Inspector reports the schools as quite The Committee of the Schools at satisfactory and "most successful." Middleton report most favourably of "The school maintains its good character. the work done in both the male and Knowledge, both elementary and female departments. The numbers have special, is generally accurate and thought- increased, and the average attendance ful, and discipline is well maintained." improved. "The great object aimed The very useful little school at Embsay at in the department is thoroughness. has passed into a new phase of its history. Zeal and earnestness are alike displayed The Committee report that "the School in the religious as well as the secular is now under Government inspection. work. Each child over seven years of The present master, Mr. Lawrinson, has age, except those who come under the obtained a Government certificate, and operation of the Conscience Clause (and the Committee, judging from the ex- they are not many), is systematically perience of the last half-year, believe taught, in addition to the doctrines, to that the school has entered upon a new repeat and understand the catechism stage in its history. Our first inspec- of the New Jerusalem Church, and the tion is due in July, and we trust that Committee have much pleasure in testihenceforward the assistance to be obtained from Government will put us into a position to do our work more efficiently than was possible under our former arrangements."

Failsworth, Heywood, and Kersley may be classed together. They are under Government inspection, but have not during the past year maintained a distinct New Church character. They are well conducted secular schools, taught under a general rather than a specific religious influence and instruction. They possess a good reputation in their respective neighbourhoods, and as educational establishments are very successful.

The Committee of the Schools in Cromer Street, London, report a continued success. The difficulties attendant on a change of teachers has led to slight decline in the income of the schools. The Government grant is also less, and a heavy expense has been incurred. These expenses will not recur, and as the teaching department is now conducted by efficient teachers, and the number of scholars rapidly increasing, the committee feel confident of a continuance of that success, which, under the blessing of Divine Providence, has hitherto attended their efforts in the good cause of extending the benefits of a sound, plain education to the children of the poor.

Of the Manchester schools it is sufficient to say that they maintain the first position among the elementary schools of Manchester, and the results, however tested, are uniformly good. The schools are quite full, and an infant department has been established during the past year.

fying to the conscientious way in which the teachers labour to earn the sum of money which the General Conference is pleased annually to appropriate for the continuance of such education."

The schools at Ramsbottom are labouring under the inconvenience of limited space in their school-room, and are looking forward hopefully to the opening of the new and commodious schoolroom in course of erection. The teacher maintains his reputation as a painstaking and diligent teacher. The scholars have been carefully taught the Catechism, the history of our Lord, and the history of Joseph; and during the past year have been examined twice in these subjects by the Conference Committee, who have reported the examinations as "very satisfactory."

The very successful school at Wigan now numbers over seven hundred scholars, whose wants are provided for by a staff of three certificated teachers, several assistant and pupil teachers, and twenty paid monitors.

The College should be regarded as the head of our educational establishments. As a means of training young men for our ministry it is at present accomplishing very little. As a collegiate school, under the present principal, it appears to be making respectable progress. It has received during the year two legacies of £1000 each, one being clear of legacy-duty. The means therefore, of extending its usefulness continue to be provided; and we may reasonably hope that ere long it will more perfectly fulfil its mission than it has yet been able to attempt.

This hasty review of the work of our day-schools shows that they are sensibly affected by the spirit of the times.

The

doctrines of the Church are not taught in many of them, one has gone over to the School Board, and others pursue their path with less confidence than formerly. It would be a hasty judgment, however, to conclude that they are not religious in tone and character. The Word is more or less taught in all, and the teachers are men of religious character, who both by precept and example seek to instil into the minds of their pupils the principles of truth, honour, and morality, and a sense of duty as owing to the Lord. We should be glad that more could be done for the direct religious instruction of the children in our day-schools; let us rejoice that something in this direction is still accomplished.

one instance the application was signed by every student in the College, to the number of fifty-two, and in another the same would have been done but for the absence of two at the time the application was made.

The Committee have further resolved to devote a portion of this money to the purpose of revising, stereotyping, and publishing a cheap edition of the Apocalypse Revealed. During the year 106 sets of the Apocalypse Explained have been obtained by the Sunday school Union, for sale in our Sunday Schools. The Divine Providence has been published in a pocket edition, making four important works in this form. In addition to the sets of the Apoclaypse Explained taken by the Sunday School From the Schools we pass to Institu- Union, the following pocket editions tions for publishing the Doctrines by the have been delivered :-Heaven and Hell, press and the living voice; foremost 305; Heavenly Doctrine and Charamong these is the Swedenborg Society, ity, 683; Divine Love and Wisdom, the report of which opens with the 630; Divine Providence, 579: total statement, that the noble sum of 2197. £1000 has been placed at the disposal of the Society, under the simple condition, that as far as possible the uses it would enable the Committee to perform should be as universal as possible. It will add greatly to the gratification of the members to know that the benevolent donor is desirous of still further promoting the objects of the Society when the above-mentioned sum has been expended. Encouraged by this beneficent assistance, the Society has determined to present sets of the Writings of our great author to Nonconformist Colleges, and a copy of the True Christian Religion to all ministers of religion who will apply for it. The results so far have exceeded all expectations. Out of the sixteen Colleges eleven have accepted them, four are waiting for the decision of their Committees, and only one has refused. The refusal, however, was worded in very courteous terms.

The report informs us also of much that is doing in other countries, and gives the acceptable information that the first volume of the documents collected with so much industry by our indefatigable friend Dr. Tafel is in the press.

The Manchester Printing and Tract Society continues to pursue a prosperous career. Its permanent fund has been increased by a legacy of £500, and its circulation of tracts and books has increased. The number of tracts issued during the past year is 33,337, and the number of books 2,217. Comparing these issues with those of last year, it will be seen that there has been a considerable increase. While the number of tracts given to subscribers is less than in the previous year by 2,275, the quantity sold is greater by 4,423. The grants of tracts also show an increase of 3,406 over the grants of last year. In books, the same cheering feature is observable. There have been 565 more books sold this year than last, besides an excess of 105 which have been taken by subscribers. The total number of tracts issued this year is 5,554 more than in 1872-3; and of books 680.

Copies of the True Christian Religion have been applied for by ministers of nearly every denomination. As many as 108 letters were received by Mr. Speirs in one day, and the daily average has been from twenty-five to thirty. The number of applications up to the The London Missionary and Tract present date is upwards of 700 (since Society, in addition to its missionary increased to over 1380). Some of the operations, performs a use similar to applications were from the students of that of the Manchester Printing and some of the above-named Colleges. In Tract Society; and during the past

year its Committee has been laudably the allusion to a new organization which active. In their report they say :- has been formed as an auxiliary to the "In all its various departments your Society. The organization is thus society has been diligently and usefully described,-"In order to add to the occupied. The following tracts and efficiency of your Society, a staff of books have been disposed of during the young men has been organized to supply twelve months:-21,500 4-page tracts; a prominent gap in the existing Institu 8300 leaflets; 8161 pamphlet tracts, tions of the Church, and at the same lectures, sermons, &c. ; and of the larger time to utilise and concentrate energies works 4576 volumes. These figures which have hitherto been allowed to lie show a very considerable increase over dormant. Accordingly, in October, the sale of any former year, having in 1873, the auxiliary of the Missionary some cases more than doubled, more and Tract Society was formed. This especially in the pamphlet tracts, lec- Society is in direct communication with tures, sermons, and books; and this the parent Society, and like a smaller increase constitutes a healthy, encourag- wheel within a larger of a useful ing, and gratifying circumstance in con- machine, both work together in unison nection with our missionary work." The and harmony." The objects sought to committee have been quite as active in be promoted by this auxiliary are thus the missionary field as in the publica- described,-"To take note of any tion and distribution of those silent Sermon, Speech, or Publication affectmessengers of truth. The place of Mr. ing the New Church, and by corresRamage at Buttesland Street has been pondence, or otherwise, introduce New supplied by the appointment of Mr. Church truths, either as correcting Dicks. Alluding to this appointment, mistakes, or remedying deficiencies of the Committee say, "Like Mr. Ramage, information. To attend various meet Mr. Dicks has been brought into the ings, lectures, &c., distribute tracts, missionary field principally through the books, &c., to assist in the organization instrumentality of your society, and he and operation of meetings and lectures, affords another example of the good and other arrangements for spreading that may be done by bringing to the New Church doctrines. And generally front young men qualified and desirous to render aid (whenever required) not of serving the Church. Had we twenty usually furnished by existing Institu other such young men we could to- tions." The report of their proceedings, morrow find work enough for them to which is published with this report, do, either as leaders of existing societies, gives abundant evidence of the zeal or as missionaries. So greatly is this want with which these objects have been felt, that your Committee, at their last pursued. As the Sub-editor of the meeting, instructed their Secretary to Magazine, I have pleasure in acknow communicate with the various New ledging my obligation to members of Church Societies to see what young men this organization for information which are available for this purpose." has added to the interest of this organ of the Church. We owe also to their activity most, if not all, the notices of New Church movements which appear from time to time in the public prints. Such an organization, conducted with modesty and prudence, must be of inestimable value, and every lover of the Church will desire for it an abundant success.

Lectures have been given at Beaumont Hall, Mile End, Deptford, the Island of Jersey, and other places. And in the conclusion of the report, we are informed that an anonymous donor has only a few days ago handed to the Treasurer the sum of £250 to be expended as may seem most judicious for the furtherance of the Society's work. On this and a similar donation to the The Manchester and Salford MissionSwedenborg Society the Committee ary and Colportage Society provides for justly remark, "These noble examples the conducting of the Sunday's services of generosity are presented to us, not of a number of New Church Societies that we may give less, but rather that near Manchester, who have not stated we may give with a warmer heart and ministers. In addition to these services, more unstinted hand to the support of missionary lectures have been given at the various Institutions of our Church." Chester, Hyde, Padiham, Ashton, A prominent feature in this report is Embsay, Longton, West Leigh, and

Wigan. The Colporteur has sold 1055 publications, of which 232 were by Swedenborg. He has distributed 7000 tracts, which have in some cases been eagerly sought after, and in all cheerfully received. He has preached one hundred and twenty-one times, taken part in twenty-seven week-night meetings, and delivered four lectures. He has met with increasing kindness and a hearty welcome from all classes, several to whom he first introduced the writings of Swedenborg have become receivers of the doctrines, and are now seat-holders and members in the Church.

Ministers' Aid Fund report favourable progress on the part of Mr. J. R. Rendell and Mr. C. Fairweather, and make mention of Mr. W. A. Bates, who is receiving preliminary instruction from Mr. Deans of Brightlingsea. They have made grants to assist in maintaining their respective ministers to the societies of Bacup, Brightlingsea, Clayton-le-Moors, Embsay, Hull, Melbourne, Newcastle (Percy Street), Nottingham, and Ramsbottom.

The Yorkshire Missionary and Colportage Association continues its useful work with steady perseverance and unflagging energy. Its returns for the year, arising from a change of colporteur and its unavoidable interruption to the work of the Association, are incomplete. They extend over only a portion of the year, yet they show a circulation of 1600 tracts, 127 works of Swedenborg, and 692 works of other New Church authors. The total circulation effected by this useful institution now amounts to 148,410 tracts, 2,455 works of Swedenborg, and 14,869 works of New Church authors. "Of the books sold during the year, those of Swedenborg have been chiefly purchased by strangers and inquirers, the collateral works having been disposed of for the most part to recognised receivers of the Doctrines of the New Church, and these latter your Colporteur reports are generally already well supplied with Swedenborg's writings. Here it should be remarked, that it must not be supposed the works sold by the Colporteur to Members of the New Church would necessarily have been purchased had he not offered them for sale. This is not the case, as many of the readers of Swedenborg's works do not hear of the new books, and new and cheap editions that are published, except

The Reports of the National Missionary Institution and Students' and Ministers' Aid Fund are presented to the Conference in printed form, and will be published in the minutes. It is only necessary, therefore, to give a brief summary of the work which is being done by them. Assistance has been rendered by the National Missionary Institution at Bradford, Edinburgh, Keighley, Leicester, Newcastle-uponTyne (Nun Street), and Wigan; and grants in aid of missionary work have been made to the Manchester and Salford Missionary Society, and to the Yorkshire Colportage Society. This society has the superintendence of the labours of the National Missionary; and his report, which is deserving of careful study, is published with their report. "The following," says Mr. Gunton, "have been the fields of my activity during the past year :-Brightlingsea, Horncastle, Ipswich, Embsay, Kensington, Salisbury, Nottingham, Deptford, Chatteris, St. Ives, Bedford, Doncaster, Barnsley, Grimsby, Northampton, Cambridge, Camberwell, Buttesland Street, Sheffield, Radcliffe, Besseso'-th'-Barn, Bacup, Middlesboro', Dar- as they are introduced to them by the lington, West Hartlepool, Mile End Colporteur, when the opportunity of Road (London), Rugeley, and Hull. I inspecting the works before purchase is have preached and lectured in all 131 times, and have besides attended various church meetings, and administered the Sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Supper on various occasions. Notices of the lectures and discourses have frequently appeared in the newspapers, thus carrying the voice to an extended circle, and discussions have sometimes taken place through the same mediums." Some of these discussions are published with the report.

The Committee of the Students' and

afforded, and any information given respecting the nature of their contents, and the wants they are likely to supply. Indeed, it is as a Missionary among the less attached receivers of the Doctrines, that your Colporteur finds one of his most extensive fields of usefulness, which he cultivates both by conversation and the sale of books.'

The Colporteur is at present making an especial effort to bring the works of Swedenborg under the notice of the clergy. In furtherance of this object, a