The Washington times., 1894-10-28


seek to draw the thought and heart Of men to
righteousness, TO bring life individual and
collective into harmony with its requirements,
and to establish society In the love and prac-
tice of justice. 1t will aim to promote the
iilial and fraternal spirit, the spirit Of reyer-
ence for truth and goodness, the spirit of de-
yotion TO man as man irrespective of all accl-
dents OF birth, culture, race, or station. 1t
would have this purpose and spirit carried
into the conduct of life-into business, into
politics, into society. 1t would have these
shape legislation, mold institutions. and give
to the nations. In short, it would help to es-
tablish universal ethical religion, and so bring
the reign of righteousness here on earth. not
merely in the life OF few, nor in the activities
OF the church, but in the temper and spirit Of
society at large"
sTABTING THE CHURCH.
II is now three years since this movement
was started and the paying members of the
church number $50. There are also about
$50 members who have signed a card sig
nifying that they are in harmony with the OBJ
ject of the organization, as stated above. The
congregation is an active one. and while
laboring under the disadvantage of being
scattered all over the city, is doing great
work Services are held only Sunday morn
ings, but the work during the week is well
kept up. AT the Sunday service a beautiful
ritual is used. which Dr. Kent holds is SO
broad that all can Join in. The singing is
congregational and the choir is now in train
ing under the leadership of Messrs. Kimbali
and Stewart. 1t numbers thirty voices. The
sermons of DR.. Kent are usually in line with
the objects of his church and thus the
living questions Of the day are discussed. At
the conference meeting held each Tuesday
al
discussed. Last year four separate group
meetings were held in different parts Of the
city and the same method pursued as at the
conference meeting. The plan worked so
well that it will be used again this season.
Dr. Kent was born in Truro, Nova Scotia,
November q, 1887. He left his home at eigh-
teen years of age; familiar with the work of
the farm, the sawmill, and the blacksmith
shops, and having e common school educa-
ton. he worked in Massachusetts, in Canada
West, and in the spring of 1853 went to Iowa.
While working at blacksmithIng he came in
contact for the first time with liberal litera-
tUre. He became intensely interested in uni
yersalist doctrines, and after thorough in
vestigation. was convinced that reason and
the Bible both gave them support. He was
now seized with desire to become herald
of the good news. He became acquainted
with the writings of William Ellery Charming
about the came time, and in consequence has
always had a warm feeling for Unitarianism.
After spending part of two years at LON
bard University, Galesburg, ILL.,, in prepara-
tion for work, he went to Canton Theological
School, st. Lawrence University, New York
where he remained nearly three years. He
had preached between terms at Lombard.
giving his first sermon at Mount Pleasant,
Iowa. TO a city congregation three weeks
after leaving blacksmith shop. From Can-
ton Theological School he went to a pastorate
of T,s, Lief nb1r Holifo<
Since that time he has held pastorates in
Portland, Me-, Winona, Mimi, Baltimore,
Nd, and this city.
Dr. Kent came to Washington in 1877, and
after three months of trial accepted a call to
the pastorate of the Universalist Church, then
worshiping in Talmage Hall. on f street In
1880 Dr. Kent began the work of raising funds
to build new church. With the sanction of
the general board of trustees Of the Uniyer-
salist denomination, he made an appeal in
person TO tho leading Universalists and the
churches of the country and raised about
$4,000, which, with $4,000 pledged by the
local parish, paid for the beautiful and COM
modiOus structure known as the Church of
Our Father, on the corner of Thirteenth and
L streets southwest. He remained pastor Of
this church. with an interval of one year. un-
Ill July, $780, After having been chosen sec
retary of the Commercial Fire Insurance
Company, Of this city. he resigned his pas
torate, and entered upon the duties of his
new Office. These duties not being congenial
he resigned the secretaryship, and in Oc-
tober, 1891, started the peoples Church"
OFFICERS AND WORKERS.
The board of trustees of the new church is
composed Of: Mrs. Jennie L. Munroe, presi-
dent; Mr.. B. Pickman Mann, vice president:
Mr.. P. A. Auer, secretary; Mr.. NJ. A. Clancy,
treasurer, and Mr.. w. II. Bright, Mrs. DR..
Bland, Mrs. Helen NJ. Sumner, Mrs. John
ston, Mrs Wolf, Mrs DR.. Tindall, and Mr..
Stabler. In the hands of these persons lie
the management of the new organization and
a great deal of its success is due to them.
The Women's Benefcent Society, which
meets every two weeks, is one OF the working
branches Of the church. Il seYs, aids in
church work, and looks after the music Of