Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-22
THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

The debating point regarding the Uni
tartan faith, as raised by other denomi-
nations. is its subordination of Christ.
Some claim that this is equivalent to a
denial of His divinity. The Unitarians.
however. do not see it that way. They
declare that they believe in all the teach
ings of the New Testament in which
Christ Himself proclaimed His subordi-
nation to the Father. This does not les
sen their faith in any respect in His reve-
latlon or their recognition Of the divine
beauty and glory Of His character As,
in the ancient family, the son Is sIbor-
dlnate to the father, so the Son Of God
Is rec ognized by the Cnitarians as being
less exalted than the Father the Ruler
and Creator OF the universe, the One
great Unit of power
Unitariansm had its origin in the
teaching of men who were distinctly or
thodox In their own
IeS1 OF reason beliefs but who ia
put IN Faith vored the submission
of all theological prob
lens to the test of reason. In its be-
ginning 1t was not a sectarian move
ment, but rather one aimed to make re-
ligion practical and to give a basis of
reality acceptable to the sound judgment
and common sense of all men. Even
now the future of Unitarianism, accord
ing to Unitarians, does not consist in its
bee oming a distinct sect striving for de-
nominational interest. It's mission being
one with philanthropy. charity and altru-
ism. striving to bring about a larger
faith, a. more inclusive fellowship and q
purer national life.
That Cnitarianism is generally misun-
derstood is asserted by President Taft
,h4,. 81
tartan Church in Washington. During
his presidential campaign, MIR. Taft was
In receipt OF many communications stat
ing that he was reported to be a disbe-
his connection with the Unitarian Church.
This he declined to do, as he recently
stated at an open meeting in his church.
because he believed the principles OF
tnitarianism embraced the highest ideals
OF christian living. the best conception of
the brotherhood of man and the father
hood OF God now in existence
Although comparatively small in num-
bers.. the Unitarian Church. since its be-
ginning, has exerted a great influence
upon the national welfare because of the
wealth and position of most of it's mem
bers. The American Unitarian Associa-
ton includes only about 40 separate
churches; and the entire membership is
The first Sunday schools in America
were organized by persons connected with
the Unitarian
First Sunday Schools churches. Han
Were Unitarian. nan Hill and
Of Boston. with some friends whom they
interested. opened a school for children
in 1910. in a small dwelling house in the
first parish. This was transferred to
Dane Street Chapel a little later. and
afterward all the churches established
schools of their own. few years later
the Sunday School Benevolent Society,
composed of charitable women. was form
ed. which, in addition to religious instruc-
ton. also. supplied needy children with
suitable clothing. The Sunday school de-
partment is still one OF the most i'm
portant branches of the Unitarian Church
work, and the latest developments in
Sunday school methods will be considered
at the convention now in session in Bos-
ton.
The Unitarian Church always has been