document, are informed that they can still procure them through any bookseller. ALFRED ESSEX.

London, 9, Crawford-street.

LECTURES AT NEWCASTLE.

To the Editor.

Dear Sir, The eagerness with which our people seek for news respecting proceedings in the various societies of the New Jerusalem, warrants me in troubling you with the insertion of the following list of subjects, on which lectures were delivered in the Temple here, by the Rev. J. Cull, of Liverpool, who has presided over this society for two years:-Nov. 23rd: Who the God is whom Christians ought to worship, consistently with their adoption and retention of the Christian NameThe Divine Trinity of the Scriptures not a Tripersonality. Nov. 30th: On PrayerJesus Christ being "God our Saviour," (1 Tim. i. 1) and the only wise "God our Saviour," (Jude 25.) why he is said to have prayed to the Father-The nature and benefits of prayer in general. Dec.7th: THE HOLY WORD-In what respects the Word of God differs from, and is infinitely superior to, all merely human compositions- How it may be rightly understood; and its Divine truths and sublime mysteries made plain. Dec. 14: The scriptural doctrine of Regeneration defended against fanatical notions on that subjectWhat regeneration really is, scripturally and rationally considered-Indispensably necessary to man's salvation. Dec. 21st: An illustration of the wonderful account given in the Old Testament of the sun standing still in Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Ajalon-Also of the shadow going down ten degrees in the sun dial of Ahaz. The whole rationally explained, without any violation of the letter of the Sacred Narrative. Dec. 28th: The Last Judgment and Second Coming of the Lord. Scripture illustrations were introduced, which it is hoped may tend in some measure to correct many of the erroneous ideas prevalent in the religious world on these two important subjects.

It is pleasing to state that the ability, research, and eloquence displayed in these discourses, appeared to be highly appreciated by increasing audiences, which were chiefly composed of strangers, who doubt less came in an inquiring spirit, and went away with a full supply of matter for deep reflection and thought.

After the delivery of the above course

of lectures, the Rev. J. Cull was presented with his portrait in oil and gilt frame, by which to convey to our dear friend the gratitude and love of his hearers. Yours, &c.

J. ELLIOTT. Newcastle-on-Tyne, January, 1852.

APPEAL ON BEHALF OF ELMHAM, NEAR NORWICH.

The attention of the friends of the New Church is particularly called to the state of a small society of receivers of the doctrines in this village. The information has been chiefly derived from the Rev. R. Abbott, of Norwich, corroborated by the Rev.T. Chalklen, both of whom have visited the place. Elmham contains about 1,500 inhabitants; it has a church, and only one chapel, that which is held by our friends, to which two schoolrooms are attached, and on which there is no debt.

The members were originally Independents, in connection with the Congregational Union, and for some years were under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Sadd. This gentleman having occasion to visit America, met with the doctrines of the New Church while there, and cordially embraced them; and on his return, gradually introduced them into his conversation and preaching, which resulted in a majority of his members also receiving them.

Last May, Mr. Sadd was obliged to return to America, leaving his son, a young man, twenty-three years of age, to conduct the society; soon after which, although the members had unanimously pledged themselves to support the son, four of the most influential, after causing much disturbance, withdrew, thereby greatly diminishing the income. There remain fifteen decided receivers, who, however, are the least able to afford pecuniary support; indeed, the total income at present, including about £10. arising from the day schools, is not above £20. a-year. How inadequate this is for the support of a minister is very evident but young Mr. Sadd, who sees a good prospect of usefulness before him, is willing to remain, if he can be supplied with the means of existence, and he thinks he could do, provided £15. additional could be procured to enable him to maintain his ground for one year, by which time, it is to be hoped, much of the opposition will have ceased. In reference to securing a continuance of his services for Elmham, Mr. Abbott has written very urgently to the committee of the Mission

ary and Tract Society, stating his firm conviction that here is a fair opportunity of establishing the cause of the New Church in a new locality, and that the probability of success is greater for Mr. Sadd than for any New Church minister. The committee would have been most happy to have rendered the assistance required, but neither the rules of the society nor the state of its funds would sanction their so doing. They therefore take this means of making known this interesting case, in the hope that it may call forth the liberality of those who are blessed with the means and are willing to contribute to the object in view. For this purpose, contributions may be forwarded, as early as convenient, to Mr. Thomas Frederick Salter, Aldgate; or to Mr. Henry Butter, 48, Cloudesley-terrace, Islington.

February 16th, 1852.

SHORT AND PITHY TRACTS.

To the Editor.

Dear Sir, I am glad to be able to announce that both the London and the Manchester Tract Societies have resolved to adopt the suggestion of publishing "short and pithy tracts." The Manchester society have passed the following resolution:-"It being the opinion of this committee, that a series of short and pithy tracts, on some of the most important subjects of doctrine, would be eminently useful to the Church, by enabling societies, at a small outlay, to distribute largely at the conclusion of the lectures which may from time to time be delivered: Resolved, That the Literary Committee be requested to prepare such a series for publication, so soon as the limited state of the finances of the Institution will permit; and that the pecuniary aid of the Leeds Society to this object be solicited." The London society state, that "there is a set of twenty-four four-page tracts published in Ohio which they may be inclined to revise and adopt;" but it is added, that the state of their finances will not admit of their doing so at present. It thus appears, that the only obstacle to the publication of a series of "short and pithy tracts" that now exists, is the want of funds. I hope, therefore, that those who are wishful to see this project carried into execution, will subscribe as liberally as their circumstances will permit. If a little money could be advanced by societies to the two Tract societies, it would be returned in tracts after publication. The object would thus

gradually be accomplished, without any serious cost to any one. Subscriptions will be thankfully received by Mr. H. Butter, Cloudesley-terrace, Islington, London, for the London Tract Society; and by Mr. J. B. Kennerley, New Jerusalem day school, Peter-street, Manchester, on behalf of the Manchester Tract Society.

I beg to express my obligation to the Committees of the two Tract societies for having taken up the subject; and hope that it will prove beneficial to the Church -in fact, there is no doubt of this, if pecuniary coöperation can be obtained. `I am, &c.

R. EDLESTON.

THE COMMON VERSION OF the Bible. To the Editor.

SIR,-I perceive from a paper in the Dec. number that the old fallacy about the common version of the Bible being the purest style of English composition, is still maintained even by New Church writers. Judging of that version from the common principles of English grammar, nothing can be more untrue than such an assertion. It proceeded from mere prejudice, and has been asserted by Bishop Lowth, and churchmen generally, in order to array the version of King James with an ecclesiastical authority similar to that with which Romanists have invested the Vulgate. Bishop Lowth took good care not to write his Prolegomena to his translation of Isaiah with the grammatical blunders which characterise the common version; for in this pure English style, so called, the verb, in very numerous cases, does not agree with its nominative, and the relative pronoun which is often used in reference to persons for who or whom, not to mention archaisms now no longer understood by the people, and now never used in pure English composition, such as leasing, trow, wist, wot, &c. The time, I hope, is not far distant, when a new version will be executed, in many points more faithful to the original, and in a purer English style. T. C. R.

COMMENCEMENT OF WORSHIP, ACCORDING TO THE DOCTRINES OF THE NEW CHURCH, IN OLDHAM.

During the past few months, the Manchester and Salford Missionary Institution, devoting to the purpose the grant from the Clover fund, made by the last Conference, have had a course of seven lectures deli

vered in the Town Field school-room, Greenacres-moor, by the Revs. D. Howarth, J. H. Smithson, W. Woodman, and Mr. G. Parry, of Ashton. The lectures were well attended by an audience whose steady and intelligent attention augured very favourably for the cause. The only noticeable incident was the attempt made by a rigid Calvinist minister from Manchester to enforce, by means of a counter lecture, his views on predestination, and also to endeavour afterwards, by partial and detached readings from the works of Swedenborg, to excite contempt for our doctrines: these he kept carefully in the background, and did not even attempt to grapple with them.

The Missionary Committee deeming it important to keep up the favourable impression made by our efforts of last winter, and also of those recently made, empowered Mr. Geo. Parry to engage the school-room for public worship, which, by his untiring zeal, aided by that of other of our missionaries, is now regularly conducted every Sunday evening. The attendance so far has been encouraging, being from about fifty to seventy persons each service. It is to be hoped that these services will be conducive to the spiritual welfare of those attending, that they may become, not only members of the Church as it appears before men, but members of the Church in the sight of God, who "seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." G. B. S.

NEW AMERICAN PUBLICATION.

Mr. Hodson has imported an important and very interesting work published at New York, and entitled, "The Nineteenth Century, or the New Dispensation, being a brief examination of the claims and assertions of Emanuel Swedenborg. By a Layman." Although called "a brief examination," it contains about 440 pages octavo. It is a beautiful specimen of typography, very creditable to the American press, and forms a handsome volume. We purpose giving some account of its contents at an early opportunity. It is understood that the writer, for the pre

sent, wishes to conceal his name. Few laymen are so extensively acquainted with the Word as this gentleman, whose citations and comments evince intelligence, industry, and mental vigour and polish united. His illustrations present considerable novelty, while they indicate extensive reading, and a practical knowledge of human nature. In fact, this is a work both suited for, and worthy of, the present era of the Christian world, and that is saying a great deal.

NEW PUBLICATION.

A Discussion on the Question, Does the Divine Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ? Reprinted with permission from the British Controversialist for 1851." London: Pitman, Paternoster-row. pp. 29.

This elegantly printed and cheap pamphlet contains a well sustained discussion on the important subject of the trinity of Divine Essentials, called Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as concentrated in the Divine Humanity or glorious Body of Jesus Christ versus the doctrine of Three Persons in the Trinity. Our thanks are due to the Publisher for having printed in a continuous form this interesting discussion, which for many months has awakened public attention to the most important doctrine of the New Church. The writer on the affirmative side of the argument is the Rev. E. D. Rendell; we know not who the writer on the negative is, but as he has endeavoured to make the most of his argument, however incoherent and tritheistic it may often appear, the genuine Truth shines more brightly by contrast. It would be well if a series of theological subjects, as maintained by the old and the new theology, could thus be discussed in future numbers of the "Controversialist." The Truth, by contrast, would be more evident, and public inquiry to a great extent might be excited to examine the doctrines of the New Church. We hope that our readers will procure this pamphlet; they cannot fail to be benefitted by a perusal of its contents.

nearly twenty years) connected with the Society of Friends. While frequenting their meeting-house, he met with a friend who possessed many of the New Church works, and who presented some of them for his perusal. He soon saw the great superiority of the light on the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, and eagerly embraced it. This occurred thirty years ago; and from that time he became a zealous advocate of the New Truths. He took a great delight in bringing his new views before the notice of all with whom he was acquainted; and many who now survive him recollect with pleasure the kind and courteous demeanour of George Sharples. He was in very humble circumstances, having had a large and very unhealthy family, one of whom only remains. The New Church doctrines were his delight in health, his support in trouble, and his consolation in sickness. While at one time there was no chapel for the friends at Blackburn to assemble in, they very often met in the humble dwelling of the deceased, where some portion of the Holy Word or some work of Swedenborg was read; and not unfrequently did the deceased occupy the office of reader. may not be out of place here to remark, that it was at the house of our late friend where it was agreed that the present chapel should be taken for the purpose of celebrating divine worship; and that such a movement had the entire concurrence of our late brother, though he was not then in a position to contribute towards the support of it. Among the many books connected with the New Church which he more particularly admired, may be mentioned Swedenborg's works on the Divine Providence and Divine Love and Wisdom, and the "Intellectual Repository "; and often has he expressed to the writer of this notice the very great relief he found from perusing this periodical. The immediate cause of his death was an attack of influenza, under which he laboured for six months, during which time he often expressed his entire resignation to the dispensations of Providence, and how insignificant his own afflictions were compared with those of our Lord. Our departed friend was held in great estimation by the members of the Blackburn society,

It

for the truly christian qualities he pos sessed, as well as for the clearness of his perception on the fundamental doctrines of our Church; indeed, his general, unassuming demeanour endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. T. P.

Died, on the 2nd of January, 1852, our respected friend Mrs. Grimshaw, of Greengate-square, Accrington, at the age of 82. She, with her venerable husband (whose death was noticed in this work a few years ago), had been receivers of the doctrines for nearly half a century, and they had lived what they knew. The subject of this notice was of singularly mild, amiable, and gentle manners; ever breathing a kind and considerate spirit to all who approached her. To read or to hear the Treatise on Heaven and Hell, the Repository, and above all, the Word-to converse on heavenly things-and when she could no longer attend public worship, to have a meeting at her house, were her chief delights. She shunned unprofitable conversation, but delighted in that of spiritually minded persons. She always seemed to look forward with pleasure to her reunion with her departed husband, to whom she had so long been united in conjugial affection; and this feeling became so vivid as she approached the end of her journey below, that at times she spoke for a moment as if he were present. She had the pleasure of witnessiug a numerous family of children and grandchildren grow up, all respecting the New Church, and many warm and earnest in the reception and promotion of its doctrines. This was one of her dearest joys; and we trust this joy will be perfected more and more by the increasing devotedness of all she has left behind to the cause of goodness and truth. She was a sincere Christian, and felt all the blessing of being so. Nothing would be so great a crown to all her mercies as to receive at length all whom she had reared on earth to share her bliss in heaven. She bore all the suffering of a protracted illness and declining age with the peaceful fortitude of a christian, and departed at length with the calmness of a child sinking to rest.

J. B.