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£200 0 0 Ramsey from Liverpool about nine o'clock 16 1 0 in the evening. He learned that his 14 0 0 lectures had been well advertised, and 350 that a spirited and warm-hearted gentle3 30 man who had seen some of his sermons had 2 5 0 come forward and offered a large room, the new hall, for his use as long as he chose to occupy it. The same gentleman, who is a member of the House of Keys (the Manx Parliament), had also printed handbills and sent them to every house in Ramsey.

£238 14 0

This beginning will, we trust, stimulate other Societies to continue the good work, and thus by a general effort to render the important uses contemplated by these funds effective of their purpose.

THE CONFERENCE AND THE PRESS. The Auxiliary Missionary and Tract Society, as in former years, appointed a committee to arrange for the reporting of the proceedings of the Conference in the metropolitan and provincial press. The results of this committee's labours, so far as it can be ascertained, is that several paragraphs appeared in seven of the daily and ten of the weekly papers. The Illustrated London News of the 16th of August gave also a portrait of the President, but the artist was not very successful in producing a striking likeness. A short notice of the Conference and of Dr. Bayley accompanies the portrait. A reporter from the Manchester Guardian and other provincial papers affiliated to the Press Association was present on two days of the session, a representative of the Birmingham Daily Gazette and two representatives of local newspapers attended the meeting of Thursday night. In addition to these items a paragraph, it is believed, appeared in the papers connected with the National Press Agency, and doubtless many country editors inserted in their columns extracts from the reports which appeared in the London dailies. We have also received a copy of Galignani's Messenger, which contains a long and favourable report of the Conference.

ISLE OF MAN. We have much pleasure in recording the fact that New Church truths have been lately delivered in the Isle of Man. A gentleman occupying an important position in Ramsey, and who has for some years been an affectionate reader of New Church works, was very desirous that some public effort should be made to make known to others what he considered so great a blessing to himself. This gentleman wrote to the Missionary and Tract Society in London, who placed the matter before Dr. Bayley, and a correspondence ensued which led to Dr. Bayley's undertaking to visit the island and make a commencement himself.

On Wednesday, August 27th, in very wet and stormy weather, Dr. Bayley reached

On Thursday Dr. Bayley saw this gentleman, and thanked him very heartily for his co-operation. The only drawback was the still stormy state of the weather, which was so severe that Dr. Bayley was counselled to put the first lecture off and wait at least a day for the tempest to subside. Dr. Bayley was unwilling to do this, but intimated he would be present half an hour before the time, and if fifty people were present he would commence. The subject of the first lecture was, "Where are the Dead Men's Souls? what are they like? and how do they live?" The subject seems to have been attractive, for in spite of the storm two hundred people were present at the hour for beginning. This number increased at every discourse, until at the fifth at least six hundred attended. One of the local papers, speaking of the first discourse, says, The numbers who listened to Dr. Bayley on Thursday evening when he delivered his first lecture to the people of Ramsey must have felt their hearts stirred within them as he unfolded to them this grand and simple doctrine of a future life. The catholicity of this New Church, rising as it does above all narrow sectarianism, must commend itself to the minds of all thinking men, and we trust will gradually leaven the whole mass."

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The last lecture was delivered on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd, and had for its subject "Jesus the First and the Last; then how are we to think of the Trinity?" The most profound attention was paid; and the appreciation of the audience was afforded in the most striking manner by a unanimous request that Dr. Bayley would visit the island next year and spend a month in efforts to help the people on their way to heaven. One thousand tracts were distributed, and one hundred copies of the "Brighton Lectures" were sold. The earnest attention of the town and neighbourhood was awakened; and when he was bidding his kind friends good-bye he was pleased to be informed that every member of the police force had got one of the 'Brighton Lectures" and were inquiring for more to send to their friends.

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BARNOLDSWICK.-We give the follow

ing, somewhat abridged, from a local paper: of the Psalmist-that the Lord Jesus An annual lecture is instituted at this Christ is God, and that He is King in His village by the Society at Embsay. This Humanity, which is the Scripture meaning lecture was this year given on Tuesday of the title Son of God. The same truth evening, September 2nd, in the Mechanics' is taught by the Prophet Isaiah in his preInstitution, by the Rev. R. Storry. The diction respecting "the Child born, the Rev. E. Jones of Embsay occupied the Son given, whose name is Wonderful, chair. In introducing the lecturer the Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlastchairman said, "I am glad to see so many ing Father, The Prince of Peace." The here to-night at what I may call our annual Son whose name, that is, whose nature, is gathering. I feel certain that you will thus described was shown by an exposihave a great treat, and I am sure that you tion of the text and of the allusion in the will hear something well worth thinking following verse to His ascent of the about." He then, having opened the meet- throne of David to be the Lord in His ing by reading the 72nd Psalm and offering Humanity. This was further illustrated up the Lord's Prayer, announced the sub- by the teaching of the Apostles and of the ject "The Sovereignty of the Saviour, and Apocalypse, in which the Lamb, the title the Nature, Extent, and Increase of His of the Lord in His humanity, is described Kingdom.' The lecturer in opening his as King of kings and Lord of lords. In lecture said it was some years since he discussing the subject of the Lord's governvisited Barnoldswick and lectured under ment of His kingdom the lecturer dwelt very different circumstances. When de- on the Lord's answers to Pilate, from sired to lecture on the subject announced which he insisted that it was a government to them, although somewhat inconveni- of truth, the Lord being the Truth itself. ent to himself, he had great pleasure in In a lengthened argument he showed that accepting the invitation. The subject a government of truth was one of order announced was too large to discuss fully in one lecture. He could not enter minutely into its particulars, but only glance at its leading features. The great question of the Deity of the Saviour was often discussed on too large a scale, and with reference to too large a number of evidences. He proposed to illustrate this subject by the discussion of one branch of the evidences presented in the Word. He would not discuss or controvert any one's opinion, but seek to establish the testimony of the Bible. There are two subjects which run through the whole revelation of truth. These are the Lord and the Church from Him. The Lord is revealed everywhere in the Word. He is represented by the patriarchs, was before Abraham, greater than Solomon, and to Him bear all the prophets witness. The teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures was that Jehovah was King for ever and ever. Prophecy, afterwards confirmed by the New Testament, with equal clearness and emphasis, announced that the Lord Jesus Christ was King. He referred to the 45th Psalm, showing its relation to Jesus Christ, its reference to His warfare with the spirits of darkness, whom He overthrew in His redemption, and dwelling upon the statement of the 6th verse, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre." This passage is cited in the first chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews in the words, "Unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom." Two great truths were clearly involved in this application of the teaching

and of peace and progress, and he closed his lecture with an eloquent appeal to the audience to always, and in all places, exercise this great principle of truth and order. Votes of thanks were given to the Rev. R. Storry for his able lecture, and to Mr. Jones for his services in the chair. The lecturer, in returning thanks, said he was pleased at their kindness and attention to him in the course of his lecture, and trusted that they would go home and think carefully over the words that had been spoken during the evening. meeting was then closed with the doxology and benediction.

The

BESSES.-On August 30th the annual exhibition in connection with the Mutual Improvement Society was held in the school. About forty friends sat down to tea. After tea the Rev. I. Tansley presided over a numerously attended meeting. In the course of his remarks the chairman urged upon the young men the duty of culture, and advised them to take up some branch of science or literature and devote their leisure moments to the acquisition of useful knowledge. Mr. T. W. Grimshaw, Mr. Robert Taylor, Mr. Chadwicke, and other gentlemen addressed the meeting. Several glees were sung by the choir. After the meeting the friends inspected the exhibits. These embraced collections of wild flowers, meadow plants, and cut blooms. Also there were several capital tables of geological specimens. A stage of curiosities also attracted some attention. The awards were adjudged to the successful competitors by Mr. James Taylor of Rainscough, and Mr. Hansefield.

The prizes consisted of scientific books and a small field-glass presented by Mr. T. W. Grimshaw to the most successful collector of geological specimens. The exhibition was regarded as quite a success, and a very pleasant and profitable evening was spent by all.

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THE LINCOLNSHIRE NEW CHURCH ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the members and friends was this year held in London on 4th August, and was well attended. The chair was taken by the president, Mr. James H. Moore of Sheffield. The honorary secretary read an interesting report of the work done during the past year, of which notices have appeared in these columns. Mr. R. Gunton was elected president for the ensuing year. The committee were reelected, as also the honorary secretary, Mr. J. S. Bogg. Several ladies and gentlemen present assented to a request that they would become honorary members of the Association. Mr. Speirs presented six copies of "Talks to the Children for distribution. A grant of five pounds to the Horncastle Society was agreed to, with the recommendation appended that the services of the Rev. Dr. Tafel should, if possible, be obtained for a ministerial visit. It was resolved to present one or more sets of five New Church works to the libraries attached to the military depôts in Lincoln and Nottingham; to offer the work entitled "The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine" to all the clergy in the diocese of Lincoln, and to all the ministers in that county who had not applied for the work entitled "The Future Life" (Heaven and Hell); and to offer the second volume of the Arcana Coelestia to those who applied for the first conditionally on payment of postage. It was also decided to place the "Spiritual Columbus" in some of the hotels in Lincolnshire. Resolutions were passed declaring the desirability of establishing a Colportage Association for the three counties of Lincoln, Derby, and Nottingham; and the secretary was requested to correspond with the secretaries of New Church Societies and with isolated receivers in those counties. The president briefly addressed the members; the Rev. W. H. Benade of Pittsburg and the Rev. Dr. Tafel also offered a few remarks expressing interest in the work of the Association. Mr. R. Jobson kindly consented to become collector for the metropolitan district.

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LONDON (Camberwell). -The Rev. W. C. Barlow, M.A., is continuing his pastoral labours at Camberwell under most hopeful auspices. The congregations at the Sunday morning services have fully sustained

the average of the past twelve months, while those at the evening services have been considerably increased, no less than 144 persons having been present on Sunday evening, September 14th. On August 26th there was held a meeting preliminary to the re-establishment of the junior members' class, at which twenty-one young people were present. The class will be held on alternate Wednesday evenings, and on each occasion two papers will be read by members of the class, one upon a doctrinal subject, and one in elucidation of the spiritual sense of the Word. At a subsequent gathering thirty-four attended. On the evening of the 16th September forty members of the Society and congregation met their pastor and arranged the details for the recommencement of the theological class, which will assemble every Tuesday evening and systematically read and converse upon Swedenborg's "True Christian Religion." The Rev. W. C. Barlow has arranged to attend in the schoolroom half an hour before and after the meeting, to speak with any inquirers who have questions to propound not strictly affecting the subject which the class has at the time under consideration.

LONDON (Argyle Square and Camden Road).-The Rev. R. Storry has just concluded a short course of services at these churches. The services were at Camden Road, but in the absence of the minister, the Rev. J. Presland, it was arranged that Mr. Storry should take the morning service at Argyle Square on the morning of the 7th September, and at the close administer the Sacrament of the Holy Supper. A large congregation attended on the occasion. In the evening Mr. Storry commenced a course of three discourses, on successive Sabbath evenings, on the "Kingdom of God." The first of these discourses was on "the Sovereignty of the Saviour;" the second on "the Nature, Extent, and Government of the Saviour's Kingdom;" and the third on "the Certainty of its Continuance and Increase."

SALISBURY.-On Wednesday, August 6th, the Sunday-school in connection with this Society held its annual treat. Tickets having been provided for the accommodation of adults wishing to be present, so large a portion of the congregation availed themselves of the opportunity thus afforded that the party was eventually above fifty in number. With high spirits, undamped by a smart shower, the school started for Salisbury Race Plain, where, as the rain cleared off, and nothing occurred to mar the enjoyment of the day, an exceedingly pleasant time was spent. The summons to depart was therefore an unwelcome one,

and all seemed to wish for the longer continuance of a day which had been so productive of happiness. Before leaving several hymns from the "Chapel Gems' were sung by the children, and the applause which followed indicated the pleasure that the elder portion of the assembly had derived from listening to them. This expedition, which proved such a complete success, served to promote a kindly feeling in the church, and it is earnestly hoped that the mutual confidence and charity there displayed will continue to exist and increase in the Society.

Birth.

On Sunday, August 31st, the wife of the Rev. J. R. Rendell of Bradford of a son.

Marriages.

On the 10th September 1879, at Palace Gardens Church, London, by the Rev. Dr. Bayley, George, eldest son of George Townsend Trobridge of Smethwick, to Georgina, only daugher of the late H. F. O. Huntley of Exeter.

At Rotherfield Church, Sussex, August 19th, Alfred Emanuel Beilby, eldest son of Mr. Beilby of Nottingham, to Annie Maria Sarah (Madge), eldest daughter of J. S. Williams, Esq., Highbroom, Rotherfield.

Obituary.

On the 11th of August, Mary, the beloved wife of Mr. Jacob Schofield, departed this life in the fifty-fourth year of her age. Our departed sister has passed through a life of varied and chequered experience. Naturally sensitive in feeling and refined in sentiment and habit, she had to patiently endure surroundings and circumstances she would gladly have altered. Combined with these for many years was a feeble frame and constant sickness. She was bound to earth by her affection for her family, whom she tenderly loved, and who needed her help and guidance. For herself she was not impatient, yet willing to depart. Sometime since a severe fit of dangerous illness exhausted her strength and brought her to the margin of the grave. Her doctors, her family, her friends, and she herself expected her departure. In the extremity of her exhaustion she had a remarkable dream, which left a strong impression on her mind. It is easy to ridicule dreams, but they are among the most certain facts of our mysterious existence, and they not unfrequently convey lessons we should do well to note.

Our departed friend dreamt that she came into the presence of angels, who told her that the time of her departure to their world had not yet arrived, and that she must still pass through much suffering before she entered the kingdom. She awoke confident that she should recover, and equally confident that a life of trial was before her. She was, as it were, forewarned that it was only through faith and patience that she could inherit the promises. She recovered, as she felt assured would be the case, and she girded the loins of her mind for the conflict still before her. She entered the darkness confiding in a Divine strength. She endured hardship as a faithful servant of our Heavenly King, and now she inherits the promise, "Where I am there shall also My servant be."

At Heywood, on the 8th July, Mrs. Elizabeth Hope closed a life of patient suffering, in the sixty-ninth year of her age. For the long period of ten years she was confined to bed by a painful rheumatic affection. During this long period she endured much bodily pain and spiritual trial. She had also to pass through seasons of severe bereavement. Warmly attached to her children, she had seen all except one pass into the other life before her the two last when her infirmities rendered her dependent on their kindly aid. Mrs. Hope was one of those who signed the roll on the formal enrolment of the Society at Heywood in 1837. She was then one of the young persons connected with the Church and Sunday-school, and one of the most regular attendants on public worship. Her long illness was borne with exemplary patience. She never lost faith in the merciful providence and constant care of the Lord, although she occasionally expressed an intense desire to depart. The long night of her affliction is now past, and she has at length entered into rest.

On the 6th of July, aged fifty-two, after a comparatively short illness, Mrs. Sarah Aspinal departed from the present life to the abiding inheritance of her future home. Her general character was amiable and unobtrusive, and she was doubtless prepared during her earthly life for some of the manifold uses which await the children of God in their Father's house.

Departed this life at Thornwood House, on 25th August, Janet, infant daughter of James and Jane Eadie.

Caroline Edith, infant daughter of Rev. J. J. and M. J. Thornton, was removed into the spiritual world on May 27th, 1879, at Melbourne, Australia.

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THE PHILOSOPHY OF PRAYER.

PRAYER is communion with God. It is the Divinely appointed means of expressing our wants to Him, that we may have them supplied. That which God has appointed must be adapted to secure the object intended to be answered by it. It is not for us to question the wisdom of any of the Divine requirements. Yet, as the Author of our being has bestowed upon us a faculty which can never be satisfied without a knowledge of causes, and even of ends, which are final causes, it is lawful to inquire reverentially into the meaning of the duties He imposes and the privileges He bestows upon us. This is rendered desirable by the fact that there is a right and a wrong way of reasoning on Divine and spiritual subjects; and therefore it is often necessary to bring forth the right reason to counteract the wrong. As Divine wisdom and right reason can never be at variance, we need not fear that rational inquiry into any of the ways of God in His dealings with His creatures will ever bring the human mind into conflict with the Divine. Besides, there are on all subjects, and especially on Divine and spiritual subjects, appearances which, if followed, would lead us astray, and which require to be corrected by the realities that lie concealed under them. And not only so, but real truths may be adopted as premises of wrong conclusions. It is not uncommon to reason in this wise on the subject of prayer: God loves us with an infinite and

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