professional thieves choose a life of dishonesty, with the constant prospect of severe legal punishment before their eyes, rather than earn their bread by honest industry. True, they have meat every day, and a quantity of drink, in which the honest man can happily but seldom find leisure, even if he have money, to indulge. But they have neither home nor wife; they can never enjoy security even for an hour; and cleanliness and comfort are absolutely beyond their reach."

No words of comment are required for those who have read Swedenborg's descriptions of the hells. I remain, Sir, your's, &c. S. T.

NEW CHURCH SOCIETY AT HAMMERSMITH.

To the Editor.-Sir, In consequence of an incidental remark of the Rev. R. Storry, at a meeting of the General Conference in London, held at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, to the effect that he had been instrumental in raising several small congregations of the New Church, the desire was kindled in the mind of a zealous female friend, to attempt the formation of a Society at Hammersmith, a suburban parish, near London, with a rapidly increasing population of about 20,000 souls.

A letter upon the subject was soon after addressed to the Rev. W. Bruce, who kindly entertained the proposition, and recommended our friend to place herself in communication with Mr. Butter, the Secretary of the London Missionary and Tract Society. Mr. Bruce, who had promised to deliver a course of introductory lectures, as a means of drawing the attention to the doctrines of the New Church, preparatory to the opening of a room for regular worship, suffering at the same time from a bronchial affection, was compelled to relinquish his engagement, and the duty of publicly announcing the doctrines of the New Church for the first time in Hammersmith, was kindly undertaken by the Rev. J. Bayley, Ph. D., who delivered a course of six able and interesting lectures, at the close of last year. The expenses attending these lectures were defrayed by the [Missionary?] Society.

Subsequently, about the middle of January, after several fruitless efforts, a small room was procured, and our friend Mr. Gunton, delivered two opening discourses. The Society recently formed for the Aid of Students and Ministers, and the National Missionary Institution, readily co-operated, by sending Mr. J. Hyde, whose services were frequent and efficient, until his removal to Brightlingsea; at other times Mr. R. Bull, Evening Reader at Cross Street Church, with the occasional assistance of Mr. E. Madeley and one or two other friends, has conducted the services.

This room being inconvenient, a more eligible place was sought and obtained, in Black Lion Lane, High Road, and, under the title of " New Jerusalem Church," was opened, as previously announced, on the morning of Easter Sunday, when a discourse was delivered on "The Lord and His Resurrection," followed on successive Sunday mornings, by discourses on "the Atonement," "Why did Jesus Christ pray to the Father?" and "Justification."

A little band of receivers of the doctrines, who on account of the distance from the London Societies, possessed but few opportunities of attending public worship, are indeed grateful for the privileges they now enjoy, of assembling regularly on the Sabbath for the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only God of heaven and earth. A small number of new and delighted recipients of these pure and holy truths has been added, and it is hoped that now the foundation has been laid by the Divine Providence of the Lord, a great blessing will attend us, and finally the permanent establishment of a spiritual temple in this locality. J. W. B.

June 14, 1859.

A SHORT SEQUEL TO "STRICTURES UPON STRICTURES." To the Editor.-Sir, It has been pointed out to me, by a friend, that there is a very slight inaccuracy (at p. 161) in my "Strictures upon Strictures," inserted in your No. for May last. I have there said, with reference to Mr. Smithson's New Edition of Mr. Clowes's Translation, &c. of the Gospel of St. Mark, we have in this (the first) chapter the word sews translated by four different words, viz., verse 10, straightway; verse 12, immediately," &c. Now, as I am most anxious that every statement of mine that appears in your Journal, should be most scrupulously accurate, I beg to correct this very slight error, which is in the numeral “12,” the figures requiring to be transposed into 21. As there is a word (evðús) in verse 12, very similar in form and meaning, it might be supposed that my statement was inaccurate in point of fact, and that eveéws is not translated by four different words, as I have stated. I, therefore, give the numbers of all the verses in the first chapter, in which edoéws occurs, and the word by which it is rendered both in the Authorised Version and in the New Edition.

On comparing the above columns, we find the word translated, in the Authorised Version also, by four different terms. It occurs, we see, nine times in the chapter; and in six verses out of the nine the corresponding English word used in the Authorised Version is changed in the New Edition; but on what principle, it appears to me difficult to say. We have “straightway" retained, in the first place; and then, in three instances, rejected for "immediately." In the next place, we have “forthwith" put out, and the rejected “straightway” restored; “anon” is then banished to admit "immediately," which is in the very next verse discarded, and “instantly” put into its place. Finally, "immediately" and "forthwith” are allowed, in the two last verses, to remain undisturbed. I should like much to know the philological grounds on which these changes were made, as I presume the object was to bring the Translation nearer to the original Greek.

I may also, perhaps, be permitted to inquire whether your Correspondent **Looker-on" has yet had an opportunity of examining "the entire number" of the Diarium Spirituale, in a translation of which, as given in The Intellectual Repository, I ventured to point out, what appeared to me, a very serious error. I am also exceedingly desirous of becoming acquainted with the Edition of Luther's Bible which has been shewn to "Looker-on,” and which differs so widely, in the latter half of Isaiah xviii. 6, from any edition of that well-known book that I have ever

seen.

My object, in all that I have written in your Journal and elsewhere, is, I trust, the elucidation of truth, especially in reference to the language of the New Testament. I am quite certain that on the one hand, it is the imperative duty of all members of the New Church, who have the requisite education, to make themselves well acquainted with the original languages of the Divine Word; and that on the other, much mischief to the cause of New Church truth may be-and too often is→

done, by those who handle the Word thoughtlessly, and without that extent of education which the subject requires. Above all does the good cause suffer at the hands of those who pretend to a knowledge of things, of which, as their own writing shews, they are all but entirely ignorant.

THE WRITER OF THE TWO NOTICES Of the New
EDITION OF MR. CLOWES'S TRANSLATION, &C.
OF THE GOSPEL OF ST. MARK.

Miscellanea.

NEW CHURCH MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.-Lectures to be delivered during the Second month of the third Session, 1859. To commence at 8 p.m.-August 5th, On Divine Providence, by Mr. Francis Heath.—12th, On Phrenology (9th), by Mr. John Holm.-19th, On Intemperance, by Mr. Sidney Higgins.-26th, On Frederick the Great, by Carl Koch. The Society will meet during August at Devonshire Street, Islington.-ROBERT TILNEY, Jun., Hon. Sec., 9, Amwell Terrace, Pentonville, N.

MISSIONARY AND TRACT SOCIETY.—Noble's Appeal.-This important work having been for some time out of print, the Committee have determined on issuing a new edition as soon as possible; and members of the Church are invited to assist in the matter by ordering any number of copies, which will be supplied-where ten or more are ordered-at 2s. per copy.

Dr. Bayley's Sermons.-The Committee having purchased a large number of these, to be used as Tracts, in the hope that they may be extensively circulated gratuitously, offer them to societies or individuals for this purpose, at 1s. per dozen, post free. Orders, with remittance, (in postage stamps or otherwise,) may be sent to Mr. White, 36, Bloomsbury Street, W. C., who will also receive orders for the Appeal.

WHIT-SATURDAY MEETING AT MIDDLETON.On Whit-Saturday our friends assembled in the commodious Chapel at Middleton, when the 6th chapter of Matthew was discussed, with much satisfaction to the meeting. The principal speakers were Messrs. Woodman, Boys, Kennerley, Robinson, Parry, Ogden, and Smith. The remarks made may be summed up by stating that, as all things are of love and wisdom, and man as to his essentials being will and understanding—the will being receptive of love, affection, and desires-the understanding the receptacle of thoughts, perceptions, and reasons-these powers in a good man ultimating themselves in good works and true thoughts, were represented in the chapter by almsgiving and prayer; but where they were not genuine, then the almsgiving and prayers were external, and for the sake of being seen of men.

Our friends provided an excellent dinner, which was highly appreciated by those present, as well mentally as bodily.

The next meeting is to be held at Stand Lane, and the subject of the Lord's Sermon continued.

GENERAL CONFERENCE.-The Fifty-Second General Conference is appointed to meet at Derby, on Thursday, the 11th of August, at 10 o'clock in the morning.

According the present practice, the Rev. E. D. Rendell will be the President. It is hoped that the attendance will be sufficiently numerous to testify that the interest of these meetings is not altogether extinguished, though unfortunately somewhat lessened. It is remarkable that about the first proceeding of the last Conference, was the suspension of one of its rules, and that the last but one, was an effort to interfere with the Deed upon which the Conference is founded. This is a bad example for the Conference to set.

SECESSION FROM THE ROMISH CHURCH.-But few of our readers are doubtless aware of the important secession from the Church of Rome, which has lately occurred in Illinois. A whole settlement, making a population of 10,000, headed by Father Chiniquy -who is denominated a second Father Mathew, among the French Canadians, having obtained 200,000 pledges of abstinence from intoxicating drinks-have been excommunicated by the bishop in Chicago, under the following circumstances, related in the Toronto Daily Colonist:-With a number of the Canadian Roman Catholics, Father Chiniquy had removed to Illinois, where he erected a house for himself, and a church. A similar settlement of Canadians had there also built a church and parsonage for themselves. The bishop demanded possession of it, “that he might sell it to the Irish, and pocket the money." They sent for Father Chiniquy to advocate their cause. It was in vain; under threats of excommunication the bishop obtained the titles, and there was no redress. Next the bishop went to St. Anne, and made a similar demand for the property, on which, besides his personal labours, Chiniquy had spent 6,000 dollars of his own money. The bishop maintained that a priest had no right to have property. Soon after, the bishop was removed, and his successor was appealed to, but no redress was obtainable. The priest was told that he must submit to the will of the bishop. Father Chiniquy replied, "My lord, there is but one God in heaven or on earth, and to Him alone will I make such an act of submission,-excommunicate me if you think proper." Taking his leave, he went to his room and fell upon his knees in prayer to God. Having assembled his people, he related all that took place in the interview between him and the bishop, 'And now,' said he, if you believe I have done wrong in thus obeying God rather than man, in following the dictates of my own conscience, and the directions of the Bible, instead of submitting unconditionally to the will of the bishop, then manifest it by rising up, and I will be your pastor no longer,' No one rose. "Well, then,' he continued, if you think I have done right in making the Bible my only infallible guide and rule of life, and unite with me in all spiritual efforts to do good, do you manifest it by rising up.' Immediately the whole congrégation were upon their feet, and there they covenanted with God and their pastor to be Bible Christians, and to walk together as in Church relations.”

Here, and throughout Quebec, in consequence of the denunciations of Father Chiniquy, by the Roman Catholic bishops and priests, some alarming riots occurred, in which Chiniquy's life was nearly sacrificed by the passionate efforts of his bitter persecutors. He continues, however, to speak out plainly and fearlessly.

"The people," he says, "see that the enormous sums they give you for the souls in purgatory, remain at the bottom of your purses, and that the good souls do not get a fraction. Continue your infamous commerce in prayers, indulgences, and medals; build for yourselves with these monies sumptuous palaces, rear up gigantic cathedrals, robe yourselves in purple and the finest garments, load your tables with the most delicate viands, and knock down those that disturb your repose; and continue to elect in every county, the enemies of the people. But mark well what I tell you; the people will soon awaken from the profound slumber in which you have

kept them. In spite of you, their eyes will be opened to the light which is coming in upon them on every side."

We are informed that, "the body of seceders from the Roman Catholic community at Chicago, are more liberally disposed towards the New Church than any other sect in Chicago."

Inquiries and Suggestions.

A Correspondent wishes to be favoured with an Answer to the following Question, which has been asked of him:

"At what period of life does the Soul enter the body? if at birth, Does it grow with it? and, if it grows, Why does it not decay with it?"

Departure into the Spiritual World.

TENAX

ON Sunday, July 3rd, at Higher Broughton, HANNAH, the beloved wife of Mr. David Taylor, aged 74. She was an earnest receiver of the doctrines of the New Jerusalem, and had been a member of the Salford Society for nearly forty years. She was a thoroughly domestic woman, and a true wife; her hospitality and proverbial kindness, drew around her a wide circle of friends. Amiable in disposition, unassuming in manner, and kindly withal, she was easily approachable, and all her friendships were warm and lasting. Through a long life below, she was favoured with excellent health. Her only affliction was a slight rheumatic affection, which, in later years, prevented her from being so active as she was wont, though still without causing her to neglect any duty which she conceived ought to be attempted. So labouring, the summons from on high found her; and, without a murmur, she was ready to go. Her departure forcibly reminded those around, of what death would always have been had sin not entered the world. The body fell into its last sleep without a struggle or a sigh, and the emancipated spirit would awake to life in a spiritual day. To her truthful and orderly mind such a change would be delightful, and, by the increase of spiritual light, would enable her to develope more fully the planes of usefulness, which have been opened here. FRATER.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

The contribution mentioned in our last as "Recollections of Swedenborg," we find, upon more careful examination, to be of so much interest, that we have had a fresh translation made of it; and it is intended that it shall appear in our next No. under the title of Observations of an Amsterdam Citizen on Swedenborg. The volume from which this is taken, is edited by Dr. Augustus Scheler, Private Librarian to the King of the Belgians.

Received-The Curate and the Rector, by Mrs. Strutt, Author of "The Feminine

Soul."

We are obliged to postpone till our next, Mr. Bruce's communication On Mr. Mason's Letter in the "Observer" for March.

Several other papers, which had been intended for this No., are necessarily postponed.