Printed and Published for the General Conference of the New Church signified BY J. S. HODSON, 112, FLEET STREET; AND SOLD BY SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO., STATIONER'S HALL COURT, LUDGATE STREET. 1839. THE INTELLECTUAL REPOSITORY AND NEW JERUSALEM MAGAZINE. ON REPENTANCE. On the first day of the year, we know that man sometimes devotes his mind to serious reflection. His attention is once more arrested, and turned to consider the end for which he was brought into being. He was created that he might become eternally happy, by realizing the heavenly state; and he thinks, and sighs to think, how little that great object has been attended to. The retrospect of his by-gone years is painful to his view. The one thing needful has not been chosen: trifles light as air have engaged and engrossed his attention. All around is darkness and gloom; there is a brightness, but he has not attained it. He sees but the wreck of things,-talents wasted, time misspent, opportunities neglected and lost for ever. He is a fearful trifler on the stage of human life. He hears a voice, saying, "Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;" and the words fall like a startling knell on his ear. He resolves afresh to turn himself Zionward; he will turn and repent, for this indeed must be done. Repentance must be done, or all is lost. It is thus that a man communes with himself when he enters upon a new year. He acknowledges the duty of repentance, and purposes to do it. In such a case, he ought to know well the true nature of such a duty, or he will not be able to do it aright. This it is important he should know; for it involves the best interests of the soul. It is that we may aid an enquiring mind in this matter, that we write the present paper, wherein we intend to treat on a subject so useful in itself, and so appropriate on commencing a new period in life. We shall consider, at some length, the great duty of repentance. We shall present it in the light of holy scripture, and the doctrines of the New Church. The subject now before us is one which holds a leading place in the sacred volume. In the old testament, what calls, what exhortations to repentance! In the gospels we find, that John the Baptist began his |