bers of which circulated an enormous number of tracts. There never was a time when the principles of the New Church were more needed than the present. Society has been formed on the rejection of regeneration, and has smothered it with first one sham and then another. In the New Church the whole Word, from Genesis to Revelation, is seen to treat of regeneration. It is this glorious lesson long wrought out. Our tracts, therefore, ought to be passed from hand to hand. Nor shall we ever know the extent of their usefulness. Much of the truth that we meet with in the popular teaching has been received from them. Some one has received a tract, and repeated in conversation or otherwise the truth he has received from it. It has passed from one to another until at length it has found its way by the press into a still wider dissemination. Other short addresses brought an interesting meeting to a close. NATIONAL MISSIONARY INSTITUTION, AND STUDENTS' AND MINISTERS' AID FUND. (To the Sub-Editor).— DEAR SIR,-As the Conference Committee appointed by Minute 53 to solicit subscriptions on behalf of these funds, we desire to call the attention of the members of the Church to the fact that both these accounts are at present overdrawn, the first named by about £40, and the second by about £30. We trust, therefore, that this appeal will be responded to, so that a satisfactory account may be furnished to the next Conference. Contributions to the treasurer, Mr. R. Gunton, 205 Tufnell Park Road, London, N. P.O. orders to R. Gunton, at the Post Office, Junction Road, London, N. May 13, 1881. WM. MILNER, Chairman. R. GUNTON, Secretary. NEW CHURCH COLLEGE.-The annual meeting of the above institution was held at the College on Tuesday, 26th April. After tea the friends assembled in the chapel, and a short service was held conducted by Mr. Woodford, after which the meeting adjourned to the library and Dr. Collingwood was called to the chair. It had been arranged for the Rev. W. Bruce to preside, but a letter from that gentleman was read regretting his inability to attend on account of ill-health. The chairman in his introductory remarks referred to the happy influence which the late Mr. Bateman had always exercised, and expressed the hope that by means of the working scheme which it was proposed to adopt, the great future pictured by the founders of the College would be realized. The secretary then read the Council's report, which referred to the losses the institution had sustained by the removal by death of several of its governors. Special reference was made to Mr. Bateman, his labours on behalf of the College from its commencement as secretary and otherwise, and his generous gifts of money. The report stated that a deputation from the Council together with other deputations followed him to the tomb, and that a vote of sympathy for Mrs. Bateman and her family had been passed. The other losses sustained were Mr. S. Jeggins and Dr. T. W. Bogg. The Rev. J. Presland had examined the scholars, and had reported very favourably of their acquirements. In order to raise the character of the school to that of a Collegiate Institution it had been decided to require new pupils to pass an entrance examination. It was stated that the dividends from the Crompton Legacy and Finnie Gift had been withheld by the Conference, but that in conjunction with the Conference Committee a scheme had been agreed upon, which it was hoped would result in opening out a new era of prosperity and usefulness for the institution. The treasurer then read his report, showing a small balance overpaid. The Goyder Scholarship Fund now amounts to £57, 14s. The receipts for the Educational Aid Fund showed a falling off, the balance in hand having been reduced from £15, 13s. 9d. to £4, 1s. ld. The librarian reported that some valuable additions had been made to the library by Mrs. Bateman, Mr. A. G. Bateman, and Dr. Collingwood. The library now contains upwards of 2000 volumes. The Principal in his report paid a feeling tribute to the memory of Mr. Bateman, and stated that the average number of boys attending the College 1 for the past year was forty-one. With a view to render the school more selfsupporting, and at the same time to ensure the continuance of a good class of pupils, it had been decided to raise the fees for new pupils to six guineas per annum for scholars under twelve years, and nine guineas per annum above twelve years of age. Dr. Stocker moved, and Dr. Bayley seconded the adoption of these reports, and their issue under the direction of the new Council. The following resolution was then carried on the motion of Mr. Elliott, seconded by Mr. R. Gunton: "That it is expedient to appoint a joint committee, composed of an equal number nominated by the General Conference and by the Governors of the New Church College, to administer the interest or dividends arising from the Crompton Legacy and the Finnie Gift for College purposes. Mr. Teed proposed, and Mr. R. Gunton seconded the adoption of the Rules for the Committee as follows: Rules for the guidance of the Joint Committee in the application of the dividends arising from the Crompton Legacy and Finnie Gift, for which the General Conference are trustees, for College purposes. 1. That such Committee shall consist of twelve members, to be appointed annually, six by the General Conference and six by the Governors of the New Church College. Six shall be a quorum. 2. That the Joint Committee, out of 3. That such Joint Committee shall mittee. 5. That the Joint Committee shall appoint the Theological Tutor, and the Principal of the College, and shall arrange for the secular and theological education of the students, their board, dormitories, and all other matters connected therewith respectively, provided that no portion of such dividends shall be appropriated towards the expenses of boarding the students. 6. That the Joint Committee may make such by-laws as may be necessary to be observed by all persons concerned. 7. That the Joint Committee shall report to the General Conference and to the Governors of the College at their respective annual meetings." A ballot having been taken, the following gentlemen were elected to act on the Joint Committee on behalf of the New Church College: Dr. Collingwood and Messrs. J. Baily, T. H. Elliott, J. L. Grundy, F. Heath, and S. Teed. It was then proposed by Mr. Teed, seconded by Mr. R. Gunton, and resolved "That the expenses attending the education of the students in Lancashire during the current Conference year be paid by the treasurer of the New Church College, out of the College funds legally applicable, on the distinet understanding that in future the students shall be educated in connection with the New Church College. Mr. J. L. Grundy and Mr. E. C. Clarke were appointed auditors, and the scrutineers having handed in their report, the Council was declared to consist of Mr. J. Baily, treasurer; Mr. F. Heath, secretary; Mr. S. Teed, librarian; Mr. A. G. Bateman, Dr. Bayley, Rev. W. Bruce, Dr. Collingwood, Mr. T. H. Elliott, Mr. J. L. Grundy, Rev. J. Presland, Dr. Stocker, and Mr. J. J. Woodford. Votes of thanks were given to the chairman and to the secretary, and after a few concluding words, Dr. Bayley closed the meeting with the benediction. LONDON ASSOCIATION OF THE NEW CHURCH.-The quarterly meeting was held at Flodden Road, Camberwell, on Monday the 25th April, but owing to the counter-attraction at the meeting at Anerley, and also to the Sundayschool examinations going on at the various churches at the same time, the attendance of representatives was small. After tea the chair was taken by Mr. S. Appleyard, in the absence of the retiring president, the Rev. W. C. Barlow, who had not returned from his Easter holiday in Scotland. The minutes of the last meeting, and the names of the new committee, having been read, the Rev. J. Presland was elected president for the ensuing year, and a vote of thanks accorded to the Rev. W. C. Barlow for his services as president during the past year. Mr. C. Tarelli was re-elected secretary, and Mr. T. H. Elliott re-elected treasurer. The treasurer's report showed a balance in hand of £8, 2s. 8d. There was a balance of the newspaper fund of £1, 7s. 7d. This fund, originally collected for the purpose of starting a newspaper, has been used in circulating Morning Light among eating-houses and libraries. It was now resolved that the remaining balance be handed to the Auxiliary Missionary and Tract Society for the same purpose. The accounts for the "Manual and Year-Book" not being settled, a complete report could not be given, but a statement was made by the treasurer showing a considerable loss on the publication. This was partly owing to a misunderstanding as to the editorial and trade management. 1593 copies still remain unsold, and it was resolved that they be offered to the Missionary and Tract Society for such a sum as they are willing to give. Considerable discussion ensued as to the advisability of publishing a year-book for 1882, and eventually a sub-committee was appointed to make inquiries and obtain estimates, and report to the next meeting. Mr. Horton stated that the sub-committee on the Metro politan Missionary Fund had nothing definite to report, they were engaged in drafting a circular to appeal to the Church for funds when the moment should be deemed opportune; but at present they merely submitted to the meeting the desirability of reappointing the sub-committee. The sub-committee was accordingly reappointed, Mr. Milner being appointed one of the members. Some other routine business followed, and the meeting terminated. NEW CHURCH TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. -A meeting to inaugurate the formation of a branch of this Society in connection with the church in Wretham Road, Birmingham, was held on April 12th. Between thirty and forty friends assembled for tea, and when the formal meeting in the lecture-room commenced the number present had largely increased. The meeting was commenced by the singing of a hymn; songs, music, and speeches filled up the evening. Mr. Rodgers occupied the chair, and his opening speech was well calculated to help on the cause. He condemned the unnecessary drinking, which is, unfortunately, regarded by so many as a necessary part of social intercourse, and warmly eulogized the broad basis upon which the Society was established, expressing a hope that before long the branch then to be inaugurated would embrace every member of the congregation. The first resolution was then moved by Mr. Lowe, "That a society be formed here, to be called the Wretham Road Branch of the New Church Tem perance Society. He thanked Mr. Rodgers heartily for his ready co-operation, and urged upon all the responsibility resting upon them as Christians, when their fellows were sinking all around under the terrible influence of intemperance. Mr. Bingham seconded the resolution in a very able speech. He expressed his pleasure at finding that the Society included both total abstainers and non-abstainers, believing that the comparative failure of many Temperance Societies was, in great measure, due to their exclusiveness in accepting as members only such as were willing to subscribe to the pledge of total abstinence. Mr. John Bragg also warmly supported the resolution, which was carried unanimously. A resolution, appointing a provisional committee to bring the branch into working order as soon as possible, proposed by Mr. Robert Bragge and seconded by Mr. I. A. Best, was also passed. AMERICAN NEW CHURCH TRACT AND PUBLICATION SOCIETY.-The fifteenth report of this vigorous and enterprising Society is before us. "The Society has continued the work for which it was organized, viz. that of publishing and distributing books and tracts in exposition of the doctrines of the New Church." The report furnishes abundant evidence of the zeal with which this work has been prosecuted. During the year 1880 ninety thousand tracts were distributed as against twenty-four thousand in 1879. One feature of the Society's work is somewhat unique. "Early in the year the Board resolved to print in tract form the evening lectures which were in the course of delivery by Rev. Chauncey Giles at the Philadelphia Broad Street Society, which agreed to take as many copies as could be used. The plan was to print each Sunday evening lecture, and have it ready for the Society by the ensuing Sunday evening, for distribution after service. This experiment proved from the very beginning a successful one. From eight hundred to a thousand copies of each lecture were taken away on the Sunday evening after it was delivered, and widely circulated through the city. Sixteen of Mr. Giles's lectures were printed during the year, and in that time the Society distributed twenty thousand copies, besides five thousand copies of other tracts relating to the doctrines of the Church." Of books the Society has sent to clergymen and others since their last report, 1500 copies of "Heaven and Hell," and 1300 copies of the "Life of Swedenborg." The number distributed to the present time is 22,500, of which 18,000 were copies of "Heaven and Hell," and 4500 of the "Life of Swedenborg. This is exclusive of the number sent out by Mr. Jungerich, which is also large. Pro ITALY.-We extract the following interesting particulars from the April number of the Nuova Epoca. fessor Scocia, the editor, writes: "We have encouraging news from Sicily which will be read with pleasure by our readers and friends of the New Church. As they are aware, Signor N. Poma Cangemi, librarian in Partinico, province of Palermo, has been for some time zealously engaged in diffusing in that island the knowledge of the new doctrines. The efforts made by him with perfect disinterestedness and admirable courage have been crowned with very satisfactory results. Thirty four of his fellow-citizens have become subscribers to our periodical, but he hopes to obtain more, having begun to extend the movement to other parts of Sicily as well. "We select for our friends the following noteworthy paragraphs from the letter which he wrote to us on the 25th of last March. for me a priceless treasure, and I hope to live long enough to be enabled to become thoroughly familiar with them, and then to re-echo the words of Simeon of old. I read and study the "Arcana Coelestia," a truly Divine work, wherein are engraven the phases of mankind of all times, giving to such study all my spare time. "As regards your periodical, I can only say that it has met with the approval and admiration of all; it has been read and re-read, and is the theme of the country around, where Swedenborg's name has become quite known. This has disconcerted a certain class of persons, not subscribers, to whom, seeing how wedded they were to the system of negation, I repeated the reply which Bias once gave to a Sciolist: These matters do not concern thee."" 66 "We feel sure that all who realize how necessary and important is the moral and spiritual regeneration of mankind, like us, will with all their hearts wish the noble efforts of our friend Signor Cangemi God-speed." ness. ANERLEY.-Mr. Gunton has continued his useful labours at this place during the past month. A Society has been formed, of which Mr. Gunton has become the minister, with every prospect of continued and extended usefulOn Sunday, April 24, the Society was visited by the Rev. Dr. Bayley, who preached morning and evening to good congregations, collections being made on behalf of the building fund. On the Monday evening a tea-party followed by a public meeting took place. One hundred persons were present, and addresses were given by Dr. Bayley, who was in the chair, Mr. Gunton, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Jobson, and Rev. P. Ramage. BRADFORD (Yorkshire).-The annual report of this Society, dated April 20, 1881, completes the twenty-first year of the Society's existence. Commencing with seven members, it has steadily grown to sixty-six, has purchased its place of worship, appointed an able and promising minister to the pastorate, and although the minister's stipend is still small, we rejoice to see that the Society is alive to the importance of its increase. There is no better sign of the growth of Church life than an appreciation of the labours of the ministry, and a willingness to co-operate with the minister in his work. The attendance at worship and the number of communicants have increased during the year. The Society is laudably distinguished by its contributions to the charitable objects of the Society. The Church now takes its place as one of the established congregations of the town, and we may reasonably hope for it a career of prosperity and usefulness. HEYWOOD. This town has just been raised to the dignity of a municipal borough, and at the first election of the Corporation a very large majority of the members were found to be members of the several dissenting Churches, three of them being of the New Church. On the election of Mayor, Thomas Isherwood, Esq., of Springfield House, a well-known and esteemed member of the New Church, was unanimously appointed. After the election the newlyappointed Mayor stated that he should on the Sunday following attend morning service at his usual place of worship, and invited such of the members as were so inclined to accompany him; at the same time stating that at any future election it would be a great pleasure to him to attend worship at any of the other churches of the town which might be the usual place of worship of the Mayor. On Sunday, April 24, therefore, the Mayor and Corporation, preceded by a body of police and accompanied by the officers of the Corporation, walked in procession from the Council Chamber to the New Jerusalem Church. The occasion excited considerable attention, and was witnessed by a large number of persons. The conductors of the New Church Sunday school determined to gratify the children by affording them an opportunity of witnessing the procession and attending the service. The children were arranged in rows from the church gates to the door, the little ones in front having neatly-arranged bouquets of spring flowers. The church was filled with a very respectable congregation, and all the proceedings conducted in the most orderly manner, the musical portion being well rendered by the choir, some portions being also heartily joined in by the congregation. The sermon, from Deuteronomy xi. 18, was by the minister, the Rev. R. Storry. A report of the proceedings, including a portion of the sermon, appeared in the Heywood Advertiser at the end of the week. KEARSLEY.—This Society is distinguished by the marked interest its members have taken in support of the institutions of the Church, which aim to support and extend the work of the New Church ministry. In addition to the noble efforts made on behalf of the Augmentation Fund, a body of collectors for the Students' and Ministers' Aid Fund has been organized, and has already done good service. Not content with this service, some of the earnest friends of the cause got up, under most favourable circumstances, a special concert in the schoolroom. Several ladies and gentlemen unconnected with the Church freely gave their services, and the result was a highly successful gathering. The con cert was patronized by the chief inhabitants of the neighbourhood. The pro ceeds amounted to £10, which has been handed over to the treasurer of the Students' Aid Fund. In his report the minister said that on reviewing the work of the last year he thought they had every reason to be thankful to the Lord for the steady progress they had made. They must not expect the New Church to grow very rapidly at present, for the desire to have their thinking done for them still existed largely in the minds of people, and prejudice was a great barrier to freedom of investigation in spiritual matters. Still, they had every reason to rejoice in the fact that many of our heavenly doctrines were permeating the minds of those outside the pale of our Churches; but while being glad at the knowledge of this, they must not be less earnest in their efforts to build up the Society to which they belonged, for, as every stream had its source, and every ray of light its centre, so must these truths |