the morning was "The Pool of Bethesda," John v. 8, 9; in the evening, "Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth,' Jer. ix. 3. The services were well attended, and all were highly delighted with their clear elucidation of the doctrines of the New Church, and with the zeal and energy with which they were delivered.

On Tuesday evening, a lecture was delivered in the Sailor's Institute, to upwards of 250 persons, on the subject, "Will this Beautiful World ever be Destroyed?" All who were present appeared to be highly delighted with the manner and spirit in which the subject was treated, and the clear Scriptural truth that this world was not created for destruction, but to be a seminary for heaven.

On Wednesday, April 28, the anniversary tea-meeting was held, when 90 persons sat down to tea. The leader of the society, Mr. Best, presided over the meeting, and addresses were delivered by Messrs. Henshall, Hersberg of Grimsby, Needler, Potchett, and Presland. Mr. Henshall, from being a local preacher among the Wesleyans, had been driven by the irrational doctrines of popular Christianity into the ranks of the secularists. The reading of Swedenborg's "Heaven and Hell" led him to see that there was a future state, and after some inquiry he was induced to read Swedenborg's "True Christian Religion and Divine Providence," which ended in his reception of the doctrines of the New Church. He made a very interesting address, showing the beauty of the doctrines as a bed on which a man can stretch himself, and a covering in which he can wrap himself. He was especially interested in the "Science of Correspondence," by which a man can dig and find hidden treasures in the Word of God. Mr. Hersberg remarked on the slow but sure progress of the Church at Grimsby; after which, Mr. Presland gave an interesting address. During the evening several pieces of music were sung by the choir, which greatly enlivened the meeting.

ISLINGTON. The annual meeting of the Devonshire Street Society was held on the 18th May. From the report of the year's proceedings which, was laid before the members, we extract the following items of intelligence. The increased accommodation afforded by the

new chapel, while it had not been taken advantage of to the extent anticipated, was satisfactory in that it was in advance of the former building. Five new members have been added, and six children and one adult baptized. During the year, in addition to Dr. Goyder and Mr. Bateman, the Society has had the pleasure of hearing sermons from the Rev. O. P. Hiller, Dr. R. Tafel, and Messrs. Gunton, Goldsack, Moss, Presland, and Reed, to its great advantage. Dr. Goyder in the early part of the year delivered a course of interesting lectures upon "The Spiritual Creation of Man. Lectures upon week evenings have been delivered by Mr. D. J. Smithson: subject, "The Eminent Characters of the Eighteenth Century;" Mr. Taylor, "Heads and Faces," "The Science of Pictures and Art," and "The Manifestation of the Lord in all Ages;" and Mr. H. N. Barnes, "The Mission of Swedenborg. The junior members have held their quarterly social meetings. The reading meetings have failed to attract an average attendance as compared with the previous year. A singing class, established in February, has hitherto proved very successful, and a performance of a considerable portion of Handel's Messiah," in aid of the Benevolent Fund, on May 31, was marked with an efficiency which promises well for future efforts.

SOUTHPORT.-On Monday evening, the 24th of May, the first tea meeting in connection with this Society took place in the small meeting-room, in Chapel Street, in commemoration of the commencement of this Society and the opening of the room for public worship, which took place on the 17th of May 1868. Tea was served to fortythree persons, the number being afterwards increased to fifty. The Rev. W. Woodman was called to the chair. The report for the year, which was read by the sec: e ary, Mr. J. Smith, showed the Society to be in a prosperous condition. The financial part of the report is not less cheering. After the report the chairman addressed the meeting, impressing on his hearers that to become a useful society we must be a united band of workers, and then with the Lord's help we should build up the church in ourselves, and also become a blessing to those around us. The meeting was also addressed by Mr. R.

Goldsack, of Liverpool, and Mr. Adam Haworth, of Manchester. The choir rendered a selection of music during the evening in a very satisfactory manner.

GENERAL CONFERENCE.-The Derby friends solicit from the Secretaries of the New Church Societies as early information as possible respecting the number and names of the representatives appointed to attend the ensuing Conference. A programme of the proposed arrangements will appear in our next number. Communications should be addressed to Mr. Ward, South Hill Villa, Derby.

Marriages.

May 27.-At the New Jerusalem Church, Heywood, by the Rev. R. Storry, Mr. Joseph Berry to Miss Eleanor Cresswell Smith, eldest daughter of Mr. Elijah Smith, all of Oldham.

At the New Jerusalem Temple, Bolton Street, Salford, June 16, by Mr. Thomas Mackereth, F. R. A. S., Mr. Alfred Brammall, of Hadfield, near Glossop, to Emma, youngest daughter of John Monks, Esq., of Temple Lodge, Swinton, near Manchester.

Obituary.

On the 8th of May, at St. Heliers, Jersey, Abraham Jones le Cras, Esq., in the 71st year of his age. Mr. le Cras has been a receiver of the heavenly doctrines upwards of forty-five years. His attention was first directed to them by Captain Gomm, who introduced the doctrines into the island. Though holding opinions regarded by the members of the New Church generally as peculiar, he never separated himself from the Church, but laboured with zeal to promote its establishment.

He

was a man of superior intelligence and literary habits. He was an occasional contributor to the Magazine and other New Church periodicals, and, whenever his services were required, he cheerfully aided in conducting the public worship of the Church. His life was largely devoted to the improvement of the social and political condition of the island on which he resided. His political opponents admit that in the reform he sought to accomplish he was influenced by the most upright motives, and that some of the changes he initiated are measures of public utility, by which he acquired indefeasible claims

on public gratitude. In the course of his life he has published several works, chiefly bearing on the laws and institu tions of the island. He has also compiled a large amount of manuscripts, both of a secular and religious character. He was a diligent and devout student of the Holy Word, devoting in the summer months two or three hours every morning to this favourite study. In private life he was affectionate, cheerful, and hospitable. He had experienced severe domestic afflictions. His children were removed to the spiri tual world in early life, and his amiable and excellent wife preceded him to this final home. On the tomb which enclosed the earthly remains of these loved ones he placed an inscription calling attention to the writings of Swedenborg as the great teacher whose expositions of the Word had afforded assurance and hope to the departed— thus making the tomb the means of directing attention to the messenger of the Second Advent. Mr. le Cras has suffered for several months from severe attacks of bronchitis, by which he has now been removed to his final home.

On the 10th of May, at Lewisham, Kent, Mr. Mabbott, after a rather long and painful illness, was removed to the spiritual world, in the 61st year of his age. Though he had been ill so long he did not expect his departure was so near at hand, for on the Wednesday previous he expressed his intention of going to church on the Sunday evening, weather permitting. The weather not being favourable, his non-appearance created no surprise. He was taken somewhat worse during Sunday night, and on Monday at 10 A.M. took his departure for that land where there is

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no more death," saying, "Let me go, the day is breaking," being the first line of a poem entitled, "The Dying Christian's Adieu," and which he was very fond of singing. Mr. Mabbott was, as far as we know, the first receiver of the New Church doctrines in Deptford.

May 17, 1869, of disease of the heart (from which he had been suffering for the last two years), Edward Jones, aged 55. He had been an active member of the Birmingham (Summer Lane) Society for nearly thirty years, and was both a teacher and superintendent of the boys' Sunday school for a number of years during the early portion of his connection with the Society.