THE MOTHER AND HER DYING CHILD.

A PARABLE.

YOUNG mother held an only child cradled in her arms. Its face was of rarest infantile beauty, but its emaciated limbs and wearied expression of countenance told a tale of sickness and suffering. Though the lilies had supplanted the roses on its fair cheeks, an ethereal loveliness of expression remained, and the fleeting smile that ever and anon lit up its wan features owed its ineffable sweetness to the spirit within.

Bereft of her husband, the poor mother's whole soul had gone forth and centred itself in the young life that seemed to be ebbing away under her anxious gaze. She could not consent to lose her darling, and as she fondly pressed it to her bosom she cried aloud in her agony, O God! look down on my grief, have pity on my desolation."

As she uttered these words her eyes became transfixed, a trance-like state possessed her, in which the objects immediately surrounding her appeared to fade away, and to give place to a scene in which a noble youth was standing in a meadow, close by a wide, deep river. Beyond the river was a bright and shining land, and permeating the azure of the sky she seemed to discern the words, "The Lamb is the light thereof."

As she gazed earnestly at the youth and wondered whether her own boy would ever grow to be such a one, his features seemed to shape themselves so as to resemble the lineaments of her own offspring. He seemed unconscious of her presence, nor could she speak to him. Animals of various kinds disported themselves around him, and he appeared to take great delight in their gambols. They seemed young and harmless at first, but as she watched them, they grew by degrees to their full stature, and soon she discovered, to her dismay, that they were lions, tigers, and wolves. Moreover they seemed to have something human in their aspect. She longed to warn her son of his danger, but she could not. Their eyes glared at the boy with savage ferocity, and when he tried to fondle them as before, they clutched him with their sharp claws, and strove to tear him in pieces. His mother would fain have come to his assistance, but she felt powerless to help him. While he was still struggling, and the beasts were apparently obtaining the mastery over him, she saw that his only hope of salvation lay in his reaching the bright land beyond the river. Suddenly she acquired the power of utterance, and as if by inspiration she cried to her boy, "CROSS THE RIVER!"

While the words were yet on her lips, the vision passed away. Instinctively she perceived the moral. During the brief trance, the thread of her child's life had snapped

asunder.

He had Crossed the River. The mother knew

that she had seen the picture of her child's life-struggles, and that he was now safe in Jesus' arms. Submissively she bowed her head, and said, "Thy will, O Lord, be J. C. B.

done."

which our bodies will be made at the resurrection, for the Apostle says, 'He will change our vile bodies, and make them like unto His own glorious body' (Phil. iii. 21). And in another place we are told that when He shall appear we shall be like Him'" (1 John iii. 2). The Dr. has previously been careful to note that it is to be exactly this change. the same body that was buried that is to be subject to this change. "God knows where to find all that belongs to every particular body, and to make it alive again." His explanation of the changing is as follows: "I suppose our bodies will be in size, and shape, and general appearance, very much like what they are now, so that we shall know one another as easily as we now do, only all imperfections will be removed, and they will be image of a little man made of iron or clay, and suppose made to look perfectly glorious. Suppose you have the this image were changed into silver or gold. You could tell it in a moment as soon as you saw it. And you clay image turned to gold! How beautiful it looks!" would be ready to say: Why, only look, here's my old And when we think how changed our bodies will be at the resurrection, when we think what multitudes of these bodies there will be, when we think of the wonderful way in which this change will be brought about, and of the great beauty that will mark them, we may well say, How very wonderful the resurrection will be!" What a poor conception of the great change! What a materialistic. idea of the process of becoming "like Him"!

6

St. Paul's words are, "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." What reason is there for supposing that the Apostle was speaking about changing the material body? His subject was the inculcation of the spirit of love and unity, the necessity of being filled with the fruits of righteousness, teaching them to "beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision," and warning them against "the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind. earthly things." We know these things are "vile," but we have no warrant for calling the material body "vile." The changing of man from this state is "according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself;" but we have no reason for believing that any change analogous to that used as an illustration by the Rev. Dr. is according to such working.

It is the carnal soul concentrated upon earthly things that is vile and dead and needs changing. Therefore says the Apostle (Rom. viii.), "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace: because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be" (vers. 6, 7); it is this carnal mind then that needs changing "according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." Hence the Apostle goes on to say (Rom. viii.), “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. But if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness" (vers. 9, 10). Remember, the body is said to be dead because of sin when the Spirit of Christ is in man. But this death is the gate of a nobler and higher life. "If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you" (ver. 11); these mortal bodies being not the material bodies laid in the graves, but the bodies spoken of in the preceding verse.

The Apostle in Rom. vi. gives us an idea of the meaning of being fashioned like unto the Lord: "We are

buried with Him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (vers. 4-6). It is concerning this "body of sin" that the Apostle exclaims, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Rom. vii. 24.)

From these extracts from the writings of St. Paul it is evident that the vile body that needs changing is the body of sin, the corrupt affections of the natural mind which are at enmity against God.

So also the analogous quotation from 1 John iii. 2 has no reference to any change of material bodies at the opening of material graves after death. It refers to a change of far greater importance, effected by the Lord in man according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself: "We know that WE HAVE PASSED from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (ver. 14).. To be like the Lord is to be receptive of His Spirit and obedient to His will.

Those who allow the Lord to subdue all things that are at enmity with His will shall all be changed. The nature of that change is described by St. Paul (2 Cor. iii.) as a result of having the law of the Lord written in our hearts with the Spirit of the living God: "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, ARE CHANGED into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (vers. 17, 18).

If we would be changed we must draw near unto the Lord "with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb. x. 22). WHAT BODIES? Surely not the physical, material organism. No! that which is material is not necessarily vile. Vileness in the *sight of the Lord is associated with sin and with sin only. The body of sin needs changing according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself; and "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature : old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. v. 17). SEDAN.

THE REV. JOSEPH DEANS.

[The sketch undernoted of one of our younger ministers is taken from the Good Templars' Watchword of June 5th. It, of course, details more fully his temperance work than that in which we as a Church are more particularly interested. It is accompanied by a fair portrait of Mr. Deans engraved on wood.]

HE subject of our sketch was born at Leeds, Yorkshire, June 17th, 1843. In 1851 he with his parents removed to Sheffield, where he resided, receiving such education as could be obtained from the local schools, until he was accepted as a candidate for the New Church ministry, for which he commenced his studies at New Church College, Islington, in the year 1865.

From an early age he showed great ability in debating upon secular and religious subjects, and his clear and pleasant manner of delivery generally won him a good hearing. Although a life abstainer, and determined to be and remain a teetotaller, he took no active part in any temperance cause until he was studying at New Church College; then his efforts were called into requisition by a Band of Hope, formed in connection with the Cromer Street Mission of the Argyle Square Church, King's Cross.

Before receiving a pastoral call, he spent one year at Owen's College, Manchester, where, in company with the late J. L. Barker, he frequently advocated the temperance cause at the College Union.

In 1868 Mr. Deans received a call to the ministry of the New Jerusalem Church, Bolton, Lancashire. Here he found a useful field of labour, and upon the invitation of Bro. D. Crossley, he became a member of the British Temperance League Lodge, No.

298. From that time he threw himself heartily into the work of temperance. On his removal to a new and larger charge at Brightlingsea, Essex, in 1873, he presented his clearance card to the Lifeboat Lodge, 1403, where he soon proved himself a useful and earnest worker.

At the institution of the Essex District Lodge in 1874 Bro. Deans was appointed W.D. V.T. And on the resignation of the D. Dep. at the next annual session Bro. Deans was unanimously recommended for that office; and three times since then he has been as unanimously elected. In 1876 he was elected Representative to Grand Lodge, and again in 1877 and 1878.

The arduous duties of D.C.T. are ably and bravely carried out by Bro. Deans, and the officers and members heartily co-operate, feeling that their interests and those of the cause he represents lie close to the heart of their D.C.T. Nor is any want of confidence felt by Bro. Deans, who has proved that he may place implicit trust in his officers and members. Thus his important duties are rendered less difficult by the pleasant consciousness that he has won the respect and brotherly sympathy of all connected with the D.L.

Bro. Deans is Conservative in politics; but he has adopted the political plank of the Good Templar platform, and at the last general election travelled over 400 miles to record his vote for a Radical who supported Temperance legislation.

As a preacher he is clear and eloquent, bringing from passages of the Holy Word which appear dark such lessons of life and beauty as few can excel. On several occasions he has made use of his pulpit to advocate the claims of Temperance and Good Templary. As a speaker he is dauntless, yet kind and considerate; presenting his arguments in so pleasant yet forcible a way as to touch the tender hearts of his hearers. Ás a writer he is much admired; and many religious as well as secular works are often enriched by his compositions.

The attention of our brother is not confined to the pulpit and the temperance platform, but wherever he feels that he can help to alleviate distress, want, or crime, there he is to be found. He has recently performed a signal service to the inhabitants of Brightlingsea and several adjoining villages by undertaking their cause as secretary and counsel in a very lengthened Board of Trade inquiry held at Colchester respecting the "Blackwater Oyster and Mussel Fisheries." His abilities were so well exercised, and so warmly appre ciated, that the inhabitants, on the 22nd of January, honoured him with a public dinner, when he was presented with a gold locket and a purse of gold, of which event notice appeared in the Watchword for Feb. 6.

Bro. Deans is an earnest worker, a deep thinker, a sincere friend and wellwisher to all causes which have for their end the promotion of religious, social, or political improvement.

SWEDENBORG SOCIETY, BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

THIS

SIXTY-EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY.

HIS well-known and important Society celebrated its sixtyeighth anniversary on Tuesday, June 18th, by a public meeting held in the Society's House, 36 Bloomsbury Street, when there was a good attendance of members and friends. The Rev. John Presland occupied the chair. The proceedings commenced a few minutes after seven o'clock with the Lord's Prayer, offered up by Dr. Tafel. After Messrs. E. C. Clarke and F. Hewson had been elected Scrutineers of the balloting papers, letters of apology were read from the Rev. A. Clissold, A.M., and the Rev. Professor Grimley, author of the "Tremadoc Sermons."

The CHAIRMAN then delivered the following address :

"By the Divine mercy of the Lord we are again permitted to assemble, as members of the Swedenborg Society, to hear an account of the operations of our institution during another year, and to con fer together as to the best means for continuing its pre-eminently useful labours. The particulars of the work accomplished will be presented to you in the carefully-prepared report of our indefatigable and most able Secretary, Mr. Elliott; and if less conspicuous in some respects than the records of several recent years, during which the receipt of exceptionally munificent benefactions enabled the Committee to undertake enterprises of wide extent and considerable expenditure, it is hoped that they will manifest a conscientious and judicious discharge of the trust reposed in your executive, and that they have left the Society in a satisfactory position with respect to its capacity for future usefulness.

"For that the opportunities for the work of this institution, and, indeed, the imperative demands upon its activities, are increasing with each year, must be apparent to every thoughtful observer of the changes of opinion in religious and scientific circles. With much to command our sympathy and respect, these changes are so vast, and in some respects fraught with so much peril to the very foundations of religious faith and life, that, without the provision for

the intellectual and spiritual necessities of the age, which it is the especial province of the Swedenborg Society to supply, the efforts of some of the noblest kindred institutions are threatened with a considerable measure of defeat, if not with absolute perversion, against the holy objects towards which they are directed. Take as an illustration the British and Foreign Bible Society, in some respects the most glorious result upon earth of the Lord's Second Advent. During the seventy-four years of its existence this noble institution has disseminated copies of the Word of Life in almost every known language throughout the habitable globe. Long may it continue this sublime labour of Christian charity! But the question of Philip to the Ethiopian, Understandest thou what thou readest?' becomes every day more difficult of answer for the great mass of the members of the Churches. The simple, undoubting acquiescence in the statements of Scripture, once nearly universal in the religious world, is no longer possible. The enfranchisement of human reason, and the marvellous extension of scientific knowledge, have rendered some new light upon the nature and meaning of Divine revelation an indispensable condition of any acceptance of the inspired records, without which the mere diffusion of the letter of the Word may even contribute chiefly towards the increase of bewildered scepticism. It is the function of this Society, however, to dispense precisely the knowledge requisite to complete the beneficent intentions of the elder institution, and, by its provision of faithful translations of the writings of the Lord's Second Advent, and its endeavours to ensure their wide publicity and acceptance, to supply to the world a correct idea of the essentials of a Divine revelation and an accurate interpretation of those, Scriptures which these writings so clearly demonstrate to be the Word of God.

"The case is very similar with respect to the specific doctrines of Christianity. After many ages, during which an unquestioning belief in the generally received dogmas was insisted upon as the indispensable condition of salvation, we now behold, and often in the most unexpected quarters, a relinquishment of principles once deemed essential; a bold repudiation or a timid or inadequate defence of fundamental truths; and an increasing disposition to hold no belief firmly except the belief that definite convictions are not to be expected, and scarcely to be desired. The present controversies respecting the immortality of the soul, the final consequences of evil, the nature and duration of hell, and the even more momentous questions raised respecting the person and character of our Lord, His Incarnation, and the supernatural incidents of the Gospel history, are among the most conspicuous evidences of this prevailing laxity of theological opinion. Now on these and all other subjects of Christian doctrine the New Church possesses clear and definite convictions. Long before the perplexities now agitating the various schools of religious thought arose to disturb the serene torpor in which the intellect of the Church had for centuries slumbered, the Lord had provided their clue in the truths communicated from Himself through His servant Swedenborg. This Society, therefore, as the chief organization for maintaining and circulating the heavenly doctrines thus Divinely furnished to meet the necessities of the age, should be at once stimulated and encouraged by the manifest need for its best exertions."

The SECRETARY read the minutes of the last Annual Meeting. The SECRETARY next read the Report of the Committee for the year just ended, of which the following is an abstract :

In its last Report your Committee somewhat minutely detailed the operations of the Society for the previous ten years. The results which were then arrived at were most encouraging, and showed in the clearest manner the rapid growth of public opinion in favour of the doctrines of the New Church as contained in the writings of Swedenborg. Your Committee trusts that in the present Report the members will find additional evidence of the important uses the Society is performing.

Following the now annual practice, an abstract of the Report was prepared and posted to the 2500 editors of the press in Great Britain and Ireland. Many of these were, by the courtesy of the editors, printed in numerous information contained in them to a wider public. newspapers, thus extending the The works reprinted during the year have been-"Apocalypse Revealed," 1074 copies; "Arcana Coelestia," vol. ii., 1000 copies; and the "Brief Exposition," pocket edition, 1000 copies.

vols.

The works delivered to the 30th April are as follows:-Theological-Sold, 2447 vols. ; presented, 948 vols. ; total, 3395 vols. Philosophical-Sold, 66 vols. ; presented, 62 vols. ; total, 128 Cash received for books sold, £154, 16s. 6d. ; value of books returned for half subscriptions, 64, 5s. 9d. The sales of the True Christian Religion," the Apocalypse Revealed,' and the Heaven and Hell," are respectively 206, 201, and 117 copies, or a total of 524, exclusive of over 500 of these works presented to ministers and students during the same period. It is a noteworthy fact that nearly one-fourth of these has passed into the hands of students connected with the Nonconformist colleges, young men who are preparing to form a not inconsiderable number of the religious teachers of the future. The been freely advertised in a

large number of papers and periodicals. In a few cases the advertisements have not been accepted. The following reply is very much to the point: "The advertisement received, but respectfully declined with thanks. Personally, no objection; but readers are very particular-you quite understand-eh?" Happily such replies are the exceptions, and even these will rapidly diminish as the doctrines of the New Church become more generally known and appreciated.

In connection with the work of advertising, the recently published catalogue of the works may be mentioned. It consists of sixteen pages, which contain a list of the theological and philosophical works of Swedenborg, the publications of the Missionary and Tract Society, with descriptive and explanatory notes. There is also a list of new works and new editions published by Mr. Speirs. The first 5000 copies having been disposed of, a second 5000 have been printed, and one kind friend has generously paid half the cost of posting 1000 to clergymen of the Church of England.

In April last Mr. F. Piercy, in the name of Mrs. Wilkinson and the subscribers, presented to the Society a portrait of Swedenborg, engraved on steel, by the late eminent engraver, A. Roffe, from the picture in the possession of Dr. Wilkinson, together with two proof impressions. This valuable gift was acknowledged in suitable terms, and arrangements have been made for printing copies, which will shortly be on sale at reasonable prices.

A brief statement respecting the foreign and colonial affairs of the Society, concludes with the following about India: "The reply to the letter of inquiry sent to Baboo Mozoomdar by the Secretary, which was expected to reach the Committee before the last Annual Meeting, arrived shortly afterwards. It stated that the books presented (25 copies each of the "Divine Love and Wisdom," the "Divine Providence," and the "Heaven and Hell") had been widely distributed in the country, mostly to the members of the Brahmo Somaj, and had been received in every case with feelings of gratitude.

The translation of the "Documents concerning Swedenborg" was completed last year, and already the first vol. is being reprinted. The work has been widely and most favourably noticed. As the funds of the Society are not available for the publication of this work, it is hoped that the copies on hand may find purchasers as rapidly as possible in order to replace the expenditure. The printing of the Documents in the original languages will be undertaken as soon as there are sufficient funds in hand.

The Committee concludes its Report by expressing a fervent desire that the Society may be able to continue to extend its operations, more widely by means of that marvellous instrument the Press, until the doctrines of the New Church have entered into and permeated the religious life of Christendom, and not of Christendom alone, but also of the teeming millions in the East, who are now awakening from the slumber of centuries, and being brought nearer to the great Centre of light and life.

Dr. TAFEL said the object of the Swedenborg Society was to scatter the writings of the New Church, the evidences of the Lord's Second Coming, broadcast over the whole earth, so far as it was warranted to do by the means at its command. In Sweden little assistance had lately been called for, the friends in Sweden being already provided with many of the writings in their own language. In Denmark the knot of New Church friends seemed to have made up their minds to keep the light of the New Church shining before their fellow-countrymen by the publication of an ably-conducted monthly periodical. In Sweden also they published the views of the New Church in a similar manner. In Poland there was a small body of New Churchmen, who valued highly the treatise on "Divine Providence" published lately by the Swedenborg Society, and were looking eagerly forward to the publication of "Heaven and Hell" in their language, which will probably be printed this year by the Swedenborg Society.

The prospects of the New Church in the Colonies, especially in Australia and the East Indies, seemed to be brightening; and only a few weeks ago they received a most cheering view from Bombay, from the Rao Bahadoor Dadoba Pandurung. In his address to the President of the Swedenborg Society, he said distinctly: "It is in Asia, and particularly in India, I say and ardently hope, that the now tender plant of the doctrines of the New Church may find a peculiarly congenial soil, such as to afford it full nourishment to enable to develop itself into a vigorous tree, like the Ficus Indica, each of whose branches is to strike root in the soil, and thus give birth to a number of similar trees, the whole constituting the vast body of the parent tree, sure to invite fatigued and weary travellers to seek rest and protection under its vast shade."

And again he said: "I have not yet had the satisfaction of coming across any missionary of the Church of the New Jerusalem, nor have I heard of any such mission established in any part of India. This circumstance may justify the conclusion, if I be permitted to deduce one, that no such enterprising spirit has yet overtaken the members of the New Church, owing, I suspect, chiefly to a kind of feeling of diffidence as to how their doctrines will be received by foreigners, when sufficient interest has not yet been

elicited in them at home. In the foregoing pages of this address I presume that I have endeavoured to the best of my ability to attenuate and weaken such a diffidence, if it have any existence at all in the minds of the leading members of the New Church."

On the strength of this declaration of Dadoba Pandurung they were fully justified in assuming that the Gentile mind, especially in India, was fast being prepared for a reception of the doctrines of the New Church; and his address showed that the sphere of usefulness of the Swedenborg Society was rapidly extending, and that they should soon be called upon not only to send missionaries to India, but also to publish the writings of the New Church in the native idioms of India.

The address of Dadoba Pandurung, which in its entirety was one of the most important documents ever addressed to a body of the New Church, seemed to raise the question, often debated of late, whether the New Church would be established chiefly among the Gentiles or in Christendom.

There were features, however, in the document before them which greatly facilitated the answer to this question; for that document was not written in some foreign and heathen tongue, but it was penned by its writer in the most excellent idiomatic English; and almost on every page its writer gives evidence of a most thoughtful study of the literature and science of Christendom. And, besides, at the very outset of his address he declares: "Together with the studies briefly noticed above, it affords me great pleasure to assure you that I have constantly kept before my eyes the Holy Bible as my infallible guide, and as a sure clue in my hand wherewith to walk in the mazes of a labyrinth in order to get to the opening outside. Though a heathen, having not been baptized as yet with the holy water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I have made Christianity the favourite study of my life, having at first mastered all its outlines and prominent features, and gone somewhat deeply into its philosophy and rationale.'

From these words it was made plain that they had not to do with an ordinary ignorant heathen, like those in the South Sea Islands or along the coasts of Africa; but the writer of the address was deeply versed in Indian and European literature, and was at the same time a sincere believer in the Sacred Scripture.

Besides, Dadoba Pandurung stated plainly that he could never believe in the tritheistic doctrine of the Old Church, nor in the "doctrine of salvation through the sacrificial atonement made by Jesus Christ," nor, finally, could he believe in the resurrection of the material body. Again, he was not attached by any merely sentimental or worldly ties to the Old Church, and therefore was fully prepared to receive and understand the doctrines of the New Church. In order that any one may be enabled to receive intelligently the doctrines of the New Church, he must have enjoyed a tolerably good education, and he must be of an independent turn of mind; that was proved negatively by this statement in the writings: "The Christians in the Primitive Church were extremely simple, so that the spiritual sense could not be discovered to them; and if discovered, it would not have been of any use to them, nor would they have understood it" (S. S. 24). And, again, in order that any one might be taught the doctrines of the spiritual sense of the Sacred Scripture, he must first be acquainted with its literal sense, and believe it. Both these conditions, however, their friend in Bombay had fulfilled. It was, therefore, due to the fact that India was under English dominion, and that along with the English language, English institutions, and the English belief in the Divinity of the Sacred Scripture, had been introduced into India, that the receptivity of India for the doctrines of the New Church at the present time was in a great measure due.

This was admitted in so many words by Dadoba Pandurung himself, for he said: "In his long enumeration of the wonderful events and discourses in the arts and sciences which have taken place since the memorable year 1757, indicating a great revolution, such as had not been experienced for many long centuries before, tending to enhance the comfort and happiness of man, the reverend author [of the "Appeal"] seems to have admitted the important fact of the acquisition of my country by the British, .. a fact pregnant with unspeakable advantages to both countries. The success of the British arms at the battle of Plassey, which occurred on the 23rd of June, in the year 1757, under the then Colonel Clive, laid the first strong foundation of the British Empire in India. And if there is a manifestation of the hand of God in history, as I undoubtedly believe there is, nothing to my imagination appears more vivid and replete with more momentous events. . . than this political union of so large, important, rich, and interesting a country as Hind, in the further south-east, with the small but wisely-governed island of Great Britain in the farthest north-west."

Mr. TEED, in the absence of the Treasurer, read the statements of the various accounts for the past year.

Dr. J. J. G. WILKINSON in moving the first resolution-"That the Report of the Committee and the Treasurer's accounts be printed for circulation under the direction of the New Committee "—said he supposed that this resolution was proposed very much as a matter of course, for the Society enjoyed such confidence that the

resolution was merely a matter of detail. The first thing he would notice as occurring within the previous few years was the greatness of the operations of the Society as compared with thirty years ago. There had been exhibited a large-heartedness and a liberality which had been responded to by the public and helped on by Providence. As the field opened he had no doubt but that they would find liberality with prudence to be the best policy. There is-there must be a great receptivity on the part of the public for the new doctrines. He recollected that as a young man when he tried to talk about the doctrines of the New Church he was thought to be a bore, and perhaps something worse, but now any one known to be New Church was sure to be questioned upon the subject, and infor mation elicited from him; therefore, he concluded, they might take it as a certain fact that the large quantity of the writings which had been given away implied a receptivity in the minds of the country. He did not think that there was any country in the world, with the exception perhaps of the United States, where the Church could do so much as in England. If all the churches and chapels endeavoured to stop an evil they would be sure to do it. There was no other set of men that had the universal credence and power that the religious bodies of the country possessed. He thought it was an act of great policy on the part of this Society to send the writings to enlighten those who were in the front rank of society. With regard to literature, if they looked through the literature of the day they would scarcely be able to find a periodical but contained an occasional article which, if not inspired by, was at all events largely influenced by the light of the New Jerusalem. If they put these things together, the speaker thought the inference was irresistible, that by-and-by there will be only the two great constituencies of heaven and hell left in the world, so that at last, to paraphrase an old theological expression, Swedenborg and the devil would be left

face to face.'

66

Referring to the gift of the portrait of Swedenborg mentioned in the Committee's Report, Dr. Wilkinson said: "It reminds me of an anecdote. I have in my house a very fine portrait of the late Abraham Lincoln. Two American friends calling upon me the other day observed this portrait and admired it. One of them said, 'I guess there's a great deal to be got out of that man yet.' I knew pretty well what he meant, but to elicit a fuller meaning I remarked that Lincoln was dead. 'I know he's dead,' was the reply, but there's a mighty deal yet to come out of his character.'"* A good man, Dr. Wilkinson continued, was a gold mine, and they could keep on digging at him as long as necessary. So Swedenborg was a perfectly inexhaustible gold mine. It was good therefore that the Society should have his portrait, and show it in their rooms, and say to those who came there to see it, "I guess there's a mighty deal to be got out of that man.'

He thoroughly agreed with the suggestion that the writings should be translated into the Indian languages. There was a passage in which Swedenborg says that the angels had little hopes for those in the Christian world, but that there is a great country which is far away from infestors or "spiritual marauders," those who, having false doctrines, seek to inculcate others with them.

Mr. DUNCAN Seconded the resolution, and it was unanimously agreed to.

Dr. STOCKER proposed in feeling terms the following resolution of thanks and condolence to the late Treasurer: "That this meeting desires to express its sincere regret that in consequence of severe indisposition Mr. Watson is unable to accept the office of Treasurer for the ensuing year; and while assuring him of its warmest sympathy, it gladly takes this opportunity of recording its high estimation of the consistency and usefulness which had characterized his services as Treasurer for nearly thirty years.'

Mr. H. BATEMAN seconded the resolution in a speech of considerable length.

Mr. H. R. WILLIAMS moved the next resolution, "That Mr. Samuel Teed be the Treasurer for the ensuing year," and in doing remarked that he knew Mr. Teed to be a man of sterling worth. He believed that experience would prove that the gentleman he had proposed would make a worthy treasurer.

Mr. J. SMITH Seconded this proposition, which was then put to the meeting, and immediately carried.

It was proposed and unanimously resolved that Messrs. J. L. Grundy and J. Gilbey be the Auditors for the ensuing year.

Dr. BAYLEY moved, "That the freedom of thought, and the prevalence of uncertainty and doubt in matters of religion, which characterizes the present age, demands of our Society steady and increasing exertion to circulate as widely as possible the writings of the Lord's servant Emanuel Swedenborg, containing, as they do, and unfolding the truths of the Word, which are also able to meet the spiritual wants and satisfy the religious aspirations of mankind." He said: "It is always a great pleasure to assemble together from year to year, and to do all that we can to carry out the efforts so admir. ably described by our dear friend Dr. Wilkinson. It is pleasant to find year after year the evidences of the uses performed by this Society breaking in so completely upon us, although it is quite true that there is room for our views to become better understood.

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It is gratifying to remark from time to time, what we always find, that in the writings of Swedenborg there has been a provision made for every advance of which the human mind is capable. have noticed several points of that description from the year 1769, when William Smith (the Father of Geology, as he has been called) opened up the strata of the earth, and showed the truth of what Swedenborg said, that the earth had existed millions of years longer than men generally supposed. There are one or two points which I should like to touch upon. One in connection with the work that we have upon the table ['A Hindu Gentleman's Reflections upon the Writings of Swedenborg and the Doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church'], in which the writer not only exhibits an immensity of research and a thorough acquaintance both with Eastern and Western literature, but he also shows the truth of Swedenborg's declaration, that the Gentiles are not only capable of entering heaven as well as others, but that all who form within themselves little heavens here will assuredly go to heaven hereafter. I trust that the little work will be well circulated among the friends. will cost about £50 for the 5000 copies ordered to be printed. I have received about £25 towards the expense, and shall be very happy to receive the other 25 as early as our friends will give themselves the pleasure of contributing to so good a cause. (Laughter and applause.) There is another point that I wish to speak upon, which though it may be call the A B C of Swedenborg's system, is lacking elsewhere. It is the great desire felt to bring about a creed founded upon Christian love. There has been commenced, especially by the Congregationalists, an effort to make charity the great thing upon which men should unite. One gentleman called upon me for my co-operation and advice. I read to him two or three beautiful statements, including the Arcana,' n. 1799. Upon hearing it my friend thought that it would be just the thing for them, and he said, I will copy that out and send it to the Secretary, and see if the whole concern cannot be founded upon that.' There is another point, a gentleman-a member of one of the universitiescalled upon me to know whether I could suggest any way of bringing out the view of the resurrection as held by the New Church more prominently before the public; he thought that there was such a preparedness for it that a society might be formed for the special purpose of attacking the prevailing doctrine, leaving all the others for future consideration. And I have not the least doubt that that will be the first of the thoroughly old doctrines which will be softened and melted away."

Rev. C. A. DUNHAM, from America, in seconding the resolution suggested that the New Church on both sides of the water should mutually co-operate in the publication, not only of translations of the Writings, but also of the Word itself, by having one publishinghouse; and that the noble Committee-room of the Swedenborg Society should be thrown open as an Exchange, where the clergy of all denominations, and friends from abroad, or from the provinces visiting London, might meet together to confer upon and examine the Writings of Swedenborg. Mr. R. Jobson supported the motion in a speech on the subject, "The Tendencies of the Times," delivered with much fire and vigour, the full text of which will be published in our next number. Dr. Tafel moved the sixth and last resolution as follows: "That this meeting views with much satisfaction the efforts of the Society to promote the circulation of the Writings in the Colonies and on the Continent. It rejoices to learn that the volumes supplied to Baboo Mozoomdar have met with a highly favourable acceptance at the hands of our Indian fellow-subjects; and also at the important evidence which is supplied in the corespondence of Rao Bahadoor Dadoba Pandurung, that a large and fertile field in India is now preparing which requires on the part of this Society the most careful cultivation.

Dr. COLLINGWOOD seconded the resolution in a short speech, and it was carried with acclamation.

The Report of the SCRUTINEERS was then read by the Secretary, which gave the names of the New Committee as follows: Mr. H. Bateman, Rev. Dr. Bayley, Rev. W. Bruce, Mr. T. H. Elliott, Rev. Mr. R. Gunton, Mr. R. Jobson, Rev. J. Presland, Dr. S. Stocker, Dr. Tafel, Mr. R. Thexton, Mr. S. Teed, and Mr. H. R. Williams. The Rev. J. DEANS proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was seconded by Mr. Bateman, and suitably acknowledged. The pronunciation of the benediction from the chair terminated the proceedings at about half-past ten o'clock.

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

On Whit Monday the Sunday scholars, teachers, and friends of the New Church in Blackburn assembled at their schoolroom, where conveyances were ready to take them to the farm of their kind friend, Mr. John Edmundson, who had been a member of the church in Blackburn previous to his removal to Balderstone. The early part of the morning was rather wet and cloudy, but before the party started the sun, which had been hidden behind its cloudy veil, burst forth, and not only brightened the face of nature, but lighted up the faces of all with the prospect of having a fine day. The children seemed

to be pictures of true enjoyment as, with bats and balls in their hands, they were ready to start. The elder friends occupied omnibuses and waggonettes. After a pleasant drive for seven miles they arrived at the farm, where they sang that beautiful and appropriate hymn, "We plough the fertile meadows,” and gave three hearty cheers for their friend the farmer, and after partaking of some dinner they betook themselves to the fields to romp about. In the afternoon all were provided with coffee and buns. A visit was then paid to the banks of the Ribble, which at this spot are very beautiful, where, gathering together, they sang the hymn beginning, "Shall we gather at the river?" The party arrived safely back in Blackburn at about half-past eight, no doubt very tired, but all feeling that, thanks to the Giver of all good, they had spent a happy and joyful day.

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A curious suicide has taken place. Count Aubriet de Pévy, who drowned himself in the Thames at Windsor on Wednesday, left a document, to be placed at the disposal of the inquest and the press," in which he states that the sudden death of his wife, "who was only twenty-eight, handsome, beloved by all in France and here," had broken his heart, and that he agreed with Montaigne, who says, "What has mankind to complain of? If there is only one way of coming into this world, there are a hundred ways of getting out of it." He then goes on to say: "I hope, indeed, for a better world. I do not fear death, although it may be disagreeable to our senses. take it from a higher point of view. I know that as soon as we have separated from the human frame of this world (never to revive again) we are immediately supplied with a new body, but more ethereal. It has our shape and form, it is like us, but more beautiful, less or more, according to what we are worth. As to the wicked, they bear the stamp of what they are. This is in reality the resurrection as it ought to be understood; and we also undergo immediate judgment, and are sent to the different parts of the spiritual world, and left to ourselves. The good enjoy theirs at once. The wicked are kept under subjection and severe laws; but there is always a door open for them if they purify, for God is ever merciful." This life he regarded as "but a kind of experimental hell, where bad and good are mixed in disorder." "For himself," says The Spectator, 'he held himself 'safe,-not saved, which is ridiculous,' and not the less safe apparently for taking the time of his exit from this experimental hell' into his own hands. But one would have liked to ask him-who believed apparently in a real judgment, and subject to spiritual authority-why people were ever placed in an 'experimental hell' if they were to leave it as soon as they were tired of it.' The authority who placed them there must surely be as competent to decide the time of exit as the time of entrance."

The Boston Evening Traveller of May 31st contains the following: "The eleventh annual meeting of the American New Church Sabbath-School Union began in the Bowdoin Street Swedenborgian Church yesterday, about 200 persons being present, representing the New Church Societies throughout the country. The President, Mr. W. N. Hobart of Cincinnati, presided. Reports were read from the Sabbath-schools in Massachusetts, showing the number of teachers to be 150; of adult scholars, 246; other scholars, 838; a total of 1258; an increase of scholars during the last year of 42. After the reading of various reports officers were elected for the ensuing year as follows: President, Rev. W. H. Hinckley of Indianapolis; Vice-President, Mr. F. A. Dewson of Boston; Secretary, Rev. G. F. Stearns of Cleveland; Standing Committee, Revs. John Worcester, James Reed, S. S. Sewall, Messrs. W. N. Hobart, William M'George, jun., Francis J. Worcester, and Revs. E. C. Mitchell and J. C. Ager. It was voted that a series of uniform lesson papers be prepared for the ensuing year from Old Testament history. The evening meeting was opened by the President, and addresses upon the condition and prospects of the Sabbath-schools and the lesson papers were made by Rev. Jabez Fox of Washington, Rev. James Reed of Boston, Messrs. F. A. Dewson, and William M'George and others.'

We give the following interesting extract from Signor Scocia's report of his missionary work during the year 1878:-"Being convinced of the eminently rational character of the doctrines of the New Church, I have constantly in propagating them avoided the means commonly used by sects, which are adapted more to excite the emotions than to enlighten the intellects of men and convince their reason; and I have directed my attention especially to the educated classes of the people and to the Catholic clergy. I have reason to be satisfied that my method is a good one; for although the practical results obtained in the course of seven years have been comparatively small, yet they are secure and stable. Seven Catholic priests and about thirty of the laity, dwelling in various localities, now form the Italian Society of the New Church. The first stone is therefore laid, and under the Lord's Divine auspices. We have good foundation to hope that in the future this spiritual edifice may be built up by the co-operation of the same neophytes."

The following notice of "Emanuel Swedenborg, The Spiritual