the truths of the New Jerusalem, one has gone to the Cape, another to the Mauritius, and the third to Sydney. The last two have taken with them what books we could spare, and I have just heard that the first has lately received some books from London.

We spent a most delightful evening. A favourable impression was made in behalf of the New Church, and a few tracts were distributed. Whether it was in consequence of our meeting, I do not know, but one of our newspapers has opened an attack upon the New Church, saying the most untrue, obscene, and impious things, as you will perceive in the different papers sent. This attack will do good to the cause, I confidently expect, by inducing many to read the writings who would not otherwise have done so.

I have ordered from London a large supply of books for my own library, and also some for sale there is already a good demand for them, and I think I could sell ten pounds' worth the next six months.

I have received a letter from Mr. Pain, of Van Dieman's Land, to whom I sent a box of books some time ago. He is making a good use of them; and there are already a few who are giving attention to them. This will be gratifying news to those friends in London and Bath who so kindly sent out books to us.

Yours, with much esteem,
JACOB PITMAN.

17th July, 1846.

INTELLIGENCE FROM AMERICA.

To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. SIR, The progress of the New Church in this country, for the last few months, seems to have been regular and encouraging. It does not manifest itself so much in the formation of new societies, and additions to old ones, as it does in a new and more general interest in, and appreciation of, the heavenly truths in the public generally. As an illustration of this, I may mention some facts. For instance, I was told a few days since, by a student in the Theological School in Cambridge College, (near Boston,) who is a reader of the doctrines, that all the students entertain great respect for Swedenborg and his writings. All say they must possess his books, and study them. One remarked that "he was indebted to Swedenborg for all his best thoughts." The works, and the New Jerusalem Magazine,

are in the library, and are a good deal read. There seems to be a remarkable absence of that prejudice which was formerly so potent in closing the mind to truths from the New Heavens.

A Unitarian clergyman, who preaches in the interior of this state, has become very much interested the last year; he possesses fine talents, and is a good lecturer. During the last winter he delivered eight lectures upon the Life and Character of Swedenborg. They were mostly delivered before Lyceums, in various towns, and were generally conceded to be the most interesting to the audiences of any lectures delivered during the season. There are several Unitarian clergymen who are reading with interest.

A new manufacturing village has sprung up about thirty miles from Boston; the number of inhabitants is about sufficient to form one religious society, and to support public worship. A manufacturing company built a temple for worship, and as the inhabitants represented different denominations, they have united, and had preaching by ministers of several denominations, each occupying a portion of the time. As there were several receivers of the heavenly doctrines in the place, the congregation agreed to support a New Church minister one quarter part of the time. They have accordingly had preaching in this way for some time. The consequence is, that the number of readers has greatly increased,-a New Church library has been established, and the preaching has been very generally acceptable. This has been, to me, a new and very interesting sign of the times.

Professor Bush continues indefatigable in his labours to present the Church to the world in its true character. He has just completed his Reply to Dr. Woods; it makes an octavo volume of 256 pages. He has gone quite fully into a consideration of the objections made to the work on Scortatory Love; this subject, so liable to perversion, he seems to have liandled with manliness and good judgment. The last part of the work is just published, and those who have read it speak of it in very favourable terms.

Among the new publications is a series of "Tracts for the New Times," which have just been commenced in New York. No. I is entitled "Letter to a Swedenborgian," written by a receiver who resides in the state of New York, and which has excited considerable attention, both among the members of the New Church and

To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. SIR, The sixteenth anniversary of the Grove-place Sunday-school was commemorated on Whit-Wednesday, 26th May, when the scholars sang their hymns, and recited some beautiful and impressive pieces, from the Juvenile Magazine, in a manner highly satisfactory, and delightful to all present.

The address was delivered by the Rev. R. Storry, resident minister, in that happy style so peculiarly his own, endeavouring to draw the attention of the young minds from the overbearing influence of time and sense, to holier and nobler things. The scholars were regaled with coffee, &c., took a short walk round the neighbourhood, sang their last hymn, especially arranged for the occasion, and departed from the exhilarating scene.

The friends and members of the society adjourned to the school-room, where they partook of tea, prepared by the ladies of the society. After tea, the friends and teachers again assembled in the church, and were addressed by our worthy and liberal friend, J. Senior, Esq., the Revs, R. Storry and R, Edleston, from Leeds, the latter of whom bore testimony, in a short but interesting address, to the excellency of all the arrangements, the delightful harmony and joyous manifestation of pleasurable feeling which pervaded the entire of the happy assembly. The general object of the addresses to the teachers and friends, was to shew the heavenly usefulness of the labour of love connected with Sunday-schools, and thus to give encouragement to perseverance in the good and holy cause.

Let us hope that the seed fell not by the way-side, in stony places, or amongst thorns, but in good ground, where it may bring forth its glorious fruit-thirty, sixty, or an hundred fold.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully, W. W., Jun., Sec. Grove-place Sunday School, Dalton, June 10th, 1847.

LONDON TRACTS.

To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository.

DEAR SIR,-In page 236, you have laid before the church the intentions of the Manchester Tract Committee, in regard to new publications of tracts; I judge, therefore, that such intentions are fit subjects for comment.

It does appear strange to me, that, after the recent, just remarks in your Magazine (page 80), tending to shew the unadvisableness of printing at Manchester, tracts kept in stereotype by the London Society, it should be proposed to print new tracts on subjects which are satisfactorily treated in existing London tracts. It is proposed to print at Manchester a new tract, "On the true nature and salutary efficacy of Prayer," while the London Society has already a tract entitled "The nature and uses of Prayer." It is also proposed to print a tract, "On the science of correspondences between things natural and spiritual, as the divinely-appointed means of interpreting the Word of God;" while the London Society has long had a tract (extracted from Mr. Noble's admirable work on the Scriptures), "On the Word of God; and on the science of correspondences between natural and spiritual things, according to which it is written.” venture to say, that no one amongst us can write a better tract than this, except it be Mr. Noble himself.

I think I may

I think I cannot do our Lancashire friends a greater service, than by appending a List of the London Society's Tracts, which are sold as cheap, in proportion, as the Manchester Tracts. (Nos. 4, 8, 14, 15, and 17, are also printed in the Manchester Series.)

1. A Declaration respecting the Doctrines taught by Swedenborg; by Dr. Beyer, at the command of the King of Sweden.

2. Proofs of the Supreme Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. A Dialogue on the Apostolic Doctrine of the Atonement.

4. The True Object of Christian Worship demonstrated; and the Doctrine of the Trinity cleared of the Difficulties in which it is commonly involved. 5. A Few Plain Answers to the Question, Why do you receive the Testimony of Swedenborg?

6. The Life after Death.

7. Reasons for receiving the Doctrines of the New Church.

8. An Inquiry into the Laws according to which the Word of God is written. 9. Some Account of Emanuel Swedenborg.

10. On Regeneration.

taking place around us." The chairman, in introducing the subject, said he wished the meeting to bear in mind, that although we did not feel ourselves competent to do anything like justice to the subject, yet

vation from Sin.

12. On the Word of God; and on the Science of Correspondence between Natural and Spiritual Things, according to which it is written.

13. On Charity and Faith. 14. The Trinity in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the True Nature of His Humanity.

15. The Atonement, Sacrifice, and Mediation of Jesus Christ, placed on the True Scripture basis.

from entering upon it, and doing our best to assist each other to a more perfect knowledge of it. The subject was divided into three heads or divisions,-first, Its nature; second, Its effects upon the religious community; and third, The cause of this advancement. In shewing the nature of the changes that are taking place around us to be rational, the periodicals of the day were casually reviewed, their character and quality was considered to be on the advance, as regards their tendency to

17. The Nature and Necessity of Good Works.

18. A Brief Abstract of the Doctrines of the New Church respecting the Lord, his Divine and Human Natures; the Trinity in Unity; Redemption and Salvation.

19. The Claims of Swedenborg to Supernatural Communication.

20. On Marriage.

21. Justification by Faith considered. 22. The Christian's Companion.

also shewn, that had the number and quality of these periodicals existed even so lately as fifty years back, the public could not have appreciated or supported them to the extent they do at present. Works of science, &c., were glanced at, and the foremost amongst this class was admitted to be those of the Hon. E. Swedenborg, because their tendency was to elevate science, and connect with it religion. The laws of this and other countries were referred to as having advanced in the true spirit of liberality; the

True Christian Religion.

24. On Prayer.

25. The Divine Providence.

and noticed, and that tendency to liberty in the minds of the great men of the world, (that is, those possessing either earthly or

ment of Prophecy.

27. The Resurrection.

28. The Last Judgment. 29. Human Responsibility. 30. The Contrast. (2s. 6d. per hundred, without wrappers.)

Yours respectfully,

WILLIAM MASON,

THE LONDON NEW CHURCH JUNIOR MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

The second annual meeting of this association was held in the school-room of the Argyle-square church, on Monday, May the 10th, when upwards of thirty junior members of the New Church, of both sexes, took tea together; after which the chair was taken at half-past seven, and the usual business of the meeting being over, the chairman introduced the subject of the evening's conversation :"The rational advancement of the world," or "The nature of the changes that are

to prove the nature of the changes to be rational.

Its effects upon the religious community were shewn by the fact, that the prejudices in favour of long standing doctrines are, by means of this advancement, losing ground every day, and leaving people's minds free from that clog to their spiritual advancement; nay, worse than a clog, for a clog but delays, and these prejudices have closed up the path, and done worse than delay the progress of truth; for they have worked backward instead of forward, and thus they have brought the church to a close, and are now clearing away before the powerful rays of a second advent, or the opening of an internal sense of the Word, as foretold under the figure of the New Jerusalem in Daniel and Revelations; which Second Advent was accompanied by the accomplishment of the Last Judgment, which, Swedenborg tells us, took place in the spiritual world, and this was said to shew the cause of the rational

advancement of the world; for, as New Churchmen, we see that by the world of spirits being cleared of its former inhabitants, those strong and almost overpowering influences exercised by them upon the minds of men were weakened, and left man in a state of greater freedom as regards the reception of heavenly influences.

The meeting altogether appeared to give general satisfaction, and, without a doubt, performed a great number of uses, by enabling each to go into the world with clearer ideas of what is passing around.

The mode of conducting this association is considered by its members to be one that is calculated to do much good amongst the junior members of the church generally, possessing, as it does, two advantages. Every alternate meeting night one of the works of Swedenborg is read from, and remarks are made upon it as the reader proceeds, which has a tendency to cause its doctrines to sink deeply into the memory of those present; and the other advantage is that of preparing the members for their warfare with the world, by enabling them to defend the doctrines of the church, and also to lay them before the world in an agreeable manner; which end is obtained by the alternate meeting night being occupied for half its time in hearing an essay from one of the members, who take it in alphabetical rotation; after which the essay is remarked upon, and any thing that is not sufficiently clear is pointed out by the company, the subject being freely and candidly discussed.

A. B. CAISTOR, Sec.

YOUNG MEN'S WEEKLY MEETING.

This society is established for the purpose of increasing the knowledge of the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg among the junior members of the societies of the New Church in London. Its meetings are held on Saturday evenings, at eight o'clock, in the vestry of Cross-street Church. The success which has attended its proceedings, in the amount of mutual information received by its members on the doctrines of the New Jerusalem,

induces them to make the existence of the society known to others. Whilst its rules invite visits from senior members and friends of the church, the meeting itself is intended to be composed of young men; and when it is considered that the representation of the New Church in the world may at some future time devolve upon those who are at present its young members, the advantages of their being associated as much as possible in any object calculated to lead to a more extended acquaintance with the principles on which that Church is founded, will be obvious. It may be truly said, that if we are brought into contact with others in a good purpose, there must result mutual benefit; this society then hopes, by its weekly meetings of the young men of the New Church, to realise this benefit to each member; and when the medium of conveying this improvement is recollected, namely, the writings of the enlightened Swedenborg, any difficulty experienced in the study of which being met by the most liberal and free spirit of inquiry and explanation, great hopes are entertained by the present members of "The Young Men's Weekly Meeting "that its operations will be eminently successful. Any information respecting this society can be obtained by visiting one of its meetings, or by application to the secretary, Mr. W. Parkinson, 26, King-street, Holborn.

INTELLIGENCE FROM LEEDS.

Our brethren, says a correspondent, will be glad to hear of our success in obtaining the ministry of the Rev. R. Edleston, who is now located amongst us, and whose services are likely to become eminently useful in placing our society on that solid foundation necessary to make a bold stand in this important town. The attendance at the services, since the commencement, has been beyond our expectations; we have already received some names of individuals who are desirous of becoming members, and have also a great increase of strangers, who are diligently perusing our author's works. Mr. Edleston's residence is in Elmwood Place, Camp Road. Leeds, June 21, 1847.

Married, June 17, at the New Christian Church, Argyle-square, by the Rev. T. C. Shaw, Mr. Philip Allum, grandson of the

J. S.

late Rev. M. Sibly, to Miss Elizabeth Price, both members of the society.

66

66

a new

Departed this life, on the 14th December, 1846, at Cheltenham, Mrs. Elizabeth Cull, aged 88 years. It was not until she was advanced to the age of 74 years that she received the doctrines of the New Church, opposed as she had been to them previously, merely on the ground of misrepresentation by those who knew not their nature, and therefore could not appreciate their worth. Her son, then residing at Cheltenham, (now minister of the New Church in Russell-street, Liverpool) had received the heavenly doctrines, first through the medium of Mr. Noble's Appeal," by the perusal of which he was soon convinced of the truth of the leading doctrines, and thus was led to the diligent perusal of the writings of Swedenborg. His parents (then living in Worcestershire) were apprised of this, and seeing the altered tone and character of his theological views in his letters to them, they became unnecessarily alarmed on account of his embracing religion." Like other objectors of this class, they could only judge and speak from report, and that which they had been told respecting Swedenborg and his writings, was very far from the truth. Consequently, many pious effusions, full of affectionate advice, were addressed by his parents to the "wanderer from the fold;" both were members of the religious body called "Independents," alias Congregationalists. Nevertheless, in the strictest sense of the words, they had endeavoured to train up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," and to teach them from their childhood to know the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make them "wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord." This is due to their memory; and will ever be had in grateful remembrance. The change, in the instance referred to, they supposed to be of a dangerous kind, which induced the affectionate father, at the age of 76 years, (and having, as he said, a presentiment of his death) to visit his son for the purpose of conversing with him upon "these weighty matters." During his short stay with him, the leading doctrines of the New Church were dispassionately discussed, and contrasted with those of the Old. The father's fears began to abate: the mind became more tranquilized and susceptible of impressions; reason assumed its legitimate province, and entered upon

its rightful office. The dark clouds of error which had brooded over the mind were gradually dispersed; and dissatisfaction, which sat on the wrinkled brow of age, eventually disappeared, as the light of spiritual truth gained the ascendancy, and shone out at full, kindling a feeling of inward satisfaction which was depicted in the countenance of the objector. On the doctrine of the Divine Trinity in the one Divine Person of the Lord, his understanding became clear, so that he perceived its consistency with enlightened reason and the Word of God, and received the truth accordingly. Furnished with a few small works on this and on other subjects, he returned to his home with a mind unburdened of its fears, to communicate the pleasing intelligence to his beloved partner in life. A few weeks after this interview, he expired rather suddenly, (November 4th, 1831.) He had been well and active up to the last night that he retired to rest, no more to engage in the secular concerns of this terrestrial scene. Their practice was, to read a portion of the Word, and to pray, before retiring for the night. The portion he read on the night previous to his death, was the 23rd Psalm, which, he said, filled him "with peculiar delight,” and as it appeared to him to contain something far more attractive than he had before conceived, although the words had long been familiar to his mind, he read it over again with increasing interest and delight. They then retired to their rest, in apparent good health and spirits; but at four o'clock in the morning, he complained of a pain in his left side; medical and other aid were procured, but in vain; at six o'clock he appeared to enjoy a complete cessation from pain: addressed a few words of consolation to his anxious partner in life, and calmly reclined his head on his pillow, with closed eyes, as one falling into a refreshing sleep. His affectionate survivor gazed in silence, and listened, but no breathing was heard; the pulse had for ever ceased to beat. Subsequently, his widow was induced to reside with her son at Cheltenham ; where, for some time, she attended the places of worship belonging to the religious denomination to which she had been so long attached. tracts occasionally, and entered into familiar conversation on the subjects treated of; and it was only by slow degrees that

She read our