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FRIARS-STREET, BLACKFRIARS..

Swedenborgians.

The followers of Baron Swedenborg are numerous, particularly in England, Sweden, and Germany. In different parts of Europe, societies are formed for spreading his doctrines, and where these do not exist, there are individuals who admire his writings, and embrace his sentiments, which have extended even to America, and the East and West Indies. In Sweden, a large number of the men of genius and science are of that denomination. Their two principal associations are at Stockholm and London. From them originated the proposition for abolishing the Slave Trade; and the richest among them have zealously collected immense sums to found the colony of Sierra Leone, of the west coast of Africa.*

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There are two churches of this denomination in London; one at Blackfriars, the other at St. James's. The society at Blackfriars, which is the oldest in the kingdom, and perhaps the first in Europe, assembled originally in Great Eastcheap, where they commenced public worship, ou Lord'sday, January 27, 1788. From thence, May 13, 1792, they removed to Store-street, Tottenham-court-road, where they continued one year. The meeting-house in Red Crossstreet becoming vacant, the society removed into it May 12, 1793; and after continuing there about seven years, removed February 16, 1800, to Cross-street, Hatton-garden. After a short time, they resolved to build a new chapel; and as a temporary convenience, removed to an upper room, at a tavern in Cateaton-street, near Guildhall. Upon a vacant

Judgment, and of the Spiritual World.-12. Angelic Wisdom concerning Divine Providence.-13. The Apocalypse Revealed.-14. A brief Exposi tion of the Doctrine of the New Church.-15. A Treatise on the Nature of Influx, or of the Communication between Soul and Body.-16. True Christian Religion, or the universal Theology of the New Church.-17. A summary Exposition of the internal Sense of all the Prophets and the Psalms.

Adams's View of Religions-and Theological Dictionary, ART. SWB

DENBORGIANS.

FRIARS-STREET, BLACKFRIARS.-Swedenborgians.

spot of ground, in Friars-street, Blackfriars, they erected their new place of worship, which was opened and consecrated on Lord's-day, August 7, 1803, by Mr. Manoah Sibly, who has been minister of the society from its first commencement. The chapel is a small square building, with three galleries, and is neatly fitted up. On a stone over the front window, is the following dedication: "Sacred to the worship of Jehovah-Jesus; for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Col. ii. 9. (E) The service is conducted pretty much upon the plan of the Church of England. They have a liturgy modelled upon that of the established church; and hymns of their own collection. It seems to be a prevailing object with the New Church to make Religion as fine as possible. They accordingly use coloured garments, and other decorations in public worship. They also admit instrumental, as well as vocal music. They have a variety of rules and orders for the well-being and good government of the society, whose affairs are managed by the minister, and a committee of twelve members.

(*) On a plate in the foundation is the following inscription.

SACRED

To the Worship of
JEHOVAH JESUS,

The one, only, living, and
TRUE GOD.

Erected by the first Society of the New Church
In this Kingdom.

This Corner Stone was laid Dec. 21, 1802,
In the presence of

Mr. MANOAH SIBLY, Minister,

JONATHAN PRATT, Reader,

&c. &c.

MEETING-HOUSE-COURT, BLACKFRIARS.

PRESBYTERIAN.

IN

N our account of the Meeting-house in Carter-lane, Doctors'-Commons, it has been observed, that the Society meeting there, formerly assembled in Meeting-house-court, Blackfriars. This place, as we have seen, was very roughly handled by Sacheverel's mob, in 1710; but being repaired, Dr. Wright continued to preach in it till 1734, when his congregation was become too large for the place, and a new meeting-house was erected for him in Carter-lane. The old place was soon afterwards taken down.

In Maitland's history of London, we find mention of a meeting-house at Blackfriars during the time of the great plague, in the year 1665. It consisted of four rooms opening into each other, with lattice partitions; each room being conveniently fitted up with benches and forms. The congregation assembling there was at that time under the care of a Mr. Wood. This was probably Mr. Seth Wood, ejected from St. Leonard's, Eastcheap, whom we shall have occasion to mention when we come to speak of Haberdashers'-Hall. The desolation occasioned by the great fire, having deprived many of the clergy of their parish churches, they thought it lawful to rob their brethren, the Nonconformists, of their meeting-houses, and that of Mr. Wood shared the common violence.

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