He

a rapid and an increasing and active desire and disposition to know the truth, and likewise a growing capacity for the reception of higher views. believed it could be traced in the very doubts which agitate men's minds, traced in the very discussions—often negative in form, but perhaps affirmative in spirit-in the very discussions which had recently been so rife. Other

indications of the fact had already been pointed out in that meeting. Now, if those things did indicate a growing capacity of receiving something, if they did indicate a growing desire to receive that which their enlarged capacity would enable them to receive, then they could understand the use of the writings of the New Church: they were intended, under the Divine Providence, to supply in the future the religious wants of the future. In his opinion it was very true that the class of minds, or the number of persons, who had passed through such spiritual states as would prepare them for the full acceptance of the teachings of Swedenborg, that that class of minds at the present time was very small indeed. They sought on the right hand and on the left, but they found only a few. They did not find many who could accompany them even some part of the journey, who were willing to accept some thought, and call it truth, and feel that it was good; who were willing to be helped to some new light, to an appreciation of some passage of Scripture before dark, but unable or unwilling to go any further than this. It seemed to him that the capacity for this was certainly growing, and with the growth of the capacity the Divine Providence had furnished the food for the enlarged power of mental digestion, and had likewise furnished the instruction for the growing desire to know. But he read in Swedenborg that even when the Church, the Lord's New Jerusalem, should be established-not fully, perhaps; it could never be fully established, for the true idea, it seemed to him, was that the Lord's Church would always be establishing, never be a finality-but even when the Lord's Church should be largely established, he believed there would always be difference of opinion. There were a variety of uses to be performed in the world, and he thought that as the opinions of

two men could never identically agree upon any other subject, so certainly the opinions of two men could never quite agree upon religious subjects. The Divine, the Infinite, never repeats Himself in anything that He makes, never allows such a thing to occur as a pure repetition; we cannot see two faces that are alike, much more we could not find two minds alike. If, then, difference was essential, and essential because of individuality; and if the essentiality of that difference and individuality grew out of, and was the very and the necessary consequence of the Divine Infinity, it followed that there never would be perfect unity nor identity in the Church. True unity is not identity; indeed, perhaps the word unity necessarily implied diversity. Identity might imply oneness, a perfect oneness, but unity implied diversity. In order that things might be united they must be diverse; but if diversity were thus implied in unity; notwithstanding difference of opinion, it was evident that there could be a real unity existing in their midst. Thus unity is the unity of love; and believing that, he was very happy to support the resolution.

The resolution was put and passed unaminously.

Dr. BAYLEY briefly submitted the next Resolution,—“That it is highly gratifying to the members of this Society to witness the vigorous efforts made by kindred Societies in other countries, especially by their brethren in America, to spread a knowledge of the great principles contained in the writings of Swedenborg, and which they can have no doubt will be constituents of the grand Universal Church of the future age, the Church of love, light, justice, and peace.'

Mr. BARNES, formerly of Bath, seconded the resolution, remarking, with reference to the general feeling prevalent amongst all classes of religious people, that charity is the chief constituent of character, that he had lately heard the celebrated preacher, Mr. Spurgeon, after a very excellent sermon, use the phrase, "The best man and the happiest man among the numerous flock that is now presented before me, is he who loveth most, and who is most ready to do good,' -an expression which he considered to be a sign of the

engraftment which the whole of the Churches have received from the beautiful system of the New Church, and which he believed would in due time bring about that unity which had been so excellently illustrated in the speeches of that evening. The resolution was put and passed unanimously.

The Rev. W. BRUCE moved the last Resolution, observing that he need not do more than propose it, for he was sure it would be adopted,-"That, as next year will be the 60th Anniversary of the Society, the Committee be requested to make arrangements for giving a more public character to the meeting; for which purpose they shall engage some suitable hall, and send invitations to several prominent characters in the religious world."

Mr. BUTTER seconded the resolution. The object proposed was that they should have a larger meeting than the one then assembled. Of course it would be necessary to take suitable measures in due time; but with this understanding, he felt assured that the object would be successfully attained, and with an especial fitness on the occasion of their holding the 60th Anniversary of the Society.

The resolution was supported by Mr. Jobson, and passed unanimously. The Chairman made a few concluding remarks, and the meeting was terminated by Dr. Bayley offering up the Lord's Prayer.

THE SWEDISH PRINTING SOCIETY.

The following document explains the efforts at present making to diffuse the writings of our great author in his native country. A few earnest and devoted men are seeking, amid difficulties and manifold discouragements, to publish acceptable translations of his theological writings in the Swedish language. Such an effort is deserving of encouragement and assistance. If the influence of Swedenborg is to be extended in Sweden, it must be by the publication of his works in the popular language. The accomplishment of this work, however, involves considerable outlay, and we hope that many of the members of the New Church in our own country will render assistance to this good work.

The Society in Christianstad* for publishing the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg in Swedish, began its labours in the autumn of 1858. The following year the Society formally constituted itself, and in 1860 adopted its statutes, drawn up by Councillor Hagerman, after the statutes of the Old Stockholm Society-Pro Fide et Caritate. Since that time the following works have been published by the society :

1. An answer to the pseudonyme "Ernst Ludvig," in the Swedish Gazette, and Professor Malmstrom, respecting Swedenborg. By Semper Invitus. 1858. +

2. An Exhortation to the Christian Priesthood honestly to examine the Theological Works of Emanuel Swedenborg. By J. Clowes. 1858. 3. The Fundamental Doctrines of the New Church, or the Promised New Jerusalem, with an explanation addressed to Mankind. Two works. By Dr. J. T. J. Tafel. 1859.

4. Swedenborg, His Life and Writings. By W. White. 1859.

5. The Book of Revelation as to its spiritual sense, after Swedenborg. By Le Boys des Guays. 1359. 6. Angelic Wisdom concerning the Divine Love and the Divine Wisdom. By E. Swedenborg. 1860.

7. A Brief Exposition of the doctrines of the New Church. 1862. 8-12. Arcana Coelestia. In new Swed

ish translation from the original language by the undersigned Volumes, Ï. II. III. IV. V. Volume VI. is now in the press.

It has been the object of the Society to publish yearly one volume of the Arcana Coelestia but the resources for translation and printing are insufficient, so that it is greatly to be feared the work will be arrested, if no further annual support can be obtained. Sweden further contributions scarcely be looked for, as the avowed members of the Church residing in

In

can

* A town in the south of Sweden, the seat of the Governor of the Province, and of one of the three superior courts of law of the kingdom.

t Professor C. G. Malmstrom had lectured on Swedenborg at the University at Upsala, and his lectures had been reviewed in the Swedish Gazette by Ernst Ludvig, both treating the subject in a manner to cause pain to believers in Swedenborg's divine mission.

Sweden, are comparatively few, and in general not much gifted with this world's goods.

What the state of things in Sweden with regard to the New Church was sixty years ago, and what it partly is still, may be judged of by a letter received about eight years ago by our then newly-formed Society, from the Dean and Rector of Enköping, Arvid August Afzelius, who had been elected an honorary member of our Society. This venerable man, eighty-four years of age, is still occupied in writing and publishing to the continuation of his great work, A History of Sweden, founded upon the ballads and traditions still living in the memory of the people, and is doubtless the oldest New Churchman in the country. The letter is as follows:

"It had long seemed to me as if I had felt a breath of the spirit of the word foretelling the dawn of the day when the treasures of divine truth, the hidden mine of which the spiritual treasure-seeker Emanuel Swedenborg discovered, would be spread around the world, when the society in Christianstad, honouring me with their invitation, strengthened me in these joyful hopes. The liberty of religion proclaimed in our time causes certainly great unrest, but visibly shows it to be the will of Providence that the friends of truth shall now be able to make themselves known to each other, and unite in spreading the knowledge of the true Christian religion. It astonishes me that any minister of religion can be found who still entertains scruples about openly confessing himself a disciple of the great seer Swedenborg. The time is now arrived when such an acknowledgment will more promote than prevent general confidence and advancement. I for my part shall consider it an honour to see my name in the rolls of the Society.

"So long ago as 1809 I was a member of the Society Pro Fide et Caritate in Stockholm. All who at the time believed in anything, were divided into two Churches, the Moravians and the Swedenborgians. To the former belonged most of the mercantile and manufacturing classes, to the latter the highest officers of State and the representatives of the higher culture and learning. We had our meetings in the house of

the Councillor of Commerce, Schonherr, and celebrated every Sunday God's service after a very simple ritual of our own. When Mr. Schonherr removed from Stockholm, the meetings of the friends ceased. Many of these friends are still living, and occupy some of the highest offices in the State. Even here in the country one sometimes meets a friend, and I think then of the words of Atterbom :- How few and scattered they may be on this earth, yet a heavenly union connects them all.'

"From the intercourse with friends in England and America much advantage is to be expected; may the strifes which have arisen from modern mysticism not prevent it. The Evangelical revival has in this diocese caught many of the younger clergy, and I have noticed that these shake their heads when any one mentions the name of Swedenborg. This prevents many from the wise course first to read and ponder, and then judge. The strangest of all is, that they have been imbued with the opinion, that the new doctrine denies the Divinity of Christ. But the Lord will in His time let the Spirit shine forth from the literal sense. 'It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing.'

"A merchant in this town has been particularly active in circulating the published works concerning the New Congregations, and although the greater number of my hearers do not know the name, they have under my teaching during 40 years acquired the grounds for the right understanding of the Word and a purified faith. What further I can do in the interest of the Society shall not be neglected. Wishing this beginning of a purified Temple of the Lord in the North grace and blessing from the Lord, I have the honour to be, "A. A. AFZELIUS."

Last year the first formal Council of the Swedish Church was gathered in Stockholm, and to its 60 members (30 clergymen and 30 laymen) were presented by our Society 60 copies of Clowes' Address. The distributor said he believed that not more than 3 of the 60 would read the book. It may be so, but the time will come when New Church laymen will, at the Church Council, defeat the clergy with arguments drawn from Swedenborg's Theological works. Before, however, this can be

done, the works must be accessible to the public in correct translations and in a diction that does not deter educated readers from making themselves acquainted with the Divine truths to be found in Swedenborg's writings, as the case has been with the old translations by Deleen, the vulgar diction and many and serious mistakes of which caused the lately deceased Secretary of the Swedish Academy, Baron Bernhard von Beskow, to state, "that the carelessness and bad Swedish of the nineteen century's New Church writings have brought them into discredit." To counteract this unhappy circumstance, by gradually publishing Swedenborg's own Theological works in correct translations in modern Swedish, as written and spoken by educated people, endeavouring, at the same time, constantly to reproduce the pure and simple language of the originals, is the practical aim of our Society.

NEW CHURCH COLLEGE.-We are desired by the Secretary of this institution to inform our readers that the council has arranged to hold its meetings in the future, on the first Wednesday in each month, at 8 p.m. Dr Bogg, whose health we are happy to learn has considerably improved since his residence in the country, is succeeded by Mr. Bielby, who brings with him an experience of twenty-five years as a teacher of youth, and is sustained by Mrs. Bielby, who has been accustomed to look after the comfort of boarders. Expectations are strongly entertained that the College will now work well and satisfactorily.

"It is

certainly, writes the Secretary, being placed by Divine Providence in the very position as to its mode of working that was originally designed. A hearty New Church schoolmaster, of extensive experience at its head, and a looking forward to a race of students growing out of its school, rather than the function of a theological college at once, and independent of any school."

LONDON NEW CHURCH PROPAGATION SOCIETY.-Since our last notice in the Repository, our building in Holloway has been completed and cpened. The opening meeting took place on May 24. A large number of friends attended, and the proceedings were in every way satisfactory to those concerned in them. Tea was taken by

the members and others from about 5.30 to 7 P. M. when the Rev. Dr.

66

Bayley took the chair. A hymn having been sung, and a special blessing asked by the chairman, the secretary's and treasurer's reports were read. Dr. Bayley then prefaced the coming work of the society, and exhorted the members to press forward with energy and determination. At a subsequent part of the meeting the Dr. gave some affectionate, earnest, and practical advice to the members of the society, which they will not forget. Mr. Hiller next addressed the meeting. ."" Our opponents," said he, are hard at work in all directions, and should the New Church be behindhand in such efforts?" He hoped most earnestly that success would attend the labours of the society. Mr. Ramage, president of the society, spoke in advocacy of the time and character of its efforts. He described the state of the general church as one peculiarly adapted to the reception of New Church truth, and said that there were none in the New Church-thus none in the society so feeble, but that they might hold up the torch of truth and shed abroad the rays of spiritual light which might fall with deepening effect upon many a heart. Mr. Ozanne warmly advocated the strengthening influences of mutual affection and goodwill, and remarked that if people were not yet ready for the teachings of the New Church, we must labour to make them ready. Mr. John Smith spoke in terms of strong approval of the doings of the society, and referring to its debt of £12, which had been spoken of by the treasurer, showed how, with a little effort, that might be got rid of. Mr. Jobson congratulated the friends upon the advance which they had already effected, and alluded to the efforts which were making in Dalston. The proceedings were enlivened from time to time by anthems, sung by a number of members and friends of the society, who constituted a choir. A hymn and a benediction from the chair concluded the proceedings. On Sunday the 30th, the chapel was open for public service, morning and evening. The pulpit was filled by Mr. P. Ramage and the Rev. W. C. Barlow, B. A. The subjects were, respectively, "the Path of Life" and "The Triune God." The attendance upon both occasions was very good.

The

society is indebted to the amount of about £12; and, now that its expenses have fairly begun, would thankfully receive the assistance of its friends. The treasurer is C. E. Waddington Esq., 20 Oxford Road, Islington, N.

In the notice of this society in our May number, the sum of £14, 8s. was inaccurately printed £148.

MISSIONARY LECTURES.

SHOREDITCH.-The Rev. Dr. Bayley delivered a course of four lectures at the Town Hall here last month. The subjects were, "The Spiritual Sense of the Bible, the Glory of the Word of God," "The Days of Creation mentioned in Genesis, not days of earthly time, but States of Spiritual Creation," "The Garden of Eden, with its trees, its fountain, and its Serpent," "What is meant by the end of the World, and a New Heaven, and a New Earth;" all these subjects were treated in a clear and happy manner. The first lecture proved, on the sceptic's own ground of rationality, that a Divine revelation was a necessity of man's nature, and when that revelation was given, it would be in wisdom, worthy the mind that gave it, and just as we see the ignorance or intelligence of a writer in his book, so we ought to look for God's wisdom and intelligence in the book He would write, and as God's thoughts are as far above man's thoughts as heaven is above the earth, so God's wisdom in His revelation would be equally superior to man's. This was very clearly proved by many beautiful illustrations of the Spiritual Sense of the Word. We greatly regret no detailed report of this lecture was taken. On the following evenings it was much asked for. attendance was very numerous. first lecture was attended by about 1200 persons, and on the last night the place was densely crowded, there being over 2000 present, many having left who could not obtain seats. This is particularly gratifying, as this is the first course of New Church lectures given in the north-east of London. The arrangements for the lectures were admirably carried out, and the great body of those present went away delighted with what they heard. At these and the Luxembourg Hall lectures, over 8000 tracts were distributed, and £7 worth of books sold. On the last evening a

The

The

voluntary collection was made, realizing £7, 15s. On the whole, therefore, the friends of the cause have every reason to be satisfied with the results. Did space permit we could give many pleasing incidents, showing how ripe the minds of the people are for the reception of New Church truths, and how surely that ignorance and prejudice formerly entertained upon them are fast giving way. It would be well then for New Churchmen, in every town and village of the country, to band themselves together to carry on the noble work of Missionary effort.

Since writing the above, another meeting has been held in one of the Committee Rooms of the Town Hall, kindly lent, free of charge, for the occasion, the subject of forming a Society for the north-east of London was discussed, and several friends and strangers have given in their names as desirous of assisting in the work.

The lectures are already beginning to tell.

The Rev. Dr. Adams will deliver a series of discourses at Albion Chapel, City Road, on Spiritualism, and "Is Swedenborgianism Christianity?"

EDINBURGH.-About twelve months ago Mr. Henry Cameron was appointed to conduct the services in the church here, and since that time he has delivered a number of discourses on many of the subjects which engage the attention of the leading thinkers of the day. He has just concluded a course of six Sabbath evening lectures-three on the Sacred Scriptures, one on the Trinity, one on the Atonement, and one on Death and Resurrection, which were well attended, and excited very great interest. In those on the Scriptures he sought to show their authority both by external and internal evidence, and proved their divinity by exhibiting the law of analogy, or the mutual relation which exists between natural and spiritual things, according to which they are written. The third lecture was the application of this law to various parts of the Word. Through the whole course Mr. Cameron displayed great ability and aptitude to teach.

HULL. The sixth anniversary Services was held in the Temperance Hall, St. Luke Street, Hull, when two sermons were preached by Mr. J. Presland of Derby. The subject of discourse in