ever held. Our American brethren have for years been endeavouring to get into order, and with that view have framed copious rules, which have from time to time been revised and altered. Notwithstanding all this, considerable differences of opinion still exist, and some of these, we regret to observe, have had the effect of keeping in a state of division, and consequently of relative weakness, those who, if closely united, would have been stronger and therefore better able to serve the common cause. We here allude particularly to the formation of the Central Convention. We can readily imagine, as the United States are of such vast extent, that it is inconvenient for some of the more distant societies to take part in the deliberations of the General Convention, and therefore that, at some time, it will be necessary to have other co-equal Conventions. Whether, however, that time has yet arrived is very questionable. The General Convention, being a migratory body, although it is not probable that it will ever assemble at the extreme west or south, and consisting only of ministers and delegates from societies, and not of individual receivers, might, we conceive, for a long time to come, serve as the head for all to look up to. Ample provision is made for local associations in the Rules of Order.

In reference to this matter, the Rev. T. Worcester, as president of the AmericanGeneral Convention, has had a very painful and arduous duty to perform. He has held a long correspondence with the Baltimore society, and the first society at Philadelphia. In this he stated it as his firm opinion, that if the minister who has been the prime mover in the affair, instead of publishing accusations against the General Convention and its members, respecting things with which he was but imperfectly acquainted, had in the first place applied in a friendly manner to the Convention itself, all his difficulties and doubts might have been removed, and the Church at large have been spared a

great deal of unpleasantness. "But all these things," says Mr. W., "have been permitted by the Divine Providence; and they have been permitted, as I believe, for the purpose that we may all become more sensible of the importance of conforming to the divine laws of charity." "The question whether we should all belong to one Convention, to two conventions, to three, or to none, I regard as matters of small consequence, when compared with that of living according to the laws of charity. If we have Conventions, let us convene in charity, and for the purposes of charity. If we make rules of order, let us make them in charity, and for the uses of charity: and whenever we find that our rules do not promote these uses, let charity alter or abolish them, as the case may require." The Convention approved of the course pursued by its President, and ordered the correspondence to be printed in the Journal. It occupies 13 pages.

From the following resolutions which were passed on this subject, we trust we are justified in inferring that the differences are approaching a satisfactory termination.

"The report on the resolution referred by the last to the present Convention, relative to a communication from the Western Convention, was taken from the table, amended, and accepted; and the following resolutions therein offered were adopted:

"1, That this Convention regards with deep interest the subject of the communication made by the Western Convention under date of May 18, 1841, and looks forward to the hearty union and co-operation of all receivers of the doctrines in the United States, when a suitable plan shall be matured and agreed upon, as to a new era in the church.

"But considering the infant and unformed state of the church at large, and of the Societies and larger bodies already established, and the preliminary work which seems to be necessary to be performed by each of the existing Conven

tions, before they can be prepared to enter upon a union for higher and more general church purposes; therefore,

"2, That, in the opinion of this Convention, the time has not yet arrived for attempting to form one general synod for the whole country.

"3, That a committee of three be appointed, to confer with any committees which are or may be appointed by the Western and Central Conventions, on the differences which exist in the Church, on the causes which led to them, and the means by which the peace of the Church may be restored; and that they report thereon to the next Convention.

We quote the following Resolutions from the Journal; they will convey an idea of the chief business transacted.

"That the rules of order be committed to a select committee, to report such alterations as they may think required; with particular reference, first, to the order of the ministry as consisting of a trine in just order; secondly, to the order of the church as consisting of a trine in just order; thirdly, to the relation of an orderly ministry and an orderly church to each other.

"That this committee be continued, with power to prepare and lay before the next meeting of Convention two lists of societies and two lists of ministers of the New Church; the first of each of said lists to embrace such societies and ministers as belong to the Convention; and the second, such as do not. And for the purpose of effecting this object in an accurate and satisfactory manner, the committee is authorized to correspond with societies and ministers, for the purpose of ascertaining their own views of their relation to this body.

"1, That it is a good and orderly thing for ordaining ministers and pastors in the discharge of their ministerial functions, to receive the counsel, advice, and support, of the lay members of the Church.

"2, That it be recommended to every association formed by the authority of this Convention, to choose a committee of

laymen to act as the organ of counsel and advice with the presiding minister of the association, or with the ordaining minister who may be called to preside over it.

"3, That there be in this Convention a committee to be chosen annually, and to be called the Committee of Laymen; whose duty it shall be to act as the organ of counsel and advice with the president of the Convention, to prepare business during its recess to bring before the Convention at its meeting, and to act as the Committee of Business during its session.

"That the Committee on Moral and Religious Instruction have authority to establish a periodical for children; and that the Convention regards such a measure with the most hearty approbation.

"That a committee be appointed for the purposes of procuring further subcribers in aid of the publication of Swedenborg's Diary; of preserving the money already paid, and which may hereafter be paid for that object, and keeping it securely placed at six per cent. interest, until such time as they may have opportunity of applying it immediately to its purpose; and of holding correspondence on this subject with others either at home or abroad."

There is a prospect of the establishment of Tract societies, with local branches, an increasing interest on the subject being widely manifested.

The Convention is to meet next year at Philadelphia.

"The Convention was very numerously attended, more so than at any previous meeting; the whole number being estimated at about 500. It has been ascertained, by a committee of the Boston society, which had charge of the arrangements for providing accommodations, that at least 215 receivers were in attendance from abroad, nearly all of whom were lodged by their brethren in the city."

A list is given of the "Societies of the NewJerusalem in the United States, viz. in Maine 3, Massachusetts 6, Rhode Island

1, New York 6, Pennsylvania 7, Maryland 1, Virginia 1, Ohio 12, Michigan 1, Illinois 1, South Carolina 1. Total 40.

There is also a list of 200 places where there are societies or receivers.

There are 8 ordaining ministers, 12 pastors or teaching ministers, and 10 ministers of the first or lowest degree.

We resume our notice of the contents of the American Magazine.

The June No. reached us in due course. It opens with a Lecture "On the Order of Mental Development in its relation to Education," by T. B. Hayward. It is copiously illustrated from Swedenborg, and deserves the serious attention of every parent and teacher. "On the Study of History," extracted from a Letter of the late Dr. Arnold, of Rugby. "How Doctrine is to be drawn from the Word," a Letter by Warren Goddard. The Journal of the Massachusetts Association, "Early History of the English Conference." The contents of the May No. of the Repository are noticed, also Mr. Sibly's Exposition of Daniel. It concludes with two poetical pieces, "The Humble sustained," and "Be still, and know that I am God."

The Proceedings of the General Convention occupy almost the whole of the July No.

The August No. arrived in good time. Its contents are 1. "A Discourse," preached before the General Convention at its late sitting, by the Rev. B. F. Barrett. 2. "The Relation of Parent and Child," a Lecture delivered at one of the social meetings of the Boston society, by E. A. Beaman. This lecture is worthy to be reprinted in this country, especially for the benefit of the parents of the New Church. 3. "Ferelius's Letter concerning Swedenborg." 4. Intelligence from England; some of which would be news here, if we had room for it. 5. The Western Convention. It was attended by 146 persons, 86 of whom were males. It is intended to discontinue its organ, "The Precursor," and to publish in its place, "The Herald of

HOXTON SUNDAY SCHOOL.-The an niversary of this institution was celebrated on the 13th of June, at Woodbine cottage, Highbury Vale, to which place the children were conducted in procession, headed by a small silk banner, with the inscription, "HOXTON NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL." Plum cake and milk had been provided for the children, to each of whom was also presented a book according to their merit. Toward the evening several friends from the London societies attended to witness the pro.. ceedings, and were addressed by Mr. Maxwell, who kindly presided, from the memorable text, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." After a brief exposition of the spiritual sense, Mr. M. remarked, that it was too commonly the practice to despise "the day of small things,' and even in the New Church the efforts of the weak were frequently the most discouraged; but he claimed the support of the friends of the Church for this institution, on the ground, that very considerable progress had been already made, and a proof of its efficiency afforded by the conduct and orderly appearance of the children, of whom between seventy and eighty were present. It remains for the friends of this school to make their acknowledgments for the very liberal support they have received, which alone has enabled them to meet the present occasion, and complete their arrangements for the future. At the same time it must be borne in mind, that their need will be greater for the time to come. They reside in a neighbourhood which offers a wide field, not only for the instruction of children, but of adult persons into the doctrines of the New Church; and if the suburbs of London are ever inIcluded in the missionary circuit, much

DIED at Colchester, on Wednesday, December 8, 1841, Mr. JOHN GENTRY, in the 38th year of his age. By his removal into the spiritual world, the little society of the New Church in this town, of which he was a member, has sustained a great loss; for thereby it loses the countenance and support of an affectionate and unhesitating receiver of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, and one of the most intelligent of those who have yet embraced the glorious boon, presented to the world in the writings of the New Church messenger, in Colchester.

He had, in the early part of his life, been educated in the principles of religion according to the articles of the established Church of England, but with which, on his arriving at the age of thought and reflection, he became quite dissatisfied and viewing Christianity through a perverted medium, and as explained by her professors in general, he became therewith much disgusted, abandoned the profession of it altogether, and was led ultimately to disavow his belief in the Bible, also, as a divine re velation,

In this state of mind he remained several years; during which, as opportunities arose, the writings of the illustrious Swedenborg were occasionally introduced to his notice, but, without, at those times, exciting any other attention than a passing smile.

About seven years ago, it pleased the Divine Providence to remove from him, by death, a dearly beloved and only child, which so affected him as to become manifestly perceptible to his friends; this, therefore, was taken advantage of by one of them, so far, as to prevail upon him to take the treatise of Heaven and Hell home with him, and to read the chapter which describes the "State of Infants in Heaven :" and so pleased was he with it that he was induced to read the whole treatise, and said when he returned it, that it appeared to him to be so rational that he only wished it might be true. This was the means for opening a door for discussion, and also for introducing other works of our author to his notice, the reading of which also afforded him much pleasure; and so satisfied was he with what he had read, that he was determined upon possessing some

of those valuable documents of wisdom as his own; he, therefore, soon purchased the treatise on Heaven and Hell, the True Christian Religion, Angelic Wisdom concerning Divine Love and Divine Wisdom, Conjugial Love, and the Arcana Calestia; with all of which he was much delighted, but especially with the latter work, and many times has his countenance beamed with joy while pointing out some new beauties he had therein discovered, or reading some delightful passage therefrom: and so fully was he convinced of the truths contained in the author's writings, and so deep an impression had they made on his mind, that in vain was it attempted, both by piety and learning to weaken the hold they had on his best affections. These were his delight in health, his solace and support in affliction, and we hope and trust that he is now realizing the full fruition of them in his heavenly Father's kingdom above.

In the case before us we are presented with another proof of the superior light which the New Church writings possess of convincing the understanding of the truths of genuine Christianity, and of their power to remove the honest doubts of the sceptical but well disposed mind. Often has our departed friend acknowledged how greatly he was indebted to them for his own conversion, and especially for the exalted views which they present to the mind of the great object of religious worship, and of man as a rational and immortal being. Let all those who profess to love those writings take fresh encouragement to persevere in their humble endeavours to make them known to their fellow men, under the full persuasion that, if they are sincere, their labour will not be in vain in the Lord.

U. W. M.

At Stratford on Avon, on January 30, 1842, Mrs. ELIZABETH GIBBS, aged 59, exchanged this earthly scene for an eternal one. For many years she had

suffered from a cancer, for which, about two years ago, she underwent an opera

tion, which proved to be ineffectual. From October 1841, to the hour of her decease, she lingered in acute pain, which she bore with fortitude and patience, the heavenly doctrines consoling and cheering her way, and convincing her of the love of our Heavenly Father. This lady's life was an exemplification of the advantage of the seed being well sown. Her father, Mr. Whitehead, was made acquainted with the doctrines by the late father of Mr. Wm. Thompson, and bap. tized into them by the late Rev. Joseph Proud. Although separated from all connection with the church, yet did he firmly and sincerely bring his children into the heavenly doctrines, which they as sincerely cherished. Nothing afforded her so much pleasure as to see a member of the New Church and converse upon the doctrines. When some one intimated to her it would be as well to discontinue taking in the Intellectual Repository, she evinced her zealous attachment to the cause, by exclaiming, "What, not take in my Magazine! I would sooner want bread." She expressed a desire to have a letter of consolation from the Rev. E. Madeley, which he kindly and promptly sent her, and which afforded her much comfort.

DIED on Sunday, June 19, 1842, at his residence at Pilton, in the borough of Barnstaple, Devonshire, Mr. JOHN GILBERT, Feltmonger, in the 67th year of his age. He had been a receiver of the doctrines of the New Jerusalem

Church above 20 years. The disease that undermined his constitution was consumption: his sufferings were severe for many months before his departure, which he endured with patience and resignation to the divine will. Often did he say, "the Lord Jesus Christ permitted his sufferings to be so great for his eternal good." Being asked by some who much respected him, although opposed to his views, if he still believed in the New Church Doctrines, he unhesitatingly declared, "I believe Jesus Christ