Some of the still-known Universalist luminaries of the age; others — like the then-young Charles H. Vail — bear some review. And hope someone will make something of Marion Daniel Shutter, then the Universalist pastor in Minneapolis, at this year’s General Assembly.

NASH, Charles Ellwood, pres. Lombard Univ. since Dec, 1895; b. Alamuchy, N. J., 1855; academic ed’n; grad. Lombard Univ., 1875, A. M., 1878; Tufts Divinity School, 1878 (S. T. D., 1891). Universalist pastor, Stamford, Conn., 1878-81; Newtonville, Mass., 1881-4; Akron, O., 1884-91; 1st Universalist Ch., Brooklyn, 1891-5. Author: The Saviour of the World; etc. Address: Galesburg, Ill.

PRIEST, Ira Allen, pres. Buchtel Coll. since May, 1897; b. Mechanicsville, Vt., May, 1856; grad. Tufts Coll., Mass., 1884 (A. M., 1897; D. D., 1898); Tufts Coll. Divinity School, B. D., 1887. Worked in Universalist ministry, 1887-97. Address: Akron, O.

PULLMAN, James Minton, Universalist clergyman; b. Portland, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Aug. 21, 1836; ed. Albion Acad., Orleans Co., N. Y.; grad. St. Lawrence Univ. Divinity School, Canton, N. Y., 1861 (D. D., 1879); m., Jan. 26, 1862, Jennie S. Tracy, Canton, N. Y. Pastor Troy, N. Y., 1861-8; New York, 1868-85; since 1885, First Universalist Ch., Lynn, Mass., largest Universalist parish in U. S. Has written numerous reviews and essays. Was sec. Universalist Gen. Convention, 1870-8; pres. Associated Charities of Lynn since 1886; pres. Deau Acad., Franklin, Mass.; director Mass. Prison Assn.; member Mass. State Bd. of Charities. Address: Lynn, Mass.

SAWYER, Thomas Jefferson, Universalist clergyman-teacher; b. Reading, Vt., Jan. 9, 1804; grad. Middlebury Coll., 1829 (A. M., S. T. D., Harvard, 1850; LL. D., Tufts, 1896); pastor in New York, 1830-45; m., Sept. 21, 1831, Caroline M. Fisher, Newton, Mass. Asso. editor The Christian Messenger, 183145; in charge Clinton, N. Y., Liberal Inst., 1845-52; pastor New York, 1852-61; editor The Christian Ambassador, 1863-6; on opening of Tufts Coll. Divinity School, 1869, became prof, systematic theology; now prof, emeritus. Called the educational convention, 1847, which resulted in founding Tufts Coll.; was active in founding the Canton, N. Y., Theol. Sem.; suggested the Universalist Hist. Soc, 1834, and has ever since been its sec. and librarian. Author: Who is God—the Son or the Father?; Endless Punishment in the Very Words of Its Advocates; etc. Address: Tufts Coll., Mass.

SHUTTER, Marion Daniel, Universalist clergyman; b. New Philadelphia, O., Aug. 4, 1853; grad. Univ. of Wooster, 1876; Baptist Theol. Sem., Chicago, 1881; m., June 30, 1888, Mary E. Wilkinson, at Madison, Wis. Was ordained to Baptist ministry; pastor Olivet Baptist Ch., Minneapolis; changed views and became pastor First Universalist Ch. there. Author: Wit and Humor of the Bible; Justice and Mercy; Child of Nature. Address: 1906 Park Av., Minneapolis, Minn.

SOULE, Caroline Augusta, Universalist minister; b. (White) Albany, N. Y., Sept. 3, 1824; grad. with honors Albany Female Acad., 1841; prin. female dept. Clinton Liberal Inst., 1842; m., Aug. 28, 1843, Rev. Henry B. Soule. Left a widow, with 5 children, Jan. 30, 1852; engaged in literary work, which she has since continued; owned and edited for 11 years The Guiding Star, a Sunday-school paper; ordained to Universalist ministry, 1880; pastor St. Paul’s Universalist Ch., Glasgow, Scotland, 1879-92. Author: Home Life; The Pet of the Settlement; Wine or Water. Address: 71 Seymour St., Crossmyloof, Glasgow, Scotland.

VAIL, Charles H., Universalist clergyman; b. Tully, N. Y., April 28. 1866; ed. common schools; studied music, New York; became music teacher; entered St. Lawrence Univ., Canton, 1889; grad., 1892; studied theology another year; B. D., 1893; m., July 7, 1892, Nina Bedell, Geneva. N. Y. Pastor All Soul’s Ch., Albany, N. Y., 1893-4; since then of First Universalist Ch., Jersey City, N. J. Author: Modern Socialism; Scientific Socialism; also other works. Residence: 61 Harmon St., Jersey City, N. J. Business Address: Care Commonwealth Co., 28 Lafayette Pl., New York.

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Lent begins today, but the Protestant in me has never been very comfortable in the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday. I went along in seminary, and followed local practice in my last pastorate, but since that ended haven’t — to coin a phrase — haven’t been imposed upon.

Still, I’ve been reflecting more deeply and now vocally about two things that have bothered me for some time. First, I’m not eating meat, at least nothing I’ve not already bought. I suspect there’ll be a place for the odd anchovy or oyster in my future, but food with feet are right off the menu. (I suspect the fish will be spared in time.) Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals — and its sideways take-down of Michael Pollen’s macho-neurotic The Omnivore’s Dilemma — is the most proximate cause. Foer makes a good case ethically and philosophically, but my faith is why I listen to him and not others. I hear St. Paul in Romans (8:18-25, here NRSV)

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Behind the groans, I hear the moos and bleets and chirping. Is salvation pushed so far future that it can not be tasted now? And if it is known now, how can it be enjoyed from the suffering of others. It is, at least in my setting, needless. And needless suffering must be rejected. (Just labor and trade are other concerns, and I’ve written about these, at my Boy in the Bands blog. And shall continue the practical pieces of this theme there.)

If not eating animals is an experience of realized eschatology, then my concern about Google is about freedom and consumption. I mention it in tandem with vegetarianism because I feel obese with the amount of data I’m consuming, and such a large part coming from and through Google. Or if I was to cite scripture, Google seems a lot like Mammon. It’s like a cheap, convenient and delicious food — but it’s not the world, and recent mistakes — such as Google Buzz — suggests that the clever kids from Mountain View are either testing the waters or are tone-deaf to the privacy concerns of its users. Bad, bad move. Again, practical details at Boy in the Bands. (In a related note, former office-mate Lizzie is giving up Facebook and Twitter for Lent.)

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My “scheduled outage” was a vacation Hubby and I took to Paris, Cologne and Bonn.

We’ve been back almost a week, but I’m not quite ready to blog again. I only have so many observations — church-wise — to make, and besides a project at Day Job is quite consuming right now, and plans there fill my thoughts even at home.

But the real “problem” is that I’m not sure what I have to say, and would rather be silent than try and fill the void. (Vaguer and more frivolous thoughts may go to Boy in the Bands.)

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Threw my back out today, and on muscle relaxers and prescription pain meds. Not a good formula for blogging, so I’ll make it up tomorrow.

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