Forefathers' Day and Christmas come near together, and we have chosen for our December picture one which shows the Pilgrims on their way to church. Christmas, however, was not a Pilgrim festival. It was too closely associated in their minds with forms of worship and customs in England repugnant to their moral and religious convictions. Christmas was not generally celebrated in New England until about 1850. Today, as we well know, it is observed by all Christians, and indeed by many not calling themselves Christians, the wide world over, as a joyous festival of peace and good will.

We ought never to forget. however, our debt of gratitude to the Pilgrims and the lessons which their loyalty to truth, their devotion to God, and their prophetic vision of a government based on religious and political liberty, can still teach. They stood for a complete

separation of church and state, differing in this from the Puritans. They were independents, congregationalists, from the start, denying the right of state or church to govern men's consciences. When King James demanded submission to "our church" they bold'y refused, saying that no man, or corporation "had so sounded the word of God to all its depths, as to be able to set down precisely the church or discipline without error in substance or circumstance." Moreover their simple ideal of political government was that of a republic, a democracy. They had learned that in Holland. When they agreed upon their now famous compact, they held the first "town meeting." There was to be no test for citizenship save good characGovernment was to rest upon the consent of the governed. "The Pilgrim Republic was the prototype of the United States of America," writes

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William Griffis. Then they were tolerant and charitable in judgment. Demanding independence, they were willing to grant it. Much of this spirit they owed to Holland, and perhaps more to their large-hearted, liberal-minded, gentle, John Robinson, who urged them to live at peace with all men and declared that "more light would yet break forth from God's Holy Word."

May not the picture of the "Pilgrims going to Church" impress upon us a lesson of duty, loyalty to truth, and devotion to our national and religious ideals, a lesson appropriate to our present political responsibilities as well as to the Christmas season? Let us not think only of peace and good-will, but of justice and righteousness, and truth. We need the Pilgrim spirit. We must follow the Pilgrim way. "For the Lord established statutes, and appointed a law, which he commanded our fathers to make known to their children; that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the words of God, but keep his commandments." Nor will we forget that the greatest of all the commandments are those of love, love to God and love to man, as Jesus, the Prince of Peace, has taught.

Christmas Time.

I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut up hearts freely, and to think of people around them as if they were really fellow travelers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, though it never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!

-Dickens' Christmas Carol.

The Ministry of Flowers. Here are two letters written by Miss Fanny Merrill whom so many of the members of our church and Sunday School knew and loved, and in whose memory a tablet will be erected this month, in the church. They recall her love of flowers and remind us of their beautiful ministry.

The first letter was written on Oct. 20, 1877, and is addressed to the Infant Class. It is as follows: "Were you ever

sick and did you ever have a flower brought to you? If so, you can partly imagine how I felt last Sunday when I had a basket of beautiful flowers from you, brought by Miss Cloutman. I saw in each flower your sunny, loving faces represented and I longed to be with you more than ever. I thank you very much for the flowers, and hope the great pleasure they gave me will repay you for sending them. Remember, I think of you all every Sunday and hope that the time is not far distant when I shall be with you again. Meanwhile I hope you will enjoy your lessons, your little hymns, your teachers, and one another."

The second letter was dictated to her sister, Miss Georgie Merrill, on April 4, 1888, as she was unable to write herself. It was sent to Mrs. Cloutman: "Do you know that in the language of flowers heliotrope means 'I love you' or 'devotion'? This is just what your fresh and beautiful blossoms said to me when brought home on Sunday. I do not need these flowers to tell me that you and yours are ever devoted friends, and yet it is sweet to have such tokens from one whose loving and tender care has helped to bring forth such beautiful results. . . . Hoping to see you soon in our Chapel home and with love to the girls as well as yourself, I remain your true friend."

We are glad to say that this blessed ministry of flowers is an important part of our work today, and carries messages of love and good cheer into many, homes.

Women's Alliance.

The "Harvest Sale" which took place on November 20 and 21 was a great success, thanks to the interest taken in it by many friends, both in our own church and in other churches. The sum of $475.00 was cleared. At the regular meeting held on November 28, the Alliance had the pleasure of welcoming the new National Director for Suffolk County, Mrs. Edith R. Bolster.

The next Study Class meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 11, at 2.30 o'clock. Mrs. Marian K. Appleton will read a paper on "Brahmanism."

On the evening December 18th at 7.45 o'clock, the Alliance will hold a meeting, at which Rev. Frederick R. Griffin of Braintree will speak on "Church Etiquette." A cordial invitation is extended to all.

The Winkley Guild.

The following are the meetings of interest to the members and friends for December: Sunday evening, Dec. 8.-— "Unitarian Educators," by Dr. Herman E. Kahn. Wednesday evening, Dec. 11. -Banquet of the Boston Federation, at the Church of the Disciples, Boston. Sunday evening, Dec. 22.-Meeting devoted to the interests of the Children's Mission, particulars to be announced later.

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The Guild gave a novel and very successful entertainment on Thursday evening, Dec. 5. It was a "Personally conducted Tour Around the World." Tourist tickets had been issued, twenty-five cents each, with coupons attached, entitling the purchaser to travel by successive stages from the Union Station (Bulfinch Place Church) to San Francisco, Sandwich Islands, Hongkong, Rome, Paris, London, and so back to the starting point, each place being represented by a different room in the church building. Parties left the Union Station every ten minutes, in charge of guides. The ticket "contract" called for refreshments free of cost, but at the passenger's own risk, no rebates to be allowed for loss of appetite. The Company strictly reserved the right to give the purchaser of each ticket "more than his money's worth." The General Passenger and Ticket Agent was O. A. MeMurdie.

All the arrangements were carried through successfully, and the travellers were returned safely to the Union Station, well satisfied with the management.

Eliot Circle.

The Harvest Meeting of the Eliot Circle was held on Friday, Nov. 1. Mrs. Coy led in the "Upward Look." Miss Flagg, of the Boston Trade School for girls, spoke of the work done to prepare girls of fourteen (graduates of Grammar Schools) to become self-supporting. Miss Pierce gave most delightful readings, interpreting childlife. Plans were made to give an evening of pleasure to the Woman's Club of the Morgan Memorial. Many of our members hoped to attend, but the night proved so stormy that only the President was able to do so. She gave a talk on Dr. Grenfell's work on the Labrador Coast, showing pictures of the people and their dwellings. Miss Charlotte Pope sang many beautiful songs.

We have heard with great satisfaction of the safe arrival of the furniture sent to Mayesville, South Carolina.

The Children's Christmas party will be held on Dec. 27, and will take the place of the January meeting.

The Young People's Religious Union.

The Fair committee reports over $1,800 as proceeds of the sale recently held at 25 Beacon St. This is a great deal better than ever before, but before the final account is rendered the committee hopes to make it $2,000. For this purpose an afternoon sale of goods. left over will take place in room 3, 25Beacon St., on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 5 P. M. Friends who can conveniently send home-made candy will confer a great favor on the committee, and one that will be appreciated.

The Union calendars for 1908 are now on sale and may be purchased by apply ing to the President or members of the Winkley Guild. They cost 50 cents each, and will be found very useful for a study or office desk.

The Boston Federation.

The fall meeting was held Nov. 24, under the auspices of the Lawrence Union, Richmond St., Dorchester.

At the afternoon meeting a committee was appointed to consider ways and means by which the Federation may be of assistance to the different Unions which make up the Federation. A committee was also appointed to add new Unions to the Federation, and to revive the dormant ones.

It was declared to be the sense of we the meeting that should hold a joint meeting with the Universalists in January, the date and further plans to be announced later.

At the evening meeting Rev. C. W. Wendle gave a very interesting account of the forming of the International' Council of Liberal Thinkers and Workers, and its recent meetings in Boston.

The Federation Banquet, on Dec. 11, promises to be an interesting occasion, as the principal speaker will be Rabbi Fleischer. Tickets at 75 cents may be secured by application to the President of the Guild. We are anxious to have our society well represented.

Sunday Services.

1.45 P. M. Howard Sunday School. 3.15 P. M. Public Worship. Communion first Sunday in the month. 7.30 P. M. The Winkley Guild every other Sunday.

The Church will be open every day from 10 until 1 o'clock. Mr. Eliot will be at the church on Wednesdays, and on other days by appointment; Miss Jones on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and Miss Stokes on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The Traveler's Aid.

A wonderfully interesting work was introduced to the Comfort Carriers' Club and other friends in an address given by Miss Mary E. Blodgett on Tuesday evening, Nov. 26, upon "The Traveler's Aid." It is the work done by the Young Women's Christian Association for young women coming to Boston from the country or from abroad, so many of whom are absolutely unfamiliar with city ways and often without relatives or friends to protect them. If they have friends, they often do not know how to find them. Miss Blodgett and her assistants meet the trains and ships and do invaluable service in befriending these girls. They are known as the "blue-ribbon" women, because of the badge they wear. They co-operate with other societies at home and abroad. The stories which Miss Blodgett told were intensely interesting.

Items of Interest.

The tablet in memory of Miss Fanny S. Merrill will be unveiled at the afternoon service, on Sunday, Dec. 15.

The Memorial Barrel will be ready for Christmas remembrances on the two Sundays preceding Dec. 25. For those who may not fully understand its purpose, it may be said that it is intended for such gifts, articles or money, as members of the Sunday School or church may wish to make in loving remembrance of departed friends. These gifts are distributed afterwards where Christmas is not likely to bring any too much of its glad message of joy.

The various Christmas celebrations will take place as follows: A Christmas service for Sunday School and Congregation on Dec. 22, the Christmas Tree on Dec. 26, and the Eliot Circle Christmas Party on Dec. 27. The New Year's Reception will be held on Jan. 8.

Six of our Lend a Hand clubs, and one Sunday School class, contributed $5.25 towards the travelling medicine-case which Dr. Grenfell desires for his work in Labrador. The case will be quite large, of aluminum, so as to be as light as possible, and will be covered with stout leather.

It will be divided into convenient com partments, and will be stocked with medicine and a few surgical instruments. It is to travel upon the sled "Lend-aHand" which was the gift of the Lend Hand clubs several years ago. Grenfell spoke to a crowded audience of Lend a Hand members and friends on Nov. 16 at Channing Hall. He will give an illustrated lecture in Jordan Hall Dec. 9 at 8 P. M.

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The last lecture in the present course of stereopticon lectures will be given by Hon. Arthur K. Peck on Dec. 11, at 8 P. M. The subject will be "The Heart of the Rockies and the Yosemite." A second course will be announced early in February.

A barrel of clothing, house furnishings, books, and Christmas presents, will be sent in a few days to Miss Lizzie Wells for her school at Shortoff, N. C. Miss Wells was a pupil in the Howard Sunday School until about two years when ago, the she graduated from Framingham Normal School and promptly took up this work in her birthplace, an isolated, mountain village in the southwestern corner of North Carolina.

With Miss Wells is associated her classmate, Miss The Annie Whipp. school has prospered. At first it was held in a dwelling house, but the neighborhood people have now built a school house, made necessary by the increasing numbers of pupils. They will have a Christmas Tree, and our "barrel" will help with decorations and presents. With it go hearty Christmas greetings.

A Nation's Strength

Not gold, but only men, can make
A people great and strong;
Men who, for truth and honor's sake,
Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly-
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson.