The church is prospering in all its operations. The pastor has used the stereopticon at special evening services throughout the year with greatly enlarged audiences and good results. Next year he plans to take up the Life of Christ by this means. The Sunday School and Christian Endeavor Society were never more flourishing than now. The Mission Circle of the Christian Endeavor Society has issued an attractive program for its monthly meetings throughout the winter.

Rev. Dr. Pullman of the Universalist Church had invited the clergymen of the various denominations to occupy his pulpit on successive Sunday evenings, giving the reason for their differing positions.

From Edward's discourse, "Why I am a Congregationalist," extracts are taken from the printed report:

The three pillars on which Congregationalism was built were the town meeting, the meeting-house, the school-house. It has ever led in the founding of schools and colleges, in starting social and philanthropic movements and reforms, in establishing great national societies, denominational, interdenominational and union. As a faith, Congregationism is simply evangelical. It is anchored to no creed, but holds to Christ and the Bible. Practically it fellowships all within the limits of the Nicene Creed. Historically associated with Calvinism, it is ever responsive to new influences and receptive of new light.

The Puritans did not believe in the divorce of religion and politics, nor do their sons. As a potency to unite, Congregationalism is an interdenominational denomination. It aims at fraternity, co-operation and ultimate union of churches and Christians. It is a selfgoverned church, with Christ as its head, the Bible as its charter, and other churches in fellowship. This is the Christian democracy of Congregationalism as a polity, a history, a faith and a potency.

In February, 1893, Dwight L. Moody accepted the invitation from the churches in Baltimore, consenting to spend three weeks there. After their departure, Edward wrote an article for a Baltimore paper, headed: "Moody and Sankey in Baltimore." From this some passages are given:

There can be no question that the whole city is profoundly stirred. The Cyclorama building, the use of which was secured for three weeks, will hold five thousand people. From the start it has been full at almost every service. Often hundreds have been turned away long before the hour of opening the meeting. Overflow meetings are held in adjoining churches and theatres. The clergy of all denominations are on hand. And the audiences are composed of every class and sect, including Catholics.

Mr. Moody is himself. To his methods I have not heard one word

of objection made. Their freedom from all that is sensational or merely emotional, their good sense and informality commend them to all, and many who object to the strategic methods of Mr. Mills, and his extensive use of converts' cards, work heartily with Mr. Moody. Most refreshing in all these meetings has been the entire absence of financial claims. An energetic committee undertook the raising of the necessary funds for incidental expenses at the start by subscription, and not one word relating to such matters has been heard in any of the meetings. All sectarianism, too, seems swallowed up in the great enthusiasm for the kingdom of God and the salvation of souls.

When they entered the city they were greeted by a company of some three hundred Endeavorers, who sang a song of welcome. Should those who have been in some way aided by them during their stay go out to speed the parting guests, the streets around the station would not hold them.

In the bulletin of May 7th, 1893, appears this item:

"One of the greatest losses this church has ever experienced has occurred in the death of its long-time member, its constant friend and benefactor, James Henry Stickney, who went home Wednesday morning, May 3rd, at half past eight in the morning."

From an article by Edward, entitled: 'A Loyal Congregationalist,' a few extracts are taken:—

Perhaps Mr. Stickney's deepest passion, next to his attachment to his Saviour, was his loyalty to his Puritan ancestry and devotion to his and their denominational cause, memory and traditions. The custodian of the Pilgrim Memorial Hall at Plymouth, Mass., tells of his surprise and perplexity when, some years ago, a quiet gentleman, entirely unknown to everybody, presented himself to him with the inquiry whether the hall was considered a safe depository of such precious treasures as it contained. Obliged to admit that the hall was not fireproof, he was told that this stranger would assume the entire cost of making it so and that he wished the work begun and completed as soon as possible. Quite aghast at the proposal he handed the stranger's card to the representatives of the Pilgrim Society, who soon found that this was no lunatic, but a responsible business man, who meant all that he said, and more. Later Mr. Stickney expressed himself to his pastor as only regretting that he had not spent more money and made it a finer hall. Now Plymouth, with Duxbury, receives $74,000 for various memorial and improving purposes.

In spite of his devotion to Congregationalism, or rather because of it, there was one standing grievance which he cherished against it. It had lost the early predominance which it held; it had been doing its mission work under vague, general titles, which meant nothing to the world at large, and left it to be inferred that Congregationalism alone among the great denominations had no mission field or work.

In his Will, he said: "While making this bequest I desire to express my regret that so many of the societies to be benefited under the provisions of this my Will, which are substantially connected with, dependent upon and supported by the Congregational churches, bear names which are not distinctive of their position and purposes, and my profound conviction that their own interests and the interests of Congregationalism require that there should be such amendment or modification of their name as to show clearly their connection and purposes, and to express the hope that at an early day these societies will make such amendment to their names as will clearly express their connection and aims, and I especially desire to express my great gratification that the residuary legatee in this Will, formerly known as the "American Congregational Union," has taken the name of "Congregational Church Building Society," which is a true designation of the work in which it is engaged and of the denomination of Christians which sustains it."

Lest, however, it should be supposed that Mr. Stickney was at all narrow in these bequests, another word should be added. His gifts reach half round the world, from Robert College, in Constantinople, to the Pacific Theological Seminary. And they go to almost every possible form of charity. No less than twenty-one charitable and philanthropic societies and institutions in Baltimore, representing almost every possible form of beneficence, are remembered, with gifts running from $500 to $4,000 apiece, and aggregating $34,000. Mr. Stickney loved his own home and ecclesiastical family name. But he loved all the more truly his neighbors and respected their family names. He was an ardent Congregationalist. But he was yet more a broad-minded, hopeful, helpful Christian, whom to know was to honor and to love.