hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed by his correspondents. We have not thought it desirable to invite this correspondence on topics interesting to the members of the New Church before the commencement of the next volume. In the period of active thought through which the Church is passing, there are doubtless many who have subjects they wish to discuss. Liberty of thought is one of the leading features of the New Church, but we must accept this invaluable blessing with its certain consequencediversity of opinion. The temperate and courteous expression of this diversity of thought is an advantage to the Church and to its individual members. The ventilation of opinions tends to the correction of what is crude in conception and narrow in sentiment. Its tendency is also, when wisely conducted, to make manifest the truth, and thus to promote the solid progress of the Church. In opening our columns to discussions of the kind contemplated, we shall be guided by the rules usually adopted for the regulation of such discussions. In all cases we shall require the name of the contributor; and it is needless to say that no contribution can be admitted which is wanting in Christian courtesy and proper regard for the feelings and opinions of others. We do not insist on the publication of the names of the writers, though we observe with satisfaction that in the best conducted periodicals of the day this is becoming the usual practice. We trust that any discussions which may be introduced will be so conducted as to interest our readers and promote the extended knowledge of the truth. THE NEW HYMN-BOOK. The publication of a new HymnBook offers an opportunity to every New Church Society of doing a good service to its Sunday school. To unite more closely our Sunday schools to our churches is so desirable that every means likely to forward it should be eagerly tried. Being of opinion that the grand point to be aimed at is to increase the Sunday scholar's interest in the public worship, I beg to say a few words on this occasion. If on the adoption of the new Hymn-Book by a Society, steps were taken to provide every scholar with a copy, it would certainly do something towards the attainment of this object. He would feel that in finding the announced hymn, and singing it with the congregation, he was one of them, and the service so far was for him. But if the schools are forgotten, or left to provide themselves slowly, and one by one, as each could afford it, the interest will be lost. Another good result would arise if the new Hymn-Book were to be regularly used in school worship for a season-say for six months or a year -and more especially if the same tunes the choir sing were sung by the Sunday scholars. Still further, their interest would be awakened and sustained if, when a new tune is to be introduced, the choir-master would inform the leader of Sunday-school worship beforehand, so that the school may sing it over to its proper hymn before hearing it in church. The advantage of such co-operation would be perceived by the whole congregation, and the increased pleasure of the scholars in public worship would be a reward for all the trouble incurred. It may be thought by some that the Church hymns are too advanced in sentiment or too difficult of apprehension for Sunday scholars. But common experience is that the last ten years has wrought so great a change in the general intelligence of our scholars that most of the hymns ordinarily chosen for public worship are quite within their comprehension. In fact there is no longer the general necessity that once existed for what are called "children's hymns" in our New Church Sunday schools. The cheerful and really good tune is the desideratum, whether for church or school; and that being found, the hymn that is acceptable to the congregation will be appreciated by the Sunday school. As to the cost of providing the new books, it is not always needful that they should be distributed in a manner wholly gratuitous, but perhaps supplied in the first instance to each scholar at half price, the other half being paid from the school funds, or in such other manner as the Society might arrange. My object is that the general meeting of any congregation which resolves on the adoption of the new book should kindly think of and provide for its Sunday school at the same time. A generous friend or two will always be found to assist in thus adding to the joy of the children. Of course in some cases the book must be given without any charge; but so that the whole of the scholars are supplied, and on the same day as the rest of the congregation, the particular means by which it is accomplished are not so important. There can be little doubt but that this course would do something towards uniting schools with church, and would improve the sphere of worship. That this result should be attained was one reason why the late General Conference so unanimously resolved on a shilling edition being provided. It may be said, and very properly too, that if the bound copy of our Liturgy with the new hymns were to be given on these terms it would be still better, because still further promoting the ends in view. By all means let such be done where possible; but if not the two, let the Hymn-Book be the one secured just now. JOHN BRAGG. the students were the first in the order of importance. It was for this end that we both strove during Mr. Crompton's life, and it was with this object that he left £10,000 to the Conference for the purpose of "maturing or extending" the Institution we had founded and endowed. Both the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor have decided that the Conference is not bound to apply the legacy to either of these objects exclusively; but it might be appropriated to the erection of buildings, and indeed "for the benefit of the Institution generally, such as it is under the deeds and instruments prior to the death of the testator." The Chancellor says, “I think that the legacy may lawfully be applied to various purposes, and that the right of determining the mode of its application (so long as it is for the benefit of the College) belongs exclusively to the General Conference. I think that unless Conference should otherwise direct, the trustees of Conference must themselves see to the payment and application of the money; but they may, in my opinion, if Conference so direct, place the fund, or a part of it, at the disposal of the governors of the College, either for some specific purpose or for the general purposes of the College." NEW CHURCH COLLEGE. (To the Editor of the "Intellectual Repository.") In devoting money out of the CrompREV. AND DEAR SIR,-Allow me to ton Legacy for the purpose of completthank you for your kind insertion of ing the College buildings, the Confermy letter of last month, as well as for ence loyally carried out to that extent the expressions of your sympathy in my the trust which it had undertaken. The present affliction. Happily it has not same remark applies to the proceeds of abated my interest in the New Church, the remainder of the legacy and to the although it has compelled me to em- "Finnie Gift," so far as they have been ploy an amanuensis. You appear to be directed year by year to be paid to the still of opinion that Mr. Crompton did College treasurer. By their means the not enter into the general purpose of maturing and extending the Institution the College as understood by myself. has been advanced. By arresting these This is an unfortunate error. Mr. funds the work of the College is necesCrompton not only accepted my views, sarily interfered with, and its progress but during his lifetime acted in accord- towards maturity retarded. In your ance with them. He on two separate remarks you say that " the hope of inoccasions assisted in the effort to estab- creasing the ministry from the pupils of lish a school. We both desired to have the College has thus far been barren; an educated ministry, and we both that of those who have entered the desired to have boys instructed in the ministry none have been thus obtained, doctrines and life of the New Church, as nor is it probable that many will be so well as in general literature and science, obtained in the future." It is indeed a gradually passing from our school into fact that the school has not yet furthe class of candidates for the ministry- nished a single minister, but it is also a students for the ministry properly pre- fact that but scant encouragement has pared by piety, culture, and intelligence been given to the pupils of the school for their holy work. The school was to become candidates for the ministry, necessarily first in the order of time, but and that great encouragement has been given to those who have not been so "The whole question, however, is left educated. It takes time to grow candi- by the Conference in the hands of the dates for the ministry from childhood, Council of the Conference, who are rebut young men who have already shown quested to co-operate with the Council aptitude for the work can be placed at of the College in the adjustment of these once on the list of students, even when different opinions. We trust that before imperfectly prepared as to their schol- the next session of Conference some plan astic attainments. The College has of operations may be determined upon felt it its duty, whatever their literary which will be satisfactory to all parties position, to accept all as students who and useful to the Church. In this have been sent to them by the Confer- wish I heartily join, and notwithstanding ence; but few of these, however, have the first move on the part of the Confercome up to our ideal, and been pre- ence Council, I do not despair of success. pared to matriculate and take degrees Perhaps by way of conclusion I may in connection with the University of be allowed to say that all the ColLondon. Of the future we cannot lege requires is that the Conference speak with certainty, but we may pro- will simply fulfil the terms of the trust phesy that if the Conference and the reposed in it by Mr. Crompton. Had members of the Church generally will en- this been done from the beginning there courage the College to carry out its own would never have been any difference statutes and ordinances as they existed between the College and the Conference. before the decease of Mr. Crompton, the By this time I have no doubt pupils would barren will bear fruit to the honour of the have become students, students candiChurch as well as of the College. You dates for the ministry, and candidates for say "it is church life, not college life, the ministry acceptable ministers in the which quickens the zeal of our young Church. Let the Conference cease to men and inspires them with a desire listen to the counsels of the enemies of for the work of the ministry. Church the College, and henceforth apply the life is to be had at the New Church funds confided to its charge in maturing College. A small but energetic Society, and extending the Institution founded the pastor of which is the Principal of by Mr. Crompton and, yours faithfully, the College, meets for worship in the HENRY BATEMAN. College chapel. It has its Sunday school, in which pupils and students may be teachers. The students are encouraged to attend its worship, to read the lessons, offer up the prayers, and preach; also to attend the weekly meetings of the church, and even to lecture during the week or conduct a weekly service. To these opportunities pastoral visiting would be gladly added when the students have time, and their services would be acceptable. Then there is the neighbouring Society in Argyle Square, within a mile, where our students are always welcomed by its It is quite true, as Mr. Bateman good pastor. To say nothing of the intimates, that both the Chancellor and Camden Road Society's meetings in the Vice-Chancellor decided that the Consame parish, there are also Dalston, ference is not bound to apply the legacy about a mile off, and Deptford, a south- to either of the objects, contemplated eastern suburb, where the services of by the College deeds, exclusively; but the students are welcomed. In Camber- it is equally true, as we pointed out in well and Kensington, both in London, our October number, that both are very the students meet with the kindest careful to guard this opinion, lest it appreciation, and have occasionally should be adopted to the neglect or preached. I know of no locality- exclusion of the only object named in Manchester not excepted-in which the will, viz. the education of candichurch life is more vigorously main- dates for the ministry. We cheerfully tained than in London. You say, recognise the manifold opportunities of The Our space has compelled us to abbreviate the above letter from our friend, but we have not, we believe, omitted anything essential to his argument. Two omissions only are made. first is a continuation of the Lord Chancellor's opinion, which is before the Church, and is substantially expressed in the words we have given. The second refers to questions under discussion, the insertion of which, in our judgment, would not tend to promote the settlement which all parties sincerely desire. use presented to the students in the metropolis; but the students who have thus far entered into these uses have been obtained, not from the College, but the churches. Nor is this the result of any lack of encouragement to the pupils trained in the College school. The same encouragement has been given to them as to other members of the Church. Had any eligible candidate from the College been presented to the Conference, he would have been gladly welcomed, and, we are certain, the more gladly as coming from an institution in which the Conference is interested, and anxious to see more successful in its great work of training young men for the ministry of the New Church. It is a mistake to suppose that any members of the Conference are "enemies of the College. Many members differ from our friend in their opinion respecting the proper application of the funds committed to the Conference trust, but they are not less anxious than he is to see money applied according to what was well known to the personal friends and associates of Mr. Crompton to have been his earnest wish as well as declared object. Obituary. Miss Agnes Russell, of Leicester. This venerable lady, who would be known to many of our readers personally or by repute, departed this life on April 12 of the present year, having entered her ninety-fifth year. She had resided some ten or twelve years in Leicester, being connected with the family of the late Mr. Mitchell, long an esteemed New Churchman in that town, through whom she probably received the doctrines of the New Church. In 1869 Miss Russell gave £150 to the Church, the interest to be given annually to different institutions. She was a most spiritually-minded lady, and loved to see the Church advance anywhere, but especially desired to see a Society in Leicester, where she herself could worship. Several attempts were made, which she earnestly assisted, but success was only partial and temporary, ceasing after a short time, to Miss Russell's great grief. Miss Russell was bornat Kirkcaldy, and never having been married, though a kindlier or more motherly heart could not exist, she made a donation some years ago to the Provost of Kirkcaldy of £100 or thereabouts, the interest of which was to be divided among ten maiden ladies over sixty years of age, each to receive a comfort of 10s. and half a pound of tea per annum. This continues to the present day, and is noticed in the local papers. Each old lady on receiving the gift has to say the angels' song, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men." The Provost, in notifying his having attended to this interesting duty, to Miss Russell, mentioned that one of the old ladies remarked, "Glory to God in the highest, that is just as it should be; and peace on earth, that is very well; but goodwill to men I don't see how we should have goodwill to men, for they have never done anything for us." Miss Russell would tell this with great glee, in good broad Scotch. On the 25th October last, in the forty. fourth year of her age, Elizabeth, the wife of James Collinge of Throstle-Nest, Middleton, left her temporal for her eternal home. She was the only surviving issue of the late Richard Boardman, and granddaughter of Richard Boardman, sen., who was the chief of the founders of the Middleton New Church Society. In her girlhood, and to woman. hood, she had exceptional opportunities of becoming acquainted with New Church teachings and New Church men, spending nearly all her Sabbaths at the house of the late Mr. James Ashton, whose home was the rendezvous in Middleton of ministers, missionaries, and New Church friends generally. The seed sown bore fruit in all her relationships of life-in her wifehood, in her motherhood, in business, and in friendships. She was happy in her conjugal lot. The following lines from an acrostic valentine written for her in February of this year are truly expressive of that lot: "In this world of doubt and murmurs, And through each have fonder grown." Her interest in the recent appointment of the Rev. Mr. Westall to the ministry of the Middleton Society was great, and no labours or assistance in her power would have been grudgingly rendered for its success and for the pros perity of the Society. But she is gone to "where tears of sorrow never flow," and it will be perfect bliss to meet her there. At Snodland, on the 2nd of October, our aged friend Mrs. Penny passed peacefully into the world of spirits, in her seventy-ninth year. She was one of the oldest members of the New Jerusalem in Snodland. Her introduction to the doctrine and worship of the New Jerusalem took place prior to the consecration many years ago of a portion of the ancient manor-house of Snodland to the worship of Jesus Christ as the only true God. While the New Jerusalem was confined to one family, she was induced to attend in the drawingroom of Mr. S. Hook, where she for the first time heard the liturgical services of the New Jerusalem. The more she attended these services, the more deeply was she impressed with their sanctity and power. They also deepened her sense of the need of daily approaching the Lord Jesus as her only Redeemer and Sanctifier. Morning and evening she was accustomed to commune with Him, using the "Holy Scripture" and "Mason's Help to Devotion. She had a prayerful and devout spirit, and was a pattern of attendance on public worship. She was an affectionate mother, and several of her family are associated with the New Church. Departed this life, October 13, Hannah, the beloved wife of Edward H. Bayley, Esq., of 82 Angel Road, Brixton, after an illness of one week, aged twenty-eight. On Saturday, October 16, at High gate Cemetery, in the portion where the bodies of so many New Church friends have been laid, near the graves of Mr. Noble, Mr. Shaw, and Mrs. Dr. Bayley, who had so recently preceded her, were deposited all that was left on earth of this lamented lady, who was respected and loved by a wide and sympathizing circle. The coffin was covered by wreaths and crosses of beautiful flowers, the gifts of relatives and friends, and was borne to the hearse and to the grave by a body of Mr. Bayley's work-people, whose respectful demeanour and evident emotion were both touching and significant. The short illness, the sudden decease, the comparatively early age of Mrs. Bayley, formerly Miss Hannah Moore, and the amount of kind feeling she had inspired in all who knew her, made the scene one of deep and lasting interest. On November 9th, 1880, John Adderson, a veteran member of the New Church Society at St. Osyth, passed into the eternal world, in the ninetieth year of his age. Though uneducated, and in a very humble station of life, Mr. Adderson had a very correct conception of the doctrines of the New Church, and was indefatigable in his efforts to make them widely known. As a tract- distributor he was equalled: he seldom went rounds with his pony and cart as a dealer in vegetables without carrying some tracts, and lending or giving a few of them to persons with whom he got into conversation. He was able to carry on his business to within a few hours of his removal to his eternal un on his home. In the last moments of his earthly life, and unable to articulate, he expressed by signs, in answer to a question put to him by his daughter, his state of happiness and confidence in the Lord, whom he had served so faithfully for many years. Departed this life, at Newcastle-onTyne, on October 11, aged sixty-five, Miss Isabella Grace Thomson, an intel ligent receiver of the doctrines of the New Church, and for many years a member of the Percy Street and Nun Street Societies. Her end was peace. At Green Lane, Dalton, October 31, Mrs. Mary Ann Newhill, aged seventy years. Mrs. Newhill had been long resident at Dalton, and was distinguished by strict integrity and uprightness of character. On November 10th, after a long and painful illness, borne with true Christian fortitude and patience, Margaret, the dearly loved wife of Wm. Craigie, of 8 Drumdryan Street, Edinburgh. On the 23rd October, at Preston, Alice Parkinson, eldest daughter of the late Richard Townson, solicitor, passed quietly and peacefully away to her eter nal home. Also on the 2nd November, at Pres ton, Thomas Bleasdale, after a brief illness, departed into the spiritual world. His end was peace. Λ |