him, however distantly, in the honorable path which he pursued." Mr. Bateman, in concluding, wished M. Harlé "God speed in his labors of love."

The several addresess (which we regret that space has compelled us materially to abridge) were very favourably received by the company, who, by unmistakable demonstrations of applause, testified the delight they experienced at the sentiments delivered, and at the cheering prospect of continued usefulness before the society. The meeting was protracted till ten o'clock, when it was dismissed with the Benediction.

ANNIVERSARRY SERVICES AT BLACKBURN.-On Sunday, June 25th, the long expected visit of the Rev. Dr. Bayley, of London, was realised, and in every respect was a complete success. It has been one of the most pleasing visits for many years. The temple was crowded on both occasions. Friends from Dalton, Liverpool, Wigan, Preston, Accrington, and other places, were present at both services. The doctor was in excellent spirits, and no doubt was happy seeing so many old faces whom he had known from their youth up. He gave two very excellent discourses, especially the one in the evening, which has been well spoken of by many persons out of the pale of the church. The united collections amounted to the handsome sum of £16. 8s. 4d., which is the largest amount ever taken up at these services. In the morning of the same day the doctor addressed a few words to the children in the school on the "Better Land, and the Importance of Little Things." The remarks he made, coupled with an anecdote showing the importance of little things, will long be remembered by the children. The day following, the Sundayschool Union held their annual meeting in our temple. A goodly number of ministers, leaders, and delegates were present, representing the various Sunday schools in the Union. After the business of the Union had been gone through, tea was provided for the friends in the schoolroom, after which the friends again assembled in the temple, when we had a very agreeable meeting, presided over by the Rev. E. D. Rendell, and addressed by the Rev. Dr. Bayley, the Rev. J. B. Kennerley, and Messrs. Westall, Broadfield, Potts, and others. The meeting was brought to a close about nine o'clock,

when all departed to their homes highly delighted with the remarks of the various speakers.

We have also to notice the monthly visits of the Rev. Mr. Rendell, under the auspices of the National Missionary Institution, which have been continued through the year, and have been very successful. A great number of strangers to the doctrines have been brought together; on the last occasion over fifty were present, when Mr. Rendell discoursed on "Man, as the subject of Influences from the Spiritual World,” and all appeared delighted with the beautiful manner in which Mr. Rendell treated his subject.

These visits are calculated to do a great amount of good. We may not see much of their good in an increase of members; but the strangers who give us their presence cannot but be impressed with very different ideas of us as a religious body to those generally held; and we feel quite convinced that their continuance will add much good to the church generally. No doubt in some minds, the fruit produced will be thirtyfold, some sixty-fold, and some one hundred-fold.

YORKSHIRE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH MISSIONARY AND COLPORTAGE ASSOCIATION. - The fifth anniversary of this association was held on the 9th, 10th, and 11th July.

On Sunday morning, the Rev. Richard Storry, of Heywood, preached at Bradford, from Rev. xix. 17-18, and in the evening at Leeds, from Rev. xi. 1. Mr. Storry also preached on Monday evening at Keighley.

The annual meeting was held on Tuesday evening, at Drewton Street School, Bradford. After tea, the Rev. R. Storry occupied the chair, when the report and treasurer's account were read, from which it appeared that the association, through its colporteur, had during the past year distributed gratuitously 31,115 tracts, and sold 752 books and pamphlets. Out of this number 21,000 tracts, and 142 books and pamphlets, had been disposed of at the Hull, York, Knott Mill (Manchester), and Bradford fairs, leaving for the ordinary and regular labours of the association the disposal of upwards of 10,000 tracts, and 610 books and pamphlets. The report also showed that the colporteur had preached

63 sermons, and in the accomplishment of the preceding results had spent 121 days' labour, being about four days per week, as the past year includes only ten months, viz., from September to June. The income of the association, by subscriptions and donations, has increased from £118. to £133.

The sermons were listened to with great interest by attentive and numerous audiences; and the meeting, though deprived of the presence of Dr. Goyder and several other friends by unavoidable absence, was an interesting one, and was addressed by the Rev. R. Storry, and Messrs. Dyson, William Storry, George Musgrove, R. B. Swinburn, and T. Ramsden, after which the meeting was concluded by singing and prayer.

IPSWICH.-On Sunday, July 9th, this society was visited by Mr. Spilling, of Norwich, who preached morning and evening. The morning's discourse was from Matt. x. 28-" And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell." In the evening the subject was David's victory over Goliath. In the afternoon Mr. Spilling visited the Sunday School, when he examined and addressed the children, after which a social meeting was held at a friend's house. Isolated receivers from Peasanhall, Saxmundham, Snape, and Woodbridge, united in the celebration of the Lord's Supper. All appeared delighted and refreshed by Mr. Spilling's visit, and desire again to thank the committee of the missionary institution for their kind assistance towards securing the periodical services of their friend, which are highly appreciated in Ipswich.

ISLINGTON. -On Tuesday, the 11th July, the half-yearly Sunday School treat took place. There was a numerous gathering of the children, and ample justice was done to a substantial tea. Out-door amusements were provided until about seven o'clock, when the children assembled in the schoolroom, for the purpose of reciting several selections of poetry and singing some favourite pieces of music. There was a distribution of toys and useful articles, which it is needless to add gave great delight; and, after a kindly speech from Mr. Bateman, the children were sent

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home full of happiness, and some were even looking forward to the next treat, so buoyant are the hopes of childhood! Several friends were present, and the children could desire no better president than their staunch friend, Mr. H. Bateman.

ARGYLE SQUARE JUNIOR MEMBERS' SOCIETY.-A lecture on the "Ethics of Quakerism" was delivered before this society by W. H. Lyndall, Esq., on the 9th June. The lecturer commenced by observing "that one effect of the civil war in the seventeenth century was that the attention of men, being of necessity directed to questions of church polity and religion, there resulted a species of revival of religious feeling in the great body of the people; a bold spirit of inquiry was abroad, which required that all institutions and doctrines should be tried at the bar of private judgment, and tested by the Word of God. While such was the disposition of the public mind, we are not surprised to find that men of true piety, under the influence of the popular sentiment, boldly attacked old institutions or observances, or proposed in their place systems and rules of their own. As usual in all such cases, the most extreme opinions were advanced with the coldest determination and persistence; and but too frequently the earnest advocates of them readily confounded the ideas formed in solitude and privation with the influence of a Divine inspiration. Now, it is obvious, that of the religious systems which took their rise about the middle of the seventeenth century, that of Quakerism embodied the most decided protest against the errors and abuses of the age; this ssytem, indeed, was the natural reaction of Christian feeling from the degenerate forms and tenets of Protestantism, which, while rejecting the jurisdiction and authority of Rome, did not enough exhibit that purity of worship and charity of thought and action which it theoretically enjoined." The lecturer then proceeded, with considerable force of language, to point out the leading social, moral, and religious peculiarities of the Quaker sect, and to comment upon their strict and somewhat self-righteous characteristics. He concluded an able lecture as follows:"How consoling is it to turn from the ever-varying systems of human belief and practice to the truths which Chris

tianity reveals! Their spirit reaches to every contingency in human affairs, and implies a rule for the solution of every difficulty. What mankind chiefly wanted was the example of a perfect life that want Christ has supplied fully, richly. Compared with its stainless splendours, how dark are suns! With its attractive spell, how weak that force which holds the world together!"

At the conclusion of the lecture a vote of thanks to Mr. Lyndall was proposed by Mr. E. H. Bayley, seconded by Mr. G. M. Pulsford, and carried unanimously.

SHEFFIELD.-On Sunday, June 25th, under the auspices of the National Missionary Society, Sheffield was favoured with a visit from the Rev. Woodville Woodman, who delivered two excellent discourses to large and very attentive audiences. In the morning the subject was- In what sense is it to be understood that Christ delivered to Peter the Keys of Heaven?" After fully demonstrating the erroneousness and absurdity of the Roman Catholic method of treating this passage, he evolved the supernal truths that lie beneath the letter. His subject for the evening was "Heaven, Where is it? and What is it? and how shall we recognise our friends there?" a subject which he treated with his usual ability, and to the great pleasure of his audience. It is rather remarkable that most of our advertised services are attended by one or more reputed infidels of the town.

ARGYLE-SQUARE SOCIETY, LONDON.The annual general meeting of this society took place on Wednesday, 12th July. The friends having partaken of tea, the Rev. Dr. Bayley took the chair, and the business of the evening was proceeded with. Mr. Watson read a report of the general condition of the society, which is highly satisfactory; and Mr. Pitman (the treasurer) a statement of the finances. Mr. C. W. Smith read a report on the new day-school, from which it appeared that the building is nearly completed, and will shortly be opened. The sum of £300. will be still required to meet the necessary expenses, £800. having been already raised. Mr. Herbert Moore read a report of the Junior Members' Society, showing that the various lectures, conversational meetings (held on Sunday afternoons), theo

logical and elocution classes, are vigorously conducted. The society's festivals, elocutionary entertainments, balls, fêtes, &c. are well supported by the senior members. The present number of junior members and subscribers is 143. Mr. J. Presland read a report of the Sundayschool, which is rapidly improving: the number of scholars is 303. During the year a library of 350 volumes has been formed, and a singing class instituted. There is a book stall in connection with the school, which largely disseminates the New Church periodicals, &c., among the scholars and their families and friends. There is also a savings bank, the present amount of the children's deposits being £21. 3s. 6d. Mr. Arthur Day read an interesting account of the penny readings instituted by Dr. Bayley for the instruction and amusement of the working classes. Mr. Arthur Faraday read a report of the Sunday morning classes for the instruction of the children of the members in the New Church truths. The various officers and the new committee for the year were elected. The meeting closed with a resolution, supported by Mr. Pitman, Mr. Watson, Mr. J. C. Bayley, Mr. Oborne, &c., expressing the gratitude of the society for the prosperity which attended all its operations.

PRESENTATION AT HEYWOOD.-A very interesting ceremony took place at Hey-wood, in Lancashire, on Whit-Friday, namely, the presentation, on behalf of the teachers and scholars of the Sundayschool, and the members and friends of the New Church, at that place, of a very handsome 24-day French timepiece to Mr. Eli Whitehead, on the occasion of his leaving the schools in Hornby-street, where he has taught the day-school since 1858, to take charge of the New Church school at Accrington, the place of his birth. The Rev. R. Storry was in the chair; and the reverend chairman, and also Messrs. G. Fairbrother and T. Isherwood, the senior and junior superintendents of the schools, to whom the presentation was entrusted, spoke in high terms of the labours and merits of Mr. Whitehead. The inscription on the testimonial is as follows:

"Presented by the teachers and scholars of the Sunday-school, and members and friends of the New Jerusalem Church, at Heywood, to Mr. Eli Whitehead, in

token of esteem and of gratitude for his services to the church and schools during a period of seven years. June, 1865."

Mr. Whitehead replied in feeling and appropriate terms; and the interesting proceedings terminated with the formal introduction of Mr. Jones, Mr. Whitehead's successor.

THE CONFERENCE AND THE BIBLE SOCIETY.-To the Editor.-As the general Conference of the New Church is now approaching, and as we have a right to suppose that some of the best and wisest of her members will be assembled together for purposes of her welfare, will you give me a small space in the Conference organ to suggest to the members and friends who may attend that meeting the desirableness, and, as it appears to me, the propriety of the New Church, as a body, countenancing, and in some way * or other, identifying itself with the uses of that almost divine institution, the British and Foreign Bible Society.

I am sure the society has the good will of every member of the New Church, and perhaps there are some who belong to it; but as there is no body of Christians in the world who esteem and regard the Bible in the high degree that the New Church does, and believe its uses and benefits to be of a supernatural character as well as a natural, in joining heaven with the church and man with the angels, it appears very much like a regretful omission that the New Church, as a body, has not in any way identified itself with the uses of that noble institution. I believe there is one New Church society that regularly subscribes to the Bible Society; but I think we should be earnest and active to show the world that the New Church values the Word as the first, the most suitable, and the most effectual, because the divine means in the hands of Providence, for ameliorating the natural condition of mankind, of elevating the human mind, and of urging it onwards and upwards in the pursuit of knowledge, intelligence, wisdom, purity, and happiness. We are earnest and very industrious in making known the doctrines and explanations of the Word, and this is well and right; but we must not forget that the Word itself must go before its explanation-it must be known in the letter before it can be received in its spirit and truth: the Word in the letter was, and is still,

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the John the Baptist that preceded the Lord's coming in the flesh, and must do so in his second coming in the spirit,it is the Elias, as said by the Lord, that was to come.

Millions of human beings have been made acquainted with the Bible through the instrumentality of the Bible Society; there are still millions who know not of its existence. How strikingly do we see the hand of Providence working with the Bible Society in translating that divine book into upwards of 150 languages, adapting it to the reading, as far as possible, of every native race upon the face of the earth! Surely this is a step in the direction towards that state of the world when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the seas."

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I am aware that the Conference as well as societies have demands upon them quite equal to their funds, and that they could very beneficially and usefully employ double the amount they already possess; but it is not so much the amount of subscriptions, whether that be great or small, as it is the necessity and the fact of joining ourselves with the working of Divine Providence in spreading abroad the Word of God, the bread and the water of life, throughout the world.

I would therefore humbly suggest to the wisdom of the Conference the propriety and desirableness of adopting some means of identifying itself with the objects of that preeminently useful and godly society the British and Foreign Bible Society. Ashford.

J. B.

DEPTFORD.-On June 29th a public meeting was held at the Alliance Temperance Hall, Union-street, for the purpose of commencing a building fund to provide the society with a place of worship. Between 50 and 60 persons were present. Mr. Gunton took the chair. The proceedings were opened with prayer, after which the chairman offered some remarks on the purpose of the meeting. Several friends had been appointed to address the meeting on subjects selected for the occasion; and Messrs. Goldsack, A. Braby, Moss, Smith, and Colley successively delivered interesting addresses.

After a short interval, Mr. Rhodes moved and spoke to the resolution of the evening, viz., "That whereas to man a true church is of all things the most

important, this meeting pledges itself to make continuously such efforts as are within its power for the purpose of establishing a permanent society, with a suitable place of worship, where the doctrines of the true church shall be publicly taught." Messrs. Padgham and Davies followed in support; and Mr. Rhodes, in a short and earnest address, moved a grateful vote of thanks to the chairman for his untiring efforts in behalf of the society. Mr. Fryer seconded this motion, and gave a very interesting account of the fortunes of the society previous to its present organization, shewing that, under the Lord, it owed its continued existence to the persevering resolution of Mr. Gunton, who revived it when nearly dead. The Chairman, in responding, said he would be most efficiently thanked by every one putting his shoulder to the wheel, and continuing to persevere.

The proceedings then concluded with a vote of thanks to the visitors from London. It deserves special mention that Mr. Colley promised to present an organ to the society when its chapel shall be completed.

APPEAL TO THE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH. The New Church Friends at Oldham have come to the conclusion that it is desirable to build a new school-room, and have resolved to make an effort at once to raise the requisite funds. The locality of their present meeting room is detrimental to the healthy progress of the society, and not at all adapted to the requirement of an efficient and successful Sunday-school. It is proposed to erect a building to answer, for the present, the double purpose of Sundayschool and place of worship, at a cost of about £250. A site has been selected which the Committee deem suitable, and may be had at a comparatively low chief. Towards the above amount the society has raised within itself upwards of £60., and confidently hopes that the members of the church generally will supplement its efforts in behalf of so useful and desirable an object.

It is not necessary to allude to the advantages of a Sunday-school in connection with the church, as it is well known to all receivers of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, that when the seed of the Word is implanted in the mind during the states of infancy

and youth, it is likely, under the Divine Blessing, to be productive of blessings to mankind at large, usefulness to the Church, and glory and praise to its Divine Author. Having made a commencement, the members and friends in connection with the Oldham Society do not wish to retrace their steps, and thereby retard, perhaps for years, a work which would, in their humble opinion, be better done now; but earnestly appeal to those in the church who have the means, to encourage and assist them; and thus enable the society to place itself in a better position for spreading more widely the doctrines of the Lord's New Dispensation in so large and populous a town as Oldham.

Subscriptions will be kindly received by the treasurer and secretary of the Building Committee, or by the Saddleworth Banking Company, Oldham, and will be acknowledged in the columns of the "Intellectual Repository."

Mr. GEORGE NEWTON, Bank Top,

Treasurer.

Mr. DAN HODGSON, 19, Waterloo

street, Secretary.

We the undersigned, ministers of the New Church, from our personal knowledge of the members of the society at Oldham, earnestly commend the above appeal to the favourable attention of the members and friends of the church.

WOODVILLE WOODMAN,
RICHARD STORRY,

JOHN BINNS KENNERLEY.

TRACT DISTRIBUTING IN BLACKPOOL. To the Editor.-May I be allowed to give one practical instance of what might be done for the spread of the glorious truths of the New Jerusalem? In consequence of feeble health, I and a young lady belonging to the same society as myself were ordered to spend a few weeks at the sea-side. I took 50 of the four-page tracts with me, and whilst there, in answer to a letter to a friend, I received from him another supply. At my suggestion, my wife and the young lady volunteered to become tract distributors on the following Sunday. little packet of tracts was soon exhausted, yet they were not given away indiscriminately; and I am glad to say that they were all kindly and thankfully received, with only one exception. Not at all discouraged by this, they continued in this useful work until they had visited

Their