Mr. Wright traces with considerable fullness the political evolution which occurred during the first half of the century, and which was the means of maturing a new spirit, which virtually reshaped our govern ment, although it did not effect any radical changes in the organic law of the land. His words are: "This change to a strictly democratic type of society, with political institutions to correspond, is the most vital movement in our history since 1789, and one which deserves more attention than it has yet received."

There are in the work some traces of hasty literary workmanship, which a writer of experience ought not to have allowed. Perhaps in some cases certain statements would be made more accurate, if qualifying phrases had been added. Moreover, it is to be regretted that Mr. Wright has given no reference to guide inquiring minds to a more extended study of the subjects, so But these are slight briefly discussed. blemishes in a treatise which shows careful preparation and which possesses decided merits.

The author claims to be the first to give any treatment of what he calls our "Unwritten Constitution," but this is a theme which has been discussed at considerable length in many places, though perhaps nowhere so fully as it deserves. It is, however, a word of hearty appreciation which I wish to extend to Mr. Wright. The more his work, and others like it, are read, the better it will be for our nation.

J. H. CROOKER.

Ward.

Andover Review (February).

The Tragic Motif in Browning's Dramas. By Charles C. Everett.

The Evolution of the Relation between Capital and Labor. By Adam Shortt.

The Intellectual Life of America. A

Supplement. By Henry S. Pancoast.

Lend a Hand (February). Emigration of Paupers.

Origin of Scientific Charity in Hamburg. Part II. By J. H. Crooker.

An Experiment in Police Matrons. By Anna Laurens Dawes.

The Forum (February).

The Foundation of Ethics. By W. S. Lilly.

Reforms that do not Reform. By Edward Atkinson. By Henry

International Extradition. Wade Rogers.

The Church and the Working-Man. By C. M. Morse.

The Sanitarian (January).

Pollution of Water Supplies. By Drs. Charles Stewart, S. W. Abbott, G. C. Asmun, W. N. Daniels, and Edward Playter. Origin and Prevention of Tuberculosis. By D. E. Salmon.

The Century (February). Exiles at Irkutsk. By George Kennan. Safeguards of the Suffrage. By Washington Gladden.

Seribner's Magazine (February). Walter Scott at Work. By E. H. Woodruff.

The Physical Development of Women. By D. A. Sargent,

The Competitive Element in Modern Life. By Henry C. Potter.

NEWS FROM THE FIELD.

Ann Arbor, Mich.- Mr. Sunderland has been giving a series of lectures on "Robert Elsmere and the Religious Problems Involved in the Book." On the Sunday before beginning the lectures he expressed from the pulpit his wish that as many of the congregation as practicable, who had not already done so, would read the book before the series opened, and announced that the young men of the Channing Guild would take orders for the book at the close

of the service. Orders were taken for thirtyfour copies. Two copies have also been put in the church library. Some 800 copies have been sold in town at the book stores. The subjects of Mr. Sunderland's lectures have been as follows:

The Story and its Settings;

Types of Religion and Non-Religion in the Book;

The Question of Miracles;

The Question of Religious Honesty;
The Critics;

The New Brotherhood as a Prophecy. The congregations have been very large throughout the course.

- Mrs. Sunderland has recently given a series of six sermons on "The Foundations of Religion," her specific subjects being:

The Need of a Study of Religious Foundations;

The Witness of the External World to God:

mary Instruction in the Sunday-school," and six or seven of the most successful infant-school teachers in the Sunday-schools in this neighborhood read short papers giving account of their actual methods of instruction. It came out incidentally that in the infant-school of Rev. G. M. Bodge's church, East Boston, there are about two hundred children.

The "Unitarian Church Temperance So

What Can we Know About God?
The Future Life;

The Uses of Sacred Books.

Athol, Mass.- Rev. C. E. Perkins has been quite ill. He occupied his pulpit on Sunday, February 17, for the first time in four weeks.

-The children of the Second Unitarian Society gave a very pleasing entertainment on Thursday evening, February 14, consisting of music, illustrated readings and a dialogue called "The Bee Circle." Refreshments were served at close of the entertainment, the little people acting as waiters.

Baltimore, Md. A Guild was organized in connection with the Unitarian church one year ago. The first year, just completed, has been very prosperous. Classes have been formed in reading, draw ing, singing, modelling in clay, working in brass, and gymnastics. The girls have been taught sewing, mending, singing, etc. The week's work has been crowned by a Sundayschool. The best possible moral and religious influences have been thrown around the girls and boys. A still larger and better work opens before the Guild for the coming year.

Boston and Vicinity. An influential meeting of delegates from the different churches in Boston was held in Channing Hall, Saturday, Feb. 16, to consider what can be done to interest our churches in giving a stronger pecuniary support to the American Unitarian Association. Address es were made by Mr. Alexander S. Wheeler, Rev. Edward Everett Hale, D. D., Mr. Curtis Guild, Jr., and others. Ultimately it was resolved to raise a special $100,000 over and above the annual subscription, and a committee of twenty representatives from different churches was appointed to hold meetings to carry forward the movement.

The February meeting of the Unitarian Club departed from its usual order of topics and had a very interesting paper from Mr. Josiah Quincy on "Labor Legislation in Massachusetts." Addresses on the subject were also given by Mr. Galvin, who succeeded Hon. Carroll Wright in the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rev. J. G. Brooks, Mr. Harvey Lewis, and Rev. E. E. Hale.

-The meeting of the Sunday-school Union, in the parlors of the Second church, Feb. 18th, was very largely attended in spite of a miserably wet night. The subject was "Pri

ing meetings lately at King's Chapel. The first, Feb. 3, at which Rev. C. G. Ames and Rev. C. F. Dole spoke on "Temperance and the Children," was but poorly attended, owing to the weather; but on February 17th this fine old church was completely filled, to hear an address from Mrs. Mary Liver

more.

The Arlington Street Vespers which now have grown into a regular permanant afternoon service, have drawn so many outsiders into constant attendance that Mr. Herford thought it would be well to give a brief course specially dealing with "the leading points of Christian thought as held by Unitarians," giving to each topic a twenty minute address instead of the ten minute sermons which had heretofore been a feature of these services. The result has been satisfactory, the church being crowded,--a hundred or more standing at each service and many having to go away.

as a

But the most interesting meeting lately held in this district, was that on the evening of February 3, at which the former proprietary of the "Parker Memorial" made over that building to the "Benevolent Fraternity of Churches." It has been no secret that the attempt to carry on a church on Theodore Parker's lines, but without Theodore Parker's personality, has been for years past a great and increasing discouragement to the surviving friends of the old society; and, the old antagonisms having now entirely faded out, they simply handed it over to the "Fraternity body which could be trusted to carry on a broad and liberal church work, with some permanent effectiveness. The main address of the evening was given by Mr. Moncure D. Conway, who gave many interesting reminiscences of Parker's work. Other addresses were given, by Mr. A. A. Burrage, representing the proprietors, and Revs. Edward Hale, E. A. Horton, E. E. Hale and M. J. Savage, on the part of the Benevolent Fraternity. No plans have yet been matured for the new enterprise, but it is understood that there is no idea of making it simply another "Mission Chapel," but rather of endeavoring to make it a strong for which there is "Peoples' Church, abundant scope in Boston.

Brunswick, Me.-A course of lectures is being given in the Memorial Hall, of Bowdoin College, by Rev. E. C. Guild, on the following subjects:

Chicago. Rev. J. Coleman Adams, D. D., is giving a course of lectures before the Lombard University Divinity School, Galesburg, Ill.

The recently held annual meetings of the Chicago Unitarian churches show them to be generally in a prosperous condition. In the Third church the receipts of the past year have been a little more than enough to meet all liabilities, a new thing in the history of the society. All Souls' Church reports a particularly prosperous year. The sum raised for missionary work of various kinds has been $542, that for charitable work outside of the church $184, and that for educational work in the church, including Unity Club, Kindergarten, Young People's Lectures, Reading Room and Library, has amounted to about $1100.

The Unitarian Club met on the evening of Feb. 5, at Mrs. Charles Dupee's. Rev. J. C. Learned of St. Louis, read a paper on the "Growth of Liberal Thought in the Church," and Rev. Eliza Wilkes, of Dakota, gave an address upon Missionary Work." The Constitution of the Club was so amended as to make "Co-operation in the work of the American Unitarian Association" one of its "objects."

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-The Chicago Ramabai Circle reports 217 members and $782 raised the past year. -Mr. W. Alexander Johnson, secretary of the Associated Charities, is giving a series of eight lectures on "Sociology" before the Chicago Institute.

-Mrs. Celia P. Woolley lectured before the Ethical Culture Society the first Sunday in February, in the Grand Opera House, on "The Value and Mission of Doubt."

A LETTER AND REPLY.

CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 1889.

To the Editor of the Unitarian:

The undersigned desire to correct a statement which appeared in your notice of the January meeting of the Chicago Women's Unitarian Association. The writer of the notice after stating that the essayist of the evening, Mrs. Celia P. Woolley, made her paper a plea for the ethicalism of the Western Conference" adds: "This was felt by many to be most unfortunate, even if it was not a distinct breach of good faith." (We italicise the clause we wish to call attention to). It is due Mrs. Woolley and the Association to say that the subject of her paper, "The Ideal Unitarian Church" was assigned her several months ago and so announced on our printed programme; that this was done with absolutely no conditions or suggestions from the committee

as to the treatment of the subject, the essayist being left entirely free to follow her own convictions and judgment. Though opinions naturally differ respecting the views set forth in Mrs. Woolley's paper, we do not consider her to have violated any trust reposed in her, either by the Association or the committee acting for it, by the expression of such views. Very respectfully,

L. M. HEYWOOD,

MRS. WM. G. WOOD,
L. E HILTON,
ET LEONARD,
E. L. BROWNE,
E. W DUPEE.

Chairman. ANNIE W. JOHNSON, FRANCES L. ROBERTS, MRS. J. VILA BLAKE, Before replying to the above we ought, perhaps, in justice to all parties, to say that the note in the February Unitarian to which objection is made was wholly our own, our regular Chicago correspondent not being in any way responsible for it. Communications from other sources, and some days spent personally in Chicago both before and after the meeting of the Women's Association, rendered information from our regular correspondent not needed.

We were well aware of the fact that the subject of the essay was assigned to the essayist some months ago, and that no conditions were laid upon her by Association or committee as to her method of treatment. But there are proprieties and fitnesses in life that are not laid upon one by statute or even by uttered words, that are none the less binding. Indeed, some who heard Mrs. Woolley's paper felt that the very fact that she had been implicitly trusted, without conditions, might well have suggested to her all the greater delicacy in the treatment of her theme- or at least all the greater unwillingness to turn it into a partisan or unwelcome channel. But in fact, the paper was made a defense of the Ethical position of the Western Conference, and à defense so elaborate and strong that at its close the Secretary of the Conference arose with enthusiasm and bespoke it for the next annual meeting of the Conference in May.

Will our readers please take notice, we did not affirm that the essayist committed a breach of good faith; all we affirmed was that her course was "unfortunate." But we suggested "a breach of good faith" as one way of looking at what she had done, because as a fact (and we must say it now, though we had not said it before) some of the members of the Association did regard the essay as, under the circumstances, a breach of good faith.

If our Ethical friends will imagine the essayist to have been on the other side and to have used her privilege as an essayist to defend the Christian position and attack the Ethical, they will quickly see that this would have seemed to them not a justifiable proceeding. Many of the members of the Association were Christian Unitarians, who had been previously somewhat ag

grieved by the fact that the funds of the Association- a body not allied with, the Western Conference had been used for the promotion of Western Conference ends. Of course this made the bringing in of a paper in defense of the Western Conference position all the less welcome. The fact is the Western issue had been kept heretofore carefully out of the Association; and many felt that it ought not to have been brought in now, at least not without some previous understanding and general consent. Ed. Unitarian.

Cleveland, O. In the parlors of Unity church there was given on the evenings of Feb. 20, 21, and 22, the "Edipus Tyrannus," of Sophocles. The idea of giving this tragedy grew out of the Unity Club's winter work on Greek history and literature. Careful studies had been made of all the details necessary to present the play perfectly in the costumes and with the chorus of the Greek stage.

Denver, Colo. The new Channing Club, an organization made up of the gentlemen pew-holders and seat-holders of Unity church, held its first reception and banquet at the Albany hotel. Covers were laid for 55 members. After the very excellent menu had been served, the speeches of the evening were given. Among the prominent speakers, were the secretary of state, the editors of the News and the Evening Times. the state superintendent of instruction, and Hon. C. S. Thomas, well known in the political circles of the state. The toastmaster, Mr. T. C. Henry, in a brief and well thought out speech defined the purposes of the Channing Club, and the addresses that followed were of a helpful and hopeful nature. The toasts responded to were as follows: "The Channing Club," "The Needs of Denver on the Higher Side," "Corporate Power," "Our Public School System," Power of the Press for Good," "Humane Side of the Medical Profession," "The Drift of the Times." The Channing Club will undoubtedly prove of valuable use in furthering the best interests of Unity church.

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Detroit, Mich. The Universalist

church has settled as Dr. Rexford's successor, Rev. Lee S. McCollester, a graduate of Buchtel College and Tuffts College Divinity School, who has had a very successful settlement for five years at Claremont, N. H.

Hamilton, Canada. A new Unitarian movement, under the direction of Rev. D. W. Morehouse, Secretary of the New York Conference, was started in this city February 10.

Hinsdale, Ill. The recent dedication of the beautiful little church which has been erected here since the ministry of Mr. Gannett began was a delightful affair. Rev. J. Ll. Jones, of Chicago, preached the sermon. Scripture selections were read by

Rev. J. R. Effinger, of Chicago. Addresses were made by Rev. Eliza T. Wilkes, of Dakota, Rev. Augusta J. Chapin, of Oak Park, and Rabbi Moses, of Chicago. Letters were read from Dr. Thomas, of Chicago, and Rev. W. S. Crowe, of Newark, N. J. The treasurer's report was presented by Mr. J. Van Inwagen, and a welcome to the new church home was extended by Judge Tiffany. Rev. J. V. Blake, of Chicago, offered the dedicatory prayer, and Mr. Gannett pronounced the benediction. When all this was over a lunch was served in the church parlors.

Hopedale, Mass.--The Guild of a' Kempis, which is both a part of the Sundayschool and a part of the parish, is doing good work of a religious and philanthropic character. Its treasury is well supplied, and from it the hungry are fed, the poor are clothed, and the sick remembered. ~ All such work is done by its membership of young men and women, who also infuse life and interest into all the affairs of the parish. Its members are increasing. Its services are held on Sunday immediately after the general exercises of the Sunday-school.

Jamestown, N.Y.--Rev. Henry Frank, late pastor of the orthodox Congregationalist church of this place, has accepted a call temporarily to succeed Dr. Townsend in the Independent church. Dr. Townsend's health was so much broken that he was compelled to leave the work which he began here with so much promise. We are glad to learn that he is much improved of late. The Jamestown Sun is printing Mr. Frank's sermons each week.

vices are now held regularly in All Souls' Kansas City. - Sunday evening serChurch. Three discourses were given in February upon the following subjects: "The Real Awakening," "The Two Perils," "The Duty of To-Day,"--intended especially the condition of doubt and unrest. for those whose religious opinions are in

Leominster, Mass.- The Leominster Enterprise prints the paper read at the January Conference here, by Rev. Nathaniel Seaver, of Templeton, on "What is a People's Church?"

Littleton, N. H.-The work here prospers greatly under the devoted and able labors of Mr. L. D. Cochrane. The congregation is fully three times as large as when he began. He has not yet been ordained; expects to be next Spring.

La Porte, Ind.-By the death of Mrs. Dr. N. S. Darling, the church here suffers the loss of one of its most earnest and efficient workers. Rev. J. H. Crooker, with the pastor, Rev. A. J. Belknap, conducted the funeral services.

Los Angeles, Cal.- A very able sermon on "Liberal Christianity" by Rev. Eli Fay, comes to us in pamphlet form, printed by request.

-Under Mr. Belknap's care, the society is prosperous, and promises steady growth.

Meadville, Pa.-In February and March, Rev. A. G. Jennings, of Toledo, and Rev. J. T. Sunderland, of Ann Arbor, give courses of lectures at the Theological School, on "Social Science in its Relations to Philanthropy and Charity," and in April, Rev. Rush R. Shippen, of Washington, D. C., a course on "Preaching."

Midland, Mich.-The Unity Club work for 1888-9 is mostly in the line of fortnightly lectures. Under its auspices an excellent Vocal and instrumental concert was given during the holidays. Connected with the Unity club is a Young People's Study Class, which sends one evening each week upon "The Childhood of Religions."

- The experiment of having morning services in connection with the Sunday-school is helping to solve the questions of two services a day, and of getting children interested in sermons and church going.

The pastor is devoting a few Sunday evenings to discourses upon Seneca, Epictetus, St. Paul, and Marcus Aurelius.

Mr. Albert Walkley delivered, lately, a lecture before the Unity club, and one on Sunday evening.

-On Feb. 12th, Mrs. E. R. Sunderland spoke here upon "Representative Women of America."

Moline, Ill. The new Unitarian church

edifice which has been built here under the

leadership of Rev. H. D. Stevens is a gem of beauty. It is of stone, and will have eost when finished between six and seven thousand dollars. It will seat about 275 persons, and the parlors open into the auditorium with folding doors, thus increasing the number by 75 or 80. It is hoped to dedicate it about April 1.

The Moline society was organized in 1880 with 20 members, and for some time the preacher was Rev. A. M. Judy, of Davenport, Ia. The whole work of building the now church has been done since Mr. Stevens The Sunday-school numbers 100

came. members.

Needham, Mass. Rev. Solon W. Bush, who has been pastor of the Unitarian church here for eighteen years, has resigned on account of impaired health.

North Platte, Neb.--The practice of reading a sermon on Sunday at the Unitarian church is still kept up. Considerable religious literature is received from the East, and this is distributed to persons in the town and out on the ranches who wish for it. The Sunday-school and Woman's Aid Society are kept up. A minister is much needed.

Oakland, Cal.-The Unitarian society reports a very successful year of work,services held 51 Sundays, with an average attendance of over 300. About $25,000 in

money and pledges has been raised for current expenses and toward the new church home. A lot costing $13,000 has been bought and paid for. The Women's Auxiliary Society has raised $2,200. The Sundayschool numbers 128 in primary and intermediate departments, and 50 in the young people's Bible class. The Unitarian Club has 45 members, and the Starr King Fraternity is very prosperous. The church has voted to proceed at once to erect a part of a church edifice, such rooms as will accommodate the Sunday-school and social needs of the society and afford temporary accommodation for Sunday worship.

the new Unitarian church, a Sunday-school

Pomona, Cal. In connection with

was organized Jan. 6. Rev. Oscar Clute. the pastor, conducts a Sunday morning class, whose lessons consist of lectures and conversation on the following themes: The Origin of the Old Testament; The History of the Old Testament; Is the Old Testament Infallible? Religion and the Old Testament; How was the New Testament

written? How has the New Testament come to us? Are there any Mistakes in the New Testament? Religion and the New Testament.

San Francisco, Cal. At last the beautiful new church is completed and dedicated. Rich and profuse floral decorations added to the beauty of the interior, and effective music increased the impressiveness Horatio Stebbins, D. D., pastor of the of the service. On the platform were Rev. church, the Board of Directors, the BuildCongregation Emanu-El, Rev. T. L. Eliot, of ing Committee, Rabbi Voorsanger, of the Portland, Rev. C. W. Wendte, of Oakland, Rev. A. M. Haskell, of San José, Rev. C. P. Massey, of Sacramento, Rev. P. S. Thacher, of Santa Barbara, and Rev. Roderick Stebbins. The opening prayer was made by Rev. Mr. Wendte, and scriptural readings were given by Rabbi Voorsanger and Rev. delivery of the keys were made by Mr. S. G. Mr. Thacher. The committee's report and Kellogg, who reviewed also the history of the church. Then a brief but eloquent discourse was given by Dr. Stebbins, who spoke of the happy completion of the work and especially of its meaning. The responsive readings were conducted by Rev. Roderick Stebbins, followed by a prayer by Rev. Mr. Eliot, and the services were closed by Dr. Stebbins.

of Thomas Starr King, whose name and The sarcophagus containing the remains memory are so associated with this church, had previously been removed to the new church-yard.

The building, both in finish and design, is one of the handsomest in the city. The material is white sandstone, the architecture is largely Roman. The cost of the building was $60,000 and of the lot $31,000, all of which was more than covered by the