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it did not make me a larger, a wiser, and a better man. The money I get, the money you get, does not pay us for our toil, our anxieties, our disappointments; but the caution we acquire, the wisdom we gain, the knowledge we obtain, the courage we grow up into, the charity we are taught in short, the enlargement of capacity, the quickness of faculty, the discipline of power,-in these we find our reward. The business of the earth ought to make the manhood of heaven. It ought to make the angels of the future nobler beings. It ought to number us who are now engaged in it when we have passed away among the 'spirits of just men made perfect." For twenty years we have put a wrong definition on business, and you see the result. The object of business has been to make money, and not to make men. Well, you have your money, but where are your men?"

GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM IN AMERICA.-Just as our present number is completed we have received the Convention Messenger, and gladly make room for a notice of its interesting contents:

"The Convention assembled this year at Boston, and has been in many ways an attractive one. It has been especially harmonious, and has shown a tendency for practical and useful enterprises rather than for unprofitable discussion. There were 160 ministers and delegates in actual attendance, of whom 47 were ministers and 113 delegates." The Convention seems to have been principally occupied with the important questions of missions, publications, and education of ministers. Last year Dr. Hibbard was appointed as a general superintendent of missions. In his report to the Convention he says: "I have preached and lectured in twenty-six different cities, and have visited several of them two or more times. I have baptized 102 persons, of whom 57 were adults, 2 ministers from the Old Church, and 43 infants and children; have confirmed 69, and administered the Holy Supper 16 times; have instituted one Association and three Societies; have issued to three persons licenses to preach, and have ordained three men as pastors and missionaries. In doing this I have made 72 journeys, mostly by rail, and

have travelled something over 14,000 miles." The usefulness of this work is unquestionable, but the difficulty in America, as in England, is in obtaining the necessary funds for its support. The Convention resolved to raise 2000 dollars during the year, to be distributed by the Board of Missions; and also passed resolutions of sympathy with the foreign missions of the Church, which are also to be aided by the Board.

In supporting a resolution approving the work of the American New Church Tract and Publication Society in cooperating with Mr. Iungerich in distributing the work on "Heaven and Hell" to the clergy, Mr. Reed alluded to a most interesting feature of the Conference. "Four clergymen," he said, "not before with us, were present on this occasion. The wisdom of reaching people through the clergy was now thoroughly vindicated. Brother Stone has brought with him a society of sixty members, publicly known as New Church, from their regard for him, and the doctrines they had received from him. Brother Parmelee (whose ordination took place during the Convention) is a similar example. In going to Detroit he has left a New Church Society behind him."

In supporting a resolution of appreciation of the labours of Mr. Iungerich, the President gives information respecting this eminently useful New Churchman, which will excite, we are quite sure, the sympathy of members of the Church in England as well as America: "We cannot tell of the unspeakable satisfaction Mr. Iungerich himself takes in his great work. Continually is he receiving letters from the recipients of the gift-books all over the country, telling of the wonderful peace and comfort which they have received from these volumes. He suffers from a sickness which inflicts almost intolerable pain, but in the midst of it the success of this great enterprise is his comfort and his joy.'

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The education of young men for the ministry is chiefly provided at the Waltham Theological School. There have been four students under instruction during the past year. Two of these were now preaching for New Church Societies, and the other two were still continuing their studies. In replying to a request for information respecting

the school, Mr. Reed said "the school was accomplishing a most important work. It has furnished some of our best ministers, who are now as pastors usefully administering to flourishing Societies. No other use can be com

pared to this."

The public and social meetings of the Convention were of a high order, and seem to have yielded the greatest enjoyment to those who took part in them. The Sabbath was fully occupied, the afternoon being devoted to the Convention Communion service, which was presided over by the Rev. Dr. Worcestor, the Nestor of the Convention, and was very numerously attended.

MISSIONARY AND TRACT SOCIETY OF THE NEW CHURCH.-The fifty-seventh anniversary of this Society was held in the New Jerusalem Church, The Mall, Kensington, on Wednesday evening, 29th May, when upwards of 150 were present. The Rev. Dr. Bayley took the chair at seven o'clock, and the proceedings began with the singing of the twenty-second hymn and prayer. The Chairman remarked on the necessity for Christian fellowship, quoting the "Arcana Cœlestia," Nos. 1799, 1285, and 2385, where Swedenborg says that in the Ancient Church all were united in the bonds of charity, and although differing in minor doctrinals and rituals, all agreed to love the Lord and to seek to carry out His Divine law. In animadverting upon the historical difficulties connected with the literal interpretation of the early chapters of Genesis, he referred to a recent number of a magazine, edited by the Rev. S. Cox, in which it is said that the early chapters of Genesis are the mythical part of the Sacred Scriptures. The writer placed the first eleven chapters, up to the birth of Abraham, in this category, and, in fact, followed exactly the division of the New Church. It is a great privilege, continued the Chairman, to be permitted to work with the Lord in imparting to our fellowcreatures such things as are infinitely better than gold and silver or earthly fortune; to be enabled to show to a man the truths which will lead him to higher and happier states of life. If they could help a brother or sister to see those great truths which free the spirit from superstition and error of

every kind, they were giving them that which is more precious than any blessing which could be imparted by man; for the Lord would bless them, as He has said, "In keeping His commandments there is great reward.'

From the Secretary's report it appeared that much good work is being done by this old-established Society. During the past year the agent has sold upwards of £100 worth of books, exclusive of others sold by Mr. Gunton at his lectures to the value of over £20. Several thousands of collateral works have been printed and purchased by the Society during the year, besides considerably over 100,000 tracts and pamphlets of various kinds. In addition to this, 230 volumes have been presented to public libraries in various parts of the country, including London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds.

About 500 copies of each of the missionary numbers of the Morning Light have been distributed among ministers of religion, members of Parliament, editors of newspapers, hotel proprietors, etc., besides which, a goodly number of books have been offered to and accepted by various editors, clergymen, and literary men.

The Treasurer, Mr. Gunton, then read his report, which showed a balance in hand of £222, 6s. 9d. Mr. H. T. W. Elliott next read his report as Secretary of the "Auxiliary Missionary and Tract Society of the New Church," which showed this branch of the parent Society to be in a flourishing condition. During the past year the number of members has increased from 97 to 125, of which 23 are active, 55 are corresponding, and 47 are honorary members. The chief work of this Society is to communicate with the author of any work, or the editor of any newspaper or magazine, which touches in any way, either favourably or unfavourably, upon the teachings of the New Church, and, where necessary, to defend Swedenborg or the New Church from calumnious or ignorant statements. Several interesting letters, necessarily anonymous, were embodied in the report.

Mr. Bateman moved a resolution expressive of confidence in the doctrines of the New Church, as Divine truths which can alone vindicate the Word of God from infidel objections, and satisfy the religious wants of the age.

Mr.

Bateman dealt chiefly with the influence have some insight respecting them. We are custodians of these truths; yet as the minds of Galileo and Newton were required for the reception of the truths of astronomy and for their diffusion, so the mind of Swedenborg had been prepared for the reception of the spiritual truths of the Word and for their diffusion. In this dissemination of spiritual truth all men were interested. The annual meeting of the Bible Society was crowded, able speeches were given, and great interest shown. He regretted the small attendance, and was afraid that it was a sign of want of zeal in our work.

of the Established Church of England,
which he regarded as one of the most
admirable forms of the Old Church
that exists. The Church in the
present day is permeated to a very
considerable extent with a more
rational and spiritual knowledge of
Divine Truth than formerly; and few
as are the members of the New Church,
he believed that they have been the
means of improving the condition of
the Church of England and of all the
other Churches, causing them to do
more good work than they did a
hundred years ago.
New Church views
were permeating to a very great extent
those who still remained in the Old
Church, particularly in regard to the
interpretation of the early chapters of
Genesis, as was evident from a re-
cent number of the Quarterly Review,
which proved that what they term the
mythical, but which the New Church
calls the spiritual, interpretation of
Scripture, was now being understood
by our great men.

The Chairman then called upon the Rev. C. A. Dunham, from America, to address the meeting. Mr. Dunham in the course of his remarks dwelt upon the ability of the New Church doctrines to unfold the hidden meaning of the Holy Word, and strongly impressed upon his hearers the necessity of not only knowing, but doing its teachings; not only of receiving them in the mind, but also in the heart, and showing them out in the life, and then they would appear as "a city that is set upon a hill," which "cannot be hid.

The meeting was also addressed by several other members of the Society, and was closed at ten by the benediction.

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD MISSION ARY SOCIETY.-The annual meeting of this Society was held at Salford on Tuesday, June 18th. The attendance was small. Mr. Mackereth, F. R.A.S., the President of the Society, was in the chair.

The Chairman in the course of his remarks said that if we believe in the Word of God, we must believe in the duty of extending the knowledge of it to others. The Word contains truths of the greatest value, and all Christians

The Committee's report showed that the agents of the Society had been actively engaged in the district over which their labours extend. The ordinary pulpit services had been attended to, public lectures given at Lancaster, and, by an exchange of pulpits, in several of the churches. The Colporteur had visited Staffordshire, Cheshire, and fifty places in the immediate neighbourhood of Manchester. He had sold over a thousand volumes of books-a fair proportion were works of Swedenborg-and two hundred Bibles. The income of the Society, including a balance from last year, was £151, 19s. 84d., and the balance in the Treasurer's hands £14, 4s. 1d.

In

Rev. Mr. Wilkins moved the adoption and printing of the reports. He said that he rejoiced in the weekly absence from his church of several members of his congregation, as he knew they were engaged as missionary preachers. His removal to Manchester had increased his faith in the final triumph of the New Church organization. Nottingham he had stood almost alone, and had sometimes thought we should be absorbed by other communities as they absorbed our principles. He now became hopeful, and was not cast down by our small meetings. If only our principles are such as angels can act through, though our meetings are small, blessings will crown our efforts.

Dr. Pilkington in an earnest speech seconded the resolution. He said that as the Society at Clayton-le-Moors would shortly be without a minister, they would require and gladly receive assistance from the Missionary Society. He thought the reports of the Secretary and Colporteur showed that good work had been done.

Rev. Mr. Ramage moved a resolution referring to the disturbed state of the Christian world on doctrinal subjects, and the duty of increased effort in the dissemination of the doctrines of the New Church and the support of the Missionary Society. He said: "The present age is remarkable in many respects, and not least in its religious aspects. The Churches are distressed with doubts. Christian men are crying out for some one who can give us doctrines that can command the assent of the mind and promote the culture of the life. The Broad Church is so broad as to be indefinite, and cannot do this. The Evangelical attaches too much importance to phrases which have lost their hold upon the minds of thinking men. Great men are yearning for more light, more truth. It is strange that men do not see that He who plants these yearnings also provides the supply. New Church truth is needed for the world's necessities, and we must make our doctrines known whether they are received or rejected."

The Rev. W. Westall, in seconding the resolution, glanced at the many evidences of disturbance in the Christian world, and urged the importance of renewed effort and increased zeal in disseminating the doctrines of the New Church.

The Rev. Mr. Boys supported the resolution.

The Chairman next moved a resolution calling the attention of the Society to the importance of encouraging young men of learning and piety to devote themselves to the service of the Church.

The resolution was seconded by the Rev. R. Storry, and the meeting closed by the benediction.

BIRMINGHAM (from the Manual of the New Church, Wretham Road, Soho Hill, Birmingham).-On Sunday, the 5th of May, the Rev. R. R. Rodgers preached the Sunday-School Anniversary Sermons, and collections were made amounting to £31, 4s., the largest Sunday-school collections within our recollection. The children sang two of the hymns and two anthems in a manner highly creditable to themselves and to Mr. Nicholas, their teacher. In the afternoon the scholars were addressed in the lecture-room by Messrs. John Os

borne, W. H. Haseler, and F. Relton. On the following Sunday the Rev. Mr. Fairweather kindly visited the schools, and delivered an interesting address.

The Birmingham Committee has now made arrangements for Sunday services to be held in the Middle Class Schoolroom, Priestly Road, Sparkbrook, to commence the first week in July next. The Rev. Dr. Bayley has promised to deliver evening lectures previous to the first Sunday, and it is hoped that the Rev. R. R. Rodgers will be enabled to conduct the opening services. This step has been for some time contemplated, and it is hoped will result in the formation of another Society of the New Church. Many friends have already given promises of subscriptions, and all are requested to co-operate in making the movement known, and in the assistance necessary to bring it to a successful issue.

BOLTON.-A public meeting of this Society was held in the schoolroom behind the church on the evening of Thursday, June 21st, to welcome Mr. Mackereth as their newly-appointed minister. There was a large attendance to tea, and after tea the room was completely filled with an evidently deeplyinterested audience. Mr. Pickering, who was appointed to preside over the meeting, opened the proceedings in a pleasant address. The Society, he said, had of late often changed its minister. This had not been their wish, but had arisen from their necessities. They had parted with all of them without blame and with regret. Not their will but their poverty consented. In Mr. Mackereth they had reason to believe that they had a minister who would remain with them. In conclusion, he gave Mr. Mackereth, on behalf of the Society and himself, a very hearty and most cordial welcome.

The speech of the Chairman was followed by a series of exceedingly interesting speeches by nearly all the Lancashire New Church ministers, by Mr. Johnson of Wigan (an old pupil of Mr. Mackereth's), and by several members of the Society. All expressed their welcome to the newly-appointed minister, and their conviction that in his appointment the Society had acted isely. These addresses were interspersed with several pieces of music,

Mr. H. Best, on behalf of the members of the church and congregation, gave to Mr. Boyle a very hearty welcome.

which were well rendered by Mr. Bain and on the Tuesday evening the annual and by the choir. At the close of these tea-meeting was held, and was one of addresses Mr. Mackereth rose to reply. the most successful gatherings of the He said he fully believed that what the kind ever held by the Society, the speakers had said both of himself and interest being increased by the fact that of the Society at Bolton they sincerely the meeting after tea took the form believed. The Society and he would of a recognition service to welcome begin well together, and he hoped they the new minister, Mr. Boyle. The should abide well together. He would chair was occupied by Mr. G. H. Hill, do all he could to further the New who, in his opening address, pointed Church in the town. He had always de- out the tendency of all Christian bodies sired the higher use of the ministry, and to pay less attention to creeds and more as soon as he recovered his health (the to the life of Christian duty. He also loss of which compelled him some years alluded to the difficulties between since to relinquish it) he immediately re- science and revelation, and spoke of commenced preaching. He believed that the willingness of the New Church throughout his life Divine Providence to meet and reconcile these difficulhad been preparing him for this higher ties. use, and that the opening made before him was also a providential appointment to the use for which he had been prepared. One reason why the doctrines of the Church had not been so well received Mr. Boyle in his reply said he should formerly as at present, was the want of strive to be worthy of the confidence adaptation to the public mind in their shown in him, and of the affection preaching. The sermons of some of manifested towards him by the members the older preachers too much re- of the Hull Society. He hoped to be sembled extracts from Swedenborg. able by the sympathy and hearty coThe preachers are now finding that operation of the members of the conthey must have the arcana in them- gregation to attract the attention of selves, must make its truths their own, some of the inhabitants of this large and speak from the fulness of their town to the teachings of Swedenborg; hearts in their own language. Unless and should strive to unite the members we see and hear ourselves, we shall together in the bonds of Christian love. never make other people understand. He would also endeavour to extend his He should endeavour to preach so that ministry to the homes of his people, to people may see the truth, and say, That cheer them amidst the toil of their is what we want to see. His aim would daily labours, to rejoice with them be to open the Word, which to the bulk in their pleasures, and to sympathize of the people was a closed book. He with them in their sorrows. He looked asked the Society to work with him, forward to many opportunities of useand he felt assured that if they worked fulness outside the church, in the well together they should extend the educational institutions, and in the influence of the Church, and make it various philanthropic movements of a centre of usefulness and spiritual the town. The young people of the health in the town. church would occupy a great part of his attention, and the Sunday school should have his support and active help.

HULL. The anniversary services of this Society were held on Sunday, May 5th, and two following days. On the Sunday sermons were preached by Mr. J. R. Boyle, the newly-appointed minister, his subject in the morning being "Jacob's vision," and in the evening, Hereditary Evil and Human Responsibility," the attendance on both occasions being very good. On the Monday evening Mr. Boyle delivered a lecture on "John Wesley and the religious revival of the eighteenth century,"

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The Chairman then called upon the Rev. W. B. Hobling (Baptist minister), who expressed the great pleasure he had in being present, and of having the opportunity of congratulating the Society on the appointment of a minister. expressed the hope that under the pastorate of Mr. Boyle greater prosperity would attend their efforts. All religious bodies were working for one end, and their recognition of each other's labours,

He

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