by Mr. Edgar on "Emanuel Swedenborg on the One Supreme God." The lecture, which is an able and lucid exposition of Swedenborg's exposition respecting (1) the Esse, (2) the Essence, and (3) the Operation of God, is introduced in the following words: “Whatever may be thought of the great controversies of the age as they affect our present and may affect our future religious thought and life, there will be no difference of opinion on one pointat least among those who are not prejudiced against all freedom of mind

conclusion to the contrary. The human race was originally placed in a state and condition worthy of so good a Father. How was it they departed from it? The answer was that, inasmuch as they were created that from them the allgood and all-wise Father might form an angelic heaven, and thus give them the felicities of eternal life, it was necessary they should have the same freewill in spiritual things as they had in natural things, for without liberty and rationality man would be incapable of either receiving or rejecting anything, of progressing or falling away, and be a mere viz. that the great antagonism to reautomaton and not a man. From the ligion has been provoked by the low very beginning of the existence of man- moral tone of the current theology and kind upon this earth their Heavenly the incredible conceptions generally Father provided the means by which entertained of the Divine Being. The they could improve their liberty and familiarity that has assumed to know by revelation from Him have sufficient what was going on in the secret light to guide them along the way lead- counsels, the interior thought of the ing to heaven, and to warn them from Supreme, and has deduced therefrom a the devious paths leading from the Being no better, and in some respects blissful seats.' The lecture was closely worse, than a moderately good man, argumentative from the Swedenborgian at the same time asking us to yield point of view, and very finished in our moral judgments to the arbitrary style." One of our principal Adelaide sovereignty of such a being, has booksellers, Mr. W. C. Rigby of King naturally enough led many to think William Street, has been appointed by that if that is the best thought we can the Society as its recognised agent, and get of God it might be as well to have it is through him that any works which none at all. At the same time the may be required are obtained. Besides commercial and selfish tone pervading a small but well-assorted stock of the the ordinary representation of the publications which he keeps on hand plan of salvation' and 'the way to and supplies at the published prices, he heaven' has repeatedly staggered those undertakes to obtain any work that may who have looked to religion for the be wanted on the same terms. He has most pure and elevating influences that also lately commenced to advertise a can come into human life. An earnest list of the publications kept in stock by study of the writings of the New him as a means of bringing them more Testament from a child convinced me prominently before the public. We that these popular representations had have a right, therefore, to believe that no foundation therein. Again and a better feeling pervades the world in regard to New Church teachings, and that her literature will soon take its proper position and be eagerly sought after by all intelligent and thoughtful Christians.

NEW ZEALAND.-We have in a former number intimated the settlement of members of the New Church in this colony, and given examples of the able teaching of the Rev. Mr. Edgar, who has become a cordial receiver of the doctrines and a diligent labourer in their diffusion. The Auckland Evening News of August 2nd gave an admirable report of a lecture

again through life it has been to me a sad reflection how these travesties of the New Testament teaching brought into contempt among thoughtful people writings that could be of such immeasurable worth in guiding through the difficulties of this age. From first becoming acquainted with Swedenborg's teachings they seemed to me singularly to harmonize with and confirm all the ideas I had received immediately from the New Testament; while subsequent study of them has strengthened this feeling, and created an impression that on almost every point there would be found in them the best answer to the sceptical diffi

culties raised by modern thought. It state of the inspired writers who had would be rash to affirm that his views recorded these revelations in the Word. would constitute an effectual barrier A brief sketch of the life of the Author against unbelief, for it remains eternally was given, of the office to which he was true that he who wishes not to see any providentially appointed, and of the God will certainly see none. But it doctrines which he teaches. The is not too much to say that the ground lectures which are to follow are chiefly of contest would have been entirely occupied with Swedenborg's teaching different, and by all that difference respecting the Resurrection and the more favourable to a harmony between Future Life. science and religion. I have long wished to bring some of his views more LONDON (Brixton).-A number of fully before you-deterred partly by friends heretofore connected with Camthe difficulty of the undertaking and berwell have established an organizapartly by a doubt whether the effort tion called the " Brixton New Church would meet with any response. I am Association," which for the present led to attempt it now from requests meets at the Angell Town Institute, made to me. It seems obvious that Gresham Road, Brixton. The officers our thoughts of God must necessarily are-Minister, Mr. Austin; president, govern our religious thinking on all Mr. Braby; treasurer, Mr. I. Gunton; other points, and ultimately our secretary, Mr. Moore; committee, thoughts on the greater part of Messrs. Boyle, Barber, Diggins, Langlife. Swedenborg says: 'The uni- ford, Morrisson, and Margetson. Every versal Heaven and the universal Sunday morning worship takes place Church on earth, and in general all religion, has its foundation in a just idea of God; because hereby there is conjunction (with God), and by conjunction, light, wisdom, and eternal happiness.'

GLOSSOP.-Nestled among the hills which form one of the attractive features of the railway ride from Manchester to Sheffield is the town of Glossop. So far as was known to the committee of the Manchester and Salford Missionary Society no receivers of the doctrines were resident in the town. With the view, however, of publishing the truth it was determined to institute a course of six week-evening lectures. A suitable hall was rented, the lectures well advertised, and several of the Lancashire ministers engaged as the lecturers. The course commenced on the evening of Thursday, October 16th, when the Rev. R. Storry gave a lecture on "Swedenborg the Seer and Theologian." The attendance, though thin at the commencement of the lecture, soon increased to an audience of one hundred persons. The utmost attention was given to the lecture, which occupied an hour in the delivery. The lecturer pointed attention to the seership and visions of the Bible and to the necessity of an interpreter. Such an interpreter was Swedenborg, whose experience made him acquainted with the laws of the spiritual world, and the

at 11 A.M., and every Sunday night at 6.30 P. M. a reading meeting is held. The first sermon was preached 6th July, and the congregations have hitherto kept up very satisfactorily, the average number present being sixty. Owing to long distances the evening attendance is smaller, but the interest excited in the study of Swedenborg's "The Sacred Scriptures" has been well sustained, and the gatherings promise to be exceedingly serviceable. A Sunday school assembles every Sunday afternoon at 3 P. M. under the management of Messrs. Langford and Barber, and the pupils, chiefly members' children, are carefully taught some of the fundamental principles of our faith. In order to enable the junior section of the Association to learn clearly our distinctive tenets, a fortnightly meeting is held at the house of the minister. At the first muster fifteen young friends met their teacher, and entered upon a consideration of the lives and representative character of the Twelve Apostles. Mr. Warren Williams, the secretary, prepared the first essay, and there is reason to expect that the numbers connected with the section will gradually increase. The committee has not neglected the cultivation of the social affections. Although compelled to specially hire the room for each occasion, they have decided that the last Friday in each month shall be

At

set apart for fraternal reunions. The duty of the imposition of hands. introductory gathering was 26th Sep- the close of the service the Te Deum, in tember, and, notwithstanding various the well-known musical setting of Jackleading officers were unavoidably away, son, was heartily sung by the congrebetween forty and fifty ladies and gation. A sermon was then preached gentlemen accepted the invitations to by Rev. John Presland from the text be present. The visitors found them- Isaiah vi. 8, "Also I heard the voice of selves in a tastefully-arranged drawing- the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, room, the tables being filled with and who will go for us? Then said I, engravings, stereoscopes, autographs, Here am I; send me." An abstract of etc. At intervals music was introduced, the discourse appeared in the columns and at 9 P. M. light refreshments were of the South London Press. supplied. Altogether the proceedings The service was most impressive passed off admirably, and it is obvious throughout, and calculated to benefit that future reunions will be an- spiritually not only the New Church ticipated with avidity. On Sunday friends present, but also the strangers, morning, 5th October, the Holy Supper of whom not a few took part in the prowas administered to twenty-six com- ceedings. municants, and a delightful sphere pervaded the sacred service. So far the operations of the Association have been most harmonious; and as all cooperating with it are bound together by a strong attachment for the Church and its institutions, there is every reason to look forward to this healthy state of things being indefinitely perpetuated.

LONDON (Camberwell). The Conference having authorized the ordination into the ministry of the New Church of the Rev. W. C. Barlow, M.A., who in July last accepted the invitation of the Camberwell Society to become its pastor, the ordination ceremony was performed at Camberwell on the evening of Monday, September 29th. At six o'clock the ordaining ministers and others who were to take part in the service, together with several New Church friends from other London Societies, partook of tea with the members of the Church Committee and their ladies. At seven o'clock, the time announced for the commencement of the service, the church was completely filled, most of the prominent members of the New Church in the metropolis being present. The Rev. W. C. Barlow was supported on either hand by all the members of the Church Committee, who throughout the service occupied chairs facing the communion rails. The opening portion of the service was read by Mr. J. J. Woodford, Principal of the New Church College. The ordination service was read by the Revs. W. Bruce and Dr. Bayley, upon the former of whom devolved the solemn

On the following Sunday the newlyordained pastor administered the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper after both morning and evening service, the number of communicants being seventyone. The first meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society since Mr. Barlow's election took place on Thursday, October 2nd, when he delivered a very instructive lecture upon "Buddha and Buddhism." The second gathering of this Society was held on the 16th October in the form of a conversazione, the attendance upon both occasions being above the ordinary average. The junior members' class and the theological class, whose recommencement we chronicled last month, have continued their successful meetings, the numbers then noted having been largely exceeded. The quarterly meeting of the Society took place on Friday, October 17th, when among other interesting business twenty-seven new members were added to the Society's roll, a number almost without parallel in the history of the New Church in South London."

LONDON (Camden Road).-The Sunday morning classes held in connection with this Society reassembled on Sunday, October 5th, and the scholars took advantage of the opportunity to present to the superintendent, Mr. James Speirs, a pretty wedding-present expressive of their love and respect for him. This took the shape of a pair of flower vases and a teapot stand, tastefully mounted in electroplate, and accompanied by a short address, bearing the signatures of the scholars who had contributed to its purchase. Before opening school Mr.

Speirs expressed in a few words his high appreciation of the kindness which had prompted his young friends to offer him the pretty gift, and thanked them on behalf of himself and his wife. He assured them that the love of which they spoke was not all on one side; and having, as he supposed, been acquainted with all or most of them from the day when they were christened, hoped that the acquaintance would last for many years to come, and that it would be fruitful of much happiness and much benefit both to themselves and him.

The proceedings of the evening were relieved in a very pleasing manner by the effective rendering of several part songs by the choir, reinforced by the kind and able assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Warr.

MELBOURNE (Derbyshire).-On Sunday, September the 28th, Mr. R. Gunton visited this Society and conducted special services. In the morning the subject was "Vital Godliness," from Psalm xxiv. 3-5. Mr. Gunton showed the necessity for vital or living godliness. Man needed to be born again, reLONDON (Deptford).-A meeting of generated, or brought to a heavenly the members and friends of this Society state. The way to accomplish this was to inaugurate the recommencement of by means of the Word of God. The the weekly reading meetings took place natural world was the exercise-ground on Wednesday, 24th September. A for the natural mind, and the Divine goodly number took tea together at Word for the spiritual mind. He then half-past six, the subsequent meeting proceeded to give, in a delightful being presided over by Mr. Waller, late manner, a clear and practical explanaleader of the Bristol Society, in the tion of the text, closing his remarks absence of Mr. Richard Gunton, who by saying, "Science is a knowledge of was unexpectedly prevented from being facts. What are the greatest facts? present. The chairman, after a few Why, the knowledge of God, heaven, appropriate remarks, introduced to and man as a spiritual being. In the the meeting Mr. Locke, the secretary evening the subject was, "Man's House of the Bristol Society, who gave a to be built by the Lord." The house, brief account of the present position we were told, represents the mind. It and the future prospects of that was necessary to establish this house Society, after which Mr. Rhodes gave on the rock of Divine truth. When his usual report of the proceedings of we come into this world our houses Conference, which was listened to with are not in order; we have tendencies great attention and much interest. to evil; and the main object of life Just as the chairman was about to is to set the house in order and build close the meeting Mr. Gray, the trea- it by means of truth and goodness. surer, interposed with the remark that the members and friends of the Society wished to take advantage of the opportunity this meeting afforded to present to their much-respected leader, Mr. Rhodes, a small testimonial in recognition of the faithful and gratuitous services he had rendered them during the long period of fifteen years. It gave him sincere pleasure to be the medium of conveying the best wishes of the Society in the tangible form of a purse of money, which the friends thought the most appropriate form, taking into consideration the lengthened illness which Mr. Rhodes had lately experienced. Mr. Rhodes acknowledged the gift in feeling terms, and said that however much he might prize it for its own sake, he would value it much more as the expression of good feeling on the part of the members and friends.

On Monday evening Mr. Gunton gave a lecture on "Where those who have died now dwell, and what they do." This lecture was much appreciated by the friends and the many strangers present. Over forty "Silent Missionaries' were sold. This visit has been a very enjoyable one, and doubtless productive of much good. Smaller Societies need these visits from time to time to encourage them and have the opportunity of conversing with a gentleman of experience and ability.

BATES FUND.-The committee of this fund desires most heartily to thank the numerous Societies and friends for their kindness and liberality, and would like soon to close the subscription list. If there are other friends who desire to subscribe to the fund the committee hope they will do so before

the end of October. The sum collected up to the present is £181, 5s.

Obituary.

MR. THOMAS WATSON.-Members of the New Church in all parts of Great Britain, and not a few in America and the Colonies, will learn with tender emotion of the decease of this wellknown and universally beloved New Churchman, which occurred at his residence, 19 Highbury Crescent, London, on Tuesday, 23rd September.

Mr. Watson was born in London on the 25th of June 1812, and had therefore lately completed his sixty-seventh year. His parents, who had both been educated from early childhood in the doctrines of the New Jerusalem, and who were well-known members of the Cross Street Society, died, within three months of each other, in the winter of 1834-5, leaving their eldest son, Thomas, before he had completed his twentythird year, the head of a family of five, three of whom were within the period of nonage or childhood. His early manhood was thus a time of heavy responsibility and of unusual application to business. Yet the cares of his worldly employment never interfered with his religious duties, but were themselves sustained and ennobled by his hearty and punctual attention to every sacred obligation. Indeed, his exemplary devotion to the Church soon caused him to be selected for various offices; and it may be safely affirmed that very few have worked for her interests in positions of greater importance, for longer periods, or with a more beneficial effect upon her welfare. In 1839 he became secretary to the Society then newly formed in Burton Street; and in 1841, when this congregation joined that which had worshipped since 1803 in Friars Street, Doctors Commons, under the ministry of the venerable Manoah Sibly, who died 16th December 1840, he was made secretary to the united Societies. On the removal of the Friars Street Society to their newlyerected church in Argyle Square in 1844, Mr. Watson was appointed to the same important office, which he retained until 1866, when, after remaining in his able hands for twenty-eight years, it was transferred to his eldest son. He was also the life and soul of the Argyle

Square Benevolent Fund, established to afford relief to its poor and aged members; having acted as secretary since its institution in 1842, and as treasurer since 1845, and holding both offices at the time of his decease. Ever since the erection of the church in Argyle Square he was the most active deacon, superintending the communion arrangements, leading in the responsive portions of the services, and extending to all casual visitors a courteous and hearty welcome. He was also one of the trustees originally appointed in 1842, and since his retirement from the secretaryship was usually chosen by the committee as chairman. Such were the esteem and affection felt for him by his fellow-members that he was appointed to represent them in the General Conference on twenty-eight occasions, although, owing to a serious illness at Manchester in 1875-the first alarming attack, indeed, of the malady which at length proved fatal-he was unable to attend even to sign the roll, on which, accordingly, his name only appears twenty-seven times. Nor were his activities restricted to his own Society, although they naturally and appropriately centred there. He was a trustee of the Swedenborg Society, of which he had been a member since 1833; and, with the interval only of about a year, when the office was filled by the late Mr. William Fryer, he was also its treasurer. In 1861 he became a trustee of the General Conference, of whose council, whenever that body has been located in London, he was a member. He was likewise a governor of the New Church College, and from the year 1865 one of its council.

The qualifications which enabled Mr. Watson so effectually to exercise his ardent love of usefulness were his habits of singular orderliness, his fastidiously refined tastes, the bright intelligence of his mind, and the unfailing kindness of his heart. His neatness and methodical arrangement, the completeness of his memoranda, and the soundness of his judgment in questions of finance and business detail, rendered him a model secretary and treasurer. An interesting monument of these characteristics remains in his diary, which, commenced before he had attained his majority, and exquisitely posted, from the daily notes entered in his pocket-book, to a period within a