New Church to many hundreds of tisements of one or more of the works minds in that district. SWEDENBORG SOCIETY.-Since the annual meeting the Polish translation of the "Heaven and Hell" has been completed, and copies are being put into circulation in Poland by the kind offices of Mr. J. G. Mittnacht of Frankfort. Twenty-five copies were presented to Mr. Schiweck to aid him. in his missionary labours. Mr. Hjaltalin having been appointed rector or head-master of the College of Mödruvellir in Iceland, took advantage of the opportunity afforded him to obtain from the committee a grant of books for the library of the College, which will thus be made available for the use of such students as may be disposed to read them. The grant included thirty-one volumes in English, and copies of all the foreign translations except French and Italian. The edition of Mr. Pandurung's "Reflections" in the Marathi language is now in the hands of a native printer in Bombay, but some time will elapse before it is completed. It is interesting to know that the translation has been made under the superintendence of Mr. Pandurung's youngest daughter, whose age is about eighteen years. Miss Pandurung having expressed a strong desire to dedicate the work to Miss Clissold, that lady most kindly gave her consent, and has approved the draft copy which was sent to her last November. Mr. Pandurung has been honoured by Sir James Fergusson with an appointment in the Education department at Bombay as translator and reviser of new Marathi books submitted by their authors for the patronage and support of Government. An effort has been made to obtain the assistance of booksellers in offering selections of the works for sale. Messrs. Sotheran & Co. have now eight volumes in their Queen Street establishment, and the same number in Eastcheap, and Mr. Higham has also undertaken to keep a certain number of volumes in stock. Offers were made to some other firms, but difficulties as regards price have so far stood in the way of their accept ance. The committee has inserted adver. with explanatory notes in the following publications, viz. : "The Clergy List," "Clergy Directory," " Congregational Year-Book," "Baptist Handbook," "Protestant Dissenters' Almanac, "Ministers' Pocket Diary,' Congregational Almanac, "Vege tarian Almanac,' New Church YearBook,' ""School Board Chronicle." The recently-opened public libraries, so far as they are known, have been supplied with sets of the works. 66 99 66 DERBY.-The yearly meeting of this Society was held on Monday evening, February 21, and by adjournment on Tuesday evening, March 1st. The reports of the various institutions connected with the church were very encouraging. Much useful work has been accomplished during the year, and methods of increased usefulness were suggested. One new member was added to the church. The committee express their thankfulness for the progress and prosperity of the Society. They note several improvements in the property of the Society, and call attention to the intended erection of a chapel-keeper's house, which they commend to the next committee. By the kind consideration of Mrs. Cursham the sum of £200 has been received during the year for the permanent benefit of the Society. The bazaar was a great suc cess, enabling the treasurer to pay all demands and to hold a balance in hand. Six members have been added to the Society, and seven removed→ four by death. The reports of the Sunday School, Mutual Improvement Society, Ladies' Committee, Choir, and Band of Hope were equally cheerful and encouraging. Sunday-evening lectures have been held during the winter, and will be continued to the end of April. HEYWOOD.-The annual meeting of this Society was held on the evening of Thursday, February 24. There was a good attendance of members. During the evening two members were admitted into the Society, and all the proceedings were conducted in a spirit of Christian kindliness and goodwill. The preceding year the committee of the Society determined to change a financial system which had been long prevalent, that of often leaving the treasurer without funds until the end of the year, when the accounts were balanced by an extra subscription among the members. An effort was made, and the sum of £62 provided as a balance in the treasurer's hands. The year terminates with a nearly equal balance, which although not quite sufficient to prevent an occasional application to the private resources of the treasurer, is a great improvement on the practice which formerly prevailed, and which, we fear, is too common in many other Societies. From one of the reports presented to the meeting we make the following extract: "Attention to the external affairs of a Society is necessary to the prosperity of the Church. Public worship cannot be sustained in an orderly manner without a suitable place of worship and other appointments, which can neither be provided nor sustained without the expenditure of worldly means. The raising of these means when engaged in from spiritual motives, such as the love of the Church and the desire to promote its prosperity, promotes the true wellbeing of those engaged in the work. The church has been opened at the usual times for public worship, and the attendance has been on the whole good, although we have constantly to deplore the absence of many we should gladly welcome to our assemblies. The attendance at worship is largest in the morning, and at the evening service the young, to whom this service is adapted, are not always present in the numbers we could wish to see and might reasonably expect. The usual week-evening meetings have been held. The meeting on the Wednesday evening has gradually assumed the character of a preparation class for the Sunday school. During the winter a series of cottage meetings have been held, which have been found instructive and edifying. The attendance has not been so large as we had hoped, although on one or two occasions the rooms have been comfortably filled. Two courses of lectures have been appointed on the Sabbath evenings during the winter. In the second of these three neighbouring ministers have taken part-Messrs. Griffiths, Tan KEARSLEY.-The Rev. P. Ramage has commenced a second winter course of lectures at the above place of worship on the "Divine Wisdom contained in the Words of the Angels." The first lecture was entitled, "What aileth thee?" the second was, "Escape for thy Life." In this course lectures were also given by the Revs. Isaiah Tansley and R. Storry, Mr. Ramage repeating one of his lectures to the congregations of these ministers at the time of their visit to his congregation: By this arrangement a pleasant exchange of pulpits took place, which added variety to the services, and seemed to be warmly appreciated by the several congregations. Ramage has also commenced a series of morning sermons on the "History of Elijah. The first discourse was delivered on the 6th February. The attendances at these services have been very good, and the discourses listened to with marked attention. Mr. The The Mutual Improvement Society held its annual business and social meeting on the 12th February, when the report read by the secretary was of the most flattering character. Society is financially and numerically stronger than it has been for many years past. The essays and lectures have also been of a most interesting kind, and have been well attended. The Rev. P. Ramage has lectured on the "Second Advent and its Effects upon the World," the Rev. I. Tansley, B.A., on "Musical Sounds and how they are produced." A small social party was also held on Wednesday the 16th February, with the view of re-establishing a class for adults in the Sunday school, the minister in the chair. Various addresses were delivered, and it was agreed to organize the class, which it is expected will be useful in supplying teachers for the school. LONDON (Brixton).-On Thursday, January 20, a social gathering was held in the Lecture Hall of the Angell Town Institute, when the desirability of using the new Hymn-Book was considered; and as the general verdict was found to be favourable, it was unanimously determined to adopt the compilation on and after February 6th. During the evening two pleasant surprises occurred. Mr. Isaac Gunton, in an appropriate address, explained that the Brixton friends desired to convey to their minister, Mr. Austin, a tangible expression of their esteem and confidence, and with that view had procured a silver inkstand, of which they asked his acceptance. The testimonial, which was of handsome design, was then handed to Mr. Austin, who in a brief speech thanked the subscribers for this kindly manifestation of their feeling towards him. A tune-book and hymn-book and liturgy were then presented to Mr. E. J. Margetson, who had conducted most efficiently the musical portion of the worship at Brixton since its commencement. The receiver (who is grandson of a former minister of the Dalton Society), in a few brief and suitable words, indicated his willingness to continue to render to the cause whatever services he was able to supply. At intervals remarks were offered by Mr. Tilson, pastor of the Liverpool Society, and Mr. Bettel, late of Salisbury. The Misses Gunton and Mr. Margetson agreeably varied the programme by singing and playing on the piano. At the end of the year the ladies and gentlemen of the Association, to the number of thirty-eight, resigned their membership at Camberwell; and with the view of calling more prominent attention to the doctrines in Brixton than had heretofore been attempted, it was resolved to secure the valuable services of Mr. R. Gunton, who, under the auspices of the Missionary and Tract Society, decided to deliver a course of special Sunday discourses. These were given in the large hall during the month of January, and ended with a public lecture on Thursday evening, February 10. Mr. Gunton chose for consideration some of the lessons contained in the Book of Revelation and their spiritual sense. The subjects specially treated were: On Sunday, January 9, morning, "John in the Spirit on the Lord's Day;" evening, "The Lord Sun in the Midst of the Seven Golden Candlesticks. Sunday, January 16, morning, "The Lord Jesus the Only God, the Almighty;" evening, "The Woman clothed with the Sun." day, January 23, morning, "Repentance the Foundation of Heaven in Man;' evening, "The New Heaven, the New Earth, and the New Jerusalem." Sunday, January 30, morning, "The Angel standing in the Sun and crying to all the Fowls;" evening, 66 Death, Resurrection, and Judgment." These were treated in the masterly manner usual with the speaker, and afforded evident gratification to many hearers. That the interpretation of the internal sense of these passages was duly appreciated is evidenced by the increased attendance at the services now resumed in the lower hall. The subject for Thursday evening was, "Where the millions who have died now dwell, and what they do," in which it was shown that they dwell in the spiritual world, which was stated to be a substantial world like the natural, only consisting of spiritual substances, which are as real to spiritual beings as natural substances are to men on earth. It was further said that, under the guidance of the Lord, their occupation consisted in the perfection of uses to each other, and to man as an heir of salvation. Opportunity was afforded for inquiries, but no objections were raised. the Sunday services tracts were distributed suited to the occasions; and on the Thursday evening a number of books expository of New Church doctrines were sold at merely nominal prices. After PAISLEY.-On Sunday, February 6, the new Hymn-Book was introduced into the services, about eighty copies having been sold during the previous month. Mr. Allbutt preached special sermons on the occasion, his text in the morning being Psalm xcv. 1, and in the afternoon Psalm cxlix. 5. On Sunday, February 13, Mr. Allbutt preached a special sermon in the afternoon on Temperance, having been requested to do so by the New Church Temperance Society. His text was from Isaiah xxxv. 3, 4. He urged, during the course of his remarks, that Temperance advocates should regard outward reformation, or the reformation of the habits, as only the first step towards inward reformation or a renewal of the heart. The intemperate should be taught that the root of intemperance is a selfish spirit, and hence should be led to shun it as a sin against God. The preacher showed how abstainers and those who did not wholly abstain, but were pledged to do what they were able for the overthrow of intoxication, might readily combine together for effecting this object. At the last quarterly meeting of this Society it was resolved that in case the Glasgow Society should invite Conference for 1882, the friends here would do all in their power to help the Glasgow friends to accommodate visitors, etc. It was agreed that a copy of the resolution should be forwarded to the secretary of the Glasgow Society to be read by him at the next quarterly meeting of that Society. Obituary. Friends will learn with deep regret of the removal from this life of Dr. Thomas Wemyss Bogg, formerly of Louth, in Lincolnshire, but lately of Altrincham, Cheshire. Dr. Bogg, who was born in 1837, was the son of the late John Bogg, Esq., surgeon, of Louth, and was by his father and mother carefuly educated in the doctrines of the New Church. Dr. Bogg originally purposed being a farmer, in accordance with the wish of his father's uncle, a landed proprietor in Lincolnshire, and after leaving school went to reside with that gentleman on his farm at Donnington in order that he might learn farming. Soon, however, he showed a decided preference for the profession of medicine; and being also desirous of helping his father, who much required his assistance in his extensive practice, he gladly returned home to commence his medical education. Always of thoughtful habits, he applied himself diligently to his studies, passed the matriculation examination of the London University with honours, and entered as a student at University College Hospital, where he greatly distinguished himself as a diligent and successful student. He studied unweariedly, and gained several medals, amongst which the gold medal for botany at Apothecaries' Hall, open to all students, may be. mentioned, as botany was his favourite study during his whole life. He had an extraordinary love for wild flowers, and had them gathered for him when he was no longer able to collect them himself. From college, after taking the diploma of the Royal College of Surgeons and other diplomas, he returned home on account of the failing health of his father, and took charge of his practice, to which, on the death of his father in 1866, he succeeded. In the exercise of his profession he gained the respect of his fellow-practitioners, not only by his learning and skill, but also by his kind and honourable conduct, and his patients reposed in him the greatest confidence, and regarded him with most affectionate friendship. During this time study both of the literature of the Church and that of his profession was assiduously pursued. After some years he returned to London, and took the degree of M.B. of the London University. His health not being robust, and finding himself unable to bear the nightly exposure to the weather incident to a general practice, he determined to remove to a milder climate and continue his profession as a physician only. He then took the diploma of Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, and commenced practice at St. Leonardson-Sea, where a successful career appeared to open before him. Dr. Bogg held an honourable position in his native town; he was physician to the Louth Hospital, surgeon to the Louth County Prison, member of the Town Council, and he also held various other public and private appointments. He was an occasional contributor to the medical journals. Two of his articles on "Prison Diet and Labour were of special interest in a humanitarian point of view, as they were efforts towards reforming instead of punishing. The subject of physical deformity and weakness which is known to be so prevalent among prisoners was treated of, and by a careful consideration of the nutritive value of the food ordered in the prison dietaries, it was shown to be deficient in substances capable of restoring to health constitutions originally weak or broken down by a long course of vice; the hope being that if a more nutritious diet were given, upon leaving prison they would be sufficiently strong to follow their employment immediately, and might not have their disinclination to work increased by physical weakness. Dr. Bogg was a contributor to the pages of this magazine, and also to those of the Juvenile Magazine. Possessed of poetical taste as well as of scientific attainments, he wrote several poems, some of them illustrating the traces of correspondences existing in mythology. One poem, published in this magazine, "The Bravest Man," is deserving of special mention. Another, published separately, entitled the "Storm of Galilee," exemplifies well the way in which he used to regard the doctrine of correspondences, a science in which he took constant delight, as natural to one trained as he had been, and possessing both scientific knowledge and poetical instincts. A few weeks before his death he was engaged in preparing a set of cards for the instruction of children, having an engraving of some animal on one side, and on the reverse a statement of its spiritual correspondence. was Soon after reaching St. Leonards he discovered that he was suffering from a disease which generally terminates fatally. Fully aware of the serious nature of the malady, he consulted several eminent physicians, and for a considerable time persevered in a course of dietetic and other treatment which involved much self-denial, but without avail. While on a visit to relatives in Manchester about a year ago more dangerous symptoms developed, and for a time his life was almost despaired of. He, however, rallied, and much desired to resume the work of his profession, which was so dear to him, but was never able to return to St. Leonards. He retired to Altrincham, near Manchester, where, tended by an affectionate brother and sister-in-law, and watched over by the loving mother to whom through life he had been a most devoted son, he gradually grew weaker, and peacefully passed to his eternal rest on Sunday, February 13. "Thrice blest whose lives are faithful prayers, Whose loves in higher love endure." From childhood Dr. Bogg was most conscientious and faithful in his endeavours to live according to the teaching of Divine Wisdoni. To the doctrines of Swedenborg he was most ardently attached, and was not only assiduous in studying them himself, but most happy in imparting his interest in them to others. He took an active part in the work of the Lincolnshire New Church Association, of which he was twice president, and for some years secretary and treasurer. His intellectual power was accom panied by a pure and humble mind. Naturally self-depreciating, he was candid and deferential to the opinions of others, but when fully convinced loyal to truth, and courageous though kind in its expression. Of him very appropriately might be said "On thee the loyal hearted hung, The proud were half disarmed of pride, Departed this life, at Preston, on the 24th January, Mr. Christopher Kenyon, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Also at Preston, on the 19th of February, after a long and painful illness, borne with exemplary patience, meekand submission, Mr. James Simpson passed quietly and peacefully away, in the sixtieth year of his age. ness, In early life he became acquainted with the truths of the New Church, and he embraced them with much affection, holding them fast to the end. Departed this life, on February 12, at the residence of E. J. Leeming, Esq., Prestwich, Christian Leeming, daughter of the late Thomas Leeming. Miss Leeming was born in 1808; she was baptized into the New Church in 1823, and was from that time until her death a member of the Salford Society. The Accrington Society has lost two more of its aged and esteemed members. Mrs. Betsy Taylor and Mrs. Ellen Bury, the latter the widow of the late Mr. James Bury, have passed into the spiri tual world; the former on the 17th February, and the latter on the 10th March. On March the 11th, at 9 Oseney Crescent, Mr. James Rowe, M. R. C. V.S., late of 65 High Street, Marylebone, aged sixty-two. |