of copies required from about 30 to 50 or 60." This is a proof that they have taken a right view of the matter; have endeavoured to increase the number of readers, and not only endeavoured but succeeded. We are of opinion that others might, to some extent, do the same, and doubtless will do so; probably ere this have done so. We have received several hints also for the improvement of the work itself. One is the desirableness of keeping in view this point, that every reader of the Repository should be able to feel that it is his own book,-a medium through which he can, if he please, speak to his brethren and be spoken to in return. This, doubtless, is very desirable, especially if brethren would always take care to use the language of love. Other suggestions will be noticed in due course, and we trust some progress will be the result of the steps taken. R. G.

PRESENTATION BY THE SWEDenborg PRINTING SOCIETY TO THE NEW CHURCH AT BOSTON.

To the Editor.

Dear Sir,-Permit me, through the pages of the "Repository," to acknowledge the receipt of a presentation of six volumes from the Swedenborg Printing Society, and to tender, for the same, the united expressions of gratitude of all the receivers located in Boston and its vicinity.

It is scarcely possible to conceive of a grant of books, like the one in question, ever being unseasonable or inappropriate for a place circumstanced as Boston is in respect to the New Church; but if such a grant may be considered more seasonable or appropriate at one time than at another, this may, most assuredly, be viewed in that light, coming as it has so closely upon the Rev. J. H. Smithson's instructive course of lectures here. Impressions were produced by those lectures that were of a very pleas ing character; impressions which it was highly desirable should not be allowed to wear away; and yet, for the want of an agency like that supplied us by this valuable and much-appreciated presentation, we were, prior to its arrival, somewhat afraid that those favourable impressions, in one or two cases, would completely evanish. Our fears, however,

on this head have now subsided, and we feel buoyed up with a hope that the library we can, at once, establish will so far foster the impressions just spoken of, as to lead those who are the subjects of them, to become, ere long, full receivers of the heavenly verities of the New Jerusalem. There are many circumstances around us which beget within us a belief that a considerable portion of mental soil in Boston is fully prepared for the reception of the germs of New Church truths. By making a diligent use of the means now at our command, we doubt not that we shall be able, in due time, to report progress.-I am, Sir, yours, &c.,_ C. J.

Boston, Feb. 15th, 1855.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

A Letter to the Rev. Henry Collins, late Curate of the Parish Church of St. Osyth, being a Refutation of his Misrepresentation of the New Church, dc. By Robert Gardiner, Florist. Pitman, London. pp. 30.

This pamphlet shews that in every part of the kingdom where the New Church is established, there are intelligent individuals who are ready to defend and triumphantly to vindicate the cause of Truth whenever attacked. Mr. Collins, previously to the delivery of his lectures, in which he makes an attack on the New Church, declared "that it was not his duty to read and to get an understanding of the things of the New Church." And yet in the face of this declaration he ventured to make an attack upon them, and in doing so, he of course, misrepresented them. And how could he do otherwise, when “he did not consider it to be his duty to become acquainted with them"? Surely imbecile Quixoticism can scarcely go farther than this. Mr. Gardiner, how. ever, has taken him to task, and in a truly Christian spirit has shewn him the error of his doings, and also the error of the doctrines on Faith alone, and the Vicarious Atonement, which it appears Mr. Collins preaches and advocates as the essential doctrines of Christianity. Mr. Gardiner has set his opponent right as to the true doctrine of the Atonement, and the way of salvation. We thank Mr. Gardiner for

his able defence, and sincerely recommend his pamphlet to our readers.

The Christian at Home; Reflections in Prose and Verse. Robert Fowles, New Gloucester-street, New North Road, London. pp. 92.

This little work is a gem of its kind; it sparkles with pure Truths, all tending to nourish and strengthen the spiritual life of love to the Lord and to the neighbour. We know not who the author is, but he has rendered an essential service to the family circle, or to the Christian at home, by pouring sweet oil into the lamp of a fervent and an enlightened piety. The topics and points upon which the reflections revolve are various and numerous, and full of instruction and edification.

To the Editor.

LIVERPOOL.

Dear Sir,-In the report of our late tea meeting, furnished by the secretary, he has, I find, omitted to inform you of the object intended by the ladies in sup

plying the viands for the same at their own expense. It was this, that the entire proceeds might be devoted to the liquidation of the debt owing by the Society. This was accordingly done, and the liabilities are now reduced to the small sum of £8., and this little balance we expect soon to pay off.

R. S.

[We beg that our correspondents will be particular in drawing up their notices and reports for the Magazine. Let them remember that what is once printed, if incorrect, is not easily corrected. The only guarantee of correctness which the Editor has, is the correctness of the manuscript or copy sent to him. Thus we are informed that, in the obituary notice of Mr. Hart, in the number for November last, there are two or three incorrect statements, which were printed from the manuscript. No. 61 should be 60; T. Proud should be J. Proud, and instead of D. G. it should be T. Goyder; and in the January number, page 45, line 7 from bottom, for ascension, read resurrection.-EDITOR.]

Died, on the 25th September, 1854, at Wivenhoe, Mr. William Franks, aged 20 years, eldest son of Mr. W. Franks, the much respected gentleman who first introduced the doctrines of the New Church into Wivenhoe. It is consoling to his parents and friends, and encouraging to all who knew him, to know, that he had throughout his short life here, been preparing for a happy life hereafter. He was remarkably attentive to the means of education during childhood, and in youth had employed his mind in the study of the general branches of science.

There was every prospect of his becoming a useful member of the New Church Society in the above place. But now there is still greater prospects of his becoming a member of the Lord's church in heaven. He had already taken an active part in the singing choir. He had also been the means of forming a library of scientific books in Wivenhoe, and had attracted a number of young persons to associate together for the purpose of reading and con

versation, some of whom he had led to the church, and who had also become readers of the New Church writings. His transition from this to the eternal world was rather sudden, being only five days from the time of his first illness to his departure.

So much was he respected by the inhabitants of Wivenhoe, that his funeral discourse was attended by an overflowing congregation, many of whom were of the Independent, and the Established Church. The discourse was listened to with great attention.

Truly our young friend had attended to the important question of the Psalmist, and had applied the (no less important) answer to the regulation of his life:-"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word."

W. H. G.

At Kersley, Elijah Bleakley, who was removed into eternity February the 1st, of the current year, at the age of 76. He was one of the early members of the

old Ringley Society, who met for worship at the Top-o'-th'-Brow, of whom he was nearly the last survivor, and he remained in connection with the society through the chequered phases of its experience till his decease, having been a member and regular attendant at Kersley from the time of the erection of the present church there till within a fortnight of his death. His interest in whatever concerned the Church and its doctrines, seemed to increase with age, and to be more strikingly manifested the last year or two of his life. At the last yearly general meeting of the society, he was appointed a visitor to the Sunday school. Not, however, content with merely visiting, he regularly attended as a teacher, and continued to perform the duties of that office till within a fortnight of his decease. Few in his circumstances, he having been a hand-loom weaver, had read more assiduously than he, and few experienced more pleasure in conversing on the spiritual subjects of Divine truth. In his general moral character he was distinguished by the high sense of inte. grity he invariably manifested. The immediate cause of his death was influenza, a disease which has proved fatal to several elderly persons in the neighbourhood during the winter. His end was peace!

W.

Died, on the 22nd of January, 1855, at Edinburgh, Mr. James Macara, writer to Her Majesty's signet, at the mature age of 67 years. His health had been declining for about three months before his death, but although his family never abandoned hope of his recovery till the very last, he himself seemed to have had no doubt from the beginning of his ailment as to the change that was about to take place with regard to himself. During his severe and painful illness, which confined him to bed for nearly six weeks, he displayed the most Christian fortitude and resignation, and it was quite evident to those who watched and loved him that he was sustained by the Almighty arm of Jehovah, for never once, during his dreadful sufferings, did he ever murmur or complain. His chief solace lay in hearing the explanations of the Divine Word, in the Arcana Cœlestia, read aloud,

and he energetically declared that that was the manna that nourished, and the water that refreshed him.

For about 30 years he was a zealous member of the New Church, devoting all his time and talents, which were of no mean description, to the promotion and advancement of its heavenly doctrines. It would, perhaps, be interesting to some of the New Church friends to learn how he became acquainted with the writings of Swedenborg. One of his clients residing in America had occasion to correspond frequently with him about property which he possessed in Scotland, and which Mr. Macara managed for him. This gentleman was a New Churchman, and in his letters he mentioned the writings of Swedenborg, and sent some volumes of the "Boston Magazine." This induced Mr. Macara to read and study them, and eventually, after three years' hard conflict between the old and new ideas, he adopted the latter, and never ceased in his endeavours to persuade others to adopt the same happy belief. His friends are assured that he has gone to that blessed abode, a mansion in the heavens, which he so often contemplated with pleasure, where his active mind, ever intent on promoting the welfare and happiness of others, will find freer scope in a higher sphere of usefulness. He will long be regretted by a large circle of acquaintances, who admired and esteemed him for his uprightness of heart, for the zeal which characterised him in all his dealings, and for his kind-heartedness to all with whom he became acquainted. It may be truly said of him—

"Blest is the man who dies in peace,
And gently yields his soul to rest,
Who gains from earth the kind release,
Leaning upon his Saviour's breast."

Died, at Birmingham, on Thursday, February 8, 1855, in the 65th year of his age, Mr. Joseph Best. He was one of the oldest receivers of the New Church doctrines in the town, having been born of New Church parents, and throughout his life more or less connected with the Birmingham Society, of which, for many years, he gratuitously officiated as organist. His end was one of great tranquillity and peace. J. B.