Rev. William Ellery Channing, D. D. Sunday, April 7, will be the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Channing, the recognized leader of the Unitarian Church in America. He was born at Newport, R. I., in 1780, and died at Bennington, Vt., in 1842. He was the minister of the Federal Street Society for thirty-nine years, and during that time was not only the eloquent expounder of liberal Christianity, but also a progressive leader in philanthropic and social reforms. He preached vigorously against war, and it was in the parlor of his church that the Massachusetts Peace Society was first organized. He became an ardent opponent of slavery and an advocate of temperance, universal education, a wiser treatment of criminals, and the elevation of the laboring classes. "He preached the kingdom of heaven on earth, to save men in their physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual entirety." Ine Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of Man, and the "greatness of the human soul," were central in his teaching. He was an intimate friend of Dr. Tuckerman and took an active interest in his ministry-at-large. sympathy was as broad as humanity. His love of uberty was supreme, and his devotion to trutn unfailing. "A passion for moral goodness was the consuming passion of his life, and what he aspired to be, he was." His Home Coming Sunday. What ought it mean to speak of the church as a home? It should mean that there the spirit of good-will prevails over the spirit of selfishness and hate, and that whenever we enter its doors we may be sure of a welcome. Moreover it should mean that the church is the Father's house, and that we are His children, dwelling together "in the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace." It should mean a quiet resting place for the weary and heavy-laden, a refuge for the weak and tempted, a sacred shrine of mutual helpfulness and brotherly love. new At the communion services eleven members were welcomed to the church: Emma S. Strong, Susan D. Putnam, Vera L. Putnam, Margaret W. Humphreys, Alpheus G. Bell, Frederick M. Eliot, Martha M. Eliot, Abigail A. Eliot, Clara M. Schiller, Jeannette M. Martin, Edith V. Dahlstrom. The following letter from Mr. Winkley, Pastor Emeritus, was read: "My dear brothers and sisters: I bid you a hearty welcome to Christ's family, now numbering millions, of many nations and creeds. If anyone have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. What is this spirit? Love. Moved by that spirit to do the Father's will here on earth, as the angels do it in heaven, read his directions to you in Matt. V, VI, and VII, and delight to heed the same. Thus being filled with the Holy Spirit, will the prayer of the Son in John XVII. 17-23, be answered and you will all be one with the Father as the Father and Son are one. Yes, and thus will the whole of this portion of His family be not only enlarged by your addition, but decidedly inspired to do more than ever the life-giving work which evidences that all have passed "from death unto life," and are ready to win others to a share in this divine blessing." This welcome letter was signed. "Thine in Love, and it came to all of us as a beautiful Easter benediction. Mr Winkley's Birthday. He says that it is "double eight," and so it must be, but who would believe it? Read the letter he sent us for Easter, printed in this number of "Our Work," and you will understand that "eighty-eight may be as young in the spirit as eighteen. It was said of William Ellery Channing that he was "always young for liberty," and we may say of Mr. Winkley, that he is always young for truth and love. He delights to call himself a "Jesusite." to indicate that he finds in the Sermon on the Mount, and in the simple beauty of Jesus himself, all the religion that anyone can need for t...s life, or the life to come. ett In the calendar of Unitarian saints we find the following birthdays: April 1, Henry Ware, Sr., April 3, Edward EverHale: April 4, Dorothea L. Dix and James Freeman Clarke; April 6, John Pierpont and Edmund H. Sears; William April 7, Ellery Channing; April 11, Samuel May, April 17, Charles F. Barnard; April 20, William H. Furness: April 21, Henry Ware, Jr., and James Martineau. Mr. Winkley's birthday is April 5, and he certainly belongs to this goodly company. The Eiot Circle celebrated his birthday at its meeting on Friday, and also Dr. Hale's. A piece of the birthday cake was sent to each "with love and best wishes." Dr. Hale's Birthday. On April 3. his eighty-fifth birthday, the rectors of the Lend-a-Hand Society, of which he is the founder and president, sent to Dr. Hale, in Washing. ton, D. C., the following letter, with a gift of flowers: Dear Dr. Hale: The directors of the Lend-a-Hand Society send you their heart-felt greeting on this blessed anniversary. It is a greeting of sincere re spect and love, and it gives you our best wishes for the day and for ever. What we and all the world owe you cannot be told. The best we can do is to express our gratitude and to help you carry on and establish more firmly the work of our society, in the fait, hope and love, which you have so felicitously translated into our mottoes. As you know, we have been raising a fund to perpetuate this work, and we are happy to tell you that it now amounts to $19,843.39. This has been added to the previous fund of $5,609.18, making in all $25,452.57. We feel sure that it will continue to grow and that the Lend-a-Hand work will be made permanent. Each gitt, from the smallest to the largest, and they range from ten cents upward, has been made, not only for the work's sake, but for yours as our president, and as a friend to all mankind, who has never failed to lend a hand himself. The flowers sent are to take you our personal message of gratitude and love. The Women's Alliance. The month of March was devoted to "Liberal Religion in Switzerland," at a study class meeting and a regular meeting, when a most instructive address was given by Rev. Edward H. Hall, of Cambridge. The subject for April is “Japan.' The study class will meet on April 10, and an evening meeting will be held on April 24, at 7:30 o'clock. 10 this latter gentlemen as well as ladies are invited. The address will be most interesting, as the speaker, Rev. William I. Lawrence, of Winchester, spent several years as our missionary in Japan and is therefore thoroughly familiar with the development of liberal religion in that country. Let no one miss this meeting. Part of the Federation work has been to extend its hospitality to the delegates to the annual meeting of the Young People's Religious Union, and also to the helpers at the fairs, and in many other ways it has endeavored to fulfil its purpose. The annual meeting of the Federation will be held on April 28, at the First Parish, Dorchester. At this meeting the officers and directors for the ensuing year will be elected, reports of the year's work will be given, and plans for the future arranged. All members and friends interested in the Federation are at liberty to attend. The Winkley Guild has always taken an active interest in the Federation, and this article is written to give our friends an idea of what the Federation is. Further particulars as to the annual meeting will be reported as soon plans are completed. as The Winkley Guild. The program for April is as follows: April 7--"Modern Unitarian Leaders," Mr. O. Arthur McMurdie. April 21-work of the American Unitarian Association. Speaker to be announced. April 28--Annual meeting of the Boston Federation at the Meeting House Hill Church, Dorchester. The Sunday School Supper. The supper given by the teachers to the scholars of the Sunday School took place on March 22. It was a happy and helpful meeting. About one hundred and fifty were present and they did full justice to the supper which Miss Jones and her assistants served. Mr. OUR WORK. Published monthly under the auspices of the Winkley Guild, in the interests of the work at Bulfinch Place Church. As the publication date will be the first of every month, all notices or contributions for insertion must be sent in by the twentieth of the preceding month. This matter is to be sent to Mr. O. Arthur McMurdie, 52 Pinckney Street, Boston. About fifty dollars will be added to the fund which the club is raising for the home for boys in Boston which it hopes some day to see established. The purpose of the R. W. B. Club is "to promote the growth of true manly character, to render all possible Christian service and to create a social interest among its members. 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. Eliot presided over the entertainment which followed and which consisted of a monologue and other recitations by Miss Katherine Porter, and violin solos by Rev. F. S. Sturtevant, of the Channing Church, Dorchester. A few words of greeting were spoken by our friend Mr. Shurtleff, and the evening closed with the singing of "Onward, Christian Soldiers." An occasional meeting of this kind, when we can break bread together, unites us more closely as members of one Christian family. Bachelor Hall. The play, "Bachelor Hall," given by the Red, White and Blue Club, on March 20, was a great success. The boys did credit to their director, Mr. Benjamin W. roster, and to themselves. They had worked hard and well deserved the applause they received. Everybody had a good laugh and a good time. The songs between acts, by Mrs. Benjamin Derby, were a delightful feature, and a special vote of thanks is due her and her accompanist, Miss Clara Pratt. Also to Master Abraham Ellis for music before the play began. Items of Interest. On Sunday next, April 14, Rev. Eugene R. Shippen, Minister of the First Parish, Dorchester, (Meeting House Hill) will preach in our church. The Winkley Guild invites the Sunday School and friends to an old-time at "Jolly" on April 12 7.30 P. M. Come and have a merry evening. Rev. A. D. K. Shurtleff has accepted a call to the Church of Our Father, East Boston. He begins his ministry there on April 7. The installation service will be held on Wednesday evening, April 17, at 7:30 o'clock, and a cordial invitation is extended to the members of this church. Since leaving Bulfinch Place, Mr. Shurtleff has been five years at Chelmsford, Mass. We rejoice in his return to Boston, and wish him a successful and happy ministry in his new parish. The Easter gift of the Howard Sunday School to the Children's Mission (collections since Oct. 1), was $27.00. The following notices have been received from Miss Crocker, secretary of our Lend-a-Hand Clubs. The annual business meeting of the clubs will be held on Friday, April 26, at 7:45 o'clock. Members and friends cordially invited to be present. The annual May festival will be held on Wednesday, May 8. A fuller notice will be given later. "Together" is the great central word of the civilization of the world. When we work, we work together, and when we go, we will go together. If you live with God, and for man, it is joy and gladness and victory to live. Edward Everett Hale. I do not believe in the saying, "Man appoints and God disappoints," but rather that "man appoints and God reappoints." Samuel H. Winkley. |