our Lord, on which the Christian faith is founded. "In the evening the rev. gentleman delivered a lecture from John xviii. 38, 'What is Truth ?' The church was completely filled, and many from the pressure were unable to gain admission. The design of this lecture was to show what is the Truth in regard to theology, and the doctrines of this church on the entire unity of God-the Trinity-Atonement or reconciliation-Predestination Election-the Resurrection and a future state, all of which were severally explained and enforced with much ability. "The lecture, which occupied about an hour in the delivery, was listened to with marked and profound attention." THE NEW CHURCH TEA SOIREE, ST. (From the Jersey News, April 21st.) "On Wednesday evening the members of the New Church held their tea soirée, when there were present rather more than 200 persons. After the company had partaken of the good refreshments that were provided most abundantly, Mr. T. Brown, the much-respected leader of the society, was called to the chair, who commenced the religious instruction of the evening by giving out a hymn; after the singing of which he read the 55th chapter of Isaiah. He made some clear and valuable remarks, particularly on the first verse, showing very satisfactorily that the prophetic invitation to come to the waters, and buy wine and milk without money or price, was made only to a certain quality of persons, and not to all indiscriminately. Thus, it was given to the thirsty, or those who have an ardent desire to drink or imbibe the waters of truth; for no others mentally thirst for the truths of divine revelation, which are uniformly called in Scripture waters, fountains, and rivers, nor can they be expected to come and be refreshed by their cleansing and nutritious qualities. "After Mr. Brown had finished his remarks, the Rev. T. Goyder followed, and in a speech of considerable length illustrated still further the meaning of coming to the waters and buying wine and milk. The rev. gentleman, in the course of his interesting address, observed that the first and leading truth of pure religion was the unqualified unity of God, who both in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures was declared to be one in essence and person; and that the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose sacred person the fulness of Godhead dwelt bodily, was that one, true, and everlasting God. This doctrine he described as the rising sun of the New Church, shedding a bright lustre and a glory throughout the universal church of God in the world. In remarking upon the invitation of coming to the waters to buy wine and milk, he observed that the divine truth of the word of God accomplished everything for man. It was the means of cleansing him from outward evils of life, of nourishing him in his progress of regeneration, of guiding him aright in his journey from this to a brighter and more substantial world. It fought his spiritual battles for him, and conquered both his inward and outward foes; it cultivated his moral land, or prepared it for the reception of that spiritual seed of divine knowledge which, in after life, was to spring up in the soul to blossom and bear fruit; it was as the rising sun of his soul, and a constant and steady light to his path. All these descriptions of the divine truth, and how it operated variously in accomplishing human redemption and salvation, were, we thought, most beautifully illustrated by an appeal to various passages of Scripture, which were so explained and enforced as to carry conviction to the hearers. "Mr. Le Cras was next introduced to the meeting, and took up the thread of Mr. Goyder's remarks. He said that it had been justly observed that their leading doctrine was the belief in a triune God, whose essential attributes were love, wisdom, and power, or Divinity, Humanity, and their proceeding influence, called Father, Son, and Spirit, which were personified by and manifested in the single person of Jesus Christ, who was the only God of heaven and earth. Thus, said he, we believe that the Trinity exists in one divine person, the God-man, JehovahJesus, who was and is the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier of the world. He created man in his own image and likeness, by giving him two faculties, will and understanding, by which he could receive the divine love and wisdom-that spiritual life and light which fashioned him, and was meant to preserve his conjunction with, and dependence on, the author of his being. Man was created upright, just and perfect, and his affections and thoughts were centred on heavenly things. Goodness and truth were then united, and every one studied the happiness of others rather than his own; but in process of time, man fell from his primitive state, by listening to the seductive reasonings of his own lusts-called in figurative language serpent-by which he perverted the divine wisdom, and separated it from the divine goodness, until his affections and thoughts became fixed on the loves of self and the world, by which he lost the image and likeness of his Maker. But happily He who created man, promised to redeem him; and the first intimation we had of it was couched in these words, 'The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head.' Now we all know that the church, or people of God taken collectively, is represented by a woman, sometimes called a virgin, a bride, the Lamb's wife. Hence the seed of that woman is the truth taught in the church. This truth is compared to seed in the Gospels, where we read that a sower went forth to sow, and that some of the seed fell into good ground, or heavenly states of mind, and other into stony places, where there was not much deepness of earth, or those states where it was not received with affection. Thus the serpent denotes those lusts or loves which bind man to earthly things, and its head signifies the love of self, which is the most pernicious of all; and which was to be bruised and destroyed. [These speeches, which are here greatly abridged, are full of luminous and striking sentiments, and must have produced a considerable impression upon the audience.] 66 After Mr. Le Cras had finished his instructive address, 66 Mr. Brown rose and congratulated the meeting upon the very intellectual feast which had been presented before them, and Mr. Goyder concluded by recommending the members to institute a weekly meeting for the purpose of affording an opportunity to Christians of all denominations of asking questions and of giving full scope to thought, so that an extension of the heavenly doctrines amongst mankind might be effected. "A hymn was then sung, and the meeting separated about half-past nine o'clock." ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MANCHESTER NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH TRACT The twelfth annual meeting of the Tract Society was held on the 14th May, in the School-rooms, Peter-street, Manchester. Many subscribers and friends assembled to tea at half-past five. The Rev. E. D. Rendell presided. We shall here give a brief abstract of the report, which was received and adopted with great pleasure by the meeting. The report shows that nineteen thousand three hundred and four tracts have been issued during the past year; and that the total issue since the commencement of the society, in 1837, is three hundred and sixty-two thousand two hundred. Three of the minor works of Swedenborg have been printed during the year, namely, the Doctrine of the Lord, of the Sacred Scriptures, and of Faith; and the Doctrine of Life is now in the press, and will be issued in a few days. It is gratifying to find that about 900 copies of the Doctrine of the Lord have been disposed of in varied channels. It has been introduced into schools as a manual for teachers and their classes, and likewise into families. It is also, when published in so cheap and neat a form, available for presentation to individuals who wish to know the New Church doctrine of the Lord. The others, although not so long since published, have sold in equal proportion. These works were first issued by Swedenborg as tracts, and the society is now endeavouring to carry out, on a most extensive scale, what the author began. To assist the society in its useful endeavours, the Manchester Printing Society have granted the sum of fifty pounds to the donation fund. Other tracts have also been reprinted during the year, making the total number printed during that period, twenty-five thousand eight hundred and ninety copies. The amount of subscriptions during the year is about fifty pounds. The balance over and above the donation fund is seventeen pounds. The following resolutions were passed : "1. That this meeting recommends the various societies of the church to establish a regular and systematic loan distribution of tracts in their localities, similar to that of the Hulme Tract Loan Committee' referred to in the report; being convinced that they would thereby be effectually diffusing a knowledge of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem." "2. That this meeting again solicits the aid of their literary friends in the preparation of a series of Juvenile Tracts, conveying the truths of religion in a form adapted to the youthful mind; and hopes that the institution will not remain another year without entering more fully upon this important field of use." "3. That this meeting earnestly appeals to every recipient of the heavenly verities in behalf of the minor works of Sweden borg, published by this society, and suggests the propriety of using every exertion to secure the most extensive circulation of these messengers of truth among the families of men, as well as the utility of introducing them into the educational institutions of our church." "4. That this meeting recommends the ministers of the church, and the superintendents of the Sunday schools, to take an early opportunity of publicly bringing the report of this institution before the attention of the members of their societies, and their teachers, by such means as may appear to them best, and that the secretary be requested to urge this matter on the attention of the above parties." EVER-CIRCULATING MAGAZINE. TO THE EDITOR. ever SIR, I have been pleased to see, in the two last numbers of the Repository, references to phonographic ever-circulating magazines, by writers who express themselves desirous of becoming contributors to those excellent periodical visitors. I have myself projected an circulator," entitled "The Theological and Philosophical Inquirer," the writers for which are all friends of the New Church; and if your two correspondents will forward their addresses to me, I shall be exceedingly pleased to receive their names as contributors. Few but those who are intimately connected with the Phonetic movement are aware of the extent to which phonography has been instrumental in bringing the heavenly doctrines of the New Church before the minds of intellectual and active young persons of both sexes; and the friends of the noble truths of the new dispensation will, I think, do well, for many reasons, to lend their countenance and support to the projected reform in our anomalous styles of writing and printing. Yours respectfully, E. D. ROGERS, Reporter to the Norfolk News, Norwich. IPSWICH NEW CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. We have been requested to offer the thanks of the society at Ipswich for the assistance they have hitherto received towards the erection of their Sunday school, and, at the same time, respectfully to solicit such friends as may be disposed to assist in so good a work, to do so as early as possible. Besides serving as a Sunday school-room and vestry, it will We also add an accommodation of 40 sittings to the church, which is much wanted at times. The society, therefore, humbly trust that this appeal will not be made in vain. The whole expenses attendant on the place of worship in Ipswich fall on a very few, and that few display a liberality highly becoming and praiseworthy. add the names of three friends who have subscribed since our last notice, and beg to recommend intending donors to address their subscriptions to David Geo. Goyder, 8, Norwich-road, Ipswich. The society wish to get their school erected by the time of the meeting of Conference. Mr. William Reader.... Mrs. William Reader Mr. Sandy.. 10s. Od. 10s. Od. 5s. Od. All members of Argyle-square Church. OPENING OF THE NEW CHURCH AT ACCRINGTON. The members and friends of the New Church are respectfully invited to be present at the opening of the New Jerusalem Church, Accrington, which will take place on Sunday, June 24th, and be continued on Sunday, July 1st, when divine service will be celebrated by the following ministers, who will preach in the order subjoined:— In the morning of Sunday, June 24th, the Rev. J. Bayley. In the afternoon, the Rev. E. Madeley, of Birminghamı. In the evening, the Rev. J.H. Smithson, of Manchester. On Sunday, July 1st, the following ministers will officiate and preach in the order subjoined :- In the morning, the Rev. W. Bruce, of Edinburgh. In the afternoon, Mr. A. Haworth, of Manchester. In the evening, the Rev. E. D. Rendell, of Preston. Sacred music, consisting of choruses, anthems, &c. will be sung on the occasion by an efficient choir. A collection will be made after each service, to assist in defraying the expenses of the building. Service will commence each morning at half-past ten; in the afternoons at three, and in the evenings at half-past six. A CURIOUS ANOMALY.-The Rev. Baptist Noel declares that nearly fourfifths of the church clergy do not preach the Gospel, and therefore that an Established Church can never be of any use, Died, on the 9th February, 1849, Mr. George Harris, of Bristol, aged 42 years. The deceased was brought up in the doctrines of the New Church, and even when a school-boy took pleasure in reading some of the works of Swedenborg. In the various states of the church in this city he always participated, and from the commencement of its present revival, now about four years since, took an active part in its concerns, and always evinced an earnest desire for its spiritual prosperity. His constitution, naturally delicate, suffered much from nervous irritability, and, for a considerable time past, from disease of the heart. For two or three years past there was a manifest and increasing growth in the strength of his convictions concerning the truth and importance of the doctrines he professed, and a corresponding increase in his love of them, and in the spirituality of his life and conversation. He was in the regular practice-a practice, alas! too little followed-of letting no day pass without reading one or more chapters of the Holy Word. When lying on his death-bed he loved to speak to those about him on the clear light and beauty of those truths and doctrines which formed the foundation of his hope; recommending the study of them, and not forgetting in his recommendation their grand end-active use. The last two days of life his state was very delightful, and his conversation and anticipation of the approaching change were full of life and joy. His will was entirely resigned either to be taken at once or to remain for a season, as the Lord should see fit. In this happy state he continued, and his end, like the approach to it, was Died, on the 21st of April, of consumption, in the 41st year of her age, Mrs. L. Johnson, the beloved wife of Mr. J. Johnson, secretary of the society of the New Church, Ipswich. This lady had been religiously educated, and for many years was a member of the Wesleyan Methodists, in which communion she was highly esteemed. On becoming acquainted with the truths of the new dispensation, she received them with much affection, and, renouncing all the connections of her early days, she was admitted about a year since into full communion with the New Church. She described her life prior to the reception of the doctrines of the New Church as a dream, in which there were occasional glimpses of truth and goodness, but which, for the most part, presented little else than obscurity and confusion. She felt no difficulty in at once admitting into her heart the great truths which were mercifully brought to her view, and to the last she expressed her gratitude to the Divine Being that she had been permitted to behold and enjoy them, and died in the full persuasion of their truth. The little society here have experienced (humanly speaking) an irreparable loss; but spiri tually speaking, her influence will be still with us. Besides her sorrowing husband, she has left two daughters to deplore the loss of an excellent and exemplary mother. This is the fourth removal into the eternal world, in little more than a twelvemonth, from the small society of Ipswich. Cave and Sever, Printers, 18, St. Ann's-street, Manchester. R. HAPPENING to be present at the last annual meeting of the New Church Sunday School Union, I was kindly invited by the members to prepare the address for the present year. Feeling that it would be hardly suitable for one comparatively a stranger to undertake a duty of this character, I requested to be excused; but being urged to attempt it, I at length consented, though with a degree of reluctance, from the fear that I should be unable to accomplish the task in a useful or satisfactory manner. The cause of that fear, I will frankly state, lay chiefly in my ignorance of the wants, needs, and spirit of the New Church Sunday schools, as they are in this country constituted. I had always felt a deep interest in Sunday schools,—had left at home a flourishing one in which I had laboured for many years,—and it was this feeling of interest in the general subject which had excited a wish to be present at the annual meeting of the Union. The constitution, however, of the Sunday schools, as existing here, I found to be something quite novel and peculiar, and a system which I did not readily comprehend. In the United States, the Sunday schools connected with the New Church societies are composed entirely, or almost entirely, of the children of the members of those societies, and of other receivers of the doctrines ; and the instruction given is wholly of a spiritual character. The end proposed is to instruct all the children of the society thoroughly and systematically in the doctrines and principles of the New Dispensation, its theology, philosophy, and science, as far and as fast as they are N. S. NO. 115.—VOL. X. T |