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LONDON PRINTING SOCIETY.

SINCE our last record of the proceedings of this society, no further printing has been commenced. The Angelic Wisdom concerning Divine Love and Divine Wisdom, is, however, undergoing a careful revision, with a view to being put to press when such revision is completed : and we are happy to add, that the Boston Printing Society is at present negociating with the London Society, for a large portion of the new edition of that work.

No subscriptions from societies have been received during the past two months; but a legacy of one hundred pounds has accrued to the society, from the demise of Mr. Mallalieu: and a liberal donation of twenty pounds has been given by the Rev. Augustus Clissold, for the purpose of advertizing the works of Swedenborg, published by the London Printing Society. This has already been done in the Morning Herald, English Chronicle, Standard, St. James's Chronicle, and in the three Oxford papers. At the same time with the foregoing, the treasurer received from Mr. Clissold the further sum of thirty pounds, towards publishing the MSS. of Swedenborg; and as the subscription from the United States towards the publication of the Diary, was announced to be about fifty pounds, the committee felt it right, under the circumstances, to pass the following resolution:

"Committee Room, 12, Tooks Court, Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane, London, Jan. 6, 1842.

"Resolved, That the treasurer be requested to receive subscriptions for publishing the Diary or any other hitherto unpublished writings of Emanuel Swedenborg on religious subjects, and to keep a sepa rate account of such subscriptions, entitled Unpublished Manuscript Account,'

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and put them out at interest when large enough for investment; and that the treasurer shall, under the direction of the committee of the London Printing Society, apply the subscriptions, in and towards the printing and publishing

thereof.

"That should such printing not be com.. menced within two years from this date, the subscriptions shall be returned to such subscribers as apply for the same, without interest."

We trust this resolution will have the effect of calling forth liberal subscriptions from the members of the New Church, in aid of the publication of the Diary; which publication will cost scarcely less than three hundred pounds.

The labours of the MSS. sub-committee have at length been crowned with some success. Mr. Peckitt has kindly communicated the fact, that many copies of MSS. are in his possession; and it is hoped that some of those valuable documents that have long been missing, may thus be recovered to the church. The Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm has also replied satisfactorily to the society's communications, through the medium of their secretary, the illustrious Baron Berzelius; and there is now no doubt that the rights of all parties concerned in the possession of the MSS., may be safely and easily settled. The Baron's letter, together with the king of Sweden's decree, conferring the absolute and inalienable right to the MSS. on the Royal Academy of Sciences of Stockholm, and a list of the printed writings and of the manuscripts of Swedenborg, in the academy's library, kindly furnished to us by the baron, will be made public (D. v.) in some early number of the Maga. zine.

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LONDON MISSIONARY AND TRACT SOCIETY.

SALISBURY, BATH, AND CHALFORD VALE.-Conclusion of Rev. T. Goyder's Missionary Visit (from p. 506 of last vol.). We left Mr. G. when he had safely arrived in Salisbury. His proceedings in that city are so well described by the leader of the society there, that it is with great pleasure we insert his letter to the secretary.

My dear Sir.-Permit me, on behalf of our friends in Salisbury, to express their most grateful thanks, through you, to the committee of the Missionary Society for the highly useful visit of the Rev. T. Goyder, of Norwich; who on Sunday, the 22nd of August, preached three times at our place of worship, due notice of which had been given by the circulation of printed bills, announcing the subjects of the lectures. In the morning his text was the whole of the 133rd Psalm; the discourse on which was exceedingly beautiful, as showing the blissful state of Christian society that would arise if love to the Lord, and neighbourly love, dwelt unitedly in the human breast, and proving that nothing less than the conjunction of goodness and truth in the will and understanding can render the things of this world truly good and pleasant to man, or fit him, on the death of the body, to enter those regions of exstatic bliss where the promise of "life for evermore" is fully realized. At this service about seventy persons were present, mostly strangers, who expressed themselves, without any reserve, as being exceedingly delighted with the truths advanced. At the conclusion of this service Mr. Goyder administered the sacrament of the holy supper to fourteen communicants. This was indeed a heavenly feast; every selfish thought appeared removed, a holy fear seemed to pervade the mind, and the Divine presence was, I believe, felt by all.

In the afternoon the reverend gentleman preached from Revelations 22, ver. 8, 9. In this discourse it was

most clearly shown, both by reason and Scripture, that angels and men are one and the same race of created beings. There were about 150 persons present, amongst whom were several members of dissenting congregations, who seemed to be truly astonished at the superior ideas presented on these subjects for their acceptance in the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem. When the old idea of the devil being once an angel of heaven was contrasted with the truth of Scripture, which declares in St. John's Gospel, chap. 8, ver. 44, that "he was a murderer from the beginning," they seemed greatly astonished; they appeared not to have been aware of any such passage as this being in the Bible: they at once saw that if, according to their ideas, he ever existed as an angel in heaven, it must have been previous to the beginning; for that he had been, according to Scripture authority, a murderer ever since that period. This lecture has, I think, done great good; it has set many persons thinking who never thought on the subject before.

In the evening the lecture treated on man, death, resurrection, and a future state, as those subjects are viewed by the New Church. Text, John 11, ver. 25, 26. More persons were present at this lecture than in the afternoon, the place being completely crowded to excess. All seemed delighted with the views given of these important subjects. Mr. Goyder treated his subject in a most masterly manner, combating the gross and erroneous ideas respecting these great realities as held and promulgated by the whole host of Atheists, Deists, and Materialists, with complete success. His affectionate manner in presenting these heavenly verities to his hearers pleased all; and at the conclusion nothing was to be heard but expressions of the most unqualified approbation. Even during the time of its delivery many strangers were heard whispering to each

other exclamations of "how beautiful!" "how grand and delightful these views are!"

At the close of this service a collection was made at the door for the funds of the missionary institution, amounting to 17. 3s., which sum has been duly remitted to the treasurer.

On Monday evening, August 23, Mr. Goyder administered the sacrament of baptism to one adult and two infants; after which he delivered a lecture on the "Millenium, and the Loosing of Satan for a Season;" text, Rev. 20, ver. 5, 6. This lecture was a powerful exposure of the carnal, gross, and erroneous ideas entertained at the present day concerning the personal reign of Christ on this earth for a thousand years, and a most luminous explication of the text. Again we had the pleasure of witnessing a crowded and highly respectable audience, who listened with very considerable attention. Indeed nothing could exceed the great interest manifested in the lectures, all, without exception, appearing satisfied, and not one disapproving sentence was uttered. At the close of this highly gratifying lecture Mr. Goyder invited the people to conversation, when an hour was most profitably spent. Not a single objection was offered; but an ardent wish to know more of the New Church doctrines evidently prevailed. Some highly interesting explanations were given by Mr. G. to several questions put to him, and all present seemed edified and delighted. The proceedings afforded a convincing proof that no question can be put respecting the doctrines of our church but which can be promptly answered to the satisfaction of every rational mind.

On Tuesday evening, forty of the friends met and took tea together at their room. The evening was most delightfully spent ; and the affectionate addresses of Mr. Goyder and Mr. Riley of Bath (who was present as a visitor), will long be remembered. Mr. Riley, at the conclusion of his address, made a munificent present to the society of a large and handsome bound Bible for the pulpit, which was received with feelings

of the deepest gratitude and thankfulness. At this meeting a committee was appointed to take into their consideration the establishment of a Sunday school in connexion with the society, and if found practicable, to take the necessary steps for its immediate commencement. The meeting was concluded by singing a hymn, at nine o'clock. Thus ended Mr. Goyder's mission; which has, to all appearance, been productive of more good than any visit previously made to this city. With sincere thanks to the friends in London and Norwich for the same, I subscribe myself, in behalf of the society, yours very sincerely, D. T. DYKE. Quidhampton, Aug. 27, 1841.

Mr. Goyder's report to the committee fully corroborates these cheering statements: he thus concludes :

Thursday, August 26th, I left Salisbury, and arrived in Bath the same evening. Here it had been previously arranged for me to preach in the usual place of worship, on Sunday, the 29th of August. This, I accordingly did, both morning and evening, to crowded congregations. To these services, many came from considerable distances, as from Bristol, Corsham, and even from Barnstaple. The day was a very happy one, and the discourses, as I understood, gave much pleasure to those who heard them. I was requested to stop a week at Bath, and to give lectures in the Corridor Rooms; but as the time of my present engagement with the Missionary Society was nearly expired, and being pressed to return to Norwich, I was obliged to give a negative to the request.

From Bath I went by coach on Monday, August 30, to Chalford Vale, a beautiful and romantic village near Stroud, in Gloucestershire. Here a small but most worthy band of New Church friends, lately belonging to the Norwich Society, now reside. On the evenings of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I read a chapter from the Word to our friends and their domestics, who were assembled for the purpose of hearing the doctrines of the New Church explained. In these

extemporaneous expositions, I gave a general outline of our doctrines, with occasional explanations of the spiritual sense of the Word. These meetings were very grateful to our friends, and proved, as I was afterwards informed, very delightfully instructive to all present. On the Wednesday evening, I baptized an infant, and presented each of the domestics with a copy of each of the tracts I had with me, leaving also a few with the lady of the house, to distribute at her discretion. Mr. Clover was with me at this place.

In this missionary tour, I have been from home ten weeks, preached thirtynine times, held seventeen conversational meetings, baptized four adults and fifteen infants, and administered the sacrament twice.

Such, gentlemen, is the account I have to render of how I have spent my time while under your auspices; and sincerely hoping that the divine blessing will always accompany your efforts to extend a knowledge of the truth, I remain, yours very sincerely, in the sacred cause of the New Jerusalem,

THOMAS GOYDER.

Norwich, Sept. 12, 1841.

BIRMINGHAM.-The committee being informed that a grant of Tracts would be particularly serviceable for distribution during the delivery of the lectures which were announced on our wrapper in November, took a liberal view of the subject, and voted 600 Tracts: in reference to which the following very interesting letter has been received.

To the London Missionary and Tract Society.

IN compliance with a wish expressed by the London Tract Society, and in conformity with a resolution passed by the committee of our church to that effect, I now forward you some account of the Rev. E. Madeley's course of lectures.

As preface, it will be important to state that great excitement was occasioned by the appearance of our placards, which were characterized by the boldest display of sentiment, clothed in an equally

bold typography. They were placed in the most conspicuous parts of the town, where they remained throughout the course. Crowds of people were occasionally gathered around the boards, anxious to obtain the food of their curiosity; and the great wonder among the majority appeared to be "whence has this new sect sprung, and what do they believe?" In addition to the above, about 1200 handbills were carefully distributed by our friends, so that the announcement was extensively published.

The church being situated at a considerable distance from the high town, proved unfavourable in some respects; nevertheless, the strong desire which appeared to exist for an answer to that striking and momentous inquiry which headed our placard, "What is truth," was clearly manifested by the attendance at the lectures. In pursuance of our advertisements, the course was delivered in the church, Summer Lane, by the Rev. E. Madeley, commencing on the 9th of November, 1841.

The first lecture was upon the Doctrine of the Trinity. The church was crowded, upwards of 600 persons being present, filling not only the pews, but standing in all the aisles. A beautiful organ voluntary, some minutes before the time of commencement, served as a calming intermediate between the anxieties and toils of the day, and the high objects of the evening's meditation. This was followed by the solemn repetition of the Lord's prayer. The lecture was commenced, and the breathless silence which reigned, and the marked attention given throughout to the lecturer, proved the intensity of the interest felt.

The lecture occupied full an hour and a half, yet not the least symptom of weariness on the part of the audience was discernible; and as they retired, the effect of the arguments adduced upon the mind became visible in the thoughtful countenance. When friends of the church engaged strangers in conversation, their first expressions were those of surprise at "the new mode of considering the subject," and "it being very

reasonable," having never seen it in the same light before. A young man, a Wesleyan preacher of some talent, giving his opinion of the lecture said, that "we quite silenced the Unitarians," though he would not mention how he thought his own professed sentiments stood affected.

Two young persons who had occasionally attended the church, after this lecture said, that they had long gone from one place to another to find (like the dove) a resting place for their feet, and bad at length discovered the object of their desire. They were convinced of the truth of the view presented to them, and determined to pursue an investigation into the doctrines based upon this

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corner stone." They have since attended the church, and we trust will be enabled, by the divine blessing, to reap rich and eternal harvests fiom the seed thus sown.

Other and abundant testimonies were given by those who never met with it before, to the power of this beautiful Scripture doctrine over the mind. After the congregation had left the church, little knots of combatants of the doctrine were gathered around the gates, and all appeared eager to enter into the merits of the subject. Of course some were to be found prejudiced against the doctrine, and others also raising doubts and difficulties, so that the friends of the church were, as might be expected, called into some degree of activity in explaining "the heavenly doctrines" to them; and doubtless many, though perhaps unknown to us, are now revolving in their minds the important communications of that night.

Tracts, suitable to the occasion, were pretty freely distributed at the church doors, and were eagerly and gratefully received.

On the 16th, the second lecture, upon the Science of Correspondence the only true means of Scripture Interpretation, was attended by nearly as great a number of "anxious inquirers" as the previous one. This, and likewise each succeeding one, was introduced in the same

appropriate manner as the first, and the same evidences of admiration and approbation were, during the whole time, visible. The silence observed by the auditory, to a stranger unacquainted with the place and the occasion, would have been convincing proof that the subject had engaged the hearts as well as the understandings of the hearers. As the visitors retired, tracts were again distributed; and many upon this, and also upon the subsequent evenings, expressed their wish for a tract upon all the subjects of the lectures, with which they were promptly supplied. A gentleman upon returning home expressed himself in such unmeasured terms of pleasure at the lecture, that his wife described him as being in perfect raptures. He was very desirous of possessing the tracts, and has been supplied with several, which he promised to give a fair perusal. He has, together with his wife, occasionally attended church. Both of them are members of a Baptist congregation. A young friend was one day accosted in the street by a stranger to himself, who observed "he thought he had seen him at Mr. Madeley's lectures," and asked how he was affected by them. Our friend replied that he thought they did credit both to the head and heart of the lecturer. The gentleman then said, "Indeed they did, and especially the lecture upon the science of correspondence. I went to that church a thorough sceptic-a disbeliever in the Word of God, but I came away a believer not only in the literal but in the spiritual sense also."

The lecture was one with which every one of whom we could obtain an opinion appeared pleased, though they expressed themselves "unable to take hold of the whole subject." The wonder would have been if they could. Much must have been spoken to them which at present they might not be able to bear" comprehend.

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On the 23rd the third lecture was delivered; subject, the popular but fallacious doctrine of Salvation by Faith alone.

There was on this evening a most gra

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