was a mental union, a joining together of minds whose desires were in accordance with each other; and that the period of maturity immediately preceding an entrance into the state of marriage was peculiarly the time when those mental qualifications, without which no true union could take place, should be acquired. Mr. Moss, the Rev. D. Howarth, and Mr. Davis, afterwards addressed the meeting. Mr. Howarth pointed out, with peculiar force, the necessity which existed that this subject should be duly considered by young men and young women, as it would lead them to look upon the state of marriage as it really was-the purest and holiest state, when entered upon by parties qualified in all respects, which mankind were capable of attaining in this life.

The meeting was afterwards addressed by the chairman. W. S.

NEW PUBLICATIONS. The Nottingham Controversy between Roman Catholics and Protestants; being an Answer to the Inquiry, "Where lies the Great Difference between Roman Catholics and Protestants ?” With some Hints towards an Improvement of their Relations to each other. By the Rev. W. Mason, Minister of Babington Lane Chapel, Derby. Nottingham: Stevenson and Co. pp. 15.

At the present time there appears, in different parts of the country, and especially at Nottingham, to be considerable excitement and commotion between the Roman Catholics and Protestants. The tract before us is intended to awaken the minds of both parties to new considerations, and to direct them to a new ground upon which they can assemble and form a new bond of union. The writer clearly points out, that in all essential principles of doctrine there is no difference between the Roman Catholic and the Protestant Creeds. Why, then, should they be so

deadly hostile to each other? Why not, as to externals of worship, which are not so essential as internal principles of faith, mutually forbear, and endeavour to cultivate friendly relations with each other? This, indeed, is the only way by which the minds of both parties can be in a proper state to see the truth. As both Roman Catholics and Protestants point to Primitive Christianity as the standard of Christian faith and practice, the author of this pamphlet refers to the same standard, and ably shews that the Primitive Christians knew nothing of the dogma of three persons in the Trinity, and of other dogmas arising therefrom, but that they worshiped the Lord Jesus Christ alone," in whom the fulness of the Godhead, [or the divine Trinity] dwelleth bodily," and that salvation with them consisted in the love of Him, by keeping his commandments. We trust that this tract will be read not only by the people of Nottingham, but by others also, and that it may be serviceable in bringing about a new and better state of things amongst them.

How are Worlds made? Being a New System of Cosmogonical Philosophy. By Samuel Beswick. Haslingden, 1847. Kenworthy, Manchester. pp. 158.

This work has recently come to hand, and we have, as yet, only had time to give it a cursory perusal. It is the production of a young mind, highly gifted with original powers of thought, with intellectual analysis of no common order, and with considerable ability in the clear arrangement and condensed statement of his ideas. Whatever may be the result of his work, when it comes to be critically examined by the scientific world, it will at all times, and especially when we consider the difficult circumstances under which we know the writer for some time to have laboured, remain a striking proof of mental talent and industry.

his youth, alternately in the islands of St. Thomas and Santa Cruz. His father being a clergyman of the Danish Established Church (Lutheran), had carefully instructed him in her doctrines. At an early age he left the paternal roof for the West Indies, where his health beginning to decline, he sought its restoration by a sojourn of some months in La Guyra and the city of Caraccas, in South America. During his stay here, the open profligacy of both the Catholic clergy and laity, soon convinced him that they were entirely destitute of piety and religion; and his being also in constant association with infidel companions, undermined all his faith in the Christian doctrines, so that he remained for some time an avowed unbeliever; when, on his return to St. Thomas, an old friend presented him with Dodsley's "Economy of Human Life," which (as he informed the writer of this) he read with an avidity and delight never before experienced from any other book, and always carried it in his pocket, saying he wanted no other book but that. Strange as it may appear, the frequent perusal of this little volume, brought him again to believe in the general truths of Christianity, and thence to see the necessity of leading a good life. One evening he called on Mr. Vibe Kierulff, who had recently returned from the United States of America, where he had become acquainted with the doctrines of the New Church, and was then reading the Arcana to his family and to his brother. Mr. Birch entered the room repeating the first paragraph of the "Economy of Human Life," and then in raptures exclaimed that he had met with the best book that ever was written! Indeed, said Mr. K., what is that? The "Economy of Human Life," he replied. "But I can shew you something a vast deal better than that," said Mr. K.; "listen awhile and you shall hear." He then read for a considerable time, and Mr. B. at once acknowledged that it far exceeded his favourite book, and desired to borrow it; but as Mr. K. was then reading that work, he offered him the second volume of the "True Christian Religion" (the first being lent out), which he perused with the greatest delight, and from that time became a diligent and affirmative reader of the New Church writings. Having lost much of his property by a fire in St. Thomas, he removed to Christiansted, Santa Cruz, where he resumed his mercantile business in a small way. He made continual efforts to disseminate a knowledge of the great truths he had acquired, by frequent im

portations from England of New Church books and tracts, of which he distributed a very large number, as well as by loaning New Church books, and well-timed conversations on the doctrines. It was not Mr. Birch's lot to be married, but he lived beloved by all; and so highly esteemed was his consistent life and character, that when, after his decease, his household furniture was disposed of at public auction, such was the competition, even among non-receivers, to obtain possession of the various articles as remembrances of him, that they were sold for two or three times their actual value, and his books were eagerly bought by the receivers of the doctrines. He had long suffered from a rheumatic affection of the hip, which had latterly become so much worse, that he expressed his belief that his time of departure had arrived. He had sent his servant on an errand, who on his return finding his master quite motionless, approached to see if he was asleep, and found that his spirit had fled while sitting upright in his chair, with the work on "Heaven and Hell," which he had just been reading, laying on the table open before him. Thus calmly did he put off his external covering to peform more exalted uses, and to be more intimately consociated with the blessed societies of the spiritual world; for "blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." E. B.

Died, June 7th, at his residence, near Manchester, Mr. William Bowdler, in his 39th year. This gentleman had been acquainted with the doctrines of the Lord's New Church upwards of twenty years. In his youth he was located in an extensive mercantile establishment in Manchester, of which, through his integrity, his wonderful skill in accounts, (in which it is said he had not his equal), and his assiduous application to business, he eventually became a partner. At an early period after he had entered into the above establishment, he became acquainted with an intelligent and pious young friend, now resident in London, who was also in the same mercantile house, and who had been acquainted with the doctrines of the New Church from his early youth. Our departed friend soon became impressed with the superior views of his companion on different subjects of Christian doctrine, and especially on the subjects of the Trinity, Redemption, and Atonement, and the spiritual sense of the Holy Word. A fervent spirit of inquiry was awakened in his active and intelligent

mind, and he began to read the works of Swedenborg. At first, however, he urged with considerable ability many objections against the new doctrines, and many hours in the night, after the business of the day, were passed in reading and discussing with his friend the principal points of doctrine. At length, however, his objections were overcome, and he saw that the doctrines of the New Church are far more scriptural and rational than those which commonly prevail, and henceforth his mind settled down in the practical and saving tendency of the great doctrines and principles he had adopted. The genius of his mind was eminently practical; his intellectual and perceptive powers were remarkably vivid and acute; and the doctrine, that all things are created "from use, in use, and to use,' was to him exceedingly delightful. Nothing speculative, in which he could not immediately perceive something useful-tending both to the good of man and the glory of God, had any charm for him. The faithful performance, from a religious principle, of our duties in our respective callings and avocations, by which we are rendered useful to others, and by which we can consequently carry out the great Christian doctrine of love to our neighbour, was seen by him to be the especial field of practical Christianity, where, through divine Mercy, our regeneration is effected, and our preparation for heaven is accomplished. Hence it was, that our departed friend took a great interest in every institution of the New Church, calculated to promote the knowledge of genuine Scripture truth upon earth. Thus none were more deeply interested in the cause of education on New Church principles; our schools were to him the principal subject of conversation, and the chief object of his delight, and none were more liberal in their support. Also our Tract, Missionary, and Printing Societies, and especially the Church in Peter-street, of which he was a member, were to him especial objects of interest and support. In committees his perception and judgment were extremely valuable in guiding the deliberations to wise and practical resolutions. At the general Conference of the New Church, held in Birmingham in 1846, our departed friend was unanimously appointed a trustee of that body North of Trent; and

at the meeting of the same body held in Derby this year, a sincere expression of deep regret at his early removal was recorded in the minutes. About the beginning of November last year, he was attacked with a kind of fever, which so weakened his constitution as eventually to cause his death. He had partially recovered during the spring, and hopes were entertained that he would be restored to his usual state of health, but these hopes proved to be delusive; the complaint had left the germs of dissolution, and his removal, at length, was unexpected and sudden. On Sunday, June 20th, a discourse was preached, on the occasion of his death, by the Rev. J. H. Smithson, to a numerous and attentive audience, from the text-"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Rev. ii. 10.) J. H. S.

Died, of consumption, on the 28th of July, 1847, aged 32 years, Ann, the wife of Mr. Joseph Burton, of Salford. The deceased was educated in the doctrines of the Independents; but became acquainted with those of the New Church about ten years ago. Being previously of exemplary character, and conscious of the importance and necessity of sound moral principle, the "Doctrine of Life for the New Jerusalem" made an indelible impression upon her mind, and it was her constant desire to do what she could to make all around her happy, regarding her own happiness as the result of contributing to that of others. The day before her departure she mentioned to her husband her conviction of the certainty that her removal from earth would shortly be realized; and immediately offered various suggestions respecting his future arrangements. She desired that the exhortation to parents given in our baptismal service might be duly attended to in regard to her children, particularly with reference to the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Creed of the New Church. She solemnly urged upon her friends the necessity of a LIVING religion, because death was thereby deprived of its sting, and would be met without fear. It is also worthy of remark, that in a few days afterwards her youngest child followed her into the eternal world.

J. B.