was recently given in the address delivered at the funeral of Mr. Alderman Rumney of Manchester, by the Rev. Mr. M'Laren, from which we give the following extract: "He was a good man, and, therefore, a good servant of the public. There were a large number of good Christian people who accepted a theory of the religious life which has well-nigh lived out its day. Christianity was thought of as a species of angel, neither marrying nor giving in marriage, living in a mystic, delightsome dream, without performing any of the duties of the present world. Hence the doctrine that was formulated by some of the extreme men was that common life was alone from religious that matter is opposed to spirituality; that no man can have to do with this world and the next at the same time. If a man gifted with the grace of Christ takes a main part in the transactions of his day, it is said that he loves himself. Whenever his thoughts soar high above mundane matters, no praise is stinted. Whenever he stands upon common ground he counts for nothing. This figure is like the image of Nebuchadnezzar, the head is of fine gold, the feet of iron and clay. But it was not thus that our friend did his duty as a Christian man. Called as he believed in the providence of God to take a share in public matters, he never shirked the responsibility of such a call. Christ he accepted as the judge of his life. The dictate of wisdom to him was Judge no men, judge no event, judge nothing before the time. In this life there is nothing insignificant. What are we that we should say that one thing is important, and is to be taken, and another thing unimportant, and is to be left? and who of us will say that he misunderstood or misrepresented Christianity?"" NATIONAL MISSIONARY INSTITUTION. -Mr. Gunton, the missionary, since the last report of his labours has preached at Deptford five times, visiting at the same time the Sunday-school, and attended two business meetings of the Society. He has also visited Salisbury, where he preached twice, and attended a reading meeting in the afternoon. He has also preached twice in Kensington, and has visited Southport. During his stay in Southport he preached twice, and negotiated an arrangement for Mr. Smithson to become the minister, and to commence his labours on the first Sunday in October. Mr. Gunton has also preached once at the Athenæum ; has visited Wigan and preached twice, visited and addressed the Sunday-school on Sunday afternoon, and the day-school on Monday morning. He has attended the annual meeting of the Lincolnshire Association at Louth; and visited Horncastle twice, preaching four times, and lecturing once. At Horncastle he laid the memorial stone of a new place of worship. He has preached twice at Chatteris; and visited Chelmsford on his way to Brightlingsea, with a view to arrange for the delivery of lectures in that town. He preached twice at Brightlingsea and lectured once, visiting and addressing the Sunday-school, and meeting his little army of collectors, who paid over their receipts, £4. He has also lectured once at St. Osyth, and once at Wivenhoe. The Brightlingsea friends contributed £2 10s. toward the Horncastle church, and the St. Osyth friends 7s. 6d. While at these places Mr. Gunton took orders for over seventy copies of the "True Christian Religion.' On his return he called at Colchester, where several earnest friends desire public lectures, and it is hoped that a course will be arranged. The meeting house at Wivenhoe has been given up, as no leader to take the Sundays between the visits of the missionaries could be found. Mr. Gunton further reports that the erection of the church at Horncastle is progressing satisfactorily, and that the subscription list continues to receive additions, but that very many more subscriptions are needed to make up the amount required, which he hopes the benevolence of the members of the Church will supply. STUDENTS' AND MINISTERS' AID FUND.-At the recent General Conferance the following resolutions were passed in relation to this fund :-"In consideration of the increasing uses of the Students' and Ministers' Aid Fund, and the present limited condition of its finances,-Resolved, That a Committee of four be appointed to solicit contributions from the various Societies of the Church, and from individuals, on behalf of this institution during the ensuing year; and report to the next Conference.' in every way to the beauty and size of the College Chapel, which is furnished with an instrument totally inadequate to the requirements of the service. (Min. 123). The following Minute appoints Revs. J. Bayley, J. Hyde, and R. Storry, and Mr. Gunton as this Committee, Mr. Gunton being Secretary. A letter we have received from Mr. To those who have already responded Ramage, the Secretary of the Institution, to the appeal with a kindness which will says "It may perhaps add weight to not be forgotten, the members of the this appeal to be informed that, owing Organ Committee beg to offer their to the limited condition of the Fund sincere and hearty thanks, while inthe Committee have been compelled to dulging in the hope that others may discontinue the usual grants to the follow their generous examples, and by following societies, viz. :- -Blackburn, their contributions add to a fund whose Clayton-le-Moors, Embsay, Melbourne, growth is slower than its advocates could Ramsbottom: also an application from wish. The subscriptions already rethe society at Leicester. The discon- ceived amount to £65, but at the tinuance of such grants at the present present rate of progression some years time will no doubt be severely felt by the societies named: and it would greatly rejoice the Committee to be placed in a position to renew at an early period the aid it has been accustomed to render." The consequences of the withdrawal of these grants is much too mildly stated by the Secretary. The ministers who are aided by the fund are sadly underpaid with all the assistance they receive, and the withdrawal of the small sums which have been granted to them, and on which they have doubtless relied, ought not to be entertained. Surely there is wealth enough and interest enough in this important institution to prevent so disastrous a retrogression. The sum required to keep up the assistance hitherto granted is not larger than is often contributed to such purposes by individuals of moderate means in other religious communities. Surely the entire Church is both able and willing to render the needful assistance, to enable the Committee not only to continue the grants they have already made, but to extend them to other societies, where this assistance is much needed. must elapse before a sufficient sum is obtained, and in the interim it will be a constant matter of regret to the Society that its services cannot more worthily represent the truths of which they are the exponent. It is almost unnecessary to say that any contributions, however small, will be most gratefully received, and may be addressed either to the Treasurer of the Society, or to Miss Bateman, 32 Compton Terrace, Highbury, London, N. BIRMINGHAM. It is perhaps not generally known to the readers of the Intellectual Repository, that the first building erected in the natural world for the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only God of heaven and earth, is the place called Zion Chapel, now occupied by the Baptist congregation meeting in Newhall Street, Birmingham. It was originally built by a private gentleman whose subsequent misfortunes appear to have necessitated its sale. The Baptists obtained it by purchase about fifty years ago. The seats are circular, and there is a gallery at one end, but none at the sides. When used as a New Church it had three pulpits, only one of which now remains. An interesting circumstance recently occurred in connection with this place of worship. The present minister, who is a worthy and liberallyminded man, asked Mr. R. R. Rogers, NEW CHURCH COLLEGE CHAPEL, the minister of the New Church Society DEVONSHIRE STREET, ISLINGTON. in Summer Lane, to preach the afterSome time ago this Society ventured to appeal to the generosity of the Church at large on behalf of a fund which had recently been instituted. This fund had for its object the realization of a sum sufficient to purchase an organ, suitable TORONTO, CANADA.-The Rev. George Field of Richmond, Indiana, U.S., has accepted a call from the Toronto society of the New Jerusalem Church, and is expected to assume his new pastoral charge about the middle of October. noon sermon on the occasion of their Sunday School anniversary on October 22nd. Mr. Rogers rejoiced that it was within his power to accept the invitation, and, in fulfilling it, he delivered an excellent discourse from Mark ix. 38-40. At the close of the sermon, the Baptist minister referred to the past history of the place, remarking that it was fifty years since any minister of the New Church had preached there, and that he was sure the congregation had listened with great pleasure. HORNCASTLE.-The foundation-stone of the church about to be erected here was laid by R. Gunton, Esq., at 4 P. M. on 16th September. On the previous day (Sunday) services were held in the Corn Exchange, and sermons delivered by Mr. Gunton to attentive audiences, on the subject of the Lord washing the disciples' feet, and on the parable of the sheep and the goats. On laying the stone, Mr. Gunton gave a brief address on the nature of the New Jerusalem spoken of in the Revelation. Mr. T. W. Bogg of Louth and Mr. E. J. Moore of Gainsborough also made a few observations. A tea-meeting was held in the Corn Exchange after the ceremony. church meeting was then held to consider and adopt rules and regulations for the society, and to appoint trustees. The rules adopted are based to a great extent on those of the South London Society. In the evening, Mr. Gunton delivered a lecture on the importance of spiritual riches. The church, although small, will be an ornament to the town and a credit to the society. Mr. Gosling of London is the architect. It is expected that it will be ready for consecration early in December. A In connection with this effort the following appeal to the Church for contributions in aid of their building fund has been made, and to which we gladly call the attention of our readers: The Society at Horncastle having been formed by means of missionary labours, introduced into the town by Mr. E. J. Moore, in the year 1869, and having been since sustained by the same agency, with Mr. Stuart Bogg as their leader, now feel the want of a place in which to worship, to carry on their Sunday School, and to hold their social meetings. They have therefore resolved upon the construction of such a building, the cost of which they estimate will be-exclusive of the freehold ground, which has been given by Mr. Wm. Hall, one of the resident members-about £350. Towards this sum they have already promised, nearly £100, and they trust that their humble efforts will be aided by very many members of the Church, in however small a degree. No suitable room could be found in the town, and without this effort the public worship of the Lord under the banner of the New Church must have been given up. The services have been, and still are, held in Mr. Hall's house. The family of Mrs. Bogg of Louth, a name so well known, and so much respected in the Church, are all aiding in this endeavour, and the Society has appointed the Treasurer of Conference, Mr. R. Gunton, to solicit and receive contributions on its behalf. This will be the first house of worship constructed for the worship of the Lord Jesus as the only God in the county of Lincoln, and we trust that the effort will be crowned with abundant success. -Signed on behalf of the Society, WM. HALL, Treasurer; EDWIN DAWSON, Secretary.” KERSLEY.-The Farnworth Observer of October 12th gives a lengthened report of a public tea meeting at the New Jerusalem Church, Kersley, from which we take the following abridged account. The object of the meeting was to afford the friends and members of the congregation the opportunity of meeting the Rev. Mr. Madeley, of Birmingham, on the occasion of his visit to preach the School sermons. After tea the chair was occupied by the Rev. Woodville Woodman, pastor of the church, and a number of addresses were delivered on “The religious aspects of the times, and their bearings on the future prosperity of the doctrines they heid.” In his opening remarks the Chairman offered a brief description of the condition of the civilized world at the time of the introduction of Christianity, many of its features, allowing for the change in the respective circumstances, bearing a strong resemblance to those of the general religious aspects of the present day. It had, for instance, not unfrequently been a matter of surprise that doctrines which they believed were destined to revolutionize the general tone of religious thought should have attracted so little attention among the general public; and some were disposed to regard their progress as being slow. This however was not surprising, when it was known that during the first three centuries of Christianity not more than ten or twelve references to it are found among the pagan writers of ancient Rome, and these in terms of disapproval and censure. And yet during the whole of this period the Christian Church was secretly and silently making its way, till at length it became the dominant religion of the civilized world. A second parallel was that there never existed so many different religions as were then current in pagan Rome. The philosophies of Greece, which in some sense were religious, and the religions of the East imported from Egypt and India, were found side by side with extensive infidelity; in the midst of these discordant elements Christianity was silently leavening the sentiments of the great body of the people. The Chairman proceeded to point out some of the elements which gave this new faith so great power. It brought life and immortality to light. The pagan idea of the soul was both obscure and unsatisfactory. It was a question whether it would survive the dissolution of the body, whilst the nature of that life, even where believed, rested on vague conjecture. The certainty and prominence of the soul's immortality, on which Christian teachers insisted, found an echo in the minds of those whom the refined philosophy of the civilization of that day failed to reach. It consoled the distressed, ennobled the slave, and elevated all classes to a higher platform. In addition to these sources of power, not the least was the self-sacrificing zeal, the complete self-abnegation of the Christian converts in their untiring acts of mercy towards every form of ill to which flesh is heir.' Subsequent addresses were delivered by Rev. J. Hyde, Mr. Deans, Rev. W. Westall, and Rev. Mr. Madeley. Since that date, everything had assumed a new phase. Religious life had sprung into new activity; education had become all but universal; the cruel sports then common had been abolished; the Bible and other religious societies had been established; new books now issued from the press in ten-fold numbers, to say nothing of the railway and electric telegraph, with improvements numerous to mention; and he argued that such a concurrence of forces both moral and physical portended some mighty change, in which those who had made themselves acquainted with the views they advocated might trace a new current setting in in their favour." too MISSIONARY VISIT TO LEEDS AND BRADFORD.--These societies have been recently visited by the Rev. R. Storry, who delivered a course of three lectures in Leeds, and two in Bradford. The services at Leeds were on the 13th and 14th of October-the Sunday succeeding the Church Congress, which was this year held in this town. The season seemed favourable for discussing some questions connected with the general doctrine of the Church. The first discourse, therefore, was on "The Church— what is it, and how may we distinguish it?" the second was on "The HEAD of the Church," and the third, on 'The New Heavens and the New Earth." The attendance at the first discourse was thin; at the two succeeding discourses the attendance was good. 66 The Society at this place, like many others in the kingdom, is at present struggling under great difficulties. Its members have for many years been labouring to attain a position in which they could have the services of an efficient and useful minister. The field of Mr. Madeley, after acknowledging the labour is most inviting and seems white kind expression of the meeting, proceeded for the harvest. None of the members to refer to the great changes that were are in affluent worldly circumstances, constantly succeeding each other, and but all seem willing to aid as they are which had been ushered in since 1757, able this good work. when, according to Swedenborg, the however, are not equal to the wants of great crisis of the judgment occurred in an efficient minister, and unhappily the spiritual world. Before that period none of our public institutions seem in the grossest ignorance prevailed; com- a condition to render them the aid they paratively few were acquainted with the need. The circumstances however of inost elementary parts of education; societies situated like the one in Leeds religion had fallen into a complete are well deserving the serious and torpor; not a hundred new publications thoughtful attention of the Church. issued annually from the press; the Surrounded by a large and active popusports of the people were barbarous, &c. lation, and possessed of a commodious Their means, place of worship, all the external requirements for the building up of the Church and extended Christian usefulness are provided. The result also of previous services has been to create an interest in many minds in the truths of the Church. And these results have been extended and intensified by the earnest and active labours of the colporteurs. The evidence of this growing interest is seen in the constant attend ance of persons at the special services which are instituted, many of whom might reasonably be expected to join the congregation, that would in all likelihood be collected under the services of a suitable minister. From Leeds Mr. Storry proceeded to Bradford, where two lectures were announced, one on the evening of 16th and the other on the 17th of October. The subjects of the lectures were "The New Heaven and the New Earth-How are we to look for them!" and "The Rock on which the Church is built, and the Power of the Keys." The services were announced by placard and by advertisements in the papers, and the attendance completely filled the room. To those who, like the lecturer, have long been familiar with the societies of the New Church in the West Riding, the attendance at these lectures was extremely interesting. There were many strangers present, some of whom expressed a warm approbation of the doctrines unfolded." But there were also many who have been for some years past gradually making their way into the Church and others who have long borne the heat and burden of the day. The audiences were a marked evidence of the growing interest which is felt in this part of the kingdom in the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem. Many persons had come some distance to be present, and all seemed to be warmly interested in the services. Here, as at Leeds, the time is approaching when the services of a settled minister must, if possible, be secured. Some of the members are rising to this conviction, and are disposed to do their utmost to further the end to which they are look ing. The subject is also engaging the attention of the Committee of the Colportage Association. Some steps have been taken in connection with it, and a few of the members have offered liberal assistance. We hope, therefore, that either in the form of settled ministers to each of these societies, or of one minister to both, or to the several societies in their immediate locality, this desirable arrangement will be ere long effected. LIVERPOOL.-We are informed by the secretary of this Society that the article which appeared in our last month's issue in reference to the Society, and which was sent us by a correspondent, is not quite accurate. The particulars relating to the Society will appear in the Society's Report. MANCHESTER MISSIONARY INSTITU TION. The Quarterly Arrangement of this Institution contains the usual arrangement of Sunday services in the district around Manchester, and notices of special services in the societies. Among the notices is one which is specially noted, and which appears as an advertisement on the wrapper of our present number. It is a notice of change in the character of the Quarterly Arrangement so long published by the Society. Hitherto it has been printed at the expense of the Committee, and circulated gratuitously among the societies. In future it is proposed to publish this " Arrangement" in connection with a quarterly Record of missionary operations. Advantage will be taken of this mode of publication to discuss subjects bearing on missionary work, and to interest the readers in increased efforts to promote the extended usefulness of the Society. The charge, one penny, will be sufficiently low to bring it within the reach of all; and we trust that all our Lancashire societies, and especially those who have been fostered and aided by this institution, will unite their efforts to extend its circulation and further the purpose for which it is established. SALISBURY. -The Society here has been much cheered and refreshed by the welcome visit of a former member, Mr. F. Skelton, now of the Camberwell Society, who, on Sunday, October 13th, delivered at their place of worship two admirable discourses. That given in the morning was on "The Ascension of Elijah," 2 Kings ii. 9-11; the evening's subject was "The glorious Appearance of the Son of Man to John," Rev. i. 12-16. There were good congregations at each |