held in Freemasons' Hall. Believing that in the vain
pursuit of orthodoxy men have parted into rival churches, and lost the
bond of common work and love; that doctrinal uniformity is become
increasingly difficult, while at the same time there is a growing and a
strengthening of moral and spiritual affinities; that the Divine will is
love to God and love to man, and that equally broad should be the terms
of pious communion among men, the new Union requires a spiritual
fellowship co-extensive with these terms, and aims by relieving the
Christian life from reliance on theological articles or external rites to
save it from conflict with the knowledge and conscience of mankind, and
bring it back to the essential conditions of harmony between God and man.
The Society proposes to issue publications to illustrate the spirit of
unsectarian Christianity, and to furnish the means of undogmatic
instruction; to give aid to persons suffering for conscience sake from
the spirit of exclusiveness; to watch legislation so far as it bears on
religious freedom; to help existing sects to widen their basis, and to
encourage the formation of congregations where the terms of communion
shall be broad and undogmatic. Further, it aims at the establishment in
London of a central church for the maintenance of Christian worship and
life, apart from doctrinal interests and names, the services of which
will be conducted by ministers of various ecclesiastical positions.
Amongst the committee of this Union may be noted the names of George
Dawson, Esq., the Rev. J. Martineau, and the Rev. W. Miall. The Rev. P.
W. Clayden is one of the secretaries.

To the promoters of this new religious organization the attendance the
first night must have been eminently gratifying. The large hall was well
filled, and outside there were as many cabs and private broughams waiting
about as at the Opera when a star of the first magnitude is engaged. On
the occasion there was a special form of prayer devised, which was read
by the Rev. Mr. Martineau, and two hymns were sung, one of Wesley's--

"The saints on earth and those above
But one communion make."

And another from the Breviary--

"Supreme Disposer of the heart,
Thou, since the world began,
With heavenly grace hast sanctified
And cheered the heart of man."

Besides there was a chant, in which all joined, and a small band to sing
the Amen. Two sermons were preached; one by the