somewhat similar character, as the delight experienced would faintly represent. R. C.

SPIRITUAL DESTITUTION IN THE METROPOLIS.

To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. SIR,- After considerable hesitation and long acquaintance, I lately ventured to divulge my religious sentiments to a friend, by putting into his hands some New Jerusalem tracts, which were read with such interest as to warrant me in introducing Noble's Appeal, Lectures on the Plenary Inspiration, Job Abbott, and the Apocalypse Explained. Unexpectedly doubts arose, and controversy was the consequence. I felt myself unequal to the task, and sought a helping hand in several quarters. But alas! none came. This I the more regret, because the subject is one that would adorn the truth, and no doubt, widely diffuse its rays. It may be answered, there is a Providence in all events;-granted, but was it not the proper moment for truth to bring all her strength to bear on such a case?

Why should this gigantic town be without a disposable champion well greaved, well hearted in the cause of truth? A thoroughly well educated man, with a mind filled with the letter as well as the spirit, should be always at hand to meet a case similar to the above; and I am ready with my pecuniary quota to furnish so desirable a polemic. If battles must be fought we must have intelligent soldiers, and not treat faith in Huntingdon-fashion.

If truth has an altar in London, let her light at least reach the eyes of men, that a God of love may be admitted to their hearts.

BIBLE AND NO BIBLE.-Dr. Adams, addressing a Bible Society, beautifully illustrated the benign influence of the word of God, by contrasting those countries where it is perused, with those in which it is prohibited. "Tell me," said he, "where the Bible is, and where it is not, and I will write a moral geography of the world. I will show what, in all particulars, is the physical condition of that people. One glance of your eye will inform you where the Bible is, and where it is not. Go to Italy-decay, degradation, suffering, meet you on every Commerce droops, agriculture

side.

pines, the useful arts languish. There is a heaviness in the air; you feel cramped by some invisible but mighty power. The people dare not speak aloud--they walk slowly-an armed soldiery is around their dwellings-an armed police take from the stranger his Bible, before he enters the territory. Ask for the Bible in the bookstores; it is not there, or only in a form so large and expensive as to be beyond the reach of the common people. The preacher takes no text from the Bible. Enter the Vatican and inquire for a Bible, and you will be pointed to some case where it reposes among prohibited books, side by side with the works of Diderot, Rousseau, and Voltaire. But pass over the Alps into Switzerland, and down the Rhine into Holland, and over the channel to England and Scotland, and what an amazing contrast meets the eye! Men look with an air of independence-there is industry, neatness, instruction for children. Why this difference? There is no brighter sky; there are no fairer scenes of nature; but they have the Bible; and happy is the people who are in such a case, for it is righteousness that exalteth a nation."

INTELLIGENCE FROM MANCHESTER.The Easter anniversary of the Peter-street Society was celebrated on Sunday, the 28th of March. On this occasion, the Rev. Saml. Noble, of London, was invited to preach. The subject in the morning was "On the Privileges, Glories, and Blessings of the New Church signified by the New Jerusalem ;" (Rev. xxi. 23—27.) and in the evening, "On the Works of the Law, by which Man is not Justified." (John i. 17.) The day was extremely wet, which prevented many friends from the societies in the neighbourhood of Manchester from coming; this was a great disappointment, as many were anxious to see the author of the " Appeal," &c., who might never have another opportunity of enjoying that pleasure, as infirmities of age, and especially of sight, might prevent his ever coming again into Lancashire. There was, however, in the morning a large congregation, and in the evening a still greater attendance. So delighted were many with the discourses, that an appeal was made to Mr. Noble to allow them to be published. In the afternoon, a great number of friends assembled to tea, and much mutual rejoicing was experienced. On the following Thursday Mr. Noble went to Accrington, and

preached on the following day (Good Friday) to a numerous and attentive audience. In the evening of that day, a numerous meeting was held in Manchester, for particulars respecting which, we refer our readers to another part of our present number.

INTELLIGENCE FROM HULL.-The Tem perance Chapel, South-street, built a few years ago for the Rev. John Stamp, has been purchased by the friends of the Rev. J. Pulsford. It has accommodation for about 800 persons. On Sunday, April 4th, it was re-opened for divine worship.

In the morning the subject was "Christ is all and in all ;" and, in the evening, "Thy name Thy wondrous works declare." In the morning the chapel was full; and in the evening, crowded to excess. The sermons were exceedingly powerful, and produced a deep impression upon the minds of the hearers, who listened with breathless silence. The following Sunday evening the chapel was again full. These sermons have done much towards removing the prejudices, and correcting the misrepresentations which had been industriously circulated.

Died at Lucea, Jamaica, on the 18th of October, 1846, in the twenty-third year of her age, Mary Cleaver Chambers, the beloved wife of Duncan Dewar, Esq., of Orchard Estate, near Lucea, daughter of the late Jacob and Lydia Chambers, and grand-daughter of the late Alexander Chambers, Esq., of Lucea. She was brought up in the faith of the New Church, and always evinced the greatest attachment to its sublime and consoling doctrines. Her brief life was one of unoffending purity and sweetness; as also of exemplary resignation to the many and rapidly-repeated trials she was called on to endure, in the earthly removal of those nearest and dearest to her in this mutable world. The struggle, however, proved eventually too great for her slender share of physical strength. The double loss of her tender and devoted mother, and a lovely infant daughter, in the spring of last year, was speedily followed by symptoms of decline, which, on approach of autumn, assumed the form of slow fever, and gradually severed those mortal ties which had been all of gentleness and affection. L. F. C.

Died, on the 24th of December, 1846, at Eccles, near Manchester, in the 79th year of his age, Mr. Samuel Cockcroft.* He was more than forty years of age before he acquired any distinct views of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem; and having been early initiated among the Wesleyan Methodists in the doctrine of Faith alone, and many of his relatives being preachers, and the most eminent of the preachers of that powerful * See Intellectual Repository for November, 1838, p. 333, and also for March, 1816, p. 120.

sect frequent visitors at his house, he had no small difficulty in separating himself from their religious influence. He was a native of Rochdale, but early in this century he became a resident in Manchester, and visited occasionally the New Church in Peter-street. Shortly after this period, the justly celebrated Robert Hindmarsh came to reside in Manchester: Mr. Cockcroft having read and admired his letters to Dr. Priestly, was desirous to hear him preach; and this desire was soon gratified, in the room opened in Princess-street. To Mr. Hindmarsh he was soon indebted for clearer views than he had previously obtained, and under his ministration became enabled to leave his former religious circle; but they only who have been similarly circumstanced can appreciate the difficulties he had to encounter. From this period he openly avowed his conviction of the truth of the new dispensation, by speaking on all proper occasions, in the language of the New Jerusalem, to those who asked him why he received the testimony of Swedenborg. He rejoiced in that angelic sentiment, "to live according to truth is to love the Lord." From Faith alone and its fallacies he became perfectly liberated, and the small band of " ardent recipients" who had secured Mr. Hindmarsh's services, found in Mr. Cockcroft a good leading singer, and a leader of the beautiful responses in the liturgy, then in use, and he continued a member of the orchestra till age compelled him to retire. In the 'love of uses," in honesty and simplicity of purpose, in the warmth of friendship, few if any surpassed him. No man was ever more grateful than he to those who had been instrumental in rescuing him

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from the false and erroneous views of the Old Theology. Freed from false principles, he went on his way rejoicing that God is ONE, and that "the essential of all heavenly doctrines is, the acknowledgment of the Divine Human of the Lord." During his last illness, he spoke of his departure with that resignation and composure which is given to members of the New Church. The Word being read to him afforded him the greatest satisfaction; the "Sermon on the Mount," the 14th and 15th chapters of John's Gospel, with several Psalms, were portions which he frequently desired to hear, and in this happy state of mind he terminated his existence here. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." (Rev. xiv. 13.) J. G. B.

Died February 1st, 1847, at his residence, Crescent, Salford, John Ollivant, Esquire, aged 83 years. This gentleman who, in his youth came from Cumberland, had lived about 68 years in Manchester. Having been from the beginning a regular attendant at the church of St. John's, he soon became personally acquainted with the late Rev. J. Clowes, the venerated rector of that church. He early evinced a pious disposition, and soon became deeply interested in the preaching of Mr. Clowes. Desirous of instruction and of forming correct views on religious subjects, he applied to his pastor for his counsel as to the books he would recommend for his perusal. This was about the year 1789. Mr. Clowes presented him with a copy of a work entitled "Wisdom's Dictates," prepared by Dr. Provo, a personal friend of Mr. C., chiefly from the writings of Swedenborg, consisting of brief extracts involving enlightened sentiments of piety, of love to the Lord and to the neighbour, and inculcating in a striking form, the practical truths and duties of Christianity. With this work he was much edified and delighted, and soon inquired after others of a similar tendency. He was then recommended to read the "True Christian Religion," by Swedenborg, a large work unfolding from the Scriptures every doctrine of Christianity. This work had lately been translated from the Latin by Mr. Clowes, and it was read and studied by our departed friend, as he has been often heard to say, with intense interest and pleasure. His mind was now opened to see the sanctity and divinity of the Word, in a manner of which heretofore

he had formed no conception; and he concluded that those are the best works which lead us to appreciate and venerate most highly the Holy Scriptures, and which most clearly instruct us to see in what their divinity consists, and how futile and groundless all infidel objections are against their divine teaching and authority. These impressions became still clearer by the perusal of the Arcana Coelestia," an extensive work by the same author, containing an Exposition as to the spiritual sense of the books of Genesis and Exodus, and also of a great portion of the Word of God. At this time, about 1790, his health visibly declined, and his friends became anxious about him; and when it was found that the principal cause of his drooping health was his great fondness for reading and study, which he continued through a great part of the night, his pastor, on being informed, advised him not to deprive himself of his proper rest, but to remember that to be studious in doing the truth was more important than learning it. About this period Mr. Ollivant joined the Manchester Printing Society, which had been formed in 1782, to enable Mr. Clowes to publish the translations of the theological works of Swedenborg. To the uses which this society performed, in printing and publishing the works of Swedenborg, of Mr. Clowes, and of others, inculcating the truly Christian doctrine and life, he liberally contributed. At the meetings of this society, which for many years were held every Monday evening, he regularly attended; and the happiest moments of his life, as he used to say, were passed in the elevated and spiritual conversations held at those meetings. It is remarkable, that the very last meeting of the kind was held at his house, on the Monday previous to his death, when he appeared in his usual state of health, bearing the weight of four score years and upwards with an extraordinary exemption from infirmities commonly incident to that advanced age, and with a buoyancy of mind which spread a celestial sphere of cheerfulness and happiness around. His great object was to spread the knowledge of his Saviour God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, in his Divine Humanity, is "over all God blessed for ever." Wherever the acknowledgment of the Lord, not as a Second Divine Person, but as the only Divine Person of the Deity, “in whom all the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily," (Col. ii. 9.) or in whom the Divine Trinity is concen

trated,-wherever this acknowledgment of the Lord was implanted, there he considered the true and everlasting Gospel to be preached and received; since without this primary essential of all Christian doctrine, "the chief corner stone" is not yet laid. It was for the purpose of promoting this great and blessed doctrine, together with the saving doctrine of life connected therewith, that our departed friend contributed so generously to all the institutions of the New Church. Our Printing, Tract, and Missionary Societies, enjoyed his liberal support from the commencement of their operations; and our schools were always the objects of his peculiar interest and delight. He often visited the Day-schools of the New Church in Manchester and Salford, which, for nearly twenty years, had enjoyed his liberal support. And, in order to testify his regard for the principles of Christian doctrine and life taught in those schools, he has bequeathed to them the handsome sum of £500., and also £50. (duty free) to the Sunday schools of the New Church in the same locality. He took a great interest in the education of the children of the poor, and when Sunday schools were commenced in Manchester, he was amongst the most active and zealous in promoting their sacred objects. Every Sabbath he was seen, for many years in succession, regularly and punctually at his post as a teacher, and afterwards for many years as a visitor, encouraging by his example and presence the teachers in their useful labours of Christian benevolence. His attention was not confined to any particular class or denomination of schools, but he visited, aided, and encouraged all. Having many years ago retired from business, Mr. Ollivant made it his duty, and to him it was a delightful duty, to assist at the board and on the committee of nearly every benevolent institution in the town. Fond of an active life, his activities here found a sphere of operation peculiarly gratifying to his heart,-that of mitigating the sufferings and relieving the wants of his fellow-men. Nearly every institution of this kind, and they are numerous in Manchester and Salford, enjoyed his benevolent support; so numerous were his subscriptions to the institutions, and to different schools, that he kept, in business-style, a regular debtor and creditor account of their claims and disbursements, in order that none might be omitted or forgotten, and that every subscription, whenever it became due,

Cave and Sever, Printers, 18,

might be instantly paid. What a bright example is this of active, wise beneficence,--of Christian Charity!-How often have institutions to mourn and lament over the defective state of their funds, and a consequent defect in their usefulness,

arising chiefly from the defect of subscribers not paying promptly the subscriptions which they have voluntarily pledged for the support of the church, or of the institution which, as they profess, they desire to see prosperous in its intended usefulness. But our late friend well knew the great inconsistency, and its injurious effects, between these voluntary pledges and these defective performances, and carefully guarded against it. No man was probably more extensively known in the sphere of Christian benevolence and philanthropy than he, and no man was more sincerely respected. The great characteristic of his mind was humility, arising from an enlightened view of what human nature, in itself, really is,-prone to infirmities and evils of every kind, and possessing nothing either of faith, charity, or of moral and spiritual excellence but what cometh "from above," from the Lord, "without whom we can do nothing.” Another striking feature of his character was his delight in promoting the good and happiness of others; hence his unwearied beneficence so wisely conducted to the attainment of that end. All who knew him were, by his long and exemplary Christian life, (although from ignorance many were adverse to the doctrines of the Lord's New Church, which he had so long embraced) constrained to admit the power of the heavenly principles of Christian doctrine, which, during so long a life, had been his guide, and which, in the near approach of death, opened to his interior view the brightest hopes and prospects in relation to the heavenly world. He survived his beloved partner in life only 15 months, having lived in the married state 52 years. A discourse was preached on Sunday, Feb. 21, by the Rev. J. H. Smithson, from the text which he had selected to be engraved on the plate of his coffin:-" The living, the living, he shall praise thee as I do this day!" (Isaiah xxxviii. 19.) His friends, the Rev. J. Clowes and the late Nathaniel Shelmerdine, Esq., had selected the same text for the same purpose, to indicate their firm faith in the immortality of the soul, and to shew that the regenerate man then truly begins to live the life of heaven when disencumbered of his body of clay. J. H. S. * St. Ann's-street, Manchester.