The and the Crystal Palace choirs. solos were sung by Miss Helen Horne, Madame Poole, Mr. Nelson Varley and Mr. Lauder. Upwards of 1000 persons were present. The Society have the services of a voluntary choir of unusual efficiency. It consists of a double quartett of ladies and gentlemen, possessed of well-trained voices of considerable power and sweetness, who render the anthems and musical portion of the service admirably. Mr. J. H. Bayley is the conductor, and the organist is Mr. King Hall, who by his composition and public performances, including a series at the Albert Hall, has already achieved a high position in the musical world. BRIGHTLINGSEA.-The annual meeting of the New Church Sunday School at this place was held on Monday 29th July 1872. The children, teachers, parents, and friends, assembled in and about the schoolroom at half-past two o'clock in the afternoon. The weather being in every way as beautiful as could be desired, a procession was formed by Captain Tracy, with the treasurer and leader of the Society at the head, and a number of ladies and gentlemen, and a band of music, which gave a harmonious sound, that echoed from street to street as the procession moved on. The procession proceeded through several streets to the Triangular-green, where the whole train formed themselves into a circle, and sung two tunes to appropriate words, accompanied by the music, the whole being delightful to the ear and pleasing to the sight. The procession then proceeded to a beautiful meadow, adjoining the church. In the meadow two large circles had been formed by ropes and colours, with a large ensign in the centre. Into the inner circle the children and teachers entered, and seated themselves on the grass. Round the outer circle forms were placed for the parents and friends and others to be seated. After grace tea and provisions were circulated by the teachers to their classes. It was truly pleasing to the numerous friends who surrounded the circles to see the teachers enjoying the privilege of serving the children, and the children in return so freely appreciating their services, and keeping them so long in the office of distributing the good things they so enjoyed. At the close of the children's tea the numerous It assembly were accommodated with the same fare and in the same manner. had previously been expected that our worthy friend Mr. R. Gunton would be present and preside at the meeting, but this the nearness of the General Conference prevented. By the time the friends who had laboured with so much assiduity for the enjoyment of others had partaken of their well-deserved refreshment, the pleasant meadow had become covered with groups of welcome visitors, who were delighting themselves by seeing and adding to the pleasure and amusement of the little ones. The evening was spent in a variety of pleasant amusements for the children, one part consisting of presents drawn by previously arranged tickets. The expenses were met by collections and the profits of the tea, the two sources of income being sufficient to settle all demands, and to leave a balance of £3 to be ap plied to the school fund. HORNCASTLE.-The third annual report of the Infant Society at this town gives a sketch of its history and present prospects. "The Society was established in August 1869, and its meetings were held in a small room in Tinker's Entry. Scarcely had the little bark been launched when contrary winds threatened its destruction. And the Society had scarcely overcome these external oppositions when an event occurred which seemed likely to prove even more injurious, the removal to another county of one of its most active promoters. Those left to carry on the cause were nearly all young in the faith, and inexperienced in the management of a religious society. In the early part of 1871 the members found it necessary to remove from Tinker's Entry, since which time, through the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Hall, to which it may fairly be said that (under Providence) the Society owes its continued existence. Meetings for worship and studying the writings of Swedenborg have been held at their residence. The library is open here also, for the benefit of all who wish to have books therefrom. In reviewing the proceedings of the Society during the past year, we have first to notice the purchase by Mr. Hall of a piece of land, forming an eligible site for the erection of a church, which he expressed his willingness to present to the Society, if HULL. The society in this town cone tinues to make efforts to promote the cause of the New Church. They have been favoured with a visit from Mr. Smithson, who came and preached for them on Sunday July 28th; in the morning, on "The true Signification of the Sabbath" (Exodus xx. 8, 9); and in the evening, on "The Vine and Branches" (Jolin xv. 5). Mr. Smithson again visited Hull on Sunday September 1st, and remained until the 16th, previous to entering upon his duties at Southport. The services on each occasion were well attended, and those who were present seemed much pleased with the interesting subjects brought under their consideration. The society still meets in the Mechanics' Institute, but the room is not suffi cient for its requirements; and the members hope before long to have a building erected that shall command the respect of other denominations in the town. we could see our way clear to the attain- this grand and glorious work of building ment of that object. We were earnestly up the Church on earth. As truth desirous to avail ourselves of Mr. Hall's springs out of the earth, righteousness generous offer, but were not sufficiently will look down from heaven. If we wealthy or numerous to undertake such wish to make our calling and election a task unaided. At this juncture Mr. sure, and to prove ourselves worthy to Gunton nobly came forward to help us, do the work lying before us, we must and with his encouragement it was re- expel the enemies of our own household. solved that steps should be taken The serpent must be trampled under towards the erection of a church; and foot, and love to God and man fill the he undertook to solicit and receive sub- heart of each of us." scriptions from the Church at large. We have reason to believe that his appeal has been, and, we trust, will continue to be, generously responded to. A collector was also appointed to receive small subscriptions in the town, and this little undertaking has met with much success. The Society has also been presented with the internal fittings for the projected church. This generous gift comes from a friend who is far away, and to whom most of us are personally strangers, but his name will be held in loving remembrance as a distinguished benefactor of our infant Society. Our respected and beloved leader, Mr. Bogg, (who has been for some time in a delicate state of health, and is, we regret to say, about to leave this part of the country,) has generously presented a number of books to the library. Mr. Gunton paid a visit to Horncastle in May last, and delivered two sermons and a lecture in the Corn Exchange. The audiences were not large, but from the marked attention paid we have reason to hope that the good seed did not fall upon stony ground. Since the last annual meeting two infants have been baptized into the New Church in our Society. Our financial affairs are in a satisfactory condition. At our last annual meeting it became our duty to report that the Society was somewhat in debt; but at the present time we have a trifle in hand. Taking all things into consideration, the past year may be looked upon as a prosperous one. It is true we have not, during that time, increased in numbers, but, by the aid of Divine Providence, we hope and trust that we have increased in knowledge and true wisdom. Much remains to be done before the holy city New Jernsalem becomes firmly established upon earth; but knowing, as we do, that it descends out of heaven from God, we may rest assured that this will eventually come to pass. We are invited to co-operate with the Lord in W. J. G. JERSEY.-We cut from the Guardian the following account of the endeavour to erect a tombstone with what the writer of the paragraph is pleased to call an heretical inscription:- "At St. Heliers, Jersey, Mr. Francis Alexandre, having lately lost his wife, ordered a sumptuous tomb, with a long inscription, stating that his wife died in the firm faith that Jesus Christ is the only God,' &c., and then sought the permission of the rector, the Rev. E. Falle, to erect the same in the churchyard of St. Brelade's. Mr. Falle declined permission, and, after an angry correspondence, appealed to the Bishop of Winchester, who, of course, supported him in his refusal. Mr. Alexandre then put up a small stone over his wife's remains, with a brief inscription, terminating in a sort of note or appendix, referring the reader to the other monument in the general cemetery at St. Heliers; and in that cemetery he also erected the great tombstone, with its heretical inscription, and the addendum "This stone was erected here because the Rev. E. Falle would not permit a stone with the above inscription to be placed in his churchyard." A friend of Mr. Alexandre wrote to the Bishop of Winchester kindly giving him a sketch of the entire history, ecclesiastical and civil, of Jersey, and requesting him, on the strength thereof, to rescind his decision, but his lordship, in a reply, published in the Jersey Express, sees no ground whatever for any interference.'" LIVERPOOL.-We learn from a correspondent that the society in this town continues to progress very favourably. Upwards of sixteen members have been added to its roll of membership during the year. The pastor, Mr. Goldsack, seems to be generally esteemed and his services in the pulpit warmly appreciated. An evidence of this appreciation is afforded by the efforts which have been recently and successfully made to increase his salary. The society seems to enjoy the "unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace." On the 14th of July the society was visited by Mr. Swinburne, the leader of the society at Embsay, who preached two impressive and very practical discourses from Genesis xii. 1 and Exodus xx. 19. Mr. Swinburne, who was formerly resident in Liverpool, was for some time a preacher in one of the Wesleyan communities. His reception of the doctrines, to which his attention was first directed by some New Church Tracts, led to his employ. ment first as colporteur for the Yorkshire Colportage Association, and subsequently as the teacher of the Day-school at Embsay and leader of the Society. ing the common theory were, when carefully examined, found to be adverse thereto. In his evening discourse, which treated on "The True Nature of the Redeemer's Works on Earth," the preacher showed with great clearness that throughout the entire Word, the mission of the expected Messiah was declared to be, not the coming of one Divine Person to appease the wrath of another Divine Person, but Jehovah himself, impelled by the infinitude of His love, manifesting Himself in a human nature to destroy in man the power of hell; and that herein consists the work of redemption. On the following evening, Mr. Whitehead delivered a lecture on the New Church doctrine of Scripture Inspiration; with examples of interpretation." The point sought to be established was, that the Word of God coming from so exalted a source inexhaustible wisdom over and above must necessarily be the receptacle of that contained in the letter. Yet inasmuch as it was given to suit the wants of man's moral nature in all ages, this inner or spiritual sense is hidden in the letter, as jewels in a casket, or the soul in the body. It was the mission of Swedenborg to unfold this spiritual sense, the key to which is the restored Science of Correspondences as opened up in his voluminous theological works. The services were brought to a close by meeting on the Tuesday evening, when an exceedingly pleasant tea and socialaddresses were delivered by the Rev. E. Whitehead, Messrs. Allison, Gray, As on former occasions the liberality of Treadgold, G. Dixon, and G. H. Smith. the National Missionary Society in London has enabled this young but growing society to enjoy the pleasure of this ministerial visit.-Middlesborough Exchange. MIDDLESBOROUGH.-The anniversary sermons of the Society of the New NOTTINGHAM.—By the invitation of Church at this town were preached in Mr. Wilkins, minister of the New the Society's meeting-room, corner of Church, Bluecoat-street, in this town, Newport and Linthorpe Roads, on to spend a day with him in the country, Saturday last, when some of the more a number of the friends of the church striking views of religious truth as held started for Hoveringham on Tuesday by this section of the Christian Church, August 6th. About 40 left in the Star were ably unfolded in two excellent dis- Steamboat from the Trent-bridge at ten courses, by the Rev. Eli Whitehead, of o'clock, and a like number at the same Dalton, near Huddersfield.-The Rev. hour from the church and the residences gentleman took for his morning's dis- of friends, in carriages. The Ferry was course, Death-bed Repentances," and reached in good time for luncheon ; showed that whilst this was not of after which the day-fortunately an necessity impossible, the passages of exceptionally fine one-was spent in Scripture usually relied upon as favour- rambling in the woods, fishing, games, 66 and other amusements. The voyage on the river was especially enjoyed, as indeed were all the other arrangements for the day's pleasure. The boat left at seven o'clock, landing the passengers at Burton Joyce in time for the train, reaching Nottingham at ten, and the other carriages reached home about the same time, after spending a most agreeable day in the country.-Nottingham Daily Express. WIGAN.-On Sunday, July 28th, the place of worship in Warrington Lane, Wigan, was re-opened, after being closed for cleaning and beautifying. Two sermons were preached on the occasion by Mr. Francis Smith of Manchester. The subject of the morning's discourse was "The children of Israel at Elim," Ex odus xv. 27, and that of the evening, "The Rock on which the Church is built, and the keys given to Peter," Matthew xvi. 18, 19. Addresses were also delivered to the teachers, scholars, and parents in the afternoon by Mr. Smith and Mr. Johnson. The morning and afternoon services were only moder. ately attended, but the evening attend ance numbered about 200 persons. The Society appears to be in an improv. ing condition. The collections amounted to £5, 10s.-Since the above services the members of the Mutual Improvement Society have had an excursion of pleasure and instruction to Whalley and Clithero. In these places they inspected various objects of interest, and spent a day of pleasant social enjoyment.-On Saturday, August 31st, the choir of the Church and friends had their annual pic-nic to Newburgh. The day was fine and pleasant. The party strolled to Ashurst Beacon and neighbourhood. Anthems and glees were sung at intervals during the day, the visitors returning home shortly after eight o'clock.On the Sunday after the Conference, August 18th, two sermons were preached to the Society, by Mr. R. Gunton, the National missionary of the New Jerusalem Church; and addresses were delivered by Mr. Gunton and Mr. Johnson to the teachers, scholars, and friends, in the afternoon of the same day. Birth. Accrington, by the Rev. J. J. Thornton, Marshall William Duckworth to Sarah Ann Crawshaw, both of Accrington. On July 6th, at the New Church, Accrington, by the Rev. J. J. Thornton, Thomas Clark to Alice Taylor, both of Accrington. On July 10th, at the New Church, Accrington, by the Rev. J. J. Thornton, Joseph Cronshaw Riley to Emma Victoria Riley, both of Accrington. On July 18th, at the New Church, Accrington, by the Rev. J. J. Thornton, John Peter to Grace Elizabeth Grimshaw, both of Accrington. On August 1st, at the New Church, Accrington, by the Rev. J. J. Thornton, William Eglin to Mary Jane Ashworth, both of Accrington. Accrington, by the Rev. J. J. Thornton, On August 17th, at the New Church, Alfred Cronshaw to Amelia Whitaker, both of Accrington. On August 20th, at the New Church, Accrington by the Rev. J. J. Thornton, Mr. James Cronshaw to Miss Elizabeth Bold, both of Accrington. On August 31st, at the New Jerusalem Church, Heywood, by the Rev. R Storry, Mr. Eli Furness to Miss Margaret Hardman, both of Heywood. On 8th September, at the New Jerusalem chapel, Spring Road, Brightling sea, Essex, by the Rev. S. Jepson, Mr. Alfred Eagle to Miss Emma Clarey, both of Brightlingsea. Obituary. Mrs. Charlotte Larkin, relict of the late N. J. Larkin, departed this life on the 5th September, aged 86. They were both members of the Society that met for worship in Friars' Street, London, under the late Rev. M. Sibly. After an active life of loving usefulness to many, she has entered into her rest. Departed this life on the 31st of August, at the house of her mother-inlaw and elder sister, (who devotedly tended on her to the last), Kate Mar gerite Barth, the dearly beloved and lamented wife of Mr. John Fuick of Hammersmith, in the 27th year of her age, and at the close of the second only of their marriage. Her loss has left a At Accrington, September 4th, Mrs. void in more hearts than her sorrowing Joseph Bridge of a son. husband's, but each bow in submission to the will of the Lord, who has taken to Himself as pure and loving a spirit On June 20th, at the New Church, as ever was enshrined in a human form. Marriages. "And when He had thus spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."-JOHN xi. 43, 44. THE portion of the Gospel narratives round which the sweetest meditations linger is that which refers to the loving family at Bethany. From Luke, as from the evangelist John, we learn that the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary was a quiet spot at the foot of the Mount of Olives, about two miles on the east of Jerusalem; and there the Lord Jesus often retired from the turbulent crowds of the city. He held sweet communion with that family. Jesus, we are told in verse 5 of this chapter, loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. The members of this family were, like those of all other families, of varied characters and dispositions. Mary was quiet and meditative; Martha, active and energetic; Lazarus, grave and thoughtful-yet the home was the abode of peace. The Lord designs always through variety to give perfection, and we should learn to reverence this. We should respect others not because they are cast precisely in the same mould as ourselves, or have the same phase of character, opinions, rank, position, or gifts, but love and esteem all as children of the same adorable Father; and foster and encourage all who in their own way, and with their own talents, humble or high, seek to serve and worship Him. "By this shall all |