to Brightlingsea, Chatham, and Ipswich, done much towards strengthening and consolidating the societies at those places, which without such timely aid would have sustained very considerable inconvenience and detriment. They have expressed much gratitude for the assistance received. Similar aid, either for these or for other places, will continually be requir. ed: there must therefore be no relaxation in this respect.

The Rev. T. Chalklen has given courses of lectures at the Free-school, at Whitechapel, and at Chelsea. At the last two places much interest was evinced by the audiences, and there is good reason to believe a favourable impression was made. Under the auspices of the society, the Rev. T. O. Prescott, of Cincinnati, visited Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Newcastle, respecting which gratifying accounts have appeared in the Repository. His enlightened and cheering discourses exerted a reviving influence both at those places and at London, Manchester, Leeds, &c. which he visited.

It is very gratifying to observe that the Branch Societies and their operations are increasing. Reports have been received from the Branches at Birmingham, Accrington, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the West of England. Respecting these some interesting details have been given in the Repository, and others will be found in the Report when printed. They plainly show that there is a field of unlimited extent which the missionaries of the New Church may usefully occupy, so soon as circumstances will admit.

In the Tract department, motives of prudence have led to a somewhat decreased circulation. The Committee have not however refused to listen to every proper application. Several liberal grants have been made, some for foreign parts, and Tracts have generally been distributed after the lectures. The important uses performed by our Tracts are well known. They often reach districts which our missionaries cannot visit; they sometimes precede them, and so procure them a more favourable hearing, and they generally serve to perpetuate any good impression that may have been produced.

With respect to the finances there is much ground for thankfulness. The debt, which at the beginning of the year was nearly £130., is now not half that sum. Still it is not an orderly state of things for the Treasurer to be advancing money to pay printers' bills and other expenses,

when, on the contrary, if the members were prompt in the payment of their subscriptions, and more zealous in procuring new subscribers, there would generally be a balance in hand. Let each one then ask himself" Have I done my duty to the Missionary and Tract Society, and in that respect, to my Divine Master, the Great Head of the Church ?" and let him act according to his convictions.

Among the resolutions passed at the meeting were the following:

3. "That this meeting gratefully acknowledges the measure of success that has hitherto attended the exertions of the Missionary and Tract Society; and earnestly and affectionately calls upon every member of the New Church to exhibit his attachment to the cause we have so much at heart, by cordially supporting an institution whose object is to disseminate as widely as possible a knowledge of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem." 4. "That the whole tenor and aspect of recent events, and the universal requirements of the present age, loudly call upon all sincere members of the New Church to exert themselves earnestly in the practice and promulgation of those Divine laws of life with which they have been intrusted, and which alone can ensure the reign of justice, peace, and good will among men."

These propositions were enlarged upon and enforced by the several speakers, and were warmly accepted and adopted by the members assembled. They were further advocated by the Chairman, who, in closing the meeting, expressed his deep sense of the great uses the society is destined to effect, his delight at what it has already accomplished, and his hope that the members generally would exert themselves in its behalf, in order that its operations may become more commensurate with the continually increasing wants of the age.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MANCHESTER TRACT SOCIETY.

The anniversary of this society was held May 16th, when a number of friends assembled to tea in the School-rooms in Peter-street. The Rev. D. Howarth was invited to take the chair. The secretary read the report, which was received with great approbation by the meeting. The issue of tracts from May 1847 to May 1848, to subscribers, societies, and booksellers, amounts to thirty-four thousand eight hundred and eighty-six; and the grand total issue since the commencement of

the society is three hundred and forty-two thousand eight hundred and ninety-six. These tracts have been prepared with the greatest care, in order to convey, in a small compass, a clear and striking view of all the leading doctrines of Christianity as explained from the Holy Word in the writings of the New Church. The friends of the cause have, therefore, much reason to rejoice that so great a number has been distributed. Several of them have been translated into the German language, viz., No. 2, "True Object of Worship," No. 6, "On Repentance," and No. 59, "Is it true that we cannot keep the Commandments?" No. 30, "On the Spiritual Sun," &c., has been translated into French. Thus these tracts are finding their way not only into every quarter where the English language is spoken, but also into every department of society, and into other languages, conveying the truths and doctrines of the New Dispensation to every land.

The society have also resolved to print the minor works of Swedenborg ;-the "Four Leading Doctrines," the "Treatise on Influx, and the Intercourse between the Soul and the Body," and "The Heavenly Doctrines." The object of the society is to bring out the minor works in a neat and cheap form, that they may be more largely introduced into schools and families, and that, on accouut of the cheap rate at which they are published, they may more readily serve as presents to individuals inquiring after the truths of the New Jerusalem. The "Doctrine of the Lord" has been already published (price 44d.), which has been hitherto sold at 1s. 6d. Thus it is expected that this work, and others to be published at the same small cost, will be extensively introduced into schools, especially as for this purpose a liberal discount will be still further allowed. These works will be carefully printed, without the slightest abridgment, from the last edition of the London Printing Society, again collated with the original Latin. The two latest tracts which have appeared are No. 61, "Why did Jesus Christ pray to the Father?" and No. 62, "Apparent Truths contained in the Holy Word not to be confounded with its Genuine Truths," which have already been noticed in our Periodical for May last, p. 199.

The prospects of the great usefulness which this society is intended to perform, are becoming brighter and more extensive, and the operations of the society well

deserve the coöperation of all the members and friends of the church. Each subscriber should, by all means, avail himself of that rule by which he can claim the amount of his subscription in tracts, and thus always have some at hand for presentation wherever inquiry is made, or for sowing the seeds of Truth wherever the ground may appear receptive and propitious for its growth.

Several stirring resolutions were passed, upon which some suitable and powerful addresses were delivered. But for further information we must refer our readers to the report itself.

The Donation Fund, amounting to £341. 14s. 3d., is kept secure as the working capital of the society.

A vote of thanks having been given to the chairman, and to the secretary, Mr. Kennerly, for his very efficient services in behalf of the institution, the meeting separated, with the pleasing conviction that it was one of the happiest assemblies of the kind experienced for many years.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

First and Second Reading and Spelling Books, compiled by the Rev. J. Bayley, for the Use of Schools and Families. London: Aylott and Jones, Paternoster Row.

Great efforts are now everywhere made to simplify instruction, and to teach the mind, from its earliest development to its highest attainments in science and knowledge. The little works before us are intended for the earliest stage. The author, who has had much experience in teaching children, has no doubt adopted that plan which he has found most suited and efficient for the purpose, and in publishing these aids he is desirous, for the sake of other teachers, to communicate his experience. The plan is to teach the art of reading by frequent repetition of the same words and sounds, but the writer himself has, in the "Directions," given an account of the plan, as well as instructions how to carry it out. These "Directions" we here adduce :

"The teacher will perceive that the principle in this little book is to teach the art of reading by frequent repetition of the same words and sounds; by this means they become fixed, and real progress is made. To carry this principle out, and secure its good effects, the teacher should frequently cause four or five children, or even a whole class, to read

the same sentence, inducing them all to pay strict attention, and to do their best. Care also must be taken to have the words at the top of each lesson, after the first, well and readily spelled. The sounds of the letters in combination will then be perceived, and rapid advancement made. The teacher should explain each lesson fully, noticing the difficulties before the pupils commence. The alphabets will not need to be learned before this book is used, and they are omitted. All the letters, in fact, are in the first two lessons. After the first six lessons, let no word be spelled aloud until every child has endeavoured to pronounce it from a silent notice of its letters. If none can read it, let every one spell it; they will thus very soon learn to read with ease and correct

ness.

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In the first two lessons every word is pictorially represented, which not only aids but delights the mind of the child; and it should never be forgotten that the great secret of efficient instruction is that of delighting the mind, whilst being instructed; for whatever," says Swedenborg, is insinuated into the mind through delight, is never forgotten." It must be gratifying to our readers to see that books for the instruction of children are now being provided, in which no sentiment contrary to the New Church principles is found; and on this account we especially recommend these little books to the families and schools of the New Church.

BRIGHTLINGSEA.

The friends of the New Church Society in Brightlingsea held their thirty-third anniversary on Monday, July 3rd. About sixty took tea together; after which the Rev. D. G. Goyder was requested to preside.

Having taken the chair, Mr. Goyder gave a very interesting and instructive address to the meeting, which had increased in number to about eighty. He showed clearly the great importance there existed for the members of the New Church acquiring knowledge in the various sciences, to enable them to illustrate the doctrines. He also urged upon the meeting the usefulness of those silent but yet persuasive messengers of truth, New Church tracts; and exhorted all to do their best to circulate them whenever and wherever they had an opportunity.

address them, and gave a brief account of the New Church in Manchester and its neighbourhood.

Mr. W. H. Griggs was next called upon. He alluded to some unpleasantness which had recently occurred here. He said "If we walk in gardens or fields, what do we look for? what do we notice? Not the unsightly and noxious weeds (unless for the purpose of removing them), but the beautiful flowers, the sweetscented roses and lilies, the delicious fruits, and the wheat and grass that grow as food for man and beast. Let us, then, act so with our fellow-men, whether in the New Church or not. Let us look for good in all and each and we shall certainly find it, and render them and ourselves the happier."

One or two other friends then said a few kind words, expressing a wish that every breach in their social intercourse should be repaired, and it was arranged that a quarterly tea meeting should be held on Monday, October 2nd, and that the subject for consideration should be the "Good Samaritan."

The meeting was concluded with singing and prayer, and all went away evidently well pleased at having enjoyed an evening in the society of friends who had embraced doctrines which, manifested in life, would enable them to feel assured, that being friends now, they will be so to eternity.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-About twelve months since I sent out a box of books to Graham's Town, including a grant from the London Printing Society for the Graham's Town Library. My correspondent, on ordering a fresh supply, writes:-" Many persons have read more or less of the writings; and many upon whom they have made a considerable impression, so as to modify their views exceedingly. Four, I may say, have decidedly embraced the New Church views; but it is difficult to induce persons to examine the writings of Swedenborg fairly. The books granted I have presented to the Graham's Town Library, and some few persons have looked into them. I am afraid, however, they will not be much used. I have generally about twenty books out in reading, and there is no doubt that truth will make its way, though very slowly