let the past be all forgotten and forgiven." These words are easily written, but the waters are too powerfully moved to be thus easily calmed. The Synod has since assembled, and from the remarks of some of the members, Mr. Ferguson has spoken of resigning his office as a minister of the United Presbyterian Church.

faith, apart from the revelation of the that by rash speculation he has gone Bible, is unattainable. On this subject beyond his depth and wandered from Dr. Young said truly, "that natural the truth, and engage faithfully to religion, save in the most incidental adhere to his ordination vows in time to way, is not the proper subject for a come, Christian Confession at all; that revealed religion alone is; and that there is no possible way of getting at the subject-matter of revealed religion until you have, first of all, settled where your revelation lies, and what reasons you have for accepting it as such. If this be so and one would think it the veriest of truism-then the Confession is right in beginning with the Bible, whatever the historical development of religion may have been, and Mr. Ferguson is wrong in constructing his theology first, and professedly outside the Bible too, and only after that giving us his ideas about the Bible itself."

The overture of Mr. Ferguson was rejected by the Presbytery; and the following resolution proposed by Dr. Brown adopted, "The Presbytery declines to adopt the overture proposed by Mr. Ferguson, but, recognising the right and duty of the Church to revise her subordinate standards, in order to their being in full harmony with the supreme standards of the Word of God-and believing that the time has come when such revision is urgently called for, the Presbytery overture the Synod to take the subject into their earliest and most serious consideration, and take such steps as in their wisdom they deem best for the attainment of the end in view."

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MAY MEETINGS.-The month of May finds the public halls of London filled with the friends of the various Christian and philanthropic institutions of the country. The annual meetings of these institutions are fixed for this month, and are largely attended by friends from the country as well as the metropolis. The addresses delivered at these meetings are of varied interest and varied excellence. It is easy to find fault with the "sea of talk," but it is impossible to thoughtfully consider all the circumstances of these meetings, and not be impressed with the quickened religious life of the country. We give below some brief extracts from the reports of the principal missionary institutions.

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Church Missionary Society.—The financial statement of this society showed an expenditure of £210,859, which was an excess of £12,917 over income. meet this deficit, four friends have subscribed £1000 each. The society is chiefly supported by the evangelical party in the Church, and their missionaries have been subjected to unpleasant interference by one of the High Church bishops, in whose diocese in India they are labouring. Contentions and divi sions among Christian communities at home are unseemly; in the presence of the heathen they are disastrous.

The United Presbyterian Church by this resolution is committed to the task of revising the standards of the Church. The session was not allowed to close, however, without the presentment of a libel against Mr. Ferguson for false doctrine. It is an evidence of immense advance in liberty of thought that he could have proceeded so far as he has without earlier interruption. Only London Missionary Society.—"The or fifty years ago the Church of Scotland dinary subscriptions, donations, and expelled two devoted ministers for collections of the past year amounted to asserting that the love of Christ was for £63,664, about £1000 more than the all men; that salvation was free for all year preceding; special contributions who would accept it." Mr. Wilson for the Central African Mission, £5398; (elder) who has presented this libel, has legacies, £3963-about £2000 below the published his case in a pamphlet, en- average. The deficit on the ordinary titled, "The Confession on the Rock." outlay of the year is £3848. The New He charges Mr. Ferguson with holding Year's offerings collected by children twelve heresies, but begs that, "what- amounted to £5000. The total ordiever the decision of the Presbytery may nary expenditure of the year (including be, justice may be tempered with £22,227 raised and expended on various mercy; that is "If he will confess, stations of the society) is £117,445."

Baptist Missionary Society.-The re- as we could desire. The difficulties ceipts of this society for the year amount with which it is surrounded are not to £38,359, and the expenditure to reasons for neglect, but for mental and £38,330, as compared with £38,888 re- prayerful application to overcome them. ceipts, and £39,433 expenditure for the The work of the ministry is of the previous year. Speaking of the native highest importance to the well-being churches, the report says, "It is very and progress of the Church. Its effisatisfactory to know that the principle ciency is largely dependent on the warm of self-support is gradually strengthen- sympathy and hearty co-operation of the ing among the churches; if not so fast members of the Church. And there is as might be desired, yet, at least, in a no way in which sympathy with the healthy degree. work of the ministry is so unmistakably Wesleyan Missionary Society.-From shown as in generous and cheerful conthe report it appeared that there are tributions for its support. When men now in the central or principal stations, cheerfully part with earthly treasure for "circuits, occupied by the society in the support of the ministry, we may various parts of the world; 6262 chapels safely conclude that they appreciate its and other preaching places; 829 minis- value, and are interested in the success ters and assistant missionaries; 5341 of its labours. That there should be other paid agents; 23,002 unpaid agents; unanimity in a novel mode of providing 139,917 church members; 18,647 on for the support of the ministers is not trial for church membership; 148,770 to be expected. At the last session of scholars; and five printing establish- the English Presbyterian Synod, an atments. The expenditure of the society tempt was made by two or three memhad, during the year, amounted to bers to revolutionise the working of their £164,195, while the receipts had real- Augmentation Fund, but the Synod, which ized £146,231." had had experience of its beneficent working, "eventually carried unanimously the motion proposed by Dr. Fraser, expressing satisfaction at the measure of progress in consolidation which the Fund has already attained, and gratitude that the equal dividend of £200 has been reached."

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United Methodist Free Churches.-The report says "Including European and native missionaries, the returns now on the foreign stations are, 57 missionaries, 6540 church members, 157 chapels and preaching-rooms, 5943 Sunday scholars. The total returns for the foreign missions It will be a long time, we fear, before and the churches at home are, 350 the New Church will be able to report, ministers, 3435 local preachers, 71,317 on behalf of its ministers, an equal church members, 1548 chapels and dividend of £200;" but, in the meanpreaching-rooms, 176,592 Sunday time, we hail with satisfaction every inscholars. The financial returns show dication of an appreciation of their a similar advance, and, contrary to the work, and a willingness to support them gloomy predictions of some, that the in their important and self-denying commercial depression would lead to a labours. Since our last, we are indecline in the income, there has been an formed that Isaac Gee, Esq., of Kersley, increase in the ordinary receipts of more has offered a subscription, payable in than £500, so that if the friends have five years, of £100, thus raising the been obliged to reduce their expenses, subscriptions in this Society to the the cutting down did not begin at the noble sum of £637. The Society at mission cause. The total income of the Stand Lane, Radcliffe, has also taken year is £17,042." action in the matter. From a circular issued to the members, we learn that, "at a general meeting of the Society worshipping at Stand Lane, held on the 25th of February, the paper herewith, 'Remarks on the Ministers Sustentation Fund,' was read, and after the subject was duly discussed, the following resolutions were passed :- That this meeting recommends the adoption of a penny a week subscription by the members of this Society on behalf of the Ministers' Sustentation Fund.' Also, That the

The general tone of remark at the public meetings was cheerful and hopeful. Combined with many smaller societies, the amount of money and labour devoted to mission work is very large, and, notwithstanding many infirmities and imperfections, the results are salutary and useful.

MINISTERS' AID AND SUSTENTATION FUND. The attention devoted to this Fund is not so general in the New Church

his conduct in the matter, and desire a public withdrawal of the charge he has made.

And your Memorialists will ever pray. (Signed) J. A. BAYLEY, President; CHARLES HIGHAM, Vice-President; T. H. ELLIOTT, Junr., Hon. Secretary.

Your Memorialists sent, in the first instance, a contradiction of Mr. M'Grath's statement to the editor of the Record. This was not inserted. A similar contradiction was thereupon forwarded to Mr. M'Grath himself, requesting evidence in support of his assertion, or its withdrawal in as public a manner as The Memorial is published with an that in which it was made. Your Me accompanying circular, which enters into morialists, however, received a pencil further particulars of Mr. M'Grath's memorandum to the following effectslanders. In its published form, we "I hope you will excuse my return- presume, it would be forwarded to the ing the enclosed. I have neither time several members of Convocation, and to nor desire to read it. My solemn duty others who may be interested in the was to warn, and many have thanked subject, or need the information it supme. My sentiments are thoroughly and plies. The report of the proceedings of justly guided. (Signed) N. M'GRATH." ." Convocation contains the following Your Memorialists thereupon for- notice of its reception :warded copies of the correspondence to the Archbishop of York, and to W. H. Harrison Broadley, Esq., M.P., the patron of Mr. M'Grath's living, but both these gentlemen declined to take up the matter in any way. Mr. Broadley, however, wrote, "I consider your letter a very proper one, and, under the circumstances, a very temperate one.

Your Memorialists have, therefore, no alternative but to place the matter before your honourable House, and submit that it is entirely inconsistent with the office of a clergyman of the Church of England to publish a statement unsupported by any evidence, of such a nature as to reflect seriously on the moral character of a body of Christians; a statement which would, were Swedenborg alive, subject its author to an action for slander and libel, and which is utterly untrue. Of such blameworthy conduct we have shown Mr. M'Grath to

"The Dean of Manchester said he had to present a petition from a body professing what were called Swedenbor gian opinions. It set forth that some clergyman of the Province of York had made a statement offensive to them, and they prayed Convocation to institute such an inquiry into the matter as might be deemed necessary. In the event of a confirmation of the grounds of the complaint, the petitioners desired a public withdrawal of the offensive statement. He (the Dean) wrote to the petitioners, stating that he did not know that this was the business of Convocation; but, as they alleged a grievance, he had promised to bring the matter before the Archbishop. He did not himself support the prayer of the petition."

The petition was simply allowed to lie on the table, and thus, so far as Convocation is concerned, the matter ended.

shire clergy by this Association :—

have been guilty. Any statement of THE LINCOLNSHIRE NEW CHURCH fact publicly made by a clergyman of ASSOCIATION.-The following is a copy the Established Church is justly con- of the circular issued to the Lincolnsidered as worthy of credit, and your Memorialists cannot but think that your honourable House will consider that the conduct of Mr. M'Grath, in making the statement in question, and declining even a perusal of its refutation, is not likely to enhance the respect due to the office of a Christian minister, and is deserving of censure.

Your Memorialists, therefore, humbly request that such inquiries into the matter as may be deemed necessary may at once be instituted, and in the event of the confirmation of their statements, that your honourable House will convey to the Rev. Mr. M'Grath its opinion of

"The Committee of the Lincolnshire New Church Association respectfully offer you a copy of Swedenborg's work on the Future Life' (Heaven and Hell), which will be forwarded, post free, on application by letter with name and address (not for publication), by Mr. James Speirs, 36 Bloomsbury Street, London, W.C.

"The opinions of two or three eminent writers concerning Swedenborg are subjoined :

"I can venture to assert that, as a moralist, Swedenborg is above all praise, and that as a naturalist, psychologist,

and theologian, he has strong and varied God: the Nature of its Inspiration and claims on the gratitude and admiration the Manner of its Interpretation." (4.) of the professional and philosophical faculties.-S. T. COLERIDGE.

"The Atonement: in what does it consist?" (5.) Heaven, Hell, and Hades, "Swedenborg styles himself on the or the Intermediate State." All the title-page of his books "Servant of the lectures were delivered in a very earnest Lord Jesus Christ," and by force of in- and impressive manner. The audiences, tellect he is the last Father in the though small, were attentive, and Church, and is not likely to have a suc- several seemed favourably impressed. cessor. No wonder that his depth of Twenty-two copies of the Silent Misethical wisdom should give him in- sionaries," one of "Noble's Appeal,” fluence as a teacher.'-EMERSON. and one of the "Antediluvian History "Emanuel Swedenborg occupies a were sold. Excellent summaries of the prominent position among the master- lectures appeared in the Boston Guar minds of humanity. It is not our dian. By this means the number province or purpose to decide the ques- reached has been considerably increased. tion of his Seership, but we may be per- From these reports we give the followmitted to remark, that to all impartial ing summary of the first of these lecand reflecting minds his historical ap- tures :-The lecturer began by showing pearance presents a problem that still that faith in the divine unity is the awaits solution. The smile of incre- basis of all sound knowledge of the Sudulity begins to die upon the lips of the preme Being. Thus the trinity affirmed conscientious sceptic, and the opprobri- in Scripture cannot be a trinity of perous terms "dreamer" and "madman " sons, but a trinity of essentials; like the are yielding to the more courteous soul, the body, and the life resulting epithet of mystic." In vain will you from their combined activity, which ransack the archives of his family or unite to form man, who is God's image personal history for a trace of insanity. and likeness. From eternity God was Equally fruitless will be your endeavour infinite love, wisdom, and beneficence; to trace any symptoms of incoherence or and His wisdom, called in John i. "The raving in his methodical pages. If he Word," has always provided means for must needs be mad, there is a rare His revelation to mankind. When, method in his madness; and if the however, human grossness and evil obworld insists on his being a visionary, scured this revelation, so that the it must admit that his visions are some- divine light, though shining, was shinthing anomalous in their systematic and ing in darkness, which comprehend it mathematical form. . . . In the eyes of not (John i. 5), God provided a fuller an impartial and a discriminating pos- manifestation of Himself, by causing terity, Emanuel Swedenborg will obtain His truth to become incarnate: "The an elevated rank in the illustrious Word was made flesh, and dwelt among brotherhood of the luminaries of the us. Numerous texts were quoted from Church.' — TENNEMAN'S History of the Prophets, showing their uniform Philosophy."

In reply to this circular one hundred and ten applications were received-one out of every nine having accepted the offer. Many of the letters received expressed a desire to become acquainted with the writings of the author, and the effort will doubtless be attended with use. The Association is also continuing its useful work by the delivery of public lectures in different parts of the country. The Rev. J. Presland delivered five lectures at Holbeach, Long Sutton, and Tydd Gote, on April 30th, May 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th. The subjects were (1.) "The Lord Jesus Christ the one only God in whom is the Divine Trinity." (2.) "The Second Coming of the Lord: How and When?" (3.) "The Word of

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testimony that Jehovah Himself, and not another, would visit and redeem His people. Equally conclusive evidence was furnished from the Gospels, that Jesus was Jehovah, manifest in flesh; the Father, dwelling in the Son, doing the Son's works, and speaking the Son's words, just as man's soul dwells in his body, and originates all the body's speech and action (John xiv. 9, 10). The Son was sent by the Father, proceeded from the Father, etc., not in the sense that one man is sent by another, or proceeds from place to place, since such ideas are obviously improper with respect to the Omnipresent. The Son was sent from the Father, as man's speech is sent from his heart, not as a distinct individual