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do you mean by authorized? and of course we have to tell them; it really seems necessary that the authority should come out now-a-days when people are so inquisitive as to what-doctrinally-is. Mr. Day was induced to deliver this course, by a lecture by the Rev. Mr. Woods, B.A., Unitarian minister. I intended to have heard him, but, it being the first Sunday of the month, and a special occasion with Mr. Day, I could not forego the certainty of a substantial feast for an uncertain treat; but the Rev. gentleman hearing that some of us would like to read his manuscript, kindly lent it to the New Church friends. Its title, published and placarded about the streets, was, Swedenborg: his spiritual insight and religious speculations.' Well, we read it at our house, and I can say, that not you, or any other New Church man, could utter such a eulogy without a blush; we almost blushed to read it. He heaped on E. S. all Emerson's praises, without his detraction; he advised his auditors to follow his (Mr. W's) example, and read the works of Swedenborg; assuring them that they could not fail to rise from the perusal of them, 'wiser and better men.' However, Mr. Day is not the man to be dazzled by any of the idols and trinkets of the Assyrian camp, but plainly pointed out the difference between reading enough of our great author's works to be able to give a popular lecture thereon, and inculcating the doctrine and living the life which those works enjoin."

THE CONFERENCE HYMN BOOK.-Permit me through your columns to request the members of the various societies, and likewise all the friends who are interested in the Conference Hymn Book, seriously to consider the following three questions, and to favour me with the results of their consideration and investigations at as early a date as possible ::

1. Is there any need for a revision of the Hymn Book?

2. How far ought any attempted revision to extend?

3. Is the present time-now that the Hymn Book is out of print, and that the stereotype plates will have to be renewed the most proper and best time for making such revisions as are necessary?

The opinion of the church must be the guide of the Conference. As the

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subject will have to be fully considered at the approaching meeting of the Conference, to have obtained a general expression of the sentiments of the friends will very materially tend to aid the members of the Conference in arriving at a just and wise conclusion on the point. JOHN HYDE, 9, Sacheveral-street, Derby.

April 6th, 1865.

SOUTH LONDON SOCIETY.-The annual general meeting of this society was held at the Literary Institution, Newington Causeway, Southwall, on the 24th January, when the chair was taken by Mr. Edward Austin, the leader. The proceedings were of a very satisfactory character. We quote such passages from the first annual report as appear to be most generally interesting:

"The society was formally constituted at a general meeting held January 7th, 1864, when the Faith of the New Church having been read, the members' book was signed by sixteen friends; since then, there have been thirty-three more names added, thus raising the number of the society to forty-nine registered members.

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"Mr. Austin has delivered several courses of lectures on subjects calculated to awaken inquiry, which have been well advertised both by handbills and in the local newspaper. attended, and it is hoped have been the means of doing much good. One of these lectures calls for special remark. The Rev. Mr. Spurgeon some time past delivered a discourse on 6 Baptismal Regeneration,' which attracted considerable attention in the religious world. Mr. Austin thinking it desirable that the public should have an opportunity of hearing the question discussed from a New Church point of view, delivered a lecture on the same subject. The committee considering that the controversy originated in the immediate neighbourhood, and that the question would also be one of universal interest, resolved to publish the lecture in the form of a penny pamphlet. This was accordingly done, and the first edition of 1,000 copies having sold readily, it was resolved to print a second edition, which is now on sale.

These have been well

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"The Financial Statement for the year shows a small balance due to the treasurer; considering, however, how

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large a proportion of the payments are for preliminary expenses, such as are not likely to be again incurred, we may regard our financial position as satisfactory. It is an encouraging evidence of our stability, that a Building Fund has been established. Several friends were moved to this by an earnest desire to build a House to the Lord, and thus place the society on a material basis. This fund has been increased by anonymous contributions to the box, and by a small sum for interest on the deposit account, to £117. 6s. 11d. From the promises of annual subscriptions received since the audit, there is reason to hope that ere long the society may be enabled to purchase a site for carrying out the object of the fund."

Votes of confidence and approval were passed, the officers for the ensuing year appointed, and a resolution agreed to to render all possible support to the Building Fund.

EASTER IN LANCASHIRE.-The societies of the New Church in Lancashire avail themselves of the general holiday at this season of the year to hold a number of interesting and instructive social meetings. The first of these is instituted by the Sunday-school Union, and is held on Good Friday. This meeting was held this year at Ramsbottom, and notwithstanding the wetness of the day, nearly two hundred friends from various parts of the country were present. At this meeting it is the custom to read an essay which has been prepared by some gentleman appointed at some previous meeting of the Union. This year the essay was read by the Rev. E. D. Rendell, of Preston, who had selected as his subject-"The Education of the Church." This subject the essayist treated with his usual ability. He pointed out the distinction between the education of the church and of the world; showing that the education of the world, or a merely secular education, however extensive and however perfect, could not accomplish for us the end contemplated by the education of the mind in the knowledge and practice of spiritual truth. The distinction also between instruction and education was clearly pointed out and luminously treated. Instruction is to impart to the mind the knowledge of truth, education to draw out this knowledge. Addresses corroborative and ex

pansive of the general sentiments of the essay were delivered by Messrs. Mackereth, Westal, S. Smith, E. J. Broadfield, and other speakers who took part in the proceedings. Tea was provided in a public room in the village, after which the friends again assembled in the chapel, the subject of conversation being the proper observance of the Sabbath. This subject was introduced by the secretary of the Union, Mr. Potts. Addresses tending to show that in the New Church the Sabbath should be observed in a strict and earnestly religious, but not Pharisaic spirit and manner, were delivered by a number of the friends present. All who had the privilege of attending this meeting seemed to enjoy the sphere of mutual affection by which it was pervaded.

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Another meeting held by the friends of the church at this season is what is called the Annual Meeting." This assembly was long held in Whit-week, but being found to interfere with the Sunday-school anniversaries, which are held at this season, it has of late years been appointed for Easter Monday. The meeting this year was held at Kersley, Mr. Woodman presiding. The custom is to read a portion of the Word, which forms the subject of conversation. 61st chapter of Isaiah was read this year, and addresses explanatory of its spiritual sense delivered by the chairman, the Revs. J. Boys, J. B. Kennerley, R. Storry, and Messrs. Mackereth, Fox, Westal, Seddon, and others. Tea was provided in the spacious and beautiful school-room adjoining the church; after which a more popular meeting was held in the same room. At this meeting the Yorkshire Colporteur, who was in the neighbourhood attending one of the public fairs, gave an account of the working of that institution, and sought to interest the friends in its behalf. The Rev. R. Storry followed in an address on the relation of the New Church to the world outside of us. Other speakers kept up the attention of the friends and the interest of the meeting, until the time arrived for departure to their several homes. The attendance was not large, rather less than a hundred in the afternoon-somewhat more than this number in the evening; all present felt, however, the beauty of brethren dwelling together in unity, and the eminent tendency of these annual assemblies to unite the

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members of the church in the bonds of faith and the brotherhood of mutual love. The church in this part of the kingdom has done much, and is doing much, for the instruction of its members and the dissemination of the truth, but it has much more to do in the future than has been yet attempted, and meetings of this kind will help to prepare the way for the doing of it. They knit the members of the several societies together as one man, and give greater harmony of feeling and unity of action. They afford the opportunity also to the distant members of meeting with the earnest labourers in the church who have given the strength and energy of their manhood to this great cause, and who hold to it with the ripened experience of advancing age. Some of these noble men, of whom it is sufficient to mention the names of Mr. Moss and Mr. Broadfield, are always present to add to the enjoyment of these occasions. The very presence and manifest happiness of these fathers in the church is a speaking lesson to the younger members. It teaches them to plant their feet early within the walls of Jerusalem; to walk about Zion and go round about her; to tell the towers thereof, to mark well her bulwarks, and consider her palaces, that they may tell it to the generation following.

IPSWICH.-On Sunday, April 9th, Mr. Spilling, of Norwich, paid his customary visit to this society, and preached morning and evening,-visited the Sundayschool in the afternoon, and examined and addressed the children. The subject of the morning's discourse was "The hidden manna and the white stone;" (Rev. ii. 17.) in the evening, "Aaron burning incense on the golden altar." (Exodus Xxx. 7, 8.) Mr. Spilling, referring to the practice adopted by a certain portion of the Church of England of burning incense as an act of worship, and which is now rife in the city of Norwich, showed its heathen origin, and that God had not ordained it, but had simply permitted it because of the external state of the Jews, who were not able to receive or understand anything better or more spiritual, and at the same time had given laws to regulate and restrain it. He then showed the beautiful spiritual teachings involved in the observance commanded in the text, and applied it with considerable

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effect to the experience and states of his hearers. A few friends from distant parts of the county were present, and greatly enjoyed the rich spiritual repast provided by our esteemed and talented friend, Mr. Jas. Spilling.

NOTTINGHAM. -The Hedderly-street society has posted on forty public advertising boards in and about Nottingham, for a term of three months, a large placard, which, after stating the place and times of worship, gives the following summary of the New Church faith:

"1st. That the Lord Jesus Christ is God of Heaven and Earth, in whom is centred the Divine Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and in whom dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.' He is therefore the only true Object of Christian Worship.

2nd. That the Sacred Scripture is His Inspired Word. That the literal sense contains the Truths of Faith essential to Salvation. That there is also in its interior sense an infinite depth of Divine Wisdom accommodated to the spiritual perceptions of men and of angels.

"3rd. That Regeneration is a gradual work, effected by co-operation with the Lord, through a loving obedience to His Divine Commandments, in the uses of a godly and self-denying life.

"4th. That the Lord's Church consists of The Good of every sect throughout the world. It is written- The hour cometh when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. Jesus says-'I am the Way, the Truth, and the life.' (John iv. 23, 26.) "Strangers provided with seats and books."

In deciding upon such a course, the committee considered that a plain and simple declaration of the doctrines would be calculated to awaken attention, and probably lead to inquiry. This was the main object. Here, as in other places, there exists much misconception and misrepresentation respecting New Church doctrines, and are we not justified in removing these barriers to the reception of the heavenly truths to the utmost of our ability? Since the placards have been issued, several strangers have attended the services and appear to be interested.

Since the last Conference, several members of the church and congregation have emigrated, or otherwise left Not

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tingham; but we are still persevering and hopeful. At the last quarterly meeting, held on the 9th instant, five members were received, and seven probationers proposed for membership. Amongst the latter is a respectable tradesman who for years has been more or less associated with the secularists in this town. He and his wife and family have been regular in attendance upon worship during the last nine months, and he takes an active part in our fortnightly "Penny Readings." Holyoake has just paid Nottingham a visit, and delivered three lectures on "The effect of reading the Bible a second time;" but I am happy to say, although the town had been placarded very extensively, the attendance on each evening was very scanty, the room being scarcely one-third filled. Some of our friends attended and distributed the four-page tracts as the audience retired. Secularism seems to be on the wane in Nottingham at least.

On Sunday, April 16th, we had a kindly visit from our friends of Shakespere-street Society. Mr. Pegg, the much-respected leader, preached for us in the morning, and Mr. J. D. Beilby in the evening, being sermons for the benefit of the Sunday-school fund. The attendance on both occasions, and the collections, were very satisfactory. Mr. D. W. Heath addressed the children and friends in the afternoon.

QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE LANCASHIRE MINISTERS.--The second quarterly meeting of the ministers in this part of the kingdom was held at Kersley, on the 6th of March last, at which, the Revds. R. Storry of Heywood, W. Woodman of Kersley, J. Boys of Standlane, J. B. Kennerley of Salford, and G. C. Macpherson of Bedford-street, Liverpool, and Messrs. Westall of Bolton, and E. J. Broadfield of Accrington, were present. Letters were received from the Revds. E. D. Rendell of Preston, and T. L. Marsden of Dalton, explaining that unavoidable circumstances prevented their attendance. The meeting was felt to be a highly useful one, and the deliberations on the subjects brought under consideration, were characterized by both cordiality and unanimity. The next meeting is to take place at Liverpool, on the second Tuesday in June.

RAMSBOTTOM.-A course of Sunday evening lectures has been delivered here.

The first of the course was delivered on February 5th, by Mr. E. Seddon, of Middleton, subject: "Jesus Christ being the only God, why did he pray to the Father?" (John xi. 41-2.) the second, on February 12th, by Mr. F. Smith, of Manchester, subject: "Why and how was Jesus tempted of the devil?” (Matt. xxvii. 46.) the third, on Feb. 19th, by Mr. S. Smith, of Manchester, subject; "Sin-what is original sin ?—what is the sin which can be forgiven?—what is the sin which cannot be forgiven?" (Luke xii. 10.) and the last, on Feb. 27th, by Mr. R. Adcock, of Manchester, subject: "The true meaning of the Cross of Christ." (Gal. vi. 14.) Much solid instruction was presented in these lectures; they were well attended, and were listened to with marked attention. The results were very satisfactory.

THE FIRST PROTESTANT CHURCH IN SOUTHERN ITALY.-The interesting circumstance of the consecration of a Protestant church in Naples has just taken place, a practical protest against the recent letter of the Pope, and a trophy of religious liberty. The site of this church was given by Garibaldi in 1860, when he was Dictator. Some English residents petitioned him for permission to purchase a site for a place of worship, and he answered the petition by presenting them with the site they had desired, as "a very trifling acknowledgment of so many benefits received from the English in favour of the Italian cause."

Obituary.

Removed into the spiritual world, at Colchester, Illinois, on the 7th February last, Stephen Fletcher, aged 25. The deceased was a member of the Kersley Society, having been brought up in the Sunday-school connected with that body. He was highly esteemed for his steady, industrious, and sober habits, and especially for his uniform kindness to a widowed mother, who was mainly dependent on him for support; he was also equally kind in assisting those of the family who needed his aid. In consequence of the cotton famine arising out of the unfortunate war in America, and the consequent depression of the spindle manufacturing trade, which led to the complete cessation of work in the shop where he had been employed, a long period of forced idleness exhausted

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the little hoard he had saved, and finally led to his emigrating with his aged mother to America. He had in the mean time contracted the seeds of consumption, to which there was an hereditary tendency in the family, and in a few months was removed to another and a better world. He, however, lived sufficiently long in his new home to win the esteem of those among whom he sojourned, as was evidenced by the respect they showed at his funeral. The absence of the consolations of the New Church ministrations were felt by him as a great privation; some Wesleyans, however, kindly attended him in his last illness, and offered such support as they were able; and if he could not accept all their views, their kindness and sympathy were refreshing to him. There is every reason to hope that he has passed into his rest.

W. W.

Removed to the spiritual world, March 25th, 1865, Mr. Robert Rushton, of Bolton, in the 80th year of his age.

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day-school for a long course of years; and there has been no office in connection with Church or Sunday-school, which he has not held at one time or another. Indeed, the society has been mainly indebted to him for its existence, and for the means of usefulness which it at this time enjoys. The correctness of his memory, and his extensive information, have made him a little authority among his neighbours. When Mr. G. F. French entered upon the commendable work of becoming the biographer of S. Crompton, Esq., inventor of the spinning mule, he came to our friend, and derived from him much of the information he gives concerning his religious, musical, and private life. Thus, both he and the reading world are largely indebted to our friend, for rescuing from oblivion much of the life and character of a man through whose ingenuity the world has been so richly blest. He was greatly beloved by every member of our Churchhighly esteemed by all who knew himand has passed into the other world, withHis connection with the New Church out leaving an enemy behind. Though extends over a period of sixty-seven not possessed of a strong constitution, years. When he was about twelve years yet, by watching his health with great of age, he lived near to Mr. S. Dawson; care, he has had (for his long life) coma man who sustained the office of leader paratively little sickness; and at last has of the Bolton society for a period of worn away from sheer old age. He has thirty years. Mrs. Dawson, his wife, truly devoted his life for the good of the frequently asked our friend (then a boy) Church, and was ever pleased to hear to go and read for her. She generally and read of its progress. Since feeblegave him the "Heaven and Hell;" and ness has kept him to his room, the Bible he had read this book for her so often, and the " Arcana Cœlestia," have been that he ultimately took great interest in the books of his daily reading. He was it himself. From this time, he has had especially delighted with the 23rd and a constantly increasing delight in read- 27th Psalms, and took great pleasure in ing the works of the New Church. In conversing upon the spiritual wisdom these early years, he first began to attend they contain. A few days before his rethe Sunday-school and the services of the moval, he desired me to read for him, Church, then held in Bullock-street. As "Swedenborg's experience of the resushe grew up (being fond of music), he citation of the dead." He ever spoke of became one of the pupils, and was after- death as going home. He said, God had wards a member of the choir presided been very good to him, had blessed him over by the late Samuel Crompton, Esq., with many comforts, good friends, and inventor of the spinning mule. After kind attendance; but where he was going Mr. Crompton's death, the choir found he had a many more friends, and still a leader in our friend's brother, Mr. John richer blessings in store for him. Rushton. He ultimately becoming a there was one friend, the prospect of salaried singer in the Parish Church of meeting with whom gave him greater this town, the duty of presiding over delight than all others; and that was the music of Church and Sunday-school, his wife, after a separation of more than then devolved upon our deceased mem- twenty-six years. It was this which ber. This office he held until old age made him desire that his only daughter prevented his continuing it any longer. should be with him in his room, and be He was also superintendent of the Sun- the last upon whom he should fix his

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