your secretary wrote to Mr. Potts, the secretary of the Manchester Union, intimating the wishes of your committee, and they are happy to state that their wishes were warmly responded to. 'The committee,' says Mr. Potts, hail with delight the formation of your Union, and will have much pleasure in complying with the request of the London Union;' and, after soliciting further information respecting our intended operations, he further adds, "by this plan we shall fully understand each other, and in future act as one body for the benefit of the New Church Sunday schools.'

"Your committee having thus briefly detailed the progress of the Union during the past year, express a fervent hope that ere long something will be done to lend a helping hand to any schools in the Union that may require it; and to accomplish this desirable object, they would suggest the raising a fund for the purpose of establishing a Depository of Books, from which any school requiring such assistance might obtain a supply to the amount of £5. or £10. upon the condition of their being paid for within a given period, to be determined by the particular state of the school requiring

the same.

"This leads us to the consideration of the finances of the Union, and on this subject your committee regret they can say but little: at present they have but a small sum in hand. To carry out the plan proposed by your committee, the cooperation of all those warm-hearted New Church friends will be required, who, having their minds imbued with the love of use, are not content merely with possessing the truth themselves, but are desirous that the pearl of great price' shall be placed within the reach of all who are in the state receptive of it. To such your committee would propose their plan, which, while it cannot fail to recommend itself for its simplicity, is yet, if fully carried out, sufficiently comprehensive to fulfil the objects contemplated by the Union.

"The plan to which your committee allude is, that each member of the church in London should be solicited to contribute to the fund of the Union one penny per month. This would place the sum of about £36. annually at the disposal of your committee; and this, if used with discretion and economy, would not only enable them to assist several schools every year, but would also provide the

means whereby they might carry into active operation some of the subsidiary uses which naturally fall within the province of the Union.

"To carry into effect the plan your committee have proposed, must, however, devolve on the members of the Union; on the appeal to the church at large its success primarily depends. All that your committee can do, is to promise their best energies in support of it; and they trust its importance will recommend it to the consideration of every one, and that it only requires to be known to be adequately supported.

"On the uses which Sunday schools are capable of rendering, and the consequent claim they have on our consideration, your committee need not dwell: they will merely observe, that the mind of a child is like uncultivated ground, in which,

'If good we plant not, vice will fill the place, 'And rankest weeds the richest soil deface."

"Happy, then, are those children who, in early life, are instructed in the heavenly verities of the New Jerusalem; and happy those who, in any way, are instrumental in promoting so desirable an object!

"C. HEWETT, Hon. Secretary. "9, King's-row, Pentonville, London."

SOCIETY FOR PRINTING AND PUBLISHING THE WORKS OF THE REV. S. NOBLE.

This society was established on the 2nd of last month, at a general meeting held for the purpose, in the church in Cross-street, Hatton Garden, London. We congratulate the Church on the prospect afforded by the establishment of this institution, of a rich and valuable addi. tion to its literature. The quality of the works already published by Mr. Noble is a guarantee that those which will issue from the press under the auspices of this society will be of a most important character; and we do not doubt that the promoters of this truly desirable object will find, throughout the length and breadth of the New Church, that support which will convincingly manifest that there exists a universal desire to have the works now in print kept constantly on sale, and that those of the talented author which remain in manuscript, should be made accessible to the whole world.

It appears that, with characteristic disinterestedness, Mr. Noble has declined to receive any emolument from the publica.

tion of his works, but wishes that whatever profit may accrue from their sale, may be applied to the benefit of the church. We cannot but express an ardent hope that this generosity on the part of the author may be met by a corresponding liberality on the part of his admirers, and that consequently the society will be enabled to carry on its operations unencumbered and unimpeded by pecuniary considerations. We trust that the society contemplates extensively advertising its publications.

residue of sap which may still exist in its trunk, it is doomed, like the Jewish Church, to utter extinction. Whilst, from the political changes which of late years have taken place in this country, the Romish Church is apparently increasing in England, yet in Germany, and in other countries, multitudes are seceding from it, filled with astonishment that their minds could have been so long kept in darkness and boudage. We trust, however, that some of our correspondents will take up the subject according to the wishes of the inquirer.

To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. SIR, At the suggestion of some friends of the New Church, I would request from yourself or correspondents an opinion as to the probable results of the present struggle for supremacy by the Church of Rome in this country, it being obvious that that apostate church is making strenuous efforts to reestablish herself throughout the length and breadth of the land. The frequent secession of Protestant ministers, especially from the communion of the State Church, so alarming to some, cannot be viewed by any reflecting mind without the conviction that a great change is at hand; but whether to issue in the reëstablishment of Popery, or in the introduction of a purer dispensation than either Romanism or Protestantism, must be the anxious question of every deepthinking Christian mind. It would therefore afford satisfaction to the friends alluded to, as doubtless to many others, to have imparted, through the channels of the New Jerusalem Magazine, the sentiments of such of its readers as may be qualified or disposed to express opinions on a subject so interesting at the present moment. By the insertion of these remarks, you will oblige, Sir, your constant and approving reader, March 10th, 1847.

IGNORAMUS.

[To allay the fears of such as, from the apparent increase of popery in this country, may suppose that Romanism will again become the dominant religion, we will merely state, that from causes which are now operating on the interiors of men's minds from the spiritual world, the Romish Church cannot possibly prevail; its root is destroyed, and although for a time, even for a long time, its decaying branches may emit, here and there, a rank foliage from the

QUARTERLY TEA MEETING OF THE

SALFORD SOCIETY.

On Sunday the 14th of February, the quarterly tea meeting of the Salford Society was held in the School-room, Irwell-street. The Rev. David Howarth occupied the chair. The meeting was numerously attended. The subject for the consideration and spiritual improvement of the meeting, was "On the necessity and uses of Prayer," in connection with the first verse of the 11th chapter of the Gospel according to Luke.

Before entering upon its consideration, the reverend chairman presented a copy of the Apocalypse Explained (6 vols.) to Mr. Samuel Beswick, as a token of esteem from the Salford New Jerusalem Church Day Schools' Committee, on the occasion of his withdrawing from the mastership of the Salford Boys' School, to enter upon the important duties of leader to the Haslingden Society; and in presenting them, expressed, in a very feeling manner, his warm desire that he might long live to make a proper application of this important work, in the new sphere into which he had entered.

The state and progress of the weekly subscription was then read over by Mr. Leeming, who stated that a considerable increase had been made in the past quarter, by means of the zealous and successful exertions of Mr. T. S. Atkinson.

The subject for the improvement of the meeting was then entered into, and ably treated by Messrs. Mackereth, Beswick, S. Smith, G. Cartledge, and E. Howarth, and closed in a very instructive and edifying style by the chairman.

The subject chosen for the next meeting is--" On Redemption," in connection with the 22nd verse of the 24th chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew.

PRESENTATION OF A TOKEN OF ESTEEM TO A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER.-The quarterly meeting of the Manchester and Salford district of the Sunday School Union was held in the School-room, Peter-street, on Monday evening, March 22nd; the Rev. J. H. Smithson presiding. After tea and other preliminary business, the usual profitable conversation ensued on the condition and prospects of the schools in the district, and some useful suggestions were thrown out for their future improvement. On this occasion

the committee of the Salford school took an opportunity of testifying their approbation of the services of Mr. Francis Smith, a young and valued friend, who has been long actively engaged as a teacher, and whose uniform attention and consistent life have endeared him to his associates in the same good work. Mr. Smith is about to leave the neighbourhood, being engaged as teacher in the Accrington day school; and the committee had deputed one of its members to present, for his acceptance, a copy of the Apocalypse Revealed, handsomely bound, with a Key, in which was contained the following inscription :-" Presented to Mr. Francis Smith, by the Committee of the New Jerusalem Sunday School, Salford, to testify their esteem for his diligent attention to the duties of teacher, and as a small token of affectionate remembrance on his removal to another sphere of usefulness."-To the above were added two other volumes by a friend; and after an acknowledgment, wherein the true spirit was manifested in which such testimonials should be received, the chairman congratulated Mr. Smith on his opening prospects, and tendered, on behalf of the teachers generally, their best wishes for his welfare.

REV. W. WOODMAN'S VISIT TO BRIGHT

LINGSEA.

The Rev. W. Woodman, on his way to Ipswich, paid a visit to Brightlingsea, and preached an excellent sermon on Friday evening, January 8th; and although but a few hours' previous notice could be given, a numerous congregation assembled to hear and to see their muchrespected friend, whom they had not seen for about seven years. After the service a pressing invitation was made to Mr. Woodman to return to Brightlingsea again on the next Friday, and to stay and preach again the following Sunday. But Mr. W.'s previous engagement made

it impossible for him to be with us on Sunday, he promised, however, to visit us again on the following Friday.

It was then agreed that a public tea meeting should be held on the occasion of this second visit. The tea meeting took place accordingly in the Temperance Hall, and was attended by about 150 persons; and we believe 50 more, who were at sea, would have been present had they been at home. It was one of the largest and most happy meetings ever held by the friends of the church in Brightlingsea. After tea Mr. Woodman was unanimously appointed to the chair, which he occupied to the satisfaction and delight of the meeting. Many who were his pupils when he resided at Brightlingsea, recognized him with feelings of delight and respect. And many who were then teachers in the Sunday school, (but had now become husbands and wives) were impressed with the same feelings. Mr. Woodman addressed the teachers of the Sunday school, pointed out the uses they were performing to the church, and offered them encouragement to go on and continue to work in the Lord's vineyard.

The numerous meeting, after singing a hymn, and receiviug a benediction from the Word by the chairman, separated for their respective homes. W. H. G.

BAPTISM.-A DIFFICULTY EXPLAINED.

To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository.

SIR,-You will agree with me, that every thing connected with the administration of worship should be clear and intelligible. We are accustomed to say, in the administration of the Ordinance of Baptism, that Baptismal water signifies the truths of faith, and ALSO temptations, that is, of necessity, temptations by an inundation of falses. This appears to be founded on such passages as the following:-" By the washing of Baptism is also signified temptations, because all regeneration is effected by temptations." This is said in A. C. 10239. But it is previously said in the same article, "By Aaron and his sons washing out of the laver of brass, is signified a representation of the purification of man by the Lord. It is also a representative of regeneration, because regeneration was also represented by washing, BUT by the washing of the whole body, which washing was called baptizing." In N. J. Doc. 209, this number is referred to, and it is said,

"The total washing, which was effected by immersion in the waters of Jordan, signified regeneration in like manner as Baptism." A deluge and inundation of waters signify temptations. Baptism [before defined as immersion] has a like signification.

From these premises I draw the following conclusions, and if they are incorrect, I am open to conviction of error :

1st. That water sprinkled or applied to the forehead of a child, represents spiritual washing or purification by the truths of faith.

2nd. That attendant angels, in perceiving this testimony that a child is devoted to the Christian faith, are guided to operate that the child shall receive that faith, if educated therein, which operation would be futile on an unbaptized heathen or Mahometan child, and therefore does not take place.

3rd. That thus the first great use of Baptism is realized by sprinkling.

4th. That waters sprinkled or applied in the way of washing, are to be taken in a good sense, because the natural idea is of a use beneficial to, and without danger to natural life.

5th. That waters into which the whole body is plunged, are to be taken in a bad sense, because the natural idea is that of an inundation of waters destroying bodily life by stopping respiration. Waters, in this case, signify temptations, or what the same, falses injected into the mind from hell, by which a state of temptation is occasioned.

6th. That it is not proper when we apply water by sprinkling, to say that that water, or that kind of Baptism, represents temptations.

7th. But it is not meant to be inferred that Baptism by actual immersion is in any case necessary, since the first object of baptizing, in the view of the Divine Author of the institution, is accomplished by sprinkling. To substitute immersion for sprinkling, would be to substitute a symbol applicable only in a less and secondary degree, for one applicable in a greater and primary degree.

I was much puzzled for a long time to see how waters applied in Baptism could represent both truths which purify, and falses which tempt; and I see no way of explaining the difficulty, except by making the above just discrimination. The use of knowing the signification of baptizing by immersion is as fully realized by having the idea of it in the mind, as

by witnesssing, or being the subject of, an actual immersion: just as there appears reason to conclude, that the spiritual idea of the meaning of sacrifices was originally presented to the mind by means of an ideal description, as if the animals had been slain instead of being so only in idea; thus the meaning of sacrifices preceded the actual slaying of the animals, and doubtless yielded a spiritual use from the contemplation of that meaning, quite as fully, in that pure and celestial age, as when, in a grosser age, the slaughter of the animals actually took place.

WOULD BE RIGHT.

CHALFORD. The scholars in the Sunday school connected with this church assembled on New-Year's day, when an examination of the children took place. In the course of the evening, many pieces were recited by the children, several hymns were sung, and a goodly distributiou of rewards, in various articles of clothing and books, was made to the children, for punctual attendance and good conduct during the past year. The children were regaled with tea and plum cake, and the Rev. T. Goyder dismissed them with an appropriate address.

SALISBURY.-The sixteenth anniver

sary of this society was celebrated on the evening of Monday, January 4th, 1847, when nearly forty members and friends assembled and partook of tea at five o'clock. Immediately after tea, the business of the meeting was opened by calling the Rev. D. T. Dyke, the minister of the society, to the chair. The report of the committee for the past year was then brought forward, from which document it appeared that the society was steadily, though slowly, progressing. Plans for rendering the library more efficient and interesting, by the addition thereto of the new publications of the Church as they issue from the press, and also for the re-establishment of a Sunday school in connexion with the society, were proposed for the due consideration of the meeting; these were approved of, and unanimously resolved to be adopted. On the conclusion of the business a hymn was sung, and the subject announced to be considered, viz., "The Nature of the Divine Word, and the Science of Correspondences," was then entered upon. On this delightful, edifying, and inexhaustible subject, the various speakers occupied