CHAP. XX

ACCORDING to appointment the Eighteenth General Conference assembled in the New Jerusalem Temple, London Terrace, Derby, on Tuesday, the 9th day of August, 1825=69, and continued their sittings, by daily adjournments, till Friday, the 12th of the same month. Eight Ministers, and sixteen Representatives from different Societies, besides a number of other individuals, were present. The Rev. RICHARD JONES was unanimously elected President, and Mr. J. S. HODSON, Secretary.
From the Minutes of this Conference it appears, that that body is proceeding, with its usual regularity and prudence, in taking measures for the orderly and respectable establishment of the New Church in its external form. Committees were appointed for completing the New Liturgy; for considering the best mode of ordering the Ministry; for carrying into execution the directions given by the General Conference for the distribution of Mr. Chester’s legacy for educating poor children; for preparing a New Church Spelling Book, and a New Church Class Book, for the use of schools; and for other purposes. Mr. William Mason was appointed to prepare the draft of a new Catechism, to be finally decided on by the Liturgy Committee. Orders were also given for printing a second edition of the Hymn Book, which, it appears, has been extensively adopted, and is still in great demand.
Several additions were made to the code of Rules for Conference; one of the most important of which provides,

“That no person hereafter to be ordained shall be recognised as a Minister entitled to a seat in Conference, unless the documents required to be delivered to the Ordaining Minister previously to ordination, be transmitted to the Secretary of the Conference one month before the meeting of Conference, to be by him laid before the Conference; and unless their approval of such ordination be obtained.” {434}

The design of this regulation is, both to render the entrance of improper persons in the Ministry less practicable, and also to relieve the Ordaining Ministers of the unpleasant duty of rejecting, upon their own responsibility, an ineligible candidate.
The Appendix contains the various reports officially made to Conference; with a large body of information respecting the state of the Church in this country; and an affectionate address from Mr. Hargrove, the President o the General Convention of the New Church in America, to the Ministers and Lay Members of the New Church in Great Britain.
The Conference, having finished the business before them, appointed their next Annual Meeting to be held at Manchester, on the second Tuesday in August, 1826=70.

On Sunday, the 21st of August, 1825, a new Chapel was opened at Dalton, near Huddersfield, by the Rev. Richard Jones, of Manchester, who preached in the morning from Matt. xiii. 45, 46. In the afternoon Mr. John Parry, late of Leeds, addressed the people from Matt. xviii. 20. And in the evening Mr. George Senior preached from Acts xvii. 20. The congregations were large and respectable; indeed such was the interest excited, that only one half of the multitude could gain admission in the afternoon, not less than a thousand persons being present. This edifice has been erected by Mr. George Senior, of Dalton, and is one of the neatest and most commodious Chapels in the kingdom. It is finished in the best style, and is calculated to hold from 400 to 500 persons. But, what is best of all, it is furnished every Sabbath-day with a large, respectable, and attentive congregation. No sooner was the day announced for the letting of the seats, than every seat was disposed of; and were there more to let, they would be eagerly engaged. In the annals of the New Church, it is said, no such circumstance has been heretofore known. It is perhaps impossible for any sincere friend of the New Jerusalem to witness the scene which is presented within these walls every Sunday, and not feel himself disposed to exclaim, on retiring, “What hath God wrought!” or to adopt the language of the Psalmist, “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning; if I remember not thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.” The prospect is encouraging in a high degree. The people appear to drink in the genial showers of divine truth, as the thirsty land the rain of heaven. The worthy proprietor has already begun to feel, in this striking instance of his liberal zeal for the welfare of Zion, that sublime satisfaction which ever arises from doing good, and which is the highest and only reward or advantage that he expects or hopes for. {435}

Mr. Senior and Mr. Parry officiate jointly in the Ministry, which is the plan designed to be persevered in, by the permission of Divine Providence. The mode of worship adopted in this Chapel is as follows:- The service is commenced by singing a Hymn; then extempore Prayer; reading of the Word succeeds; another Hymn is sung; the Sermon follows; then, another Hymn, and concluding Prayer.

A very gratifying letter has lately been received from a pious and respectable gentleman, who, five or six years ago, having then recently become a receiver of the doctrines of the New Church, left this country for the Cape of Good Hope, and who now occupies a large estate at Port Frances, near Albany, in that colony. He says to his correspondent,

“I am happy to inform you, that I have always retained my decided attachment to the New Church doctrines, and feel more rooted and grounded in them than ever; so much so, that I have commenced preaching them at the Kowie, in the same house as is used by the Methodists. Their preachers only attend once on the Sabbath, sometimes in the morning, at others in the evening; and in their absence I do the duty, and always give them a lecture, principally extracted from the sermons of that holy man of God, Mr. Clowes. I have delivered about twenty lectures. The Government is building a large Church at Graham’s Town; but I am of opinion, by the time it is finished, there will be but a small congregation, as there are so many different sects, that there will be but few left for the Established Church.”

Our friend then proceeds to mention how he is connected with the religious characters there, some of whom, he states, are jealous of him, but the respectable rank he holds in that part of the colony prevents them from opposing him openly; and of some leading persons he has good hopes. He is anxious to receive information respecting the New Church in England; and concludes with saying,

“I count it a happy day to me when I became acquainted with the writings of E. S. I have enjoyed more solid peace to my soul ever since, and feel an increase of love to the Lord and my fellow-creatures. I am not ashamed to profess the doctrines of the New Church, and am now pretty well known to be in them.”

The new School-room of the New Church Free School, which had been some time erecting in Charles Street, Westminster Road, London, was solemnly opened, and dedicated to the great use intended, on the 11th of October, 1825. The proceedings on the occasion were pleasing and impressive; and one general feeling of satisfaction appeared to animate the large body of friends to the sacred cause of the New Church, and to the rising generation, which was assembled on the occasion. A Special General Meeting of the Subscribers to the Institution was held at the time, to which was presented, by the Committee, a Report, with an interesting and appropriate Address to the Members and Friends of the Church generally. {436} The whole is concluded by an Address to the parents and guardians of the children admitted, or to be admitted, into the School, and Rules to be observed by them, which are well adapted to promote the objects of the establishment. The School promises, through the divine blessing, to be beneficial, in a high degree, to the interests of the New Church, and is therefore entitled to universal support.
Tribute of Affection and Esteem to the Rev. Richard Jones.- On Wednesday, Nov. 2, 1825, a general meeting of the members of the New Jerusalem Church, in Peter Street, Manchester, took place in the Lecture Room adjoining the said Church, for the purpose of presenting to the Rev. Richard Jones, his PORTRAIT, and a SILVER CUP with a STAND, as testimonials of the affection and esteem of his congregation. These testimonials had been previously voted at a public meeting, during the absence of Mr. Jones, and without his privity. The expenses were defrayed by subscription. The Portrait, which is an excellent likeness, is a half-length, finely painted by Mr. R. B. Faulkner, lately of Manchester, but now of London; the cost of which was L47 10s.* The Cup is of a large size, elegantly ornamented, of the value of L41, and bears the following inscription:
* An anecdote highly illustrative of the character of Mr. Jones, is inserted in the Intellectual Repository for January, 1833:-Nothing could be more uncongenial to the disposition of Mr. Jones than to sit formally for his portrait: he accordingly sat with so unmeaning and dissatisfied a look, that the artist, after the first sitting, expressed a doubt to a friend, as to the success of the performance. His friend replied to this effect: ‘If you want to see character in Mr. Jones’ countenance, and that his genuine one, engage him in conversation about the doctrines of the New Church.’ The artist, who then neither knew nor cared anything about those doctrines, followed the advice: Mr. Jones’ face soon began to beam with intelligence and expression: and while the artist most faithfully transferred his now illumined features to the canvas, the words of truth and wisdom fell from his lips and gave that animation to his countenance, were transferred, with equal fidelity, into the painter’s heart.” The artist, Mr. B. R. Faulkner, was for several years honorary organist of the Cross Street Society.- ED.

“To
THE REV. RICHARD JONES,
Minister of the Now Jerusalem Church,
Peter Street, Manchester,
THIS CUP, with its STAND,
was presented
by his Congregation,
in Testimony of their Attachment and Esteem for his Character
as a Man and a Christian; of Gratitude for his disinterested
services as Minister of this Congregation for more than twenty
years; and for his unwearied exertions for the Establishment
and Welfare of the New Church at large during a much longer Period.”
October, 1825.”

Mr. William Lockett, the Chairman of the meeting, on presenting to Mr. Jones the above testimonies of the Society’s gratitude and esteem, delivered a very appropriate and affectionate Address. {437} He began with expressing the feelings of the Society on reviewing Mr. Jones’s labours in the service of the Church; on the manner in which, by his instrumentality and firmness, the external affairs of the place of worship have been brought from the discouraging aspect which they wore at his becoming the Minister, to their flourishing state; and on the excellent example which he has given of disinterestedness and perseverance. He then touched upon the eminent qualifications for the Ministerial office, by which all who are acquainted with Mr. Jones know that he is distinguished,- upon the want of all proportion between the offerings presented and the services performed,- and upon the seeming tardiness of the Society in thinking upon this mode of giving vent to their feelings. And he concluded with the strongest expressions of affection, on the part of the Society, for the Minister, and the most ardent wishes for the long continuance of the connexion between them.
Mr. Jones, in his Reply to the above Address, gave an interesting narrative of the manner in which he first became acquainted with the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem; and of various circumstances relating to the formation of a New Church Society in Manchester and subsequently the building and government of the Church in Peter Street. He then gave expression to the following beautiful sentiment:

“My dear Friends,- It has, you are all aware, been a long-established maxim, that the connexion between labour and its reward is so intimate, that it cannot be broken. The truth of this maxim I willingly admit, and therefore I have been supported by all assurance of ultimate reward. But, my Christian brethren, the reward which I have been so solicitous to obtain, which I have long had, and still have in view, is that described by our blessed Lord, where he says, ‘Do good and lend, hoping for nothing again, and your reward shall be great.’ The reward, which I look for, is the delight and blessedness which always accompany the exercises of charity, and which the Lord out of pure mercy gives to those that believe on him, and who love and obey him. This explanation will enable you to see, that your kindness has brought upon me no small degree of embarrassment; for I scarcely know how to act; and yet I experienced, I must confess, much satisfaction on finding that my labours had received your approbation, and that you thought me worthy of such distinguished honour. However, I trust, through the Divine Mercy, that, instead of being elated, I shall be humbled in my own estimation; instead of being exalted, I shall feel myself abased with a deep sense of my own unworthiness; and that, through divine assistance, I shall be able to renounce, in my own spirit, every tendency to claim any degree of merit to myself, on account of any good I may have done, and to ascribe it solely to him, to whom all merit belongs.”

He proceeded to state, that, when informed by a deputation from the Committee of what it was intended to do, he assented to the proposal made, chiefly because he feared that, by withholding his consent, he might occasion some degree of pain and disappointment to their kind and generous feelings;

“But,” said he, “I do assure you, that, had I known in sufficient time what was intended to be done, I would have done all in my power to have prevented it. Instead of supposing that you were indebted to me for what has been done, I have experienced in my own mind a feeling of obligation to you, for having thought me worthy of becoming your instructor and guide.”

After other appropriate and highly becoming remarks, Mr. Jones concluded by expressing his fervent hope, that both he and his friends might continue firm in their attachment to the truth, and in their joint endeavours to reduce it to practice. {438}
The whole of this transaction was highly creditable, both to Mr. Jones and to his flock. Indeed, of Mr. Jones, it is impossible to speak without the greatest respect. His knowledge of the doctrines of the New Church can scarcely be surpassed. He has evidently studied them with an ardour of affection, and a degree of success, that few men have been blessed with. But what is still more in favour of his character, there is every reason to believe, that the divine truths, which he so ably and so earnestly recommended to others, both from the pulpit and in his private conversation, gained a permanent residence in his heart. His uniform sedateness of behaviour, and his conscientious regard to the divine laws, added to his soundness of judgment, and perception of the interior truths of the Holy Word, ranked high in the estimation of all who had the happiness of knowing him. I long had that happiness; and whenever the thought of Mr. Jones has occurred to my mind, I have felt grateful to the Divine Providence that I was permitted to call such a man my friend.*
* Mr. Jones died at Manchester, on the 22nd November, 1832, in his sixty-second year. He was the Author of a pamphlet, entitled, A Friendly Address to the Receivers of the Doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church; and a Sermon, published in 1805. He was also the writer of several articles in the Intellectual Repository under the signature Discipulus- ED.
The Editors of the Quarterly Theological Review, a work conducted and supported chiefly by Clergymen of the Established Church of England, having in their Fourth Number thought proper to make a direct attack on the New Church in general, and on the character of Swedenborg in particular, their calumnious charges and imputations were successfully replied to by the Committee of the London Printing Society, in an Address to the public, which well deserves to be preserved.* It is as follows:
* This was from the pen of the Rev. S. Noble.- ED.

“To the Readers of the Quarterly Theological Review, and the Public in General.

“Whoever possesses any acquaintance with the periodical and other literature of the day, will have had many opportunities of observing the disingenuous manner, in which attempts are constantly being made, to deter the public from fairly estimating the writings and sentiments of that eminent philosopher and divine, the Hon. Eman. Swedenborg. The means resorted to for this purpose are, calumnious imputations against the author, the most gross mis-statements respecting the contents of his works, and the unmeasured use of inapplicable ridicule. Yet, for every quality and attainment that make human nature respectable, the character of the man who is thus abused, is established by the testimony of persons of the first rank in his own country, and of men of learning and piety in this; whilst the superior views of divine truth displayed in his writings, and their never-failing consistency and rationality, have procured them numerous admirers in every country of Europe, and in America; among whom are many in the upper orders of society, and many who are distinguished for scientific attainments. Such is the real state of the case: yet who, that forms his opinion from the injurious statements which are continually repeated in the publications of the day, will believe it? Swedenborg certainly demonstrates, with the clearest light both of Scripture and reason, that all the received systems of religious doctrine, whether Tripersonalism on the one hand, or of Anti-trinitarianism on the other, are replete with most serious mistakes. {439} It was therefore to be expected, that the advocates of those systems would oppose him: but was it to be expected, that any who wished to be esteemed a fair opponent, instead of refuting his views by candid investigation, would attempt to mislead by extravagant misrepresentation? Who would suppose, that any publication of general respectability, such, for instance, as the Quarterly Theological Review, would lend itself to the propagation of statements totally false and unfounded? Yet in No. IV of that work is an article respecting the illustrious Swedenborg, nearly all the original part of which has no tendency but to mislead. The limits of this advertisement will not permit all the instances to be produced: one or two, however, shall be given by way of sample.
“‘Like many of the early impostors and fanatics of the Church,’ says the Reviewer, (p. 358) ‘Swedenborg personated the character of the Holy Ghost.’ Here is an imputation, the very atrocity of which must gain it credit: for who would imagine, that any reviewer of character could put forth so monstrous a charge, if it were false? Utterly false, however, it is, in every possible sense: it is pure, gratuitous invention. Even the worthless libel, which gives occasion to the Reviewer’s remarks, and from which source, foul and deceptive as it is, he seems to have derived all his knowledge of the subject, stops far short of such recklessness of aspersion.
“After drawing from his fiction consequences worthy of the premises, the Reviewer proceeds: ‘Several of the books of the Old Testament are unceremoniously divested of their authority, and every part of the New, except the Gospels, and the Apocrypha, is treated with the same lack of ceremony, and in like manner degraded. Of the little that is left, the facts evaporize into figures, and the literal language is presumed always to have a mystic sense, alone of any worth and authority,’ &c. These two sentences contain gross perversions. To all the books of the Old and New Testament, as much authority is allowed by Swedenborg as by Christians in general: but certain of them, being nearly all those of the Old Testament, and the Gospels and Apocalypse (not Apocrypha, as the Reviewer states) in the New, are affirmed by him, beyond what is generally admitted, to be divinely inspired as to every syllable, and thence to contain a spiritual sense regularly included within the letter. So far, however, is he from affirming that the spiritual sense is ‘alone of any worth and authority,’ that, when treating expressly on this subject, he lays down and illustrates these two propositions: ‘That, in the literal sense of the Word, Divine Truth is in its fulness, in its sanctity, and in its power:’ – ‘That the doctrine of the Church is to be drawn from the literal sense of the Word, and to be confirmed thereby.’ (Doctrine of Scripture, n. 37 to 6 1.)
“After several other sentences, almost every one of which contains a misrepresentation, the Reviewer introduces these remarks into his account of Swedenborg’s sentiments of the resurrection: ‘Enter into Swedenborg’s service and jurisdiction, and forthwith you find yourself, really and bodily, in a state of resurrection; before you know where you are, you are in possession of eternal bliss; earth is heaven, and heaven is earth. Reject the splendid privilege, and as suddenly you find yourself precipitated into the opposite career; you are involved in an eternity of misery; earth is hell, and hell is earth, to you.’ For this jumble of nonsense, the Reviewer alone is accountable. Both in thought and expression, the whole is as remote from the statements of Swedenborg, as is Britain from its antipodes; and the barbarity of the sentiment conveyed in the latter clause, in particular, is most abhorrent from such a system as his, which has no equal for the universality and charity which it everywhere breathes.
“Having witnessed with concern the frequency with which, in regard to the illustrious Swedenborg, truth and decency are thus outraged, the Society for Printing and Publishing his Writings, instituted in London in the year 1810, have deemed it their duty, on this occasion, to offer this Address in his Vindication. Will the public for ever submit to be imposed upon by such misrepresentations? Whilst, in almost every other respect, mankind, in our age, seem determined to see with their own eyes, will the bulk of them continue to be satisfied with taking their notions of Swedenborg and his doctrines at second-hand,- from adversaries and calumniators? However his writings may be maligned, be assured that they contain information which is essential, in the extraordinary era in which we live, to the best interests of the human race. Their only tendency is, to lead to the true knowledge of God and of ourselves,- to virtue here and to happiness hereafter; and they appeal for their truth to such solid documents of Scripture and reason, as, after due examination, scarcely anything but confirmed Sadducism can resist. Cease then to join in the senseless outcry, which passion and prejudice have raised. Suffer yourselves, on this subject, to be led blindfold no longer. {440} Read, think, and judge, for yourselves. And if, in the views which may thus be presented to your minds, you find the precious pearl of truth, fear not to accept it because by those who assume to be the arbiters of theological sentiment, it is rejected as worthless.”
“Committee Room, 9, Featherstone Buildings, Holborn, Dec. 1, 1825.”

This Address was inserted in many of the Newspapers of the day, and also appended to several of the periodical publications*; the consequence of which has been, as in almost all similar cases of unjust slander that have hitherto been hazarded against the character and writings of the illustrious Swedenborg, that the New Church has actually gained strength on the occasion, and an increase of numbers, in spite of all these Armageddonites** have said and done.
* The Address was sent to Messrs. Rivington, the Publishers of the Quarterly Theological Review, to be attached to the next No. published, but was refused.-ED.
** See Rev. xvi. 16; and the explanation of the term Armageddon, in the Apocalypse Revealed, n. 707, 716.    On Sunday, the 25th of December, 1825, a Chapel, lately occupied by a Society of Independent Methodists, and situated in High Street, Salisbury, was opened for public worship according to the doctrines of the New Church. Mr. Harbin, who was for some time a Preacher amongst the Methodists, lately became a reader of the writings of E. S., and has now openly avowed his cordial reception of the new doctrines. Report speaks of him as a truly pious character, and a most powerful and zealous Preacher. Having a small independency, he gives his services to the Church gratuitously; and it is really astonishing to witness the eagerness with which he is attended by a crowded congregation on Sunday evenings.
Of the progress of the New Church at St. Helier’s, Jersey, very satisfactory information has been received from Captain Gomm, of the Royal Navy, who, in a letter dated Dec. 30, 1825, writes as follows:

“I am happy to inform you, that the Church is altogether upon the increase. Mr. Sandford* (late a Preacher in the Methodist Connexion) and myself alternately perform divine service. His first discourse was numerously attended by the Methodists, as he was esteemed by them a zealous member. He gave a most manly and affectionate explanation of his reasons for quitting their Society, which proceeded from their errors, defiled and contradictory doctrines. We have since established a meeting every Tuesday evening for reading the Baron’s works; which I have long wished to do, on account of its being a great means of advancing the knowledge of the above sublime truths. But I wanted a co-adjutor; the task would have been too much for me alone; and we are most ably assisted by Mr. Nobbs. We undertake to answer all questions, and combat all objections; which we in humility, think, by the Lord’s blessing, has been successful. Our opponents are so sensible of their defeat, that they have been lately endeavouring to create some tumult by personally insulting us; but that is wearing off, as they perceive we do not yield to them. The little Church, though strongly opposed, is creating great general interest, and I trust, by the protection of the Lord, will be annually increasing. Much has been done during the forty years that I have embraced the holy doctrines of the New Church: therefore, what may we not expect in the next forty!”
* Mr. Sandford was the writer of a pamphlet, entitled A Casket of Jewels; or, a reply in Questions and Answers by a Layman or Trinitarian, to Andronicus or a Unitarian; being a clear Refutation of both their Doctrines on the Trinity. By a Lover of Divine Truth. 1825.- ED. {441}

The Fifth Annual Meeting of the London Missionary and Tract Society, belonging to the New Church, was held on the 22nd of May, 1826, at the Chapel in Friars’ Street, Doctors’ Commons, the Rev. M. Sibly in the chair. The Report of the Committee, which was read at the meeting, and has been since printed, was highly interesting and satisfactory. An account is given of Rev. S. Noble’s visit to Norwich the preceding summer, when he delivered a course of lectures intended to include Answers to all the objections brought forward by the Rev. G. Beaumont, of that city, in a work called The Anti- Swedenborg. After relating the transactions of Sunday, June 12th, Mr. Noble states, that a violent uproar was raised on the Wednesday evening, when he proceeded to treat of the appearances in heaven, hell, and the world of spirits, as described in the Memorable Relations of Swedenborg. He addressed them again on the Friday evening with so much good effect, that, contrary to all expectation, the auditory became most anxious to hear his discourse. The change was truly extraordinary, considering the prejudiced state of mind in which they had assembled before. “More rivetted attention was never exhibited” than was manifested now. “People were reaching over each other in all directions, with mouths as well as ears open, as if fearful of losing a word.” When it was over, not a sound or syllable was heard from any quarter expressive of disapprobation; nothing but remarks to this effect:- “That it was very extraordinary, to be sure, and they had no idea that things could be so explained.” Even known opponents were constrained to be silent.

“The blessing, (continues Mr. Noble,) which accompanied our efforts on this evening, was quite decisive of our success. How far permanent conviction may have been carried to any, it is yet impossible to say; but certainly, from this hour, opposition was completely vanquished; and I am satisfied, that the great majority of those who witnessed the transactions, whether convinced of the absolute truth of our sentiments or not, regarded us as having obtained a decided victory over the arguments and misrepresentations of the Anti-Swedenborg. Hitherto we had been combating for life; but now all regarded us as having made good our standing, and established our claims to be considered as a body of rational men and serious Christians, whose sentiments are entitled to respect. On the ensuing Lord’s day, June 19th, which concluded our exertions, I was to treat of the great subjects of doctrine and life; and though those which were to be defended were the cardinal points, in which we most widely differ from the sentiments generally prevailing, we heard of no remarks but such as included approbation. The discourse in the morning was intended to shew, ‘that the Trinity in the Godhead is not a Trinity of Persons; and that the Person of Jesus Christ is the Person of the Father, in which alone the Deity can be approached;’ and really, so far as could be judged from the behaviour of the congregation, and their remarks at the conclusion, the hearts of all seemed to go with us. As a specimen of the observations that were heard, I will mention one made by a Methodist to others of that communion. As soon as I had ended he exclaimed: ‘Well, I never did hear anything so truly glorious in all my life!’- In the afternoon, when I had to treat a still more delicate subject, ‘the true nature of the atonement and mediatorship of Jesus Christ,’ the same acceptance accompanied what I delivered: again great satisfaction was exhibited and expressed; people avowed, that they certainly had never had such ideas before, but must acknowledge them to be truly grand and beautiful. On this occasion I had the honour of having among my auditors, Mr. Beaumont himself.- {442} The subject for the evening was, ‘that a life of righteousness, but not of Pharisaic righteousness, is the true way to heaven;’ and that the assertion, ‘that it is not so difficult a thing to live for heaven as some suppose,’ is a scriptural truth, which does not teach men to ‘break one of the least of God’s commandments;’ for this Mr. B. had falsely affirmed. We again heard various expressions of approbation, and none of opposition. The congregations in the morning and afternoon had been great – I suppose more than 700 persons must have been present on each occasion; but in the evening the Chapel was filled to excess, and not fewer than 800 persons must have been in it.- When I looked round towards the end of the discourse this evening, and saw such a multitude, all, to appearance, eagerly devouring my words, my heart rose in adoration to Him in whose name I was speaking, to whom alone it belongs to turn the hearts of the children of men; and I could not but hope, that we might take it as an earnest that the time is approaching, when the hearing ear and the understanding heart will everywhere wait on the preaching of the truth.”

The Report of the Committee also contains a very pleasing account of a Missionary visit to Brightlingsea and St. Osyth, by Rev. T. Goyder; and a notice of the formation of a small Society of receivers of the doctrines of the New Church at Reed, near Bury St. Edmunds.
The Eighth General Convention of the New Church in America, was held at the New Jerusalem Chapel, Pearl Street, City of New York, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of June, 1826=70; when the Rev. John Hargrove was elected President, the Rev. L. Beers, Vice-President, and Mr. T. B. Hayward, Secretary. Five Ministers, three Licentiates, and fourteen Delegates from different Societies, attended; besides a number of Ladies and Gentlemen, receivers of the new doctrines from various parts of the United States.
Though the great distress, which for some years back has visited the United States, in common with other commercial countries, has been sensibly felt by the members of the New Church, as well as by others, and has caused the discontinuance of the publication of the New Jerusalem Church Repository, and even the loss of their Temple in Philadelphia, yet it is gratifying to observe, that they are not disheartened by the afflictive dispensation, to which they have been subjected. They are still anxious to promote, to the utmost of their ability, the cause of divine truth, and they appear to be guided by sound discretion and genuine New Church feelings. One important object of the Convention was to regulate the mode of admission of persons into the Ministry; from which it is reasonable to conclude, that there, as in this country, some injury has either been experienced, or feared, from too great a readiness to admit applicants into that office. So much do the respectability and welfare, yea, the very existence, of every Church depend upon the character of its Ministers, that, while every possible encouragement should be given to persons of real piety, sound theological attainments, and well-decided principles, to engage in the office, as much caution should be used to exclude equivocal morals, shallow pretensions, and the transient determinations of fickleness or rashness. It is, therefore, pleasing to observe, that, by attention to this subject, our brethren in America are labouring, under the blessing of Providence, to secure the advance of the Church in steadiness and respectability. {443} The following interesting intelligence, drawn from the communications made to the two last Conventions, is given in the Appendix to the Journal of this Convention.

“MAINE, Bath.- The Society in this place is reported to consist of five families, who hold regular meetings for worship on Sabbath evenings. It has received some additions of late, but the number is not stated.
“There are receivers in several other towns in this State, but it is not known that they have formed themselves into Societies.
“MASSACHUSETTS, Boston.- Within the three last years, this Society has experienced an addition of ten members, together with many new receivers. During the latter half of that period, a very considerable extension of interest in the doctrines has been manifested; and the public worship is much more fully attended. The present number of members is 49; but the number of receivers considerably exceeds 100. The meetings are still held in a Hall, but the Corporation are taking measures for erecting a House of public worship. The number of marriages within three years is 6, baptisms 15, and deaths 3.
“Editions of several of Swedenborg’s works have been published here within a few years;- the Heavenly Doctrines, in 1820; the Doctrine concerning the Lord, and the Doctrine of Life, in 1821; and the Treatise on Heaven and Hell in 1825. Mr. Worcester also published a volume of seven Sermons in 1824; and two or three occasional Sermons have been published.
“Bridgewater.- The Delegates’ Report says, ‘Early in the year 1822, several gentlemen and ladies in this town, heard of the writings of the heaven-taught Scribe.’ ‘In the winter of 1823-4, they formed a Society for establishing a New Church Library.’ ‘In the spring following, (1824,) the Society of the New Jerusalem was instituted in this town.’ This Society was stated to the Convention of 1824, to consist of 15 or 20 persons. The Report goes on: ‘At this time we can enumerate 50 warm- hearted receivers of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, in this small town; and we presume, 50 more, who seem to be very friendly. Our meetings are always well filled.’
“Mr. Eleazer Smith was ordained over this Society, at the present Convention; but is to devote a portion of his labours among some of the neighbouring towns; since the same Report states, that,-
“In West Bridgewater, North Bridgewater, Kingston, Freetown, Taunton, and some other places in the neighbourhood, there are several receivers, about 50 in all.
“Yarmouth.- This Society was formed in 1824, and consists of 7 members, who hold private meetings for worship on the Sabbath. Considerable interest in the doctrines is manifested among the people in the neighbourhood.
“There are receivers scattered through all parts of the State.
“New York, City of New York.- The number of additions to the Society in this place has been small. Several instances are, however, mentioned, of persons who have either received the doctrines, or otherwise manifested an interest in them. The number of either has not been furnished; nor that of the baptisms, marriages, and deaths, which have taken place within the Society.
“A periodical work, entitled, The New Jerusalem Missionary and Intellectual Repository, was commenced in this city in May, 1823, by Mr. Samuel Woodworth, and published through the year in Monthly Numbers of 32 pages each, making a very handsome volume; but it did not meet with sufficient encouragement, to authorize the commencement of a second volume.
“Danby.- The Report made to the Convention in 1824 says,-‘This Society consists of 38 adult members, who are communicants. There are 50 adult members who belong to the Society, and as many more children. The Church is well attended on Lord’s day, and devout attention paid to the preaching of the Word. The Society and Church live in great harmony; and three readers give us hope, that they will soon be added to the Church. There have been 2 deaths the past year; one new adult member has been added, and 3 infants baptized.’ The present number of the Society, the number of new members, and other data, have not been furnished. Since the last Convention this Society has erected a very neat but plain House of public worship, large enough to accommodate 400 persons. It was dedicated in the autumn of 1825.
“Spencer.- This Society has never before been reported to the Convention. {444} It consists of 20 or more members, and is a branch of that at Danby, being but a few miles distant. Dr. Beers preaches to them at stated periods.
“Henderson.- The Rev. Holland Weeks, who has resided in this place four or five years, during which time he has been earnestly preaching the doctrines, and for two or three years has held regular meetings, – has experienced a rich blessing on his labours, in the formation, within the last year, of a Society consisting of 12 communicants. Several others are understood to be either receivers, or favourers, of the doctrines; and much interest has been excited in the vicinity, through the instrumentality of this gentleman’s preaching.
“Rochester.- There is a small Society in this village, and other receivers in the vicinity; but no information has been received from them the present year.
“Riverhead, Long-Island.- The Society in this place consists of about a dozen members, who meet regularly for worship on the Sabbath. No further information has been given, relative to the state and prospects of the Society; except that it subsists with very great harmony and happiness.
“There are many receivers scattered throughout the Sate.
“PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia.- The Rev. Mr. Carll’s Society.- It is not known that this Society has increased in numbers within the last three years. For many months previous to the Convention of 1824, the Temple was closed on account of the absence of the Reverend Pastor, who was under the necessity of taking a voyage to England for his health. In consequence of the pecuniary embarrassments of some of its most efficient members, the Society relinquished the Temple about a year ago; but have since met for worship in a school- room. No statement in respect to numbers has been received.
“Southwark, Philadelphia.- The report rendered to the Convention does not state what number has been added to this Society within the last two years. At the Convention of 1824, it was stated to have received an addition of 70 members during the year previous. Earlier than that, it was but in its infancy; and for the last two years it is well known to have been flourishing. Its present number is probably 100 to 200. Their public worship is attended by as many more, who are either receivers, or favourably disposed. The number of baptisms, children and adults, has been 35; of deaths, 2. Much exertion has been made towards the erection of a Temple; and it is probable that the Society will, ere long, find its wishes fully realized. They have a Sunday School in operation with 132 scholars, and 13 male and 11 female teachers.
“Last summer the Society gave leave of absence to their Pastor, to visit the Societies to the westward. He went accordingly in the latter part of August; preaching at Lancaster, Bedford, Stoystown, Greensburg, and Pittsburg. Through all his journey, he found much to encourage and delight him.
“The Rev. Mr. Roche published a small volume of eight sermons, early in the present year.
“Haddington.- There is a village about six miles from the city of Philadelphia, where there are several affectionate receivers of the doctrines. It is visited by the Rev. Mr. Roche once a month. There is a large academy, with a room fitted for public worship, which is at the use of the New Church; and which, whenever he attends, is crowded with an attentive audience.
“Frankford.- A letter from the Rev. Mr. Worrell, Minister of this Society, says,- ‘The number of persons who acknowledge themselves members of the New Jerusalem Church of Frankford, is between 40 and 50.’ The Rev. John Lister also preaches here every two weeks; and at other two places monthly each, among some of the distant branches of the Society. There have been four deaths in this Society; one a Mr. John Bain, who officiated as a Preacher.
“Wilkesbarre.- There are receivers in this place, who were represented in Convention in 1824, by Mr. Henry Blackman. Their number was then small, and there had been no additions during the year previous. No information has been received from them at this Convention.
“Pike.- This society has been formed but a few months, and at present consists of about a dozen members. The Rev. L. C. Belding, (a practising Physician,) ordained at the present Convention, has been principally instrumental, under Divine Providence, in its institution; as he has been preaching the doctrines here for two or three years.
“Harrisburg.- The members of this Society (about half a dozen in number) have mostly been receivers of the doctrines for several years. There have been no new receivers of late, and the prospects are not represented as promising.
“Lancaster.- A small Society of seven members was formed here early in 1824; from which no information was received at the present Convention. {445}
“Bedford.- A small Society in this place was represented at the Convention of 1824, by Mr. Barclay, since deceased. The present number of members is not known, as no information has been received.
“Several well-known receivers reside in Greensburgh, Pittsburg, Brownsville, Newhope, Stoystown, and many other places in this state.
“MARYLAND, Baltimore.- The report made to the last Convention states, that ‘the number of occasional hearers has considerably increased: two respectable families have taken pews in the Temple, and one joined the Society. The Pastor has baptized five persons, and married two couple during the last year.’ The statement the present year says, that the progress of the Society, for the last two years, ‘has been, in a considerable degree, encouraging and consoling. The Temple is better attended by strangers than formerly; and a few young persons, of both sexes, have lately become members. We have, however, during the last few months, been deprived, by death, of two of our old male members and officers of the Church; one of whom is mentioned as one of their ‘most zealous and enlightened brethren.’ The Society is represented as enjoying a high degree of harmony within itself, and good-fellowship with other churches in the city.
“Cumberland.- In this State, are several receivers; but no information has been received from them the present year.
“VIRGINIA, Lynchburg.- From letters addressed to the last Convention, it appears, that a Society had been formed but a short time previous, from among five interested families. Mr. H. G. Linberg, a Licentiate, had commenced and was then preaching there. He, however, left Lynchburg a few months after, and returned to his former residence in the Island of St. John’s, one of the West Indies. No information was received from Lynchburg, at the present Convention.
“Abingdon.- There is a very respectable Society in this place, but the number of members is not known, as no direct information has been received at either of the two last Conventions. It was formerly under the care of the Rev. Nathaniel Holley, who removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, as Editor of the Herald of Truth. This gentleman ordained the Rev. Samuel H. Wills, Aug. 29, 1824; who was to preach at Abingdon, and other places.
“Wheeling.- A small Society was, some years ago, formed in this place, under the care of the Rev. Richard H. Goe; from which, however, no information has been received for the last three years.
“There are several other receivers in various parts of the State.
“OHIO, Cincinnati.- This Society was not represented either at the last or the present Convention, probably on account of the distance, as stated in their communication to the former. It before embraced 50 to 100 members, and was then represented as having increased very considerably during the year preceding. Its present condition or number is not known, as no communication or other information has been received at this convention.
“A periodical work, entitled The Herald of Truth, was commenced in this place, in the spring of 1825, under the editorial direction of the Rev. Nathaniel Holley, and issued every two weeks in numbers of 16 to 24 pages each. It has now reached the 26th No.; and the editor informs, ‘that its continuance is uncertain.’
“Steubenville.- A letter from Mr. William Grant, presented at the Convention in 1824, states, that the number of communicants in this Society was 10, and the whole number of members 21;- that, within the year previous, there had been 32 baptisms, 2 new members added, and 4 deaths. Among the latter was the Rev. David Powell, Minister of this Society, and a zealous preacher of the doctrines. No information has been received from this Society the present year.
“Steiger’s Rest.- An interesting letter from General J. R. Steiger, from whom this place derives its name, was received at the Convention in 1824. He says, ‘I have formed here a new settlement of Swiss emigrants, and I shall admit no other than sober, orderly, and well-disposed people. These all I intend to introduce to the New Jerusalem. For this purpose I have concluded to erect a place of worship on my ground. I hope it will be finished in October next.’ ‘I have made known my wish in Berne, where I am almost certain that the heavenly doctrines have found their way, to send me a man for that office,’ viz: Minister. This letter is accompanied by a declaration of belief in the doctrines, signed by 21 persons; all of whom, except two, are Swiss. The letter says of these, that they ‘have heartily embraced the New Jerusalem;’ and that ‘others are in a good way.’ No information has since been received from them.
“Lebanon.- No information from this Society has been received at either of the two last Conventions. Nothing is, therefore, known in respect to its numbers or prospects. {446}
“Wooster.- A letter, in 1824, from the Rev. Thomas Newport, Junr., at Paintville, in this State, mentions a small Society of zealous receivers in Wooster, who ‘have a very promising young man that delivers lectures to them, and bids fair to be a useful Minister in the Church.’ His name is not given.
“There are several other Societies in this State, but even their location is not known. There are also many scattered receivers.
“In several of the States not mentioned, there are known to be many receivers, either scattered, or in small collections; particularly in Vermont, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.”

The Journal contains an excellent Address of the Convention to the New Jerusalem Churches in the United States; from which the following is an extract:

“From the Old Christian Church but little can at present be expected. It may justly be said of it, with respect to the Lord’s second advent, what John said of the Jews, at his first: ‘He came unto his own, but his own received him not; but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.’ Yet we greatly rejoice, that even then, there are ‘remnants that may be gathered in;’ ‘for God hath not cast away his people whom he foreknew.’ Yet we look with more pleasing anticipations to the rising generations, and the Gentile World: for ‘the stone cut out of the mountain without hands’ (the Natural Humanity of the Lord made Divine) will not only remove the falses and evils of the Church, but also of the natural man. Then shall the Church come forth, glorious in ultimates and fill the world. For, ‘behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him: he shall feed his flock like a Shepherd.’

A Committee having been appointed to prepare and transmit to the General Conference in Great Britain, in the name of this Convention, a respectful and affectionate reply to a former communication from the said General Conference, such reply, signed by John Hargrove, President, Maskell M. Carll, and Charles J. Doughty, was accordingly forwarded, and duly received. From this Address the following interesting particulars are extracted:

“We have now the happiness to announce to you the late appearance of three new stars in this western hemisphere of the Lord’s Church. Two of these, the first, a Mr. Eleazer Smith, of or near the town of Bridgewater, in the State of Massachusetts; the second, a Doctor Samuel Belding, of the northern parts of the State of Pennsylvania; obtained ordination as Ministers in our Church, at our last Convention in New York. Together with these, we have lately had a pleasing and powerful accession to our Church, in the city of Philadelphia, in the person of Doctor Edwin Atlee, an eminent physician, and for many years past an approved and acceptable Minister in the Quakers’ or Friends’ Society; who, a few months ago, after having first perused several of our favourite Author’s writings, resigned his station and church-membership among his old friends, in favour of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem and has since commenced holding public meetings for divine worship in the City Commissioners’ Hall, in the northern liberties of the city, where he openly and boldly, but with great humility and judgment, defends the heavenly doctrines he has lately espoused, to the admiration and delight of all our friends who have heard him. Your hearts, then, dear brethren, will, we doubt not, unite with our’s in offering up grateful and devout acknowledgements ‘to the only wise God our Saviour, to whom alone, in his Divine Humanity, be ascribed all honour, glory, and praise.”

Dr. Atlee, mentioned in the above Address, who appears to be a truly valuable addition to the effective promoters of the cause of the New Church, has commenced a translation of Dr. Beyer’s Index to the Writings of Swedenborg, and has issued proposals for its publication, with a specimen of the work. On this design the Editors of the Intellectual Repository make the following appropriate and just observations:

“Applauding, as we do, his (Dr. Atlee’s) zeal and desire to be useful, we cannot think a mere translation of Beyer advisable. {447} The work is, doubtless, a useful as well as most laborious one, and, as the first production of the kind, is entitled to considerable praise; but the plan, we think, might easily be improved; and that publication is also essentially defective, in containing no references to that immense storehouse of spiritual science, the Apocalypse Explained, which was not published till after Dr. Beyer’s decease. When, in addition to the copious Indexes which we already have to the Arcana Coelestia and the Apocalypse Revealed, we possess a similar one to the Apocalypse Explained, the necessity for a general index is much diminished; but whoever shall have courage to engage in so laborious a work, will also enjoy aids for the undertaking, that will enable him to produce a far more perfect performance than that of Beyer.”

The Tenth Report of the Manchester and Salford Missionary Society contains much useful and satisfactory information. The Societies in the neighbourhood of Manchester are stated to be numerous and prosperous; and the religious and moral conduct of the members in general exemplary. Happy in the peaceful simplicity of their lives, and in the integrity of their hearts, the Societies in the country present a spectacle truly inviting to all around them. To this cause, no doubt, as well as to the force of the luminous doctrines which they have espoused, are to be attributed the success of their cause, and the gradual increase of their numbers.
The gentlemen who are engaged as Missionaries, have been active and zealous promoters of the cause of the Lord’s New Church; and nothing has hitherto been able to turn them aside from the line of their duty. When it is considered, that they have to submit to various privations and inconveniences, and that their conduct before men is still irreprehensible, too much cannot be said in praise of their indefatigable exertions.
Several New Societies have been formed within the space of the last year; and readers of the new doctrines have been found in many places, where it was supposed that none existed. These, it is expected, will ere long begin to form themselves into Societies, and to unite more closely with their brethren of the same spiritual family. The letters annexed to the Report afford a cheering prospect of the growing prosperity of the New Church in Lancashire.

The Nineteenth General Conference was held in the New Jerusalem Church, Peter Street, Manchester, on Tuesday, the 8th day of August, 1826=70, and was continued, till Saturday, the 12th day of the same month. At this Conference seven Ministers, and twenty-one Representatives of different Societies, were present, besides many other individuals of the town and neighbourhood. The Rev. RICHARD JONES was unanimously chosen President, and Mr. J. S. HODSON, Secretary.
After reading the Minutes of the last Conference, and taking into consideration the Resolutions, No. 19 and 20, respecting the Newcastle Trust Deed, and the correspondence that had passed between the Society in that place and the Trustees of the Conference South and North of Trent, together with the legal observations on the subject by Mr. Knight, the Conference were of opinion that the conditions required by the Society at Newcastle, on vesting their place of worship in the Trustees of Conference, were such as could not be acceded to, because they would have involved both the Conference and the Society in many serious difficulties. {448} It was, therefore, Resolved unanimously,

“That a letter to this effect be transmitted from this Conference to the Rev. James Bradley, informing him of their views on the subject, and remonstrating on the expenses which had been so unnecessarily incurred, through the refusal of the Newcastle Society to fulfil the engagement, which Mr. Bradley had made with the Conference, when the measure was originally proposed.”

When the list of Ordained Ministers was read, the Rev. S. Noble informed the Conference, that the Rev. Joseph Proud had departed this life, and that on his way to Conference on Sunday the 6th ult., he saw the earthly remains of this aged
Minister.
A draft of the New Liturgy having been presented to the Conference, but not in a perfect state, it was Resolved unanimously,

“That it shall consist of two services, one for the morning, and one for the afternoon or evening; and that the Representatives from London and Manchester be associated with the Ministers resident in those places in revising and settling such Draft-Liturgy.”

The subject of the ordering of the Ministry, which had engaged the attention of the two last Conferences, being resumed, two Committees were appointed to digest some plan for the purpose, the one consisting of the Ministers in London, and the other of the Ministers in Manchester; the two Committees to communicate with each other, as circumstances may render necessary, and each Committee to have power to add to its number any other Minister of the New Church.
The Appendix contains, as usual, various reports, and a large body of information respecting the state of the New Church in this country; and it is rendered more valuable than ordinarily, by a paper of very important “Legal Observations,” respecting the nature and power of the General Conference, and respecting both the proper and improper clauses that may be inserted in Deeds for vesting places of worship in trust.
The business before the Meeting being concluded, the next Conference was appointed to be held in London on the second Tuesday in August, 1827=71.

On Sunday, Sept. 9, 1826, a small Chapel, adjoining Renacre Hall, four miles from Ormskirk, in Lancashire, was opened for public worship. Mr. Swift, of Liverpool, preached in the morning, and the Rev. D. G. Goyder in the afternoon. The interest excited on the occasion was uncommonly great, and the good likely to result to the Church will no doubt be proportionate. {449} Too much cannot be said in commendation of the worthy founder, Thomas Higson, Esq. Though at present retired in the silent recesses of rural life, he has long been a very liberal supporter of many Societies, both in this country and in America, where he first received the doctrines. Through his active benevolence several Sunday Schools have been called into existence, or have flourished by the extension of his bounty.
The establishment of a North British Missionary and Tract Society, which was formed at Edinburgh in January, 1822, has been already noticed in a former part of this work. It appears to owe nearly its whole support to the zeal of the friends in that capital, who have published several Reports of their proceedings. It is satisfactory to see, that they are extremely active, in proportion to their means, in endeavouring to promote the diffusion of the heavenly doctrines in the northern part of the United Kingdom. During the last year, they have been enabled to obtain the services, as an occasional Missionary, of Mr. Bruce, the leader of the Society at Dundee; who appears to be well qualified to be useful in that capacity, and whose letters, containing the account of his visits to Arbroath, St. Andrew’s, Broughty Ferry, and Cupar Fife, are very satisfactory. At each place he easily obtained a Hall to preach in, was attended by numerous and orderly congregations, and distributed a great many tracts to persons eager to obtain them. His visit to St. Andrew’s, which is the seat of a University, was attended with circumstances of extraordinary interest. The subject of his discourse was the Sole Divinity of Jesus Christ, &c.; and he states, that the company, among whom were a great number of the University students, were extremely attentive; and many expressed themselves very favourably respecting the doctrine which they heard elucidated. After sermon a number of the tracts were distributed; and every one, thought to be a student, was furnished with one of Mr. Stirling’s Address to the Religious Public, in addition to one on the Trinity. He visited the Divinity College, inspected the catalogue of books in their library, and found Swedenborg’s treasures set out at full length. Mr. Bruce further states, that he understood the visit had created a very favourable sensation, and that all the books in the College Library had been taken out.
The narrative of his visit to Broughty Ferry where a Methodist Local Preacher had previously been declaiming loudly against the New Church, is also highly interesting. After a discourse delivered by him on the Trinity, Mr. Bruce invited such of his audience as were desirous of making inquiry concerning the doctrines of the New Church, to attend a meeting then to be held for a friendly discussion on those subjects. The teacher of a Sunday School then came forward as the chief spokesman of a little circle around him, and after some observations on the sufferings and death of the Lord, which he considered as removing the curse of a broken law, and superseding the necessity of a good life, he asked Mr. Bruce if he believed that man could be saved by his works? {450} To which Mr. Bruce answered, that he did not suppose that man could be saved by works alone, nor yet by faith alone, but that the union of both is necessary for salvation; and that, according to the doctrine of Paul, a saving faith is that which worketh by love. Mr. Bruce then asked him if be thought he could be saved without keeping the commandments? This, he said, was not to the point: and insisted, that no mere man was able to keep the commandments perfectly. Mr. Bruce observed, that God did not require perfect obedience from imperfect creatures, but still obedience according to his ability was required of man, in order to his salvation. As to man’s inability to keep the commandments, Mr. Bruce asked him, if he, as an individual, could refrain from stealing? He answered, he could. Can you refrain from killing? I can. Can you refrain from committing adultery? I can. Then how is it that you shun such evils, and yet cannot keep the commandments? This he could not answer, and the conversation was turned into another channel. After a while he desired leave to read an extract or two from Swedenborg’s True Christian Religion. He then read two Memorable Relations; and upon reading, in one, the distinction between a Satan and a Devil, the one being in evil from the false, and the other being in the false from evil, he very wisely remarked, That is, bread and cheese, and cheese and bread. Having finished his remarks, he sat down with an air of triumph; and the company, which had hitherto been very orderly, began to betray some symptoms of excitement. But upon Mr. Bruce’s making an appeal to be heard in defence before judgment was pronounced, the buz gave way to complete silence. He then offered some general remarks upon the nature of Swedenborg’s mission, and contended, from the case of men in former ages, that there was nothing impossible or really objectionable in the case of Swedenborg; and that therefore it rested with the reader to judge of his assertions by their reasonableness, and the credit due to the writer. Going through the most prominent parts of the Relations, Mr. Bruce explained satisfactorily the difference between the false of evil and evil of the false; and having appealed to their understanding and conscience, whether there was no greater difference than between bread and cheese and cheese and bread, they appeared so well satisfied with its truth, that some voices cried, “Yes.” When Mr. Bruce had closed his address, which finished the proceedings, a general murmur of approbation followed, and the Meeting quietly dispersed.
In Haldane’s Second Review of the Conduct of the British and Foreign Bible Society, lately published, is the following singular and highly interesting notice of the state of religion in Sweden. {451}
“The pernicious spirit of the times,” says Mr. Haldane, “tending to indifference, scepticism, or a spurious mysticism, has of late too much obtained the prevalence; and under such circumstances, Swedenborgianism makes rapid progress among all classes of society. Bad, however, as is the state of things in Sweden, there is perhaps more dead knowledge than in Norway.”
To understand this curious statement, it is necessary to know, that the writer of it is a Scotch Calvinist, of the most heated and rigid description. What then he would call “religion,” is the belief of the doctrines of vicarious sacrifice, salvation by faith alone, partial election, and all the abominations of the corrupted Church, held with the utmost enthusiasm. The plain English, therefore, of his statement above is, that the people of Sweden, generally, are becoming disgusted with such absurdities; that, consequently, they who believe, as the Old Church teaches, that such shocking perversions of all genuine truth are the doctrines of the Scriptures, are falling into scepticism; but that, in the midst of this spiritual desolation, the New Church offers a refuge; and that in her truly heavenly doctrines, multitudes find security against the corruptions of divine truth by religionists on the one hand, and the denial of it by infidels on the other. These doctrines, however, being held in sobriety, are called “dead knowledge,” by those who think nothing lovely which does not partake of the wild and disorderly fervours of Methodism, whether Arminian or Calvinistic.
On Friday morning May 4th, 1827, the New Jerusalem Chapel, Byron Street, North-town-end, Leeds, which had been erected in the course of the past year, was consecrated, and opened for public worship. The consecration service was performed by the Rev. Thomas Goyder, of London, and the Rev. David Howarth, of Manchester; after which a sermon, on the Second Coming of the Lord, was delivered by the Rev. Edward Madeley, Junior, of Birmingham. In the afternoon, the Rev. Thomas Goyder delivered a discourse on the true Nature of Man, and on the doctrine of the Resurrection. And in the evening, a sermon on the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ was delivered by the Rev. David Howarth. On Sunday the 6th, three discourses were delivered to very crowded audiences:that in the morning by Mr. Goyder; that in the afternoon by Mr. Madeley; and that in the evening by Mr. George Senior, of Dalton, near Huddersfield. Collections were made after each service, which in the whole amounted to above L35. A sermon was also delivered on Monday evening, by the Rev. D. Howarth, on the truly Christian Life; on Tuesday evening, by the Rev. E. Madeley, on the Divinity of the Lord and on the Wednesday evening, by the Rev. T. Goyder, on the Divine Providence. {452} It is ardently hoped, that the cause of the New Church will prosper in this large and populous town. The Rev. Jonathan Gilbert is the stated Minister in this place.
The Sixth Annual Meeting of the London Missionary and Tract Society, was held on the 28th of May, 1827, at the Chapel in Hanover Street. The Committee’s Report was highly satisfactory. After some suitable introductory observations, it proceeds to detail the various Missionary visits, which, under the auspices of this institution, had been made in the past year. The first of these was to Norwich, performed by the Rev. W. Mason; whose letter contains a valuable account of nine lectures delivered by him on that occasion, and of several interesting occurrences which attended their delivery. To Mr. Mason’s account is added an interesting letter from Mr. Shalders, who usually conducts the public services at Norwich.

“A young man (it states) belonging to the Methodist Connexion, who heard Mr. Mason’s last lecture, expressed his great regret that he had not heard more of such delightful discourses. He has since been reading some of the writings of the New Church, and among others the Appeal, from which he has been so fully convinced, by the powerful arguments therein, of the truth of some of her doctrines, that he says, he must of necessity adopt them into his creed. This person is an Assistant Preacher: we, therefore, although not expecting his conversion, on account of the powerful ties by which he is held to his present connexions, hope that some of the sublime truths of the New Jerusalem will find their way, through Mr. M.’s instrumentality, where we could hardly otherwise have hoped they would.
“On the first Sunday morning, after the service was ended, two gentlemen were overheard talking on the merits of the discourse they had heard on the question, ‘What is truth?’ when one of them expressed himself most emphatically, ‘If I live, I will hear the whole of them.’ A person, who heard Mr. Noble, also attended Mr. M.’s preaching, and he says he is now fully confirmed in the truth of the New Church doctrines. This person, after the concluding lecture, waited upon Mr. M. in the vestry-room to express his thanks to that gentleman for the luminous views he had given of gospel truth; and to express further, that he felt himself under great obligation to Mr. Noble, as the chief instrument in effecting the change in his religious sentiments; that he had attended preaching for fifty years, but had never become acquainted with the truth till now! Another friend, who heard Mr. Noble, and was very favourably disposed to what he heard, was so much opposed by his relatives and friends, with whom he was in church fellowship, as to be frequently fetched away from the Chapel by them; but he has since, by Mr. M.’s visit, become so confirmed as to have commenced a subscription towards our funds, being, he says, determined to attend the preaching of the New Church;and he has borne the opposition he has met with, in such a Christian spirit, as in great measure to subdue the former enmity. We hope this humility and forbearance arises from the admission of those truths, with which he professes himself to be in love.
“There were many who came to hear Mr. M.’s preaching with a full determination to oppose all that might be advanced; but, from the powerful arguments adduced by that gentleman, their mouths, like the lions in the den, were shut by the angel of the divine presence, and they were constrained to acknowledge, that ‘mighty is the truth,’ however much they might be determined to oppose its operation upon their lives.
“In Mr. M.’s discourse on the spiritual views which Christians ought to entertain, of what is meant by the blood of Christ, he had occasion to advert to Heb. vii. 27, in order to show in what manner the Divine Saviour had borne our sins, viz., by taking the infirm human nature upon him, and that he had purified it by admitting temptations therein; or, in the words of the apostle, had offered up a sacrifice first for his own sins, and then for the people’s, and this he did, once for all when he offered up himself. Some of the persons above-mentioned falsified this statement by declaring, that Mr. M. had made Jesus Christ a sinner, and had thus taken away their Saviour. {453} This of course arose from their tripersonal views, which blinded them to the very lucid manner in which the proposition was stated, namely, that the sins mentioned by the apostle were those hereditary evils which he derived from his human parent. Their erroneous views they blazed about wherever they came, distorted in every way that malice and prejudice could invent. Of such persons perhaps there were but few; although it must be confessed, that this new view of a passage, which had before been in such a contrary light by most of Mr. M.’s hearers, must have struck them with astonishment. Nevertheless it was most edifying to all the friends of the Church here; and those, with whom they had an opportunity of conversing afterwards, were forced to acknowledge that nothing contrary to Scripture had been advanced.”

The Report further gives an account of Mr. T. Goyder’s visit to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Montrose, Dundee, and various other places in the north, at all of which he was most cordially received. In this journey he delivered 27 sermons or lectures, held 6 conversational meetings, baptized 19 adults and 9 infants, and travelled about 1300 miles.
Mr. Noble’s letter to the Committee gives the pleasing information, that the different Societies he visited are still upon the increase; and he concludes with expressing his conviction, that the Lord is firmly, though gradually, building up the walls of Jerusalem.
The Report then proceeds to consider the other branch of this institution, namely, the circulation of Tracts, and the important services they are calculated to perform. These, it observes, are capable of a very powerful agency. Although we have not sufficient Ministers, we may, at a comparatively trifling expense, keep the doctrines under public notice by a liberal distribution of tracts. When public attention is excited by Missionary visits, tracts serve as ready and effective auxiliaries; and on such occasions they are of course freely employed. During the past year, about 5000 tracts have been circulated; and yet this is but a trifling number, compared with what would be necessary to render the Society fully effective.
The Report concludes with a very powerful appeal on the uses of the institution, and the duty of affording it unceasing support.
The London Printing Society, in its Eighteenth Report, bears ample evidence of the continued utility of the labours of this truly valuable institution, which, with its companion at Manchester, may be considered as the most important of all the New Church institutions; since it keeps continually accessible the Writings containing the truths, which it is the aim of all the others, each in its own way, to assist in disseminating. The works which it has finished during the past year, are, a new edition of the Intercourse between the Soul and the Body, and the highly useful Index to the Apocalypse Explained. It has made considerable donations of books to various Societies, including the London Mechanics’ Institution, and the Russell Institution; and it has extensively advertised its publications in newspapers and magazines. {454}
A legal decision, of great importance to the New Church, has lately been made by the Master of the Rolls. The late Mr. James Arbouin, who died in November, 1821, bequeathed certain property with a view to the benefit of the New Church. From that time, however, till lately, a suit in Chancery has been pending, the object of which was to decide how far his directions could legally be executed. The property he left for the benefit of the Church consisted of a residue of about L300, arising from a certain fund in the 3 per cent. Consols; which he directed to be applied, when opportunity offered of building a Chapel, in aid of that object; and the sum of L100 per annum in the Long Annuities; half of which he directed to be given to the London Printing Society, and the other half to be applied, at the discretion of his Trustees, for promoting the external worship of the New Church. The cause was finally argued, on the 10th of July, 1827, before the Master of the Rolls: and his decision was, that the bequest of the sum of money for building is void by the Statute of Mortmain; but that both the other bequests are good and valid. The Trustees, thinking that they could in no way contribute more effectually to the support of the external worship of the New Church, than by assisting the Society which is endeavouring to make the freehold Chapel in Cross Street, Hatton Garden, London, the clear property of the Church; and taking into consideration that the Testator was, from the original opening of that Chapel, a member of that Society, which then assembled in it, and that none would more have rejoiced in its recovery; have given that part of the funds, the disposal of which was left to their discretion, as the law requires, to the general purposes of this Society.
The Eleventh Report of the Manchester and Salford Missionary Society contains an unusual share of valuable and important information. After giving an account of the tracts circulated by them, the Committee observe, that the uses of the Missionary institution have been more extensive this year, than for several previous years. They had all opportunity of sending the Rev. David Howarth to Dublin, at the request of the Society there, in order to announce, in the most public manner, the doctrines of the New Church; this being the second time those doctrines have been openly promulgated in the sister kingdom. On his arrival at Dublin, the 31st of August, 1826, a commodious room was with much difficulty engaged, for the delivery of a course of theological lectures. These lectures were announced by an advertisement in the newspapers, and by printed bills posted and distributed in every part of the town. Their appearance caused a strong sensation among all classes of people, and induced them to make inquiry, what was meant by the New Church, signified by the New Jerusalem in the Revelation, and who the Hon. Emanuel Swedenborg was. {455} Some Ministers took upon themselves the task of answering these inquiries by deterring their flocks from attending the lectures, and cautioning them against what they were pleased to call delusion and fanaticism. But though this precaution might prevent some, it would no doubt be the cause of stimulating others to look into the condemned works of Swedenborg. From all the circumstances taken together, the friends in Dublin were not without their fears of strong, if not violent, opposition being manifested during the delivery of the lectures; but in this they were agreeably disappointed; for never was there more marked and silent attention paid, than by that of the several audiences. Indeed, the manner in which the Lecturer introduced his subjects, could not fail to disarm all opposition. His uncommonly affectionate manner, his eloquent and impressive appeals to their hearts and understandings, and the unanswerable arguments which he brought forward from reason and Scripture, in support of the New Church doctrines, had the effect of drawing forth the best feelings of his audience. The following extract of a letter contained in the Report, is highly interesting, and will doubtless be read with great pleasure.

From Mr. William O’Connor, Dublin, 7th Nov. 1826.

“On the part of the New Church Society in Dublin, I beg to lay before the New Church Missionary Committee the following particulars relative to the Rev. David Howarth’s second Missionary visit to Dublin, and the result that is likely to ensue from his laudable efforts to propagate the truth here.
“On Mr. Howarth’s arrival, we found some difficulty in procuring a suitable place for him to lecture in, although we would have given what was considered a very handsome remuneration for a large room in the Rotunda, (a spacious and elegant building used on similar and other public occasions,) but could not be accommodated except upon condition of issuing tickets, and requiring payment in return. This was not in unison with the end we had in view, viz., of allowing all descriptions of professing Christians to be eye and ear witnesses of the living principles of the heavenly doctrines, and of enabling them to judge righteous judgment, without the interruption and calumnious insinuations of the different Ministers, many of whom, resting secure in their worldly interest, cannot of course bear the idea of my principles that are calculated to expose the fallacy of their own. At length we engaged a large room in the Weavers’ Hall, capable of containing from three to four hundred persons, and pretty well adapted for lecturing in; and though in rather an obscure part of the city, we were of opinion, that the inhabitants generally would be more receptive of genuine truth, than those of any other part, on account of their being of industrious and of religious habits. Accordingly we had the room fitted up in the best manner the circumstances we were placed in would permit, and got inserted in one of the most popular newspapers a pithy advertisement, mentioning the Rev. David Howarth’s intended lectures, and their respective subjects, viz., 1st, On the great work of Redemption, shewing in what it consisted. 2dly, On Charity, Faith, and Good Works. 3dly, On the Sole and Exclusive Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. 4thly, On the Sacred Scriptures, shewing that they contain a spiritual sense, and that they are written according to the correspondence subsisting between natural things and spiritual. 5thly, Concerning man’s Free will in spiritual things. And 6thly, Concerning the Second Coming of the Lord. Bills to the same effect were posted in various parts of the city, and others distributed to people of all denominations. Hymns adapted to the subject of each lecture were printed for the accommodation of the auditors. After each service, Hawkstone and other Reports and Tracts were given gratis to particular individuals; and also a table stood in the entrance of the Hall, spread over with New Church tracts, which were offered for sale at one-third price. {456}
“Our Reverend Lecturer’s subject for each evening was well chosen, and his proofs of the New Church verities so pointed, and ably drawn from the heavenly doctrines, and from the genuine sense of the Holy Volume, that he astonished his hearers; and we have every reason to conclude, he has left a lasting impression on some, and removed the prejudices of others, who went to hear him with an opposing spirit of prejudiced speculation. All admired his apostolical talent, gentlemanly conduct, and the charitable feeling that commixed itself with the wonderful truths he poured into their barren understandings. His lecture on the Sole and Exclusive Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, was truly great, and seemed almost to rivet them to the spot. His similies were copious, striking, accommodated, and capable of leaving conviction; while those on Free-will, and the Second Coming of the Lord, were not less wondered at, particularly when he pointed out the New Church views of the Second Coming of the Lord, in contradistinction to the very irrational views of professing Christians in the memorable days in which we live. Some have since said, that the New Jerusalem Minister had removed many difficulties that had for a long time obscured their understandings, as to the subjects upon which he lectured. On Tuesday evening, the 12th of September, when his return to England was announced to be necessary, a general murmur seemed to pervade the whole room; some expressed their regret at his sudden departure; others inquired with eagerness when he would come again; and one gentleman, of whose judgment we have some time formed a high opinion, asked, ‘Have you many such Preachers as this in England?’ Upon being answered in the affirmative, ‘Then,’ said he, ‘this country is a barren wilderness indeed.’ As a further proof of their being generally pleased with the lectures, all, with few exceptions, who came on the first evening, were in attendance to the end, so that the room was crowded to excess on the three last lectures. Though we cannot count upon many, who have openly espoused the heavenly cause, yet we think, and ardently hope, that a few more such visits will prove effectual in forming a permanent Society.”

The Report is rendered more interesting, as it details Missionary proceedings in various other new scenes of operation, as Barnton, in Cheshire; and Up-Holland, Over-Darwen, and Kirkham, in Lancashire. At the three former of these places new Societies appear likely to be established,- that at Over- Darwen being in part formed by steady members of the Church, whom the late stagnation in trade compelled to remove thither from Accrington. At Kirkham, it appears, the seed of divine truth was sown many years ago, though the receivers of it had for a long time, till lately, remained in obscurity: now, however, they seem likely to be increased, by new additions, to a considerable Society. The Report contains pleasing accounts of visits, by Mr. R. G. Sheldon, to Barnton, Up-Holland, Kirkham, and Chowbent; by the Rev. D. G. Goyder, to Up- Holland, Neston, and Stockport; by the Rev. T. Pilkington, to Over-Darwen and Kirkham; by Mr. C. W. Leadbeater, to Barnton; and by Mr. T. Ogden, to Accrington, and West-Houghton.
The following extracts of letters are selected from the Report.

From the Rev. D. G. Goyder, Liverpool, Jan. 1, 1827.

“I have been engaged for the last eight days, at Stockport, in the delivery of a course of lectures on various important subjects. On Sunday the 24th of December, I preached in the morning and evening. There were several Deists and Materialists present. At the conclusion of the evening lecture, one of our friends was presented with a tract, with a request that he would give it to me, and obtain my promise to answer it in the same way I had attempted to elucidate the Scriptures. The tract was entitled, The true Meaning of the System of Nature, by Helvetius, and contained a short preface by the notorious Carlile, from whose press the tract in question issued. {457} At the request of several of our friends, I set about its perusal the next day, and having attentively considered its specious arguments, I returned it to the owner, with a letter, stating, that I should answer most of the objections it contained, in the succeeding lectures, and requested the attendance of such Deists, Materialists, &c., as might feel interested in the discussion. I also stated, that I would endeavour to shew the difference between matter and spirit, (which was the subject of the tract in question,) in the lecture on the natural, and the spiritual body, and concluded by recommending my correspondent to read the Universal Theology of Emanuel Swedenborg, and also Hindmarsh’s Letter to Carlile, (a copy of which I sent him,) where, I informed him, he would find the subject discussed in an able, scientific, and rational manner.
“On Christmas day, I preached at seven in the morning, half-past ten in the forenoon, and also in the evening. After the early service, a Unitarian Preacher (or Christian, as he styled himself,) inquired who was the translator of the Decalogue. I told him, Emanuel Swedenborg. ‘I do not say that it is not correct,’ said he, ‘but it is too literal. Why is it so literally translated?’ Upon this I asked him if he had ever read any of the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg? He replied, he had read several, particularly the Arcana and the True Christian Religion. I then informed him, that those works gave very just and satisfactory reasons for the literal translations then before him, namely, that the spiritual sense might be preserved from injury, and kept in one regular and uninterrupted series. ‘Well,’ said he, ‘the translation is quite correct, but very far from being elegant.’
“On Tuesday evening I delivered a lecture concerning the doctrine of Predestination and Election, and demonstrated the Free-will of man, and explained the true meaning of the Atonement. The Deists and Materialists were well pleased with the lecture; and the representation, that the Deity is a Being of infinite love and mercy, was received with much apparent satisfaction.
“On Wednesday evening, I delivered a lecture on the nature of Redemption and Salvation. On Thursday, Friday, and Sunday evenings, I delivered lectures on the Natural and Spiritual Body; on the apparent increase of Deism, and on the necessity of the establishment of a New Church. The whole of the lectures were well attended, and on most occasions the room was crowded to excess.”

From the Rev. T. Pilkington, Haslingden, July 9, 1827.

“Soon after my arrival [at Kirkham,] several of the friends came to see me. The hours were passed in mutual conversation, which moved briskly and diversifiedly forward with an edifying effect; the company, consisting of about fifteen persons remained until the time of retirement.
“On the Sabbath I preached three times in a meeting-house which was much crowded; but in the afternoon many went away, who could not gain admission. In the evening I gave a lecture on the subject of Redemption, which was most interestingly attended to, as were the other discourses also. After the lecture two adults were baptized into the faith of the Lord’s true Church, and the ceremony had a most impressive effect.
“On the Tuesday evening more than twenty of the friends and their connexions again met together for mutual intercourse, when nine persons male and female underwent the ceremony of baptism; some of whose brows were adorned with the flowing locks of youth, while others were graced with those of sober maturity, or grave old age. Several present declared, that this ordinance had a much more solemn and powerful effect upon them, than ever they anticipated.
“On Wednesday in the afternoon, previously to my departure, more than thirty persons, receivers of our doctrines, or friendly to our views of truth, again met together, when the holy sacrament or Lord’s supper was administered to from 14 to 18 communicants. All these ordinances were accompanied with a most powerful and affectionate sphere; yea, at most, if not at all our meetings, there were countenances suffused with the tears of joy or gladness.
“Whilst on this visit, when any of us were assembled together, few moments elapsed but some doctrinal question was proposed for elucidation, some passage of the Word for exposition, or something connected with the welfare or estate of the Church was discussed; still few times in my life have I passed so many days, when the door of this world has been so closely and effectually shut. At this place there are several warm and inquiring minds, both male and female, that I shall not soon forget. I sincerely hope this visit to Kirkham will be crowned with the divine blessing; and that those who have made a public entrance into, and a solemn avowal of, the Lord’s New Jerusalem, will abide stedfast and unmovable in the faith and life of the genuine and true Church to the end, that they may respectively receive the crown of glory, and attain the felicity of those mansions in the heavens, concerning which we so cordially discoursed.” {458}

The Committee, at the conclusion of their Report, observe, the “signs of the times” are manifesting a more general disposition in the minds of men to seek for the truth. Such being the case, there is every prospect of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem becoming more and more the subject of investigation and inquiry. The various institutions of the Church have a wide and extensive field for their operations, in making known the doctrines; and if but firmly and zealously supported, they will contribute much to the improvement and happiness of mankind.
From the Fifth Report of the London New Church Free School Society, published in 1827, it appears, that the number of children educating in the School is, of boys 217, and of girls 96; which latter number is to be gradually increased, till it equals the former. Amid other liberal donations and subscriptions, the Society received, in the last year, a gift of L100 from a lady, who is a regular subscriber to its funds: and altogether, the state of the establishment is truly encouraging.
On the 22d of July, 1827, a small Chapel was opened for public worship, according to the doctrines of the New Church, in the Curtain Road, near Shoreditch, London. The Society meeting in this place was first formed on the 23d of January, 1825, by Mr. John Cayford, (who was originally a member of the Society in Friars Street, Doctors’ Commons,) and three others. They first met for reading and conversation, at a friend’s house in Hoxton; by degrees they introduced the reading of the Liturgy, and a sermon was delivered there once a month by Mr. Cayford. By this humble, unobtrusive plan, their numbers gradually increased, until, at length, they were enabled to celebrate divine worship regularly every Lord’s day.