grew and increased, until in this year of friendly terms with Christians of other grace, 1875, we have a grand jubilee denominations, there can be no internal year of indulgences, in which the Pope bond of alliance between them and ourmay clear out Purgatory altogether per- selves so long as they adhere to the haps. The Pope's triple crown is now doctrines of the consummated Church. justified; he is supreme ruler over three As professed worshippers of the Lord kingdoms, the kingdom of heaven, of Jesus Christ in His Divine Humanity earth, and of the world of spirits. You as the Only God we dwell alone, and may go, for example, to certain churches are not reckoned among the nations. in Spain, which are privileged with in- We are glad to know, however, that a dulgences, and there you may see written spirit of inquiry is abroad in regard to on the doors, To-day you can bring the teaching of the Word and the prinsouls out of Purgatory.' We, Old Catho- ciples of its interpretation. We know lics, utterly repudiate this doctrine; we that the Lord in this His Second Advent abjure the whole system of Papal indul- has emancipated the rational faculty. gences, whether for the dead or the living, We know that now it is allowable to and we believe what the old undivided enter intellectually into the mysteries of Church taught about the middle state. faith; and it is with much pleasure that We do not attempt to define that state, we hear of the earnest and frequent but we pray to God for the welfare of efforts now being made so to modify the those that have entered into it." ancient faiths of Christendom as to nentralize the poison of infidelity, and VATICANISM. The speeches of Dr. to satisfy both the intellect and the Döllinger at the recent Conference at heart. We know how impossible it is Bonn showed a complete departure from to amalgamate the doctrines of the New Vatican Catholicism. "The Vatican Church with those of the Old, yet we Council of 1870," he said, "had intro- may surely hope that the convulsions duced two new articles of faith, and con- that are shaking Protestant Christianity sequently had manufactured two new to its centre will eventually terminate heresies; it demanded an acknowledg- in the establishment of that "Kingdom ment of (1) the absolute supremacy of the of our Lord and of His Christ" which Pope over all baptized Christians; and Divine Truth assures us "shall stand (2) the infallibility of the Pope in all for ever." matters of doctrine and morals. Even in these "remote corners of the We are on the eve of great changes. earth" we find that professing Christians It is impossible that the Vatican Decrees do not adhere to the doctrines of orthocan continue to be the law of thought doxy (so called) with anything like the for 180 millions of Christians, composed same tenacity as formerly. And we canof the most educated people. The ma- not but regard this as one of the many terial for the burning is present in the symptoms of the final restoration of Roman Church in heaps; some day it society to a state of spiritual health and will be fired. An Anglo-Roman bishop soundness. Yet we cannot be unmindsaid, 'From this day forward you must ful of the adverse circumstances tending believe in the supremacy and infallibility to obstruct the progress of the Church. of the Pope, just as you believe in the In this colony, in particular, its advanceexistence of God.' It is not possible that 180 millions of reasonable people can force their consciences to accept this." GENERAL CONFERENCE. Address from the Adelaide Society of the New Church, South Australia, to the General Conference of the New Church in Great Britain.-Dear Friends and Brethren in the Lord,-We gladly avail ourselves once more of the privilege of transmit ting to you our annual address. In doing so our pleasure is the greater on account of our isolation; for, whilst we desire and endeavour to live upon ment is checked, and whatever efforts In necessities and comforts of life are abundant. Yet we cannot fail to see that this exceptional and very general state of worldly prosperity is rendering the hearts of thousands callous and insensible to the blessed influences of love and mercy now proceeding from the Lord for the regeneration of the world. It is true that the author of the Arcana Calestia assures us that "natural temptations," consisting of "diseases, misfortunes, persecutions, punishments, not grounded in justice and the like with anxieties which then exist, do not at all affect man's spiritual life;" but he also instructs us that spiritual temptations which are of the internal man "are frequently induced by natural temptations " with those who are in simple good (A. C. 8164), and we think we are justified in concluding from the teachings of the Word, and the writings of the Church, that a state of uninterrupted worldly prosperity is not conducive to the dissemination, or rather to the reception of spiritual truth. this, however, as it may, we regret to find that for several years our Society has not made any numerical progress. Our financial position and prospects are sound, we have no internal dissensions, the members of our congregation are for the most part punctual in their attend ance, Be we believe that they love and endeavour to live the truth "with a pure heart fervently," and earnestly desire to see Jerusalem "a praise in the earth.' But they often feel discouraged by their want of success in their efforts to sow the good seed of the Kingdom. To all human appearance "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word," and render it unfruitful. We have also to lament that some of those who have intellectually received the doctrines of the New Dispensation, and who accept the testimony of Swedenborg as a teacher sent of God, do not in any way identify themselves with the Society, either by their sympathy, their advice, their assistance, or their attendance at the worship of the Church. We cannot but regard this as more detrimental to the Society than would be the open hostility of its enemies. The Adelaide Society of the New Church originated in a meeting for the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Only Wise God our Saviour" held July 7, 1844, since which the services of the Church have been regularly held on the Sabbath-day. Now, however, our minister (Mr. E. G. Day), and his assistant (Mr. W. Holden), are far advanced in life, and must soon inevitably join the majority in the land of the living. Whenever this event occurs there appears to be no other prospect but that our beautiful place of worship must be closed for the want of a preacher. Should our fears in this particular be realized, the first altar raised in the Southern Hemisphere to Jehovah Jesus will be thrown down, and the members of our congregation "scattered as sheep having no shepherd." We know, however, that the Divine auspices are over the Church, and we therefore cling to the hope that when our present "helpers are withdrawn" the Lord will provide others, especially if the Society is true to its trust, and in all its doings does good, for the promise engages Thou shalt dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Signed on behalf of the Adelaide Society of the New Church, F. W. BOTTING, Secretary. Adopted at the Quarterly General Meeting of the Society held on April 26, 1875. To the Society of the New Church in Adelaide, South Australia. Dear Brethren,-It will indeed be as you say, in your address to the General Conference of the New Church in this country, that the pleasure you derive from these annual communications is much increased, because of the isolated position which you occupy. Placed as you are, so far away from all New Church association, this annual correspondence with men of your own faith will be esteemed a delightful privilege. For while you are on terms of Christian friendship (and most properly so), with the other religious bodies around you, yet you can never enter so fully into union with them, as you can with men animated by the same faith, pursuing the same ends, and offering up the same worship as you do yourselves. Fully appreciating your position, therefore, we rejoice with you in these annual expressions of good-will, and in these loving interchanges of thought and feeling connected with the great questions of New Church faith. We are gratified to hear of the pro gress of New Church sentiment in the Societies are even greater than that remote regions in which you dwell. It which they give to other religions is another to the abundant evidence we organizations. But the reason of this already have, that the New Jerusalem is obvious when we come to reflect upon is indeed descending among men; and it. We may readily see why the barriers it is most encouraging indeed to see its to Christian progress operate with manifestation in the more elevated tone greater strength against the advanceof thought, and the greater charity of ment of New Church Societies than judgment and feeling which now dis- they do against that of other religious tinguish men on the leading subjects of bodies. Christian faith and practice. In America and in this country evidences of a like character are increasingly multiplied, and the knowledge of this should stimulate us to further exertions to help forward the new and blessed work amongst us. It is likewise true, that as time moves on, and new developments take place, fresh hindrances to our work will from time to time appear. You name one as having arisen among yourselves. It is gratifying to know that worldly means have increased amongst you, and poWe sympathize with you in the regret verty is well-nigh banished from your which you express at the slow progress midst, but it is grieving to learn that this of your Society. It is a lament which has actually proved detrimental to the is not unfrequently heard in this growth of your Church. Alas! howcountry. We often think that the ever, it too frequently does so. Inlabours we give, and the money we spend, should realize greater results than they do, and we feel much disappointed when it is not so. Under the influence of this disappointment we are prone to despond, and to indulge in fears and dark forebodings about the future of our little Societies. But it should not be so. It should be our endeavour not to yield to such gloom nor feed upon the fears which it inspires. Our effort should be to rise to the level of our faith, and feast upon the spiritual hopes, and aims, and trust, which are so bountifully given forth in our teachings. creased means give increased facilities for indulgence; and even where indulgence does not debase the life, it too frequently enervates the mind,and leaves men apathetic and insensible to the spiri tual and eternal interests of their sonis. But notwithstanding all this, we must not feel disheartened. We must remember, that it is with us as it was with Elisha and the young man at Dothan. "They that be with us are more than they that be with them.” The Lord, Heaven, and a multitude of spiritual and unseen forces are on our side, and the more unselfish and devoted we become, the more reliant we are upon the Lord, when pursuing our sacred labours, and the more will His New Jerusalem prosper among men. We Have we a doubt, that as New Church doctrines are received, they will dispel from the Christian's faith the dense clouds and darkness which now obscure feel assured therefore, that it will be it? Have we a doubt, that as New your endeavour, as well as ours, to laChurch truth is more and more lived, bour on in the good cause; and in the it will remove from Christian practice spirit of the Divine promise, to be among the selfishness and uncharitableness those who will seek no rest until they which, knowingly and unknowingly, establish, and until they make Jerusalem have so long defiled it? Let it be our part a praise in the earth. then to refresh our wearied minds at the streams of this spiritual truth, and feast upon the nobler aims and unselfishness which it unfolds. Let us cheerfully perform the work the Lord has placed before us, resting assured that He, by His wise and most beneficent AUXILIARY NEW CHURCH MISSIONProvidence, will overrule it for the best. ARY AND TRACT SOCIETY.-The second Yet we are by no means insensible to anniversary festival of the above Society the great truth that the obstacles which was held on Friday, 1st October, in the obstruct our path are very great, and schoolroom of the Argyle Square Church. the hindrances they give to New Church The meeting was exceedingly well With most affectionate regards to all the members of your Society, and on behalf of the General Conference, believe me, yours most sincerely, WILLIAM WESTALL attended, notwithstanding the inclement nature of the weather. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. A. Bayley, the President of the Society, who, in his opening address, gave an account of the History of the Society," stating that it commenced with the meeting of five gentlemen, and that this number had increased to between forty and fifty. Mr. Bayley pointed out that it was the desire of the Society that the meeting should not be devoted to the enumeration of the past labours of the Society, but rather to interest the friends present in the work carried on, in which they could all personally assist. After a few remarks from the Secre. tary, Mr. Jobson spoke on the "Work of the Society in relation to current literature," and in the course of his remarks gave a most interesting anecdote which may perhaps be quoted here. It will be in the remembrance of most New Churchmen that the offer of Swedenborg's works to the Leamington Free Library was rejected by the Committee of that Institution, and it now appears that in the pantomime produced at the Leamington Theatre last Christmas, two clowns were supposed to represent the Swedenborg Society and the Free Lib. rary Committee respectively. The former clown brought in a large pile of books labelled "Swedenborg's Works," and presented them to the Free Library clown. The offer was however stated to be "declined with thanks." Clown number one having retired, again appeared with volumes bearing the title "Newgate Calendar.' These were received by the second clown with great demonstrations of gratitude. The moral was evident to all. After an interval, during which refreshments were served, Mr. C. Higham, the Vice-President, addressed the meeting on "The Relations of the Society with the Press." Mr. Higham pointed out that the press might be employed to a very large extent to disseminate our doctrines, and suggested that in every New Church Society its young men might arrange for regular reports of sermons to be sent to the local newspaper. Mr. Spear read an interesting paper on "The Future of the Society," followed by Mr. Perrett on "The Work of the Society in other Denominations." The latter gentleman pointed out that in a Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society to which he belonged, he could find half-a-dozen young New Churchmen heartily receiving our truths although not joining New Church Societies. Count Cottrill also made a few re marks, and the meeting, which the Society hopes will be very useful, was closed with the doxology and benediction. During the evening musical selections were rendered by ladies and gentlemen in a very able manner. The singing by the Kensington friends of the beautiful quartette "God is a Spirit," was much appreciated by the audience; and the Society is also much indebted to Mr. C. J. Whittington for his very valuable services as accompanyist. The Society again wishes to ask the New Church generally to bring to its notice any announcement of sermons on what would appear to be subjects concerning which the New Church has some light to give, any notices, reports of lectures, or sermons, to the author of which some communication might usefully be made; or any publication containing views approximating to or diverse from our belief. Amongst the work recently performed by the Society has been that of reporting the proceedings of the Conference in the London papers. Although this work carried on with some difficulty, reports appeared day by day in the Daily News and Hour. The latter journal inserted the Conference address in extenso, and it is hoped that the work done by the Society in this respect has been of some interest to members of the Church as well as of some use in making the outside world conscious of the existence of the New Church as an organization. was The Society, in connection with the literary part of its work, has communicated with aud received communications from several persons eminent in the Church and distinguished in the world of letters. All the letters they have received have been most respectfully worded, the writers promising to read the books sent them, or seeking further information respecting the doctrines. The Secretary of the Society is T. H. Elliott, junr., 122 Englefield Road, Islington, London, N., who will be glad to place any one in communication with the various provincial committees if desired, or give any further information. ACCRINGTON.-On Sunday, Septem ber 19th, the New Church in this town, which had been closed for three months to undergo painting and beautifying, was reopened for Divine worship. The decorations of the church are very rich and handsome, and have been greatly admired by those who have seen them. Advantage has been taken of the elegant character of the interior, so well adapted to the reception of beautiful designs in the nave, the panels of the side roof in the communion and the chancel; and while the contractor may be complimented upon the success of his effort to beautify, the Society may be congratulated upon the possession of a place of worship surpassed by few in the district for elegance and rich ornamentation. The opening services were entirely successful, having been conducted by the Rev. Dr. Bayley, who preached morning and evening, and by Rev. J. Ashby of Derby in the afternoon. As might have been expected, overflowing congregations evidenced the interest felt not only by the congregation, but by friends from other denominations in the town. The evening service was especially crowded, every part of the church being occupied where a seat could be placed. And lastly, the collections were worthy of the occasion, realizing, with subscriptions, over £752. It would be impossible to refer to the many excellent expositions of the Word in the discourses of the preachers without exceeding the limits of a brief report; it may suffice to say that each of them was heard with much interest and gratification, and we hope with much profit. The serious illness of the Rev. J. J. Thornton has compelled that gentleman to resign his position as minister in Accrington -a necessity which has called forth the sincere sympathy of the Society, and he leaves them with the hope that rest and quiet may in time restore him to health and vigour. BRADFORD.-Recognition of Mr. Jas. R. Rendell, B. A., as Minister of the Society at Bradford.-A public meeting was held in the New Jerusalem Church, Bradford, on Wednesday evening, Sept. 15th, for the purpose of welcoming Mr. J. R. Rendell to Bradford as minister of the Society. Tea was served by the ladies in the church, after which Mr. George Aspinall was called to the Mr. chair. After devotional exercises, the chairman in a brief address stated the purpose of the meeting, and called upon Mr. Dyson, the Secretary, to give the Society's welcome to Mr. Rendell. Dyson said, We are met to-day to congratulate each other on the acquisi tion of a minister and to give him a hearty welcome. It is not yet eighteen months since an expression in one of our annual reports was criticised, because it ventured to give utterance to the hope that ere long we should have a great and pressing want supplied in the person of a resident minister. To some that interval may have appeared long; but to those who are trustful and persevering, who have learned to labour and to wait, time flies fast, leaving doubt and despair behind and bringing nearer and nearer the object on which we have set our affections. Mr. Dyson then, in an interesting address, gave a lengthened account of the rise and progress of the Society, and concluded with a hearty welcome to their newly-appointed pastor. In reply to this welcome, Mr. Rendell, after thanking the Society for his appointment and for their gene rosity in waiting until he completed his studies, said,-I have listened with intense interest to what Mr. Dyson has been telling you, much of which is perhaps as new to some of you as it all was to me. I believe in history. You know that there is a proverb that history repeats itself, and it is on this account that the study of history, whether it be of a people, a nation, a church, or a branch of a church, is a most valuable lesson for the future. The history of this Society is the history of many a New Church Society. A few men devoted to the doctrines have steadily worked onwards, and though cramped by many difficulties, and though opposed by many hard-to-beclimbed-over barriers, they have by dint of much perseverance succeeded in sowing the living seed in fruitful and even grateful ground. You have worked steadily onward hitherto, and have been blessed with some success, and now you have invited me to become your minister and pastor. Now I feel my position tonight very acutely. I don't remember ever being present at a meeting where there was so much of the personal elementso much of the personal element which cannot be avoided. For me this occasion is the commencement of my life's work |