still are, in the course of circulation Should the Missionary Society determine on engaging a Missionary constantly, the plan I would suggest is, to fir him at that point where he would be likely to be most useful. Ipswich, for instance, presents a most promising opening for missionary exertions, and it is a central point as regards Bright. lingsea, St. Osyth, Colchester, and Benhall; each being about twenty miles distant. I would further suggest that the Missionary be stationed at the point fixed on, till the doctrines have gree of exertion in the society itself, and possibly prepare a more favorable opening for a Missionary at some future time. In reference to Ipswich, permit me to suggest the necessity of sending a judicious person. I am persuaded more is done towards permanently establishing a society by prudent conduct, and by scrupulously avoiding to attack others, than by effective preaching, where judgement and prudence are wanting. Excuse my writing at so great a length. The above suggestions, although hastily penned, are offered for the consideration of the society, as the result of much examination and reflection on the subject. I remain, in the cause of the church, Very sincerely yours, W. WOODMAN. REV. T. GOYDER'S LECTURES AT YARMOUTH. Norwich, Sept. 18, 1839. To the Missionary Committee. GENTLEMEN,-You will see by the enclosed printed bill, that, in agreement with your wishes, expressed to me at your last monthly meeting, I have commenced operations at Yarmouth. The first lecture, which I delivered on last Monday evening, I am happy to say, was both respectably and numerously attended; the hall being well filled. Previously to my commencing the lecture, I made a short extemporaneous address to the people, in which I endeavored to rouse their minds to a serious consideration of the important and interesting subjects announced for discussion in the lectures. About a quarter past seven I began my lecture, and did not conclude until a quarter before nine; thus occupying an hour and a half in the delivery. During all this time, a breathless silence prevailed; and the audience appeared to be wholly absorbed in the subjects that were illustrated. When I had concluded, I thought that, as the lecture had appeared to me to have made a very favorable impression upon the hearers, it would be better not to have that impression disturbed by any discussion; I, therefore, simply aunounced the subjects that were to be considered in the second lecture, to be delivered on Monday evening next. Shortly afterwards, the assembly quietly dispersed. What were the effects produced upon the hearers by this lecture, it is impossible for me to say; but, if we may judge of them by the silence observed throughout, we may suppose them to be such as you, gentlemen, would desire. I find I shall finish this course before you will have your monthly meeting in October, and will, therefore, report the results of the other five in time for your next meeting. Hoping that the divine blessing will attend every attempt to extend a knowledge of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, 1 remain, Gentlemen, CONTINUATION OF THE SAME. Gentlemen,-I have now finished my Lectures at Yarmouth, and herewith transmit you some account of the results. At the Second Lecture there was as full an attendance as at the first; and, as far as I could observe, the same faces were again seen. The subject of this Lecture appeared to excite a good share of interest, and was listened to for a full hour and a half with almost breathless silence. The text was Matt. xxv. 46. In the course of the Lecture, I endeavored to prove that heaven and hell were to be considered more in the character of states, or conditions of mind, than of mere localities; that heavenly states of mind, which breathe forth nothing but love to God, and charity to man, sanctified all places, and spread a charm over the face of nature; while infernal states, grounded in the evil affections of a sensual and sinful life, cast a gloom over the world's most lovely appearances; changing gardens into barren deserts, and the blessings of God into curses. The Lord's words, "the kingdom of God is within you," were given, among many others, as proofs of the doctrine advanced. The New-Church views of heavenly joys and hell torments appeared to make a good impression upon the minds of the hearers. To go through all, or even half of the arguments adopted in proof of the NewChurch views appears unnecessary in this report. The discourse was unquestionably most favorably received. At the conclusion, I invited the persons present to offer objections, if they had any; and stated that I would give any further information I was able. (Silence for a few minutes.) The invitation was repeated; but no objections were made, nor any observations offered. As no one seemed desirous to speak, I announced the Lecture for the next Monday, and the meeting quietly dispersed about nine o'clock. Third Lecture. (Sept. 30th). Attendance much about the same,-the hall again well filled with anxious and attentive hearers. In this Lecture I endeavored to show that religion consisted of nothing gloomy, but is full of the sweetest consolations, calculated to inspire the mind with a love for all that is pure and sacred,-that it is fraught with real pleasures, and opened in the soul a clear perception of those realities which in heaven are everlasting. That part of the Lecture which treated upon "the spiritual instruction set forth by Moses' striking the rock in Horeb, and procuring water for the people," appeared, if we may judge from the stillness that prevailed, to be well pleasing to the hear. ers; and the subject itself certainly opened a fine field for the illustration of New-Church truths, which I endeavored to set forth. After the Lecture, I again tried to promote discussion; but again failed; I could get no one to find fault. I then stated that I had a few tracts explanatory of the doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church; and that they would be given away at the door. This evening I was invited to the house of a friend, where I met several persons who had been at the Lecture. There were two ladies present belong N. S. NO. I.-VOL. I. ing to the Methodists. They put many questions to me, which were answered. The Trinity and Atonement were subjects of conversation; and they defended their views to the utmost of their power. Among many other questions, one of these ladies put the following: :"Do you not think, Sir, that, supposing I live a pure, holy, and godly life, and that I am a sincere and real disciple of Christ in life and practice; that my doctrines of Methodism will take me to heaven, quite as well as yours of the New Jerusalem; and if so, in what are your doctrines better than ours?" To this I gave the following reply "I hope, Madam, you will not think me uncharitable in what I am about to say. The doctrines of Method. ism will never lead you to heaven; for they never led any one there (a look of astonishment from the company). You have been speaking of leading a holy, righteous, and pure Christian life; it is that life that will lead you to heaven, and make you an angel there for ever. The doctrines of the New Church teach us that a good life will, in the heavenly world, throw off all false doctrines, and take to the true; for as nothing unclean in life can enter into the celestial city, so nothing untrue can enter there. False doctrines, in Scripture, are compared to darkness, and the true to light. There is no darkness in heaven; but one eternal day. Darkness leads not to heaven; but light does: and you will find that a good life will triumph over a false faith, and plant its possessor in heaven; while an evil life will corrupt and pervert even a true faith, and fix its possessor in hell. This is proved from the Lord's words, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of the Father.' If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.'” Another objection this lady made to our oneness of the Deity was, that God out of Christ was a consuming fire; she imagining, as I suppose, that we passed by Christ to approach God Ꮹ the Father. My reply to this was, that we acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the True God and Eternal Life; that He is the All in all-the Alpha and Omega; that, with us, God was always in Christ,-the Father in the Son,the Divinity in the Humanity, reconciling the world to Himself; but that, according to Methodism, and the doctrine of three Divine Persons, God was always out of Christ; and to them, the members of the Old Church, God was a consuming fire. I submitted to her that she should never use that phrase, because it proved the tripersonal scheme to be, what it really was, untrue. The evening was spent very agreeably; and I hope some good will be the result. Fourth Lecture. (October 7.) This evening there was a falling off in the attendance, almost one half. I could not account for this, as all the former were exceedingly well attended; and the people appeared to be much interested in the subjects; but, upon enquiry, after the lecture was over, I found that there was this evening a large Missionary Meeting at the Town Hall; and, as was stated in the printed bill, there were to be some wonderful accounts given of Missionary operations abroad. The lecture, however, was listened to with the same attention as the three former. The spiritual and natural senses of the Word, their union by correspondence, and the New Church method of illustrating the Scriptures throughout, were the subjects of this lecture; and from all I could learn, it was certainly well received. A Mr. C-, an old receiver in this place, and who has sometimes written in the Re. pository, expressed himself much delighted with the subject. I supped with him that evening at his house, and spent an agreeable time with him and his worthy family. I tried again to excite a conversation, but could get no opposition; and, upon my remarking to a gentleman who stood by me, that I was sorry I could get no one to say any thing, he replied, "Why, Sir, what can they say? Every thing is made so clear and plain, that I do not know what they can say." Fifth Lecture. (October 14). Much better attendance than the former evening; but not so good as either of the first three. This lecture was doctrinal, and was intended to expose the Calvinistic errors of Reprobation, and partial election. Calvin's five points were the subjects of strong animadversion; and the universal love of God to all his creatures was insisted on as the clear truth of the Christian religion. This lecture was so well-pleasing to the audience, that several persons expressed a wish to have it printed; saying that they would willingly subscribe towards the expense; but whether it will be printed or not, I cannot at present say. There was no discussion; but I heard of nothing but encomiums from all quarters. Sixth Lecture. (October 21.) Attendance still increased; but yet not equal to the first three nights. The subject was decidedly new to my audience; and was listened to with increasing delight. Our views of Man, Death, the Resurrection, and Entrance into immortality, were, as I thought, particularly consoling and pleasing to the congregation. A lady, who occupied apartments where I lodged, expressed herself to my landlady in the warmest terms of approbation; saying, that she never spent so happy an evening in all her life; and that there were several persons who sat near her, who expressed themselves in a similar manner. After the lecture, many persons came and shook hands with me, wished me all manner of good things, and, with a "God bless you, Sir !" hoped it would not be long before they should again see me in Yarmouth. Upon the whole, Gentlemen, this visit, I think, has been truly encouraging; from twenty to thirty persons, at least, bave been favorably impressed with the truths of the New Church; and I doubt not that, if a school-room could be hired, at a small rent, of about 41. or 5l. per annum, so that preaching could be established once or twice on the Sunday, a so ciety might soon be raised here. 1 have commissioned a zealous friend to look for such a room. If it could be obtained, we could manage to supply it from Norwich, as we have just had a young man, formerly an occasional preacher among the Wesleyan New Connexion, join our church; who would feel pleasure in doing what he could. He has several times preached for me in my absence; and, as he is now study ing hard, I trust he will, at no very distant day, become an acceptable New Church minister. Such is the account I have to render of this visit; and in the hope that the Lord, in his mercy, will bless every endeavor to promote this heavenly cause, I remain, Gentlemen, LONDON PRINTING SOCIETY. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.In pursuance of a requisition, duly signed, a Special General Meeting of this Society, was held at the Freemason's Tavern, on Thursday, November 28. The meeting was convened for the purpose of considering certain proposed alterations in the laws of the Society, and other matters. The Rev. Augustus Clissold was called to the chair. An unusually large number of members were present; so much so that, after some time had been spent in discussing preliminary matters, the heat became so oppressive as to render it expedient to remove the meeting into the large hall. Here further discussion ensued; when, it appearing improbable that due consideration could be given to the subjects proposed for the attention of the meeting, it was moved and seconded, "That this meeting do adjourn, sine die." This resolution, on being put by the Chairman, was carried by a majority of 131 to 29. Thanks were then voted to the Chairman; who, in acknowledging the kind manner in which his services had been received, made a brief and affectionate address to the members present. The meeting broke up at about half past nine o'clock. It is understood that the Committee will direct their best attention to the revisal of the laws, and submit their suggestions to the next Annual Meeting. NEW PUBLICATIONS IN LATIN, AND NEW EDITIONS. In compli ance with a wish that had long been felt by many of the admirers of the Writings of Swedenborg, not only in this country, but likewise in Germany, France, and the United Sates, the Printing Society have just published, in the original Latin, three small treatises that had hitherto remained in manuscript, with the following titles: "De Charitate ;"" De Domino et de Athanasii Symbolo;" "Canones Novæ Ecclesiæ." They have also recently issued new editions of the "Earths in the Universe," and of the fourth volume of the "Arcana Coelestia," from Mr. Clowes's translation. The eleventh volume is also nearly ready. As to the external circumstances "of the paper, ink, and type with which they are printed," these works are creditable to the Church, and may be considered as specimens of the style in which they will in future be published. The greatly reduced price at which they are now sold, is an additional recommendation. At the last meeting of the Committee, a letter was read from Dr. Tafel, of Tubingen, containing some highly interesting particulars, in reference to the expected publication of some of the manuscripts of Swedenborg, that are now deposited in the Royal Library at Stockholm. Want of room compels us to withhold these till our next. NEW EDITION OF THE WORK "ON CONJUGIAL - We LOVE." |