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much intelligence, and who was exceed ingly kind and attentive: I made a similar promise to him as to the librarian at Limerick, viz., to endeavour to furnish the library with some of the writings of Swedenborg. He expressed his willingness to receive them, adding, that it would at any rate do no harm, as we could not know too much." It may here be remarked, that I learned that it was a rule of all these city librarians not to purchase sectarian works of any kind, though, when offered, they are not forbidden to accept them, Still, so strong is the prejudice against the writings of Swedenborg, that I found it would be necessary to offer them in a delicate and cautious manner, to have them received at all.

At Cork resides the celebrated Father Matthew, the "Apostle of Temperance." I paid him my respects, and on announcing myself as a clergyman from America, was received by him with marked attention and regard. He took me out in his carriage to his brother's country-seat, a short distance from Cork, where I dined and spent the evening with him. I regard him as a truly good man,-his countenance shows it. And when, at parting, he uttered the words, "God bless you," in an affectionate manner, valued the benediction not the less that it was from the lips of one nominally a Roman Catholic. "The Lord knows His own: names are of small consideration in His sight. As a memento of my agreeable visit, I promised to send him a copy of my volume of sermons, lately published, which he said he should be most happy to receive.

I could hear of no New Churchman in this quarter, and I now turned North on my way to Dublin. In that city I had had information of there being two receivers of the Doctrines-Mrs. and Miss Newman. I found them (at No. 4, Wilton Place, Leeson-street,)—and they are, indeed, truly ardent and zealous receivers. I enjoyed my visit to them exceedingly, and they seemed to enjoy it much also. They have all the works of Swedenborg. They felt themselves entirely alone, knowing of no other receivers in Dublin. They were anxious to have the Sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Supper administered to them, which was accordingly done; and it was a holy and happy hour.

I visited the library of Trinity College, Dublin. The works of Swedenborg are there, in thirty-five volumes. As, however, books are never permitted to pass

out of the library, they do not seem to be performing much use there. I found, however, a useful library in the city, attached to the Mechanics' Institute, which I promised to furnish with some of the Works. Thus, by supplying the libraries of Belfast and Londonderry in the north, Limerick and Cork in the centre south, and Dublin in the east, a foundation, I trust, will be laid in Ireland for a future wide dissemination of the truths of the New Dispensation. And I am very happy to be able to add, that just before taking my leave of the Irish shores, a zealous friend most unexpectedly put into my hands a sum which will be sufficient to supply all those libraries with some, at least, of the Writings.

I took my departure from Ireland on Thursday, June 8th, having spent about six weeks in the island, making nearly the circuit of it having delivered a few discourses-made the acquaintance of many intelligent and interesting persons-scattered a few seeds of truth here and there, in conversation and by books-and thus, I trust, under the blessing of Providence, laid a foundation for future and more efficient missionary action in that land. T. O. PRESCOTT.

THE LONDON NEW CHURCH SUNDAYSCHOOL UNION.

The second annual meeting of the London New Church Sunday School Union was held on Thursday, the 9th instant, in the Argyle Square Sunday School Room, the Rev. T. Chalklin in the chair, when the following gentlemen were elected as a Committee of management for the ensuing year :-Mr. Brooksbank, Rev. T. Chalklin, Mr. E. G. Day, Mr. Faraday, Mr. R. Gunton, Mr. C. Hewett, Mr. W. Parkinson.

The efforts of the Committee have, until very recently, been chiefly exerted at home; as the originators of the Union were desirous of seeing it firmly established in their own immediate sphere before they stretched out their hands to the societies in the country; feeling assured that such a course would ultimately prove best calculated to promote the ends of the Union.

Acting under this impression, the Committee have chiefly directed their attention to the quarterly social meetings, hoping, by rendering them interesting and instructive, to connect, in an indissoluble bond, the teachers of the London schools; and they trust they have not laboured in

vain; for although the attendance at these meetings has fluctuated, yet, as the interest therein continues unabated, it may reasonably be supposed to have been caused by unavoidable circumstances. Two subjects have been fully discussed at these meetings during the past year, viz., "Government in relation to Sunday Schools," and, "Can the doctrine that the influent life is modified in the recipient subject, be made practically useful in the education of children ?"

Towards the close of the year, the Committee finding the result of their efforts at home to be such as to warrant their making more extensive efforts to carry into operation the principles of the Union, drew up the following circular :

"The Committee of the London New Church Sunday School Union, being deeply impressed with a sense of the importance of education, both in relation to society in general, and to the New Church in particular, feel themselves called upon to use their most strenous exertions to carry into effect the objects of the Union.

'On the north side of the Trent, "The Manchester Union," it is well known, has been productive of the most satisfactory results; and there is every reason to hope that the London Union will prove equally useful in its sphere of operation, when its claims to support shall have become generally known to the societies south of the Trent; and the Committee trust the following brief enumeration of the objects contemplated by the promoters of the Union will enable their brethren to form a just estimate of this interesting subject.

1. As a medium of communication between the Sunday-schools of the Church; and for the dissemination of such information as may prove generally useful or interesting to those engaged therein.

2. To stimulate and encourage Sundayschool Teachers, at home and abroad, to greater exertions in the promulgation of the truths made known to us by Emanuel Swedenborg.

3. To ascertain the localities where Schools are most needed; and to promote their establishment.

4. To afford the means of assistance to all who stand in need, either of advice or of pecuniary aid.

5. To establish a Depository of Books, adapted for the use of Sunday-schools, and for libraries both for the Teachers and the Schools;-to be sold at reduced prices,

provided the Union meet with the cordial co-operation of the brethren

'6. To solicit the coöperation and assistance of those who are possessed of the ability to help in the good cause. 'At present the Union is only in its infancy; and of course has not obtained its full development-much of its success, and the character it will ultimately assume, must necessarily depend on the manner in which its calls are responded to by the members of the Church; it mainly rests with them, whether its development shall be that of the perfect man, or only an imperfect approximation thereto; but the Committee trust the importance of the objects it contemplates will ensure its ultimate success; and that it may be instrumental in leading many tender minds to a knowledge of the only true God and eternal life.

'For the information of the Union, and to obtain the general feeling of the societies south of the Trent, the Committee request a reply to the following queries :— 1. What number of scholars have you? 2. What is your average attendance? 3. What is your number of teachers? 4. Have you had any increase during the past year?

5. If so, what are the causes? '6. Have you had any decrease during the past year?

7. If so, what are the causes! '8. Have any members been added to the church from your school?

9. Do you teach Writing and Arithmetic in your school?

10. Do you teach any other branch of general, useful, or ornamental knowledge ? 11. If so, what are they?

12. What books do you chiefly employ in your school?

13. Is there any book, or class of books, which you have found particularly useful? '14. If so, state the title, publisher, and price?

15. What attention does your Minister pay to your school ?

16. Do you feel disposed to join the London Union?

'CHARLES HEWETT, Hon. Sec. '9, King's Row, Pentonville, London.

printed, a copy was sent to each of the societies south of the Trent, the receipt of which was in most instances acknowledged in the most cordial manner, a deep interest was expressed in the welfare of the Union, and an earnest desire to coöperate therewith.

As the Committee have not hitherto stood in need of much pecuniary aid, they have not exerted themselves in that respect; so that the funds of the Union have not been much increased during the past year; wherever, however, they have applied, their expectations have been fully realized; and they doubt not but that adequate means will be placed within their reach when the Union shall have made such progress as to require them. C. HEWETT, Hon. Sec.

20th March, 1848. SOCIETY FOR THE DIFFUSION OF NEW

CHURCH LITERATURE.

Since the announcement of this society in our last number, considerable exertions have been made to develop its specific uses, and render them as fully available as possible.

A commencement has been made in the selection of the society's stock, which already comprises most of Swedenborg's works, and those of several other New Church authors. A valuable addition has also been made of books received from France and Germany. As soon as the stock shall have been rendered complete, it is intended to publish a general catalogue, which will be freely and extensively circulated throughout the country; and thus it is hoped that the attention of many will be drawn to the writings of the New Church, who may not have yet even so much as heard of them.

It is deemed highly desirable that feelings of reciprocity should be established between this society and other kindred institutions of the New Church; this being

intended as a bond of union to them all; and it is believed that by thus seeking the coöperation of societies and individuals, the best means are being adopted for extending the knowledge of Divine Truth.

With this view negociations have been entered into with the London and Manchester Printing Societies; one great object being to open a new channel for the sale of their respective publications; for it is felt as a great desideratum, that the truths of the New Dispensation should become more generally known, in order to their being received into thousands of hearts now becoming opened for their reception.

Therefore, by more extensively circulating the works, and bringing them under the notice of those who would otherwise remain in ignorance of their important contents, a way is being prepared for the fuller manifestation of the New Jerusalem. "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few." Let us not, then, put off the good work; saying The Lord delayeth his coming"-but "let us work while it is called to-day;" for NOW is the accepted time-Now is the day of salvation."

London, June 18th.

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Died, at Brightlingsea, Essex, on Tuesday, April 11th, 1848, Moses Fletcher, Esq., in the 76th year of his age. Mr. Fletcher took up his residence in this village about the year 1807, to practice in his profession as a surgeon. At that time nothing whatever was known of the doctrines of the New Church or of the Herald of the New Dispensation. But

Mr. F. having previously embraced them, and having several of the works of E. S., soon began to make known to others the truths that afforded so much satisfaction and happiness to himself.

The following account, extracted from the Minutes of the First London Conference, held at York-street Chapel, St. James's-square, June 28th, 1813, the Rev.

Joseph Proud in the chair, will afford some insight into the manner by which the doctrines were introduced into Brightlingsea :

"At a meeting of the receivers of the writings of the Lord's servant, Emanuel Swedenborg, at Brightlingsea, and of several members of the New Church in London, held at Brightlingsea, June 18th, 1813, the Rev. Mr. Proud, from London, opened the proceedings by repeating the Lord's Prayer. At the unanimous request of the meeting, Mr. Fletcher took the chair."

Mr. Fletcher, at the request of the London friends, then stated the manner in which the doctrines had been introduced into the village. "He had," he said, "been settled in the village something more than five years. About six months after his settlement, he introduced the works to Mr. Munson, at that time a preacher in the connexion of Wesleyan Methodists. Mr. Munson continued to preach as usual in the Methodist meetings for about a year, till the opposition he met with became so violent that he could no longer continue to do so. Mr. Munson still continued to preach in the chapel at St. Osyth, and in a large room, hired for the purpose, at Brightlingsea ;" and thus was laid the foundation of the New Church in these villages, of both which, under Providence, our departed friend may justly be said to have been the founder and father. At this time the church in Brightlingsea numbered about twenty members, and St. Osyth as many more. Mr. Fletcher has continued during the period of nearly forty years to manifest unwearied zeal for the welfare of the church, by constant and unremitting attention to its interests. The harrassing cares and fatigues attendant upon his profession did not lessen the anxiety he felt for its welfare, and not more than three weeks previous to his decease, he officiated in the chapel.

When first attacked by his late illness, it was not anticipated that "his sickness was unto death;" for though he had long passed what has been considered the age of man, his temperate life had preserved his constitution, and he was still active and vigorous. The minister of the Ipswich society being on a visit, took an opportunity of calling upon him, and at once saw that he could not survive long. His great age could not permit him long to

struggle against the fierce attacks of disease. For the last four days of his existence, his sufferings were so intense as to melt into tears almost all who visited him.

Towards the conclusion of his existence, the spasms and convulsions entirely ceased, and though unable to speak, he seemed perfectly conscious-and he departed in a calm, gentle, and serene state. The funeral took place on Saturday, when a large concourse of the friends followed to the parish church, which is a mile and a half distant from the village. On Sabbath evening a funeral discourse from Rev. xx. 15, was preached by the minister of the Ipswich society to a crowded congregation; towards the conclusion of which he took occasion to impress upon the hearers the necessity of constant watchfulness, and of unwearied assiduity in proclaiming the heavenly doctrines. He reminded them that the mysteries of the kingdom were in a manner committed to their charge, and a just account would be demanded from them of the manner in which they had performed the trust committed to their care. He pointed to the fulfilment of prophecy-to the proofs of the second advent now passing before them, and exhorted them not to neglect assembling themselves together, and exhorting one another, and so much the more, as the present crisis and signs of the times were the certain precursors of the advancement of the true Church of the Lord among mankind. With the example of their departed friend before them, who throughout a long life had sought the peace and prosperity of Jeru salem, and who, if he had not always accomplished what he desired, had certainly pursued it in a right direction, he urged upon them not to be weary in well doing, for in due time they would reap if they fainted not. Then would they realize the happiness which he trusted our departed friend was now enjoying; and to the surviving labourers in the vineyard they would leave behind them their example, their patience, their enduring fortitude under persecution, and their labour to overcome evil with good. Their names would be held in affectionate remembrance; the memory of the just should be blessed, but the name of the wicked should perish.

Ιωτα.