Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

MISCELLANEOUS.

The speaker briefly and forcibly pointed out the propriety, when the object was once seen to be desirable, of making unhesitating and energetic use of the best means we had of carrying it out. Whatever other plans might in future be devised, this fund was the best means that we at present possessed for the purpose; and being such, it was entitled to the support, not only of this meeting, but of the whole church, since it was a measure by which the whole church was benefited.

Mr. PITMAN, in seconding the motion, spoke of the great means of blessing we enjoyed in possessing the precious spiritual truths and pure doctrines of the Word, as now opened to us in the Writings of Swedenborg, and of the motives we have, and the duty we must feel, to make them known to others; and concluded his speech as follows:-The Divine Providence, in all its arrangements, employs suitable means; and a grand means of obtaining a hearing for our inestimable doctrines, is to bring them before the public in such a way that the public will listen to them: and to secure this, the truths must be enunciated in a manner at once logical, clear, and eloquent; and must be defended alike with solid learning and courteous fluency. It is difficult to over-estimate the extent to which the propagation of the truths of the Holy City may be accelerated by the vigorous support of a fund which has for its chief object the preparation-the spiritual and mental equipment of those young men whose piety and general intelligence form a suitable basis for the office of the New Church ministry; and if, by a hearty coöperation on our parts, effectual aid can be given to this effort to extend the number and increase the efficiency of the ministers of the church, it well becomes us to coöperate, and that energetically. What is it which constitutes the exquisite and brilliant loveliness of yonder diamond? Is it not its polish and setting? Similar, then, is the process to which it is desired to submit the rough diamonds who become candidates for the ministry of the church. And in asking your assent to the resolution which has been placed in my hand, we are not asking you, individually, to rise early, or with weary eyes and by midnight taper, to prosecute the study of Hebrew and of Greek. No; but we ask you to approve of a plan whereby

187

those who are hungering for such training, and for whose services the church is at this moment thirsting, may be educated to such a degree as to render them worthy preachers of the glorious truths of the New Jerusalem, fitting expounders of its heavenly secrets, glowing expositors of its profound learning and of its spiritual wisdom, eloquent advocates of its blessed and elevating truths-truths which, beyond all others, deserve the most earnest advocacy, and the fairest presentation, that mortal means and gifts can effect;-and we ask you to give, by your cheerful and liberal contributions, due utterance to the feelings of your hearts, and thus to manifest your cordial approval of this resolution.

The motion was then put, and unanimously carried. The Chairman then offered a few concluding remarks, at the conclusion of which he pronounced the benediction.

THE PRIZE ESSAYS.

The Arbitrators have taken into consideration the suggestion of "W.," mentioned in our notices to correspondents last month, to extend the term beyond the first of January next, which they had fixed for sending in the Essays. As it is above all things desirable that the proposed works should be worthy of the subject, and as some gentlemen, who are able and willing to write upon it, may have but little time at their disposal after performing their ordinary duties, the Arbitrators have agreed to substitute the following for their second condition:

"2. That the Essays shall be sent to the Editor of this periodical on or before May 1, 1864."

NORTHAMPTON.

Our society has been favoured with a visit from the Rev. J. Hyde, who preached to us on Sunday, February 15th, the subject in the morning being "The Meaning, Purpose, and Obligations of the Holy Sacrament," and in the evening "Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still." There was a very attentive audience at each service, and in the evening our room was crowded. Several of those present, who had come some distance from the country, expressed themselves amply repaid for their trouble. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered after the evening's service, and about thirty persons partook of it.

[blocks in formation]

On the following Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, Mr. Hyde delivered a course of three lectures, in reference more particularly to the work of Bishop Colenso on the Pentateuch, which subject had been selected by our friends as being attractive, and likely to create inquiry. The audience gave a very devoted attention to the subjects, as they were ably elucidated by the lecturer, perceiving at once a much higher value given to that part of the Word than it is generally acknowledged to possess. All our friends, too, thoroughly enjoyed the discourses. We may add that several persons who are partially acquainted with the Writings, by the kindness of one of our friends, had an opportunity of conversing privately with the lecturer on subjects of interest, and seeking information on points which were difficult to them, many of which were cleared to their satisfaction. One pleasing result of Mr. Hyde's labours amongst us is the attendance on our services of a gentleman and his family pretty regularly since. Our friends were much gratified with this visit, and the more so as lately the society has been suffering by the removal from the town of several of those whose services were a great help to us.

I had almost forgotten to state that the ordinance of baptism was also administered to an adult after the Sunday evening's service.

BRIGHTLINGSEA.

S. T. N.

On Wednesday, February 4th, 1863, the anniversary of the New Church Sunday-school was held in the Temperance Hall, Brightlingsea. The children, teachers, and friends, attended at the school-room adjoining the church, and went in procession from thence to the hall, headed by the New Church musical band. Being seated, the children were served by the teachers and friends with tea and plumcake, and afterwards with an orange each.

The children were then let out for an airing on the spacious green in front of the hall, while the musicians, friends, and teachers, partook of tea.

The hall was then cleared, and got ready for the evening. The children were again admitted, and all those who had learned poetry, dialogues, and other pieces, ascended the platform erected for the purpose. The parents of the children, friends of the church, and many of the respectable inhabitants of

the village, soon filled the hall, so that many others who were desirous of getting in could not be admitted.

The evening's entertainment was commenced with music, our young friends singing an appropriate piece as an introduction to the various performances by the children and their teachers. As is usual on these occasions, the friends of the church took an active part in making the meeting as interesting and useful as possible. Great credit is due to the musicians, and our young friends, for their instrumental and vocal services, which so highly interested and added to the pleasure of the meeting.

A vote of thanks being unanimously given to the superintendent of the school, and to all who had made themselves useful, the National Anthem was sung, and the meeting dismissed about ten o'clock, every one present being much delighted. W. H. G.

LONDON.-NEW CHURCH MISSIONARY AND TRACT SOCIETY, INSTITUTED 1821. The Committee, on bringing this Society again before the attention of the members and friends of the church through the pages of this Repository, feel that its claims upon all who love to see the growth of the Heavenly Doctrines amongst mankind are so obvious that it would be unnecessary here to repeat them.

But the uses of the Society are very much restricted for want of adequate funds.

In consequence of the quick sale of nearly 1,000 copies of "The Future Life" (Swedenborg's Heaven and Hell), which the Committee purchased since their last annual meeting, and were enabled to sell at the low price of 6d. each, and being also the possessors of the stereotype plates, they have decided to print at once another edition of 5,000 copies, which they hope to be enabled to offer at the same cheap rate.

The outlay for this new edition will be very considerable, and the means at present in hand fall very short of the required amount; the Committee, therefore, earnestly and affectionately appeal to the church generally to aid them in carrying out this most important work successfully, by liberal and pecuniary support.

Small and incipient societies, which have received assistance from this Society at various times, are included in the

'MISCELLANEOUS.

invitation for help. The smallest sums will be thankfully received.

The Future Life" will be the cheapest book in the church, and its price will not only bring it within the reach of all, but those of our friends whose means will allow them to do so will have an excellent opportunity of having a valuable book for gratuitous and extensive circulation.

Subscriptions, donations, and orders for the work, to be forwarded to the Secretary, Mr. F. Pitman, 20, Paternosterrow, E. C., or to the undersigned.-On behalf of the Committee,

EDWARD C. SANDY, Treasurer. 1, Shaftesbury Villa, Hornsey Rise, N.

NOTTINGHAM.-HEDDERLY STREET SOCIETY.

To the Editor.

Dear Sir, I shall be glad if you will insert these few lines in the Repository for April.

In consequence of an unfortunate misconception on the part of Mr. Ray and a few members, I have resigned my office as deacon, and withdrawn as a member. In retiring from the active uses of the New Church, in which I have been more or less engaged for nearly twenty years, I shall always be delighted to see and hear of the prosperity of the church, and, while I may in all probability be labouring in other fields of usefulness, I trust ever to be able to assist, however feebly, in raising the glorious standard to which the nations are gradually but surely tending, and must eventually come, and on which is inscribed, in their truest sense, "One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism."-I am, dear Sir, yours very truly,

Feb. 13th, 1863. T. STEVENSON.

JERSEY.

We take the subjoined from The Jersey Independent and Daily Telegraph of the 14th February::

Munificent Donation of Books.-The readers of Jersey owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Thomas De Faye, of Yorkstreet, St. Heliers, for having presented to the Public Library of this island the whole of Emanuel Swedenborg's Theological Works. The correspondence relative to this gift, and a list of the works in question, have been placed in our hands for publication; in presenting the

*This list, which it is unnecessary to print, includes the whole of the works.

189

same, we venture to hope that some admirer of the great Swedenborg will be induced to follow Mr. De Faye's example, and enrich the Library with the philosophical writings of one of the greatest of men.

York-street, St. Heliers, Jersey, 29th December, 1862.

Sir, I have the honour to inform you that it is my intention to present to the Public Library the Theological Writings of Swedenborg, published in the English language; these works consist of about forty volumes.

Should the Committee accept my offer, be pleased to inform me of the formalities, if any be required, so that I may transfer the said books to that public establishment.

I have the honour to subscribe myself your most humble servant,

THOMAS DE FAYE. To Edward Leonard Bisson, Esq., Lieutenant-Bailiff,

President of the Public Library.

Committee for the Public Library, held on the 6th day of February, 1863. Sir, The President having placed before the Committee a letter received from Mr. Thomas De Faye, offering to present to the Library the Theological Works of Swedenborg, in the English language, consisting of forty volumes, the Committee have resolved to accept the generous offer of Mr. De Faye, and to return its sincere thanks for the same.

(Signed) GERVAIS LE GROS, Greffier. To Thomas De Faye, 7, York-street, St. Heliers.

To the Editor.

Dear Sir,-Your answer to my first inquiry suggests the possibility of a work being written which would immensely aid the young New Churchman in his attempts to interpret the Divine Word, and might be entitled "A Grammar of Correspondences."

We have books called Dictionaries of Correspondences, but which are in truth not really such, but are rather Indexes to the Writings. Now, we want both Dictionaries giving the general correspondence of every principal symbol used in the Word, with the reasons of it, and Grammars containing such instructions as your first miscellaneous article in the February number conveys.

It is very disheartening to the tyro, with a clear perception that there must

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

anonymous)... Nottingham (Shaksperestreet Society),....... "North Shields Society...

be an internal and correspondential To Newcastle-on-Tyne (2nd,
sense to the Divine Word, and with a
strong desire to elicit it, to be continually
meeting with difficulties which, for all
the help that at present exists, can only
be cleared up by many years of close
reading.

This hint might, I feel sure, be usefully acted upon by some of our New Church writers; and if you think it worthy of a corner in the Repository, you will, I doubt not, oblige many more of the same class as

A STUDENT OF THE WRITINGS.

SWEDENBORG ADVERTISING FUND. We have received a communication from Mr. James Trimen, who endea. voured through our pages to induce the members of the church to help him to establish a Fund to defray the expenses of extensively advertising the works of Swedenborg. He acknowledges but regrets the failure of his attempt; but still trusts it has not been altogether without its use, as the Swedenborg Society has appointed a sub-committee for advertising, and is doing its best to carry out the object. He concludes

by expressing his best wishes for the abundant success of what he considers a most important work, now that it has been taken up by abler hands.

DISTRESS IN LANCASHIRE.

LONDON RELIEF COMMITTEE. To the Editor.

Dear Sir,-But little of your space need be occupied this month, the action of the Committee having been extremely limited.

The statements of account appended shew but a small sum received; and only £5. has been voted,-the Committee regarding the distress as being much lessened; and also fearing that there is some danger of a recurrence of the severer form of the suffering. I am, &c., FRED. PITMAN, Sec. THOMAS WATSON, Treasurer, in account with the Relief Committee. Dr. PAWN FUND. £. s. d. Balance in hand ........... 2 16 0

Cr.
By Blackburn
"Balance

£0 5 0

070

0 10 0

£66 0 0

£5 0 0

61 0 0

£66 0 0

GENERAL FUND.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

I am requested by the Relief Committee of the New Church Society in Stockport, to tender their sincerest thanks to those kind friends who have so generously come forward to alleviate the suffering and distress which our friends are now passing through in these districts.

The Committee here have received the following grants:

From the London Committee, per Mr. F. Pitman, £10.

One parcel of cast-off clothing, per Mr. R. Gunton.

£1. 10s. from the New Church Society, Birmingham (Ladies' contribution), per Mr. J. Whitehead.

The above sums have been disposed of as under::

Purchase of Flannel, Linsey,
Winsey, Calico, &c.
Woollen Handkerchiefs
Ditto
0

Dr. NEW CHURCH FAMILIES.* £. s. d. To Balance from last Account 64 8 0 "Wivenhoe Soc. (2nd sub.) 0 10 *The sum of 16s. 9d., acknowledged in last month's account as from Mr. Du Chemin, Edinburgh, was from the Edinburgh Society.

Hose
Trowsers (two pairs)
Shoes and Clogs
To redeem Pledges

£. s. d.

57 31

0 14 0

13 3 0 13 0

1 2 6

06 0

[blocks in formation]

MISCELLANEOUS.

£0 10 0 1 13 0 0 11

£11 10 0

[blocks in formation]

At Brighton, December 12th, 1862, Mr. Lewis Slight, a gentleman who recently did much to give the New Church a better position before the town, and greater comfort for its own members. He was born in Brighton, May 28th, 1822, of a family highly respected in the town, and connected with those changes and embellishments which have resulted in making Brighton the finest coast town on the south coast of England. Mr. Slight was connected with the public affairs of the town for twenty-five years, and was universally esteemed for his integrity, kindness, and earnestness of purpose. He became a reader of the works of Swedenborg in 1854, and in 1861 he avowed himself a warm receiver of the heavenly doctrines, and commenced active exertions to place them on a secure and more extended basis. His liberal, affectionate, and generous efforts had accomplished much good for the society, and gave rich promise of more, when his health gave way. A long period of insufficient sleep, caused partly from over-work in protracted public cares and labours, induced inflammation of the brain, which terminated a life, the delight of his home, and the esteem of his friends, leaving a widow and one recently-born baby, bereft of the care of a beloved husband and father, but safe under the merciful love of Him who is ever a Husband to the widow and to the fatherless a Father.

J. B.

Removed from this to the spiritual world, on February 11th, 1863, Mr. John Sheepard, of Brightlingsea, aged 59 years. He had been declining for the

191

last six months, but he endured his affliction with great patience. He had been a member of the New Church for many years, and had read most of the writings of the church. His family all attended the Sunday-school, and he had the pleasure of seeing them grown up to the age of maturity, and of becoming members of the church. Our departed friend was a constant attendant on the Sabbath for Divine worship, and as constant at the Lord's table to partake of the Sacrament of His Holy Supper. We have good reason to hope that he may now be a happy member of society in heaven.

Departed from this to the spiritual world, 28th February, 1863, in the 72nd year of her age, Mrs. Esther Fletcher, of Brightlingsea. She was taken ill on Friday evening, and died the next day, about twelve o'clock. She was relict of the late Mr. Moses Fletcher, of Brightlingsea. She was a worthy and intelligent member of the New Church Society at Brightlingsea, and had been truly consistent with the duties thereby required, and was regular in attendance at the public worship of the Lord. She had read some of the works of Emanuel Swedenborg through several times, and had thus become well acquainted with the doctrines she professed to believe, and which (with the exception of the Bible) had been the chief solace of her life. She was no sectarian, nor did she make any distinction between rich and poor. She would visit the professors of any denomination, and the houses of the poor were frequented by her as much as the houses of others. As a neighbour she was sociable and kind, and was generally cheerful and free in conversation. She had been appointed deaconess of the church for many years, and had attended well to that office. The sick and distressed were not long without a visit from her, nor were they without some assistance, according to her own means and the access she had to the sacrament funds subscribed for that purpose. To this fund she was a constant contributor, for she was never absent from the Lord's table, unless from unavoidable circumstances. She did her part in a pecuniary way for the church, and with her hands she would work to keep its furniture in order. All these things connected with her character, were indications of her readi

« AnteriorContinuar »