of Glasgow, where he was born on the 29th of May, 1773. In September, 1790, being then in his 18th year, he removed to Manchester, where his elder brother was settled as an engraver to calico printers, with whom he served an apprenticeship to that business. Some time afterwards his brother relinquished engraving in favour of the late Mr. Lockett, and commenced as a calico printer; our deceased friend being admitted a partner in the concern. Infidelity was common among the young men of his time, and the subject of this notice became imbued with the pernicious principles of the day. But about the time of his marriage, which was into a New Church family, the writings of our enlightened author were introduced to his notice, and, under the further influence of the Rev. Mr. Clowes, his former doubts and difficulties were removed, and he became a thorough convert to the New Church. In after life, when he would speak of this period, he always seemed deeply moved with gratitude to the Divine Providence of the Lord for having rescued him from the dangers of his previous scepticism. He became a regular attender on the ministrations of Mr. Jones, at Peter street (of which church, to the time of his death, he was a trustee), and continued a worthy member of that society until his return to Scotland. His wife died in 1833, leaving him no family; and finding himself possessed of a moderate competency, he, the following year, wound up his affairs in Manchester and returned to Scotland, to spend the closing years of his life in his native place. He immediately joined the Glasgow society (the same year that the Rev. D. G. Goyder became its minister), and for twenty-one years his influence was always prominent for good, and contributed in no slight degree to the prosperity that has all along followed that society. Till prevented by the infirmities of years, he never was absent from the church service or the social and other meetings of the society; and he was particularly noted for being an early attender; no meeting was ever disturbed by his coming in late. His benevolence was very marked. He seemed, indeed, to have a perpetual delight in giving; yet his kindness was neither indiscriminate nor misplaced. He made it his aim to spread his bounties over a large field, rather than to give great sums to particular objects. His endeavour was to assist people in helping themselves, rather than to do everything for them; consequently his charities were greater in number than large in amount; and now that he is gone many will miss his open and liberal hand. He was exceedingly regular and methodical in his habits, and punctual in the fulfilment of every duty and engagement. He was fond of reading, particularly the Word and the writings of Swedenborg. He made it his practice to read a portion of each of these daily. The work on Heaven and Hell he had read through ten times. He had an excellent constitution, and enjoyed during the whole course of his long life the very best health. It was only during the last two years that increasing frailty compelled him to absent himself from the services of the church and confine himself to his room; yet, even during that period, with the exception of an occasional fit of spasmodic asthma, he enjoyed good health considering his advanced years. His mild and happy disposition never failed, and he enjoyed the utmost calmness and contentment up to the very last. When asked if he did not weary being so long confined to his room without relative or friend to associate with and take care of him, he seemed surprised at such a question being put to him, who had so many inward sources of enjoyment. A friend calling on him just before his removal, found him at the very extreme of bodily life, but vigorous and clear in mental activity. He was barely able to articulate-"I am just wearing away to the other and better world." His friend said-"Well, Mr. Russell, I hope we shall meet there and continue the friendship we have so much enjoyed here below." "Yes, yes," he replied, "never fear; we shall meet there, as sure as sure," and took farewell. A few days after he quietly breathed his last, without apparent pain, having been out of bed a few hours previously and partaken of his usual repast at the regular time. The great bulk of his property he has bequeathed to his numerous relatives, none of whom are forgotten. To about twenty members of the Glasgow society, his more immediate friends, he leaves legacies, some of £5. and some of £10. each, in token of remembrance. To Dr. Tafel and Rev. D. G. Goyder he The good old man has now gone to reap the fruits of a life of usefulness He requested that the following lines He builds too low who builds below the skies." Glasgow, Nov. 16, 1855. INDEX. ESSAYS, &c. &c. Address to the Sunday School Union of Genesis, Summary of the Spiritual the New Church, 337 Advancement of the New Church, on Ages, Geological, 294 Alleged Errors in the Writings of Swe- Bless and Blessing, Scriptural Use of Causes of Health; or Real Sanitary China, Revolution in, 259 Church, New, Establishment of, 555 Correspondence of Diseases, 17 Death and its Causes, Remarks on, 74 Diseases, Correspondence of, 17 Divine Love the only Source of Attrac- Edward Paxton Hood and Swedenbor- Emanuel Swedenborg and Tait's Maga. First and Greatest object of the Chris- Formations of the Earth, Theories of, Sense of, 25, 76, 130, 172, 217, 304, Geological Ages, 294 God's Covenants with Men, 481 Incarnation, True Idea of, 1 Letters to the Young People of both Life is Judgment, Psalm xc. 12, 105 Love Divine the only Source of Attrac- Manifestations of the Carnal Mind, 529 Motion the Universal Sign of Life, 166, Necessity of cultivating Spiritual Know- On the Chain of Being, in connection Plurality of Worlds, and the Reasons Prefiguration of Nature; or, Illustra- tions of Discrete Degrees, 488 the Perversion of a Great Truth, 156 Remarks on Death and its Causes, 74 Revolution in China, 259 Spiritual Interpretation of Scripture re- Swedenborg and Speculative or Meta. Thoughts in Connection with the Oper- True Idea of the Incarnation the True Idea of God the First Principle of Urbana University; Language and Phi- Virgin Mary, and the Humanity as- World of Spirits; or, the Intermediate REVIEWS. Aged Minister's Last Legacy to the New Documents concerning the Life and Hiller's Practical Sermons, 563 MISCELLANEOUS. Accrington-Presentation to the Rev. Chetham Library, Manchester-Pre- Dr. Bayley, 375, 471 America, 40 American Magazines, 233 American Swedenborg Printing and Appeal on Behalf of the London Mis- Biographical Magazine, 380 sentation of Books by the Manchester Coming of the Lord and Emanuel Swe- Consecration of Salem Chapel, Chat- Consummated Church, 570 Crisis (The) Devoted to the Inner Life Birmingham New Jerusalem Church Dangers of Spiritual Manifestations, 381 Death and its Causes, 287 Editor's Page-Items of Itelligence 239 First Annual Report of the Glasgow New Church Association, 235 Granger Subscription, 188, 288, 431 Hints to the Committee of the London Important Correction in the Transla- Mr. Woodman's Recent Lectures at St. New Churchman, 233 New Christian Church, Limekiln Lane, New Church Newspapers, 379 "Noble" Monument, 188, 478 Noble's (The late Rev. S.) Sermons, 525 Items of Information-Oxford, 478; Petitions from India that the Govern- Kersley-Opening of an Organ, 238 Lectures at Southport, by the Revs. J. H. Life in the Bones, 526 Limekiln Lane, Liverpool, 189 London, Argyle-square Church, 94 Lord, (The) the only Source of Good, Magazine, the, and the Increase of its Manuscript Sermons of the late Rev. S. Missionary Visit to Ramsey, Chatteris, Missionary and Tract Society, London, Monthly Christian Spectator and E. Monuments to the Departed, 237 ment may abolish Polygamy, 232 Presentation by the Swedenborg Print- Primitive Christians, 239 Proposal for a Hymn Book with Musical Proposals to Publish a New Translation of the Prophet Isaiah, illustrated as Report of the Committee on the Appro- Report of the Lincolnshire New Church Report of the Committee of the Swe- Reprint of the "Monumental Edition Resolutions of Conference recommend- Spirit Manifestations, 521 Strictures on certain Remarks in the Subscriptions received on behalf of Mr. Suggestions to the Tract Society, 44 OBITUARY. Jackson, Mrs. Alice, 48 Taylor, Mr. James, 95 Cave and Sever, Printers, Palatine Buildings, Hunt's Bank, Manchester. |