the above society. An announcement was made that a Lecture would be delivered in the Committee Room, Town Hall, on Tuesday evening, December 3rd, by the Rev. E. Madeley, "On the True Character of the Word of God, and the Laws according to which it is written; demonstrating that the Revelations of Divine Inspiration, can, with certainty, be distinguished from human compositions, and consistently and rationally interpreted only by the Divine Science of Correspondences." But on the Saturday preceding the Lecture, we received a note from the Clerk of the Town Hall Committee, informing us that the Town Hall, together with the Committee Room, had been engaged for that evening. It became, therefore, necessary that we should engage some other room, as near the locality as possible, in which we succeeded; and having engaged the Large Court Room of the Public Office, it was announced on the Monday morning that the Lecture would be delivered in that place on the following evening. It was thought by many of the friends that the attempt would prove a failure; but we were agreeably surprised to find that at eight o'clock (the time announced for commencing) there was scarcely a standing place to be had; shortly after, all the avenues were crowded, and several hundreds went away for want of room. At the close of the Lecture it was announced that a Tract, further illustrative of the important subject of the Lecture, would be presented to those who might feel desirous of possessing one, on application to the friends appointed to distribute them at the door. Nearly 300 were given away, but a great number could not be supplied. The attention of the audience was rivetted on the Lecturer for nearly two hours, and it is pleasing to add that many individuals were afterwards heard to express the highest approval of the able Lecture to which they had listened.

A Second Lecture was announced for the week following, "On the Fulfilment of Prophecy, in reference to the Last Days and the Second Coming of the Lord," at which the room was again well filled, and about 120 more Tracts were distributed to those who could not obtain one on the previous evening.

We trust that the Divine Providence of our Lord will bless this effort to the advancement of His Church and Kingdom. It is the first attempt which we have yet made to lecture in any other place than our own Church, and the success which attended it has encouraged us to determine to follow up the plan at convenient

seasons.-I remain, yours in the cause of the Lord's New and True Church, E.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE BIRMINGHAM NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH MISSIONARY, TRACT, AND LECTURE INSTITUTION, FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 29, 1844.

This Report has been but recently received. We present the following extracts to our readers:

"The existence and operations of an institution like this, having for its end the dissemination of the truths and doctrines of the Holy Word, should be hailed with delight by every member of the New Church, and form a subject both of deep gratitude and earnest prayer to the Lord. Your committee in presenting their annual report, trust that its effect may be to stimulate these feelings to fresh activity, and to create new determinations of use in all its friends.

"During the past year, your committee regret to report, the Tract distribution has somewhat fallen off, in consequence of there having been no officer of the society during the former half-year, who could efficiently attend to that portion of its operations, and the secretary being unable to watch over it, on account of his duties in the Sunday School. Only six persons have been engaged, and but two have laboured during the whole of the year. The number of exchanges is, therefore, limited, amounting only to 5700. The number of refusals has been greater this year than last, owing principally, perhaps, to the visiting of the Curate of a neighbouring Church, and others, who have thought proper especially to warn all persons against receiving our tracts; yet we cannot but rejoice, that even with this apparent interference, there are so many who gladly receive and we trust read and derive benefit from them. Your committee would again advert to the circumstance mentioned in the last report, viz. the establishment of a library. They regret that this has not taken place during the past year, inasmuch as it would tend so greatly to advance the interests of the institution, and at the same time prove a most valuable auxiliary to the distributors, several of whom have recently expressed their want of such a means of infixing still more deeply the truths of the New Church, than thay have in their possession in the Tracts, limited as they necessarily are to so small a space, and treating in so general a manner the subjects brought under consideration. The Day and Sunday Schools have also been supplied with tracts during

the past year. About 60 have been distributed weekly by the Day Schools, among the parents, and those most suited to the apprehension of children have been used as class books in both schools. Your committee cannot regard this portion of the society's operations without expressing their deep thankfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ, that they have possessed the means of explaining thus the truths of the Holy Word to the children of our schools, while their minds are in a yielding state so well adapted to receive salutary impressions, ere they become contaminated by the evil and false principles, which are on every side presented to them, and fall into a state in which truth seems to lose its holy power and influence.

The Tracts have also been presented to the strangers who have attended worship with us, both by the gentlemen appointed by your committee for the purpose, and also by the subscribers themselves, and we have had the gratifying intelligence that in many cases the method has been appreciated, and has at once been pleasing and useful. One hundred and fifty tracts have been given out, during the past year, for special distribution in Church, in addition to 840 for lectures, &c.

Your committee would state that they have been considering the eligibility of several neighbouring towns for courses of lectures. A correspondence has been entered into with a gentleman at Worcester, upon the subject of rooms and lectures, and application has been made from Hinckley for a course; communications have also been received from West-Bromwich and Dudley, upon the same subjects; but on account of the expense attending such efforts, and various other causes, your committee have not at present felt justified in carrying their wishes into operation in regard to any of these plans.

The number of Tracts given out to subscribers, during the past year, is 1774, as the exchanges for £6. 6s. 6d. This sum is somewhat below the amount of the subscriptions. Your committee would earnestly press upon the attention of all subscribers the importance of taking out the amount of their payments in Tracts, thus creating a sphere of useful influence around themselves, the value of which is incalculable.

In conclusion, your committee feel and desire to express their sense of the responsibility of their situation, their unworthiness to fill it, and their inability and lack of zeal in carrying out the great objects of the society, and would humbly pray that the blessing of the Lord Jesus

Christ may rest upon their labours, imperfect though they have been, earnestly urging the subscribers to increased exertions on their part, as a great means of extending the usefulness of the society, and of realizing a much larger amount of good than we have hitherto done. J. BRAGG, Secretary.

CHURCH MUSIC AND SINGING. To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. Dear Sir,-Permit me, through the pages of the Magazine, to offer a few remarks upon Church Music, and its performance in our assemblies. I think this subject important, connected, as it is, with our piety and devotion in public worship; for the devotional feeling is much increased or diminished, according to the suitableness and manner of performing our congregational music; perhaps more so than is generally thought to be the case. It is not my intention to enter into the science of music, for this would only provoke a useless difference of opinion; my only object is, to make a few practical suggestions, with the view of increasing, if possible, the use and good effect of congregational music and singing.

The first suggestion I would offer to those who have the direction in these matters, is, that on all occasions of public worship, such tunes should be selected as the congregation can join in singing; for singing is an act of praise, and a portion of worship; and if such tunes are introduced as the congregation can not join with, it is deprived of the benefits of some portion of the service. If a society has a choir of singers ever so efficient, difficult tunes, such as are beyond the powers of a mixed congregation, need not be used for the exercise and display of abilities, for this can always be done in the adoption of such as are of good composition, easy to be joned in with, and which are usually termed congregational tunes: of this class of music there is a goodly number of tunes extant, and additions hereto are being made yearly. It is better to be confined to a few well-known good tunes, than to introduce a number, in the performance of which the congregation cannot participate.

I would next suggest, that great care should be taken that the music agree with the words of the hymn: it is not sufficient that they be of the same metre and general character in respect to cheerfulness or otherwise; they should also be of the same accent, and express the same feeling and sentiment: for music speaks a language which all can understand,—it is the lan

guage of the affections; and, therefore, the tune and the words of a hymn should call forth and express the same affection.

I would now beg to offer one or two remarks upon the performance of the organ. In this respect, much difference of opinion doubtless exists, even among the professors themselves; but perhaps there is little or none to be found among the hearers as to the desirableness of the congregation having the pleasure and benefit of all the noble, soft and beautiful tones and powers of that grand instrument. This, however, is not effected when it is played uniformly, full or soft; but it would seem to be effected, when its various tones and powers are judiciously and tastefully contrasted and earnestly displayed. It is not unfrequently the case, that, both in the Establishment and in our own Churches,

may be heard, the organ played in all its full powers and force, throughout every verse of the entire psalm or hymn. This is quite destructive of the effect of a full organ upon the hearers; it is also unpleasant and uneasy to sing to, for under a full organ a person can hardly hear his own voice, unless he exerts himself, and this can not be done with ease, and feelings consistent with the occasion, throughout a whole hymn.

These remarks are not likely to give offence to any one, but may be useful, especially at this season of the year, in calling to the remembrance of our musical friends some of the essential requisites to make congregational music effective and pleasant.

A LOVER OF CONGREGATIONAL MUSIC. London.

DIED, September 7th, after an illness of four weeks, from the effects of violent fever, Victor William Charles Ferdinand de Gaudrion, aged 22 years, only son of Colonel de Gaudrion, and of Maria, daughter of Major-General Fawcett. Though free from suffering, he sank rapidly from extreme weakness, and was scarcely conscious he was so near eternity. His understanding, from a very early period in life, had been imbued with a clear perception of the Truths contained in the writings of Swedenborg, and in concurrence with the enlightened views and principles which he had adopted. A short time previously to his last illness, he expressed, to his now bereaved mother, a desire to become baptized into the Faith of the New Christian Church, a Faith he had embraced upon grounds of the most perfect conviction of its Truth. It pleased, however, the Almighty disposer of events to ordain it otherwise, and to call him hence ere it was possible to administer that holy rite, which he had looked forward to as a means most calculated to afford him religious support and comfort. The superior sense and talents with which he was endowed, had chiefly manifested themselves in the acquirement of foreign languages, and in a taste for literature. Amongst the many desultory but pleasing compositions which issued from his juvenile pen, is one entitled "The Darkness and Gloom of the Old Christian Church contrasted with the Light and Joy of the New." This small essay was inserted in the Intellectual Repository for the year 1838, signed Victor," and dated the 2nd of February, that day being his sixteenth birth-day. Alas! the premature

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death of this only and cherished son, which has plunged his affectionate family into the deepest grief, may prove how vain are the hopes of man! Nevertheless, faith, and confidence in the Infinite and Eternal Saviour, whose attributes are Love and Mercy, may teach them to bow with submission, and to exclaim in supplication and prayer, "The end will be peace." God will work all things together for good, "God is a refuge for us, a very present help in trouble." M. D. G.

Brighton, Oct. 23, 1844.

On

On the 11th October last, at Manchester, aged 32 years, Elizabeth, the beloved wife of Mr. T. H. Leeming, and second daughter of the Rev. Jas. Bradley. Her removal into the eternal world was unexpectedly sudden, and under circumstances which usually awaken the tender sympathies of our common nature. the 30th September she was confined of her second child; and, after having enjoyed good health and spirits during the whole period of her pregnancy, there was every hope and prospect of her safe and speedy recovery. But, alas! how shortsighted are human anticipations! On the second day she was attacked with inflammation, which was succeeded by the puerperal fever; and this, within eleven days from the time of her confinement, terminated her short earthly career. humanly speaking, of so excellent and affectionate a wife, was felt by her afflicted husband as a most severe bereavement; and to her family and friends also, to whom her amiable disposition and simplicity of manners had greatly endeared her, it was a painful dispensatiou. Their only real

The loss,

solace is, the humble endeavour to submit to the divine Providence of the Lord, who, in whatever He permits or provides, "does all things well."

Mrs. L. had been favoured with the advantages of early instruction, under her parental roof, in the sacred Truths of the New Jerusalem Dispensation. The deep and salutary impressions thus made upon her mind, were exemplified by her subsequent conscientious adherence to the principles of truth and goodness in the love of Jesus, in a sincere regard to the claims of religion, and a persevering attention to the private duties of her station. The reading of the luminous writings of Swedenborg gave her much delight. She was a faithful and worthy member of the Salford society. To hear the Word of God expounded according to its Spiritual sense, was a substantial heavenly feast to her mind; and there is good reason to cherish the pious hope that she has now entered into a more glorious experience of the divine promise, "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." D. H.

On the 3rd December last, at Islington, of consumption, Mary Bateman, daughter of the late, and wife of the present treasurer of the London Society for Printing the Theological Writings of Swedenborg, and niece of the late Rev. Richard Jones, of Manchester. Mrs. Bateman inherited from her mother considerable delicacy of constitution, but it was not until rather more than two years since that she shewed any consumptive disease. From this period the malady went on gradually increasing, but by such slow degrees as not greatly to diminish her means of enjoyment. She attended the Church in Argyle-square pretty regularly in the morning until about five weeks since, when she suffered from a little increased difficulty of breathing and cough, apparently brought on by cold.

On Sunday, the 1st of December, she dined with her family in the drawing-room, which was on the same floor as her bedroom, and seemed much as usual. Two New Church friends, one from Boston, in America, and the other from Haslingden, in Lancashire, dined with her and her family, and she assisted them with her customary quiet attentions, and appeared to enjoy herself in their society.

The afternoon was passed in the ordinary way, lying on the sofa; but she rose for tea, and when her husband left for church in the evening, no change was remarked.

After service, she observed to Mr. Bateman that she had had " a bad day," meaning a day of suffering, and that she thought she had again taken cold. She stayed up, however, until after family prayers, and walked into her bed-room with the assistance of her husband.

On the Monday morning she appeared much the same, but was advised by Mr. Bateman to remain in bed for a day or two. In the evening she became worse. The cough and difficulty of breathing were both increased; and although feeling sleepy at midnight when left by her husband to the care of her maid for the night, she passed it without sleep. On the Tuesday morning her symptoms were still more alarming. Speaking and swallowing became difficult from the want of breath; and retaining her consciousness to the last, she expired, about a quarter past eleven o'clock, in the arms of her husband.

Thus ended the earthly career of one of the most truthful and orderly of human beings. Brought up in the New Church, she not only believed the great doctrines concerning the Lord, the Atonement, the Resurrection, &c., but, being remarkably impressed with their truth, she could scarcely understand it to be possible for other people to see them differently, and was half inclined to think that New Church statements of Old Church creeds must be wrong, even although it might afterwards be discovered that they were couched in the very words of the Author's.

Mrs. Bateman's state of health precluded her from much intercourse even with New Church friends, but there were some whom she valued very highly, and who will feel her removal as that of another link loosened from earth and attached to heaven.

Although prevented by physical weakness from attending to the active duties of her household, she was enabled by her habits of order and thoughtfulness to secure a greater amount of regularity in its management than is often the case where a healthier frame of body exists, and although able to do but little, that little was well done. Like her late father, she possessed a great degree of firmness; and a friend once remarked of her-" A child might lead her right, but ten strong men could not lead her wrong."

She has left three children under ten years of age to feel her loss. May they all grow up, as their beloved parent did, in the love and practice of the truths and doctrines of the Lord's New Church! Islington, Dec. 7th, 1844.