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by pen to render them any service in bis power. The resolution was carried by acclamation. The Rev. Mr. Macpherson, on rising to speak to the resolution, was greeted with warm cheering. In the course of his address he said the reception he had met with from the society, and which had been repeated with such remarkable expression that evening, was almost overpowering. He felt that during some of the things which had been said he ought to have been absent, or perhaps that they ought not to have been said at all. However, they had been given utterance to, and they must allow him simply to thank them for the warm reception they had accorded him. His appointment here, he should think, was an almost unprecedented circumstance. Theirs was not the smallest congregation in connection with the New Church, and in so numerous a body there must necessarily be men of different minds, men of various ways of thinking, men who looked at the same point of view from different bases; and it could not but be flattering to him that he had been elected their minister nemine dissentiente. He was very sensible of the responsibilities of his position, of its duties and its difficulties; but he hoped, by the help of the Divine grace and their cordial assistance, to be able to fulfil them. A minister could do but little of himself alone; he must have the cordial sympathy and support and the hearty coöperation of the members of his congregation. That he had met with so far, and therefore he felt encouraged to go on in the difficult and responsible path of a minister. The reverend gentleman detailed at length the circumstances attending his conversion from the doctrines of the Church of England to those of the New Church, gave some pastoral advice to his hearers, and resumed his seat amidst much cheering. The meeting was addressed by several other gentlemen. The proceedings were materially enlivened by the excellent performance of a selection of miscellaneous music by Mrs. Skeaf, Miss Wood, Mr. J. B. Pixton, and Mr. G. S. Mailler, vocalists, Mr. J. Skeaf, jun. efficiently and tastefully presiding at the pianoforte. The musical programme included a very pretty song-"Lay up treasure in Heaven," the composition of Mr. Skeaf. The proceedings generally were of an interesting and agreeable character."

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Dear Sir,-Among the many instances of conviction in favour of the doctrines of the Lord's New Church which in this city has, in the course of thirty years past, resulted in a society of some extent, besides numbers who have left it to extend the influence of truth in various parts of this country and in distant lands, none has been more gratifying to me than that which is so humbly and heartily verified in the following letter, with which I feel convinced every New Church reader will be equally pleased if you will kindly give it a place

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"4, Pierrepont-street, Bath, "20th June, 1862. "Dear Sir,-After a year and a half's attendance on Sunday evenings to the teachings in the New Church, Henrystreet, and reading some of the writings of that servant of the Lord, Emanuel Swedenborg, I desire in all humility, and with an eye to the glory of God in the increase of His kingdom on earth, to express openly my sincere conviction of the important truths there taught, and that, too, notwithstanding a deeplyrooted prejudice (which was not easily overcome) in favour of the old semiRoman doctrines of the national church, and opposed to everything bearing the name of dissent. Two years ago I would as soon have thought of turning papist as to give my assent to anything different from what I thought was the good old apostolic doctrines of the Church of England; but the time I have taken (eighteen months) sufficiently shows what obstacles had to be overcome before I became thoroughly converted to the new faith and doctrines. It cannot be said that my recantation was a hasty one, nor that any member of the church in any way wrought upon me by enticing, persuasive, or controversial argument, to bring me over, further than as I have stated

what I have heard from the pulpit and read of the library; for I am a stranger in Bath, though living in it for the last six years; being a native of Ireland, having my lot cast to spend the remainder of my earthly life in Bath (if I may judge) through my having joined the militia when that force was in Ireland, in 1854. But to the point. My desire is from this time forth to be recognised as a member of the New Church, without any other motive than the glory of God and the welfare of my immortal soul and the souls of those He hath given me as a husband and a father; and I now request that on Sunday morning next I may be rebaptised into this faith, as an introduction into the Lord's New Church on earth, trusting through His mercy, which is over all His works, and His grace imparted to me through the heavens, to live a life in accordance therewith, and that the sign will be accepted and sealed in His church in heaven. At the same time I desire also the baptism of my infant child, Eliza-Jane, born on the 27th ult. I have two other children, boys, aged severally 8 and 2 years, whom I could wish were also rebaptised with myself, but I am advised by Surgeon Barnes that the better way would be to let them be, until sufficiently inculcated in the doctrines to answer for themselves, and be rebaptised at their own request, should they desire it.

With the utmost respect I remain, dear Sir, your humble servant,

"JOHN WEIR, "Quartermaster-Sergeant

"2nd Somerset Militia. "P.S.-My wife is become convinced, and is delighted with the doctrine which teaches that Jesus is the great Jehovah, the Maker as well as the Redeemer, and that in Him is united in one person (and not three persons) the three essentials or attributes of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; but when I mentioned that I should get rebaptised, she seemed to me not quite ready to assent thereto, and believes it unnecessary, she being before baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I cannot therefore say for her whether she is to be baptised or not. "J. W."

I have only to add that Mrs. Weir did come to be baptised with her husband and children, and with a hearty

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The anniversary of Grove-place New Church Society took place on Sunday, June 22nd, when the Rev. E. Madeley, of Birmingham, preached three admirable discourses; the first was in the morning, delivered to the children of the Sunday-school; the second, in the church, to an attentive assembly in the afternoon; and the third to a crowded congregation in the evening. The weather was very unfavourable, or there is every reason to believe a great number would not have been able to gain admission. The collections made during the day were satisfactory to the friends of the cause, all of whom were deeply interested in the services rendered by their esteemed friend, Mr. Madeley. Not only did he make himself useful in the public services of the sanctuary, but also took an active part in visiting the greater portion of the members of the church. This has been attended with no small share of good. There were very few whom Mr. Madeley did not visit at their homes.

On the 24th June a meeting of the congregation and friends was also held in the minister's vestry; it commenced at half-past seven, and terminated about ten o'clock. The object was to afford all an opportunity of conversing upon the best means of promoting the extension and usefulness of the Lord's New Church in Dalton and Yorkshire in particular, and throughout the country generally. The Rev. Mr. Madeley presided, and opened the meeting by prayer. He then addressed the friends assembled in a speech which proved how deeply conversant with the relative moral responsibilities of pastor and people he was.

The Dalton Society felt so powerfully the divine sphere of use which Mr. Madeley's visit promoted, that on the following Sabbath afternoon (June 29th, when a church meeting was again held), a resolution was passed, thanking the National Missionary Society for their kindness in sending him amongst them;

and many hope that his visit may be very shortly repeated.

At the conversation on the Tuesday evening, all were invited to take a part. Mr. Hirst spoke of the history of the society, and contrasted its state with the many phases through which it had passed within the last thirty years, and even previous to that, when Mr. Senior was accustomed to preach at Colne Bridge. All present seemed much gratified with allusions to subjects which another generation of members may only know by hearsay. Mr. Collier (though not a member of the society) addressed the friends on the importance of attending well to those externals of the church in the admission of members, and in caring for them while they remained such, which is usually regarded as a necessary portion of Christian discipline, and without which no professedly Christian community, he thought, could be in a healthy condition. He expressed himself as highly gratified with the proceedings of the evening. Mr. Margetson, who was also present, was called upon by the chairman to speak to the question before the meeting. He did so in a brief address, which all must have felt came from the heart, and was addressed to the heart. He spoke of the love of God as seen amongst the angels in heaven, the general assembly of the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven, and of the correspondence that should exist in the minds of the members of the church militant with the happy states of the church triumphant. Thus he carried the subject of the church's prosperity, as he said, into heaven itself as its first spring of manifestation, and to the Lord its only Fountain Head. His remarks were really beautifully appropriate to the topic of the evening. Mr. Marsden said a few words on the fact that ministers of a church are but men of like passions with all the members of a Christian society, and prone to err; and called upon all, when sick, to acquaint those in charge, in order that a suitable visitation might be made. He called attention to the necessity of uniting fireside religion with that of the Sabbath-the domestic altar with the altar of the Lord's house, and alluded to the establishment of regular Wednesday night meetings for reading and conversing on the writings of the New Church, as the best mode of improving the intellectual and pro

moting the spiritual advancement of the church. These meetings have been in existence for nearly three-quarters of a year. Mr. Madeley summed up the nature of the evidence adduced by the different speakers, and concluded with the benediction, when the meeting was concluded.

Rarely has there been on such occasions a deeper spirit of solicitude manifested for the good of the Lord's church than during this visit to the Dalton Society; nor do I ever remember to have seen more attentive audiences than at this anniversary. The intercommunication of affection and interchange of thought have left a sweet remembrance behind, and we long to enjoy a renewal of the favour granted by our friends of tke National Missionary Society.

I took the opportunity of calling the notice of Mr. Madeley to Mr. Berry and his friends in Cardiff Road, Aberdare, Glamorganshire,-a few new friends to our cause in Wales,-and should be delighted to hear that their call for some minister to visit and strengthen them has been responded to by the Missionary Society. T. L. M.

JERSEY.-PRESENTATION.

On a recent occasion, we learn that about forty ladies and gentlemen, consisting of the choir of the New Jerusalem Temple, Victoria-street, and other friends assembled in a room kindly lent by Mr. T. W. Sinnatt, for the purpose of presenting a testimonial of their esteem and gratitude to Mr. Hosking, who has now for some years been filling the office of leader to the above-named choir. This testimonial consisted of a copy of Swedenborg's Arcana Calestia, with Index, in 14 vols. Mr. Titus Brown, the respected leader of the society who meet at the above place of worship, having been voted to the chair, opened the proceedings by remarking on the nature of the services rendered by Mr. Hosking; and then made a few interesting remarks on the doctrines of the New Church, and the nature of the books they were about to present; after which, more immediately addressing Mr. Hosking, he requested his acceptance of the testimonial offered to him by the choir he had been instrumental in bringing to so high a state of efficiency. After this address, which was received with hearty applause, Mr. Hosking, in a brief and modest reply, declared his

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ENSUING GENERAL CONFERENCE.-PROGRAMME OF ARRANGEMENTS. Monday Evening, August 11th.-The members of Conference will be received in the School-room of the Church in

Argyle-square. Tea will be provided from six o'clock till eight.

Tuesday Morning.-The Conference will assemble precisely at nine. In the evening the Rev. J. B. Kennerley will preach, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be administered to the members of Conference and such friends as desire to join them. The alms on this occasion will, as nsual, be appropriated to the Pension Fund for Superannuated Ministers and the Widows of Ministers.

Wednesday Evening.-The Swedenborg Society invites the members of Conference and the visitors to a Conversazione at their House in Bloomsbury-street, to afford them an opportunity of inspecting the premises, library, &c.

Thursday Evening. The usual Social Meeting will take place; the friends to assemble in the School-room at six; the chair to be taken in the Church at half-past seven.

Friday Evening is left open for private arrangements.

Representatives who desire accommodation are requested to communicate immediately with Mr. Watson, 19, Highbury-crescent, London, N.

A cold collation will be provided in the School-room, each day of the session, at 1s. 6d. each. Tea, 6d. each (except at the Social Meeting).

CHRISTIANITY IN THE EAST.

A lecture, lately delivered in Huddersfield by the Rev. Mr. Ford, of Sidon, has enabled me to obtain the most recent information respecting the moral and religious condition of some of the nations and tribes now located in and around the countries of ancient Palestine. His accounts from the East were regarded by the friends of civil and religious liberty as encouraging. The Gospel has been promulgated in the public mosques, and its teachings dis.. cussed by groups of Turks in the coffee shops of Constantinople. Events like these would, within our own memory, have shaken the empire of Mahomet to its foundation; and they bespeak a degree of liberty of thought and action unprecedented in the history of the Turks. Five and twenty Turks have, as a consequence, renounced the religion of their forefathers, and made an avowal of their belief in the Bible.

Such is the testimony of Dr. Shauffler, a German missionary of many years standing in Constantinople; a man of irreproachable character, and well known to myself. Dr. Dwight, an American missionary, who had been actively labouring for years in the East, was, a short time before his fatal accident, seriously questioned by a Pasha why the Gospel of Jesus Christ had not been preached to the Turks. "Many," added the Pasha, "are now busy reading the Bibles which you American missionaries have so largely distributed amongst us. Why, then, not preach to the Turks? In my establishment my own secretary has forsaken the Koran and turned Christian." This assertion is the more valuable, as it was publicly made in the presence of some of the dignitaries of the empire. In our own day, be it remembered, this change of religion would have cost the secretary his life. Even one of the twenty converts to Christianity is an inmate of the Sultan's palace. Abdul Aziz, the reigning monarch, endured a long captivity before he ascended the throne. It is customary to keep the heir-apparent always under a strict surveillance. His present Highness, styled "the glorious, the merciful, and the mighty," is now

engaged in the glorious effort of reform ing his people. It would be premature to hazard conjectures as to the influence the Turkish converts to the Bible may exercise on their countrymen; we know that many of the Armenian converts were actuated by mercenary motives; they demanded of the Amercan missionaries how much they would pay them to turn Protestants. Some may be sincere, but the deceitfulness of Orientals is proverbial. It is the result of the external character of their religion, the substance of which is to confess sins and receive absolution from their priests; it does not elevate them above servile selfishness nor gross deceit. They are instructed chiefly through the senses. It is enough with them to attend church, observe its rituals and fasts, and make confession. If they hear the Bible it is read to them in an unknown tongue, consequently they understand it not, any more than the mysterious doctrines they profess to believe. Their intellect is chained down by a superstitious faith. Hence the recent indications of greater liberality of thought are worthy of notice. Some of their ceremonials are beautifully significant, but of their origin and meaning priests and people are alike ignorant; and no wonder, since the Word of God is read and God Himself is worshipped in an unknown tongue. In worship the people are mere spectators, gazing on rites without any conception of their design. In the triple candlestick, the priest discerns a representation of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and by means of the candlestick with two branches, he tries to instruct the people that Jesus Christ, being God and man, has two natures in one person. Divine Providence has so ordered it, that Eastern tribes and nations, whose fathers gave us the word of God, are receiving it back from the far West, translated into the mother tongue. Some very interesting information on this subject we reserve for our next.

T. L. M.

COLONIAL AND FOREIGN.
ADELAIDE.

A report, by the committee of the Adelaide Society, for the year 1861, has been sent us. We extract a portion which contains matter of general interest. Our brethren there, many of them, we believe, emigrants from Eng

land, yearn for what they still call home sympathies, the expression of which seems to have been partially interrupted on our part.

"The committee, in laying before the society the report for the year 1861, have rather to chronicle the inauguration of movements than the completion of any important transactions.

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"Your committee regret that the desire to sustain connection with foreign, or rather, home sympathies, has not been responded to with the regularity they might have expected, no replies from Conference having been received to addresses of 1858 or 1860, and that for 1861 being still due. The addresses which have been received, however, fully warrant the society in continuing the correspondence (although it may for a time be on one side only), in the hope that a regular and prompt interchange of mutual incentives to goodness and love of the truth may be the result. Through the instrumentality of Mr. Andrews, of America, a correspondence has been commenced with New Churchmen in that part of the world, and it is hoped that this may to some extent compensate for the comparatively isolated position in which the members of the New Church in this colony appear to be placed, by the fewness in number of those whose entire sympathies are centred with them in the worship of the only God and Saviour Jesus Christ. To this has been added an address from this society to the American Convention, in response to the letter from Mr. Andrews mentioned in last year's report, and the members cannot fail to derive much instruction and pleasure from the perusal of this correspodence. In short, should the correspondence with the Conference be revived, which we doubt not must be the case, the usual form of our quarterly and annual meetings will each be varied by the perusal of an interchange of sentiment with either New Churchmen abroad, the American Convention, or the English Conference, to which the committee would earnestly invite the attention of members and friends.

"The evening special services have been continued monthly, as usual, throughout the year, at which most excellent dissertations on the Word of God and man's eternal state have been given by Mr. Day; and although the number of enrolled members has not

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