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"We desire unity," says Mr. Rogers, "not hostility; but the only union worth having is that which is consistent with the freest utterance of the most opposite opinions, and is due to the action of that spirit of love which is independent of and superior to all such diversities. We cannot think them our enemies so long as we are one with them in relation to the spiritual truths and principles which lie at the root of Christian life and Church life and power, even though we differ as to mere material belongings (for it is nothing more that divides us); and if they will persist in crediting us with an hostility we do not feel, and imputing to the lowest sectarian motives action which is due to a deep-rooted conviction of duty to Christ and truth, we can only commit our cause to Him and to the progress of events for our vindication. This much we will say, if Nonconformists, we are first Christians." Other topics, some of considerable interest, were introduced, in the discussion of which the speaker recognised the necessity for new and clearer thought and a deeper spiritual life than has hitherto prevailed in the Christian

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A DANIEL COME TO JUDGMENT.We extract the following sapient comment from the Sheffield Telegraph of October 6, where it appears in leaded type, and with all the prominence of a leader. The writer overlooks that, in penning these sentences, he was giving the measure of his own intellect. It does not follow that, because he cannot understand the writings of Swedenborg that no one can understand them. Other minds may not be so feeble, or so preoccupied with prejudice and selfconceit. But we give the extract, any reply to which is quite unnecessary :"Swedenborg, who sorely troubled the religious world while alive, is a source of much annoyance to the Committee of the Leamington Free Library now that he is dead. This body, we find, has been solemnly considering whether the works of the distinguished Mystic we have named should be accepted as a gift from a certain London society which takes special delight in propagating such literature. Our own opinion is that the books might be placed in the Library without the

slightest injury being done to the public morals of Leamington. No one, we feel quite sure, could understand what they are about-neither would the most credulous possible student be in danger of adopting opinions so widely erratic. If half-mad and wholly meaningless Swedenborg is to be put in the Indez Expurgatorius, what are we to do with Voltaire and Gibbon and Bayle? You may have Rousseau, too, in most libraries, and yet he is infinitely more to be dreaded than Swedenborg-because he is so much more attractive. These Leamington censors are rather more precise than they need be. In these days hardly any injury is done by religious or controversial books-for the simple reason that they are seldom opened. Huge tomes of polemics are of course of great use in adorning our libraries, but they are as little interfered with as the "mock volumes" which are employed for the same purpose. Emanuel Swedenborg is doubly harmless. There is no meaning in his wild rhapsodies, and even if the contrary had been the case no one would go to the trouble of trying to find it out. His books are sealed books-not because they contain false doctrines, but because they are dull, heavy, and somewhat stupid."

HISTRIONIC PRAYER.-In the course of the discussion in the House of Commons, of the Public Worship Regulation Bill, Mr. Walter cited the following from a series of essays of a ritualistic character, entitled, "the Church and the World:"-" It may be argued that good and vigorous preaching will fill the cravings of the imagination and make the employment of material stimuli superfluous, if not mischievous. But good preaching is among the rarest of good things, much rarer in proportion even than good acting, because it requires a wider range of physical and mental gifts. If very good actors were common, the adventitious aid of scenery and properties would be comparatively unimportant. But as the

great majority of actors are mere sticks, and even the chief stars are not always shining their best, managers have been constantly compelled to make gorgeous spectacle their main attraction, and a splendid transformation scene or a telling stage procession will draw crowds

night after night, even in the absence of any theatrical celebrity. Hence a lesson may be learnt by all who are not too proud to learn from the stage. For it 18 an axiom in liturgiology that no public worship is really deserving of its name unless it be histrionic." On this unblushing presentment of public prayer as a mere stage effect, the Guardian published a short but severe critique, which led to a correspondence, in which the author of the statement is said to be Dr. Littledale and not Mr. Blenkensopp, as stated by Mr. Walter. The extract is given also at greater length, offering thereby the reasons given for the statement, but not changing its character. Public worship, according to Dr. Littledale, is "histrionic," for three reasons-first, because it is an attempt to imitate and represent on earth what Christians believe to be going on in heaven; secondly, because this representation is partly effected by the employment of material symbols to shadow forth invisible powers; thirdly, because personal action rather than passive receptivity is the essence of its character. The whole histrionic principle is supposed to be "conceded and hallowed by the two most sacred rites of the Christian religion-Baptism, which physically suggests the idea of moral cleansing; and the Holy Eucharist, which shows forth the broken body and the outpoured blood, at the same time that it presents to the mind the notion of sustenance." But these sacraments have in them nothing that is histrionic, being as far as possible removed from all merely scenic or stage display. They are the embodied form of divine verities which are united with the reception of the elements employed by correspondence; and they are thence the means of communicating actual blessing from the Lord to the souls of their recipients.

MARRIAGE AND CELIBACY.-We copy the following from the Nonconformist. An old Catholic priest in Switzerland is about to follow Father Hyacinthe's example, abandoning celibacy. St. Auge Lièvre, of Biel, in announcing his betrothal to a Protestant lady, says, "I marry because I wish to remain an honourable man. In the sixteenth century it was a proverbial expression to say, As corrupt as a priest,' and this might be said to-day. I marry,

therefore, because I wish to get out of the Ultramontane slough." During the last two years sixty-seven Roman Catholic priests have been convicted of immorality in France and Switzerland. In view of such facts, he says, it is time to restore by marriage the good name of the Romish priesthood, which the misconduct of too many of its members has covered with infamy.

MODE OF MAN'S IMMORTALITY.-The Christian World of September 4th gives the following: :

"The Rev. T. A. Goodwin, a Methodist minister in America of long service and excellent standing, has published a book on 'The Mode of Man's Immortality,' in which he expresses his disbelief in a resurrection of the material body that is laid in the grave, and enunciates the theory that at death the believer passes at once in his entire personality into the presence of the Lord. At the Indiana Conference, of which Mr. Goodwin is a member, the matter was brought up for discussion. His book was criticized with so much severity that he at once demanded a formal trial; and this is now taking place, though it is not thought likely that Mr. Goodwin will be expelled from the ministry for his alleged heresy.'

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SCANDINAVIAN MISSION.-We have received the following narrative of a missionary visit to Aalborg from the Rev. Mr. Boyesen :

"Knowing that our dear friendsand brethren in England feel warmly interested in the Scandinavian Mission, I take the liberty to send you the following details. During the vacations I have made a missionary visit to our brethren in Aalborg, in Jylland, where I remained for about two weeks, and lectured on the Journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan. It appeared as if the interest for the new doctrines had increased considerably, for the attendance was better than ever. A large room which we had hired in the centre of the town was quite crowded. the hearers seemed to listen with much interest, except a minister of the old church, and his restlessness betrayed his internal agitation. He made some annotations in order to remember something of those doctrines which, according to his belief, were the most destructive

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us to do so. The writings of the Church are, as you know, the very first and most important missionaries, which must be sent out in all the world, if the Church shall make any progress, and we are thankful to the Lord and to our noble English and American friends, through whose benevolence He has provided us with means for printing the True Christian Religion and the Divine Providence. These two important works are now under the press, and, when printed, they can reach the thousands, whilst a common missionary can reach only a very limited number. According to the request of one of our most earnest and zealous American friends, I am now translating the Conjugial Love. As people in general take more interest in reading the doctrinal works, than the interpreting ones, I hope that our brethren consent in this important work being translated before the Apocalypse."

to the salvation of his flock. As a good services and at the evening lectures is shepherd, he felt it to be his duty to pretty good. Considering the present take care of his sheep and lambs, that religious state of the world and our want he might not lose any of them, but of means to send out missionary minisfinding it to be more practicable to keep ters, I believe that the New Church his flock away, warned them earnestly does as good progress here as it has done to beware of the false prophet from at the beginning in any other country in Copenhagen who taught that He who Europe. You know, dear brethren, that led the Israelites through the wilder- this is not to say much; but still, we ness was no other than our Lord and must be glad that, in this respect, we Saviour Jesus Christ, who, before He can say about as much as any other. came to the world, was the Great Jeho- The need of missionary work in Scandivah Zebaoth Himself. This was a most navia is very great, but not being able pernicious doctrine, and together with to send out missionary ministers, we the nonsense about the spiritual mean- send out mute missionaries in form of ing of the Word, would destroy all saving tracts, as far as our feeble means permit faith in justification through the sufferings and the blood of Christ. Whether now the sheep had not confidence in their shepherd or curiosity caused them to attend, I do not know, but the attendance was so large when the next lecture was delivered, that many were obliged to stand in the corridor. This time, and afterwards, we were also honoured with the presence of a stenograph, who wrote down every lecture. As usual we distributed tracts, and about 300 were thankfully received; but the minister would not take any tract, neither would he read in the psalm book that was offered him. When some lectures had been delivered, I was asked to visit a village about a Danish mile from Aalborg. I did so with great pleasure, and found about twenty persons assembled in a neat little cottage house. After the usual salutations and an introductory talking about indifferent things, the conversation turned upon religious subjects, and the landlady asked me through one of her friends to explain to them the doctrine of the New Church about Baptism, the Holy Supper and love to our neighbour. When this was done, all seemed to be very much pleased, and they were all present at the next lecture. On the whole, I delivered ten lectures; we had twice public worship, and before I left Aalborg the Holy Supper was administered to the members of the Society. Four persons more have left the old and embraced the New Church, but I am sorry that, nevertheless, the little Society has not increased, four of the old members having left the country and gone to Sweden. The Society here in Copenhagen has increased with three new receivers of the heavenly doctrines, and the general attendance at the Sunday

NATIONAL MISSIONARY INSTITUTION. -The Conference Committee appointed to the management of the above Institution, desires to call the attention of societies and isolated receivers, to the importance of continued missionary exertions, the communication of spiritual truth, being the highest order of Christian charity. The Committee solicits contributions in aid of the funds, which may be forwarded to the Treasurer of Conference, Mr. R. Gunton, 19 Oseney Crescent, Camden Road, London, N.W.; and they also ask that their attention may be directed to fields of usefulness, with such particulars as may be necessary to guide their judgment, which may be forwarded to the Secretary, Rev. John Presland, 25 Rochester Square, London, N.W.

CAMBRIDGE. The lectures given last March at Cambridge were so far successful, that since then a reading class has been formed, which meets every Sunday afternoon during the University terms, for the purpose of reading the works of Swedenborg and other New Church literature. An interest has thus been aroused not only amongst the regular in. habitants of the town, but also amongst the University students- - some halfdozen of whom meet on a Sunday as above stated. It would be a great pity if the good work thus begun should be allowed to die out. Cambridge has great claims on the New Church, not only in England, but also in America-as from her great university she sends forth educated men into all the corners of the known world. Thus from her light may be carried to other parts of the earth. Very necessary is it that the New Church should support all efforts to promote the spread of her doctrines and life in such a place. It is proposed to renew the lectures next March (if funds are in hand), and also to take a room for services on Sunday-thus to add another place of worship to the Church in England. We can only do this with money, and we venture to appeal to all readers of the Intellectual Repository to assist us in this great object. However small the sum sent it will be useful, and will be most gratefully received by the following gentlemen :-J. H. Moore, Esq., 19 Victoria Place, Camp Road, Leeds; E. C. Anderson, B.A., 82 Norwich Street, Cambridge; G. S. Allbutt, 9 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge; Dr. H. A. Allbutt, Russell Lodge, Sheepscar Street, Leeds. A list of all subscriptions will be published in the April number.

HEYWOOD.-A public meeting of a somewhat novel kind has long been established in this society, and of late years has been imitated by other religious bodies in the town. This is an annual tea-party and recitation provided by the teachers of the Sunday School. The meeting is held on some Saturday evening in the month of October, and is usually largely attended, not only by friends of the school but also by the general public. This year, over eight huudred persons took tea, and not fewer than a thousand people were present during the evening. The proceedings after tea were of a varied but chiefly

entertaining kind. A short dramatic recitation was accompanied by recitations, songs, and glees, and the proceedings of a pleasant evening brought to a close at ten o'clock. Although this meeting is not of a directly religious kind, it doubtless exercises a useful influence on the population around us. It supplies an evening's pleasant entertainment, surrounded by salutary and elevating associations; it demonstrates to every one that religion is not an enemy to reasonable pleasures and rational enjoyments.

KERSLEY.-Ordination of Mr. P. Ramage. Two pleasant and interesting services were held in this church, on the 11th of October, in connection with the ordination of Mr. Ramage, the newly appointed minister. In the morning, after the usual liturgical service, the Rev. E. D. Rendell preached an appropriate introductory sermon, on the duties of the congregation to their minister. In the evening the ordination service took place. The service was opened by the usual evening service to the end of the first lesson. The ordination service followed, the ordaining ministers being Revs. E. D. Rendell and R. Storry. The questions were proposed by Mr. Storry, the act of ordination was by Mr. Rendell. An appropriate selection of music was very efficiently rendered by the choir, the hymns being heartily joined in by the congregation. The interest felt in this service by the members and friends of the church was manifested by the large attendance, the church being filled in every part, and additional sitting placed along the entire length of the aisles. The sermon following the ordination service was by Mr. Storry, from Mark iv. 14, "The sower soweth the word." In the exposition of his subject, the preacher pointed out that the act of sowing seed was a generally recognised symbol of the effort to impart instruction, whence it is common to speak of inseminating knowledge, and youth, which is the season of instruction, is described as the seed-time of life. The sower is the Lord Himself, who is the Great Teacher, because He teaches from an underived wisdom. In His teaching, however, He employs appropriate instrumentality. His great instrument is His written Word, whereby He holds perpet

ual communication with His children. gloomy view of his work often he would As the means of teaching and expounding be tempted to despair. And the Master the Word, He employs human instru- seems to have anticipated this danger mentality. Foremost among these in- and provided against it in His enstruments is the Christian minister. His couraging assurance-‘ "They that sow appointment is of the Lord. All the in tears shall reap in joy. He that mental and moral endowments which goeth forth and weepeth, bearing qualify him for his office are of the precious seed, shall doubtless come again Lord. Natural instruction and cultiva- with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves with tion are needed for the improvement him." But may we not adopt too and efficiency of these powers, but the hasty a conclusion from this apparent skill to apply and the power to teach meaning of the text? A deeper insight are of the Lord alone. The ministry is might reveal to us that all the cases by appointed for the purpose of carrying wise culture might eventually become on the work of the Great Teacher. "We good ground and yield the fruits of are ambassadors for Christ," says Paul. righteousness. The wayside is hard and The purpose of an ordination service is trodden down. It needs that there to deepen the conviction of this truth, should pass over it the plowshare of and, if we may so express it, to burn the Christian culture. Plowed up and subimpress of it into the very soul of the jected to wise treatment, it might disclose preacher by the fire of that consecrating the qualities of good ground. The same is love whereby the Great Shepherd binds true of the other cases. If we "gather all His servants to Himself. The min- out" the stones from the stony ground ister who rises from this service with- and root up and destroy the thorns of the out a deeper conviction of the import- thorny ground, each may be converted into ance of his office, and a deeper devotion good ground, and reward the toil of the and dedication to his Divine Master, husbandman with a plenteous harvest. has not realized its purpose, nor secured And the faithful pastor must never forget its advantages. The true minister this. He should despair of none. All does not teach his own wisdom, but the agencies of the Lord's Providence seeks to make manifest the wisdom are active for the salvation of the world. descending from above. Human phi- The angels of God are ministering spirits losophy will not regenerate the not only to those who are but to those world. The natural sciences will not who shall be heirs of salvation. Our elevate the soul above the range of great Example in this teaching is the nature. These agencies of mental pro- Saviour Himself. His example is in gress when true, and so far as they are gospel history-His teaching was true, are of the utmost importance for adapted to the states of the people, He the development of the natural fac- taught them by parables, as they were ulties, but they do not reach the high- able to hear. It had definite aim and est wants of humanity. The truths of purpose. It was to call sinners to rethe Word of God are the great means of pentance. It was to lead and feed the opening the spiritual faculties of the flock of which He was the Good Shepmind. They form a plane into which herd. And in a sense higher than the heaven can descend, whence the Lord apostle could possibly comprehend or can pour His light, and the soul attain His disciples realize, His example its true destiny. Hence the great teaches us to speak the truth in love. purpose of preaching is to expound the Word, to sow broadcast the precious seeds of truth, and to aid the growth of this truth by every inducement and encouragement to a Christian life. The seed thus sown into the mind meets with varied reception. This is described in the parable by the four kinds of widening field of labour, and we pray. ground into which it falls. To a super- for him an abundant success. ficial view this parable is most discouraging to the sower. A multitude of dangers seem to await his labours, and Committee of this Society, finding untold difficulties and discouragements are before him. Were he to take a

The most marked attention was given throughout the service. The congregation appeared to warmly sympathize with the newly ordained minister, who thus enters more fully upou the great work to which he has dedicated his life. He has before him an extended and

LONDON-Buttesland Street.-The

after a four years' trial that the building is in every way unsuitable for the pur

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