EDITOR.

UNITED SOCIETY, ARGYLL SQUARE, LONDON.-We have the pleasure of announcing that this Society is now in active operation. The congregations at the New Church continue good, and many persons who never before had sittings in any New Church place of worship, have taken sittings there, and express themselves greatly delighted with the doctrines, and with the able exposition of them by the Rev. T. C. Shaw. At a recent meeting of the Society it was resolved to pay from the general fund to the building fund, £200 per annum in the shape of rent; that whilst the Society is blessed with the gratuitous services of their efficient minister, they may so far diminish the debt as to be enabled to maintain a minister when those services are no longer available. It was also resolved to pay from and after January, 1845, only FOUR per cent. interest on the debentures, instead of FIVE, many of the debenture holders having signified their concurrence in this arrangement, and friends being willing to advance money enough to buy in such debentures as their owners prefer selling to retaining at the reduced rate of interest. The Sunday School in connexion with the Society is going on very prosperously. Many of the young friends of the Church have manifested much holy zeal in its behalf, and Mr. Brooksbank has exerted himself greatly to get it into efficient working order. Besides the School on the Sunday, two evenings a-week are devoted to instructing forty-five of the most orderly pupils in writing, arithmetic, English history, and geography, and it is intended shortly to add lectures on oriental customs as illustrative of the Divine Word. Thirty children are also kindly instructed in singing on two other evenings in the week, by Mr. Baker, the gentleman who officiated so ably at the organ on the day of dedication. As these engagements of the School-room are attended with some expense to the Society,

in the way of lighting, &c., it was resolved at the last teachers' meeting to pay an annual rent out of the School funds to the Society for the use of the room, furniture, gas, &c., and it is proposed to have about Christmas a recitation on the part of the children, to which persons will be admitted on the purchase of tickets, the proceeds from the sale of which will be devoted to the School. Besides these occupations of the Schoolroom, it is also employed every Wednesday evening by the members of the Society for reading the works of Swedenborg, expositions of the Holy Word, and other similar purposes. H. B.

Nov. 15th, 1844.

CONSECRATION AND OPENING THE NEW CHURCH AT BOLTON.-This neat and commodious edifice was opened according to announcement in the September number of the Intellectual Repository, on Friday the 25th of October. The consecration service was conducted by the Rev. D. Howarth, assisted by the Rev. W. Woodman; on which occasion the Rev. E. D. Rendell delivered an excellent discourse on the Nature, Intention, and Purposes of the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We could scarcely expect the attendance on the Friday to be otherwise than small, when we consider the mercantile and busy character of the town. The first regular service was conducted by the Rev. J. H. Smithson, of Manchester, who preached from the text, Rev. i. 18. The Rev. gentleman took occasion to point out the True Object of Christian Worship, and showed that the primitive Christians adored the same Divine Being. The discourse was listened to with marked attention. The Church was well filled by a highly respectable audience. Mr. Edleston preached in the afternoon, and took, as the foundation of his discourse, the important question asked by the Psalmist, (Psa. viii. 4.)

"What is Man?" He showed that man is an immortal being, and remarked upon the importance of making our immortality an immortality of happiness. The place on this occasion was crowded to excess; it was stated that many hundreds were unable to obtain admission. The Rev. J. Bayley delivered an eloquent discourse on the meaning and descent of the New Jerusalem. The Editor of the Free Press newspaper made the following remark on Mr. B.'s sermon: "The Rev. gentleman delivered a most eloquent discourse, in which he described the nature of some of the doctrines held by that body of Christians." The Church was again crowded to excess, and again many hundreds were unable to obtain admission. The united collections amounted to £73. A grand selection of music was performed on each occasion, which was no doubt a great attraction to the public. Some of our friends may be interested with the following particulars. The Church is a parallelogram 50 feet by 34 feet inside; the Communion is at the end opposite to the vestibule, and occupies a recess of 4 feet, with a slight projection into the body of the Church; over the altar is an ornamental window, containing a representation of a dove descending upon the Lord, who is administering the Last Supper; underneath is the Latin monogram, I. H. S., and on each side there is a tablet containing the commandments. The pulpit is placed before the communion, but does not much prevent it being seen from all parts of the Church. There is a gallery at the opposite end capable of seating fifty or sixty persons. The Church is built with the capability of having a gallery erected on each side should it ever be desirable. The body will comfortably seat nearly four hundred persons. The pews nearest the walls are inclined towards the pulpit, which thus enables the whole of the congregation to sit with their faces towards the minister, which is a great advantage. The outside of the building is plain but impressive, having a bold cantiliver cornice, with pediment at the entrance end; the windows are long and circular-headed, with stone dressings. The entrance-door has bold pilasters and entablature of stone in the Doric style of architecture. The school and cottage beautifully harmonize

with the church.

Brief Historical Sketch of the Society. -The Bolton Society is one of the oldest

in Lancashire. In the year 1782 Mr. Clowes first met a few individuals in a private house belonging to the late Mr. John Walmsley, situated about a mile from Bolton. In 1783 the late Mr. S. Dawson began to visit this little band of receivers. For some time he could only visit them once a month; ultimately, however, he was induced to reside in Bolton. Success attended his labors, and in 1791 the Society erected a new place of worship. This place, however, was disposed of in the year 1800. After which certain zealous individuals built the chapel which the Society occupied until the present one was opened. The Society continued under the care of Mr. Dawson, with varied success, until 1823, when he was called from time into eternity. After his death the services were conducted by Missionaries from Manchester, and at this time the Society was perhaps in its most flourishing condition. In 1828, Mr. Segar of Blackburn was engaged to act as leader, who in 1840 resigned his charge. During the whole of this period, the Society was undergoing various states of regeneration. They had their days, and their nights, their summers, and their winters of spiritual prosperity and adversity, as all other societies have had. In July last the services of Mr. Edleston were obtained. And during the last nine months a very energetic effort has been made for a more suitable and commodious place of worship. In January an appeal was made to the Church generally, with some success. An effort was also made to enlist the sympathies of the townspeople, who have in some measure responded to our calls. The greatest effort, however, has been made by the Society itself, and it was, indeed, a generous effort, considering its resources. May the Lord, in His Mercy, bless these humble efforts to promote the reception and love of the genuine doctrines of His Church and Kingdom!

and as he did not believe the New Testament to be any part of the Sacred Writings, I asked him his objections. The one which was most difficcult for me to answer, was in the genealogy of our Lord, as recorded by Matthew. Now, as we believe that our Saviour had no human father, and the genealogy, as given by Matthew, is that of Joseph, and not of Mary, I could not answer him. If any of your correspondents will be so kind as to enable me to give my friend a suitable answer, I should esteem it a great favor. I am, &c. A. M.

LONDON MISSIONARY AND TRACT

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SOCIETY.

To the Editor of the Intellec. Repository. Dear Sir,- As the detailed reports of the various missions are not now published in the Repository, but are reserved for the Annual Report, I send you, for the information of your readers, the following brief statement of our proceedings since the last anniversary.

In July, the Rev. T. Goyder visited Salisbury, Stroud, and Chalford Vale. At Salisbury a very favorable impression was made, and there has since been such an increase in the attendance that the friends there are seriously intending to build a Chapel in an eligible situation. (See below.) At Chalford Mr. Goyder opened a small place of worship, and had a correspondence with the clergyman of the parish, who had taken alarm at the introduction of the doctrines of the New Church.

Following the course pursued on other occasions, the Committee took means to ascertain whether any of the ministers attending Conference could visit any places in their way to and from Confer

ence.

Several replies were received to the application, but only Messrs. Rendell and Storry were able to comply with the wishes of the Committee.

In August, the Rev E. D. Rendell went to Salisbury,* where the doctrines had not before been publicly advocated. He delivered three lectures in the Masonic Hall, which was well filled on each occasion.

Sunday, August 18, the Rev. R. Storry preached three times at Pickering, and on Tuesday, the 20th, proceeded to York, and lectured there on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, greatly interesting those who heard him.

Just before the close of Conference, *This, we think, must be a mistake.-ED. N.S. NO. 60.-VOL. V.

Messrs. Abbott and Bateman set off to visit Jersey and Guernsey. A boisterous voyage made Mr. Abbott unwell, Mr. Bateman therefore conducted the services at St. Helier, August 18. Mr. Abbott lectured at the Athenæum on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. A meeting of the friends was held on Wednesday. On the next Sabbath, Mr. Abbott officiated at St. Helier, and Mr. Bateman at St. Brelade, in French. The following day they proceeded to Guernsey, where Mr. Abbott delivered three lectures.

The Rev. D. Howarth has recently visited the Potteries, but the Committee have not yet had his report.

A few weeks ago Mr. Brooksbank and I paid a friendly visit to the Society at Ipswich, where we experienced a hearty welcome. Mr. Brooksbank preached twice on the Sabbath, and again on Monday evening, and afterwards held a familiar conversation on the doctrines. They appear to be intelligent and orderly, and to be steadily, though slowly, progressing. Several are waiting for the opportunity of a visit from an ordained minister, that they may enter the Church by the right of baptism.

There has been an extensive distribution of Tracts-by the various missionaries-at the opening of the new Churches at Bath, and at Argyll Square, Londonand to Rome, Barbadoes, &c.

Thus, it will be seen, there have been some large calls on the Society's funds. All, therefore, who deem the Missionary cause of the New Church entitled to their support, are earnestly invited to forward their subscriptions or donations to the treasurer, Mr. W. Newbery, 6, Kingstreet, Holborn.-Very truly yours,

H. BUTTER, Secretary.

have the sanction of his own example also) the retention of the clerical office by one holding different views of doctrine, yet, in that work, there is nothing on which a judgment may be formed with regard to the case in question,—that of a young man imbued with New Church views entering the Old Church, in doing which he must of necessity assent to doc. trines and subscribe to articles of faith, opposed to his deliberate convictions. Here rests the difficulty. I should state that circumstances are such with regard to family connexions, &c., that no alter native presents but either to become a minister of the Established Church, or renounce the pastoral office altogether, In the hope, Mr. Editor, that an early number of your magazine may contain some satisfactory arguments on the interesting subject propounded.-I am, &c. INQUISITOR.

[In reply to our correspondent's inquiry, we beg to state that there can be but one opinion as to the great, yea, the sinful impropriety of signing creeds and articles, which, it is believed, are unscriptural and false, as must be the case with every one who believes in the doctrines of the Lord's New Christian Church, and who receives them as the genuine doctrines of His divine Word. By faithfully looking to the Lord, and trusting to His guidance and providence, He will soon open a field of usefulness for any individual willing to labor in His new vineyard. Mr. Clowes and other clergymen who have embraced the doctrines of the New Church, did so after their ordination, and consequently after they had signed the articles of the Old Church. We recommend to our correspondent's perusal Mr. Noble's Discourse on the death of Mr. Clowes.-ED.]

PROFESSOR BUSH'S NEW WORK ON THE RESURRECTION.-Amongst our advertisements will be found one of this this work; respecting which the American New Jerusalem Magazine gives the following notice :

"Professor Bush's New Work on the Resurrection.-A large work on the Resurrection, comprising about 400 pages, by Professor George Bush, of New York, is now in press, and will be published in a few weeks. We understand that Professor Bush, in this work, utterly rejects the idea that has generally been received and taught by the First Christian Church on this subject, viz., that the material

body is to rise again; and maintains that every one, immediately after death, enters the spiritual world in a spiritual and substantial body, in which he will remain to eternity. The design of the work is to show that this is the Scriptural, and the only rational doctrine on the subject. He makes honorable mention of Swedenborg, and the doctrines of the New Church, but professes to have pursued, in his investigations of this subject, an entirely independent path of inquiry; and appeals to reason and Scripture in support of his view, which he admits is essentially the same as that taught by Swedenborg on the subject. But we shall have occasion to notice the work more at length, when it appears. Coming from a man of such acknowledged talent and eminent biblical learning as Professor Bush, the work cannot fail to be extensively read, and must, we should think, produce quite a sensation in the body theological. B."

FRENCH NEW JERUSALEM MAGAZINE.- We have lately received the numbers of this work for April, May, and June. The contents are,-Repentence; Translation of Swedenborg's work on the Athanasian Creed; An Address to True Christians and Philanthropists; Socrates and Swedenborg; Theocracy in the Past and in the Future; on the Resurrection of the Lord, and the various circumstances attending it.

AMERICAN NEW JERUSALEM MAGA

ZINE. We have received the November number of this periodical, the contents of which are of an interesting nature. We subjoin an extract from a letter of M. Portal to the Rev. B. F. Barrett, dated Paris, June 27th, 1844:

"For five or six years past, the New Jerusalem has remained isolated in France, and has made no apparent progress. Without doubt this must be in the counsels of Eternal Wisdom, and if it were permitted to search for the causes of it, I should say that the events which have transpired within the last sixty years in Europe, the moral and spiritual revolutions which we have seen, and which we still see in France, appear to have resulted from the great heat of the New Doctrines. You know that the French philosophy of the eighteenth century had undermined all faith in Christianity. This was the end of the old religious world. The political society based upon the old Catholicism perished in the grand