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sense, the accurate knowledge gained by these investigations is not less important. The spiritual sense of the Word rests upon the literal sense, and is united with it by the closest and most perfect correspondence with all its particulars. The more accurately, therefore, we are able to understand the letter, the more clearly shall we discern the spiritual sense which is within. The possession of this sense, therefore, so far from diminishing our interest in these efforts to pour light upon the letter, heightens it. The New Church is as a householder constantly bringing out of his treasures things new and old. Every Biblical inquiry interests her members, and if wisely directed aids her progress. The work in which this committee is engaged is one which should enlist the warm sympathy and active support of the members of the New Church. The work is carried on at great cost, and can only be completed by liberal assistance. The funds of the society are raised by voluntary efforts, and it is open to either individuals or congregations to assist. An Independent minister writes to the "English Independent," recommending congregational collections-a plan adopted by the church of which he is pastor. Might not a similar plan be adopted by societies of the New Church?

RESURRECTION OF THE BODY.-A correspondent, who sends us the following extract from the Pall Mall Gazette,' remarks upon it:-"It seems to me, if the resurrection of dead bodies is likely to occur, that the rabbi is right. It is a fair conclusion. He, however, is evidently not a Sadducee":-" There has been a very serious complication at Orleans lately. Public utility has demanded the removal of certain earth wherein lie defunct Israelites. The rabbi sternly declines to allow the removal to take place. He says it is against the Mosaic law. He tells the municipal authorities that they do not think what confusion they may cause au jour du jugement. They promise, in reply, to take the utmost care, and to place the bones again in the ground in proper order. The rabbi answers that it cannot be done; their utmost care will not be sufficient; they must infallibly create des disputes au jour suprême. If any bones should then be wanting, how, he argues, compléter la résurrection?

The municipal authorities reply that the difficulty is conceivable if any of the large bones prove to be wanting, but against that ordinary care will guard. As for the smaller bones, they cannot suppose that much inconvenience would result from one or two of them being missing. Even while men are alive they suggest that some of them have to use false teeth, and that way out of the difficulty would always be available. The rabbi remains firm, and the affair was not arranged when the last account left Orleans."

RELIGIOUS OPINION: a Weekly Medium of Thoughtful Inquiry for all Classes.— This is the name of a religious newspaper, which was commenced about six months since, and may be regarded as one of the results of the new age on which we are entering, its columns being open to the free examination of theological questions from the various forms of faith, and even negation, which at present prevail; the only condition being that neither personality nor irreverent expressions will be tolerated. Many important religious topics have been discussed in its columns with far more than average ability, and in the main with a courtesy not always found associated with polemical divinity. From this remark it will be inferred that it is conducted on principles of perfect fairness; indeed, nothing can exceed the impartiality which has hitherto characterised the conduct of the editor towards his various correspondents. It may also be added that several communications from New Church contributors, including two from myself, and some from Mr. Goldsack and others, have appeared in its columns. There has also appeared an interesting review of the "Abridgment of Swedenborg's True Christian Religion," recently published by the Manchester Printing Society. Under these circumstances, the undertaking is strongly recommended to the support of New Church Societies and isolated members. There are several claims which it possesses to our encouragement. First, it is not likely to receive general aid from the various sections who call themselves orthodox. They fear the free handling which their dogmas will be subjected to; hence the proprietor will have to look, and he has a right to look for assistance

on those outside the orthodox. In the second place, it presents a platform for the enunciation of principles we hold most dear. In the third place, it supplies a new auditory, and one likely to include many whose minds, not having been pre-occupied with religious prejudices, are capable of carefully weighing what is placed before them notwithstanding it may wear the air of novelty; and, though last, not least, it bids fair to introduce a more kindly tone into religious controversy. The mode in which support is desired is two-fold: first, by endeavouring to increase its circulation, and when our readers are informed that the price is only one penny, there are few, if any families too poor to assist in this object; secondly, by occasionally contributing well-considered and carefully written communications, characterised by point and brevity. By the latter means both the interest and usefulness of the paper may be increased, and many of the misapprehensions attach ing to our views be corrected. I may add that the paper has been published at a loss, which gives it a further claim on our aid. As the circulation increases, its character too will be improved, and its influence extended.

The writer of this notice would hardly have ventured to urge this matter at so great a length, were it not that the sentiments of this paper were fully endorsed by the ministers and leaders who were present at the last quarterly meeting, and by whose desire the subject has thus been brought before the attention of the church. Under these circumstances, he bas felt justified in commending the matter to the favourable consideration of your readers.

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WOODVILLE WOODMAN. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.-In addition to the annual meeting for the transaction of the business of the Union, a meeting is held every Good Friday for conversation on some topic connected with our Sunday School teaching. At this meeting an essay is read by some appointed at the annual meeting to prepare it, and the subject discussed in the essay influences the remarks of the speakers. The meeting was this year at Failsworth, and was very numerously attended. An instructive and able essay on the "History and prospects of Sunday Schools," was read by Mr. Fairbrother,

of Heywood. Addresses were delivered during the afternoon and evening by the Rev. R. Storry, who was in the chair, by the secretary, Mr. Potts, and by Messrs. Wilson, Broadfield, Swallow, Adcock, Seddon, and others; and by the Revs. Messrs. Westall, Boys, and Hyde. The proceedings were throughout of an instructive and useful kind, and the large number of Sunday School teachers who were present could not fail to be stimulated and encouraged in their useful labours.

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NEW CHURCH COLLEGE.-Our second term ended on Wednesday, the 8th of April, and our third began on the 16th. At present the number of students and pupils is too small to afford anything towards Mr. Barlow's stipend. All we thus receive, and more than all, is swallowed up by incidental expenses. Some of these are temporary in their character, and will gradually cease as the College gets supplied with working materials, but others will constantly recur, and it is well we have some endowment to meet them. The New Church is now large enough to sustain both departments of our great work in health and vigour, and the College is becoming better fitted for the reception and education of students and pupils. Numerous difficulties have been already overcome, and others are in course of removal. then, with the Divine blessing, we enter upon our work each succeeding term with increased advantages, and patiently look forward for that hearty co-operation which is now needed to make our College thoroughly useful. Presents of books continue to be made from friends to the library, which is now fitted with its first new case. We have also received an offer from our friend Dr. Spencer Thomson, of his Herbarium, and he is good enough to promise to arrange and classify its contents. Barlow is fond of botany, and proposes to add to the collection some of his private specimens. The stone screens in the gallery are now completed, and are at the same time useful and ornamental. The architect is paid, and £250. more have had to be borrowed for the purpose. H. BATEMAN.

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LECTURE ON "LADY RACHEL RUSSELL," BY MRS. ROE.-A lecture on the above subject was delivered by Mrs. Roe, of Derby, in the meeting-room of the

Swedenborg's Society's house, Bloomsbury-street, London, on Thursday evening, April 9th, in aid of the building fund of the place of worship lately erected at Brightlingsea. Advantage had been taken by Mr. Gunton, who has taken great interest in the Brightlingsea Society, of Mrs. Roe's visiting London to ask her valuable assistance, an invitation to which she warmly and heartily responded. At the appointed time the room was comfortably filled, and the Rev. Dr. Bayley, having taken the chair, briefly introduced the fair lecturer. Lady Rachel Russell, known to literature by her much-admired "Letters," and distinguished by her magnanimity at the trial of her second husband, Lord William Russell, whom she survived forty years, has been a deeply interesting historical character to English men and women. Her early life of wedded happiness, her after years of suffering and sorrow, and the Christian fortitude with which she bore every trial, were traced by the lecturer with a faithfulness and power of delineation which were fully appreciated by the audience; and the truth and importance of the practical deductions made were warmly recognized. The lecture was listened to throughout with great attention and interest, and a vote of thanks to Mrs. Roe was proposed in eulogistic terms, and carried by acclamation. After the lecture, an excellent miscellaneous programme of music was most efficiently executed by several New Church friends, bringing an instructive evening to an harmonious conclusion.

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QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE MINISTERS IN LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE.This meeting was held at Mr. E. J. Broadfield's, Accrington House, on Wednesday, April 8th, when most of the Lancashire ministers were present, and also the Rev. S. M. Warren, and Messrs. R. Goldsack, S. Pilkington, and E. Whitehead. These increasingly useful and delightful occasions not only afford opportunities for interchange of thought upon topics which either directly or indirectly affect the New Church, but they also manifestly tend to stimulate those who frequent them with warmer zeal and to greater activity. Our young leaders who are wholly engaged in the ministerial work derive much benefit from these social gatherings, and invariably

feel themselves greatly encouraged and strengthened for their important labours by the useful hints relating to their duties which are continually presented in the conversations of our experienced ministers. In the course of the day the Rev. John Hyde read an essay on the "Uses and Duties of New Church Societies," which combined so many excellencies of composition, with practical and useful suggestions, that it was resolved, with the consent of the author, that the editor of this Magazine should be requested to insert it in his valuable pages for the benefit of the Church at large. As it is very probable that the essay will appear before the Church in its completeness, it is unnecessary to embody any portion of it here. It will be gratifying to your readers to learn that verbatim reports of the essay are contained in the following Saturday's impressions of two local papers,-the "Accrington Times," and the "Bury Times."

In the evening a public meeting was held in the Church, where a large platform had been erected for the speakers. Mr. E. J. Broadfield, B.A., was called to the chair. The meeting having been opened by the singing of a hymn, the reading of the Word, and the offering up of the Lord's prayer, the Rev. J. Hyde read the above-named essay. The portion of the paper which treats of the necessity of organisation for the spread of the great and glorious truths of the Lord's New Church was the chief theme of all the speakers, who addressed the meeting in the following order :-Rev. E. D. Rendell, Mr. Goldsack, Rev. J. Boys, Mr. Pilkington, Rev. S. M. Warren, Rev. W. Woodman, and the Rev. J. Hyde. There was a good attendance, and on the pronouncing of the ber ediction all were dismissed evidently much delighted and benefitted by what they had heard.

YORKSHIRE MISSIONARY AND COLPORTAGE ASSOCIATION.-This association continues its active efforts to diffuse the cheering light of the New Church throughout the extensive area of its operations in Yorkshire. Signs of increased interest and vitality are evident in the various towns and villages where its zealous and devoted missionary and colporteur regularly visits. Mr. Bates finds an increasing appetite for and

appreciation of the books and tracts, and a growing desire for the preaching of the Word. His monthly visits to preach at Leeds, Bradford, Keighley, and Embsay are marked by increased congregations. These regular services are also supplemented by cottage preachings on weeknights when opportunity offers. The friends at Dewsbury having recently opened a room for public worship on the Sabbath, made application for Mr. Bates's services, and an arrangement has been made for occasional visits to that town, where it is hoped his labours will materially assist the little band of workers in permanently establishing a society. The association is anxious vigorously to prosecute its work, and is only deterred from more extended efforts and the adoption of more efficient plans of operation by its limited means. At the last annual meeting in July it was determined to employ Mr. Bates wholly in this good work. The wisdom of this determination has been proved by a considerable increase in the sale of books, by an extension of the knowledge of the doctrines, and by awakening in the public mind an increased interest in spiritual subjects. But this step has necessarily incurred an enlarged expenditure, which has not yet been meet by a corresponding increase of subscriptions. To assist in meeting the deficiency the committee invited their esteemed friend and storekeeper, Mr. A. Backhouse, of Leeds, to visit the society at Bradford on the 22nd of March, when he preached two sermons, that in the morning from Exod. xxi. 1-6, which was a clear and beautiful exposition of the spiritual sense of the text; that in the evening was from John viii. 51, and was a forcible demonstration of the immortality of man, proving that life was more than simple existence, and that true life was only attained by keeping the Commandments, the keeping of which effected a change in the interior life as well as the outward character of man. At the close of the services collections were made which realised over £3., which, considering the smallness of the society and the annual subscriptions contributed by them, was perhaps as much as could be expected. Mr. Backhouse has kindly undertaken to preach in aid of the same object at Keighley, on the 19th April, when it is believed a kindly response will be made.

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BARNSLEY.-The Rev. Dr. Bayley has made a second visit to this place, and delivered four lectures in the Mechanics' Hall to crowded and attentive audiences. The subjects of the lectures were— first, Popular Expectations of the Lord's Second Coming;" second, "The World an allegory to illustrate the Wisdom of God;" third, “Temptations and Trials;" fourth, "Heaven." People came from miles distant to hear him; and such was the fame of him that went abroad, that two deaf and dumb persons came to the lectures in order to get a sight of him. The enthusiasm of the people was most intense. At the close of the last lecture, which took over two hours in its delivery, the Chairman (Captain Bufham) rose and said that he had much pleasure in asking any gentleman in the audience to move a vote of thanks. He had not spoken to any one to do so, as he had purposely left it to the spontaneous action of any one. took the opportunity to declare before that large audience his own conviction of the truth of the doctrines as expounded in the four excellent lectures they had listened to. He had read and prayed much during the last three years on this subject, and had staked his salvation on the truths of the New Church, adding it was better to stand alone with truth than to eir with thousands on our side. The Rev. Mr. Hollywood, curate of St. George's, moved a vote of thanks to Dr. Bayley for the many excellent things he had said, though he differed with him in some things. Carried with loud applause. The rev. gentleman then asked a few very unimportant questions, which Dr. Bayley answered in his usual happy way, to the great satisfaction of the audience generally. The chairman then put the question to the meeting, "Do you wish Dr. Bayley to come again next year? If you do, hold up the right hand." A forest of hands immediately appeared, with hearty clapping, and cries of "Yes, yes." Dr. Bayley kindly responded, and the meeting separated at eleven o'clock. A preacher is the desideratum with us now. If we had one, a society might be formed at once. people are asking when a society will be formed, some promising to join it. A few friends have met on a Sunday afternoon at the house of Captain Bufham; but as it is situated outside the town,

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not many will come so far. A room in a more central part is indispensable, but even that might be obtained, perhaps, if we only had a preacher. Can any of your correspondents suggest the ways and means? If so, they will much oblige the writer. The receivers here feel much indebted to the National Missionary Institution, and the writer begs to say he shall be glad to contribute to its funds to the best of his power.

BIRMINGHAM.-On Sunday, April 5th, the 38th anniversary services of the Summer-lane Society were held in the usual manner. Two excellent sermons were preached by the resident minister, Mr. R. R. Rodgers; and the choir, in the course of the day, performed "Jackson's Morning and Evening Services" in E flat. The usual collections were made, and it is gratifying to know that they were in excess of any former amount received at these services. The thanks of the committee are due to those former members of the Society who on this occasion gave both their presence and support.

FAILSWORTH.-A course of three lectures were delivered at this place during the month of March last, under the auspices of the Manchester Missionary Society. The first, on "The Prophecies which appear to teach the destruction of the earth," and the last, on "Hell," were by the Rev. R. Storry; the second, on Correspondence," by the Rev. J. Hyde. The attendance was large at all the lectures, the chapel being on each occasion well filled. The utmost attention was given to the discussion of the subjects, and we have every reason to hope that the result will be useful to the society.

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HULL.-The 5th anniversary services of the Society in this town were held on Sunday, March 22nd, when two sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Hyde, of Manchester. The subject in the morning was, The Lord Jesus Christ and His work," in the evening, Divine revelation adapted to men's state." In the morning the room was nearly full, and in the evening quite full. On Tuesday Mr. Hyde delivered a very able lecture in the Hall of the Sailor's Institute, the subject being "The life after death." The room was well filled, above 500 being present. After offering a variety of proofs of man's immortality, both from Scripture

and reason, the lecturer dwelt upon the many indications which the Word of God affords of the nature of the future life, and concluded with an eloquent appeal to his audience to consider death as a friend rather than an enemy. These services have been eminently successful, and we think of great use to the New Church in Hull. One gentleman said he had read his Bible many years, but had never seen so much beauty in it before; "I go away," he said, "a wiser man than I came."-The annual tea meeting was held on Wednesday evening, when 130 persons sat down to an excellent tea, provided by the ladies. Addresses were afterwards delivered by Mr. H. Best, who occupied the chair, and by Messrs. Potchett, Needler, and the Rev. J. Hyde.

The Society desire to return their sincere thanks to the committee of the National Missionary Institution, for sending them men who are able to expound these glorious truths of the New Dispensation to the people of Hull, many of whom are longing for them. May the Lord enable us to persevere with more energy and zeal, and in His providence bring us to a condition of greater usefulness to His Church!

LONDON (CROSS-STREET) JUNIOR MEMBERS' MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.This society celebrated its first anniversary at a social meeting held at the Swedenborg Society's House, February 19th, 1868.

The attendance was very numerous, and great pains had been taken to make the entertainment complete and interesting. The programme of the musical portion was extensive and varied enough for a concert of far more ambitious pretensions. Too much praise can scarcely be given to the kind friends who assisted on this occasion, and who not merely did their best to aid the mutual enjoyment of the evening, but did their best in a most excellent manner. It is, indeed, pleasant to see the amount of fine musical talent that is often exhibited at similar New Church meetings. Space would not allow to enter into the merits of each separate performance; suffice it to say that all was excellent throughout. The speeches were few, short, and to the purpose The Rev. O. P. Hiller said that he was happy to see so warm and numerous an assemblage at this, the first social meeting of the Cross-street Junior Members' Society. The society had been in existence little

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