no idea of the book as belonging to a revelation anterior to the Word we now possess, but regard it as a poem, or collection of poems, the discovery of which would clear up many of the historical difficulties of the Old Testament Scriptures. "What," says one, "would not a critic give for a copy of the Book of Jasher? Where he now dimly guesses he would then know for certain. The origin of the historical books of the Old Testament, from that of Joshua to that which tells of David, and perhaps the origin of the yet older history of the chosen race, would be revealed to an astonished world." This statement is not consistent, however, with the conjecture of another correspondent that the third and fourth chapters of Genesis are from the Book of Jasher. The time to clear up these difficulties has not yet arrived. It is well the subject should be occasionally brought under intelligent notice. The time may come when this book of the Just, belonging to ancient times, may be again known to the Church. BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.-The annual meeting of this association was this year held at Norwich, from the 19th to the 26th of August. It was presided over by Dr. Hooker, who introduced the business of the session with an address on the progress and present state of science, dwelling particularly on those branches of science which belonged more immediately to his own departments. In the conclusion of this address the president remarked on the connection between religion and science. Dr. Hanna, in the "Contemporary Review," has adduced examples of educated preachers who give to science the respect due to it. "But Dr. Hanna," says the president, "omits to observe, that the majority of these honoured contributors were not religious teachers in the ordinary sense of the term; nor does he tell us in what light many of their scientific writings were regarded by a large body of their brother clergymen, those resident in the country especially, from whom alone an overwhelming proportion of the population ever hear the name of science." There is an unquestionable distrust of science still lingers in the minds of multitudes of religious teachers, and the assumed superiority of the scientific teacher and the manifest antagonism of his teaching On to the popular exposition of the Scriptures will not reconcile them to it. Nor has Dr. Hooker contributed much in this address to the reconciliation of religion and science. He refers to the unquenchable thirst of the human mind for religious knowledge, without which neither religion nor science would have advanced so far as they have into the hearts of any people; but when he comes to present the grounds of their reconcilement, he has nothing better to offer than the saying of Herbert Spencer-“ If_religion and science are to be reconciled, the basis of the reconciliation must be this deepest, widest, and most certain of facts, that the power which the universe manifests to us is utterly inscrutable." this ground reconciliation is impossible. The human soul created for God will continue to search after Him. Made capable of knowing Him, and having Him revealed in His Word, the thoughtful and intelligent student of revelation cannot accept the statement that He is utterably inscrutable. The depths of His infinite nature are unfathomable to the plummet of the finite intellect, but that creation is the production of an intelligent and personal Creator, whose wisdom is written in all its laws, whose love is manifested in the purposes of being, and whose providence is universally present in all His works, is to the eye of faith an assured and indisputable fact. The desired reconciliation can only come, therefore, from clearer light. We need more light to guide the theologian to a correcter interpretation of Scripture, and the scientific man to a deeper knowledge of causes. For the transaction of the business of its session the association is broken up into a number of sections. In these sections papers are read and discussions take place on important and interesting topics connected with mathematical and physical science, chemistry, geology, biology, geography, mechanics, and other kindred subjects. In these papers and discussions the most recent inquiries and approved theories are discussed, and the newest light shed on the several subjects of inquiry. These inquiries and discussions are not confined to gentlemen. Educated ladies take part in them, and a considerable number of the fair sex attend the session and are enrolled as members. In addition to the discussions in the sections, a lecture was delivered by Professor Huxley, which was open to published, in the September number of the general public. The Professor chose "Good Words," a sermon preached in as his subject, "A Piece of Chalk." Westminster Abbey, on the 5th of July, After tracing with remarkable clearness from the text "God is light, and in Him the formation of chalk, and illustrating is no darkness at all." (1 John i. 5.) The by striking facts the long periods that sermon is a confident announcement that had elapsed during its formation, and light has again come into the world, and thence reviewing the immense antiquity is being diffused and made manifest, and of the globe itself, he proceeds to discuss that error, and darkness, and evil are the cause or causes of these marvellous gradually, but certainly, fleeing its prechanges which have occupied such long sence. "It is an age of light. ages in their production. "There is no The world is flooded with it. This light justification, no shadow of ground for has appeared in the astounding progress believing," says this philosopher, "that of our age in physical discovery." The all these changes which have taken place spiritual, the Bishop believes, has kept through immeasurable ages have been pace with the material. "Man sees the the result of the operation of anything light of God in the face of Jesus Christ, else but that which we commonly call that is, there has been a special revelation natural causes, and there is no reason for of God. Men's eyes saw, and their hands believing that those changes in organic handled, and their ears heard the light life which have accompanied the changes and voice of God; 'the Word was made of land and sea, have been other than flesh, and dwelt among us;' and this life the result of natural causes." How was the light of men." These words seem widely different to this dictum is the to indicate a perception of the supreme principle of philosophy adopted by Deity of the Christian Saviour. But this Swedenborg, who never suffered himself great truth is not consistently presented to doubt the existence and the secret but throughout the sermon. There is a misceaseless operation of the Creator in His tiness on this and some other topics works, and regarded every investigation which are introduced, but there is also of phenomena and natural causes as the fearless expression of many imporvaluable only as the steps in a ladder tant truths, and the clear statement of a which should reach upward to the know- coming age of greater spiritual light. One ledge of spiritual causes, and of the channel through which the light is to Creator and Sustainer of the universe, come is the written Word. "But this the Great First Cause of all. This is not always in its integrity before us. higher ground of scientific inquiry is as Its interpreters have often put their own fully alive to facts as the lower. It meaning upon it, and not its meaning, neglects none of those hints which offer and have reduced its dimensions to their suggestions as to the means of the own circumference, and this on things structure and progress of the Creator's of the first importance, such as relate, works. Embarrassed by no antecedent for example, to the character of God. . . conclusions, it is as fearless in its Christ's disciples were to tell the world inquiries and as thorough in its investi- that all God's offspring were alike pregations as that of the philosopher whose cious to the Father; they were to commind is confined to merely natural mission those who received this message causes. But unlike such philosopher, it to bring others to the same belief, that is ever ascending into a region of light, by this all men might be saved.... But and offering to the intellect results instead of this many declared that those worthy of a rational and immortal only were precious to the Father who nature. What is the value of a philo- adopted the Father; leaving it to be sophy which cannot rise above the supposed that they changed God by their earth? which gropes with the mole where belief, instead of recognising that they it ought to soar with the eagle,-which were changed themselves by believing is blind to that which is the true realm of in His unchangeableness,-in His being philosophy, the knowledge of causes. good, and unchangeable in His goodSuch a philosophy may charm the ness.' The church which has thus imagination, but can never satisfy the fallen into error has promoted division. rational mind which finds its delight in the knowledge of causes. "THE KINGDOM OF THE FATHER.". Under this title, the Bishop of Argyll has 66 Nay, not only so, but it has come to pass that instead of being, as it was intended, and ought to be, a blessing to the nations and a help to all good government, . . . the church became in many nations a hindrance instead of a help, yea, so great a hindrance as to oblige some nations to spew her out of their mouths, and almost all to limit and be on their guard against her, so great were the difficulties which she occasioned in many lands. All history is full of this. Alas! so greatly has the church too often frustrated her Divine mission, as to increase the disease she came to heal the alienation, namely, of mankind from God and from one another. Is it not true even now that while we so-called Christians can meet to eat and to drink together, to legislate, to trade, for charities, for amusements, and for sports, we cannot unite for purposes of religion? That the only thing which we cannot do in common is to meet in one place to worship a common God and Saviour? Alas! while the light of nature and the still small voice remain as strong as ever, the light of the church is glimmering, and her voice is of stammering speech!" "The cause of the decadence of the church is simply this, that she has too often set up her own kingdom, instead of that of the Father." Nevertheless, "the kingdom of the Father is advancing; other kingdoms cannot be established-nay, they disestablish themselves. Creeds and confessions, temporalities and privileges, which hinder the true kingdom, wither away. A Holy Father made of men, artificial brotherhoods and sisterhoods, must yield to the one fatherhood, sisterhood, and brotherhood, which men find in God, and in one another. The church falls when she ceases to see this, and sets up a kingdom which is not this. But the true kingdom is coming, and she will return to her first love." This kingdom "is a kingdom of truth, and its signs are sure; and these are present wherever there is a desire for reality and the meaning of things. And these are now on the increase. Religion is becoming identified with morality, and morality is believed to be the same in heaven and earth. Revelation is found not to be the violation but the establishment of morality. The mediæval and reformational interpretations of revelation are being superseded by the primary. God is being recognised as one whose tender mercies are over all His works,' and who loves not because of the creature's desert, but because of its needs, with a love not merely amiable, but righteous, giving to every one according to his works, and educating as often by punishment as by works." It will be thus seen that a true conception has been arrived at in regard to one feature of the brighter day that is dawning upon us, and the good providence which has led to the discernment and promulgation of this great truth of the "Fatherhood of God," will in His own time lead onward to the perception of other truths belonging to His new kingdom. GENERAL CONVENTION.. -The fortyninth General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America was held in Portland, Maine, July 10th to 14th. Portland is a city of about forty thousand inhabitants, and Maine is the most easterly of all the States. Notwithstanding this, the Convention was quite a full one, being composed of more than one hundred ministers and delegates, besides a great many visitors. Nine associations were represented by their ministers and delegates. One of these, the Missouri Association, has been formed since the Convention met last year. The Missouri ministers and delegates travelled more than a thousand miles to attend the convention, having come from beyond the Mississippi river. Among the delegates from the Western States was the Governor of Minnesota, who stated that a New Church association had been formed in that State. There are now ten associations of the New Church in America, not including the Minnesota association, which has not yet been admitted into the General Convention. Each of these associations extends over an area larger than the United Kingdom. One noticeable feature of the convention at Portland was, that it was largely made up of new men, who infused a vigorous tone into the proceedings. One of these new receivers of the doctrines, Mr. J. T. Williams, of New York, introduced a proposition to establish a Tract Society, and before the convention was over, the "American New Church Tract Society" was organised, and its officers elected. The convention asked for twenty-five thousand dollars, to establish the theological school for the education of students for the ministry, on a sound basis. Several of the students who attended the school last year took part in the debate, some of whom have already been licensed, and have com menced preaching. I understand that the amount asked for has been nearly all subscribed already. On the first day of the session, the President of the Convention, the Rev. T. Worcester, D.D., delivered his annual address. There was a sermon at twelve o'clock on each of the other days of the session. The sermon on Sunday morning was preached by the Rev. W. H. Benade, of Pennsylvania. The Lord's Supper was administered at four o'clock on Sunday afternoon to about three hundred communicants. A preamble and resolution was passed recommending persons attending our churches to pay one-tenth of their incomes for church uses. There seemed to be a general desire to contribute to church uses, and a wish for a rule to go by in the expenditure of the means committed to us by our bountiful Heavenly Father, and the ancient practice of paying the tithe was thought to be the only just and expedient rule for all to be guided by. Another resolution was afterwards passed providing for the abovementioned preamble and resolution being read in our churches. The American Sunday School Teachers' Association, an organization formed last year, was in session contemporaneously with the Convention. From its proceedings it appears there are about 2,700 scholars in our Sunday schools in this country. The first number of 66 The Little Messenger," a Sunday school newspaper for the children of the New Church, was exhibited. It will supply a place heretofore vacant, and, being published for only fifty cents per year, will circulate where our heavier literature has never yet been received or read. The next Convention is to be held in New York, and the 19th of June is to be one of the days of the session. J. H. AMERICA. ORGANISATION OF THE NEW CHURCH IN MISSOURI.-We have read with great interest the report of the formation of a New Church association in Missouri. This is the first time that any organisation of New Churchmen has been formed beyond the Mississippi, and it is cheering to find such evidence of strength among our brethren in that far-western region as is afforded in these well-written pages. The report consists, firstly, of the minutes of the convention held at the New Church Hall, St. Louis, on the 10th of April, and following days; secondly, of extracts from letters received 66 from members of the New Church in Missouri and adjacent states; thirdly, of the constitution of the association; and fourthly, of an address delivered before the new association by Professor R. L Tafel. It appears that there are upwards of forty towns and cities in Missouri and in the adjacent parts of other states, in which members of the New Church are known to reside." A circular was sent to all these places, inviting the receivers at them to the proposed convention, which met with a most encouraging response. Those who could not go, sent letters of sympathy. The committee appointed to call the meeting, report that they "have received a hearty and unanimous response from brethren in about forty different places, in favour of forming an association of the Church The roll of the conven tion shows that there were present three ministers and forty-eight delegates and others. Three German New Church societies were represented, a remarkable fact when we remember that in all Germany there is not yet one. On the Saturday evening "the parlours of Chancellor Chauvenet were filled with New Churchmen, American, English, and German. During the evening many new acquaintances were formed, and old ones renewed; and the time stole unobserved into the late hours. Music, sacred and classic, interlaced the extended conversation, and added to the pleasures of the entertainment. Coffee was served, and at a late hour the people returned to their homes." It is pleasant to think of such a gathering of our brethren in that distant city. Services were held at both the St. Louis societies on the following morning, the Rev. A. O. Brickman preaching for the German Church, and the Rev. J. P. Stuart for the English Church; the latter also administered the sacrament to about forty communicants. In the evening Professor Tafel delivered his excellent and thoughtful address on the Essentials of the New Church. The association has appointed an "Executive Board," consisting of the president, secretary, and treasurer of the association, the ministers connected with it, and twelve delegates, to transact all business in the interim of its meetings, and especially to employ missionary labour, and to establish a depôt of New Church works in St. Louis. The board was also instructed to appoint delegates to the next general convention, and to take the necessary steps for becoming connected with that body. We rejoice with the Missouri association at this auspicious beginning of organised effort in the cause of the Lord's kingdom in those new countries, and wish it, not doubtfully, all prosperity and success. J. F. P. NOVA SCOTIA.-The following letter has been forwarded to us by the friend to whom it is addressed, and who is engaged in preaching in that part of Nova Scotia indicated by the letter: "Beaver River, July 7th, 1868. "My dear Sir,-You no doubt will feel thankful to learn that your visit to Beaver River, for the presentation of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, is being signally blest. For one, I shall never be able to fully estimate the benefits which I have already received, and I foresee that those blessings will cluster more thickly at every step of my progress. I find no room for doubt in fact, I can honestly say that I never have. It seems that if there was one mind in Beaver River to whom you were specially missioned, it was my own. That first sermon proved to me that there was light, the light which should illuminate my mind, and ultimately dispel the spiritual darkness which seemed to have settled like a pall upon the whole Christian church. We have had a few New Church books and some papers in circulation for the past eighteen months, and while the ministers ignorantly denounce the doctrines as mischievous and devilish heresies, quite a number of their church members are taking the liberty of examining for themselves, to know whether these things are so. You may hence infer that there is some little excitement; but I shall endeavour to pursue a steady course, aiming at a purpose, namely, to do what I reasonably can to spread those doctrines among us. I sometimes feel sorry that it has been my lot to remove from Beaver River and take up my abode in the town of Rigby. I can, as yet, see but little opening there, but I remember that we are short-sighted, and have to perform present uses. I spent three months during last winter at Beaver River, and have now been here for two weeks, but expect to return to Digby next week, so that if you will be so kind as to write to me, please address your letter to that place. Perhaps I ought to inform you that Mr. S., Pastor of the Free Christian Baptists in Beaver River, has really taken the matter in hand, denouncing from his pulpit in the strongest terms the heresy, and is about taking steps to bring all his church members who are tainted with it under discipline. This may tend to precipitate action on the part of our friends to place the doctrines more fairly before the community. Please inform me if you are meeting with much apparent success in your labours, and whether you could probably visit Beaver River for a few weeks during this summer or autumn, if we feel that circumstances will warrant us in extending to you an invitation.— Yours most truly, "CALVIN RAYMOND. "Rev. Alexander Mc.Arthur." TRINIDAD. We have much pleasure in transferring the following letter from the Conference addresses to our pages. It was forwarded, with a contribution to the Conference fund, to the Secretary, Mr. Pitman: "Port of Spain, Trinidad, W. I., "9th July, 1868. "Dear Brethren,- The pleasure of addressing you in behalf of our small Society has been imposed on me as its Secretary. Though no part of my duty has ever afforded me so much pleasure, yet none, I assure you, has ever caused me such anxiety, lest I should inadequately convey to you the expression of the earnest sympathy with which the members of the New Church here regard your efforts and your aims. Set nearly on the verge of your influence, our island has nevertheless felt its beneficial effects, and a few recipients of the heavenly doctrines have at last formed themselves into a Society, having for its immediate objects the circulation of the doctrines of the New Church and the accumulation of funds, for the purpose, in due time, of inviting a minister among us. Our limited number (thirty-six, subscribing about £80. per annum) precludes the hope of soon being able to do so; and as it is of paramount importance that our Society should be furthered as much as possible at the commencement, and not allowed to languish for want of spiritual food, in an island where the churches are as a rule unattended by young men, who, disgusted with the soulless dogmas of |