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been received, and are hereby most thankfully acknowledged. Especially we must note the very generous gift by John Finnie, Esq., of £100., and the gift by another generous friend, Wm. Pickstone, Esq., of the stained glass which has been placed in four circular windows, producing a very good effect. It is now our pleasing duty to announce that the day fixed for the consecration services is Thursday, April 16th, the Rev. Dr. Bayley officiating. Should the day be fine, it is hoped that many friends from other societies in the eastern counties and from London will be present on that occasion. A train leaves Shoreditch at 10-0 a.m., reaching Brightlingsea at 12-5; dinner will be provided at 1-0; the consecration service to commence at 2-30. Tea will be provided at 5-30, and at 7-0 a public meeting will be held; subject for consideration, "Some of the blessings man is heir to." Several gentlemen, including the leader, Mr. Jepson, are expected to address the meeting. Those who find it necessary to return to London the same night, can leave Brightlingsea at 5-0, reaching London at 8-45. We hope to have a large attendance.

R. GUNTON. [A list of subscriptions accompanied this notice, amounting to over £24., which want of space prevents our inserting.]

DEPTFORD.-The annual meeting of this society was held on Thursday, 20th February; about seventy friends partook of tea, and the public meeting was well attended. The chair was taken by the leader of the society, Mr. J. Rhodes. After the opening address, the secretary's report was read and resolutions passed recognising that the time had arrived when this society should be provided with a suitable place of worship, seeing that until this desirable object is accomplished we cannot hope for that permanent success of the New Church which its doctrines demand, and that, with a view to the accomplishment of this, the several societies of the New Church be appealed to, and that when the promises from all sources, including the sum already given and promised, shall reach the sum of £300., it will then be judicious to proceed with the building. A sub-committee was then appointed, to give effect to these resolutions, consisting of Mr. Rhodes, leader, Mr. E. C. Gosling, secretary, Mr. R. Fryer, and Mr. C. Smith. Unless the society receives the substantial sup

port of the church at large it will be impossible to carry out this project; and it is much to be feared that without a separate place of worship in Deptford, only those most favourable to the doctrines will continue to attend the services, so that we cannot hope for any considerable accession to our present congregation, though there is a good field for labour in the neighbourhood. Subscriptions will be thankfully acknowledged by Mr. R. Gunton, 83a, Guilford-street, Russell-square, London, W.C. Mr. J. Rhodes, 13, Seymour-street, St. Johnsroad, Deptford, S.E., or Mr. E. C. Gosling, 7, Alpha Cottages, Peckham Rye, S.E.

[A list of subscriptions, including one of £20., three of £10., thirteen of £5., and several of small amounts, accompanies this report. The total amount, including £21. 12s. from weekly subscriptions, is £156.]

HULL.—Mr. Parry, of Sheffield, visited this society under the auspices of the National Missionary Institution, on Sunday, the 23rd of February, preaching in the morning and evening to good and attentive congregations. On the Tuesday evening following, Mr. Parry delivered a lecture on Indifferentism," which was well attended, though not so numerously as the Sunday evening service, when the room was full. The discourses were well received, and seem to have left a very favourable impression.

ISLINGTON. On the 21st January, Mr. R. Gunton delivered the second of a series of lectures illustrative of the theology of the New Church, upon "The Second Coming of the Lord; is it to be a Personal Coming, or a Coming in the Power and Spirit of His Holy Word?" The appeal to the rational principle was forcible, and the illustrations well adapted to convey to the strangers present the truths of the New Church upon this important and now generally discussed subject.

The proposed Junior Members' Society has taken the form of a Mutual Improvement and Junior Members' Society. The restriction as to age not being considered advisable for the present, the secretary has received the names of nearly fifty members. Rules have been agreed to, and a social tea meeting was held on the 30th January, when several members and friends kindly gave some readings, recitations, and musical selections, which proved a considerable attraction.

On the 4th of February, Mr. Gunton delivered his third lecture-"A New Heaven and a New Earth, and the Holy City, New Jerusalem."

On the 11th of February, Dr. Glover kindly gave the first lecture in connection with the Mutual Improvement Society, choosing for his subject the interesting one of "Dreams. Swedenborg has thrown so much light upon the remarkable phenomena connected with their origin, the difference in their character, and the familiar instances in the Bible in which revelations affecting the human race have been made by their means, that to some extent discriminate their character, and distinguish the simply fantastic from those of higher moment. Dr. Glover's illustrations contained several of each variety, some of so extraordinary a nature as almost to pass belief, but impressing deeply upon the mind of his hearers the words of the Psalmist "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." The attendance was large. We may add that the promises of assistance to the new society are such as to encourage its members in their new undertaking.

6

On the 25th of February, Dr. Bayley commenced a course of four lectures on the "True Millennium." The following are the subjects, viz.:-"Why has not the Lord Jesus Christ come in person in 1867, as predicted by so many eminent persons?" "How are all things becoming new,' as predicted in Scripture under the type of new heavens and a new earth'?" "The world, as a grand allegory, to illustrate the wisdom of God." "Is good temper essential to a Christian? and how may it be acquired?" There is so much that is suggestive in these questions, and the subject of the Lord's second coming has been so prominently before the public mind of late years, that the expectations which had been raised of a good attendance were satisfactorily realised. It is scarcely necessary to say that the subjects were treated freely and familiarly illustrated, so that strangers might readily understand the principles upon which the interpretations were based.

KEIGHLEY.-On Monday and Tuesday evenings, March 2nd and 3rd, two lectures were delivered in the New Jerusalem Church, King-street, by the Rev. E. D. Rendell, of Preston. Monday evening's subject was "Admission into Heaven:

is it by an Act of Faith or the Possession of Character?" The form in which the subject was put was partly suggestive of the mode of treatment the lecturer adopted, namely, to prove that character is the condition upon which is secured admission into heaven. The assumption of such a position at once placed the lecturer upon questionable or debateable ground, as being the reverse of, or antagonistic to, the commonly-received doctrines of the Church, and the rev. gentleman was especially careful and remarkably inoffensive in his attempts to meet the objections that might be urged from such a source. How far he was successful does not come within our province to determine, but judging from the very intense interest manifested by the audience we should pronounce that the impressions produced were eminently favourable.-Tuesday evening's subject was "Man as the Subject of Influences from the Spiritual World." The arrangement of this subject, unlike that of the preceding evening, did not evince so clearly the position of the lecturer in relation to it. But, in laying down the premises of his succeeding arguments, he announced his recognition of man's relationship to, and partial dependence upon-for "weal and woe”—the inhabitants of the unseen world. What he sought to establish was the intercommunication between spirits and mankind, as taught in the books of the Bible, and to effect this he supplemented his abundant and appropriate quotations by the most lucid exegetical arguments. Rendell would not suffer by comparison with some of the most popular lecturers. His lectures are not devoid of elocutionary display, but are especially characterised by thoroughness and discrimination.— From "The Keighley News."

Mr.

SOUTH LONDON.-The annual report of this society has just been issued, and it is gratifying to find therein cheering evidences of increased prosperity. During the year 1867, a new church has been erected and opened for public worship; and besides current expenses, the handsome sum of £648. has been subscribed towards its cost. The society has only been in existence four years, and within that period £1,600. has been contributed to its building fund. A debt of about £1,000. has, however, been incurred, which the members are exceedingly anxious to diminish. Since the balance sheet was prepared, several additional donations have been forwarded with that

view, including the munificent gift of £100. from the secretary, Mr. A. Braby. A new organ, of beautiful tone, having been purchased for the use of the society, it was opened on Sunday, March 8th, the services being conducted by the Rev. Dr. Bayley and Mr. E. Austin. Collections were made morning and evening, which, added to the sum previously obtained by several energetic members and friends, increased the organ fund to nearly £100. Recently a Mutual Improvement Society has been established by the leader, Mr. E. Austin, and its first meeting was held January 9th. Hitherto the proceedings have been very satisfactory, and nearly 70 members have been already enrolled. Since the society has possessed its new church, the congregations have become considerably larger, and a number of strangers show by their regular attendance, that they are much interested in the precious truths they hear proclaimed.

WIGAN. This society, having made a strenuous effort to raise funds for the erection of a place in which to meet for worship, venture to appeal to the church for aid in their undertaking, and submit the following particulars :-They have secured a plot of land, in an eligible situation, and on favourable terms, containing upwards of 900 square yards. In the first instance, they propose to erect, on a portion of the land, a room suitable for a Sunday and day school, which will also, for the present, serve them as a place of worship till they are able to build a church, for which there is ample room. The dimensions of the intended room are-inside measure, length, 48 feet; breadth, 28 feet; and height, 20 feet. Towards the accomplishment of this object they have at present, in money and promises, £220., with the expectation of others from the town and neighbourhood, viz. :—

One subscription of £50.......£50.
Five subscriptions of £5..
In sums under £5.

....

.....

25.

.145. £220.

Subscriptions will be received by Mr. James G. Kenyon, 22, Rodney-street, Wigan, secretary, or Mr. Samuel Mason, Aspul, Wigan, treasurer.

The undersigned cordially recommend the above appeal to the favourable consideration of the church.

(Signed) E. D. RENDELL. WOODVILLE WOODMAN, RICHARD STORRY.

- To the

WHITE ON SWEDENBORG. Ed tor.-Sir,-Having read very carefully nearly all the works of that great man, Swedenborg, and having perused the work of Mr. White with much interest, I cannot but feel that there is a great fairness in what he says in many parts, but especially in his "last words" at the end of the second volume. There he says what I have always believed, and what I am sure all must believe if they gave the subject proper consideration, viz., that Swedenborg was a true seer; that he was admitted to intercourse with the spiritual world, and that he was a faithful witness, though not infallible. "No man could draw these things from himself."-Faithfully yours, F. B. KING,

Vicar of Burstwick, near Hull.

Marriages.

At the New Jerusalem Church, Peterstreet, Manchester, by the Rev. John Hyde, on February 13th, Mr. Jeremiah John Egerton to Miss Ann Turner, both of Manchester.

At the New Jerusalem Church, Peterstreet, Manchester, by the Rev. John Hyde, on February 20th, Mr. Walter Twiss to Miss Sarah Eleanor Tripp, both of Manchester.

At the New Jerusalem Church, Peterstreet, Manchester, by the Rev. John Hyde, on March 4th, Mr. Robert Samuel Fischer, of Hamburgh and Manchester, to Miss Catharine Lord, of Manchester.

Obituary.

Removed into the world of spirits, on January 14th, Mr. John Taylor, of Whitefield, near Manchester, in his 69th year. The writer esteemed him as one of the most earnest and active Christian men he ever knew. His life was a practical exemplification of the un-truth of the doctrine that a man's character is formed by the circumstances by which he is surrounded. Born of irreligious parents, in the humblest walk of life, the Lord took him up in his youth, by means of the Sunday-school and the heavenly doctrines of His New Church. Our friend lived in the constant and energetic effort to resist the vicious circumstances by which he was surrounded; hence the strength of his character. Simple in his habits, humble in demeanour, earnest in endeavour, and indefatigable in labour, he took up his cross, by a strict selfdenial, and followed his Divine Master. In his youth, the spirit of Sunday-school

tuition took deep root in his soul. And his whole mature life on Sundays was given to it, and to the services of the church of which he was a member and liberal supporter, first at Radcliffe, and latterly also at Besses-o'th'-Barn, until the sudden commencement of the severe illness which, in about three weeks, terminated his natural career. For about thirty years he laboured in the school; and for more than twenty years he was the regular superintendent. He was also the leader of the choir, and for many years the secretary to the society. Though he always resided at least a mile and a half from the church and school at Radcliffe, yet almost every Sunday he walked and took his family of little ones, as they one by one grew old enough, till at length he had with him as many as eight at once. He was the father of a numerous family, and leaves seven sons and three daughters, besides twenty-two grand children, to profit by his excellent example and judicious training. His amiable and affectionate partner, who has indeed been a help meet for him, seems scarcely able to sustain her bereavement. Being of an ardent temperament, and having made his way as a tradesman by dint of the strictest economy, integrity, and indefatigable industry, he had acquired an abrupt habit of dealing, both with workpeople and customers, which some mistook for harshness of character and want of courtesy and Christian charity; but the writer feels assured, by intimate conversation with him and kindred experience in life, that this prompt and decided mode of speaking and acting was only the hard husk which was absolutely needful to protect the soft kernel of tender affection and probity of conscience which was maturing within. He never mixed in general society. Being of retiring habits, he spent his evenings at home in the bosom of his family, and in the perusal of those heavenly writings in which he felt such a deep life interest, and in which he became well versed.

Departed this life, in his 72nd year, on January 30th, Mr. James Mason, one of the oldest members in connection with the society at Wigan. Although the deceased was born and baptised within the precincts of the new dispensation, it was not until the year 1825 that his zeal for the cause of Divine truth took that decided character which continued through a long and useful Christian life. Mr. R. G. Sheldon,

having just commenced his missionary labours, visited Wigan for the first time, when Mr. James Mason, his brother, and their wives, were convinced by the energetic discourses delivered that the New Jerusalem was the true Christian church. Three of the four are now in the spirit world, and have left behind them a satisfactory testimony to the truths of the new dispensation. Our departed brother was an active worker, always pleased when he could be useful to the society. Though self-taught, he acquired a competent knowledge of music, and became a teacher of the art, an office for which his extraordinary patience eminently fitted him. His earthly remains were followed by upwards of 200 persons to the grave. Mr. E. M. Sheldon, of Liverpool, who read our beautiful burial service on the occasion, also delivered an address to the assembly, setting forth the New Church views of life and immortality, as contrasted with the popular opinions. He also preached before the Wigan Society on the morning of the same day, from Haggai i. 7, 8.

When

On the 31st of January, Mr. James Clarke, of Lindsley, Worsley, passed into the eternal world. He first heard of the doctrines of the church through the preachings of the late Mr. Pownall, of Bolton. This led him to the reading of the writings of Swedenborg. He became fully convinced of the truths contained in those writings after a careful reading of the work on "Heaven and Hell." He subsequently attended the meetings of a society that was formed at a place in the neighbourhood of Kersley, known as Top-o'th'-brow. this society erected the Kersley place of worship, he and a few others engaged a room at Stone-hill for a period of twelve years. He remained in that locality nine years of that period, and most usefully aided in the instrumental and vocal music connected with the services. When he left Stone-hill, he came to reside at Worsley, and joined the society which assembled at the old obscure meetingroom at that place. His zeal for the welfare of that society was very strong. He used his utmost efforts for the erection of the present place of worship in Oldlane. When no missionary was appointed for the place, he conducted the services of the society, and read the sermons of the late Mr. Clowes in a most impressive manner. He took a leading part in conducting the Sunday-school and the choir,

and was universally beloved by all the Sunday scholars and teachers, as well as by every member of the society. This was manifest from the fact that when a sermon by Mr. Mackereth was preached on account of his death, the place of worship was crowded to excess. He had been in a very weakly state of health for some time before his death, but he bore his sufferings with most remarkable Christian fortitude. His end was peace. Died, on the 27th of February, 1868, John Becconsall, Esq., of Ashton-onRibble, near Preston, in the 90th year of his age. He had been a receiver of the doctrines of the New Church for about sixty years, and a peaceful and liberal member of the society at Preston. An obituary sermon was preached on the occasion of his decease by the resident minister, from which the following sketch of his character and connection with the church has been extracted. Mr. Becconsall was a highly valued member of the church, whom many of us knew with much intimacy, and all regarded with affection and esteem. He has passed away from this scene of his existence to one in which he will realise some of the wonderful phenomena of the higher stage of being in which he had so long and so cordially believed. It is not our custom, nor is it our province, to speak with any decision about the final condition of those whose friendship we have shared and whose charities we have loved. The real interior states of men, on which their future destiny depends, is but imperfectly known to themselves; and, therefore, the most penetrating among us can only think of it with humility and hope. God is the judge, and His judgment is just. Still it is useful and encouraging to dwell a little upon what is known of the character and worth of those we love. Our much respected friend was spared to enjoy an unusually long life-a life, however, by no means eventful in the affairs of the world, though it was distinguished by a very long continuance of excellent health, and comparatively free from many of the anxieties which fall to the share of the generality of men. Like the rest of his family connections he was brought up religiously, within the pale of the "established church," but he seems never to have been satisfied with her doctrinal teachings. When about thirty years of age the doctrines of the "New Jerusalem" were presented to his consideration by his late well-remembered brother. At

that time he was resident in London, engaged in his business as a joiner and builder. His brother, in corresponding with him, informed him that he had met with a tract on the doctrine of the Lord, with which he was much pleased; and also that upon the cover of the tract there was an advertisement stating the places in London where the people professing to believe the doctrine met for worship, and requested that he would go some Sunday to hear the minister and favour him with his impressions of what was taught at some early opportunity. He went on the following Sunday, and, to his surprise, he found that the foreman of the works at which he was engaged was acting as precentor. This little incident brought them into closer connection and led to his being introduced to a few New Churchmen there. Shortly afterwards he returned to Preston, and laying aside his former occupation he entered into business with his brother, and like him read in private, for many years, such of the writings of the New Church as could then be obtained. By business success and a small patrimony arising out of the family estate, he was, in the course of years, enabled to retire, and then, because he had less care and more leisure, the interest which he had so long felt for the doctrines became more decided and confirmed. This appears to have been the state of his mind up to the period when the liberality of his brother undertook the erection of the building of the New Church in Preston. That event brought him into more open connection with the affairs of the Church, and this position he has ever since maintained with a consistency of mind and a generosity of nature that will hand him down to posterity as one of its early and useful benefactors. His long reception of the doctrines leads us to believe that they exercised upon him a large amount of that regenerating influence for which they have been revealed. On this belief we rest a reasonable hope that he is now waking up to the enjoyment of some of those brighter perceptions, and entering into the delights of those higher joys which belong to a more interior and purer world. He was among the most unpretending of men, and his habits were of the most simple kind. His disposition was remarkably gentle, and his demeanour was always peaceful. I have known him for nearly a quarter of a century, and during that period I have

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