forms, and are not convinced that any such exist. For occult qualities are more than ever rampant in the inner part of all our sciences. We, on the contrary, feel assured that this book, howsoever little trustworthy its details borrowed from others may be, does contain certain solid truths and methods which will one day be recognized by our successors in a chemistry that shall not pass away-in a chemistry that shall be above that disgraceful flux which has made the modern history of the so-called science, a record of nothing but revolutions. We are assured that the principle of the pervasiveness of geometry and mechanics throughout the substances of nature, regulating and determining their changes, is a loadstar to all high science on these subjects; and that to forget or ignore this principle, is to confine chemistry, to the senses, and to give up all distinctive use of the intellect in this department. We are also confident that the suggestion of the moulding of solids in the interstices of fluids, is one which the chemist ought to work out with patient and persevering toil, as promising to be fruitful of order and deduction, and to bring chemistry at length within the influence of the pure sciences. Nor less should he well attend to the part which, according to this volume, the elemental world (whether termed heat, caloric, subtle matter, or ether) plays in chemical composition; a part which is very unjustly and illogically omitted by our modern analysts. And for the rest, let him not waste a sneer at the old terminology, or the mixture of common with scientific language; but let him remember that the last twenty years have seen nearly the whole language of his science superseded, and that every day affords its indications of the rapid decadence and removal of all the last formulas which express his processes, compounds, or results. Let him, then, from this book, and from his own science and state, learn a lesson of humility, which will be a moral organon perchance for new insights where they are deplorably needed. Were we to express our own opinion of the value of these Specimens on Chemistry, we should say that we have risen from its perusal with a new conviction of the ingenuity of Swedenborg's mind, and of the honesty with which he tracked home his inductions to the innermost parts of things, being never content to mount to less than the primal law, or to conceive a natural subject known, till it reduced itself to the conceptions of geometry and mechanics. Here we see still the same great desire and power of vision at work which ever tended onwards to that wonderful open-sightedness which was to give us clear ideas of the highest sphere and world of the human being, no other than the spiritual world itself. In preparation for which, the author most consistently insisted throughout a long previous career, that all things should stand before him in their forms-that the mind's eye should be filled and developed by their brightening ontlines; in a word, that nothing less than geometrical and mechanical truth should be the vicegerent of the Divine Law in Nature. What others had done for astronomy, that he has here commenced to do for chemistry; to rescue it from the condition of a superficial Tableau of phenomena, and to find in it solid, natural depth, a royal centre, and a positive form of motion, distribution, and rest; in a word, to make it a possession of the mind, and not a mere fleeting child of the imagination and the senses. But how far he has succeeded scientifically, we dare not presume to judge. Much verification is needed for even the most plausible ideas. Nevertheless, there is no attempt so well deserving as this to be written in the history of chemistry; and we feel convinced that a time will come, when it will be looked back to as, at any rate, the first step in the right direction, even should its details be found to be erroneous or inadequate as a doctrine of chemistry. With respect to this edition, it is perhaps the most beautiful book that has yet been published by the SWEDENBORG ASSOCIATION, and we hope that body will always maintain the high standard of excellence which it has reached in this instance. Mr. Strutt deserves well of the reader for his version, which reads, for the most part, like a work originally written in English, and also for a Preface in which he has brought together some of the particulars bearing upon the subject in the History of Chemistry. The Association, too, should not be forgotten in any praise to be awarded, and most happy shall we be any words of ours avail to awaken to its labours a greater degree of sympathy than hitherto,-to incite the New Church public to buy and study its productions, and to move those who have the means, to come forward liberally in support of its further objects, of publishing in Latin and English, those numerous valuable Manuscripts of Swedenborg which must do much indeed both towards edifying the Church, and towards raising the name and reputation of Swedenborg in the learned world, wherever either the English or Latin languages can penetrate. if * * Doubt not, then, a brighter dawning Sorrow not! No rayless midnight Perfumed by the dew-gemmed flowers: Sorrow not! As gentle breezes Sorrow not! The Winter's wildness Of those hearts now doomed to sever, Blackburn, February, 1847. MISCELLANEOUS THE MANCHESTER TRACT SOCIETY. The tenth annual meeting of this society was held in the school-room adjoining the church in Peter-street, on the 4th of May, when a numerous company of ladies and gentlemen assembled to tea; the Rev Woodville Woodman was in the chair. The following resolutions were unanimously passed : ". That the report of the committee, including the treasurer's accounts, now read, be received, and printed under the superintendence, and subject to the revision of the executive committee. INFORMATION. J. H. true doctrines of the Divine Word being essential to the elevation of the human mind, this meeting hopes that every society of the New Church, not having as yet a branch institution, will adopt immediate measures for the formation of so valuable a means of disseminating the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, by which mankind may be guided to happiness and heaven, 4. That the thanks of this meeting be given to those literary friends who have favoured this institution with MS. tracts from time to time, and that in soliciting their further assistance, it would remind them of the great utility of a series of tracts suited to the varied states of the youthful mind. "2. That this meeting urgently solicits the aid and coöperation of every recipient of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, in the important duty of tract 5. That this meeting, seeing with distribution. what avidity the American Juvenile Tracts, "3. That a correct knowledge of the re-published in Glasgow, have been pur chased by children of the Manchester day schools, &c. during the past year, hopes that a series of suitable tracts for the schools and families of the New Church will be immediately published, that the youth in connexion with the church may have its high truths of theology and philosophy exemplified in the simplest relations of mutual intercourse, and thus be led through the flowery paths of the Paradise of God, to the Tree of Life in the midst of the garden. "6. That the thanks of this meeting be given to D. Nuttal, Esq., for his valuable services as treasurer to this institution for the past year. "7. That the thanks of this meeting be given to the ladies who have so efficiently performed the duties of collectors to this institution for the past year 6. 8. That the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. Kennerley, for his efficient services as secretary to this institution for the past year; and that a copy of Swedenborg's 'Principia' be presented to him, as a tangible, though inadequate, acknowledgment of the zeal and ability with which he has fulfilled the duties of the office." The report of the society has just appeared, from which we extract the following particulars : The total issue of tracts during the past year has been 33,472, and the grand total issue since the commencement of the society is, three hundred and eight thousand six hundred and eighty-one. During the year 5,200 of No. 60 have appeared, entitled "Reasons for embracing the Doctrines of the New Church, by the Rev. T. Wilkes; also 5,200 of a reprint of tract No. 22, "The Doctrine of the Scriptures respecting the Nature and Necessity of Good Works," and 5,188 of a reprint of No. 19, "On the Harmony of the Divine Attributes." Besides these there are several other reprints in the press, viz., a third edition of No. 5, "On Redemption," and a second edition of No. 28, "On the True Meaning of the Cross of Christ." These new editions have been somewhat enlarged, and considerably improved, and it is hoped that the important subjects of which they treat have been more effectively discussed, and will consequently be more acceptable and useful to the public. "Who can calculate," says the report, "the immense amount of good already done by the circulation of these adinirable tracts? Who can tell how far they have aided the extraordinary movement now going on in the world, and as preparative to a more full descent of the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven ?" Several extracts are also introduced into the report from letters received from various correspondents, especially from York, highly encouraging to the society in its useful efforts to propagate the truth. The new tracts which have lately appeared, are No. 57 "An affectionate Address to the Clergy of the United Kingdom on the Theological Writings of Swedenborg," by the late Rev. J. Clowes. This admirably useful introduction to the works of Swedenborg, which was formerly sold at 6d. per copy, may now be had at 8d. per dozen copies, much less than a penny each. It also contains a complete list of the author's works, and consequently serves as an advertisement. No person desirous of promoting a knowledge of the doctrines of the New Church, should be without a supply of this very useful "Address," &c. No. 58-" On the Free- Will of Man in Religious and Spiritual Things; and on the Origin of Evil," has also recently appeared; it is an entirely new treatise on the important subject of which it treats; the reasoning in respect to Free-Will and the Origin of Evil, is conducted on new principles peculiar to the philosophy and theology of the New Church. No. 59-"Is it true that we cannot keep the Commandnents?" has also been lately issued. This tract is one of the most practical and useful that the society have published. It is intended to counteract the deadly effects which the false doctrine of Faith alone, and other pernicious dogmas have had on the truly Christian life, and consequently on the salvation of man. It is well known that these erroneous doctrines have had the dreadful tendency of weakening the Commandments in the estimation of all who have been under the preaching and influence of the Solifidian dogmas; and alas! their influence, owing to the peculiar congruity there is between false doctrines, and the depraved tendencies of human nature, has been very extensive and deadly; "all the world wondered after the beast." (Rev. xiii 3; see A. R. 578.) But the eternal truth of the Gospel, like its divine Author, remains unchanged, and the irrevokable law of Truth is-"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments." This important subject is ably discussed in this tract, and the searching, powerful manner in which the truth of Scripture is brought to bear upon every opposing obstacle to the essential means of entering into life, is calculated to arouse even those who 66 are "dead in trespasses and sins," from the sleep of spiritual death, into which they have been probably lulled by pernicious doctrines. Our brethren in Germany no sooner saw the very salutary tendency of this tract, and the able manner in which the subject is treated, than they resolved to translate it, and to circulate it as much as possible. The Germans have also translated two other tracts; No. 2, "On the True Object of Worship," &c., and the excellent tract, published by the London Society, entitled Dialogue on the Apostolic Doctrine of the Atonement," &c. These tracts in German, are now lying before us, and we cordially congratulate the societies both in Manchester and London, on this extension of their heavenly usefulness. No. 60, explaining "the Rev. T. Wilkes' Reasons for embracing the Doctrines of the New Church," is eminently useful, as shewing the grounds and reasons why an intelligent and popular clergyman in America embraced the doctrines of the New Church; and as the same reasons may have great weight with others, who are inquiring respecting the doctrines of the New Jerusalem, this tract is extremely suitable for all who are making the inquiry, and our brethren would do well to have an abundant supply of this tract at hand for that purpose. We would press upon the attention of our readers the great use of forming Branch Tract Societies in every locality where there is a New Church Society; and also of that Rule of the institution which constitutes every subscriber a distributor of tracts, by enabling him to claim the amount of his subscription in tracts, provided they be claimed within the year for which the subscription is given. We are glad to see, that the subscriptions during the past year have considerably increased. The balance over and above the donation fund is £16. Os. 64d.; the balance on hand is £161. 13s. 74d., but several tracts are being revised for new editions, and new ones are contemplated; namely, "On the Difference between Apparent and Genuine Truths, as Essential to the proper Understanding of Scripture," "On the True Nature and Salutary Efficacy of Prayer;" "On the Science of Correspondences between Things Natural and Spiritual, as the divinely appointed Means of interpreting the Word of God;" and "On the Immortality of the Soul." It is hoped that the society will be enabled to prepare and publish these new tracts during the ensuing year. For further particulars respecting the Society's operations, we refer our readers to the report. SOCIETY FOR PRinting and Publishing The committee of this society have circulated an Address to the ministers and leaders of societies in the New Church, from which the following are extracts :— "The committee of 'The Society for Printing and Publishing Works by the Reverend Samuel Noble,' on addressing the ministers and leaders of societies, and, through them, the church at large, observe, that the chief object, the end,— of this Institution is, the dissemination of the truth as presented, accommodated to the apprehension and reception of the world, in the works of Mr. Noble. The peculiar talent evinced in the productions of this author, that of placing truths, even the most recondite, in the clearness of noon-day light, would, alone, render his works most valuable auxiliaries in the cause of the dissemination of sound genuine Christianity; and the experience which the members of the New Jerusalem have had of their utility to the church, militant and progressive, must insure, for the society, the suffrages of all those who feel interested in the diffusion of the heavenly doctrines. "A prominent object with this society will be that of keeping their publications continually before the public eye by advertisement; but it is obvious, that the extent to which this can be carried must mainly depend upon the amount which may be contributed, by subscriptions and donations to its funds. Commencing, as the committee trust this Institution has, in the love of the neighbour, and carried forward, as is their honest intention it shall be, with singleness of object, they anticipate, with confidence, its beneficial results, and hope to perceive the blessing of the Divine Providence manifested in the success of its labours. "Such are the views, the hopes, and the intentions of The Society for Printing and Publishing Works by the Reverend Samuel Noble;' and the members of the New Church are now affectionately invited to coöperate in its labour of love. "For particulars of the society the committee refer to the pamphlet stitched up with "The Intellectual Repository,' and New Church Quarterly Review,' for April last. |