hidden riddles, to which "there is no answer from God." A deep and anxious want is felt, for new and increasing light on these subjects: a light that shall harmonize now discordant opinions, and not squander human lives and powers in subtle hair-splitting; unite dissevered sects, and not entail the misery of their increase; blend science and theology, and fuse into a holy marriage reason and faith. For ideas on these subjects to be true, they must come from God. For these true ideas to be taught to man, they must be communicated through a man. This man must be the great Teacher of the new age of religious knowledge. There is an abundant necessity for the man: is there no man to supply this necessity? There are six great requisites, which such a man must fulfil. His ideas must be new; because they are to inaugurate a new age, and because the old ideas are insufficient to satisfy the longings of the heart, or to meet the demands of the understanding. His ideas must be Scriptural; because the Scriptures are the only rule of faith; because the necessity for the light is to enable us to better understand and appreciate the Bible, and because our present knowledge is sufficient to show to us that the Word of God is the greatest of His gifts. His ideas must be rational; because they are to wed reason and faith, and because otherwise there could be no ground of their acceptance in the human mind. His ideas must be universal, because the curse of society is the present only partially-sufficing religious views of the different denominations; each view is separative in its distinctions, and exclusive in its spirit. His ideas must be exalting, because the new age must be a nobler, better, grander era, as well as more intelligent; because we cannot afford to go back, any more than to stand still, in moral as well as intellectual progress. And sixthly, his ideas must be practical; they must shew men practical duties, and thus lead to practical results. The world is weary of theorizers, mere word-mongers, and thought acrobats. His ideas must conduct us to a closer communion with God, and to richer manifestations of that communion. The merit of his ideas must be tested by their fidelity to the Bible and to our rational perceptions; by their practical results, and their applicability to all men. If there be such a man, we should hail him as our teacher, and adopt him as our guide. A part of mankind think they have found such a one in Calvin; others in Wesley; others in other men. The New Church are sure they have found such a teacher in Swedenborg; and they safely challenge the investigation of his writings which the interest of their subject deserves, and which is demanded by its importance. J. H. 564 MATERIALS FOR COPY HEADS. (Concluded from page 472.) VIII. There are three heavens-inmost, middle, and ultimate. IX. In heaven there are many societies of the good, wise, and happy. For it is written-"In my Father's house are many mansions.” They who are conjoined by similar good form one society. X. Each member of these societies loves to be useful to the rest. XI. The Decalogue, as its name implies, consists of ten precepts: It is a covenant; for obedience to it conjoins man with God; And only in that conjunction can heavenly happiness be given. XII. The Ten Commandments were written on two tables of stone: XIII. Since the Decalogue was given by the Lord, it must be infinite; XIV. A seed sown in the ground may grow into a great tree; XV. Each Commandment has a natural, spiritual, and celestial sense : The natural sense should direct the outward conduct of men ; The spiritual sense governs the spiritual life of men and angels; The celestial sense instructs the angels of the highest heaven. XVI. In very early times representative worship became idolatrous. The first precept forbids the worship of idols, artificial work; It forbids us, also, to offer to men, worship, due to God alone. XVII. But the evil affections of the heart may become our idols. XVIII. The second precept commands us not to use the Lord's name profanely. Unnecessary oaths and false swearing are forbidden by it; It teaches us to respect all things relating to God's Word. XIX. The name of Jehovah was regarded by the Jews as most holy. In the Divine Word "name" is significative of quality. The Lord's name is significative of His essential love and wisdom. To know and disregard His teaching is to "take His name in vain." XXI. The third precept teaches that six days are for man's labour. The seventh is for the Lord, and man's rest in dependence on Him. The word "Sabbath" in the original tongue signifies rest. XXII. This precept also signifies reformation and regeneration. XXIII. Celestial Sabbath-innocence, security, peace, perfect trust. XXIV. The fourth precept commands obedience to parents; It also implies obedience and respect towards teachers and guardians. XXV. Spiritually, it teaches us to love the Lord and the Church. For we are all regenerated from the Lord, by means of the Church. [Enl. Series.-No. 108, vol. ix.] 37 XXVI. We receive, during regeneration, love from the Lord in the will. By means of the Church we receive truth in the understanding; And to live from love by truth is to be regenerated. XXVII. The fifth precept forbids us to take away the life of man. XXVIII. But many value character more than life-themselves; So we are forbibben to speak so as to injure character. 66 Charity thinketh no evil," and therefore charity speaks none. XXIX. But murders spring from hatred, revenge, and malice. Some turn away men from the Lord, the Word, and Worship: Poetry. SONNETS. By the late F. O. FINCH. NIGHT. Night holds her silent vigil, and on high Spreads out her glittering stars, like shining eyes, And deserts vast, where patient camels ply Their night march, and the lonely stillness lies Imagination to reveal that sky Where the fixed pole-star at the zenith shines CORRESPONDENCE. Why should the solemn shadow of the night Like body unto soul. Matter's a shell, MISCELLANEOUS. GENERAL CHURCH INTELLIGENCE. tion upon his Heavenly Father's gra BATH. On the 14th instant, the thirty-second anniversary of the establishment of the New Church in Bath was celebrated, as usual, by a tea meeting; and as the society have now liquidated the debt on the building, through the liberality of Miss de Soyres, Mr. Bush, Mr. Pitman, and others, it was resolved by the committee that this meeting should especially commemorate that happy event. Tea was served in the spacious library under the church, the decoration of which by the stewards, Messrs. Hale, Lee, and Waller, was quite a work of art. After tea, the company adjourned to the church, which was quite full. Our respected President, Mr. James Keene, took the chair, and was supported by the Rev. J. W. Barnes, W. Bush, Esq., Mr. I. Pitman, and Mr. Saunders. The proceedings commenced with the Lord's Prayer, after which the Chairman congratulated the meeting upon the present large attendance and upon the very pleasing prospects of the society; and called upon the Secretary, who then read the following Report. One of the most necessary duties of a member of the Lord's New Church is self-examination, and a frequent reflec cious dealings with him, in providing all things necessary to his spiritual advancement and the great end of his creation, namely, his eternal happiness in heaven. And this being true of the church in its least form, it follows that it must be true also of the church in its greatest form, which is composed of many individuals, even as the body is composed of many members. It follows, then, that the occasional custom of taking a retrospective glance at the society's history is calculated to result in a greater unity of purpose, and hence in more successful efforts for the welfare of the church collectively, as well as individually. In accordance, then, with the above remarks, your committee propose presenting a short abstract of the rise and progress of the Lord's New Church in this city, as far as the very limited means at their disposal will permit. It seems that the first known receiver of the heavenly doctrines in Bath, who conduced in any way to their establishment here, was Mr. Morton, who resided on the North Parade. He communicated his knowledge to Mr. Barnes, lent him books, and induced him to read. Barnes, being much struck with the immense accession of light he received from their perusal, and being of a warm Mr. |