Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

are its Prospects?" In the afternoon Mr. Rodgers addressed the children and teachers of the Sunday-school in a very suitable and pleasing manner.

On the following Monday and Tuesday evenings public lectures were delivered, the subjects being, "War: Why introduced into and sanctioned by the Word of God?" and, "Why and how God is said to repent?"

On Wednesday afternoon a social tea meeting was held at the same place, when about 70 members and friends sat down to tea. The evening's proceedings were presided over by Mr. Thos. Stevenson, the leader of the society. At the close of the proceedings Mr. Councillor Heath proposed a vote of thanks to the National Missionary Institution and to Mr. Rodgers for his acceptable visit, which was carried with acclamation.

NOTTINGHAM (Old Society).—The Anniversary services of this society were preached on Sunday, September 17th, by the Rev. T. L. Marsden. The subjects of the discourses were, "The Lord making up his Jewels." and the "Fire for ever burning on the Altar," both of which gave great satisfaction to the members and friends. On the Monday evening following, a tea party was held in the Arboretum rooms, when seventy sat down, to welcome Mr. Marsden; after which he delighted the company with a most lucid and eloquent lecture, on "The New Jerusalem: what it is, and why it is needed in these latter days." The Building Committee beg to acknowledge the following sums towards the erection of the new chapel:

[blocks in formation]

were unanimously adopted, declaratory of the desirableness of such an association to co-operate, as far as practicable, with the National Missionary Society, and appointing a provisional committee, who shall collect subscriptions and take such further steps as may appear necessary for carrying out the objects of the association. The sum of about £7. was promised as annual subscriptions, at the close of the meeting; which amount it is hoped will be greatly increased.

SHEFFIELD-Through the kindness of the National Missionary Institution the society here has been favoured by a visit from the Rev. W. Rothery. On Sunday, Oct. 1st, he delivered two sermons:—in the morning, on Charity, from the text John xiii. 35; in the evening, on Faith, from Matt. xvi. 18. At the close of the services, collections, amounting to £4. 2s. 5d., were made for the benefit of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

On the following day a social tea meeting, at which Mr. Rothery presided, was held to inaugurate the winter session of the Week-day Evening Reading Meetings. These meetings are very ably conducted by Mr. Geo. Parry, and are a source of much profit and enjoyment to those who attend.

WIVENHOE, ESSEX.-Tuesday, the 20th of September, was quite a gala day with our friends here, as they then celebrated the inauguration of their society in an organised form, under the leadership of Mr. R. Goldsack. Dr. Bayley presided over a very agreeable tea meeting, at which about 100 persons were present, including friends from Colchester, Brightlingsea, and the neighbourhood. After tea, a public meeting was held, and the church was nicely filled. A hymn having been sung, Dr. Bayley offered up prayer, and then proceeded to address the meeting on the subject of the evening, sketching the early history of the society, urging all its members to increased zeal and unity, in the confident hope that under the leader they had adopted they would surely succeed. The Dr. gave a very interesting address of about an hour's duration, interspersed with several interesting anecdotes, and concluded by a warm appeal to his audience to be careful of attention to little things, as by neglect of them great mishaps occurred, while their due perform

MISCELLANEOUS.

ance paved the way for better and greater results. Mr. Goldsack next addressed the meeting, showing the importance and necessity of the New Church, its elevated views of the Divine Word, which redeemed God's message to man from the charges of irrationality on the one hand, and visionary absurdities on the other. Mr. Jepson then, in a very pleasing speech, urged all to the love of truth as the best means of exhibiting it, and warned his hearers not to omit this means of proving themselves the Lord's disciples. Several hymns were sung during the evening, and on the whole a very pleasant time was passed. The local papers kindly inserted a full report of the meeting; and we may add that in regard to the Sabbath attendance at church, this has increased every Sunday since Mr. Goldsack's preaching has begun indeed, on last Sunday evening, October 8th, there was not room enough to accommodate all who came.

THE JUVENILE MAGAZINE. In the very early days of the New Church, the excellent men who first saw the new light dawning from heaven, had so much to do in causing the works of the Lord's messenger to the church to be translated, and in making the first efforts to found societies, and thus give the dove of new heavenly wisdom a place for the soles of her feet, that they were unable to provide a magazine for the children of the members and the Sunday schools connected with the church. The want was felt, and felt keenly and continuously, but the time had not yet come. Such a periodical, it was felt, should be instructive in its substance, attractive, clear, and simple in its style, and cheap, so as to be as extensively available as possible. Nearly twenty-five years ago the demand in the church for a periodical combining these characteristics gave rise to the Juvenile Magazine, now being issued in its twenty-fourth volume. Having had much to do with its early time-having seen its usefulness during the many years of its existence-and esteeming the power for good it exerts as vigorously as ever, I am extremely desirous of bringing its merits earnestly before all our friends. By increased circulation its uses may be increased, and it may be placed in the coming new year with such a surplus above its present expenses as may enable its

525

conductors, and especially its able editor, the Rev. E. D. Rendell, to rejoice in their appreciated labours, and to embellish the work. I wish to see it more attractive than ever.

There are thirty-two pages of wellprinted matter for a penny. Thus the first desideratum in such a publication is met. For a farthing a-week, every child and young person connected with the church can have this interesting and instructive monthly collection of essays, tales, dialogues, poetry, and information. Surely when attention is drawn to it, and our friends are reminded what an excellent visitor this little work is-to come regularly and interest the young people by its various methods in the Divine Truths so essential for them to know-no New Church home will be without it. There must be at present very many homes which do not receive it. The circulation, judging from the last Sunday School Union report, which was given in the August number, must be about 2,500 per month. But there must be 20,000 homes in England in which the principles of the New Church are more or less acknowledged. There are nearly 4,000 registered members of societies, and probably not far from an equal number who attend our services, and, from various reasons, are not yet members. There are a great number of persons, some think an equal number, in the various sections of the old church organisations who acknowledge New Church truths, but do not unite with their brethren in separate societies for worship. These do to some extent take the periodicals of the church, and it is highly desirable they should all do so. Then there are 5,000 Sunday scholars and 3,000 day scholars. When we take these numbers into consideration, we shall see there is ample room for increasing the circulation of the Juvenile Magazine.

It is highly valued when it is read out of the pale of the professing New Church. One fact illustrative of this I will mention. A greatly esteemed friend of my own, who, though accepting the principles of the New Church and supporting its institutions, from reasons which appear to him valid does not externally unite with any New Church society, told me that some near family connections of his own in Sussex, most staunch supporters of the Established

[blocks in formation]

Church, sent him up from time to time what they considered especially interesting numbers of a periodical published by some church union in the North of England, and which they had taken in for many years. He always received them with pleasure, for they were no other than the numbers of our own Juvenile Magazine.

Three great features have constantly been maintained in the Juvenile Magazine-all preeminently excellent. First, the impartation of instruction by essays, tales, dialogues, historical papers, and poems; and these are given with great variety. Second, the reception of the early efforts of novitiates in literature; and in this field we can recognise the pens of many who now grace the pages of the magazine, and whose productions are eagerly read, who first were encouraged to try their powers by the invitations given to them in the Juvenile. Third, the information given from time to time of what is being done. In one school, or in one department of the church, something is originated which suggests to others what they may usefully imitate, and thus good ideas are spread and good influences extended. For all these reasons, then, we can scarcely have a better object to recommend to our friends everywhere for their consideration, than that of making the next new year a signal one in the history of the Juvenile Magazine by a decided effort to double its sale. The Friend of Youth, which has for many years in the South of England sought to contribute, as well as the Juvenile, to the instruction of our children, and which was really an admirable little publication, has ceased to appear, leaving the Juvenile alone to continue its important functions. Let us then make a vigorous effort to induce all our friends and all our school children who can read, to become subscribers for the next year. Those who have no children might encourage the work by taking some numbers for children of their acquaintance. Ministers and conductors of schools would render valuable service by urging the claims of the work on the last Sunday in the year. And by every one doing their best for this laudable work, no doubt great increase of circulation and usefulness would be the result for the magazine, and increased light and happiness would be furnished in hundreds of new homes.

The Juvenile, though it has attained so respectable an age, has every sign of youth and vigour about it, and with the kind and energetic help we propose, will, we trust, bound on in its career with increased power and brilliancy, and long do good service to the church as its magazine for youth. J. BAYLEY.

ADELAIDE.-The twenty-first anniversary meeting of the society was held on the 7th of July, an account of which, reprinted from the South Australian Register, has been kindly sent by a friend. Tea was provided, at which there were about 120 persons. A public meeting followed; the hall was crowded in every part. After an address by the chairman, Mr. J. Hashwell, and a selection of sacred music, the minister of the society, Mr. Day, delivered a lecture on the church of the Lord's Second Advent. This discourse gives an excellent outline of the doctrines, and is printed verbatim. After the lecture, Mr. Holden read a sketch of the history of the society from its commencement, twenty-one years ago, by Mr. Jacob Pitman, who acted as its first minister, an office which he undertook at the request of nineteen adults, and which he held till 1859, when he removed from the colony, and was succeeded by Mr. Day. The society has acted on what Mr. Holden calls the voluntary principle, no one receiving any remuneration for his services. A junior association was formed in 1857, and two of its early members are now students for the ministry, one in England and one in America. The number of baptisms has been 152, of which 51 were adults.

CHICAGO GENERAL CONVENTION.-The forty-sixth meeting of the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America was opened on the 14th of June, in the New Church house of worship, Chicago. Besides the ministers and delegates, who have been coming for several days past, a large number of the friends of the New Church from this place and the vicinity were in attendance, and formed quite a numerous assemblage. The receiving and examination of the credentials of the delegates occupied the first hour or so of the proceedings, and the roll of members being finally made up, the Convention took a recess for worship, as usual, and the President, Rev. Thomas Worcester, delivered his annual

MISCELLANEOUS.

address, which was exceedingly interesting, and elicited the most marked and earnest attention. A vast amount of important and varied business, chiefly local, was transacted at the successive meetings. At one of these the Rev. Mr. Wilks read the address proposed to be sent on behalf of the Convention to the General Conference of the New Church in Great Britain, which was unanimously approved and adopted. The address embodies a clear and able exposition of the laws which govern the spiritual unity of the New Church, and the community of its interests in all parts of the world. It also gives a very just account of the character of the late rebellion in this country, which has been so providentially quelled, and acknowledges the hand of the Lord in bringing us safely through our perils. The Rev. Thomas Worcester was chosen president, J. Y. Scammon vice-president, T. B. Hayward secretary, and Robert L. Smith treasurer, for the ensuing year.

NORTHAMPTON.-The Rev. D. G. Goyder has paid our society a second visit during the present year, under the auspices of the National Missionary Society. He delivered four discourses on the week-day evenings, and two on the Lord's Day. All the services were well attended. Recently the Rev. W. Woodman was invited by a committee of gentlemen to meet "Iconoclast" in public discussion at Northampton. The subject which was chosen for the occasion was "The Bible Account of Creation: is it to be received as a scientific exposition, or as a revelation from God, and interpreted accordingly?" The discussion occupied two nights; about 700 persons were present the first night, and 500 on the second. On the evenings following the discussion Mr. Woodman delivered two lectures on "Redemption" and the "Atonement."

ADVERTISING. The following advertisement appears in the South and North Lincolnshire Advertiser, which may serve as a model for others:

Swedenborg's Works.

The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem Concerning the Lord. 8vo. 1s., 12mo. 44d. In this work the sole and supreme Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ is plainly set forth.

The Doctrine of the Sacred Scripture. 8vo. 1s., 12mo. 4d. In which it is clearly

527

shewn that there is a Spiritual sense in every part of the Word, and that in the Literal sense of the Word, Divine Truth is in its fulness, its holiness, and its power.

The Doctrine of Faith. 8vo 4d., 12mo. 2d. This treatise shews that true Faith in its essence is Charity, and that consequently no one can have any faith in the Lord, except he be in charity with all men.

The Doctrine of Life. 8vo. 6d., 12mo. 3d. This pamphlet teaches that all religion has relation to life, and that the life of religion is to do good.

Heaven and Hell; also, The Intermediate State, or World of Spirits. 8vo. 3s. This treatise proves that man during his life in this world decides his own future state of happiness or misery, according as he cultivates heavenly delights or gives himself up to selfish and worldly pleasures.

Published by C. P. ALVEY, 36, Bloomsbury-street, London, W.C.

"THE ANTEDILUVIAN HISTORY."-The Committee of the Missionary and Tract Society of the New Church have instructed the undersigned to address through these columns the ministers, lecturers, and leaders in the New Church, and to beg their continued assistance in promoting a valuable use, by recommending and circulating The Antediluvian History." Copies of the cheap edition of this work, at 2s. 6d. each, bound in cloth, can still be obtained, on application to the committee, or from Mr. C. P. Alvey. FREDK. PITMAN.

66

[blocks in formation]

528

Obituary.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Departed this life, at 13, Craven-terrace, Upper Holloway, July 29th, aged 39, Clarence Ogilby. Though the child of titled and wealthy parents, by the wreck of her father's fortune she was left without inheritance, to which circumstance she probably owed her introduction into the church. While living with a relation, on whose bounty she had become dependent, the doctrines of the New Church were brought under her notice, and soon found a cordial reception. So ardent was her desire to imbibe the truths which had become to her the water of life, that she sold her jewels, the only property she possessed, in order to procure the writings which taught them; and she literally found that " the price of wisdom is above rubies." It may be recorded as a matter of history, that when, later in life, Miss Ogilby became possessed of some little means, she thought it her duty to devote a portion of them in what appeared to her the cause of humanity. She was the originator and chief supporter of an association for the abolition of flogging in the Army and Navy, of which Mr. Buxton, M.P., was president. Efforts were made to enlist public sympathy in the cause, but with little success. That movement was half a century too late. So much had been done by the authorities to limit the extent and mitigate the severity of that brutal punishment, that it seemed in a fair way of being soon abolished altogether. As no public enthusiasm could be awakened on the subject, the association died of inanition two or three years ago. The mental and bodily exertion which the

Her

part she took in this movement entailed upon her, aggravated a spinal complaint with which she had been afflicted from her childhood, and which, after a painful illness of several months' duration, terminated her earthly existence. character as an earnest, pious, and intelligent Christian, was exalted by mental conflicts, in which temporal circumstances and considerations had no share; and death, like the painful way that led to it, she regarded only as the Divinely appointed means of introducing her into the mansions of bliss.

Departed this life, at Highfield House, Hopwood, near Heywood, on the 26th September, aged 66, Mrs. Hannah Wild, relict of the late John Wild, Esq., one of the earliest and most influential of the members of the society of the New Church at Heywood. For the long period of two years our friend had been confined to her house, and for the greater part of that time to her bed. This long illness was borne with great patience and resignation. She enjoyed the society of her friends, and manifested an interest in all that concerned the well-being of her acquaintance and the prosperity of the church. While interested, however, in the things around her, her affections were set on things above, and she looked forward with cheerfulness and hope to the change before her. Mrs. Wild was one of the last remaining of those who knew the society from its commencement; and her departure, therefore, removes one of the last links which connected the present with the past.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

All communications to be sent to the Editor, the Rev. W. BRUCE, 43, Kensington Gardens Square, London, W. To ensure insertion in the forthcoming Number, communications must be received not later than the 15th of the month, except recent intelligence, which will be received till the 18th.

The meetings of the Committee of the National Missionary Institution, and Students and Ministers' Aid Fund, are regularly held at the Swedenborg Society's house, Bloomsbury-street, on the fourth Monday in each month, at 6-30 p.m. Members of Conference present in London are invited to attend these meetings. Limited space, besides necessitating the abridgment of many of the items inserted in the Miscellaneous department, compels us to postpone "Inquiry with Answer," "Signs of Religious Progress in India," "Interesting Information from an Officer in India," with some other communications.

Too late.-Communication from the South London Society, which has realised from the bazaar in aid of their building fund £400.

Received "G. J." and "S. S." (Preston).

CAVE AND SEVER, Printers by Steam Power, Hunt's Bank, Manchester.

« AnteriorContinuar »