Medica we understand medical science in general, with its manifold relations to human pathology, the subject is one of vast extent and importance. “In undertaking, therefore, the delivery of the lectures during the past year, in the Theatre of the College, it was my wish to consider the subject somewhat in this light, and to examine certain principles and laws which the animal economy presents to our observation, and by the operation of which it is constantly preserved and perpetuated. "The views which I have advanced on some very important points, differ materially from those generally received. They claim no value on the mere ground of novelty; but as the mature conviction of many years' professional practice, based upon extensive observation and careful research, they are, I trust, not unworthy of the present state of medical science. With this hope I submit them to the impartial judgment of the reader."-Preface. Dr. Cumming's Genesis and Geology Examined.-A Letter addressed to the Rev. John Cumming, D.D., in Reply to his Lecture, delivered before the Church of England's Young Men's Society, January 19th, 1852. By EDWARD MADELEY, jun.. London: Hodson. The occasion of this interesting letter is thus described in the title. It is well known that geology has opened new ground for the theologian. The Old Church theology is ill at ease with geological facts; orthodoxy is beginning to think that its doxy. its opinion, is not so orthos-right, as it was wont to be considered. Accordingly, of late years, many orthodox theologians have veered round and adopted new ideas as to the interpretation of Genesis. Dr. Cumming is thus tacking about with the times, and endeavouring to sail in accordance with indisputable geological facts. In many of his statements and reasonings, however, he is inconsequential, and even inconsistent with himself. Mr. Madeley reminds him of this by convincing arguments, and shews him that there can be no consistency but in a right system of interpretation, which is that of the spiritual sense according to correspondences In the course of the argument Mr. Madeley teaches Dr. Cumming some important truths, tending to shew that the Word of God, in all its teachings, primarily regards the soul, and that as the soul is spiritual, consequently the Word must (as the apostle says) "be spiritually discerned." The following extract is peculiarly instructive :— Man has undoubtedly two natures, quite distinct from each other. The one appeals for its life and pleasures to heaven, and the other appeals for its life and ple sures to earth. Earth and heaven are not more distinct than are these two faculties in the soul of man, created to be exercised upon them. This duplex nature of man, you will ecollect, is frequently spoken of both in the Gospels and the Epistles, and it would be useless for me to cite the instances. Now by that symbolic law by which we have said we believe the Bible to be written, these two faculties or natures in man are described by the two worlds with which he is connected. The statement, therefore, that, "in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth," contains a declaration that man, when originally created, was, as now, distinguished by the possession of an internal and external nature-of a nature to be called into full exercise by the things around him, and of one to be called into full activity only by the events, the things, and the circumstances of that better world above him, to which it was designed by his beneficent Creator, after death he should be removed. But from this duplex and perfect state, man fell by sin. His heaven, connecting him with his spiritual destiny, became closed to his view; his thoughts, turned, like his eye, to the earth, were incapable of perceiving or appreciating the feelings and desires that should have animated his inner and higher nature, and the golden chain of connection being broken, his earth became "without form and void," "-a desolate, and empty, and confused world. Truth and the love of truth was banished from his mind, and the desolating waters of falsehood"the floods of evil men,"-swept away every living form-all that could again unite him to his God. And is not this a true description of the state of the unregenerate man by nature? Can we describe it more aptly, even if we quit the figurative and enter the metaphysical style of expression? Yet even in this state, when man forsook his Maker, his Maker forsook not him; for his spirit brooded over man's soul, as a hen broodeth over her young, that He might again introduce new and spiritual life into his sin-destroyed world, just as our Lord Himself declared he had brooded over Jerusalem." AN APPEAL TO THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. To the Editor. : SIR,-Allow me, through the medium of your pages, to draw the attention of the London Missionary and Tract Society to the vast extent of barren, and I may add, hitherto unexplored territory, comprising the counties of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire. It appears to me that here is an extensive sphere for spiritual effort, for "the fields are white already to harvest," and it is strange that while your Repository teems with reports of missionary lectures and controversies in various parts of the country, not one of these gifted individuals has, to my knowledge, with the exception of Mr. Woodman's visit to Aylesbury some time since, found their way into these benighted regions. The town in which I write is infested with the fiery flying serpents, the fatal delusions of Antinomianism here are four Baptist chapels, all of which teach this cruel creed, and some to the extreme. The church we may consider harmless, being neither yea nor nay. It occurs to me that there may be much good done by the delivery of a few lectures on the leading doctrines taught by the New Church both here and at Chesham, a few miles distant. In this place there is a roomy hall, which may be hired at any time, and there are two at Chesham. I think one might also be obtained at Dunstable, and at Luton, Bedfordshire. I am not without the impression that the missionary will have much to contend with in this frigid desert, but he has Truth, incontestible Truth, the Lord of Hosts on his side. I should think some active, competent minds in the New Church would find much pleasure, if solicited, in taking the initiative, for we are sadly in want of a few rays of spiritual light from Him who is the An interesting circumstance has come to our knowledge respecting this useful publication, some time since prepared, as our readers may remember, from the Rev. Wm. Hill's "Prayers," by the Rev. W. Mason. A lady has lately been led to turn her attention to the doctrines of the New Church, and to attend the New Church worship, who for many years attended the Methodists. She was surprised to find that her favourite "Manual of Piety" was a New Church publication. This little work had been her devotional companion for fourteen years, and the form of self-examination at the end of it had been particularly appreciated. It was given to her by a Methodist minister, who was ignorant of its heterodox origin, with the remark, "If you live according to this book, you will certainly go to heaven." The same minister, and his friends, promoted the use of it also with other members of the Connection, by whom it is very highly esteemed. And this favourable and just estimate may be attributed, we are almost ashamed to say, to the accident, that neither the New Church nor Swedenborg is mentioned in the work. We have heard, on the other hand, that a religious family, who were accustomed to use the "Manual" with entire satisfaction, were induced by a lady who knew its origin, and objected to it on that account solely, to lay it aside, in order to make way for a Church of England book of prayers! We really must press upon the attention of our zealous friends the conduct of the Methodist minister as worthy of their imitation. It was once proposed to the General Conference to recommend this valuable Manual to the special favour of the Church; and the proposal would have been adopted, but that some present thought it inexpedient to recommend any works, lest those not recommended should be regarded as invi diously neglected. But as the Conference has since accepted the gift of the works of the late Rev. Thomas Goyder, and offered them for sale, thus virtually recommending them, there appears no reason why, if this precedent is to be followed, the Manual of Piety should not receive a like deserved testimonial in its favour. It has the additional merit of being sold at such a low price as to be accessible to every member of the Church. ON GRATITUDE. It is a glorious truth, brought out as a primary principle in the man of the New Church, although as old as divine revelation "Do good, hoping for nothing." I am afraid, however, that while this principle is so beautifully laid down, and I hope attended to and acted on among us, the corresponding principle of gratitude for good done does not occupy its full place, seemingly as thought inconsistent with the other. I do not, however, see, but that while the actor ought, as a first religious principle, to shun all thought of merit, or recompense, or gratitude, from the subject of his beneficence, yet that gratitude, in the recipient of such goodness and beneficence, is an equally binding duty. I am particularly led to notice this subject from perusal, in the course of my reading, of the following passage, in No. 520, of the "Materials for Moral Culture," I. R., Feb. 1849. 66 Gratitude," the writer remarks, "being possessed by man in common with the nobler brutes, is declared by divine wisdom to be undeserving of commendation," and refers to Luke vi. 32-6. On looking at this passage, I think it will be clearly seen to be merely an illustration of the primary principle contained in it,-v. 34, "Do good, and lend hoping for nothing again," -and thereby to imitate our Heavenly Father, who is kind even to the unthankful and evil. No one will deny that gratitude to the Divine Being ought to be an ever living principle in our minds. Justice and truth call for it, and condemn ingratitude to Him as infernal. In many parts of the Divine Word, this duty is pointed out; and indeed the great apostacy of the race is shewn to have originated in our departure from the prin ciple-in the non-acknowledgment that life, particularly spiritual life, flows from the Divine mercy and goodness-while every good man will say with the Psalmist, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord." But there are many other instances in the Word of ingratitude to man, as well as to God, being pointed out as enormous evils. In the account of the apostacy of the Israelites, after their signal deliverances by means of Gileon, it is stated that "they remembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side; neither shewed they kindness unto the house of Jerubbaal, (namely, Gideon,) according unto all the goodness that he had shown unto Israel." Judges viii. 34, 35. Another remarkable illustration of the evil of ingratitude to man, we have in the case of David and Nabal. David and his men, when in the wilderness on Saul's persecution, had been very attentive to Nabal and his concerns, and protected them from injury; but afterwards, in a strait, sending to Nabal for a small supply for natural support, was answered churlishly and reproachfully, and had it not been for the timeous confession of his evil by Abigail his wife, he and his house would have been wholly destroyed. But Nabal did not escape punishment for his ungrateful conduct, and for which David, seeing in it the hand of the Divine Being, returned thanks to Him. Thus was Nabal cut off, as a punishment for his ingratitude. I will only further refer to the Lord's parable of the man that, having fallen among thieves, was so much injured, but relieved by the Samaritan. It was not the priest, or the Levite, who turned away, but the good Samaritan who acted the humane and friendly part, that the Lord said was this man's neighbour, and whom he was to love as himself. I take this opportunity to say, that I consider the Intellectual Repository one of the most valuable works in the New Church, and that every member who can afford it will be doing himself a great service by getting and keeping a copy of it. I have it for a good many years, and am now perusing it again with much advantage. I read the numbers on their publication rather hurriedly, as I suppose most of the readers may do, it being principally my object to notice if there be anything new in it. Now I read it the second time with more study and deliberation. I am glad to understand that there are several sets, for some years past, lying undisposed of; and would humbly suggest that every New Church member who has not got a set by him, should embrace the opportunity of presently EDINENSIS. procuring one. FRENCH TRANSLATION OF THE WORKS OF SWEDENBORG. We are requested to state that the following Works of Swedenborg still remain to be printed by M. Boys des Guays, in French :-Arcana Celestia, vols., 9, 10, 15, 16; Index to ditto; Apocalypse Explained (entire); Apocalypse Revealed (entire); True Christian Religion, last volume; Angelic Wisdom, concerning the Divine Providence; Heavenly Doctrine; Conjugal Love; Adversaria-Diary; A General Index to all the Passages of Scripture; A Dictionary of Correspondence; The Bible Translated from the Original TextsHebrew and Greek-according to the version of Swedenborg. LIVERPOOL. It is considered advisable to place upon record in "The Intellectual Repository," all important affairs connected with the intended building for a New Church in this town, that reference may be made to the same hereafter if requisite. The trust deed has been completed by the signing of the same by the following parties:-George Pixton, John Barton Pixton, Andrew Pixton, Richard Bradshaw, Thomas Lea Bradshaw, James Gillaird, Joseph Skeaf, James Bolton, Edmund Swift, John Selby, Alexander Black Craigie, Alfred Tunstall. The deed is at this time in London for the requisite enrolment, which, when done, will complete that part of the business. The estimates of the cost cannot be ascertained until the elevation of the building has been approved of and sanctioned by the Corporation, from whom the land has been leased. This, it is expected, will be completed in a few weeks. The following subscriptions to the building fund were omitted from the former accounts of the progress of affairs connected with this undertak ing :— 66 1 1 0 1 1 0 66 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 66 Mr.Jno. S. Pixton, Manchester £2 20 Mr. Hindmarsh Grundy Mr. Samuel Wilson DEAR SIR,-I wish to call the attention of the Church to an important subject; a subject to which if attention be not soon paid, will at a future period occasion irremediable regret. The Conference have most liberally offered to supply the back numbers of the Intellectual Repository (current series) [see Minutes 120] at the mere nominal price of 4s. per 100, being less than one halfpenny each, that is, less than one-sixth of the publishing price! They are far cheaper than tracts; and as they contain much interesting matter, expressed in popular language, are well adapted for lending or giving away after lectures, &c. Containing as they do the passing history of the Church and its various institutions, no society's library should be without a duplicate copy. Let me, then, urge most strongly on each society the necessity of taking 500 numbers; the cost will be but 20s., and the advantage incalculable. I know by experience, as a visiting missionary, that many societies do not place the Intellectual Repository in their libraries; but this they ought to do for the sake of their successors, who will naturally feel an interest in reading the early history of the Church. I would also suggest to those societies which have free day or Sunday schools connected with them, that a dozen, or even half-a-dozen, of such numbers would be an appropriate and valuable prize to such children as are considered deserving of rewards. If wealthy individuals would order twenty shillings' worth to give away to the poor members, they might by this means diffuse much useful information amongst them. By attending to the above hints, the present accumulation of back numbers would be greatly reduced, and some money thrown into the Conference fund. By way of adding example to precept, I have ordered and distributed 200 of the back numbers; and to promote still further their circulation. I have this day written to our friend Mr. Hodson for 500 This Society has lately brought out a new Tract on the Word and its Sanctity, as a substitute for No. 20 in the series. This is consequently numbered 20. As a tract, it is taken from Swedenborg's beautiful little Treatise on the Word, at the end of the fifth volume of the Apocalypse Explained, in which we may say he has given the cream of what he has elsewhere said on the subject. It is, in our estimation, the most valuable tract yet published, since a true knowledge of the Word lies at the foundation of all spiritual knowledge, even of the Lord himself, since the Lord can only be rightly known as the Word is rightly understood. The subjects in respect to the Word on which this tract treats are as follows:-I. That the Word gives wisdom to Angels, and enlightens Men. II. That the Lord is the Word. III. On the Holiness of the Word; it unites Heaven with the Church. IV. How Divine Truth proceeds from the Lord. V. That in every part of the Word there is a MarriageUnion of the Good and the True. VI. That the Word is Divinely Inspired. VII. The Nature of Influx and Correspondences explained and elucidated by Examples. VIII. That there is a Trine in every Part of the Word,-illustrated by the Precepts of the Decalogue. IX. How the Word conjoins Angels with Men,-illustrated by the subjects of the Animal, the Vegetable, and the Mineral Kingdoms. X. The literal Sense of the Word is the Basis of the Wisdom of Angels. XI. On Successive Order and Simultaneous Order; that they both exist in the Literal Sense of the Word; and that therein also is the Power of Regeneration and Salvation. XII. That without True Doctrine the Word cannot be understood, and that by its Literal Sense all Doctrine is to be confirmed. XIII. That genuine Truth, which should constitute Doctrine, in the Literal Sense of the Word, is apparent only to those who are in illustration from the Lord. These are the important subjects on which this tract, in relation to the Word, treats, and considering that so much exquisite matter is compressed in so small a space, and at so small a cost, we are truly astonished. We are certain that our readers who delight in spreading a knowledge of the Truth, will not only procure this tract for their own edification, but keep a stock by them for timely distribution, that when an opportunity is presented they may have it in their power to promote a knowledge of the Truth. Marriage. Married, at Glasgow, 10th January, 1853, by the Rev. T. O. Prescott, Mr. Edward Horne Craigie, iron merchant, Leith, to Miss Margaret Beveridge Steadman, Edinburgh. |