papers on his demise becoming known, acknowledging his value in this respect. He was regarded as a friend of all that was progressive and good. The Rev. Mr. Martin, the Congregationalist minister, not only attended his funeral, but made the following allusion to his excellences in his discourse on the following Sunday morning, which was given in the papers the following morning : knows. It remains for us to verify our convictions, to hold them firmly, yet in the abundance of charity, but, above all, to live with the spirit of Christ, and then for us to die shall be the gain which he enjoys to-day and for evermore." Judgment, and the future life, in some of which I necessarily believed him wrong; it was a daily life, whose very soul was devotion to Jesus. His life was pure, high-minded, and devout; when the heat and burden of it was over, and he was confined to home, and then to the sick-room, he was calm and happy, waiting for translation from the world around him to the spiritual world "It is impossible for me to conclude in which he believed with such a strong without paying a tribute of respect to assurance. They who knew him best the memory of one with whom I had cannot doubt that he is now adoring uninterrupted and happy intercourse the Christ whom he believed to be from the time of my coming to Preston Lord, and very God. How far the until the day of his decease on the 20th opinions in which he differed from us of this month, and who for some twenty were vital and how far immaterial, how years previously to my knowing him far right and how far wrong, he now had sought the good of this town. Of course, I refer to Mr. Rendell, the minister of the New Church, in Avenham Road. That I differed from him on many theological questions, and seriously on some, I need scarcely say; but that could never blind me to his many and great excellences. To know a more perfect gentleman it has never been my good fortune. Mr. Rendell was such by the necessities of his nature, by its very instincts and impulses. His manner was at once dignified and winsome; with friends, geniality prevailed, just as dignity was uppermost when in the midst of comparative strangers. Years have now elapsed since he was able to take an active part in questions on movements which agitated the town; but, whilst health and strength permitted, no man was readier to engage in any work which could bring about the welfare of the people, the redress of whatever was wrong, or the promotion of whatever was elevating, liberal, and righteous. As a speaker, whether on the platform or in the pulpit, he was never, I believe, so popular and effective as he was thoughtful and sincere. His accomplishments were quite varied, his tastes inclining, however, most of all to art and literature. He was the author of several books, some of which made quite a mark in the denomination to which he belonged. They were, there fore, chiefly on religious subjects, and were written in behalf of the opinions he had from deep conviction espoused, and had spent a long life in promoting, as a Swedenborgian minister. His religion, however, did not consist in theories of the Trinity, the Resurrection, the Mr. Rendell's literary abilities and his research enabled him to present many valuable works for the edification and instruction of the Church and the public. The first was published at Newcastle in 1841, and was entitled, "The Deity of Jesus Christ Asserted." It was written on the occasion of a controversy between Unitarians and Trinitarians, which had been very vigorous in the town, and was intended, if possible, as a help to both parties, by taking what was valuable in each, and uniting them in the acknowledgment of the One God, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is the Divine Trinity. 66 The disclosures of geology gave rise to his next-"The Antediluvian History." It was a successful attempt to throw New Church light on the early chapters of Genesis, and had an extensive circulation in England, was subsequently reprinted in America, and translated into French. It was followed by the 'Postdiluvian History." This latter has been said to be the author's favourite work. His last book was entitled "The Last Judgment," and was a prize essay. One hundred pounds in two portions, £75 and £25, was offered for the best work and the second best, "On the Evidences of the Judgment in the Inner World," which the New Church asserts to have taken place, and its consequences in this. To Mr. Rendell's essay, the first prize was adjudged, and it remains as an illustration of the great event it explains, and which is still affecting us in all the affairs of earth, while the Divine operation proceeds, as foretold, "Behold I make all things new. Such was our esteemed friend and brother in his public works. In his private life he was the loving and beloved husband, the kind and thoughtful father, and the Christian gentleman. The deep sympathizing love of his family surrounded and sustained him in the long wearisome months of his painful sufferings, and all his worth is embalmed in the tender recollections of his widow, his son, Mr. J. R. Rendell, and his daughters, who are striving to follow him as he followed his Lord; and who hope for a joyful reunion in the land of the blest. Departed into the spiritual world, March 16th, 1876, Mr. George Cox, of High Street, West Bromwich, in his 68th year. Departed this life at Huddersfield, March 17th, after a long and painful illness, Mr Robert Brook, aged 64 years. Mr. Brook was for a long period an exemplary and highly-esteemed member of the Society meeting for worship at Grove Place, Dalton. So long as he was able to reach the house of God, he was a steady and devout worshipper in its public assemblies. When in a critical period of the Society's history there was danger of decline, from inability to support its minister, Mr. Brook was one of the foremost to suggest and carry forward means for the support of the Society and the continuance of its work. He has passed from the region of pain and suffering, affectionately remembered by many with whom he associated on earth, and welcomed by those with whom he will find his home in the world on which he has entered. MR. ALLAN DRYSDALE.-The Alloa Journal of May 13th, contains the following notice of the departure of our esteemed friend, Mr. Drysdale, from our midst :-"Many of our readers will be sorry to learn of the departure from this world of a very old resident in Alloa, Mr. Allan Drysdale. Nearly seventy years ago he came to Alloa with his parents from Nether Tillicoultry—a small village · nestling at the foot of the Ochils; but now numbering with the things that were. He was apprenticed as a blacksmith to Mr. Andrew Henderson, to whom he was a very faithful servant. When a journeyman, he left Alloa and went to Glasgow, where he conducted himself in a quiet useful manner, and gained the respect of all who knew him. Being always of a thinking turn of mind, he felt a little dissatisfied with the doctrines of religion as generally taught in the Church with which he was brought up. He could not fancy the idea of true religion being simple faith instead of a life of usefulness, and this led him to wander a little from his first fold. In these wanderings he thought he discovered something better amongst a people who taught that all religion has relation to life, and the life of religion is to do good.' So that so far back as the year 1828, he adopted the doctrines taught by those people called Swedenborgians, and from that time till his departure on Friday morning his whole life has been devoted to their elucidation, both publicly and privately. Leaving Glasgow, and coming back to Alloa, nearly forty years ago, he devoted himself with energy to the development of his trade. As successor to his fatherin-law, he was a very hard-working man, and it is still proverbial amongst those people living who are about the same age, that Mr. Drysdale's smithy was never shut, for pass it at any time, either late or early, the sound of the hammer was heard on his anvil. Notwithstanding this business, however, he always managed to spare a time for the public good. Accordingly, he was ever ready to help forward any good object for the general weal. He took a great interest in politics, and at the passing of the first Reform Bill in 1832 he was strong on the side of the Liberals, and he never saw any reason to change, being a staunch and strong supporter of Liberal candidates whenever a contest took place. In town matters, too, he took a great interest, and was a member of the Parochial Board until within a very recent period. He was a most regular attender of the Board meetings, and owing to his extensive knowledge of the people of the parish, his advice was often very valuable. He also took a warm interest in the adoption of the Police and Improvement Act for the Burgh; and he was re turned as a commissioner by the rate payers more than once, and was always looked up to as a faithful representative of the people's suffrages. But we cannot conceal the fact that Mr. Drysdale's great point was the advocacy of New Church principles, both from the pulpit and the press. For many years our advertising columns has been the medium of spreading a knowledge of his principles, and we are told that he received very many communications of thanks for the clear and lucid description he gave of some of the most difficult passages of the Word, more especially in connection with the Prophets and Apocalypse. We have been assured over and over again of the great benefits received from these weekly homilies on religion and its uses in the life. He was the leader of the New Church Society in Alloa, where, for many years, he preached every Sabbath. As a preacher he was quiet, but often very effective. But the living sermons of his life told more effectively and more eloquently than all else. A very worthy minister, well known and very much respected in Alloa, once said of himPeople may speak of Mr. Drysdale and his principles as they may; one thing I know, that Mr. Drysdale lives his principles; and my most earnest wish is that the world was full of such men.' Nothing could be more beautiful than the serenity and peacefulness of his last hours. His reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Redeemer was unclouded and unshaken, and the last words he uttered before his departure was —‘I know I am not alone.' He was for many years curator of the Alloa Archæological Society, and no one took more pride in having specimens added to it. He was seized with several shocks of paralysis, which ended his days, and thus has passed from our midst, Allan Drysdale, a good citizen, a sincere friend, and at all times a willing counsellor." At Burnsall, Yorkshire, on the 22nd of May, Mr. Peter Binns departed into the spiritual world, aged 54 years. The deceased had been for thirty years a member of the New Church Society at Embsay, and was prevented only by the distance of his home from steady attendance on its public worship. He was a liberal contributor to its funds, and was warmly esteemed by a large circle of friends for his integrity and uprightness It was a of character. A short time before his decease, the sacrament of the Holy Supper was administered to him by the Rev. R. Storry, who was at Embsay for their annual charity sermons. season of spiritual refreshment and preparation for the coming departure. His departure leaves a blank in his family and accustomed associations, but is doubtless a gain to himself. He has entered a realm where the clouds which obscure our earthly life are lost in the bright light of an endless day. Departed to his heavenly home, on May 25th, Captain Franklin Hallet, of Providence, Massachusetts, aged 68 years. For some years past a mem ber of the Liverpool Society, and from boyhood brought up in the doctrines of the New Church, he was a living example of the regenerative effects of its doctrines when brought into life. All who knew him respected and loved him, for the sterling honesty and true Christian spirit which guided him in every action. Many will miss him, many will think of him on both sides of the Atlantic. As a former member of the Boston Society, he was well known in America, his native land, of which he was ever proud, and to the end loved as the land of freedom. A short time before his departure he spoke of the inconsequence as to where the earthly frame was laid, but there was a lingering wish among his friends, as well as himself, to have it "buried with his fathers," and so it was taken over, kindly taken as a last mark of respect, by one of the great shipping firms of the port, to America, to be placed in the family tomb. M. AUGUSTE HARLE.-We are informed, as our present number is passing through the press, of the departure into the spiritual world of this esteemed member and active labourer in the New Church. His decease took place at Dieppedelle, near Rouen, during the night of the 18th and 19th of June. The illness was short, and the departure without suffering. His loss will be severely felt by the members and friends of the New Church in Paris, to whom, as to the New Church at large, he was endeared by many valuable and selfdenying labours. We hope, in our next, to give a further account of this exemplary member of the Church. THE NEW AGE, ITS WANTS, AND THEIR SUPPLY. Ir is of the utmost importance to the receivers of the teachings of Swedenborg, as a religious organization, that their raison d'être, as such, should be clearly defined, even to themselves. They have been long accustomed to call the professors of the system of religious teaching at present in vogue by the name of "Old Church," and the professors of their own system by that of "New Church," also to speak of the two systems respectively as the "Old Church doctrines" and the "New Church doctrines," without perhaps reflecting very deeply on the "great gulf fixed " between those systems by the antithetical terms "Old" and "New." Take, by way of illustration, the following example in everyday life. When any one says, “I must have a new suit," he evidently does not mean that he will select from among his old garments such as will seem to him best adapted to his purpose, and adjust them to each other so as to make them serve for " a new suit." But what he does mean, is, that the " new suit." shall be made out of materials entirely new. Take another illustration this time from science, The Copernican system was neither a modification nor a further development of the Ptolemaic, being, as every one knows, its direct antithesis. It was "new," in the sense of being entirely distinct from, and having nothing in com mon with, that which it was intended to supersede, and which it did supersede. Thus, then, if the system of religious truth taught by Swedenborg is to be at all regarded as the outcome of a New Dispensation in the above sense of the term "new," it can evidently have nothing whatever in common with the " old," even as represented by the palmy days of primitive Christianity. If it be true that "the former things are passed away," and that "He that sitteth upon the throne is making all things new" (Apoc. xxi. 4, 5), this surely cannot mean, that that which is thus made new consists merely of those "former things" which "are passed away in a renovated and amended condition. The system of religious truth imparted under the first Christian Dispensation, even in its purest form, that is to say, uncontaminated by the additions subsequently made to it, was no doubt sufficient to satisfy the moral and spiritual wants of that period; but it will assuredly not suffice, even with all conceivable "developments," to meet those of the present day. The following considerations will, it is hoped, set this fact in a clearer light. The secular correlatives of the first Christian Dispensation were the literature, the philosophy, and the science of the period at which it was ushered into the world. Now it is quite evident that the literature, the philosophy, and the science of the present day are too far advanced, and stand, besides, on too lofty a platform, to find an appropriate correlative in the religious teachings of primitive Christianity, even with the modifications and "developments" from time to time devised to render possible their adaptation to the exigencies of the day. If, therefore, the secular elements just mentioned are to find their appropriate correlative in the doctrines we receive and announce as those of a New Dispensation, these must be entirely new: nothing of the Old must enter into their composition. Not one stone of the old building must be employed in the erection of the new one; but it must be erected solely with new materials. Thus the religious teachings of the New Dispensation must be capable, in their minutest particulars, of adaptation to the literature, the philosophy, and the science of to-day; that is, they must themselves constitute in their entirety, but on the spiritual plane, an exact literature, an exact philosophy, and an exact science, so that each and every particular of these may be capable of being dovetailed, so to speak, into the corresponding particular of the correlative element. |