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means that could be adopted; and said that all new systems of theology were introduced to the great body of the people by that means.

The chairman having briefly summed up, Mr. Edward H. Bayley proposed the following resolutions, viz. :

1. "That in the opinion of this society the writings of the church, and, as far as expedient, its proceedings, ought to be thoroughly advertised in the publications of the day; and that greater efforts should be made to bring its proceedings before the public through reports in the press."

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2. "That arrangements be made for the institution of a shilling' fund to promote this object, the proceeds to be placed at the disposal of the Swedenborg Society."

The resolutions were seconded by Mr. C. W. Smith, supported by Mr. Arthur Day, and carried unanimously.

On the 26th April this society gave a social soirée and concert in aid of the Argyle-square church day-school fund, which was well attended. Tea was provided at half-past five o'clock, to which about 150 sat down, and at seven o'clock the concert commenced, under the able superintendence of Mr. John C. Bayley, assisted by a numerous choir. Several pieces were rapturously encored, and the whole progressed in a very satisfactory

manner.

At the general meeting held on the 5th May, the following resolution was passed, expressing indignation at the assassination of President Lincoln:

"That this meeting desires to give utterance to the feelings of grief with which it has heard of the assassination of President Lincoln; and to convey to Mrs. Lincoln, and to the United States' Government and people, an expression of deepest sympathy and condolence."

Messrs. George Dibley, George Wallis, R. Jobson, E. H. Bayley, J. A. Bayley, G. M. Pulsford, and the Chairman (Mr. John Presland) addressed the meeting.

A copy of the resolution was forwarded to the American minister in London, and a reply, in courteous terms, has been received from that gentleman, stating that it has been forwarded to Washington.

SHEFFIELD. By the kindness of the National Missionary Institution, the Church in Sheffield has been favoured with the services of the Rev. T. L. Marsden, of Dalton, Huddersfield.

On Sunday morning, April 30th, he preached to an excedingly attentive congregation, on "The Science of Correspondences, the only true key to unlock the Word of God." He demonstrated this in the work of creation, from the first to the eighth verse of the first chapter of Genesis. Then he showed that Genesis was not geology, but in reality the genealogy of the Word of God, or the first fruits of the Divine Will to man. As such, it was the origin of all truths to enlighten and bless the mind of a being destined for an eternal existence. Men are bound, therefore, to investigate with candour, and to examine with gratitude, the beginning of Genesis.

In the afternoon Mr. Marsden baptized eight persons, seven belonging to one family; and, as several of these were adults, he took the opportunity of giving an address to all assembled, on the solemn nature of the baptismal covenant. He explained the ceremony as performed in Jordan, and gave the correspondential significance of waters, of the forehead, and of the triune name of the Lord Jesus Christ. All present appeared delighted, especially with the beautiful services of the liturgy, and the parents felt deeply the sacred responsibility of thus initiating their children into the Church, for instruction and regeneration.

In the evening the room was well filled. The subject was, "Is repentance at the last hour by faith alone to be found in the Word of God, or is it a religious delusion of the age, destroying the souls of mankind." (Luke xxiii., 42.) The preacher alluded to repentance as going before faith; he explained its nature, and the import of the two terms used to express it; showed forcibly its necessity, then unfolded the means of repentance, and described its blessedness. Lastly, he went minutely into those stages of the religious life of the thief on the cross, so clearly indicated by his exalted perceptions concerning the Redeemer, as Israel's deliverer, by his confession; his humility, and his reproof of the other thief.

On Monday evening, May 1st, a conversational meeting was held, the subject being "The death and burial of Moses." Mr. Marsden presided, and introduced the subject by some very instructive and pleasing remarks, showing the glorious beauty of the science of correspondences as unfolded by Swedenborg, and gave a few hints on the nature of the words, "preservation"

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ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE.-The anniversary sermons of the Ashton Society were preached by the Rev. T. L. Marsden, of Dalton, on Sunday, April 9th. In the afternoon the rev. gentleman took his text from Matthew xi., 4-6, on the wonders of redemption, which brings sight to the blind, the power of walking to the lame, purification to the leper, life to the dead, glad tidings to the poor, and blessings to all who are not offended in Jesus. In the evening the subject was "The manifestation of God to Moses, and the holy fear which followed:" "Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God." (Exodus iii., 16.)

On Thursday, the 13th, Mr. Marsden gave a most interesting lecture on "The manners and customs of the Orientals." With the help of a few beautiful coloured diagrams, the lecturer was enabled to present his subject in a pleasing and instructive manner. Some excellent glees were performed at intervals by the mem bers of the glee class, Mr. William Lomas presiding at the piano.

On Good Friday, a social tea meeting was held in the schoolroom, and a delightful evening was spent after tea in amusements of various kinds, songs, recitations, &c. Mr. Marsden, who occupied the chair, gave an address, encouraging the friends to persevere in their efforts to strengthen and build up the Lord's New Church, both internally and externally;to do their utmost in the present, trusting in the Divine Providence for a more prosperous future-for the passing away of the dark cloud under which so many have been struggling hard and long.

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CARLISLE. The members and friends of the New Church society meeting for worship in Slack's-court, Milbournestreet, on Sunday, the 23rd ult, favoured with a visit from the Rev. W. Ray, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, who preached two sermons on the above date to very attentive audiences. Mr. Ray chose for his morning discourse "The character of Sampson spiritually considered, and its adaptation to the formation of the Christian character," which discourse was very instructive and impressive. The evening was devoted to the question, "Is there an intermediate state?" which was listened to with every

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attention; after which, Mr. Ray gave the members of the church some very admirable advice on church matters, and then administered the Lord's Supper. There was a good attendance.

The members and friends are deeply indebted to their Newcastle brethren for these missionary visits; also to the Missionary Society for its invaluable assistance in aiding the spread of the truths of the church in Carlisle.

RAMSBOTTOM. -The Sunday School anniversary sermons of this society were preached by Mr. E. J. Broadfield, B.A., of Accrington, on the 14th instant. The sermon in the afternoon was from Luke viii., 39-"Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee;" that in the evening from Exodus ii., 9-"Take this child and nurse it, and I will give thee thy wages." These sermons were peculiarly excellent, and were listened to with quiet and earnest attention. There were about 300 persons present, both at the afternoon and evening services. The singing of the choir, and the instrumental music accompanying, added to the devotional spirit of the services. In the morning an address was delivered to parents and scholars. The collections amounted to £22. 18s. The collections of this and the preceding year average double the amount of any previous years. The society begs to return its sincere thanks to the committee of the society in Accrington for having spared Mr. E. J. Broadfield on this occasion.

KERSLEY ANNIVERSARY SERMONS.These sermons were preached on the 30th of April last, by the Rev. E. Madeley, of Birmingham. The congregations were good, comfortably filling the spacious church in nearly every part; whilst the services of our reverend friend gave unmixed pleasure to the numerous audiences he addressed. This visit will long be remembered with gratification. The collections amounted to upwards of £24.

SWEDENBORG SOCIETY.-The members and friends are affectionately invited to attend the fifty-sixth anuiversary, which · is appointed to be held on Tuesday, June 20th, at St. George's Hall, opposite St. Jude's church, Gray's Inn-road, near Argyle-square. The reports of the Committee and Treasurer will be read, the Committee and Treasurer appointed, and

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some important matters affecting the vital interests of the society be brought before the meeting. The chair will be taken at seven o'clock, by the Rev. A. Clissold. Tea will be provided from half-past five to half-past six; tickets for which, 1s. each, may be obtained of Mr. Alvey, 36, Bloomsbury-street; of Mr. Pitman, 20, Paternoster-row; or at any of the churches.

NORWICH.-The friends in this city have, through the kindness of the National Missionary Society, recently had the gratification of a visit by the Rev. Dr. Bayley. The doctor arrived on Tuesday, April 18th, and attended a tea meeting of the members and friends, held in the French Church the same evening, at which about sixty persons were present. After tea Mr. Spilling was called upon to preside, and addresses were given by the chairman, Dr. Bayley, Mr. Harcourt (the society's much respected leader), Mr. E. D. Rogers, Mr. Coldham, and Mr. Wise, of Yarmouth. The meeting was a very pleasant one, and the good counsel and encouragement given by the doctor were very gratefully received.

On the three following evenings Dr. Bayley delivered a series of lectures in the Lecture Hall, St. Andrew's, not fewer than a thousand persons being present on each occasion. The subjects were "Woman as Maiden," "Woman as Wife," and "Woman as Mother," and the addresses comprised a deeply interesting exposition of the views of the New Church on the mental and spiritual relation of the sexes, the true doctrine of marriage, and the spiritual signification of the terms virgin, daughter, bride, wife, and mother, as employed in the Sacred Scriptures. The audiences showed by their marked attention and frequent applause how greatly they were delighted, and at the close a well-known Wesleyan local preacher spontaneously moved a cordial vote of thanks, speaking of the lectures as amongst the best he had ever heard, and expressing an earnest hope that it would not be long before Dr. Bayley would be able to pay the city another visit. The only regret expressed by those who heard the lecturer was, that he was unable to stay over the following Sunday, a regret which the members of the society fully shared, seeing that on the occasion of his previous visit (just six years before) he preached to congrega

tions of about sixteen hundred people, and would no doubt have addressed as many this time had be been able to remain. It is interesting to note that the Norfolk News, the most widely circulated paper in the district, devoted four columns to reports of the Doctor's lectures.

SOUTH LONDON.-This society now numbers 50 members, and is slowly but steadily progressing. Its current expenses of £100. per annum have been so far met, and its members are stimulated to increased exertions for the future, by the fact that their past labours have been attended with some visible fruits. They are anxious, however, to possess a church of their own as early as possible, and to effect this laudable end, are endeavouring to increase the Building Fund which was established 18 months since. It is gratifying to report that this fund, which amounted to £116. at the end of 1864, has since had £138. added thereto. To still further augment it, the Bazaar referred to in the March Repository was projected, and all connected with the society are now labouring to render it thoroughly successful. It is to be held at St. George's Hall, Gray's Inn road, a fine room situated in a central part of London, and well known to most of the New Church friends in the metropolis. At first, the month of June was fixed for holding it, but it having since been ascertained that the hall would be repainted and decorated during the approaching autumn, it has been decided to defer it until October next. This postponement will, it is hoped, enable many parties to supply a variety of useful and ornamental articles, who could not otherwise have done so conveniently. Already many handsome contributions have been received or promised, and it is believed that the project will more than realize the expectations of its promoters. The bazaar is designed to be of a decidedly New Church character, and to bring together those connected with our various societies, who rarely can enjoy the pleasures of social intercourse. It is earnestly hoped that every one who is interested in the progress of the New Jerusalem, will cheerfully assist this effort to erect, in the midst of the many thousand inhabitants of South London, a church dedicated to the exclusive worship of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only God of heaven and evrth.

MISCELLANEOUS.

NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA. We have been favoured with the perusal of a letter from a member of the church in this colony to a relative here, from which we learn that there are at least two families in Durban who profess the faith of the New Church. The writer says they have thought about meeting for public worship, but as they are not sufficiently numerous, and as there is no one who is able to lead, they have decided to defer any public profession of their faith till some more favourable circumstances encourage them. Meantime they find uses for tracts, which appear to be well received. Dr. Colenso has so far unsettled men's minds, that they are now glad to listen to a few truths, and to turn their minds to any views that promise them anything they can safely rest upon."

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MODERN SPIRITUALISM.-To the Editor. I think the best answer to your correspondent, who asks, "What do Swedenborgians think of Modern Spiritualism?" is to be found in "On the Phenomena of Modern Spiritualism, by Wm. B. Hayden, Minister of the New Jerusalem at Portland, Maine," published by Otis Clapp, 23, School-street, Boston, U.S. Messrs. Trübner, of 60, Paternoster Row, will procure it for about 3s., including postage. This book answers most fully, clearly, and precisely, all his questions. OBSERVER.

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THE CHURCH OUT OF DEBT.-As the effort last year to pay off the debt on the church at Chatteris was successful, and as one good deed generally leads to another, so the success of the appeal for Chatteris has led to one for St. Ives. The debt remaining on the church here was £61. 10s. Our esteemed friend, Richard Gunton, Esq., of London, kindly undertook the laudable work of getting We thank him most the debt paid off. sincerely for his noble efforts, and the many friends also who have so generously helped us in the matter. The following contributions are gratefully acknowledged :

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ST. IVES, HUNTS.-The tenth anniversary of the society in this place was celebrated on Sunday, April 30th, and Thursday, May 4th. On the former occasion, two interesting sermons were preached by Mr. Moss, from London; on the latter, a public tea was provided in the church, at which about seventy persons were present. Afterwards a public meeting was held, when addresses were delivered by Mr. R. Culpin, the society's secretary, the Rev. W. Tall, and the Rev. Dr. Bayley from London, whose address was very interesting Signed on behalf of the Society,

and affectionate. He congratulated the society on their past success, and urged them to renewed exertions in a work so great and glorious. The meeting accorded a vote of thanks to Dr. Bayley for his valuable services, and the members are thankful to the Missionary Society for the help so kindly afforded them from time to time.

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WILLIAM TALL, Minister,
RICHARD CULPIN, Secretary.

LONGTON. The society in this town received a visit, on Sunday, March 26th, from the Rev. J. B. Kennerley, of Manchester. He visited the school in the morning. In the afternoon he delivered a most able and interesting sermon:

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subject "If God is Love, why is Hell?" After service, Mr. Kennerley administered the Sacrament to twenty communicants: the administration was the most impressive ceremony that has been witnessed in this society for some years, and produced a deep impression on the minds of all concerned. At the conclusion of the ceremony the members adjourned to Mrs. Brown's, to their monthly tea meeting, at which Mr. Kennerley presided; and by his sensible and cheerful conversation, the friends were both pleased and instructed. After tea, the members again adjourned to the meeting-room, to hold their annual general meeting, Mr. Kennerley again presiding. A code of rules for the society, respecting the admission of members, &c., and also a code of rules for the library, were read over and confirmed. Five young men signed the Articles of Faith, and received the hand of fellowship from Mr. Kennerley, who delivered to each a brief but earnest and impressive injunction to be useful and practical members of the Lord's church. It was a happy and heavenly day of rest and enjoyment. The members beg to acknowledge the kind and useful labours of Mr. Kennerley while amongst them. It may also be stated, for the encouragement of other societies labouring under difficulties, that although for a number of years we had but one Sunday-school teacher, and received no additional members, and that all efforts to establish Sunday evening conversation meetings and monthly tea meetings had failed, now we have, since last Conference, acquired eight teachers and five additional members. We have a conversation meeting every Sunday evening, and a tea meeting the first Sunday in every month, well attended.

C. B.

NEW PUBLICATION.-"Is the Pleasure Worth the Penalty? A common sense view of the leading vice of the age." By Henry Butter. London: Job Cardwell; pp. 16.

Of this penny pamphlet we are enabled to give the opinion of a clergyman of the Established Church. He says "It appears to me to exhibit much careful reflection, and the discriminating delicacy without which the treatment of such subjects may do almost as much harm as good." Concurring in this opinion, we think the pamphlet worthy of extensive circulation. Parents

and employers of the young will do well to get it, and judge for themselves..

DISCOURSES ON THE APOCALYPSE.We willingly give publicity to the following circular, and wish the author success in his undertaking :—

"To be published, Sermons on the Apocalypse, explanatory and practical, by Rev. T. Chalklen, (Minister of the New Church, Bristol), in two vols.These sermons are upon the entire text of the book of the Revelation, taken from its commencement and proceeded with consecutively without omission. Their purpose is to give an unbroken interpretation of the whole prophecy as applicable to the consummation of the first Christian Church, and the commencement, progress, and establishment of the New Church signified by the New Jerusalem. They will also elicit from the text, practical instruction adapted to the individual in whom the New Church is making progress. Some friends of the author have expressed their desire to see the Discourses in print, and their opinion that their publication would be acceptable and useful to the members of New Church truth in general. If, therefore, a sufficient number of subscribers can be obtained, the first volume, containing about 35 sermons, will be sent to press without delay. Price, neatly bound in cloth, to subscribers, 5s., to non-subscribers, 6s. Friends intending to subscribe will oblige by sending their names to the Author, with the number of copies they wish to take.

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HOCKLEY SOCIETY, BIRMINGHAM.-This society has been favoured by a visit, on Sunday, April 23rd, from the Rev. E. Madeley, minister of the Summer Lane Society; and also on the 24th, in the evening, by the Rev. John Hyde, of Derby. The occasion of these visits was a collection towards defraying the cost of a new harmonium. The collection (including a donation of £10. from Mr. T. Humphreys) amounted to about £29.; the cost of the instrument was £28., so there was a balance left sufficient to pay incidental expenses. The services were well attended, the friends from Summer Lane Society giving their liberal support. The society steadily progresses, under the leadership of Mr. J. R. Lee.

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