The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-21
LAITY AT TABLE.
Banquet of the UnitarianS
Last Night.
1t Is Given in Honor of Thomas
Van Ness, the Departing
Minister.

The Unitarian Club OF San Francisco
gave a banquet last night in the maple
room of tine Palace, in honor OF Rev.
Thomas Van Ness, who Is about to leave
for the East to take charge of the Second
Unitarian Church Of Boston, Mass.
President S. A. Murdoch presided. in
the absence of President Symmes.
After the discussion OF the viands.
MI Murdoch arose and in q graceful and
complimentary speech introduced the
guest of the evening, Rev. T. Van Ness.
"Unitarianism and the layman's part In
it." was the topic for discussion, and Mr..
Van Ness read the first paper on the sub
ject
After abiding in a few well chosen
phrases to his approaching departure, he
dweit at some length upon the advantages
claimed for Unitarianism over the other
existing creeds. Untarianism, said he,
possesses all the virtues and advantages
that lent 10 Puritanism its sterling worth,
without the narrow auSterlty which
blighted the perfect character OF that Tgld
creed.
With all the rugged strength and superb
courage of Puritanism, the Unitarian faith
embraced a broad and human sympathy.
He was glad, he said. that laymen had
united 20 form this club which he now ad-
dressed.
Lavmen were the foundation stones of
the Unitarian religion and the art played
by them was even more important than
that of their ministers. aud 1t was right
that it should be so.
After Mr. Van Ness had taken his seat
amid roar OF applause Professor Senger
of the University of California arose. Pro-
fessOr Senger said in substance:
1.-The Unitarian church is a church of the
laymen, for the laymen and by the laymen.
1t is the democracy Of God.
"The layman's comprehensive duty is to
uphold through all adversely the truth Of
his own convictions.
at seems to me that great part of the
responsibility devolVing upon the laity in
our church is Involved in the proper educa-
ton of the children.
Let the children be brought I'D TO study
intelligently the truths of the Bible. Let
them be taught the literary and the true
value of that great book. Do not confne the
teaching to al account of the facts related
therein, but let them be instructed into the
spirit of the whole"
After Professor Senger, Rev. Edward 3.
Payne of Oakland spoke on the question
from the ministers point of view. and then
Warren Olney of Oakland read an in terest-
ing paper treating the subject again from
the layman's standpoint. Upon the con-
clusion of the discussion President Murdoch
arose and urged that there be a general
throwing off of ceremony, and that each
guest come forward with short imprompiu
speech. This timely request brought for
ward a number of volunteers, and among
them Rev. DR.. Stebbins.
DR.. Stebbins' speech was characteristic of
him, brief and brilliant.
He spoke Of the two great unities of the
universe-the unity of will, and the unity
of righteousness. All our puny strength
and power Of doing is derived but from the
action of that divine Will of the universe.
Without it we are but toys for fate to play
with.
"All law is but the method of action of
the divine will" said he. II beseech you,
my friends. never let your minds wander
from the existence Of these two great facts,
for when we lose track of them we are be-
reft not only of God In Heaven. but Of our
selves"
An outburst of enthusiasm greeted this
speech, and after the applause had SUBJ
sided DIR. Stebbins took occasion to express
his esteem for the fellow-member in whose
honor they had gathered together
Among those present were: C. A. MUIR
dock. Horace Davis, E. II. Bonestell, Pro-
lessor Senger, Edwin Bunnell, Rev. HOratio
Stebbins, Rev. {. w. Wendte of Oakland
and Rev. 7. Van Ness.