity, Springfield, Mass., on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 5 and 6. On Tuesday evening, at 7.30, the sermon to the conference will be preached by Rev. Daniel Merriman, D. D., of Worcester, Mass. On Wednesday morning the conference will assemble for the transaction of business at 9.45. Beginning at 10.30 A. M. there will be a young people's rally, in the interests of the Young People's Religious Union. This meeting

will be conducted by Rev. Edward Augustus Horton of Boston, who will deliver the opening address. He will be followed by Mrs. Mary P. Wells Smith of Greenfield, Mass., who will consider the question "What can the Young People do for the Church?" and Miss Edith Callender of Northfield, Mass., who will present an essay on "Our Young People's Work in Village Life." The conference will adjourn for lunch at 12.30 P.M. At 2 P.M. the conference will reassemble, and addresses will be delivered as follows: (a) "The Positive Emphasis in Religion, Rev. Loren B. Macdonald of Concord; (b) "The Obligations of a Free Church," Rev. John D. Reid of Greenfield; (c) "The Demand for a Free Church, Rev. W. W. Peck of Chicopee.

Detroit, Mich.-The First Unitarian Church in Detroit was opened for service after the long summer vacation September 5. Rev. Reed Stuart, the pastor, preached on that occasion. The large congregation assembled gave him a cordial welcome. Mr. Stuart returns to his parish work after his summer vacation greatly improved in health. This society, which is free from debt, starts on its work for the new church year under the most favorable auspices. The Sunday-school has for superintendent Hon. Thomas W. Palmer, the president of the late Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He is aided in his work by Dr. Ives as assistant superintendent. The Charity Club of this parish is doing noble, efficient work

under the leadership of Miss Mary Cook. The Women's Alliance, under the manage ment of Mrs. Hatch and Mrs. Ballou, is doing very effective work. The ladies of this society are very active and earnest. The Unity Club of this church holds its meetings Friday evenings of each week. The membership is large. The enthusiasm of its members and the excellent papers presented draw to this club many cultured people, members of the orthodox churches of the city. The Ladies' Union is a society composed of the women of the parish, their special mission the social life of the church. They are a great aid to the pastor in the parish work. Mrs. Stuart, wife of the pastor, is the president of this organiza

tion.

Mr. Stuart is doing an admirable service in the community by liberalizing religious thought, bringing together many who have formerly looked upon Unitarianism as a dangerous doctrine.

Fargo, No. Dak.-William Ballou, the minister of the First Unitarian Society, has resigned, his purpose being to go to Cambridge to study. The society has refused to accept the resignation, and tendered a leave of absence.

Francestown, N.H.-"The friends of the Unitarian society will be gratified to know, writes a correspondent, "that the pastor, Rev. W. F. Place, after a long and critical illness, is now occupying his pulpit with almost fully recovered strength. How much he and his wife are appreciated was shown the other evening by a surprise party in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of their marriage. The parsonage was filled, and it was pleasant to see among their friends the pastor and many neighbors of the orthodox church. This little church shows a great deal of zeal and constancy. Perhaps it is in part because, from the first it has been blessed with most excellent ministries. None of its pastors have been held in greater esteem than good Joseph Wassall, lately deceased at Windsor, Vt. He was a minister of finest qualities of mind and character. His genial and elevated tone of preaching was an enlightenment to the people; and his warm, cordial ways in his walks among them drew him very close to their hearts. And not less loved was his wife, -a gentle mother and a tender friend. Her sudden death at Salem, Mass., has just been announced; and I cannot express the sorrow that is felt by those who knew her sweet spirit, the deep goodness of her heart, and her ever active sympathies. The memory of this dear, good couple on their rounds of friendly visiting is a sweet and unfading picture. Thus in how many a quiet, inconspicuous nook bloom the purest souls, with all the fra

grance of the most perfect ministries of love!"

Frankfort, Mich.-For the last three or four years Mr. Sunderland of Ann Arbor and Mr. Jennings of Toledo have preached here from time to time. Now a church has been organized. Those who were interested in the movement met on Monday, August 23, at the residence of D. B. Butler, adopted a constitution, and elected officers. The character of this new church may be inferred from the bond of union and membership pledge, which reads as follows: "In the freedom of the truth and the spirit of Jesus Christ, we unite for the worship of God and the service of man." "God being my Helper, I will earnestly and faithfully strive to live my life in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and, renouncing error, will seek ever the truth, and do all that in me lies to make the world better and happier." The constitution provides that no other test of membership shall be required than this pledge. The new church will be known as the Church of Our Father, tends an invitation to all to join with them and, through its officers and members, exin promoting the influence of a rational religion and endeavoring to exalt the moral and spiritual tone of life and society. Services will be held as often as arrangements can be made with desirable preachers of the liberal faith; and it is confidently expected that a permanent pastor will be secured before long. Mr. Whittle has kindly offered the use of his opera house for temporary quarters. The organization of a Sunday - school is contemplated at the ear

liest favorable moment. The officers chosen are D. B. Butler, president; Mrs. Julius C. Ward, clerk; Julius C. Ward, treasurer; Thomas Whittle and A. B. Harmon, pastor's assistants; and Henry T. Smith and Mrs. L. E. Averill, trustees.

Greeley, Col.-Rev. Victor E. Southworth is preaching to growing congregations in Unity Church. "The Perfect Life" and "The Possibilities of Friendship" were recent sermon topics. Mr. Southworth is forming a study class in connection with the Cosmopolitan University plan.

Khasi Hills, India.-American friends of the Unitarian Mission in the Khasi Hills will be glad to learn that the terrible earthquake which wrought such destruction in North-eastern India on June 12, and was particularly severe in the Khasi Hills, caused the loss of only one life among the members of our little Unitarian congregations. One Unitarian was killed, who lived in the village of Shellapunji. This village was situated on the steep slope of a hill. The earthquake precipitated the whole village down the declivity into the river below, causing the loss of two hun

dred and fifty lives. There was much loss of life in many other places, but the members of our societies escaped to a remarkable extent. Mr. Kissor Singh writes: "At 5.10 P. M. a violent shock, or, rather, succession of shocks, with terribly rumbling sound, was experienced. The direction seemed to be from south-west to northeast (from sea to land). We all escaped as quickly as possible from our houses. We could not stand, the shocks were so violent. As soon as the violence had subsided, I left

my family, and went out to see the neighborhood and find if any needed help. I saw ruins everywhere: the fort, the police station, the barracks, the school-house, the residence of the Welsh Methodist missionary, and other buildings were levelled to the ground; and all masonry houses which did not come down altogether had cracks and wide fissures in the walls. The government building, in which was our office, was no exception, expect that it was not thrown wholly down. The shocks continued four or five minutes, violently, then died away, though recurring at intervals with less violence through the night and all the next day. Indeed, we have had slight shocks every day up to the present date (July 16). Fortunately, our Jowai Unitarian church, not being built of masonry, still stands; though there is much damage to the plaster. The next day after the disaster was Sunday. We had service, as usual, in our church. Near the close of the meeting a very severe shock came, and everybody rushed outdoors. But, when it was over, we returned, and closed by singing 'Nearer, my God, to thee,' and the benediction. I sent a messenger to the different villages where we have Unitarian brethren to learn their condition. We feel that we have been greatly favored. Though there is much destruction of property among us and some suffering (besides the one death), yet we have not suffered so much as some others."'

Montclair, N.J.-The meeting to formally organize Unity Church, Montclair, will take place October 6. The outlook is very encouraging; and progress is being made on the building in which the place of meeting, Unity Hall, is to be located. The earnest courage shown by those who are organizing this new Unitarian society deserves all the co-operation of thought, presence, and help, that may be shown toward them by Unitarians elsewhere.

Montpelier, Vt.-Church of the Messiah: Rev. J. Edward Wright has completed his vacation, and again regularly occupies the pulpit. The sessions of the Sunday-school were resumed on Sunday, September 5, after a vacation of one month. The infant class of the Sunday-school was invited to the residence of Rev. and Mrs. J.

Edward Wright on September 4, and passed an enjoyable afternoon on their spacious grounds. Fred L. Lawrence, the new director of the musical department of Montpelier Seminary, has been engaged as organist at the Church of the Messiah for the coming year. Mr. Lawrence has studied with some of the best instructors in this country and in Germany, and is an organist of unusual ability. Frederick W. Bancroft, former leader of the choir, who has sung at the Church of the Messiah during his vacation this summer, has gone back to Boston to resume his engagement as tenor in a church choir in Cambridge.

North Middlesex Congregational Conference. The fall session of the North Middlesex Congregational Conference will be held with the First Parish of Westford, Rev. Louis H. Buckshorn, minister, on Wednesday, October 6. The minister and congregation of the First Parish extend full hospitality to the conference, and the beauty of Westford in early October is unsurpassed.

Rev.

Plymouth and Bay Conference.-The First Church in Pembroke, Rev. John W. Barker, pastor, invites the members of the conference to hold their autumn meeting in that place Wednesday, October 6. John P. Forbes of Taunton will give the morning address on "Denominational Loyalty. Programme: 10 A. M., devotional meeting, led by Rev. C. H. Porter of Hingham; 10.30 A. M., business meeting; 11 A. M., address by Rev. Mr. Forbes; discussion led by Rev. J. W. Barker of Pembroke and Rev. J. W. Quinby of East Bridgewater; conference collection; 1 P.M., collation; 2 P. M., address by Rev. George Batchelor, secretary of the American Unitarian Association; 2.30 P.M., address by Mrs. Charles P. Lombard on behalf of the Women's Alliance; 3 P. M., address by Rev.. A. P. Reccord of Cambridge on behalf of the Young People's Religious Union. Those coming to the conference by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad will purchase tickets for Hanover, where stages will be in waiting. Those on the main line-Plymouth, Kingston, etc. will purbarges will also be in waiting. chase tickets for South Hanson, where Trains

leave Boston for Hanover at 8.45 and 12.45 A. M. Returning, leave Hanover at 4.15 P.M., South Hanson at 4.53 P.M. John W. Day, Secretary.

Salem, Mass.-The corner-stone of the new chapel for the First Church has been laid, and it is hoped that by Christmas the building may be ready for use. It will be a welcome addition to the convenience of the parish, enabling young and old to carry on the work of the church with renewed interest.