theless, hardly expected that so much indignation and abuse would have been heaped upon him as had been the case; that slander could have come from so many religious hodies; nor did he expect that the doctrines of the New Church would have been so much misrepresented. It had been said that they practically rejected the Divine authority of the Bible; that they degraded Christ to the level of humanity; and exalted Swedenborg to the throne whence the Redeemer had been hurled; that they denied the efficacy of prayer and the necessity of sanctification; that they disbelieved in the existence of the devil, and other things; in a word, that they were worse than infidels. He had been called a traitor to the truth, and been told that he had sold himself to the devil, and as a proof of his apostacy and the speakers' near translation to heaven, the passage of Scripture in which it is stated that before the last days shall come false prophets will arise and seduce even the elect was quoted. He was one of the false prophets, and the speakers were of the elect. He had intended to give a sketch of the life and character of Swedenborg, but time would not permit, and he proposed to give one or more lectures on this subject. Swedenborg was, however, a very different man to what he was popularly supposed to be ; and taking him for all in all, a purer, brighter, or loftier spirit never lived in the world."

The speaker next gave an exposition of some of the leading doctrines of the New Church and concluded by detailing the circumstances under which the building in which he was speaking had passed into the hands of a congregation of persons professing the doctrines of the New Church. The audience which during the first part of the address, was pretty orderly, afterwards became most unruly, constantly interrupting the speaker with unseemly remarks, and while Mr. Tyerman was speaking about the transfer of the building, a large portion of his hearers got into a state of almost frantic excitement, absolutely refusing to listen to his explanations, hooted him down, and altogether the scene, occurring as it did in a place of worship, was most disgraceful.

This unruly conduct has led Mr. Tyerman to publish as an advertisement,

The

occupying five columns of the paper, a full account of the Chapel question, which caused his excitement. From this we learn that he had leased a piece of land in his own name, and aided by voluntary contributions had erected a building thereon. A trust-deed had been prepared, but not executed. change of the minister's religions sentiments was followed by disturbance in the congregation. The disturbance was caused chiefly by comparatively new members, some of whom had joined only five weeks before, and positively had not contributed a shilling towards the building; and yet they could storm away about what should be done with their Church!

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The Church was now practically broken up. Legally, I could have done what I chose with the chapel, but morally, as we had acted according to the trust deed since its adoption, as though it had been properly executed, I was bound still to act upon the advice of the trustees till the affair was wound

up. It was resolved to sell the property by tender. The sale was to be a perfectly bona fide one. The tenders were opened on September 28 in the presence of several representatives from the Wesleyan Church and the New Church, the only parties tendering; though report has falsely said there were several more. The Wesleyan tender was £355, £300 for the debts on the building, and £55 compensation; that of the New Church was £601, 14s. 8d., the £301, 14s. 8d. for compensation being based on a calculation of the difference between a fair stipend and what I had actually received since the Church was founded; and for which they were prepared to give me a second mortgage on the property. It was moved that the tender of the New Church, being highest, should be accepted, and was carried unanimously, the six votes including one from the opposition side. It will thus be seen that the New Church obtained the building by open and honourable means; and not in the secret and unjust manner that slander has reported."

The Church which has had for some years a footing in this colony seems now to have the prospect of a more permanent establishment. Its walls, however, are being built in troublous times. Its members will need to exercise prudence

and circumspection, but guided in their work by the wise Master Builder, they will be able, we hope, to build up the Church in strength and glory.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NEW CHURCH IN SCOTLAND, AND RE-OPENING OF CHURCH, PAISLEY.-On Friday evening, 18th December, the Annual Social Meeting of the New Church Societies in Scotland was held in Paisley.

This meeting has been held for many years past on the first Friday in September; but in this instance, was unavoidably postponed, in consequence of the repairs the Paisley Society were making on their house of worship.

Many friends were present from various parts of the country, and our little Church, which will now accommodate fully 300, was filled in every part.

Altogether it was a very pleasant, agreeable, and profitable meeting, and the manner in which our chairman, Mr. E. J. Broadfield of Accrington, did his part, contributed in no small measure to this happy result. Subjoined are two slips-the one, cut from the Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette of next morning's date, gives a general account of the meeting, and of what the Paisley friends have been doing; the other, from the Glasgow Evening Citizen, gives a concise idea of the internal appearance of the Church, which will be doubly interesting to those friends who remember what it was previously.

"New Jerusalem Church.-Last night, the Annual Social Meeting of the New Church Societies in Scotland took place in the Church, 12 George Street, which has recently underwent a thorough transformation. The wall

that formerly bounded the grounds surrounding the Church, both in George Street and Storrie Street, has been removed, aud a handsome parapet wall and railing substituted. The front of the building has likewise been greatly improved in appearance -a central doorway having been formed, and the windows, formerly lighting the upper storey only, are now cut down to nearer the floor of the lower storey, lighting not only the Church, but also the entrance vestibule. From the entrance, a flight of handsome steps on each side conducts to the place of meeting, which formerly showed a central area, with slightly ascending side seats; but has

now been converted into a level floor, with seats constructed on the newest aud most approved plan. A recess has been formed at the upper end, where a platform for the preacher is erected, lighted at the back by three tall windows filled with stained glass. The front and side windows (the latter of which have also been lengthened to a more elegant shape than formerly) have their border panes filled with coloured glass. Two handsome three-light gas standards are placed at each end of the table on the platform, and a central and four-side gas pendants, elegant in their simplicity, hang from the roof, to light the place at night. The appearance of the place of meeting was of the most pleasing kind, the ornamentation having been gone about with due attention to the general aspect of the whole. The table on the platform was decorated with vases of flowers; and tropical varities of broad-leaved and fan-shaped shrubs rested on the several windowsills.

"The annual gatherings, of which the above was one, are held in one or other of the towns in Scotland where the Societies are of some strength in point of numbers. On the present occasion, there were representatives from different towns, including the chairman (Mr. E. J. Broadfield of Accrington); Mr. Thomas Downes, Glasgow; Mr. James Eadie, Glasgow; Mr. James Aspin, Glasgow; Mr. Joseph Barnes, Accrington; Mr. Craigie, Kilmarnock; Mr. H. Cameron, Edinburgh; Rev. J. F. Potts, Glasgow; Mr. Allan Drysdale, Alloa; Mr. S. Gracey, Greenock, etc. A number of the prominent members of the Church in Paisley occupied seats on the platform or amongst the audience, including Mr. David Gilmour, Mr. David Speirs, Mr. David Fleming, etc. Amongst the audience, which quite filled the Church, we observed a number of well-known townsmen, with their families, belonging to other denominations.

"The proceedings were commenced by praise accompanied on the harmonium, followed by prayer; after which tea was served in a sumptuous and excellent manner, and with some little aids to the convenience and comfort of the audience that might be adopted with advantage by other congregations that hold their soirees in churches.

"The Chairman then made a speech, in which, after some allusion to the circumstances under which they were met, he referred to the apparently slow spread of the distinctive principles of their Church, so far as evidence was afforded by separate organisation; but pointed out various features of the present time to show how much their opinions pervaded society, and were productive of recognisable results.

"Mr. David Fleming afterwards spoke on the good that might result to society at large from the reception of New Church truth; and addresses were also delivered by Rev. J. F. Potts, Mr. H. Cameron, and Mr. Allan Drysdale.

"During the course of the evening, a choir, led by Mr. R. Semple, sung a number of fine anthems, accompanied by the harmonium; and services of fruit were occasionally handed round.

"A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the proceedings to a close shortly before ten o'clock, in order that the numerous strangers might be able to leave the town by the late trains."

"The New Church,' Paisley.Several important alterations have been recently made in the New Jerusalem Church, George Street, Paisley. The interior of the building, which has been entirely remodelled and seated with elegant pews, presents an airy, and at the same time a most compact appearance. A new pulpit or reading desk has also been provided, the front of which is covered with a series of tasteful and appropriate ornaments. But the chief feature of the Church, as now restored, is a window of stained glass which fills the wall at the back of the pulpit. This is divided into three panels, which are the work of our townsmen, Messrs. W. and J. J. Kier. (The two side windows are designed by the above firm, while the centre one is from a design by Sir Noel Paton, R. S. A., presented to the Glasgow Society many years ago.) At first sight, something seems wanting in the design of the window, the ornament and figure groups of the side panels being, if anything, rather deficient in character, while a figure of 'Our Lord,' which occupies the centre panel, is almost tame in its simplicity

the artist, Sir Noel Paton, having obviously shrunk from any attempt at elaborate or even minute detail. But

any feeling of disappointment at the general design of the work is soon lost in admiration of its rich and glowing colour. The various hues are pure beyond measure, and the effect of the whole, as seen either in strong sunlight or in the clear light of evening, is peculiarly beautiful. The Church, it may be added, is now open for public worship."-Glasgow Evening Citizen, January 12.

On the Sunday following, the Church was re-opened for public worship, by Mr. E. J. Broadfield, who preached morning and evening, and Rev. J. F. Potts of Glasgow, in the afternoon.

In the morning, the command "to build an altar of earth" was the subject of an earnest and affectionate discourse, appropriate to the occasion. In the afternoon, "The Mountain of the House of Jehovah exalted above the tops of the Mountains." In the evening, "Gog and Magog was taken up, and fur nished a good example of the manner in which the New Church interprets Scripture. For nearly an hour, Mr. B. was listened to with marked attention, the large audience evidently highly pleased with the forcible, clear, and earnest manner in which he handled his subject.

The attendance in the morning and afternoon was very good, about 150 would be present; but in the evening, the Church was quite filled. The collections in all amounting to the handsome sum of £173, 19s. 3 d.

We thank Mr. Broadfield for his kindness in coming so far north to assist us, also the Accrington Society for having spared Mr. B. on this occasion. We may add, that we have continued the evening services, inaugurated by Mr. Broadfield, with much success, the Church being quite filled every evening-Mr. G. W. Baynham of Glasgow having begun a series of lectures, which are attracting some attention. R.

BIRMINGHAM.- On the evening of Sunday, January 3, 1869, a Special Service, was held in the New Jerusalem Church, Summer Lane, at which the greater number of the members and friends of the three New Church Societies attended by invitation, and to whom, after the service, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered by the Rev. Edward Madeley, who had

commencing his sermon, the Rev. gentleman observed that the words, "What mean ye by this service?" which the lawgiver of ancient Israel assured his people would be asked by their children, in regard to one of their representative ceremonies, might be an appropriate one at that moment, and therefore it would be well to offer a few words of explanation. It was at the suggestion of an esteemed lay minister, who had recently visited Birmingham, that an invitation was sent by the Society worshipping in Summer Lane to those in Cannon Street and Hockley, to join in a solemn service, on the evening of the first Sunday in the New Year, and which had been accepted. It was felt that it would remove many prejudices and errors, enkindle within them that mutual love which should exist between them, nerve their hearts, and unite their energies in the one great aim which they all had in view. The subject of the discourse was found in Rev. iii. 20: "Behold I stand at the door and knock." It was shewn that the mind of man was in the Word frequently compared to a house or palace, having its corridors of thought, its halls of reason, its council cham. bers of judgment and conscience, its imagery for the imagination, its storerooms of memory. But in the midst of this house or palace, in the highest story of it, was an inner chamber which the Lord ever reserved to Himself, and in which alone He could be present with man, if he opened the door of his heart, and admitted his Divine Guest. There, if he did so, was the table divinely spread, there the Divine Human beamed with eternal consolation, and heavenly sustenance satisfied the longing soul. After forcibly pointing out the necessity and value of this blessed change in all, the minister concluded, and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to nearly 120 communicants.

BIRMINGHAM, HOCKLEY.-It will be seen from our advertising columns that a Bazaar is to be held at Easter next in connection with the above Society, the object being to liquidate an old debt of £200, incurred in the erection of the Schoolroom in 1860. £60 has been promised, on condition that the trustees

raise the remaining £140 within a given period.

The Society, since its commencement, has had to struggle with many great and unforeseen difficulties, and the whole of the property is now placed in trust, and secured to the New Church. It is hoped that this appeal will meet with a kind response, and so enable the trustees to relieve themselves from their unpleasant position in being called upon to pay off the required amount.

EMBSAY.-On Saturday, Jan. 2d, 1869, the annual tea party of the Church at this village took place, when upwards of 150 partook of an excellent tea. The Chapel was neatly decorated with evergreens. After tea a meeting was held, presided over by Mr. Stephen Mason, who gave a brief and appropriate address. Some pieces of music were sung by the choir in a superior manner. A song called the Vacant Chair, sung by Mr. Shacklock Mason, elicited much applause. Several speakers addressed the meeting, among them the Rev. R. Cadman of Grassington, a Wesleyan minister, who kindly favoured us with his presence.

The whole of the provisions for the party was presented by the members of the Society, so that a sum of £4, 5s. 10d. was realized in aid of the building fund the society is endeavouring to raise for the erection of a new school-room.

members and

LIVERPOOL.-The friends of the society in this town held their annual tea meeting and soiree on the evening of the 7th ultimo. About 200 sat down to an excellent tea provided by Mr. Johnson, who was well assisted by the ladies of the society. After tea the meeting, considerably augmented, resolved itself into one of instruction and amusement. The chair was taken by our old and respected friend, Mr. Pixton, and on the platform were the Rev. J. Hyde, the Rev. Alex. Gordon, Unitarian minister, Mr. Scotson of Manchester, Mr. Heywood of Waterloo and Mr. Goldsack, the minister of the society. The first part of the evening's entertainment consisted of addresses from the above gentlemen. The chairman in a short opening speech wished all present a very happy new year, and after alluding to the gratification afforded at so large an assemblage

of friends, expressed his great pleasure at meeting the Rev. A. Gordon on the platform, and noted the fact as an evidence of the advance of true Christianity and the improved position of the New Church. After stating that the length of the evening's programme would preclude any long speeches, he called on Mr. Goldsack, who in a few brief remarks disclaimed any intention of giving an address, and merely as their minister welcomed the gentlemen who were on the platform, and spoke a few words to the members and friends present in regard to the position and welfare of the society. The Rev. A. Gordon then gave a very pleasing address, followed by Mr. Heywood of Waterloo in a speech full of loving sentiments. and Rev. J. Hyde gave addresses full of instruction.

After him Mr. Scotson

The second part of the entertainment consisted of songs and recitations, all of which were admirably rendered. It was one of the most successful meetings the Church here has ever had. We hope it may contribute to the unity and strength of the Society, and do much towards building up the Church in this large and fine town.

PRESTON.-The following notice of the Christmas festivities of the society in this town is from the Preston Chronicle:- "On the evening of Christmas Day, the usual tea party in connection with this church was held in the school-room, which was neatly decorated for the occasion with evergreens and mottoes. The arrangements for tea were abundant and well appointed. A new tea service, of neat design, consisting of several hundred pieces, having the monogram of the church engraved on each piece, was presented by Mr. Parkinson, the superintendent of the school. The service was supplied by Mr. Aston, of Fishergate. After tea, prizes of books, of various interest and value, were distributed, with suitable remarks by the minister, to twenty-one of the Sunday scholars. Encouraging speeches were delivered by some of the friends, and several pieces of music were sung with

considerable satisfaction. A plentiful dessert, of various fruits, was supplied. As a part of the evening's enjoyment, two "Christmas trees" were introduced; these were loaded with a great number of fancy and tasteful articles, got up and supplied by some of the ladies of the congregation, and the result was nearly £15. On the morning of the same day, the treasurer of the church left a kind and complimentary note at the residence of the minister, the Rev. E. D. Rendell, presenting him with the handsome sum of £500, as a mark of the esteem and respect of the friends by whom it was contributed. In March next, Mr. Rendell will have been the minister of the church in Preston for 25 years."

Obituary.

On the 30th of July, Mr. Daniel Wilson, aged 76, one of the oldest members of the church in Edinburghan earnest and upright man. During an illness of nearly four years, which he bore with exemplary patience, the Word and the writings were his almost constant companions. On the night of his departure, while suffering under great trial, he prayed that the Lord would enable him to be resigned to His will, shortly after which he was released from the tribulations of the world, to enter into rest in the kingdom of his Saviour.

On the 13th of January 1869, Leonard Terry, Esq. of Scarborough', after a short but severe illness, was removed into the spiritual world, aged 85. He was for more than 65 years an earnest receiver of the doctrines of the New Church, and carried them into daily practice. Mr. Terry was one of the last links between the present and the early receivers of the doctrines. He was intimately acquainted with the Revs. Mr. Clowes and Dr. Coulthurst, and other early members, and a subscriber to the Intellectual Repository from its commencement. His exemplary Christian character and gentlemanly deportment caused him to be greatly respected by all who knew him, and deeply lamented by his family and friends.