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it in turns to preach on Sundays, and all are very clever men. When we have Dr. Brereton restored to his old health there will be no lack of variety and talent speaking out the truths; besides this, all the members seem to have the gift of laying the matter before the world in its own ripe time and suitable place. Our average attendance at the Sunday services is eighty-five. At our last meeting it was given notice that the Conference had voted twelve copies of their Conference report, but none of us have received them, though we suoceeded in securing two copies from the Brisbane Society.

"On the 16th July we held our first quarterly social meeting, it being the fifth year of its incorporation as a New Church Society. It is intended when practicable to keep up these meetings, as they assist in advancing the New Church in these parts, and consolidating its organization by drawing the members closer together in a bond of sympathy and encouragement, and also in laying the truths more prominently before the public, who are ever welcomed by the members. There were about eighty friends present, amongst whom were representatives from her Majesty's army and navy as well as other English people. Five new names were added to the register of members, making a total of forty-two. A very interesting paper on Church Organization was written by Dr. Le Gay Brereton, our licensed leader, but owing to his absence from ill-health it was read by the chairman of the meeting, Mr. B. Backhouse. Addresses were delivered by several of the principal members, amongst them one from Dr. Jackson, defining the distinctive doctrines of the New Church, and more particularly that regarding the Trinity, which was of special interest. During the evening refreshments were handed round by the gentlemen. The meeting was closed in the usual manner by singing the first doxology and the benediction."

YORK.-The small Society which has long existed in this city was visited on Sunday, September 12, by the Rev. R. Storry of Heywood. The usual Sabbath morning and evening services were held, and discourses, which had been announced by small bills, were given; in the morning on "The Shepherd the

Stone of Israel," and in the evening on "The Endless Increase of the Saviour's Government and Peace." The attendance was not large, although in the evening the room was nearly filled. The Society here labours under great disadvantages. The room in which its services are held is inconveniently situ ated, and to be discovered must be "sought out." Although not unsuited to the purposes of worship and instruction when reached, its situation is not likely to attract the attention of many beyond the actual members of the Society. These continue their usual worship, and are much indebted to the devotion of those who, amid many discouragements, steadily conduct the services.

NEW CHURCH COLLEGE.

(To the Editor of the "Intellectual Repository.”) REV. AND DEAR SIR, — In your interesting account of the proceedings of the last Conference you appear to me to express the opinion that Mr. Crompton's views and my own differed as to the object of the New Church College. So far as I am aware this was not the case. At the private foundation of the College, thirty-five years since last April, the object of the institution was declared to be "to educate young members of the New Church in various branches of literature and science, and especially in the doctrines and life of the New Jerusalem, and to prepare such as are suitable for the ministry; that the rules and regulations by which it is governed shall be such as to encourage its students to matriculate and take degrees in the University of London." To this declaration of the objects of the institution Mr. Crompton subsequently appended his signature, as did also his wife and daughter, the present Mrs. Crompton Roberts. Mr. Crompton never expressed to me on a single occasion any wish to have students educated for the ministry who have not previously been pupils in the College School, and he joined me in two several efforts to establish a school on this basis in Devonshire Street. When, therefore, Mr. Crompton left by will £10,000 for maturing or extending the institution founded, as he expressed it, "by Mr. Henry Bateman and myself, and having for its object the education

of candidates for the ministry of the said Church," he obviously meant that the students spoken of by him should have been such as had been previously educated in the College School.

When Mr. Crompton and I purchased the freehold in Devonshire Street for the purpose of erecting College buildings thereon it was with the intention of carrying out this central idea, that of having an educated ministry growing out of our own College.

Candidates for the ministry of the New Church were meant by him to be students so educated, and not others educated elsewhere.

Mr. Crompton speaks of the institution as founded by himself in conjunction with me, although he was not present at the original private foundation. He was perfectly justified in doing so, for the College took its legal status from a deed enrolled in the High Court of Chancery, May 4, 1855, executed by him and by myself, as well as others, in which the above declaration as to the objects of the institution was copied. At the original private foundation Mrs. Philpots (afterwards Mrs. Watson) and I gave £50 each as the commencement of the Endowment Fund.

In the purchase of the freehold and the erection of the north wing of the College we were assisted by the Rev. Augustus Clissold and others to the amount of nearly £200, and to this Mr. Crompton and I added, in equal sums, at various times, about one thousand guineas each. When speaking of the sums necessary to complete the purchase of the freehold and pay for the building, Mr. Crompton said to me, "What you give I will give.' The only building existing on the freehold in Devonshire Street at the time of Mr. Crompton's decease was the north wing, which contained on the basement story a schoolroom, on the ground and second floors a temporary chapel, and above that a library and living-rooms, with a tower at the side giving access to all these. In the deed of purchase of the freehold from Messrs. Cubitt & Timewell we covenanted to place this building on the ground; and we also agreed to erect, if we had the means, at a future period a building consisting of a chapel in the centre with north and south wings. The freehold with the buildings upon it were presented by Mr. Crompton and

myself to the New Church College for the purpose of carrying out the original design of the institution.

I was glad to observe in a subsequent portion of your article that Mr. Tilson has taken a right view of the importance of obtaining an English degree. He mentions in his speech to the Conference his desire to graduate, and his having been encouraged to do so by the Principal of the College. By this advice Mr. Woodford was loyally seeking to carry out the designs of the founders. However, "Dr. Tafel pointed out to him (Mr. Tilson) that an apprentice should learn his trade; and recommended theology, including Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, which would require the whole of his time. He gave up, therefore, the intention of graduation, and gave a more exclusive attention to theology. He therefore sought, of his own motion, a theological degree." Thus Dr. Tafel discouraged Mr. Tilson from acting in accordance with the statutes of the College, the wishes of the Council, and the desire of the founders, and he was encouraged to take the B.D. of the Academy in Philadelphia, which was afterwards conferred upon him in due form by Dr. Tafel. From this one case we may learn the mode in which Dr. Tafel set aside the laws of the College by his own authority in his intercourse with the students. With a principal seeking to carry out the statutes of the College and the wishes of the Council, and a professor of theology thwarting his efforts at every step, the students were indeed to be greatly pitied. I have been grieved again and again for them; they were placed in a false position, and had practically in their own hands the decision of obedience to the rules of the College or the authority of Dr. Tafel. Of Mr. Woodford it is difficult to speak too highly; his judgment was set at nought; and his earnest desire to educate the students according to the wishes of Mr. Crompton and myself was practically ignored. Of Mr. Woodford's skill as a teacher I can speak most decidedly. My youngest son has been admirably educated by him, and is now reaping the advantages of his instruction and guidance in the more technical school to which he has been removed as a preparation for the scientific branch of the army. Of Dr. Tafel I can truly say

that he also is an admirable teacher, but I think he has viewed things from a wrong standpoint with reference to the College. When he was our professor of theology he never seemed to be in harmony with its central idea, that of educating children of the members of the Church in our school and preparing such of them as were suitable for the ministry. Trusting that the time may arrive when the Conference will earnestly seek to carry out the will of Mr. Crompton by maturing and extending the institution founded by him and myself according to its own laws and statutes, I remain, rev. and dear sir, yours faithfully, HENRY BATEMAN.

We gladly insert the foregoing, both as giving a very clear statement of the views of Mr. Bateman in the institution of the College and as due to a member of the Church who has so long laboured with earnest zeal in the cause of the New Church, and who now in the feebleness of impaired health and advancing life may be well assured of the warm and sincere sympathy of his brethren. The affairs of the College and its relation to the Conference occupied so large a share of the time and attention of the recent Conference that it was impossible to give an account of the session and overlook this question. When we wrote that there was a difference of opinion (between the Conference and the College Council) as to the primary aims of the College," we stated a simple matter of fact. Mr. Crompton's bequest was made in 1860. The Appendix to the Minutes of 1861 contains the case submitted to counsel and the counsellors' replies, which it had been found necessary to obtain for the settlement of this diversity of opinion. The views of Mr. Bateman were then, and have always been, well understood, nor do we question that they were stated to Mr. Crompton; but we think it nevertheless clearly evident that into the general purpose of the College as understood by Mr. Bateman Mr. Crompton did not enter. The words of the will show that, as we stated, "Mr. Crompton very evidently regarded the education of young men for the ministry as the primary object of the College," and this was clearly the opinion of counsel. The question submitted on this part of the case to both the counsellors suggested the appropria

tion of the income arising from this bequest to the general purposes of the College, and not to the one object named in the will. We give the question as presented to Mr. Roundell Palmer (the present Lord Chancellor): "In the bequest the institution is alluded to as having for its object the education of candidates for the ministry of the New Church. The rules show that the institution had a wider scope. May the money be devoted to the purposes of general education, or must it be confined to the more limited purpose indicated in the will?" Both Mr. Malins and Mr. Palmer regard the words of the will as describing the institution, and that the Conference is not therefore bound to apply the money exclusively to the one object named in the will. Mr. Malins answers: "I think the words of the will must be considered as merely describing the institution, and that the fund is consequently applicable for all or any of the purposes for which it was founded.

At the same time, I think it would be desirable to confine it as much as possible to education with a view to the ministry.' The answer of Mr. Palmer is too long for insertion here. It is substantially the same as the one by Mr. Malins, but he also concludes with words of caution as to the larger application. "If, however," he concludes, "the Conference should think it right in the exercise of the discretion confided to them by the testator to limit the employment of the money to this particular purpose [i.e. the education of candidates for the ministry], I think that they are fully competent (though not bound) to do so. (The italics are ours.) These opinions need no comment. They were the opinions of two of the most eminent men at the bar, both of whom have since risen to high judicial stations; and they show that while the bequest might be applied to the general purposes of the College, its primary object, as stated by us, was the education of young men for the ministry. The small number of ministers and, at the time of making the bequest, their tendency to dimin ish, presented to Mr. Crompton special reasons for the object he had placed before him. The hope of increasing the ministry from the pupils of the College who had entered without regard to the work probably scarcely entered his mind. The hope has thus far been barren.

Of those who have since entered the riage. On the formation of a Society ministry none have been thus obtained, at Failsworth she began to worship nor is it probable that many will be so there; and often in the early days of obtained in the future. It is church struggle and privation the friends met life, not college life, which quickens the at her home and learned to value highly zeal of our young men and inspires the frankness and sincerity of her manthem with a desire for the work of the ners and the genial hospitality of her ministry. The whole question, how- nature. She was a great believer in ever, is left by the Conference in the active usefulness; and though far from hands of the Council of the Conference, being robust, her unflagging energy and who are requested to co-operate with spirit sustained her in many trying the Council of the College in the adjust periods of her life. As a neighbour ment of these different opinions. We she was most helpful to all around her, trust that before the next session of Con- and her homely counsels and willing aid ference some plan of operations may be will not soon be forgotten. Almost determined upon which will be satisfac- from the time of her marriage she began tory to all parties and useful to the to learn what it was to be the wife of a Church. missionary-preacher in the New Church. On the Sunday she was often left at home alone in charge of her little household; and it was in such circumstances that she proved herself to be both an excellent and loving mother to her children and a faithful and devoted helpmate to her husband. Through life she was distinguished by the cheerfulness of her disposition; and this, together with her sociability, brightened up her abode in a more than ordinary degree and made it feel like home to whoever became her guest. During her last sickness she expressed an earnest wish that patience to bear her measure of suffering might be given her, and this heart-prayer was granted. Tranquilly the end came. Some of her towards one of her oldest friends; and dying thoughts were turned helpfully with visions of beautiful children-celestial angels of the resurrection drawing near-she was at length borne tenderly away to her rest and her reward, circled by the Saviour's everlasting arms.

MISSIONARY AND TRACT SOCIETY. Notice of Omission.-Those who kindly subscribe to the "Missionary and Tract Society" through Mrs. Rawsthorne, may notice that the Annual Report does not contain Mrs. Rawsthorne's usual list. It ought to have been mentioned in the report that this was owing to the serious illness and final departure of Mrs. Bayley. The subscriptions were, however, received by the treasurer immediately after the audit, and had it been thought of, the list would have been printed in the report. R. GUNTON, Treasurer.

Birth.

On the 30th August, at Vauxhall Grove, Birmingham, the wife of J. William Tonks, of a son.

Marriage.

On the 16th September, at the New Church, Wretham Road, Handsworth, by the Rev. R. R. Rodgers, Charles Edwin, eldest son of George Benson, Esq., of Prestwich, Manchester, to Emma Jane, fourth daughter of William Rolason, of Selly Park, near Birming

ham. No cards.

Obituary.

On the 14th August last, surrounded by her family, Sally Robinson, the beloved wife of Thomas Robinson of Newton Heath, passed peacefully into the world of spirits in the seventy-first year of her age. Her connection with the New Church commenced with her mar

On the

13th September, Mrs. Margaret Crawshaw, widow of the late Mr. George Crawshaw of Accrington, peacefully ended a long illness, and passed into the spiritual world. Our deceased sister was for many years an esteemed member of the Accrington Society, and, what is more rare in these days, was a diligent and appreciative reader of the writings of the Church. Until prevented by the infirmities of the last two or three years from doing more than tarry the Lord's pleasure and suffer His will, she delighted in reading the "Arcana,' and "Heaven and Hell;" while "Con

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jugial Love" was an especial favourite, it being a matter of wonder to her how people could misconstrue it as sometimes is the case. Indeed Swedenborg generally was so suited to our friend's taste that she esteemed him the easiest of authors to understand. Mason's "Guide to Devotion," too, was a constant companion, much of its contents from frequent perusal being committed to memory. It was permitted to Mrs. Crawshaw to pass through many trials, and know much of the sorrow of life. She outlived her husband and seven children, the greater part of whom were cut off in the bloom of early maturity. Yet her bereavements left no bitterness of spirit. On the contrary, she was remarkably cheerful, yet without the slightest touch of frivolity. She could with truth appropriate the sentiment of the Psalmist, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted." The resignation that ruled her spirit manifested itself in her countenance, which, as she gradually drew near the close of her pilgrimage, became increasingly peaceful and beautiful. Her departure, long expected, came rather suddenly at last.

tion, pleasant in manners, ever ready
to do good without waiting to be asked,
our friend has left a memory whose
fragrance will long remain to cheer a
wide circle of friends.
Her family
find their chief solace in the assurance
that their loss is her inexpressible gain.

On Thursday, September 2nd, at her residence, Darwen Street, Blackburn, aged fifty-eight, Mrs. Thomas Pemberton peacefully passed away to her eternal home. For upwards of thirty years she had been a member of the Society at Blackburn and an intelligent receiver of the doctrines of the New Church. Her life was one which will be looked back upon by her friends and the members of the Church with loving thoughts of how she at all times took a deep interest in its prosperity, and in a quiet unobtrusive way endeavoured to forward its interests. She had been in the habit for a great number of years of providing for the comfort of the ministers who came to preach in Blackburn, and it seemed to be her constant aim to make them feel at home, and she spared no pains in ministering to their comfort. She leaves behind her the memory of a good life spent in the Lord's service, and the full assurance that those who follow in her footsteps will meet her in one of the mansions of our Father's house in heaven.

On the 15th September, Mrs. Jane Cronshaw, the beloved wife of Mr. Jonathan Cronshaw, of Plantation Mills, Accrington, entered into the spiritual world. She had been connected with the Church for many years, believing Entered the spiritual world, August heartily in its doctrines, and seeking 25th, Miss Caroline Catherine Rhind, to exemplify them in a steady Christian aged eighty-three years and eleven life. As is generally the case, her most months. She was a devout receiver of active co-operation with the Church the heavenly doctrines, having been was when she was young, and before baptized by the Rev. S. Noble in 1848. family duties required her to give her She was much respected by the elder first thoughts to home. Mrs. Cron- members of the Camden Road Society, shaw's health began to fail some seven and continued to attend the services of years ago. But it was only a short time the Church and the sewing-meetings before her departure that she knew until very lately. the disease that was undermining her constitution was cancer. Wishful to At Birmingham, on the 1st of Sepprolong a life that had many pleasures, tember, our much-esteemed and actively and was so dear to her family, our useful young friend, Mrs. John Trosister consented to undergo an opera- bridge, whose death occurred, after a tion that possibly might allow her brief illness, at the age of twenty-four. continuance here a little longer. At For some years she was a scholar in first considerable relief was experienced, Sunday schools, and for several years but it was only for a brief interval. an earnest, affectionate, intelligent, She grew rapidly worse, and after and laborious teacher. She had been suffering most severely with unwaver- in the day-school almost from her ing patience and trust, the Lord gave infancy, and was one of the most her a kind release. Gentle in disposi- efficient of our pupil-teachers.

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