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Then the widow slowly intoned the "Our Father," and Hughie took it up fervently at "Give us this day," and the widow poured forth her soul in the "Hail Mary! full of grace," while poor, wasted, emaciated Hughie clasped his hands and with streaming eyes strenuously pleaded a "Holy Mary, Mother of God;" and both then chorused joyously a " Glory be to the Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, Amen."

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Mother, is that you, there?"

Yis, Hughie, a leanbh. Are ye aisy?" "Mother, what are ye doin' there? Who's callin', mother?"

"I'm only aisin' yer head, Hughie, holdin' it up an' restin' meself sittin' here. There's no wan callin', Hughie. That's the bar, ye hear."

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Oh, but there's some wan callin'callin' me, mother. Listen to it!" Hughie's voice was very low.

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"Och, mother, mother, it's not here I should be lyin' at this time in the mornin'an' I havin' to go buy me load yet, an' be as far as Pettigo afore nightfall, an' be goin' up Enniskillen sthreet with the first light the morra mornin'. Mother, mother, let me up. Put me on a dhrop i' tay, an' butter me a bit of oat-cake, an' I'll give a grain i' corn to poor Johnnie. Mother, why don't ye let me up, I say? The boats is in two hours ago. Look out. There isn't a sign i' wan of them on the wather!"

"Whisht, whisht! Oh, Hughie, a thaisge, whisht an' lie quiet. Don't ye know, a gradh, ye're far through with the sickness? Oh, Hughie, a paisdin, whisht, whisht with ye!"

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"Hear to them, mother! Hear to them Hughie! Hughie! Hughie!' Don't ye hear? Ay! ay! Och, call you from the doore for me, mother-call you, mother dear, for my voice'll not let me call loud, whatever's come on it. Call Ay!' mother, an' tell them I'm comin' as soon as poor Johnnie's fed."

"Yis, Hughie, a thaisge, yis. If you

Hughie, a mhilis, no. It's the bar. lie quiet I'll call to them." Sure yer own mother knows."

"Mother, what do ye mane? Lie quiet!

"Is it near mornin', mother? What an' the boats in!-an' the light on the time is it?"

sky-an' me havin' to be goin' up Ennis

"It's near mornin', Hugnie. The first killen sthreet this time the morra mornin', sthreaks is on the sky."

"The first sthreaks on the sky, an' me lyin' here! an' the boats in! Mother, what day's this? What's come over me, anyhow, that I've lost the memory o' what day it is?"

mother!-forty long mile, an' a tiresome journey for poor Johnnie. It's a long journey, mother, but—I—must—”

His poor mother had to force Hughie back upon the bed. It didn't take much force, indeed. Then he became quiet,

"This is Monday mornin', Hughie, suddenly. The look of anxiety and una thaisge."

An' the morra's market-day in Enniskillen-isn't it, mother?"

"I suppose so, Hughie, I suppose so. But, a thrisge, don't, don't be disthressin' yerself about them things."

Pulse of my heart.

rest slowly passed from his features. His two hands closed in a faster clasp upon one hand of his mother, which in the struggle he had caught. A smile of sweet peace settled upon his white, wasted face, and the cadger-boy started upon his last journey.

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C

By Amory H. Bradford

YONGREGATIONALISM was the Church polity of the Pilgrim Fathers and of the early days in New England. At one time in the history of our country it numbered more adherents than any other form of ecclesiastical government; and at all times it has been conspicuous for the intelligence of its members, the intellectual strength of its leaders, the amount of its gifts for charities and missions, and in its influence on the life of the Nation. For a hundred years after the landing of the Pilgrims it was the dominant Church polity of the New World. To-day the number who prefer this form of government is much larger than those who bear its name.

All Baptists are Congregationalists, as are also Unitarians, Universalists, and the large and rapidly growing body known as

Disciples of Christ. The Episcopalian and Presbyterian communions have felt the influence of Congregationalism, and in many respects are as distinctly independent as the descendants of the Pilgrims themselves.

One of the claims of those who advocate the unity of Christendom on the basis of the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral is that the Episcopalian body has practically united Congregationalism with Episcopacy; while one of the most eminent officials of the Methodist Episcopal Church not many years ago thought it necessary to warn his people against the Congregationalizing tendencies which are at work in American Methodism. Considered as a body whose adherents may be counted, it has a respectable but not the first place among modern Protestant com

munions; considered as an atmosphere, it is doubtful if any other Christian denomination is so pervasive or influential.

The first International Council of Congregationalists was held in London in 1891. Its President was the late lamented Robert W. Dale, D.D., of Birmingham, England. It is difficult to say positively where the suggestion of such a gathering was first heard. It was mentioned by Drs. Hannay, of London, and Dexter, of Boston, at the National Council at St. Louis. It seems to have assumed a more definite form at a meeting of Australian Congregationalists some time later. It was surely advocated in Canada. Perhaps the feeling that the time had arrived for world-wide COoperation was atmospheric and simultaneous. At the meeting in London, in 1891, delegates to the number of three hundred were in attendance; one hundred from the British Islands, one hundred from the United States, and one hundred from the rest of the world. That first gathering was

cipal Fairbairn. Since that meeting the inroads of death have been many and serious. Drs. Dale and Allon, Professor Stearns, Principals Reynolds and Neuth, the Rev. Herber Evans, the inspired Welshman; Thomas Green, W. F. Clarkson, and many others, have entered into the larger life.

The second Council will meet in Boston beginning September 20. The President will be the Hon. James B. Angell, LL.D., President of Michigan University, and the preacher will be the Rev.

THE REV. H. ARNOLD THOMAS

memorable in many ways. The papers presented were of enduring value. The consecrated scholarship of the denomination was well represented. Among the Among the memorable papers and addresses were those of the President, Dr. Dale, on "The Divine Life in Man;" that of the late Professor Stearns, of Bangor, Me., on "The Outlook in Theology;" the sermon by Dr. Goodwin, of Chicago, which was especially remarkable for its ultraCalvinism; the closing addresses by Drs. W. E. Griffis and Joseph Parker, and the various speeches and addresses of Prin

A. M. Fairbairn, D.D., Principal of Mansfield College, at Oxford, England. The officers are selected by the Committee of Arrangements. At the last meeting of the Council the President was an Englishman and the preacher American. The Committee on the Programme for the approaching gathering is constituted follows: the Rev. Drs. G. A. Gor

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an

as

don, A. E. Dunning, Arthur Little, and H. A. Hazen, of Boston; P. S. Moxom, of Springfield, and Amory The Council

H. Bradford, of Montclair. will number four hundred, of whom two hundred will be from the United States. No business will be transacted except a little that may have reference to its own perpetuation. The sessions will be entirely occupied with the presentation of papers on the great practical and speculative subjects which have relation to the religious life of the individual and to the kingdom of God. After the delivery of the prepared addresses there will be opportunity for discussion of nearly all the subjects by the members of the Council.

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The following outline will convey a hint of what the meetings will be. The first evening will be devoted to a reception, at which there will be speaking by the Governor of the Commonwealth, the Mayor of the City, and the address by the President of the Council, the Hon. James B. Angell.

Thursday-Morning: Fundamental Principles in Theology, Dr. George Harris. Message of the Old Testament for To-day, Professor F. C. Porter. Afternoon: The Historical Method in Theology, Dr. George P. Fisher. Theology the Order of Nature, the Rev. Professor Alexander Grosman. The Evangelical Principle of Authority, Dr. P. T. Forsyth. Evening: Sermon, Principal A. M. Fairbairn.

Friday-Morning: The Christian Idea of the State, Mr. J. Compton Rickett, M.P. Municipal Government as a Sphere for the Christian Man, Messrs. W. Crosfield, J.P., and Samuel B. Capen. Evening: Distinctive Characteristics of Christianity, the Rev. Messrs. Charles R. Brown and John D. Jones. The Influence of the Study of Other Religions upon Christian Theology, Dr. Fairbairn.

THE REV. R. J. CAMPBELL Saturday Morning: The Church in Social Reforms, Albert Spicer, Esq., M.P., and Professor Graham Taylor, D.D. Afternoon: An excursion to Salem.

Sunday-Morning: No session. Afternoon: The Lord's Supper at the Old South Church. Monday-Morning: Tendencies of Modern Education, Professor John Massie, M.A., J. P., and the Rev. J. Hirst Hollowell. Afternoon: The Influence of Our Public Schools on the Caste Spirit, Drs. F. A. Noble and L. D. Bevan. The Religious Motive in Education as Illustrated in the History of American Colleges, President W. J. Tucker. Evening: Addresses by eminent educators-Presidents Eliot, Hyde, Slocum, and Henry Hopkins, D.D.

Tuesday-Morning: The Pastoral Function, Congregational and Civic, the Rev. W. B. Selbie, M.A., and Dr. Reuen Thomas.

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The Spiritual Life in Our Churches, the
Rev. Joseph Robertson. Afternoon: Wo-
man's Work, Mrs. E. Armitage and Miss
Margaret J. Evans. Woman's Work in
Foreign Missions, Dr. Grace Kimball.
Evening: The Young People, Drs. C. H.
Patton, C. E. Jefferson, and Rev. C. Syl-
vester Horne.

Wednesday-Morning: Obligations and Opportunities of Congregationalism: In Great Britain, Robert Bruce, D.D.; In America, Professor Williston Walker; In Canada, Dr. J. H. George; In Victoria, the Rev. John J. Halley; in other countries, speakers to be named. Scottish Congregationalism, the Rev. James Stark, D.D. Afternoon: Independence and Fellowship, Drs. A. J. Lyman and John Brown. Duty of the Stronger to the Weaker Churches, Rev. H. Arnold Thomas. Evening: Reception by the Congregational Club. Greetings from Other Denominations: Bishop Lawrence, Drs. A. H. Strong, C. Cuthbert Hall, F. G. Peabody, and a Methodist representative.

Thursday-Morning: International Relations and Responsibilities, Dr. Lyman Abbott. The Christian Attitude Toward War in the Light of Recent Events, Dr. Alexander Mackennal. Afternoon: Adap

R. JOHN BROWN

tation of Methods to New Conditions in For

son.

eign Missions, the Rev. R. Wardlaw Thomp The Permanent Motive in Missionary Work, Dr. Charles M. Lamson, and a missionary to be named. Evening: The Living Christ, Alfred Cave, D.D. The Holy Spirit in the Churches, Dr. F. W. Gunsaulus. Friday-An excursion to Plymouth.

The American speakers are so well known to the readers of The Outlook that I will limit my introduction to the visitors from abroad.

A prevalent opinion among those who have mingled only with members of the Anglican communion is that Nonconformists in England may be very good people, but that they are narrow, commonplace, .commercial, and belong mainly to the lower orders of English society. The delusion, which has been carefully nourished by the friends of the Establishment, will disappear in the presence of the cultured and eloquent men who will represent the English Congregational churches at the approaching Council. There are no choicer spirits in any communion than those who hold to the Pilgrim principles in Old England. For convenience I will divide those who will attend the meetings into four groups-the elder ministers, those of middle age, the younger, and, lastly, the laymen.

Is near Manchester, in one of the most beautiful residential districts of England. A common saying runs something as follows, "Not every man can be Vicar of Bowdon." Few ministers in more conspicuous centers wield so large an influence as Dr. Mackennal from his suburban parish. He has represented the English churches at two of our National Councils, namely, the one at Worcester and the one at Portland, Ore. He has been Chairman of the Union of England and Wales,

and was selected as the successor of Dr. Hannay as Secretary of that body -an honor which he declined. He is now perhaps the chief statesman of English Congregationalism. The second member of this quartette is the

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most eminent theologian now living among Englishspeaking people, Dr. Fairbairn, of Oxford. No other theological teacher of our time has so wide an influence as this Oxford Professor, whose voice has been heard not only in England but also in this country, and who has just returned from his duties as Haskell lecturer in India. Dr. Fairbairn will be the preacher of the Council, and will also speak on Comparative Religion, of which subject he is a

THE REV. C. SYLVESTER HORNE

In the group of the elders I find the names of a great quartette of scholars and preachers. The first place belongs to the man to whom more than to any other now living this Council owes its existence and success, Alexander Mackennal, D.D., of Bowdon, Cheshire. Dr. Mackennal was the Secretary at the first Council, and will be the English Vice-President of the second. The church of which he is pastor

master.

The third member of the quartette is Dr. John Brown, of Bedford, the biographer of Bunyan and the historian of the Pilgrim Fathers. He is the pastor of the famous " Bunyan Church." In his fair city in the Midlands he has lived until his name has become the pride of his fellow-citizens, while Dissenters and Churchmen alike delight to do honor to the man and his ministry. In historical scholarship, spiritual insight, and charm

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