the things not seen (of infinitely greater value), basing my sermon on the text from St. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians, "the things which are seen are temporal and the things which are not seen are eternal," urging you not to mistake the show of things for the substance, forms of religion for its spirit, the physical body for the soul, or the symbols of spiritual life for the realities of the spirit itself. What suggested such thoughts was the fact that in a moment, as it were, we had lost by fire many things of value and yet had saved many of even greater value; and yet all these, lost or saved, I said, were only things after allperishable, temporal, chiefly valuable for what they could contribute to our higher life. Some things are necessary for the life of the body, but even our bodies are temporal and pass away. It is the soul that truly lives. The things we value most, we treasure not for themselves but for the truth they symbolize or serve, the memories they awaken, the ideals and hopes, the life and love, they inspire. What we see is of the body that perisheth; what we value are the unseen treasures of the heart and the spirit.

Such was our thought when these

walls were black with smoke and so many of our church possessions were but ashes. Now we are saying, "What we lost has been restored; the old has been renewed; our church has been renovated; the New Year finds us new indeed, and our hearts rejoice."

But may it not be well to pause right here and ask ourselves one or two questions? Our church has been renovated, we say, but what does that mean? A coat of paint here, floors rebuilt, walls tinted, ceilings whitened, new carpets, better lighting, everything bright and clean? Yes it means all that; our church has been renovated.

But, after all, isn't this merely the surface of things? To what purpose the expenditure of near $200, to clean and tune our beautiful organ, for example, if we had no one to play it? Nay more, to what purpose the playing, the sweetest and best, if our hearts were not open to its influence, if we answered not with reverence and praise?

Or why rejoice in light and beauty and furnishings new, if no new light Tools shines within? the most expensive serve no purpose, unless used by skilful hands. Books by the hundred may fill one's library, but they have no meaning unless read. Pictures and memorials may adorn our homes or

What then does it mean to renew a church, to make all things really new? It would mean a renewal of spiritual life in its membership. And would that mean something done wholesale? No. It would mean the renewal of spiritual life in each one separately, as individuals. And would it mean anything mysterious and difficult? No. It would mean the renewal of purpose, the renewal of loyalty, the renewal of courage and faith and hope. To a large extent it is a matter of will. Even in the spiritual life the old saying is true that "where there is a will there is a way." To those who ask is given; to those who knock, the door is opened; to those who seek, the spirit comes.

So the renewal of the spiritual life of a church means the renewal of every good purpose and of the good spirit in you and me. It isn't anything we can take on from the outside. It must come from within. It isn't anything

others can do for us. We must work out our own salvation. But we can do it-for God is working with us. Many people accept too contentedly or too submissively their limitations, even their faults. That is a pity and a great mistake. The will can work wonders; and it is God working with us. We can renew our spiritual life by spiritual effort-by meditation, by thought, by prayer, by welcoming truth and serving it, by opening the heart to the good and to God.

Were our church to be renewed after this fashion, what would happen?

Our congregation would increase; our membership would grow; our societies would become stronger and do better work; our Sunday school would greatly flourish;; and above all, our lives, individually, in our homes and at work, would become worthier, happier and more helpful, being possessed by a "trust and strength and calmness from above."

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"Behold I make all things new." What a glorious vision! But its coming will be the coming of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men, and women, and little children.

A Christmas Surprise.

Is there any greater pleasure than working with children? I know of none and the recent experience with "A Christmas Surprise," the play given for the Sunday School Christmas entertainment, has again emphasized this fact.

So many have said "How natural the children were," I want to tell how it happened, for I made a discovery (for myself, at least) of a way to make that possible. Being responsible for the entertainment and having little spare time, I consulted one or two people as to where to obtain a short play which would introduce Santa Claus and fairies, the Committee having expressed a wish that these characters should appear. The only desirable plays available were too long or too difficult. There was only one thing to do, namely, to invent one for our purpose. The "plot" was thought out, the children asked to come to the first rehearsal, and an experiment tried which which seems to have been an inspiration. Seated about the table they listened to the story. Deeply interested, they were eager to work it out as a "play." Children always love to "play house" and they entered enthusiastically into the plans for the stage setting and opening scene. Then the lines, which were short, were largely made up as we went along and were jotted down in shorthand for referThe children were encouraged to be as spontaneous as possible and a number of things which made the play successful were the result of their own overflowing spirits. The mother (Miss Mary Peabody) was perfect in her sympathetic voice and motherly ways. The children loved her and so responded naturally. They chose their own names for their parts, and when asked what they wanted Santa to bring them expressed their own desires. Having no song at hand for the fairies, We "la-la-ed" at the first rehearsals and, strange to say, that worked out one night into their little song.

ence.

Our wonderful Santa Claus is always SO full of fun and life we knew he would be just the one to adapt himself to the scheme, and you know how well

he did it, though he rehearsed with the children for the first time only an hour before the performance and never saw his lines until then.

The idea of a gift to Santa Claus of the dear little girl in the big stocking was taken from "Tables Turned," written by Miss Kate Louise Brown, and gave the play a pretty, unique climax, besides carrying out the thought "It is more blessed to give than to receive" which ran through the play.

Started as an entertainment, it has proved a "surprise" in many ways, the most interesting of which is the revelation to me of the way children may be taught to express naturally their dramatic instinct, with no heavy tax on any taking part. It added much to my own Christmas joy. I feel sure that those who took part were the happier for it, and we hope those for whom it was given were happier also.

Annie F. Brown.

Pleasant Sunday Evenings. The "Pleasant Sundays Evenings" will begin again on Sunday, Jan. 18. at 7.30 P. M. Many of us remember how really pleasant and well-attended they were last year. The programs will be similar to last year's, including music, singing hymns, addresses upon topics of current interest, and stereopticon talks. The social half-hour from 8.30 to 9 will be a special feature, with light refreshments.

Cards advertising the first evening will be distributed through the neighborhood and a hearty welcome is extended to all Our church stands for a religion of faith, hope and love, the three Eternities, as Dr. Hale called them, and these mean good will,good cheer, and good works Please help us advertise these Pleasant Evenings and come yourselves to "lend a hand."

The Sunday-school contributions to the Children's Mission for the past halfyear amounted to eighty dollars, our high water mark. On Tuesday before Christmas, the committee of the Sunday school met at the Mission and decorated the windows with wreaths and Miss Merrill's picture with asparagus vine. Christmas gifts were sent to six children by the school and Lend-a-Hand clubs.

The Saturday night "Open House" will start upon its fifth season on Saturday evening, January 10th. The boys have been asking, for several months, "When will the Saturday nights begin?" New tables, new games, and new plans, promise to make this season one of our best.

The new lesson book, beginning on Jan. 11, will be "Noble Lives and Noble Deeds," a book devoted to the ideals of Character as illustrated in the lives of the heroes and saints of past centuries.

Recognition Sunday will be observed on Jan. 18. We hope for a pleasant day and a large attendance.

The Annual Teachers' Meeting will be held on Thursday evening, Jan. 15, at Miss Faulkner's, at 7.30 o'clock.

The Christmas service on Dec. 21, began with a short service in the Sundayschool room, including appropriate quotations by the classes, and was con tinued in the church with the congregation. On the following Sunday the chorus of young people from the Channing Church, Dorchester, sang a Christmas Cantata, "The New-born King." Thus our Christmas covered two Sundays.

The Christmas Tree. Santa Claus arrived as expected, but this time he was discovered and brought into the Sunday-school room by a band of little fairies, who had been taking part in our Christmas play. This play was given by a group of the younger scholars of the school and one teacher, Miss Mary M. Peabody. Nobody enjoyed it more than Santa Claus himself and that is saying a great deal.

Women's Alliance.

Two meetings were held in December. The Study Class met on the 10th, at which Miss Elinor W. Crocker read an exceedingly interesting paper on "Peace and the Hague Conventions," which was discussed by the members.

On Dec. 17th, an "Evening Meeting" was held, at which Miss Jane R. McCrady of the "Ellis Memorial" gave a very instructive and helpful talk on "City Amusements for Our Young People." She emphasized the point, strongly, that parents should go with their children when they attend public amusements, particularly public dances.

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After Miss McCrady's talk coffee and cake were served and a social half hour enjoyed.

The meetings for January will be as follows: Jan. 14, a "Study Class"; subject, "Our Relation to the Immigrant", introduced by one of the younger members of the alliance.

Jan. 28, Mrs. Ada Eliot Sheffield will speak on the new "Widow's Pension Law."

All our friends, as well as all Alliance members are asked to bear in mind the "St. Valentine's Fair," which is to be held on February 11 and 12.

Contributions of useful and fancy articles, handkerchiefs, bags, preserves, pickles, jellies, candy, etc., will be most acceptable.