each of the doctrines on the Lord, on the Sacred Scripture, on Faith, and on Life, &c., may be had as heretofore, separate. All the other works of the author are kept in readiness for immediate supply. The two works already specified are extremely suitable as presents to young people; and our friends who are desirous of impressing the minds of youth with the truths of the heavenly doctrines, would do well to purchase them for this purpose.

MANCHESTER MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

The following is an extract from the Note Book belonging to the Missionary Committee.

LECTURES AT ASHTON.

To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. DEAR SIR, -The Manchester Missionary Committee having determined to make known the Doctrines of the New Church in the populous township of Ashton, they requested the assistance of the Revds. Howarth, Smithson, Woodman, Storry, and Rendell, to prepare subjects for six lectures. This was immediately responded to by the above gentlemen, and the following subjects were selected :

66

Nov. 2nd. By the Rev. J. H. Smithson. Jesus Christ the one only God, in whom is the Divine Trinity, and who is the sole object of worship."

Nov. 9th. By the Rev. W. Woodman, of Kersley."The Scriptural Doctrine of the Atonement."

Nov. 16th. By the Rev. R. Storry, of Heywood. "The Last Days; shewing that the Material World will never be destroyed, aud explaining the Scriptural expressions-End of the World-Passing away of the first Heaven and the first Earth."

Nov. 23rd. By the Rev. E. D. Rendell, of Preston.-"Heaven-how to be thought of."

Nov. 30th. By the Rev. R. Storry."The Coming of the Lord in the Clouds of Heaven; shewing that the Prophecies relating to this Coming are in the course of fulfilment."

Dec. 7th. By the Rev. D. Howarth, of Salford." Is it possible that we can be saved by Faith alone?"

The Committee now applied to their powerful ally the Tract Society, for the grant of all the tracts that had not been claimed by the subscribers, and also to

allow them to have £6. worth at cost price, which was immediately complied with. The Missionary Committee now found that they could reasonably hope to accomplish some good in Ashton.

The next step taken was to procure a room; the secretary then called to his assistance our Ashton friends, and after a variety of efforts a room was secured capable of containing twelve or thirteen hundred people. The terms were 10s. per night; but as these were to be religious lectures, the trustees kindly allowed of a reduction of 10s. This con

duct is generous when we consider that the bigotted part of the religious world in Ashton refused to let us have their rooms at any price. One dissenting body had a large room which they let for the purpose of lecturing on scientific subjects; and when our friend asked them why they would not let it for religious lectures, the answer was, that it would cause discussion, which they did not want.

The Committee had now all the requisite force at hand, which consisted of five ministers, a supply of nearly 3000 tracts, and a large room; they then caused to be posted 200 placards announcing the first lecture, and at the same time distributing 4500 circulars in Ashton and Staly Bridge; 500 circulars had fly leaves, which enabled our friend Mr. Moorhouse to send them to the upper classes in the town. Every provision was thus made to give the lectures publicity, and on the night of the first lecture about 700 individuals were present, who heard with marked attention the lecture proving the "Sole Divinity of the Lord;" after which the lecturer gave permission to any one present to ask questions on the subject. This proceeding was the means of bringing forth a variety of texts, which the lecturer made good use of to confirm the positions he had advanced. The opposition principally came from the followers of a Mr. Barker, a Unitarian; one of them remarked that the "Word being made flesh," did not mean to prove the coming of Jehovah in the Humanity; upon this assertion being made, one of the Failsworth friends stated, that he thought that, as the Word declared it was so, and as the gentleman said it was not so, it would be better for him to state how it was, and explain it himself. This placed the objector in an awkward position, and he declined saying any thing on the subject. Another individual, who evidently appeared to be a leader, delivered a long

address, and concluded with requesting the lecturer to go home and read his Bible. This called up another, who stated that if the Bible was to be the text, then the lecturer had not advanced one position without its fullest support-and the majority of the meeting were evidently of the same opinion. At ten o'clock the meeting concluded. Then appeared a scene that I never before witnessed, which was a rush for tracts; the desire to obtain them produced a complete scramble, and caused those who distributed them to be placed in an uncomfortable position. On the whole this lecture evidenced a favourable reception; it manifested that there was a desire for information concerning the doctrines of the New Church, and it gave our friends in Ashton encouragement to persevere. The lecturer was surrounded by a numerous group of inquirers, who continued asking questions till a very late hour.

Nov. 9th. The attendance at this lecture was about 700 or 800, and being on a subject to which much prejudice is annexed, there was every reason to believe that our friend, the Rev. W. Woodman, would meet with much opposition. This caused the lecturer to anticipate their objections, which he did in a manner calculated to gain their attention and lull their prejudices, and when he had concluded he invited the meeting to question him, for he was quite ready to answer any questions they might propose on the subject. A pause ensued, and then an individual stated it was all very well to invite them to ask questions, but he should like to know what questions he had left for them to ask? He then took

took up his hat and left. After a short time a preacher addressed the lecturer in a highly complimentary manner, and said that he was glad that our people were coming out in this way, and inviting investigation into our doctrines, which proceeding, contrasted with ministers generally, was what was wanted. "I must say, Sir," he added, "that you have advanced arguments to-night in support of your position which cannot possibly be overturned, and it is very evident, from the absence of opposition, that the truth has for once made its way." Another individual stated that such was the case,but this caused a preacher to state that because they did not oppose, they were not to think that they agreed with the lecturer. Mr. W. then stated that he entertained a higher opinion of the people of Ashton, than to suppose

that they would change their views with merely hearing a couple of lectures; they did not wish it; they wanted them to hear and read for themselves. This last objector, when the time had nearly expired, stated that there must be some satisfaction required to offended justice, for even heathens admitted the law of retaliation, and he thought it was a law of human nature. The futility of this argument was promptly exposed, and the meeting evidently seemed satisfied with the lecture and the anwers that were given;-then came the rush for tracts, and though four were employed in distributing them, yet they could not deliver them fast enough.

The lecture by Mr. Storry, on the 16th, was attended by nearly 1000 people, who paid the greatest attention, and did not dispute the subject of the lecture, but asked questions relative to the Lord,for instance, one asked, if Jesus Christ was God, who was in heaven when he was on earth? The lecturer quoted the Lord's words-"No man hath ascended up to heaven but He who came down from heaven, even the Son of Man who is in heaven." The various answers that the lecturer gave to the questions, silenced if they did not convince.

Nov. 23rd. This lecture was delivered by the Rev. E. D. Rendell, and on account of the evening being so excessively wet, the attendance was only about 300 or 400. No objection was made to the views brought forth, and I have since heard that one of Mr. Barker's followers declared that there was some of the most beautiful ideas brought forward that he had ever heard.

Nov. 30th. On the Second Coming of the Lord.-The audience were particularly attentive to this lecture, and, as usual, did not dispute the grounds of the lecturer, but questioned on the resurrection; these questions were satisfactorily explained. This course seemed rather surprising, when we consider that they were bent on upsetting Mr. Storry at this lecture. Many of the questions were puerile; this was evident from a stranger arising and wishing them to ask something sensible, for he was tired of such trivial questions. After the lecture, Mr. S. had a group of the followers of Mr. Barker around him, and they promised to read Mr. Noble's appeal, with which Mr. S. would furnish them.

Dec. 7. This lecture was delivered by the Rev. D. Howarth, to an audience of

about 300. The weather was very severe, and no doubt hindered many from attending. The doctrines of Love, Faith, and Works, were forcibly brought forward in this lecture; in fact, the lecturer gave them such a specimen of reasoning from the Word of God as they will not soon forget. He particularly dwelt upon the words of Paul concerning justification by faith, until the dragon writhed and twisted, and at last opened its mouth, through the medium of one of its crew, and declared for faith alone. He wanted none of that stuff, called love, that the lecturer spoke of; give him faith alone. Another would have faith to be from within man, but declined proving it when asked to do it. The lecture seemed to give satisfaction, and, if we may judge from the re-appearance of countenances lecture after lecture, we may conclude that an unusual amount of interest has been excited in Ashton. Mr. Howarth, in concluding, announced that a chapel, formerly used by the Baptists, had been taken for the purpose of more fully explaining the doctrines of the Church, and that it would be opened on Sunday, Dec. 27th, for the purposes of Divine Worship. Thus has concluded a powerful effort to make known the doctrines of the New Jerusalem in Ashton.

On December 3rd, a meeting of the Committee was held, when our zealous friend, Mr. Moorhouse, offered the committee £20. towards taking the abovenamed chapel for nine months; the committee having also received the assurance that our able friend, J. Dearden, Esq., of Denton, would both assist with his person and purse, and that nothing should be wanting on his part to extend the New Church truths, which were the last and best gift that God had given to the world. In concluding my report of these lectures, I feel called upon to acknowledge, and the ministers will bear me out in the statement, that the kindness and hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Moorhouse, in providing for and entertaining the ministers, demands our grateful acknowledgments. We would also tender our thanks to the friends at Woodhouses and Failsworth, for their kind assistance. There is also an incident that occurred which will give delight, viz., a lady attended a sale at Stalywood, when she saw some of our tracts; one on Christian Perfection, much attracted her attention. She asked the auctioneer the price of them, when he immediately gave them to

her. She induced her husband, who is a deacon amongst the Independents, to read them; they were read and re-read; every thing delighted them. She said one day to her husband, "I wonder where these people have a chapel,-I should very much like to hear one of their ministers." They succeeded in obtaining the information, and so desirous were they of hearing, that they came from Ashton on the Saturday, and stayed all night, on purpose to hear Mr. Smithson on the Sunday. His subject was the Raising of the Widow's Son; and the delight they experienced in hearing from the Word the truths of the New Church, will never be effaced. They went home happy; and greatly to their astonishment and delight, they perceived in a short time a placard announcing the lecture by Mr. Smithson. They have attended the course, and have received such confirmation from these lectures, that the gentleman made it a point to attend a meeting held at Mr. Moorhouse's, for the purpose of consulting about the opening of a place of worship.

LEON KENWORTHY, Secretary.

P.S. It would be well if our various Printing Societies would place on their publications a list of our places of worship.

THE CHURCH OE ENGLAND WEIGHED IN THE BALANCE OF THE SANCTUARY, AND FOUND WANTING.

By the late ROBERT HINDMARSH. To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. DEAR SIR,-I have lately been looking over the " Patriot," and take the liberty of sending you an excerpt from it, which I think will in some degree interest you. What a striking illustration does this scrap afford of the burden of Mr. Clissold's work on the "END OF THE CHURCH!" Here is the opinion of Dissent uttered by its authorized organ. There is something in the very wording of this scrap from "THE EDITOR'S TABLE" indicative of the nature of the food which he sets upon it to feed the hungry orthodox. When I read the article, I thought of writing to the editor to ask him to favour his readers with one or two of the "indications of unsound mind" which he found in the work, but on second thoughts I resolved to send the crumb to you, hoping that you would do more ample justice to the soundness of mind of the man who

prostrated the Priestlys and the Pikes, than I could do. It was my privilege to have the honour of a personal acquaintance with Robert Hindmarsh, and well do I remember calling on him a few months before his death with Mr. Noble, and equally well do I remember the deep impression which was made on my mind by the calmness and truly Christian spirit which he shewed in the prospect of passing into eternity. Judge then, if you can, what I felt on reading the enclosed, written evidently by some sturdy, hale Calvinist, who knows nothing at all about what he pretends to know so much of.-Yours, &c.

ΙΑΚΩΒΟΣ.

"This is, (says the writer) we are told, a posthumous work, finished in 1834, and the author died in the first month of the following year. Why it was not published before, or why it is now put forth, is not

or

explained. It is certainly to be regretted that it has seen the light at all, since whoever takes it up in the expectation of deriving either profit, instruction, amusement from the perusal, will be utterly disappointed. The writer was a zealous anti-Trinitarian and anti-Calvinist, yet a believer in the true divinity of our Lord, regarding Unitarians as 'semiDeists.' He speaks of 'the doctrines of the Established Church, of the Dissenters, and of Roman Catholics, as forming one general system of theology, founded not upon the genuine sense of Divine Revelation, but upon the mere appearances of truth in some parts of the letter; and he

comes forward to rescue the Sacred Volume from 'unmerited obloquy and contempt.' We have no reason to ques

tion the writer's honesty of intention, but

there are indications of an unsound mind."

The writer should remember, that one strong indication of an unsound mind is that of making assertions injurious to others, without proof; and such an indication obviously characterizes the above extract.-ED.

THE CONFERENCE HYMN BOOK.-A new and handsome edition of this work has just left the press. It is neatly bound and lettered, which greatly improves its appearance. As it is bound in this handsome form, no further binding will be immediately necessary; and probably not necessary at all. For further particulars we refer to the advertisement.

ST. HELIER, JERSEY.-The annual tea meeting of this society was held at the Temperance Coffee-house, Conway-street, on the evening of Tuesday, October 27th, 1846, at six o'clock; when twenty-nine adults and sixteen children were assembled. After tea, the meeting was opened by calling Mr. T. Brown, their leader, to the chair. The 148th Psalm, which had been previously chosen for the occasion, was read, and the beautiful correspondences of which its literal sense consists, afforded an interesting theme for conversation. The members severally addressed the meeting on its spiritual sense, and the choir added to the enjoyment of the evening by singing, at intervals, some of our beautiful hymns. Towards the close of the meeting, some remarks were made respecting the present state of the society, which it was unanimously resolved, that a and our situation in regard to uses, upon public meeting be held on the Tuesday evening in each week, for open discussion of the doctrines of the New Church, the discussion to be governed by certain laws for the sake of order. The friends then chose the 14th chapter of John for consideration at their next anniversary, and the meeting separated at half-past nine o'clock; all appearing happy at opportunity thus afforded of associating themselves together, and of mutually edifying each other in the truths of the New Dispensation.

the

INTELLIGENCE FROM GERMANY.-In a

letter lately received from Dr. Tafel, we are informed that the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm have sent to him the Manuscripts containing the Adversaria, or Notes of Swedenborg on Genesis and Exodus. "The four large folios,' says Dr. Tafel," of Adversaria, and a small volume containing, in the author's own writing, the Part VII. of the Diary, arrived here safe on the 22nd of October. They far exceed my expectations, inasmuch as they not only present a treasure of natural and spiritual knowledge which is to be found no where else, but they contain a description of the first foundation of his theory, and of his first experience [in respect to spiritual things]. The explanation of the text is also far more circumstantial than in those parts of the Adversaria already published."-We will take this opportunity of informing our readers, that the first volume of the Index to the Diary and to the Adversaria has recently arrived in this country, and may

be had of the New Church booksellers. This Index is extremely copious, and contains the substance of every thing stated in these works, presented in a concise summary form, sufficient to convey a general idea of the subjects treated. It is by no means a skeleton Index; and may be easily read by those who have only a superficial knowledge of Latin.

LONDON TRACTS.

To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. SIR,-I lately applied at Manchester for a Tract in the London Series, and received for answer, that the London Tracts were almost unknown, and not to be procured in Lancashire. I need not say how greatly this announcement surprised me. Is it possible, thought I, that a spirit of exclusiveness, or of jealous rivalry, can prevail between Tract Societies embodied for a common object! While the Lon

doners circulate freely the Manchester Tracts, how is it that the Lancashire friends can see no merit, or use, in any Tracts but such as are printed in Manchester? If there were a desire to possess them, the Manchester bookseller, no doubt, would keep a stock of them. It is to be feared that a liberal desire to spread the knowledge of the doctrines by means of Tracts through the efforts of individuals, is by no means what it ought to be amongst us, or the London Tracts would not be thus without estimation in Lancashire. A narrow feeling of coldness amongst Lancashire men towards any other than Manchester productions, is too unamiable a feeling to be imputed to them for a moment.

A MIDLANDER.

[Many of the London Tracts have, by permission, been printed by the Manchester Society, and are of course incorporated in its stock.-ED.]

Killed, by Kafirs, at the Cape of Good Hope, on Wednesday, July 8th, 1846, Henry Essex, aged 21 years. A most impressive sermon was preached on the occasion by the Rev. S. Noble, the text being Luke xii. 4-5: "And I say unto you, my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell yea, I say unto you, Fear him." And from which are extracted the following particulars:-"The youngest son of Mr. Alfred Essex, whose name was Henry, went, when 13 years of age, to the Cape of Good Hope, with the prospect of being employed in the counting-house of a friend of his father's, who was a merchant in Cape Town, and a receiver of the heavenly doctrines. But after a residence of a year or two, a change having taken place in mercantile affairs, he returned to England. After some time, however, reflecting on what he had learned at Cape Town of life in the interior of the colony, he determined to return and seek his fortune there; satisfied that he could soon acquire a respectable situation, and eventually, by care and industry, acquire the means of obtaining a farm of his own; a result which is always open in a new and imperfectly settled country, to skill, industry, and enterprise. He was 17 years of age when he engaged in this plan, and steadily pursued it for 4 years, with satisfaction to

himself and others, and had the most reasonable prospect of realizing all his hopes. Encouraged by his success, his eldest brother, who had learned the business of a printer, went out with the view of following it in the same part of the world, and also met with pretty good success. Latterly he was established as the printer at a station of the London Missionary Society, on the extreme border of the colony, within such a distance of his brother as to admit of their occasionally seeing each other; which of course added greatly to the comfort of both. The last letter received by their father from Henry, is of the date of the 17th of last February. It is an exceedingly interesting document, giving an account of his proceedings and adventures for a considerable time previously, and of the injury and distress which had already been suffered by the settlers on the frontier, by the expectation of an invasion by the Kafirs, though the actual irruption had not then taken place. We all know from the newspapers that it has taken place since, and has been attended with dreadful destruction of property and considerable loss of life. The latter, however, has chiefly fallen on the invaders, who were at length driven back and pursued into their own country. During these proceedings neither of the brothers sustained any personal injury. The missionary establishment was deserted, and most of the property there destroyed; but young Mr. A. Essex and the other