66 In vain would Christ have taught such clods 66 determined in actions against Mr. Maconochie and Mr. Purchas. The latter has just been determined in the case of Mr. Bennett of Frome. Mr. Bennett is accused of teaching-"1. That in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper there is an actual presence of the true body and blood of our Lord in the consecrated bread and wine, by virtue of and upon the consecration, without or external to the communicant, and irrespective of the faith and worthiness of the communicant, and separately from the act of reception by the com is an altar of sacrifice, at which the priest appears in a sacerdotal position at the celebration of the Holy Communion, and that at such celebration there is a great sacrifice or offering of our Lord by the ministering priest, in which the mediation of our Lord ascends from the altar to plead for the sins of men. 3. That adoration is due to Christ present upon the altars or communion tables of the churches, in the Sacrament, under the form of bread and wine, on the ground that under their veil is the body and blood of our Lord." It was scarcely possible for a well-in formed writer to discuss this subject and overlook Swedenborg. And in Mr. Brown's case there is no effort to pass slightly by our great author. On the contrary, he gives marked prominence to his testimony and teaching on the subject. His leading authority is "Mr. White's valuable book." He refers also to his own Copy of his (Swedenborg's) municant. 2. That the communion table Conjugial Love," which, however, was mislaid; but," he continues, "it is well known that, after certain deductions for partial insanity, the most child like openness of speech, and the manners of his century, Swedenborg's writings about love, marriage, and children are of almost inconceivable beauty and tenderness." What an inconsistency is involved in this sentence! A writer afflicted with partial insanity" expresses himself on the most delicate and difficult of themes with "inconceivable beauty and tenderness!" When will writers consent to look at the case of Swedenborg from his own point of observation? Until they do so, they will continue to stumble amid perplexities, and involve themselves in inconceivable contradictions and inconsistencies. The passage we have cited is followed by over a page of extracts from Swedenborg. The author carefully avoids giving any opinion upon the question of interpretation involved in the Lord's answer to the Sadducees; but in the conclusion of his paper thus expresses his own feelings on the subject:-"I am in my own soul sure, not that all is vanity, but that all is promise, and that those portions of human experience which in volve the greatest happiness-or possibility of happiness-contain the surest, highest promise of a repetition of the joyful theme." ROMAN CATHOLIC TEACHING IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.-The Established Church has been for some time agitated by the adoption of popish ceremonies, and the open teaching of some of the most prominent doctrines of the papacy by her beneficed clergy. The adoption of certain ceremonies has been condemned by the Church Courts, but the inculcation of the doctrine has been allowed to escape condemnation. The former question was The Committee of Council, which is the final court of appeal on ecclesiastical subjects, hast just delivered its judgment in this case. It is one of acquittal, though accompanied by an intimation that the words of the respondent are rash and ill-judged, and are perilously near a violation of the law. Their Lordships, not without doubts and division of opinion, have come to the conclusion that this charge [of adoration of the consecrated elements] is not so clearly made out as the rules which govern penal proceedings require. Mr. Bennett is entitled to the benefit of any doubt that may exist. His language has been rash, but as it appears to the majority of their Lordships that his words can be construed so as not to be plainly repugnant to the two passages articled against them, their Lordships will give him the benefit of the doubt that has been raised." The result of this decision is thus described by the Times:-" It is now established that a clergyman of the Church of England may teach any doctrines within limits which only extreme subtlety can distinguish from Roman Catholicism on the one side, from Calvinism on another, and from Deism on a third. Consequently, when a new incumbent is appointed to a parish, the inhabitants must wait with anxiety to learn what their new religion is to be. . . . Unless such a license be very cautiously used, the question can hardly fail to be asked whether it is just to appropriate national property to the use of a church of which the doc trines cannot be defined within any tangible limits." CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.-The month of May is distinguished by the annual meetings in London of a large number of benevolent institutions. The uses of these societies extend to a great variety of benevolent purposes. We give a brief notice of some of the prominent features of the several missionary societies: Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.-This is, we believe, the oldest of our missionary institutions. Its labours are chiefly confined to the colonies. Its annual meeting took place at Willis's Rooms, under the presidency of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The report showed the income for the past year to be £97,603. The society supports, wholly or in part, 462 ordained missionaries in America and the West Indies, 227; in Africa, 83; in Asia, 110; in Australia and the Pacific, 41; in Europe, 1. Amongst these were included 35 native clergy in India. There were also about 853 catechists and lay teachers, mostly natives, in heathen countries, and about 300 students in colleges abroad. The Church Missionary Society.-The seventy third anniversary of this Society took place in Exeter Hall, under the presidency of the Earl of Chichester. The report gave the income of the year £149,697, and the expenditure £157,132. The stations were 158; the number of clergymen European 197, native and country born 131; the number of European laymen schoolmasters, lay agents, printers, &c. 16; European female teachers, exclusive of missionaries' wives, 10. The society also had 1928 native and country born Christian catechists and teachers, of all classes, not sent from home, and the communicants were put down at 20,125. London Missionary Society.-The income of this great society has reached the sum of £111,500. The expenditure and investments for special services leave a balance against the Society of over £1000. Gratifying testimony was borne to the Christian deportment exhibited by the native converts, of whom there are now 70,000 church members, and 450,000 attendants on public worship, more than half of each of these numbers belonging to the mission at Madagascar. The Baptist Missionary Society. society has at the present time 63 missionaries labouring under its auspices. The native pastors and preachers number about 220, and the schoolmasters 143--a total of 426 agents. The income of the society in the year has been £27,460, and the expenditure £2060 more than the receipts. Wesleyan Missionary Society.-The report of this society showed a total of £110,763 as the home receipts of the year. The affiliated conferences and the mission districts raised this sum to £148,585. The total number of members of the Church in connection with the foreign missions under the care of the British Conference was 72,129: in connection with the affiliated conferences there were 96,475, exclusive of the membership in the "home work" in Canada. Primitive Methodist Missions. —This society reported the total sum collected for missionary purposes as £32,280. When all debts had been paid, the bal ance in the hands of the treasurer would amount to £429. The total number of home missionaries was 121, of colonial 92, and of foreign 3—in all 216. United Methodist Free Churches.There are in connection with this society 78 home circuits, which receive assistance from the mission funds. The statistics of the colonial and foreign missions are-40 missionaries, 5656 members, 76 chapels, 29 preaching rooms. The income for the year from all sources was £11,771, and the expenses were £11,249. Home Missionary Society. This society has sustained, or assisted in sustaining, an agency consisting of 130 home mission pastors, and 100 lay evangelists, who preached the Gospel in more than 1000 villages and hamlets; and they occupied 137 mission stations, containing 694 chapels and mission-rooms, and had an average attendance of 45,000. SWEDENBORG SOCIETY, BRITISH AND FOREIGN.-The sixty-second anniversary of this society was held at Bloomsbury Street on the evening of Tuesday, June 18th, 1872. The Rev. William Bruce occupied the chair. The chairman expressed his regret that his place was not occupied by the Rev. A. Clissold, who had done more for this society and for the cause which it was established to promote than any other man, and whose character and attainments well qualified him for presiding at such a meeting as this. Mr. Clissold is, indeed, the president of the Society, and his presence was expected, but he was unable to attend. Although his declining health, and one of those infirmities which not unfrequently attend advancing years, may prevent him from occupying so prominent a place and taking so important a part in our business meetings as heretofore, I am sure it is the devout wish of us all that he may be spared, if not for many, at least for some years longer, to the Church of which he is so distinguished an ornament, and to which he has rendered such eminent services. The Rev. John Presland, in moving the printing of the report, which was read by the secretary, said "It is not necessary I should say anything in support of this resolution. The report and the accounts speak for themselves, and declare a very satisfactory and useful amount and quality of work done, and likewise manifest that the society has in hand a good supply of the sinews of war to serve as the means of future operations for the coming year." Mr. Charles Faraday, in seconding the resolution, said that one feature of the report had struck him very pleasantly, and that was the account of the various grants of books made to public libraries and individuals. He hoped they would hear of the number of those grants being increased in the coming year. It might not be known to many of the members that properly recommended applications for grants of books in favour of persons who could not well afford to pay for them in full, were, after due consideration, and, if approved, made at half price, as, for instance, to students and ministers. Mr. Gunton moved the following resolution-"That as the Documents relating to Swedenborg, on which Dr. Tafel is now engaged, are expected soon to be ready to be put to press, the Committee are hereby requested, as early as they deem it expedient, to issue a circular with a view of raising the requisite funds." In seconding this resolution Dr. Tafel said, as it concerned a work upon which he was engaged, he might make a few remarks, but he would not detain the meeting. It was not necessary for him to speak of the importance of having these documents about Swedenborg placed before the public at large; he might state, however, that one of the great uses which would accrue from the publication of these Documents, would be to remove all the aspersions that have hitherto been heaped upon Swedenborg, and especially those occurring in Mr. White's "Life of Swedenborg." That would be one of the incidental uses that would come out of the publication of these Documents. He might add that the Documents which had hitherto passed as authentic he had found, on investigation, to be most unauthentic. He became impressed with that fact during the progress of his work, which had thereby been increased about one-third, for he had at first thought he could use the Documents that had been already printed, but he had found it necessary to re-translate and to investigate and compare and sift the testimony that had hitherto been brought forward. Nevertheless he hoped that by the end of the year he should be enabled to hand over his translation to the Committee. The Chairman addressed the meeting while waiting for the scrutineer's report. He said-"The circulation of the writings of Swedenborg is undoubtedly one of the greatest uses we can perform, and if we can find out those who are willing to read them, that of course enhances the value of their circulation. A great effort has been made during the last few years in advertising. Undoubtedly we ought to make some effort by which these works shall be put into circulation as widely as possible. I have no doubt that some time or other the function of this Society will be taken up by some private individuals, whose enterprise will do more than we with all our expenditure of means are enabled to accomplish, and however unwilling we may be to be dethroned, we must all rejoice at such a consummation as this taking place. At the same time, until that period arrives, it is no doubt our duty, and we must all feel it to be our privilege, to do what we can to put those works into general circulation; and if any members of the Society, or members of the Church, who are not members of the Committee, can suggest means whereby this use can be accomplished, I have no doubt that the Committee would be very thankful to listen to any suggestions. It has been a question with some of our friends whether the issue of cheap editions and smaller editions would not be the means of lectures on the doctrines delivered in inducing persons more largely to pur- Shaftesbury." chase them. I am inclined to think CHATHAM.-Mr. Gunton has recently that if a portion of the money that is paid his third monthly visit to Chatham. expended in giving circulation to the The following is from his report-"The writings were employed in reducing the attendance was good, about 150 being price of them, it would not only promote present; quite a body of intelligent, their circulation among the public, but, thoughtful persons; and very considerwhat I think is of very great importance, able interest has been awakened. One would tend to supply the members of the gentleman at the close came up and gave church." The Treasurer suggested the me a very hearty shake of the hand, and re-adoption of the rule which permitted said he had been told before coming that subscribers to receive a portion of their it was poison, but he had not found it so. subscriptions in books; and Dr. Bayley The voluntary offerings at the door, withalluded to a sum of money which had out even the mention of the subject, on been left for the publication of the works this occasion, amounted to fourteen shilin Polish, and stated there was hope of lings. On Monday following, a receiver something being done in that respect, from Sittingbourne came over to see me and likewise alluded to the expectation at Chatham. From him I learned that of the Society receiving some money from a deceased Polish gentlemen who had resided at Archangel. An inquiry by Dr. Tafel led to a conversation on colportage, which was closed by the scrutineers' report of the result of the ballot, which was read by the Chair man. NATIONAL MISSIONARY INSTITUTION.-SHAFTESBURY.--Mr Gunton has visited this place, and the following is from his report to the Missionary Committee: On Wednesday, May 15, I proceeded to Shaftesbury, arrangements having been made for the delivery of two lectures in the Town Hall. In my former report I mentioned that a Mr. Young, a farmer near Shaftesbury, had communicated with me, desiring some lectures; this arrangement was accordingly made. Mr. Young, whom I had not seen before, met me at the station, two miles from Shaftesbury, and drove me to Dr. Wilkinson's, the present Mayor of Shaftesbury, where I was most kindly entertained during my stay. The attendance at the lectures was small, respectively fifty to eighty; great attention was given, tracts were distributed, and eleven copies of the Future Life' and 'Brighton Lectures' were sold. On the second evening, one written question was handed in. I had also a long conversation with a medical friend of Dr. Wilkinson's, who appeared much interested in the views, which were quite new to him. Mr. Young, who was highly delighted with the whole proceeding, paid all the local expenses, and pressed me to visit them again. So far as we could ascertain, these were the first an Independent minister had fully received the doctrines, and was, in conse quence, under arrangement to leave his present pastorate. From the description which I received of the abilities of this gentleman, I concluded that he would be most acceptable to any society of the New Church requiring a vigorous and intelligent minister." Mr. Gunton has also visited Brightling sea, and received the money, amounting to £6: 6s., from his little army of collectors. This is the collection of weekly pence which has been carried on since the erection of their new church, and has been most useful in the reduction of the debt. The principle is one which might be ap plied with advantage in other societies. The Sunday evening attendance at Brightlingsea as usual was large. The National Missionary" is full of hope, and perceives here many encouraging signs and proofs of a continually increasing reception of the doctrines of the New Church. MANCHESTER AND SALFORD MISSIONARY & COLPORTAGE SOCIETY.-The annual meeting of this Society was held in the school-room, Salford, on the evening of June 18. The Rev. W. Woodman, the president of the Society, was in the chair. In the course of his opening address, the Chairman said we are often tempted to doubt the usefulness of our efforts, and to forget that there are certain uses, which are placed beyond the external aspect which is presented to us. When the Lord fed the multitude, He told His disciples to gather up the fragments that nothing be lost. Every effort we put forth is overruled by our Heavenly Father, who does not permit us to know all the good which is thereby accomplished. Such knowledge would inflate the proprium, and injure our spiritual life. In the uses of the body there are thousands of fibres which conspire to the accomplishment of its movements. These fibres have no knowledge of the end to which they are contributing. And in like manner, in all the uses of the Church, there are thousands of unseen agencies conspiring to the accomplishment of results which we are not permitted to see. In our actions thousands of angels conspire; and we may be encouraged in our work by the knowledge that we are aided by the angels and guided by our Heavenly Father. He who takes up his success as the ground of his encouragement is a moral Atlas. He takes a world upon his shoulders. Our way is plain before us. It is to attend to duties, and to leave results to the Lord. He will wisely direct the issue of our labours, and in the end we shall find that he that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoice together. The report of the Committee detailed their operations during the year. Aided by a grant of £25 from the funds of the National Missionary Institution, lectures had been given during the winter months in many parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire. The several societies in the neighbourhood of Manchester had been supplied by missionary preachers, and the work of colportage had gone steadily forward. The report of the colporteur showed a gratuitous circulation of 9000 tracts, and a continued sale of New Church publications. The Rev. R. Storry, in moving the adoption of the report, dwelt on the necessity of increased sympathy and more earnest support to the Society, urging especially on young men the importance of giving their attention to New Church missions, and aiding to extend their operations and increase their usefulness. Addresses during the evening were given by Revs. J. Hyde and W. Westall, and by a number of other friends of the cause. On some of the resolutions proposed considerable discussion arose, particularly on one which resolved-"That while this meeting approves of the suggestation of the retiring committee as to the employment of a missionary minister in connection with this society, or with a view to encourage the settlement of a minister among two or more societies, it recommends the committee to convene a special general meeting of the society that the suggestion may receive the fuller consideration of the church." Mr. Oxley, in moving this resolution, said that if we are to render the best service we are able to the small societies around us, and through them to the Church at large, we must adopt some such plan as the one suggested. If, however, we are to have men of sufficient ability for the work, they must be well paid. The New Church should be able to command such men. We make large demands in the assertion of the superiority of our doctrines, and we are satisfied that these demands are just, and we cannot hope to maintain and advance the position we seek to occupy, but by a well-educated and well-paid ministry. The resolution, which led to a lengthened conversation, was cordially adopted by the meeting, and will doubtless engage the early attention of the newly elected committee. GENERAL CONFERENCE.-In conformity with a circular sent to every Member of the Conference, and with a notice inserted in the May number of the Intellectual Repository, a special general meeting assembled at the registered office of the Conference, 36 Bloomsbury Street, London, at ten o'clock on the morning of Thursday, the 23d of May last. The circular having stated that the object of the meeting was merely formal, to satisfy a clause of the Companies Act of 1867, which requires every registered company to hold a general meeting within four months after its incorporation; only seven members were present. The meeting was opened by the president, the Rev. John Hyde, who read a portion of the Word, and offered up the Lord's Prayer. The secretary then read the circular convening the assembly, and the business as there defined, viz., the reading of the memorandum and articles of association, was at once proceeded with. A resolution approving and adopting the memorandum and articles was passed, and after directing that the minutes of the meeting should be entered in the minute-book, and reports prepared for publication in the Intellectual Repository, and for the information of the session to be held at Preston in August next, the Conference adjourned at half past eleven o'clock. The sixty-fifth annual meeting of the General Conference will be held at Pres |