V. TRANSIENT SUPPLIES. SUPPLY AND PASTORATE CHRISTIAN UNITY SOCIETY. THE APRIL 22, 1872-JULY 1, 1875. `HE dates above given cover what he called the fifth, sixth, and seventh periods of his ministry. The fifth period was April 22, 1872 - September 1, 1872, when he supplied pulpits transiently. The sixth period was September 1, 1872—April 2, 1873, when he had temporary supply of the Christian Unity Society, Boston. The seventh period was April 2, 1873 — July I, 1875, when he was pastor of the Christian Unity Society, Boston. It was believed by many friends of Mr. Bradlee that his presence, as the pastor of the Christian Unity Society, would make this centre of Christian influence very powerful in the community where it was located. This was a church open every Sunday in the year for religious worship, and for the most of the year an evening service was held on Sunday in addition to the regular Sunday-school service at 3 P.M. There were literary, social, or religious meetings every evening. It was an early experiment in what is now called an "Institutional Church." Mr. Bradlee did not feel physically equal to the work as a whole; but those interested were willing to provide for the maintenance of all but the regular Sunday work and special religious services, if he would take charge of these. A limited call was first extended, as follows: We beg to inform you that, at a meeting of the Provisional Committee of this society, held here this evening, it was unanimously resolved that you be invited to accept the pastoral charge of this church, to the extent of supplying the pulpit personally each Sabbath morning, and performing such other duties as you may desire or occasion require, from the first of September next to the first of April, 1873, . . . with the earnest prayer that our connection may be mutually beneficial, and result to the welfare of never dying souls and the promotion of God's work in ourselves and our midst. JUNE 7, 1872. This call he accepted. A call from the same society was received and declined by him Dec. 20, 1859. His first sermon as temporary pastor of this society was preached Sept. 1, 1872, from the text, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (St. John vii. 37). In closing, he said: "I would not come to you even for a few weeks or months without defining my position, showing my Christian flag, disclosing my Leader, and making it clearly understood where I stand in the ranks of the church. I am not ashamed of Jesus Christ. He is my all and all,—my Leader, my Judge, Redeemer, and Immanuel. Blessed be his holy name! Would that I were more worthy of his beautiful companionship, and in more strict affiliation with his blessed |