the rent. The subjects chosen were "Sermons on Portions of the Revelation." The services were satisfactorily attended, and as a result other Sunday services and week - evening lectures followed, and as far as it is possible to judge the impression made on the minds of many was a favourable one. In November the services were continued in both the Vestry Hall and the Penge Hall, both Sunday services and week-night lectures. The apparently favourable reception continued. Several persons who had previously known nothing of the doctrines became fully convinced of their truth; others who had heard a little of them were carried forward in a conviction of their truth; others still who had known them and read them for some years, but living away from any New Church, had seldom attended one, these were brought together, and thus at length a conviction grew with many that a permanent Society ought to be established in the district. Conversations took place amongst those who could give most pecuniary aid; and on the promise of Mr. Gunton becoming the leader of the Society, at least until it was somewhat firmly established, and until a suitable minister could be found to succeed him, the matter began to take form. On the 28th of December five gentlemen met in one of the rooms at the Penge Hall and formed themselves into a provisional committee 'for the purpose of establishing a Society of "The New Jerusalem Church,' to be called the Anerley Society of the New Church;" these were Messrs. W. L. Webb, Alexander Wilson, A. C. Moore, John Townend, and R. Gunton. Two of those gentlemen, viz. Mr. Webb and Mr. Wilson, had each offered ground on which to place a church; and the committee being now formed, and having appointed a secretary, treasurer, and chairman, proceeded to consider the respective advantages of the plots of land so kindly offered. All things considered, it was thought best to decide upon having a permanent church and schoolroom of adequate dimensions for all present purposes and for some years to come, and also susceptible of enlargement if and when needed. For all these purposes the land offered by Mr. Wilson was best suited, and was accepted by the 66 on committee. At a subsequent informal meeting held at Mr. Gunton's Monday evening, January 17, drawings of the proposed church and schoolroom, which had been kindly prepared under the direction of Mr. Wilson's instructions, were shown to the friends present, and further conversation took place. The friends on this occasion were disappointed of Dr. Bayley's presence, who was expected, but who was prevented by illness and the severity of the weather from joining them. He had, however, previously expressed his hearty concurrence in the proposal and his desire to help them forward in every way he could. At this meet ing the promise of aid from the Anerley friends and a few others present, including the value of the ground and other specific gifts, amounted to £675, and additional promises have been since given, making the amount now about £750. It is considered that the whole cost will be at least £1750, so that it may be said that an additional £1000 will be required. All these figures are proximate. As the Anerley friends have shown a most laudable earnestness of purpose, it is hoped that they will be encouraged by liberal, and in some cases large, donations from those who have the means wherewith to give, and that another permanent and self-supporting Society may be firmly established in the suburbs of the metropolis, and prove a means of presenting the sublime truths of "The New Jerusalem" to many thousands of souls, and thus increasing the happiness of those who give and those who receive. are Contributions and promises solicited, and may be sent to the treasurer of the new Society, Mr. Alexander Wilson, Fontainbleau, Anerley Park, London, S. E.; to Mr. James Gilbey, 394 Edgeware Road, London, W.; to Mr. James Speirs, 36 Bloomsbury Street, London, W.C.; or to Mr. R. Gunton, Treasurer of the General Conference, 205 Tufnell Park Road, London, N. Signed on behalf of the committee, Post-Office Orders to R. Gunton at the Post Office, Junction Road, London, N. We recognise with pleasure the zeal of our brethren at Anerley, and believe they have good ground for their hope of establishing a Society, which will be a convenience and a blessing to that important suburb of the metropolis. We trust their own liberal efforts will obtain a generous response from their brethren. J. BAYLEY. BOLTON.-On Sunday evening, February 13, the Rev. T. Mackereth delivered a lecture in the church in Bridge Street, which excited considerable attention. The subject of the lecture was "Man lives on after Death." The public mind seems to have been somewhat prepared to listen to this subject by a recent lecture by the Rev. Mr. Cook under the title "Does Death end all?" "To say," says a correspondent, "that the church was erowded conveys an inadequate idea of the dense mass of beings that assembled within its walls. It was literally packed in every available spot, aisles, vestry, vestibule, gallery stairs, everywhere, and scores went away because they could not get in." Attention was drawn to the delivery of the discourse by a very commendatory intimation in one of the local papers of the lecturer's ability, and a report occupying nearly a column was inserted after its delivery. From this report we find that the lecture was an elaborate and lucid statement of modern theories, and a clear and convincing presentment of New Church doctrine on the subject. We give the concluding portion of the lecture :— "There were two kinds of mind, the instinctive and the rational. Herbert Spencer said they were similar, but it must be borne in mind that instinct never varied except when it was modified by man's intelligence, as vital force could modify physical force. And then Herbert Spencer did not seem to notice that the members of the vegetable kingdom had their respective instincts as well as the animal. Animals were born with instincts just as much as they were born with bodies; they had all that was absolutely necessary for their existence. On the other hand, man was born without any knowledge, and was utterly helpless. But he had the capacity to learn, and to teach when he had learned, and cultivation made that capacity more perfect. Did this capacity exist in the animal or vegetable world? It only existed in the imagination of those who taught that it was so. Now what was the human soul? It had been defined as an ethereal vapour and as a vital spark. But the soul was in no particular portion of the human body; it was in every part of it. The microscope showed them the difference between animal blood and human blood, and therefore wherever they could see human flesh and blood there was the product of the human soul. Consequently, if they could imagine to themselves a disembodied soul, they would see it, not as a vapour, but as a human form divinely grand, in the image of its God. A man's mind was the product of his soul acting within his body. We were born with a soul and a body, but not with a mind. The mind was our own working out under the providence of God, and it was that for which we were responsible. The human soul differed from the animal instinct in the fact that it was permeated with a persuasion that there is a Supreme Ruler of all things, and all men, no matter who they were, whether atheist or idolater, had that persuasion. Death was physical decay, and this decay was continually going on from manhood to old age. But whilst this was so the higher faculties become more perfect; and, therefore, who should say that this growth of vis vitæ should cease with the material organization? The mind must be sustained, and that mind was strongest which had its rational convictions centred in God, whose Divine wisdom was its sustentation. Sometimes gifted men had been endeavouring to solve some problem. They had searched everywhere for its solution, and yet had failed. But when they were on the point of giving up the search the truth suddenly burst upon them. Whence did it come? The wisdom of God was inscrutable, and could not be comprehended. Where were the great men of the past? They knew that their thoughts came back again and lit up the minds of others. Those things were developed in some supernatural and mysterious way; and if those things DALTON (Opening of New Organ).— The New Church Society of this place has been greatly occupied for a considerable time with a difficulty arising from the breakdown of the organ which has for the past thirty years been used in the musical services of the church. When it first became clear several months since that the old instrument could not possibly be restored, the harmonium, purchased four years ago by the young people for use in the Sunday school, was removed into the church, and the members began to consider what must be done. It was at length determined that the minister and the treasurer should be appointed to solicit subscriptions for a new organ. The deputation eventually reported that a sum of over £100 might be relied upon, and the well-known firm of James Conacher & Sons of Huddersfield was applied to for an estimate. This firm offered to supply an organ of the following compass:— GREAT ORGAN, CC to G, 56 notes. 1. Open diapason, metal, 2. Gamba, ft. pipes. 8 56 8 44 8 65 (treble), cordingly. In the meantime the subscriptions were liberally paid in on every hand. Friends not at all connected with the church have voluntarily subscribed. In addition to these private and individual manifestations of sympathy there have been others of a more public character. The members of the choir of the Wesleyan New Connexion Church in Huddersfield, without solicitation on our part, volunteered a concert in aid of the organ fund. This assistance was, of course, accepted, and a contribution of £5 was paid in. Immediately after this the members of the choir of the Parish Church, also without suggestion from us, offered a concert, the proceeds of which amounted to £12. Such unusual manifestations of interest and sympathy greatly stimulated our friends, and it was resolved that an effort should be made to secure a successful opening. The Rev. Dr. Bayley was applied to, and the Kensington Society generously sanctioned the proposed arrangement for a visit from the worthy veteran. The Dalton friends determined to extend the opening services over two Sundays, giving prominence on the first day to the musical part of the worship, and intending to give at least equal prominence to the preaching on the second day. The Rev. E. Whitehead preached on the first Sunday, January 23, when large congregations assembled to rejoice with us on the completion of our undertaking. the evening especially the church was densely crowded in every part, all being evidently delighted with the proceedings. On this occasion Joshua Marshall, Esq., of Huddersfield, most kindly gave his services as organist, and was seconded by a considerable number of ladies and gentlemen well known for musical ability in the neighbourhood. It was hoped that the Rev. Dr. Bayley would officiate on the second Sunday, January 30, but he was prevented by serious illness from carrying out his intention. The duty then devolved upon the resident minister. Large congregations again assembled, and evidently enjoyed the occasion. The collections amounted to £35, which, along with £100 previously raised in subscriptions from members and friends, and £13, 5s. 10 d. contributed separately by the Sunday In scholars, will reduce the Society's liabilities to £70. It has been arranged to hold a bazaar on Easter Monday to liquidate this balance, respecting which the friends have now very sanguine expectations. In addition to this it has become necessary to rearrange the pews in the church in order to provide additional accommodation. It is intended to proceed with this work as early as possible, and to provide for the cost immediately, so as to avoid the incubus of debt. . LIVERPOOL.-A pleasant variation in the ordinary Sunday-school lessons has been introduced into the school at Bedford Street. This is the introduction on a Sunday afternoon of a children's service in place of the ordinary classes. This service is entirely conducted by the scholars; and it is sincerely hoped that this departure from the ordinary routine of Sunday schools will not only increase the interest of the scholars, but also be the means of inducing their parents and friends to encourage those who work in this portion of the vineyard of the Lord. In order to meet the convenience of friends and to enable them to stay to the evening service, tea is provided in the schoolroom. 2. MIDDLETON.-One of the advantages gained by the Society here in the appointment of a minister has been the delivery of Sunday-evening lectures, and a consecutive treatment of religious subjects on every alternative Wednesday evening during the winter months. Last October Mr. Westall began a course of nine lectures on the subject of "The Lord," the subject being taken up in the following order: 1. "That Jesus was Jehovah in the Form of Man." "What was the Manhood of Jesus." 3. "His Divinity." 4. "His Godhead." 5. "The Trinity in Jesus." 6. "His Sacrifice." 7. If His Death neither appeased His Father's Wrath nor satisfied His Offended Justice, what did it effect? 8. "Jesus the only Name under Heaven by which we can be saved." 9. "If such were the Blessings His Advent achieved, why was His Coming so long delayed?" These lectures were advertised in the Middleton papers, and were attended by large congregations, there being a very considerable sprinkling of strangers every night added to a very good attendance of our own people. Since Christmas Mr. Westall has commenced another series of discourses on the subject, entitled "Dark Texts Illuminated.” In these discourses he is taking a number of obsolete Jewish laws, such as "The Law of the Burntoffering" and "The Cities of Refuge;" and showing that while these laws have long been obsolete in their literal observance, they are yet full of spiritual wisdom, and are destined in the future greatly to edify the Christian soul. These discourses are in course of delivery, and have gained very excellent attendances, and it is hoped it will prove a source of instruction and spiritual help to many. 2. 3. At the beginning of the winter he commenced a week-night religious service, which is held every other Wednesday, and the theme of his discourses at all these gatherings has been "The Bible," which he has treated in the following order: 1. "The Bible, its Varied Books, and the Kinds of Inspiration possessed by their Writers." "The Mythology of the Bible." "The Meaning of that Mythology from the Creation to the Flood." 4. "That Meaning continued from the Flood to the Tower of Babel." 5. "How Mythology merges into History." 6. "The Peculiarities of Jewish History, and how it differed from the History of any other Nation in the World." 7. "That Divine Intervention in that History was not arbitrary, but according to Law, but according to Spiritual Law, and not Natural Law." 8. "The Means by which the Lord made Spiritual Law operative in Nature." 9. "His Aim was the Establishment of a Church of Types and Shadows, the Shadow of a Church Only." 10. "His End was that through the History of that People and its Relations Internal and External He might give 'The Word,' at once accommodated to the most degenerate among Men and the most exalted in Heaven. The attendance at these services has been very good and well maintained, except during the very severe weather just after Christmas. They have also been much appreciated not only for the instructions given, but likewise for the opportunity of religious fellowship which it affords between Sabbath and Sabbath. WIGAN.-At the annual examination for free scholarships at the Wigan Grammar School seventeen candidates entered for the competition. The governors of the Grammar School received certain grants from the funds of the Wigan charities towards the building of the new Grammar School, and in return it was ordered that a number of scholarships should be given to boys attending elementary schools in Wigan, enabling them to be educated at the Wigan Grammar School for three years without payment of the tuition fees. These scholarships are awarded by merit, and out of the seventeen candidates nine were elected, the second and third being pupils of the New Church dayschool in Wigan. ITALY.-We have much pleasure in announcing the revival of the Nuova Epoca (the New Age), the excellent Italian New Church organ, edited by Professor Loreto Scocia, the indefatigable New Church missionary and translator of Swedenborg's works in Italy. In wishing the periodical every success, we would add the hope that it will receive ample support also by the friends of the good cause in England, especially so as the Professor gives his editorial labour free of charge. It is excellently written, on good paper and in clear type, enlarged to 24 post octavo pages, and is a very good "Silent Missionary.' The subscription (6s. a-year, post free), may be paid to Mr. Joseph Gallico, 20 Oseney Crescent, Camden Road, N.W. دو - A cor THE NEW JERUSALEM. respondent who has had some experience with those who look for a startling personal appearance of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and His setting up of an earthly kingdom at Jerusalem, asks us to give through the Repository the teaching of the New Church on this subject. Our correspondent will find the subject to which he refers fully explained in the fourteenth chapter of the 'True Christian Religion," and in the exposition of the Apostle John's vision of the New Jerusalem in the "Apocalypse Revealed." From the latter work we make the following brief extract : "And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, signifies a New Church to be established by the Lord at the end of the former Church, which will be consociated with the New Heaven in Divine Truths both as to doctrine and life. John here names himself, saying, I John, because as an apostle he signifies the good of love to the Lord, and thence the good of life, wherefore he was loved more than the other apostles, and at supper lay on the Lord's bosom. So will this Church which is now treated of. . . . Jerusalem in the Word signifies the Church, because there, in the land of Canaan, and not elsewhere, was the Temple, there was the altar, sacrifices were there offered, thus Divine worship itself. There also three feasts were celebrated yearly, and every male throughout the whole land was commanded to come up to them. From this it is that Jerusalem signifies the Church as to worship, and hence as to doctrine, for worship is prescribed in doctrine and is according to it" (A. R. 879, 880). Obituary. Perhaps no name is better known in connection with the New Church than that of Mr. George Pixton, whose earthly career was closed on the 2nd February at his residence, Overton Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. For upwards of fortyfive years he had been an active and zealous member of the Society now meeting in Bedford Street North, Liverpool, he being one of its principal founders. He was born at Stretford, near Manchester, and educated by the Rev. John Pownall, a receiver of the writings of Swedenborg, and one of the early missionary ministers of the New Church in Lancashire. At eighteen years of age he went to business, and lodged with Mr. Cordin, who also held the same views. Mr. Pixton became interested in the discussions heard between several people, among whom were the late Richard Boardman, sen., of Middleton. He early imbibed an ardent love for the writings of the Church, and on |