fallen into good ground, and is now springing up.

Other ground is being reclaimed from error and superstition, and preparing to receive the seeds of genuine truth. The state of the Christian Churches at the present day proclaims that an acceptable time has come, and no opportunities must be lost in promoting the knowledge of Him in whom all nations shall be blessed. By order of the Committee.

The TREASURER (Mr. Samuel Teed) read the cash accounts for the past year.

Dr. STOCKER said that it was with much pleasure that he moved "That the Report of the Committee and the Treasurer's accounts be received, adopted, and printed for circulation under the direction of the new Committee." It would ill become him as a member of the Committee during the past year to speak of the excellent Reports that had been presented to them, which he hoped would be cordially received and adopted. He hoped the members would agree with him that the efforts of the Society to promulgate what they believed to be God's truth had been energetic and successful during the past year. These efforts were particularly required in the present day, when such great importance was being attached to the study of natural science. In Oxford they were now considering the propriety of establishing a degree in natural science. In London, where he had been educated, they had such a degree offered to them. To illustrate how essential it

was for each person to know the common objects which met his eye, he said that there was in each of them a multitude of infinite wisdom to be gleaned, and he considered it of the highest moment that these treasures of Divine truth should be presented to all.

There were two or three things in the Report to which he should like to direct attention, and the first was the receipt of applications from students in theological colleges asking the Society to help them forward in their search for religious truth. They were like the eunuch who asked that some man should guide him to a clearer understanding of Divine wisdom. Dr. Stocker said he had lately been in conversation with a gentleman engaged in literary occupations, who, speaking of the prophets, said he regarded their writings as merely poetical, and this had given him an opportunity of mentioning what this Society had done and was doing to clear up the doubts that existed around them. And secondly, he was glad to think that in India, where so many diverse sects existed, a man of liberal education, and who had been rewarded by the Government for work done, had come forward and asked that Society to help him in the task of making the writings of Swedenborg known in that vast country, and that they had in him a medium for printing the works of Swedenborg in the vernacular. And thirdly, he wished to allude to the noble work done across the Atlantic. Dr. Stocker considered that the amount of usefulness performed by the American Printing Society was marvellous. They believed they were engaged in God's work, and God helping them they would carry it out to the utmost of their power. As for the Treasurer's account, he would simply say that

instead of the year's subscriptions being £200, he should like to see them £2000. The want of funds impeded the editing and sending forth of works, when the more liberal hand might be given with advantage.

Mr. J. PARKER, formerly editor of the Indian Daily News in Calcutta, said that he had listened with much satisfaction to the very interesting details presented to them by the Society's executive, and had very much pleasure in seconding the resolution that had just been offered to them. There were two points that presented themselves to him. The first was, that in the able hands of the executive the Society's operations were making themselves known throughout the land, and he thought that the Reports presented to them testified to the ability, energy, tact, and resources of the Committee. He observed that not only all the ordinary channels of distribution had been utilized, but that they had employed almost preternatural activity in opening up new fields into which to introduce these doctrines. They had heard a good deal of late of a certain "masterful inactivity," but he thought that this had obtained no countenance in the board of the Society's executive, but that the members had every reason to congratulate themselves on the manner in which their work had been conducted. The second consideration he wished to bring before them was the magnitude of the work that remained to be done. Much of solid tangible result had been secured, but a vast area of unbroken ground remained. They had before them a mass of bigotry, of unblushing scepticism, and of indifferentism that almost appalled them, but it was not for them to despair. There was perhaps too much despondency and inclination to betray impatience at the seeming slowness of the results of their work, but he hoped it would be remembered that all great movements move slowly, with leaden feet. He had no doubt the same was the case in the time of our Lord's First Advent. The Pharisaism of the period, the carnalism of the Jewish mind, the dense ignorance of the Gentile mind, alike combined to resist the influences of the new-born Christianity. Perhaps, in taking a survey of the difficulties with which they met, the great difficulty that occurred to his mind was that they had in their midst great, effete, huge dogmas which carried on their face the grime and dust of antiquity, and were the more powerful because buttressed up by vested interests. Another difficulty was that early associations had very much power in giving fixity to their opinions. They knew that whatever clustered around the mind in early life obtained almost the quality of sanctity. There were few in that room who did not even now remember the lispings at the mother's knee, the evening prayer, the simple Scripture lessons from that mother's voice. If it were so with them, they might think that it was also the case with other religious communities, and that the slow progress of the principles disseminated by the Society was largely owing to this circumstance. For these reasons it seemed to him that the progress must be slow. There was perhaps a tendency on our part to wonder how it was that these doctrines were so often passed

Y

by, considering how beautiful and strikingly simple was the grand rationalism they displayed. But were they looking at all the features of the case? Their author himself told them that the reception of truth depended upon an affection for the truth, before it could be received in the intellect. In view of this fact, the one thing for them to do was to labour patiently, truthfully, and well, leaving the issue in the hands of Him who was the controller of all results. He would also say, do not always test the result of the Society's work by the number of volumes circulated or the number of converts secured. The true spiritual part of their work lay within the volumes, which were but the external form, and as the body to the mind within.

Mr. Parker observed that a large section of the Report was devoted to an account of the arrangements made for diffusing the works amongst the populations of India. Having resided in that country for fifteen years of his life, he might be pardoned for expressing an opinion or two as to the modern phases of religious thought there. He would not say one word in disparagement of the merits of the missionaries in that country. They displayed the highest rectitude and self-abnegation. But the mind of the Hindu-clear, subtle, and logical as it was-could not take in the offences committed against ordinary arithmetic in the orthodox doctrines of Christianity. Whilst in India he had met a Benares pundit, and had remarked to him that the Hindu religion could not possibly be true, because its gods were numbered by hundreds. The reply was instant and sharp, "Why, you have three gods in your Trinity; if you have three you might as well have a thousand." This was a common-sense position, and strictly logical.

He observed that it was proposed to take steps for ensuring a large circulation of the works in the Marathi and Hindi languages, and, in his opinion, salutary results must follow. But he would take the liberty of saying that an additional sphere of usefulness might also be obtained. Since Lord Canning's time a high system of education had been fostered, and colleges built in many places. One of the most important results had been that hundreds of the Hindus could now not only read English, but speak and write it with perfect accuracy. Sir Barnes Peacock, addressing the bar of the court over which he presided, told the members that he considered the average argument delivered before him equal to any to be heard at Westminster. Now Mr. Parker ventured to assert that in Bengal there existed a large class who, if the works were placed in their hands in English, would feel themselves flattered. He thought the suggestion worthy of their notice. Swedenborg had told us that but for the Church society could not cohere. They also must feel that but for religion the family and the home would no longer exist. Even a band of pirates was bound together by their virtues. Noting these things, they should remember that their doctrines were to the stability of society as iron to the blood, and that therefore the obligation was imposed upon us to help on and supplement the operations of this Society.

The CHAIRMAN put the resolution to the meeting, when it was carried unanimously.

Mr. W. GIBBS, in moving the reappointment of Mr. Samuel Teed as Treasurer, said he was sure the members would join with him with great pleasure in the resolution he had to propose. It was known when he was first appointed to the post that Mr. Teed was the right man in the right place, and the result of the year's labours had proved it to be so.

Mr. C. H. ALLEN seconded the resolution, and alluded to the fact that Mr. Watson, who had last year been compelled to resign the office of Treasurer, was able to be present that evening.

The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, which was carried nem. con. Mr. F. ALLEN moved and Mr. ELLIOTT seconded the appointment of Messrs. J. GILBEY and W. GIBBS as the Auditors for the ensuing year, and the resolution was put to the meeting and carried.

Mr. H. R. WILLIAMS, on behalf of the Rev. Augustus Clissold and Miss Clissold, then formally presented to the Society the bust of Emanuel Swedenborg, the work of Mr. Preston Powers of Florence. In doing so he said that on Thursday last he called upon Mr. Clissold at Stoke Newington, and to his great regret found that it was a most unfortunate day for a call, for he was utterly prostrate. It was a marvel to him to see Mr. Clissold's power of mind, and admirable to hear his expressions of regard to every one present. From his bodily infirmity Mr. Clissold was unable to be present that evening or even to write, but he wished Mr. Williams to convey to them his kind regards and prayers that their heavenly Father would guide them into all truth. Mr. Williams said he could not trust himself to repeat Mr. Clissold's words to them, but they affected him deeply. As regards the bust, Mr. Williams said that he had mentioned to Mr. Clissold the Committee's desire that he should say something to them on the subject. The reason the Committee had requested him to undertake this was because he had happened to be in Tunbridge Wells when a letter from the Secretary enclosing a photograph of the bust had arrived. He took an opportunity of seeing Mr. Clissold on the subject, and when he showed him the photograph he immediately said, "What a pity we cannot have a marble bust!" On Mr. Williams saying that the only thing that stood in the way was the expense, Mr. Clissold said that he would bear that, but his difficulty was as to how far the son of Hiram Powers inherited the genius of his father. The Secretary having obtained the necessary information upon this point, Mr. Clissold, upon his return to town, had communicated to him his intention of making the gift. Mr. Williams concluded by expressing Mr. Clissold's hope that the Committee would be satisfied with the gift which, in his name, he now formally made over to the Society.

The CHAIRMAN then called upon Mrs. TAFEL to unveil the bust, which she proceeded to do amidst loud applause. Very general approval was at once expressed at the result of the artist's work. It

is composed of the best Carrara marble, and is considerably larger than life-size. The features so familiar to New Churchmen have been very faithfully portrayed by the artist, and they have in addition been invested by him with that ideal character so essential to the complete success of all works of art.

The Rev. WM. BRUCE then said he had been requested, and he wished, to propose "That the cordial thanks of this meeting be given to the Rev. A. Clissold and to his sister, Miss Clissold, for their gift of the handsome bust of Emanuel Swedenborg executed by Mr. Preston Powers of Florence." He said he thought the Society might congratulate itself on having secured this work of art, which as a work of art was admirable, and as a likeness was the best they had hitherto possessed. It was true that the model had been made long after the decease of Swedenborg, but they should remember that almost all statues were made after death. But Hiram Powers had long contemplated making a bust, or rather a full-sized statue of Swedenborg, but they were too poor or too cold-hearted, and they could not afford the £1200 requisite for the cost of the marble and workmanship. The bust was a truthful representation of the man, and he thought they might feel satisfied that they had Swedenborg's face, the index of the mind, so well represented. They all desired when they became acquainted with the works of a man to have before them an illustration of his outward appearance. Nothing was complete until it came into ultimates, and they had now therefore this manifestation. Mr. Powers had studied all the portraits of Swedenborg, and had taken what he believed to be the characteristics of those previously in existence. Mr. Bruce had, like others present, never seen the bust until that moment, and from what he could now see he believed it to be an excellent likeness. It was more like what he should conceive Swedenborg to have been than many of the portraits he had seen, which he thought gave to his features something that did not actually belong to them. But as there were several portraits of Swedenborg in existence, and the skilful sculptor could trace in them lineaments which the ordinary eye could not detect, so he thought that Mr. Powers had admirably conjoined in the work before them all their best elements. He would now move the resolution, simply adding that Mr. Clissold had been the great patron of their Society. The house in which they were then assembled they owed to his generosity, and now this, its highest adornment, had been his voluntary and spontaneous gift.

Mr. H. DUNCAN said it devolved upon him to second the resolution of thanks for the most beautiful work executed by so careful and eminent a sculptor. It must go far to fix in the mind of beholders an accurate idea on a point upon which considerable confusion had existed on the part of ardent admirers of Swedenborg. He wished to say one word as to the donors. Their beautiful gift would afford another proof, if indeed it were needed, of the interest taken by them in the Society, and Mr. Clissold's name would be venerated in this and unborn generations as long as the beautiful object before them