least to cover its own expenses, and at the same time, through its greater activity and publicity, to emphasize the missionary side of our work.

During the year considerable attention has been given to work among the Spanish-speaking peoples. Tracts have been printed in Spanish and mailed in considerable numbers to many persons in Mexico, and more especially in Cuba. Through the generosity of Mrs. Henry Pickering it became possible to send Mr. F. M. Noa to Cuba, in the month of December, to make an investigation as to the feasibility of work in that island. Mr. Noa returned from his investigation early in May, after having accomplished a great deal in the way of discovering Unitarian sympathizers in various Cuban cities, and arousing an interest in our teachings on the part of many thoughtful persons. The Association has been favored in this work in having the services of a man who speaks both Spanish and English with facility. It has been decided to continue this work in the well-devised methods of our Post-office Mission workers. This would involve a systematic mailing of Spanish tracts to Cubans in all parts of the island, a careful correspondence with all inquirers, and an occasional visit to Cuba during the winter months on the part of our representative. No intention has been formed to undertake at present the establishment of Unitarian churches in the island.

To indicate the general condition of our cause a few quotations may be made from the reports of our Field Secretaries.

Rev. F. C. Southworth, Secretary of the Western Conference, reports "a tendency of continually increasing significance, namely, the more active participation of

common by the churches of our land.

Testimony to this effect from all parts of the field is unanimous and positive. This common work is of various kinds, social, charitable, philanthropic, almost any kind of work which is not sectarian. Into this work our churches and ministers are receiving at the present time a hearty welcome. Bigotry is disappearing. Sectarian lines are being obliterated. Opinions which a few years ago were deemed hopelessly heretical are now no longer a bar to active participation in the religious life of our time."

It should be added that this tendency reported by Mr. Southworth is equally manifest in all sections where our churches are at work.

our

From the Pacific Coast the Field Secretary, Rev. George W. Stone, writes: "There has been a distinct gain in the power and influence of the churches in this department during the past year. The various agencies for the propagation of our faith have been active and encouragingly successful. The increased readiness with which thought has been received, when presented by word of mouth or in the form of tracts and other publications, has been noticeable. The transition from the old to the new theology seems to be proceeding steadily. This is shown in the weakening of prejudices against us, as well as in the increased interest in the simple truths for which we, as Unitarians, stand. There is one other tendency plainly visible which will be regarded with interest by the members of the Association,— namely, the growing interest in religion and ethics and a corresponding decrease of attention to speculative theories, and what is sometimes called by the specious name of new thought.' Yet, in this Western country our mission is to preach righteousness.

clear definition of our theological principles, at the outset, nothing in that direction is required."

Rev. D. W. Morehouse, Secretary of the Middle States Conference, besides reporting several new novements well under way, states that the spiritual condition of the churches in his territory is decidedly improved, and that many of the older churches are in a better condition than a year ago.

Rev. G. H. Badger, Field Secretary for New England, states that "the situation in the New England field cannot vary materially from year to year under normal conditions. The great majority of our churches here have been established for a century or more. Social conditions are rather more stable than elsewhere, changes though marked in country and manufacturing towns more gradual, and opportunities for missionary enterprise less abundant because the field is already so well covered. A general toning up in spiritual power and moral efficiency is perceptible in most sections of this department, I believe; and some significant gains in the personnel of our ministers have been made."

Perhaps the most hopeful indication of our increased. efficiency as a body conscious of responsibilities in the development of the best things in the world is seen in a decided increase of missionary earnestness on the part of our ministers and churches. Many there are who have not yielded to this spirit. Nevertheless, very many of our ministers, both old and young, are in hearty accord with the feeling of the administrative officers of the Association, which is that our church cannot reach its highest usefulness save as it presses on more and more with a missionary purpose. The missionary motive is simply human

the best way whereby the Unitarian Church can put forth its sympathies. We are not actuated by the pride of growth and power: we are simply desirous of ministering to what seem to us the deepest human needs. If we are right in the assumption that man's deepest need is to have a brave, intelligent, and hopeful comprehension of the possibilities of life, such a comprehension as shall incite him to righteous and unselfish living, and at the same time fill his days with a noble satisfaction in the fact that he exists, then our method of sympathetic endeavor is perfectly clear. We are to go forth to all souls whom we can reach, and so deliver by word and action our great Christian convictions that they shall sink into men's minds to bring forth in each and every one this courage and peace which are so much to be desired. This is the missionary aim of the officers of our Association, of all its Field Secretaries, State Secretaries, and also a rapidly increasing number of its ministers and other toilers. As a cheering indication of our future in this regard, we gladly welcome the appearance among the students of the Meadville Theological School of the Brotherhood for Unitarian Missions. The purpose of this society is to study the work of Unitarian church. extension and acquaint itself with the missionary opportunities in our work, in the hope that its various members thus equipped for service will be accepted by this Association as missionary agents, and placed upon their graduation in some service which shall be distinctively missionary. Such a movement has more than once in the past appeared both at Meadville and at Harvard Divinity School, but for one reason or another nothing on a systematic or large scale has ever resulted therefrom. Let us at least hope that this desire to serve may not be defeated by any lack of interest on the part of our people or by a lack of money with

The year has brought forth twelve new Unitarian churches, twenty-one fresh preaching stations, twentyseven additions to our list of ministers, fifteen of whom have been received from various orthodox denominations, and, around and above all these visible things, the halo of a deepened consecration and a more determined earnestness. What returns the future will give to this augmented body known as the Unitarian Church it would be useless to predict. Indeed, there are few of us that care. It is not the future with which we concern ourselves. We are of those that deal with the present. Whatsoever strength we have inherited from our fathers in the faith, whatsoever power we have gained through the varied influences of life, whatsoever capacity we now hold in our churches and in ourselves, we value simply for the sake of the innumerable children of God. These accumulated forces we propose to use for the immediate betterment of the world. What we can do to-day we shall do. In so far as better organization and increased numbers enable us to do this one day's work more efficiently, we welcome this earned increment; but we care little for it as a basis of self-congratulation. We offer ourselves to God as a part of the working energies of his kingdom. If he will use us for his immediate service, we shall rejoice. If he use us not, we shall believe the fault is in ourselves; and we shall seek so to improve our nature and increase our efficiency that, when another morning dawns, the great King can at last find us serviceable. One world, one day at a time, is our motto; but we have cause for profound gratitude because of the inspiration we have for dealing with this one day from our noble body of theology and our enlightening religious incentives. This knowledge, this light, are in part what we indicate when we use