views of truth surpassing those of his contemporaries, and, indeed, worthy of consideration. Speaking of the Jews, as depositaries of the Word, in which their rejection of the Lord is foretold, he says :— "This is why the prophecies have a spiritual sense, to which this people were inimical, concealed under a carnal sense, which they loved. If the spiritual sense had been disclosed to them, they were not capable of loving it; and not being able to bear it, they would not have had so much zeal for the preservation of their books and their ceremonies. * * * "This spiritual sense is covered by another, in a vast number of places, and uncovered in some,-rarely, indeed, but nevertheless in such a manner, that the places where it is concealed are equivocal, and agree with both [senses]: whereas the places where it is disclosed are unequivocal, and agree only with the spiritual sense. "This, therefore, cannot lead into error, for none but a people as carnal as those, [the Jews,] could be mistaken in it. For when goods in abundance are promised, what could hinder them from understanding genuine goods, except their cupidity, which determined the sense to earthly goods? * * * * "To see clearly that the Old Testament is only figurative, and that by temporal blessings the prophets understood other blessings, it is only necessary to observe, in the first place, that it would be unworthy of God to call men only to the enjoyment of temporal felicities: secondly, that the language of the prophets plainly set forth the promise of temporal blessings, and that nevertheless, they say that their language is obscure, that their meaning is not that which they openly express, and that it will not be understood till the end of the times. Finally, it must be remarked that their language is contradictory, and destroys itself, if one should think that they meant by the words law and sacrifice, no other than the law and sacrifices of Moses." * * * * * "When the Word of God (which is true) is literally false, it is spiritually true. [When it says of the Lord] Sit thou on my right hand, this is false, literally speaking; it is true, spiritually. In these expressions, it is spoken of God after the manner of men and this signifies nothing else than that such as is the intention which men have in making one sit at the right hand, such is that of God. It is therefore a mark of the intention of God, and not of his manner of executing it." "When David predicts that the Messiah should deliver his people from their enemies, one might carnally suppose that the Egyptians were meant." "But one may well believe that it was their iniquities which were meant. For, in truth, the Egyptians are not enemies; but iniquities are. This word enemies, then, is equivocal. But if he tells men, as he does, that he will deliver them from their sins, as is also said in Isaiah, and elsewhere, the equivocal meaning is taken away; and the double sense of enemies is reduced to the simple sense of iniquities. For if he had sins in mind, he might well denote them by enemies; but if he thought of enemies, he could not designate them by iniquities." * * * But in Jesus Christ all the * "The single object of the Scripture is charity. Whatever does not go directly to this end, is a figure of it; for since there is but one end, whatever does not tend towards it, in direct language, is a figure" [of it]. These quotations from Pascal are detached paragraphs selected from among a variety of others of the same character, between which there is very little or no connection, they being mere fragments of thought penned down, with a view to the preparation of a work on the defence and evidences of the Christian religion, which he did not live to accomplish. D. H. H. SWEDENBORG ASSOCIATION. THIS institution is prosecuting its labours with indefatigable zeal. It would do more were its hands more vigorously strengthened by the aid it deserves. That it is eminently worthy of assistance by all the true friends of human improvement, its eminent uses declare. That the mind, in order to be rightly constituted, should be placed in a proper position as to science and philosophy, as well as to theology, must be admitted by all. But does the manner in which science and philosophy are regarded at the present time, place the mind in that position? Certainly not;-these provinces are separated from theology,—the natural is regarded as at an immeasurable distance from the spiritual, or as having no connection with it; and so long as this is the case, it is impossible for the natural and rational degrees of the mind to be brought into a proper state of order, and of genuine intelligence and wisdom. To corroborate and illustrate this remark, we would especially refer to the two admirable lectures on the "Connexion between Theology Psychology, and Physiology," in the last "New Church Quarterly Review," by the Rev. Augustus Clissold, M.A., President of the Swedenborg Association. Let it for a moment be seen what confusion there is in the world of science in its relation to a higher sphere of spiritual light and intelligence, and the uses and claims of this institution become strikingly obvious. When, likewise, we consider the lecture, "SCIENCE FOR ALL," delivered by Mr. Wilkinson, March the 25th, before the same body, the extensive and salutary uses of the institution are deeply impressed upon our. attention.* These lectures should be read by all who desire to see science and philosophy placed upon their proper basis,-the acknowledgment of the DIVINE HUMANITY as the foundation of all philosophy as well as of theology, and the fountain of all intelligence and wisdom to the human mind. * The lecture by Mr. Wikinson is not published in the "New Quarterly," but may be had from Newbery, 6, King-street, Holborn, London. The Association has lately published several works, which we desire to bring under the notice of our readers. Two parts, consisting, together, of ninety-six pages, entitled "Posthumous Tracts, by E. Swedenborg," have been translated by Mr. Wilkinson, and may be had at a small cost. These tracts contain, for the most part, propositions of physiological and psycological principles, which, however, by a brief analysis and explanation, are clearly elucidated, and present multum in parvo, —a great amount of condensed, clear thought, in a small compass. We have not space to adduce these propositions, containing principles of such weight and intelligence, but we are certain that when the reader once beholds them, he will not remain satisfied until he has read them; especially when he considers that physiology and psychology are sciences so intimately connected with genuine theology, that the latter cannot be clearly and rationally comprehended without the former. Hence it was, that Swedenborg himself was so thoroughly led through all the provinces of physiology (as is abundantly evident from his great works on the " Animal Kingdom and its Economy," &c.), before he could be fully prepared to contemplate the Lord in his Divine Humanity, and the relations which the universe, and especially man, sustain to Him. The disciple is not above his master; it is also requisite that all the intelligent members of the New Church, and especially those who teach, should be conducted through the same field of intelligence, that they may be better enabled, as more suitable instruments in the Lord's hand, to conduct their hearers and readers to the paradise of spiritual wisdom. Besides these "Posthumous Tracts," the Association has recently published, in the same handsome form, two important works,—one entitled "Outlines of a Philosophical Argument on the Infinite, and the Final Cause of Creation; and on the Intercourse between the Soul and the Body," translated from the Latin of Swedenborg, by Mr. Wilkinson, pp. 160; and the other contains "Specimens of a Work on the Principles of Chemistry," with other treatises, especially one on "A New Method of finding the Longitude, by Lunar Observations." This work, treating on a great variety of subjects, is ably translated by Mr. C. E. Strutt, pp. 253. These works are accompanied with copious indexes, so extremely useful in enabling the reader to refer to any point, and to take a number of particulars relating to the same subject at once under his view; which, we all know, very greatly assists the judgment in forming just and accurate conclusions. In our next we trust we shall be enabled to give some analytical account of these works; in the mean time, we would recommend our readers to procure them, and we would express our acknowledgments to the Association, and especially to the learned translators, who have so ably accomplished their task. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION BUILDING FUND. institutions of the church in this the dawn of its existence-humble and apparently unmeaning, but big with joyful, hopeful promise. In the April number of this Magazine for last year appeared the prospectus issued by the committee of the Sunday School Union, detailing a plan for the collection and employment of the above fund, of which we would recommend to our readers a re-perusal. Since that time it has been brought under consideration and adopted by the annual assembly of the Union, held at Haslingden, and its principles have been more fully discussed and matured by the committee appointed for that purpose. There are some features in connection with this movement which have attracted our attention, and, as we conceive, peculiarly recommend it to the notice of the church. From the truly spiritual character of the New Dispensation, we should not, as is too generally the case, be over anxious for its external embodiment amongst men. The apparent slowness of its growth is rather cause for rejoicing than regret, since the general symptoms manifested in the world at large, indicate the gradual preparation of men's souls, the progress of that internal spiritual elevation which will at length give form and goodly proportions to the visible church of the Lord. We live in the spring-morning of promise, when the earth is gladdened by the feeble but strengthening rays of the rising sun, when the birds of heaven are pouring forth their early strains of joy and gladness, and mankind are slowly waking from a long and gloomy night of mental lethargy to the sweet and cheerful labours of duty loved, of uses understood. At such a time we look not for fruit mature, but for plenteous blossom whence it may come forth; we seek not the yellow ripened corn, but the green blade just peering from the earth; and we love to watch their growth, and tenderly foster them to maturity. So should it be with all the Poor and feeble as may be our exertions, in laying the substratum of the foundations of that holy city which is to endure for ever, they are yet not unimportant, but essential, under the Divine Providence, for its future development. Our object should be ever to work by the truth, to form our projects and modes of operation upon the safe principles of disinterested love, and to invest our ideas of use, as far as possible, with the character of perpetuity, rather than with a view to present results. The plan before us seems to us to combine most of these essentials. It is no Utopian scheme for extending the boundaries of the church, but an humble yet generous effort to form the nucleus of a fund which, in its prescribed mode of employment, may effect beneficial results of which at present we can form no conception. Let us suppose a hundred pounds raised, and lent to some needy society, enabling them to worship the Lord Jesus Christ in a building consecrated to himself, and to extend a true knowledge of His attributes and of His will in reference to man,-the fund is not in this way diminished, but employed,-it is a talent taken from the earth and sent upon the Lord's service, to return again with increase for still more extended use. Besides which, this loan is free from every tincture of selfishness, it is lent to aid societies in building schools, and no return is asked beyond the bare principal advanced; the various claims of the money-lender are entirely foregone; it is lent without interest, to be returned by easy payments of one-tenth per annum. How bright will be the prospective picture to the generous contributor to such a fund, when he reflects that the money thus deposited will at once com mence an active career of usefulness, and when the things of time have passed from him for ever, it will still be employed in promoting the means by which heaven and earth can be brought into more intimate conjunction with each other. A little can be accomplished now, but the little will become much, when the poor and imperfect knowledge which now prevails so narrowly respecting the Divine Being, shall have so increased as to cover the earth even as the waters cover the sea. We have been led to make these remarks from the successful issue of a meeting held on Good Friday last, in the Church, Peter-street, Manchester, for the purpose of promoting this fund. Upwards of 300 friends took tea in the school-room adjoining, and the company afterwards assembled in the church, where a platform was erected for the occasion, and from which the various speakers addressed the meeting. The Rev. J. H. Smithson presided, and after a few preliminary observations, introduced the secretary of the Union, Mr. Potts, who read over the rules and regulations adopted by the committee, together with their report, and afterwards announced that the trustees appointed at the Union Meeting-Messrs. Nuttall, Broadfield, and Bowdley, had generously given ten pounds each as a commencement for the fund. The meeting was afterwards addressed by the Revds. Noble, Howarth, Rendall, Bayley, and Edlestone, many useful suggestions being thrown out, and a variety of explanations given, which served to place the subject in a clearer light before the meeting. A collection was afterwards made, which realised upwards of £14., and this, with a small profit on the tea, has enabled the committee to pay over to the treasurer of the trustees the sum of £16., in all £46. School-room, High Friar-street, when about 130 of the members and friends partook of tea, which was succeeded by an excellent desert. After tea, Mr. H. Lyne (leader of the society) was called on to preside, and having stated the object of the meeting, read the account of "The Transfiguration," on which seven resolutions were then grounded, viz. :1st. On the Divinity of Christ. 2nd. On the Trinity as centred in Him. 3rd. On the Essentials of the Church in ManCharity, Faith, and Obedience. 4th. The Resurrection and Future State. 5th. The Second Advent of the Lord. 6th. The clear and rational character of the Divine Word. 7th. The practical nature of the Doctrines of the New Church, as tending to make man a virtuous, wise, and happy being. The first resolution was supported in an able manner by the Rev. T. Goyder, of Chalford, and the others were spoken to, in their order, by several members of the society, the addresses being interspersed by sacred music. On the whole, the evening was spent in an intellectual, harmonious, and agreeable manner, until about half-past ten; when the meeting was closed by the chairman repeating the Lord's Prayer." In addition to the above, it may be stated that Mr. Goyder preached twice on Easter Sunday to numerous audiences, administering the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to about 30 members of the society in the morning; previous to which Mr. Goyder discoursed on The Lord's Resurrection," and in the evening "On Heaven and Hell-the state of their inhabitants not a subject of doubt, but of clear Revelation." On Easter Monday he delivered a lecture "On the Divinity and Sanctity of the Word of God."—An excellent meeting of the members was held on Wednesday evening, the subject for conversation being "The true Nature and Use of Prayer;" in addition to this Mr. Goyder was actively employed every evening during the week in the social circle, and on Sunday, April 11th, the society was again edified by him; in the morning by a discourse "On Belshazzar's Feast,' &c.; and in the evening, ❝ On the Crystal River and the Tree of Life." On the Monday evening another converFrom the Newcastle Guardian of April 10. sational meeting was held, when “The We heartily wish the Union success in this excellent undertaking, and trust that our friends whom Providence has blessed with the means, will warmly second its exertions in the performance of uses so important. ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEWCASTLE SOCIETY. "The anniversary meeting of the New Jerusalem Church in this town, was held on the evening of Good Friday, in the uses and employment of Angels", was the theme; and perhaps we may presume that those uses in which the society and their visitor have been engaged, are of a |