though it does not directly attack their erroneous doctrines, undermines them from their foundation. Least of all is any favourable sentence to be looked for from the various periodical publications which are established to uphold the cause of the differing sections of a totally corrupted church. Like the Jews, the maintaining their own place and nation," is the ruling object which they have in view: and if the divinity of the Word cannot be proved without at the same time disproving their corruptions of it, they are again ready to raise the cry, that Barabbas may be preserved, and that Jesus may be crucified. The Methodist Magazine has taken the lead in this cry, and, in the Number for March last, has poured forth the following disgrace. ful effusion: "The Plenary Inspiration, &c. This is an attempt to drive back the infidel assaulters of the citadel of Revealed Truth, only to admit a more secret, but NOT LESS MISCHIEVOUS ENEMY. (!!!) It is, in a word, a defence of the Scriptures, on the principles of Swedenborg, or those which substantially resemble them; and this ought to have been stated on the title page. We believe that it would be a much easier task to prove, on these principles, the plenary inspiration' of the Pilgrim's Progress:' (!!!) and indeed so much of the work of cogitating wonderful 'analogies' is done to hand in the dreams of Bunyan, that we wonder it has not, long ago, become the exelusive Bible of the followers of the sharp-seeing Baron*. (!!!) Dreams would be very appropriate exponents of a Dream;' but they form poor comments upon the sobriety of truth. Such writers as Mr. N., with inverted taste, leave the light of the sun, and the majesty of the scenes which he unfolds, to coop themselves up within the smoke of a magic lantern; and employ life in changing the grotesque scenes of their own phantasmagoria. Few of our readers will, however, we are persuaded, pay thirteen shillings to walk in and see the show." (!!!) The concluding sentence betrays the writer's motive; the "readers" of the Methodist Magazine are by any means whatever to be withheld from becoming readers of Mr. N.'s work; and therefore, without attempting to reply to his arguments, or venturing to give a single extract from his volume, since it would be impossible to find one which would not belie the "If we let him alone, all men will believe on him; and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." John xi. 48. *We were surprised at this contemptuous mention of the Pilgrim's Progress by Methodists, as we supposed, from having often seen it in the hands of members of that sect, that it was a favourite book with them. Perhaps, however, it may be more Calvinistic than their great authorities approve ; but of this, having never read it ourselves, we cannot judge. reviewer's representations of it, sheer ribaldry is resorted to, for the purpose of excluding examination. Another of the choice religious publications of the day, which takes the modest title of "The Spiritual Magazine, or Saint's Treasury," and which is devoted to the cause of ultra-Calvinism and its famed apostle, Dr. Hawker, has also given, in its Number for March, a notice of the Work, which is evidently inserted with the same design as the above, though not couched in terms so grossly abusive. The strongest expressions are contained in the opening paragraph, as follows: "Mr. Noble, on the above occasion [alluding, apparently, to the delivery of the Lectures,] read a great deal, and in this volume has written much more, to prove the plenary inspiration of the Word of God; most of which, however clear to himself and his brethren of the New Jerusalem Church,' containing philosophical reasonings far beyond the comprehension of the uneducated Christian: and when his Lectures treat on subjects within the verge of common observation, he has in point of their spiritual application, darkened counsel by words without knowledge. To understand his doctrine of Analogies will defy the ingenuity of all who have not laved of the waters of mysticism, and thereby rendered themselves impervious to the dictates of a well-organized judgment." No one will wonder that any intelligent production should be "beyond the comprehension" of a writer capable of constructing such sentences as the above. Assuredly, such reviews of Mr. N.'s work, instead of discrediting it, are calculated to recommend it to the good opinion of every one, who is not either a dunce or a bigot. One publication, however, (but not a theological one,) has given a notice, which, though short, is extremely favourable. The Literary Chronicle, of Jan. 1, after a few preliminary remarks, proceeds thus: "It has always appeared to us, that the defenders of Christianity have taken for granted more than was necessary, and have assumed as preliminaries or bases for their arguments, what its opponents would not admit. Mr. Noble appears to be of the same opinion, and justly observes that the ablest works of the most popular of the Christian advocates, are more adapted to silence than to satify even an ingenuous inquirer.' Christian advocates are also too fond of relying on miracles, as evidences of the truth of revelation, which Mr. N. hesitates not to affirm, can clearly be established without them." The reviewer then extracts a sentenee or two from the remarks on miracles, and concludes thus: "Mr. N. has essayed to vindicate Christianity, if not on more rational, at least on less objectionable grounds: and we think he has eminently succeeded. His work has arisen out of a series of six lectures, which he delivered, and they are now of course much enlarged. His style is simple, but forcible and argumentative; and if Christianity has had more able, it has, perhaps rarely had a more rational advocate, or one more likely to convince the sceptic." Should any more of the Magazines or Reviews notice the work, we propose to report upon them to our readers. We shall not be sorry to see, in some respectable publication, a fair attempt to refute it but it is not improbable that those which would not descend to the course pursued by the Methodist and Spiritual Magazines, will prefer to shun the difficulty by passing it by in silence. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Publication of the Writings of Swedenborg in the French Language. The most important article of information which we have to communicate to our readers, relates to that great work, the printing of the translation of the Writings of Swedenborg into the most universal language of Europe. On this subject we have before mentioned some particulars; but we have lately seen a letter from the friend at whose expense, and by whose activity, the publication is going on, which makes us acquainted with the present state of the undertaking. The works already printed are the ten following. 1 Du Ciel et de l'Enfer 2 De la vraie Religion chrétienne 3 Doctrine de la vie pour la Nouvelle Jérusalem 4 De la Nouvelle Jérusalem, et de sa doctrine célestie. No. de vols. 1 2 1 5 La Sagesse angélique sur le divin amour et sur la divine sagesse 1 6 La Sagesse angélique sur la divine Providence. 7 L'Apocalypse révélée. 8 Délices de la sagesse sur l'amour conjugal, et Voluptes de la folie sur l'amour scortatoire 1 9. Du dernier Jugement et de la Babylone détruite, et continuation du méme ouvrage 1 10. Des Terres dans notre monde solaire, et des Terres dans le The next work that will be proceeded with is the Arcana Coelestia: it is now under revisal by Messrs. P- and D—, but the printing will not be commenced till the whole of Genesis is corrected and ready. The sums already disbursed in this extensive undertaking amount to about 27,000 francs. The works are published by Messrs. Treuttel and Wurtz, at Paris, who have also a warehouse in Soho Square, London. With respect to the progress or reception this gift begins to make, he who offers it to the European public observes that he is at a loss what to answer. In that part of Europe which is divided between the Roman Catholic and the Protestant churches, he states, that with the exception of a few copies bought by unknown individuals, there is no demand for them: and, as far as he can observe or learn in his travels, the prejudices against the enlightened Author are of the strongest kind. He is classed with mystics and euthusiasts, though (which does not at all surprise us, for there really is no similarity between his sentiments and those of the mystics,) the mystics themselves are more prejudiced against him, than others. "But where," the writer justly asks, "is the surprise? Is the Word Itself more estimated for its real quality, although that quality is superior and divine? These writings, therefore, I perceive are printing for posterity, and for a wiser race. Here is my encouraging hope. Beyond all other miracles, the Word, through the instrumentality of the Bible Society, is presenting anew by the Lord to all nations, and this separated from the perversions as far as can be (exclusive of the infesting clergy) of the old Christian doctrines. This new presentation of the Word will be the basis, for simple minds, for the internal sense of the Word; whether through the instrumentality of the Writings (though I conceive comparatively ina small proportion) or immediately in illustration from the Word itself.”—In the eastern part of Europe, however, the seat of the moe completely gentilized Greek Church, there is somewhat more of immediate encouragement. "In Moscow," our communication adds, "there has been a great call for these translations; but whether by a society or by individuals only I cannot learn. This zeal has notwithstanding received a check from that worthy member of the Holy Alliance, Alexander, who, I am informed, has lately, in consequence of the reception of the doctrines in that city, forbidden the importation of them into the Russian dominions. I hope no imprudence of the readers themselves has caused this."-We hope so too; and we hope also th there may have been some mistake in the report of the prohibition by the Emperor of the importation of the books. It is very inconsistent with that character for liberality which he has taken no small pains to acquire. A seed, however, may already have been sown, the fruits of which may be boundless. Formation of a small Society at Aylesbury. On two former occasions, we have mentioned the reception of the doctrines of the New Church by a few individuals at Aylesbury; and we now are enabled, by a cominuni. cation from afriend, to report, that they have lately considerably increased. Some months ago, two friends of the New Church from Bristol having settled for a short time at Aylesbury, the former receivers of the doctrines, encouraged by the accession, formed themselves with them into a committee of seven, and determined to make the subjects more known by holding reading and conversational meetings. They engaged a convenient room, and to avoid confusion, issued tickets for admission. At their first meeting they were agreeably surprised to find a congregation of fifty persons assembled, many of whom went away pleased, and some seriously impressed. In about a week a second meeting took place, when full fifty hearers again assembled, and many went away for want of room: most who were present appeared to be gratified. These meetings have been so far blessed, that four persons have in consequence become receivers and zealous advocates of the sublime truths thus introduced to their notice, and some others have been rendered favourably disposed to them. Some tracts, conveyed by a friend from London, have also been very useful, and have proved the means, by the divine blessing, of bringing conviction to several minds. Their number in all is now seventeen full receivers, and five who are favourable inclined. Mr. Dowling, an old and zealous friend of the New Church, presides at their meetings. " Infant School at Chelmsford. Few instances of individual benevolence can be more commendable than that which we have here to record. A member of the New Church, residing in the vicinity of Chelmsford, was some time ago so much struck by the pleasing scene exhibited by the Infant School in Spitalfields, London, that he conceived a strong desire to become the instrument of extending the moral and spiritual benefits which he saw that such institutions, properly conducted, are calculated to impart, to the infant poor of his own neighbourhood. He has accordingly, at his own expense, erected a school-room at Chelmsford capable of accommodating 200 children, and with a residence for the master and mistress; and he has engaged to conduct the school a master and mistress who are receivers of the heavenly doctrines, and have had previous experience in that capacity. The School was intended to be opened on the 28th of March: we trust that the divine blessing will attend it. NEW PUBLICATION. On the Nature of the Life after Death. A Tract (Pp. 20) bearing this Title has just been published by the Missionary and Tract Society of the New Jerusalem Church in London. The writer has judiciously availed himself of several forcible passages in Mr. Hindmarsh's admirable "Vindication of the Writings of Swedenborg," relating to his subject. We trust this little work will be found useful in correcting the false and groundless impressions, too generally entertained, of the views of the New Church, in regard to the nature of the Life after Death. NOTICES.-Tunes to the New Hymn-Book. Mr. Granger, the master of the New Jerusalem Church Free School, has printed a List of Tunes contained in Dr. Rippon's Selection, appropriate for each Hymn in the Conference Hymn-Book, for gratuitous distribution to the members of the church in London, or any others who may apply for them. We consider Mr. Granger's present very acceptable to the church, as it tends to facilitate the use of the Hymns in Private and Family Devotion, few perNo. VI.-VOL. I. 3 X |