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IPSWICH.-Mr. Deans has continued garden of Eden for! Was he put there his services in this town by a Sabbath's to catch sunbeams all day? He was put services, and occasional week-night there to dress and keep it. Many people lectures. These seem to have excited believed that the creed of the followers attention, and they have been briefly of Swedenborg was that people pursued reported in one of the local papers. the same trades in Heaven as they From these reports we give the following did on earth, but he said that was notice of the lecture, "Shall we work simply a caricature on their views, in Heaven?" Such was the title of a and was due either to total ignor lecture delivered at the New Jerusalem ance or gross misconception of the Church, High Street, by Mr. J. Deans. doctrines of Swedenborg or the New The lecturer in the course of his remarks Church. Men worked here to satisfy said-If we were to believe the Word of the wants of their material being, but as God, there were tangibilities in Heaven Heaven was a spiritual place there could as well as on earth, and the angels were be no physical work transacted there. real men, and that people who went to There would be no compulsory work, and Heaven retained their proper individu- no distasteful work; there was work for ality which they had on earth. It was souls to do, which it was said was their impossible for them to say that there chief delight. The angels were probably was nothing in Heaven, for then it employed in teaching those who went to would be a blank altogether, but when Heaven in infancy, at all events such an once they had conceded the fact that there idea was in perfect harmony with the was something there, where were they to teaching of the Saviour. The lecturer draw the line? Harps were spoken of went on to express his belief that there as being there, and why were they to would be public worship in Heaven, and say that there were no organs? Conced- spoke somewhat lightly of the idea of ing that there were palms there, should the existence of saints being spent enthey say there were no flowers? And tirely in prayer and praise. The lecture whilst allowing that people there were was fairly attended. clothed in robes, why should they be prohibited from believing that they lived in houses? The existence there was not material but spiritual, and it was a great mistake to suppose that only material objects were real and substantial. Speaking to the point at issue, the lecturer said people treated it as if they had a decided repugnance to work, and that they would do no work unless they were forced. If there was no work there, it must be a place of idleness; but they were taught by the Scriptures that idleness was a vice, and he contended that rest, which they were told they would have in Heaven, could not mean idleness. It could not mean that they were to do nothing for ever-suspended as it were in mid-air, or lolling on an easy couch-although no doubt that would suit some of the idle worthless fellows whom they met with now and then. The rest which was spoken of in connection with Heaven was not the opposite to employment, but to trouble, care, and sorrow, that arose from sin. Some people maintained that work was a natural result of the Fall, thereby implying that if man had not fallen he would have had nothing whatever to do. But what was Adam placed in the

LINCOLNSHIRE.-Our earnest National Missionary has recently been actively engaged in this county. His first service was at

Gainsbro'.-This town has just received a missionary visit from Mr. Gunton, who, under the joint action of the National Missionary Committee and the Lincolnshire Missionary Associ ation, has delivered three lectures and three discourses. All the services were well attended, from 40 to 140 being present, and great attention was given to the views presented. Tracts and magazines were freely circulated, and 60 of the new sixpenny Missionary works disposed of. Several persons not before known as receivers came forward and manifested great interest in the proceedings, and it is expected that a Sabbath service, under the leadership of Mr. E. J. Moore, will be at once commenced. The free-will offerings of the people were received after two of the services, the amount contributed being 18s. A strong desire for another visit before long was expressed. His next employ. ment was at

Spalding. At this town he occupied the Corn Exchange for two Sabbath ser

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the Sabbath services an extended notice appeared in the Spalding Free Press of December 1st. From this we learn that the lecturer was emphatic and earnest, and contended that the principles he expounded were worthy of all acceptation, as tending to elevate man to a higher perception. of his own spiritual nature, a higher perception of his Maker, and of eternal things generally. The audiences on each occasion were very attentive. From Spalding Mr. Gunton proceeded to Bourne. Of his services at this place a correspondent writes us-"Mr. Gunton has just broken the ground in this agricultural town by the delivery of four lectures and two Sabbath services. Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather the attendance was good, indeed much better than was expected. Some unprovoked hostility by the Independent minister and his people made the last meeting very large, about 300 being present. This gentleman at the close of the first lecture moved a vote of thanks to the lecturer, expressing his admiration of much he had heard, but his difficulty in admitting the spiritual sense of the Mosaic account of the creation, the call of Abraham, and the representative characters of Peter, James, and John. He further observed that nothing had been said respecting the atonement and sacrifice of Christ. The reply to this was given on the following evening, when the minister again asked permission to address the meeting, and availed himself of the privilege to throw odium on Swedenborg and his teachings, and on a subsequent evening he and many of his people attended and conducted themselves in a most unbecoming manner. Considerable sympathy was expressed with the lecturer, and the opposition will doubtless lead to further inquiry." About fifty copies of the Future Life, Brighton Lectures, and Giles' Spiritual World were sold at Bourne, and seventy at Spalding.

LONDON-Argyle Square Mutual Improvement and Junior Members Society, -The eighteenth annual festival of this Society was held on Friday, November 20th, 1874. The large schoolroom was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and in the centre of the room was placed in large letters "A Happy Welcome." A large collection of articles of vertu were placed round the room.

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Some well-executed oil paintings by Mr. Joseph Clark and others, water colour paintings and views worked out of faggots of wood by Bessel, were an attractive feature, as was also a selection of plate, including a massive shield skilfully chased, kindly lent by Messrs. Elkington and Co. of Regent Street. very large number of friends partook of tea at seven o'clock. The President, the Rev. J. Presland, commenced the proceedings of the evening. Eighteen years, he said, was a long time, and the Society justified its existence by so long a service alone. Measured by the chronicles of past years, we may hope that it will still commend itself to the support of all who are able to assist in its work and add to its strength and value. Speaking of the pleasures it held out to its members, he remarked that it is only in the performance of use that real pleasure can be obtained. He drew attention to the value of the Monday evening meetings conducted by Mr. Skelton, as eminently adapted to be of benefit to new-comers and to all who are searching for the truth. The chairman's address was followed by recitations, addresses on a previously selected subject, and music. The meeting, which was a most enjoyable one, concluded with the Evening hymn.

LONDON, PALACE GARDENS CHURCH. A performance of Sacred Music was given in the above Church on Tuesday evening, December 15th. Tickets were issued to the members and friends of the Society, and invitations sent to friends at a distance. The Church was filled before the commencement of the proceedings, and chairs were placed in every available space. The performance, conducted by Mr. E. H. Bayley, consisted of Rossini's "Stabat Mater,' Mendelssohn's "Hear my prayer," and an elaborate selection from the "Messiah."

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At the conclusion of the first part the Rev. Dr. Bayley tendered the thanks of the company to the performers in a few genial words, and a collection was made on behalf of the Palace Gardens Choir funds. The performance closed at eleven P. M. by the Hallelujah Chorus. The audience manifested by their attention, and the few who departed before the close, their pleasure in the evening's performance.

LOWESTOFT.-We learn from the Lowestoft News that the Rev. Mr. Child was engaged during a portion of the months

of November and December last in the interest excited. The use of these delivery on the Tuesday evenings of a lectures was also extended by brief course of lectures on "The Days of Crea- reports in the Preston Guardian newstion." The paper we have named con- paper. From these reports we extract tains a report of the second of these the following, which is substantially the lectures which occupies nearly two report which appeared of the first lecture columns. In the lecture thus reported of the course-Rationalism; its hisMr. Child enters into extensive evi- tory and place in the Christian Redences of the existence of the spiritual ligion:-"This was the title of a sense, and illustrates his subject, the thoughtful, powerful, and argumentafirmament in the midst of the waters, tive discourse, of which, from the abun by very fully expounding the scriptural dance of its matter, it is difficult to meaning of water, which was one of the furnish an abstract. The lecturer, in symbols employed. "In this exposi- sketching the history of rationalism, tion he gave upwards of fifty passages said that God had created man to be a from Numbers to Revelation, to prove reasoning being, and in all His dealings that the meaning of this symbol was with man He recognized this charactertruth in the form of knowledge and istic of his nature. Man is not reason. doctrine (truth taught). There are able by birth, but he has the capabilities spiritual truths-truths of Heaven- then, and he becomes so by education. truths from above, as well as truths The higher his education the greater concerning earthly things. These have will become his reasoning powers. Eduto be distinguished now in the second cation in any speciality confers the stage of the regenerating soul's life. ability to reason on that speciality, with His first state or day is the need and the an interest and power, which those who cry for higher things: his second state are not so educated cannot match. or day is the attainment of them, and There is great difference between the the corresponding mental expansion reasoning of the wise and the reasoning which their recognition brings. The of the ignorant, and so rationalism is a whole cosmos here is the soul of thing of degrees. True rationalism is man the waters above-the heavenly the outgrowth of a wide-spreading inforor spiritual truths to the recognition of mation, and, therefore, it must have its which he now attains; the waters below place in the Christian religion. But as -the merely earthly element of his it has come to pass that rationalism has human, unregenerate nature; and the been almost created as a religion of Heaven or firmanent or expanse between itself, and gone far to set itself above -the distinction, now indestructible, the Christian religion, which it someand never again to be obliterated, be- times has the boldness to treat as an tween these two, and the consequent effete thing, the generality of Christians elevation and expansion of mind which are alarmed at its daring and progress. the recognition of that distinction, and They denounce it as the disturber of the the glorious nature of Heavenly truths, faith of ages and speak of it as the brings with it." patron of infidelity in some one or other of its seductive forms. The New Church PRESTON.-A course of six week-night approaches it from a new point; she lectures were given in the Church at holds up the Divine Word in a new this town during the month of Novem- light, and claims for it a position in ber and the early portion of December. the Church, never before attained. The course was opened by the minister, Merely natural reasonings are no guides the Rev. E. D. Rendell, who discoursed to the attainment of spiritual truth. on "Rationalism; its history and place Natural reasonings on such subjects are in the Christian Religion.' The lec mere struggles with our common ignortures were by Mr. Hyde, on "Science ance of spiritual things. It is quite true and Religion;" by Mr. Ramage, on that every effect must have its cause, "Jesus Christ;" by Mr. Storry, on the and in this way we may reason ad in"White Horse" of the Apocalypse; by finitum, but by such a process we can Mr. Bates, on "Leading views concern- never reach a stopping place, and at ing Heaven and Hell;' and by Mr. that stopping place find a God. The Thornton, on the "Lord's Prayer." knowledge of God, and of all spiritual The attendance, though not so numerous truth, comes to us by another way. as was hoped, was yet good, several Mankind have some impressions constrangers being present, and some cerning these things; they did not come

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to us from material nature, that nature has them not, and, therefore, could not give them. Hence we conclude that the original source of all such information must have been a revelation. There is a universal influx into the souls of men dictating that there is a God and that He is one, and this idea is confirmed in every man who thinks with interior thought upon the subject, and out of this revelation has sprung every other idea which relates to spiritual things. Reasoning is lawful, let no man dare to deprive us of it, but in spiritual things it has to be surbordinated to the dictate of a higher principle than itself,- -a principle, nevertheless, which, when suggested, reason can see to be reasonable. What can be more reasonable than the proposition that a revelation from God to man in his natural condition should contain a spiritual sense within the natural form of that revelation, something like the soul within the body. This argument was enlarged and illustrated with considerable care, and the whole was listened to with ardent interest by a good audience."

SNODLAND.-An interesting series of discourses has just been concluded at this place by the minister, the Rev. T. L. Marsden. The subjects have been "The uninterrupted Harmony of the Book of Revelation," and "The Spirit speaking to the Churches." The latter subject was illustrated through a series of discourses on the addresses to the seven Churches in Asia. These were expounded as to their spiritual sense, and their application shown to the state of modern Christianity and the development of the Christian life. The attendance was good and the services acceptable and useful.

SOUTHPORT. From the Southport News of November 24th we extract the following notice of the laying of memorial stones in connection with the new church in course of erection at this town. "On Saturday last this ceremony took place under the most favourable circumstances. The Swedenborgians in Southport are a small body, and their doings ard doctrines are not generally known by our townsmen. In 1868, a few friends who had come to reside here thought it desirable to open a meeting-room for worship. They were supported by the Manchester

Missionary Society in connection with their own denomination; and it was the custom for a missionary to come over every Sunday to preach for the Society. In October 1872, an invitation was given to Mr. Smithson (the present minister), who had just finished his studies at the college in London. Soon after Mr. Smithson had been appointed, a building fund was commenced, and up to the present time this fund has increased to nearly £1500. The late Hugh Becconsall, Esq., of Preston, bequeathed £1900 as an endowment fund; but this sum can only be appropriated towards a minister'sstipend. The cost of the present building will be about £2500, including a freehold site, so that a considerable sum has yet to be raised before the church will be free from debt."

The following is the architect's description of the church :-"The proposed church (which is being erected in Duke Street) will comprise nave, chancel, vestry, and organ chamber. The part now in course of erection being the nave and vestry only. The building externally will be faced with white fire bricks, relieved with red pressed bricks in corbellings to gables, weatherings of buttresses, and outer arches to openings, the stone dressings being of Rainhill stone. The Duke Street, or west front, will have two deeply recessed doorways, between which an arcade of eight panels (four of which will be glazed, the remainder filled in with moulded bricks) divided by stone shafts with moulded caps and bases. Over this arcade and between centre buttresses, a depth of 24ft. will be faced with enamelled and coloured bricks in deeper pattern, and above this an encaustic tile band. west (wheel) window will be in stone with carved radiating shafts, bases and caps-the glazing of this window being in tinted cathedral and coloured glass. Surmounting this again, a stone panel with carving of an open Bible will be fixed. The sides will be divided into bays, by buttresses of three stages, with windows in pairs between each. Internally, a screen, partially glazed with figured glass, will form a porch of 6ft. in width at the west end. The seats, wall linings, &c., will be in pitch pine varnished, the capping of seat backs, &c., being ebonized, and in framing and dado of wall boarding, a stencil pattern will be introduced. The roof will be

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of pitch pine varnished, in open principals with hammer beams and wall brackets, curved ribs with ebonized moulds. Dormer lights on each side of roof. Slating in blue Welsh slates with green bands and red crest tiling. The chancel, when built, will have, internally, an arcade on each side, one opening into the organ chamber, and in the octagonal end of chancel three circular headed windows ornamentally glazed, the ceiling being panelled wood. The style of the building is partially of Norman character, inclining in some detail to early English. Seating will accommodate 250 persons."

New Church in Jersey is the news they receive from time to time of the sound and indeed speedy progress of the cause in the mother country and elsewhere. But little takes place in our little sphere; still that little, I think, is deserving of record, and will no doubt afford some interest to those who can sympathize with the efforts of the humble. Last April, Dr. Bayley again paid us a visit, which was as successful as this popular and much respected minister's visits always are. There are signs that his energetic efforts were attended with the most beneficial results. In addition to his services at St. Heliers, After prayer by the Rev. R. Storry, Dr. Bayley lectured at St. Aubins, Mr. Smithson read the 35th chapter where there are many inquiring minds. of Isaiah, and then placed the following Previously to this, the lectures of Messrs. documents in the cavity of the stone:- Moss and Chalklen had awakened much The Minutes of Conference of 1874, the attention there. We hope soon to Southport News and Southport Visitor, follow up these efforts by another series and a list of subscribers and trustees. of sermons and lectures. At MidsumHe then called upon his Worship the mer the friends determined again to Mayor to lay the first stone. The make an effort to obtain the services of memorial stones were four in number, a regular minister. Mr. E. M. Pulsand were successively laid by the Mayor; ford was engaged for three months, Mrs. Grimshaw, Kearsley Mount, Kears- and it would be difficult to find a gentleley; Mrs. Joseph Richardson, Man- man better qualified to perform the chester; and John J. Banning, Esq., duties of pastor to the Society. He Birkdale Park. The Mayor declared has already won the warmest attachthe stone well and duly laid, in the Name ment and esteem; and so strongly of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. interested have some become who were Mrs. Grimshaw said: In the Name of previously strangers, that they have the Lord Jesus Christ, I declare this expressed their intention to attend stone duly laid. Mrs. Richardson: I declare this stone laid. I trust that the church will be a blessing to many, and that the thousands who know nothing of our doctrines may get to know them, and, by living them, receive true happiness in this world and in the world to come."

The Mayor, in an appropriate address, justified himself for taking the position he had assumed, and gave a list of chapels which had been erected within recent times in the town, and the cost of their erection. Other speeches followed by Mr. Banning, and Rev. R. Storry, and W. Westall. A collection made on the ground, which amounted to over £178. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Unitarian Chapel, which was kindly lent for the occasion. Interesting addresses were delivered, and the interest of the proceedings kept up to the end of the meeting.

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ST. HELIERS, JERSEY.-Not the least of the gratifications afforded to the comparatively isolated friends of the

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Obituary.

H. W. C.

In London, under painful circumstances, having been shot by the discharge of a pistol supposed not to be loaded, Captain E. C. Lusby. The deceased was a man of genial disposition and of some eminence in his profession, having made some useful discoveries at sea. He received the doctrines in early life. During the last few years of his life he has given increased attention to New Church literature. He has also read the writings in his family; and when opportunity offered joined heartily in New Church worship. He regretted that no New Church Society had been established in the East of London; and held that many seafaring men were less prejudiced than landsmen, and would be a very likely class to receive the truth. He bore his severe pains with fortitude, and looked forward with assurant hope to the world before him. He leaves a widow and three children to lament his loss.

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