eration of New England itself. Particularly it has been the boast of Unitarian churches of Boston that every dollar which they have given to the American Unitarian Association has been spent outside of Boston. This is no longer true. The Association has this year been. obliged to take upon itself the burden of the support of several weak churches within the limits of the city of Boston itself, and there is reason to believe that this local demand will increase rather than diminish. The successive disbandments of the Suffolk Conference and of its successor, the Church Extension Society, have transferred the responsibilities heretofore borne by these societies to the Association. By invitation of the Directors of the Association there has been formed the Missionary Council for Greater Boston, and to this Council the Committee will hereafter look for advice in regard to the promotion of our cause at its centre. We are unanimous in the opinion that it will not do to allow the Unitarian cause to languish at home, and we are therefore strenuous in our insistence that at any sacrifice the denominational centres must be kept strong and productive.

A survey of our New England field by States reveals a fairly healthy and satisfactory condition in the churches aided by the Association.

In Connecticut this Committee assists the churches in Derby, New London, and Brooklyn. The two first societies are in need of church buildings. The church in Derby has secured the greater part of a fund for this purpose, but still lacks some two thousand dollars before it can begin the erection of the building for which adequate designs have been accepted.

In Massachusetts the Committee has been able to continue the habit of many years in helping to sustain a

number of the ancient country parishes that have been weakened by the loss of their young people. This obligation is laid upon us by our inheritances and also by many of the generous friends who contribute to the Association. A sweet and honorable sentiment in regard to these ancient parishes influences a number of those who make their annual gifts to this cause, and the desires of these co-operating friends must be respected by the Committee. The Committee also has under its charge in Massachusetts a number of newer enterprises, which grow slowly toward self-support. The progress in this respect is not altogether satisfactory, and the patience of the Committee has been not a little tried in a number of instances.

In Maine work goes forward happily at Farmington, Waterville, Ellsworth, and in the Aroostook circuit. In Vermont one society and in New Hampshire six or eight societies are assisted.

In several instances the Committee has endeavored to economize by inducing an aided church to accept the services of a neighboring minister for an afternoon service. As a rule, the churches are very reluctant to do this; and the Committee is equally reluctant to force such action by withdrawal of the appropriation. It is apparent, however, that it is wasteful to pay subsidies to two churches within a few miles of one another, with trolley connections, when the combined congregations of the two churches is not half that of many churches in our fellowship served by a single minister. The question is raised whether a church that insists that it must hold its services at half-past ten in the morning or die is worth preserving at expense to the sister churches. Of course, if such a society is able to pay its own bills, this Committee has no jurisdiction.

The Committee has taken great satisfaction in the efficient service of the field agent, Rev. William Channing Brown, who has worked under the direction of the Committee since February 1. In his short term of service he has already proved the efficacy of the method, and has established himself in the confidence of the Directors and the affection of the churches that he has served.

The Secretary of the Committee on the Supply of Pulpits, a committee appointed by the Ministerial Union and not under the jurisdiction of this committee but dealing with the same field, has submitted the following report for the year ending March 8, 1904:

Candidates dealt with

Candidates now on printed list

Candidates on card register

Candidates settled during the year in New England

Candidates settled during year out of New England

Candidates removed from the list

Churches dealt with

.

Churches now on list

Letters received

Letters written

Circulars sent

Callers at the office

117

39

40

16

3

21

36

13

825

1,041

346

936