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`sation a ready man, and writing an exact man.' Now, in writing an essay, we are not only compelled to acquire ideas from different authors, but it enables us to express these ideas perspicuously: for a great item in essay writing is the proper construction of sentences, and that every one will admit to be of great use. Indeed I may say, that without acquiring this habit, we should be utterly unable to commit ideas to paper at any time. It therefore appears to me that writing essays is of the greatest importance, because of these before mentioned goods to be derived. On the other hand, again, the writing of essays leads to this other important good, 'reading makes a full man,' that is to say, our minds become full of what we read; and writing leads to this, because we have to read before writing; indeed, it is a rule in composing anything of the essay kind, that we ought to look up the best authorities on the given subject, in order to bring out our ideas in a clearer light. Writing on a subject, therefore, leads to reading on the same: and the very fact of writing an essay leads to being an exact, and at the same time a full man. But there is still another advantage, the conversation following an essay; and it is declared that 'conversation makes a ready man,' i. e., when we have to express our ideas, after a time we acquire a facility in doing so. You have only to look to the two kinds of men, the conversing and the non-conversing, to see how far I am borne out in this remark. The person who accustoms himself to speaking, soon acquires a fluency and ease in doing so, conducive to the easy apprehension of all; while the other, although he may have an idea ready framed, has the greatest imaginable difficulty in giving utterance to thoughts which, though good, may be utterly lost to his hearers. However limited our sphere, or however few we may imagine our wants in this respect to be, this acquirement, like all others of good, will be found, at some period of our life, to be a useful appendage to an intelligent mind. It is always desirable that we should understand the given subject, give our ideas clearly, when required, on the same; and it is also as desirable that these should be given with as much ease and intelligibility as possible. * I offer these observations to shew the use to which this association may be turned. I would also remark, that to further this use, we should give our attendance as often and as closely as possible. No meeting can long exist

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in pleasance unless it is spirited; and every one ought, therefore, to consider it a duty on himself to attend these. In thus meeting, we do not know how much good may be the result; and in absenting ourselves, how much we take away. We may think that non-attendance will not hurt much; but this ought not to be the primary thought. Let us rather think how much good our attendance may contribute to the general stock; so that if all attend as often as they possibly can, we shall find the society succeed well, and not, as it otherwise would, become extinct. I trust it will go on and continue to prosper; and as far as it lies in my power to assist, that assistance will be given. The subjects, I understand, to be brought forward, will not be altogether religious, but will have relation to religion, and be illustrated by the truths of the Word of God. And as it is a meeting not strictly religious in its nature, yet constituted of individuals whose fellowship has arisen out of religion, our New Church religion, we shall see the subjects will have a direct influence on the moral character of men. * * * But strive in all things to cultivate that general spirit of utility and harmony which it is the object of religion to promote." (Approbation.) Some young men present adhibited their names to the roll, and after spending a truly social evening, the meeting broke up. C. C.

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE NEW CHURCH IN SCOTLAND.

This meeting was held in the New Jerusalem Temple, Glasgow, on Friday, September 14th. The Rev. W. Bruce, of Edinburgh, was called to the chair. About one hundred persons sat down to tea; after which the Chairman, in an appropriate address, stated the object and uses of the meeting, and called upon Mr. Drysdale, of Alloa, to move the first resolution, seconded by Mr. Manson, of Bannockburn, which was as follows:-" "That the Lord's second coming in his character of Divine Truth, consists not only in the opening or revelation of the spiritual sense of his Word, but also in the general influx from heaven into all minds that are in a state to receive it, and thus that the Lord is laying the foundations of his Church widely amongst men."

The second resolution was moved by the Rev. W. Bruce, seconded by Mr. Gilmour, of Paisley :-"That while receivers

of the doctrines should prize most highly the precious truths given them by the Lord, and should take delight in communicating them to others, it is nevertheless most important to be kept in mind, that after all it is good which is the essential principle of the Church, and that truth without good rather condemns than saves." The third resolution was moved by the Rev. T. O. Prescott, seconded by Mr. A. B. Walker, of Glasgow:-"That while it is the duty of the members individually and collectively to do all that lies in their power to disseminate a knowledge of the doctrines of faith and life contained in the writings of the New Church, it is their first and most sacred duty to educate their own children in these principles; and as a means of aiding them in this important duty, there ought to be Sabbath schools attached to each society."

A very interesting conversation followed, regarding the state and prospects of the New Church in Paisley, Alloa, and other places. The next annual assembly was appointed to be held in Paisley, on the second Friday of September, 1850. As many of the friends as could attend on Saturday morning, breakfasted together, after which the minutes of the last meeting were read, and the following resolution carried, proposed by Mr. Thomas Downes, Glasgow, seconded by Mr. Allan Drysdale, Alloa:-"That this meeting recommends to the consideration of the societies in Scotland, the propriety of having a regular interchange of ministers."

On the whole, the meeting was an exceedingly interesting one, and was felt by all present to be quite warming and inspiriting. J. F.

WHAT IS MEANT BY BEING NOTHING.

TO THE EDITOR.

DEAR SIR,-In an "Ever Circulator," whose contributors are New Church friends, it is said, in an essay on the 66 Positive and Negative," that goodness is a substance the positive; and evil, “nothing," or the negation of good. The same with "Light and Darkness," "Heat and Cold," &c.; light and heat being the positive, darkness and cold the negative. Now if evil is "nothing," it is evident there is no "evil" in the world: for as Swedenborg says, "in nothing, nothing is; and from nothing, nothing can exist." Does not evil exist? If so, the author of the essay in question says we make God evil! he being the only source of every

thing. God we know is Goodness itself; therefore cannot be the Author of Evil! But does not every thing flow from God as goodness? and is it not by man's selfishness that he perverts this goodness, and in such a degree becomes evil? You would very much oblige by explaining the above. Yours, W. C.

Leicester. [In answer to the above inquiry, we cannot do better than adduce the following from Swedenborg's Diary :—

"What is meant by being Nothing. 4341. A certain well-disposed spirit was conversing with me, saying that he was nothing! I inquired what conception he had of being nothing, and I perceived that he understood thereby that he was nothing in respect to the multitude of spirits, and to the entire universe. But I was permitted to tell him that this is only one idea of being nothing, and that there are many other ideas, namely, the idea of having no power from one's self, and no thought from one's self, and also no life from one's self; and especially that man of himself is only something dead, filthy, and nothing but evil; and that consequently all good is from the Lord. These are the ideas we should have of being nothing." (See also Spiritual Diary 3939, 3940, which numbers are very instructive on this subject.)

We will only add, that in an angelic or purely spiritual idea, only that which has the Divine Esse as the immediate ground of its existence, is perceived and said to be something; but that which has not the Divine Esse as the immediate ground of its existence, as is the case with evil, is perceived and said to be nothing; not that it has no existence, but because it does not partake of the qualities of the Divine Esse, which is infinite goodness. And on this ground it is that the Lord is said not to know the evil, as though they were nothing in his sight. In philosophy or ontology that is said to be absolute which exists per se, and independently of any thing else; thus God and his divine qualities or attributes are absolute, and that which, although it exists, does not partake of the qualities of the absolute, is called negative and nothing, not because it has no existence, but because it does not partake of the qualities of the absolute, or of that which exists of and by itself. Again in natural things, the sun is the absolute in its system, because it is from his qualities of light and heat, and their operation, that all things in nature exist

and subsist; but darkness and cold are said to be negatives or nothings, not because they have no existence, but because they do not partake of light and heat, which are the qualities of the sun as the absolute in his system. The expression, ex nihilo nihil fit, "from nothing, nothing exists," is employed in reference to creation.EDITOR.]

PROFESSOR BUSH AND THE MANCHESTER
PRINTING SOCIETY.

In our last we inserted a letter from a correspondent containing remarks on the Manchester Printing Society, shewing the useful operations in which the society are at present engaged. On referring to the report we find an interesting letter from Professor Bush, in which he acknowledges the present, sent to him by the society, of a copy of each of its works. The letter is addressed to the President of the society, the Rev. D. Howarth, and is as follows:

motive, but also with new means, to accomplish the will of the Lord in the propagation of his Truth. In this I shall hope not to be found deficient, or in any way to prove myself unworthy of such a mark of Christian confidence and esteem.

"With the renewed assurance of my grateful sense of the kindness of my Manchester brethren, and with my best wishes and prayers for their continued success in the sphere of their present use, under the Divine blessing of the Great Head and Heart of the Church, allow me to subscribe myself,-Your and their devoted friend and brother, in the faith and hope of the New Jerusalem,

PROPOSED WORK ON

TO THE EDITOR.

66

"GEO. BUSH."

"MARRIAGE."

SIR, I wish to remind the members of the church generally, that according to my proposition inserted in your number for March last, manuscripts intended "New York, April 3rd, 1849. for competition for a new work on "MR. HOWARTH. Marriage," should be sent to me at any time between the 1st of December and the 7th of January next. But none will be opened till the adjudicators shall meet thereon.-The premium will now be £13. Yours, &c.,

66 REV. AND DEAR SIR,-By a late arrival from London, in a consignment from Mr. Hodson, I had the pleasure of receiving a package of books as a present from the society over which you preside. It is with profoundly grateful emotions Sep. 22nd, 1849. that I acknowledge the receipt of this munificent token of regard on the part of my brethren in England, containing, as it does, so many of the works of the venerable Mr. Clowes-a name I have long since learned to honour-works which I have strove in vain to procure in this country. The present comes to me not merely as an expression of brotherly kindness and sympathy, but as having an intrinsic value which I cannot easily estimate.

"In view of it I beg you will do me the favor to convey to the society, or to their executive agents, the assurance of my very high appreciation of their generous act, and of its prompting motive. I find it difficult to recognise an adequate ground of it in any little services I may have performed in behalf of the cause of the New Church, for every thing of this nature has been only a delight; but I think I may venture to certify my friends that I feel their gift as a new incentive to exertion in that field which the Lord has graciously opened before me, though my entrance into it was delayed to almost the eleventh hour. The donative of your society not only supplies me with a new

JERSEY.

JAS. S. HODSON.

The thirteenth anniversary of this society was held on Wednesday, October 11th, at the house of our friend Mr. Binet, when about sixty of the members and friends sat down at six o'clock. Tea being removed, the business of the evening commenced by appointing their worthy leader, Mr. Titus Brown, to the chair. The subject selected for the evening's edification was from Rev. xix., which treats of the "White Horse." Several members spoke on the occasion, and all appeared gratified with the pleasing and instructive light in which the heavenly doctrines were represented. Several beautiful and appropriate hymns were sung at intervals, and a heavenly sphere prevailed, which was no doubt strengthened by the presence of the children of the Sunday school. It was then proposed from the chair that a subject be selected for the next anniversary, when Rev. xii. was unanimously adopted. This meeting was of so edifying a character that we have not the least doubt that spiritual good will be derived from this anniversary.

P. B.

440

Marriage.

On the 11th of October, at the New Jerusalem Church, Peter-street, Manchester, by the Rev. J. H. Smithson, Mr. Christopher Rhodes, son of Wm. Rhodes,

Esq., Thornley Hall, near Preston. to Charlotte, fourth daughter of Mr. Holgate, of Manchester.

Obituary.

At Norwich, on the 19th May, aged 85 years, Miss Mary Owers departed into the world of spirits. Many years of devoted attachment to the Church, united with a consistent walk in the Christian life, stamp the memory of our sister as a lover of Jerusalem. She was brought up in the Established Church, but being of an inquiring mind and liberal spirit, on the New Dispensation coming under her notice, not long after meetings had been commenced by the late Mr. Clover and a few others in this city, she at once associated herself with the receivers of the heavenly doctrines. On the 10th May, 1819, on the visit of the late Rev. E. Madeley, she, with several others, was publicly baptized. For some time the meetings of the novitiate church were held at her house. Miss Owers kept a respectable school; and it was, I believe, by a lady who had been one of her pupils that her attention was drawn to the new verities. Admirably did she adorn the profession of her faith. She was one of those with whom religion is the chief object of regard. The church and its movements were always foremost in her mind. Her character was somewhat striking, combining great animation of spirit wish activity of body: her tastes were peculiarly social; her sentiments pure; kindness and generosity, both from nature and culture, distinguished her whole demeanour. The sincerity of these amiabilities was evinced by her deep devotion to spiritual things. It was a source of grief to her if she thought she had been in any way indifferent to her religious duties, and her spiritual state was never alluded to but with feelings of unworthiness and humiliation. Altogether, the life of our departed sister was a beautiful instance of that paramount doctrine of the New Church-the union of charity and piety. Although so advanced in years, she used to walk to church regularly until about twelve months ago, and not more than two months before her decease, she spoke of making an effort to join in the public communion of the holy supper. In August last, she had an

attack of paralysis, which greatly enfeebled her waning frame. From this time she was unable to leave her house, but her active disposition prevailed almost to the last. When visited by her friends, her eye would still brighten with its wonted animation; and she was devoutly attentive to the consolations and prospects of the doctrines she had so steadfastly embraced when in the prime of life. At length the stream of nature more visibly ebbed she became confined to her chamber; and, for the last few weeks, reposed, for the most part, in a sweet sleep. Thus slumbering peacefully, as in a second infancy, she passed almost imperceptibly from the dim objects of time to the bright scenes of immortality. The occasion of her demise was improved by a funeral discourse on "The sublime support and consolations afforded to the sincere receivers of the doctrines and views of the New Church at the hour of death." R. A.

Died, August 4th, of cholera, after a few hours' illness, Mr. William Molyneux, one of the most exemplary members of the Rose Place society of the New Church, Liverpool.

On the 19th August, aged 86 years, Mrs. Mary Atkinson, relict of Captain Atkinson, of Liverpool. The deceased was brought up amongst the Unitarians, with whom she remained connected till the year 1845. She was induced to hear a funeral sermon at Rose Place Church, on the occasion of Mr. Capstick's departure out of time into eternity-she attended regularly afterwards, and soon became convinced of the sole Deity of our blessed Saviour. She took an interest in the prosperity of the society, became a member thereof about three years ago, and contributed liberally to its support. She died in the peaceful assurance that she would enter the mansions of eternal love and joy-praying to her glorified Lord to support her in the hour of death, and to be her portion for ever.

Cave and Sever, Printers, 18, St. Ann's-street, Manchester.

R. G. S.

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"Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap: thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.”— MICAH vi. 15.

A VERY little attention to the Israelitish history, as recorded in the sacred pages, will convince us that the Jews were a most external people that they had no desire for, or enjoyment of, spiritual things; but were wholly immersed in worldly delights and sensual gratifications. Not having any knowledge of, or faith in, a future life and a state of eternal happiness or misery of a spiritual nature, they were kept in order only from a hope or dread of worldly blessings and punishments Hence we find, not only the law of Moses, but likewise the writings of the prophets, full of promises in case they should be attentive and obedient to the external statutes and ordinances of the Levitical code; but denouncing the most awful punishments should they refuse and rebel; and indeed we learn from their history, so prone were they to idolatry and rebellion, that nothing but the most severe chastisements had any effect in keeping them in subjection; for in their prosperity, sở far from being filled with a sense of gratitude for those innumerable mercies which were continually showered down upon them, they literally fulfilled the prediction of their ancient leader, when, in speaking of their future state and disposition, he says "Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked; thou art waxed fat, and art grown thick; thou art covered with fatness. Then he forsook God who made him, and lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation." And notwithstanding they were for a time brought back from gross idolatry by the temporal punishments inflicted N. S. No. 120.-VOL. X.

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