Woods, the choir of the Keighley Society very kindly accompanying them, and enlivening the party with several beautiful pieces, sung with excellent taste, under the direction of their assiduous leader, Mr. Haggas. At five o'clock the friends assembled for tea in King-street Chapel, about 150 persons being present. After tea the annual meeting was held, under the presidency of Dr. Goyder, of Bradford; the annual report being read by Mr. Aspinall, the secretary, and the accounts by Mr. Dyson, the treasurer. These showed that Mr. Bates, the colporteur, had during the year preached 91 sermons, distributed gratuitously 12,150 tracts, and sold 2,394 books and pamphlets, &c., being nearly double the amount of books and pamphlets sold during the previous year. The chairman, in moving its adoption, entered minutely into an analysis of the work, comparing it with the work of former years, and showing the advance which had been made, at the same time stating that with the increase of work there had been an increase also of the receipts and expenditure, still leaving the society at present with a deficiency of nearly £10., but at the same time a stock of books in hand of the value of £32. This resolution was seconded by Mr. Alfred Bottomley, of Keighley, and addresses were also delivered by Mr. Schofield, Mr. Swinburn, Mr. Soppitt, Mr. Joseph Dixon, and others. Mr. Presland said we must, if we looked at the world, agree that what was most characteristic of the world was its insensibility to its own wants. The great desideratum of the time was, first, truth upon religious subjects, doctrine respecting the Supreme Being, so that instead of an incomprehensible Being in three persons, our belief in the doctrine of a Divine Trinity in the One person of our Lord Jesus Christ might be substituted. Second, the general impression respecting the infirmity of the Sacred Scriptures could not be removed but by the New Church doctrine of the internal sense of the sacred volume. Third, that the doctrine of life was most essential as proved in the evidence existing around of the evil state of society. Speaking of this association, he said it must be admitted that it most materially assisted in spreading the knowledge of these doctrines, and after hearing the report which had been read, he said that it would be well if other parts of the country had similar associations conveying our

literature from house to house. For his part it appeared to him to be one of the most judicious and efficient means of evangelization. Mr. E. J. Broadfield, B.A., of Accrington, said the New Church was not comprised within the limits of its organization, it meant something larger than this-it meant and included all who looked to the Lord in the first place, and who loved their neighbour as themselves. As an organization we do not think of Swedenborg as a prophet or hero, and worship him. It was those outside our organization who did this, and we wish it to be understood that we think little of the man, but much of what he has written. We recognise the great truths he was the instrument of publishing-the knowledge of the doctrine of the Lord, as it leads us to see in Him the loving Father who sympathizes with and assists us in all our struggles and sorrows. He dwelt on the nature of the spiritual life, which he illustrated by the analogies in the support of bodily life. Mr. Whitehead, of Dalton, showed that those who had a knowledge of the doctrines were bound to make them known-freely they had received, freely they must give. He was of opinion that no system of promulgating the truth could be perfect which did not keep the example of the Lord constantly in view; the Lord said to His disciples, go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature; this must be followed by us. The spread of the truth by literature was most important, but should be followed up by the preacher. Mr. Stephenson, of Bradford, said our responsibilities increased in proportion to our privileges. We were succeeding with colportage, and now saw it incumbent upon us to put forth still further efforts, and a preachers' circuit was the necessary result of the breaking up of the ground by the colporteur; not that colportage should be relaxed, but that the one naturally followed the other.

These anniversary services, we are happy to say, become more interesting and useful every year, and we trust that with the usefulness of the Association they may long continue to do so. of thanks to those who had aided in getting up the meeting were voted, and the meeting terminated.

Votes

LEEDS. The society in this town, which has long been struggling with difficulties, seems at present to be putting forth new life, and making new efforts of

usefulness. Its influence, we are informed, is felt far beyond its own immediate circle, and its members are using every means they are able to render this influence attractive and permanent. Placed in the centre of a teeming population, they have long felt the importance of making known the doctrines to those around them, and, as the best means of doing so, have endeavoured to render their public worship pleasing and edifying. To further this object a suggestion was made to add a suitable organ to their place of worship, and scarcely a month elapsed before the opportunity of accomplishing this purpose was presented, and the organ erected. It is a beautiful instrument, of size and volume of sound sufficient for the wants of the society, and well suited to the church. It is more than half paid for, and hopes are entertained that in a short time the remaining debt will be entirely removed. The organ was opened by special services, sermons suited to the occasion being preached by our promising young friend, Mr. A. Backhouse. services were attended by quite an encouraging number of strangers, most of whom seemed deeply interested. In the words of our correspondent, the society, as a branch of the tree of life, is putting forth infant shoots and stems, and entwining itself by many a delicate tendril around individuals and places of which we have little knowledge. The seeming progress of the church is slow, and to the impatient zeal of its members often discouraging; but let us never forget that the Lord has it in his own care and keeping, and that He leads its members to the still waters of spiritual truth, and provides for their growth and increase in the ways of righteousness.

The

LONDON.-A few New Church friends, feeling the importance and advisibility of a combined missionary effort on behalf of New Church truth, have formed themselves into an association, to give openair discourses, every Sunday evening, and doctrinal lectures during the week, in the school-rooms of the several churches in London, if agreeable to the societies to which they belong; also to carry on a vigorous and thorough personal distribution of advertisements, concerning these lectures, or others of similar character about to be given; and also to endeavour to augment the existing societies, and form new ones in London, by the above and other means. We have

considered it better to wait until the heat of the weather had somewhat moderated before attempting our indoor lectures, but have, nevertheless, very successfully commenced our open-air efforts, and during the last five weeks have had a steadily increasing and attentive audience, to whom we have given an aggregate of about 680 tracts. We are anxious that any good work which may have been begun, should be vigorously continued, and if possible perfected, and have promised to ourselves that we will follow this out, to as favourable a result as we can, by our utmost exertions, obtain. We should be greatly assisted by donations, tracts, and personal help in speaking, from those friends who will consider our efforts of use or importance. The Secretary is Mr. C. E. Basebe, 68, Pratt-street, Camden Town, London, N.W.

MANCHESTER PRINTING SOCIETY.-We are requested by Francis Goadsby, Esq., of the Cliff, to state that he has presented his share in this society, which he has held for 59 years, to the Rev. W. Westall; and that the share of his late son, Thomas Goadsby, Esq., has been presented, by his widow, to the Rev. J. Hyde.

Marriages.

June 11th, at the New Jerusalem Church, Bolton, by Mr. Joseph Deans, Mr. James Schofield to Miss Jane Pilkington.

July 2nd, at the New Jerusalem Church, Bolton, by the Rev. W. Woodman, of Kersley, Mr. Samuel Walker to Miss Mary Snape.

July 4th, at the Argyle-square Church, London, by the Rev. Dr. Bayley, father of the bridegroom, Mr. Edward H. Bayley to Miss Hannah Moore.

July 29th, at Bradford, Yorkshire, Mr. Henry Rishworth, of Steeton-inCraven, to Miss Mary, eldest daughter of Mr. Alfred Smith, of Bradford.

Obituary.

On the 24th June, in her forty-eighth year, Mary, wife of Mr. Joseph Winter, of Farnworth, near Bolton. The subject of this notice was the grand-daughter of the late Rev. Thomas Seddon, who, we believe, first introduced and preached the doctrines in the neighbourhood, and who acted as leader of the Ringley society. The attachment to the doctrines manifested by Mr. Seddon has been transmitted to his descendants, all of whom, so far as we are aware, are in connection with the New Church.

The

deceased was brought up in connection with the Kersley society, which was a resuscitation of that formerly meeting at Ringley, and in time became a member of it, of which she attended the services as long as her health permitted. For several years prior to her death she suffered severely from spasmodic asthma, complicated, in its later stages, with bronchitis. The paroxysms of the disease were often accompanied with severe mental trial and temptation, which was no doubt instrumental in chastening and subduing her spirit, whilst the divine support enabled her to bear these trials with submission and resignation, and led to a growing desire to secure the good part of religion. Her decease was somewhat sudden and unexpected. For some years she appeared so near the verge of the grave that any accidental cause might have brought on the crisis; but, for a few weeks previous, she appeared to be gradually improving, and it was only two days prior to her death that she was worse than usual, and then so slightly that no danger was suspected, and it was only a very few hours before her departure that any imminent danger was visible. The vital powers had, how ever, become unequal to the conflict with the disease, and congestion of the lungs rapidly ensuing, her spirit peacefully quitted the frail tenement-the earthly house of this tabernacle-for one eternal in the heavens. And, although the bereavement will be deeply felt by her

surviving partner and family, they have, nevertheless, the consoling assurance that their temporary loss is her permanent gain; and if her removal lead them to a higher estimate of the truths she valued, the dispensation will prove a real blessing.

W.

Passed into the spiritual world, July 19th, aged 20, Miss Emma Shacklock, of Embsay, near Skipton. Having been a scholar in our day and Sundayschools, it may be said from a child she had known the doctrines of the New Church; and not only did she know, but practised their heavenly teachings. Her's was one of those warm, generous hearts which delight in—

"Little deeds of kindness, and
Little words of love."

For some time she taught one of the junior classes in our Sunday-school, and was noted for punctuality and fidelity to her duties. Her daily conduct was marked by thought and consideration for others, and by her gentle demeanour she gained the affectionate regard of those with whom she came in contact. During her illness, which was long and distressing, she was patient and resigned. Perfectly aware of her approaching dissolution, she evinced no fear nor anxiety, but derived great comfort and satisfaction from the teachings of the church concerning the future life. Her removal has left an impression on our little society, teaching us to so number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

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