amongst us. The incident was not only pleasing but affecting. Thereon a resolution was adopted expressive of the estimation in which they were held for the eminent uses they had performed, and were still performing, to the church, and inviting them to share in the deliberations of the Conference.

When the school reports were brought up, £126. were divided in equal sums of £18. each to the schools at Accrington, Birmingham, Embsay, Heywood, Manchester, Middleton, Salford. These grants enable the Conference to perform a larger service to the cause of New Church education than merely providing for the instruction of so many children. It gives them a certain supervision of the schools to which such grants are made. Committees are appointed to visit and examine them, and one of their instructions is to see that the doctrines of the New Church are systematically taught in them.

Besides the sums bequeathed at an early period of the church for the education of poor children, the recent Crompton bequest of £10,000., and the Students and Ministers' Aid Fund, have placed in the hands of Conference the means of enabling young men who require help to prepare for the ministry. At present there are two, Mr. Potts, who is maintained, and Mr. Goldsack, who is assisted, from this fund; and some other probable candidates are spoken of. The maximum amount of assistance to any student, except by a special grant from Conference, has been fixed this session at £40. a-year; and at this rate a goodly number may receive substantial encouragement to prepare for so useful a work. From the second of these funds assistance is given to ministers or leaders of societies of limited numbers or means, and some grants of this kind were this year made or continued.

Another of the funds annually dispensed is that for incapacitated ministers and the widows of ministers; and the Rev. David Goyder and the widow of the late Rev. Thomas Goyder, had their annual grants of £30. and £10. respectively renewed.

The National Missionary Institution, recently enriched by the gift of £2,000. and the bequest of £180., and which is under the direction of Conference, has been able to employ most of the working

ministers during the year in performing missionary labour. Among the places visited are Bath, Bristol, Bury, Chatteris, Huddersfield, Luton, Northampton, Over Darwen, Stockport, St. Ives; and, besides making known the glad tidings of the Lord's Second Coming to the public, much benefit has resulted from these exertions to many societies. So impressed was the Conference with the uses of this Institution, that the committee appointed to carry out its purposes during the year have been instructed to solicit societies to make collections on its behalf, and to commend it also to individual support; aid is at the same time to be applied for also to the Students and Ministers' Fund.

Much anxiety was manifested to provide for the regular administration of the Holy Supper, which is so important, if not essential, a means of spiritual support to the members and societies of the church, and of Baptism, which is so useful as a means of introduction into the church on earth, and of connection with the church in heaven. Besides granting licences to the leaders of the societies of Brightlingsea, Dalton, Edinburgh, Nottingham (Trinity-street), and St. Ives, and instructing the committee of the National Missionary Institution to afford all possible assistance to societies desirous of having these divine ordinances administered in them, a resolution was passed requesting societies to endeavour to induce isolated receivers in their neighbourhood to become associate members, with the special view of securing to them also these sacred means of spiritual improvement. As the Magazine will be received by many of these isolated brethren whom the minutes of the Conference may never reach, we may add a recommendation to them to seek association with the nearest society, as a means of connection with the body of the church and of mutual be efit.

Societies-lesser centres of communication-are gradually becoming more numerous, so that the distance is constantly lessening that separates the members of the church from each other, and prevents many of our brethren from enjoying the benefits of social intercourse and worship. Four new societies have this session been added to our list. Those of Brighton, Hammersmith, Nottingham, and St. Ives, which had applied

to be admitted into connection with the Conference, were received. The proposal to receive the Nottingham society into connection gave rise to a good deal of discussion. Doubts of its stability and endurance existed in some minds; but these were so far removed in the course of the debate, that the motion for its admission was almost unanimously adopted. We have no doubt that this society, which consists of seventy registered members, and has an intelligent and experienced leader at its head, will endeavour, by Divine help, to do every thing required to make it an addition of moral as well as of numerical strength to our body.

It was agreed to present an address of condolence and sympathy to the Queen, on her sorrowful bereavement, by the death of the Prince Consort; and a committee of ministers was appointed to prepare it. The address, prepared by Messrs. Smithson and Rendell during the sitting of Conference, was read and adopted at a subsequent stage of its proceedings. We cannot, of course, insert it before it has been presented to Her Majesty; but we can assure our friends that it embodies at once sentiments of the truest loyalty and of the most elevating and consoling Christian truth. Among the last of the resolutions adopted by the Conference was one which may appropriately close this brief notice of its proceedings; it was in reference to the International Exhibition. The present being the year of the Great International Exhibition, in which almost every nation in the world is represented by the various productions of the earth, and by the marvellous improvements in the arts and sciences, it was resolved ::-"That this Conference desires to express its gratitude to the Lord, for these evidences and illustrations of the universal progress of mankind, which the Conference acknowledges to be the result of the Second Advent of our Lord, and hails as the sure harbinger of a new era-the reign of 'peace on earth, and goodwill towards men;' and the earnest that 'the kingdoms of this world are becoming the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, when He shall reign for ever and ever.""

ADDRESSES.

Among the documents read to the Conference are the addresses to and

[Enl. Series.-No. 105, vol. ix.]

from the bodies of the church at home and abroad, and this forms perhaps the most deeply interesting part of the proceedings, not only of the day but of the whole session. We wish we might give those addresses entire. This our space forbids; nor would we be justified in doing so, since they will be printed in the Appendix to the Minutes. Still, as the Minutes are read by comparatively few, it may be allowable to give an outline of the more important at least of these utterances of fraternal love between the churches, which will afford to our readers high gratification. The address to the members of the church throughout the kingdom forms the first article in the present number of the Magazine. The next in importance is undoubtedly that sent to the General Conference of the church in America, written by Mr. Kennerley. The prominence of the body to which it is addressed, and its own excellence, alike entitle it to the largest space.

To the General Convention of the New Church in America.

This address commences by saying that the deep regret of the members of the church on the non-reception of an address was only exceeded by the deep feeling of Christian sympathy felt for the brethern in America, when vividly reminded of the cause which had interrupted our reciprocal congratulations and loving encouragements, that "the bond of perfectness" may now unite more closely the varied elements of the Anglo-Saxon race, especially within the walls of the New Jerusalem. "We were gratified, however," it proceeds to say, "by hearing, in a private communication, the vigorous advocacy of our esteemed brother, the Rev. Dr. Worcester, in the cause of human liberty, regardless of colour, nation, or clime. We endorse fully the sentiment that slavery is not, and cannot be proved to be, in accordance with the genuine teachings of the Divine Word. Equally incompatible is it with the nature and principles of true humanity. The earnest and faithful among men must hold it in utter abhorrence, and regard its toleration, much more its defence or extension, as a deep stain upon our common Christianity as well as upon the philanthrophy of our race. Hath not God made of one blood all nations of men? Is it not a special

28

doctrine of the New Jerusalem that'no one is reformed in states of non-rationality and liberty'? While the golden rule of Christian charity obtains, and this will be for ever, that we should do unto others as we would that they should do unto us,' slavery must tarnish the escutcheon of its advocates, and dishonour the flag of the nation that so far allows the selfish element to destroy or imprison its higher thought, as to foster, sustain, or justify its existence. Our King Alfred said that an Englshman should be as free as his thoughts ;" and what is true of one man is, in such essentials, true of all men.

"While your present pressure of national affliction may have been prepared by the growth, interests, and advocacy of slavery, still it has been heightened by the unchecked love of dominion, spring. ing from the love of self. The love of rule is the baneful source of all individual and national distress and sorrow. May the Lord in His own good time restrain its influence in every person, but especially among our dear brethren in the west! May the spirit of repentance rather than of desperation and despair unite with the love of union, which is strength, rather than with the love of conquest, to bring you into calm and peaceful states of national reflection and earnest patriotic action, that your great country may be a city set on an hill which cannot be hid!' We all know that patriotism is a true Christian characteristic. But still our love of country should never cause us to forget that every land is some man's country, and that as we are all the children of one common Father, we must ever be so far cosmopolitan as to love other lands as we love our own. This sentiment of fraternality received by the people of the earth will establish harmony and united action throughout the world, while it preserves the peculiar identity of each people, and sustains a variety in harmony which enhances the happiness of all, and is the only foundation of lasting peace. Action on this idea will substitute the arbitration of reason for the decision of the sword. The Lord will then reign amongst men. Self-love will become a servant; national jealousy will be unknown, because the pride of nations will then be to uphold the Gospel banner, on which is emblazoned, in characters of celestial light, 'Peace

on earth, good will to men!' War will then be held in abhorrence, nations will peacefully develop their resources, the fruits of industry will not be absorbed by expensive armaments, and rebellion and aggression will hide their heads. We hope when the calm has succeeded the present storm, that the fruitage of your afflictions will be abundant, and that the God who has helped you hitherto will continue to aid you to an extent only limited by your own reception.

Amongst us there are signs of advancement. The writings are being more read; tracts by tens of thousands are being distributed; lectures are being delivered throughout the kingdom; the pastoral care of our several societies is increased, and the lambs of the flock are being led unto the fold. The modern necromancy has sped its meteoric course, and has left our horizon. The religious world is reviving the associations, experiences, and traditions of the nonconformity of the Puritans. In the Church of England all is unstable as an ocean of sand, while the Thirty-nine Articles, like the sphinx of Egypt, half buried amid the ever-moving, suffocating flood, are being assailed by the development of rational thought, both from within and from without. But we hear of some, even among the clergy, who find light in their darkness and peace in their distractions from the writings of the New Jerusalem. But while we regard this as a sign of progress, we look rather to the education of the rising generation, especially by their parents, in our societies, for the solid and permanent establishment and extension of the visible church.

"In conclusion, dearly beloved brethren, with fraternal affection we say, Farewell! greeting you in the name of the Lord Jesus, whose we are, and whom we ought to

serve,-confiding you to His tender mercies and providential keeping. May we ever feel that we are all watchmen; and in all our meetings together upon earth, may we be reminded of the eternal and perfect meeting of the church triumphant in heaven! Thus watching, and ever praying, may we find our faith increase, our hope strengthen, our hearts enlarge, while charity and mutual love adorn our duty-doing, until we are called to enter into the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world!”

This address had been read at the

General Convention which met at Boston in June last, when an answer to it was directed to be sent; but at this stage of our proceedings it had not arrived. On the Saturday evening, when the minister appointed to close the Conference stood up to read from the Word, it was announced by the Secretary that the desired answer had just been received, and the service was delayed till the interesting document should be read, the substance of which may be given here. The address was brief, but affecting. It spoke in terms of great admiration of the address which had been sent from this country. It reciprocated in the warmest terms the assurances of their ardent affection which the Conference had addressed to the brethren in America, and thanked them for the deep sympathy which they had expressed for them in their great national affliction. It deplored, and recounted with terrible effect, the horrors and the miseries of war; it at the same time pointed out and lamented the causes in human corruption and evil which led to it, but expressed a pious reliance on Divine Providence, who would certainly bring good out of the evil, and make the present dreadful and desolating scourge the means of correction and improvement in righteousness.

To the Church in Germany. This address, written by Mr. Smithson, we should gladly print entire, but must be content to give some extracts, as follows:

"It rejoices us to find, that although you are not in possession of religious liberty, as is the case in our beloved country, yet you can assemble together as a religious body, and unite. your efforts and your means in promoting the good and holy cause we have all so much at heart.

"We rejoice to see that, through the indefatigable industry of our beloved brother, Dr. Tafel, all the precious works of our enlightened Swedenborg are being gradually translated into German, for your instruction and edification in the spiritual truths of the Word, and in the great realities of eternal life. As the mind becomes impressed with these truths, not only will the false doctrines of the Old Church be seen and condemned, but the New Church will gather strength both as to number and

quality, and the foundations of the New Jerusalem will be established and its walls erected. Within these spacious walls, which, unlike walls built of mere earthly materials, can be constantly extended, all who acknowledge the Lord in His Divine Humanity as the one and only Source of Life, and the one only Object of worship, will be gathered together, and form one fold, under one Shepherd, 'who has laid down His life for the sheep.'

"But this happy state of true union and brotherhood cannot, in the nature of things, according to the laws of Divine Order, be speedily accomplished. Time is required for its accomplishment, and the Lord will hasten it in His time.' We must, therefore, 'keep our souls in patience,' and abide the Lord's time, for the increase and establishment of His Church.

"Now, although the reception of our heavenly doctrines, both in Germany, in France, and in our own country, is not so rapid and so extensive as we could wish, yet we find the good work is going on, for the ground of reception must first be prepared before the reception itself can take place. And do we not see that, in every region of Christendom, the Lord, by His new and powerful influx, is undermining the strongholds of false doctrines; and that, to very many thinking minds, who wish to understand the grounds of their faith, the false creeds and fallacious doctrines are becoming unpalatable?

"In Germany, for example, you have a negative rationalism, which is powerfully at work in undermining the belief in unintelligible dogmas, and in delivering the mind from the dark bondage in which it has been held. And although this negation has carried its operations even into the province of Revelation itself, and has cast doubts and denial upon many portions of the Divine Word, yet we have reason to believe that the Son of Man,' or the Word, must go through this ordeal and this suffering before it can enter into its glory,'-that is, before its spiritual sense can be seen and acknowledged, and its true interpretation be admitted in the church. And in other countries also a similar pause is, under the Lord's Providence, going on, which will, we have reason to believe, prepare the way for the reception of the doctrines of the

New Church. Whilst, therefore, we do not externally see that increase in the reception of the doctrines which we all might desire to behold, yet we know that the ground is being extensively prepared for their reception. In the erection of a magnificent building or temple, there is for a long time much work to be done under ground before any of the structure is visible, yet unknown that the work is going on. And can there be a more magnificent building or temple than that which the Lord has now begun to erect?-a temple which is to last for ever, and which can never decay or be destroyed. The foundation of this magnificent temple is the Lord Himself in His Divine Humanity. This is, as the prophet says, the 'sure foundation, and precious corner-stone,' upon which the church must be built, both in our minds individually and in the church universally. That we may all through our enlightened faith in the Lord, and through a holy love of Him, be established on this sure foundation, is the sincere prayer of your brethren in England."

To the Church in Adelaide, Australia. This address was written by Dr. Bayley. It speaks of the children in that distant land as being regarded by the Conference as children far away from home, as messengers to remote lands having invaluable treasures, as out-posts of the Holy City, communicating to the surrounding wastes some of the influences which are descending to bless mankind. It expresses the desire that they may be specially strengthened to maintain the good cause in difficult circumstances, and be increased in all heavenly gifts, so that in them may be realised the prophecy-"They shall lay hold of the skirt of Him that is a Jew, saying, we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." It expresses the pleasure with which the Conference has heard of their diligently sustaining public worship and social meetings; it prays them not to be discouraged by alternations that are incident to all societies, and it exhorts them ever to be faithful to duty in their various relations, which, amid all their changes, will secure them the Divine blessing. After stating to them some of the causes of thankfulness among ourselves for providential aids, it concludes by saying—“A faithful fol

lowing of the Lord Jesus, by doing His commandments in His spirit and in His name; a loving study of the holy Word and the writings of the church, that we may be wise and good; a constant effort in our various circles of life to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord;-these are the grand means of exciting inquiry around us, and of inducing others to ask the way to life which prepares for heaven by bringing heaven already within the soul; and which will be fulfilling the command-'Let your lights so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.'"

"On the 20th of June last," the address informs us, "nearly all the receivers of the doctrines in Canada, either in person or by proxy, assembled in Berlin, in Canada West, and formed themselves into an association, under the title of The Association of the New Church in Canada.' By this union the brethren there desire to work strenuously for the Lord's good cause in that part of His earthly kingdom, where humanity is awakening to the perception of new wants which nothing but the new truths can satisfy. But the main object of our present address is to greet you as brethren in the name of the Lord, who has said-By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another.' May we strengthen each other, not so much by the enthusiasm of a lofty faith as by the pure sphere of a lowly charity. The letter gives a brief account of the origin and progress of the church in that province. The first society in Canada was formed in Berlin in 1841; three persons met for worship in private, who built a church, which was opened on the 25th of December of the following year. The origin of this society is remarkable. Mr. Christian