The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-07-26
THE UNITARIANS.
Their Pleasant Reunion and Social
Last Night.
How the Society is Flourlshing-Inter-
esting Address by Rev. Mr..
Wendte of Oakland.

A thoroughly enjoyable social gather
ing of the members of the Unitarian So
ciety was held last night at Pythian
Castle. a large number assembling there
to meet Rev. Charles w. Wendte of the
First Unitarian Society of Oakland and
hear him speak upon the subject OF Our
Progress and Prospects"
The exercises opened with piano solo,
WALTZ Impromptu" tRaff), by Mrs.
Horner-a difficult selection, which was
rendered by her with taste and feeling.
A dance, the "Cracovienne," by Alma
Grady, followed, which elected much APP
plause. An excellent recitation by Sum-
ner Wood was followed by vocal solo,
"Protestations," by Miss Mae Nichols of
Chico, which received an encore. Miss
Nichols possesses a singularly pure and
sympathetic voice, which she uses with
excellent judgment and skill. 1.-The Kiss
in School," by Miss Wise, finished the
first part of the programme.
DR.. ii. Il. Nichols made a few remarks
on the rise and growth OF the society here
and was followed by the report Of G. L.
Alilliken, the Secretary, which showed
that the membership, as well as the
financial support, had nearly doubled
during the seven months of Mr.. Horner's
work here.
He was followed by Rev. C. II. Wendte
in most interesting address.
MIR. W endte said, among other things,
that his memory went back 10 his first
visit to Sacramento and the peculiar cir
cumstances under which he came. He
neither walked nor rode in a carriage
through the streets, but sailed through
haY a Sc
to act as best man to friend, much
against his will, and when he went to see
the happy couple off on the boat ne was
carried of with them. and thus made his
first and last bridal trip. He spoke of
Mr.. Horner and his coming here to take
up his work in newer civilization.
He and his wife had given up their
friends and their life associations to pur-
sue the path Of duty here. He believed
that it was the beginning of the spread OF
ideas and sentiments; the scattering of
religious sentiment and spirit. He re-
joiced at the prospects and growth of the
society, as evidenced by the report of
the Secretary.
The presence of the Unitarian Church
in a town, he said, tones down the rough
edges OF doctrine preached by the
ministers OF other churches. 1t is a
check upon the preaching of the old
fashioned repulsive doctrines. 1t is the
exponent of intellectual life, of broad,
scholarly culture, of liberality.
Wherever you lind national charity it
is largely directed and aided by Uni
tarians. The church is doing a great
work on this coast in broadening and en-
larging the field of thought and Iiberaiity
in religious sentiment.
Mr.. Wendte is most taking speaker.
with a ready fund of wit and supply OF
good stories, and his address was listened
T.
the progress of the Unitarian Church on
the coast and told his hearers that all that
was needed was for them to put their
shoulders to the wheel.
Rev. g. z. Massey made few remarks.
saying that as we grow older we grow
fond of "reminiscences. He first met Mr..
Wendte in Starr Kings Bible class, in
1862. lie believed that the success of the
Unitarian Church here depends on carry
ing out the work on its present lines. He
asked the people to sustain Mr.. Horner
and give him all the help they could.
The speaker had started with the idea
of entering the Congregational Church.
but as he studied more, he gradually
turned away from the orthodox doe
trines. Good lives can blossom and
reach perfection in the orthodox churches,
but man must and should follow where
his convictions lead him; he cannot stay
where he must daily violate them.
The Unitarian Church stands for accu-
racy of statement above all things; it be-
lieves in honesty of purpose, and liberal
ity Of views.
Mr.. Horner stated that he had thought
it might be best for the church if he
ceased his work here and went else
where, leaving an opportunity for some
one to take his place who could do better
for it. This assem- lage had been called for
the purpose of settling that point, and it
had satisfied him on that point. The
church is growing in this city. and we
must go on and build up the church. He
believed in his congregation, and wished
them to have faith in him and in the
power of their united efforts to obtain the
result they desired. He wanted their aid
in his work here, and wanted them to
give him as much liberty as Mr.. Wendte's
congregation had given him. They were
entering on a great work, and they must
work together. He was glad they had
met him in this way, and was satisfied
tonight as he had never been before that
his work was prospecting.
An adjournment was then taken at his
suggestion to the lower hall, where the
company demonstrated that Unitarian
theology had not destroyed their appetite
for the good things of the world, at least
in such enticing shape as the ladies of the