solves, by continued and increased support, to facilitate and augment the usefulness of that Association." The resolution was seconded by the Rev. E. Madeley, of Birmingham, who was warmly received by the meeting. Addresses were also delivered by Mr. Dyson, Mr. Alfred Bottomley, Mr. Cameron, and other gentlemen. A very successful year is anticipated by the Committee of the Association. LINCOLNSHIRE NEW CHURCH AsSOCIATION.-The eighth annual meeting of this Association was held in the New Jerusalem Church, Horncastle, on August 31st; Mr. E. J. Moore presiding. After reading a portion of the Psalms, and prayer, and a few words from the President, the Secretary brought forward his report, from which it appeared that the income of the Society had been £20, 10s. 9d.; and the expenditure £15, 11s. 9d., of which £12 had been devoted to missionary work, and £3, 4s. 5d. to advertising. Numerous lectures and services, towards the expense of which the Association contributed a portion of its funds, had been delivered at Horncastle; and at Grimsby five lectures and four Sunday services had been given by Mr. Gunton, leading to the sale of several New Church works, and to various criticisms in the local papers, to which Mr. Gunton amply replied. It is satisfactory to know that one gentleman was so pleased with one of the replies, that he paid the editor of the Grimsby Observer to have it inserted in full, which otherwise would not have been permitted. The "Four Leading Doctrines" and "Noble's Appeal" were also advertised in the same paper, and later, the Swedenborg Society's offer of the True Christian Religion to the clergy and dissenting ministers was advertised in five news papers belonging to the county, receiving altogether thirty insertions. So far as is known, about twenty copies of the work have been forwarded in consequence to the towns of Lincolnshire, and probably others to some of its numerous villages, whence it cannot be doubted that good will result. After the adoption of the report, Mr. Dawson was elected President, and Mr. T. W. Bogg re-elected Secretary. The members then adjourned to Mr. Hall's, from whom they received the same generous hospitality as has been enjoyed by so many New Church ministers. After doing justice to an excellent dinner, a short time was spent in conversation on various topics connected with the Church, and the friends then returned to business. It was decided to devote £8 to Horncastle, and £4 each to Grimsby, Gainsborough and Spalding; lectures at the two lastnamed places having been arranged for, but not accomplished, in the year previous. Letters were read from various friends who were unable to attend, and one from Mr. J. S. Bogg, suggesting the offer of one or other New Church works to the Lincolnshire clergy, was considered. It was finally decided to advertise in the county papers an offer of the Heavenly Doctrine and Doctrine of Charity to such of the Lincolnshire clergy and ministers as would send stamps for its postage. Votes of thanks to the Missionary Society, National Missionary Institution, and to Mr. Gunton, concluded the business; and the meeting was closed by the reading of Isaiah, chap. lx., and prayer. A paper by Mr. T. W. Bogg on "Woman's Rights" was then read and discussed, and the wish was expressed that at every annual meeting, after the ordinary transactions had been completed, some subject could be brought forward for discussion. The Association's next meeting is to be held at Grimsby, on Monday, August 2, 1875. At 6 p.m. a tea-meeting was held, the repast being kindly provided by one of the friends at Horncastle, when twenty or more assembled, and after a social meal they were addressed for an hour and a half by Mr. Gunton, who was attentively listened to by his audience. So ended a very pleasant day, most refreshing to those who were thus brought together, and only accompanied by one regret, that more did not partake of its enjoy. ments. T. W. B. ACCRINGTON. -We have received from a correspondent a lengthened critique on the services, at this town, of the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon. Some of the utterances of this distinguished preacher seem to have been of the extreme orthodox kind; the doctrine of substitution being made especially prominent. He told his audience that substitution was the core of the gospel, that Christ stood in the sinner's place and that the sinner stood in Christ's place, the sinner's sins being laid upon Jesus and the righteousness of Jesus put upon the sinner. Our correspondent, who listened for an hour and a half to this kind of teaching, and who contributed freely and willingly to the object in view (the removal of the remaining debt on the large elegant Baptist church recently erected there), was yet pained to find so eminent a preacher wandering so far from the truth. We are happy to think that the specimens of Mr. Spurgeon's preaching given by our correspondent are not the only features of his public addresses. Though far behind many of his brethren in knowledge of the truth, he yet on many occasions gives utterance to very practical statements of Christian doctrine. We remember a description of his preaching which was given us many years since by an intelligent Wesleyan local preacher "He speaks no end of false doctrine, but he smashes it to pieces as he goes on by the hammer of his strong common sense. He is doubtless one among the many agencies which an infinitely wise and benevolent Providence is using in this age of disturbance and commotion and conflict of opinion to arrest attention to religion itself, which is in danger of perishing, and to prepare the way of the better and brighter day of gospel truth which is still in the future. HULL.-The New Church Society at this place having resolved to erect a place of worship, appeal to the readers of the Intellectual Repository to assist them in their object. The position and prospect of the Society were stated at length in the July number of the Magazine, but tenders for the erection of the building having since been sent in, it may now be further added, that the entire cost, including the price of the land, will be a little over £1200, towards which £450 has up to the present time been received or promised. The members have a strong hope that the church will aid them to secure that which for upwards of eleven years has been one of their greatest needs, and without which the cause is unable to make much progress in a town like Hull. Subscriptions, however small, will be very gratefully received by Mr. W. Botham, 37 Sutton Street, Spring Bank, Hull. A list of subscriptions will be published in next month's issue. LONDON (Buttesland Street). - The Hackney and Kingslaud Gazette gives a report of over a closely-printed column of a lecture on the "Resurrection" by Mr. Dicks, in reply to a similar lecture by Rev. John Ross, Vicar of St. Mary's, Haggerston. The usual objections to the New Church doctrine seem to have been urged by the vicar, whose arguments are met and refuted by Mr. Dicks, who also urges very strong and cogent reasons in support of the doc trine of man's immediate resurrection from the dead and entrance on a spiritual state. NORTHAMPTON.-A missionary visit to this Society is thus noticed in The Northampton Mercury of August 29:— "On Sunday sermons were preached at the meeting-house of the New Jerusalem Church, Corn Exchange, by the Rev. R. Storry, of Heywood, Lancashire. On the two following evenings the same gentleman delivered two lectures in the same place, explanatory of the New Church doctrines, of the Divinity, and Divine Inspiration of the Bible. The subject on Monday evening was 'The Bible, not of Man, but of God: the Nature of its Inspiration and the Law of its Interpretation;' and on Tuesday evening The Bible: Proofs of its Inspiration as afforded by the Laws of Moses and the Wars of Joshua, and by the Prophecies and their fulfilment.' At the first lecture the rev. gentleman said he should take for his motto the 160th verse of the 119th Psalm, Thy word is true from the beginning,' &c. He said that in almost every verse of this Psalm reference was made to the Word. They had come to a time in the history of the Bible when it was necessary that they should give to it great consideration. The truths of the Word were to be sought out by those who had pleasure therein, and he was their best friend who could set them thinking about this subject, and give them hints and directions how to attain knowledge respecting it. God presented the reve lation of His truth to men in such a way as not to compel them to believe. The Bible was written by the inspiration of God. It was the Word sent down from God expressing and embodying itself in the varied forms of history, of prophecy and precepts. God was the author of the Bible, and the prophets the amanuenses, who did not always minister then told them why angels are understand what they wrote. The painted with wings; and also how to lecturer then explained certain portions make angels' feathers grow, so as to of the Word to show that it was writ- have wings whereby each might fly to ten by the inspiration of God, and gave heaven, namely, by every act of love to the exposition of Swedenborg upon vari- fathers and mothers, and sisters and ous portions." A more extended notice brothers. Every time they were kind is given of the second lecture, the several one to another a spiritual feather was particulars and general line of argument formed, and helped them to get nearer and illustration being briefly intimated. and nearer to heaven. The children sung The report is calculated, therefore, to two sweet hymns, which being in the arrest public attention and help some- open air and within the enclosure oppowhat to form correct opinions concerning site to Veles, the house of Mrs. Hook, the doctrine of the New Church respect had a pleasing effect. On retiring from ing the Word. In addition to the ser- the grounds each child was presented vices named by the reporter, a social tea- with a piece of sweet cake; and, in conmeeting was held on Monday evening, nection with this anniversary, a quarto which was attended by about thirty of Bible was presented to Mr. Wm. Penny, the members and friends. After tea a the superintendent, who for seven years baptismal service was held, when two has had the charge of this Sunday-school. adults and eight infants were baptized. An additional infant baptism took place privately on the Tuesday evening. The attendance at all the services showed that some interest was excited. The members of the Society expressed themselves as much gratified by the visit, and, from the marked attention of the audiences, we may reasonably hope that use was performed. We GENERAL CONFERENCE.-On page 429 of our last number, it is stated that the resolution instructing the Treasurer to pay the fees of Mr. J. R. Rendell at Owens College from the Finnie Gift have received a note from Mr. Potts, in was seconded by Rev. John Potts. which he says that "the statement is a mistake, and quite misrepresents his state of mind regarding the action thus taken by the Conference." We have received a letter from another correspondent who thinks that the brief SNODLAND.-The Sunday-school anniversary was held on Monday afternoon, September 14. About fifty-six scholars met at 3 o'clock at the messroom of Mr. Hook's paper-mill. Thence, after playing a variety of games in the meadow adjoining, they proceeded to the lawn of Mrs. Hook's garden, where a very excellent tea was provided. After tea the children resumed their games within the precincts of the meadow, the teachers and friends joining in their healthy sports. When the evening was somewhat advanced the party, now amounting to ninety, re-assembled upon the lawn. All were agreeably surprised at finding how handsomely they had all been provided for by the ladies. matters of presents for the children the Rev. W. C. Barlow, B.A., Mr. James August 25th, 1874, at Paisley, by the Misses Hook had anticipated every wish so congenial to young minds. It Spiers M'Gallan, to Elizabeth, the eldest was certainly a beautiful sight to see all daughter of the late Mr. David Black, formed into a circle, wondering at the both of the New Church, Paisley. many gifts provided for their pleasure. Mr. Green from Dover addressed them as to the blessedness of children obeying their parents:-"How happy it makes them; and how easy it was to learn to do this, and to love one another." Their of Heywood. In Marriages. September 21st, at the New Jerusalem Church, Heywood, by the Rev. R. Storry, Mr. Robert Cross, of Dartford, near London, late of Schuylkill, Philadelphia, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Taylor, Obituary. O'erburdened oft with toil and care, That peaceful home I fain would share; That sweet repose I long to gain, Where combats cease, where ends their pain But to my dim, imperfect sight, That glorious land of love and light So distant seems,-so dark the way, That oft in doubt and gloom I stray. Yet there's a Word of life divine, Whose light upon my path shall shine; And there's a gently leading hand, Would guide me to that happy land. Lord, may that hand, in duty's way, Help me to walk till dawns the day,'The perfect day-then bid me come, And share that rest, that heavenly home!" Departed this life, at Wilton, near Salisbury, on the 24th of August 1874, the Rev. David Thomas Dyke, in the 63rd year of his age. His life was one of exemplary devotion to the cause of the New Church under circumstances of great difficulty and trial. He was connected with the Salisbury Society, as its leader and minister, for about twentyfive years. Notwithstanding his untir On August 17th, at Harrogate, whither he had gone in the pursuit of health, Mr. Joseph Hamilton Brotherton, found rest in the fifty-third year of his age, leaving a widow to mourn her loss and be comforted by the knowledge of his gain. He was a native of Manchester, and during the later years of his life, a member of the Peter Street Society. After passing through diversified religious experiences in his youth and young manhood, he emigrated to America, where, about twenty-six years ago, he first met with the writings of Swedenborg in St. Louis, Mo. At the time he and his wife were in deep spiritual distress and mental anguish, arising from the death of a dearly beloved child. Prepared by sorrow for the precious consolations of the doctrines of the New Church, both he and his life's partner eagerly drank in the truths thus providentally presented; finding in them hope and help, joy and peace. For the ing efforts, the Society ceased to exist for about fifteen years-a portion of past ten years our friend has been an which period Mr. Dyke spent at Chalalmost continual sufferer, and travelled ford, Gloucestershire. He afterwards about England in the hope of obtaining returned to Wilton, and the Society at temporary relief from pain. So far as Salisbury, by the generous aid of Mr. his intervals of ease permitted, he Whitehorn, being established here anew, preached the doctrines he so cherished, about five years ago, Mr. Dyke became and occasionally officiated in the pulpits again the minister, rendering in this, of the various societies he visited. His and I understand in all former instances, time, considerable talents, and pecuniary gratuitous and acceptable service to means were ever most cheerfully devoted within a short period of his death. to the cause of truth. Under his will Nearly the whole Society, which now the Permanent Fund of the Manchester laments its loss, attended the funeral, Printing and Tract Society will derive and sang a hymn at the grave. Mr. benefit. He has also left a legacy of Dyke's life, although withal a peaceful £200 to the "Children's Home estab. and happy one, was one of great trial lished in London, the object of which is and anxiety. He was the father of to rescue, maintain, and educate desti- twelve children, eight of whom were tute children, an institution with which reared to manhood. He leaves a widow, he intensely sympathised. His mortal remains were interred at the Cheetham wholly unprovided for, to deplore her loss. The cause of his death was an Hill Cemetery, Manchester. At the affection of the heart. He departed close of the service at Peter Street peacefully and happily, calmly resigning Church, on the following Sunday himself into the hands of the Lord. morning, where the minister had Those who knew him best loved him preached a commemorative sermon, the following appropriate hymn, one of Mr. most, and regarded him as a pattern of Brotherton's own composition, and which funeral discourse suited to the occasion, patience, resignation, and fortitude. A is included in the supplement to the Hymn Book (206), was sung by the from the admonition to King Hezekiah, deeply-affected congregation:"There is a land supremely blest, A land of peace, a land of rest; "Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die and not live," was delivered by Mr. R. Gunton on Sunday evening, September 13, to a devout and attentive audience. R. G. THE SPIRITUAL DEGREE OF THE MIND: WHAT IS MEANT BY ITS BEING OPENED? SEVERAL terms employed by Swedenborg in his expositions of the New Church doctrines, however intelligible to the well-read receiver of those doctrines, as conveying to him definite ideas of states and degrees of life, sound in the ears of a stranger to our views as unintelligible jargon, intended to conceal their supposed dangerous tendency behind the haze of impenetrable mystery. Thus, many years ago, an adversary had the hardihood to assert that Swedenborg, while explaining away one mystery-that, namely, of the Trinity-had, in point of fact, created many others equally unintelligible. Nor can it be denied that some of the terms in question, when read apart from their context, not unfrequently present an appearance as of unintelligibility: Now it seems to us, that, were a stranger to our doctrines presented with clear definitions of those terms, or with clear descriptions of the mental processes indicated by them, couched as far as possible in common language, he would in the course of time get accustomed to their use, and would eventually come to regard them, not, as before, in the light of unintelligible technicalities, but in that of convenient formula to express great and comprehensive truths, but truths that come home to the inner consciousness of every one who at all reflects on the constitution of his mental nature. None of these terms, perhaps, have so perplexed readers not familiar with the phraseology of Swedenborg, as those which he employs in his exposition and development of the doctrine of Degrees. And that, |