fibre, and that the nerve fibre is the conduit of nerve force, which theory Swedenborg had worked out in the most perfect way, in his " Economy of the Animal Kingdom," and which theory a French physiologist of great eminence has also worked out, but unfortunately, as a materialist, contending that thought is a secretion of these nerve cells, showing that all which he needed to know was, that the nerve cells, though arranged in the most stupendous form, are but mere instrumentalities for the soul of man to work by; and when this is recognised, we have, as it were, laid the foundation of a rational psychology. The theology of the New Church was competent to instruct the minds of physicists, and thus came to the aid of those who studied the deep problems of nature, at least to aid those who desire to study these subjects in subordination to spiritual truth. He believed that Swedenborg could be brought into relation to physical thought, and under the attention of the greatest scientific minds of the age. Then turn ing to psychology, all the speculations in modern psychology had at least brought men to see that they must look upon the brain as an organised substance for manifesting thought. In Swedenborg's "Economy of the Animal Kingdom," the psychologist, equally with the physicist, was supplied with a true and rational philosophy. Aristotle had given a definition of the soul, which doubtless he had understood perfectly well, but which in the handling of the old peripatetics, and in the still rougher handling of the middle-age schoolmen, came at last to be utterly incomprehensible; and it was actually proposed at one of the meetings of the schoolmen that a certain personage, not to be named, should be raised up to explain this definition of the soul. In Swedenborg this definition is taken word for word, and shown to be in accordance with the latest physiognomical and anatomical researches, and it was a wonderful thing that it had not been perceived by scientific men long ago.

Mr. Bateman seconded this resolution, remarking that it was quite certain that men at the present day were emancipated to a great extent from the prejudices of former times. It was on this account the more to be lamented that statements had been made with respect to Swedenborg, calculated to keep back intelligent men from looking into his writings, and

rendering it the more desirable that the Swedenborg Society should take those steps which it deemed the best for presenting Swedenborg's writings in an attractive form. The human mind was advancing with immense rapidity, in the acquisition of new perceptions of truth. He had been pleased lately to notice some statements made in a lecture by Prof. Roscoe, which, he thought confirmed remarks made by Swedenborg. Swedenborg declared that the sun was pure fire; and the very last conclusions on the subject, on the part of philosophers, is that the sun exists at an intensely white heat, and that there is a photo-sphere around it, through which metallic substances are passing; and the nature of these metallic substances can now be demonstrated, by the spectro-scope. Thus, through the advance of science we are actually enabled to understand the chemical constitution of the sun itself. He could not enter into the matter deeply, but he believed the conclusion would be arrived at that the interior views presented in the theological and philosophical writings of Swedenborg constituted, as it were, the soul of the new ideas now becoming current in society; there existed at least the genesis, the commencement of this mental progress, and it was their duty to urge forward the work of presenting to the minds of truth-seekers the interior views of truth contained in the writings of Swedenborg.

The proceedings of the meeting terminated a little after ten, Dr. Bayley pronouncing the Benediction.

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-The annual meeting of this society was held in the Peter-street School-room, on the 23rd of June last. A previous meeting was held in the afternoon, in the Church, which was thinly attended, and did not afford the opportunity desired for discussing the means of extending the usefulness of the society. The attendance in the evening was good, and the proceedings interesting. The report gives a gloomy account of the financial state of the society. There is a small balance owing to the treasurer, and outstanding accounts which will increase this balance when discharged. The entire income of the society, from subscriptions and donations, does not amount to £40., a sum totally inadequate to the wants of the institution. The income is increased by the

interest of the Crompton legacy, but is still under £60. This small income has prevented the delivery of public lectures, except at Failsworth and Longton, and confined the labours of the committee to the several societies visited for Sabbath services. Three societies have been placed on the society's list-Sheffield, Southport, and Clayton-le-Moors. The former of these has been in existence some time, the two latter are new; particulars of their institution have already appeared in our pages. The names of Mr. Walter Bates, the agent of the Yorkshire Colportage Association, and Mr. George Wilson, who has for some time occasionally officiated as a preacher of the doctrines, both in Yorkshire and Lancashire, has been added to the list of preachers. An effort has been made, and has been partially successful, to obtain the services of the ministers one Sabbath in each quarter, and to provide for the more regular administration of the sacraments in the several societies. Resolutions were passed at the public meeting, commending the society to the support of the members of the church, expressive of satisfaction with the opening of a room at Southport, and urging the members of the church, when visiting this place, to attend its services. Also urging upon the serious attention of members of the church residing in localities where there are no established societies, the importance of commencing public worship, establishing Sunday schools, or instituting such other means of usefulness as are open to them. The society expresses, therefore, through its resolutions, an earnest desire to aid the onward progress of the church, but can only work to this end as it is supported by the members of the church. Until this is effected, the labours of the society must of necessity be limited. We hope, therefore, that the new committee will find themselves better sustained in this particular than their predecessors, and may be able to initiate and conduct to a successful issue, works of increased usefulness.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.-The twentyeighth annual meeting of the union was held at Heywood on the 22nd of June. Representatives were present from most of the schools in the union. The Rev. W. Woodman was appointed president. The school at Clayton-le-Moors was admitted into the union, and Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Howarth, present from that

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school, were invited to take their places in the meeting, and to take part in its deliberations. From the report of the committee it appeared that the number of books circulated during the year was less than in former years. The total number, including catechisms and hymn books, was 12,678, making a total circulation since the commencement of the union of 108,512, at an expenditure of £3,044. A number of interesting and useful meetings had been held during the year. Loans had been made from the building fund of £150. each to the schools of Failsworth and Wigan, and from want of funds a similar application from Bolton was reluctantly declined. The funds of the union remain in nearly the same state as last year. One of the uses of this union is the publication of the 'Juvenile Magazine." The circulation of this little work has somewhat increased, 700 copies more having been sold during the first six months of this year than during the corresponding period of last year. Rev. Mr. Rendell was re-appointed editor. The statistical table is an elaborate document, giving a large amount of information respecting the organisation, numbers in attendance, and internal working of the schools. The schools have now become in most cases settled establishments. The changes taking place are small, occasionally a small increase or decrease; the totals remaining nearly the same. Considerable conversation took place on the subject of district meetings. On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Storry, it was determined to increase the range of subjects to which the attention of the teachers assembled at these meetings shall be directed. Instead of being, as heretofore, almost exclusively confined to questions of discipline and general management, they will be more frequently directed to questions of a moral and theological character. A public meeting was held in the evening, when instructive and interesting addresses were delivered by the ministers and some of the representatives present. In these addresses much useful information and encouraging direction was given, and the meeting closed with a strong impression of the value of this annual assembly of our Sunday schools.

BRIGHTLINGSEA.-The society in their new place of worship is progressing admirably. Their excellent place of worship has been completed at a cost of

about £1,150. £500. has been obtained on loan, and about £60., in addition to the numerous generous contributions already made, is necessary to complete the payment to the builder. This I trust will be furnished by those friends who have not aided in this particular effort; after which a detailed statement of the cost and contributions will be sent to every contributor. Donations may be sent either to Mr. Minter, sen., Brightlingsea, or to myself, at 83A, Guildford-street, Russell-square, London, W.C.

R. GUNTON.

CROSSHILLS, NEAR KEIGHLEY.-We extract the following from the "Craven Weekly Pioneer:" ""The Rev. John Hyde, of Manchester, delivered two lectures in the Town Hall, Crosshills, on Thursday and Friday evenings, the 11th and 12th instant. His subjects werefirst lecture, The faith that worketh by love, not faith alone, is the faith that saves;' second lecture, The Resurrection.' The hall was filled, and the second night it was even unpleasantly crowded. The argumentative and eloquent powers of the lecturer engaged the attentive interest of the audience, which was unwavering during the delivery of both lectures, though they occupied between two and three hours each evening. As the rev. gentleman treated his subjects from the Swedenborgian point of view, very considerable interest was excited. Questions being allowed, many gentlemen took the advantage of interrogating the lecturer at the close of his addresses, but they did not seem so well posted up in Scripture readings, and were apparently quite unacquainted with the interpretations put upon certain passages of Scripture by Mr. Hyde, so that his positions remained to all appearance unassailable. The lectures gave great satisfaction to the majority of the audiences, as they were eminently suggestive of the great moral truths contained in the New Testament Scriptures, which are so often neglected by Christian teachers, and still oftener obscurely taught."

DOVER.-The Rev. T. L. Marsden, from Snodland, recently spent a Sunday with a few friends in this town (who met in the house of Mr. Green), preaching morning and evening. In the morning the subject was "Jesus turning the Water into Wine at the Marriage in Cana of Galilee." (John ii. 1-11.) A brief exposition of the

internal sense of the fifth chapter of Revelation-"The loosing of the seven seals" which men have placed upon the Divine Word, and opening a deeper insight into its wisdom-was shown, in the evening, to be the merciful act of the Lord, in His character as Judah's Lion. For this all in the church, triumphant and militant, celebrate His praises. From the 12th verse to the end of the chapter it was shown how the Lord Jesus Christ, as to His Divinity and as to His glorified Humanity, is the only Object of adoration for ever and ever. By the Christian kindness and liberality of a minister, Mr. Marsden was also enabled to address, in the afternoon, about 140 teachers and scholars, on the Divine significance of the text "The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." (John i. 29.) This was listened to with great attention, especially when, by questions and answers, the scholars themselves were made to contrast this expression with the saying of the apostle, "without shedding of blood there is no remission," and that our garments are "washed white in the blood of the Lamb." These passages were opened out by an allusion to John vi. 53-" Except we eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, we have no life in us." The minister and several friends who were present expressed a strong feeling that much good seed of the kingdom had been sown; and they trusted that Mr. M. would never come to Dover again without visiting their useful institution. From Dover, Mr. M. went to Folkestone, and had the pleasure there of contrasting the views of the New with those of the Old Church; and, although this was done on a limited scale, yet it was not without fruit. The Lord was pleased to bless the effort made to answer the inquiry of Peter-"Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake." (John xiii. 37.)

HULL. This society was visited by the Rev. W. Woodman, who preached twice in the society's room, on the 12th of July, and addressed the children of the Sunday school in the afternoon of the same day. On the following day, the friends and children of the Sunday school had an excursion to Cleethorpes; spending the day in pleasant recreations, and returning home well tired in the evening. On the Tuesday evening, Mr. Woodman gave a lecture on "Matter and Spirit." The attendance at all the services was good,

Haggas, of Mill-street, Liverpool. The deceased had been from early life a devout receiver of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem. Although prevented by sickness, which was borne with Christian patience, from constant attendance on public worship, yet her life was always of an exemplary character. During her last illness she experienced great consolation and delight in conversing on subjects of a spiritual nature; and as her end approached, was perfectly resigned to leave those dear to her in the care of the merciful Providence in which she implicitly trusted. Her change is doubtless her spiritual gain.

Departed this life July 1st, Mr. Geo. Wilson, aged 72. Mr. Wilson has been for many years a member of the Salford Society, and for more than fifty years a receiver of the doctrines of the New Church. He originally came from Warrington, where he was a teacher in the Methodist Sunday-school, and where he first heard something of the doctrines of the New Church. But it was after coming to Manchester, which he did at the age of seventeen, and while attending the ministrations of the late Rev. R. Hindmarsh, that he became fully indoctrinated in them. He was in his younger days a very active member of the society, and for several years superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was also at one

time a frequent contributor to the pages of the "Juvenile Magazine," and in various other ways was useful to the church in general. His career has been a chequered one, for he has known the reverses of fortune; yet he fretted not against the dispensations of Providence, but ever kept his soul in Christian patience and love. His sickness was rather long, and at times painful, yet a visitor was always welcome at his bedside. He was a spiritually-minded man, and his conversation was of a spiritual and elevating character. His faith in the teachings of the New Church he declared was never stronger, and he was delighted to talk of their worth. He several times received the sacrament of the Holy Supper during his sickness, which he regarded as a very high privilege. Just before his death a clergyman who has apartments in the same house was asked to read for him, and he read the parable of the ten virgins; and after explaining it according to his own views, our friend rose in bed, and gave him the spiritual sense of it, with which the clergyman declared himself much pleased and edified. This was the last subject upon which his mind seemed to dwell here; for after a few changes in his bodily position, and his saying to his family that they would soon follow him, he passed away into the spiritual world without a struggle.

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