,transcrib]'s ,note3 ,page numb]s are   
indicat$ ?us #c at ! end ( ea* pr9t$    
page4     ,! ,messiah ,pulpit  ,a       
,,/atem5t3   ! ,future ( ,?is ,*ur*  ,by
  ,john ,haynes ,holmes  ,m9i/] ( !     
,*ur* ( ! ,messiah  ,s]ies              
#aiah-aiai----,no4 ,,vi  ,,price1 ,,five
 ,,c5ts  ,publi%$ by !  ,*ur* ( !       
,messiah  ,p>k ,av5ue & #cd? ,/reet     
,new ,york ,city  #a  ,,notice  ,!      
,messiah ,pulpit1 by tradition &        
practice1 is a free plat=m1 d$icat$ to !
 ideal ( tru?4 ,its s]mons1 9 bo? _!    
spok5 & writt5 =m1 are ! utt]ances ( !  
prea*]1 :o accepts = !m exclusive       
responsibility4  ,! publication ( ^!    
s]mons is made possible by a private    
fund = ?is purpose4 ,contributions to   
?is fund are ne$$1 & may be s5t to ,rev4
 ,john ,haynes ,holmes1 #fa ,ea/ #cd?   
,/reet1 ,new ,york ,city4  #b  ,a       
,,/atem5t3  ,on ! ,future ( ,?is ,*ur*  
,on ,sunday1 ,novemb] #bd la/1 z mo/ ( y
 "k4 ,i 0 invit$ by unanim\s vote ( ! p 
( ,all ,s\ls ,*ur*1 ,*icago1 to take up 

! "w laid d[n by 7_!7 belov$ pa/or1 !   
late ,dr4 ,j5k9 ,lloyd ,jones4 ,on      
,?ursday1 ,novemb] #bh1 ,i receiv$ ?is  
call ?r\gh ! p]sonal visitation ( two   
memb]s ( ! ,*icago *ur*1 & agre$ to give
 x mo/ e>ne/ consid]ation4 ,on ,sunday1 
,decemb] #a1 ?r\gh my associate1 ,mr4   
,br[n1 ,i ann\nc$ ?is call to !         
congregation ( ! ,*ur* ( ! ,messiah1    
expla9+ t x involv$ ! m9i/ry ( ,all     
,s\ls ,*ur*1 ! director%ip ( ,abraham   
,l9coln ,c5tre1 & ! editor%ip ( ! weekly
 lib]al religi\s j\rnal1 call$ ,unity4  
,i /at$ 9 my ann\ncem5t t ,i _h ask$ &  
be5 grant$ ample "t = ! consid]ation (  
?is call1 b t ,i int5d$ to answ] x z    
spe$ily z possible4 ,on ,?ursday la/1 j 
five weeks to a day aft] receiv+ !      
invitation to ,*icago1 ,i s5t my reply =
 transmission to ! p ( ,all ,s\ls ,*ur* 
?is morn+4 ,i *oose ?is same "t to      
ann\nce to y my decision4  ,at ! beg9n+ 
( my consid]ation ( ! problem1 ,i f\nd  
que/ions ( p]sonal incl9ation & com=t   
inevitably to ! =e4 ,= twelve ye>s m9us 

"o mon?1 ,i h liv$ & labor$ 9 ,new ,york
 ,city4 ,e p>ticle ( moral en]gy :i* ,i 
possess1 ,i h inve/$ "h4 ,ne>ly all ( my
 fri5ds are associat$ ) ?is community4  
,especially am ,i b\nd by ties ( deepe/ 
rev]5ce & affection to ?is *ur*4 ,"h are
 memories ( joy & sorr[ & great trial   
:i* are m truly a "p ( me ?an ! voice ) 
:i* ,i speak1 or ! h& ) :i* ,i turn ^!  
pages4 ,x #c ne$$ b ?is s+le summons to 
tea* me :at ,i _h n kn[n--h[ deeply my  
roots are /ruck into ! soil ( ?is place1
 & h[ great ! pa9 & haz>d ( _! exposure1
 removal & replant+4  ,x v soon became  
cle> to me1 h[ev]1 t p]sonal            
consid]ations c\ld rightly h b little "p
 9 ! settlem5t ( ?is problem4 ,9 no _s (
 bravado1 b 9 simple/ recognition ( !   
tru?1 ,i say to y t ,i believe ,i w\ld h
 be5 betray+ ! pr(ession :i* ,i h sworn 
to s]ve _h ,i p]mitt$ conditions (      
p]sonal affection1 h[ev] lovely &       
preci\s1 to det]m9e my decision 9 ?is   
case4 ,i take s]i\sly ! fact ( my       
ord9ation--t z a m9i/] ( religion ,i h  

be5 set ap>t1 z ! traditional phrase has
 x1 to ! high purpose ( propagat+ an    
idea1 *ampion+ a cause1 seek+ ! be/ & ! 
highe/ t ,i "k 9 t]ms ( ,god & ( 8 holy 
w4 ,i am "h1 9 o!r words1 n to make or  
to keep fri5ds1 n to enjoy pleasant     
associations ( h& & he>t1 n ev5 to s]ve 
a p>ticul> *ur*1 b to s]ve1 p]haps at ! 
co/ ( ^! o!r & m p]sonal ?+s1 ! great   
idea ( :i* ,i speak4 ,to all[ my        
individual s5tim5ts to fix ! place &    
fa%ion ( my pr(essional s]vice1 w\ld be 
to me z da/>dly a ?+ z to all[          
consid]ations ( pr(it or pre/ige to make
 decision4 ,n ev5 my wife or my *ildr5  
c\ld int]f]e 9 ?is case4 ,my problem 0  
to det]m9e :]e ,i c\ld be/ advance !    
ideals to :i* ,i h giv5 my life--:]e ,i 
c\ld f9d ! weapons or tools be/ fitt$ to
 my h& = ! do+ ( my "w--& !re to /&4 ,to
 rema9 9 ?is *ur* & city might be       
inf9itely desirable to me z a man2 b ,i 
mu/ decide n z a man b z a m9i/]1 &     
!re=e if ,i rema9$1 x mu/ be because ,i 
c\ld d no o!r6  ,b !re 0 ano!r          

consid]ation :i* held me to ?is         
imp]sonal relation to ! problem4 ,i ref]
 to ! fact t ! ,great ,w> _h br\ght to a
 focus 9 my own s\l ! inw>d & l>gely    
unconsci\s spiritual developm5t ( a     
decade4 ,i _h discov]$1 ?r\gh #d mu*    
tribulation ( m9d & he>t1 ! ideal :i* ,i
 s\ght to s]ve1 & disclos$ to myself at 
lea/ ! picture ( ! realization ( ?is    
ideal 9 in/itutional =m4 ,?is same      
,great ,w>1 h[ev]1 _h di/ract$ my p>i%1 
absorb$ ! en]gies & att5tion ( my p1 & 9
 spite ( wellnigh unexampl$ =be>ance1 _h
 introduc$ elem5ts ( misund]/&+ & ev5   
ali5ation4 ,! conflict1 9 o!r words1 _h 
no m left our *ur* un*ang$ ?an ! _w     
itself4 ,we _h be5 %ak5 & di/ress$ &    
tortur$ & driv51 s t we 7 no long] !    
p]sons we once 74 ,y knew me1 & ,i knew 
y1 z we 7 ye/]day2 b we did n "k "o     
ano!r z we 7 go+ to be1 or %\ld want to 
be1 tomorr[4 ,x 0 necess>y t we %\ld    
meet n on ! plane ( ! pa/1 nor ev5 ( !  
pres5t1 b on ! plane ( ! future1 & ?us  
f9d ourselves aga91 & discov] :at n[1 9 

?is new _w1 we want$1 & w\ld be able1 to
 d toge!r4 ,mon?s be=e ! ,w> 0 end$1 x  
_h cle>ly ent]$ into my m9d to summon y 
to conf]5ce on our future relations z   
m9i/] & p4 ,?is invitation f ,*icago b  
precipitat$ sudd5ly :at 0 9 itself      
inevitable soon] or lat]4 ,x introduc$  
into a problem already exi/+ betwe5 y & 
me1 a ?ird elem5t--namely1 ! p (        
,abraham ,l9coln ,c5tre4 ,! problem1    
h[ev]1 9 its nature1 rema9$ ! same4 ,i h
 "w to d4 ,i h set my h& to ! pl[1 & ,i 
mu/ f9d ! field :]e ,i c be/ drive ?is  
pl[ ?r\gh ! furr[ ( my s[+4  ,9 ord] to 
make pla9 ! situation1 z x has pres5t$  
itself to my m9d dur+ ! la/ five weeks1 
,i mu/ turn to ! pa/ = a mom5t1 & br+ to
 y !refrom "s fragm5ts ( autobiography4 
,^? ( y :o 7 pres5t at ! meet+ on la/   
,monday night1 h already he>d :at ,i am 
ab\t to say4 ,i beg y\r undivid$        
att5tion1 none ! less1 t y may note !   
be>+ ( ?is recital n on a problem       
pres5t$1 z !n1 b on a decision made1 z  
n[4  ,i ent]$ ! ,unit>ian m9i/ry 9 ! ye>

 #aijd1 #e "u ! influ5ce ( motives n    
unfamili>4 ,9 ! fir/ place1 ,i saw !    
pulpit4 ,i w5t into ! m9i/ry = ! same   
prim>y reason :i* has held me !re ?r\gh 
all ^! ye>s gone by--a desire to prea*4 
,i ?9k ,i c say1 9 no _s ( boa/+1 t f my
 e>lie/ days ,i h _h an int5se int]e/ 9 
! problem ( tru?1 & a passion to        
int]pret & def5d by ! spok5 ^w1 ! tru? z
 ,i saw x1 to o!r m54 ,x is j ?is       
passion1 ,i suppose1 :i* makes ! prea*]1
 z di/+ui%$ f ! poet or ! sci5ti/4 ,s   
,phillip ,brooks w\ld seem to sugge/ 9 8
 fam\s dictum1 t prea*+ is ,tru?        
7convey$7 ?r\gh ,p]sonality4 ,fur!rmore1
 ! tru? :i* ,i desir$ to exp\nd 0       
!ological 9 its nature4 ,my :ole approa*
 to ! problem 0 along ! l9es (          
speculation 9 ! field ( religi\s1 z     
di/+ui%$ f political or social1 ?\ght4  
,god1 ! s\l1 immortality1 ! orig9 &     
de/9y ( man1 s9 & salvation--^! 7 !     
que/ions t held me1 ev5 z a boy1 p>tly1 
,i suppose1 because ( native incl9ation1
 p>tly because ( c>eful tra9+ 9 a       

,unit>ian home & *ur*1 mo/ly ,i am      
conv9c$ because ,i e>ly came "u ! spell 
( t pr9ce ( lib]al prea*]s1 ,dr4 ,m9ot  
,j4 ,savage4 ,to d :at ,dr4 ,savage 0   
do+ ea* ,sunday1 prea*+ to eag] ?rongs !
 great tru?s ( ! ,unit>ian gospel--?is  
became ! consum+ ambition ( my life4 ,i 
want$ to /& 9 a pulpit & prea*4 ,i      
decid$ to d s2 & if judgm5t 9 su* a "q c
 be bas$ on exp]i5ces ( inw>d joy1 ,i am
 ready to te/ify t my decision 0 n      
unwise4  ,i ent]$ ! *ur*1 !re=e1        
prim>ily because x _h a pulpit4 ,b o!r  
reasons1 n s decisive1 & yet impressive1
 p]suad$ me to ?is same end4 ,?us ,i saw
 9 ! *ur* n only a pulpit b an alt>4    
,inde$1 ! pulpit di/+ui%$ itself 9 my   
m9d f a plat=m or a tea*]'s desk1 by !  
fact t x 0 always associat$ ) ! pres5ce1
 visible & invisible1 ( an alt> = div9e 
wor%ip4 ,x 0 easy = me to picture myself
 z say+ all ,i want$ to say 9 #f college
 halls1 9 !at] meet+s1 9 public =ums1 b 
,i crav$ = my "w on behalf ( tru? !     
atmosph]e & environm5t ( spiritual      

devotion4 ,x 0 my desire1 9 o!r words1  
to be n m]ely a tea*] or speak]1 b a    
prea*]2 n m]ely a prophet1 b also a     
prie/4 ,?is does n mean t ,i am a       
*ur*man1 z su*2 or t ,i f9d any p]man5t 
significance 9 rituals or o!r =ms (     
wor%ip4 ,b !re is 9 me t :i* seeks !    
/imulus ( praise & pray]1 ! uplift (    
consci\s communion ) ! ,et]nal1 !       
consolation ( appeal to1 & tru/ 91 ,god4
 ,n only f habit1 b f temp]am5t1 ,i f9d 
myself at home amid religi\s rites4     
,no?+ s mov$ me on my "o trip to        
,europe1 z ! h\rs ,i sp5t "u ! %ad[s ( !
 great ca!drals4 ,z a quiet place (     
wor%ip1 z well z a high place (         
te/imony1 ! *ur* call$ me 9 ^? y\?ful   
ye>s1 & ,i gave answ]4  ,a ?ird motive =
 my *oice ( ! m9i/ry mu/ n be =gott54 ,i
 ref] to ! appeal ( ! *ur* z a place =  
action1 a s]vice /ation on behalf (     
public causes4 ,my vision ( :at we mean 
by public causes 0 /rangely limit$4 ,x  
sc>cely w5t beyond ! ,unit>ian          
d5om9ation1 & ! works ( *>ity & k9dly   

re=m ) :i* x has always be5 id5tifi$4 ,i
 0 a passionate ,unit>ian 9 ^? days4 ,i 
_h read1 & be5 deeply /irr$ by1 ! /ory (
 ! a*ievem5ts :i* ,unit>ianism _h wr\ght
 on behalf ( fre$om1 fell[%ip & "* 9    
religion4 ,i rev]5c$ its sa9ts &        
prophets1 & long$ to foll[ 9 _! tra94   
,h5ce ! eag]ness ) :i* ,i s\ght         
prep>ation = ! ,unit>ian m9i/ry--t ,i   
might s]ve ! *ur*--advance its glory &  
magnify its "w4  ,x 0 ) su* ideas z ^! 9
 my he>t t ,i 0 orda9$ 9 ,febru>y1      
#aijd4 ,)9 two ye>s !re came an ev5t :i*
 %ook my life to its f\ndations1        
revolutioniz$ my ?\ght1 & *ang$ ! :ole  
"* ( my int]e/ & "w4 ,i ref] to :at we h
 #g le>n$ to describe 9 our "t z !      
social "q4 ,?is "q1 ( c\rse1 is no?+    
new4 ,x has burn$ at ! he>t ( life f !  
beg9n+1 & at int]vals has flam$ =? l !  
eruption ( a volcano1 to ! t]ror & glory
 ( ! _w4 ,its late/ phase1 z we "k x    
today 9 ! religi\s field1 made its      
appe>ance at ab\t ! "t ,i ent]$ !       
m9i/ry4 ,i recall t ! book1 :i* fir/    

reveal$ ! fires s soon to bur/ ^u       
u--,pr(4 ,peabody's ,jesus ,*ri/ & !    
,social ,"q --0 publi%$ 9 #aijc1 ! ye>  
be=e my ord9ation4 ,i 0 n unprep>$ = :at
 0 com+4 ,my deep-root$ rev]5ce =       
,!odore ,p>k]1 ! supreme prophet (      
appli$ ,*ri/ianity 9 our "t1 & my       
en?usia/ic /udy ( 8 life1 _h reveal$ to 
me ! mean+ ( socializ$ religion4 ,b ,i  
_h caught only ! pure ess5ce ( its _s2  
,i _h n ?\ght to apply x to ! social    
problems ( today4 ,inde$1 ,i 0 n aw>e ( 
! exi/5ce ( su* problems4 ,my :ole      
approa* to ! "q ( tru? & exp]i5ce up to 
t "t1 _h be5 along ! l9es ( speculation 
9 ! field ( !ological1 z contra/$ )     
political or social1 ?\ght4 ,9 ! second 
ye> ( my m9i/ry1 h[ev]1 ,i read ,h5ry   
,george's ,progress & ,pov]ty2 !n foll[$
 ! writ+s ( ,h5ry ,d4 ,lloyd & ,pr(4    
,walt] ,raus*5bus*2 !n came ! deep &    
prolong$ plunge into ! wat]s (          
socialism4 ,= sev]al ye>s aft] ,i came  
to ?is *ur*1 ,i 0 9 a /ate (            
intellectual & emotional upheaval       

impossible = me to describe4 ,at la/    
came a conviction :i* 0 a complete      
rev]sal ( all my =m] ideas4 ,i 0 z a man
 conv]t$2 ,i 0 z "o :o _h se5 a great   
light4 ,h5ce=? ,i 0 a social radical2 & 
religion1 pre-em95tly n a te/imony to   
!ological tru? b a crusade = social     
*ange4 ,( c\rse1 my int]e/ 9 !ology has 
p]si/$2 b its place 9 my life has t5d$  
to become ev] m subord9ate to o!r & m   
directly practical int]e/s4 ,y "k h[ !  
"* ( my prea*+ has *ang$ s9ce ,i fir/   
ent]$ ! ,messiah pulpit4 ,y "k ) :at #h 
wax+ int5sity ( expression ,i h mov$ to 
! left ( our v>i\s divisions on ! social
 "q4 ,y d n "k1 h5ce ,i mu/ tell y1 h[  
?is int5sity ( radical conviction is    
de/9$ to cont9ue 9 ! ye>s t are n[ be=e 
u4 ,= ! w> has accel]at$ ! social crisis
 beyond all =eca/+4 ,9 two ye>s has     
transpir$ :at fifty ye>s c\ld n h       
consummat$ "u m normal conditions4 ,?ree
 great empires--,russia1 ,g]many1       
,au/ria--& sev]al newborn c\ntries1 l t 
( ! ,cze*o-,slovaks1 h be5 captur$ by ! 

,sociali/s2 & ! ,briti% ,empire seems   
promis$ to ! ,briti% ,labor ,p>ty 9 n m 
?an ano!r decade or two4 ,! social      
revolution long prophesi$1 long hop$ =1 
long fe>$1 is "h2 & ?is means 9 c\ntries
 l our own1 /ill unt\*$ by *ange1 su* a 
/urm & drang p]iode1 z makes ev5 !      
,great ,w> pale into insignificance4 ,n[
 9 ^! ye>s :i* are be=e u1 ,i propose to
 speak & s]ve = ! spe$ie/ & mo/         
?or\ghgo+ social recon/ruction4 ,i am   
committ$ bo? by conviction & temp]am5t  
to ! program ( ! ,briti% ,labor ,p>ty & 
its policy ( indirect or political      
action = ! advancem5t ( t program4 ,?is 
is my pr$om9ant int]e/ at ?is mom5t1 &  
?r\gh :at is de/9$ ,i suppose to be !   
:ole p]iod ( my life4 ,?is is z mu* !   
cause ( our day z abolition 0 ! cause ( 
! days be=e ! ,civil ,w>4 ,to ?is ,i h  
giv5 all ,i h--f ?is ,i int5d to )draw  
no?+ t ,i h giv54 ,n 9 any s5se (       
bitt]ness or viol5ce 9 me?od1 b 9 e s5se
 ( utt] *ange z ! end desir$1 ,i am     
committ$ to ! ideal ( ! complete        

democratization ( society4  ,:5 !       
significance ( ?is trans=mation fir/    
broke ^u me1 ,i felt an impulse to leave
 ! *ur*1 & atta* myself directly to !   
labor movem5t4 ,i recall h[ my s\l leapt
 9 answ] to ! great sc5e at ! close (   
,k5n$y's ,! ,s]vant 9 ! ,h\se1 :5 !     
,vic> /rips (f 8 cl]ical g>b1 seizes !  
dirty h& ( 8 bro!r1 ! ,dra9-,man1 &     
cries out1 #i ,?is is no prie/'s "w--x  
calls = a man6 ,i 0 det]r$1 h[ev]1 n1 ,i
 hope1 by c[>dice b by wisdom4 ,on !    
surface ,i felt t ,i %\ld miss ! s]vices
 ( ! *ur*--! pray]s & wor%ip ) my p4    
,deep] d[n1 & ne>] ! he>t ( ?+s1 0 an   
un%ak5 tru/ 9 ! *ur* z a social         
in/itution4 ,i lov$ h] traditions1      
rev]5c$ h] sa9ts & prophets1 believ$ 9  
h] de/9y--0 unconv9c$ t %e mu/          
necess>ily s]ve ! int]e/s ( reaction4   
,at-bottom1 0 a p]fectly cle> und]/&+ t 
my approa* to ! social "q 0 a spiritual 
approa*1 & my acceptance ( x !          
acceptance ( a religi\s task4 ,i saw my 
new position z no?+ m nor less ?an !    

logic ( ,*ri/ianity4 ,m5 mu/ be free f  
all oppression1 because !y are *ildr5 ( 
,god1 & !re=e liv+ s\ls4 ,!y mu/ be     
equal 9 opportunity & privilege1 because
 !y are memb]s ( ! holy family ( ,god1 &
 !re=e bro!rs4 ,!y mu/ be lift$ up out (
 pov]ty1 disease1 w>1 because _! h]itage
 is ! life ( ,god1 & !y mu/ h x         
abundantly4 ,! mat]ial aspects ( !      
social "q1 ,i w\ld be among ! la/1 ,i   
tru/1 to ignore4 ,^! are c5tral--b      
c5tral only z ! fett]s are c5tral to !  
problem ( slav]y4 ,fur!rmore1 ! means   
:i* ,i recogniz$ to ! great end1 7 also 
spiritual4 ,i c\ld f9d no place 9 my    
?\ght = ! use ( viol5ce4 ,! plea (      
class-consci\s rebellion nev] won my    
acceptance4 ,only pati5ce1 p]suasion1 & 
mu* love = humank9d1 seem$ to me        
legitimate weapons ( re=m4 ,9 o!r words1
 ,i 0 aga9 a victim ( ! logic (         
,*ri/ianity4 ,& :]e did ?is logic hold  
me1 if n to ! *ur*8 ,:]e c\ld ,i make   
pla9 my spiritual position1 or br+ to   
be> my spiritual influ5ce1 ap>t f !     

*ur*8 ,if ?is in/itution mu/ hold me    
altoge!r alo( f ! social "q1 !n ( c\rse 
my duty 0 manife/4 ,b its pulpit 0 wide 
op5 to social prea*+2 its alt> a *os5   
place = social consecration2 & its      
ma*9]y ( s]vice all at h& to be %ift$ f 
! ge> ( #aj *>ity to ! ge> ( ju/ice4 ,:y
 n /ay1 !re=e1 9 ! *ur*1 z ,!odore ,p>k]
 /ay$1 & fight capitalism1 z he f\ght   
slav]y1 9 ! g>b ( a m9i/] ( ,*ri/8      
,decision on ?is po9t came fairly e>ly1 
& x 0 favorable to ! *ur*4 ,/rangely    
en\gh1 h[ev]1 x br\ght me little peace &
 surety 9 my *ur* relations4 ,outside1 9
 ! d5om9ation at l>ge1 ,i f\nd myself 9 
almo/ con/ant conflict ) my fell[s4 ,!re
 7 few meet+s or conf]5ces 9 :i* ,i did 
n speak 9 prote/ & vote ) m9orities4 ,"h
 9 ! ,messiah p>i% !re 0 no tr\ble1     
?anks to y\r =be>ance1 fri5d%ip1 &      
scrupul\s loyalty to fre$om2 b almo/ f !
 beg9n+ !re 0 unc]ta9ty1 wond]m5t1 at   
times unre/1 on ! "p ( ^? longe/        
associat$ ) ?is society2 & ! records %[ 
a melan*oly tale ( )drawals ( ^?1 n     

unable to endure diff]5ces ( op9ion1 b  
impell$ to turn away :5 ! in/itution1   
long preci\s 9 _! sight1 no long]       
pres5t$ ! recognizable attributes ( a   
,unit>ian *ur*4 ,t my own %ortcom+s z a 
man & a m9i/] 7 responsible = mu* ( ?is 
di/urbance inside & outside ! p>i%1 ,i h
 no d\bt4 ,b z ,i look back ov] ! ye>s1 
,i also h no d\bt t !re 0 some?+ mu* m  
fundam5tal "h1 at ! he>t ( ! tr\ble4 ,t 
,i 0 a h]etic on ! social "q 0          
insignificant1 = ,unit>ians h long s9ce 
le>n$ n only to tol]ate b to respect _! 
h]etics4 ,:at 0 inf9itely m important1 z
 ,i n[ see1 0 ! fact t unconsci\sly     
?r\gh ^! ye>s1 ,i 0 com+ to "q n ! *ur* 
itself1 z ,i h expla9$1 b ! :ole ord] & 
purpose ( ! *ur* z x n[ exi/s4 ,e       
ecclesia/ical in/itution today is       
d5om9ational 9 "*4 ,x belongs prim>ily  
to "s p>ticul> sect>ian body1 & is pl$g$
 to ! s]vice ( ?is body4 ,sometimes !   
c5tral body is n>r[1 z 9 ! case ( ! m   
or?odox ,prote/ant d5om9ations2         
sometimes x is lib]al1 z 9 ! case ( !   

,unit>ians & ,univ]sali/s4 #aa ,b always
 !re is a di/9ctive =m ( organization1  
or type ( ritual1 or doctr9e ( belief1  
or _s ( association1 :i* b9ds ^! sep>ate
 *ur*es into a s+le gr\p2 & always ?is  
di/9ctive feature is some?+ :i* _h its  
orig91 & /ill f9ds its vitality1 9 !    
?\ght & exp]i5ce ( an e>li] age4 ,e "o (
 our d5om9ations1 & e "o ( ! *ur*es 9   
our d5om9ations1 is repres5tative ( pa/ 
controv]sies1 n ( pres5t int]e/s &      
duties4 ,no "o sect c be di/+ui%$ f any 
o!r1 except by a ref]5ce to ! text books
 ( ,*ri/ian hi/ory4  ,n[ ) ! intrusion (
 ! social "q into religion1 a new       
concept ( *ur* organization came        
imm$iately to ! =e4 ,! unit ( fell[%ip 0
 n[ no long] ! d5om9ation1 b !          
community4 ,! c5tre ( life & allegiance 
0 no long] ! *all5ge ( anci5t           
controv]sy1 b ! cry ( pres5t day human  
ne$4 ,! m ,i became int]e/$ 9 que/ions (
 social *ange1 ! less ,i 0 conc]n$ )    
que/ions ( d5om9ational welf>e4 ,! m ,i 
became absorb$ 9 ! p ( ,new ,york ,city1

 ! clos] became my fell[%ip ) o!r m9i/]s
 simil>ly absorb$1 & ! remot] my        
fell[%ip ) ^? :o 7 b\nd to me only by ! 
accid5t ( ! ,unit>ian tradition4 ,m & m 
my h& & he>t w5t out directly to m5 :o  
saw & labor$ = ! bett] day ( :i* ,i     
dream$2 & only indirectly to ^? ) :om ,i
 0 appo9t$ to s]ve1 b :o c\ld n or w\ld 
n cat* ! vision ( my dreams4 ,an        
irreconcilable conflict 0 "h be+ jo9$--!
 old1 old conflict betwe5 a dead & a    
liv+ fell[%ip4 ,x 0 my intuitive1 al?\gh
 unconsci\s k ( ?is fact1 :i* made me a 
rebel 9 e ,unit>ian ga!r+ ( ! la/ t5    
ye>s4 ,x 0 a simil>ly unconsci\s in/9ct 
( self-pres]vation :i* taught my        
,unit>ian bre?r51 to :om ! old          
association 0 /ill c5tral1 to res5t !   
?+s ,i s\ght4 ,we _h be5 born toge!r1 & 
we liv$ toge!r2 our pa/ & our pres5t 7  
jo9t possessions4 ,b :5 we fac$ !       
future1 we divid$2 my #ab colleagues1 _m
 ( !m1 7 cont5t ) old1 famili> ways1    
:ile ,i s\ght new associations4  ,:at 0 
dimly felt 9 ^? days1 0 sudd5ly trans=m$

 into some?+ cle>ly se5 by ! impact ( ! 
,great ,w>4 ,if ?is /up5d\s conflict has
 reveal$ any?+ 9 religion1 x is t !     
sect>ian divisions ( ,*ri/5dom are no   
long] to be tol]at$4 ,9 ! fus+ fires (  
battle1 ,presbyt]ian1 ,me?odi/1         
,episcopalian1 ,unit>ian1 ev5 ,ca?olic1 
,prote/ant & ,jew1 h be5 melt$1 & n[ fl[
 9 a s+le flam+ /ream into ! m\ld :i*   
%all fa%ion !m into a s+le ca/+4 ,man   
aft] man has return$ f ! front1 to tell 
u t ! d5om9ational *ur* is dead4 ,a new 
ord]+ ( ,*ri/5dom is at h&4 ,! unit (   
organization w be n ! "o belief1 nor ev5
 ! "o _s1 b ! "o field ( s]vice4 ,n !   
sect1 b ! community1 w be ! nucleus (   
integration4 ,we w h gr\p+s n ( ,me?odi/
 *ur*es1 & ,bapti/ *ur*es1 & ,unit>ian  
*ur*es1 to rem9d ! _w ( anci5t          
diff]5ces1 b ( ,new ,york *ur*es1 &     
,bo/on *ur*es1 & ,san ,francisco *ur*es1
 to tea* ! _w ( pres5t ne$s & future    
hopes4 ,our *ur*es w be relat$ z ! w>ds 
9 a city are relat$1 or ! cities 9 a    
/ate1 or ! /ates 9 ! nation4 ,we %all be

 all ,*ri/ians toge!r1 z we are all     
,am]icans toge!r4 ,we %all h diff]5t    
religi\s ideas z we h diff]5t political 
ideas4 ,b we %all be organiz$           
religi\sly1 z well z politically1 9 a   
s+le community4 ,our *ur*es1 l our      
s*ools1 w be ! possession1 & ! resort1 (
 all6  ,?is vision ( ! *ur* z a         
community1 or civic c5tre1 is ! logical 
application ( socializ$ religion4 ,x is 
no accid5t t toge!r ^! two ?+s h captur$
 my life4 ,= a mom5t1 j z ! idea ( !    
social "q set me ?9k+ ( leav+ ! *ur*    
altoge!r1 s ?is idea ( ! community *ur* 
set me ?9k+ ( leav+ ?is *ur* & organiz+ 
9 ?is city an indep5d5t religi\s        
movem5t4 ,inde$1 ?is latt] ?\ght has be5
 some?+ m ?an a #ac mom5t>y temptation4 
,to h a *ur* has be5 ) me f ! beg9n+ a  
necessity4 ,to h a *ur* ( ! new         
community ord] has become a great       
desire4 ,la/ spr+ ,i s]i\sly consid]$   
pres5t+ to y my resignation1 t ,i might 
ent] ^u ! fulfillm5t ( ?is hope4 ,la/   
summ] ,i pretty def9itely made up my m9d

 to lay ?is problem & prospect be=e y1 z
 soon z peace %\ld come1 & ! di/ractions
 ( w> be gone4 ,!n1 at ! v mom5t :5     
peace came1 z ?\gh to anticipate & ?us  
=e/all my decision1 !re came ! call f   
,*icago4  ,mo/ ( y "k :at ,abraham      
,l9coln ,c5tre is1 & _m ( y by :at      
pione] devotion ?is *ur* ( ! future 0   
fa%ion$ out ( a traditional *ur* ( !    
pa/4 ,x is n p]fect2 9 "s ways x is     
already itself became traditional aga94 
,b x /&s today z a m complete embodim5t 
( :at ,i feel a mod]n *ur* %\ld be ?an  
any o!r in/itution ( :i* ,i "k 9        
,am]ica4 ,! invitation f ! p seem$ to me
 an in/ant be/[al ( all = :i* ,i seek4  
,i d n ?9k ,i c\ld h resi/$ ?is call to 
s]vice1 _h x n be5 = y\r rightful claims
 ( loyalty & affection1 & my own        
reluctance to ab&on ! project (         
accompli%+ my desires 9 ,new ,york4 ,^! 
consid]ations made me hesitate--& :ile  
,i hesitat$1 ,i ?\ght4 ,:y %\ld ,i turn 
else:]e = ! fulfillm5t ( hopes :i* may  
be z surely if n z swiftly realiz$ "h8  

,:y %\ld ,i und]take to build an        
indep5d5t *ur* 9 ?is city1 or accept !  
lead]%ip ( a *ur* h[ev] rem>kably       
develop$ 9 ,*icago1 :5 ! ,*ur* ( !      
,messiah1 pl$g$ to fre$om1 & long       
committ$ to ! idea ( progress1 lies     
ready to my h&8 ,:y %\ld ,i seek ! easy 
inh]itance ( ano!r man's complet$ "w1 & 
?us avoid ! h>d labor ( build+ an       
in/itution ( my own1 :i*1 = t reason    
alone1 w\ld be m\ld$ ne>] to my he>t's  
desire8 ,above all1 :y %\ld ,i assume t 
my p :o h lov$ & su/a9$ me ^! doz5 ye>s1
 are unwill+ to move on ) me 9          
comrade%ip #ad to ! new pa?ways ( ! new 
_w :i* we h ent]$1 or by :at "r make    
decision involv+ my future m9i/ry "h or 
else:]e1 )\t tak+ !m fully into my      
confid5ce & se>*+ ! utmo/ temp] ( _!    
m9ds8 ,^! 7 ! que/ions :i* came to me   
promptly on ! receipt ( ! ,*icago call4 
,%\ld ,i und]take to organize an        
indep5d5t *ur* 9 ,new ,york1 %\ld ,i g  
to ,*icago z m9i/] ( ,all ,s\ls' ,*ur* &
 ,director ( ,abraham ,l9coln ,c5tre1   

%\ld ,i /ay "h z m9i/] ( ?is ,*ur* ( !  
,messiah--?is 0 my problem4 ,i c\ld n   
solve x1 ) fairness to myself or to y1  
until y _h spok54 ,h5ce1 ! meet+ ( la/  
,monday night1 call$ by ! helpful       
co-op]ation ( ! ,bo>d ( ,tru/ees1 &     
att5d$ l>gely by our p4  ,9 address+ ?is
 meet+1 ,i /at$ 9 "s detail ! future    
conditions ( *ur* "w :i* ,i propos$ to  
e/abli% or to f9d4 ,i _h int5d$         
orig9ally n to make ^! public1 at lea/  
all at once2 b rumor has be5 busy1 &    
exact in=mation1 = purposes (           
correction1 if no?+ m1 has n[ become    
ess5tial4  ,fir/ ( all1 !re=e1 may ,i   
say t ,i made ann\ncem5t to ?is meet+1 z
 ,i w\ld n[ make ann\ncem5t to y1 t ,i h
 left1 or am plann+ to leave1 !         
,unit>ian d5om9ation1 & propose n mu*   
long] to be kn[n specifically z a       
,unit>ian m9i/]4 ,! reasons = ?is *ange 
9 my life1 ,i %all make pla9 at ano!r   
"t2 ?is morn+ ,i cont5t myself ) /at+ ! 
fact4 ,almo/ a ye> ago ,i resign$ !     
(fice ( vice-presid5t ( ! ,middle ,/ates

 ,conf]5ce ( ,unit>ian *ur*es1 :i* h    
held ev] s9ce ,i came to ,new ,york4    
,two mon?s ago1 ,i resign$ f ! ,c\ncil (
 ! ,unit>ian ,g5]al ,conf]5ce4 ,two     
weeks ago1 ,i resign$ my life-memb]%ip 9
 ! ,am]ican ,unit>ian ,association4     
,next ,may1 :5 ! new li/ is made up1 ,i 
expect to )draw my "n f ! (ficial roll (
 ,unit>ian cl]gym51 & ?us sev] ! la/ /r&
 :i* holds me to ! ,unit>ian body4 ,(   
c\rse1 ,i %all jo9 no o!r d5om9ation1 & 
9 #ae ?is s5se %all be indep5d5t4 ,b to 
me ?is action means n isolation1 b      
entrance into t l>g] fell[%ip :i* ,i s  
long to %>e4 ,no b>ri] w !n sep>ate me f
 ^? ,episcopalians & ,bapti/s &         
,me?odi/s & o!r m51 :o are my real      
spiritual bre?r54 ,i %all be at "o ) all
 m5 ev]y:]e--at home ) ! family (       
mank9d4 ,i %all n s mu* cease to be a   
,unit>ian1 z to become a ,*ri/ian4 ,?is 
matt] is ( c\rse p]sonal2 & x ?us       
affect$ only incid5tally ! problem :i* 0
 be=e our meet+ la/ ,monday night4 ,x is
 easy to f9d prec$5t = ! occupancy ( a  

,unit>ian pulpit by a m9i/] n a         
,unit>ian4 ,at ! "t ( ! fam\s ,ye>-,book
 controv]sy1 ,mr4 ,pott] ( ,new ,b$=d1  
,mass41 & sev]al ( 8 colleagues1 )drew f
 ! ,unit>ian body1 b cont9u$ to hold _! 
,unit>ian pulpits4 ,! late/ in/ance (   
:i* ,i *ance to "k 0 call$ to my        
att5tion by ! dea? la/ week ( ,pr(4     
,george ,a4 ,fo/]1 ( ,*icago ,univ]sity4
 ,dr4 ,fo/] 0 born1 br$ & orda9$ a      
,bapti/2 & yet la/ ye> 0 call$ to fill !
 pulpit ( ! ,fir/ ,unit>ian ,*ur* *ur* 9
 ,madison1 ,wiscons92 & di$ 9 ! s]vice (
 ?is *ur*1 a ,bapti/4  ,ev5 9 or?odox   
*ur*es1 !  d5om9ational tag is los+ its 
significance4 ,?us1 :5 ! ,city ,temple  
,london1 ! mo/ fam\s ,congregational    
*ur* 9 ! _w1 s\ght a successor to ,dr4  
,campbell1 x *ose ,dr4 ,joseph ,=t      
,newton1 ( ,i[a1 a ,univ]sali/4 ,we are 
gett+ s5sible en\gh ^! days to recognize
 t ! ess5tial ?+ ev5 ab\t a m9i/] is n 8
 "n b 8 manhood4 ,nev]!less1 my         
contemplat$ *ange 9 d5om9ational /atus  
might well be reg>d$ z a "p ( ! :ole    

problem be=e u1 & ,i !re=e made c>eful  
m5tion ( x la/ ,monday night4 ,secondly1
 & m important1 ,i /at$ my desire t !   
*ur* :i* ,i %\ld s]ve tomorr[1 might    
itself be und5om9ational1 at la/ to !   
degree impli$ by my conception ( :at ,i 
h call$ ! community *ur*4 ,by ?is ,i    
meant t ! *ur* %\ld proclaim #af z its  
prim>y int]e/ & aim id5tification )1 &  
s]vice (1 ! p ( its community1 to !     
subord9ation1 &1 if necess>y1 ! end+ (  
its connection ) p]sons ( v>i\s &       
scatt]$ communities :o h no o!r bond (  
union ?an t ( a s+le d5om9ational       
inh]itance4 ,0 ,i wrong :5 ,i v5tur$ !  
ass]tion at ! meet+ ( our ,society1 t 9 
?is *ur* we h already mov$ f> 9 ?is     
direction8 ,unconsci\sly1 9 ! la/ doz5  
ye>s1 x seems to me1 we h be5 mov+ out (
 ! d5om9ation1 into ! community4 ,ne>ly 
e int]e/ 9 ?is p>i% is a community & n a
 d5om9ational int]e/4 ,our natural      
affiliations z a *ur* 9 ?is city h n be5
 s mu* ) *ur*es ( our own d5om9ation1 z 
) *ur*es ( v>i\s d5om9ations di/+ui%$ l 

ourselves z pr$om9antly civic1 or       
community1 in/itutions4 ,?is            
congregation is an indep5d5t            
congregation4 ,if ! ,unit>ian "n adh]es 
to x at all1 x is to ! emb>rassm5t ( ^? 
^: ,unit>ianism is _! pride1 & to !     
confusion ( ^? :o1 n ,unit>ians ei!r by 
bir? or conviction1 desire to jo9 u 9 _s
 & active "w4 ,= ye>s1 l ! *amb]$       
nautilus1 we h be5 outgr[+ our          
d5om9ational %ell1 & seek+ m /ately     
mansions4 ,is x n "t1 n[1 t we left ?is 
outgr[n %ell1 & became at la/ ! full &  
free community in/itution ( :i* ,i      
speak8 ,%\ld we n at lea/ cle> ourselves
 ( anci5t entanglem5ts to su* degree t  
we may invite p op5ly & hone/ly to come 
into our portals n because !y want to   
pr(ess !mselves ,unit>ians1 b because !y
 want to confess !mselves lov]s &       
s]vants ( mank9d8  ,aga91 ,i /at$ at la/
 ,monday's meet+ my desire t ! *ur* :i* 
,i %all s]ve tomorr[1 may h a "n :i*    
means some?+ 9 ! language & ?\ght ( our 
"t4 ,! application ( ?is pr9ciple to our

 *ur* is obvi\s4 ,! "n1 ,*ur* ( !       
,messiah1 is preci\s to _m ( u1 because 
x awak5s memories & revives t5d]        
associations4 ,b a "n #ag is important n
 f ! /&po9t ( ^? :o "k :at x means1 or  
ought to mean1 b ( ^? :o d n "k4 ,! "n (
 a *ur*1 l t ( a bus9ess1 is an         
adv]tisem5t4 ,x is a symbol1 a slogan1 a
 bann]4 ,x %\ld tell at once to ev]ybody
 :at is beh9d x1 :at x /&s =2 & ?is is  
exactly :at our "n does n d1 except to !
 initiate4 ,dr4 ,savage tri$ to save !  
situation by associat+ ) ! "n1 ,l[ell's 
famili> l9e1 "s great cause1 ,god's new 
,messiah4 ,i h tri$ to brea! ! brea? (  
life into ! corpse1 by atta*+ x         
delib]ately to our v>i\s activities--z !
 ,messiah ,=um1 ! ,messiah ,social      
,s]vice ,league1 etc4 ,b all 9 va96 ,our
 "n sugge/s a hope ( anci5t ,judaism1 a 
p]iod ( ,unit>ian hi/ory1 a habit (     
,episcopalian nom5clature--& t is all6  
,x %\ld be *ang$1 to give "s adequate   
expression ( our ideals4 ,! ,city ,*ur*1
 ! ,p's ,*ur*1 ! ,community ,*ur*1 !    

,*ur* ( ! ,p1 ! ,*ur* ( ! ,new          
,democracy1 ! ,fell[%ip1 ! ,free        
,fell[%ip1 ! ,fell[%ip ( ,social        
,idealism1 ! ,fell[%ip ( ! ,k+dom1 !    
,fell[%ip ( ,spiritual ,democracy1 !    
,lib]al ,c5tre1 ! ,community            
,c5tre1--?9k ( :at we might call        
ourselves1 if we b _h ! c\rage4 ,& aft] 
all1 :at c\rage w\ld x take1 save t long
 s9ce display$ by our fa!rs 9 ?is *ur*8 
,h[ _m ( y "k t = f\rte5 ye>s1 ?is *ur* 
0 kn[n simply z ! ,second               
,congregational ,unit>ian ,society (    
,new ,york4 ,!n 9 #ahci1 because ! "n   
,unit>ian 0 op5 to s]i\s miscon/ruction1
 ?is "n1 except 9 its /rictly legal     
uses1 0 dropp$1 & ! highly or?odox "n we
 n[ be>1 0 sub/itut$4 ,i /at$ at our    
meet+ t if ,i %\ld rema9 z y\r m9i/]1 ,i
 %\ld hope t ?is *ur* might simil>ly    
baptize itself afre% 9 ! language ( our 
own "t1 & 9 ! _s ( our own life6  ,aga91
 at ?is meet+ on ,monday la/1 ,i /at$ t 
a mod]n *ur* %\ld h free pews4 ,?is     
/atem5t ne$s no def9ition or argum5t4 ,!

 sy/em ( pew #ah r5tals is an           
abom9ation1 already aboli%$ 9 c\ntless  
*ur*es m or?odox ?an our own1 & a sc&al 
9 any *ur* claim+ to be lib]al or       
democratic4  ,la/ly1 ,i /at$ my desire t
 my *ur* %\ld h a non-cov5ant$ memb]%ip4
 ,on ! side ( organization1 ?is means ( 
c\rse t we make our *ur* & society a    
s+le body1 & ?us aboli% ! pres5t sy/em (
 two unrelat$ gr\ps1 ! "o bus9ess & !   
o!r spiritual 9 "*4 ,on ! side (        
religion1 x means t we ab&on ! idea ( an
 inn] gr\p ( memb]s1 :o h rea*$ "s      
spiritual em95ce n atta9$ by o!rs4 ,(   
c\rse1 9 our body1 ?is sanctification   
aspect ( *ur* memb]%ip has disappe>$ f  
our appreh5sion4 ,b if ?is is ! case1 :y
 %\ld we reta9 ! =m8 ,:at is ess5tial is
 organization & fell[%ip on ! basis (   
simple bro!rhood4 ,"h we are1 comrades  
toge!r1 wor%ipp+ & work+ to ! great end 
( a bett] _w4 ,we mu/ be b\nd toge!r 9  
"s way1 = we mu/ be an enli/$ body1 n a 
mob ( unrelat$ individuals4 ,b let x be 
a ,roll-,call to ,s]vice--a jo9+ ( !    

*ur* z ( ! ,r$ ,cross = ! love ( mank9d4
 ,9 _s1 our memb]%ip is already ?is2 b  
its =m is n s mu* an embodim5t ( ! new  
democracy ( ! saviors z an e*o ( ! old  
ari/ocracy ( ! sav$4  ,x 0 ) ^! five    
po9ts t ,i confront$ ! memb]s ( ?is     
,society la/ ,monday ev5+4 ,i /at$ !m   
mu* z ,i h /at$ !m ?is morn+1 & !n ask$ 
n t action be tak51 b t s5tim5t be      
express$4 ,s9ce t "t1 ,i h be5          
assidu\sly collect+ in=mation ( :at took
 place4 ,(ficial report ( action tak51 (
 votes pass$1 has be5 laid ^u my desk4  
,fri5ds h writt5 or spok5 to me _!      
impressions ( ! ga!r+4 ,i h myself      
canvass$ ! memb]s ( ! ,bo>d ( ,tru/ees1 
& h receiv$ replies to my que/ions :i*  
%[ su* high endeavor to convey accurate 
in=mation & s\nd advice1 q ap>t f       
p]sonal op9ion on mo/ po9ts1 z does #ai 
ab\nd+ honor to ! p]sons conc]n$4 ,f :at
 has ?us come to me1 ,i d$uce ?ree facts
 ab\t ?is meet+4 ,fir/1 t ! memb]s ( ?is
 *ur* 7 will+ to face )\t revolt or     
rebuke1 que/ions :i* m (t5 ?an n 9 ! pa/

 h be5 ! occasion ( unseemly qu>rel &   
unholy s*ism4 ,secondly1 t !            
consid]ation ( ^! que/ions 0 c>ri$ on = 
two h\rs )\t bitt]ness ( _s z betwe5 !  
memb]s ( ! *ur*1 or z betwe5 ^! memb]s &
 ! abs5t m9i/]4 ,la/ly1 t !re is a l>ge 
work+ majority 9 ?is *ur* :o desire !   
?+s t ,i desire4 ,tak+ ^! facts into my 
own s\l1 :i* mu/ be ! la/ c\rt (        
decision1 aft] all1 ,i h become conv9c$ 
t ,i am confront$ "h by a situation :i* 
,i c nei!r ignore nor evade4 ,my *all5ge
 to y has be5 answ]$ by a *all5ge to    
myself4 ,to refuse ?is *all5ge1 is      
impossible4 ,to leave ?is fruitage ( my 
twelve ye>s ( pl[+ & plant+ unh>ve/$1 & 
?us to )] & be scatt]$1 w\ld be a crime4
 ,i h !re=e decl9$ ! call to ,*icago1 & 
w rema9 "h z y\r m9i/]6  ,to ?is        
ann\ncem5t ( my decision 9 ?is case1 may
 ,i make1 9 clos+1 "s two or ?ree       
supplem5t>y rem>ks8  ,9 ! fir/ place1 = 
! b5efit ( su* ra%] or m en?usia/ic     
spirits z may be pres5t 9 ?is place1 ,i 
w\ld /ate t ,i h no int5tion ( abus+ !  

confid5ce ?us repos$ 9 me1 or ! p[] ?us 
grant$ me1 by dem&+ imm$iate & f9al     
action on all ! po9ts ( my program4 ,we 
are memb]s "h n ( a political caucus1 b 
( a *ur*2 & x behooves u1 !re=e1 to     
obs]ve ev5 ! utt]mo/ ref9em5ts ( good-w 
& mutual consid]ation4 ,we mu/ respect )
 scrupul\s fidelity ! rights ( ea*1 &   
seek no?+ t falls %ort ( ! happ9ess (   
all4 ,det]m9ation mu/ n[ yield place to 
pati5ce1 & c\rage to sympa?y4 ,conv]sion
 & n conque/ is our me?od4 ,i _h r wait 
ye>s to ga9 my po9t ) ! cons5t ( e he>t1
 ?an c>ry (f ! victory #bj tomorr[ ) "s 
he>ts brok5 & ?r[n away4 ,i h a p]fect  
fai? 9 ! p[] ( p]suasion--an un%ak5     
confid5ce 9 ! ultimate supremacy ( love2
 & am q will+ to leave to ^! my/ic =ces 
! det]m9ation ( ! "t1 ! me?od & !       
ultimate =m ( our accompli%m5t4  ,on !  
o!r h&1 le/ !re be ^? :o ?9k t de$s are 
n to foll[ ^u words1 may ,i /ate t ,i   
take up my m9i/ry 9 ?is *ur* afre% today
 ) ! conviction t ,i am committ$ to a   
program1 & y committ$ to its dec5t &    

fri5dly consid]ation4 ,nay m1 ,i am     
p]suad$ t we are ready = unanim\s action
 on "s po9ts4 ,at ! regul> annual meet+ 
( ?is ,society1 on ,monday1 ,janu>y #ac1
 ,i hope1 & h e reason to expect t a    
resolution w be introduc$1 provid+ = !  
abolition ( ! pew r5tal sy/em ( f9ancial
 support1 & ! e/abli%m5t ( ! pr9ciple ( 
free pews4 ,i %all recomm5d t c]ta9     
me?ods be employ$ = ! affect+ ( ?is     
great *ange3 7#a7 t all pres5t          
pew-hold]s be invit$ to surr5d] _!      
sitt+s & to pay to ! treasur] 9 ! =m (  
subscription :at !y n[ pay 9 =m ( r5t2  
7#b7 t ^? :o may be = any reason unwill+
 to make ?is *ange1 be protect$ 9 _!    
rights & be gu>ante$ _! sitt+s1 s long z
 !y may desire ?is arrangem5t2 7#c7 t   
all new-com]s be invit$ to support !    
*ur* by subscription paym5ts only1 & no 
pews or sitt+s be r5t$ anew "u any      
consid]ation aft] a c]ta9 date4 ,by "s  
su* proc$ure z ?is we %all ga9 our end1 
protect our pres5t income1 & impose     
compulsion ^u no s+le individual4       

,secondly1 x is my hope1 & expectation1 
t at ?is annual meet+ next week1 !      
problem ( our "n z a *ur* w be tak5 up4 
,i %all recomm5d t a committee be       
appo9t$ to consid] a new "n = ! ,*ur* ( 
! ,messiah1 & to report back to a       
special meet+ ( ! ,society p]haps 9 !   
e>ly spr+1 _! recomm5dation on ?is po9t4
  ,z reg>ds ! problem ( non-cov5ant$    
memb]%ip #ba ,i propose to recomm5d t   
?is matt] be promptly ref]r$ to !       
,advisory ,bo>d = /udy2 t ?is body1 9   
turn1 report its f9d+s to ! ,bo>d (     
,tru/ees = simil> /udy2 & t ?is ,bo>d1  
at su* "t1 & 9 su* way1 z x & ! m9i/]s  
may deem prop]1 br+ ! matt] be=e !      
,society = action4 ,?is "q is           
complicat$1 & poorly und]/ood4 ,we %all 
want to exam9e ! exp]i5ce & prec$5t (   
o!r d5om9ational bodies1 & ( su*        
indep5d5t religi\s organizations z !    
,e?ical ,culture ,society & ! ,free     
,synagogue4 ,we mu/ f9d1 or create1 a   
sy/em ( memb]%ip :i* %all accurately &  
fully repres5t ! spiritual idealism (   

?is *ur*1 z well z practical utility1 at
 its be/2 & ?is is a task call+ at ?is  
mom5t n = action b = m$itation4  ,!re is
 left ! mo/ important ( all que/ions :i*
 ,i h rais$--! cont9u$ connection ( ?is 
*ur* ) ! ,unit>ian d5om9ation4 ,x is to 
me an occasion = surprise t "s ( y %\ld 
h imag9$ t ,i 0 desir+1 or expect+1     
action on ?is matt] la/ ,monday night4  
,i h be5 /ill m a/oni%$ to he>1 dur+ !  
week1 t "s ( y suspect or inf] t a      
decision on my "p to rema9 w involve an 
imm$iate int5tion to proce$ to ! capture
 ( ! *ur* = purposes n disclos$4 ,on    
,monday night ,i gave expression to a   
conviction & a hope1 & ask$ y to regi/] 
op9ion !reupon4 ,beyond t ,i w\ld n g1 &
 c\ld n if ,i w\ld4 ,^? ( y :o h be5    
,unit>ians = ye>s1 are ,unit>ians today1
 & desire to rema9 ,unit>ians1 mu/ be   
protect$ 9 y\r rights4 ,! indebt$ness ( 
?is *ur* to ! _m 9 g5]ations gone :o h  
s]v$ x = ! sake & 9 ! "n ( ,unit>ianism1
 mu/ n be repudiat$4 ,moral obligation z
 well z legal necessity may make x      

impossible = ?is *ur* to sev] connection
 ) ! body ( its orig94 ,above all1 ,i am
 insi/5t t !re %all be no qu>rel or     
s*ism on ?is issue4 ,!re may be place "h
 = *ange by evolution1 b nev] by        
viol5ce4 ,no faction mu/ presume to     
dictate :at may #bb come b5efic5tly by  
cons5t alone4 ,:at ,i did on ,monday la/
 0 to plant 9 y\r m9ds ! se$ :i* f\nd   
lodgem5t ye>s ago 9 m9e4 ,:at ,i %all n[
 d is to wait ! g]m9ation ( t se$ ?r\gh 
a p]iod ( ye>s :i* may be less1 & may   
well be m1 ?an ,i endur$4 ,& ,i d ?is ) 
! m cont5t & confid5ce1 t ,i h little   
d\bt z to :at ! result w be4 ,i h n liv$
 ) y all ^! ye>s gone by1 )\t le>n+ !   
op5ness ( y\r m9ds1 ! in/9ctive passion 
( y\r s\ls = "r1 ! quickness ( y\r      
s5sibilities to all sweet influ5ces (   
progress & good-w4 ,if !re be tru? 9 my 
conviction = *ange1 x w 9 "t be y\r     
conviction1 z x is m9e4 ,if ?is be      
,! fre] /ep1 ! full] brea?1     ,! wide 
horizons gr&] view1  !n x w inevitably  
"w en*antm5t 9 y\r he>ts z x has 9 m9e4 

,& if n1 !n %all ,i tru/ ^? sweep+ tides
 ( *ange :i* are n[ engulf+ all ! _w &  
de/9$ s soon1 to oblit]ate ! b>ri]s (   
d5om9ation1 s t ?is issue betwe5 u mu/  
vani% = good & all4 ,& 9 any case1 we   
may ev] h ! task ( mak+ our ,unit>ianism
 9 ?is place ( s new & wond]ful a "* t  
?is body to :i* we are b\nd1 may itself 
become transfigur$ by ! s]vice we p]=m =
 ,god & man4 ,i am q cont5t1 !re=e1 to  
po/pone ?is "q = an indef9ite p]iod4 ,by
 ! inw>d cons5t ( conv]t$ m9ds1 or !    
outw>d logic ( inexorable ev5ts1 ?is    
problem w be settl$ 9 due "t1 & ) p]fect
 amity & concord4  ,la/ly1 may ,i       
congratulate y1 z ,i am congratulat+    
myself1 on ! high adv5ture ( ! _s :i* we
 und]take ?is day2 & appeal1 )\t        
apology1 9 frankness una%am$1 = y\r     
support 9 ?is endeavor8 ,i call to my p 
9 ?is *ur*1 to jo9 _! h&s & he>ts 9 ?is 
great ent]prise ( fai?4 ,n to divide1 b 
to unite y1 am ,i speak+3 = x is !      
*all5ge ( high aim & /ruggle :i* alone c
 hold #bc u to accord4 ,i call z well to

 p outside ?is *ur*--/rang]s & fri5ds   
alike1 :o h turn$ f ! *ur*es ( ! pa/1 b1
 /ill dev\t 9 expectancy & love1 h wait$
 long = ! new *ur* ( ! morr[4 ,our      
vision may be dim1 our purpose weak2 b  
we are try+ = some?+ high] & bett] ?an  
man has ev] kn[n--& we ne$ ! help t y c 
give4 ,we ne$ y\r money--bills _c be    
paid )\t x4 ,we ne$ y\r names--a body _c
 exi/ & labor )\t memb]s4 ,we ne$ y\r   
love--our he>ts mu/ falt] if we h x n4  
,to all :o he> ^! words ,i speak1 to all
 :o read !m :5 !y are pr9t$1 to all :om 
rumor may in=m & "q1 ,i cry out1 ,come6 
,to g on alone1 7 n s h>d4 ,i c d x1 if 
x be necess>y4 ,! blaz$ trail1 z well z 
! broad av5ue1 kn[s ! foot/eps ( ! ,"l4 
,! wild]ness & ! solit>y place1 z well z
 ! cr[d$ city1 is ! abode ( ,god4 ,b    
bett] ?an lonel9ess is comrade%ip4 ,!   
explor] may see f af> ! ,promis$ ,l&1 ! 
pione] may spy x out1 b x is ! m>*+ ho/ 
t ent]s to conqu] & possess4 ,to y all1 
!re=e1 ,i lift my cry      ,we h *os5   
our pa?--     ,pa? to a cle>-purpos$    

goal1     ,pa? ( advance6--b x leads    
,a long /eep j\rney1 ?r\gh sunk         
,gorges1 o'er m\nta9s ( sn[4 4 4 4      
,fill up ! gaps 9 our files1 ,/r5g!n our
 wav]+ l9e1     ,/abli%1 cont9ue our    
m>*1     ,on to ! b\nd ( ! wa/e1        
,on1 to ! city ( ,god4  #bd