also two small figures of the Lamb, with the open Bible, and a banner, as emblems of the fact that the Divine Lamb, the Lord Jesus in his Humanity, has opened the Word now, and will thus be victorious over all evil and error.

There is no pulpit, but two desks, behind which there are fixed seats for the preacher; and this arrangement has a very free, open, and easy effect. They are in the part dedicated to the communion, similar to the arrangement at Argylesquare. In the centre is the communion table, covered with crimson cloth, having on it, in letters of golden thread, the sacred monogram "I. H. S." At the front is a very beautiful font.

The church has cost about £3,000. It will seat without gallery 650 persons. The architect was Mr. Green, of Todmorden; the masons, Messrs. Read, of Rawtenstall; and the joiner, Mr. John Hindle, of Accrington. The work has been done in an exceedingly satisfactory manner, and we are grateful to the Divine Mercy that its erection has not been attended by any accident to a single workman employed. We trust it will be the scene of blessing to thousands of immortal souls; while it leads them on in, the regenerate life to learn how to celebrate their Heavenly Father in his more glorious temples above.

GENERAL CONVENTION IN THE UNITED STATES.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR, The thirty-first meeting of the General Convention was held in Philadelphia, commencing June 13th, and continued its sitting four days. Ten societies and two State associations were represented by 27 ministers and delegates. Other ministers, and among them Professor Bush, with a large number of receivers of both sexes, were present. The States of Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and Michigan, were represented by the presence of either delegates or receivers. The Rev. Thomas Worcester was appointed president, and Mr. Hayward secretary.

Very little business was transacted at this Convention, and the various reports shewed that there had been but little activity during the year.

The treasurer's report shewed that the receipts for the year amounted to 214 dollars. Of this amount 40 dollars was sent to Dr. Tafel; 25 dollars to Le Boys

des Guays; and 39 dollars 7 cents was devoted to supplying public libraries with the writings of Swedenborg, and the balance to printing the Journal, and incidental expenses.

A committee was appointed last year to report some modifications iu the rules of order. They reported a new constitution with some changes. The Rev. B. F. Barrett, on behalf of the Ohio delegation, also presented a preamble and constitution for the Convention, which had been approved by the acting committee of the Ohio association, and which they offered as a substitute. It was voted that both reports be printed, and referred to the next meeting of the Convention, 1850. The question, therefore, is still an open one. Great differences of opinion exist as to the particular form and powers which the Convention should assume. The discussion of matters growing out of questions connected with this subject absorbs so much time, as to leave very little opportunity for the consideration of matters tending to spread the doctrines of the New Jerusalem.

There is one branch of the New Church, however, which has been active. I allude to the receivers in the State of Michigan. In 1830 it was a territory containing 31,000 inhabitants, and has been a State some twelve years. It is but six or eight years since the first receiver went to reside there. Among the first was the Rev. George Field, who visited various parts of the State as a lay-lecturer, and whose lectures attracted very great attention. Since then many of the most intelligent and influential citizens of the State have embraced the doctrines, and have been in the practice of delivering laylectures. Two of them, Judge Silver and Mr. J. Fox, were ordained as ministers at this Convention. The consequence is, that there are now five ordained ministers, and six or eight lay preachers in the State, and the calls for preaching from all parts is constant, and cannot be fully supplied. The doctrines have spread with a rapidity never before known. The number of acknowledged receivers is now estimated at upwards of 800.

Such are the fruits of an energetic system of presenting to the world the truths of the New Jerusalem. It is to be hoped that other branches of the church will go · and do likewise, instead of devoting so much energy to providing external forms, which, thus far, have satisfied no one, but which, on the contrary, have been a

The address of the English Conference came after the Convention adjourned. It will be published with the proceedings. An effort has been made to have the Journal ready to send you in the steamer which sails to-day, but it was a few hours too late.

A resolution was passed requiring that all public addresses emanating from the Convention should first be submitted for approval. On this account there will be no addresses to the Conference and other bodies this year.

This Convention brought together many receivers from various sections of the Union, which afforded the usual opportunity for that free interchange of views and social feelings which have proved so agreeable and so useful in former times. Our Philadelphia, Frankford, and Darby friends were indefatigable, as usual, in all the rights of hospitality. Boston, July 4th, 1849.

X.

"OUTLINES OF MY MENTAL HISTORY."

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-I read the articles under the title I have placed at the head of this communication, with feelings of delight and gratitude such as I have seldom experienced. They exhibit in a most affecting manner the struggles against falses to which intellectual minds are peculiarly liable, and the great deliverance which will certainly be vouchsafed by our Adorable Redeemer to all who are spiritual widows, and earnestly desire a union with their Divine Husband in the bonds of heavenly truth. To pourtray the conflict between the good and the evil, alluded to in the last paper of "Libra," is a revealing of secrets to which the members of the New Church are disinclined, except in a general manner; but to trace the mind's workings in passing from the dim shadows of Methodism (that is, of orthodoxy tinctured with the bad influences of those tempters to insincerity-Methodist CLASS meetings) to the marvellous light of the New Jerusalem, is a work highly useful, and as executed by our highly gifted friend "Libra," of great practical value. I am not afraid thus to speak of our friend, because the tone of his paper sufficiently indicates his conviction of the force of the apostolic question,-" What hast thou that thou didst not receive ?"

so that no high appreciation of his own state of reception will (I trust) ever lead to the necessity for the further expostulation being addressed to him, Now, if thou didst receive, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received ?"

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But I should not have deemed it advisable to occupy your pages either with the expression of my own individual gratification, or my admiration of "Libra's" clear statement and hopeful talents, had I not felt it to be my duty to state that I cannot conceive a more useful Tract than one composed of "Libra's" five articles, which might be given as five chapters. I conceive that any well disposed reader is addressed in these articles, especially when continuously read, with such a force of truth as to seem all but irresistible. It is further suggested whether it might not be followed, with the concurrence of "Libra," with the extract from Mr. Mason's "Job Abbott," to which Professor Bush alludes in a recent letter to that gentleman, in the following terms:-" Speaking of 'Job Abbott,' it is my intention to publish, as a separate Tract, the contrasted and tabulated view of the Trinity, which is superior to any thing of the kind I am acquainted with."

Whether such an appendage should or should not be annexed to the "Outlines," is a question to be determined by "Libra." But whether with or without this appendage, I humbly conceive that the Manchester Tract Society could not better apply its funds than in giving as a cheap Tract to the church and the public, the "Outlines of my Mental History." But what should be its title? It might, perhaps, be as follows:-" The Blind led by a way that they know not;" (Isaiah xlii. 16.) or "The Outlines of the Mental History of a Receiver of the Doctrines of Swedenborg;" or some more pithy and attractive title might be found for it. I will not press "Libra" (who is unknown to me) to consent to my proposal. His own sense of duty, and clear intelligence, will be (under the Lord) his best guide to a right determination.

A NEW CHURCH MINISTER.

NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH, BURNLEY.

We, the undersigned members of the New Jerusalem Church, Burnley, beg to lay before you the case of the society there, and to entreat your aid.

During several years the society has met to receive the truth, and worship the

Lord Jesus Christ, first in the Temperance Hall, and subsequently in their present meeting-room in Red Lion-croft. But several months ago, they received notice that the room now held would be required for other purposes, and all diligence was used to obtain another, but in vain. This arose partly from the busy character of the town, and partly from the opposition of portions of the Old Dispensation. The society then had the gloomiest prospects before them. They shrunk from the idea of the society being scattered. They had a Sunday school of seventy scholars. Their leader, Mr. Kenyon, had a day school of the like number, which is also increasing. All these would be jeopardised unless Divine Providence made some opening.

At this juncture a site of land was offered them on favourable terms, and in an eligible situation; they determined, therefore, to do what they could, and all they could, for the church at present, and appeal to the general body to assist them. The building they contemplate is to be quite plain; four yards high, twenty yards long, and ten in width (twenty yards by ten); it will cost £150. They are raising £50. among themselves, and being all of the working classes, their exertions have been considerable to do this. They appeal, therefore, to their brethren to assist them. It is with them the day of small things, but they trust that their adorable Lord will so bless the effort, that ere long the little one will become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation. The first stone of the building was laid on the 30th of May, 1849.

Signed on behalf of the society, GEORGE SCARR, President, BRIDGE STANDEN, Treasurer, WILLIAM BENTLEY, Secretary. We very cordially recommend this appeal of our Burnley brethren to the sympathy and assistance of the church, and trust they will receive the aid of all whom the Lord has blest with the means of assisting in so good a work.

Spirit became incarnate in the Person of Jesus Christ, so that it is strictly true, in the words of The Athanasian Creed (separated from the errors surrounding them) that "as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is One Christ," that is, One Divine Person, anointed with the fulness of the Godhead, which dwells bodily in him. Now, passing by all metaphysical subtilties about the meaning of the term "spirit," it is clear that a spirit" is a living individual, one being, and no more, having but one will, one understanding, and one power of operating. On what pretence, then, can it be contended that a spirit is three persons? Will any one contend that to say that "God is a Spirit" (that is—an infinite Spirit, and therefore the only infinite Spirit) is compatible with the assertion that God is three Divine Persons ?-unless, indeed, he is prepared to contend that every spirit incarnate, (that is, every man) and every one of the

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spirits of the just made perfect," and every one of the "evil spirits," is "three persons." Man, considered in himself, or as to his essential individual qualities as a human being, is "a spirit," and he is one person." God, considered in himself as to his essential divine attributes, (the likeness of which man was created to bear in his spirit) is a Divine Spirit, and therefore, by parity, he is One Divine Person, even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

NEW CHURCH LIBRARIES.

To THE EDITOR.

SIR, It seems to me highly necessary that New Church societies should, if possible, have a complete series of the Intellectual Repository in their libraries.

Now, as the former series of that work will, no doubt, soon be out of print, and there is little, if any, prospect of its being reprinted, I would strongly urge upon those societies whose libraries have not that work in their list of books, to purchase from the Secretary of Conference 250 old numbers without delay;-this will cost but 20s. When the old numbers are sold off, they cannot be had even at their original price of 1s. each, £12. 10s. for the lot. Let every society not having the work-the valuable workin their church library, but reflect on this, and on the intrinsic value of the work itself, and I am sure they will not fail to make the purchase without delay. Yours faithfully,

A LANCASHIRE LEADER.

or

PROPOSAL TO PUBLISH, IN A SEPARATE FORM, "LETTERS TO AN INVALID FRIEND."

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-In your review of "Letters to a Man of the World," &c., in a former number of the Repository, you are pleased (and with justice) to say,-"As a medium of conveying truth on the most important subjects to those who are in the regions of doubt, scepticism, and obscurity, it is truly invaluable;" and as the number of this class at the present day is doubtless very considerable, I trust you will forgive the liberty I take in

suggesting the great good that might be derived were works of this class more numerous, being more of a scientific and philosophical, than doctrinal nature; and my object in thus intruding upon you is to ask whether, if the series of "Letters to an Invalid Friend," published some years ago in the Magazine, could be republished in a similar form to the "Letters to a Man of the World," much good might not be effected? If this could be done under the author's sanction and supervision, they would doubtless be read by many who otherwise will never see them.

On the 4th of July, at the New Jerusalem Church, Birmingham, by the Rev. Edward Madeley, Mr. Benn Pitman, of Bath, to Jane, second daughter of Mr. T. P. Bragge, of Birmingham.

On the 5th of July, at the New Jerusalem Church, Peter-street, Manchester,

by the Rev. J. H. Smithson, Mr. C. G. Richardson, to Mary, second daughter of Mr. Holgate, both of Manchester.

On the 12th of July, at Redbourn, Herts, Mr. James Hall, of London, to Miss Clementina Dixon, of Newcastle.

On the 30th April, aged 23 years, Mr. John Todd. jun., of Norwich, was called into the eternal state. This afflictive dispensation, whilst illumined by the bright hopes of the New Jerusalem, is calculated to awaken the most serious reflections. Only a few days before, our departed brother was in the bloom of health, and looking forward to a long course of earthly activity and happiness. Such, indeed, according to human judgment, was what might have been anticipated. But He whose thoughts are not as our thoughts was pleased to determine otherwise. Our brother had been acquainted from his boyhood with the doctrines of the New Church, having been introduced to them by his parents, of whom he was the eldest child, when only six or seven years of age. The fervency of his attachment to the heavenly verities was fully evinced in his subsequent life. Only fifteen months ago, his marriage was solemnized by the Rev. T. Goyder, at Chalford Vale. Thus, by a mysterious but all-wise Providence, a youthful widow, and a lovely babe of nine weeks, are deprived of the presence of their dearest earthly friend, and the society of one of her most promising members. But the doctrines of the New Jerusalem afford a consolation which no other channel can so well supply. The

career of our young friend exhibits an interesting and important lesson, especially to those who, like himself, are just entering upon the busy world. Although young in years, he had duly examined the general truths of the church. His conduct was habitually, marked by the love of use. The good of the church formed a conspicuous object of his regard. He was very attentive to his religious duties; rarely was he found absent from his place on the Sabbath day. His disposition was naturally kind and affectionate; his temper open and frank-characteristics which become truly admirable when imbued with spiritual principles. Such being the tenor of his life, our dear friend, although so suddenly called hence, was not confounded at the solemn change that was before him; fully aware of his state, he bowed in perfect resignation to the Divine will. He felt his unworthiness, but he feared not to die. The Lord Jesus Christ was the anchor of his soul, for he had walked in His commandments. regretted that he had not been more zealous for spiritual things; but how few will not so regret when they come to die! Let those who are now in life and health hearken to the solemn lesson-"Watch; be ready for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not."

R. A.

He