necessary for him to resign his office in the army, which he did, and his resignation was accepted. While in actual service he was able to provide for his large family, of which three sons already are in this country, one as teacher, and the two younger ones as students at the Urbana University. But now, having no other resources but a small pension, which only amounts to a few hundred dollars per annum, he is depending on whatever assistance the New Church in this country may be able to give him. Taking the above facts into consideration, we feel confident that the New Church will not hesitate in speedily coming to his assistance. It is to be respectfully recommended to the New Church Convention that he and his works should be supported here from the missionary funds.

Before the organization of the above-mentioned society, his younger. brother, Adolph Boyesen, had already been enabled, by the assistance of the New Church in England and America, to translate and publish "The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrines," 1864, and "Heaven and Hell," 1869, in the Danish language. Since that time, "The Last Judgment" and "Divine Love and Wisdom" have been translated, and "The True Christian Religion " is almost ready for publication.

Some time ago it was proposed that Mr. Adolph Boyesen should take up his residence in Copenhagen, as it was deemed best to have a centre from which all missionary labors in the interest of the New Church could go out to the other places in the three Scandinavian countries. And this proposal was received with such general approbation that we see in it a direction of Divine Providence. Already several persons have joined the New Church in Copenhagen, during the past few years, through the efforts of Miss Julia Conring, and a few of her friends; and she has, out of her own means, bought a building, which she intends to donate to the New Church, and where Mr. Adolph Boyesen, after his arrival in Copenhagen, will make his stay. We sincerely hope that this undertaking, so successfully commenced, and promising such great results in the future, will enjoy the sympathy and the liberal support of the New Church in this country and in England. The following subscriptions have been made:

Of which a part has been drawn, and the following re

Remitted to Norway and Denmark since December, 1869. 1,072 30

Balance to be collected

$875 20 To accomplish the object of this society, we have calculated that at least $3,000 yearly will be needed, and submit respectfully this report to the generous consideration of all friends of the New Jerusalem Church.

Respectfully,

WILHELM WINSLOW,

Treasurer and Secretary.

We are under the greatest obligation to the Scandinavian New Church Society in America. It provides generously for our wants by furnishing us with a missionary and translator in the person of the well-known Mr. Adolph Boyesen, from Norway. This is an event of great importance and joy, and while we all acknowledge that even our expectations and hopes are surpassed by so rapid a progress, we cannot but admire the wonderful ways of our Lord, and give our heartfelt thanks to Him and to our brethren, who so well know and love to do His work.

When I, almost five years ago, not by inclination, but following what I understood to be the will of Providence, left Germany and took residence at Copenhagen, and while still on board of the steamer, took up my Bible to see what the Lord particularly would point out to me, my eyes immediately met the words in 1 Chronicles, xxii. 19: Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord you God; arise, therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built to the name of the Lord," which, though not of the books composing the Word of God, still proved to be of great consolation, and became my bright leading star. Still, the first steps which I took failed, and it was not till two years afterwards, when, by the kindness of Mr. B. Worcester, in Waltham, I got the addresses of two New Churchmen, the brothers Vicel Fald, in Jutland (a part of Denmark on the continent), and learned that sons and nephews of theirs live here in Copenhagen, that I found the possibility of doing what my star required. At the same time another family, very respectable, though much depressed by adversity, was named to me as receivers of our doctrines. And a few days after, we, only three in number, met for the first time, on Sunday morning, the ninth of August, 1868, for service, and since that time we have met regularly every Sunday. Our number was soon increased by the other members and friends of those families, till others also were attracted; and though some of them, after a while, returned to their old ways, we still were not only more numerous, but all more and more experienced benefit and blessing from our Sunday meetings. I need not say that there has been many an inward struggle till

the minds of all were quite willing and able joyfully to receive Swedenborg's doctrines in every particular, but at the same time I, with thankfulness and joy, bear witness that it has bravely been fought, and victory won. False ideas have been dispersed; what first was done out of duty is now done from love; they all would think it a great loss to miss even one Sunday meeting; the hearts have been opened, the tongues loosened, and many a subject is conversed about after or before service. Since the twenty-ninth of January, Mrs. B. and myself have also a little Sunday-school, with which the children seem much pleased.

Copenhagen is a capital, to be sure, but still it is said to be a place where everybody knows everything. People know very well that we are Swedenborgians, and, so far as possible, we have taken care to inform our acquaintances what a Swedenborgian is, and what he is not. Our books have been used as missionaries with different success, often returned, sometimes kept, and have found some interested readers. Still, of course we are looked down upon as almost not existing. But Mr. Boyesen's arrival and future lectures will raise a more general curiosity, animosity, and, let us hope and believe, also a readiness for acceptance.

But long before these events took place, I suppose thirty or forty years ago, the eldest of the above-mentioned Vicel Fald, in Jutland, who was then in Copenhagen, became attracted by an old book about Swedenborg, which accidentally, or rather providentially, fell into his hands, and, looking out for Swedenborg's own works, found the German translation, so far as it at that time existed, in the Royal Library and the University. He was soon convinced, and communicated explicitly his new views to his brother, then a Baptist in Jutland, stating and defending the doctrines, till, at last, he succeeded in convincing him. Since the elder Vicel Fald returned to Jutland, the two brothers have, by their indefatigable efforts, their persistency and self-denial, widely spread the doctrines, and, though working hard for their earthly support, have written intelligent tracts, and printed them.

Considering how much these brothers, and some others convinced by them, though partly suffering under the drawback of poverty, left quite to themselves, without any bright hope in the future, but driven by love for the Church, have done to make the doctrines known among their countrymen, we must confess that some assistance is due to them, which, we are glad to say, will be granted by Mr. Boyesen's missionary visits. They are, by the two younger Vicel Fald's living here, closely connected with our society. Whatever we translate from collateral works, the Magazine, or Messenger, is sent to them, and they take the trouble of copying it many a time, and circulating it among their friends. There are, in the neighborhood of Aalborg, about forty interested in the writings; but being too poor to afford the expense quite alone, they want to be supplied with a meeting-room, having a man among them able to be their leader, though not first-rate; they want now and then a missionary visit to set them right where they are wrong, to encourage the weak, to kindle up their affections, and to baptize children and adults -work enough for Mr. Boyesen to do.

What has been accomplished by different persons in the way of translation into the Danish-Norwegian language, I leave to Mr. Boyesen to state in a later article.

ITALIAN MISSION.

This Italian Mission has grown informally, but threw its actual operations into the following organization: The Rev. Frank Sewall has had the chief charge of the general work of raising money, and corresponding with our brethren in Italy. Mr. A. E. Cerqua, of New York, has acted as financial agent, remitting our collections to Italy, and accounting for all contributions in the columns of the Messenger.

Pursuant to the recommendations of Rev. Mr. Sewall, at a meeting of ladies called during the session of the Convention in Philadelphia last year, a number of Ladies' Aid Societies were formed, for the raising of funds for the Italian Mission, and from several of these, contributions have been received during the past year. Individuals have also contributed in larger and smaller sums. Not having the accounts of the Treasurer, Mr. Cerqua, I am unable to give the exact figures, which, however, have been published, as they will continue to be, from time to time, in the Messenger. The whole amount remitted to Italy for the support of Signor Loreto Scocia, in his lectures and publishing in Turin, Italy, is, I think, about $800. The Swedenborg Society of London have defrayed the expense of publishing Signor Scocia's translation into the Italian language of the work on "Heaven and Hell," and "The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrines." The contributions of the American Italian Mission Society have gone to the support of Signor Scocia in these employments - the translations of the writings, and the delivery of public lectures, on the Doctrines. Signor Scocia's lectures are held in a public hall in Turin, Italy, and are attended by numerous and intelligent audiences. The accounts we hear, both of Signor Scocia personally, his gifts, and general fitness for the important mission to which he has, in the Divine Providence, been called, and the character of his audiences, and the general effect of his teachings, seem to us to be full of good promise. We hail with grateful delight this inauguration of the New Church preaching in the Italian tongue to the people of Italy, and we believe the sympathies of the whole Church elsewhere will be with Signor Scocia and his little band of believers in this historic land, now waking to the dawn of the new day and the new world.

For the Italian Mission,

CHICAGO, June 13, 1871.

ADDRESSES.

FRANK SEWALL, President.

To the General Conference of the New Church in Great Britain, to assemble in the New Jerusalem Church, Cross Street, London, Monday, August 7th, 1871.

DEAR BRETHREN,

In presenting to you our Annual Address this year, it will hardly be expected that we fail to refer to some of the extraordinary events of our time, and the new circumstances in which the Church is placed by them.

The effects of the Second Coming of the Lord, and of the Last Judgment, form a subject that has become familiar to us all. We are in a habit of contemplating them in the changed and changing aspects of Christendom for a hundred years.

But the last ten years afford more striking illustrations of the New Dispensation than any period of similar length before. Events of great magnitude have followed each other with unwonted rapidity. Organic changes in the institutions of society move on with a velocity unparalleled in history. This marked characteristic of the last decade is attracting the attention of philosophic historians, as well as statesmen, and other careful observers. Larger populations than formerly are affected by the descending heavenly influences. Not only the centre, but also the extreme circumferences of Christendom are moved, and seem to be responding more distinctly than ever before to those spiritual forces which we all believe to be at work. Their operation is clearly descending more deeply into human minds; the universal conscience has received a quickening; and communities are sensibly moved by the moral bearing of all great questions.

To us these indications read an important practical lesson. They show us the world preparing for the Church; the good ground getting ready to receive the seed; a new time near, even at the doors. The Lord is, evidently, doing His part of the work, doing it wonderfully, rapidly, and divinely well. This, as we see it and realize it, calls upon us for our part of the work. It is calculated to lend a new impulse to the will, to stimulate our sense of duty, and quicken our labors in the vineyard, first, in removing the things which offend from our own minds and lives, and next, in the effort to extend a knowledge of the Holy Truths with which we have been intrusted, as far as lies in our power.

Some of

With the extension of the Church new uses come into view. these are of such magnitude as to require the united efforts of more receivers of the Heavenly Doctrines than can be found, as yet, in any one country. And as the numbers increase, it seems probable that the work to be done will increase in magnitude also. As the field opens and widens, we shall, no doubt, find many opportunities for working together in the common America will need the co-operation of the Church in Great Britain, and no doubt the Church in your country will frequently be thankful for the aid of brethren on this side the water: while, probably, the time is not far distant when we shall behold the receivers of the different countries of the world combining their efforts in some common enterprise of general

cause.

use.

These last remarks are suggested by an undertaking which we, of the two countries, have been pursuing in conjunction for two years past. We mean the photolithographing of some of the manuscripts of Swedenborg contained in the library at Stockholm.

Of the importance of this work we need not now attempt to form an estimate. A peculiar interest in the minds of hearty receivers of the New VOL. XLIV. 6