FORTY-FIFTH GENERAL CONFERENCE.

The annual meeting of the Conference, pursuant to appointment, took place this year, Aug. 9th, at Edinburgh, and continued till August 13th. As this was the first Conference held in Scotland, much interest was awakened, and many members of the Church, especially from Lancashire, visited the northern metropolis on this occasion. Arrangements were made, according to the announcement on the cover of our last number, with the Caledonian Railway Company, and about 50 individuals went by the same train to be present at the opening of Conference, and to see the beauties of the metropolis and scenery of Scotland.

The brethren in Edinburgh had made every arrangement they could in procuring comfortable lodgings for the numerous party; their kindness and friendship will never be forgotten.

The Conference consisted of eight ministers and 28 representatives, and the visitors from different parts of Scotland were numerous, especially on the Thursday evening at the great social meeting.

The Rev. W. Bruce, formerly of Edinburgh, but now of London, was appointed president, and Mr. Butter was re-appointed secretary.

The routine business of hearing addresses and reports was transacted on Tuesday. The addresses to the convention in America, and to the brethren in Germany, as also the affectionate address from the American brethren, were heard with deep interest and pleasure. It was felt that these mutual addresses are calculated to awaken powerful sentiments of brotherly love and regard. Owing to the truthfulness and richness of the heavenly sentiments they contain, and the great care with which they are usually composed, they form some of the choicest portions of New Church literature; and we would suggest that, if all these addresses from the beginning, could be collected into one volume, it would, we think, form a book which might be read with the greatest edification and profit, and we trust that some of our enterprising booksellers will carry out the suggestion. The admirable addresses of the late Rev. J. Clowes, at

the Hawkstone and Warwick meetings, which are now nearly lost to the world, might be added to the volume.

The business arising from the minutes of the former Conference was transacted. The requisite documents from theBolton Society, applying for the ordination of their leader, Mr. Mackereth, were laid on the table, when it was resolved that Mr. Mackereth be ordained.

Here it may be proper to remark that, as many complaints have, from time to time, been sent to Conference respecting the non-administration of the Holy Supper in societies where there is no ordained minister, and as the Conference have made, as far as they possibly could, every arrangement for the ordained ministers to visit the societies occasionally for that purpose, but without the desired effect, partly on account of the inconvenience of ministers leaving their own societies, and partly, it is to be feared, on account of great laxity in the societies themselves in reference to this most holy ordinance, it was resolved, that a recognised leader, when recommended by his society for that purpose, shall receive from an ordaining minister, if he see no reason to the contrary, a license to administer the Sacraments. This license to continue only during the period of his being leader of the said society, and to be withdrawn, should anything occur to justify the withdrawal, by the ordaining minister. In this manner a class of men, answering to what our American brethren call licentiates, will be instituted in connexion with Conference. These men, should circumstances as to their being respectably supported in the ministry, prove favourable, can afterwards be ordained. This plan also forms a

practical school for the training of suitable men as ministers. It likewise brings societies, who profess to be associated with Conference, more legitimately and directly into connexion with that body than heretofore. No societies can now plead any excuse for neglecting the Holy Supper, as not having the means of its being administered among themselves. All is now done that can be done for this purpose. And if societies and members still continue to neglect the Lord's command- "Do this in remembrance of Me," it is because they are still earthly minded, notwithstanding

their profession to receive the doctrines of the New Church. They may, it is true, stand as "strangers and as sojourners in the gates of the Holy City," but they cannot be fully recognised citizens of the Heavenly Jerusalem.

A letter from M. Bayot, formerly a catholic priest, but now a zealous receiver of the Doctrines of the New Church, was addressed to the President in behalf of the indefatigable labours of our beloved brother M. Boys des Guays, of St. Amand, in France. An interesting discussion ensued, followed up by a resolution unanimously adopted, that this worthy man, who has translated the whole of Swedenborg's theolo gical writings into the French language, having for many years devoted at least thirteen hours every day, and employed the whole of the property he could possibly spare after the supply of his frugal wants, to the printing of his translations, it was resolved, that this worthy brother is deserving of every regard, and of all the pecuniary aid that can be raised to assist him in printing the remainder of his translations, which consist of about eight volumes of the Arcana Calestia, of the entire Apocalypse Explained, of the second volume of the True Christian Religion, and of some of the smaller works of the author. It was also resolved, that T. Watson, Esq., of Highbury Crescent, London, treasurer of the London Printing Society, be the treasurer to this fund, and that a remittance be sent to M. Boys des Guays on or before the 1st of January next. We hope, however, in our next number after the appearance of the minutes of Conference, to take up this subject more at large, for the information of our readers.

The literary state of the Magazine, from the intrinsic excellence of many of its articles, characterized by variety as to its theological, philosophical, and edifying papers, was pronounced by the council to be satisfactory. As a proof of this, the gradually increasing sale of the Magazine may be adduced. The profits accruing to Conference from its sale are this year about £20. It was proposed that these proceeds should be added annually to the incapacitated minister's fund and to the pension fund for the relief of ministers' widows; and that a statement to that effect should be printed on the cover,-which might inN. S. No. 153.-VOL. XIII.

duce many who now only borrow the Magazine instead of buying it, to purchase it for themselves, and thus to add something to this benevolent object. As, however, it was found, that the current expenses incurred in working the machinery of Conference could not be met without the application of these proceeds, the proposition was, for the present, abandoned.

We have now, we believe, mentioned the prominent points of interest, and for the remainder we must refer our readers to the minutes themselves, which, we trust, will appear by the middle of September.

The Conference will be held next year at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

On Tuesday evening during Conference the Rev. J. H. Smithson preached, and on the Friday evening the Rev. E. Madeley. As it was not known prior to the assembling of Conference who was to preach, the subjects could not be advertised. The attendance in consequence was small, consisting only of those who were already acquainted with the doctrines. On these occasions, it would be well to advertise largely, that the public might have an opportunity of hearing some important subject of Doctrine discussed on New Church principles.

The Thursday evening, as usual, was the great gathering day of the members and friends of the New Church. Many came from Glasgow, Alloa, Paisley, and other parts of Scotland, to be present on the occasion.

About one hundred and forty persons sat down to tea,-after which the number appeared to be increased. The Rev. J. H. Smithson was requested to take the chair. The subject proposed for consideration was the "Second Advent of the Lord." The chairman opened the meeting with an address suited to the occasion and the subject; and the meeting was subsequently addressed by Messrs. Bruce, Woodman, Howarth, Bayley, Rendell, Shaw, Parry, and Prescott. Judging from the great interest and pleasure which the assembly experienced in hearing these various addresses, we may conclude that the speakers were successful in elucidating some great feature characterising the Lord's second advent; we could have wished, for our own part, that all the good citizens of Edinburgh had been present. They 2 Y

would have heard many new and striking truths which only can explain the wonderful phenomena that now exist in the religious and intellectual world. They would, we think, have seen, that in the midst of the flood of troubled waters which now deluge the religious world, the Lord, in His Mercy, has provided an ARK of refuge and of safety; and that our sole object in proclaiming the Doctrines of the New Church, is to point out this ARK and the way by which it can be entered. This happy meeting separated at a late hour, evidently much delighted with the occasion which brought them together. This was the first Conference of the New Church held in Scotland; and, may the spirit of brotherly love which actuated the hearts of all on this occasion, constantly grow and increase! May the union of the two kingdoms thus based upon the only true and solid ground of genuine union, be firmly established, until "all the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ! and may He reign for ever and ever!" that is, may all be brought to the acknowledgment of the Lord in His Divine Humanity, as over all, God, blessed for ever!

These will form, if bound, two neat volumes, at an exceedingly low price, which is bringing the works of Swedenborg within the reach of all. Henceforth let there be no complaints as to the price of Swedenborg's theological works. If any person now makes any complaint on this head, it is a proof that he is endeavouring to excuse either his lack of appetite for spiritual knowledge, or his ignorance by a fallacious pretext. Thanks to the Manchester Tract Society for having achieved this desirable object.

The society having accomplished this purpose in reference to the Minor Works of Swedenborg, will now direct its attention to the reprinting of certain tracts, and to the origination of new ones.

The Report makes the following useful appeal to all, and especially to the younger members of the church:

"Your committee would affectionately call to the remembrance of their young friends the great use they might perform by enrolling themselves, by however small a subscription, as members of the various institutions in the church. It is not so much that the church as a whole gains in power by the increased pecuniary aid, but they by such means conjoin themselves with the various institutions, feel an interest in their progress, and as a sure consequence, aid in the diffusion of the truth by the force of numbers, and by their personal assistance. To New Church parents this point assumes an aspect of no ordinary importance, if we take a proper view of the human mind and the formation of the human character.

"Mankind must have some object upon which their affections can be exercised and developed; and according to the nature of the object, such will be the associations into which they will be brought. If the object be a good one, they will find themselves associated with many good, worthy, zealous, and useful members of society. If it be an evil object, the associations into which they will be brought will be evil also. Viewed in this light only, how important is it to parents to bring up their sons and their daughters to a habit of supporting our various institutions, and to give them not only the benefit of the parental precept, but that which is more effective -the parental example. The apostolic injunction applies in every particular:— 'Be thou an example to believers, in

word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.'"

The total issue of tracts during the year is twenty-one thousand, four hun dred and thirteen; and of the Synoptical Tables, sixty-two thousand, four hundred and fifty have been issued; and the total issue since the commencement of the institution is-four hundred and thirty thousand, three hundred and forty-four.

Of short and pithy tracts, the society have published the following at 2d. per dozen :-No. 47. Man an organ of Life. 48. On Conscience-The Difficulty of Regeneration gradually overcome-Human merit. 51. On Divine Providence. 52. On Goodness and Truth-The Will and the Understanding. 53. On Miracles.

The following is the present state of the cash and stock account:

extending its power by pecuniary aid, and by their personal assistance.

"5. That the Committee, now appointed, be instructed to re-consider the propriety of preserving our Tract List entire, by reprinting such numbers as have been sold off, endeavouring to obtain the coöperation of the London Tract Institution, and to publish such new Tracts as the peculiarities of the times may seem to demand."

We doubt not that all our readers will cordially sympathise with the useful operations of this society, and endeavour to promote the good cause by their hearty cooperation. To this end branch societies, as stated in former reports, should be established in every society, and juvenile members should be invited to come forward in this eminently useful work.

NEW CHURCH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

London, July 21st, 1852.

To the Editor.

By Balance of Cash on hand 125 "Stock on hand....... 363 13 4 "Accounts owing to the

Society

The following resolutions were unanimously passed:

"1. That the report now read be received, and that it be printed under the direction of the Executive Committee.

"2. That the thanks of this meeting be given to those liberal friends whose bequests and donations have so materially aided the operations of the Tract Society during the past year.

"3. That one great end of all who have the truth, and love it, should be, to communicate it to others, in obedience to the divine injunction,-As ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.'

"4. That as coöperation is the appointed means by which alone this end can be accomplished, this meeting appeals to all, young and old, to aid in the diffusion of a knowledge of the truth by joining the Tract Society, and thus

"Adelaide, South Australia, January 15th, 1852. "To the Secretary of the London Printing Society.

"Dear Sir, I have to acknowledge the receipt, through Mr. Geo. Chambers, of a grant of books made to me last year by the Printing Society, and for which I beg to tender my heartfelt thanks. And I further pledge myself to do all in my power to make known the glad tidings of the New Dispensation, by the distribution of these writings, or in any other way which the Divine Providence may enable me to accomplish.

"Our society here, though small, has been for some time very much compacted together, and the principles of order have prevailed to an increasing extent.

"The discovery of gold, and the consequent changes in the state of society, will however, I fear, tend to scatter us for a time as regards bodily presence, but not in heart and mind.

"We are even now engaged in building a new place of worship for the society, which though small, will meet present requirements; and I am happy to say that the funds in hand will be nearly, if not quite sufficient to defray the cost.

"I am, dear Sir,

"Yours faithfully, (Signed) "W. S. CHAUNCY."

"Adelaide, 15th January, 1852. "To the Secretary of the London Mis

sionary and Tract Society. "Dear Sir,-Permit me to acknowledge the receipt, through Mr. George Chambers, of 1000 tracts granted to me last year by your society.

"They are now in the hands of our librarian, who is directed to dispose of them at cost price, as it is our intention to remit the proceeds to you when the whole are sold, so as to keep up a constant supply.

"I have not the least doubt but that they will prove abundantly useful at the present time, and I beg that you will convey my thanks to the society for the liberality they have displayed.

"Our society is still small in number, as we have been almost wholly occupied of late in putting our house in order,' rather than in endeavours to increase our number.

"I trust, however, we shall shortly be in a position to exercise a more extensive charity, by endeavours to break in upon the mass of ignorance and superstition by which we are surrounded. "I am, dear Sir,

"Yours very faithfully, (Signed) "W. S. CHAUNCY." THE TERM "SWEDENBORGIAN."

It is a very common thing to hear people of other denominations give us the title of "Swedenborgians." This, from persons who know nothing of the nature of our religious belief, and who merely have understood that we derive our doctrines from the works of a man named Swedenborg, is reasonably to be expected. But we are surprised when we hear the expression, as we sometimes have heard it,

in the mouth of a New Churchman. We recollect to have seen it mentioned, in an account of the life of Swedenborg, that he had expressed in direct terms the wish that his name should not be applied to the New Church, or its receivers. We can easily believe that he may have expressed such a wish. He felt and comprehended the divine character of the revelation which he was the humble medium of communicating to the world; and must have recoiled with pain from the idea of fixing upon it his own name-a worm of the dust, as he felt himself to be-of sealing, as it were, with his human seal, the divine scroll, the "Handwriting of God." And who, that justly appreciates the nature of this new revelation,-who, that realizes the glory of this Second Coming of the Lord,-who, that has taken the measure of this "Great City, the New Jerusalem, now descending out of heaven from God,"-that comprehends anything of its grandeur, its infinite strength, its eternal duration;—who, that looks forward to the great work this new Church is about to perform on the earth, revolutionising kingdoms, waking up the nations, scattering light and life everywhere, touching men's hearts, enlightening their minds, healing their bodies, driving off sin and misery from the earth, and making this world once more a Paradise, bringing back the golden age, restoring man to his primitive purity, simplicity, and humble and happy dependence on his Creator, connecting him again with the angels, relinking earth to heaven, and so, making men blessed, and the happy beings above still happier :—who, say, that contemplates all this, that can look on towards future ages, and foresee these certain and glorious effects of the New Church, that is now descending from above, and has yet hardly touched its foot to the earthwho, with feelings and thoughts like these, can open his lips and call this heavenly truth" Swedenborgianism"? It is sacrilege!

But, to regard the subject in a lower view, the term " Swedenborgian" is not a proper one. Lutherans, Calvinists, &c. are so named, because they follow and profess an accordance with the notions and opinions of those men, Luther and Calvin. But is it so with us? Are we the followers of any man? Are the truths which Swedenborg has revealed, mere notions and opinions of his own? then might we with propriety be called

If so,