the work of the Holy Spirit in the renewal of men. "That the Congregational Union was established on the basis of these facts and doctrines is, in the judgment of the Assembly, made evident by the Declaration of Faith and Order adopted at the Annual Meeting in 1833; and the Assembly believes that the Churches represented in the Union hold these facts and doctrines in their integrity to this day." In the discussion of this resolution considerable diversity of opinion was manifested. Dr. Parker moved an amendment of a milder kind, though still embracing the acknowledgment of what is known as Evangelical doctrines. The chairman expressed in his opening speech the opinion that what had taken place outside the meetings of the Union should not be allowed to engage its deliberations. The majority, led by the most eminent ministers of the body, were fully resolved on carrying the resolution-not more than sixty or seventy hands being held up against it. BAPTIST UNION.-The annual Assembly of this Union was this year held in Bloomsbury Chapel, London, under the presidency of the Rev. Stowell Brown of Liverpool. The annual report, after a statement of financial matters, went on to say : "There was an increase in the denomination year by year, not in the ratio of the increase of the population, but advancing towards that ratio. The number of sittings provided in new chapels and in enlargement of old chapels was probably not fewer than 20,000. Two new associations had been formed, one in Surrey and Middlesex, and the other in Cambridgeshire, which contemplated home mission extension as their proper work. The tables showed a membership in the churches of 270,000, with 1825 pastors, 3381 evangelists, and 370,000 Sunday scholars. Notwithstanding the depression of trade, and the present unsettled state of affairs, the liberality of the churches had increased." The subject of the president's address was described as "Ministerial Apprenticeship.' The subject was last year brought under the attention of the Congregational Union by Rev. Principal Newth, under the title of "Annual Curacies." The practical value of the general principle involved in these efforts has been long recognised in the New Church, although the smallness of our churches afford few opportunities of putting it in practice. The following sentences will give some idea of Mr. Brown's argument 66 : According to Professor Newth, the Congregationalists and the Baptists stand alone in the non-observance of any practice resembling the apprenticeship system. Speaking, as I do, of the latter denomination, there is no need in this assembly to show, or even to say, that the learned Professor is correct in describing us as a denomination which does not provide for its ministry such a training as most other Churches provide for theirs. As a rule, our ministers go from college, and some of them from no college, at once into a pastorate. Inexperienced, knowing little of the world, not much of the Church, and not too much of themselves, they are suddenly placed in positions of great responsibility, not as subalterns, but as chiefs. Now it would be strange, it would make men stare in wonder and shake their heads in doubt, if a railway company or a bank should write to a school or a college for one of its students, even the cleverest, and forthwith make him manager. To a certainty the concern would come to grief, and soon be found in a state of hopeless insolvency. The idea of such monstrous folly would never enter the head of any businessman; and yet there are many men of business, and shrewd men too, who, as members and deacons of our churches, follow just such a course in the choice and appointment of a minister, and do not seem to think that they act at all unwisely.” UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SYNOD.-Unusual interest attaches this year to the meeting of the Synod of this large and influential Christian community. The proceedings in heresy in former Synods led to the appointment of a Committee to consider the subject of "the subordinate standards," i.e. the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Catechisms. The Committee appointed appears to have given a careful and anxious attention to the subject, and the adoption of the recommendations of their report, with 66 Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Ferguson, and if possible to secure his adhesion to the standards of the Church. Although the vote of the Synod before appointing the Committee was adverse to Mr. Ferguson's opinions, there was abundant manifestation of a desire to avoid extreme measures. very slight modification, is an event of closer inspection will show a marked marked interest in the intellectual pro- progress. It loosens the bonds of exgress of the Church. The Committee treme Calvinism and prepares the way resolved, apparently with great un- for a juster estimate of the benevolence animity, not to revise the standards, of God and the universality of His but to present a declaratory statement mercy and goodness. It will be a relief giving such explanations as were judged to many thoughtful ministers, whose needful in regard to the existing stand- minds are oppressed by the terrible ards." This statement contains seven nightmare of a hitherto iron-bound articles, referring to distinct doctrines Creed; and it will encourage further inof the Confessions, and modifying quiry and investigation, which cannot fail and expanding their meaning. Thus to issue in nearer approaches to the truth. the first article gives special pro- In addition to the standards, the minence "to the free offer of salva- Synod had a difficult question before it tion to men without distinction." The in the case of the Rev. Fergus Ferguson, second enacts "that the doctrine of who is accused of heretical opinion the Divine decrees, including the respecting the Creeds and Catechisms of doctrine of election to eternal life, is the Church. At the time we write held in connection and harmony with this question is in the hands of a the truth that God will have all men to be saved, and has provided a salvation sufficient for all, adapted to all, and offered to all with the grace of His Spirit in the Gospel; and also with the responsibility of every man for his dealing with the free and unrestricted offer of eternal life. The fourth article, which recognised the possibility of the salvation of infants and the heathen who die in ignorance of the Gospel, led Saturday the 11th ult., this gentleman to considerable discussion, and was and his wife sailed for America in finally adopted in the following form: the Cunard steamer Russia. A few "That while all who are saved are friends, including the Rev. R. Goldsack saved by the mediation of Christ and by and Mrs. Goldsack, Mr. and Mrs. the grace of His Holy Spirit, who work- Craigie, and others, had assembled to bid eth when, and where, and how He him good-bye, and but for the morning pleaseth; and while the duty of send- having been very wet doubtless many ing the Gospel, the ordinary means more would have been present. of salvation, to the heathen who are was, those who accompanied the tender sunk in a state of sin and misery, and had a most delightful sail up the river perishing for lack of knowledge, is clear and a pleasant visit on board the magand imperative, the Church does not nificent steamer. Both Mr. and Mrs. require the acceptance of her standards Hayden were looking well and cheerful, in a sense which might imply that any and spoke freely of the pleasure their who die in infancy are lost; nor does visit had given, and the kindness with she bind those who accept these stand- which they had been received in the ards to hold that God never, in any case, many places they had gone to. After saves without the use of the ordinary a short stay on board, the bell rang for means. The last article allows liberty visitors to depart, and at once both of opinion in "the interpretation of the vessels got up steam, the Russia pro'six days' in the Mosaic account of ceeding to sea while handkerchiefs were the creation; the Church guarding waved till the friends could no longer against the abuse of this liberty to the see each other. injury of its unity and peace.' THE REV. W. B. HAYDEN.-On As it This declaration may seem at first ITALY.-We are requested to state glance to make little progress in the that the correct address of Mr. Alexander matter of Christian doctrine. It uses Gallico and family is, 5 VIA BORGHETTO the common phraseology of the Calvin- 1 P. CORSO PORTA VENEZIA, MILANO. istic Creed and treats with great tender- Divine service is held at Mr. Gallico's ness its distinctive teaching. But a house every Sunday, to which all friends, whether native or foreign, are cordially invited. New Church friends visiting Milan will be cordially welcomed by Mr. Gallico and family, but should provide themselves with an introduction from any of the ministers or leaders in London. The average attendance at the services at Mr. Gallico's house is fourteen, but it is hoped that the efforts made by Mr. Gallico and his family will in due course result in a more satisfactory state of things, and meanwhile let us not despise the small beginning. The following interesting paragraph appears in the April number of the Nuova Ероса: "Professor L. Scocia has finished his course of conferences at the Circolo Operajo (Working Men's Institute) of Porta alla Croce in Florence, where sundry important subjects have been considered. Those which evoked most attention and general approval are the following: Public and private instruction must be a means for attaining education. Without education is more danger than safeguard to society.' "The education for Italians as well as for every other people must be essentially religious if society is to rest upon something which is the requisite bond among men. The morality of the Positive school, or the morality of policy (will it pay?) and the morality of religion, viz. of duty for duty's sake.' "Without faith in God, a belief in His justice and in a future life, morality is like an edifice without a foundation.' These conferences were never attended by less than a hundred persons. Next month the Professor will commence his conferences at the other Circolo Operajo at Porta al Prato, also in Florence.' " The Society, imitating the example of the Church in England and America, has offered the "True Christian Religion" gratuitously to all ministers of religion. "The offer was made by public advertisement in June, and was responded to by some forty applications of ministers and lay preachers, representing eight different denominations. The work has also been lent to several intelligent laymen, and no doubt some of the seeds of truth will find good ground' in which it may hereafter germinate. It would appear also, from some of the acknowledgments, that the book has commanded respect, and has not provoked any hostile criticism." 6 Some alterations have been made in their place of worship by the addition of gaslights and other improvements. The report closes with the following hopeful paragraph :— "Before concluding their Report, your Committee would take the opportunity of informing the Society that it appears to them that the New Church in Australia is on the eve of a great change. For the first time in its history a duly-authorized New Church minister is about to assume the pastorate of the Society in Melbourne, who being endowed with full powers to ordain others,' the day may not be far off when this Society, and those in Queensland ADELAIDE (Australia).-The annual and Sydney, may have ordained minisreport of this Society for the past ters' also, and members numerous year indicates a state of continued la- enough and rich enough to support bour and slow growth. The financial them without secular employment. But state of the Society seems subject to one be this as it may, this Society will of the fluctuations not uncommon in always have gratefully to remember most public institutions. The receipts that it was the first Society formed in from some of the ordinary sources of the southern hemisphere, and has been income are less than in the preceding so far under the Lord's auspices that it year. The general balance, however, has been able to maintain the public is not seriously affected. The Society worship and intelligent teaching of New seems to be singularly circumstanced in Church doctrine for more than a third the conducting of its worship—no pay- of a century, and during nearly all that ment appears to the leader or minister, time has had the privileges of the sacrawhose services are, we presume, gratui- ment administered in an orderly manner, tously rendered. although without an ordained minis ter. Let us then continue patient in well-doing, and stand ready to go forward' when the Divine Providence opens the way for us to take our place among 'the nations of them that are saved."" SWEDENBORG SOCIETY.-The Sixtyeighth Annual Meeting of the Society will be held at Bloomsbury Street, London, W.C. on Tuesday evening, June 18th, 1878. The chair will be taken by the Rev. J. Presland at seven o'clock precisely. The report of the Committee and the Treasurer's account will be submitted to the members, and the officers for the ensuing year elected. Invitations to address the meeting have been issued to ministers of other denominations with a view to make the proceedings as much as possible in accordance with the broad principles upon which the Society is based. The Committee earnestly hopes that members and friends will by their presence in large numbers encourage and strengthen its hands in the performance of the important duties which devolve upon it. Subscriptions not yet paid should be sent to the agent, Mr. James Speirs, 36 Bloomsbury Street, London, W.C., without delay, to entitle them to vote. MANCHESTER PRINTING AND TRACT SOCIETY.-The Annual Meeting of this Society was held on May 14th at Peter Street, the Rev. C. H. Wilkins in the chair. The proceedings were opened by singing and prayer. Mr. Larkin, the Secretary, read the report of the Society for the past year. 1295 books and 18,650 tracts had been issued, being 65 books and 2283 tracts in excess of the previous year. The report drew attention to the necessity for providing tracts suitable to the present "eternal punishment" controversy. It also referred to the lamented loss of Mr. Meek, a long and active worker for the Society. Mr. Richardson read the Treasurer's report, showing a balance in hand of £284, 6s. 9d., and the Stock Account. The chairman, in moving the adoption and printing of the report and accounts, said that one attraction which Manchester and Lancashire had had for him was that the people were bent upon doing what they could to spread those New Church principles which they held so dear. He was no believer in the They would idea that there were just a limited number of persons who could be held to be possible recipients of those principles. That might be so, if there were only one way in which they could be brought before the attention of men; but the Church had twelve gates, open continually, its principles were of universal adaptation, and they would find by degrees how to speak to all men in their own languages, how to write tracts, preach sermons, deliver lectures, and converse and deal with people generally. learn to speak to one man in the language of the poet, to another in that of the logician, and to men and women at large in a language of their own. The more they manifested this power of adapting themselves to all varying characters, the more they would find persons of all classes and creeds ready and able to appreciate and receive the New Church principles. Humanity itself was the only kind of limitation which could be imposed on their acceptance. Nothing had been done in the past in this direction in comparison with what would be done a few years hence; there was a work opening out, even for the present generation, of which they could form no adequate conception. He deprecated the idea that there was any real antagonism between the work of the pulpit, the platform, and the press. The agency of printing would not hinder but help the work of the pulpit and the platform, which latter would always remain for them to do. Dr. Pilkington seconded the resolution in an address in which vigour and humour were happily blended. He complimented Mr. Wilkins on his vis vitæ, and urged strongly increased support to the institution. He detailed some of his own work at Clayton-leMoors, now supplying tracts on free-will to one who wished to "hammer down" his " opponent on New Church principles," and now circulating among others tracts on the "eternal punishment" question. He also urged at length the necessity for personal distribution of the literature of the Society. There was this advantage about a tract left at a house, that if not devoured at a sitting it could, "like the joint of cold meat, be had up again to-morrow.' The speaker concluded by giving illustration of the wide circulation of the tracts. The Rev. J. Boys, in support ing the resolution, urged the necessity of external organization for the New Church. As to the idea that no one should teach but the "recognized clergy," all the errors and heresies came from them, and the propagators and supporters of the heresies of the world were the established bodies of the present and past generations. If, when light has come into the world, established bodies would not preach it, then those not of the clerical order ought to preach it. He urged increased support to the Society. The Rev. W. Westall moved the second resolution, which called the attention of the new Committee to the importance of providing literature diffusing New Church truth, explaining the true meaning of Bible language on the much debated subject of the final state of the wicked. The speaker referred to the present controversy going on in the popular pulpit and press on that subject, and urged that here was a field in which the New Church could profitably labour. Professor Max Müller's recent lecture of fetischism, in which he showed that fetischism was not the first struggle of uncivilized man to arise to a conception and adoration of the Supreme, but the corruption of a religion which had previously existed,-echoed the teaching of Swedenborg. Mr. Mackereth seconded the resolution, and dwelt on the necessity of adapting their tracts to the times. Mr. Jonathan Robinson in supporting it drew a parallel between man's regeneration and the unfolding of religious truth at the present day. Mr. Scotson thought that the New Church views ought to be properly represented in the "future punishment' controversy by an article in the Contemporary Review or Nineteenth Century, and Mr. Hughes in urging the same point suggested that Mr. Sutton would think about taking the matter in hand. After some remarks from Mr. F. Smith the resolution was put and carried and the meeting terminated. WEEKLY OFFERTORY.-This auxiliary of Church finance continues to hold its place in the services of the church at Argyle Square. From the Society's Manual for May we learn that its amount during the month of February, was £25, 15s. 7d., and in the month of March, £18, 13s. 5d. The amount in the former month was increased by larger collections on February 3rd, when the amount was £14. The total for the two months is £44, 9s., which, omitting the Sunday we have indicated, gives a weekly average of £3, 16s. Other Societies in the Church have adopted with varying success this mode of contributing to the support of their several churches. There are many classes to whom frequent contributions of small sums is easier than large efforts at longer distances of time. To these the weekly offertory is a convenience, and to none ought it to be otherwise than acceptable. To contribute to the support of religion and religious institutions and labours in the world should be a part of our worship, as it is the expression and the manifestation of our devotion to the Lord and interest in His Church. BIRMINGHAM.-The quarterly meeting of members of this Society was held on the afternoon of Sunday, April 14th, Mr. John Osborne in the chair. Three new members were admitted, and two candidates for membership were proposed. A resolution was passed, in accordance with which annual collections will be made in the church in aid of the Augmentation Fund. The private social party was held on Tuesday, April 23rd, and, in spite of several adverse circumstances, its success proved that such a meeting supplies a genuine want. A large share of the programme was contributed by friends directly connected with the schools, giving to the meeting a good old-fashioned tone which was pleasing to a number of those present. The teachers' two-monthly meeting was held on the afternoon of Sunday, April 28th. After tea Mr. Edward Jones read a highly practical paper on "How to increase our Schools," abounding in useful suggestions and containing some interesting information as to the condition of schools in various parts of Birmingham. An earnest conversation followed, in the course of which a resolution was passed requesting the Rev. R. R. Rodgers to address the scholars on the afternoon of Sunday, May 5th. |