MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. SUBJECTS FOR THE CONSIDERA- To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. SIR,-Some of the minutes of the conference lately held at Bath, relate to subjects upon which suggestions are asked for from the members of the church at large, and will therefore require their consideration. The only method of calling general attention to this matter, appears to me to be through the magazine; I therefore forward this for insertion in its pages. Respecting the holding of weekly or other periodical meetings by societies, the conference, by minute 68, expresses its gratification at finding the practice so general; and as to those societies which do not, from various causes, at present hold them, the conference trusts that they "will make an effort to surmount the apparent difficulties now existing" to their doing so, on account of the beneficial effects which such meetings invariably produce. By minute 71, a committee was appointed to arrange and decide upon the questions to be inserted in the circulars 80, to revise the rules relating to the ministry, to ascertain whether any alterations can be made that will render them more efficient. This committee is to report to the president, on or before the 1st of January next, and the report is to be printed and circulated among the ministers and societies, and their opinions will be requested upon it. The attention of societies is also called, by minute 82, to the report on junior membership, which was printed with the minutes of the 37th conference, page 60; as it appears, from the answers received to the questions in the conference circular, that it has attracted very little notice, and consequently no satisfactory information could be gleaned from them to lay before the church. By minute 145, it is recommended to the ministers and leaders of societies to cause the affectionate address to the members of the church, which is made annually by the conference, to be read at that shall be held after the publication of the first general meeting of each society the minutes, in order that the members at large may be better acquainted with it, and the uses intended by its publication more fully attained. Trusting that these useful objects of the conference will be seconded by the combined efforts of the church, I remain, yours very truly, to the ministers and societies;" and by DISCOVERY OF CERTAIN SCIEN- Every society will be written to respecting the congregational aid fund, in order that the opinion of the church thereon may be clearly ascertained, and its establishment or abandonment be at once determined upon. The attention of societies, therefore, is now drawn to minute 78, and it is recommended that the subject be at once considered, so that each society may be prepared to give an immediate answer to the letter it will receive. A committee is appointed by minute To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. Sir, On the 31st of July last, I received a letter from the minister of the Swedish Chapel, Princess Square, Ratcliff Highway, of which the following is a copy: "To Mr. Newbery, bookseller and publisher of the Swedenborgian works, King Street, Holborn: Dear Sir, I have just received a letter from a librarian at one of the Colleges of Sweden, who informs me that he has discovered among the MSS. there, some autograph papers of my celebrated countryman, Emanuel Swedenborg. As there are several Swedenborgian congregations in London, the librarian thinks that those papers might be of great interest to many persons here; and wishes to know whether some publisher would like to undertake the publication of the same here in England. As I happened to make your acquaintance last winter, when you called at my house, I take the liberty to ask whether you have time to call on me, in order to talk this matter over; or if you would let me know when it would be convenient to you to see me, I should have much plea sure in calling on you.-Believe me, dear Sir, yours faithfully, G. W. CARLSON." On seeing the Rev. Mr. Carlson, I obtained from him the address of his correspondent, the Rev. J. J. Höhl, librarian of the College of Linköping, and wrote to him for the titles, dates, and number of the MSS., and the languages in which they were written. I have the pleasure to state that I have just received a list of them, with an offer to furnish me with certified copies of them ;-possibly, even the original MSS. may be sent, with a guarantee for their safe return. There are very many hitherto unknown important and interesting documents, chiefly on scientific and physiological subjects, in Latin, with several letters in Swedish, from Swedenborg to his brother-in-law, the Bishop of Linköping. These latter will be highly useful in furnishing materials for a more complete biography of him than we have at present. As it is so near to the time of publishing the October number, and as it would be better to give an English translation of the Swedish titles, for which there is not now time, I must therefore defer sending the list till the next month.-Yours respectfully, WILLIAM NEWBERY. SWEDENBORG ASSOCIATION. It is with the greatest pleasure we announce that this Association, though but yet young, is beginning to act with the vigour and energy of manhood. We cannot refrain from calling the attention of our readers to an Association which promises to benefit so largely the scientific world, and the rising New Church, by translating from the Latin and publishing in English the many scientific works of the illustrious Swedenborg; and we feel confident that every lover of truth will give, to the utmost of his ability, his assistance to further the grand objects which it has in view. From the favourable reception of the "Animal Kingdom" on the part of the public in general, and the many eulogiums which have been pronounced upon it as a philosophical work of the greatest eminence, the Association has every encouragement to look forward in the career of its labours, with every prospect of favour and success. Proposal to publish a Volume of Swedenborg's Scientific Works; with terms of subscription, &c. The Council of the SWEDENBORG ASSOCIATION, anxious to lose no time in carrying out practically the important objects for which the Association is instituted, has decided at once to produce a volume which shall contain good English translations of the whole of the following scientific works of Swedenborg, viz: 1. "A specimen [prodromus] of principles of natural philosophy, consisting of new attempts to explain the phenomena of chemistry and physics by geometry. 2. "New observations and discoveries 4. "A new mechanical process for con- 66 5. "Miscellaneous observations on natural things, particularly minerals, fire, and the strata of mountains, &c., &c.: parts I. II. III. IV. 6. An introduction [prodromus] to a reasoning philosophy of the infinite, and the final cause of creation; treating also of the mechanism of the intercourse between the soul and the body. 7. "Two dissertations on the nerves and the nervous fluid." The translations of these works are so far advanced, that the volume may be published in the course of next May, provided a sufficient amount be subscribed to justify the Association in proceeding to press within two or three months. It is to be observed that n. 7 in the above series has not yet been procured by the Association; and should it prove impossible to find a copy of it, the Association will not delay the volume on that account. It is, therefore, only inserted in the list provisionally, without the Association binding itself to include it in the volume for which subscriptions are hereby solicited. The above works will be comprised in one handsome volume of about six hundred pages, uniform with the Animal Kingdom, and which will contain twentyeight lithographic plates, full of figures, executed in the first style of the art. In dexes and explanatory prefaces will be added, as the literary board of the association may deem expedient, to enhance the value of the book to the general reader. It will be supplied to subscribers, in boards, at 12s. 6d. per copy, being nearly prime cost; to non-subscribers the price must be at least 18s. Any one, whether a member of the Swedenborg association or not, may be a subscriber. All expenses of carriage, post-office orders, &c., are to be paid by the subscribers. Subscribers' names (with full addresses) may be sent to Dr. Spurgin, the treasurer of the council of the association, 38, Guilford Street, Russell Square, London; or to Mr. E. Rich, the secretary, 27, Shepperton Cottages, Islington; or else to the editor of this Magazine; or to Mr. Wm. Newbery, publisher, 6, King Street, Holborn, London. It is extremely desirable that parties intending to subscribe, should signify the same immediately, as it will require a subscription of 650 copies before the expenses of the publication can be defrayed. E. RICH, Secretary to the Council of the Swedenborg Association. 27, Shepperton Cottages, Islington, London, 20th September, 1845. LECTURES AT DALTON. To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. SIR, The 20th anniversary of the opening of Grove-place Chapel, Dalton, was commemorated on Thursday, the 21st of August, 1845, when the members and friends of the New Church here experienced one of those interesting assemblings of themselves together, which are so eminently satisfactory to those who dwell within the precincts of the Holy City. The Rev. David Howarth, of Salford, lectured in the afternoon upon the nature of the human soul; stating the doctrines in connexion therewith, in that clear, rational, and elevating manner, which is so peculiarly the privilege of our Church. The difference of man and the lower portions of creation,-the fitness of the human soul for the reception of divine blessing, and its ultimate glory in the spiritual world,-were, by turns, examined and expatiated upon, to the delight and pleasure of those who had prepared their minds to appreciate the sublime truths. The members and friends partook of refreshment in the school room, where about 170 sat down to an excellent tea, provided by the benevolent ladies of the society. It was not one of the least inter esting features of this tea meeting, to see from 60 to 70 young friends present, members of the junior classes recently established. May we not hope that, under the divine blessing, they will hereafter become "pillars in the temple of the Lord." In the evening, the members, friends, and a few strangers, were delighted with a discourse upon the nature of the Word of God, its adaptation to the different degrees of intelligence in man and angels, the nature of its inspiration, and the necessity of the science of correspondence to unfold its sacred treasures, illustrated by reference to Jacob's ladder, and the waters of the sanctuary, as seen in Ezekiel's vision. The day was pleasant, and every heart seemed to dilate with a fulness of enjoyment. On Sunday, the 24th, the Rev. R. Storry, of Heywood, preached three times, to good congregations; the subjects,-“The true object of christian worship," "The atonement and mediation of Jesus Christ," and "The descent of the New Jerusalem." The morning's discourse, on the true object of Christian worship, was well received, and created a considerable sensation with some of those who are not receptive of our doctrines. The afternoon's discourse originated more questionings, and did not appear to be so decidedly agreed with; whilst, in the evening, all seemed greatly delighted with the clear and lucid manner in which the descent of the New Jerusalem was presented to the mind,-with the flood of intellectual light which burst forth to irradiate, enrich, and elevate the soul. Surely the minds of men will not long remain impervious to the light of this latter-day glory. Surely the best interests of the soul will obtain more of the attention of the great masses of mankind. the beneficial effects which accrue to the church generally, in all its different features, from the frequent visits of the more intelligent preachers of the church to other portions of the vineyard. It is not merely an interchange of thought and feeling, it is an arousing of the sometimes slumbering energies of the soul; it brings a freshening, enlivening influence to the church. It deserves more encouragement; and the more it is attended to, the more it will be found the minister of good. I am, SIR, yours faithfully, Grove-place Chapel, W. W., Sec. Dalton, near Huddersfield, Sep. 19th, 1845. In conclusion, allow me a remark upon LECTURES AT EXETER. To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. SIR, I have much pleasure in forwarding an account of the Rev. E. Madely's missionary visit to Exeter, for insertion in the conference magazine. He arrived here on the 19th of August. A course of five lectures had been previously announced, as follows: LECTURE I., Thursday, Aug. 21st.-The Trinity not incomprehensible; or the Lord Jesus Christ the only God. LECTURE II., Friday, Aug. 22nd.—The scriptural doctrine of the atonement, shewing that it was not a vicarious sacrifice, but that "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself." LECTURE III., Sunday afternoon, Aug: 24th. On the true character of the Word of God; shewing how the revelations of divine inspiration may with certainty be distinguished from human compositions, and that it can be consistently and rationaily interpreted only by the divine science of correspondence. Is LECTURE IV., Monday, Aug. 25th.—The doctrine of the resurrection of man. it a resurrection of the material body, or the spiritual body, and when does it take place? LECTURE V., Wednesday, Aug. 27th.-A general view of the doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church, and the principal objections answered. The attendance was numerous and respectable. The number on week evenings, we estimate, would average 500 each lecture, and on Sunday afternoon there were not less than 700 or 800 present. The whole course was listened to with remarkable interest and attention. About 300 tracts were distributed, and such was the demand for them that great numbers could not obtain one. From the attention with which these lectures were listened to, the clear and convincing manner in which the doctrines were set forth, and, above all, the prominent manifestation, throughout the course, of the spirit of true charity, we feel confident they will be productive of much good, and ultimately be the means of extending the Lord's New Church in this district. Several ministers and leaders of dissenting congregations were constant attendants, and one--the minister of the unitarian bodywas remarkably attentive, and wishes to read some of the New Church works, which we have engaged to supply. On Sunday, Mr. Madely preached two discourses at the society's room, and administered the sacraments. In the morning, seven adults and two infants were baptized. In the evening, the Holy Supper was administered. On Thursday, the 28th, a tea meeting was held at the society's room, which had been publicly announced; several strangers attended. The evening was spent in conversation respecting our doctrines; several questions were put by strangers, and we have every reason to believe they were satisfactorily answered. Mr. M.'s visit has been the means of confirming those who were halting between two opinions, and establishing in them the faith of the New the members of the church to proceed Church; also affording encouragement to in the divine guidance. Upon the whole, on their way without weariness, trusting such a week of true spiritual enjoyment our infant society has not experienced since its commencement. The friends in Exeter wish to tender to the missionary society, for affording the their warmest expressions of gratitude lectures, without whose aid they would not means of defraying the expenses of these have been delivered, thus conferring a benefit on our society, which will ever be gratefully remembered by all who have participated in it. I am, SIR, yours truly, 216, High-street. LECTURES AT BRISTOL. To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. DEAR SIR,—I have the pleasure of forwarding you an account of the operations of the friends here, for the dissemination of the heavenly truths of our New Jerusalem. A letter having been received from Mr. Bateman, offering his services to preach to the friends, on the Sunday previous to the meeting of Conference, the offer was accepted by them with delight, our esteemed friend, Mr. J. N. Cossam, kindly granting the use of his drawing room for the occasion. About twenty-five assembled, morning and evening, to hear two excellent discourses, which produced joy and delight in all present. Communications having been also received from the Rev. J. Bayley and Mr. Butter, stating the desire of the London Missionary Society, that the Rev. J. B. should, during the meeting of Conference, deliver some lectures in Bristol, the friends determined to make an effort to accomplish the same, but experienced great difficulty in procuring aroom, having been denied several, including the lecture room of the Mechanics' Institution, after waiting three days for their answer. This placed us in a very great strait, and seemed at the time to paralyse all our exertions, as only the Assembly Room remained suitable for the purpose, the price of which seemed far above our means. But in this we experienced the goodness of the Divine Providence, in furnishing, in our esteemed friends, Mr. J. N. Cossam and Mr. J. Williams, the means of taking it; in which, on the following Wednesday evening, a lecture was delivered by the Rev. J. Bayley, proving," That the universe will never be destroyed, and that the passages of Holy Writ which have been supposed to teach that it will, have been misunderstood." The impressive and eloquent manner in which this lecture was delivered, with the rational and conclusive arguments, -illustratred by a genuine interpretation of the doctrines of the Holy Word, produced a sensation in the minds of the large assembly that seemed (from the delight manifested) to dispel the mists of error that have so long depressed the minds of many of our fellow citizens, by the excitement of those who have so long and so loudly proclaimed in vain,-"The end of the world." One of these champions was present; and if his countenance was a true index of his mind, it was plain to be seen that he was quite discomfited. He declared he had not a single argument to adduce in denial of the truth of the lecture. On Friday evening, August 15th, the Rev. J. Bayley again delivered a lecture, proving,-"That the Lord will gradually unfold to the human race a new dispensation of love, wisdom, and happiness, which will cover the earth,"-which was delivered in the same manner as the former, and the proofs drawn from the Holy Word, equally as conclusive; and evidently produced in the densely-crowded assembly joy and delight, at the prospect of the manifestation of a brighter dispensation of truth and love, that should teach and cause man to regard as his brother in the Lord every one in whom these heavenly principles were manifested. On Sunday, August 17th, our esteemed friend, Mr. Bateman, delivered two excellent discourses to the friends at Mr. Cossam's; the number present, with some friends attending Conference, was 45. On Monday evening, August 18th, the Rev. Edward Madely delivered an able and highly interesting lecture, in his well-known, eloquent, and deeply impres sive manner,-" On the True Character of the Word of God,"-shewing how the revelations of divine inspiration may, with certainty, be distinguished from human compositions, and that it can be consistently and rationally interpreted only by the divine science of correspondences. In the commencement, the lecturer cited the opinion of several eminent theological writers, in whose minds there was a conviction that there must be a sense different to that which appeared on the face of the letter, in which the Word of God must be understood, and which sense was clearly demonstrated by a judicious and wellarranged selection of passages from the plenary inspired pages of sacred truth, shewing the impossibility of their being understood in their literal sense; but that by the universal law of analogy, existing between things spiritual and natural, or by the divine science of correspondences, the revealed Will and Wisdom of an infinite God can be distinguished from the compositions of a finite mind, and be rationally understood and fully comprehended by every mind capable of receiving divine truth from the Lord. The effects of these lectures have been the means of creating an intense desire in many to search the Scriptures for themselves, to know if these doctrines be from God or man. This is fully proved by the numerous and repeated applications for tracts, and from the repeated inquiries if there is any prospect of a place of worship being opened where these docrines are taught, or when more lectures will be delivered. The friends are making every effort to obtain a place for public worship. On Friday evening, August 29th, the Rev. E. Madely met the friends, on his return from Exeter, when, after an affectionate address from him, ten persons signed the roll prepared for the purpose, and formed themselves into a society. In the ardent desire that this branch, thus ingrafted into the Lord's New Church, may be unto the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign, that shall not be cut off," I remain, dear Sir, yours very truly, Wм. DIMOCK, Sec. NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH, CHALFORD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.-The consecration and opening of this church for divine service and the public worship of the Lord Jesus Christ, the One only True God and Eternal Life, took place on Sunday the 7th of September, 1845, when three sermons, explanatory of the heavenly doctrines, were impressively delivered to respectable, |