the Swedenborg originals should be restored to the Royal Academy, if we desire it, and there be no OTHER WAY of meeting our wishes," seems to require a particular and very positive answer on our part; and I have therefore been charged to declare, in the name of the Academy, "that she by no means can consider herself as authorized to consent to any modification whatsoever of her right to reclaim the restitution of those same originals, which now have come into foreign hands, by the very improper conduct of Messrs. Wadstrom and Nordenshöld."

To these gentlemen the MSS. had been delivered only as a temporary loan, with all the trust and confidence, which at that time they should naturally inspire, as being themselves members of the Royal Academy. The originals of Swedenborg have been deposited in our archives as a public property, not as our own; a quality which has been sanctioned and confirmed by the Royal Decree, whereof you have received a communication with my last letter. The strict obligation of the Academy is to preserve them in full integrity, and to make them accessible to all such persons as may be anxious of consulting the originals, or even the hand-writing of the author.

The Academy has herself no right or permission to dispose of them otherwise, nor to exchange the originals for the most carefully-made copies; still less to part with them for whatsoever indemnity could be proposed.

But, far from any jealousy to withhold these MSS. from the friends of Swedenborg, or from the public at large, we are entirely of your opinion, that the intention of Swedenborg and his executors can never have been to condemn them to oblivion, by depositing them to the custody of the Royal Academy. And as your committee has shewn the greatest delicacy, by not permitting herself to take copies, even of those MSS. which now are in your hands, without the allowance of the owner, I am very glad to find myself authorized to transfer to your committee the full and unlimited per

mission to copy and print all those MSS.; the Academy wishing by no means to prevent the publication of what is estimated as a treasure of genius and edification by so many respectable admirers of Swedenborg's writings.

But as the members of your committee may possibly not be permanent, you will certainly make no objection to the earnest wish of the Royal Academy to receive by your intervention as speedily as possible, an authentic act, by which the Society binds herself to restore to us the original MSS. after a certain time to be fixed by your own conveniency as necessary for making the copies.

Concerning the 51. 1s. you have paid for the binding of our MSS. it will not be, as you say, "a combat of friendship between us;" but the Academy regards as a strict duty of gratitude to reimburse your expenses, as soon as our property has been restored; herself being not less interested than your committee, in the preservation of these precious MSS. from injury and decay.

As for the rest, you are perfectly in the right in supposing, "that no suggestion will be entertained by the Royal Academy, short of the return of the original MSS. ;" and if the committee will have the goodness to enrich our library with a copy of her new editions of Swedenborg's Theological Works, we will thankfully receive them as a friendly present, but without the least pretension to any retribution for the permission given by the Academy to make what use you find most convenient of the contents of the Swedenborg-MSS.

As you have informed us, by a very clear and historical deduction, how the often-mentioned MSS., after various successions, have at last "most honourably indeed"-come into your hands, I will only add a brief account of their first abalienation from the Academy. There is already about sixty years that the MSS. were lent to Messrs. Wadstrom and Nordenshöld, only with the condition to restore them to the Secretary of the Academy. No penalty has ever been imposed or received from the borrowers

or their successors, so it can in no ways be question of returning such penalty, neither on our side nor on your own, as you seem to suppose, at least as a possibility.

The borrowers having lived a long time in foreign countries, the reclamations of the Academy may probably never have reached them, at least they have never been answered.

Nordenshöld offered to bind all the MSS. on his own expense, which the Academy gratefully accepted; but we have no proof in hand that all the MSS. he received to bind have been completely returned. It is probable in general, that in those times, about 1780, the value of Swedenborg's MSS. posthumous works may have been less known and estimated than in our days; and that therefore in delivering over these MSS. to members of the Academy, all the precautions and for malities have not been observed which we afterwards have found necessary to establish relative to our library, archives, and collections of every description.

serve,

In reply to some other questions contained in your letters, I have only to obthat the Catalogue communicated to the committee has been drawn up by Mr. Wilke, then secretary of the Academy, and contains an inventory of all the objects then to be found under his custody, together with some notices of what had already been lost. The collection of the Swedenborg MSS. had already been delivered to his predecessor, Mr. Wargentin, by whom authentic receipt and quittance were given to the heirs of Swedenborg.

The Catalogue quoted in the Royal Decree, is the same which the heirs of Swedenborg call "the original Catalogue," and of which your committee has communicated to us an English translation.

The two MSS., "Collections d'Expressions Bibliques y," and "Index des Expressions Bibliques," and in general all those whose titles are in French on the Catalogue sent to the committee, are in our Catalogue noted by Swedish titles, wherefore their translation has been found

convenient; but the MSS. themselves belong to those which had been lent to Mr. Nordenshöld, but never restored.

The MS. of "Arcana Cœlestia, c.1— 19," is only a rough draught, of which a fair copy has not been delivered. Dear Sir,

Your most obedient servant,
JAC. BERZELIUS.

To Mr. W. M. Wilkinson,
Secretary of the London Printing
Society.

These having been read, the chairman solicited the views of the meeting respecting the matter under consideration. Upon this, a highly interesting conversation ensued, there happening to be present two of the oldest members of the society, who were personally acquainted with many of the circumstances from an early period. Much important information was thus elicited, which enabled the meeting with the more confidence to come to a determination.

The chairman then stated that the committee had prepared a series of propositions, embodying the views which they recommended for the adoption of the meeting. These were then read by the secretary, and being afterwards sepa. rately read and fully considered, and having been slightly modified and amended, were unanimously passed in the form of the following resolutions:

Moved by Mr. Bateman, seconded by Mr. J. J. G. Wilkinson, That this society is satisfied with the statement of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, that no penalty was ever imposed on, or received from the borrowers of the MSS. of Swedenborg, or their successors.

Moved by Mr. Tulk, seconded by Mr. Brooksbank, That the original MS. of the "Apocalypsis Explicata," and all the other original MSS. of Swedenborg now in the possession of the society, be restored to the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm.

Moved by Mr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Hawkins, That the restitution of the MSS. shall be thus,-The Apoc. Explic. shall be transmitted to the Royal Acade

my at Stockholm, through Mr.Tottie, the Swedish Consul, in such manner as the Committee shall approve, within a month from this time, and that a letter be forthwith sent, informing the Royal Academy of the intended mode of transmission; and that, as the Academy kindly permits a copy to be taken before the unpublished MSS are returned to Stockholm, and, as Dr. I. F. I. Tafel, Librarian of Tubingen, has undertaken to make a copy of them, the unpublished MSS. be sent as soon as the committee can arrange it, to Dr. I. F. I. Tafel, for that purpose, upon his engaging to return them within a fixed time, to be approved by the committee, to Messrs. H. Bateman, L. S. Coxe, and J. J. G. Wilkinson, who shall immediately transmit them to the Royal Academy.

Moved by Mr. Butter, seconded by Rev. A. Clissold, That Dr. Tafel be requested, whilst making his own copy, (by the aid of a copying machine, to be provided by the committee, or by any other economical mode, which may be arranged between him and the committee) to make a duplicate copy of those MSS. for the society.

Moved by Mr. Wornum, seconded by Mr. Stocker, That the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, be presented with a complete set, as well Latin as

English, of the Writings of Swedenborg, as published by this society.

Moved by Mr. Hawkins, seconded by Mr. Tulk, That, in the answer to Baron Berzelius, the Royal Academy be informed, that, at this meeting, evidence was furnished by two old members of the society, that Messrs. Wadstrom and Nordenshöld placed the MSS. in the hands of certain parties in London for the purpose of publication; one of whom, a foreigner, became ultimately the sole holder of the unpublished MSS. That Nordenshöld and Wadstrom left for foreign countries, where they died: that Wadstrom manifested much anxiety for the restoration of the MSS. to Sweden, and wrote repeatedly urging their return.

Thanks to Dr. Spurgin, the chairman, having been moved by Mr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Coxe, and carried unanimously, the meeting dissolved, every one that had had the pleasure of being present, appearing deeply impressed with the feeling that they had been led by Divine Providence to the discharge of what was due alike to the Royal Academy of Sweden, and to their own character as an association for a religious purpose, and that their proceedings on the occasion would have a tendency to promote the great objects of their institution.

THE efforts of this society, it has been truly remarked, have chiefly been directed to a dissemination of a knowledge of the heavenly doctrines in places remote from London. That very great good has often been effected in this way, there is abundant evidence to prove; and the committee have reason to believe that their brethren in general are well satisfied with the exertions that have from time to time been made under their sanction. Still a wish has been frequently felt and expressed, that similar efforts should be -made in the metropolis itself, where there is a most ample field, as regards popula

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tion, and where, of all places, it is to be expected-if suitable means were resorted to for inviting the public-an audience could be readily obtained.

In order to meet this wish, the committee have just made arrangements to have "Lectures on the CREED of the New Church," at the Free School, Charles-street, Westminster-road,-the gratuitous use of which has been cheer.. fully granted for the purpose,—and several friends have kindly undertaken to deliver them, on Thursday evenings, from Oct. 27, to Dec. 15. The following are the subjects of the Lectures:-1. Intro

ductory. The necessity for presenting new views of religious truth. 2. The Divine Unity and Trinity. 3. Redemption and Atonement. 4. The Sacred Scriptures

the Word of God. 5. Justification and Salvation. 6. Resurrection and

the Life after Death. Coming of the Lord.

7. The Second 8. Future Pros

pects of Religion. They have been announced by large posting bills and by hand bills-the latter containing a copy of the "Creed," as given in the Catechism.

We

AMERICA.-Middle Convention. have received four numbers of the "Proceedings of the Middle Convention," consisting altogether of nearly 200 closely printed pages. The first two are of "Preparatory Meetings," which were chiefly occupied in considering and framing a "Constitution." The appendixes contain many extracts from letters received from individuals and societies, generally approving of the formation of a" Middle Convention." No. 3 relates the proceedings at the first General Meeting, held in New York, 1841. Four ministers and twenty other persons were present. At this meeting, the "Constitution" was further discussed and agreed to it was then engrossed and signed by those present. It is founded on a broad and liberal basis, and is very simple and general in its provisions. It disclaims all controul or dominion over the members; and declares, "The end of this association is the extension of the Lord's New Church, and the promotion of his heavenly kingdom, by the performance of use in all its degrees."

This Convention, different from the General Convention, but like the Western, consists, not of representatives of societies, but of individual members, and is intended, as far as possible, to extend its influence even to the most isolated receivers, of whom, there are great numbers in the United States. It proposes to effect its objects by procuring the visits of a missionary minister wherever required; establishing a store for New Church works; publishing a periodical, the New Churchman; and keeping up a correspondence with societies and individuals in all parts of the world. It has

BIRMINGHAM.-When men choose for themselves high principles of conduct, and eminent success accompanies their efforts, then a scene truly paradisiacal is presented to our view, and we contemplate its beauties with inward delight. This delight, this exalted feeling of joy, rejoicing in the joy of others, was experienced to a very great degree by the members of the Birmingham Society, at one of the most numerously attended and interesting quarterly meetings the society ever held; when, after the usual business of admitting several candidates into church fellowship, and the nomination of five probationers, the society proceeded to bear public testimony to the unwearied and disinterested labours, together with the important uses of one of the oldest members. As this gentleman is well known to many in different societies in the kingdom, the insertion of the follow

ing testimonial will be highly gratifying. May every one who reads it, renew his determination to live the life of true religion-active usefulness!

J. SIDNEY.

New Jerusalem Church,
Summer Lane, Birmingham.

To Mr. JOHN BENTON, Dear Sir, The society meeting in this place, having received your resignation as leader of the choir, are desirous of expressing their sentiments in reference to your past services.

When they reflect on the regularity, punctuality, and unwearied zeal, with which, for nearly fifty years, you have performed the duties of your office; when they call to mind the many pecuniary sacrifices you made for the society during the infancy of its existence, that you remained firm under its many trials and difficulties; and that thus, under Divine Providence, you have been one of the principal instruments by which the society has been firmly established; we trust, you will allow us the pleasure and delight of expressing our high sense of such principles and conduct; and, with feelings of lively gratitude and affection, we sincerely and ardently pray that your declining years may find you more and more preparing for an introduction into the Lord's new heaven, where spiritual songs and celestial chants, arising from the love of use, fill the soul with holy joy. Signed, on behalf of the society, J. SIDNEY.

J. HASELER. Oct. 1842. R. B. COOPER. Accompanied by the above, the society presented to Mr. Benton a royal quarto Bible, beautifully bound, and containing the following inscription :

"Presented as a token of sincere respect and affection, by the members of the New Jerusalem Church, Birmingham, at a quarterly meeting, held Oct. 9, 1842, to Mr. John Benton, who, for a period of fifty years, performed eminent uses to the society, and who, in the infancy of its existence, was one of its chief supporters."

BRIGHTLINGSEA SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY.- The anniversary of the Brightlingsea New Jerusalem Church Sunday School, took place on Monday, the 29th of August; on which occasion between eighty and ninety of the children, accompanied by their teachers and other friends, bearing banners, went in procession from the school to a spacious booth, erected for the purpose, on the lower green, and were plentifully regaled with roast meat and plum pudding.

:

After the dismissal of the children, a most excellent tea was served up in the booth, of which the teachers and other friends, to the number of a hundred, partook. The arrangements throughout the day were excellent, and reflected great credit on the teachers, under whose management, assisted by a few of our active friends, the whole of the proceedings of the day were conducted and in the evening, although the whole of this spacious booth (sixty feet by twenty-five) was filled to overflowing, the greatest order prevailed, and the different speakers were listened to with breathless silence. Several of our beautiful hymns were sung, accompanied by our instrumental music, and the effect was delightful. But one feeling seemed to animate the whole-that of contributing to the order of the day, and the comfort of each other: all appeared like one happy family, joying under the benign influence of one heavenly Father. The meeting was closed a few minutes before nine, and the assembly departed delighted to their homes.

We regret to add, that several of our friends were prevented from attending by sickness. J. F. W.