This

peculiarly' Christian aim, namely, nothing less than to lead men to a clearer knowledge, a deeper love, and a better service of their manifested Father, the Lord Jesus Christ. For Swedenborgians, in this matter, I feel no anxiety. bit of sectarian exclusiveness will do them and their minister not harm, but good. But I am sorry for the managers of this noon-day prayer meeting. They have injured their own institution. They have injured the Churches which they represent. And, what is incomparably worse than all, they have done their best to injure Christianity itself in the eyes of all who believe in broad-mindedness and largeness of heart. Is it too late for them to repair the injury they have wrought? Can they not even now, in the clear light of the Gospel, reconsider their decision? Would they but consent to that, they would, I am persuaded, throw wide their doors, not to this sect nor that, but to all men everywhere who love the Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, and embody their love in a life of obedience to His commandments.-CHARLES H. WILKINS."

borgian ;" and he was, in consequence, the only sanctity. Their aim is a at once requested to refrain from taking any part in the meetings in future. This having reached the ears of one of the writers for the Eastern Morning News, (the local daily paper), it was immediately referred to by him, in his next article, in terms of the strongest disapprobation; and was, finally, replied to, in the following letter, which appeared in the same paper two days later:"Sir,-Your paper often finds its way into my Nottingham home. I am always pleased to see it, because I am always pleased to see any impartial and intelligent record of the social, political, and religious movements of any industrious and enlightened town. Sometimes, however, your reports are of a somewhat dispiriting nature. This is very notably the case with regard to a piece of information conveyed by 'Index,' in the concluding paragraph of his article on local events, in yesterday's issue. I refer to his statement that the managers of the weekly noonday prayer meeting, after inviting by their circulars the co-operation of Christians of all denominations, have lately 'informed the Swedenborgian minister that they do not include his denomination.' The unavoidable inference is, that, according to these gentlemen, Swedenborgians are not Christians.' And yet what is it that makes a man a Christian? Is it a living belief in the Godhead of Christ? Swedenborgians believe that in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.' Is it a living belief in the atoning work of Christ? Swedenborgians believe that but for that atoning work' not only would man have perished, but the universe would have gone to ruin. Is it a living belief in the sanctifying influences of that Holy Spirit which Christ promised to send? Swedenborgians believe that apart from the momentary aid of that quickening Spirit of Christ they can neither think a true thought, nor cherish a good desire; neither speak a manly word, nor do a manly deed. But are not Swedenborgians 'peculiar?' Undoubtedly they are peculiar, but peculiar in what? They are 'peculiar' in their acceptance of Christ as the only Object of worship; in their acceptance of the Holy Scriptures as the fount of wisdom for angels as well as for men ; and in their acceptance of usefulness as

Until

MINISTERS' AID AND SUSTENTATION FUND.-The maturing a plan for the efficient working of this Fund has engaged the earnest and anxious attention of the Conference Council. After much deliberation, the following regulations have been adopted as adequate to the present wants of the institution, and capable of expansion and improvement as it grows to greater maturity. some definite plan was adopted, the Committees appointed to collect subscriptions could not commence their work. Now that every needful preliminary has been settled, we hope to hear of earnest and successful meetings being held in our several Societies in every part of the kingdom. The Secretaries of the several Branch Committees, to whom communications may be made, are:

For London and the South-Mr. E. H. Bayley, 82 Angell Road, Brixton, London, S.

Midland Counties-Mr. Tonks, Vauxhall Grove, Birmingham.

Lancashire and Yorkshire-Rev. R. Storry, Heywood.

Scotland-Mr. R. M. Paterson, Speirsfield, Calside, Paisley.

Fairweather, the student lately at the College, for three months. Mr. Fairweather accepted the invitation and commenced his services there on Sunday, September 17th. At Yarmouth four lectures were delivered, in the "Victoria Gospel Hall," the audiences being small, not over fifty. The attention given was all that could be desired, and our good old friend Mr. Rous was well pleased with this small measure of success. Mr. Rous, who is now over eighty, frequently occupies the same platform, and has administered the sacrament to the people; and in his zeal for the cause, he pays all the local expenses of the lectures, which are to be continued for some time.

ORDINATION OF MR. G. H. SMITH.The application for the ordination of Mr. Smith, the esteemed leader of the Society at Bolton, having been complied with by the last session of the General Conference, the religious service connected therewith took place in the New Jerusa lem Church, Higher Bridge Street, Bolton, on Sunday evening, September 17th. The ordaining minister was the Rev. R. Storry, who was assisted in the service by the Rev. E. Whitehead. At the time appointed a numerous congregation had assembled, the commodious church being well filled. The utmost attention was paid to the proceedings, and a solemn feeling appeared to pervade the large congregation. The questions proposed The Lowestoft friends are still without to the candidate were answered in an ima minister, and Mr. Gunton officiated pressive and thoughtful manner, which there on Sunday, October 1st, and agreed could not fail to convince the hearers of to be there on the 8th and 15th. For the eligibility of the candidate for the the 22nd and 29th the Society has asked office into which he was being introof the Brightlingsea Society the services duced. At the close of the ordination of Mr. Deans. There is a good field at Lowestoft for the services of a pious, intelligent, and vigorous man, who could give his whole attention to the work of the Church and Sunday-school.

SWEDENBORG SOCIETY.-The applications for the Apocalypse Revealed were 4427, not 442 as printed last month. They now, October 14th, number 4496. Through the kindness of a late member of the Camberwell Society, the news paper paragraph of the report and annual meeting of the Society has been printed in full in the Wanganui Herald of New Zealand. The same gentleman has sent to the Committee a photograph of an ivory canoe, which now stands on end in a churchyard at Wanganui. It is very curiously carved, and has three figures of a somewhat grotesque character, one under the other, which form the body of the canoe. It is supposed to represent a Maori deity, in which it is probable the Trinity in Unity, or the doctrine of degrees, is intended to be embodied. Mr. W. J. Harding, of Wanganui, is the photographer. This gentleman, it will be remembered, received from the Missionary and Tract Society a parcel of books and tracts, the former for lending and the latter for gratuitous distribution. A set each of the theological and philosophical works has been accepted by the Committee for the Free Library at Southport.

service a discourse was delivered by the ordaining minister, from Matthew x. 7-10. From the text, the minister discoursed on the duties of the minister to his congregation, and of the people under his charge to the minister. The exposition of the text led to the conclusion that the appointment and all the gifts of the minister were from the Lord, and were to be ascribed to Him. In the exercise of these gifts the highest uses were contemplated, -no less than the salvation of the souls of men,-and in the accomplishment of these uses the people were to actively co-operate with the minister. They were to sustain him by their presence and sympathy in his work; by their cheerful contribution to his worldly support; and by the diligence with which they sought to sustain the active uses of his ministry.

NEW CHURCH COLLEGE SERVICES.On Sunday evening, October 8th, the Rev. Wm. Bruce commenced a course of lectures, of which the first, on "The Trinity and Unity in the Person of Christ, our only God and Saviour," was a masterly discourse on a noble theme. Commencing with a brief sketch of the views of the early Christian Church, which expressed themselves ultimately in the symbol of faith called "The Apostles' Creed," Mr. Bruce gave a very interesting résumé of the rise of the trinitarian doctrine, and of its declension into tripersonalism in

the first quarter of the fourth century. He alluded very courteously, as his custom is, to the different parties to that great controversy which culminated in the Council of Nicea and the establishment of the Nicene Creed. And after exhibiting the Athanasian doctrine in its own light, Mr. Bruce temperately contrasted it with the heavenly doctrine taught by the Lord Himself in His own Word. Although this fundamental truth of Christianity has been very often very well treated by New Church writers, there was a freshness about Mr. Bruce's discourse which made it agreeable alike to old and young receivers.

sionary Institution and the London Missionary and Tract Society for the valuable aid afforded to the labours of the Association during the past year.

The President read an excellent and instructive address on "Enjoying the Sabbath."

The following extracts from the Report may be interesting and suggestive :"On looking over the list of contributions, your Treasurer was sorry to find several names of original subscribers absent. He addressed an appeal to these, and is happy to say that four have rejoined the Association. One replied, I have not receded from New THE LINCOLNSHIRE NEW CHURCH Church principles in the least whatASSOCIATION. - This Association held ever at any time I can subscribe to the its tenth annual meeting at Horncastle Church I will send. I keep distributing on the 28th of August, T. W. Bogg, a few tracts to any one who will read Esq., M. B., in the chair. The minutes them, and find some who like them were read and signed, the accounts very much.' Having sent this friend audited and passed. The subscriptions one of the Silent Missionaries, he during the past year amount to £22, 9s. 2d. the payments for Missionary labours, etc., to £14, 18s., leaving a balance in the hands of the treasurer of £7, 11s. 2d.

Resolutions to the following effect were unanimously passed :-1. That the question of missionary work in the county be deferred to await the result of pending enquiries. 2. That copies of the True Christian Religion, Divine Providence, and Outlines of the Religion and Philosophy of Swedenborg be donated to the additional steamer placed on the Grimsby and Hamburg line. 3. That copies of the last work by Professor Parsons be sent to all masters of grammar schools resident in the county. 4. That a circular be issued, offering to all clergymen of the Church of England in the county copies of the Future Life, post free. 5. That the next meeting of the Association be held at Great Grimsby, in the month of August next year, and that W. Wallis, Esq., be President. 6. That Mr. J. S. Bogg be re-elected Secretary and Treasurer, and that the thanks of the Association for his most interesting report be placed on record. 7. That the hearty thanks of the Association be given to R. Gunton, Esq., for his kind and ready assistance in promoting, by lectures and missionary work, the spread of the New Church. 8. That a cordial vote of thanks be given to the Committees of the National Mis

wrote asking for a number to dispose of. Twelve were forwarded to him, and in a few weeks he wrote for more, saying he had sold all.

"About this time it occurred to your Secretary that it might be possible to utilize the county Press; and, by the newspapers, to reach and construct in many minds a system of morality to serve as a basis for higher truths. Many people but seldom read or hear the Word; others attend no place of worship, and hold intercourse with the world of thought only through the medium of their weekly newspapers. How important that, side by side with the details of crime, dishonesty and injustice with which these abound, should stand a few words of pure moral teaching to elevate and refine the character, and enable the reader to discriminate between the stone' and the 'bread,' the 'fish' and the scorpion.' For the insertion of occasional paragraphs, Mr. Watkinson, Spalding, and Mr. Ingamells, Boston, kindly opened the columns of the Sleaford Gazette, Spalding Free Press, and Boston Guardian, and in these appeared extracts from the Intellectual Repository, New Jerusalem Messenger, Words in Season, and other works.

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The first of the Association series of missionary visits was made to Horncastle, on February 20th, when Mr. Gunton delivered two sermons in the Church, Queen Street. The attendance