been £33,949. But the treasurer has had been distributed. There had been received, besides, £2,147 for the Widows' 37,593 indoor meetings and Bible classes, and Orphans' Fund; for special objects, in all a gross attendance of 1,805,737; £1,031, and for the Bengal Famine Fund besides which there had been 16,431 £3,126, so that the gross total of re- additional indoor meetings in factories, ceipts has been over £40,255, the largest workhouses, penitentiaries, and 265,465 income the Society has ever received. persons had been visited or conversed Amidst all changes and vicissitudes,' "with in factories. 8,228 outdoor serconcludes this report, "the Kingdom of our Lord makes progress, and we think we see the dawn of the day in which the Sun of Righteousness shall brighten every land with its beims, and all nations become subject to the Prince of Peace."

Wesleyan Missionary Society.-Exeter Hall was crowded as usual at the annual Meeting of this institution, and the proceedings seem to have been conducted with the usual enthusiasm of this energetic Christian community. The Report showed a total of home receipts of £122,092, and receipts from affiliated conferences and mission districts of £45,902, making a total of £167,994. This income is an increase of several thousand pounds. The work in Ireland, France and Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, was favourably reviewed. In India, China, Ceyl n, South Africa and Western Africa, the work had been steadily prosecuted with gratifying results. In the West Indies there had been a decrease of members and scholars. Since the last anniversary, the Canadian Wesleyan Church had become independent. In Fiji, out of a population of a quarter of a million, 109,000 were re turned as attendants on public worship in more than 1000 chapels.

vices had been held, with an average attendance of 71. Besides Scripturereading visitations, and obtaining new church communicants or reclaiming old ones, 1,546 drunkards had been saved; 246 persons induced to marry; 666 fallen women admitted to asylums, restored to their homes, or otherwise rescued; 176 shops had been closed on the Lord's-day; and 5,966 children had been sent to school. The total receipts of the year had been £46,105, and the total expenditure £44,551.

AMERICAN SWEDENBORG PRINTING AND PUBLISHING SOCIETY.-From the report of this Society, given in the Messenger of May 20th, we learn that the Society has printed during the year new editions of six volumes of the "Arcana Coelestia," and both volumes of the "Apocalypse Revealed;" and that one thousand one hundred and twenty six volumes have been sold. After describing various sums given or bequeathed to the Society, amounting together to over the large sum of fifty-four thousand dollars, the report goes on to say-"In view of this increase of the funds at their disposal, the managers are taking steps to carry out more thoroughly than has heretofore been done, the objects for which the London City Mission. -While atten- Society was formed. They have begun tion is given to the heathen abroad, by appointing a Committee on Distribuincreased interest is being excited in tion, of which the Rev. J. C. Ager is efforts to instruct and christianize the chairman, whose special duty is to distoo long neglected classes of our popu- tribute gratuitously the Society's publous cities and large towns. In these lications where they will be of use. efforts members of the New Church This Committee has recently addressed cannot fail to feel a lively interest. circulars to about four hundred public They may not agree with all the doc- libraries in various parts of the country, trines taught, nor admit the prudence offering to give them the books if they of all the means employed, but they will were needed and desired. Answers, see in the labours employed a prepara- asking for the donations, have been retion for a higher work to follow. The ceived from something like two hundred following is from the report of the Lon- libraries. Of these thirty-two have been don City Mission:-"The agents of supplied, and the remainder will be as the society-numbering more than four soon as the books can be printed and hundred, had paid during the year bound. These donations, with others 2,560,184 visits, of which 273,950 had made to individuals during the year, been to the sick and dying; 11,823 have amounted to 367 volumes." Scriptures and 3,452,498 religious tracts

The sum of $200 gold has been appro

priated to Adolf Boyesen of Copenhagen, Lessons" as a help to the teachers in their to aid him in publishing his Danish preparation for class work. This was translation of the "Divine Providence," referred to the Executive Committee. the amount to be returned in copies of The rest of the day was occupied with that and other works; which will be the necessary routine business. distributed by the Committee on Distribution.

A Committee has been appointed to confer with the American New Church Tract and Publishing Society of Philadelphia on the subject of printing and distributing, at the expense of our Society, selections from Swedenborg's Writings in tract form.

SWEDENBORG READING SOCIETY (36 Bloomsbury Street). This Society closed the Session as usual with a conversazione, which was numerously attended, and passed with great éclat. The musical programme for the evening was varied and good, and was principally supplied from among the members and their families. Great assistance was also given by Miss Alice Barth, who sang two beautiful songs in her best manner, and Professor A. J. Barth, whose performances on the piano were splendidly given. Mr. Finch also sang two bass solos with much taste. The next Session will commence on the third Thursday in October, when the paper will be by the Rev. W. Bruce on the subject of St. Paul and his Writings; in which he will take a different view of the question to that given in the papers read lately by R. Wornum, Esq. The ventilation of this subject is valuable, and in Mr. Bruce's hands it will be ably treated.

EDINBURGH.-There has been somewhat more real growth here of late, and our numbers, although still few, are more consolidated, and are working harmoniously together. During the past winter we had fortnightly meetings for the study of the Word, which a few of the members attended very regularly. We also commenced a Recreation Society, which held its meetings fortnightly, and was well attended by members and friends. Instructive and amusing papers were delivered during the season, which ended on the evening of the 27th of March with a dress social assembly, for which our hall was specially arranged and decorated. This assembly was attended by about fifty ladies and gentlemen. The programme consisted of some very fine selections of music, performed on violins and piano, songs and dancing. Refreshments were also supplied during the evening, which were specially under the management of the ladies. Each one present seemed to spend a most enjoyable evening. Mr. Drysdale of Alloa favours us with a visit now and again, preaching on the Sabbath forenoons and evenings. Mr. Barlow of Paisley was with us on the 28th June, preaching forenoon from Rev. xix. 17, 18, "The Supper of the great God,' and at close dispensing the ordinance of the Lord's Supper to twenty communiSUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.-The an- cants, and in the evening from Rev. ii. nual meeting of the New Church Sun- 7, "The tree of life." We were also day School Union was held on Monday, kindly favoured through the National June 22nd, at Wigan, affording the Missionary Society with a visit from Mr. ministers and delegates the opportunity Smithson of Southport, who preached of seeing the beautiful and commodious on Sabbath the 5th July, forenoon from buildings recently erected for the use of Isaiah xxxii. 8, "The liberal deviseth the Church in that important town. liberal things, and by liberal things Mr. Ramage of Kersley was elected Pre- shall he stand." In the evening his sident for the year. The most important subject was "Man-his nature and resubjects submitted for discussion related sponsibility," and on the following Tuesto the best means of securing definite and day evening Mr. Smithson also kindly systematic religious instruction in our gave us a lecture on "Unsectarianism, Sunday schools. Mr. Tansley introduced or the Church of the Future," taking a resolution recommending uniform les- for his text Isaiah 1x. 20, "Thy sun sons, followed up by careful class exami- shall no more go down, neither shall nation and recording of results. This thy moon withdraw itself, for the Lord was adopted by the meeting. Mr. Smith shall be thine everlasting light, and the of Bolton proposed a resolution, recom- days of thy mourning shall be ended." mending the publication of "Notes of These visits have been much appreciated,

A

and we feel confident that permanent returned. We are glad, therefore, to good has been done. A lengthened see this subject actively taken up in this sketch of Mr. Smithson's Tuesday even- Society, and hope that their example will ing's lecture appeared next morning in be followed by others. the "Courant," the Conservative newspaper here. We take this opportunity of expressing our gratitude to the National Missionary Society for Mr. Smithson's visit, and we think they would do well to favour us regularly with other leading ministers from the South, and so make a lasting impression on this the metropolis of Scotland. Since the removal of Mr. Cameron, our late leader, to Yorkshire, our services are conducted each Sunday forenoon by our president and secretary. There is no doubt a good opening here for a suitable leader or minister who could combine with the duties of minister some useful literary or scholastic labour.

A. C. J.

The annual meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday, July 15th. Several new members were elected and success had attended all the operations of the Society during the past year. circular to the members, instituting a general fund by way of annual subscription in addition to the seat rents, was responded to by subscriptions amounting to over £66. £23 was collected on Hospital Sunday, £1 of which was subscribed by the Sunday school children. The other collections were all successful. A service to children was recently conducted, and in order to encourage in the children an interest in supporting the Church, a collection from the children was made, and resulted in obtaining the sum of £4. Reports of the Day schools, Sunday schools, and Mutual Improvement Society were read and adopted. Mr. Pitman was unanimously re-appointed treasurer. Votes of thanks were tendered to the choir and organist, the readers, and to the late treasurer. Mr. Hooker, Mr. Pitman, and Mr. Watson were appointed Representatives to Conference.

LONDON, Argyle Square.-The monthly Manual of this Society for July contains the usual announcements of Sabbath and week-night services, and the words of the anthems for the month. A prominent feature of this number is a correspondence on Church music. The subject was commenced in a former number, and is continued by three correspondents in the present. All these correspondents contend for making the musical service of the Church as excellent LONDON-Palace Gardens.-The anas possible; and one points out "that nual meeting of this Society took place on there is a recognized standard in Psal- Tuesday, July 14, Rev. Dr. Bayley in mody. Such writers as Croft, Blow, the chair. The meeting was opened Green, Purcell, and others, have been by singing and prayer. The secretary, authorities for Church music, therefore Mr. Nitsch, read the report, in which I think we should elevate the taste to the following interesting facts were the standard, and not lower the standard recorded-Three marriages and twentyto the taste. I am glad that those who one baptisms were solemnized during have the direction of the music have the year. 37 new members were added, shown they can deviate from dull rou- making the total number of members tine, and take a step which has for its 152-80 of which are members introobject the advancement of true art, and duced to the New Church for the first the exclusion of ad captandum tunes. time. The number of seats let is 300. The question of Church music is doubt. The collection on Hospital Sunday was less one of great importance in connec- over £30. A circular, inviting the tion with our public worship. We may members and seat-holders to subscribe despise the gaudy trappings of extreme to a general fund by way of an annual ritualism, but we should not be indiffer- subscription payable with the seat-rents ent to whatever can render our worship was liberally responded to by subscripseemly and becoming. In the service tions of 5s. to £5. By means of this fund of the Lord all should do their best. frequent collections in the church are The highest efforts of art, as well as the avoided. The publication of a book of deepest emotions of love, should be anthems, containing over 100 anthems devoted to His service. From Him is and 36 additional hymns for the use of derived everything that is good and the congregation, is attended with much beautiful, and to Him it should be benefit. Application has been made

LONDON-Flodden Road, Camberwell. -This Society also publishes a periodical Chronicle of its proceedings. It appears, however, not monthly, but quarterly. The current number gives abundant evidence of the zeal and useful efforts of the Society. The method of preaching occasional sermons to the children, which is being extensively employed in other Christian churches, has been adopted in this Society. Of the first of these services the report says:"The sermon specially designed for the younger portion of our congregation was preached to a large and attentive congregation. So approved was the effort, that a desire has been generally expressed

for the Society to be received into full connection with Conference (the two years' establishment having been completed). The Treasurer's report manifested a very satisfactory financial state of the Society. Mr. John Bayley, in proposing the adoption of the reports, remarked, that the fact of the Society having introduced eighty new members to the Church, showed the use it was performing. He was pleased to see that the Argyle Square Society was progressing, and had not been injured by the secession of some of its members in instituting this Society, and looked forward to a time when he hoped this Society would be the means of establishing other societies. The report of for a second discourse of a similar kind the Benevolent Working Society showed the great use the ladies of the Society were performing to the poor in the neighbourhood, by making up materials into clothing and selling them at the cost price of the material, and in some cases making free gifts, and also by gifts of left-off clothes and money. Resolutions expressive of the Society's sense of the Divine blessing were adopted. Sacred song was introduced during the proceedings, and the genial feeling of Christian brotherhood that prevails at the meetings of this Society was manifested on this occasion.

at no distant date. The matter has been carefully considered by the Committee, and it is now determined that the application shall be complied with. As be fore, the juniors will occupy the central pews in the front of the Church, and it is believed that the ordinary occupants will again pardon this little innovation." Another service adopted in the Society, which is also very popular in other churches, and is spreading in many parts of the Kingdom, is the "service of song." "These services," says the Chronicle, "are becoming popular amongst all shades of religious denominations, and deserve the hearty support of our friends, as they LONDON-Buttesland Street. The an- not only cultivate a taste for music, but nual sermons on behalf of the Sunday also impress the youthful mind with school were delivered by Mr. Dicks, the many sacred lessons which will be highly leader of the Society, on Sunday, June valuable in after days." From the other 28th. The sermon in the morning was particulars given in this Chronicle we preached to the Sunday school from extract the account of the Junior SecMatt. vi. 28, "Consider the lilies of tion. "This section steadily observes the field." The children were arranged the design of its projectors, and so far in the front pews of the church, and has exceeded their most sanguine antiduring the service sang very effectively cipations. The original plan of meeting some beautiful hymns, taught them for on the second and fourth Mondays of the occasion by our friend Mr. Noel. each month, led to an interval of three The text in the evening was taken from weeks sometimes arising, and this delay Matt. xix. 13 to 15 verses. At the was so distasteful to the attendants that conclusion of the evening service such of the conductor was solicited under such the children as were present sang those circumstances to fix three gatherings in charming hymns, "When Mothers of Salem," and "Abide with me." Considerable interest was manifested in the proceedings by the members of the Society, and a very generous response to the appeal for school funds was made after each service. The officers and teachers engaged in this noble effort are much cheered by these proofs of the earnest sympathy of the Church.

the month. The essays prepared by the young friends, have displayed both promising talent, and a gratifying acquaintance with many of our distinctive tenets. Mr. Austin's aim is mainly to supply a knowledge of the spiritual sense of the Scriptures, so that the mind can rationally comprehend how the Bible is indeed the Word of God; and he is encouraged to persevere in this direction by the

growing interest which continues to be appointed annually to co-operate with enlisted in his efforts. Those members the president and secretary in the transof the congregation whose offspring be- action of business arising from the tween the ages of twelve and twenty re- quarterly meetings. Mr. Austin was main unconnected, are reminded of the appointed to that office for the present precious spiritual blessings which are year. A conversation took place reprobably lost by such absence, and af- lative to the exchange of ministers, and, fectionately entreated to forthwith sieze in the absence of Mr. Gunton, the conthe additional opportunity which is sideration of a proposition to arrange an within their reach, of having their child- entire exchange of all the ministers on ren trained in the fear of the Lord." the Plan on one day was postponed. It being suggested that the Association LONDON ASSOCIATION OF THE NEW ought to direct more attention towards CHURCH.-The quarterly meeting of this helping on the work of the Church by Association took place at Camden Road, the stronger Societies helping the weaker, on Thursday, July 2nd, the Rev. J. it was proposed that a paper should be Presland, President of the Association, prepared on the subject for discussion at in the chair. Mr. E. Austin reported on the next quarterly meeting of the behalf of the Sub-committee appointed Association, suggesting a programme for at the last meeting, to arrange for meet- the coming winter for the united effort ings and preachings in the London of the Church in London. It was Churches during Conference week- unanimously agreed to invite Mr. Austin "That after considerable trouble, it had to prepare such paper. been determined that country preachers should officiate twice each day on HASLINGDEN. On the evening of Aug. 9th and 16th at Argyle Square, Thursday the 23rd of April, the memIslington, Camberwell, Hoxton and bers and friends of this Society, to the Deptford. At Kensington a stranger number of about sixty, assembled in the would preach once on each of those dates. Town Hall, to present tokens of respect Most of the smaller Societies on the and esteem to Mr. Henry Heys and to Missionary Plan would also be visited Mr. James Brierley for their past sereither before or after Conference. On vices as leaders of the choir. After Wednesday, Aug. 12th, public meetings tea Mr. J. R. Boyle was voted to the would be held at Camden Road, Camber- chair, and Mr. James Barnes, on behalf well, and Hoxton, when addresses of the Society, presented to Mr. James would be delivered by ministers and Brierley a copy of the "Apocalypse Exlicentiates on certain specified themes." plained." Mr. Robert Isherwood afterMr. Skelton, Secretary of the News- wards presented to Mr. Henry Heys a paper Committee, reported that the Com- copy of the same work. A very pleasant mittee had met twice since the last evening was spent. meeting of the Association, and being unable to mature any practical arrangeRAMSBOTTOM.-We extract the followments for starting the paper, recom- ing, abridged, from the Bury Times, of mended that the matter remain in June 27th:-"On Saturday afternoon, abeyance for the present. A discussion June 20th, the corner-stones of the New ensued, and after some remarks by Mr. Jerusalem Church at present in course Duncan, Rev. Dr. Bayley, Mr. Elliott, of erection in Ramsbottom Lane were laid Mr. J. Smith, Mr. Skelton, and other gentlemen, the report was adopted. The proposed code of Rules was next introduced by the Secretary, Mr. E. Madeley, and, after some amendments, was adopt ed and ordered to be printed. Amongst the new rules the following additions are noticeable-The secretaries of each Society, as well as the ministers, are to be members of the Association ex officio, and each Society sends one representative for every hundred members in their Society. A member of the Association is to be

by Dr. W. H. Pilkington, of Clayton-leMoors, and Thomas Isherwood, Esq. of Springfield House, Hopwood. The following is the architect's description of the new edifice :-The building is situated in a prominent position on the road from Edenfield to Ramsbottom, at the junction of the part known as Stubbins Lane with Factory Street. The church is designed in the Gothic style of architecture of early English character. The length internally is 62 ft. by 29 ft. 6 in. in width, 20 ft. up to the wall plate,