The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-14
LADIES' NIGHT.
Wives Enjoy Hospitality Of
the Unitarian Club.
Eloquent Words in Commemoration
OF the Pioneers.
IN MEMoRrAM.


Rev. William III. Furness, ID. ID.
Ordained 1925; Died Jan. 80, 1895.
Rev. Henry A. Miles, ID. ID.
Ordained 1882; Died May 81, 1885,
Rev. George W. Briggs, ID. ID.
Ordained 1884; Died Sept. 10, 1896
Rev. Frederick w. Holland,
Ordained 1886; Died March 20, 1895.
Rev. Edmund B. Wilson,
Ordained 1874; Died June 13, 1896.
Rev. John II. Moors, ID. ID.
Ordsined 1916; Died Jan. 27, 1895
Rev. Octavius b. rockingham,
Ordained 1s47; Died Nov. 27, 1896.
Rev. Augustus Woodbury., ID. d.
Ordained 1s49; Died Nov. 10, 1896.
sour Liberal movement In seventy
years, twas the topic at last nights meet
ing OF the Unitarian Club at the Troca-
dero and the above remarkable list OF
leaders and preachers, all OF whom have
died in year, stands in Q large measure
for the biography OF those years. They
were the preachers who associated them
elves with liberality when IL was unpopu-
lar and they stood by 1t for fifty, sixty,
and, in the case of two of them, for
seventy years. Their work had been to
Revere rockingham put II, 1t remains
for their successors to build on the foun-
dations which they have made sure.
The first two speakers were Rev. Joseph
III. Allen, ID. D., OF Cambridge, and Rev.
Z. L. Everett, ID. d., dean OF Harvard
Theological School. Both are scholars OF
national repute and both are old gentle
men who have been contemporary with
the nine men whose lives they had been
asked to tell the club something about
ard SO their contribution TO the evening
was OF a personal and reminiscent char
acter. IL as privilege to listen TO the
words Of tenderness and appreciation
from two such men, speaking in men,
DRY of their co-workers and riends. Dr.
Allen is one of the most iovable old gen.
tlemen who ever responded to toast
For four years he was a teacher ia Har-
ward and in point of affection and esteem
he was to the students there what Proles-
sor Lincoln was to the students in Brown.
DIR. Everett rersrred to his departed as
sociates III the liberal movement as the
sentinels who had been relieved and
asked who would take their places.
Rev. Paul Revere rockingham of New
Bedford was the third speaker from out
of town. He Is a much younger man but
most earnest and eloquent preacher, to
Judge from his ability as an after-dinner
speaker. He Is a nephew Of the late Rev.
'Octavius B. p. Frothingham, OF New
York. 1t was his special assignment last
night to tell OF his uncle's life and he
did it well. Aside from the personal
nature of his address Mr.. rockingham
brought out two good thoughts of gen.
eral significance. He spoke OF the con-
servatism of his uncle and said that that
Is characteristic needed in the liberal
church; not conservatism in thought or
in action, but in feeling and in SYM
pathy. We want, be said. radical think
~
thinkers. too. We want to be sympathet-
ic and broad enough to Civ credit to
others for makin progress and not make
the mistake of painting the virtues of our
own liberality with the faults OF other
doctrines as background, and not only
the faults of today Of those doctrines but
of years ego. We have advanced beyond
Chanting but let us also appreciate the
fact that others have got farther than
Calvin.
President Alfred Stone of the club, a
son of the late Rev. Thomas j. Stone, d.
d., whose name leads the above list,
made an interesting addresses by wav OF
Introduction, portion OF which is as fol-
lows:
He said that the decease of nine OF the
leaders of liberal thought since the first
of January, 1S95-whose names will be
found on the program for the evening
ministers whose lives averaged S2 years
and whose pulpit service averaged IS
years seemed to the council of this club
to be worthy to turn aside and take
backward look and note the progress of
the liberal movement during the period
covered by their ministry. Continuing
he said:
In the selection of the subject it is
possible that the personal element entered
more. largely into its choice than il
should, but trust may be pardoned a
deeper interest In 1t because of the pres
ence in the list of one to whom / was
connected by the closest ties, and can
not forget the part he took in this move
ment and the filial love and reverence
entertain for him who was not only the
best OF fathers, but who lived life so
pure that II almost seems TO me that he
never siDned. Nor can i forget the affec-
tion which he felt for this club for the
hearty greeting given to him on the eve
OF his 92d birthday, when IL was his
privilege to speak few words TO you.
So, too, DIR. Briggs is very closely con-
necteu with Providence, beginning with
bis college days and continuing by warm
friondships TO the end; and Mr.. Wilson
is also connected closely with US by his
relation 20 one OF our members, and we all
recall with pleasure the charming manner
in which the words OF wisdom fell from
his lips when called upon to speak to US,
and In which he revealed to US so
much of that gentle, loving spirit,
full of broad catnolicity, which
marked the whole conduct OF his
lie and ministry; and Mr.. Woodbury., we
cannot speak his name without awaken
ing sentiments of love and affection, nor
without bringing to our minds the sterl-
ing qualities of one who was not only a
most fait bfui minister, but model citizen.
The lives OF these men connect US with
the very opening of the 10Th century, and
closing, as they did, almost upon the
threshold of the 10Th, bring us in close
touch with nearly an entire century.
OF tie nine persons whose names ap-
pear on the list, each with more or less
fervor and henrtiness sought the truth
without thought OF fear as to where IL
would lead, mindful only OF Keeping a
clear vision and receptive mind to the
highest teachings OF God and His uni
verse.
The meeting was held i'm the Trocadero,
and as IL was "ladies night" over 200
mem bers and guests enjoyed the dinner
and the speaking.
Music was rendered by the quartet from
DIR. Lords shurch as follows: Trio,
from Verdi, Miss Annie Armour, Mr..