of vicarious sacrifice and atonement." As for Mr. Bradley, if our friend will turn to a volume of his lectures published in 1820 (several years before the "Appeal" appeared), he will find that early and able writer and preacher using the word "atonement," and he will also see that the etymological notion of "at-one-ment was thought of in those days. In a lecture on the Atonement, Mr. Bradley, whilst strongly objecting to the doctrine, makes no objection to the term; on the contrary, he explains and uses it in its true sense, which, he says, "is pretty fully expressed by dividing the word into two syllables, at-one, and the noun into three, at-one-ment." After explaining the true doctrine, he concludes thus:-"Behold, then, the true notion of the atonement. The atonement is effected by the purifying influences emanating from the Divine Humanity, by which man is enabled to purge from his heart every base desire, and from his understanding every erroneous thought, as the basis of a new will or heart, and a new understanding or spirit, in and from which there may be righteousness from the Lord." Allow me to state, before concluding, that the article in the Repository for 1829, on which "O. P. H." grounds his charge "that the object of using the term 'atonement' is to catch Old Church people in a New Church net, as it were, by pretending that we hold a doctrine which they regard as essential, through making use of the same term to define a doctrine which is entirely different," was written by Mr. Mason, a man not very likely to do anything "not straightforward.” I trust our friend will now admit, that those of his brethren who make use of the word atonement, as the name of a most important doctrine of the Scriptures, are not acting the Jesuitical part which he too hastily imputes to them. I am sure he has sufficient candour to admit, whatever his own practice be, that ours involves no violation either of reason or conscience, but has the sanction of both. London. W. B. REVIEWS. THE DOCTRINE OF LIFE. Chicago: E. B. Myers and Chandler. 1867. This is a 32mo. edition of that one of Swedenborg's minor works which teaches the duty and the possibility, the use and the blessings, of living a life according to the ten commandments. This seems to be a revised translation, but is not in all respects an improved one. It is beautifully printed and elegantly bound, and would be a handsome and useful present to a young person. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE DIVINE WORD. By V. KIERULFF. Lippincott and Co., Philadelphia, U.S. We have received the first and third numbers of this tractate. They consist of explanations, according to the spiritual sense, of portions of the Word, which seem to us to be correct and clear. No. 3 is on the beautiful narrative of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus at Bethany, (John xii. 1-3.) with which we are particularly pleased. On the subject of his accompanying letter we would advise the writer to communicate with some of the Missionary and Tract Societies. MISCELLANEOUS. GENERAL CONFERENCE. THE sixty-first General Conference commenced its session at Salford, on the 11th of August. As is usually the case in Lancashire, where so many societies are clustered together, the attendance was large. Twelve ministers and fiftythree representatives signed the conference roll. The Rev. E. D. Rendell was appointed president, and the Rev. J. Hyde vice-president. Mr. F. Pitman continues his office as secretary, and Mr. Gunton as treasurer. The commencement of the session is occupied with the signing of the roll, the appointment of the officers, and other routine business. The usual reports of the officers of the Conference and of the several committees appointed by the last Conference were presented in the order required by the rules. The report of the President went into the several subjects which have occupied his attention during the year, and which were stated at length. For the particulars of this report we must refer our readers to the published minutes, in the appendix to which it will, as usual, be printed. The publication of a new translation of the Book of Psalms, pointed for chanting, and intended for congregational use, is now completed. Its production has been necessarily costly, and it has not yet been extensively introduced into the services of the Church. To render it as accessible as possible, the price was considerably reduced from what was at first proposed, and the attention of societies specially called to the subject. The Psalms, originally intended for musical rendering in the public services of the Temple, can never be more profitably used than by being chanted by the whole congregation in the services of the Church; and we hope that the effort thus made may lead to the general adoption of this practice in all our congregations. The expense involved in the production of this work has necessarily delayed the printing and publishing of the supplement of the Hymn Book, which stands over to the next Conference. Another publication of the Conference, "The New Church Pulpit," seems to have passed out of notice, while a number of copies remain unsold. Some of these have been bound in cloth, and are to be sold at a shilling a copy. The remaining copies are ordered to be stitched, and sold at eightpence each, so that the edition may be disposed of. The interest which has long attached to education continues to occupy the thoughtful attention of the Conference and the Church. One additional school, situated at Ashton, has been opened during the year. All the rest are reported as in their usual vigour. The funds at the disposal of the Conference were equally divided among the several schools. The question of the superintendence of the religious education imparted in the schools gave rise to considerable discussion; the report of a committee of the last Conference recommended the appointment of an inspector, to inspect the religious instruction and to report to the Conference. The subject was referred to the attention of the several educational committees, who are to consult on this subject with the general school committees, and to report to the next Conference. One of the subjects of which notice was given in the secretary's circular was the Conference regulations respecting the ministry. On this subject resolutions were proposed by the Rev. Mr. Potts, who was prevented by a domestic affliction from remaining to move them in the Conference, and by the representatives of the Summer-lane Society, Birmingham. To facilitate the transaction of this portion of the Conference business, the whole subject was referred to a committee, which, however, arrived at no satisfactory conclusion, and the entire subject was, therefore, referred back to the Conference. A lengthened but instructive discussion took place, and the Conference in the end resolved not to change its regulations. Closely connected with the ministry is the college, the memorial from the governors of which was discussed at a later period of the session. The governors have had to contend with considerable difficulties, which they have not quite surmounted. The interest of the college funds was voted to them. A lengthened conversation took place on the educational appliances of the college. The desirableness of promoting the efficiency of its course of instruction was strongly insisted on, and hopes expressed that the governors would be able to adopt such a course as may render the college attractive to New Church parents, and thus extend the of the institution. To aid in the attainment of this object, a resolution was passed encouraging the governors to perseverance, and suggesting their consulting with members of experience in educational proceedings. uses One of the uses performed by the Conference is the holding of property for the use of the church. Several sums, some of them of considerable amount, have been placed in their trust, and sometimes an active attention is needed for the proper discharge of the trusts undertaken by the Conference. At the present Conference, the Rev. E. Madeley and Mr. Broadfield were appointed to visit Longton, to take such steps as they might deem best to secure to the Longton society the use of the building in which they meet, and thus to carry out the purpose of the Tideswell bequest. An important question connected with the monetary affairs of the Conference is the safe investment of its trust property. Until very recently all the monies of the Conference have been invested in government securities. Latterly a desire has sprung up to secure more profitable investments for these monies, and, at the request of the donor, certain sums have been invested in the Trust and Loan Company of Upper Canada. At the last Conference the attention of the trustees was directed to the subject of obtaining more profitable investments for the Conference funds, and they have given considerable attention to the subject. A long discussion also took place in the Conference, ending in a series of resolutions directing the trustees to sell out certain sums, and to invest the sum realized in the security of corporate bodies, or any other security which may be satisfactory to them. Another subject connected with the monetary affairs of the Conference is the Conference fund, which is needed to provide the means of discharging the expenses of printing, officers' salaries, &c. This fund has for some time been in an unsatisfactory state, being wholly insufficient for the purposes for which it is instituted. At the Conference of 1867 a resolution was passed recommending a subscription from each of the societies, equal to sixpence per member, and the result has been a more satisfactory state of the fund. As this resolution is repeated, we may hope that such attention will be given to the subject as will render the fund adequate to all necessary purposes. Two of the most important institutions connected with the Conference are the National Missionary Society and the Students' and Ministers' Aid Fund. The usual committee of three members was appointed to raise funds for their support, and a committee of twelve to consider the whole question, and all the circumstances, objects, and designs of the Students' and Ministers' Aid Fund, and to report to the next Conference. The report of the committee which has had the management of these institutions duing the year is to be printed in the appendix to the minutes. To extend and give increased efficiency to missionary labour, Mr. Gunton, who has given himself very heartily to the work, has been engaged as the permanent agent of the National Missionary Society, and this engagement was confirmed by the Conference. Many other questions, some of them of great importance to the growth and well-being of the church, engaged the attention of the Conference, and will appear in the printed minutes. The session was throughout distinguished by much kindliness of feeling, and by an earnest desire to promote the building up of the church. Where, as will necessarily occur in the discussion of the external arrangements of the church, diversity of opinion prevailed, it was not permitted to interrupt the feelings of Christian charity and brotherly affection, and we have every reason to hope that the session which has just closed will be among the most useful which have yet been held. Among the visitors to the Conference were Professor R. L. Tafel and Mr. and Mrs. Brotherton, from America; Rev. Mr. O'Mant, and other friends of the Church from various parts of our own country. The usual sermon and sacramental service was held on the Tuesday evening; the sermon will appear in the essay department of the magazine. Of the other meetings we give as extended reports as our space will allow. had no place for the exclusive education of their own. He wished them to have a useful New Church college, in which their young men who were preparing for the ministry might be carefully educated in all things necessary for the useful dissemination of the truths of the New Church. When he reflected upon the time during which he had been connected with the New Church, he found that there had been a great dissemination of its truths. But while there had been this extension laterally, there had not been that extension upwards he wished to see. He found that when persons prospered in their worldly circumstances they educated their children in schools not connected with the New Church,that they associated them with young people of other communions in public schools, and the young people thus educated were less likely to remain in connection with the New Church than those not placed in such favourable worldly circumstances. He said, therefore, that SALFORD SOCIETY'S ENTERTAINMENT.- it was their duty to provide a place for On Wednesday evening about 350 friends the education of those who could handpartook of an excellent tea, in the somely pay for it. They did not wish schools, Irwell-street, after which they their young gentlemen and ladies to leave adjourned to the Salford Town Hall, their communion, any more than the where they were joined by a large children of their tradespeople and worknumber, so that the hall was crowded ing people. Let them endeavour to to the end of the proceedings. A extend the knowledge of the New Church choice selection of secular music was upwards, laterally, and downwards-not sung with great credit by members of in one direction but in all directions. the New Church choirs from Salford, He asked those who had been in Manchester, Kersley, and Radcliffe. connection with the New Church for twenty years to look back and recollect how many of the young gentlemen and ladies now remained with them, who were with them 20 years ago? what was the cause of this falling off? There had been something wanting in the government of the church; it was nothing in the doctrines-these were calculated to meet every requirement of the mind, of the understanding, and of the heart. They knew that in other countries, and in this also, persons of royal blood had received the doctrines of the New Church, and he would say, then, why not our nobility? But he knew that those doctrines had been received amongst the nobility of this and other countries, and if so, why not amongst our higher gentry? Instances there were here and there of persons of this class receiving the doctrines of the New Church; but where, he asked, did they find that those truths had remained with The chair was taken at seven o'clock, by the Rev. W. WESTALL, who, in his opening address, said he was sure it would be a very great pleasure to all present to see so many met to welcome amongst them the representatives of Conference, and they could not but feel that they should be justified in regarding it as an evidence that the Conference was becoming more and more popular, and that the benefits which it was likely to confer upon the Church were also on the increase. The object of the meeting was to cultivate those friendly feelings which should exist amongst all communities, and especially amongst the members of a Christian body. Mr. BATEMAN said he had for a good many years been very anxious about the education of the young members of the New Church. More than twenty years ago it came into his mind that they were raising money for the education of the children of other communions, but they And the families of those gentry? It was to keep such in their communion that he put to New Church people the necessity of the institution of which he spoke. If they had a place of education in which their young clergymen might be associated with members of other professions, and with those who were to have no profession but that of gentlemen, it would give them a certain polish of manner that would assist in keeping the upper classes together, and in connection with the church. Mr. A. LE CRAS, of Jersey, wished to press the great importance of the projected college teaching its students the peculiar construction of the Word of God. He said we profess to be followers of Swedenborg, the great expositor of the Word, by whom the spiritual sense had been revealed. A committee had been appointed by Conference to consider whether doctrinals were in the internal or the external of the Word, and the conclusion arrived at was, that the doctrines were in the internal. The spiritual sense for the most part is hidden behind the natural sense, in which are the mediums or mirrors of communicating the Angelic truths within. We cannot obtain our doctrine except by, or through, the natural sense, this being the door. The speaker illustrated his subject by showing the etymological meaning of the names of persons and places, as Peter and Jerusalem, and explaining how they were understood in a natural sense at the first advent, and at the second advent in the spiritual sense. The Rev. W. O'MANT, of Kimbolton, addressed the audience in a very interesting manner. He related his own experience in receiving the New Church doctrines, and some conversations he had had with the members of other denominations. He concluded by earnestly exhorting the members of the New Church to cultivate a zeal in the spread of the doctrines proportionate to their grandeur and their usefulness. CONFERENCE SOCIAL MEETING.-On Thursday evening the representatives of Conference and a large number of friends took tea in the schools, and afterwards congregated in the temple to hear addresses on "The supremacy of the church in the individual life, in social life, in national life, and in the heavenly life." The meeting was opened with singing and prayer. The President of Conference (Rev. E. D. Rendell) occupied the chair. The PRESIDENT, after a few prefatory remarks, said-The subject, as you are aware, of this evening's consideration relates to the supremacy of the church. Now, when we speak of the supremacy of the church, it seems to me that the first point to be settled is, "What the church is; what is the institution called the church which ought to have supremacy?" The church, as we understand it, is a divine institution; it is an institution which has its foundation in the divine teaching of the Holy Word; an institution which has its origin in God, who is the giver of that Word, and who, by means of the teachings of that instition, designs to instruct, to edify, to bless, and to bring to himself the people who receive the principles which constitute it. Now, the church is an institution of principles of pure goodness and truth. Nothing can come down from the Father of light but that which is good and true, and the object of such coming down is to make us wise and good. We, therefore, look upon the church as containing principles which are designed to enlarge our intellectual perceptions of things that are holy and true and spiritual, and to purify our hearts so that we may be enabled to love those excellences in such a way that they may be incorporated into our character, and we may come into the full enjoyment of all the graces it is intended to communicate. The church, which is specially called the New Jerusalem, is represented to us as that institution which comes down from God, out of heaven, to be a tabernacle for men. It is specially the supremacy of this church which we are solicitous to consider, because this is the church wherein spiritual truth is known and taught more distinctly than in any previous dispensation of Christianity. It is a dispensation wherein the life of truth and goodness ought to be better known, because revelations have been made concerning those principles which were previously unknown to the Christian Church. The principles of truth and goodness, of which we are speaking, are not to be regarded as abstract things; there are no such things as abstract goodness or abstract truth, these are dreams which belong to certain |