The defeat of prohibition in Atlanta, Ga., which has attracted wide-spread public attention, seems to have been effected mainly by the votes of the colored people, who, under the leadership of certain bad men, appear to have gone almost solidly with the liquor interests. This is a discouraging fact for the friends of the colored people. It means that they are in the midst of dangers, and all possible help should be extended to them from every side. Southern temperance work can make permanent headway only as it goes hand in hand with southern educational work.

A movement has been for some time on foot to increase and strengthen our navy. We are told we need a strong navy to protect our great seaboard cities, for, the improved war-ships of England and Germany, if they chose, could sail into New York or Boston harbor and destroy those cities. Yes, perhaps they could. But so, if he chose, could any man on the street shoot any other man he meets. Shall every man therefore arm himself with deadly weapons and encase himself in a steel vest? In this nineteenth century of Christian civilization are not moral forces, as well as powder and steel, to be relied on for the protection of cities and nations as well as individuals? The very same arguments that are being used in our magazines, reviews and great dailies, in favor of spending large sums in constructing new war vessels, and elaborate fortifications in our harbors, may be used with what would seem to be exactly equal pertinency in favor of a general movement to have every man not only go armed and encased in steel, but to turn his house into a castle capable of protecting itself, since, as things now are, any man if he chooses can fire his neighbor's house and murder all its inmates. Let us go back to barbarism at once, and rely upon brute force for safety, all round, or else let us confess that we have reached a condition of Christian civilization where nations as well as in

safety, and where therefore great standing armies, and powerful navies, and elaborate fortifications are not necessary, any more than steel vests, and revolvers in hip-pockets, and castles protected by armed men, are necessary, since all are a part of the same bruteforce-everything and moral-forces-nothing system of things.

We have another conspicuous instance of the use of great wealth for noble ends. Baron Hirsch has given ten million dollars to found in Russia primary schools for Hebrew children, and $200,000 to be at the Czar's disposal for charitable objects. The Czar has signed acceptance. The school fund will afford instruction to probably 50,000 children. This is one of the largest if not the very largest gift made for a philanthropic object of which we have any record. One of the marvellous things to us is that more men of wealth do not with eager joy and enthusiasm seize the opportunities that open to them to use their wealth for such ends of enduring good to humanity.

WOMAN'S WORK.

Was there ever a time before in the world's history when so many women, as now, were at work trying to relieve the suffering, save the sinning, bring the kingdom of heaven into earth's darkest places? So asked an old lady the other day-one who has carried through her almost fourscore years a heart ever open to feel for others' woes, and hands extended helpfully to the needy. Her question, or exclamation, was the result of a rather careful reading of the papers which the week had brought. We think she was right. We believe that never before were so many women working, and especially so intelligently working, for the uplifting of humanity, as to-day. This is inexpressibly encouraging. We design in this department to give each month information concerning such uplifting work, in our own ranks, and to some extent outside also.

66 WOMEN'S CLUBS IN CHICAGO"

is the title of a series of articles in the Woman's Journal from Mary E. Beedy. The writer thinks "no other city in the world has so many or so well organized and efficient women's clubs as has Chicago," and she outlines the history, organization and work of several of the most important. Of the "Chicago Women's Club" Miss Beedy says truly, "It is a power in the intellectual cultivation of women in Chicago; it is a power for philanthropic work; it is a power in forming public sentiment, and it is conducted with a dignity that is irreproachable."

WOMEN'S PROTECTIVE AGENCIES.

The Women's Protective Agencies of New York and Chicago are doing much to secure justice to the working girls of their respective cities.

A case of ill-usage came to light recently, where, in a large tobacco factory, whose proprietors were prominent church members, the foreman said to a room full of girls that if they would hurry up with their job he would let them off when it was completed. They finished it at 4 o'clock and were dismissed. When pay-day came around he deducted a half-day's pay from each girl in that room.

The Chicago Agency promises to find places for girls who are dismissed because they have given evidence in cases brought to trial. And if girls in stores and factories will make their complaints to the Agency, they will find it ready with legal power to enforce the claims

and correct the abuses.

A WOMAN'S TOYNBEE HALL.

A good deal of attention has been attracted to the Toynbee Hall movement of London, Eng. A similar movement has been inaugurated by English university women, chiefly from Girton College. These women have opened a residence in one of London's poor districts, thus putting themselves into the midst of the homes and lives of those whom they seek to uplift.

The purpose is not almsgiving, but service giving as managers on local committees of

the Board-schools; as "associates" of the London Pupil Teachers' Association; as members of the Education Reform League and the Recreative Evening Classes Association; as Poor Law Guardians and members of the local committees of the Charity Organization Society; as members of the local Sanitary Aid Committees; as promoters of Industrial Co-operation; as workers on the local branch of the Metropolitan Association for Befriending Young Servants; as helpers in the Children's Country Holiday Fund movement.

Both of these movements, that of Toynbee Hall and this of "The Woman's University Association," are but practical embodiments of the central thought in Lowell's Sir Launfal:

"The Holy Supper is kept indeed,

In whatso' we share with another's need;
Not what we give but what we share,-
For the gift without the giver is bare;
Who gives himself with his alms feeds
three,-

Himself, his hungry neighbor, and me."

THE CHANNING AUXILIARY.

Our Unitarian Women of the Pacific coast seem to be wide-awake to their duties and opportunities.

"The Channing Auxiliary," a woman's association connected with the First Unitarian Church of San Francisco, California, is carrying on an extensive postoffice work in connection with the Oakland Woman's Auxiliary, which does. its proportion of the labor and pays one-third of the expense- a happy arrangement which is to be commended to other contiguous societies. The President of the Channing. Auxiliary is Miss E. B. Easton, a woman of rare judgIts hardment and executive ability. working Secretary is Miss Harriet Kelsey, to whose energy and power of initiative much of the success of the society is due. The Oakland representative on Postoffice Mission Work is Miss Bertha Shafter. As the First Church of San Francisco is without a home during the building of its new edifice, the Auxiliary has, with the aid of the church trustees, rented a club-room down town at Irving Hall, where the ladies meet every Monday and Thursday afternoon. A large stock of tracts and Unitarian books is

kept on hand. The Auxiliary has also started study classes for the season. Dr.

Stebbins conducts a class at his home on alternate Wednesdays on religious topics.

Mrs. Florence Williams, the daughter of the revivalist G. P. R. James, conducts a class for the study of George Eliot's life, letters and writings. Another class is pursuing the study of the Del Sarte System, and Miss Eaton has a class for Shakesperian Study.

A recent fair netted a handsome sum for this society, which financially is one of the mammoth auxiliaries of our denomination. The Oakland Auxiliary also held a fair recently and cleared between four and five hundred dollars, which is to be devoted to their new enterprise.

THE CHEERFUL LETTER EXCHANGE.

The National Auxiliary Conference sends out a circular signed by its President, Mrs. J. W. Andrews, asking, "What can be done to interest young people in our Auxiliary work?" and answers by calling attention to, and recommending the wide adoption, by church societies, of, "The Cheerful Letter Exchange," which the young people in some of our churches have already inaugurated. This is a PostOffice Mission, not to disseminate our religious literature, but, to carry sunshine into darkened rooms, to give the warm hand of friendship to the friendless, the tender word of sympathy to the afflicted, and the elixir of hope and good cheer to those whose days are weary and nights sleepless from constant pain.

This is to be done through personal correspondence. The design is to confine the work principally within our own denomination. To find out who would like to receive the help and cheer offered we presume the "Exchange" will advertise through our denominational papers and magazines and through circulars sent to the churches. When a sufficient number of young people are enrolled in the work, it is proposed to edit a paper, "The Carrier Dove." Any church society organizing a "Cheerful Lettar Exchange " department, or desiring to do so, is requested to write for

further information to Mrs. Emily A. Fifield, Dorchester, Mass., the Secretary of the Women's Auxiliary Conference.

THE YEAR'S DEAD.

We are unwilling to leave the old year behind and go on to the new, without a word of appreciative remembrance of some of the more conspicuous woman workers who have passed away during the year. We must confine ourselves to the three or four who are best known.

Dorothea Dix we have already spoken of in these columns; but too frequent reference cannot be made to a life which so truly embodied the spirit of Christianity. The story of her noble deeds ought to inspire many women of the coming generation to a life of service as the highest goal. Her biography should find a place in every Sundayschool, public school, and public library.

Jenny Lind deserves a mention here, as not only a great singer, but one of the world's noblest women. For her wonderful voice she was indebted to nature. But the courage and perseverance with which she won it back when seemingly lost at twelve years of age, the unspoiled simplicity and gladness with which she used it always, and the large benevolence which put it at the disposal of worthy charity, these were no accidents of birth but inwrought traits of character.

The Christian Life, of London, pays her the following deserved tribute:

"At length finally silent, is the voice which those who once heard can never forget. She may rightly be said to have lived a melodious life. Sincere, natural, pure and tender in her heart and home, she ennobled as well as adorned her profession, endearing herself by her virtues to those who were enraptured by her gifts.

With her warmth and kindness of heart will be associated, as a permanent memorial of her benevolent deeds, the institution for poor sick children at Norwich, which she aided—nay, practically founded by the donation of her wealth of song.

The song of her life, though she is

gone, yet survives, and will ring sweetly in the ears of generations to come."

Mrs. Dinah Muloch Craik, as a novelist, stands in closer relation to the life of the present generation than either of the other women named. The modern novel stands related to modern life much as the pulpit did to Medieval Europe or to Puritan New England; it is the source from which large numbers derive their ideals of life and motives of conduct. Fortunate for such if these ideals and motives have had as worthy a source as "John Halifax, Gentleman," "A Life for a Life," or "A Brave Lady." The thousands of readers of Mrs. Craik's books will feel a sense of personal loss in her death.

Emma Lazarus was well known, both in and beyond Jewish literary circles, as a pleasing writer of both prose and poetry, but especially as a poet. And yet it was neither as writer of prose nor as poet simply, that she won the place among her people which she held. This resulted from her earnest devotion to the welfare of her race, shown especially in efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the Jews driven out of Russia in 1882, and in her efforts to promote technical education among Hebrews, which resulted in the establishment of the Hebrew Technical Institute of New York.

Oakland. The editors of several San Francisco and local newspapers, one or two professors at the State University, and well-known literary men like John Vance Cheney, who is president of the Fraternity, Joaquin Miller, John S. Hittell, and others, will participate. The meetings are free to all, and range in attendance from one hundred to two hundred and fifty. Mr. Wendte will be pleased to send the programme to all applicants. The club has now one hundred and thirty-six members, and its meetings are quite fully reported by the newspapers. It has also enjoyed lectures during the past year by A. M. Knapp, Robert Collyer and Prof. John Fiske.

"THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE.”

In answer to the Pundita Ramabai's belief that the revelation of the needs of her countrywomen, as told in her book "The High Caste Hindu Woman," would "stir the hearts of those who read, to deeds of rescue and relief;" we, the children of Woodstown, N. J., have started a Crusade to aid the good Pundita in her noble work of establishing an industrial school for the suffering Hindu widows and children.

TERNITY."

The Starr King Fraternity is a promising association of young people, connected for the most part with the Unitarian church, in Oakland, California. Under the leadership of Rev. Charles W. Wendte they are studying the Political History of the United States. Quite an elaborate twelve-page programme has been arranged and printed, with references to several hundred books and reviews bearing on the course of study. The text-book is Johnston's excellent little manual, with collateral reading. Mr. Wendte says the hint for the course came from the Cleveland, Ohio, Unity Club. Some fifty essays will be read in connection with the studies, mostly by members of the Fraternity, with occasional help from friends in San Francisco and

The sacred trust of aiding Pundita Ramabai has been given to us by an invalid friend, and we feel it our duty, not only to her but to the children of India, to ask all children to join us in "Our Crusade." We appeal to everyone to lend his aid and influence to help us in this work, so that before another generation has passed the children of India will be enjoying some of the advantages which God designed for them. Won't you help us?

To aid the work of "The Children's Crusade" in the United States, the Ramabai Crusade Society" has been organized in Woodstown, and early in the New Year proposes sending out printed appeals to teachers and children; taking New Jersey first.

Its members are among the most prominent people of Woodstown, and very much interested in aiding the Pundita. Both the president and treasurer have been very active in assisting this good work of the children.

The private and public schools of Woodstown both, have organized into divisions, and have met with most encouraging success. Two neighboring towns have taken up the work, and the children in the several divisions are very enthusiastic in the prospect of so helping the Pundita Ramabai, whose name is becoming a dear household word in their South Jersey homes.

Will the readers of the UNITARIAN help this good work? Printed appeals can soon be obtained for the mere cost of publication, and by their instructions divisions can be formed in any state, in schools or homes. Address all communications to Miss Florence N. Haines, Secretary, Woodstown, Salem Co., New Jersey.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NOTES.

Essex Hall, our English Unitarian headquarters, is being utilized for courses of evening lectures, at once popular and scholarly, under the joint auspices of the London Society for the Extension of University Teaching, and the Gilchrist Trustees. Rev. Stopford A. Brooke has just given one of the courses, three lectures on "The French Revolution and English Poetry." Why does not Harvard take up this idea of University Extension, which has been making such progress and doing such good work in England of late years?

The Inquirer maintains, in forcible articles, that the call for more organization is unnecessary. "In our Provincial and other societies, claiming no authority, and professing to represent only the individuals subscribing and the congregations voluntarily associating themselves, and especially in the British and Foreign Unitarian association and the 'Sustentation' and 'Aug mentation' funds, we already possess all that is really needed, and the first and great pressing call is simply to support and strengthen the existing institutions." "If there is anything really defective in these institutions let us strive to amend it, but let us be wise enough to give up theorizing about the ideal and unattainable, and do the work which lies straight before us in absolute devotion to all the truth we know." Not bad counsel for both sides of the water.

The resignation of Rev. J. P. Bland from our Sheffield pulpit is announced.

Sir William McArthur, who died recently, was the most public-spirited man in the English Methodist body. One of his latest benefactions was a gift of $50,000 to the Methodist College at Belfast.

The London Daily News says that there is a great revival of interest in the question of disestablishment, which is being made more and more a prominent question among liberal electors. The disestablishment of the Episcopal church in Wales, where it has never included more than a small minority of the population, is being adopted as part of the regular Liberal platform.

A speaker at a recent meeting of the Bible had been translated into 279 languages Society stated that though the Scriptures through the agency of the Society, the translators had never had the least difficulty in finding in any language an equivalent for the word "God."

Christian Life takes up Dr. Joseph Parker's recent statement in Boston that "there gland that are practically dead." That may are certain phases of Unitarianism in Enbe so for instance, some of the philosophical speculations of Priestly. "But is it not equally true that there are certain phases of Congregationalism in England that are practically dead?" For which it quotes the same divine's saying: "I can venture to say that hardly one of the leading Congregational clergymen of England is to-day preaching the old doctrine of eternal and never-ending torment." More significant, but less quoted, was his admission in the same address: "Still with all this, Unitarianism is slowly and surely making progress in England.'

Handsomely bound copies of the works of Channing and Martineau were recently presented through Professor Bracciforti to the Queen of Italy. The donor, an invalid lady in London, sister of Mrs. Edwin Lawrence, who was lately in America with her husband, has received the following acknowledgment:

"House of Her Majesty the Queen,

"Rome, 18th November, 1887. "MADAM. Professor Bracciforti has forwarded to me, and I have most willingly handed to her Majesty the Queen, the volumes of the works of Channing and Martineau which you have kindly tendered to her Majesty. The august Sovereign_has warmly appreciated your courteous deed, and while keeping near herself those learned