LIBERTYAND

THE FIRST CENTURY OF THE BRITISH & FOREIGN UNITARIAN ASSOCIATION

BY SYDNEY HERBERT MELLONE 'c, M.A., D.%. Secretary of the Associatiow

THE LINDSEY PRESS www.unitarian.org.uWdocs 5 ESSEX STREET, STRAND, >LONDON, W.C. 2 1925 CONTENTS

CHAPTER I PAGE ENGLANDIN 1825 . . i CHAPTER I1 MOVEMENTSBEFORE 1825 . CHAPTER I11 FOUNDATIONAND CONSTITUTION. CHAPTER IV WORKAMID ANXIETY. .

C CHAPTER V WIDENINGSYMPATHIES AND HOPES CHAPTER V1 ORGANISEDWORK TO 1890 . CHAPTER V11 ORGANISEDWORK . EXTENDED, 1890-rgoz CHAPTER V111 THE NEW CENTURY,1902-1925 CHAPTER IX RELIGIOUSCONDITIONS IN 1925

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This book dealing with the first century of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association, has been prepared by authority of the Executive Committee of the Association. It is based on an exhaustive study of the successive Annual Reports of the Asso- ciation since its foundation in 1825, and of other relevant documents. The author wishes to make cordial acknowledgement of the assistance given by the Rev. W. G. Tarrant, B.A., member of the Exe- cutive Committee since 1887, and the Rev. W. Copeland Bowie, D.D., Secretary from 1892 to 1921, who have read the whole of the proofs and made many valuable suggestions which have been embodied in the book. S. H, MELLONE. ENGLAND IN 1825

HE condition of England during the first T quarter of the nineteenth century, re- garded from the outside, gave little ground for any hopeful view of the coming years. Neither the political nor the economic order was adapted to the changes which were taking place under the eyes of men. The industrial revolution was not half way through. Since Watt's final elaboration of his steam-engine in 1785, the new power was harnessed to the making of all kinds of other machines, which were slowly improved, and slowly won their way; and the agony of the change was long. Thus when the wealth and population of the country were in- creasing, the people were miserable and poor. The progressive elements in Parliament and else- where were in the grip of an economic creed which blessed the struggle of all with all, and for the sake of that struggle temporized with the con- stant waste of life through accident and excessive hours of work, and with the nameless horrors of child slavery. LIBERTY AND RELIGION ENGLAND IN 1825 The redeeming influence of the higher literature by its division into two societies-Bell enlisting was indirect, and its results were not apparent in the National Society, representing the Church, until the next generation. Keats died in 1821, and Lancaster in the British and Foreign School Shelley in 1822, and Byron in 1824. In 1825 Society, representing the Dissenters. The Dis- Hazlett was forty-seven years old, Charles senters were poor, and their schools few. In Lamb fifty, and Coleridge fifty-three; of the two many districts they had to choose between greatest names in the literature of that time, Scott, leaving their children untaught and sending aged fifty-four, had already written most of his them to be instructed in Anglican principles. Waverley Novels, and Wordsworth, aged fifty- Churchmen were of opinion that to impart know- five, had already done most of his influential ledge without mixing it with Anglican doctrine, work. Criticism, of the kind which proves was an intolerable neglect of duty. The result everyone wrong but the critic and his friends- was that in most of their schools the children were the criticism which drove Shelley and Keats out drilled to repeat the Catechism and Creed without of the country-was plentiful. There was little understanding, and half of them left the schools forward-looking hope or faith in the bettering of unable to read or write.l the world, and no consciousness of an ideal aim The currents of the time were bearing England before Society as a whole. Philosophers analysed forward rapidly into a future then undiscerned. human nature, or what they supposed to be such ; In the few years of the Napoleonic wars the but there was scarcely any new literature moved old order had gone to pieces, and the fabric of by love of human nature, or by imaginative society needed rebuilding. Organized govern- penetration into the passionate aspirations of ment, central and local, the franchise, the civil mankind. and commercial order, the main provisions of a During the eighteenth century most of the modern State for a modern people-were yet to provision made for the education of the poor be called into being; and the profound misery in England, was provided by an organization of of millions of men and women gave the upper Anglican churchmen-the Society for promoting classes short respite for reform. Fortunately, the Christian Knowledge, founded in 1699. At the statesmen of the time found to their hands a great close of the eighteenth century, Andrew Bell and volume of charity and social beneficence. It was Joseph Lancaster started a new movement for the day of the Evangelical Crusades against primary education; but it wgs much weakened Henry Craik, The State ilz Relation to Education, Ch. i. LIBERTY AND RELIGION ENGLAND IN 1825 slavery, brutal sports, cruelty to children and to power can save." A storm was about to break animals. Such crusades were sometimes capri- on the Church, which " stunned and bewildered " cious and erratic, and drew from Ebenezer Elliott her leaders and friends and ended her slumbers? (born 1781, died 1849) the caustic lines :- John Henry Newman, in 1839, wrote of the reaction against " the dry and superficial char- Their lofty souls have telescopic eyes, Which see the smallest speck of distant pain, acter of the religious teaching and literature of While at their feet a world of agonies the last generation " and of " the need felt both Unseen, unheard, unheeded, writhes in vain. by the hearts and intellects of the nation for a deeper philosophy." It was, he said, " not so The battle for the factory children and the ten much a movement as a spirit afloat, rising up in hours day was fought by a small party of inde- hearts where it was least suspected, and working pendent men of different creeds, moved not by itself, though not in secret, yet so subtly and im- care for any party but by the impulse of mercy. palpably as hardly to admit of encounter on any Among these, the Unitarian John Fielden (1784- ordinary human modes of opposition The 1849) holds an honorable place. In 1833 Lord truth of this statement goes further and deeper Ashley (afterwards Earl of Shaftesbury) took up than its author dreamt of. Already the great the leadership of the group, and began his long German thinker Hegel (born 1770), through the career of service in the struggle for humanizing historical spirit of his teaching had stirred up conditions in the factories and mines. many of the ablest Continental scholars to read In later years Charles Dickens (1812-1870) the history of the past in the light of the idea of did much to sway the emotions of the philan- Development, and among these were the founders thropists to genuinely humanitarian ends ; and of modern Biblical criticism. The influence of with all its caprice, their enthusiasm was accom- their work was being felt by open-minded religious panied by an energy of thought and imagination thinkers-chiefly Unitarians-in England and which broadened and vivified the social con- America. But Newman truly discerned the sciousness of the time. beginnings of a new religious movement, fed by a The reputation of the Church at the time when host of new emotions stirring the hearts of men. our story begins is indicated in the simple words It divided into two rivers of thought : the Anglo- of Thomas Arnold, written a few years after Dean Church, The Oxford Movement, Ch. i. 1825: " The Church, as she now is, no human 2 History of my Religiows Opinions, Ch. iii. LIBERTY AND RELIGION ENGLAND IN 1825 Catholic movement and the Liberal movement later. So the remarkable coincidence of the birth in theology were born at the same time as the of the American Unitarian Association a few political movement for reform. hours earlier than its British sister was not pre- If in 1825 the question of questions had been arranged. Emerson was then a young man of set forth in the familiar words "Watchman, twenty-two, and Longfellow of eighteen. what of the night ? " the best men of that time Abraham Lincoln was a boy of sixteen, and could have given only a hesitating and partial Theodore Parker of fifteen. William Ellery answer. But the promise of a full and final Channing, six years before, had delivered his answer was present with them, though unknown. famous exposition and defence of Unitarian It lay in the lives of those who in that year were Christianity in Baltimore. only in their childhood, boyhood, or early man- Before proceeding to tell the story of the hood, but were destined to mould the thought and British and Foreign Unitarian Association and its life of the age. It is of much interest to recall work from 1825 onwards, we must indicate the their names. When the British and Foreign place of the Unitarian movement in the English Unitarian Association was founded, on May ~6th~ Nonconformity of the early nineteenth century; 1825, John Ruskin was a child of six; Charles and this involves a brief reference to its earlier Dickens and Robert Browning were boys of history. thirteen ; Charles Darwin, Alfred Tennyson, and William Ewart Gladstone, boys of sixteen; John Stuart Mill was nineteen ; James Martineau was a young man of twenty, as was Richard Cobden, and Ashley (Earl of Shaftesbury) and John Henry Newman were young men of twenty-four. Carlyle, aged thirty-one, was beginning to feel that he had a message to deliver to mankind. It was in 1825 that Thomas Campbell, the Scottish poet, pleaded that " all the friends of liberal views " should unite in establishing a University in London. There was no Atlantic cable until many years EARLIER MOVEMENTS mans a defiial of the Deity of Christ. And the question, " What think ye of Christ ? " was the real issue in the " anti-Trinitarian " controversies of our fathers a century ago. This is indeed an understatement of the historic facts. We find that the liberal Christians MOVEMENTS BEFORE 1825 of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries often spoke of the Tui~itarianscheme, and with \ (i). Two tyfies of Chyistianity justice. Not only the Deity of Christ, but Original Sin, Eternal Punishment, and Vicarious HE faith in God which is the basis of Unit- Atonement were essential parts of the Trinitarian- T arian Christianity is as old as the Hebrew ism which confronted them. Without these, the Prophets, and neither Jesus nor Paul departed doctrine of the Trinity becomes at the best a from this fundamental 'Theism. The Trinitarian matter of philosophical speculation ; but these doctrine of God held no place in the religious faith doctrines together constitute a religion-namely of the early Christians. It was a later growth. Trinitarian Christianity. Its formulation as a dogma of the Church was Unitarian Christianity, in one form or another, later even than the official definition of the Deity has existed from the time when Trinitarianism of Jesus Christ, which was not arrived at until was shaped into a dogmatic creed. Ecclesiastical A.D. 325. The doctrine of the Trinity took shape and legal restrictions, as well as the slow develop- because theologians allowed themselves to believe ment of freedom in religious thought, made it that the Spirit of God was a third " Person " dis- difficult if not impossible to organize a definite tinct from " God the Father " and " God the Unitarian movement until comparatively modern Son "; but the religious importance attached to times. All through the Christian centuries, how- the doctrine has always been based on its con- ever, there have been individuals and groups who nection with the belief that " Jesus is God." As have taken part in the great struggle for truth a matter of historical fact, the Trinity and the and freedom in religion; and to this company of Deity of Christ have been regarded as inseparable seekers for truth and freedom, more numerous at conceptions; and it has always been taken for the present day than at any previous period in granted that a rejection of the Trinitarian doctrine history, Unitarians have always belonged. LIBERTY .4ND RELIGION EARLIER MOVEMENTS

(ii). Demand for seiritual freedom devised with the express purpose of driving the Unitarian Christianity cannot, therefore, be Puritans out. The result was that over two traced to any single teacher or any specific date. thousand beneficed clergymen and a number of It had its sources in the thoughts of many minds endowed schoolmasters were deprived of their in many lands. But its fountain-head was the livings. By far the most famous among them study and interpretation of the Bible. Protest- was Richard Baxter, who represents the spirit of ants rejected papal authority, but they did not the Ejected at its best.' He stood for pure dethrone the Bible from its position of assumed Christianity against sects and parties. He infallibility. The Bible was read in accordance adopted an ancient maxim " In things essential with the ancient creeds. Bigotry and intolerance unity; in things not essential, liberty; in all were not exorcised at the Reformation. The things, charity." He had indeed no idea of heretics of the Reformation period were chiefly complete toleration. Socinians and Papists were those who insisted on reading the Bible in the regarded by him as " intolerable." But his out- light of conscience and reason alone ; and this led look widened. His intellectual keenness, honesty, especially to heretical views about the Trinity, and self -criticism, his desire for comprehension, and therefore also about the Deity of Christ. By his recognition of degrees of certainty, and of the the middle of the seventeenth century these diver- difference between essentials and non-essentials, gencies, with those that arose concerning ecclesi- all led further, and went on working after his astical organization and forms of worship, had death. He stood for the attempt to find a basis created serious conflicts within the Church of of agreement by reducing the number of essentials England; and to silence them the Act of Uni- adfundamentals ; and this was the first step formity was passed and received the Royal on a great adventure. In Baxter and all the best Assent May 16th, 1662. of the Ejected Ministers, there were germs of In addition to the imposition of episcopal enlightened conviction, which time and experi- Ordination, it insisted on " assent and consent " ence have since fructified to greater issues than to everything contained in and prescribed by the were dreamt of in their day. Anglican Book of Common Prayer. The Prayer They were called " Presbyterian," but the Book itself had been hastily revised, immediately 1 For an admirable aocount of Baxter see Gordon's Heads before the passing of the Act, and many of the of English Unitarian History (sections forty to eighty-six1: six hundred alterations made appear to have been London, The Lindsey Press. LIBERTY AND RELIGION EARLIER MOVEMENTS name has no proper application to them. Baxter Unitarian Churches in England is linked to the used it mostly as a vague negative term meaning passing of the Act of Uniformity. But in order Theophilus Lindsey, Thomas Belsham, Priestley, himself brought up as an Independent, Dr. Kippis, Dr. Disney, and several leading lay- and the withdrawal of Theophilus Lindsey from men were present. Every book or tract, pro- the Church of England to establish a Unitarian posed to be issued, had first to be recommended Church in London (Essex Street, 1774), aroused by three members of the Society; its admission or the Liberal Dissenters to consider their position, rejection was subsequently determined by ballot. and to a large extent they found that they had Books were placed at the disposal of members for grown into Unitarian Christianity. The pam- distribution according to the amount of their phlets and letters of the time show a deep sense subscriptions. Members who " resided within of duty to make their views known. Moreover, the district of the threepenny post " were sum- there were various interests that they had in moned to the general meetings of the Society. common, in which they were threatened with Among the publications recommended at the serious injury, and were obliged to organize for first meeting as being " worthy of the patronage of the Society were Dr. Lardner's " Letter con- mutual support. They were thus compelled to " cerning the question, whether the Logos took the work together if they would work at all, for no place of a human soul in the Person of Jesus others would work with them. Societies were Christ "; l Dr. Priestleyys sermon on " The im- formed for the organization and support of literary propaganda and missionary endeavour, 1 This forbidding title covers an able discussion of one of and for the protection of civil rights. The three the most interesting of the attempts made, during the first most important of these societies were formed four centuries, to rationalize the deity of Jesus by reducing his humanity. Apollinarius, Bishop of Laodicea (died A.D. respectively in 1791, ~806,and 1819: and with 392) believed that a complete divine nature and a complete these three the British and Foreign Unitarian human nature joined together meant two persons joined Association is historically linked. Some further together. To &void this, and retain the full deity, he denied information regarding them is therefore required. the full humanity of Jesus. LIBERTY AND RELIGION portance and extent of Free Inquiry in matters was decided to prepare a report as to the state of the Society and the best means of securing a of Religion "; Mr. Lindsey's " Catechist, or inquiry into the doctrine of the Scriptures con- revival. Later in the same year a resolution was cerning the only true God and object of religious submitted from the Unitarian Fund suggesting the appointment of a joint committee to consider worship " ; Dr. Disney's " Friendly Dialogue between a common Unitarian Christian and an the formation of a General Unitarian Association. At the Annual Meeting in April, 1826, it was Athanasian " ; Dr. Watts' cc Hymns and Moral Songs for the use of Children " (revised and unanimously resolved that the Book Society unite altered); Mrs. Barbauld's " Hymns for the use of with the British and Foreign Unitarian Assoeia- tion, formed twelve months previously. Children " ; and cc Advice from Farmer Trueman to his daughter Mary, upon her going to service " The Unitarians of that time were convinced -this last an indication that the Society evinced that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- early interest in practical religion. ments were the supreme authority for matters of The records of the Committee, preserved in a faith and conduct: but for that very reason they large Minute Book (1791 to 1826) show that there could not regard the Authorized Version as final; was a very considerable demand for the publica- and the publication of an improved version en- tions issued by the Society, especially during the gaged the attention of the Book Society from an first twenty-five years of its existence. In early period. After an unsuccessful endeavour addition to the distribution of literature through to arrange for an edition of Gilbert Wakefield's members, grants &re made to congregations in translation (first published in 17gz), a Committee different parts of the country, beginning in 1800 was appointed in 1806 to consider the whole with Dukinfield (" for the use of the Sunday question afresh. They recommended that Arch- School recently established by the Rev. James bishop Newcome's translation, published in Hawkes "): and to the Committee of the Unitar- Dublin in 1800, would form the best basis for a new ian Fund and other Societies. In 1808 the high version; and a special fund, vested in Trustees, cost of paper made it necessary to increase the was raised for the purpose. The Improved price of books and to give fewer books to mem- Version was ready for circulation in 1808.1 bers in return for their annual subscriptions. An Improved Version of the New Testament .on the Basis From 1820 onwards there seems to have been of A~chbishofiNewcome's new Traasl~tion:London, 1808. some weakening of interest, and early in 1824 it The Rev. Thomas Belsham was the principal Editor. The C. , LIBERTY AND RELIGION I . EARLIER MOVEMENTS I9 In 1817 the Society purchased from the Trustees plied all preachers to subscribe to those Articles the whole impression of a new Edition, for which (excepting only the parts relating to Church £500 was paid in instalments: the money to be Government and ritual); so that Unitarians and applied for reprinting this work cc or some other Roman Catholics were alike excluded. Nine improved version of the New Testament." In years later (1698) an Act was passed penalising 1826, the control of the circulation of the Im- those who " by writing, printing, teaching, or proved Version passed to the British and Foreign advised speaking shall deny any one of the persons Unitarian Association : the Trustees at that time in the Holy Trinity to be God, or shall maintain being the Rev. Robert Aspland, the Rev. Dr. that there are more Gods than one." Such laws Thomas Rees, and Mr. Thomas Gibson. were not often enforced; but they were there, as The proceedings of the Book Society some- an effective threat and a very present danger, times went far beyond the range of literary pro- until 1813; and the work of the Book Society paganda as ordinarily understood. from 1791, and of the Unitarian Fund from 1806, It is important to remember that the old penal was carried on in face of them? laws against Unitarians remained unrepealed until The question of these enactments,and especially 1813. Not only religious equality before the law the Act of 1698, was considered at a meeting of but even religious liberty was unknown. The the Book Society in April 1791, when a deputation most important of the penal laws were the was appointed to request the Rt. Hon. Charles exceptive clauses of the Toleration Act of " " James Fox, "who has at all times stood forth the 1689, which not only deprived of legal toleration manly asserter of the right of private judgment all who should deny in preaching or in writing the in matters of religion, to move in the House of doctrine of the Trinity as declared in the Thirty- Commons for the repeal of the said statute [of nine Articles of the Church of England, but com- 16981 and other penal laws, or any of them, at text adopted was that of Griesbach, i.e., it was the type of such time as he shall think proper." In March, text underlying our Authorized Version. A Preface dis- 1792, the Unitarians presented a petition to cussed such questions as the value of patristic quotations, the possibility of conjectural emendations, etc. Where the Parliament in which they declared their position Editor's version differed from Newcome's, the latter was by saying they conceived it to be " their duty to placed at the foot of the page. The Version was violently For a fuller account of the penal laws, see Alexander attacked by orthodox controversialists, e.g. in the Quarterly Gordon, Heresy : its Ancient Wrongs and Modern Rights: Rsview (Williams, Memoivs of Belsham, 1833, p. 590). London, The Lindsey Press, 1913, pp. 31 ff LIBERTY AND RELIGION EARLIER MOVEMENTS examine into and interpret the Holy Scriptures (ii). That the members of this Society hail the present for themselves, and their right, publicly to measure, as an auspicious prelude to that happy day when all declare the result of their inquiries." This penal laws and political restrictions on religious grounds striking declaration shows that the sufiremacy and shall be for ever abolished; when.an insidious and limited suficiency of Scripture was at that period con- Toleration shall give way to universal religious Liberty; and when all, without distinction, shall be entitled by law sciously and deliberately accepted as the first to the possession of those civil and political privileges which principle of Unitarian Christianity, as against are the birthright of Brltons. current Protestantism which read into the Bible the contents of the ecclesiastical creeds. N~verthelessmore than twenty years passed (v). The unit aria^ Fund before the memorable Act " to relieve persons The Book Society had been carrying on its who impugn the doctrine of the Holy Trinity activities for fifteen years; and there was a from certain penalties " became law. The Act growing feeling that the valuable literary propa- received the Royal Assent on July zrst, 1813; ganda maintained by the Society on behalf of and on July 30th~a special general meeting of the " scriptural and rational Christianity " required Book Society was held at Essex Street Chapel, to be supplemented by direct personal 'appeals. London, when the following resolutions, among Accordingly in February, 1806, a group of others, were adopted :- earnest Unitarians (chiefly laymen) met in London (i). That the members of this Society view with great and resolved that it was desirable to establish a satisfaction the recent success of a measure which more than Fund for promoting Urcitarianism by means of twenty years ago they solicited in vain, though supported b'y popular preaching. Unitarianism is defined as the transcendent abilities of the late Mr. Fox, and they congratulate each other and the friends of civil and religious " that system of doctrines which is included in liberty in general, that by the Bill which has lately passed the belief and worship of one only God, the for the " relief of those who impugn the Doctrine of the Creator and Governor of the world, in contra- Trinity," persons who profess their dissent from that Article distinction to doctrines generally termed ortho- of the Established Creed are no longer exposed to severe and dox." The promoters of the Fund were persuaded ruinous penalties, but are placed under the protection of the Law. that the encouragement of Unitarian worship is one of the best means of disseminating Unitarialz 1 For a fuller account of the circumstances, see Gordon, doctrine. The Fund was to be applied (a) to op. cit., pp. 41 ff. enable poor Unitarian congregations to carry on LIBERTY AND RELIGION EARLIER MOVEMENTS religious worship, (b) to the payment of the the Churches was obtained, " it being partly the travelling and other expenses of preachers of the object of the Society to collect and disseminate gospel on Unitarian principles, (c) to the relief of this important information." Advisory Corn- ministers who by embracing Unitarianism sub- mittees are usually regarded as a recent innova- jected themselves to poverty. tion, but the Unitarian Fund exercised great care. The Rules provided, among other necessary A particular account of the moral character, the purposes, for an Annual General Meeting of the preaching abilities, and the probabilities of their Society (i.e., the subscribers) on Wednesday in usefulness was required of all ministers seeking , Whitweek, when cc a report shall be made of the assistance from the Fund; and then, if the refer- state of the Society "; for the election of Com- ences proved satisfactory,the minister's preaching mittee, Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditors ; for powers were tested and reported upon by members the privilege of any subscriber to " recommend of the Committee. cases " ; and for the appointment of correspond- The successive reports of the Unitarian Fund ing members in different parts of the country, show continuous and carefully organized helpful "to whom it shall be recommended to transmit work extending to all parts of the United King- to the Secretary an annual report of the state of dom, but rather difficult to summarize for the Unitarianism in their several districts." purposes of a brief historical survey. Speaking In the second Report of the Unitarian Fund, it broadly, the work fell into two main divisions : is stated that the Committee found in the country sustentation work in the widest sense of the word, a general disposition to co-operate with and pro- and special personal missionary work. Under mote their purposes. Measures -were taken to the former head, we find a long list of congrega- make the Society more generally known and tions to whom help was given towards the main- approved, by the distribution of the rules, by tenance of their ministers, or towards repairs and personal appeals, and by means of the Monthly improvements to existing buildings, or towards Repository, " a publicati~n whose pages are special addresses, and similar propaganda work. always open to the Society." Corresponding In a number of cases new ground was opened up, members, both ministers and laymen, in various and new movements inaugurated, assistance parts of the country, including Scotland and being sometimes given towards the purchase of Wales, were secured with little difficulty, and land for the erection of buildings. Local needs valuable information regardkg the condition of were discovered through reports sent in by the .l 8.~14r 24 : ',LIBERTY AND RELIGION . - various local correspondents; and by this means talent in the Greek Testament, and improving intercourse was opened up between the Central them in public speaking, without taking them Society and most parts of the United Kingdom, from their secular concerns, so as to form a body , . including Scotland, the North of Ireland, and of reputable supplies ." The volumes of the Monthly ~eiositor~show Under the head of personal missionary work, that for many years the Unitarians of Great inisters are sent to Scot- Britain had taken a lively interest in kindred les, as well as to different parts movemefits abroad, so far as the scanty information ' of England : but the great feature of the Society's available admitted. In 1818 a correspondent work along these lines is seen in the activities of had called attention to the necessity of contact the Rev. Richard Wright, who resigned his with foreign Unitarians, and suggested a fund for ministry in Wisbech, January, 1811, to become forwarding the Moathly Repository to corres- itarian Fund at a salary pondents abroad. In 1820, on the recommenda- increased in 1818 to E13o) and tion of the Rev. Robert Aspland, the Committee :b. nses. A more enterprising and of the Unitarian Fund decided to include foreign , onary the denomination never had work within the scope of its operations; and in before or since. He visited nearly every part of the following year a sub-committee on Foreign ces in Scotland; and Purposes was appointed, and arrangements made S, addresses incessantly for a delegate to visit the Continent.

til his resignation in I It is not clear how early the existence of the ished in the Monthly ancient Unitarian Church in Transylvania was the popular gifts of yidiscovered in England.' But from 1812 onwards his generous labours, and his en- $'$warm interest in these congregations was aroused ad of Unitarian Christianity. among their English fellow-believers, and means vities of the Fund, it is were sought of entering into correspondehce wth at in 1819 the proposal to &($them. In 1821 the Committee of the Unitarian eachers " was con- p;*b~und circulated a communication in Latin which rs later, it was decided to l'. See an interesting article by Mr. Dionysius Lorinczy in local preaching in the , tithe,., Transactions of the Unitarian Historical Society, volume structing young men of , I

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1 ih+fi:,;Q ;.*j, 1, : ;d; -v;:-:>: v.J; LIBERTY AND RELIGION EARLIER MOVEMENTS * drew an enthusiastic response from the authorities considered expedient to institute a society for the of the Transylvanian Church. In the last number purpose of protecting the civil rights of Unit- of the U~itariartFzlnd Register there is a deeply arians. The membership consisted of individual interesting and instructive article on the Unitarian subscribers, and of representatives of congrega- Church in Transylvania. tions making an annual contribution. The The importance of combining the existing Minute Books of the Association show that certain Unitarian Societies in England had been evident large questions, involving the amendment or for some time; and in May, 1824, Mr. Edgar repeal of laws oppressive to Dissenters in general, Taylor moved, and the Rev. Robert Aspland and particularly to Unitarians, occupied pro- seconded, that a resolution be prepared and sub- longed attention at many meetings of the Asso- mitted to the General Meeting on the expediency ciation. Among these were the Marriage Laws, of forming a General Union of Unitarian Societies under which marriages were legal only when throughout the kingdom. This resolution* was solemnized in the Established Church; and the adopted in June 1824. And on the ~3rdMay, Corporation and Test Acts, excluding Dissenters 1825, the Report of the Committee of the Unit- from many offices solely on religious grounds. arian Fund was submitted by the Secretary and Complaint was made that the orthodox evangeli- adopted for presentation at the General Meeting, cal Dissenters rendered no help to the Unitarians, when it was resolved to unite in forming the although the purposes in view were of equal im- British and Foreign Unitarian Association. portance to them all. In addition to these large public questions, Civil questions relating to endowments and trusts were (vi). The Rights Association dealt with from time to time, advice was given to " The Unitarian Association for the Protection individual congregations on the preparation of of the Civil Rights of Unitarians " held its first trust deeds, and similar documents. Cases of General Meeting in January, 1819. The founders individual injustice were dealt with, as when a of the Association stated that the Trinity Act of Leicester magistrate refused to bind an apprentice 1813 was understood to extend to Unitarians the to a Unitarian tradesman. privileges possessed by other denominations of With regard to education, the Association pro- Dissenters3 but it was doubtful whether that tested against any legislation which placed the object had been sufficiently secured, and it was management of schools in any other hands than / LIBERTY AND RELIGION

those from which contributions for their support -. were required. In 1824, the Association pro- * rnoted a petition, which was signed by more than two thousand persons, including many ministers, and was presented to parliament, urging that prosecutions for offences against religion were THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN UNITARIAN - 'worse than useless. There are some striking sentences in this petition showing a largeness of ASSOCIATION :

mind and temper still needed in the religious ITS FOUNDATION AND CONSTITUTION I , world. Religion, they declared, must be re- ceived not by force, but of free choice. " History (i). Origirtal Aims testifies to the fatality of all prosecutions for mere HE idea of a general union of Unitarians for opinion. It is neither wise nor safe to make the T the promotion of their common objects was manner and temper of writing an object of legal suggested by the practical inconveniences experi- visitation, inasmuch as it is impossible to define enced in conducting the business of the several where argument ends and evil speaking begins." Societies. A broader Society than had previously On the 26th May, 1825, it was resolved to existed was required, in order to comprehend the unite with the British and Foreign Unitarjan various purposes for the promotion of which Association, proposed to be formed later that day. Unitarians had entered into association. The Thus ended, as a separate organization, the independence of the existing Societies was found Unitarian Association for the protection of the to be confusing-none the less so because the Civil Rights of Unitarians. Henceforth, it was custom had grown up of referring to them as to form a part of the operations of the larger " The Unitarian Society," " The Unitarian Fund," Association. and " The Unitarian Association "and weak- ening, especially in the case of the Book Society and the Unitarian Fund, whose aims in practice necessarily overlapped. The prevalence of this view is indicated clearly in the praceedings of the Annual Meeting of the

bw&a?w*& C., 8 ,-, l, FOUNDATION assured that under such an arrangement, and with the Unitarian Fund, May zsth, 1825, when it was immediate junction, on which they rely, of some Societies, reported that the deputations appointed,by the and the not-long delayed accession of others, the peculiar various Societies had prepared and published a objects of this institution, as well as all others of importance plan for forming a General Unitarian Association, to our cause, will ,be more energetically and efficiently pursued than by the continuance of separate efforts. and the following statement was adopted: . .i . .

The proposed plan seems well adapted to realize at'no I.'.. ' 1 great distance of time, if not immediately, that closer union - (ii). Colzstitution of 1825 and more effective co-operation among the friends of Unitarian Christianity which have been so long desired and are so : The decisive meeting, summoned as " A General obviously desirable. It also provides for the junction, from ting of the Friends of Unitarian Christianity," time to time, of existing Unitarian Societies, without any held in London on Thursday, May 26th, 1825, compromise of the rights of their subscribers, or of the r the Chairmanship of Mr. Thomas Gibson. particular objects for which they were instituted. It com- At this meeting it was resolved that " a General prehends, or is capable of comprehending, every object which it is expedient for us, as Unitarians, to aim at by combined Society " be formed, to be " denominated the exertion; and avoids the difficulty, trouble, and expense, British and Foreign Unitarian Association," for which have been created by forming separate Societies for the promotion of objects specified as in the state- their independent accomplishment. It would afford greater ment adopted by the Unitarian Fund on the facilities than at present exist for the diffusion throughout the Unitarian body, of information upon all topics of common previous day. Until otherwise resolved, at a interest. Your Committee, therefore, hope that it would General Meeting of the Association, the following obtain much more general support than any, or all, of our were to be considered " the leading divisions of its existing Societies; and that it may prove the means of objects " :- making a powerful impression upon the public mind in favour of the doctrines and views of Unitarians. (I). The promotion of Unitarian Christianity in Great Upon these grounds, the Committee have come to the Britain, by assisting poor congregations, and sending out or unanimous resolution of recommending to this meeting that giving assistance to Missionary Preachers. the title and objects of the Unitarian Fund be henceforth (2). The publication and distribution of books and merged in those of The British and Foreign Unitarian tracts, controversial and practical, principally in a cheap and Association, for the promotpn of the principles of Unitarian popular form. Christianity at home and abroad, the support of its worship, (3). The pursuit of the two last-mentioned objects (as the diffusion of Biblical, theological, and literary knowledge opportunity and the means of the Association may afford) in on topics connected with it, and the maintenance of the civil foreign countries, and the maintenance, in the meantime, of rights and interests of its professors. The Committee feel correspondence and general co-operation. $SF kW. $, FOUNDATION AND CONSTITUTION (4). The protection and extension of the civil rights of holding investments of the Association, and in Unitarians. saving the expense and trouble formerly required This statement of the aims and objects of on the decease or appointment of individual the Association was adhered to until June, 1898, trustees. Incorporation also enables the Asso- when the following revised statement 4 was ciation to be appointed a Trustee of church or adopted :- other property, and this has already proved to be of considerable advantage to several congre - (I). The diffusion of the principles of Unitarian Christian- ity by assisting congregations and missionary preachers, and gations. The obvious distinction between a by such other means as may seem advisable. Trust Deed with its stated terms, and an in- (2). The spread of Biblical, theological, and literary dividual Trustee administering the Trust accord- knowledge on topics connected with Unitarian Christianity ing to these terms, shows the fallacy of the by means of books and pamphlets, controversial or practical. objection formerly made,-that an Association (3). The protection and extension of the civil rights of Unitarians. with a doctrinal name, becoming a Trustee, neutralizes the " open " character of the Trust. The policy of the Association, as given in the In May, 1918, the following statement was successive Annual Reports, shows that the change adopted, and now stands at the head of the Rules is only verbal, and that the first clause of the which define the Constitution of the Association: revised statement covers the first and third of the (I). The diffusion and support of the principles of Unit- original statement. arian Christianity, including the formation and assistance of The substance of this statement is embodied congregations which do not require for themselves or their in the Memorandum of Articles of Association ministers subscription to any doctrinal articles of belief. prepared in accordance with the regulations of the (2). The publication and circulation of Biblical, theo- Board of Trade, in order to obtain a Certificate of logical, scientific, and literary knowledge, related to Unitarian Christianity. Incorporation under the regulations relating to (3). To do all such other lawful things as are incidental bodies conducted not for profit. The official or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any certificate is dated July ~qth,1915. The Incor- of them. poration of the Association was carried out in It must again be observed that the alteration pursuance of a resolution adopted at the Annual in the wording of the statement is one of form not Meeting, June 4th, 1914. The Incorporation has substance, inasmuch as no change of policy was proved a great convenience in purchasing and involved. , "' AND CONSTITUTION 35 S 2 The words referring to the formation and 6enience. They may have their own funds and particular assistance of congregations which do not require class of objects to be determined by themselves; but uniting themselves to the Association to the extent of appointing for themselves or for their ministers subscription Two Deputies (who will, in that character become Members to any doctrinal articles of belief, were inserted of the Association and of all its Committees)--contributing in order to indicate explicitly what had been the not less than Five Pounds annually to the General Fund- policy of the Association throughout its history; $ appointing one of their Officers the regular official corres- and to bring the Rules into conformity with the & pondent with General Committee-communicating yearly ,. $;reports to the General Meeting of the state of Unitarianism a C h* model Trust Deed recommended to congre- !zwithin their respective limits-and, generally, promoting V. gations? The policy of what is called the Open &the leading objects of the Association. Such District Asso- ,2*' p. a .,l Trust is one to which the Association has always ? ciations to be styled, according to their respective localities, '.- it been loyal. Y,- " The ( ) District Association." 0the; verbal changes in reference to publica- (ii.) Congregations or Auxiliary Funds (which may either i!, not form part of any District Association, or which may in tions follow the Articles of Incorporation, and :S$ addition thereto be desirous of being more immediately con- simply describe more clearly the practical work \: nected with the General Association, and of contributing of the Association. Specific reference to Civil .*bG' directly to its funds) may unite with, and send two repre- Rights is omitted, as Unitarians may now be said b, oentatives Members to the General Public Meetings of the to be on a legal equality With other Dissenters. '4 Association ; such Congregations either to make an annual contribution to the General Fund of not less than Three In the original Rules of the Association, it is ~~Pounds,or a collection at least once in three years for its stated that - the Association shall consist of ?benefit. The officiating Ministers of such Societies to be " District Associations communicating with the co con side red, during their continuance as such, Honorary central body and sending representatives thereto, (~~ernbersof the Association. 4fCongregations or Fellowship Funds com- i (iii.) The qualification of individual members kor voting and holding offices shall be an annual subscription of not less municating in like manner,--of individual Sub- ;-than One Guinea, or a life donation of not less than Ten scribers,-and of Honorary Members " :- !%uineas. f (i.) By District Associations are meant any Societies 9 already formed, or hereafter to be formed in the Country (iii). Congregational Refiresentatives (or in London, if thought ~visable),whether of individuals or congregations, for whatever particular Unitarian object, *' The second clause of this Constitution expressly and comprising more or less extent according to local con- provides for direct congregational represent ation. ', 1 See The Essex Hall Year Book, 1925, p. 122. bnWe must briefly trace the policy of the Asso- ' FOUNDATION

. ciation on this question. The principle of such Chester. Kidderminster. Nottingham. representation formed part of the original Con- Chestefield. Leeds. Park Lane. stitution (1819) of the Civil Rights Association, Chichester. Leicester. Plymouth. whence it was adopted in a slightly modified form Chowbent. Lewes. Portsmouth. Crediton. Lincoln. Prescot. --.I when this body was merged in the larger Asso- Crewkerne. Liverpool : J Rochdale. . ciation. In an Address printed with their first Cullompton. Paradise Street. Rolvenden. Report (May, 1826) the Committee of the British Derby. Renshaw Street. Rotherham. and Foreign Unitarian Association observe, in Devonport. London : Sheffield. Diss.' ' ' i . Finsbury. reference to independent Congregations, that " the Shrewsbury. union of these with the Association is considered F Ditchling. Hackney. Stand. X Dorchester. Worship Street. Stockton. by the General Committee as of the first import- ' Dukinfield. Lynn. Swansea. ance. . . Associated Congregations would be Edinburgh. Maidstone. Taunton. entitled to send instructions by two representa- ,, Evesham. Manchester : Tenterden. tives to the general meetings, and also to give ,",xeter. Cross Street. Thorne. '' Falmouth. their opinion or advice by correspondence on any Mosley Street. Trowbridge. .h, Framlingham. Salford. Warrington. questions affecting the general interests; and in d Gloucester. Newcastle. Warwick. ?; case of need would receive all the advice, assist- .R Godalming. Newchurch. Wolverhampton. ance and support which the general body in its 7 Halifax. Newport (I.W.). Yarmouth. different departments is able to supply." From :. Honiton. Northampton. Yeovil. the Report it appears that up to May, 1826, four "endal. Northiam. York. District Associations,, thirty-four Congregations, i ' At no period did the list of contributing Con- t wenty-t WO life Subscribers, and one hundred and gregations exceed eighty. In 1844, there were eighty annual Subscribers had joined the Asso- :only thirty-one Congregations on the list ; in ciation. In 1828, the number of contributing %, 1866 the number had declined to thirteen. No Congregations had increased to sevent~-nine :- "special measures had apparently been taken to '. interest Congregations in the work of the Associa- Bath. Bolton :$, Bridgwater . ;li Battle. , Bank Street. Bridport. .jtion; and the efforts of the Committee were chiefly directed to increasing the number of Bessel's Green. Moor Lane. Brighton. a - Birmingham : Boston. Bristol. ' ' , individual Subscribers. '

Old Meeting. Bradford. Capel-y-groes. a ' 'l - In the meantime a number of Ministers, led by 3 .,< .,< - , - 3;;. l 38 FOUNDATION t AND CONSTITUTION 39 ..I ' l<"- ' the Rev. James Martineau and the Rev. J. J. ,f :On this point the Committee feel it a duty to state, that +kL,. they have not intended or desired to put themselves into a .>.* Tayler, had come to the conclusion that the time '*S general representative position-that they have never to had arrived for the formation of some large and $1 . . their knowledge professed to act or speak save for such wide religious organization of liberal Christians individuals and congregations as by their own act and deed p; '; ? ,$! to which our Churches might be prevailed upon enrolled themselves as members or otherwise expressed their .*\(' , , wish to act with the Associati~n. Jj,;.:- I I to link themselves. Before proceeding, it was I-'J*?. considered advisable to alter, practicable, the '-' $. ! ' if Wide differences of opinion were found to -4 constitution of the British and Foreign Unitarian ; L :lexistand a Special Committee was appointed 4,..>.1 a Association. At the Annual Meeting of the +.l f . to consider and report on Mr. Tayler's resolution. d.3 , ' . Association held at Hackney, May, 1866, the 'p After full and frank discussion of different possible . . following resolution, moved by the Rev. J. J. -$lines of policy, the Special Committee adopted $1! . . Tayler, was carried :- the foll~wingresolution and comment :-

I That having regard to the constitution and history of the I Xhat of the two methods referred to their consideration for Presbyterian and other Non-subscribing Congregations, a ' meeting the wants of Free Christian Churches--viz., a Committee be appointed to consider how far the British ,,modification of the British and Foreign Unitarian Associa- and Foreign Unitarian Association can be modified so as tion, or the friendly CO-existenceof two Agencies with suitable more completely to meet the wants and acquire the confidence a distribution of functions-this Committee recommends the and support of all liberal Christian Churches, or to suggest a ! second; and that, in order to place the two agencies in har- division of work between two agencies that should CO-exist mony, it be recommended to the British and Foreign Unit- in friendly relation to each other, and to prepare a Report arian Association, in retaining the functions to which Unit- embodying the results of their inquiries, to be submitted to arian doctrine attaches as a permanent condition, to re- a Gyneral Meeting of the members of the Association. linquish the principle of congregational representation. The In their Report the Committee refer to " a Committee sincerely trust that the settlement of the question movement on the part of certain members of the suggested by this resolution will tend to promote a harmony of spirit amidst some diversities of judgment, and that a Association and other friends," by which it was ,, large increase of zealous and united action among all classes proposed to strike out of the Rules all that relates ,of the friends of liberal Christianity in its various aspects. to the alliance of Coneegations with the Asso- ciation, and "so to take away from it that At the Annual Meeting of the Association held appearance of representation of our Churches at Brixton on June nth, 1867, the recommenda- generally which it is .glleged has grawn up of late tions of the Special Committee were adopted, and the necessary alterations the Rules were made. years " :- in f ' c. , - - AND CONSTITUTION r t 40 FOUNDATION 1 No serious change in the finances or work of the the omission of any reference to Congre- Association was involved. j. gations, and adapted to cases where "Auxiliary The promoters of a larger religious organization Funds " might desire representation on the mem- of Liberal Christians held a meeting on June 14th~ ;bership of the Association. A much needed 1867, two days after the Annual Meeting of the <- simplification was introduced in 1874, when the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. There first and second clauses were combined, and it is was a large attendance of Unitarians : a few Inde- stated that the membership shall consist of pendents and one Baptist were also present. A . "Deputies (Delegates)from District and Auxiliary Committee was appointed to prepare a scheme *, Associations, and of Individual Members, Ordin- for the constitution of a " Free Christian Union," i ary and Honorary :-" which was submitted at a meeting held November : By District and Auxiliary Associations are meant any zrst, 1867. A further meeting was held June present or future Societies which shall for the time being be ~6th~1868, when the chair was occupied by engaged in promoting the principles of Unitarian Christianity, Professor Goldwin Smith. The first Anniversary and shall unite themselves with the Association by sub- scribing not less than five pounds annually to its funds. Meetings were held in June, 1869. Public interest Any such Society may appoint two Deputies, who shall in was to some extent aroused, but the Committee that character be members of the Association and of its of the Union met with very little practical sup- Council. . , port. The second Annual Meeting, held June The substance of this rule remains unaltered, zgth, 1870, was marked by a despondent tone, with the addition of a provision that a District and the Rev. James Martineau himself proposed : Society subscribing not less than one pound that the Free Christian Union be dissolved. At annually ,may appoint one member of the Asso- j" a special meeting held December 8th the Union - ciation and of its Council. came to an end. 'F.,. ... -. v Although the way was now open for the Asso- ciation to revert to its former Rule, no action was * (iv). Committee and Coz14zcil - I taken; and during the twelve succeeding years < the Association made fhdirect appeals to Con- ' The original Constitution of the Association gregations as such for financial aid. provided that "at the Annual General Whit- After the action taken in 1867, the second , suntide Meeting of members, a General Com- clause of the original Constitution was retained , mittee, consisting of fifteen persons, members of FOUNDATION AND CONSTITUTION

the Association, shall be chosen to transact its @honorary$ Oficers and Committee, Vice-Presid- general business for the ensuing year." The ents, Home Correspondents, and Representatives officers were to be a Treasurer (Mr. John Christie), ;$of Societies. This was the Council of the Asso- a Deputy-Treasurer (Mr. Thomas Hornby), a p.rlciation. This change took effect at the fiftieth Secretary for the Home Work (Rev. Robert i~nnualMeeting of the Association. The need of Aspland), a Foreign Secretary (Rev. W. Johnson !'such an intermediate body was felt at the time by Fox), a Book and Tract Secretary (Rev. Dr. T. many members ofjthe Association, who considered

Rees, appointed in 1826)~and a Solicitor (Mr. S that the Committee would by means of the Council Edgar Taylor). The first Committee consisted of jbe kept in closer touch with Unitarian opinion in

Revs. J. Gilchrist, Thomas Madge, Thomas Rees, I, different parts of the Country. Dr. Southwood Smith, and eleven. influential In the Rules as revised and adopted in 1874 the laymen. Afterwards one Secretary, with an Constitution of the Council was thus defined :- assistant, was found to be sufficient, and the The Management of the affairs of the Association shall vest membership of the Committee was reduced to in a Council and Executive Committee. twelve, until 1874, when it was enlarged to The Council shall consist of the president, Vice-Presidents, twenty, as at present. More recently, it was pro- Treasurer, Home Correspondents, the representatives of vided that the President, ex-President, and District and Auxiliary Associations, and the Executive Treasurer be ex o@cio members of Committee in Committee . . . Eleven mem'bers shall form a quorum. The Council shall have control of the business of the Asso- addition to the twenty elected members. ciation soi far as it shall seem. advisable to it ta ditect the From the foundation of the Association up to .action of the Executive Committee; but in the absence of 1874, it had been the custom to appoint Vice- . special direction or action on the part of the Council, the Presidents' as a complimentary recognition of Executive Committee shall have full control over the affairs personal position and service, and to appoint of the Association in such and the same manner as if the Home Correspondents in order to facilitate con- Council did not exist. tact between the Committee and the groups of Afterwards an official list of Vice-Presidents and Churches in different parts of the country. At 'Home Correspondents ceased to be drawn up, and the Annual Meeting in f 874, it was decided to ' the constitution of the Council was modified create a new body, standing, as it were, between accordingly. Since 1918, the Council has con- the Executive Committee and the general body sisted of the President, the Past Presidents, the of the members, and consisting at first of the Treasurer, the members of the Executive Com- AND CONSTITUTION 44 - .' FOUNDATIOM mittee, the Delegates of Societies, and not more to " Non-subscribing Presbyterian." Whatever than one hundred other members of the Associa- may be thought of the historical appropriateness tion as elected at the various Annual Meetings. (or the reverse) of the term " Presbyterian " as It is no longer stated that the management of the thus used, its deliberate introduction shows a sincere recognition of what we have described affairs of the Association " is vested in the Council and Committee," subject to resolutions above as the tradition of spiritual freedom going \of an Annual or Special Meeting. Since 1918 the back to the -Ejection of 1662. The clause re- mained in this form until 1889, when the Annual Rule has stated that " subject to any resolution of an Annual or Special Meeting or meeting of the Meeting resolved " that membership of the Council directing or controZZi~g its action, the Association shall be constituted by an annual business of the Association shall be arranged and subscription of any amount ": an amendment managed by the Executive Committee." "that the minimum subscription be five shillings " being lost. In 1918 the principle of this amend- I . ,. , ment was adopted and became part of the Con- (v). Iszdividual Meuzibers stitution of the Association. The principle that Life Membership is acquired . The last clause of the Constitution of 1825, by a donation of ten pounds has remained un- relating to individual members (other than altered since 1825: SO has the principle that Honorary Members), remained unaltered until ministers delivering the Sermons at the Annual 1867, when the principle of congregational repre Meetings become ex-oficio Honorary Members. sentation was abandoned. The following state- But since 1874, the scope of the Honorary Mem- ment was then adopted:- bership has been extended. Not only every - 5. -. The qualification of individual members for voting and Minister who has preached the Annual Sermon, holding offices shall be an annual subscription of not less but any other person who may be expressly than one guinea, or a life donation of not less than ten guineas; elected as such at an Annual Meeting, is an except in the case of Ministers of Unitarian and English Presbyterian Congregations; and in respect to them a sub- Honorary Member and entitled to the privileges scription of Five Shillings pkr annum shall, after the first of membership. year's subscription, entitle them to be members of the Asso- There are, therefore, four classes of individual ciation and enjoy such privileges as belong to members. members : Delegates of Societies ; Honorary - In 1874 " English Presbyterian " was altered Members ;Annual Subscribers ; and Life Members. - FOUNDATION AND CONSTITUTION 47 (vi). Relation to Churches and o not necessarily hold themselves responsible for all the principles, aims, and methods of District Societies * \ administration of the organizations and societies - The varied activities of the Association, ,, towards whose support they are willing to make ?' especially in the Home Mission field, have, from 0.. a collection. If any considerable number of t' , ;v,- - . time to time, inevitably raised again the question Congregations which take Collections were to v dealt with in 1867, of how the Association is request a more direct voice in the management L&' :. *< related to the Churches with which it is in such y. , of the Association, it would be incumbent on the $.- close practical contact. It has never been true members to consider the advisability of reverting to say that the Association is only representative to the former rule. Q* I ' of a body of subscribers. The original con- The case of the District Associations is some- If:, l$;.: i , stitution, as we have seen, provided for repre- what different. Those which fulfil stated con- .1~ sentatives of District Societies, Chrches, and g-:. ditions have the right of appointing members of individuals. Gradually, however, the number of the Council of the Association, and these Delegates representatives of subscribing congregations (as possess all the privileges enjoyed by individual such) diminished; and there appears to be no subscribers. In so far as these District Asso- desire at the present time on the part of con- ciations represent Churches, it may reasonably gregations to secure the right of appointing be held that the British and Foreign Unitarian delegates who would possess the same power of Association through these representatives also voting as is now possessed by individual Sub- represents Churches; and it is therefore not scribers to the Association. accurate to say that it is " merely " representative In 1883 the well-known " Association Sunday " of individuals. These considerat ions have never, Collections were introduced; and every year a however, weighed with the Association. The large number of our Churches take Collections on successive Committees have impartially devoted behalf of the funds of the Association. It may their energies to practical work; they have be taken for granted that the Congregational sought to co-operate with District Societies, Collections are made iq the same spirit and with whether they subscribed or did not subscribe to the same object as collections for charitable the funds of the Association. ,a purposes generally-as an evidence of sympathy Apart from theoretic symmetry in the organiza- and goodwill towards the Association and its tion, everything in the end depends on the living work at home and abroad. The Congregations , . . . l- .: -*l , . 48.' : CONSTI-TUTION . %,, -)- * thought and practical interest that lie at the back of it; and when a more directly representative relationship between the Churches and the Asso- ._. -- ciation is hesired, it appears to be through the .*. District Societies that it might be sought for, and through a development of -the constitution and the functions (at present undefined) of the Council WORK AMID ANXIETY of the Association, the membership of which at J' present consists partly of persons elected at the HE repeal of the statutes imposing penalties . Annual Meeting of subscribers, and partly of T on all who denied the doctrine of the . -. representatives of District Societies. Trinity created a partial measure of religious 77 . liberty in Eng1and.l Until the Trinity Act received the Royal Assent on July z~st,1813, the profession of Unitarianism in England was punishable by forfeiture of citizenship and by imprisonment ; although, as pointed out before, the law had not been enforced for many years previous to 1813.

(i). Religious Disabilities of Dissenters Religious equality on the other hand was still unknown. The Corporation Act (1661) and the Test Acts (1672 and 1678) were still in force. All members of ~or~orationswere compelled within one year after election to receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper according to the rites of the g.* v .,. ,,.. " Church of England. All persons filling any r+.r.A* . '.. ' , - .r. . .l, .." ;>r? c., , '4.- .. v '< > . .. office, civil or military, must subscribe a declara- 'k,< . '. !. ' ' C.-\ - - - , :* +, ..,...... , -. , . , . .< L'. $4.. , 1 See above, Chapter ii. I. ,. , . I \ ' it::-.-. LIBERTY AND RELIGION , - -' G. I "WORK AMID ANXIETY F, l -i--LL'i

-7,-;l4 tion against transubstantiation, and receive the ' sold to maintain the neighbouring State Church. < sacrament within three months after admittance And every year brought up lesser cases of ecclesi- 'h ' :l to office. All peers and members of Parliament astical oppression or annoyance, against which " 1 .$ must make a declaration against transub- individuals were powerless. -.,.:;" I' stantiation and the invocation of saints. These Thus English Unitarians began their work of a 9 4) measures were,directed primarily against Roman organized influence on the religious life of their , I, . a

Catholics, but their bearing on the position of time with generations of leeway to make up. Is , $$ - !'4; Protestant Dissenters and of Jews is evident. As it surprising that their progress was slow ? For I.:?".j ,- many years a large part of their effort had to be regards Marriage, it appears that from the time , f ..q of the Reformation the ceremony, in order to be devoted to the struggle for " civil rights " ; in other - ,.". legal, must have been performed by a person " in words, for religious liberty and equality. And in holy orders," and from the Marriage Act of 1753 all this work the British and Foreign Unitarian it must have been performed " in a consecrated Association had a most important and helpful . building " : and a Nonconformist minister was part; and basing its appeal in all these matters, not " in holy orders," nor was his chapel a " con- as it did from the beginning, on public right secrated building." The restriction of legal rather than on any mere denominational claim, marriage to a place of worship belonging to the it did much to rouse the conscience of England Church of England, while a hardship to all to the broad principles of religious liberty, on Dissenters, put upon Unitarians the severer strain which it advocated the removal of the civil of a service which in its very wording was an out- disabilities of Jews and of Roman Catholics as rage upon their religious belief. earnestly as those of Unitariansr . .-, The great national Universities were closed " .- ,l#" .p, . i l ' * ) against them: Oxford absolutely, while at Cam- ' (ii). The Cor~orationand Test Acts -H , bridge they might indeed enter as students but could receive no degree or fellowship. More- The general lines of policy to be followed i* over, at that time, Dissenters, in addition to the struggle for liberty and equality had been having to support tlikir own places of worship laid down by the Civil Rights Association of were compelled to pay "Church Rates ¶'; and 1819, and from 1825 the work was further or- every year saw the furniture or other property of ganized and extended. It is set out in some those who refused to pay distrained upon and detail in the second Annual pf the British

d.., I' ' , .' ;-,* d.6\' , \ ,gL .. a. : ..$t,, ;. 4 >

\. -ct I I ' WORK ANXIETYI, 53 S - 52 LIBERTY AND RELIGION AMI~~ .+ !P r . .* , . and Foreign Unitarian Association (1827). At l, assertion of the claims of ~issentersfor relief first the Committee considered the possibility of from their disabilities-lest a like relief should be organizing a united appeal for the removal of the granted to the Catholics; and the result was that I legal restrictions affecting the marriage cere- there were "many decided advocates of the monial; but it was soon found that the most Emancipation of the Catholics who are either urgent need was for the repeal of the Corporation wholly indifferent or directly opposed to the relief and Test Acts. It was therefore decided to of Protestant Dissenters." The Committee also address a communication to the " Society of refer to some persons "who have entertained the Deputies,"-a body of representatives appointed idea of urging the claims of one branch of Non- to watch for every opportunity of securing and conformists to equal rights, while defending the G extending the civil rights of Dissenters in general. proscription of another branch [evidently the I The Association was invited to send a deputation Unitarians are meant]; and who must have

: *\ learnt t-he utter hopelessness of such an attempt, , , I, to this body. In their Report the Committee refer to " the impolicy and disgracefulness of the in the unmeasured disgust and contempt which .- 1 apathy manifested by Dissenters for so many any manifestation of such a design has created in, . . years "; and in appointing the deputation, they the mind of every individual in Parliament to "thought it proper to declare, by way of in- whom they would look for assistance in the pro- > struction, that a continuance in the present policy secution of their own claims." It was found, however, that in the Dissent- l r of the Dissenters was injurious alike to their ,I 1 character and their interests; and that the ing communities in general there, was a very claims of the Dissenters should not be urged on considerable body of feeling in favour of the selfish or exclusive grounds, but on the principle broader policy advocated by the Unitarians. A > of denying to the civil magistrate the right or Joint Committee, representative of the different branches of Nonconformity, was appointed ;active .-- I policy of making religious opinion or profeiion in 1% any way a pretence for civil preference or ex- measures were taken for bringing the subject of j: ' clusion.'' the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts before l, ' '.I , The Committee poi&ed out certain facts which Parliament, and for securing the support and co- '\ ' I ,. partly accounted for the " apathy " referred to. operation of members of the Legislature. L. Hostility to Roman Catholicism was actually The result was that in the following year the

\, '* affirmed as a ground for avoiding any public imposition of the sacramental test as a qualifica- l 4' ' p' " & : 1 . I 4 . I I

A. I' * ' ~l!.. .,' 'i t P. A " -1 .

7t;;i;:.:;;rL ; - , . WORK AMID ANXIETY

tion for oflike was abolishkd (May, 1828). At the Bowring, John Fisher, Thomas Hornby, Edgar third Annual Meeting of the Association, a series Taylor, and Charles Richmond). Then follows of resolutions was passed in reference to this this remarkable resolution (May, 1828) :- event, animated by the broadest and most That no difference of religious opinions, however wide, can generous spirit of toleration. The Act of Repeal lessen the sensibility of this meeting to the liberal and is declared to be " a measure of relief, not merely generous support which they received, in the late application to Parliament, from the Roman Catholics of the United to conscientious Protestant Dissenters . . . but Kingdom; and that common gratitude would compel them also to the nation, which has been weakened by the to make in return a tender of our best wishes on behalf of divisions created by,these intolerant Acts, and the claims of the Roman Catholics for unrestricted and by the exclusion from the public service of a equal religious freedom, even if we were not bound to aid, according to our means, the cause of these our fellow-subjects large part of the intelligent, virtuous, and efficient and fellow-Christians, by the still higher obligations of members of the community ; and to the Christian patriotism and of religion: believing as we do that the Religion, which was wounded and dishonoured existing disqualifications which aggrieve the British and Irish c, , . by the prostitution of the Lord's Supper, founded Roman Catholic populations are in open hostility to the 7- .. - , . peace, union, and prosperity of the kingdom, and are at the 'L' '. by the Saviour of the World for the promotion of . , same time a sure hindrance to the progress of, and a violation .I. . , , ', humility and brotherly love, to the low and ,. ; (- of, and dishonour to, our common Christianity, which sordid uses of avarice and secular *ambition, establishes no point of morality more plainly, nor commands ,-7 ., ' ' ' ,! .I :J , bigotry and faction." :,. .. any duty more solemnly, than that one Christian shall not . . . . Warm appreciation is expressed of the action make the condition of another more wretched or less happy 2'., on account of his faithful adherence to the dictates of his - 8 of the Government for their withdrawal of PC ? ', conscience and the law of his God. . . opposition to Repeal; to the members of the Church of England (including a majority of the It must be added that in the next year (;8z9) rBench of Bishops) who gave their support; to all Acts requiring the taking of oaths against the Rt. Hon. Lord John Russell, the Rt. Hon. transubstantiation and kindred doctrines, were -Lord Holland, Mr. John Smith, M.P., and Mr. repealed by the Roman Catholic ~elief Act :'.'S L,.' ,::: 'William Smith, M.P:, for their powerful and (" Catholic Emancipation "). But the friendly ,. . :c( , .' effective advocacy irP Parliament, and to the feeling which had arisen between Unitarians I i- -. .. I C..,' , Joint Committee for the Repeal of the Corpora- and Roman Catholics-standing, as they do, at 3' i,,*,. ; opposite poles of the theological diameter of ~w -tion and Test Acts, and especially the Unitarian . . .- v.., , -members of it (Messrs. John Christie, John Christendom--did not extend to the countrv as .,L.. . U' ... @ . , " WORK AMID ANXIETY ; -, 57 f * . , a whole : because of the embittered relations with material difficulty in obtaining the relief which Ireland at the time, and the machinations of the they have so long sought, was the want of a good ' ultramontane party in Rome. general system of Registration ; and the Annual l', , We have dwelt thus on the attitude of the Asso- Meeting in that year adopted the following 'h ; . ciation on the question of the repeal of these resolution :- '2 a iniquitous Acts, because it shows the essential , *. That this meeting regards the present inquiry into the spirit in which public questions have been dealt state of parochial registration as not the less interesting to with by the British and Foreign Unitarian Asso- Unitarians, because it may lead to great social advantages ciation throughout its history. end most important legal securities for the nation at large: 1 but that independently of these general and patriotic views, a plan for the universal registration of births, marriages, and (iii). The Marriage Acts deaths, by officers in their civil capacity, will be peculiarly serviceable in various ways to Dissenters from the Established With regard to the relief of Dissenters, and Church; and in particular will facilitate the execution of more especially of Unitarians, from the necessity that measure at which this Association has aimed. from the of solemnizing their marriages by a temporary beginning,-the relief of Dissenters from the operation of the existing Marriage Law. conformity to the Established Church, it was generally allowed that the Association had the The end desired was not attained until 1836, merit of first exciting public attention to the when Lord John Russell's Marriage Act became question, and obtaining from leading members law concurrently with an Act prescribing a perma- of successive Administrations, cc expressions in nent General Registration of Births, Marriages, favour of relief, as candid, ample, and explicit as and Deaths. The Committee issued a " Circular could possibly be desired." The question occupied Address to the Ministers and other Representa- the attention of the Committee for several years, tives of Churches in connection with the Asso- in frequent consultation with representatives of ciation," explaining the provisions of the new Acts other nonconformist bodies. The difficulties and the necessary methods of procedure under were many, and the hostile influences evaded them2 In the Circular it is observed that the direct attack. During%he period of the agitation Law, passing over and disregarding all religious for Parliamentary Refom (1832) the effort was distinctions, provides for the record of the facts suspended. In 1833 the Committee came to the As a matter of fact, the Circular was sent " to the whole conclusion that " the great and perhaps the only of our Congregations throughout England and Wales." 1 rC ;+ t,,; - .* . - 1. WORK AMID ANXIETY of birth, marriage, and death, as matters of civil Nevertheless a generation passed before these regulation: " thus has been severed at once that rates were abolished by a measure introduced into connection between the Church and the State Parliament by W. E. Gladstone. which practically interwove the ordinances of the Religious tests remained in the English uni- former with all - the leading relations of society ; versities until 1871. To be a member of the and the difficulties and prejudices that attended Church of England was a necessary condition pre- all interference with these matters, while on their cedent for holding most university or college former footing, being thus removed, it cannot be officesby the Act of Uniformity of 1662, and such doubted that any improvements in the new offices were not affected by the Toleration Act of system, which experience may show to be desir- 1688, the repeal of the Corporation and Test able, will easily be effected." Acts (18zg), or the Roman Catholic Relief Act It has been observed that the requirement of (1829). In 1871 the University Tests Act the Registrar's attendance to see to the regularity abolished subscription to the Articles of the of the proceedings, attaches a stigma of inferiority Church of England, all declarations and oaths to the celebration of marriage in a dissenting respecting religious belief, and all compulsory place of worship ; and yet it was doubtless a attendance at public worship in the Universities of wise provision for securing accurate registration. Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham. In May, 1871, the Association passed a resolution rejoicing in the anticipated passing of the Universities Bill .. , (iv). Chllrch Rates and Uttiversity Tests " which will throw open these national institutions '.It was hoped, in the year following the new to all, irrespective of creed "; and congratulating Marriage Act, that the abolition of compulsory Mr. James Heywood, one of its Vice-Presidents, " Church Rates " would be passed, and the " on the approaching completion of a work which Annual Meeting of the Association in June, 1837, he commenced in the House of Commons a thanking Lord Melbourne and the members of the quarter of a century ago." Government " for their wise, just and healing 'measure for the abol"&ion of Church Rates, an (v). The Dissenters' Chafiels Act impost which is injurious to the Church, degrading We now take the story back to an earlier date ,toDissenters of all classes, and productive of ani- in order to trace the rise and final defeat of an mosity and dissension throughout the country." attack which, had it succeeded, would have 8 I ,?'l ; - 60 LIBERTY AND RELIGION " '- . WORK AMID ANXIETY destroyed Unitarian Christianity as an organized that these Trusts could not legally be used for force in the country. religious purposes which were not only contrary The Trinity Act of 1813 was officially described to the religious beliefs of the founders but were as an Act, not for the relief of Unitarians in actually illegal at the time of foundation. particular, but " to relieve persons, who impugn The first attack was begun in 1817 in con- the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, from certain r nection with a Chapel in Wolverhampton whose ~enalties." It enabled Unitarians to take their Trust dated from 1700. The first result, how- .L place as an influential factor in the larger whole of ever, was not satisfactory to orthodox Dissenters. Protestant Dissent. But it was, in effect, a relief It was laid down by Lord Eldon, giving judgment Act for Dissenters generally, since no Dissenter, in the Court of Chancery, that a Trust for the , I professing ~hristianit~,was now compelled by worship of God pure and simple, is a trust for Law to be a Trinitarian ; and some Unitarians " maintaining and propagating the Established hoped for a large proclamation of Unitarian Religion of the country."l The foundations of Il other chapels were also attacked. Years of sentiments throughout the dissenting commun- l - ities, encouraged by the Act of 1813. litigation ensued, the final issue of which was not They forgot the Trust Deeds. Withip four determined until August, 1842, when the Hewley years of the passing of the Trinity Act Unit- Trust, founded in 1705 by Lady Sarah Hewley, of , ,

,'l ' : , arians were drawn into a struggle for the tenure York, for " poor and godly ministers of Christ's L.' of the meeting-houses which had descended to Holy Gospel," ministering north of the Trent, was them from the period following the Toleration removed from Unitarian management by judg- Act of 1689, and in some cases from the ejected ment on Appeal given by the Lord Chancellor. Nonconformists of 1662. Their chief assailants This at once determined the issue in the Wolver- h,? ::. were the Independents, then coming to be called hampton case and all similar claim^,^ and .- -. * Congregationalists. The older Chapel Trust l Compare Gordon's comments, Heresy : its Ancient ; ,- , Deeds of Dissenters-usually Calvinist in belief- Wrongs and Modern Rights, London, Lindsey Press, pp. 45 ! ,; , rarely set out in detail schemes of doctrine; much and 78. U I 2 '' The Trust was created for the benefit of congregations . more rarely than in th case of early endowment professing doctrines tolerated by the existing laws (at the 9,. - ' ,\ ' Trust Deeds. Without realizing what it would time of foundation); which the preaching of Unitarian lead to, they were content to found their chapels doctrines was not."-The Lord Chancellor on the Wolver- simply for the worship of God. It was argued hampton case, November, 1842. . LIBERTY AND RELIGION WORK AMID ANXIETY established the fact that none of the older Dis- fiscation of which was now threatened. The senting Trust properties, even supposing them name cc Presbyterian " was chosen in order to founded by Unitarians, were legally applicable emphasize the fact that such property had been to Unitarian uses. The Committee of the Asso- handed down, without any conscious violation of ciation expressed no more than the truth when law or sudden change of principle or practice, from they observed in the eighteenth Annual Report its founders, who were currently described by (1843) that " the consequences of the decision to that name. It was felt by the legal adviser of the the property and interests of Unitarian Societies Unitarian body, Edwin Wilkins Field (1804- (congregations) throughout the kingdom, are most 1871), that the only remedy was an Act of Parlia- painful and momentous.'' The effect on de- ment. Important political influences were avail- nominational activity and enterprise is indicated able to promote the legislation requiked to secure in the following resolution, recorded in the same these foundations. The result was the passing Report :- of the Dissenters' Chapels Act, July 1844. This Act secured Unitarians in their possession of That in the present state of our Body, according to the general interpretation of the law as laid down in the Hewley trusts containing no doctrinal provision, when and Wolverhampton cases, it is expedient that we make no they could prove the undisputed usage of twenty- further pecuniary grants to places of worship liable to the five years in favour of the opinions they held and operation of the law aforesaid; and that all applications for taught. such grants be postponed until, in the judgment of the Com- The powerful advocacy of the Dissenters' mittee, our places of worship, etc., are legally secure. Chapels Bill by W. E. Gladstone, always a con- The Committee perceived that the emergency vinced High Churchman, is as remarkable as his required united action on a scale far wider than insight into the question at issue. " Here," he any contemplated in the ordinary operations of said, " were certain persons, who founded these the Association. They therefore summoned a chapels, entertaining one creed, and the present confidential meeting of Ministers and Laymen to possessors of these chapels profess another creed. %considerthe position; and at that meeting it was I admit that this sounds startling. But if you resolved that a larger meeting should be sum- take the pains to follow the course of events from moned, as a result of which a Society called " The year to year, it is impossible to say that at any Presbyterian Union " was formed, to guard the givera period the transition from one doctrine interests of the Chapels and Trusts, the con- to another was made. It was a gradual and 1 .i ' WORK AMID ANXIETY . I able peril, and of the definite doctrinal propa- an imperceptible transition. The parties who 91 ganda which had led to this peril, created an effected it made a different use of the principle of Y inquiry by private judgment than those who had exclusive emphasis on " freedom " as though this preceded them; but they acted on a $ri%ci$le by itself were sufficient. The attitude of the Association is indicated in fundamentally the same." r A very serious effect of this long contest was the following resolution adopted at the Annual I 844 :- ' 4 Meeting, May, 5 not only to check dogmatic assertiveness and doctrinal propaganda by Unitarians, but also That we cannot but express our deep regret, however little in some quarters, to discourage any endeavour to may be our surprise, at the opposition to this Measure manifested by some ministers and members of the Estab- arrive at a clear consciousness of their position; lished Church, and still more by various bodies of Dissenters, save by dwelling on their historical affiliation occasion'ed partly by misconceptions of its nature, partly .with the so-called " Presbyterianism " of the by grievous and calumnious misrepresentations of those early eighteenth century, and by the assertion of - whom it is intended to protect; but while we lament the ideals which as soon as they were defined became . evidence which is thus furnished of intolerance and sectakian animosity, and even of desire to re-enact the penalties of " dogmatic " and therefore unacceptable. Gordon obsolete persecuting statutes, in quarters where a different has observed that " after the ancient chapels were spirit might have been expected, we shall continue, through

made safe, the Presbyterian idea was chiefly in ' good report and through evil report, boldly and strenuously evidence when denominational zeal was to be to uphold those great principles, the saficiency of Scri+tzare, discountenanced ."l $328 right of private judgment, and the duty of free inquiry, in the recognition of which our English Presbyterian forefathers Underlying the situation thus briefly described, founded their unfettered religious institutions, and under we can trace the interaction, and unfortunately ' the influence of which so many of us have, with the blessing the occasional opposition, of the two tendencies of God, been trained.

-- - essential to the vitdlity of Unitarian Christianity? The legislation of 1844 constitutes a landmark a demand for spiritual freedom, and a demand for in the history of organized Unitarian Christianity lucid and definite religious teaching. During the in England. Notwithstanding the " aftermath " period following the Dissenters' Chapels Act, the of the great struggle, Unitarians entered on the consciousness of deliverance from a most formid- new era with resolution though in a; chastened 1 Heads of English Unitarian History, London, Lindsey spirit. It was marked by several prominent Press, p. 53. features. Among these was the re-building, 2 See above, Ch. ii., sections ii. and iii. &t4 - often in a handsome form, of many of the old

I T* 27 chapels.1 Another was the organization of Dis- .+&Fat !,..dc:'" 9. trict Societies, assisting locally the work in general >i(j ." - .. .,, .I C , .lit . .IF: ,' - supported by the British and Foreign Unitarian 1 Association. The view taken by the Committee ' . ' of the needs of the denomination for several years CHAPTERV:.,.'-- \ . . . .-?. . . ' after 1844 is shown in the following extract from . * WIDENING SYMPATHIES I the twenty-fourth Annual Report (1849): " to . .. -. . . , . ;,, *, ." . ' " *,.- strengthen the hands of those labouring in the , ,AND HOPES .. m .- .' -:. -..:? , , .* ,. ,S' :, . . vineyard of what we deem Scriptural truth,-to .. I _I assist Societies (congregations) struggling with (i). Changing ~asesof ~el&j : '- difficulties,-to keep.their present Unitarian con- T the time when our story begins, Unitarian , nection well and firmly together in these days of A Christianity was, broadly speaking, a change,-to avail themselves of such opportun- Biblical Religion, accepting miracles, and reject- ities as presented themselves for supplying minis- ing creeds, not as incredible, but as non-Biblical, ters and others with means of information and -resting its hopes on an external revelation, and usefulness by liberal grants from their stock of attaching little importance to what it regarded as books and tracts,-this has been their chief and the uncertain inferences and promises of natural .constant care; and they rejoice in having been religion. Through the century a steady move- the instruments on many occasions of great use- ' ment of doctrine can be traced, a movement fulness to the members of the churches dedicated inspired by influences springing from the person- to the worship of the One and only true God." ality and teaching of William Ellery Channing, Theodore Parker, John Hamilton Thorn, and, . 1 A few of them, including Dukinfield and Bury, Lan- j , cashire, had been rebuilt before 1844. above all, James Martineau. The result of that . " movement has been that the Seat of Authority in ' 1 religion is no longer found within the covers even of the best and broadest of books, but in the reason and conscience of man, not of any in- ,dividual man, but of mankind. ..; .Unitarian thought has been deeply involved in i. this " second Reformation " which has corn- Secretary of the Association .in reply to the con- pletely undermined the authority of the Bible as gratulations of its Council and Committee is an infallible rule of faith and life. The early therefore of historic interest :- records show how those to whom the old scrip- 35 Gordon Square, London, W.C., tural Unitarianism was dear regarded the change April 23, 1894. with grave misgivings; and it will appear strange Dear Mr. Bowie, . to Unitarians of the present generation to find If it has been a pleasant surprise to receive, on my recent that Martineau was once looked upon as a dan- anniversary, words of sympathy and benediction from many a stranger belonging to some communion other than our qwn, gerous innovator. you give me a far more heartielt satisfaction when you report The unique position which Martineau held in the congratulations and good wishes of my fellows in an Asso- relation to the Unitarian Christian and Kindred ciation to which I have belonged from its commencement, Churches and to the British and Foreign Unit- and for which I have been permitted more than once to plead. arhn Association, was due not only to his corn- That your Council and Committee so kindly and graciously remember me and note the steps of my retreat, now that my manding personal influence as a teacher and days of service are over, touches me deeply, and stirs in me a preacher, but also td the fact that the histor9 of gratitude which I cannot adequately express. ,, ,. ... his own religious thought reflects almost point by Believe me always, :3:,!j11i', point the changes which we have outlined in the Yours dectionately, ,: . ,

,+ JAMES MARTINEAU. :Qr, :Qr, preceding paragraphs. Martineau was an Honor- I: YQ, ary Member of the Association from 1834, when he warnneau's complete severance from Ortho- delivered the Anniversary Sermon,-a service doxy could not be more effectively and drama; which he repeated in 1869. In this connection it tically stated than in the following passage from is worth mentioning that on the occasion of his The Seat of A~thorityin Religion : ninetieth birthday (April, 1894), when public " Christianity, as defined or understood in all the Churches attention was specially drawn to the distinguished which formulate it; has been mainly evolved from what is position which he held among English thinkers transient and perishable in its sources: from what is un- and writers, paragraphs appeared in some news- historical in its traditions, mythological in its preconceptions, and misapprehended in the oracles of its prophets. From papers stating or sug.gksting that he was " little the fable of Eden to the imagination of the last trumpet, the of a Unitarian," and *that in his later years " he whole story of the Divine order of the world is dislocated and had ceased to identify himself with the denomina- defamed. The blight of birth-sin with its involuntary per- tion." The following letter, written to the dition; the scheme of expiatory redempti~nwith its vicarious . . .I <..- . ./ 70 WIDENING SYMPATHIES AND HOPES salvation; the incarnation with its low postulates of the st@rernacy and suflcie~cyas a rule of faith and relation between God and man, and its unworkable doctrine life. Criticism had already distinguished different of two natures in one person; the official transmission of grace through material elements in the keeping of a con- documents in Genesis. The narratives of the secrated'c~r~o~ation;the second coming of Christ to summon birth of Jesus were inconsistent with each other, the dead and part the sheep from the goats at the general and one or both might be rejected. But the judgment;-all are the growth of a mythical literature, or Old Testament and the New Testament con- Messianic dreams, or Pharisaic theology, or sacramental tained <' authentic records of facts and of divine superstition, or apotheosis." interpositions," and Charles Wellbeloved, Prin- Lest any reader unfamiliar with the writings of cipal of Manchester College, York, could write Martineau should suppose from this extract that in 1823 :- 1 he was a mere iconoclast, the volumes of noble \ sermons, Endeavours after the Christian Life, and " Convince us that any tenet is authorized by the Bible, from that moment we receive it. Prove any doctrine to be Horns of Thought on Sacred Things, should be a doctrine of Christ, emanating from that wisdom which was carefully studied. , .P from above, and we take it for our own, and no power on '. . / earth shall wrest it from us."l 8 .' I (ii). Scrifitwal Unitarianism On this basis Jesus was presented as " a man The early Reports and other records of the constituted in all respects like other men, subject Association show how clearly its Committee to the same infirmities, the same ignorance, pre- recognized the theological and religious position judices and frailties,"2 who was chosen by God to of Unitarian Christianity at that period. The introduce a new moral dispensation into the position is accurately summed up in the following world. For this end the Holy Spirit was com- striking statement from the twenty-sixth Annual municated to him at his baptism, and he was -- Report (1851) :- r ' endowed with supernatural capacities subject to The English Presbyterian Churches long ago pledged them- the control of his own will. He was instructed in selves to the great principle that the Bible, and the Bible only, the nature of his mission during his sojourn in the 'is the Religion of Protestartts., . . Calmly, but perseveringly, it wilderness, and, thus equipped as the Messiah, is the object of this Society to give strength and influence to that principle. l Three Letters to Archdeacon Wranghawa, London, 1823, P. 51- What was affirmed &S not the plenary in- 2 Belsham, A Calm Inqlciry into the Scrifiture Doctrine con- spiration or infallibility of Holy Scripture, but its cerni~gthe P~rsonof Christ, London, 1811, p. 447. I. 1 l

.72 'l WIDENING SYMPATHIES .l I AND HOPES was sent forth to reveal to all mankind without held at South Place Chapel, Finsbury. In the distinction the great doctrine of a future life in Association's resolution of thanks, in the elabor- which men should be rewarded according to their ate phraseology then customary, the Sermon was works. Of this the supreme proof was found in described as cc eloquent, ingenious, philosophical, the Resurrection, to which his death on the cross and animated." It anticipates some of the as a martyr for the Truth was a necessary pre- leading principles which have since been appro- liminary; and he was destined to reappear to priated by theo1og;ans of various schools, and raise the dead and judge the world. This gospel expresses sentiments which the religious world left out much that was dear to the orthodox in England has scarcely yet attained; and as it is evangelical Christian; but, demanding as it did now not easily accessible, we may give a summary a constant conformity of the will of man to the of its contents. will of God, it created a high moral tension in the His subject is " The Existing State of Theology lives of its serious advocates. Associated with as an Intellectual Pursuit, and Religion as a the emphatic assertion of the Father's wisdom Moral Influent-." Taking for his text the and beneficence, such views naturally anticipated account of the gift of tongues in Acts, he points the final victory of good. Thomas Southwood out that " the ages are no less diversified than the Smith (1788-1861) in his IZJastrations of the countries of the world; and each, havhig a Divine Government1-a book warmly admired by peculiar character, must be addressed in a peculiar Byron and Wordsworth-powerfully impressed on language," and we are not to have "an incon- Unitarian thought the doctrine of Universal siderate passion for imitating the apostles." restoration. Animated by a wish to avoid this error, he pro- poses to enquire, " What are the means which we should now trust for the promotion of theological , (iii). Influeme of James Martifieazl truth and the elevation of religious sentiment In 1834 Martineau, who had then been for two among the great body of the people ? " As years minister of Paradise Street Chapel, Liver- ideas are " propagated downwards through the pool, was invited to &liver the Anniversary several gradations of minds," the first requisite is Sermon- at the Annual Meeting of the Association the cultivation of " theological science " by " men at once erudite and 5ree, men who have the l originally published at Glasgow, in r 8 I 6 ; now obtaiaable from the Lindsey Press, London. materials of knowledge with which to determine -, '. . . --. 74 WIDENING SYMPATHIES - . ,: " AND HOPES the great problems of morals and religion, and a another mistake-the verbal inspiration of the genius to think and imagine, and feel, without Scriptures." Hence the alienation of thinking let or hindrance of hope or fear." This leads men from Christianity. him to defend " the application of the word This, he proceeds to urge, is no time either for science to theology," against those who are justly contentment or for despair. The fittest men to repelled by the " leaden and soulless productions vindicate the gospel are " those who are not acted of the theological press," written by men who upon by the influences which have degraded it; endeavour cc to atone by microscopic accuracy for those who see in it nothing to repress, but every- imbecility in fundamental principles," and who thing to stimulate, the intellect, the imagination, do not know "that true spirit of history, that the affections." "When men of this kind are sympathy with the soul of antiquity, which is encouraged by public sentiment to devote them- essential to the interpreter of the venerable selves to a free search into the resources of monuments of the past." This low condition of religious science; when high powers of intellect, theology is partly due to the fact that the right attracted by the mysteries of Nature, life, and . of private judgement has been mistaken for the miracle, can speculate on them without compro- jbower, and grave and intricate questions have mise of mental liberty, or loss of moral sympathy, been submitted to incompetent arbitration ; and there will be better hopes for Christianity. While, " that sectarian democracy, which abandons however, it is the business of theology to discover exclusively to the suffrages of the multitude the the great principles of faith and morals, it is that

decision of theological perplexities on which of religion to apply them; and this is the concern, l ., erudition and philosophy pause, needs an em- not of the student, but of the preacher, and of all phatic discouragement ." The remedy for this, institutions which aim at the general diffusion of as for other social evils, is to be -found in the religious influences." But the attempts made in . .. " reduction of authority to its minimum, and the this country to bring controversy before popular ,v7 I, elevation of intelligence to its maximum." We tribunals while they liave i'nade theology super- .d must afford to the multitude " all needful'know- ficial, have rendered religion sectarian. The ledge." " Another &use of the poverty of evils of sectarianism, with " its cold and hard .* theological science is found in the fatal association ministrations " and ' malignant exclusiveness " , between mental error and moral turpitude," are exposed at length, and it is laid down that \ especially when " viewed in connection with " the fundamental principle of one who would _ -l .. J AND HOPES 76 WIDENING SYMPATHIES I ,; administer religion to the mindslof his fellow-men little community of reformers lost in the wide should bq that all that has ever b&n extensively fraternity of enlightened and benevolent men." venerated must possess ingredients that are Martineau's position at this time is indicated in venerable." The religious reformer must have his first published work, The Rationale of Religio~s " a deep and reverential sympathy with human Inquiry' (1836). He cannot accept the position feelings, a quick perception of the great and that the doctrines of the Trinity, the Atonement, beautiful, a promptitude to cast himself into the and Eternal Punishment must be believed if they minds of others, and-gaze through their eyes at are to be found in the Scriptures. cc No seeming the objects which they love. . . . The precise inspiration," he affirms, " can establish anything logician may sit eternally in the centre of his own contrary to reason." Nevertheless his positive circle of correct ideas, and preach demonstrably conviction of the authority of the New Testament the folly of the world's superstitions ; yet he will is clearly stated: " In no intelligible sense can never affect the thoughts of any but marble- anyone who denies the supernatural origin of the minded beings like himself ." The practical religion of Christ be termed a Christian," which term, he explained, was used not as '' a name of application of creeds would create cc a new criterion of judgement between differing systems ; praise " but simply as a "designation of belief."l for that system merst possess most tr~th,which From this point of view he censured the German creates the most intellige~ceand uirtNe." In con- critics for " having preferred, by convulsive efforts clusion he assumes that the objects of the Asso- of intetpretation, to compress the memoirs of ciation are to distribute works which must redeqm Christ and'his apostles into the dimensions of ordinary life." thealogy from contempt, and to establish cc union and sympathy among those whose first principles Three years later, in the famous Liverpool are in direct contradiction to all that is sectarian, contro~ersy,~in a Sermon with the significant and who desire only to emancipate the under- Rationale, second edition, Preface, p. vii. standing from all that enfeebles, and the heart See the volume Unitarianism Defended (Liverpool, 183g), from all that narrows it. Of the Association he consisting of Lectures by Martineau, Henry Giles (1809- I 882), and John Hamilton Thorn (I808-1 8g4), in reply to the says that the tri~mfih07 its doctrifies would he, not attacks of thirteen Anglican clergymen. The book " raised, the ascefidency of one sect bert the haavmony of all ; controversial writing on this topic to a higher level of literary and he looks forward to the time when "our expressjon and intellectual eminenqe than i%had previously work will be done, our reward before us, and our attained " (Cordon). 1 '( . . title "The Bible ab the great ~utobio~ra~hiof - Christ seemed to become only a superior kind of

Human Nature from its Infancy to its Per- #A- natural religion. fection," after claiming the right to discriminate . Martineau then pursued a double line of study. .- . . between different parts of Scripture, and between- In a group of articles in the Westmiazster Review .- ' a greater and a les,ser " credibility " and " authen- he expounded the Tiibingen reconstruction of the , ticity " in the documents of the New Testament, origins of Christianity on its critical side, while on he observed :- the Philosofihical he vindicated the communion of the human spirit with the Divine, and presented .I , With this qualification, we maintain with all other Chris- tians, the ample credibility and the actual truth of the Gospel Jesus as the expression, within the limits of our records, making no divorce between the natural and the nature, of the righteousness and love of God. - miraculous, but taking both as inseparably woven together Revelation was thus transformed from super- into the texture of the same faithful narrative. natural instructi~ninto the realization of more Nevertheless in the same volume, in the midst exalted Character; its medium was not a written , of incisive criticisms of the evangelical scheme of word, but a higher Personality. To establish the salvation, he laid the foundations of a new view of principles of spiritual theism, and find a place in Revelation, no longer as a communication of man's soul for that " dwelling in God and God truth certified by miracles, but as an appeal to the in him " which Priestley had described as the , conscience and affections, and a fresh interpreta- highest type of personal devotion, was the aim of tion of the moral life on the basis of Free Will a long series of brilliant articles in the Prosfiective ,' ,. instead of Necessity. Meanwhile Martineau was and Natiovtal Reviews, which culminated in two . . reading Strauss, and soon reached the conclusion great treatises, Tyfies of Ethical Theory (1885) and .. r that belief in miracles was not essential to A Study of Religion (1888), followed in 1890 by "1, ' Christianity. His first teacher, Charles Well- The Seat of Authority ire ReZigio~a,-his final beloved, had already insisted on the contemporary message, as a Unitarian Christian, to his age. The significance of many of the prophecies supposed to contrast between this message and that of 1839 _ refer to Christ. When the miracles were dis- is, however, in the form rather than in the sub- ' - owned, the remaining guarantee of the super- stanceof faith. Heargued that in thoseportions ._-.. . natural character of Jesus fell away : the followers of the Gospels which remain after legend and of Locke found themselves deprived of their accretion have been cut away, we approach the " reasonable " Christianity, and the faith of central characteristics of the teaching and the 1 ' . AND HOPES "'l , l'. life of Christ. ~ut'the evidence of this is wholly 5 ,.,, (iv). A Critical Co~ference :' internal, and has nothing to authenticate it L 1 except our sense of the inimitable beauty, the The twelfth Annual Report of the Committee 1.. 5, , inexhaustible depth, the penetrating truth of the (1837) contained the following paragraph :- . g"?,' I j living words they preserve and the living form f...; ,' One great defect in the present state of Unitarians, and one p. they present. Of our informants we know no- cause of the low condition of some of their Associations, is the I! . thing, except that in such cases, what they tell want of union and co-operation. Few of the District ' , us as reality it was plainly beyond them to con- Societies are connected with this Association or with one . _. struct as fiction? another. These institutions are highly useful and even indispensable, but their usefulness would be greatly increased * . l In setting religion free from servitude to the by mutual and intimate communication; while by the same 64: Church, the Protestant Reformation turned means both the zeal of the Unitarians as a body would be !g!; .-. - ' religion back on its sources in the soul. And in quickened and their power would be growingly heightened. yk: setting reason free to move in religiaus things $4 1 :. It will be observed that the need of com- , within the limits of the written " Word of God," (L'," mzcnication is emphasised. There is no need to it forced to the front the further question of what dwell on the physical and economic difficulties of [, those limits are, and prepared the way for another R.:. intercommunication in the year 1837. But the iqi:, , Reformation, quite equal in importance to the Committee sought means of strengthening, and S . ,former one, though not attended with so many $c-- 1 making more effective, the desire which actually F, dramatic circumstances : a Reformation which existed for more and larger opportunities of free has completely undermined the authority of the conference, for mutual information and encourage- ' Bible as a " supreme and sufficient " rule of faith ment, and practically for more co-operation. The and life. The history of Martineau's religious Committee accordingly convened " an Aggregate thought reveals the working of this change in a , Meeting of Unitarians " by circular addressed to man of powerful intellect and profound spiritual " all Ministers and active Lay-members " through- discernment; but the reactions of it were con- out the denomination. It was held in Essex tinually felt throughout the denomination, and Street Chapel, London, on June 19th and (by are made evident from tbeto time in the history adjournment) on June zznd, 1838. A full report of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. of the proceedings was made and is preserved in 1 The critical conclusions on which these judgments are print. 'Ihe report shows that the speakers were based are not here under discussion. in touch with and concerned with the actual 82 WIDENING SYMPATHIES ." ;i:,?, a AND HOPES '*1 If*. .- II . realities of the situation. Although no pro- Hutton of Birmingham, and carried with two gramme of speakers had been arranged before- dissentients) :- hand, there was no pre-occupation with small That this meeting recognizes and acknowledges the corn~ details or merely personal preferences or fancies. plete and thorough independence of our separate Religious There is much in the report which is instructive for Societies, as to all matters of internal arrangement and dis- cipline; and, while recommending Union, contemplates no the problems of the present day. The range of measures which can interfere with this great and essential topics suggested by the Committee for discussion Principle. was sufficiently vast :- , This principle having been declared, the follow- The present state of the Unitarian Body in the United ing resolution was ~arriedrespectively on the Kingdom, America, and the Continent of Europe; the ex- motion of the Rev. George Harris, of Glasgow, pediency and practicability of a closer union and a more seconded by the Rev. William Turner :- general co-operation between Unitarians at home and That this meeting approves the general plan and con- abroad; the desirableness of missionary exertions; the state stitution of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association, of the Unitarian press, and the means of making it more regards with great satisfaction the extensive and effective available in the diffusion of Scriptural knowledge and pure services rendered by it to the interests of Unitarian Chris- Christianity; the necessities of the times in reference to tianity, and recognizes its claims to the respectful considera- academical education for the ministry; the means of training tion and liberal support of the Unitarian public. the youth of our congregations to take a deeper interest in our principles and institutions; the fittest plan of carrying the After these preliminaries, it was agreed, on the knowledge of pure and undefiled religion to the poor; the motion of the Rev. R. M. Montgornery, of claims of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association upon Taunton, seconded by the Rev. Jerom Mu-rch, of the liberal support of the Unitarian public, and the changes in its plan and modifications in its measures required (if Bath, that it is expedient to adopt some effective changes and modifications be required) to make it more fully plan of mutual co-operation and union among answerable to the wants and wishes of the Unitarian body. the Unitarians of the country. The question of the basis on which such co-operation was to be , - Several points of permanent interest, in the organized, if it was to be organized at all, then %.'. . actual proceedings of the Meeting, may be re- , > corded here. The discussion had not proceeded inevitably arose. ' far before it was found hecessary to affirm the si principle of congregational independence, in the (V). Modern Problems in an oldev Shafie 1 ' ' \\* -. following resolution (moved by the Rev. William When we look back from this distance to the course of the discussion, we can discern a general y . Turner of Halifax, seconded by the Rev. Hugh F.

4 L,, v'* '. '

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$! -. L - %l:.::$< , , , 8 \ WIDENING SYMPATHIES AND HOPES , the 'production of this effect, we can only look to increased perception that the bases of belief were changing, exertion and zeal, in the true and loving spirit of the Gospel, and-closely connected with this-the need of on the part of our ministers and laymen, whom they can make reconciling the two tendencies which we have fellow-labourers by inspiring them with the same deep affirmedto be essential to the vitality of Unitarian religious life. Christianity : the one expressing itself in a demand Many other circumstances must concur to bring about this great spiritual reform in our church. ,Our ministers for the widest spiritual freedom and fellowship; must be more carefully educated for their proper work as the other, in a demand for lucid and definite pastors and preachers. More pains must be taken to bring religious thought and teaching. fit men into the ministry. Our laymen must be made to feel We may say that nearly all the specific practical that if they attach any importance to the great cause of measures discussed and recommended at this Truth and Freedom in which their fathers laboured,-if the toast of Civil and Religious Liberty, which they are so fond meeting have since been, at various times, and in of giving at political dinners, is not to be regarded as an empty various forms, adopted : as, for instance, a more form of words,-they must join heartily with their ministers businesslike management of the affairs of in- in the great work of religious renovation and improvement; dividual congregations; the strengthening and they must cease to regard their churches and their ministers increase in the number of District Societies, as a temporary make-shift and expedient till some future change has opened for them an access into the larger com- enabling a group of congregations to hold periodic munion of the Establishment; but if they wish our churches meetings for conference, and other business ; the to prosper and to do good, and even to bring about any such formation of regular ministers' societies, for con- change as they contemplate, they must view them as pos- ference on various aspects of pastoral and pulpit, sessing, in their particular time and place, an independent work ; the organization of sustentation and main- title to respect, and, by their countenance and sympathy, invest them with that moral worth and dignity, the sense of tenance funds; and other similar matters. But which does more for a cause than secular wealth and distinc- the reports contain material of more than merely tion, but which a man must feel, to labour in it with all, his historical interest, and we have selected some heart and all his soul. illustrative extracts. At the opening of the At a later stage in the proceedings, Mr. John meeting a communication was read from Rev. Fisher, of London, made the following observa- John James Tayler, of Manchester, containing the tions, introducing a resolution which was defeated following paragraph :T at the moment by moving the " Previous The true change, I am persuaded, must come from within, Question,?' but the substance of which was after- from the awakening of a deeper and more earnest spirit of wards embodied in a resolution moved by the Religion in the heart of each separate congregation; and for- Rev. James Martineau, as noted below :- 1. . . ,-'., '.. ' l V'.' AND HOPES . '

. r I,. . .' ' We have'ago felt that %th a strong conviction of the truth which it ought to have done. It is the want ofthat evangelical and purity of our views, we have not produced such large and spirit which we feel, and which leads our youth to attend influential effects on those without us as could be desired; we services where it is found, though in connexion with doctrinal have not carried conviction as we could wish to the hiarts error. I am persuaded that the more attention is paid to this and minds of those whose views are opposed to our own. subject, the more effectively shall we promote Unitarian Now this arises, in my opinion, in a great degree from the principles and Unitarian views-and let me add that, in my position in which we have been placed, as a sect emerging from opinion, Unitarian principles and Unitarian views are of no other sects, and for the last fifty years debating and dis- value except as promotive ~f that higher, that vital principle, cussing doctrinal points and vindicating our secession. The which is all,, and for all. 'confessors of our faith, who so nobly fought the great battle These observations evidently reflected the of religious freedom, were deeply and necessarily engaged in desire for spiritual freedom and wider fellowship. such controversies, and the rcsult of their labours we are now reaping; but, as is the case with most human affairs, the On the other hand, the desire for definiteness, as benefit is not altogether without allay. Their time and their it was then felt, is reflected in the following ex- attention were occupied in the removal of a vast deal of tracts from a speech by the Rev. Thomas Madge, doctrinal error, the accumulation of ages, and their labours in reference to the same resolution :- were crowned with success. The truths they so zealously I can only say for myself, that, whatever may have been !, fought to establish, appear to the minds of the junior branches ? the habits of my early days, controversial preaching is what i.' of our congregations at the present day, in a great measure ' self-evident; and the ministers of our faith now have nothing I seldom indulge in at present: at the same time if I have to to beat down of prepossession or prejudice in favour of early preach on the character of God, I must necessarily introduce errors. what are called Unitarian views: if I have to preach on the love of God, on the character of Christ, and on several other After dwelling on the genuine piety which the topics, I must necessarily introduce Unitarian views, not early confessors of Unitarianism brought with controversially, but clearly and distinctly and intelligibly. I them from their former associations, Mr. Fisher do not understand what is meant by faith on conviction, and other vague transcendental notions which have been ex- proceeded :- pressed. I wish to have everything stated plainly and The inconvenience which has attended the battle they clearly, and I appeal to the ministers generally whether the fought is, that our attention has been too much drawn to mode of preaching among ss is such as to call for the contests for our opinions; and this in some measure to the resolution and the remarks which accompanied it. neglect of those vital principlesef piety which ought to be the After referring to the importance and value of main object in every religious community. We have put free inquiry in religion, by the exercise of which our Unitarianism as an " ism," too much in advance, and the he himself had been led in early life to leave the consequence is that the essence of Christianity, the soul of religion, has not held that pre-eminence in our community Church and its creed, Mr. Madge proceeded:-

\ 88 ' WIDENING SYMPATHIES -" ' '. ',. . 'AND HOPES

Just and enlightened views of the character of God, the ,. could wish, yet that we shall have such a measure of success nature of man, the principles of duty, and of the conditions - as will prove that we have not laboured in vain. of happiness here and hereafter,-these are the principal1 topics which should engage the preacher; and speaking for The point of view of conservative scriptural myself, I should be willing to forego altogether the discussion Unitarianism is very fairly represented in the of any other and inferior topics, if I saw that such discussions following observations by the Rev, Benjamin were likely to operate as a bar to the success of those principles Mardon :- which are of the first and highest consequence. . . . All sorts of notions and opinions are constantly put forward with in- I have ever held it to be the distinguishing glory of Unit- considerate heedlessness, not so much to see how the great arians, that we are what we profess to be, a scriptural sed; cause of Truth can be served, as to parade our own bravery and that, while we carry our intellectual faculties-faculties and singularity. . . . People must entertain different opinions, as highly cultivated as those of any other denomination- and form different estimates of the value of those opinions, to the study and interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, we and everyone must act according to his own sense of the are fully prepared, should our reason meet with anything worth of the belief which is in him; but we must be on our which it is inclined to question, but which we hold to be an guard not to throw additional obstacles in the way of what express dictate of revelation, we are prepared to make our we believe to be important Christian truths, by connecting reason bow to it. . . . Is it intended to be affirmed thatour with them matters of a more doubtful and more questionable opinions are first to be formed, our minds made up, and then - 1. nature, that we are to come to the Scriptures merely for a confirmation of our opinions ? This is just what the orthodox say of us: ' ' Mr. Madge evidently regarded the newer views this is one of the great points on which they found their as to-the seat of authority in religion as matters of calumnies against us. No, Sir; we do not confirm the . mere speculative curiosity :- deductions of our reason by the Scriptures, but we make use of our reasoning faculties in the study of the Scriptures. If The great truths of pure Christianity are committed to our we once depart from this sacred principle, we shall inflict a custody and guardianship, and we must take care that they wound on Unitarianism which it will not soon recover. are presented to our people as free from human alloy and admixture as we can make them. If we do this,-if it be Near the close of the proceedings of the second generally seen that we are not sending forth the speculations day the Rev. James Martineau, of Liverpool, in of our own ingenuity, but what we solemnly believe to be the proposing an important resolution1, severely criti- truth as it is in Jesus,-and if the language we use be the cized what he regarded as the exce'ssively con- language of those we speak to, if it be simple and earnest,- troversial tone of the Unitarian propaganda of the and this is an indispensable chdition, for the road to the heart is from the heart, and to reach the understanding we previous generation, and pleaded energetically for must take the circuit of the affections,-if we do this, we shall 1 The resolution is quoted in connection with the subject find that though we may not meet with all the success we of our concluding chapter. ,, :: ,, WIDENING SYMPATHIES ' AND HOPES a more positive and constructive gospel, involving but by taking up their vow of self-devotion to truth and less negative criticism of Orthodoxy,l and more humanity and God. To indulge in mutual theological dis- positive effort to revive religion among those who trust, under any desire to keep up an appearance of uni- were losing hold of it. As a matter of historical formity, I conceive to be treason against the intellectual liberty of which we are justly proud. It is wiser to give a fact, some of his judgements, taken at their face frank reception fo all well considered varieties of sentiment, value, were less than just ; but the following plea and to acknowledge that they offer serious obstacles to any- for progressive thought is of permanent interest :- zealous and hearty sectarian co-operation. But independ- ently of these actual differences, can it be expected that our Our lapses from the mark of orthodoxy have no uniform present forms of opinion will continue uniform and perma- direction, and reach to every gradation of distance, within the nent ? Is it consistent with experience to suppose that a limits of Christianity. Some of us place the miracles at the Church, however wise and however confident its members, is very foundation of our religion; others esteem the distinction to be exempt from the laws of intellectual and social change ? between the natural and the supernatural of slight account. Some preceding speaker has expressed his undoubting belief Some affirm the entire consistency and partial inspiration of that our existing Unitarianism is destined to be the world's the Scriptures; others conceive that the several books teach universal and eternal faith. Happy and complacent belief- a somewhat different theology, and that the true idea of their held and disappointed by every sect in turn, with respect to authority must be sought in something better than the its own creed, yet living and fervent still-needful, perhaps, intellectual infallibility of the contents. Some give their to maintain the zeal of successive generations, yet surely assent to the general scheme of interpretation by which our maintaining it on delusion ! . . ,I, too, doubt not that either elder writers efface from the New Testament the traces of our present Unitarianism, or something far better, will be the Calvinistic peculiarities; others esteem it fundamentally ultimate faith of men; but I conceive that we are obviously erroneous, and wholly incapable of producing the convictions in a state of transition, that every mark which history ever expected to result from it. It is vain to conceal, and worse affords of such a state is to be found among us-in one than vain to deplore, these inevitable differences-to reiterate direction, a great ferment of ideas: in another, a deter- lectures on the rashness of speculation, add demand sub- mined stand upon old ones; and everywhere a consciousness mission to any one school of Unitarianism. of religious defect, exciting earnest but vague aspirations In reference to the observations of Mr. Madge after improvement. and of Mr. Mardon, the speaker said :- An open mind, intent an thoughtful progress, is more (vi). Liberal Conservatism modest than a closed one; and vpneration for our predecessors It is evident that the position of thought and is most truly manifested, not by embalming their opinions, feeling to which Martineau was moving would not 1 An example of his own later and powerful negative be reached without a struggle. But the advocates criticism is quoted above, p. 69. of Biblical Unitarianism who resisted his " in- WIDENING SYMPATHIES , 'I.I<

" were generally much more liberal in had in view, can be heartily promoted by every Unitarian; than is sometimes supposed. This is and in rendering an account of their stewardship, your Com- indicated in the quotations given above. Men mittee claim to a;ddress themselves to the Christian brotherly feeling of all those who, whatever their opinions on minor theological points may be, are united in that simple Apostolic confession: " To us there is but one God, the Father, of ed the penalty of being a generation in whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord, Jesus

pernatural " ; but Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." ... t , S .. k, , s of growth was really more regular and In the following year, in reference to a series of catastrophe than might be thought. Sermons published by the Association under the Liberal Conservatism " is a fair description of title of The Uraitarian Pulpit, the Report observes : of the Association during the middle e century. The following extract from One circumstance we would mention with a feeling of second Annual Report (1857)implies a peculiar pleasure,-it is that the Unitariavz Pul+it contains discourses contributed by ministers representing every of inevitable change together with an variety of Unitarian opinion. We regard this circumstance ared at the time by the denomination as an evidence that the widest differences in the interpreta- at the common principles were still tion of our views of the Gospel need not prevent the kindliest iptural Unitarianism :- and most hearty union in all Christian works. Nine years later, when Martineau and John at the denomina- James ~a~lerwere seeking to formulate a basis of Christian Fellowship which should avoid what seemed to them to be the too doctrinal implica- tions of the Association's name, an effort in the opposite direction was initiated. In the summer ny exclusive views or partial interpretation of 1865, the Rev. Samuel Bache, of Birmingham, ords, and they hope that there will never appealed to the Committee of the Association to generally, any rivalry which is inconsistent " remove all ambiguity as to the acceptance of the truth and a r&lve to carry out the great special and immediate divine origin and authority of the Christian revelation." Shortly afterwards he issued an address in which he pointed out that at the time when the Association was founded, the

L

>, . '. 94 WIDENING SYMPATHIES -= . AND HOPES -I "' meaning of both the terms by which its objects record, but a decade later, an effort was made to were expressed,-" the promotion of the principles secure the same result indirectly in connection of Unitarian Christianity at home and abroad,"- with a detail of practical policy. The Council of was clear and undisputed. Christianity was the Association, at its meeting in September, universally maintained by Unitarians, equally 1875, issued instructions to publish the Discourse with Trinitarians, as the distinctive designation of on Matters fieutaining to Religion, by Theodore the belief in Jesus as the Christ, in his mission and Parker. These were repeated, on re-considera- inspiration gnd doctrine as immediately and tion, at the Council Meeting in January, 1876. A :,- 1. ,v . sp&cially divine and as carrying with them a number of members of the Association objected * -/ , direct divine authority. l to the substance and the form of many of Parker's F+- ! 3.:& - , . . Accordingly, at the Annual Meeting in May, statements about the Hebrew and Christian , 1866, Mr. Bache moved:- I Scriptures and the authority of Christ. Whatever That the following _addition be made to Rule I: " These may be thought of the form of some of these state- principles including the recognition of the God and Father ments, the fundamental ground of objection was of our Lord Jesus Christ as the only God and the only proper that Parker had frankly abandoned belief in the Object of religious worship, and also the recognition of the supremacy and sufficiency of Scripture and in the special divine mission and authority, as a Religious Teacher, unique divine authority and supernatural char- of Jesus Christ himself." acter of the mission of Christ. The motion was lost, the cc Previous Question " Quite apart from the personality of the in- ,being carried by a large majority (on the motion dividuals who were involved in the controversy of Sir John Bowring, F.R.S., seconded by the of 1876, its effects were unfortunate. It was an Rev. T. L. Marshall). And then the action wa9 attempt to force the Association into a position taken which led to the abandonment of direct and which was becoming more untenable with every official congregational representation in the mem- year that passed. The interpretation of Unit- bership of the A~sociation.~ I arian Christianity which was historically the only No further attempt, to induce the Association possible one in 1825 was not the only possible directly to formulate a dbgmatic creed, are on interpretation, nor-in the view of many-was it 1 the most rational interpretation, in 1875; in 1 See The Inquirer, June 10, August rzJ,and September 23, 1865. effect it would have tied the movement down to a See ch. iii. p. 39. narrow scripturalism and supernaturalism, and , ,ti4,# -yi , . ,-.t > ? 2, . , I' 1. ' '. f i - + . .g6 . . WIDENINF SYMPATHIES .. WIDENING SYMPATHIES , 5 6 - made this the basis of an I~dexexpurgatorills of that the publications of the Association and of books fit to be published by the Association. the Lindsey Press which it controls are not

- ' It was found necessary to hold a Special confined to any one school or type of Unitarian General Meeting of the Association, March, I 876, thought.

* in Essex Street Chapel; and at this meeting the In an earlier chapter we distinguished two - following resolution was passed :- different tendencies embodied in the tradition of the group of Churches which the Association That the form of Unitarian Christianity represented in its ' represents : a demand for personal religious free- general character by the works of Theodore Parker should be fairly recognized in the publications and operations of the dom, and a demand for clear and definite religious - i British and Foreign Uaitarian Association, in accordance thought and teaching. The work of the Asso- &L! with the same spirit of comprehensive liberality which has ciation has naturally had most to do with the guided it in the publication of works of Channing and second tendency ; but its constitution and history Priestley . show that, allowing for errors of individual judge- The resolution concluded by confirming the ment by which every human movement is affected, instruction of the Council for the issue of Parker's it has always been friendly to the former. The Sermons and Prayers ; but it was not considered most striking fact in this connection is that

4 I necessary to republish the Discourse of Religion, a Unitarian Christianity, the promotion of which ' ' cheap edition of which was still unexhausted. It is the primary ,object of the Association, has --.'. is distinctly understood that a book may be never been officially defined by the Association,

8., -& . . published in the name of the Association as cal- and (as shown above) proposals for an official culated to promote the principles of Unitarian definition have been rejected. Unitarian Chris- I 8. ,-A t Christianity, without involving the Association tianity, at any period, has meant for the Associa- . , ., . or any of its members in responsibility for every tion what it has meant for the denomination at :':

>l % , ,t;j , particular expression or statement of the writers. that period. This is true at the end of the 'L< 2 c + 2: century as at the beginning. For a considerable period- a statement to this , , ;$; ,> ' *l effect was regularly inserted in all books and , .,P - pamphlets issued by Qhe Association; but for ..,+rf

many years past it has been omitted as un- '34, i *. necessary. It is well known that writers are 4I themselves responsible for what they write; and .;.,q I I , , 1*.?3! .. ,? f , 'X. . l',

F. -:., ,; - l . - .;:. .;:. ;,y.: ' ., - , .~ ;%c - ,. .'. ,v- ? tfjfc-!$;;;~;. ; :.,- . . 'i. , ., .L...... ". " - - -' . ,: ' , . - :- , -. I' I.'.,. J -,. , : L" ,t:.j::;rt:I. I li =&,e,;+&:,.;;... ..#. - .$F4'iv;:;l!-j ., I.. . :%.I . . . ORGANIZED WORK 99 the familiar titles of " Home Mission " and " Foreign Mission " (afterwards " Colonial and Foreign "). These two departments have never been regarded as rivals. On the contrary a wider outlook on the world movement of liberal religion ought to inspire and strengthen the Home Mission work, which, in its turn, reacts in favour of the work abroad. It has been said: " What ORGANIZED WORK do they know of England who only England know ? " In like manner, it may be said: What HE work of the British and Foreign Unitarian do they know of Liberal Christianity, and above T Association from its foundation was laid all of the Unitarian version of it, who know it or out in different departments. This was originally care for it only as it is within the bounds of their due to its historical connection with the earlier own parish or district ? Societies. Its Book department was linked to In addition, therefore, to the Publications de- the Book Society, and its Civil Rights Depart- partment and the Civil Rights department, we ment to the Association bearing that name. find from the beginning a practical recognition of And with regard to the Unitarian Fund, we have the remaining field of work as falling into two already observed that as early as 1820 the Rev. main divisions,-the Home Mission and the Brook Aspland, then Secretary of the Unitarian Foreign Mission. In the original rules of the Fund, and afterwards the first Secretary of the Association these departments were designated British and Foreign Unitarian Association, had respectively, the " Book and Tract Fund," the called attention to the need and the opportunity " Civil Rights Fund," the " Congregational and for entering into communication with kindred Missionary Fund," and the " Foreign Fund,"- movements abroad. It is clear that in the it being understood that subscriptions and designation of the Association, the word donations might be earmarked for one or other of " Foreign " was deliberately inserted, and was these Funds in particular. This practice, how- intended to be taken seriously, and from the ever, appears to have fallen into disuse after a few beginning of its history two of the most important years. But the importance attached to the departments of its work have been known by division of the field of work is seen in the appoint- ORGANIZZD WORK ment of the Rev. W. J. Fox, of Dalston, as (i). Early .Resolcrces " Foreign Secretary," and the Rev. Dr. Rees, of Kennington, as " Book and Tract Secretary," in The significance of the following figures will addition to the appointment held by the Rev. be evident even to readers not accustomed to Robert Aspland, described simply as " Secretary." dealing with statistical returns. These were honorary offices, held by eminent Yeav. Total I~come. Principal heads. ministers in active service who gave part of their 1826 .. £1594 .. £395 Balance of Urtita~ianFund ; time and ability to the work of the Association. I £60 ditto Civil Rights Association ; The salaried oBcer at that time was described as £1 I 38 ColIections, Donations, "Under-secretary and Collector ." The Rev. Subscriptions. Robert Aspland held the office of Honorary 1827 . . £1430 .. L360 Balance previous year; £992 Coll., Don., Sub. I Secretary until 1830, when ill-health compelled 1828 . . £1904 . . £451 Balance; £1 176 Coll., Don., him to relinquish it. The Rev. W. Johnson Fox Sub. ; £267 Sales publications. acted as General Secretary for a year, after which 1829 . . £1475 '; . £455 Balance; £858 Coll., Don., the office was held by the Rev. James Yates until Sub.; £118 Sales; £50 Legacy used as income. 1835, when Mr. Aspland resumed the work, 1830 . . £12671 . . £140 Balance; A958 Coll., Don., retiring in 1841. By this date it had been per- Sub.; £105 Sales. ceived that departmental Secretaries were not 1831 .. £1390 . . £1304 Coll., Don., Sub. ; £86 Sales. required, although the departmental work was 1832 .. £1441 .. £284 Balance; £1038 Coll., Don., increasing. The Rev. Edward Tagart was Hon- Sub.; £69 Sales. 1833 . . £1357 . . £332 Balance; £844 Coll., Don., orary Secretary from 1841 to 1859, being assisted Sub. during the last four years of this period by the 1834 .. £1082 .. £118 Balance; £894 Coll., Don., Rev. T. L. Marshall. From 1859 to 1870 the Sub. ; £70 Sales. Rev. R. Brook Aspland, son of Robert Aspland, 1835 . . £93g2 . . A23 Balance; £818 Coll., Don., was Honorary Secretary. His work was hindered Sub.; £35 Sales. at times by imperfect health; and for the last 1836 . . f[9543 .. £874 Coll,, Don., Sub.; £52 Sales. 1837 . . £871 L. £19 Balance; L792 Coll., Don., three years of his term oPoffice he was assisted by Sub.; £60 Sales. the Rev. Robert Spears,, who became General Secretary in 1870. , 1 Less &73 excess of expenditure. 2 Less £63 excess of expenditure. 3 Including 429 Legacies used. LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK In this year (1837) it was decided to arrange for Edward Tagart, it was decided to begin to form the holding of a representative Conference in a Capital Fund for investments, and to treat London to consider the position and prospects of Legacies, as a rule, as capital rather than as the Unitarian Christian churches throughout the income, country. The Conference was held in the fol- Year. Total Income. Prirtcipal heads. lowing year, and we have given an account of it 1834 .. £996 . . £265 Balance; £628 Coll., Don., in the previous chapter. In the financial year Sub. ; £52 Dividends; £50 Sales. 1837, the Association only spent L53 on Home 1845 . . ~IOIO~. . EII~Balance; £770 Coll., Don., Grants, and £140 on Foreign Grants (Unitarian Sub.; £57 Dividend; £35 Sales. 1846 .. £828 . . £694 Coll., Don., Sub. ; £71 Sales; Christian Congregation, Madras). L63 Dividends. 1847 . . £118s2 . . £213 Balance ; £696 Coll., Don., Year. Total Income. Principal heads. Sub. ; £63 Dividends. 1838 . . £1153 . . £248 Balance; £866 Coll., Don., 1848 . £1065~ . . £246 Balance; £645 Coll., Don., Sub.; £58 Sales. . Sub. ; £63 Dividends. 1839 . . £12121 .. £316 Balance; £756 Coll., Don.. 1849 £1050 £245 Balance; £683 Coll., Don., Sub.; £34 Sales. . . . . Sub. ; £63 Dividends. 1840 . . £11132 . . £386 Balance; £677 Coll., Don., 1850 . . fj10304 . . £165 Balance; £595 Coll., Don., Sub.; £50 Sales. Sub.; £65 Dividends; £40 Sales. 1841 .. £902 . . £126 Balance; £724 Coll., Don., Sub.; £52 Sales. The range and scope of the Association's 1842 . . £1005~ . . £176 Balance; £705 Coll., Don., Sub.; £24 Sales. operations were evidently restricted by the 1843 .. £1140 .. £95 Balance; ,6658 Coll., Don., modest resources placed at the disposal of the Sub.; £91 Sales; £194 Calcutta Committee. Thus, in 1849 the sum of £245 was Fund. spent on grants to the following congregations : In 1843 the proceeds of the Calcutta Unitarian Alnwick, Battle, Bettws, Billingshurst, Chester- Church property, originally provided by the field, Doncaster, Dorchester, Hinckley, Hudders- Association, began to be available; and under the field, Ilminster, Lydgate, Lynn, Poole, Rolven- wise advice of the Honorary Secretary, the Rev. 1 Less £27 excess of expenditure. 2 Including L56 Legacies used and £115 Special Income. 1 Including Legacy £105 used. S Including £69 Legacies used. 2 Including Legacies £1 38 used. 4 Including £90 Legacy used, and Special Income £40. 3 Including Legacy LIOO used. , . '. l LIBERTY.. ,AND RELIGION I h,.,' t ORGANIZED WORK 105 den, Southampton, Strabane (Ireland), Thorne, .:'.the lost ground began to be recovered in many Tipton, Welton, Wisbech, Yaxley, Peovil, and to cases; but by no means in all. the Manchester Village Missionary Society; and The fact is that among the places of worship out of a special Fund, temporarily administered which were called Presbyterian and afterwards by the Association, grants were made to the became Unitarian, quite half were very small following congregations : Aberdeen, Battle, Can- . chapels in country places, &pendent upon two terbury, Cheltenham, Devonport, Huddersfield, or three influential families in the neighbourhood. Jersey, Malton, Southampton, Torquay. It was their support which maintained the When considering the history of Unitarian ministry, and\their moral influence which kept Christianity during the first half of the nineteenth together a little congregation of their neighbours century, we must always bear in mind the dis- in spite of the constant pressure of the Established couraging and depressing effect of the danger and Church. As long as the old legal penalties re- uncertainty of the twenty-five years previous to mained, these old families held to the traditional the Dissenters' Chapels Act (1844). As long as cause of Nonconformity. But gradually, as the the possession of the old Chapel Trusts by the days of persecution receded into the past, the Unitarians was threatened, there was a natural social prestige of the Episcopal Church, enhanced, reluctance even to incur any considerable expense let it be said, by a great vevival of its religious life for maintenance and repair of the building. In drew away numbers of these old families, and the his Jubilee Sermon at Cross Street Chapel in small country congregations were left weak and 1878, the Rev. William Gaskell said that when his poor, to maintain a precarious struggle for exist- ministry began in 1828, "the congregations at ence by aid from the body at large. It speaks Sale, Platt, Dob Lane, and Blackley had fallen well for the patient fidelity to their faith on the into so low a state that they threatened almost to part of these little groups of Unitarians that after become extinct, but are, now ;in a sound and this process of decay had been going on for a full healthy condition." Platt Chapel, Manchester, generation, there were in the middle of the is stated to have been in a state bf disrepair, and century about a hundred of these small country the congregation had nea~lydisappeared. These societies still holding together. The British and cases are typical of what was taking place in Foreign Unitarian Association from the begin- many parts of the country during this period of ning helped these struggling causes, especially danger and anxiety. When it ended, in 1844, where any growth of population held out some \

Io6 _ ' P - LIBERTY AND RELIGION N ORGANIZED WORK v ! hope of revival and living usefulness; but in support Unitarian worship; and in the eighth many cases with all the younger life drifting Annual Report of the Association it is affirmed into the cities and the older gradually passing that the su$$ort of public worship on Unitarian .way, the help which was given only prolonged firinciples is one of the chief afid 9rimary objects the process of decay; and during the century a for which, the Association was established. Before considerable number of such congregations be- following this narrative further, we must record came extinct. The names of some of them appear an important enterprise initiated by the Com- in the .list given above. The following figures, mittee of the Association in the earliest years of

however, are of some interest and significance in its history. W. the present connection. The British Unitarian Almanac, published in the year r848, records , (ii). Domestic Missiolzs two hundred and thirty-eight Unitarian and kindred places of worship in England, thirty in : . ,In June, 1830, the Anniversary nieetings of Wales. The Essex Hall Year Book in its first 1' the Association were held in London and con- issue (1890) records two hundred and sixty-two .timed in Manchester, and at the Manchester in England and twenty-six in Wales, and in its i meeting the following recommendation, among thirty-sixth issue (1g25), two hundred and . others, was made: " That the Committee of the seventy-eight in England and thirty-three in !~ssociation consider whether they cannot effect : Wales. These figures suggest that there is the establishment of City Missions, on a plan and another side to the picture. r.for purposes similar to those detailed in the In the Home Mission field the constitution of the Reports of the Rev. Dr. Tuckerman, of Boston, ~ssociationhas from its beginning included two ' U.S.A." In the Annual Report for 1831, it is purposes: (I) observed :- Maintenance work, in aid of 5 existing churches, and (2) Propaganda work. This plan has largely occupied the attention of your Com- These two aims have never been regarded as mittee, and the result has been a general and deep conviction f. mutually exclusive. qinancial and other aid to : of the immense moral good which it is calculated to accom- churches has frequently proved to be propaganda 8 plish. A statement of their views of the nature and objects : work of the highest order. In the original Rules ii of such a Mission has already been laid before the Unitarian body, in a circular which has been extensively distributed, of the Unitarian Fun'd it was stated that the best p, and to which they entreat the attention of all who have hearts way of promoting Unitarian Christianity is to Y, to feel for the wretched condition of the poor and ignorant, bt ..r r q, ', - 2. 2'1 '; . I4 ORGANIZED WORK I8 'F$ a , l 108 LIBERTY AND RELIGION - .: ,, siders that union, zeal, artd co-ofieration are necessary ort the f;, and who desire the extension to them of the blessings of pure g, , part of the friends of virtue and of mert ; and he is also persu- The pecuniary means for the support of a Mission aded that little can be done without funds to enable the to the poor have to be created. Its establishment would visitor of the abode of wretchedness to afford some pecuniary be alike an honour to the Unitarian name and a blessing to I relief to suffering humanity. The visitor's own feelings, the community. A which sympathy with the 'distressed will necessarily create, In their Report presented in 1832 the Com- and the urgent necessities of the poor sufferers, render this indispensable. . . . Your Missionary is by no means sanguine imittee observe that, while the response to the ' as to any great degree of success that may attend his exertions; circular of appeal had not been as large as they nor is he disposed to despair of effecting some good; of being were nevertheless justified in the means of diffusing information, and, through the Divine eme for such work in one of the blessing, of being instrumenta1 in promoting the improve- ment and comfort of a small portion of the human family; of East London; and after due and in order to do this, he would humbly but earnestly invite d appointed the Rev. R. K. the union, the zeal, the co-operation, and the contribution of , , philp, who " had resigned the pastorship of a the friends of man, and the well-wishers to Missionary congregation sincerely attached to him in the exertions.

+ city of Lincoln, to devote himself to the painful In his second Report after more than a year's S - . labours and encounter the distressful scenes work, Mr. Philp spoke as follows, after describing poor's exclusive Missionary in some painful cases which .had come under his this vast and chequered metropolis." A stipend observation :- of £150 per annum for three years was provided; Experience has shown your Missionary that it is not only and at the end of that period it would be possible necessary to blend the wisdom of the serpent with the hara- to judge of the claims of the experiment to further lessness of the dove, but to add to these a little of the fox's o see " in what degree cunning with the daring of the lion. Ignorance, vice, if not sanguine wishes, depraved habits, and hypocrisy, array themselves against the 1 moral reformer and the Christian philanthropist; and these are no trifling obstacles to his success. They have a tendency ry's &eliminary report, after to try his faith, to damp his ardour, to exhaust his patience, the following facts are and to destroy his hope. . . . He has had the opportuniFy of visiting the sick; of relieving the distressed; of consoling the sufferer; of atteading the bed of the dying, and of sympath- Your Missionary has had oppor~unityof observing that izing with the bereaved. One of the most, if not the most the poor, and that vice and pleasing, feature in the case, in his opinion, is the opening of a eet and correct these, he con- ,,$j+:$;:l {, ,6.,,;,t. a~:,~p ;. 7,,+FIt 1%:; . .. : ,G,\:t>--$ -4It - . Q~~~,~t'"~t4!~~j-;,:;~~;~,5~,5+~,. ..#. ,I r.7;. , ;-- ;; $2 , . . . , ., ,,, ....C..: ;;p,,,4< ,.. ,.;-b,*, *!j;,; ,,-,, ,. - q.... ;,,, ,.,,- '.a*.. -,, , ,' -P ,.'. - . ".. '. . . .- . , ,,.?. .;. .t .->t, : ., , , .:: -,:, . ..- ,' ,h";.' . . ORGANIZED WORK . :; ' . 111 , . . ,.

, place of worship for the poor, through the kindness of the 1863, the London Domestic ~issionSociety in Committee, and the supply of books and other necessaries for 1835, and the Liverpool Domestic Mission Society a Sunday school, which has been commenced and carried on in 1836. Similar institutions were started, later, in that place through the benevolence of private individuals and the valuable aid of gratuitous and active teachers. The in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester, and

, school, which was commenced with a dozen children, now has London (Carter Lane, 1863). on its books one hundred and thirty-six boys and girls, whose attendance is as regular, and whose general behaviour is as good, as could reasonably be expected in their circumstances. The religious services of the chapel on Sunday evenings (iii). Missiortary artd Publications Work to 1850 have been pretty well attended by some of the older children, and a few of their parents and others; and considering the We now return to the narrative of the organized district in which the chapel is situated, with very little inter- work of the Association. In the early days of its history, the possibility of employing the The building referred to by Mr. Philp was a services of travelling missionaries, " whenever the chapel in Spicer Street which the Committee hired state of the public mind was deemed favourable to for the purpose. The present Mansford Street that method of proselytising them," was con- Church and Mission, Bethnal Green, is directly sidered. It is evident from the records that the ed from this institution of 1832. In their number of Ministers available was insufficient to

' '- Report for 1834 the Committee say that they provide for the needs of the existing congregations. have long and seriously considered the separation Occasionally a Minister could be released for of the City Mission from the British and Foreign travelling missionary work; but more frequently Unitarian Association, and have come to the the services of laymen, ungrudgingly given, were opinion that such separation is desirable and employed. Interest was aroused among many - ' would be advantageous both to the Association local groups of people; but in the absence of local and the Mission. The result was the formation leadership it was found very difficult to build up - of Societies whose aim was to organize and super- congregations with any prospects of permanent , ,: ' intend religious and philanthropic work on the life. In the days of the Unitarian Fund, the same general lines as .in Spicer Street, London. services of a few men specially gifted for this kind To emphasize its essential character, it was of work were available, and among these the activi- described as " Domestic Mission " work. The ties of Richard Wright and George Harris were ex- ;: ter Domestic Mission was founded in traordinarily successful; but it was realized that -*' '- ? . , IIZ LIBERTY AND RELIGION ' ORGANIZED WORK At , , . l' \ special &its are needed : and the attention of the civilized countries on the face of the earth, These , Committee-so far as the small financial resources 'words are almost quoted from the Annual Report placed at their disposal admitted-was sub- , for 1834; and they indicate what has always been, ' sequently more concentrated on the strengthening and still is, one of the principal aims of the of existing congregations, on the formation of new Association. ones, and especially on the encouragement of For many years the list of publications bearing I district Societies and the promotion of a larger the imprint of, or sold by, the Association was unity of co-operation. described (not altogether by accident) as cc A With regard to the Publications department of Catalogue of Books distribzcted by the British and Foreign Unitarian Association," and it was added 3 ,. S the Association's work, it was perceived from the beginning that the Association does not exist in that copies could be bought at the Office. For order to sell books and pamphlets, although sales many years, also, no distinction was made in the may be an important source of income; but list between " books " and " tracts," except in

, *I books and pamphlets are a valuable and indeed price. In 1852 the list contained 192 titles of A ,. indispensable instrument of a propagandist publications on subjects practical and spiritual , # Society. prom this point of view, literary propa- .as well as doctrinal, including Athanase Coquerel's ganda was carried on with a zeal which is remark- " Christianity adapted to the Mental, Moral, and *. able when we bear in mind the limited resources Spiritual Nature of Man " ; Cudworth's " Sermon I , . at the disposal of the Association. preached before the House of Commons, March I " v. Statements of the principles of Unitarian 31st, 1647~'; Griesbach's Greek Testament ; r, . Christianity were translated into most European Martineau's Sermon of 1834 (previously analysed) .... . t , . languages and circulated wherever these languages and " Endeavours after the Christian Life " ;

1 Milton's " Last Thoughts on the Trinity," " Areo- $1 . were spoken. Tracts were preparea, adapted to t the modes of thought of the Roman Catholic, the pagitica," and "Treatise of Civil Power in Eccle- Jew, and the Mohammedan. Encouragement siastical Causes " ; Dr. John Taylor's " Defence 1% ' was afforded to individuals in various countries of the Common Rights of Christians," and Charles ' l L,, - who were themselves >enquiring, or stimulating Wicksteed's ' Law of Conscience." The spirit in .(I others to enquire into religious truth. The which the literary propaganda was carried on, ;'l' c?, ' reports show that the publications of the Asso- may be gathered from the following extracts from ;;-:; 'ciation were finding their way already into most the Report for 1852:- , - . . ,> !., , 1, LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK During this year there were books and tracts distributed Special reference must be made to the early as follows: by, or on suggestion of, the Rev. Hugh Hutton.1 5911 publications, representing a value of £77; by votes of relations of the Association with India and also your Committee, 6018 works, representing a sum of L78; with America. twenty-four copies of the Christian Refovwer to chapel We have seen that the Managers of the Unitar- libraries, total value £14, including four copies to the London ian Fund had already interested themselves in Domestic Mission. There have been delivered to subscribers missionary work in India, and for several years two hundred and eleven publications, value £27; and the sales to the public consist of 2298 works, value L69. The strenuous endeavours were made to promote and total number of works thus placed in circulation, by means maintain work in Calcutta and Madras on the lines of your Association, have been to the value of lfj265, and are in of Unitarian Christianity as then understood. It number 14,726. Your Committee believe that at no period was not found possible, however, to establish in the history of your Association has the Book and Tract permanent movements on the lines desired. The Department been more usefully employed than during the past year. scriptural Unitarian Christianity which had grown up in Western Europe was not adapted to the (iv). Foreigh Work to 1850 spiritual environment of the Hindu. In the meantime the famous Indian and thinker and In the Foreign (and Colonial) Department the teacher, Rammohun Roy, had been engaged in references already made show that, though the work which resulted in the formation of the Association was only occasionally able to give Brahmo Somaj, or Church of God, and a profound financial aid to kindred movements abroad, and impression was produced by his presence and in small amounts, still sympathetic intercourse addresses at the Annual Meeting of the Associa- was maintained, from the beginning, with tion in 1831, It was realized that the spirit and America, with Canada (particularly Montreal), methods of the Brahmo Somaj were more with India, with Hungary, and with a number of adapted to Liberal Religious missionary work in liberal Protestant workers in other parts of the India; and the Association has continued in Continent. By the middle of the century, the touch with this movement. Committee were in correspondence with Unit- A happy result of the almost simultaneous for- arians in Sydney and Melbourne, and organized mation of the two Associations is seen in the early self-supporting congregations were formed in both growth of mutual intercourse and interest between these places. Unitarian and kindred Churches in America and in l " Home Agent and Missionary," from 1852-55. England. This can be traced from the beginning. > 2 I l. * . . . . 116 : LIBERTY AND RELIGION ' ORGANIZED WORK In the second Report of the British Committee neither immunities nor disabilities to particular it is recorded that the American Committee had religious opinions and which offers no recom- instructed their Secretary to forward copies of the pense to the professors of any one creed which it Constitution of the American Unitarian Associa- withholds from the professors of another." -. tion and to invite the correspondence and as far ...z as possible the co-operation of the British and (v). The Home Mission Field, 1850-1875 Foreign Unitarian Association ; and in the fourth Report of the American Unitarian Association it For a number of years after the Dissenters' is said that cc a more active correspondence has Chapels Act (1844) the group of churches served - ' been maintained with England than in previous by the Association, and the management of the Association itself, were only slowly recovering ,' . years; the letters of Unitarians in Great Britain contain expressions of strong interest in our from the discouragement and distress of what we , affairs; the progress of religious sentiment in have rightly called the " danger period." This America is carefully observed by them: our is reflected in the support given to the Associa- ' writers are treated with respect, and a disposition tion. Until 1868 the total of annual Sub- . is manifested to strengthen the ties of fraternal scriptions and yearly special donations remained '.-. * . - sympathy." Not only were such friendly re- under £700. In most years it was a little over ' . : lations deepened, but we find that the two Com- or under £600. In 1855 the Committee's Report makes special reference to the bad effects of the , . : - mittees were in active co-operation in connection . . with the endeavour to promote Unitarian Chris- Crimean War on religious and philanthropic enterprise generally. On the other hand, the ' 17 , tianity in India. - a l it . .,. In the Constitution of the American Unitarian number and value of the legacies bequeathed to the Association show that it was gradually win- . - ; Association there is no reference to '' the pro- ning confidence in quarters sometimes unknown !,. tection and extension of -the Civil Rights of until the testator's dispositions were declared. L - .Unitarians." Such an expression would have :it, . been meaningless there. Our American friends The limited financial resources which were , available &used serious embarrassment to the 2;ii.i " , . - began their work on a 180ting of absolute freedom f-., S . -and equality for all religious bodies. In their Committee, especially as it became more and

a more evident that wisely ordered but substantial . ! fifth Report (18go) the British Committee rightly ' - referred to America as " a country which attaches . grants of money were essential in a large pro- $h-.1 l_ !r * '.V*'1 LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK portion of the cases which came under their of a knowledge of our religious principles in a consideration. In 1868 the Annual General doctri.naJ form or under the Unitarian name : this Meeting empowered the Committee "to deal difficulty has met me in various forms during the with all Legacies and Donations which may be whole progress of my missionary work." The bequeathed or made to the Association (without financial pressure about this time became more any special Trust attached to them) as they may severe through the exhaustion of the " Cooke think most desirable," and " to sell out the funds Fund," of £1152 and an annuity of £300 a year already invested (which have no special Trusts until 1850. The conditions of this Fund did not attached to them), such sales not to exceed L500 admit of its investment, and its exhaustion was in any one year." This was evidently intended onlyamatter of time. Thestrainon the General to meet special cases where grants of £100 or Fund became the more severe. Nevertheless at more were considered urgent ; but as the total this period of discouragement the Committee were invested Capital of the Association at that time able to record the opening of new Churches " at was only a little over L8,4oo, it is evident that Trowbridge, Swinton, Stratford, near London, and the resolution was an important one. Idle, near Leeds." The Rev. Hugh Hutton had been appointed to We observe also the frequent and serious an office which we should now describe as that of references made, at intervals, to "the want of Field Secretary and Missionary in 1852, and he approved ministers for English Presbyterian and carried on the work until 1856, when it was Unitarian Churches." This statement is from decided that the financial resources of the Asso- the Annual Report for 1852. In that year the ciation did not admit of the retention of this Rev. Hugh Hutton, Home Agent and Missionary, office. His visits to different parts of the country, was urged to lose no opportunity of inquiry which obtaining information and giving encouragement might lead to the introduction of young men and advice, were also productive of increased qualified to prepare for the work and willing to financial support, but not to the extent hoped for. undertake it. In 1854 he was introduced to For this he himself indicated the principal reason Mr. Charles C, Coe-a name which came to be in " the avowed disinclination of a large number well known in after years. Mr. Hutton refers of the better educated and more wealthy members appreciatively to plans formed for the establish- of our Churches, to give any part of their sym- ment of the Unitarian Home Missionary Board in pathy or support to efforts aiming at the diffusion Manchester; and in 1855 he observed :- . . r l- , ORGANIZED WORK

Since our last Anniversary, the Unitarian Home Missionary to ten congregations to total 15192; to Missions, Board, Manchester, has started into healthful and vigorous Scotland £87, Northumberland £75, Kent L75; existence; and by its judicious operations, numerous con- £230. gregations of Unitarians in the populous district around book and tract department £70 ; investment Manchester, including several of those whose chosen deno- It was perceived, however, that there may be minational title is that of " Christian Brethren," are regularly wise and unwise " missionary effort." In his supplied with religious ministrations. . . . I avail myself of Report to the Association in 1865, the Rev. James this opportunity, also, of bearing my most grateful testimony C. Street, then in Newcastle-on-Tyne, referred to to the important assistance rendered towards the diminution 6 6 fitful missionary efforts in times past, growing of the evil of which we are speaking . . . by the Principal and the more advanced students of Manchester New College out of individual earnestness rather than church London: by their generous and zealous aid, several of our life," out of which " originated operations which vacant pulpits have been supplied through the greater part for a while succeeded and then failed," and of the year. named certain chapels which were closed or where In a few years, however, with resources en- congregational life was decaying, and he pro- _ larged through increased subscriptions and ceeded to observe :-

I > legacies, the Committee were able to enter on new All these facts together reveal a state of things which at - , and enlarged work, on a modest scale, indeed, first sight seems disheartening; but they are not so bad as when compared with that of after years, but they seem. It is true these efforts were failures, but they ' P . t marking a distinct forward movement. Measures were failures just where we should naturally look for them. ;;. , ! l were soon taken to organize missionary propa- . . . The effort was made in small unimportant places, where ganda in Kent, in the Potteries, in Northumber- in the nature of things success could not be looked for. It F land, and in Scotland, in charge of specially ap- was a mistake in the first instance to go there; and the -c - attempt to sustain them in life was also a mistake. Then pointed missionaries, and to off er facilities to they were undertaken by a few zealous and faithful men who enable competent ministers in settled charges to/ were willing to do everything in their power, but who were undertake such work in their own districts. In unable to sustain, through many years, a sporadic missionary "- - 1865 the position is fairly shown through the agency like this. . . . The feeling is very strong that attention -- +* , should be paid fijirst and mainly to large and important towns L. following figures. The principal heads of I~come where a Unitarian congregation seems to be a reasonable . , in that year were thw: subscriptions £529; , . possibility. 1 E? donations and collections £119 ; legacy £200 ;

a dividends k172; sales of publications £11. The Ten years earlier, the Rev. Hugh Hutton, in ' 4 principal heads of Exfienditwe were these : grants his Report to the Association in 1855, had thrown --,{, I i 8

C $' : h . L +'..'.U -, , 7 '* 4 1. ' l+ p:s- ' ~22' LIBERTY AND RELIGION ., ORGANIZED ~RK .Sr. *

another side-light on this question of cc closed Committee of the Association concurred in the chapels " and " lost causes " :- decision ; but their Report, after commenting I must direct the attention of the friends of the ~ssociatibn, on Mr. Shelley's strenuous endeavours to build up and of the Unitarian cause in general throughout the kingdom, the congregations at Cranbrook, Headcorn, and to the necessity-and duty of inquiring periodically into the Rolvenden, observed :- condition, the terms, and the custody of the title-deeds of Within the churches committed to his pastoral care, the the property and other Trusts belonging to the various flame of devotion, though feeble, has been kept alive, minds religious and charitable institutions with which they are con- have been religiously instructed, and the charities as well as nected. . . .Some properties are said to have been utterly lost the piety of our houses of prayer has been carefully nourished. to us, and appropriated to private purposes, owing in each Outside these Churches, a kindlier feeling has grown up case to the demise of the last Trustee and the absence of all towards Unitarians; and in places which have been some- i! S " well-advised and vigorous effort!to secure them from spoliit- times described ss seats of the rankest bigotry, your Mission- . tion. In other cases which have been represented to me, the ary has won the personal esteem and respect of many good men of differing households of faith. There need be no regret felt by the members of the British and Foreign Unitarian -.Association that this experiment in the Weald of Kent has such authority: and this has led to such jealousies and con- been made. tentions among the members, as to promote the disruption, and even threaten the total annihilation, of some con- The Committee at this time suggested that the wisest course is to 'bake defeat in one field a motive and a means to success in another," while Such inquiries, advice, and persuasion as were " taking prudent counsel and exercising wise urged by Mr. Hutton could not, however, reallyl meet the dangers to which he refers. Sixty years foresight of difficulties ." At this time also these was much unsettlement later, as we have seen, the Incorporated Asso- of opinion, owing to the rise of questions affecting the constitution and purpose of the Association. A discouraging episode at this time was t"le From one side a move was made for committing failure, or apparent failure, of the Kentish Mission. In 1866 it was decided to discontinue the Society to a dogmatic creed, and from another side, for transforming it into a theologically inde- ' , the engagement of thel%ev. Richard Shelley as finite Christian Union, or for the formation of resident missionary for .the Weald of Kent. This was done on the initiation of the Kent and Sussex such a Union independently of it. The issue of ' Association (which itself afterwards expired). The these questions has already been described.' The See ch. 111, p. jg, 40. - - 1 ORGANIZED WORK -2, * 6,3 k'i -. definite settlement of such questio&left the Corn- Fire-proof Room for the safe custody of ( p;: ' . mittee more free to develop the proper work of' Deeds and other important documents." the Association on the lines of its constitution. It was decided that the building must b - The abandonment of congregational representa- by Trustees " for the Association, and in fu

, tion made no practical difference. ance of its objects from time to time, und In this connection we may record the short- direction of the Committee." This ho - lived movement for providing new buildings as a inevitably raised the perennial proble central headquarters for the Association in doctrinal endowments; and in March, ~t London. It had some instructive side-issues. Special Meeting of the Committee, Vic The Rev. Robert Spears, who from 1867 to 1870 sidents, and Home Correspondents was had assisted the Rev. R. Brook Aspland in the when the following resolution was moved : duties of the Secretaryship, himself became That in the opinion of this Committee it would be a1 Secretary in 1870. In view of the in- sistent with the principles of religious freedom, in g business of the Association and the larger and hitherto upheld by the majority of the supporters of Committee Meetings and larger mem- British and Foreign Unitarian Association, to sanctio~ cept any endowment intended to be of a permanent na , bership of the Association, it was generally agreed ' terms which would confine the application of such ( that the accommodation available in the offices ment to the support of the doctrinal belief of the c r. E. T. Whitfield's book-shop at 178 donors, or which would render possible any legal inqui was utterly inadequate. the specific opinions either of the donors or of the m( dingly the Committee determined to en- of the Association. deavour to secure or erect such a building in one The resolution concluded by instructin{ of the best localities in London, and a scheme for Committee to obtain Counsel's opinion 01 g estimated to cost ~zo,ooowas drawn best means of securing the building for the up. The building was to include cc a Council poses of the Association while avoiding the Chamber or Committee-room to accommodate gers named. It was rejected in favour about sixty persons; a Room for Deputations, amendment re-affirming the original pro1 with waiting and retirie arrangements; a Hall but none the less Counsel's opinion had 1 sufficiently large for a meeting of zoo persons; obtained, especially on the question " wheth r the Secretary and Under-secretary; case of dispute, and the Deed being brought 1: dation for Book and Tract business; a the Chancery Court for a decision, the clausf ' .-- ,

t 0 - & . 0

- A .-I ,. J ,F?, LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK so drawn as prevent the necessity of any reference the amounts contributed were returned to the to the supposed previous theological opinions of donors. In the following year the Committee the Society either in 1825 or in 1873." Counsel's secured convenient premises at 37 Norfolk Street, opinion was as follows:- Strand, which were formally opened on April In case at any time hereafter any question should arise 17th, 1874, the one hundredth Anniversary which would call upon [a Court of Law] to decide what aye the of Lindsey's opening of Essex Street Chapel. principles of Unitarian Christianity intended to be promoted Ten years later Essex Street Chapel was itself by the Trust Deed, we are of opinion that the then current acquired by a body of Trustees, and converted principles of Unitarian Christianity must be recognized and into Essex Hall, the present headquarters of the adopted by the Court as the principres intended to be pro- vided by the Trust Deed, to the exclusion of any inquiry as Association. to what were the principles of Unitarian Christianity at the From 1870 the records show a steady increase time of the formation of the Association, or at the time of the in the amount of annual subscriptions and in the acquisition of the Trust property, or at any time other than 'work accomplished, and a very large increase in that at which the question may arise. the sales of publications, the return from which The Rev. James Martineau found a considerable had been negligible for many years. In the amount of support in moving the following Report for that year, the operations of the Asso- resolution :- ciation are classified as follows for practical That the permanent endowment of any form of theological purposes ;- doctrine injuriously interferes with the natural changes of religious thought and life. . . and that the British and Foreign (i). To promote, and give assistance to, Local Associa- Unitarian Association, being founded expressly for the pro- tions in different parts of the Kingdom to diffuse the prin- motion of the principles of Unitarian Christianity, would ciples of Unitarian Christianity. accordingly do well to decline the ownership of any building (ii). To give assistance and encouragement to ministers required for its service, and to recommend the munificent and others to lecture and preach beyond the limits of their contributors of the funds to place their building, when erected, particular localities, and to open new centres of religious in the hands of independent Trustees of their own selection, worship and instruction. open to such uses, religious, philanthropic, or educational, (iii). To promote Unitarian Christian Worship by as may, by the Trustees for the time being be judged best, occasionally assisting congregations,l and to form a medium ,from time to time; the first being the free occupation of the through which at times an interchange of pulpit services can building by the British and Foreign Unitarian Association, be effected.

This resolution was lost, on a division; but the 1 That is, directly; as distinct from aid given through scheme for the new buildings was withdrawn and District Associations. .I - ORGANIZED WORK 129

(iv). To hold adjourned or special meetings of the Asso- (printing, binding, distribution) £1276 ; value of ciation in the principal cities or towns; and to attend by of books and tracts granted £321. . deputation any of the District Associations or special services ' In the Report for 1875 the Rev. Robert Spears (v). To collect and diffuse information respecting the stated that in 1830, when the Rev. W. J. Fox was 'state of Unitarian Ghristianity throughout the world and to Secretary of the Association, an endeavour was adopt whatever measures may seem proper to assist the made to obtain statistical returns from congre- gations professing Unitarian Christianity. Ninety- four chapels replied. Ten of these were after- wards closed. They were then very thinly .,i=.;+' Unitarians. attended. Mr. Spears added that during the Association's work in the whole peri~dfrom 1825 to 1875, more than twenty of the old chapels were closed. About efficiency of the District Associations and in the the year 1850 the congregations appear to have been in a very low or depressed condition; but 4- .- , effective desire of the central Association to work "a great increase of zeal and activity may be dated from that period; after a season of dis- couragement, our people took heart and hope ,$ Annual Report for 1875. The principal heads of again." Wile only seven chapels were re-built . the Income for the year were these : subscriptions or renovated during the period from 1800 to 1825, donations and collections L223 ; legacy and thirteen from 1825 to 1850, from 1850 to ; dividends £270; sale 1875 more than sixty chapels were re-built or ks and tracts £1182 (including proceeds of entirely renovated. And in addition to thes~ d sale of large editions of Channing's works and re-constructive efforts, a number of new congre- . - Priestley's ~o~rt&tionsof Christianity). On the gations were founded during the third of the

I ' . other side the principal heads of Exfienditwe were periods named, =; these: grants to twenty-two congregations (chiefly towards sti-penhs or building or repair (vi), Work in Scotland, 1850 to 1875 funds) £671; grants to seven District Associa- nd twenty congregations (for missionary The support and promotion of Unitarian rary propaganda) L81o; books and tracts Christianity in Scotland wa's embraced in the / LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK general Home Mission of the Association, until at flourished for a period under the care of Mr. a later date (1889) the munificent bequest of Harris, and then became defunct. With the en- William McQuaker, of Glasgow, founded for the couragement of the British and Foreign Unitarian same purpose, constituted it a special department. Association, and through the efforts of Mr. For various reasons, Unitarian work in Scotland Crosskey and Mr. Drummond, it was revived in has always proceeded under peculiar difficulties, 1861. In that year Mr. Drummond's Report although the ground had been to a certain extent contained the following observations :- prepared by the activities of a few able Universal- The longer I live here, the more I see how Calvinism has ist missionaries from America, who preached the stamped itself on the heart of the Scottish nation, and the larger hope and challenged the popular Calvinism. more I become convinced of the pernicious effect of the When the Association was founded in 1825, Protestant Popery (for I can call it nothing else) under which mental freedom is crushed and extinguished. The more on public worship had been held for many years, by this account, however, I see the necessity of making every congregations professing Unitarian Christianity, effort for the diffusion of an enlightened theology, though at in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and in Paisley and the same time I feel that we must not be too sanguine of Girvan. Earlier movements in Dundee and success. Montrose had expired. The Unitarian Fund had The objects of the Scottish Unitarian Asso- been in practical touch with the work in all these ciation were thus defined: (i) to preserve and places. In 1837, with the sympathy and practical strengthen the Unitarian Societiesalready existing assistance of the Association, a new Unitarian in Scotland; (ii) to seek out those who hold Christian congregation was constituted in Aber- Unitarian principles without having had the deen. The Association was very materially opportunity of joining a Unitarian congregation, assisted, in its efforts to discover the wisest ways and when a sufficient number of persons can be of encouraging our movement in Scotland, by a found in one place, to induce them to form a succession of able ministers in Glasgow, especially Society; (iii) to disseminate generally the prin- the Rev. George Harris, the Rev. H. W. Crosskey, ciples of Unitarian Christianity, to encourage and the Rev. J. Page Hopps, and by the long and their open profession, and to sustain their faithful ministries of the Rev. Robert B. Drum- practical application. In a Report written in mond in Edinburgh, the Rev. Alexander Webster 1861, Dr. Crosskey observed :- in Aberdeen, and the Rev. Henry Williamson in Our first necessity is a missionary; and the first task we Dundee. A Scottish Unitarian Association had have imposed upon ourselves is the raising a sufficient fund LIBERTY AND IUZLIGION ORGANIZED WORK The money spent and the efforts made in the past have at to keep a missionary in the field for two years. , Let it be . . least prepared the way for future labours; but we must be remembered that in Scotland there are five men struggling prepared for many seeming failures. We must not be over- against a hierarchy, and that of those five men only three can anxious to found sudden Churches; we must, in very many devote their whole time to the work. We are confident that cases, be content to limit our efforts to giving lectures in well a fitting missionary will gain a fair hearing. The ears of men choseri localities, and scattering our literature broadcast over are opening to our faith; they will, at least, listen to our the land; we must not mind sowing seed the fruit of which gospel. Without doubt we must be prepared to struggle for welillpnd its way into the garners of other Churches; above all, years and years in the future, unsu-pported bp popular sym- we rnust have good workmen who have a message, and who pathy, as we have done in the past; but it is no less certain have the will and the ability to deliver it. All this means that, as every year passes, respect may be won and prejudice money, faith, and courage. The faith and the courage we abated. Let the Unitarians of England remember their . . . must get for ourselves as we can; the money others can brethren in Scotland, as travellers in a difficult land, who are give us. tasking themselves to prepare a way in which another generation may walk in peace. The Association's grants in aid of work in In 1864, and again in 1865, the British and Scotland were continued, varying (up to 1875) Foreign Unitarian Association set aside the sum from £100 to L250 in the year. of Lroo, or about one-tenth of the ordinary income for the year towards the support of a missionary (vii). Work A broad, 1850-1875 in Scotland, and the Rev. Williarn Sharman was During the period now under review, the appointed, with his headquarters at Aberdeen. principal features of the foreign work of the Asso- The first result of his work was the establishment ciation are (i) the encouragement and assistance of a congregation in Dundee (strictly speaking, given to the formation of Unitarian congregations the revival of an old one), the Rev. Williamson H. in Australia, at Melbourne (1851), Sydney (1853)~ being appointed resident minister in 1866. The and Adelaide (1855); (ii) the establishment of Association continued its grant, and in the fol- personal friendly relations with the Brahmo lowing year the work was divided between Mr. Somaj of India; Williamson anad the Rev. J. G. Slater, who (iii) the rapid development of intercourse with the Unitarians of Transylvania, succeeded Mr. Sharman at Aberdeen. Mr. enabling effective practical assistance to be given. Williamson and Mr. Slater visited and lectured in In 1853 we find that the question of providing many towns in the middle and west of Scotland, for a regular ministry at Syd~eywas engaging the and secured respectful hearings. In a Report anxious attention of the Committee. The friends written in 1869, the Rev. J. Page Hopps observed : LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK there have asked the Committee " to select a Newport, I.W., who has accepted from your gentleman who, in addition to his possessing the Committee the pastoral charge of the congre- varied qualities required in so important and gation." peculiar a sphere, was desirous of venturing on The successive Committees of the Association such an experiment ." Arrangements were made remained in touch with these three congregations, for the Rev. George H. Stanley, B.A., to under- by correspondence ; and occasional financial aid take the work,-" the sum of L150 remitted by in modest amounts was forwarded, and grants of the Sydney Congregation for payment of travel- literature calculated to be useful. ling expenses of their minister having been placed With regard to India, support was regularly at his disposal." In the same year (1853) the continued in aid of the work of the Rev. W. Committee received information that a Unitarian Roberts in Madras and district. Looking back on Society had recently been formed at Melbou~ne, the situation from the present time, we can see and public worship was being conducted by the reason why an effort to conduct a Mission strictly Rev. Maxwell Davidson, formly of Godalming, on the lines of Scrifitu~alUnitarialz Chistianity as and then resident in Melbourne. Mr. Thomas C. thett uttderstood could never hope for any consider- Balmain, Honorary Secretary of the Unitarian able measure of success. These reasons were not Congregation of Melbourne, wrote reporting apparent at the time, and a number of years measures taken to provide a building fund, and elapsed before the Association decided to abandon showing that the feeling of the members was one the effort. In the meantime information had of hopeful enterprise. been received from America from the American In their Report for 1855 the Committee of the Unitarian Association, explaining their hopes of Association speak of the establishment of a establishing a new Mission in Calcutta, where Unitarian Christian Congregation at A delaide, they proposed to provide for the Rev. C. H. Dall South Australia, as " the most important incident to work as resident missionary. The English to which reference can be made, in respect to the Committee voted L50 for two years in support of spread of our opinions in other and distant this work. This was in 1856; and the Report for countries." It is added that " Your Committee that year contains the following:- consider themselves fortunate in having been Your Committee cannot refrain from a reference to the enabled, with the least possible delay, to announce cordial spirit which has characterized the communications the departure of the Rev. J. C. Woods, late of of their American friends. The aspect of political relations . 1 2. ,? . 136 , LIBERTY, AND RELIGION, ORGANIZED WORK I37 .. J- 2, 1. ;it, ' between the United ~titesand this country has been con- slaver$, his calmness in danger, and his forbear- il.:,..$. 1'4 sidered by some as furnishing ground for apprehension, that ance and mercy in the hour of victory, elements of &:d.-.( &:d.-.( , the friendship existing between these two great nations may n- a true moral greatness. It concluded with the ??\ be disturbed. Your Committee cannot concur in any serious 4. .\ following paragraph :- r apprehensions that it should ever be engaged in a conflict

! ,,i'

' * , '<.-:.'l, l', 8' LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK with a view to organizing means of improvement circulation of many thousands of books and in the condition of the native women. In her pamphlets in all parts of India, through the sup- intercourse with persons of different classes, she port of rndian students at Manchester New Col- became acquainted with the state of religion in lege, London, and through other and more recent the country, and on her return to England she personal visits to be mentioned shortly. made a long and valuable statement to the Com- The intercourse of the Committee with Transyl- mittee of the Association, which produced a more vania was greatly facilitated through the good adequate understanding of the religious con- offices of Mr. John Paget, resident in Clausenberg ditions. Miss Carpenter had made close acquaint- (Koloczvar, now Clujs, Roumania). In 1867 ace with the work of Keshub Chunder Sen, whose Mr. Paget made his English Unitarian friends remarkable Essay on Christianity had recently acquainted with the effort of the Austrian Gov- appeared in The Inquirer, and who, in reply to a ernment to suppress the Unitarian schools and question, whether he was a Christian, said : " I colleges in Transylvania by requiring them to perfectly sympathize with the spirit of Christian- raise an impossible sum for improvements. The ity." The interest thus aroused bore further Association appealed to our Churches, and over fruit a few years later (1870)~when Chunder Sen L~ooowas raised; and this, added to their own was in England from April to September. The efforts, brought them out of the crisis stronger Committee resolved to give him cc an unsectarian than before. In order still further to increase and hearty greeting." A welcome meeting was sympathy and understanding between the Unit- held in Hanover Square Rooms, when " nearly arians of England and of Transylvania, the Rev. one thousand persons were present, including up- Edward Tagart, Secretary of the Association, wards of eighty clergymen of ten different volunteered to visit the Transylvanian Churches. denominations, as well as distinguished laymen This purpose he was able to carry out; but to the of various Churches." The daily and weekly profound regret of the Unitarian community at papers reported the meeting and observed that home and abroad he died in Brussels on his way no similar religious meeting had previously been home. The Committee passed a resolution with held cc in this or any other country." reference to their late Secretary, which contained Since that time contact has been maintained the following paragraph :- with liberal religious thinkers and teachers in This Committee are constrained to record their admiration India, through exchange of letters, through the of the generous zeal with which, on behalf of this Society and LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK the Unitarians of Great Britain and Ireland, he undertook I am inclined, at least for the present, to concentrate all his recent mission to %heUnitarian Churches and College of our efforts in carrying out this one great object, the education Transylvania; and while deploring the mysterious providence of a succession of young men in England as the means of by which they were in a great measure precluded from forming a higher grade of Professors, and thus raising the receiving the valuable information respecting their brethren whole moral and intellectual tone of the Unitarian body here. in Transylvania of which he was the depositary, their sorrow I think it is better not to scatter our forces, but to unite all for his untimely end is enhanced by the conviction that his our efforts to carry this strong point; and then the battle for life was lost through the fatigue to which, in the pursuit of further progress may be fought without any great dahger of an important public purpose, he exposed himself. defeat. Mr. Tagart had been Honorary Secretary of the The arrangements proposed were welcomed by Association for twenty-six years. He was suc- the Principal and Committee of Manchester New ceeded by the Rev. R. Brook Aspland. College ; and a young ordained Transylvanian The Committee felt " that the curiosity and Minister, the Rev. Dominic Simen, entered the interest of which the Transylvanian Unitarians College in the autumn of 1860 as the first " Hun- were the object ,have hitherto been only partially garian Student." The Unitarian Church in satisfied." They recorded with satisfaction the Koloszvar, the College, and the Association arrangements made for the Rev. S. Alfred jointly contributed to his support. After Mr. Steinthal to visit Transylvania and " complete Simen had completed his College course, an im- the chain of information and friendly feeling which mediate successor was not available: but the it had been Mr, Tagart's purpose and effort to lay scheme was kept in view and, a succession of down between the two countries. In the Report students from Transylvania have come from time for 1859 a valuable narrative communication from to time under the arrangements made between Mr. Steinthal is quoted. the College and the Association. The next question raised was of the possibility In 1868 the Transylvanian Unitarian Churches of maintaining a Transylvanian Student in Eng- celebrated the three hundredth anniversary of land, at Manchester New College, London. This the establishment of Unitarian Christianity in the matter assumed a practical form through Mr. form of an organized Church in that country. John Paget's visit and interview with the Com- The Rev. J. J. Tayler, Principal of Manchester mittee in the autumn of 1859. After his return New College, London, undertook to attend on to Transylvania, Mr. Paget observed in the course behalf of the Association and our English of a letter to the Committee :- Churches. The' Annual Report observes that @ LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK "nothing could be more fortunate than that a which, while refusing hastily to abandon the gentleman of such diversified attainments and scriptural foundations of the past, was none the large Christian sympathies should rgpresent your less preparing the way for the newer light, and Association ." was opposed to the establishment of any form of In addition to the personal and practical inter- Unitarian theology as standard and orthodox. course with Australia, India, and Transylvania, Until about 1870 the sales of publications were which we have described, communications were small. On the other hand, every year large and maintained with Canada (Montreal and Toronto), generous grants of books and pamphlets were and we find that the Association was opening up made, at home and abroad. new communications with Germany and Italy It is of no small credit to an Association, having as well as France: but no event of outstanding at its disposal very limited financial resources, importance arose such as to demand special that it should be first in the field with the produc- mention here. tion of a complete " Revised Translation of the Scriptures of the Old Testament." The Report for 1859 observes that "the want of a more (viii). The Publications Department, 1850 to 1875 correct and intelligible version of this part of the sacred writings had been generally felt." The It must be remembered that the religious and Rev. Charles Wellbeloved had such an enterprise theological changes described in our last chapter, in hand, and had actually revised the Pentateuch, all arising from a fundamental change of thought the Psalms, and the "Wisdom Books." By and feeling as to the seat of authority in Religion, agreement with Mr. Wellbeloved, and with the were now rapidly maturing and their meaning and co-operation of the Revs. John Kenrick, John results were being perceived. The policy of the Scott Porter, and George Vance Smith, arrange- Association in reference to the publication of ments were made for the complete undertaking. books and tracts, which of necessity were more The first volume was published in 1859 and the closely connected with these changes than any second and third volumes (completing the work) personal propaganda could be, was one of open- in 1861. Biblical scholarship has moved much mindedness but caution, or, as we expressed it since that time: but the Committee of the before, "liberal Conservatism." The new books Association were justified in their claim that the and pamphlets produced represented a tendency edition then sent forth contained " nothing that 144 LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK is not consistent with the most advanced scholar- (ix). General Work, 1875 to 1890 ship of the age." The sale of the work was not The Jubilee year (1875) was marked by a large at first; but from about 1867 onwards- special effort to enlarge the sphere of operations chiefly through the enthusiasm of the Rev. of the Association. It was decided to endeavour Robert Spears-it largely increased. to raise a special fund of &zo,ooo within the fol- The most important enterprise in the publica- lowing five years ; contributors to have the option tions department about this time, after the issue of paying their whole subscription at once or by of the Revised Old Testament, was the issue of equal instalments extending over five years. The very large editions of the works of Channing at objects of the Fund are thus specified :- a very low price. An edition of ten thousand (i). The promotion of Unitarian Christianity in localities was produced in 1869 at half a crown. The in which no Unitarian Church now exists, by grants in aid edition had a large sale among Anglicans, of the cost of building new Churches, and by contributing Congregationalists, Baptists, Wesleyans and for a certain period towards the stipends of the ministers of other Methodists. Reprints of the edition were such Churches. demanded, and in twelve months twenty-one (ii). The assistance of existing congregations desirous of rebuilding or enlarging their Churches, by grants in aid of thousand copies had been sold. So large a such works, and by contributions in aid of the stipends of circulation of works expressing the personality the ministers of such Churches. and spirit of such a man as Channing had effects (iii). The engagement of Lecturers of a high class as regards more far-reaching than any of which there is culture and talent, for the purpose of disseminating through explicit record. About the same time, a circula- the country the religious views generally adopted by Unit- arian Christians. tion of ten thousand was secured for a cheap edition of Priestley's Corrupt~oonsof Christianity. The intention was that the amount raised We have already seen that the breadth of view should be treated as special income, and any which lay behind the Association's policy in this investments made were merely temporary. In department, found expression in the decision to 1875 grants amounting to £958 were made for offer for sale Theodore Parker's works as well as lectures (in nineteen centres) and £650 in aid of those of Channing and Priestley, although a special building new Churches (Glasgow, Calton, now edition with the imprint of the Association was Ross Street ; Lampeter; Stroud). In 1876, L1513 not required in this case. was granted for lectures (in twenty-seven different centres) and £200 for building (Birmingham, LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK

Faaeley Street). In 1877, £482 was granted for been brought 'into contact, and which have been mainly lectures (in fifteen centres), £150 to stipends instrumental in advancing the Association to its present (Stroud and Glossop) and £1400 for new Churches ,satisfactory position. (Guildford, Oldham, Reading, Scarborough, Step- Without entering to any extent into matters of ney). In 1878, £25 was granted for lectures, £206 detail, we must show what the financial position to stipends (Stroud, Reading, Glossop, Scar- borough) and £300 for new buildings. In 1879 of the Association was about this time. Take the financial year 1877. The principal heads of the figures were: £139 to stipends (Glossop and Ilzcome were these : Subscriptions £1364 ; dona- Scarborough) and £880 for new buildings (Fails- tions and collections £398; legacies £1803 ; sales worth, Colne, Denton). Grants substantially on of publications £705; sale of invested ca~ital the same scale were made in 1880, 1881, and £943; dividends jE222. The principal hea& of 1882. The building funds assisted were Rother- Eqbendituue were these : grants to congregations ham, Dowlais, Hull, Manchester (Ardwick), £464; grants for missionary work £1362~; book London (Peckham). A number of payments department £1217; salaries and wages f;470; were also made to the General Fund of the Asso- rents £240. In this one year it appears that ciation. The response to the initial appeal for capital was sold to realize £943, which, together the Jubilee Fund was gratifying, although the with legacies amounting to £1803, was all used final total was considerably under the amount for current expenditure. named the appeal. The ~epbrtsshow that in the Committee realized the seriousness of the Early in 1876, the Rev. Robert Spears resigned position. Without a subscription list very much the Secretaryship of the Association, and was larger than was provided by the substantial succeeded by the Rev. Henry Ierson, M.A. The in- creases already made, the policy of absorbing the Committee passed the following resolution:- limited capital of the Association in the discharge The Committee feel it to be an act of justice to Mr. Spears of current obligations would soon deplete the to record, in a formal way, their sense of the manner in which, for nearly seven years, he has conducted the business of the treasury. In their Report for 1880 the Com- Association. They feel that they can hardly speak too mittee observe :- highly of the untiring energy, the earnestness, sincerity, and l It must be remembered that there was no clear dividing singleness of purpose, and the genial kindness of manner line between these two heads-" congregations 'l and " mis- which have invariably been the characteristics of Mr. Spears, sions." Many of the payments placed under one head could qualities which have won the regard of all with whom he has equally well have been placed under the other. LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK

The need of your Association does not become lessened supporting congregation "-by which is meant, a with the increased activity of thought now directed to re- congregation capable of supporting a minister- ligious matters; it must plan for the future as well as en- is found to be very much smaller. deavour to meet the wants of the living time. It has a great career before it, and a great work to accomplish, for which it Returning to the financial story, the situation is its duty to make careful provision. It will not be always was much relieved in 1881 by the receipt of estimated by the controversies of past times, great as have legacies amounting to ,69528, of which £8503 was been its services in the enlargement and correction of human invested; although every year a larger or smaller thought on many bard-fought fields. The entire position of amount of capital was sold to meet current ex- theological questions is felt to be radically changed from what it was fifty years ago; but your Association holds its ground, penditure. In 1883 a scheme for " Association because it is not identified with the defence of varying Sunday " collections was instituted, under which opinions, so much as with the active service of great prin- our Churches are asked to hold a special collection ciples. And the necessity will long continue for an Asso- on a stated date on behalf of the funds of the ciation which, while it encourages independent thought, Association. This has proved an important and strives to direct it to practical ends of religious and moral reform. valuable addition to the annual financial resources of the Association. During the thirteen years from 1878 to 1891 the The range of the Association's work, during ordinary annual subscriptions varied from about this portion of its third twenty-five years, is £1500 to about £1200, tending mainly down- fairly indicated in the following statement from ward; on the other hand, it appears that in the Balance Sheet issued in 1882 (referring to the 1883-4 and again in 1887-8 special sums were financial year 1881) :- subscribed to provide for special popular services in our Churches in different parts of the country. Grants to congregations : The formation of a Special Services Fund was Adelaide, building Fund . . suggested by experiences at Bermondsey, where Banbury, repairs . . for several months audiences of over a thousand Buxton, lectures ... people gathered to hear presentations of Unitarian Cairncastle, services Cardiff, >l Christianity in its positive, practical, religious Carmarthen ,, aspects. The interest of the audiences in such Chelmsford, ,, cases is evident; but the number of persons who Douglas, services will commit themselves to membership of a " self- Guildford, ,, LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK

Hastings, ,S Scottish Unitarian Association . . Heywood, chapel debt (Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow) Horsham, repairs .. Southern Unitarian Association .. Ipswich, services (Bournemouth, Poole, Ringwood) King's Lynn, ,, . . . . Western Union ...... Malton, repairs ...... (~ev&n~ort,Limpstone, Stroud) Belfast (Mountpottinger), services Newport, I.W., building fund . . Foreign and Colonial grants: Park Lane, repairs . . . . Hungarian Students, London .. Perth, rent of Hall . . . . (Messrs. D. Varga and N. Gal) Taunton, repairs . . . Budapest ...... Tavistock, services India (Madras) ...... Walmsley, repairs . . Special Propaganda Lectures (London),l£z58. Grants to Missions, etc. : Value of Book and Tracts granted, k313. Cambridge, lectures ...... The policy of the Committee in reference to East Cheshire Christian Union .. . . work in the Home Mission Field was to do their (Congleton, Denton, Mottram, Newcastle, utmost to support and encourage the existing Longton, Stalybridge) congregations, and to investigate cases of Chapels Kent and Sussex Association which had been closed in order to ascertain (Ashford and Canterbury) ' London District Unitarian Society whether revival was possible. The resources of (Stepney) the Jubilee Fund had already been made avail- Manchester District Association . . able for breaking new ground. The financial (Ardwick) foundation of the work was not firmly established Midland Christian Union ...... as we have seen, and the outlook was uncertain (Walsall, West Bromwich, Whitchurch, Tarnworth) until 1892-93,when mainly through the energy N. and E. Lancs. Mission ...... and enthusiasm of Rev. Dr. Brooke Herford, who (Accrington and Blackpool) had recently returned from Boston to settle at N. Midland Association . . . . (Newark and Bedford) This was a course of ten Lectures delivered in St. George's Northumberland and Durham Association . . 125 Hall, London, 1881, on Unitarian Affirmations, and after- (Barnard Castle, Darlington, S. Shields, wards published under the title Positive Aspects of'Unifarian Middlesbro') Christianity. ?Td;y*~p~qFO&g$=Kf. - t. *,, -.,, ,' . -, ..2, ~:!c+$*$.';.-':; P ,,; . . - . I' - - ' ' ' '-''= '- ., \., ' :LIBERTY AND RELIGION \ ; OWANIZED WORK ,l ( . ,:.- At- Hampstead, the amount of the Annual Sub- Version of both Testaments, bearing specially on ;;<-; <+, scriptions was increased from L1209 to L1662 and points connected with the Unitarian Controversy). . I :', , ' ' then to k2036, with special donations in the two ?,..,. , - The Revised New Testament had been issued in 5, years amounting to E1750, 1881, and the Committee immediately arranged <** . Until such increased resources became perma- for the publication of a substantial pamphlet, by i:.X.. -.- "4- nently available, the work of the Colonial and thePev. Dr. G. Vance Smith, "Texts and Margins ,+,S ! - 3.. .% .* , . . . Foreign Mission and of the Publications Depart- of the Revised New Testament affecting Theo- .?' ,P " . W= ,- - - ( ment-could not undergo any very considerable logical Doctrines." Dr. Vance Smith had been a . % - , I development. New books were issued as oppor- member of the Revision Committee. In that con- &-=.,L* , tunity arose and suitable authors could be found. nection the Committee of the British and Foreign ~enerousgrants of books and pamphlets were Unitarian Association observed : " It is a remark- made every year. The titles of " Recent Publica- able circumstance that the Revisers have adopted tions " named in the Report for 1887 show the many of the amendments of the ' Improved widening range of religious thought : " Christian- Version,' against which, at the time of its publica- ity the Science of Manhood," by M. J. Savage; by tion by the Unitarian Book Society in 1808, such "Man's Knowledge of God," by Richard A. strong animadversions were made as " wilful Armstrong; "The Future Life," by J. Page corruptions of the Word of God.' " The most Hopps ; " Evil, Physical and Moral," by G. St. important theological publication of this period Clair; " Know Thyself: a Manual of Personal was the volume of Lectures on " Positive Aspects Religion," by H. Shaen Solly ;l " Anniversary of Unitarian Christianity," issued in 1881, to

-. ,* Sermons: a Collection of Twelve Sermons which reference has been made. The ten Lectures . , preached at the Annual Meetings of the Asso- are respectively by R. A. Armstrong, G. Vance ;<*;;. - - ciation," ; " Unitarianism and the Christian b. Smith, William Binns, H. W. Crosskey, Alexander C!:,. C!:,. Church" (extracted, with the Author's per- Gordon, Charles Beard, J . Estlin Carpenter, T. W. f.;.;' - - mission, from a paper by the Hon. and Rev. Freckelton, Henry Ierson, and Charles Wick- i: l *:.,g+ - Canon Fremantle) ; " Notes on the Amended steed; with a General Preface contributed by p:(-+,, English Bible," by Iersonf:(brief observations * d , H. James Martineau. The book, which can still be on some remarkable corrections in the Revised obtained from the Lindsey Press, is a land-mark =These five Handbooks were not published by the Assa- in the history of Unitarian thought in the nine- &L;...\ '. . cbtion but purchased for sale and distribution. teenth century. i LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK (X). Essex Hall June 3rd, 1886, to celebrate the re-opening of the Before taking up our story from round about building under its new name, the circumstances the year 1890 onwards, we must record the cir- which led to the purchase of the property by the cumstances of the establishment of the British British and Foreign Unitarian Association and and Foreign Unitarian Association and the the Sunday School Association were explained. Sunday School Association at Essex Hall, where, The Charity Commissioners required that the for the first time in their history, the two Asso- buildings should be sold and the proceeds applied ciations in 1886 held their Annual Meetings in a to the erection of another Chapel and minister's home of their own. We may briefly recall the house elsewhere. This was the origin of Essex history of the place. On the 17th April, 1774, Church, Kensington. The total cost of purchase while it was still a penal offence publicly to deny and reconstruction was ~25,000,of which ~17,000 the doctrine of the Trinity, Theophilus Lindsey, had been subscribed when the Hall was opened. who had on principle resigned his living in the The balance was raised in the course of a few Church of England, having hired a room in years. Essex Hall is now incorporated and is " Essex House " which had previously been used governed by twenty Trustees, who, as vacancies as an auction room, held a service, which at the occur, are elected alternately by the British and time was unique of its kind, being professedly Foreign Unitarian Association and the Sunday Unitarian, with a congregation of some two School Association. Compared with the small, hundred persons, among whom was Benjamin inadequate, and out-of-the-way accommodation Franklin. It was a period of great political of earlier years Essex Hall was a great acquisition excitement; the war of American Independence to the Association and to the whole Unitarian began in the following year. In 1777~ Mr. community. Lindsey purchased Essex House, and built on the site the well-known Essex Street Chapel with dwelling house attached. The Chapel was opened May zgth, 1778, and on January 7th, 1783, it was put in trust by Mr. Lindsey " for the public worship and service of Almighty God." This was the building which in 1886 was converted into Essex Hall. At a public meeting held on ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 157 1889, when the Council recommended the appoint- ment of a Missionary and Organizing Agent ; and early in 1890 the Committee were able to announce that the Rev. W. Copeland Bowie, Minister of Stamford Street Chapel, London, and a Member CHAPTER V11 of the London School Board, had accepted the appointment of "Missionary-Agent and Lecturer" ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED of the Association, with the understanding that when not engaged out of town on his special work, he shall attend at the Office and give such help in E have already observed that the Annual the ordinary work of the Association as the Com- W Report of 1890 mentioned the appoint- mittee may direct. ment of the Rev. Hugh Hutton as " Home Agent The special duties of the new office were thus and Missionary," or " Field Secretary," to use defined :- a term of later origin. He was appointed with I. To put himself in communication with any congregation the special object of " awakening a spirit of to which he may be delegated, with a view to arouse and harmonious co-operation among the Christian increase the spiritual and practical work of such congre- gation; to preach, if desired; to confer with its Committee Churches, diffusing encouraging information (sic) as to existing or new agencies; to endeavour to unite the and strengthening the Society itself by making members, and to increase their interest in the general work, known its operations, plans, and objects and its and to stimulate their zeal and devotion claims upon general support, while at the same 2. To use every opportunity of extending his inspection of congregatiods, especially such as receive grants from the time discovering new modes of usefulness and the Association, in the district where he may be thus engaged. most promising fields of exertion." Mr. Hutton's 3. To initiate, where it may be deemed advisable, whether engagement terminated in 1857, as the Com- in old or new districts, People's Services, as well as courses of mittee state in the Report for that year, simply lectures on Unitarian doctrine, to be conducted either by on account of the want of means at that time for himself, or with the help, if obtainable, of other ministers; it being his business to lay out the plan of such services or its continuance, while they add that " they looked lectures, and to make all necessary arrangements. back on the success of Mr. Hutton's labours with 4. To inquire into the state of the Trusts of each con- entire satisfaction." gregation and take counsel if necessary, with the Trustees The idea was revived in a practical form in respecting them. LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 159

5. To make out lists of the friends in each district who (i). Home Work, 1890-1902 might be specially invited to join the Association or assist in any way in Unitarian work, and endeavour to visit such The value of the Missionary Agent's work was friends with this object. soon observed, The Committee state in their 6. To act under the direction of the Executive Committee, through the Secretary, making it a rule to give them at each Report for 1892 :- of their ordinary meetings a report of the month's work. 7. That congregations desiring his visits or assistance be There are few districts into which Mr. Bowie has not expected as far as possible to defray, at least in part, his penetrated; and the experience and knowledge gained travelling and other necessary expenses. through these visits have been most valuable to the Com- mittee in enabling them to form a correct judgment; of the In August, 1892, the Rev. Henry Ierson, actual present condition of Unitarianism in England. He has sought, to the best of his ability, to inspire faith and to pro- Secretary of the Association since 1875, died mote mutual helpfulness in the various congregations he has peacefully and suddenly after a severe illness. visited; and the knowledge of details brought by an experi- At the Council meeting in October the following enced visitor is of great service in determining the way in resolution was passed :- tt.hich help can best be given.

That the members of the Council, at this its first meeting The importance of carrying out the Home since the death of the Rev. Henry Ierson, M.A., desire to Mission work of the Central Association as far as express their deep sense of the great loss which the Association has sustained in the decease of its honoured and respected possible through the various District Associations Secretary; they wish to place on record their high apprecia- and in consultation with them-which as we have tion of the faithful and valuable services which he rendered seen had already become part of the policy of the to the 'Unitarian cause, and their recognition of his pains- Committee-was more and more clearly observed ; taking devotion to his work, his unfailing courtesy to all who and the Report for 1890 gives a detailed account sought his advice, his steadfast faith in the principles of Unitarian Christianity, and his unaffected yet earnest piety. of the intercourse of the Committee with twelve of these Associations. Mr. Bowie, who had acted as Secretary during The principal work of the central Association Mr. Ierson's illness, was appointed to 611 the at that time was in the districts of the Northum- vacancy; and the period of his Secretaryship, berland and Durham Association, the Yorkshire which ended with his retirement in March, 1921, Union, the North Midland Association, the Mid- is a memorable one in the history of the Asso- land Union, the London Society, the Southern cia t ion. Association, and the Western Union, The " Home LIBERTY AND RELIGTON ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 161 Missions' "1 grants in 1889 amounted to £2139, requested to consider the possibility and desir- of which about one-third was directly in aid of ableness of holding a Unitarian Conference in Ministers' annual stipends. England, and to ascertain the feeling of the larger The Sustentation Fund for the Augmentation congregations, and report to the next meeting of of Ministers' Stipends had been founded in 1883, the Council.'' In June, 1881, a Committee was and already, as the Committee of the Association formed to make arrangements for a meeting of more than once with warm appreciation reported, ministers and laymen in some central district for it was giving aid to a considerable number of Religious Fellowship and Conference. The name the older Churches; but the work of helping in eventually adopted has been well described as an the support of ministers still required the united epitome of several chapters in our denominational efforts of both institutions. history. It may be observed here that although The Sustentation Fund2 was initiated as a the Conference has become the most important consequence of resolutions passed at one of the deliberative body connected with the denomina- earliest meetings of the National Conference of tion, its importance has not been limited to its Unitarian, Liberal Christian, Free Christian, purely deliberative functions. Several enter- Presbyterian, and other Non-subscribing or prises affecting the welfare of the Churches and Kindred Congregations. This body had its the status of the Ministry have been initiated in origin in the example set by the Unitarians of the consequence of resolutions passed at its meetings : United States of America, who had organized a and among these the most important are the " National Conference of Unitarian and other Ministers' Pension and Insurance Fund and the Christian Churches " in 1865. The Council of the Sustentation Fund. British and Foreign Unitarian Association, at Conferences were held in 1893 between repre- their meeting in January, 1881, had passed a sentatives of the principal auxiliary funds such resolution " that the Executive Committee be as the Sustentation and Augmentation Funds, 1 The term " Home Missions " was used to signify organized including the British and Foreign Unitarian Asso- work for " the promotion of Unitarian worship by assisting ciation. The object was, to promote intelligent congregations, and by sending out or assisting Missionary preachers.' co-operation between the administrators of the 2 This Fund must not be confused with the " Ministers' several Funds; and the general understanding Stipend Augmentation Fund," founded by Christopher arrived at was that the Association should regard Rawdon in 1856 to replace the lost Hewley Fund (see p. 61). its work chiefly as of a missionary character, and LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 163 that the maintenance of church& which have and had no Gospel. This was specially pro- passed out of the missionary stage should be the minent during the London School Board election special care of other Funds. in the autumn of 1894. The misrepresentations In 1893 the Fund raised for the organization of and abuse which the clerical party poured upon Special Services for the People came to an end. Unitarianism, however, had an effect which their These meetings had their origin in the Ber- authors did not contemplate, much less intend. mondsey Town Hall Services held during 1883-4, Pamphlets and leaflets explanatory of Unitarian to which reference has previously been made. Christianity were circulated-in many cases in In 1888, under the Presidency of Mr. Harry response to direct requests for information--to an Rawson, and largely through the initiative of unprecedented extent. Mr. T. Chatfeild-Clarke, it was decided to raise a This refers specially to literary propaganda. special fund for Services held in public halls under With regard to other methods the report for 1896 specified conditions. The sum of £1081 was raised, contains the following observations :- including a contribution of &zoo from the Asso- With regard to the breaking of new ground, the Committee ciation. Upwards of 250 services were held, have been glad to assist in promoting " Forward Movement " attended by about ~oo,ooopeople. We pre- and other courses of Lectures in many places where our principles are unknown. This work is purely experimental viously mentioned the usually small result in the and the results vary a great deal. But to those who have way of increased permanent membership of con- anything of the missionary spirit the enterprise must always gregations. But the large attendances sug- appear worth trying; for even when no direct result is im- gested, at the time, a question which is still open : mediately apparent, it often happens that persons who eventually become connected with our Churches say that the namely, whether the time had not come for recon- first seed was sown in their minds by means of such Lectures. sidering and re-adopting the ordinary Sunday The Committee, however, consider that before taking the services so as to meet, in some measure, the further step of endeavouring to establish regular services with apparent needs of " non-church goers." the view of building up a permanent Church, the most care- It was evident at this time that the pr~ciples ful consideration is required. For themselves, at any rate, of Unitarian Christianity were still widely feared they cannot undertake responsibilities in this direction with- out a prospect of reasonable local interest and effort. When and denounced,-feared and denounced all the these are forthcoming, the true policy is to encourage them more because of the progress they were making. generously and steadily for a sufficient time, and above all, It was frequently proclaimed that a Christianity not to trust mere casual, haphazard arrangements, but to without the Deity of Christ was no Christianity see that every service is conducted in a manner worthy of the LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED cause we desire to serve. Want of care and judgment in were soon made with the Rev. Stopford A. Brooke, these respects is always deplorable, but, as a matter of fact, its results may be less serious in the case of a Church with M.A., to preach at various Churches in different established reputation, than of a new one which is creating parts of the country. Between October, 1897, impressions among people unacquainted with our history and and May, 1898, Mr. Stopford Brooke preached in traditions. The standard of efficiency in the general equip- thirty-four of our Churches, in England, Scotland, ment of Churches is undoubtedly being raised all round, and if our principles are to win their way they must be presented and Ireland. At every place crowded congre- worthily, and our methods must be adapted to the higher gations welcomed him, and his sermons gave a requiiements of the time. The Committee are satisfied that stimulus to the cause of liberal Christianity all the work is growing, and would rejoice to see it growing still over the country. In 1900 and 1901 the Com- faster; but they are firmly convinced that quality even mittee were again able to secure his services, and more than quantity must be aimed at, if permanent results special engagements were arranged in London and are to be attained. elsewhere; but Mr. Brooke's health made any In this connection the following observations considerable extension of these labours undesir- from the Report for 1899 are of interest :- able. The Committee recognize that it is their duty to scatter the The Committee were also fortunate in being good seed of Unitarian Christianity everywhere. But to erect able to arrange at the same time for a series of six buildings and station ministers is an expensive work . . . and lectures on " The Bible in the Nineteenth experience seems to prove that it is only in populous districts Century " by the Rev. J. Estlin Carpenter, M.A. where thought is active and people are independent of The lectures were delivered in Bolton, Leeds, ecclesiastical or social influences, that a Unitarian movement can be established with any likelihood of becoming self- Liverpool, and London. They were of the type of supporting. University Extension Lectures, and held large audiences week after week. An important ser- In 1897 the question was considered, of ap- vice was rendered to the more intelligent appre- pointing a special preacher who would conduct ciation of the history and results of modern religious services at some of the chief provincial Biblical criticism. The series was given again in towns as well as occasionally in London. The 1902 in Bristol, Leicester, Manchester, and Swan- financial provision was entrusted to a small sea, and again were attended by large and deeply Committee consisting of the Rev. Dr. Brooke interested audiences. Herford and Messrs. H. Chatfeild Clarke, F. The appreciative and eager response, given to Nettlefold, and J. F. Swann; and arrangements these special efforts by Mr. Stopford Brooke and LIBERTY AND REILIGON ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED Mr. Carpenter, suggests that an observation pre- Congleton . . Crewkerne . . . . viously quoted from the Rev. J. Page Hopps in Deal (Repairs) , . 1870-at the beginning of his Glasgow ministry- Denton .. . . is applicable in other countries beside Scotland: Elland .. .. "We must be prepared to see much of the fruit Framlingham Gateshead . . .. of the seed, which has been sown by Unitarians, Gateshead (Building) harvested and garnered by other Churches." Gloucester (Building) In the meantime the ordinary maintenance Halstead ...... work of the Association, on behalf of existing con- Hastings ...... gregations, was continued and extended. A large Heaton Moor and Urmston Heaton Moor (Building) .. proportion of the grants was made towards the Huddersfield .. . . support of the ministry; and in all such cases the Ilkeston . principle, which we have previously recorded as Kings Lynn ...... agreed upon between the Association and the Leicester (Narboro' Road) Managers of the Sustentation and other Funds, London District :- Bermondsey was observed. The following list shows the range Forest Gate . . of the Assistance given in 1900: Kentish Town . . Kilburn Aberdare (Highland Place) .. Ashton-under-Lyne . . Lewisham .. Mansford Street Bedfield ...... Billingshurst . . . . Plumstead . . Stepney Blackpool (Building) . . Bournemouth . . . . Stratford . . . . Welsh Services Bradford (Lancs.) . .. . Wood Green (Building) Cardiff ...... Carlisle . . Lydgate ...... Manchester, Oldham Road (Building) Chelmsford ...... Newark Chorlton-cum-Hardy ...... Do. (Building) Newbury ...... Ciliau Aeron (Building) . . Newton Abbot Nottage .. Clydach Vale . - - . . . . . Nottingham (Christ Church) Colyton . . . . LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 169 Pentre (ii). P~blicationsWork, 1890-1902. Plymouth . Pontypridd . . The work of the Publications department dur- Poole .. . . ing this period presents several new and important Small Heath enterprises in addition to developments which Southampton were the natural and logical issue of previous Stockton-on-Tees policies. During the last ten years of the nine- Stratford-on-Avon . . Torquay .. teenth century the importance of literary propa- Warwick . ganda specially by means of pamphlets and Whitchurch . . leaflets became more and more evident; and the Wick . . .. Committee largely increased the supply of avail- Y eovil ...... able material of this kind and were prepared to District Ministers :- L. & S.E.C. Prov. Assembly: Rev. T. E. M. make large free grants in all suitable cases. Thus, Edwards ...... 100 the Report for 1893 records arrangements for S.E. Wales Society: Rev. Dr. Griffiths .. IOO three separate series of publications: (i)A series Western Union: Rev. T. B. Broadrick .. 63 of Tracts for the Times, such as " The Principles and Ideals of the Unitarians," by Richard A. In addition to these amounts, there were a number of grants of L5 and smaller sums. The Armstrong; " The Nativity," by Stopford A. Brooke; " Science and Religion," by W. B. total for Home Mission purposes in 1900 was j52238. Carpenter; (ii) a series of Theological Essays, such The assistance given to congregations was not, however, limited to financial aid. Visits to Con- as " Gains to the Bible from Modern Criticism," by J. Frederick Smith; " Miracles," by Walter gregations and District Associations not only by Lloyd ; " The Problem of Evil," by George St. members of the Committee on official deputations Clair ; " Authority in Religious Belief ," by L. P. but by experienced ministers had been customary Jacks ; (iii) a series of Sermons hy U~ptitarian as opportunity offered; but more than this was Ministers not of a doctrinal or controversial attempted. In 1902, for example, visits of able character. The three series of Sermons are still and experienced ministers to congregations in on sale through the Lindsey Press. different parts of the country, particularly to Over fifty pamphlets were issued under the title Tracts for some of the smaller and more isolated congre- the Times. Many of them served their purpose gations, were arranged and much appreciated. and after a few years were not further reprinted; LIBERTY AND PiELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 171 but the demand for them proved their utility. mittee felt the time had come for the Association Other series issued during this period were the to undertake the publication of a Year Book of Uaitarian Leafieis, the Home Pages, and the the same kind as that published by the American Pages for Religious Inpzsirers. The largest grants Association, and other similar bodies. Arrange- of pamphlets on record during the years now ments were accordingly made with this object . under review were in 1895, when 186,650 were The Report for the following year refers to the granted to various Societies, Churches, and success of the publication, the second issue of Ministers; 17,670 to Postal Missions; and 2800 which was " enriched with much new and valu- to individual inquirers at Essex Hall. The able information."' The Report adds that " it demand for Channing's works was well main- will always be open to improve the publication in t ained for several years longer, especially from this way from year to year." These observations members of orthodox evangelical communities. have been quoted because they indicate precisely Of the books published at this time, space can the primary principle on which the preparation be found only for a mere mention of some of the of the Year Book has been based throughout its more important: by the Rev. R. A. Armstrong, history. Its object is to give as accurate and as " God and the Soul," " Agnosticism and Theism complete information as is possible; no portion in the Nineteenth Century," and " The Trinity of it has ever been compiled with any other pur- and the ~nkrnation"; by the Rev. J. Estlin pose in view; and it has become invaluable to Carpenter, " The Place of Christianity among the ministers, to congregational officers, and, indeed Religions of the World "; by the Rev. Brooke to all who desire to make themselves acquainted Herford, " Courage and Cheer," and " Anchors with the movement represented by the churches of the Soul"; by Dr. S, H. Mellone, "Con- on the roll given. The financial responsibility for verging Lines of Religious Thought "; by the this publication rests entirely upon the British and Rev. J. Hamilton Thorn, " A Spiritual Faith,'' Foreign Unitarian Association, and there has and " Laws of Life after the Mind of Christ." never been any question or any possibility of Among the important new publications, first financial profit. The profit on the book consists issued during these years, were the Essex Halt in its usefulness to the Denomination immediately Year Book and the Essex Hall Hymnal. The concerned, and to any of the general public Year Book was first published in 1890. The interested in such information, The increasing Annual Report for that year states that the Com- co-operation between the Association and other LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED Societies contributing to the support of the Hymnal Revised in 1902. It was reprinted Ministry lent special importance to the Ministerial again and again; and in 1914 a supplement was Roll in the Year Book, and led in later years to added, increasing the number of Hymns to 585. the formation of a Joint Committee for the The foundation of the '"ssex Hall Lecture " annual revision of the roll, the Committee con- may be recorded here. In 1891 it was decided to sisting of representatives duly appointed for the have an Annual Lecture delivered during the purpose by the Association, the National Confer- Anniversary week on some topic of interest to ence, and the Ministerial Fellowship, liberal religious thinkers and workers. In Janu- The Essex Hall Hymnal, containing over five ary, 1892, a scheme was approved, of which the hundred hymns, was also first published in 1890. essentials were these: a competent person is to It was compiled by authority of the Committee of be invited to deliver a Lecture, to be called the the Association; and the Preface to the first " Essex Hall Lecture," on some religious subject, edition contains the following statement :- to be selected by himself in consultation with the Executive Committee; 'a fee of at least twenty The aim of the Committee in this publication has been to produce a book which should be cheap in form, and therefore guineas to be paid for the Lecture, the sole copy- of reasonable proportions as to the number of the hymns; right in which shall become the property of the comprehensive in spirit, so that its contents might be avail- Association, who shall be at liberty to publish it, able for universal use; and popular, in the sense of being if and when they think fit. The first Essex Hall specially adapted for congregational worship. At the same Lecture was delivered in May, 1893, by the Rev. time, it has been the endeavour of those to whom the com- pilation was entrusted, to select such hymns as could be sung Stopford A. Brooks, M.A., LL.D., on "The with reasonable consistency, as the expression of their real Development of Theology as illustrated in English sentiment and feeling, by all persons familiar with the varied Poetry from 1780 to 1830.'' It has not been experiences of the religious life, whatever their profession possible to arrange for the delivery of the Essex or creed. Hall Lecture every year; the first six Lectures Several reprints of the Hymnal were called for; in the series were as follows:- and twelve years after the publication of the first 1893. Rev. Stopford A. Brooke (as above). edition, the Committee of the Association ap- 1894. Mrs. Humphry Ward: " Unitarians and the pointed the Revs. V. D. Davis, James Harwood, Future." and W. G. Tarrant to prepare an entirely new 1895. Rev. J. Estlin Carpenter, M.A.: " The Relation of edition, which was published as the Essex Hall Jesus to his Age and our own." ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 175

1897. Rev. R. A. Armstrong, B.A. : " The Significance pf (iii). Work Ab~oad,1890-1902 . . the Teaching of Jesus." Rev. M.A. , I 899. Philip H. Wicksteed, : " The Religion of The Report for 1894 contains a very interesting Time and the Religion of Eternity." l i902. Rev. James Drummond, LL.D.: " Some Thoughts statement on Foreign Missions, the substance of *l on Christology." which is recorded here, , . . I Foreign Missions had not hitherto received The expansion of the work of the Association I much attention from our Churches and Societies. in the Home Mission and Publication depart- There had been a tendency to emphasize the need :. ; ments inevitably involved a heavy financial for home missionary work a,nd to disparage responsibility. We have previously recorded the , missions sent to foreign lands and peoples. Unit- success of the enthusiastic effort, initiated by arians had never believed that for people not con- Dr. Brooke Herford, by which the Annual Sub- verted to Christianity there is no future but hell. scriptions were raised to L2036 in 1893, the They had recognized that Revelation is not Donations in that year being L417 and the limited to any one form of religion, and they felt \ , Collections £384. The figures for the years up to no desire to impose what is non-essenfiat in 1902 were as follows :- Christe'a~zityupon non-Christian races. In the l* Subscvi$tions. Collections. Donations. opinion of the Committee it was essential that all 1894 £2074 L395 L226 Foreign missionary work should be pervaded by a I 1895 zoo8 . . 389 . I93 desire to do full justice to the best elements in 1896 .. 1891 394 622 6 1897 .. 1839 508 . 388 the native religions. At the same time they 1898 .. 1793 5g0 242 believed that essential Christianity, as Jesus pre-

I 1899 .. I732 5g0 34I sented it, is adapted to the spiritual needs of 1 I 1900 .. 1659 664 . 87 mankind, and that it was a duty to make that ' , a.t , 1901 .. 1635 668 138 1 r \ teaching known among all men, and especially 1902 .. 1615 .. 654 -- 176

I " those whose religious ideas are bound up with , The increased work was possible because in debasing practices and who seem destitute of 1 I' a,it addition to these receipts%there were in these strong moral impulses and spiritual conceptions. . years, substantial increases in the amounts re- For the purpose in view, non-Christian races 4,) ', ceived from dividends and from sales ~f pub- were divided into two main groups. (i) With . . I regard to natives of the lowest stage of culture, as 4. lica tions. " ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED k*,' , - , in Africa and the less civilized paxts of Asia, the under the Rev. Clay McCauley. The Rev. H. W. Hawkes had for some time assisted in this Mission, S?? , Committee did not feel able to initiate any plan k '. giving his valuable services gratuitously. It was +W, . of work. " Noble examples of missionary zeal and enterprise," it is gladly admitted, " are decided to continue the modest contributions to L! \ this effort which had been made by the British $';,:j .' associated with such districts , . ,from the first 'Q.. ) days of Foreign Missions. Much improvement in and Foreign Unitarian Association. And with '' method and some change in the presentation ~f , regard to India, it was evident that a Special doctrine have taken place; and it is believed that Fund was required to meet the opportunities . progress in these directions will continue. . . presenting themselves in that country, and also When a practical opportunity offers, the Com- to provide help for any Hindu or Japanese : mittee would be glad to be able to assist in up- students seeking theological training in our Eng- lifting earth's poorest children." (ii) The way lish Colleges. seemed most open in the direction of the more In May, 1896, the Rev. J. T. Sunderland, of civilized races of Asia, including the Hindus, America, delivered an able and inspiring lecture Mohammedans, and Chinese. With respect to at Essex Hall on his visit to India; and a resolu- these races whose religions, if not of the highest, tion was passed in favour of giving the best help . had yet many elements of truth, the Committee of Unitarians in this country to the religious - believed that Unitarians can best help by opening thought and life of India. It was decided to communication and cultivating friendly relations raise an " Indian Fund " for the following pur- with the promoters of any religious reform, and poses : (i) the appointment of an English mission- especially of theistic movements, in such countr- ary to visit India, to lecture in the larger towns, ies, and by rendering organized missionary help as organize religious work on Unitarian principles suitable opportunities are found. in existing centres, and co-operate with the It was observed that a few years previously, in branches of the Brahmo Somaj ; (ii) to arrange for , response to the desire of a number of Japanese the sale and distribution of books and pamphlets who had come to know something of Unitarian in Bombay, Calcutta, and other important

, Christianity in England ahl America, a Unitarian centres; (iii) to offer scholarships to Indian - Mission was established and maintained in Tokyo ministers and students of ability and character to by the American Unitarian Association, first enable them to study at Manchester College, under the Rev. A. M, Knapp and afterwards Oxford, in preparation for religious work in LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 179

I India. A Fund sufficient for a considerable Auckland amount of valuable work was raised chiefly Brussels through the generosity of an Anonymous Donor, Budapest . Copenhagen .. with the support of a large number of other Melbourne . . contributors, and was maintained until June, Ottawa (for building) . . 1903, when the balance was placed in reserve for Sydney ...... future use. At this time there was an almost continuous The first English Unitarian minister to visit succession of Hungarian students at Manchester India under this scheme was the Rev. James College, Oxford. Harwood; and at the same time large consign- ments of books and pamphlets were forwarded to (iv). Work in Scotland, 1890 to 1902. Indian correspondents. Indian students were maintained at Manchester College, Oxford, during Since 1890 the Association's work in Scotland 1896 and 1897, two in the latter year, and two has been profoundly affected by the munificent again in 1898. At the end of September, 1898, bequest of William McQuaker, of Glasgow, the Rev. S. Fletcher Williams sailed for India, founding the McQuaker Fund to be administered where he laboured for nearly two and a half by the British and Foreign Unitarian Association years. He died in November, 1901. As repre- for the promotion of Unitarian Christianity in sentative of the Association, he rendered invalu- Scotland.1 able service to the cause of liberal religion in When the Committee took in hand the manage- India, creating a deep impression on members of ment of the Fund, they considered it their first the Brahmo Somaj and on many others outside duty to give to the existing congregations and their ranks. their ministers such help as would stimulate In the meantime friendly correspondence was their own exertions without impairing the proper maintained with several centres of liberal feeling and habit of self-reliance. In the next religious work on the Continent (especially with place they had to provide for what the testator Brussels and Budapest) and with the Dominions described as missionary lectures. For these, the overseas, and financial aid sent from time to time. services of various ministers were secured for Apart from the India Fund, the grants in aid of The first financial statement of the Fund appears in the work abroad, in 1900, were as follows:- audited accounts of the Association for the year 1889. LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 181 short periods, including those of our ministers provide for various courses of lectures in Univer- already working in Scotland: and lectures were sity towns. Shortly afterwards from ministers in given, on the whole with encouraging results, in Scotland applications were invited for books ex- many towns up and down the country. En- pository of Unitarian Christianity. The results couragement was also given to special courses of fully justified this method of propaganda, and it Sunday evening lectures by our Scottish ministers. has frequently been employed. Communications In 1890 a series of lectures of a different with Public Libraries have also opened up a fruit- type was delivered in the University towns by the ful field. The change which had already come over Revs. R. A. Armstrong, H. W. Crosskey (then at the tone and temper of religious thought in Scot- Birmingham), C. Hargrove, and Frank Walters. land was most marked. The remaining duty of the Committee had refer- ence to the diffusion of literature. This was arranged by the various lecturers, from the (v). Nationat Edwation 1891 publications of the Association. In the Vari~usresolutions adopted at annual meetings Rev. James Forrest was appointed " McQuaker of the Association, the active work of Unitarians Lecturer," giving his whole time to the work. In in their respective localities, and noteworthy 1894 it was perceived that the broadcast though services rendered by our prominent men and carefully organized seed-sowing had been carried women, testify to the interest in national educa- on long enough, and that more concentration was tion which has characterized the denomination required. The Scottish Unitarian Association throughout its history. While upholding the conferred with the Executive Committee, and as civil rights of Unitarians, the Association invari- a result of the interchange of views Mr. Forrest ably based its educational policy not on any was stationed in Elgin, where it seemed possible to sectarian plea but on the broad principles of establish a congregation1.' It was also decided to justice, freedom, and a common citizenship. suspend the general lecturing over Scotland, and One outstanding controversy of the years place the Reading Circles and local lecturing 1893-94 demands more than a passing notice. under the respective ministers; to publish The London School Board resolved early in its pamphlets for special use in Scotland; and to career (March, 1871) that in all schools cc the 1 The movement at Elgin did not prove to be a perma- Bible shall be read, and there shall be given such nent one, and Mr. Forrest removed to Sale, near Manchester, explanations and instruction therefrom in the LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED principles of morality and religion as are suited to their capacities." This resolution was the to the capacities of children." The teachers were beginning of a bitter and prolonged struggle enjoined strictly to observe sections vii and xiv which hampered the School Board in its proper of the Education Act of 1870, both in letter and work for upwards of a year. spirit ; and no attempt was to be made " to The Association took an active part in calling attach children to any particular denomination ." public attention to the unjust and retrogressive The majority of teachers had been trained in policy of the clerical majority on the Board. It sectarian Colleges, and they naturally explained is only right to say that two or three Anglican the Bible in ways that would now be regarded as clergymen among its members were as strongly unenlightened and old-fashioned. Unitarians and opposed to this policy as any of the Noncon- other liberal religious people, as well as Secular- formists. Deputations, resolutions, letters, were ists, often felt aggrieved; but as the parents, continually sent to the School Board deploring the generally speaking, were satisfied, they did not proposed action. Dr. Martineau prepared a seek to provoke opposition to the compromise memorial against it which was signed by a long reached in 1871. The debates in Parliament list of eminent people, including the Lord Chief made it clear that the Education Act of 1870 Justice of England, Mr. W. E. H. Lecky, Mr. never contemplated the introduction into Board Leslie Stephen, Mr. G. F. Watts, Mrs. Fawcett, Schools of dogmatic theology under the guise of Mrs. J. R. Green, Mrs. Humphry Ward, Canon Bible instruction. Barnett, Dr. Clifford, Dr. Horton, and the Chief It was therefore something of a shock when, Rabbi. The press, Liberal and Conservative, was early in 1893, Mr. Athelstane Riley, an Anglican practically unanimous in its opposition. Only churchman of the sincerely dogmatic and ecclesi- in The Church Times did Mr. Riley and his sup- astically minded type, gave notice that he would porters find warm and persistent advocacy. The move the following resolution: "That the battle was fought with great earnestness and teachers under the Board be informed that when vigour on both sides. Many members became the religious instruction of the day is given on heartily tired of the controversy; but the clerical passages of the Bible which refer to Christ, the majority insisted on going forward, and in March, children are to be distinctly taught that Christ 1894, the famous Circular to Teachers was is God, and such explanations of the doctrine of adopted by a small majority. It contained the the Holy Trinity are to be given as may be suited following clause : '' The Board cannot approve LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 185 of any teaching which denies either the Divine form of a deliberative body consisting of repre- or the Human Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, sentatives of those congregations which, being on or which leaves on the minds of the children any the Roll of the Essex Hall Year Book: saw fit to other impression than that they are bound to appoint representatives for the purpose. trust and serve Him as their God and Lord." The practical organization of the Conference The triumph of the clerical majority was short- opened up possibilities of development in various lived. The School Board Election of November, directions, and among these we must specify one 3 was watched with keen interest, not only which appealed strongly to some of its leading "? i' in London but all over England. It happily members. A backward glance will make this resulted in the rout of the obscurantists. Miss R. matter clearer. We have seen that from a com- Davenport-Hill, a well-known Unitarian, was paratively early period in the last century, there returned at the head of the poll in the City of were some who deprecated the attachment of the London, and a similar honour fell to the lot of term " Unitarian " to religious fellowship. James the Rev. W. Copeland Bowie in Southwark. The Martineau held this view very strongly; and in Circular' was buried without ceremony : thirty- 1867, along with John James Tayler, he sought to one years have passed and there has been no promote a " Free Christian Union " in which resurrection. people of various creeds or den'ominations should forget their theological differences and combine in those spiritual aspirations and practical duties (vi). Conference Ideals and Rea Zities which are common to all Christians. The Union, The National Conference, as we have seen, was though attracting some eminent individuals, inaugurated by the British and Foreign Unitarian failed to win large support-very few non- Association for purposes of consultation and Unitarians welcomed it; and the term " Chris- mutual encouragement. In the process of its tian " was regarded by some, notably by Francis organization it assumed, as a matter of fact, the William Newman, as definitely narrowing the limits of religious fellowship. The Union came to The Text of the Circular, a statement of the Compromise an end in 1870. of 1871, and the speech of the Rev. W. Copeland Bowie seconding the motion for the rejection of the Circular, will Another effort, not differing essentially in princ- be found on pp. 37-43 of the Report of the British and iple but differing very much in scope, method, Foreign Unitarian Association for 1894. and detail, was made when the octogenarian LIBERTY AND RELIGION ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 187 philosopher gave a famous address at the third emphasizes the negative rather than the positive triennial assembly of the Conference at Leeds in aspects of " freedom."l There were some whose 1888. Here Martineau set forth an elaborate ideal vision extended further, and who thought scheme of ecclesiastical organization on Presby- they saw the real possibility of a Universal Free terian lines, with a regular financial levy on Christian Church in the gradual amalgamation of the congregations, and a minimum of stipend the Conference, transformed on the lines indi- guaranteed to the ministers. This scheme was to cated, with the consciously progressive, liberal, or embrace the three hundred and upwards of modernist elements in the larger religious com- Unitarian, Liberal Christian, Free Christian, munities. The ideal of a Universal Church is one Presbyterian, and other Non-subscribing and thing, and the method of attaining it, another ;and Kindred Congregations in Great Britain and many of the able and liberal-minded men from Ireland: but they were all to be included under other religious communions, who attended and the name " English Presbyterian.'' After much _addressed meetings of the Conference, were not discussion, the scheme failed to win sufficient represelztative of those other religious communities support to become a practical policy; but it has where they worked independently and often in borne fruit; some of its aims have been attained an atmosphere of " heresy." There was no real in other ways, and it did much to emphasize the evidence of the possibility of advance towards importance of strengthening District Societies. interdenominational unity in this direction. One of its effects, however, was to strengthen The relations of the Conference and the Asso- and vivify what seemed, to some, the glowing ciation created problems which required denom- ideal of an Orgalzized Church which should be inational statemanship of a high order for their religiowsly Christian bz~t theologically NOB-sub- successful handling. Interchanges of view on scribhg. There were some who saw in the this subject, in the early years of the twentieth " National Conference " the possibility of such a century, led to no practical result: partly be- Church. It is a question whether sufficient care cause the work of the Association in every depart- was taken to guard against a serious error,--of ment was about to undergo a great extension, for doing more than justice to the ideal of personal reasons which we shall explain. Five years (1903 and spiritual freedom and less than justice to the to 1907) of new and enlarged work on an unpre- ideal of lucid and definite religious thought alzd Compare Chapter I, sections ii and iii (pages 10 to 15); teaching ; since theological " non-subscription " Chapter V, section v (pages 86 to go); and elsewhere. ORGANIZED WORK EXTENDED 189 .LIBERTY AND RELIGION sented by their ministers and delegates; and its scope has cedented scale lay before the Association. After- hitherto been to confer, discuss, suggest, stimulate, and wards (1909)the question was taken up again, initiate. Such new movements as have been initiated and agreement on some matters of principle was through the impulse given by tYle Confefence, for example, arrived at. the Sustentation Fund, the Ministers' Pension and Insurance Fund, apd the Ministerial Settlements Board, have been con- A Joint Committee, representing both bodies, stituted with suitable inanagement ad hoc. The special field had been appointed to discuss the relation of the of usefulness open to the Conference lies in bringing together Association, with a view to securing more effective representatives of our Churches to discuss matters of vital co-operation among our institutions generally, interest, to devise means of quickening their life and im- and with special reference to the use of Funds for proving their efficiency, and to infuse a greater spirit of devotion, sympathy, and liberality of thought and life. The Sustentation and Maintenance. The Report of status of the ministry and the general welfare of the Churches the Joint Committee began by recalling the come also within the province of the Conference. agreement previously arrived at, when Mr. A. W. The Joint-Committee, while describing in general terms the Worthington was Secretary both of the Confer- present functions of the two organizations, do not of course ence and the Sustentation Fund. The British suggest any attempt to bind the action of either in relation to the needs and developments of the future. They recom- and Foreign Unitarian Association is essentially mend that if at any time differences arise between the two an organization for the diffusion of the principles bodies, such differences should be considered by a joint- of Unitarian Christianity, by cc assisting congre- meeting of their representatives. gations," among other specified methods. It The Augmentation and Sustentation Funds exist for the was agreed that as far as practicable, the Asso- maintenance and encouragement of faithful Ministers of such Congregations as are represented in the National Conference, ciation's grants should be confined to congrega- many of them having been established through the agency tions which were in the " missionary " or growing or support of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. stage. But in practice the resources of the There is here therefore already a co-operation between these Sustentation and Augmentation Funds were not institutions, as there is also between them and the District sufficient to meet the needs and it was still neces- Associations. What is especially desirable is to draw the bonds of sympathy closer, and make the co-operation more sary for the Association to assist some of the older thorough and efficient. Churches. The Report proceeds as follows :- Two main purposes to this end stand out prominently:- (I) To relieve the British and Foreign Unitarian Associa- While the Rules of the National Conference do not define tion from the responsibility (of which it would be glad to be the purpose for which it was established, it is best indicated free) of contributing towards the maintenance of the ministry in the very name. The Conference is essentially a delibera- in the older Churches; tive assembly of the Congregations which constitute it, repre- 190 LIBERTY AND RELIGION

(2) To give more adequate support than is at present possible to the maintenance of the ministry generally where the stipends are small, and the work is being satisfactorily done. To attain these purposes, it is evident that additional funds are required, and there is little doubt that if a united appeal could be made by representatives of our Funds and Societies, speaking through the voice of the next Conference, there THE NEW CENTURY, 1903-1925 would be a generous response from the members of our Churches, provided that some well-considered scheme were presented. (i). A Great Forward Movemevzt HE work of the Association depends on care- T ful organization of the financial basis, and this involves making good the inevitable losses due to the deaths of generous supporters and friends year by year. The total amount provided by annual subscribers, as we have seen, declined during the ten years from 1893 to 1902, although there was a continuous development of work during the period. In 1903 the possibilities of the work were greatly enlarged through the muni- ficence of an Anonymous Donor who offered to subscribe ,61000 a year if £2000 in addition was subscribed annually by others; and for five years this generous challenge was met. In the year named the total of the annual subscriptions rose from £1791 to £5152; and up to and including 1907 the amount varied annually between 44502 and £4704.' During these years the amount received from congre- gational collections varied between L575 and f;630. LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY

The Annual Reports show how the Committee churched masses, particularly in large cities and towns. The and Officers of the Association rose to the oppor- Rev. J. Page Hopps and others have already shown what tunities thus offered to them. The proposals for good work can be done in this direction, and other specially qualified ministers, it is hoped, would be found willing to new and enlarged work were as summarized assist in conducting these people's services. below. 3. To arrange with some of the ablest and most effective Foreig~and Colonial Work ministers in our connection occasionally to visit existing places of worship, to preach, and, if invited, to confer with I. To prepare, publish, and circulate a series of the best the congregations about their work. modern Unitarian pamphlets in Danish, Dutch, French, 4. To appoint a travelling Missionary, whose time and German, Italian, and Spanish, as well as in some of the chief energy would chiefly be employed in propagandist work in languages of India, Japan, and other lands. towns and villages where at present there is no centre of 2. To make occasional grants, as fitting opportunities Unitarian teaching or worship. arise, for the spread and encouragement of Liberal religious 5. To prepare and publish a new series of Handbooks of thought and work in all parts of the world, among non- Religion, dealing with important questions of philospohy, the Christians as well as Christians. Bible, theology, and practical religion, for circulation at home 3. To provide assistance in founding new churches, and in and abroad. securing the services of ministers in Australasia, South 6. To prepare and publish biographical and historical, Africa, and wherever else evidence of local interest and self- works illustrative of the growth arid progress of Unitarian help is forthcoming. thought, beginning with the Life of Dr. Priestley, the centen- 4. To induce a minister of eminence and capacity to visit ary of whose death occurs early in 1904. Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania, to preach and lecture 7. To make grants of books and pamphlets on a more in the chief towns for a period of three or four months; and, liberal scale than heretofore, particularly to public libraries, if the experiment prove successful, to arrange visits to other clergymen, ministers, students, and religious inquirers at countries by specially qualified ministers. W. home and abroad. Home Wovk These proposals are recorded here as a matter I. To provide for the delivery of courses of Lectures on of history. Modifications necessarily arose in Biblical and theological subjects, addressed to educated and carrying them into effect. In particular, a thoughtful people, similar to those so successfully delivered travelling Missionary Minister was not appointed ; by the Rev. J. Estlin Carpenter. In addition to Mr. Car- penter himself, other men of scholarship and ability, with the arrangements were made for several ministers in gift of engaging the attention of thoughtful audiences, might different localities to give lectures on the principles be induced to take part. of Unitarian Christianity as opportunities arose. 2. To arrange for series of popular religious services in The second and third paragraphs under Foreign public halls aad theatres, with the view of reaching the un- and Colonial work indicate a deliberate extension '2. THE NEW CENTURY LIBERTY AND RELIGION * . l 195 I. I.. I ., 1' . of aims which had been in view for many years Copeland Bowie, W. G. Tarrant, and J. H. 1, &l and which were implied in the action of the Asso- Weatherall. The results showed that. services $. conducted by Unitarian ministers could be made ,i , , ciation from the beginning. Taking 1905 as an 'quite as attractive and as interesting to working !',?: ' illustration, we find that the grants in aid of work (?. men and women as any form of evangelical .l., , abroad amounted to £1229, on behalf of congre- ... v ,. gations, ministers, and students.' Pamphlets orthodoxy. (3) Visits to Churches, by ministers

'*i,L% were being translated into French, German, of proved experience, were systematically or- $ ;l, . 8 3. yi Italian, Russian, Hungarian, and Urdu (India); ganized, and special Services and conferences with the local congregations were held ; valuable -.,7. ", " and the value of the books and pamphlets sent +.S*.; i abroad in 1905 was £318. And in order to pro- personal contacts were thus established, and $,!; $,!; 4p * much encouragement given. (4) In the Publica- $&, .-41 - , vide personal contact and fuller information and tions department, the most important among the c-,- S local encouragement, an extensive mission was - ,,, y. .1 arranged for the Rev. Charles Hargrove to our new books produced was Dr. Carpenter's valuable h = &r8,, fellow-believers in Australia and New Zealand. work James Martinea~,Theologian and Teacher. . a In the Home field during these years, the Reprints of a number of important books were ' scheme of new and enlarged work was carried made and sold at sixpence. Among these were forward. (I) Public lectures on Biblical and re- Carpenter's First Three Gospels and Armstrong's ligious subjects, with a view of appealing chiefly God and the Soul. Tens of thousands of these to educated thoughtful people, were arranged in were circulated at home and abroad. Other books various parts of the country and given by the in the list were Martineau's Endeavours after Revs. Dr. J. E. Carpenter, R. A. Armstrong, $he Christian Life, Beard's Reformation (Hibbert Charles Hargrove, W. G. Tarrant, and Dr. S. M. Lectures, edited by Dr. Gow), Channing's Perject Crothers; and the response was remarkably en- Life, and F. W. Newman's The Soul, with an couraging. (2) Popular Services were organized Introduction by C. B. Upton. Large additions in theatres and public halls, conducted chiefly by were also made to the list of pamphlets. It may be mentioned here that during the hundred years A the Rev. James C. Street and the Rev. J. Page ' Hopps, with assistance" from the Revs. W. more than seven hundred and fifty different pamphlets have been issued by the Association, 1 At this time the Association was assisting a Hungarian, by authors representing every type of Unitarian an Indian, a Japanese, and an Australian studentkat Man- . .I, thought; and many of these pamphlets were chedter allege, Oxford. * ,,c ! '. 1 LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY printed in tens of thousands to meet the demand The Association's subscriptions and collections which arose at home and abroad. for the six years following the great effort were Taking the same year, 193, as typical of this as follows :- period of special work, we find that grants to Subscriptions. Cotlections. congregations and for special lectures and 1908 . . . . A2892 £590 preachers in the Home field amounted to £3392, 1909 . . 3668l 598 and books and pamphlets were granted to the 1910 3336 514 191I 2702 639 value of £361; The amount spent on printing and 1912 2500 642 binding books and pamphlets was £1278, and I913 . . . . 2326 . . 603 LIIOO was realized by sales. The organization of popular Services in theatres After 1907 it was not possible to claim the and public halls was found to involve very serious special subscription of Lrooo; but these years of expense; and in 1906 an important scheme was new and enlarged work left a legacy of experience inaugurated under which travelling missionary and encouragement which was not forgotten ; and work could be carried out by many ministers and not one of the lines of work named above was laymen of conviction and endowed with the capac- allowed to die out. ity of lucid and forceful utterance. This was the It is noteworthy that shortly after this period Van Mission, for which the Association became of enlarged work on the part of the Association, responsible in 1907, by which the message of the movement in favour of a larger Sustentation Unitarian Christianity was delivered to large Fund was successfully carried forward. As we numbers of people in England, Wales, and Scot- have seen, it had been recommended by the Joint land. The enthusiastic labours of the Rev. Committee on the relations of the Association and T. P. Spedding in organizing and superintending the Conference. With the sympathy and support the Mission were appreciated by our whole religious of both bodies, an appeal for £50,000 additional community. The outbreak of war in August, capital for the Sustentation Fund was issued, and 1914, led to its suspension. During the eight met with a splendid response. The Fund was years from 1907 to 1914 contributions amounting placed in a position to relieve the Association of to £6350 were received in aid of the Van Mission, the grants then made to established congregations, the cost of which during those years was over and thus enable the Association to undertake new ;67ooo. It is convenient to add here that after work at home and abroad, 1 Including some large special donations. LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY 1914. Rev. W. R. Inge, D.D., Dean of St. Paul's, on " The the war the Committee decided not to resume the Philosophy of Plotinus and some modern Van Mission as previously carried on by the aid Philosophies of Religion." of a special fund. " Vans," it was observed, "are simply a means to an end; and it may All these Lectures were published; and the prove possible to devise less expensive and per- activities of the Book Department were effectively haps equally effective methods of reaching the maintained. Among the more important publica- general public with our religious message. There tions may be mentioned " The Historical Jesus can be no doubt that a fresh impetus would be and the Theological Christ," by the Rev. Dr. J. given to our religious movement all over the Estlin Carpenter; " Studies in Christian Doc- country if a group of earnest capable men and trine," " The Way of Life," " Pauline Medita- women, possessing knowledge, enthusiasm, and tions," and " Johannine Thoughts," by the Rev. the gift of persuasive speech, were enlisted in Dr. James Drummond; " The New Testament open-air missionary work." and Modern Life," by Dr. S. H. Mellone. An During the period of enlarged work, and up to important series of Modern Hand books of Religion the outbreak of war, the Essex Hall Lectures was issued of which the following were the were given as follows :- authors: the Revs. R. N. Cross, M.A., A. W. Fox, M.A., Alfred Hall, M.A., B.D., H. McLachlan, 1903. Rt. Hon. Augustine Birrell on " Emerson: a Study M.A., D.D., S. H. Mellone, h.~.,D.Sc., S. A. of his Life and Influence." Mellor, B.A., Ph.D,, W, L. Schroeder, M.A., and 1904. Prof. H. H. Wendt on " The Idea and Reality of Edgar Thackray, M.A., B.D. And a series of Revelation." volumes dealing with questions of criticism and 1905. Prof. Henry Jones on " The Immortality of the Soul in the Poems of Tennyson and Browning." history were translated from the German, and at 1906. Rev. Dr. S. M. Crothers on " The Making of the time were highly prized : cc The Apostolic Religion." Age," by E. vonDobschutz; "The Jewish Re- 1908. Prof. G. Kriiger on " Dogma and History." ligion in the Time of Jesus," by G. Hollmann; 1909. Prof. F. E. Weiss on " Evolution and Religious Progress." " Christ the Beginnings of Dogma," by Johannes 19x0. Rev. W. G. Tarrant, B.A., on "The Story and Weiss; " The Sources of our Knowledge of the Significance of the Unitarian Movement." Life of Jesus," by P. Wernle ; and " Paul : a I~II. Prof. Rudolf Eucken on " Religion and Life." Study of his Life and Thought ," by W. Wrede. 1913. Rev. Alexander Gordon, M.A., on " Heresy: its The work in Scotland was carried forward and Ancient Wrongs and Modern Rights.' LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY

extended on the lines previously indicated, with mention of its name has been suggestive to the churchgoer of the important addition that from 1908 to 1919 a species of infidelity almost amounting to actual sin. It is the Committee were able to employ the services the aim of this little volume to confute and counteract that preposterous conception by a full and frank statement of of the Rev. E. T. Russell as Missionary Minister what Unitarianism actually is and what its teaching aims at. under the McQuaker Trust. Mr. Russell had a It is very true that much of the teaching is perfectly familiar genuine gift for open-air work and for vigorous to the intelligent public, for much has been accepted by and clear exposition. For part of the period he thoughtful clergymen for many a day. To that extent there used a Van, but afterwards his experience showed is some justice in the complaint that there are more Unit- arians outside the Unitarian Church than there are inside it. this equipment is not essential for a man of the For the present, however, Unitarians do well to content right capacity to hold large and really attentive themselves with the propagation of their interpretation of audiences. Christianity through the medium of volumes like this-at While it was admitted that the progress of once frank, fearless, catholic, and altogether solicitous for organized Unitarian Churches in Scotland is the highest interests of religion. exceedingly slow, it was perceived that large and One of the most important events in the denom- increasing numbers of men and women are moving ination during the few years before the War,- rapidly towards broader views of religion. There important in itself and in its results,-was the are probably at the present time, in proportion inauguration of the Women's League. The pro- to the population, more adherents of a liberal posal for the formation of such a League originated theology in Scotland than in any other country at the Autumnal Meetings of the Association in in Europe. Liverpool, February, 1908, when a resolution 'In illustration of the change that has taken was passed requesting the Executive Committee place, the following sentences from a review of the to take steps necessary for the organization of our volume " What do Unitarians Believe and women workers throughout the country, so that Tea~h,"~which appeared in the Glasgow Herald their power and influence may be fostered and as long ago as 1906, will be read with interest :- utilized to the fullest extent. Accordingly a re- No one can doubt that in Scotland particularly Unitar- presentative meeting of women interested in the ianism has been unjustly dealt by. Too often the mere work of our Churches and Societies, was organized

l This book contains a collection of twelve Essays on differ- in connection with the Anniversary in Whit- ent aspects of Unitarian thought, by various representative week. At this meeting proposals were adopted writers. for the constitution of the League, the name LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY chosen being " The British League of Unitarian had been held in London in 1901; and it did and other Liberal Christian Women." Its ob- much to reveal to English and American Unit- jects are to draw women, young and old, together arians that the " world-movement of Liberal in a united effort to strengthen the Churches to Religion " is not only a name but a great reality. which they belong, and to quicken their religious Further Congresses were held at Amsterdam life ; to uaite in a real " Fellowship " all lonely (1903), Geneva (rgog), Boston, U.S.A. (1go7), women in the United Kingdom and Overseas Berlin (~gro),Paris (1913). In all these arrange- Dominions who through illness or distance can- ments the Committees of the British and Foreign not join a congregation; and to find friends and a Unitarian Association and the American Unit- welcome for women and girls moving from place arian Association co-operated; and in all that to place or going abroad. Co-operation between was done, the energy and enthusiasm of the the British League and the American " Alliance International Secretary, Dr. C. W. Wendte, of Unitarian and Other Liberal Christian Women" contributed largely to the success that was in Fellowship Work is now active; by means of attained. " Friendly Links " correspondence a net-work of The organizers of the Congresses were endeav- friendship is being formed between members at ouring to bring together representatives of the home, in Overseas Dominions, and abroad; and historic liberal' Churches, the scattered liberal the League is in touch with women of the new congregations, and isolated workers far religious liberal religious movements in foreign countries. freedom and progress, in order to assist the ex- An organization of this kind, with many change of ideas and the promotion of their com- branches in different parts of the country, has mon aims. What was desired was the cultivation great possibilities before it. of fraternal relations with the liberal movements During these years there had been a great ex- in religion now going on under various names and tension of intercourse, both from England and auspices throughout the world. The meetings America, with religious Liberals on the Continent were animated by a large and generous religious of Europe; and this led to arrangements for the spirit: and it was believed by many that this organization at regular intervals of International kinship of spirit might become a powerful force Congresses representing the different currents of for international friendship. But in Europe deep thought and feeling embraced in the world- currents of suspicion and fear had long been movement of Liberal Religion. The first of these working and growing in strength beneath the THE NEW CENTURY LIBERTY AND RELIGION its influence was more widely and deeply felt, surface; and the way for a world-tragedy was every form of moral and religious organization being prepared. had to meet the strain of diminished financial resources and the diversion of workers to National (ii). The War Years: 1914-1918 Service abroad or at home. Denominational en- terprise was necessarily checked when thousands In the same year which marked the completion of our young men were going forth from Church of our hundred years of peace between Great and School into the fighting forces by land and Britain and the United States, the Great War in sea ; and manifold varieties of helpfulness to the Europe broke out with startling suddenness. cause of the Allies were claiming the time and Hopes and ideals long and deeply cherished by thought and energy of men and women who re- many earnest religious men and women seemed mained in their accustomed posts of duty. The to be destroyed. The minds and hearts of serious Committee of the Association, therefore, did not people were perplexed arid troubled beyond attempt to break new ground by missionary description by the horrors of a war such as the effort. Their endeavours were directed to the world had never known before and which a few maintenance of activities to which they were months previously they would not have believed already pledged; and to the task of keeping in to be possible. The war was a cruel awakening, friendly communication with members of our con- and a revelation of primeval savagery in the deep- gregations serving in the vast area where the seated instincts of men and of nations, which the British arms were engaged ; and to the encourage- humane teaching of Christ, accepted nominally ment of recognized forms of philanthropy and by all who call themselves after his name, had relief to which the attention of our people was failed to subdue. directed. The Report of the Committee adopted at the The ninety-second Report, signed by the Rev. ninetieth Annual Meeting, May 26th, 1915, ex- Dr. J. Estlin Carpenter as President, and adopted pressed the conviction that " it was the indigna- at the Annual Meeting of May 3oth, 1917, con- tion aroused by the violation of treaties, by un- tained the following :- provoked aggression, and by brutal violence which inspired the people of this country to engage in Meanwhile the urgent duty lies upon us all to uphold the this most terrible of all wars." truths of our religion with unfaltering trust, and sustain its public services with fidelity and devotion. . . . Immense As the war proceeded month after month, and LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY problems are already coming dimly into view. Large ex- the cost of all commodities, necessities and tensions of the franchise may involve unforeseen political luxuries alike, had been doubled, and a period of developments. Social difficulties, arising from new industrial abnormal inflation of trade was followed by apro- conditions, will severely tax the mutual goodwill of employers and employed. Heavy demands will undoubtedly be made longed and disastrous commercial depression. on wealth for the discharge of the obligations of the State. The supply of ministers had almost ceased during There may be grave dangers of conflict between the interests the war, and after the war was only increased to of property and labour. The Churches must take their share a slight extent and the stipends of Ministers in the moral preparation needed for the inauguration of a new era in the national life. They must stand unflinchingly already at work decreased in value with the in- for the principle, at once democratic and Christian, that all crease of costs. gifts and privileges, possessions, learning, leisure, ease, can These conditions profoundly affected the only be justified in so far as they minister to the welfare of the activities of the Association in all directions. The whole, and are adjusted not only to personal aggrandisement actual possibilities of the work were restricted ; but to the good of the community. The call to sacrifice which has been so nobly answered by every class throughout the and on the financial side, although the story of the land, for the prosecution of the War, will sound with no less legacies bequeathed to the Association shows that insistance, but in new forms, in the re-organization ,which there is an impressive confidence in the work done, will follow after the Peace. the income from annual subscriptions decreased When the war ended at the signing of the from ;E2300 in 1914 to £1264 in rgzzl. Neverthe- Armistice on November the 11th~1918, our small less the work of the Association, though re- religious community had contributed more than stricted, was vigorously carried to the utmost ex- ten thousand young men to the army and navy; tent of the available opportunities, as the fol- and the graves of fifteen hundred of them are in lowing summary of expenditure for the purposes Belgium and France, Mesopotamia and Syria, and named will show:- in the depths of the sea. The people had been agitated and perplexed by the excitements and 1914- 19150 1916. Home Grants .. .. £1584 .. £1321 .. £1210 agonies of a prolonged war, and were spiritually Colonial and Foreign Grants 935 .. 573 .. 501 tired, while conventional morality and religion Book Department .. .. 1056 -. 706 .. 577 had been shaken to their foundations. The Work in Home Camps - - 402 Churches, as such, and apart from the personality of individuals, seemed to have but little to give. 1 It should be added that in 1923 an upward movement Economic conditions had also been transformed ; began in the total of the annual subscription. LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY 1917. 1918. 1919. booklets to men on active service connected with Home Grants . . .. £1580 . . £1261 . . £1870 Colonial and Foreign Grants 661 . . 483 . . I033 our Churches and Schools was undertaken by Book Department .. .. 706 .. 666 .. 1168 Lawrence House. Many thousands of these were Work in Home Camps . . 354 . . 385 . . - circulated and much appreciated by the men who - War Bonus to Ministers . . 290 . . 200 . . received them. After the special war purpose of The Association was represented on a Joint Lawrence House came to an end, the Hostel has Committee appointed to draw up an appeal for a been in regular use by Unitarian visitors from all Subvention Fund, issued in the spring of 1920, parts of the world, and its advantages for ministers which met with a most generous response, and and laymen paying short visits to London have provided a sum of over £ro,ooo, administered by made it their temporary home. the Managers of the Sustentation Fund and avail- In connection with the work of Lawrence House able for grants in aid of stipends; the grants are a Fund for a War Memorial was collected and spread over a period of at least seven years, after applied for the erection of a marble tablet in which it is hoped that the aided congregations Essex Hall and the formation and production in may be able to replace these grants by increased suitable form of a Roll of Honour. At the request contributions on their owl1 part. of the Committee, Dr. L. P. Jacks composed the An interesting and important event in the title page of the Roll of Honour, which is as activities of the Association in 1917 was the follows :- establishment and endowment of a Hostel and Social Centre for Soldiers and Sailors. A house TO THE UNDYING MEMORY belonging to the Essex Hall Trustees, was utilized ; OF about £7000 was raised for transforming the ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED MEN building into a Hostel, supplying literature for sailors and soldiers, and providing an endowment OF THE to meet the annual rent and expenses of upkeep. UNITARIAN AND FREE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES In recognition of the generosity of Sir Edwin and THROUGHOUT THE LAND Lady Durning-Lawrence, it was decided to name WHO the Hostel "Lawrence House." It proved a WHEN THE LIBERTIES OF MANKIND WERE IN PERIL boon to many men on their way to or from the NOBLY LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES Front. The printing and despatch of leaflets and ON THE BATTLEFIELD LIBERTY AND RELIGION

THAT LIBERTY MIGHT PREVAIL first preachers were the Revs. Dr. J. Drummond, IN LANDS BOTH NEAR AND DISTANT J. Estlin Carpenter, J. Edwin Odgers, and L. P. WHERE THE RESTING PLACES OF MANY ARE UNKNOWN Jacks. With liberal assistance from the Associa- ON THE SEA AND IN THE AIR tion, services were continued regularly during the THEY STROVE AND SUFFERED AND FELL University terms, and signs of permanent vitality QUITTING THEMSELVES LIKE MEN in the movement were evident. In 1920 delibera- tions proceeded as to the possibility of purchasing THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE WAS UPON THEM a site, erecting a building, and placing the congre- AND BY THEIR STRIPES WERE WE HEALED gation on a permanent footing with a regular re- THEIR NAMES ARE HERE INSCRIBED sident minister. Early in 1921 a most generous BUT THEY HAVE A MORE ENDURING MEMORIAL offer was received anonymously, through the Rev. EACH ONE IS WITH GOD W. Copeland Bowie, Secretary of the Association, THE GLORIOUS FELLOWSHIP OF THE LOYAL AND DEVOTED and after full consideration, and with the approval WHO HAVE COME OUT OF GREAT TRIBULATION of the Cambridge congregation, the conditions AND THEIR NAMES ARE WRITTEN FOR EVER laid down in the offer were accepted. The Donor IN THE BOOK OF LIFE \transferred to the Association invested funds yielding £200 a year for the maintenance of the The difficulties of the war years did not pre- ministry on condition that a similar amount be vent the Unitarian movement in Cambridge from guaranteed by the Association, and that a sum of progressing so as to require the provision of a not less than &ooo be raised by the Association for permanent home. Here we must take a brief the site and building. The site secured provides backward glance. Lectures expository of Unit- space for a Church and Hall. A beautiful Hall, arian Christianity, and religious services, had been erected from plans prepared by Mr. Ronald P. held at Cambridge several times at earlier periods Jones, F.R.1 .B .A., was opened for public worship and then discontinued. In 1903 the Committee in January, 1923. The Rev. J. Cyril Flower, M.A., of the Association arranged for a course of four had already accepted a unanimous invitation to Sunday evening lectures by the Rev. J. Estlin the ministry. Subsequently further munificent Carpenter, on " How to read the Gospels.?' These contributions from the same generous friend pro- addresses aroused a desire for religious services vided a fund for the erection of a Memorial conducted by Unitarian ministers. Among the Church (in addition to the Hall) on the same site. LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY An important movement among our laymen That the members of this Association, at their first Annual must be recorded, here. At a special meeting of Meeting since the much-regretted resignation of the Rev. W. Copeland Bowie, Missionary Agent to the Association 1890-92, laymen in Whit-week, 1920, Mr. Charles H, and Secretary from 1892 to the present year, desire to place Strong, President of the American Unitarian Lay - on record their profound sense of the truly invaluable ser- men's League, gave a most interesting and stimu- vices rendered by him during a period unequalled in its lating account of the history of the League, which history. As the organizer of the manifold labours of the had an immediate and widespread success among Executive Committee through its various Sub-Committees, Mr. Bowie has left a permanent mark upon its character and the Unitarian laity in America. Mr. Strong after- methods; and the incorporation of the Association, which has wards visited and spoke at meetings in different been effected under his guidance, is a specially notable develop- parts of the country, and the impression made by ment of its resources. His intercourse, personal or by letter, his addresses led to the formation of an informal with societies, congregations, and individuals, at home and provisional committee to discuss the possibility of abroad, has been marked by a discernment and understanding which have rendered it exceptionally influential and fruitful; a similar organization among our own laymen. while his singular ability and varied resource have been mani- At the Autumnal Meetings of the Association at fest in all branches of the Association's work, literary and Leicester in 1920, a Constitution and Draft Rules social, financial and administrative, as well as benevolent and were adopted, and the League formally inaugur- religious. . . . Recognizing that it is not possible to enumerate ated under the name of the Unitarian and Free the many ways in which their late Secretary has served the Unitarian cause during these many years, the members wish Christian Laymen's League. Local " Chapters " to assure him that these services are not forgotten; and they (branches) were established in many of the take this opportunity of expressing, however imperfectly, Churches, and the Annual Meeting of the League their cordial appreciation not only of his singluar fidelity and takes place during the Anniversary Meetings in diligence in his responsible position, but also of the personal Whit-week of each year. characteristics which have endeared him to all. They trust he may long be permitted to enjoy, in health fully renewed, The memorable period of Mr. Bowie's Secretary- the esteem and affection of his innumerable friends. ship of the Association came to an end with his retirement in March, 1921. The feeling of the When the Committee proceeded to discuss the Committee and members of the Association is appointment of a new Secretary, they decided expressed in the Annual Report for that year after full consideration to invite the Rev. S. H. and in the following resolution unanimously and Mellone, M.A., D .Sc., of Manchdster, to accept the enthusiastically carried at the Annual Business office. The invitation thereupon sent to Dr. Meeting :- Mellone was cordially accepted, and he entered on LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY his duties in June, 1921. The following resolution future, while many of their subjects are smarting was unanimously carried at the Business Meeting, under a sense of injustice and wrong. America, 1921 :- Germany, and Russia are still (1925) outside the League of Nations, and until they are inside, That the members of this Association heartily welcome the the security of the world will remain in jeopardy. appointment of the Rev. S. H. MeIlone, M.A., D.Sc., as Secretary of the Association; they rejoice in the wide And the principle of religious liberty, as it is measure of success already attained by him in the world of understood and applied within the British Em- religious and philosophical literature; and, assured by his pire, is scarcely comprehended by some of the long experience as a minister and the educator of ministers, States which under recent Treaties are pledged they confidently trust that their new Secretary will worthily to its adoption. sustain and extend the reputation of Unitarian Christianity in this and other lands. Notwithstanding all these things, an impressive feature of the situation to-day is found in the fact that very many thoughtful men and women in all (iii). After the War civilized lands are feeling after a religious faith The European situation following the Treaties which shall be at once spiritual and free. It is drawn up in 1919 and lgzol was not one where all this fact which gives real importance to the States were working for the common purpos-S of endeavours that are now being made to revive the activities of the International Congress. The international friendship. The world is far i om stable. The new States are inexperienced in he difficulties in the way are great; they arise from art of Government and are full of fears about tE ir the threatened moral and religious disintegration of civilized society on the Continent. In August, 1 The principal treaties drawn up by the Representatives 1922, preliminary meetings were held in Leiden, of the Allied and Associated Powers (the United States of at which representatives of twelve countries at- America, Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan, and others) at the conclusion of the Great War of 1914-18 : (I) with Germany, tended, and which appointed a working Executive Versailles, June 28th, 1919; (2) with Austria, St. Germain, Committee. It should be added that the de- September I 0th) I g19 ; (3) with Bulgaria, Neuilly, November sire and intention of this Committee is not only 27th, 1919; and (4) with Hungary, Trianon, June ~qth,1920. to organize international assemblies at certain The Covenant of the Leagwe of Nations forms Part I of each of intervals of time, but to secure, even though on a these Treaties, and took effect from the date of Deposit of the Instrument of Ratification by the Representatives of Ger- modest scale, a real continuity of international many on January ~oth,1920. Liberal Religious work on definite principles. LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY The holding of such international meetings is response from these Churches was numerically larger, in pro- essential to secure these things, but such meetings portion to the number concerned, than in the case of any other religions denomination which had been approached by by themselves are not enough. the Council ~f the Alliance. The services rendered during the past few years by the Rev. W. H. Drummond, the Secretary of It may prove that the tragic conditions now the International Congress, merit special recogni- prevailing in Europe, while limiting the en- tion. He has travelled all over Europe and deavours which are reasonably possible, neverthe- visited America and India, diligently labouring less enable us to get more closely into touch with for the deepening of international friendship on the human realities of the situation. The Com- the broad lines of an enlightened religious faith. mittees of the British and American Unitarian The Committee's Report for 1924 contains the Associations are again co-operating, though on following paragraph :- a different scale, and every opportunity is taken The importance of international friendship and of the of encouraging and helping the struggling Liberal religious ideals which alone make it vital, is a fact which Religious movements on the Continent. The re- touches every individual. It concerns his moral and religious markable Unitarian movement in Prague led life, and it concerns his daily bread. What our Churches can by Dr. Norbert F. Capek, has however passed its do in this matter is to use their utmost influence to increase early and critical stage, and is now on the way to the right kind of public opinion. Our churches are bound in honour to do this; it is their duty to themselves, to the world, continuous success in a fine building purchased and to the traditions of their fathers. For this reason, the chiefly by British and American aid. Committee as a preliminary step circulated among all our The whole situation of our Hungarian fellow- ministers leaflets on behalf of the work of the League of Natiom believers was radically changed as a result of the Union; and for this reason again, the Committee sent com- terms of peace with Hungary. Transylvania was munications to the Ministers and Secreta~iesof all the Churches on the roll of the Year Book, urging the importance of affilia- separated from Hungary, and became part of tion with the World AZZia~cefor erornoting International Roumania-a country which is politically and Frievzdship. This body exists to use the influence of the culturally in a far more backward condition. A Churches to help the right kind of public opinion which states- general scheme of expropriation has been carried men need to strengthen their hands, and without which the out by the Roumanian Government, directed not League of Nations cannot succeed. All the principal re- ligious bodies are represented on the Council of the Alliance, against any religious organization but against and the co-operation of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches landed proprietors as such; and the Unitarian has been officially invited. It is gratifying to record that the Churches in Transylvania were dependent on LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY revenues from land. Compensation has been pro- In the field of Home Work we have seen how the mised, but the amount of it and the period of pay- seriousness of the problem of contributing aid ments are problematic; and further, the clauses and encouragement to existing congregations by of the Peace Treatyrelating to the protection of the Association, particularly in connection with religious minorities have been most inadequately the stipends of ministers, has been much simplified observed by the Roumanian Government : the by the remarkable enterprise and splendid gener- result is that the Transylvanian Unitarian osity of our people in raising the Sustentation Churches are in a very serious position. The pro- Fund, thus making possible an arrangement by blems which arise present many difficulties, but it which the efforts of the Association in the Home is satisfactory to record that the English and Mission Field should be concentrated on aid to American Committees have been and still are in congregations in the earlier and more difficult active co-operation with complete harmony of stages in their career, on the formation of new aim and purpose as to the main lines on which congregations in suitable cases, on the organiza- suitable and effective help can be given. tion and encouragement of personal missionary The unity of the group of Free Commonwealths work, and on literary propaganda. The revival called the British Empire, has increased gradually of congregational and Church life in more than one through the century and has been strengthened by quarter where it had appeared to be extinct has the War. Our fellow-believers overseas have a been an encouraging factor in a difficult time. right to our sympathy and support in all possible In 1924 upwards of seventy congregations re- ways; and to find the best ways of helping them, ceived financial aid from the Association. In Dr. Hargrove's mission to Australasia, which we many cases the grants were towards the salaries have already mentioned, was followed by visits of ministers; in some instances for special to South Africa by the Rev. W. G. Tarrant, to lectures and services, or for repairs and alterations Canada by the Rev. W. Copeland Bowie, and to to buildings, or for the erection of new churches Australia and New Zealand by the Rev. William and schools. In making grants to congregations, and Mrs. Wooding, by the Rev. E. Rosalind Lee the Committee have adhered to the principle (who also visited our Canadian Churches), and by maintained for so many years, of acting in co- the Rev. W. Priestley Phillips. Valuable reports operation with local Associations, and with the were received, and personal contacts of a helpful Managers of the Sustentation and other Funds; kind established. and every care has been taken to make conditions 1~11. . I .. 'X, , I , . - F'. F'. - . Q,-&, F;;!, $j..<,:.*:.\ l, LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW CENTURY 221 !,. 8 * i 44 & + ". which will stimulate individual aid local effoit on ,,, each Cburch, so far as possible, expository of the main prin- the part of the aided Churches themselves. it,,ciples of Unitarian Christianity; and, in May, a Special y?,,, It was generally recognized that the Centenary 1 Address on the History, Aims and Possibilities of the B.F.U.A. I+: L Ali historical pamphlet on this subject will be available. S: :, *' Anniversary of the foundation of the British and - .- 2 (b) That each District Association should arrange for its @;, tr; . ; Foreign Unitarian Association is not only a constituent Churches to hold a combined celebration in the unique occasion in the history of that orgahza- :' most convenient centre, on Tuesday, May 26th, 1925 (the tion, but also in the history of the Unitarian Move- actual anniversary day of the foundation of the B.F.U.A.). ment at large. The Committee of the Association 3. That study circles, especiallyfor young men and women, should be arranged to meet weekly under the superintendence felt that they were only meeting a natural desire, of the Minister, from January to May, with, say, two weeks and fulfilling an obvious expectation on the-part of interval for Easter. Where this suggestion is adopted we our Churches, in submitting to the various District are prepared to supply suitable books on very favourable Associations proposals for an organized scheme of terms, and pamphlets, and also to provide syllabus cards with propaganda and publicity, not only by way of pre- references to special sections of the books selected for study. 4. That each District Association should prepare a history paration for the Centenary Celebrations to be of its own work, with brief notes on the various constituent held in June, 1925, but also as a stimulus to the congregations in its area. propaganda of our distinctive Message to the age. 5. Wherever possible ministers should arrange for an It was suggested that the former of these two article of, say, one column on the Unitarian Movement, to be aims should be emphasized up to June, 1925, and inserted in a local paper, on a date conveniently near the Centenary Celebrations. Where this suggestion is adopted, the latter taken in hand after the Centenary we are prepared to supply typewritten copies of the sub- Week, subject to any local arrangements that stance of such an article. have already been made, with a view to their 6. That District Associations be invited to forward to being considered and recommendations forwarded Essex Hall, as soon as possible, suggestions of ways in which to each of the constituent Churches on the roll. the efficiency and value of the Centenary Campaign might be increased, together with information as to any arrangements For the sake of brevity and clearness the sug- already in hand- gestions are tabulated as follows :- . , These recommendations were cordially and I. That Ministers be definitly requested to incluile the sympathetically received by the District Asso- ntenary Celebrations in their public prayers, and to iqvite their people to include them in their private prayers. ciations. In each District some of the suggestions 2. (a) That, subject to local arrangements already in hand, were adopted, in some Districts all of them. ' monthly Special Services and Addresses should be held at Special iptprest has been taken throughout the LIBERTY AND RELIGION THE NEW country in the historical publications (referred to 1921. Dr. L. P. Jacks, on " The Lost Radiance of the below); in the scheme for a course of lessons on Christian Religion. 1922. Rt. Hon. H. A. L. Fisher, on " Orthodoxy." the History of Unitarian Christianity in England, 1923. Rt. Hon. Lord Robert Cecil, on " The Moral Basis with syllabus card provided; and in the proposal of the League of Nations." for local Centenary Celebrations in May 26th. It 1924. Prof. W. W. Fenn, D.D., on " The Christian Way of is clear that a large proportion pf our Churches Life, illustrated in the History of Religion in perceived the value of the Centenary as a means New England." 1925. The Earl of Oxford and Asquith, on " Free Thought of emphasizing anew the importance of our mes- in the Nineteenth Century." sage and rallying the enthusiasm of our people. The ministry of the printed word increases in In 1922, partly in anticipation of the centenary year, a collection of ten valuable historical Essays importance and influence. One result of the war has been to bring different parts of the world into by the Rev. Alexander Gordon, M.A., was pub- closer communication, and fresh opportunities lished under the title Addresses: Biographical and for extending a knowledge of the principles of Historical. And in connection with the centenary Unitarian Christianity present themselves every year, in addition to the book now before the reader, two larger publications have been pro- year. From every quarter of the globe, applica- tions are received for Unitarian books and pam- duced : The Price of Progress, a volume of seven phlets. Ministers and others in communions Essays by Dr. S. H. MelloneY1and a volume en- titled Freedom and Truth : Modern Aspects of accounted " orthodox," often ask for Unitarian Unitarian Christianity, edited with Introduction publications; and the Committee, as in former years, are always ready to assist in informing by Dr. J. Estlin Carpenter, and containing eight serious inquirers respecting our principles and Essays, four by English writers (Dr. S. H. Mellone, faith. the Revs. R. Travers Herford, Dr. H. Gow, and The Essex Hall Lecture, suspended during W. G. Tarrant) and four by American writers (the 1915, 1916, and 1917, was resumed in 1918, and Rev. Dr. G. R. Dodson, Professors R. Clayton Bowen, W. W. Fenn, and Francis A. Christie). has become a well-known public institution. The Lecturers have been as follows :- The titles of the Essays are as follows: " The Price of Progress," " Is Evil Necessary ? ", " Does God Answer 1918. Dr. Claude G. Montefiore, M.A., on " The Place of Prayer ? ", " Athanasius the Modernist," " The Catholicism Judaism among the Religions of the World." of Newman," " The Unitarianism of Martineau," " Sym- 1920. Rt. Rev. Bishop Gore, on " Christianity Applied." bolism in Religious Experience. " , , LIBERTY AND RELIGION The publication of this volume recalls once more .-the foundation of the Ameri'can Unitarian Associa- tion on May zgth, 1825. A happy result of the formation of the two Associations, so nearly on the same day, has been a great increase in mutual in- tercourse and interest between Unitarian and kin- dred Churches in America and in England. This RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS IN 1925. can be traced from the beginning. And in course of time, not only were such friendly relations deep- UR survey of the history of the British and ened, but we find that the two Committees were in 0 Foreign Unitarian Association during the active co-operation over important enterprises; last hundred years, has shown us the developing British-American relations have passed through work of a denominational organization, with a various phases during the century; but so far as distinctive constitution and purpose, entering Unitarian and kindred movements are concerned, into and forming part of a vast movement of the early promise has been amply fulfilled in re- change in religious thought and life, a movement cent years. Both are engaged in the same great of mingled construction and destruction, whose enterprise of promulgating and defending a free, beginnings, if we can date them at all, are from noble, sincere religious faith, with charity towards the Reformation, and whose end no man living every other variety of honest belief, and with the can foresee. Catholic mind which is ever open to new visions This movement is not the work specially of any of truth and righteousness, of God and man's re- one of the various religious bodies as compared lations to Him, with others. It has had many simultaneous beginnings. No denomination, sect, or party, no single group of men, can claim as their own 8,'. peculiar privilege to have originated it or to guide F.* r bi i,, , ,, , it. The true claim that the people called Unit- c,;,.,;i "s'.,;;,' .. . arians can make is, not that they have originated 4'<,4 the reforming spirit that has entered into the '\; ,. I:.*;. ;- ,. , religious world, but that they have always been +$+,l , . among the first to feel it and respond to it. They LIBERTY AND RELIGION RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS IN rgzg 227 may also most justly claim that, in the face of of our day-hitherto confident of their numbers, much bitter prejudice, they have done their part wealth, and personal influence-are beginning to in helping forward the spiritual emanicipation of feel a consciousness of incipient failure. Every humanity. Even those religious communities one whose eyes are not blinded by sectarian pre- who have been unconscious of this movement as judice can see that an immense amount of very affecting themselves, and some who have bitterly beneficent effort is put forth by these bodies, and fought against it, have been deeply affected by that this is true even though what used to be the it. They have moved like that party of explorers charact eristic humanitarian functions of the in the Arctic regions, who were travelling to the Church-namely, educating the young and tend- North over what seemed to be a limitless expanse ing the sick-have been largely taken in hand and of ice, which, though they did not know it, was a much more efficiently dealt with by the " secular " vast ice-floe, drifting slowly but irresistibly to the community. South, and carrying all on its surface with it. We have no sympathy with the habit of railing The root of the matter is this. Formerly the against the clergy, many of whom are in an sources of Religion were not only separated from exceedingly difficult position, and are sincerely human life, but regarded as being outside the acting in the light of the best wisdom at their &most range of humanity, and were found in command. Signs of decline in large religious infallible persons and infallible books; but now, bodies, doing much good work, are not welcome the sources of religion are sought for in human life signs. They are doubly deplorable when read in itself. The presentation of religion is subject to the light of some of the official utterances dealing all the uncertainties that belong to life, with its with them. Men holding very prominent ecclesi- multitudinous variety, its illimitable possibilities, astical positions have not hesitated to affirm, as an its unscaled heights and unsounded depths. Here, all-sufficient explanation of the facts, that the in this manifold of human life, and here alone, are Church is good and men are evil, and the evil we to find our answer to the elemental cry of the hates the good. The light of the Church shines human heart, cc Show us the Father ! " in the darkness of humanity, and the darkness How are the leading churches of the present comprehends it not. In other words, the people day meeting or failing to meet this need ? There are indifferent and irreligious. Nothing is said are some facts of deep significance which demand of the frantic struggle of the Chqrches, in the last notice. Some of the largest religious communions century, against physical and historical science; LIBERTY AND RELIGION RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS IN 1925 229 nothing of the persistent endeavour to put spiritual The ethical side of religion, problems of life and things out of all relation, save by miracle, with conduct, the growth of character and responsi- human and natural things; nothing of the long bility, arouse more interest than ever in the minds indifference to social reform, an indifference from of the younger generation, mainly because they which the Churches have only recently begun to have a greater freedom of choice. It is the old arouse themselves; nothing of the ever-renewed sharply-defined dogmas, the ancient sanctions and attempts to compromise ancient beliefs and title-deeds, the crudely miraculous claims of modern knowledge, as though it were possible to medieval theology, which have lost their hold be on both sides of a gulf at once. Whatever has upon the increasing intelligence of the nation. brought the change about, it is common ltnow- Untouched by the controversies of ecclesiastics ledge that in the last few years the Church has and theologians, there are masses of people who in undoubtedly been losing her hold upon the nation. their own dim, uncertain, and sometimes eagerly The old obligation of church-going has declined; passionate ways are seeking, under the name of it is no longer considered a duty, but has become a social justice, a larger and fuller life,-some king- mere matter of private concern. It is difficult to dom of heaven on earth to which they may belong. get clergymen; it is not easy to raise money for It is possible for this like every other human Church purposes ; ecclesiastical pronouncements movement to pass into morbid or perverted forms ; are disregarded and possess little authority among but the democratic movement of today is not either the intelligent or the unintelligent. anti-religious. We are convinced that the charge of " ir- In the meantime what are the Church As- religion " brought against the people of to-day is semblies doing ? It might have been supposed utterly untrue; even as a rough generalization it that the chief energies of the Church would be is untrue. Look at those who are called " the thrown into religious and social problems, how to masses " or " the multitude." We find much disentangle the old faith from its temporary thoughtless eagerness for amusement, along with accretions, how to bring religion into line with the little idea of what real recreation is. We see signs scientific spirit, how to emphasize the growing showing that the edge of the sense of personal social conscience, how to meet and interpret the responsibility has been blunted, and the windows claims of temperament and individuality, how to of the soul dulled with the dust and turmoil of minimize the perilous clash of social forces, and, fife. But the windows of the soul are there. above all, how to unite divergent influences on the LIBERTY AND RELIGION RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS IN 1925 basis of a simple but fundamental Christian faith. deavour, lofty and far-reaching as its aims may The reality is very different. There are times be, has committed itself on this line to mere un- when the discussions of Church Assemblies would reality and surrendered all that is valuable in seem to be more fitted for private proceedings of religious freedom. the Society of Antiquaries. Questions of cere- The most significant achievement of the past monial and liturgical detail should be kept in hundred years has been the gradual humanization the foreground and treated as if they were of pro- of the doctrines of God and Christ. Other cen- found and far-reaching urgency, is highly danger- turies said that the divine and the human were ous to the Christian Religion. There are sections two mutually exclusive substances-divorced by in the Church, more clerical than lay, to whom man's first disobedience. God and man were by such matters are of deep interest and concern, and present nature at variance. All of the ingenuity whose policy is not inclusive but exclusive. of Christian thought in previous centuries was When a wide and more inclusive view is taken, spent in effort to achieve, through a doctrine of especially when the policy and practicability of the two natures of Christ, a theoretical reconcilia- re-zmion is being discussedy'-and it is being dis- tion between these otherwise mutually exclusive cussed more and more,-what do we find ? What, substances. The past one hundred years has for example, are the theological conditions of rendered this speculation merely of antiquarian re-union ? The language of the ancient Creeds, in interest. We have now affirmed our faith in the particular that of the Creed commonly called essential humanity of God and the native divine Nicene, is insisted upon as vital to Christian faith, spark in the spirit of man. The idea of the one or, at the lowest estimate, they are its best avail- now helps to say what we mean when we try to able expressions; and where a Creed is used define the other. liturgically in the Services of the Church, we are We have been led back to our original affirma- assured that it should be understood as an ex- tion. The sources of Religion must be found in pression of corporate faith and allegiance. The human life itself. The age of dogma, that is of emphasis with which the terms of unity are Faith and Order," containing statements which are recent defined, substantially on this basis, is remarkable and authoritative: and see Documents bearing on the Problem and significant .l We affirm that the whole en- of Christian Unity and Fellowship, London, Society for Pro- Compare, for *example, the Reports of the Continuation moting Christian Knowledge, 1920, and the publications of Committee in preparation for the " World Conference on the World Conference Continuation Committee. LIBERTY AND RELIGION RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS IN 1925 theological dogma as formerly understood, has Reason and Conscience. It is probable that in come to an end. But we do not claim that the the urgency of defending the fundamental prin- century just ended has given us a new theology ciple he did not see its dangers. It is probable which has adequately supplanted the old theology. that if he had lived to-day he would have seen What it has given us is a wealth of material out of them. The conscience and mind and soul of man which to make the consciousness of religion and at are not infallible; the mind can make mistakes; some later time a theology and a sociology on the the conscience can go wrong; the soul can be basis of religion. In our modern thinking upon starved. The conscience of man needs to be the greatfiess alzd the littleness of mala we have, as taught, and the soul of man to be fed. the fathers never had, an unlimited supply of the Nevertheless, in the movement represented by mental and emotional material of which religion the Unitarian and kindred Churches, we have as is made. This is the great contribution of the our heritage from our forefathers the principle of science and history to modern religious thought: spiritual and rational freedom, which is the true these two overwhelming convictions as to our- meaning of individual independence in religion. selves, the two convictions of which religion, in We know well the dangers involved in this one form or another, is always made. principle. But we have maintained it through What then is our heritage in all this ? What misunderstanding from without and difficulty and does it mean for us who are the heirs and repre- discouragement from within. We have indeed sentatives of Unitarian Christianity ? Our fore- bought it at a great price, and we will not sur- fathers were the spiritual descendants of the few render it now. What it means when rightly men who, in the age of the Protestant Reforma- understood and acted upon, was defined by James tion, took seriously the watchword of " the Bible Martineau, with an insight extending far beyond and the Bible only." The spirit of faithful relig- the occasion at the London Conference of 1838, ious freedom in which these men read the Bible is when he moved the following Resolution:- the spirit of our movement to-day, but the former That this meeting, in professing its attachment to Unitarian basis, that of biblical authority, has broken down Christianity as at once scriptural and rational, and conducive to the true glory of God and well-being of man, and in avowing beyond repair. What can take its place ? Ought its veneration for the early British expositors and confessors we to desire anything to take its place in the same of this faith, at the same time recognizes the essential worth sense ? We remember the power and impressive- of that principle of free inquiry to which we are indebted for ness of Martineau's appeal to the individual our own form of Christianity, and of that spirit of deep and LIBERTY AND RELIGION vital Religion which may exist under various forms of theo- logical sentiment, and which gave to our forefathers their implicit faith in truth, their love of God, and their reliance, for the improvement of mankind, on the influences of the Gospel. Here are defined three characteristics of the APPENDIX religion which the British and Foreign Unitarian Association is chartered to encourage and pro- mote : (I) it is both rational and scriptural ; (2) it is open to free inquiry; (3) it rests upon spiritual experience. Doubtless the Resolution implied PRESIDENTS. the use of the Bible as a standard in a way no longer possible to us, but essentially the principles 1826 Mr. John Christie. 1848 Mr. Alderman Lawrence. 1827 Mr. John Christie. 1849 Mr. James Heywood, M.P, are the same now as then. Each one of these prin- 1828 Mr. Christopher Richmond. 1850 Mr. T. F. Gibson. ciples is capable of perversion. But when rightly 1829 Mr. Thomas Gibson. 1851 Mr. W. Wansey. understood and united, these ideals contain the 1830 Mr. J. T. Rutt. 1852 Mr. William P. Price promise of a Church which shall be able to under- 1831 Rev. Robert Aspland. 1853 Mr. H. Crabb Robinson stand and satisfy the needs of the world. The 1832 Mr. G. W. Wood. 1854 Mr. Robert Scott. 1833 Mr. John Taylor, F.R.S. 1855 Mr. William Biggs, M.P heirs of the great traditions of Unitarian Chris- 1834 Mr. Richard Potter, M.P. 1856 Mr. James Yates, M.A. tianity realize their opportunity. May God send 1835 Mr. J. T. Rutt. 1857 Mr. J. A. Turner, M.P. them good workmen who have a message and who 1836 Mr. C. W. Wood. 1858 Mr. Herbert New. have the will and the power to deliver it: may 1837 Mr. Abraham Clarke. 1859 Mr. Alderman Lawrence. the use of financial and material resources be 1838 Mr. John Fisher. 1859-60 Mr. Charles Paget, M.P. 1839 Mr. James Esdaile. 1860-61 Sir John Bowring, LL.D. guided by intelligence and wisdom, and intel- 1840 Mr. James Heywood. 1861-62 Mr. J. A. Turner, M.P. ligence and wisdom guided by courageous faith: 1841 Mr. J. A. Yates, M.P. 1862-63 Mr. Edmund Potter, M.P. and then they will not fail to give to the world all 1842 Mr. Thomas W. Tottie. 1863-64 Mr. James C. Lawrence. the great things that they have the power to give. 1843 Mr J. B. Estlin. 1864-65 Mr. W. P. Price, M.P. 1844 Mr. Thomas Gibson. 1865-66 Mr. Jerom Murch. 1845 Mr. Thomas Gibson. 1866-67 Mr. James Heywood, F.R.S. 1846 Mr. J. B. Estlin. 1867-68 Mr. Ceorge Buckton. 1847 Mr. John Christie. 1868-69 Mr. W. J. Lamport. APPENDIX LIBERTY AND RELIGION SECRETARIES. 1869-70 Mr. Samuel Sharpe. 1895-96 Rev. H. Enfield Dowson,~.~. 1870-71 Mr. Christopher J. Thomas. 1896-97 Mr. J. F. Schwann, J.P. 1825-30 Robert Aspland. 1859-67 R. Brook Aspland. 1871-72 Mr. John Grundy. 1897-98 Mr. Grosvenor Lee. 1830-31 W. Johnson Fox. R Brook Aspland. T. 1867-70 R' 1872-73 Mr. Timothy Kenrick. 1898-99 Rev. Brooke Herford, n.D. 183 1-35 James Yates. { obert Spears. 1873-74 Mr. James Hopgood. 1899-00 Mr. Charles W. Jones, J.P. 1835-41 Robert Aspland. 1870-76 Robert Spears. 1874-75 Mr. J. W. Dowson. 1900-01 Sir J. T. Brunner, Bt., M.P. 1841-54 Edward Tagart, 1876-92 Henry Ierson. 1875-76 Mr. Joshua Fielden, M.P. 1901-02 Mr. W. Blake, Odgers, K.c., Edward Tagart. 1892-1921 W. Copeland Bowie. 1854-59 ( 1876-77 Mr. Joseph Lupton. LL.D. . T. L. Marshall. 1921- Sydney H. Mellone. 1877-78 Mr. Herbert New. 1902-03 Rev. R. A. Armstrong, B.A. 1878-79 Mr. Henry S. Bicknell. 1903-04 Mr. W. Arthur Sharpe. 1879-80 Mr. David Martineau. 1904-05 Rt. Hon. William Kenrick. PREACHERS OF THE ANNIVERSARY SERMONS. 1880-81 Mr. C. H. James, M.P. 1905-06 Mr. C. Fellows Pearson. 1826 Rev. James Tayler. 1850 Rev. J. H. Thom. 1881-83 Mr. David Ainsworth, M.P. 1906-07 Mr. Grosvenor Talbot, J.P. 1827 Rev. John Kenrick. 1851 Rev. Charles Berry. I 1883-84 Mr. Michael Hunter, Jun. 1907-08 Sir William B. Bowring, Bt. 1828 Rev. Dr. Hutton. 1852 Rev. Thomas Madge. 1884-85 Mr. Edwin Clephan. 1908-10 Mr. John HarGson. 1829 Rev. Dr. W. H. Drummond. 1853 Rev. W. Turner. 1885-86 Mr. Richard Enfield. M.A. 1910-1 1 Rev. Charles Hargrove, 1830 Rev. J. J. Tayler. 1854 Rev. E. Higginson. 1886-87 Mr. Frederick Nettlefold. 1911-13 Mr. Charles Hawksley, C.E. 1831 Rev. Hugh Hutton 1855 Rev. G. B. Brock. 1887-88 Mr. Harry Rawson. 1913-14 Mr. George H. Leigh, J.P. 1832 Rev. William Hincks. 1856 Rev. W. J. Odgers. 1888-89 Mr. L. M. Aspland, Q.c., 1914-16 Mr. J. F. L. Brunner, M.P. 1833 Rev. George Harris. 1857 Rev. William James. LL.D. 1916-18 Rev. J. Estlin Carpenter, 1834 Rev. James Martineau. 1858 Rev. W. H. Channing. 1889-90 Mr. Chatfeild Clarke, J.P. T. D.LITT. 1835 Rev. H. Acton. 1859 Rev. Thomas Hincks. 1890-91 Mr. James R. Beard, J.P. 1918-20 Mr. Richard D. Holt, M.P. 1836 Rev. Dr. Armstrong. 1860 Rev. Dr. Sadier. 189 1-92 Rev. H. W. Crosskey, LL.D., 1920-21 Mr. Percy Preston. 1837 Rev. Robert Wallace. 1861 Rev. Charles Beard. F.C.S. 1921-23 Mr. C. Sydney Jones, M.A. 1838 Rev. R. B. Aspland. 1862 Rev. William Caskell. 1892-93 Mr. Stephen Tayler,~.c.c. S. 1923-24 Rev. H. Cow, B.A., D.D. 1839 Rev. Ceorge Armstrong. 1863 Rev. R. L. Carpenter. 1893-94 Mr. William Long, J.P. 1924-25 Mr.Hugh R. Rathbone, M.A. 1840 Rev. Samuel Bache. 1864 Rev. Brooke Herford. 1894-95 Mr. Joseph Preston. T. 1841 Rev. E. Talbot. 1865 Rev. G. Vance Smith. 1842 Rev. C. Wicksteed. 1866 Rev. C. Wicksteed. TREASURERS. 1843 Rev. Dr. Montgomery. 1867 Rev. J. L. Short. 1844 Rev. W. Gaskell. 1868 Rev. Dr. Bellows. 1825-28 John Christie. 1877-92 Stephen Tayler. S, 1845 Rev. B. Carpenter. 1869 Rev. James Martineau 1828-30 Thomas Gibson. 1892-98 Percy Preston. 1846 Rev. J. G. Robberds. 1870 Rev. H. W. Crosskey. 1830-52 Thomas Hornby. 1898-1907 Oswald Nettlefold. 1847 Rev. Dr. Beard. 1871 Rev. Robert Collyer. 1852-64 Algemon S Aspland. 1907- 17 Howard Chatfeild Clarke 1848 Rev. John Cordon. 1872 Rev. A. Coquerel. 1864-74 Walter C Venning. 1917-18 Ceorge W. Brown. 1849 Rev. J. Scott Porter. 1873 Rev. S. A. Steinthal. 1874-77 Edward J. Nettlefold. 1918- Harold Wade. LIBERTY AND RELIGION

Rev. Dr. R. L. Collier. 1900 Rev. C. J. Street. Rev William Caskell. 1901 Rev. Stopford A Brooke. Rev. T. E. Poynting. 1902 Rev. Henry Gow. Rev. Alexander Gordon. 1903 Rev. Dr. J. W. Crooker. Rev. William Binns. 1904 Rev. W. G. Tarrant. Rev. John Wright. 1905 Rev. J. Collins Odgers. Rev. R. A. Armstrong. 1906 Rev. Dr. James Drummond. Rev. Charles C. Coe. 1907 Rev. Alex. Webster. Rev. Dr. J. F. Clarke. 1908 Rev. R. Travers Herford. Rev. J. Page Hopps. 1909 Rev. Dr. J. E. Carpenter. Rev. Stopford A. Brooke. 1910 Rev. J. J. Wright. Rev. Brooke Herford. 1911 Rev. Dr. S. H. Mellone. Rev. Frank Walters. 1912 Rev. Dr. S. M. Crothers. Rev. J. Edwin Odgers. 1913 Rev. J. H. Weatherall. Rev. J. E. Carpenter 1914 Rev. Alfred Hall. Rev. H. E. Dowson. 1915 Rev. V. D. Davis. Rev. James C. Street. 1916 Rev. E. D. Priestley Evans. Rev. A. N. Blatchford. 1917 Rev. W. H. Drummond. Rev. P. H. Wicksteed. 1918 Rev. Arthur W. Fox. Rev. Charles Hargrove. 1919 Rev. Dr. L. P. Jacks. Rev. Joseph Wood. 1920 Rev. R. Nicol Cross. Rev. Douglas Walmsley 1921 Rev. P. R. Frothingham. Rev. J. E. Manning. 1922 Rev. Dr. R. F. Rattray. Rev. L. P. Jacks. 1923 Rev. Lawrence Clare. Rev. L. de. B. Klein. 1924 Rev. W. L. Schroeder. Rev. Dendy Agate. 1925 Rev. J. H. Weatherall.