" spirit who laughed heartily," and of a "crowd" of such who "laughed aloud, jested, and bantered."* It is hoped that in the above sketch some light has been thrown upon a confessedly obscure and difficult subject; and that although the cause we have assigned for laughter-GLADNESS or the perception of truth, and HABIT-may not, at first sight, appear adequate in every instance of its occurrence, yet, it is suggested, a more careful examination of such cases may dispel this doubt; although, possibly, there may still remain some instances which will pertinaciously "stand out" until the inquiry is pursued further by another and abler investigator than London, 17th November, 1851. FRANK. REVIEW. By Mrs. H. BEECHER Hodson, Portugal-street. FOUR WAYS OF OBSERVING THE SABBATH. STOWE. (American Reprint.) pp. 49. WE beg strongly to recommend this lucid, interesting, and instructive production to our readers' best attention. In a narrative form is presented, first, the strict puritan method; secondly, what might be called the popular method-exhibiting the everlasting strife of conscience with carelessness; thirdly, a Christian-philosophical method; and fourthly, a practical and rational method, grafted on the pious zeal of the puritan method, reserving all that is good in its spirit, but correcting its modes, where perceived to be inconsistent with human nature, and calculated rather to impede than promote real human improvement. The second way thus commences : "How late we are this morning," said Mrs. Roberts to her husband, glancing hurriedly at the clock, as they were sitting down to breakfast on a Sabbath morning. "Really it is a shame for us to be so late on Sundays. I wonder John and Henry are not up yet: Hannah, did you call them ?" "Yes, ma'am, but I could not make them mind; they said it was Sunday, and that we always have breakfast later on Sundays." "Well, it is a shame to us, I must say," said Mrs. Roberts, sitting down to the table. And so the narrative proceeds, at which, occasionally, a smile will involuntarily arise, as the portrait of some near at hand seems so aptly to have been sketched by a seer on the other side of the Atlantic. We think of this or that individual, not without wishing, perhaps, that they resembled Mrs. Roberts a little more in her compunctious visitings. Towards the close of this part the following remarks occur: * * * "These worthy people had a sort of general idea that Sunday ought to be kept, and they intended to keep it, but they had never taken the trouble to investigate or to inquire as to the proper way; nor was it so much an object of interest, that their weekly arrangenients were planned with any reference to it. As to the effect of this on the children, there was neither enough of strictness to make them respect the Sabbath, nor of religious interest to make them love it; of course, the little restraint there was, proved just enough to lead them to dislike and despise it." * Con. Love, 79. 33 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. "During the past year (says the report) there have been printed for this society 500 copies of the Heaven and Hell from the stereotype plates, as alluded to in the last report; and the committee, from having had their attention recalled to the work since its publication, and from the testimony of competent judges, feel confidence in recommending it as upon the whole the best version that has yet been given of the work. The committee have been much gratified in acceding to an application made to them by the Manchester School Union, by which 1,000 more copies of the Heaven and Hell have been taken from the plates, at the mere cost of press work and paper, and transmitted to the Secretary of the Union, to be distributed by him in penny numbers amongst the children attending the schools; and only yesterday we received a letter from the Secretary of the Union, informing us that all but 25 copies have been already sold, and that those 25 are likely to be subscribed for within a few days. This is the largest issue for present sale which has ever been made of any of the books published by this society; and the committee cannot but congratulate the members on their having been thus, under Divine Providence, the means of the distribution of one of its greatest works amongst those who will have in their generation to carry on the development of the Lord's New Church. "The 500 copies of the tract on Baptism and Regeneration, presented by a friend of the Rev. Mr. Clissold, and mentioned in the last annual report, have also been received by the society, and are on sale. "One thousand copies of the tenth volume of the Arcana, on the standard page, have been just printed off. The work has been revised and corrected by Mr. Butter. N. S. NO. 145.-VOL. XIII. "One thousand copies of the Index to the Arcana are also being printed, after having undergone a most careful revision by Mr. Rich and Mr. Larkin. "The Rev. Mr. de Soyres has undertaken gratuitously the revision of the Apocalypse Revealed, for which the society should feel deeply indebted to him and that work also is now in the ; press, and 1,000 copies are being printed. The Conjugial Love and other works will shortly require reprinting. "The members will thus perceive that the usefulness of the society in this the main object and necessity of its existence is still progressing, and that while so much is required of it, it stands in need of all the support which the means, the energy, and the union of the New Church at large can impart to it. "Presents of books published by the society have been made by the committee to several individuals in India, Port Natal, and Adelaide, who are very active in making known the doctrines of the New Church, and who are endeavouring to form libraries as centres of instruction in their respective localities. "In addition to the donation from Major Younghusband, of £50., the society has been benefited during the past year by the receipt of two legacies. One of £20. from the late Mr. C. Middlemist of Hull, who besides thus testifying his opinion of the usefulness of this society, bequeathed legacies to several other societies of the New Church. "The late Mr. Cobham by his will bequeathed a legacy of £100. to the Printing Society, but owing to an informality in the wording of his will, which did not restrict the payment of it to his personal estate, the society were compelled to accept £50. in discharge of the whole, and that sum only, less the legacy duty, has been received. "The society will doubtless accept as solemn tokens to its usefulness these expressions of the good will of these who have been so recently our fellow-labourers in the great cause, and we who still survive will be not less anxious than those departed members of our church to fulfil the great and important trust which has been committed to this society to perform. 'During the year we have been gratified by a communication from the Manchester and Salford New Jerusalem Church Tract Society; a society of kin 66 E to ours, and which, on the occasion of its printing an edition of 5,000 copies of the Heavenly Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, transmitted to us the following resolutions: "It having been reported that no official communication has passed between this committee and that of the London Printing Society in reference to the former publications of the minor works of Emanuel Swedenborg,— "Resolved,-That this committee recognise with pleasure the efforts which have been made by the London society in printing and publishing the works, and respectfully solicit its sympathy and cooperation in their present endeavours in the same cause by means of smaller and cheaper editions. "Resolved,--That a copy of the above resolutions be forwarded to the Secretary of the London Printing Society.' "You will no doubt reciprocate the expressions of kindly feeling on the part of this useful society, and hail it as a brother working in the same vineyardthe vineyard of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that whatever sympathy and cooperation are in our power will be freely given to it. "The two works most prominently advertised have been the Heaven and Hell and the True Christian Religion; and of these, notwithstanding, the increased sales of the two last years, there have been sold of the Heaven and Hell 125 copies, and of the True Christian Religion, 75 copies. The total number of books sold during the year is 1,740, and the value, at the trade price, is £227. Is. 6d. The advertisements have been kept in the Times and Athenæum throughout the year, and occasionally in the Daily News, the Manchester papers and others. "With a church based as ours is upon foundations which cannot be shaken, upon the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ, and upon the heavenly doctrines set out in the works of his servant Emanuel Swedenborg, so appealing to the highest affections and intelligence of our nature, how should there be a retrogression ? We feel that we have but to go on with the work that has been set us to do, each labouring earnestly according to his power; and that the Lord will provide for the advent of his kingdom. "We feel that we are not of those who have to fear the open discussion of the principles of our church. That it is our place at this time to give them all pro minence and publicity. We feel that there is now such an internal yearning after the truths which are contained in these inestimable works, and such an aptitude in men's mind to receive them, that it is more than ever our duty and our privilege to place them before the world. We feel that while all around us is turmoil and confusion, our church alone is able to hold its own, and to show itself so catholic and inclusive that all denominations of Christians may seek refuge in its ark. "Let us, therefore, thank the Lord for the good which it has been permitted us to do, that we have no cause to fear intestine doctrinal divisions amongst us, and that our work is so plain and easy as the dissemination of these heavenly truths amongst our fellow men." Receipts for the year.. £984 1 5 Balance in hand...... £436 13 5 MANCHESTER TRACT SOCIETY. Minor Works of Swedenborg. It is well known that Swedenborg issued certain tracts, which we now call his Minor Works, in order to bring the principal doctrines of the New Church more readily and cheaply before the public than could be done by his larger volumes, although treating on the same subjects. These minor works are the Doctrine of the Lord,-of the Sacred Scripture, - of Faith,-of Life, - the Intercourse between the Soul and the Body,-the Heavenly Doctrines of the New Jerusalem, and the Brief Exposition, shewing the doctrinal differences between the New Church and the Old. These works have been carefully printed from the last editions of the London Printing Society, and are presented in a very neat and cheap form, so that the public may now be supplied almost without money and without price. The great utility of bringing these important works down to the lowest possible price, is at once obvious. Presentations can now be more easily and readily made, and day and Sunday sehools can be well snpplied with abundance of copies. The original intention of Swedenborg in distributing these minor works as tracts, or in publishing them so that the public can easily procure them, is now, we conceive, fully carried out, as 5,000 copies of each work have been printed, Let the mem bers, therefore, of the New Church George-street--the finest street in the supply themselves with copies for presentation to friends, or to inquiring minds. The perusal of the "Heavenly Doctrine," a dozen copies of which may be had for a few shillings, cannot fail to produce an impression on every mind that has the least feeling or delight in knowing the spiritual and genuine truths of Christianity. INTELLIGENCE FROM EDINBURGH. To the Editor. Dear Sir,-Several important changes having recently taken place in relation to the church here, the readers of the Intellectual Repository may perhaps be desirous of hearing the nature of them. I have therefore thought it advisable to draw up a few remarks, which I shall thank you to insert in the January number. Most of the friends of the church will be aware that the Rev. W. Bruce, our late minister, has removed to London, and has now become coadjutor with the Rev. S. Noble, in the ministry of the Cross-street Society. In parting with Mr. Bruce, the members of the church here feel that they sustained a severe loss. The second change among us refers to the name of the church. The designation which we have been hitherto known by is that of "The New Jerusalem Church." This, we think, for reasons not necessary here to enlarge upon, inaccurate and inexpressive of the nature of the association to which we belong. The appellation which we have selected in preference is that of " The New Christian Church." A third change relates to the appointment of a pastor. No association can prosper, or indeed be properly held together, without a head. It must have some one to controul and regulate its affairs. This we soon learned, and accordingly directed our attention to obtain what we wanted. After a lapse of some time, our choice fell on Mr. J. R. Quinton, a gentleman of great and varied attainments, now attending our University; and who has latterly acted as assistant to one of our most eminent professors. For several months prior to our appointment of him as our pastor, we enjoyed his occasional services with universal satisfaction. During that period, the attendance on his lectures so increased as at length to necessitate our removal to the Lower Music Hall, a large and comfortable building in city. We removed thither on Sunday, December 14th, that being the first day on which Mr Quinton entered on his duties as pastor of the church. The morning service was attended by about one hundred persons, principally the members and their friends. This was desired by Mr. Quinton, as he wished to deliver a charge to the congregation, in which he should state the reasons which had induced him to accept the appointment just conferred on him, and also the course which he meant to pursue. This he did in a very powerful and interesting lecture, taking as his text the Lord's words in Matthew-" Ye are the light of the world: a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." In the evening, the service having been advertised, the attendance was very great; the largest we have had in Edinburgh since Mr. Hindmarsh's visit in August, 1817. The subject selected for the lecture was most appropriate "The Church of the Future"the text from Revelation xxi. 5,-" Behold, I make all things new." It was listened to with great attention. At intervals, indeed, there were symptoms of an unmistakeable character to applaud the speaker during the delivery of some of his eloquent remarks. The prospects of the church in Edinburgh, it will be thus seen, are of a very cheering kind. Promises of support come in to us from many quarters whence we could hardly have expected it. May we hope that the truths which we scatter shall take deep root in the hearts of all who receive them, and bring forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold. I am, dear Sir, Very truly yours, SHORT AND PITHY TRACTS. To the Editor. Dear Sir, I have long felt the want of some short, pithy, and inexpensive addresses on the general doctrines of the church, for the purpose of promiscuous distribution after lectures and public meetings. The tracts have hitherto been used; but they are too expensive to be given away in large quantities. Other denominations do not use such large tracts as ours. They are generally short, and are sold by hundreds instead of by dozens; and I am persuaded that our tracts would be more useful if they were reduced to the same size. I do not presume to find fault with our tracts. They are in general good, and have doubtless been very useful, and will still continue to be so. But they would be more useful if they were either cheaper or less in size, and thus cheaper; or they might remain as they are, and others written expressly for promiscuous distribution. I have written the following" On God," and printed it on the back of hand-bills which announce my lectures for this winter. Something of that size and kind is what I wish to see got up for the purpose just named. Such an address could be printed on the two sides of a bill, in clear type, and on good paper, for 6s. or 7s. per 1,000, or cheaper, if as many as 20,000 were printed at once. Hundreds of these could be given away without any serious expense to any one. I therefore invite those who agree with me, to co-operate .with me. The London and Manchester Tract Societies are the proper parties to carry the plan out. They have been written to, but as yet no official reply has been received. If, however, they should decline, if individuals or societies will join with me, I will engage to produce, either from my own pen or from others better qualified, a variety of addresses on the different doctrines of the church, printed in the manner described, and at the price, or even less than that already named. R. EDLESTON. Leeds. * On God. It is the dictate of the holy Scriptures (Mark xii. 29.) and of good sense, that God is one. A thinking mind will easily perceive the truth of this. Two Gods are equal to two Infinites, and two infinites cannot be supposed, for the very nature of one prevents the supposition of another. An Infinite Being is the origin of all things, and it is plain that there cannot be two such beings: for when we imagine a second we in effect deny the first, for if a second produced some things, it is manifest that the first did not produce all; and thus that neither are infinite. The idea of two Gods, or two origins of the same thing, is therefore an absurdity. It is also impossible for the one God to exist in a divided state-for that which is infinite, must be indivisible. A divided infinite no longer is infinite. The prevalent idea, however, of "three persons in one God," does divide the Deity. The believers in that doctrine say, that they must not "confound the persons nor divide the substance;" but if they do not "divide the substance," they must "confound the persons," for no man can think of three persons, each of whom is to be conceived of "by himself," without dividing the substance of one from that of the other. Hence it is commonly imagined that God is literally divided into three divine persons, "each of whom by himself is God and Lord." Three persons, "each of whom is God and Lord," must be equal to three Gods and three Lords, if language has meaning, But we are assured by the advocates of that view, that it does not mean three Gods, but one God! Well, it shall be so, for we do not wish to quarrel. They must, however, mean by the phrase, "three divine persons," either three divine beings, and thus three Gods, or else three parts of one God. If the words do not mean one or other of these ideas, they have no meaning whatever. Now, the first idea makes three Gods, and the second makes the "three persons" in their separate characters, that is, each 'by himself," into no God at all! The one Infinite Being, or God, cannot be divided into three parts, or persons," without destroying the infinity of the persons." We may suppose them to be infinite in their united capacity, but we cannot imagine that "each person by himself," that is, each part separate from the other part, is infinite, for that would certainly be equal to supposing the existence of three infinites. Therefore, inasmuch as it is agreed that three infinites do not exist, we must conclude that these "three parts or persons" are not infinite in their individual character, and that thus each" by himself" is not God! One part or person of the one God can no more be God, than a part of man can be man, or than a part of the whole can be the whole. the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, mean three separate and distinct ") persons," or parts of the one God, it cannot be supposed, with consistency, that each is infinite; and therefore it ought no longer to be said of them as persons" that "the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God," unless it be meant to avow, what thousands among tripersonalists really believe, that there are three Gods. 66 66 And thus, if We do not perceive a single flaw in the above reasoning; if, however, any exist, we shall be glad to have it pointed out |