F0REW0RD
In the autumn of 1920 the Board of Directors of the Pacific CoastConference of Unitarian Churches took note of the approaching eightiethbirthday of Mr. Charles A. Murdock, of San Francisco. Recalling Mr.Murdock's active service of all good causes, and more particularly hisdevotion to the cause of liberal religion through a period of more thanhalf a century, the board decided to recognize the anniversary, whichfell on January 26, 1921, by securing the publication of a volume of Mr.Murdock's essays. A committee was appointed to carry out the project,composed of Rev. H.E.B. Speight (chairman), Rev. C.S.S. Dutton, and Rev.Earl M. Wilbur.
The committee found a fairly ready response to its announcement of asubscription edition, and Mr. Murdock gave much time and thought to thepreparation of material for the volume. "A Backward Glance at Eighty" isnow issued with the knowledge that its appearance is eagerly awaited byall Mr. Murdock's friends and by a large number of others who welcomenew light upon the life of an earlier generation of pioneers.