he hath set his love upon Me, I will deliver ་་ make it complete, but no other virtue was a real virtue except as it was received in the spirit of love. There must be love, or there would be no faith. A man might have a knowledge of the general forms of religion, but they were not faith. It was love that constituted the ground of its reception, and was the heart and germ of everything that was good. Hence they would find that salvation was continually set forth in the spirit of love. "Because him." "The Lord preserveth them that love Him." There was nothing else, as that which gave the Divine conjunction with the human soul, and constituted all its possibilities of salvation, but the spirit of love. Love would seek the light. If they had true heavenly love within them, they would yearn to be taught, and would cry, 'Lord, lead me." The presence of the spirit of love constituted a holy thirst in the human soul which desired heavenly water. And their Lord had said, "Blessed are they that thirst, for they shall be filled." They must take it therefore as the grand principle of all true religion, that the spirit of love to God and of charity to all mankind should be its heart and essential feature. "We know that we have passed from death unto, life, because we love the brethren." Where there was true heavenly love there would be a yearning for the truth. The Old Church, which existed in the after part of every dispensation, consisted in the presence of evil, desiring to lay the Divine commandments aside and substitute those of human decree. It was that which brought the Church to an end. When men did evil they preferred darkness to light, and so they endeavoured to still keep up certain professions of religion, but made the commandments of God of none effect by their traditions. The effects of the coming of the Lord was to reach the souls of those who were loving and good, and to bring back the commandments of God instead of the inventions of men; to add a large amount of new heavenly wisdom, and to restore the full knowledge of Himself as the real Father and Saviour and Friend. Then could they say, "We praise Thee, O God, we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord." That was just the course at the present day. The Lord had again revealed Himself, not as a distant, incomprehensible God, but in His Divine humanity, as the centre of all that was good and excellent. In Him dwelt "the fulness of the Godhead bodily." He was "the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, He that is, and He that was, and He that is to come, the Almighty." The Rev. R. Storry, in a brief address, dwelt on the Church as a city of truth, and the bride the Lamb's wife; and concluded with a tribute of respect to the memory of Mr. George Dawson, who had rendered good service to the New Church by his lecture on Swedenborg. During the evening a number of hymns were sung by the choir and congregation, and several anthems were excellently rendered by the choir. Friday.-Friday evening was devoted to meetings in the houses of members of the Church. Many pleasant reunions took place, and the hours passed swiftly away in the midst of social conversation and music. Saturday.-On Saturday the proceedings of the Conference closed with the reading and signing of the Minutes, and during the day most of the members returned to their homes and accustomed uses in the world. AUGMENTATION FUND.-One of the most important subjects which occupied the attention of the Conference was the proposed establishment of a Sustentation or Augmentation Fund. During the year the question had been under the consideration of a large Committee, which was divided into four branches; acting respectively in London, the Midland counties, Lancashire and Yorkshire, and Scotland. From the report of this Committee it appeared that the London branch was of opinion "that the peculiarly pressing circumstances of the London Societies had rendered it undesirable during their year of office to enter upon an effort to increase the Fund, but they recommend their successors to arrange for an earnest and combined effort to be made, if possible, early in November." The Committee for the Midland counties reported that the matter was first brought before the Birmingham Society. A subCommittee was appointed to consider it. At its meeting on 11th June last, the following resolution was adopted :-That in view of the great exertions and sacrifices which have so recently been made by the members and congregation, in reference to the New Church building in Wretham Road, it is desirable that the effort on behalf of the Ministers' Aid and Sustentation Funds should be postponed for the present, and that a genuine and hearty movement for the purpose should be made during the coming year. The Derby Society, as being next in the list, was appealed to through Mr. Ward, one of the Committee. He reports that the Committee of the Society is unable to offer much encouragement. Special efforts have been made to retain the services of the minister, the Society has just cleared off £1600, the cost of its new place of worship, and has commenced to pay off the original mortgage, which is to be entirely cleared in October by the proceeds of a bazaar and subscriptions which have been promised. The Secretary of the Society suggests a deputation of the Conference Committee to pay an official visit during the coming year, when he believes there would be a better chance of something substantial being done. The Longton Society is unable to do anything, the majority of the members being very poor. The Society at Melbourne, Derbyshire, is desirous of assisting the Sustentation Fund, and hopes to be able to have a public collection for that purpose before the end of the year. They also recommend that if possible a suitable minister should be appointed by Conference to visit the different Societies, and preach special sermons for that purpose. The Societies at Northampton and Nottingham are not at present able to assist the Fund. The Lancashire branch of this Committee reports that it has held three meetings during the year, which has been attended by nearly all the members of the Committee resident in Lancashire. mittee in Lancashire shows the subject in the feebleness of infancy. No adverse circumstances, however, should be permitted to discourage us. The mind opens slowly to discern the value of new and unaccustomed means of usefulness. The wisest and best efforts of the Church in every age have had to contend with hostility and lukewarmness at their beginning. The Sustentation Fund is in the New Church a novelty. The Ministers' Aid Fund has somewhat prepared the way for its establishment, but the range of operation of this Fund is much too limited for the wants of the Church. A more general fund, like the one we are seeking to establish is an institution of the New Age. It did not arise in the period of indifference and sensual indulgence which distinguished the past century, but had its beginning in the quickening of the religious life, and the self-denying assertion of ecclesiastical freedom which has distinguished the modern life of the Church of Scotland. In that portion of the kingdom the principle of this Fund has taken firm root, grown into large proportions, and borne excellent fruit. In the judgment of the Committee it is well suited to the wants of the New Church. Its aim is also warmly appreciated by many members of the Church, who are both able and willing to give it a generous support. In this respect Kersley and Salford have secured honourable places. But we cannot reasonably hope that these Societies will continue to thus liberally support the Fund if unsustained by the sympathy and effort of their brethren in other places. If the effort is to be successful, the support must be general. The Church must act in the matter as one man. We must not despise the day of small things, nor suffer ourselves to be cast down by any discouragements. It is by patient perseverance in welldoing we shall at length succeed. And in our success is involved the comfort, and with the comfort, the increased efficiency of the ministers, and, we confidently believe, the steady growth and increased usefulness of the Church. Public meetings have been held at Accrington, Kersley, Peter Street, Manchester, and Heywood. Messrs. Benson, Isherwood, and the local Secretary, have attended these meetings on behalf of the Committee. At Accrington a resolution was adopted asking the Committee of the Society to arrange for a canvass of the members, Mr. George Pilkington and Mr. Saul, members of the Conference Committee, being appointed to receive subscriptions. The Committee regret to learn that this canvass has not taken place. Two subscriptions, however, in addition to the one reported from Mr. G. Pilkington, have been received. These are from Mrs. Holt, £50, and from Mr. Saul, £50. Other subscriptions, the Committee doubt not, will follow. The Society at Kersley has distinguished itself by the promptitude and earnestness with which it has entered into this movement. A public meeting held in the schoolroom, though not numerously A list of subscriptions accompanies this attended, was closed by the promise of report, most of which have appeared in our subscriptions, which, with additions since pages. The list for Salford has not been made, amount to the sum of £787, 10s. published, and we give it entire; of this The meetings at Manchester and Heywood list £50 by Mr. Benson and £20 by Mr. were thinly attended, but led to extended T. Atkinson are for immediate use, the conversations respecting the Fund. At rest for investment :Manchester the proposal to establish the Fund was warmly criticised. No subscriptions were offered at the meeting, but the Committee hope in due time to obtain from this influential church a vigorous support. At Heywood the discussion was in sympathy with the establishment, and here also efforts will continue to be made in support of the Fund. A review of the labours of the Com Mr. Benson, £250; Thomas Seddon Atkinson, £200; J. Bancroft, jun., £100; N. Haworth, £100; T. H. Lowe, £50; E. J. Leeming, £50; Charles E. Benson, £25; Thos. Atkinson, £20. The Committee in Scotland have been chiefly occupied in the preparation of a body of rules for the constitution of the institution. The working of similar funds in the North gives them the advantage of towards it. experience, and most of the rules suggested ment has also been made for the issue by them were adopted by the Conference. by Mr. Isaac Pitman of an enlarged In the discussion of these rules much in- and revised edition of the work, which teresting conversation took place, tending will be published shortly, printed in to diffuse a more extended knowledge of a new system of phonetic spelling, the purpose of the Fund, and the best mode called Gradual Phonotypy. Several of securing its wise and efficient working. The reception of this report was followed papers, e.g. the Nonconformist, Week's by the following resolution:-That the News, Figaro, Islington Gazette, etc., Conference has heard with satisfaction the etc., have noticed in their Literary general report of the Committee in refer- Gossip columns the issue of the third ence to the proposed Sustentation Fund, and phonetic editions of The Spiritual that it rejoices at the chiefly affirmative Columbus. It has been adopted by the attitude of the whole Church on the sub- London and Manchester Missionary ject, and at the generous contributions Societies as a missionary, and we observe which have been already paid or promised that amongst others who have expressed The principal conversation on this Fund a high opinion of the work, the Rev. took place on the report of the Committee John Presland says, "I think very highly of rules, and the adoption of regulations of it as a most interesting and readable for its constitution and management. In treatment of a subject requiring special this work the members from Scotland were ability in a writer to invest with such able to render useful service. The rule attributes it will fill a gap in our which seemed at first sight least to com- literature." The book is published by mend itself to several members of the Con- Mr. Speirs and Mr. John Heywood of ference was the one that enacted that, "In Manchester, and, being very neatly got no case shall any Society or Societies, not raising £60 per annum towards the stipend up, makes a very handsome present to of the minister thereof, be entitled to aid an inquirer. from this Fund." It was objected to this rule that it would injuriously affect the smaller Societies of the Church, and especially those least able to provide for the wants of the ministry. In reply to this objection, it was pointed out by Mr. M Lachlen, in a lucid and able speech, that the purpose of the Fund was to raise the condition of the ministers above the indigence which exposed them to constant worldly anxiety, and unfitted them for the efficient discharge of the duties of their office. Other members of the Conference also explained that these smaller Societies must be regarded as mission stations, and nurtured by the missionary institutions until they are able to make the required contribution to their minister's stipend. "E. SWEDENBORG: THE SPIRITUAL COLUMBUS."-This little work, which has now reached a third edition, has quickly achieved a remarkable success, and bids fair to be an exceedingly valuable missionary and pioneer of the Church. It has been reviewed more or less favourably by a very large number of the public papers and journals. The preface to the third edition states that the book has also been well received in America, Germany, Italy, and Norway. It has already been translated into Norwegian, a German translation is in hand, and other translations will, it is expected, be issued.” An arrange "EVENING AND MORNING."-We have noted several literary notices of this publication, mostly of a commendatory kind, and are glad to find that it is attracting attention and growing in public favour. Our space this month forbids our giving any particulars. SWEDENBORG SOCIETY.-The follow ing is an extract from a letter to the Secretary by the Baboo Mozoomdar, dated Calcutta, July 10th:-"Your kind letter, dated 5th May last, duly came to hand. I am sorry I could not write back early enough for my reply being read before your Annual Meeting. The books for presentation (25 copies each of the pocket editions of the Divine Love and Wisdom, the Divine Providence, and the Heaven and Hell, presented in 1875) have been widely distributed, mostly to the members of the Brahmo Somaj in the country, and they have been received in every case with feelings of gratitude and cheerfulness. I have not been favoured with any opinions as to the distinctive theology contained in the books such as I might communicate to you. I heartily concur with you in all that you say about the necessity of a personal active present God to whom we might look up with trust and hope in prayer amidst the many trials and temptations of life. On the other hand, we must recognize in His dealings with the world that law and uniformity and order without a sense of which religion has so often sunk to the level of superstition and extravagance. We are in thorough sympathy with you in your aspirations and struggles after progress. With us all this constitutes the very life-blood of religion. I shall certainly mention you to my friend Baboo Keshub Chunder Sen, and have no doubt he will reciprocate your kind wishes. Conveying to you the same on my own part, I remain, etc., etc." KERSLEY.-On Wednesday, July 18th, the interesting ceremony of laying the three memorial stones of the New Jerusalem Church at Kersley was performed under the most auspicious circumstances, the agreeable change in the weather having the effect of drawing together a large number of spectators. The new edifice, which is being built upon the site of the old church erected in 1836, is divided upon the plan into a nave 65 feet long and 28 feet wide, with two side aisles, each 11 feet wide; the arcades between nave and aisles being of white brick arches carried on iron columns. The gallery will be carried round the aisle and east end; at the west end there will be an apse, 17 feet 6 inches by 11 feet inches, with octagonal termination. The entrance to the church will be by a narthex, 26 feet by 7 feet 6 inches at the east end. At the south-east corner a tower, 12 feet square inside, will be carried up and finished by a spire rising to the height of 102 feet. Access will be gained to the galleries by means of a stone staircase in the tower and an octagonal staircase at the north end of the narthex. There will be accommodation provided for about 790 worshippers. The whole of the internal woodwork is to be of pitchpine. The edifice is estimated to cost £7000, towards which £4500 has been received and promised. After the proceedings had been opened in the ordinary manner by prayer and praise and the reading of a psalm, the Rev. P. RAMAGE said that a bottle would be placed under each stone. Each bottle contained copies of local and Manchester papers, the magazine of the Church, copy of the last sermon preached in the old church, a list of the committee, and the names of the contractor and architects and the gentlemen who were to lay the stones. No coins had been placed in the bottles. Trowels and mallets were presented to Mr. Leake, Mr. Mather, and Mr. Benson, who proceeded to lay the stones in the usual form. In the addresses which followed, Mr. LEAKE said that he had no reasonable excuse for coming there, for he was one of the members of the church at Stand. In his early youth he was instructed in the doctrines of Swedenborg, and no doubt on that account the committee thought he would be no stranger amongst them. He had no sympathy with Church exclusion, for he considered that the Church of Christ was free. If the nation, in the matter of religion, was under one leader, we should be as we were in the past. We should grow more and more languid. It was by free energy that religion was kept moving, and as a consequence there was a great religious life in this country. He concluded by expressing the pleasure it had given him in taking part in the proceedings of that day. The Mr. MATHER said the New Jerusalem Society in Kersley had been working for many years in a humble sort of manner. They had begun by building noble schools, in order to show the rising generation where to commence. New Church had not done much in the way of erecting ornamental edifices, and he was glad to see that they in Kersley were touched with the spirit of the times, and wished to have a church as noble and beautiful as those around them. He trusted that the work they had begun might be carried to a successful completion, and that it would result in much good to the cause they had at heart. Mr. BENSON said he was delighted to take part in the ceremony of that day, because it was an important event in the history of the Kersley Society. Some forty-two years ago a few good men commenced a series of services in a small room in Ringley, in accordance with the doctrines of Swedenborg. They met at Ringley for a considerable length of time, until they felt that they must obtain better accommodation. They accordingly built a church about half the size of the one which had been pulled down, and from their efforts was about to be raised the church the memorial of which had been laid that day. Let them all hope that the glory of the latter years: A large portion of the company then retired into the schoolroom, where an excellent tea was partaken of. After the repast the chair was occupied by the Rev. P. Ramage, and addresses were delivered by the gentlemen and others who had taken part in the ceremony at the site of the church. The total collection of the day amounted to the handsome sum of £300. Marriages. On August 23rd, at the New Jerusalem Church, Glasgow, by the Rev. John Presland of London, Mr. Roderick M'Donald to Miss Helen Leitch Speirs, youngest daughter of the late Mr. William Speirs. On the 23rd of August, at the New Church, Wretham Road, Birmingham, by the Rev. R. R. Rodgers, Howard, third son of the late Henry Wilkinson, Esq. of Ariston, Handsworth, to Jessie Caroline, second daughter of Thomas Bragg, Esq. of North Wood, Handsworth. In conformity with the usual custom, the minister had the pleasure of presenting a Bible to the newly married couple, this being the first wedding celebrated in the church. Obituary. "Having known intimately, and also been in almost daily com munication with him for about forty years, I can truly say his life was one well worthy of imitation and admiration. His whole daily life was so thoroughly imbued with religion that it is difficult for me to separate his religious from his secular activity. He was a regular teacher in the Sunday school for over thirty-five years; the infant class of boys was his especial care. He was also vestry warden for more than twenty years, a regular attender at church, and a consistent member. Without any ostentation, he was in all his religious callings ever trying to do his duty, and striving to be useful to the Society and to all around him. He was active in his various duties till the last, as he was at his duties at school and church the day before his death. Died at Preston, on the 24th of May, 1877, at the age of 69, Mr. Josiah Clare. The deceased, who was a man of quiet and unobtrusive manners, had been in connection with the New Church in this town from its very commencement to the time of his removal by Divine Providence into the spiritual world. He had a profound reverence for the sanctity of the Divine Word, and a loving attachment to the doctrines of the New Church, which he manifested while in health by a consistent, orderly, Christian life, and in sickness and death by a calm and peaceful resignation to the will of his Heavenly Father. At Farnworth, near Bolton, on the Departed into the spiritual world, in 9th July, in the 70th year of his age, the 64th year of his age, on June 5th, Joseph Greenhalgh passed into the George Musgrave of Bradford. Before spiritual world. The call of our friend a society was formed in this town, the was sudden. He followed his usual avoca- Rev. Mr. Storry delivered several lection on the day of his death. Not feeling tures, which Mr. Musgrave attended. quite so well as usual he retired early to After much reading and study of the rest; in a few hours afterwards, his wife, writings of the Church, he joined with who had a moment previously left his bed- a few others in the formation of the side, hearing a strange noise ran upstairs Society. He was affectionately attached just in time to see her dear husband to the Church, and by his manly frankbreathe his last on earth. On Sunday, ness and downright sincerity he gained the 22nd July, the Rev. P. Ramage the friendship and esteem of all the preached a funeral discourse, speaking members of the Society. He had been of the deceased as one who through a sufferer for many months before his faithful service here had become amply fitted for higher service in our Father's kingdom above. At the conclusion of his discourse, the rev. gentleman read the following interesting "memoir," written by a gentleman who had been intimately associated with the deceased for forty departure hence, and bore his pain with exemplary patience. They who knew him feel assured that it is well with him, and that he has been called up higher to perform nobler uses for those left behind than he could have done in this world. |
