this religiously a matter of prime necessity." Again: "What do you think of addressing Canon Wodehouse? If it is true that four hundred and sixty-three clergymen are desirous to have revisions in the Liturgy it would be useful to know who they are. I send the Canon, by this post, a copy of the Letter."" Again: "I am quite of your mind about the House of Lords: by all means let us do the work thoroughly; any success I may hereafter have shall be yours, in a very, very humble way for the good cause. A dear friend of mine of the New Church has just sent me one pound's worth of stamps for the purpose."

Had I but a few co-operatives like this Lady, Mr. Editor, a perpetual motion would be vigorously instead of feebly kept up, to make known the primary and the ultimate fact on which all others depend, "that there is but one God in one Person." This Fact of facts it is which will renovate all philosophy as well as all religion.

The work entitled, The True Christian Religion containing the Universal Theology of the New Church had, for its principal object, the demonstration, that the Divine Trinity is conjoined in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ (see n. 108). Swedenborg, the greatest philosopher and the greatest theologian I know in the world, has established the "Great Fact" beyond all doubt, and I am moved by a love to my fellow-men to make the Fact known as extensively as I can, that they may derive from it the soundness of understanding with firmness of determination for universal benevolence, which it is able to impart to every child of man.

I am, Sir, yours ever faithfully,

17, Great Cumberland Street, 6th Feb., 1860.

JOHN SPURGIN.

Miscellanca.

NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOLS, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE. A tea-party and entertainment were held on Saturday evening, January 14th, 1860, in honour of the opening of the New Jerusalem Church Sunday Schools, Margaret Street, Katharine Street, when about 250 persons were present. The tea department, in which there was a bountiful supply of various luxuries, was under the able management of Mrs. Moorhouse, and to these luxuries the whole party paid ample attention. The room was very neatly and tastefully decorated, and the inscriptions, all well illuminated, were as follow: "Swedenborg," " Luther," "Wesley," "Howard," "Handel," "Newton," "Shakspere ;" and, to enhance the liveliness and interest of the proceedings, Mr. Alfred E. Livsey played various tunes on the piano-forte.

After tea, Mr. John Broadfield of Manchester, took the chair; and in a neat, pithy, and instructive address, congratulated the meeting on the cheering prospects of their church in Ashton, and the usefulness they were no doubt determined to accomplish by means of their new schools. It was necessary they should educate youth in the principle of goodness and truth, and implant seeds which in after years should bear the fruits of a godly, righteous, and sober life.

Mr. Jonathan Robinson of Newton Heath, addressed the assembly on "The unsectarian character of the New Jerusalem Church," in which he illustrated and expounded the maxim laid down by the Honourable Emanuel Swedenborg, in his work entitled, "Doctrine of Life for the New Jerusalem," namely, "All religion bas relation to life, and the life of religion is to do good."

Mr. Thomas Potts of Manchester addressed the meeting on, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it;" in which he pertinently observed that all true education begins at the cradle, and must go on

for ever; that it consists in the development of the faculties of the human mind, and the opening of the mental powers.

A number of recitations, dialogues, and songs were given by the scholars and teachers of the school, and the choir of the church sang one or two anthems in a very superior manner. The proceedings concluded about half-past ten, every one appearing highly delighted with the evening's entertainment.

Votes of thanks were given to the chairman, pianist, and those who had the management of the decorations, tea, &c.

It will doubtless be interesting to the readers of the Observer to know that the above place of worship, the interior of which is not yet completed, has been erected without the least ostentation, by a number of men moving in a comparatively humble sphere of life. They formerly met for public worship in a small room in Fleet Street, rented from Mr. Kirk, in which they also taught their scholars, about 100 in number.

Their new Temple is from a design furnished by Mr. J. Artingstall, architect, of Ashton-under-Lyne. It is in the Grecian style of architecture, and does that gentleman great credit. The principal entrance is in Katharine Street, and leads to the upper part of the building which will be used as the chapel. When completed, there will be accommodation for 250 sittings. The pulpit will be placed at the north end, over which there will be a window of stained glass. There is a small gallery at the south end, over the vestry and the staircase, and a recess for the organ. The room, including the gallery, is thirteen yards by ten yards, inside measure. The outside measure is fourteen yards by eleven, and sixteen and a half feet high. The admission to the school-room, under the chapel, is by a door in Margaret Street. The room is ten yards square, with a class room adjoining; the height is twelve feet. Mr. Baxter, joiner, and Mr. Torkington, bricklayer (both of Ashton-underLyne), were the contractors, and, under the superintendence of Mr. Artingstall, have performed their work in a satisfactory manner.

It is pleasing to note that there are a number of young men, joiners, connected with the society, who are putting in the gallery part and fitting up the pews gratuitously.

The total cost of the above very neat structure, we understand will not exceed £500.

It is intended to open the Temple about Easter.

A CORRESPONDENT.

MELBOURNE, (near Derby).—The Rev. E. Madeley, of Birmingham, visited Melbourne, on Sunday, 15th July last, and delivered two excellent practical discourses. In the morning, from Rev. iii. 20; and in the evening, from John xvii. 16. In the afternoon be administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to the average number of communicants.

Although the weather was very unfavourable, the day being exceedingly stormy, the attendance in the morning was good, being about the strength of the society. In the evening, however, the attendance was much better, the number being augn.ented by several strangers.

On the following evening (Monday) the annual tea-meeting of the members and friends, was held in the chapel, at which Mr. Madeley presided. Upwards of fifty persons were present; amongst whom were friends from the Methodist and Independent Societies. After the tables were removed the meeting was opened with a hymn and the Lord's Prayer. The Chairman, in addressing the Meeting, expressed

the great pleasure he always felt on occasion of his visits to the Melbourne Society; and remarked upon the benefits derived from meetings of that kind, by which the social feelings were brought into exercise and strengthened, and prejudices frequently removed. He concluded a very affectionate and interesting address, by calling upon Mr. Thomas Adcock, the respected leader of the society, to say a few words to the meeting.

Mr. A., in the course of his remarks, brought before the meeting a subject which had occupied the attention of the friends at their Sabbath Afternoon Reading Meetings on several recent occasions, viz., the subject of Divine Order. The Chairman, at the request of Mr. A., took up the subject, which he elucidated in a very able and satisfactory manner. Several other speakers followed, amongst whom was Mr. Clemson, of Derby, who contributed to the delight of the friends by making some judicious remarks on the subject under consideration.

On Tuesday evening Mr. Madeley delivered to the members of the Mechanics' Institute, in the Athenæum Room, a Biographical Lecture on Peter the Great, the Emperor of all the Russias, and Father of his Country. The Lecture was well attended, and was listened to with earnest attention. Many at the close expressed the delight and satisfaction they had experienced from its delivery.

NOTTINGHAM SWEDENBORG SOCIETY, (Park Street). It has been decided by the Committee of the new Society at Nottingham, to designate itself as above, for distinction sake, as well as for the purpose of openly declaring the source from whence it derives the rational expositions of the high and holy Truths contained in the Word of God. Large placards are issued every Monday morning, announcing the subject for the following Sunday, and are suspended on boards in the most conspicuous parts of the town. They are worded as follows:-"The Swedenborg Society, assembling for public worship in Park Street Chapel, has been instituted for the special purpose of aiding the fuller development of the sublime and internal truths of the Holy Word, as propounded by Swedenborg." There is, therefore, no person lured to the place without knowing whence those Truths are derived. What has been the result? The assemblage, which commenced with eight persons, in September laat, now averages upwards of 250 hearers! a result surpassing all anticipation, whilst it confirms the truth of the principle first laid down-" That, in order to extend the doctrines of the New Church, they must be accommodated to the perceptions of the people;” and “That, there is much more preparedness outside the pale of the New Church, than is generally admitted, and that with orderly efforts, and dignified self-reliance, both external and internal progress may be fairly calculated upon," Since the enrolment of names to the Declaration of Faith, twenty intelligent persons from among the number, have been proposed as probationary members for three months. Monthly meetings are to be held for the proposition and reception of members. The second monthly meeting took place on the 26th February. With these cheering evidences of the blessing of the Lord attending human exertions, the Nottingham Swedenborg Society is of opinion, that the New Church, "all glorious within," need not be much longer "in the wilderness," if her citizens will be more energetic and self-reliant.

In Mr. John Bayley the new society has a great deal to be thankful for, as an able Leader and a talented Lecturer; but this is not all. Well directed effort often does more for a man than extraneous help could achieve: so it is with the New Church. The Holy City-the City, which needs not the light of the sun, nor of the moon, nor of the stars, for the glory of God-its own glorious truth-is the light thereof! It will only be when "the length and breadth and height are equal,"

that we shall possess more zeal to build up those Loving Temples, which will ever form a habitation and a home.

T. S.

[We much doubt the propriety of adopting this designation for a Society of the New Church, meeting for public worship. Its tendency is to induce the public to believe that the worship carried on by the Society, is the Worship of Swedenborg, In the same way the use of Swedenborg's name, by the London Printing Society, gives rise to the idea that its object is to do honour to Swedenborg as an individual and an author, and not to keep in print and promulgate his writings, as coutaining the great truths of the New Dispensation.]

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PARK STREET CHAPEL.-The success which has attended the Sunday evening lectures at this place of worship continues unabated. On Sunday evening last, the Spirit World" was treated by Mr. J. Bayley in a manner so forcible as to rivet the deepest interest. It appears from the placards announcing the subjects, that the distinctive name of "Swedenborg Society," has been adopted by this new society of the New Church. Next Sunday evening, "The True Nature of Heaven and Angelic Existence," is the attractive title of the subject. We understand there is an enquirers' meeting held after the morning service every Sunday.-Nottingham Daily Express, Feb. 14, 1860.

LIVERPOOL, LIMEKILN LANE.- This Society held their usual quarterly Teameeting on Sunday, Jan. 29. Seventy or more members and friends were present. Mr. R. G. Sheldon, the leader, filled the Chair.-The Lord's Prayer being repeated, and the 122nd Psalm (the subject selected) having been read, a few introductory observations were made by the chairman. The following members then addressed the assembly:-Mr. J. Monk, Mr. I. Brierley, Mr. W. West, Mr. G. W. Parsons, Mr. P. Addison, and Mr. E. M. Sheldon.-The chairman then gave an exposition, in series, of the entire Psalm. The meeting was deeply interesting, and several strangers were so struck with the beauty of the views offered, as to lead them to inquire further into the matter! May conviction and true conversion be the result! A few beautiful hymns were sung, and the meeting terminated by Mr. I. Brierley offering up a truly pathetic appeal to the Divine Being, that more light and more love may be speedily enjoyed by all who profess and call themselves Christians.

SOCIUS.

NEW CHURCH MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.-Lectures to be delivered during the third month of the First Session, 1860. To commence at Eight p.m. March 2nd, On the Inspiration of the Scriptures (2nd), by Mr. John Smith.-9th, On the Properties and Manufacture of Gunpowder, by Mr. Thos. W. Lewis-16th, On the Life and Writings of Edgar Allen Poe, by Mr. Arthur Day.-23rd, On Japan and the Japanese, by Mr. Robert Tilney, jun.—30th, On Architecture, Gothic versus Italian, by Mr. Edwin Penn. The Society will meet during March at Cross Street, Hatton Garden.-EDWIN PENN, Hon. Sec., 13, Brecknock Place, N.W.

MAURITIUS." I informed you in my last letter," writes our correspondent," that a very fortunate circumstance had recently taken place here. The Rev. Mr. B. therein mentioned, is a Swiss clergyman, named Bugnion, who arrived here some months ago from Europe, for the purpose of performing pastoral duties in an Independent Chapel at Port Louis. He had read some of Swedenborg's works, and they had made an impression upon his mind. On his arrival here he became acquainted with some of our friends of the New Church. They, of course, soon discovered that be was acquainted with Swedenborg's writings; and they lent him such of them as be had not read, and finally convinced him of the superiority of the New Church doctrines.

“The result was, that M. Bugnion publicly preached against predestination in his own Independent (ie., Calvinist) Chapel, when his brother Pastors, three in number, and the elders of the Church called upon him to retract, on pain of being dismissed (or dismembered, as they say in Canada West).

"M. Bugnion was true to his conscience. He refused to retract, and was dismissed; thereby losing a yearly income of £150-the only means he had of supporting his wife and children. But a merciful Providence intervened. About fifty of his congregation, and among them two of the elders, had been so enlightened by the New Church doctrines, that they seceded from the Independent connexion, and requested him to form, along with them, a New Church congregation. M. Bugnion readily responded to the call. A large room was obtained, in which he now celebrates divine service, and preaches twice every Sunday to about one hundred persons. He also preaches several times each week, in various private houses, both in town and in the country.

movement.

"We old believers in New Church truths, have, of course, assisted this happy An income of £150 is raised for him by private subscriptions. A New Church Catechism is now being printed for the children of his congregation, and we hope soon to be able to open a school. The hand of a merciful Providence is, we think, apparent, in all this; and we bow in deep gratitude before our Heavenly Father."

"MANAGING COMMITTEES," appointed by many of our societies, frequently act from extremely mistaken notions of their proper functions. They suppose that their duties are to dictate, direct, and controul: forgetting that they are servants only, not governors, of the societies by whom they were elected; and that their business is to promote the true interests of the members, and not only that, but to study their desires and carry out their requirements.

SWEDENBORG'S LATELY DISCOVERED WORK. To the Editor.-Sir, I am disappointed at not seeing any announcement of the publication of the translation of the manuscript which has lately been "discovered in a loft." Has Dr. Wilkinson forgotten the assertions, in authentication of which he handed his card to the Editor of the Morning Chronicle? Or, if the work has been published, will you have the kindness to state on the wrapper of next number where it may be obtained.-S. RILEY, Huddersfield.

HARRIS'S EXPOSURE OF SPIRITUALISM.-A friend writes on this subject,-"It is said by some parties that the notice in the Observer, of Harris's Sermon on Spiritualism is not a truthful representation of the sentiments he uttered.—Quomcdo?" In addition to the confidence which may be placed in the gentleman who wrote the account of what he had himself heard, its truthfulness is corroborated by several members of the New Church of our acquaintance, who heard the sermon delivered. Any doubt to the contrary, must originate in the wish that it was not true. The Sermon is published; and although somewhat different, and enlarged, it bears out, to the fullest extent, all that was said of it in the notice we printed.

Inquiries and Suggestions.

Is it orderly for an Ordained Minister of the New Church to grant to a Leader of a Society, not in connexion with the Conference, a Licence to administer the Sacra