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curred in placing it in the hands of the men most likely to profit by it, that enough may be collected from members of the New Church, and from the friends of religious freedom generally, to enable me to supply every minister of the Church of England with a copy. There are about 20,000 of all ranks. This would require an additional £166. For myself, I shall not hesitate to solicit a contribution to this good work from every one I know who cherishes a love for a scriptural and philosophical Christianity.

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Though I depend mainly on the few wealthy friends of the New Church to enable me to carry out the scheme, I would remind every member who has but slender means of living, that every shilling contributed will pay for six copies; and I would beg the secretary of your Society kindly to collect small sums, and send them to me in a lump. Address-Isaac Pitman, Bath."

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tical. The first difficulty I found in giving the full endorsement of my heart and judgment to the Congregationalist creed was when in College. The doctrine of the atonement was the first thing I became dissatisfied with. This prepared my mind for reading. Dr. Bushnell's work, entitled, Vicarious Atonement,' and the views therein stated were accepted by me. The doctor denied that our Saviour did anything to satisfy the wrath of God against sinners. He held that Christ's mission was to do something for men, and not to interfere with the designs of God as directed towards His creatures. Owing to my peculiar views when I left the seminary at Bangor, I was refused that license to preach which is usually accorded to its students. Most of the professors, however, were in favour of my preaching, especially Dr. Pond; and through his advice I assumed the pastorate of a little church in New Hampshire, where I remained four years, during which time I was regularly ordained as a Christian minister.

"About a year before leaving that place a lady loaned him a compendium of Swedenborg's writings, and Theophilus Parsons sent him a package of the same Author's works, from which he derived

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RECEPTION AND PUBLIC AVOWAL OF THE DOCTRINES OF THE NEW CHURCH BY A CONGREGATIONAL MINISTER.-The Messenger of May 16th gives from the Christian Mirror, Portland, the following case of departure from the Congregational to the New Church :-"It is with deep regret," says the Mirror, "that we are obliged to record the open de- some sweet consolation.' On the parture of one of the esteemed Congrega- rightfulness of accepting the pastorate tional pastors of Maine from the faith of at Fryeburg, at that time, he says, the fathers. The Rev. B. N. Stone, of My sympathies were with the ConFryeburg, on last Sunday morning gregational Church. I felt then that preached a discourse in his pulpit an- if I preached at all it must be in a nouncing that he had embraced Sweden- Congregational pulpit. In regard to borgianismi, reciting the steps by which Swedenborg, I felt that while there he had come to that result, and ending might be some truth in his writings, by resigning his pastorate. His text yet I was more inclined to believe them was in Matthew x. 32, 33. After referring to the duty of every man to declare the truth according to his convictions, he gave the following narrative of his personal history and experience. My religious education was in the Methodist Church, of which my father was a member. My mother was a Con- "At length his continued reading of gregationalist, and when I was fifteen or Swedenborg's works brought him into a sixteen years of age, my father thought full conviction of their truth, and he it his duty to withdraw his connection had come to feel that he could not from the Methodist Church and join the honestly retain his office any longer. Congregational Society. When a student He says that he could not hold up at Amherst College, I first made a Swedenborg as inspired, for that would public confession of my belief in Chris- have been crossing the Rubicon which tianity, and since that time I have has hitherto marked the boundaries of tried to live an upright Christian life. his preaching,' from which we infer I was not naturally inclined to be scep- that he does now accept that inspiration.

visionary and unreal. I did not wish to come to you under false pretences, and in my creed which I read at that time before the Council, I laid my religious belief open to the inspection of you all. I felt surprised when the council installed me.

'Such being the case, but one right ignoring all the advancement which and honourable thing remains for me to theology as a science, in common with do, and that is to resign the pastorate of other sciences, has made in the last this church, which I now do in a century, he selects obsolete forms and regular and formal manner, and invite expressions, and holds them up as the the church to appoint a council to take present faith of the orthodox Church, the matter of my resignation into their which justify him in abandoning it, and prayerful consideration.' While we in charging upon it as a whole 'perexpress the sincerest grief at what we nicious doctrine which, but for the Prothink is a grievous mistake of this vidence of God, would have led them brother, and our sorrow at the evils down to hell.' He might as well have which will inevitably attend it to the accused the people of Maine of being church at Fryeburg, and to some who such old fogies as always to travel on will doubtless be influenced by his foot or on horseback, and made that his example, we are glad to commend what excuse for leaving them for some land seems to us his very proper conduct where he might have the conveniences in these circumstances. From private of a railroad.

sources we had learned that he was "All this, says the Messenger, is highly esteemed by his congregation, very gratifying to New Churchmen. and that they will part with him with There is nothing that gives us more sorrow. We are sure that this church pleasure than these accumulating eviwill have the sympathy and prayers of their sister churches throughout the

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dences of the breaking up of the old theology. But will the Mirror tell us what the authorized standards of its Church are, by which they determine what is 'fatal error' and what is not? And in so totally misrepresenting the doctrines of the New Church in its columns, as it does in its last two issues, is it not guilty of the same fault that it charges upon Mr. Stone?"

MANCHESTER NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH PRINTING AND TRACT SOCIETY. The annual meeting of this Society, was held in the school-room, Irwell Street, Salford, on Tuesday evening, May 8th, W. H. Pilkington Esq., J. P. occupied the chair, and in an earnest speech urged the eminent usefulness of the institution. The distribution of

The Messenger of May 23rd gives the following further notice respecting Mr. Stone:"The Rev. B. N. Stone, who was recently dismissed from the Congregational Church in Fryeburg, Me., is preaching for the Portland Society for a few Sundays, and, as a matter of course, to large audiences. A part of his former congregation have seceded, have hired a hall, and have invited him to become their pastor. He will begin his work in Fryeburg next month. The Portland press reports his first sermon, in which he gives his reasons for his change, and which is necessarily, therefore, somewhat controversial. In drawing the distinction between the new and old doctrines, he books and tracts was one of the most states the old doctrines as they are efficient means of spreading a knowledge given in the creeds. Of this the Chris- of the truth. The present was also a tian Mirror (Congregational) complains time for the church to be active in the somewhat bitterly. It says, 'Doubtless work. he can quote old formularies and modes The reports of the Committee and of speaking on this subject similar to the Treasurer were then read. The his statements; but Mr. Stone knows Society has circulated during the year perfectly well that as an existing fact 1230 books and 15,767 tracts. the Evangelical Church' in this day, adoption and printing of these reports and this country, does not hold that was determined upon, and a number of Christ came to bear our punishments, gentlemen interested in the success of or give an imputed righteousness. He the Society addressed the meeting. Of knows that the theological seminary these addresses, we give the following where he once studied, if he did not brief notices of those of Dr. Sexton and learn, theology does not reach it. He Rev. J. J. Thornton :cannot name an evangelical minister in Dr. Sexton said, "I can assure you, Maine or New England, of any deno- who belong to the New Church and who mination, who so preaches. Utterly do not go out into the world and mix

The

with people of other denominations, keys will fit,' and he replied, "You that you would be astonished if you have a great conceit of your new keys.' knew the extent to which the teachings I said, 'I have tried the new keys in of Swedenborg prevail at the present many locks, and never found a lock time. You have only to look at the which they would not fit.' A minister literature of the present day to see that from Westmoreland said he had read there is no other man that has lived that through the True Christian Religion, has exercised so great an influence on which had been given him by the the present age. Wherever you look at Swedenborg Society, and he said, "There the movement that has taken place in is no mistake about it, there is somethe religious world, you will see that thing in this, and I think the writings it has always been more or less in the of Swedenborg must have a great indirection of the great teachings of fluence on the churches."" Swedenborg, or proved the necessity of those teachings. If you take the quesMISSIONARY AND TRACT SOCIETY, tion of the Supreme Being, there can be LONDON-Annual Meeting.-The Misno doubt the idea of the Deity in three sionary and Tract Society held their persons is completely passing out of annual meeting at the New Church men's thoughts. There can be no less College, Devonshire Street, Islington, doubt that the idea of the Deity of on May 30. Tea was provided in the Christ is coming to be more and more refectory of the College at 5.30 p.m., perceived. The idea of the resurrection and at 7 o'clock a public meeting was of the material body is rapidly dis- held in the College Chapel, which was appearing. If you take the question of well attended. Mr. H. BATEMAN, the wicked in the future state, I don't F.R.C.S., occupied the chair, and after think there is any more satisfactory hymn 30 had been sung, the Rev. Dr. solution of the problem than that which BAYLEY offered up prayer. we get in the doctrines of the New The CHAIRMAN said this was the Church. I have spent months, and fifty-sixth anniversary of this excellent even years, in the contemplation of what and useful institution, and he was proud was to me one of the greatest sources of to be able to say that he had been preperplexity. If a man can pass through sent at forty-six of these annual gatherthis life and can set aside all the good ings. The operations of the Society were influences that are around him here, if he twofold: they included the propagation can resist these and become evil, what of the glorious doctrines of the New possible guarantee, or even what hope Church by means of missionary lectures, can we have that that man will repent and by means of the press. in another world, where he will find able to say that in the past year the himself among beings who are exactly work of the Society had been well suslike himself? If you look at the doctrine tained, and the retiring Committee of destruction, will that solve the pro- would give a good account of their blem? Swedenborg has solved it. He stewardship. The operations of the tells us that punishment in the other life is not vindictive, and that therefore men in the future life are exactly what they have made themselves in this. These are great truths. I can only ask you, in conclusion, to be more energetic than heretofore in making them extensively known."

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Society, to be efficiently carried out, must be effectually supported by subscriptions; and it was here the meeting could testify their sympathy with the good cause. Not only so, but when one of the Society's missionaries came to one of their churches to preach, let them encourage him by attending in large numbers, by aiding him in his work, by speaking of the doctrines wherever and whenever they had an opportunity, and also by remembering the Society and its Missionaries in their prayers.

The Rev. J. J. Thornton said, "I am very glad to agree with what Dr. Sexton has said. Having been a Congregationalist, I have opportunities of talking with ministers of that denomination. I was talking with one of the ministers of that The SECRETARY then read the report body respecting the interpretation of the of the Society, which stated that the Scriptures. He said, I don't know Committee continues to receive encouhow it is, but certainly the old keys do raging letters as to the value of the not fit.' I said, 'I think the new books distributed by them, some of

statements are inadmissible. Altogether the Society is peforming a good and useful work, which its Committee prosecutes with marked zeal, intelligence, and earnestness.

their correspondents expressing the serial publications, and the effort to warmest appreciation of the truths obtain the insertion of articles correctly thereby presented. Tracts have been explaining New Church teaching in granted for distribution at home and in publications where direct replies to mistwo of the colonies. Missionary lectures and Sunday services have been given by Mr. Gunton, Revs. Dr. Bayley, J. Presland, T. Child, and W. B. Hayden, and by Messrs. Austin, Boyle, Clarke, Isaac Gunton, Plummer, Rhodes, and John Mr. S. B. DICKS (Hoxton) moved the Williams. In conjunction with the adoption of the reports and accounts. National Missionary Institution, the The subject, he said, that seemed to be Society has engaged the services of Mr. most prominent in the present day was G. L. Allbut, B. A., as assistant mis- the conflict between the scientific theosionary. Mr. Allbut has been at work ries of the time and the orthodox views four months, during which time he has of the Bible. Upon the questions thus been engaged chiefly in the North, and arising New Churchmen were enabled to is now with the Society at Paisley. throw much new and satisfying light, The Treasurer's Report showed an in- adopting what was true and valuable in come from all sources, including a science without losing the truths of balance from last year, of £681, and an Scripture—indeed "spoiling the Egypexpenditure of £471. tians. On no subject was there so Accompanying these reports is the much doubt and dispute as on the exist Fourth Annual Report of the Auxiliary ence and nature of the Divine Being. N. C. Missionary and Tract Society. There were large numbers of well-intenThe labours of this Society are chiefly tioned persons groping for God in the connected with the public press, and dark, rejecting the mysterious creeds of their report shows the extent and use- the Churches, and raising altars to an fulness of their work. During the year "Unknown God." To these the minismany opportunities have occurred of ters and the missionaries of the New directing the attention of persons likely Church should direct their attention to be benefited by them to the writings and proclaim to these persons as the of Swedenborg, and of correcting misstatements and misconceptions respecting them, of which the Committee have availed themselves.

Apostle did to the Athenians of old— "Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you." Very little could be done without consolidaThe largest portion of the work of the tion of forces; unity was strength, and Committee has been the examination of he earnestly appealed to them to join theological books either directly or indi- in strengthening the hands of the rectly affecting the New Church, and Society. the preparation of suitable communi- Mr. J. RHODES (Deptford) dwelt on cations to their authors, pointing out some of the evidences of changed opinion the bearing of Swedenborg's teaching which had come under his attention, and upon their respective productions. In of the improved attitude of the press reply to these communications many towards the New Church. He found interesting letters have been received, proof of this recently in communicating which afford additional proof of the with the editor of a leading paper in his growing liberality of thought amongst district. He was met in a very liberal the leaders of religious and philosophical spirit, and reports of lectures offered by opinion. Of the Society's work in cor- him were "willingly" accepted and inrecting misstatements respecting Swe- serted. There was also a great change denborg and his teaching, the most observable in the sermons of ministers marked is the correspondence arising and the ideas of worshippers. Some out of the published letter of the Rev. years ago he resided in a town where Mr. M'Grath, some particulars of which orthodoxy exercised almost absolute have already appeared in our pages. sway. He visited that place recently Other labours of the Society have been and had the great pleasure of hearing a in the circulation of New Church litera- sermon in which the speaker described ture, the furnishing of extracts and the Lord as being an Inflexible_Being accurate information to the editors of certainly, but He was "Inflexible Love.

Such a sermon could not have been preached there ten years previously.

Mr. ELLIOT moved the appointment of Mr. Gunton as Treasurer. In seconding this appointment, Mr. Chas. Higham, referring to the financial position of the Auxiliary Society, reminded the meeting that that Society was supported by voluntary contributions, and that those who could not assist actively could aid by becoming honorary members. They did not ask for much money, they simply said that the more they had the more work could be done. Subscriptions sent through Mr. Gunton or Mr. Howe would be gladly received.

Dr. BAYLEY, in an earnest address, dwelt on the unsettled state of the popular religious teaching and on the importance of promulgating the doctrines of the New Church. Each one, he said, should act up to his great privileges by spreading as far and as wide as possible this foundation-truththat the Word of God was really Divine, and in the light of New Church teaching was perceived to be more Divine than could otherwise be imagined. What fearful consequences would ensue if the infidels and sceptics succeeded in overthrowing God's Word! If the Divine Word were given up; if each man were to do as he pleased, which meant, follow out his own lusts and ambitions unchecked, the whole human race would speedily disappear through plagues and wars and cruelties. Even as it was, the falsifications of men had done much to paralyze the power of the Word to make men into angels, which was the real aim and end of the Scriptures. The Word of God in all its allegory, and history, and prophecy, taught but one doctrine-"Ye must be born again." Of what use would a scientifically correct exposition of the process of creation be to a sinful soul? It would not bring the power of God to bear upon that soul; it would do little towards its regeneration. But when it was explained by the science of correspondences that the creation described in the Scriptures was really the process of regeneration, and by what means men became angelic, the whole aspect of affairs was changed, and there was no longer conflict between science and revelation. The Lord was ever striving by His Word to depose selfishness and evil in us all, and make men of integ

rity, honour, and uprightness. In conclusion Dr. Bayley referred to the fact that at least twenty of the members who had recently joined his Society at Kensington were converted from scepticism. During a recent visit amongst his congregation, he called on one of these and found him away from home; but his wife was there, and expressed her delight that her husband had joined the Church. Previously he used to go to Bradlaugh's, and then all at home seemed to go wrong; but now it was the reverse, and home was what it should be, a heaven upon earth.

The Rev. JOHN PRESLAND, after referring to the objections so frequently and extensively urged against the Word, said--To establish a true interpretation of the Word was a fundamental object of the Society, which therefore deserved every co-operation and support. Reference had been made to the war in the East, and yet we knew that even now there was dawning on the earth the Second Advent, which promised peace and rest. But peace was to come when the reign of the Lord Jesus was fully established, when the knowledge of the Lord covered the earth as the waters cover the sea. Of the preliminary stage of that glorious era it was said "Behold He cometh with clouds." In proportion as they were able to circulate just conceptions of Scripture,-in proportion as they thereby revealed the Divine Truth shining through the clouds and obscurities of its literal sense-so would that Second Advent be consummated, and they would be privileged to co-operate with Him who cometh not with observation, but by whose coming light, and life, and peace are established upon the earth, and all things are made new.

Several other addresses were given, and the proceedings terminated by the hymn "Abide with me.'

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HULL. The anniversary sermons connected with this Society were preached on Sunday, 3rd June, by Mr. Gunton. The attendance in the morning was good, but in the evening the Church was quite full. On the following evening a public tea meeting was held. After tea addresses were given by Mr. Gunton, Mr. Layland, and other friends. During the evening Mr. Gunton, on behalf of some of the ladies of the congregation pre

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