anxiety prevail. It seems as if old and worshippers in the service in which they fondly-cherished beliefs were slipping are engaged, and to increase the blessings away from the grasp; as if accepted attendant on our public worship. In a principles of truth were plastic and recent number of the Catholic Presbyflexible, touched by the dissolving power terian, Dr. Dykes, under the above title, of some invisible hand; as if ancient discusses this question, and in the creed and formula were undergoing the course of his treatment of it he remarks: process of slow and sure decay." "Obviously it is desirable to associate How is this spirit to be met? "Three the congregation with its leader as much courses, says this writer, "may be and as often and as avowedly as possible. taken, two of which appear to be equally If in some other particulars the Church unwise, equally indefensible, equally of England service less severely reflects fatal. One is that of obstinate resistance than does our own the New Testament -bold, dogged, determined, half-reasoning, wholly resolute resistance-standing by the traditional forms, holding to the traditional defences, and refusing to move an inch. And the other is the abandonment without conflict, and almost without thought, of the positions centuries of stern conflict and earnest thought have won; the surrender unconditionally of the precious wealth of God's Kingdom to the forces of the current by which our age is carried along. There is surely a more excellent way; there is surely a golden path somewhere between these two extremes."

The author's golden mean between these two extremes is the maintenance of doctrine and the adoption of the scientific method in its illustration and defence. And in this maintenance of doctrine he retains, in phraseology at least, much from which the Churches are assuredly departing-as the doctrines of Athanasius and Augustine, of Luther and Calvin. We believe with this author that a great era for the Church is in the not distant future; but it will not be by the restoration of the old but by the fulfilment of the Divine prediction, "Behold I make all things new.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP.-There are few questions of greater importance in the healthful growth of Christian Churches than the orderly and devout conducting of public worship. The General Conference has endeavoured to provide for this in the New Church by the publication of a liturgy which affords the opportunity of social worship, and encourages the audible responses of the congregation, The practice of thus responding is more common, we believe, in the south than in the northern part of the Kingdom. Its general and devout observance could not fail to heighten the interest of the

equality of Christians, yet in this last respect she conspicuously excels us. In Presbyterian worship the congregation is dumb except during the act of musical praise; and even there the tendency in many of our churches long was to restrict its participation to a minimum. Very few verses, infrequently sung, and sung, occasionally, at times and in a fashion which suggested that the exercise served as a breathing-space for the minister or a stop-gap to fill up an interval-this was not merely to subordinate praise to other acts of worship, it was to subordinate the congregation to its leader. In the Anglican Common Prayer, on the contrary, the people are throughout active-not simply passive or silentworshippers. By longer and more frequent acts of song, by the alternate reading of the Psalm verses, by responses frequently interjected in prayer, by the simultaneous recital of the Creed and the Lord's Prayer, no worshipper in her sanctuaries is ever suffered to feel as if he had delegated the privilege of worshipping God to an official, or were only the spectator of a service which was rather for him than his.”

66

CONGREGATIONALISM IN LONDON.In addition to the Congregational Union," the organization of which extends throughout the Kingdom, and includes all, or nearly all, the churches of the Independent order, the Congregational churches of London have a local Union for the advancement of the interests of the body in the metropolis and its immediate suburbs. This Union is of recent date, but seems of vigorous growth. From the report presented to the sixth annual meeting, recently held at the Memorial Hall, we learn that during a year of great depression and anxiety the Committee was enabled not only to fulfil their prior engagements,

and so the attention of the
Society is chiefly required as to publica-
tions previous to that year. These, as
concerning the Church in its origin,
when it was weak and struggling, were
less likely to find their way there, and
yet are of very great importance to us,
and will be still more to after times. A
catalogue of New Church works has
been carefully prepared on the basis of
the catalogue of the "Noble" Library in
Camden Road Church, but with exten-
sive additions, and in this all the works
to be found in the British Museum has

Auxiliary Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow. Each of these branches have concluded their revision of the hymn book now in use, and made some progress in the selection of new hymns. Two meetings of the entire Committee have also been held in London, extending over a session of four days each. In the course of these sittings several hymns which were thought to be better suited to private reading than public worship were removed, others were restored more nearly to their original form, and others received verbal emendations. Certain principles seem to guide the Committee in their labours, though these cannot, in all cases, be rigorously observed. One of these principles is the restoration of hymns as nearly as possible to their original form. The desirableness of this restoration in the case of the hymns of poets who in recent times have so largely promoted the development and enrichment of the hymnology of the Christian Church is now generally admitted. In the preface to the revised edition of "Hymns Ancient and Modern" the editors say: "The fourteen years that have passed since their first copy was published have seen a great change

been carefully noted. It proves many works to be lacking, and it has been determined that an Appeal to all interested in this great work (which ought to include all New Churchmen) shall be made in order to collect those works which are wanting. Any friend, therefore, who may be rich in our early literature is earnestly invited to help in the matter. Many of our older members, who are those most likely to possess them, may be glad of an opportunity to place some of their books in a position like this, so that they may continue to be useful in a public manner and to the distant future. Communications containing lists of the works in opinion on many points. For exoffered may be addressed to either of the undersigned, who will have pleasure in indicating to the intending donors the works which are required for the purpose. Should any to save trouble prefer simply to make a gift of their overplus stock, they may be sure that what can be used will be used for the purpose, and that any over volumes not required will be exchanged for others which may be needed. All gifts, there fore, will be utilized to the utmost; and the great importance of the object will, it is hoped, justify the appeal and the necessary and unavoidable trouble which it will cause to donors.-On behalf of the Auxiliary Missionary and Tract Society of the New Church,

A. F. BANNISTER.
JAMES SPEIRS.

HYMN-BOOK COMMITTEE.-At the last session of the General Conference a large Committee was appointed to prepare a new hymn book by the revision of the one now in use and the addition of new hymns. This Committee is divided into four branches, and meets in four different centres, viz, London,

ample, it is not necessary now, as it
was thought to be then, to print an
altered or shortened form of a good
hymn simply because it happened to be
so used by certain congregations. No
one wishes now to reprint tunes with
unsatisfactory harmonies because we
have been accustomed to them. The
general desire is rather to have a hymn
as its author wrote it, and compilers are
expected not to make changes in it with-
out strong reasons." It is interesting to
observe the number of hymns which find
a place in the hymn books of all the
large Christian communities both in
England and America. It is an evidence
of the substantial unity of the Church
before the throne of God, and doubtless
a providential means of promoting this
unity. All the varied sections of the
Church unite in their public worship in
singing several of the same songs of
praise, and realize therein that—

"All the servants of our King
In heaven and earth are one."

VIENNA. In our last we called attention to the state of the New Church Society in this city, and to the painful

situation of its minister, the Rev. Herman Peisker. The following subscriptions have been received for Mr. Peisker's assistance :

Mr. Presland of London. In the course of these services Mr. Presland gave three lectures at Greenock to increasing and interesting audiences. The subjects

Mr. Richard Stocker, London £5 0 0 discussed were "The Lord Jesus Christ,

Mr. John Fletcher, Stoneclough

0

0

In his letter to us which accompanies his subscription Mr. Jobson says: "In common with all New Church friends I have read with deep regret the account in your last issue of the treatment received by the New Church Society in Vienna at the hands of the Austrian authorities. From the plain, unvarnished statement of facts therein given there can be little doubt that our friends in Vienna have been made the victims of most unjust and arbitrary proceedings. I heartily concur in the suggestion that the friends in England should take active measures in this matter by embodying the facts in a petition, and presenting the same through a good and influential deputation, to the Austrian Minister in London-or it might be presented to our own Foreign Secretary-and redress, if possible, obtained through either one or the other. The case of the Vienna Society was brought before the Conference at their annual meeting in Manchester in August, and I greatly regret that steps were not then taken to move in the matter. Surely our Conference, although a corporated body, is not destitute of sympathy for their own flesh and blood. Its members, as well as all true friends of the New Church, have now an excellent opportunity of showing their practical sympathy in the cause of their deeply-wronged and oppressed co-religionists on the Continent."

*

SCOTLAND.-A series of missionary services was conducted in Scotland during the month of March by the Rev.

The

the only God of Heaven and Earth,"
"The Way of Salvation," and "The
Second Coming of the Lord."
lectures were distinguished by clear
statement and cogent argument. They
were followed by questions, some of
which, as is usual on such occasions,
appeared to be of a merely captious
kind. To all, however, Mr. Presland
replied with courtesy and judgment,
and left behind him a very favourable
impression. In addition to this service
at Greenock Mr. Presland gave two
lectures at Alloa, two in Edinburgh, and
two in the City Hall, Glasgow; a third
lecture at the City Hall was given by
Mr. Presland
the Rev. Mr. Potts.
attended also a social meeting of the
Glasgow Society and rendered other
services, which will doubtless be fruitful
of good results.

The work at Greenock is being continued by Mr. Gunton by week-night lectures and Sabbath services. The field in the North seems whitening for the harvest. We need to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into His harvest.

CAPE TOWN, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.— Our readers will be greatly interested to hear of the existence of a New Church Society in this remote corner of the earth. The friends at Cape Town are evidently alive to the welfare of the Church, having recently forwarded to the Secretary of Conference the handsome sum of £10 for the Augmentation We hope to Fund for immediate use. be furnished with other information respecting this Society at an early date.

THE LINCOLNSHIRE NEW CHURCH ASSOCIATION.-During the past winter this Association has continued its endeavours to spread a knowledge of the New Church doctrines among the clergy The first and laity in Lincolnshire. volume of the "Arcana Coelestia " has been offered by circular to all the clergy who had applied last year for the Spiritual Columbus." Applicasoon after the close of the Conference, but were interrupted by circumstances which have tions were received from eighteen, and since been removed. Now that attention is another replied thanking the Comagain called to the subject, no doubt the Committee for the generous offer, stating mittee appointed by the Conference will give that he had on his bookshelves the

*

Steps were, we believe, taken in this matter

active attention to it.

66

The report also showed balance in the hands of the treasurer. After the reading of the report the amusements of the evening began. There was a varied programme, consisting of songs, readings, and dances, the dancing forming a large part of the evening's proceedings. The evening was very enjoyable, and all seem to have been pleased and delighted. In connection with the Mutual Improvement Society an Amateur Dramatic Society has been formed. An entertainment was given recently by these amateurs in which no little dramatic power was shown.

'whole of the "Arcana" in twelve several essays. volumes, and expressing an earnest that there was a hope that these endeavours to make the clergy acquainted with the doctrines of the New Church, as revealed by Emanuel Swedenborg, might be successful. The treatise on "The True Christian Religion" has similarly been offered by letter to all the editors of newspapers published in Lincolnshire, on condition of their consenting to review the same in the columns of their paper, and seven have accepted it on those terms. Notices have appeared in the Louth Times, Grimsby Herald, and the Crowle Advertiser. The former of these was much more favourable in tone than is customary, and the writer DALTON.-This Society arranged for had evidently read other New Church special services for Easter Day, which works besides the one reviewed. A were enlivened by a selection of hymns statement made - that "Swedenborg and anthems suited to the occasion. On flings away half the books of the Bible Easter Monday the ladies held a bazaar because they cannot be made to square in the schoolroom to raise funds for the with his system"-brought into the purchase of a new organ, when the sum field the indefatigable Secretary of of £63 was realized. The young people the Auxiliary Society, Mr. H. T. W. have recently provided a handsome harElliott, several letters from whom were monium for the use of the Sunday school inserted and replied to in the Louth at a cost of £27. Times. Several of Swedenborg's works have also been offered to the Mechanics' Institution Library in that town, but they have not as yet been accepted. The review which appeared in the Grimsby Herald was most unsatisfactory in tone and matter. The writer made the astonishing discovery that the doctrine of the Trinity as taught by Swedenborg "about coincides with orthodox notions"! The notice in the Crowle Advertiser was very brief, but couched in favourable terms.

BESSES.-On the evening of Easter Monday the Mutual Improvement Society held its annual soiree. Sixty friends sat down to a pleasant tea, and during the evening the number was increased to about one hundred. The meeting was opened with a glee, "The Laughing Chorus," by the choir, after which the secretary, Mr. Crawshaw, read the report. This showed that during the session the essay class had been successful in its work. A number of papers had been read by members of the class and others. All the papers given by the young men were such as to give promise of valuable fruit hereafter. Interesting discussions had followed the

LEEDS.-The annual meeting of this Society was held on Good Friday at two o'clock in the afternoon for the election of officers. Tea was provided at five, after which there was a social meeting, presided over by the Rev. E. Whitehead of Dalton. The Rev. J. R. Rendell; Mr. Stephenson, agent of the Yorkshire Missionary and Colportage Association; Mr. Hanson, late of London, and now of Bradford, addressed the meeting, along with several of the Leeds friends. The members of the choir and singing class, under the able guidance of Mr. Dyson, gave a series of anthems in a very effective manner. An interesting circumstance connected with this gathering was the presentation of a testimonial to Mr. J. H. Moore, now of Sheffield, in acknowledgment of his services as choirmaster during the past four years. This very pleasant meeting was brought to a close at nine o'clock by the evening hymn and the benediction.

LONDON (Argyle Square).-One of the pleasant institutions of this Society is a series of social meetings during the winter months. They are held in the schoolroom, which is neatly prepared