the poems of Milton, Young, Montgomery, Tennyson, Bowring, Heber, Macaulay, the lives of Milton, Watt, Newton, Knox, Columbus, and Hutchinson, the works of Washington Irving, "Nicholls' Architecture of the Heavens," "Bartlett's Pilgrim Fathers," "Higginson's Spirit of the Bible," and a selection from the publications of Chambers. were "Mr. Whittaker and Mr. Broadrick, two of the directors of the school, returned thanks in behalf of the teachers, for the varied pleasures and gifts of the evening, and assured the friends of the school that the munificent proofs of their goodwill and generosity would stimulate one and all to increased energy in the fulfilment of their duties as teachers. "Votes of thanks were given to various persons who had contributed to the success of the meeting, and on the motion of Mr. Abel Harrison, a vote of thanks was cordially given to the pastor and his lady. After some more music the forms were removed from the centre of the room, and the amusements of the evening terminated in a dance, in which persons of various age and station pleasantly joined. Amiability and good manners were everywhere exhibited, equally by the mechanic and the factory girl as by the wealthy proprietor, and those accustomed to the refined gaieties of life. It was a spectacle as interesting as rare; well would it be if more frequent occasions could be devised for bringing into social intercourse employers and employed-rich and poor. Estrangement and jealousy would be melted down by the warmth of social intercourse; and, knowing each other better, they would respect each other more. Amongst those present, in addition to the persons already named, were Mr. David Harrison and family, and many others."* "The Rev. A. Brook Aspland now stepped forward and said, that they were assembled to offer a tribute of respect and kindness to the teachers in their Sunday-schools, whose labours most praiseworthy. The useful and beautiful articles which were about to be distributed were chiefly contributed by the ladies of the congregation-some of whom had been for many weeks busily engaged in preparing for this interesting occasion. Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm with which some of the ladies had promoted the work, and he doubted not that the recollection of their Christmas tree would be long cherished by those who had planted it, and those who were to receive its goodly fruits. In the distribution which immediately followed, he was assisted by Mr. Abel Harrison (the kind donor of the tree), Miss H. Harrison, Miss Leech, Miss Elizabeth Lees, and Miss Woolley. When the name of any teacher was announced whose services had been particularly valuable, a cheer was given as he or she received the various tokens of goodwill which were presented. The absent had not forgotten the occasion, nor were they neglected. Some ladies, once valued teachers in the school, but NEW LATIN EDITION OF "THE Divine now residing in a distant county, had sent a box of beautiful gifts, and to them some presents were, in the course of the evening, announced. Not the least interesting offerings were those from classes of scholars to beloved teachers; and a very enthusiastic cheer broke from all parts of the room when the chairman placed in the hands of one of the ladies assisting in the distribution, a gold pencil case, the gift of a class of teachers whom she and others had for some years instructed one evening in every week. To a former teacher, now residing in Australia, presents from the tree were sent. So numerous were the gifts that the presentation occupied nearly three hours. Refreshments and music were the only interruption. PROVIDENCE." Sapientia Angelica De Divina Providentia. Opus Emanuelis Swedenborg. Ad Fidem Editionis Principis anno MDCCLXIV. Amstelodemi Excuse denuo edidit Dr. Jo. Fr. Im. Tafel, Phil. Prof. Reg. &c., Tübinga. London: White, 36, Bloomsbury-street, Oxford-street. pp. 309. THIS is a reprint of the Latin edition of the "Angelic Wisdom concerning the Divine Providence," superintended through the press by the editorial experience and care of Dr. Tafel. Some it is obvious that its appearance at any other pe* We have had this paper by us some time, but riod than at Christmas would be out of season.EDITOR. months ago we announced that this work was in the press; and some friends, seeing the importance of haying the original editions of Swedenborg's works, on account of their scarcity and dearness, reprinted, kindly sent to Dr. Tafel some donations for the purpose. The work, we are happy to say, can now be procured at a low price, most correctly printed, with all the errata in the princeps edition carefully marked in the Editor's notes. The work on the "Divine Love and Wisdom," &c., and also that on the "Intercourse between the Soul and the Body," &c., together with the "Divine Providence," &c., can now be bound up together in one handsome volume. The Swedenborg Society have received into their stock a few copies of these works; and we earnestly recommend societies to supply their church libraries with these Latin editions, in order that the original, which is the final appeal in all cases of obscurity in the translations, may be easily accessible to all inquirers as to Swedenborg's own terms and expressions. Seeing that Dr. Tafel has had, during the last twenty years, so much experience in editing the Latin editions of Swedenborg's works, as well as his manuscripts, we think that the efforts of the church should be directed, as mnch as possible, towards enabling this learned man to conduct through the press a new edition, in Latin, of the "True Christian Religion;" for this work is very scarce and expensive, and a new and corrected edition of it will be of great advantage to the church. Dr. Tafel is now verging towards the evening of his life, and we know that he cannot expect to have many years in reserve; but when and where will such another man appear, so capable of editing the works in Latin? donation sent to the Swedenborg Society, 36, Bloomsbury-street, London, for that purpose, will be duly acknowledged in this Magazine. Any The theological works of Swedenborg, in the original, may be considered as the walls of the New Jerusalem, and the more easy of access to the inquiring and studious mind we make the original works of Swedenborg, the more we strengthen, in one way at least, the walls of the Holy City. A HYMN BOOK WITH MUSICAL NOTES. To the Editor, Rev. Sir, I have read with due care the communication of "J. H." respecting a Hymn Book with Musical Notes. My opinion is, that such a book would prove injurious rather than beneficial to the church. To confine each hymn to any single tune would prevent the intro. duction of new or fresh melody which might be introduced. Let a tune be ever so good, it loses its effect by too frequent repetition. New tunes, if of real merit, are found to have a very pleasing effect, especially on the young. It would be a matter of regret with many if the number of the hymns were reduced. The specimens of alleged "jigging" are portions of hymns that I greatly admire. Has our friend "J. H." ever heard the 463rd hymn sung to Handel's 104th Psalm? or the 587th to the good old tune called" Brixton"? or the 578th to the tune called "Brighton," in the Norwich tune book? If he has, I must say I am astonished; if he has not, let him try the effect the first opportunity that occurs, and then give his opinion. There is certainly nothing objectionable, either in the sentiment or the metres of the hymns. They have been selected with the greatest care, and revised before publication with the greatest judgment which a numerous and highly intelligent committee could command. Rather than let the number of hymns be curtailed, I would, and so would many others, prefer that a supplementary hymn book be published. I am, yours, &c., AN OLD MISSIONARY. of providing a school-room, although WILLIAM PEGG, Leader, GEORGE ETCHES, Members. BRIGHTLINGSEA. To the Editor. Dear Sir,-You will be glad to hear that our Sunday-school is in an orderly progress. . We often think and speak of our distant friends who attended Conference, with much affection and regard. I remain, yours, &c., W. H. GRIGGS. NEW CHURCH PSALMODY. To the Editor, Dear Sir,-Referring to the remarks of "J. H." in your November number, I would suggest that a New Church psalmody (something similar to the Centenary psalm tune book of the Methodists) be taken into consideration. I think it would be useful, inasmuch as it would in some degree improve our singing in a great many places of worship, and be at the same time useful in our domestic circles. I do not think it would be so convenient if the hymns were prefixed to the music, for it would be too much upon the principle of limitation; by leaving the hymns as they are it would be quite as effective and useful, and I have no doubt would render its circulation more numerous. If your correspondents have any ideas upon the subject, perhaps they will say A something more about it.-I am, &c., It is also gratiying to know that our new room is well occupied with the school on Sundays, with a meeting of the juvenile class, and Sunday-school teachers, every Tuesday evening. reading meeting, well attended, is held every Wednesday evening. The singing choir meet every Thursday evening; and a meeting of our young men is held there every Friday evening, for reading and conversation upon the doctrines of. the church. We have also a good attendance for worship and instruction on the Sabbath day. The stimulus given to the church here by Conference, is still felt, and we hope will be lasting and beneficial. Liverpool. JOSEPH SKEAF, Jun. Rev. E. D. Rendell Mr. Wild, Heywood. Marriage. Copies. 1 1 1 1 1 1 Married, in the New Jerusalem vember 18th, 1855, Mr. Jessy Skinner, Church, Brightlingsea, on Sunday No- to Miss Elizabeth Bryant. Obituary. Died, on the 29th of August, 1855, Mr. James Tansley, aged 46 years. His departure occurred at sea, off Great Yarmouth, on the coast of Norfolk. It happened in an awful and singular manner. On a fine summer's day, when letting go the vessel's anchor, the deceased by some means had his legs entangled with the rope, and was carried overboard with it. He suffered extremely whilst the men on board were striving to rescue him, but in vain, for when they succeeded in getting him on board, life had expired. He had been an attendant at the New Church from his youth, and subsequently an active and intelligent member of the society in Brightlingsea. Some of the younger members of our church had, through his activity, been led to read the writings of Swedenborg. He was instrumental in forming what is termed the Fishermen's Library of the writings of the New Church in the village, by which means the friends of the church were furnished with books to take to sea with them. It was customary with them to meet on board each other's vessels for the purpose of reading and conversation upon the doctrines of the church: at these meetings our late friend took an active part. Doubtless he is now reali zing the substantial pleasures of the Lord's heavenly kingdom, where all are rewarded according as their works have been! "Let us, who survive, this kingdom pursue; Died, on the 30th of August, 1855, Mr. William Sadler, of Brightlingsea, in the 28th year of his age. His transition from time to eternity was very short and unexpected. The circum stance which occasioned his removal was by falling overboard from a sudden blow by the tiller. He was a regular attendant at divine worship at the New Church. He has left a widow and three children to lament his loss. W. H. G. Died, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on the 14th September, Mr. John Lowes, aged 33 years. He was a highly useful member of the church, having served on its committee for many years. He pursued the even tenor of his way most unobtrusively, performing uses as he went along. In his physical nature was sown the hereditary seed of consumption, whilst in his inner man the Lord had treasured up those remains which formed the ground of reception of the heavenly doctrines of the New Church. When quite young he met with the tract on "The True object of Worship," which he read with great pleasure, declaring that "if ever he met with any church of that kind he would join it." He was led to it, delighted in its truths and enjoyed the society of its members to his last moments. He was known to nearly all the ministers of the church, who will be thankful to know that his departure was a calm sleep, and having lived in peace with all men, we may say in the words of truth, "O, that my last end may be like his." R. C. At Norwich, on Sunday, November 11th, in the 81st year of his age, Mr. John Least, was removed into the spiritual world. It is upwards of thirty years since his attention was called to the doctrines of the New Church, and, being one of those who place the good of life in the first place, he readily acknowledged a dispensation which regards the doctrine of life as the first feature of the church. During the time he was known to the writer, he laboured under the infirmities of years, attended with affliction; but he cultivated a patient and unrepining spirit, and found heavenly comfort in his religious convictions. Many times has he made an effort, when it evidently overtasked his strength, to be present at the public worship of the Lord. At length, a few days of confinement to his bed removed him out of the sphere of all physical infirmities and pains, separating him, however, from his aged partner, with whom he had lived in domestic love and peace for upwards of half a century. But the doctrines which supported her husband are the consolation of the widow. R. A. Cave and Sever, Printers, Palatine Buildings, Hunf's Bank, Manchester. CHRISTMAS DAY; OR, FACTS RELATING TO THE LORD'S NATIVITY. THERE are many facts recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke relating to the Lord's nativity into the world. First, there is the account of the divine CONCEPTION, which, unlike that of all other men born into the world, is the root, spring, and origin of every thing truly spiritual and divine in heaven and the church. A true idea of this subject, that "God was actually manifested in the flesh," and not a Second Person, as is commonly supposed, forms the first Principle and the only basis of a living Christianity. If our religious ideas and our theology do not rest upon a true idea of the divine Conception of Jesus, all our thinking, feeling, and doing, will be devoid of a true and living principle, instead of being the root of Jesse," the first point, or what in embryology is called the punctum saliens, the root will be withered and lifeless, and no healthy sap can circulate through the system. This, indeed, is the essential reason why Christianity hitherto has been but little more than a withered root, or a seed deprived of its prolific principle, and has consequently only existed, as to name and form, and not as to "spirit and life" in the world: the shadow merely of a living and divine Christianity, and not the substance. But if the "shadow of Peter passing by benefitted the sick in the streets of Jerusalem," (Acts v. 15.) so even the shadow of Christianity has been a [Enl. Series.-No. 26, vol. iii.] G |