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standing; for often, we believe, are, they the outward symbols of showers of blessings at that very time poured forth into the mind of the reader, through the ministration of angels. Only granting that the lovely moral creations of the author are such as may exist, such as it is desirable should exist,—and especially granting them to be such as the Divine Regenerator desires to bring into existence, and the emotions they create in the mind, it must be admitted, are holy, because in harmony with what is truly great, lovely, and happy, in the spiritual and higher spheres of rational existence. Now, the truth of these views being admitted, it becomes a circumstance of no- small moment to society, and especially to New Church society, that a writer like Mr. Arthur is providentially brought forward, who is able to invest truth of a high order, that is, pure heavenly truth, with the unaffected charms of fiction, presented in all the engaging forms of a close imitation of real life. To say, however, that every incident introduced has its counterpart in nature; or that the wonderful turnings up of events presented are like real every-day occurrences, would be saying too much; but this must be said, that there is nothing so unnatural in Mr. Arthur's tales as to offend the general reader; although, doubtless, some more than others have to excess the critic's power of discovering, and perhaps of exaggerating, the anomalies that may exist in a greater or less degree.

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In the tale mentioned at the head of this article, we have a description of two young men, both bent on "rising in the world," the one, however, being in love with worldly, and the other with moral and intellectual respectability; the former desiring to be the idol of that class of admirers which judges of others according to the laws of worldly pride and the latter desiring to engage the respect and love of the worthy and wise of his species, by honourable conduct and a useful life-a life of true religion, not indicated by pious ejaculations, but by an enduring effort to subject the lower principles to the higher, and thereby root out selfishness, and establish the supremacy of generous love. The former character is an attorney, and the latter a physician. We are not sure that our legal readers might not think injustice done to their profession, by the exhibition of such a specimen as Dunbar, uncontrasted with any of an opposite quality; but that there are such characters in existence, is as true as that all physicians are not exactly Hudsons. The characters of Hudson, his father, mother, and sisters, are so presented as to bring up in the reader's mind noble and generous aspirations. There is one point which we regretted, that where Harrison is pronounced "a man of thoroughly honest principles," it was not added as a qualification, to the effect, that he was such according to the common worldly standard;

for certainly he was not such according to the standard of the New Church. The style of Mr. Arthur is so well known to our readers that a specimen is not required here to make them acquainted with it. Still a short extract may be acceptable:

"The history of this young man, as far as we have traced it—and much further beyond this point it is not our intention to go-exhibits the results of mere ambition, acting upon a mind unsustained by sound principle. To rise in the world was the end with him. Thousands start with that end, and rise to a certain height; but rarely attain a distinguished position, for the reason that they are met at almost every step with temptations to deviate more or less from strict rectitude, in order to rise faster than would otherwise be the case, and thus invariably defeat the object they have in view. There is in the public mind a certain degree of virtue, which will not tolerate known wrong actions. In fact, the public weal depends upon integrity in the community, and every man, therefore, instinctively condemns all departures from just principles in others, because he feels that such acts done to him would be wrong." "On the other hand, a virtuous man is esteemed by all, both good and bad, for all feel that their interests are safe in his hands. If he possess equal ability to serve the community with another man in whose principles no faith is had, he will, as a natural consequence, rise above that man. And there is no danger of his falling back from any eminence he may gain; because it is a real elevation, from the force of internal principles acting upon his external conduct, and the force that elevated him is all-potent to sustain him in his elevation.

"To rise truly in the world, is to rise internally as well as externally. If a man, while he is rising into eminence in any pursuit, be really growing corrupt and base,— be admitting evil counsellors into his mind and acting from their suggestions, he is not truly rising, but is actually in the descending scale, and will, either in this life or the next, find his right position. No man truly elevated who is not truly good. He may occupy an imaginary height; he may think himself great, and men who do not know what is really in him, may call him great; but true greatness is inseparable from that benevolence which regards the common good."

Now it cannot be denied that there have been persons connected with a New Church profession, who have been drawn aside by the ambition alluded to at the commencement of this extract, and have reaped, in a degree, the bitter consequences of their mistaken courses. May every young man connected with our community who reads the contrast here presented, guard against the example, so prevalent around him, of trying to rise in the world in the sense of securing a false respectability by success in business.

We perceive that Married and Single, or Marriage and Celibacy Contrasted, and also, The Heiress, a Story of Trials, by the same author, are announced as "just published," but these we have not

seen.

N. S. No. 106.-VOL. IX.

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Though pomp, and pride, and wealth, and power,

May fancied joys impart,

I own a richer, nobler dower,

A faithful woman's heart;

For what were all the world could give

To soothe the ills of life,

Compared to thee-for whom I live,

My Friend-my Love-my Wife!

The years, the happy years, we've spent,
Shall raise our gratitude

To Him who all our blessings sent,

And gives us every good;

And let us hope for coming days

His mercies may be given;

Then may our joy, and love, and praise,
Be perfected in heaven!

J. W.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.

LONDON NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH FREE

SCHOOL SOCIETY.

The twenty-sixth anniversary of this society was held on Wednesday, the 5th July, at Highbury Barn Tavern, Islington; the weather was all that could be desired, to enable the children to enjoy their annual holiday. They assembled on the grounds early in the afternoon, and enjoyed themselves in mirth and sports; 182 ladies and gentlemen assembled to partake of tea and coffee, after which the numbers were considerably increased: the chair was taken soon after seven o'clock, by the Rev. Augustus Clissold. The examination of the children consisted of questions and answers on the doctrine of Faith and Life. Several children, who were leaving the school, were each presented with a copy of the Heavenly Doctrines, whom the chairman affectionately addressed, saying "There is but one way to happiness,-to be happy you must be good. The Lord Jesus Christ is always endeavouring to lead you in the path to happiness; if you will follow his leading, you will carry out into practice in your lives the instruction which you have received in this school, following as you grow up all that is wise and good and useful; for be assured this is the only life that can fit you for the society of angels in heaven." The rev. gentleman spoke of the blessing of order in society, and how much we have to be thankful for in the protection which we enjoy under our government, without which children could not have the advantages of education, and concluded by exhorting them to encourage a feeling of loyalty to their sovereign, that they might religiously pray, "God save the Queen." The children then sang a hymn, and, after repeating the Lord's Prayer, withdrew.

The Chairman opened the business of the meeting, when the report of the committee and the treasurer's accounts were read, the latter presenting a favourable aspect, inasmuch as with the aid of collections at both the churches in London, during the past year, the receipts have been sufficient to meet the expenditure, and left a small balance in the hands of the treasurer. We regret that we can only present a brief sketch of the various useful speeches delivered on this interesting occasion.

The Rev. T. C. Shaw, in moving the adoption of the report, spoke of the difficulties which the society had experienced to preserve the school from being broken up. It was to be hoped these difficulties had terminated, and that increased support would afford the means to carry out with increased power the intentions of the founders of these schools. Man, in society, has duties both of a public and a private nature to fulfil; his private duties have necessarily the most immediate claims upon his attention; but an honest, sensible, and above all, a religious man, will earnestly endeavour to fulfil his public duties, among which, to provide a religious education for his poorer brethren will occupy an important share of his attention. Now, extended efforts have been used to promote education; but how is it that we find so little benefit resulting from these exertions? Crime does not appear to diminish, and the selfishness of mankind is still greatly to be deplored. The true end and aim of all education is not sufficiently kept in view, which is, that all intellectual acquirements should be made subservient to the purification of the heart and life. To give such an education to the poor is a public duty, and only those who are in want of the necessaries of life can be exempted from the duty of contributing to aid its fulfilment.

The Rev. J. Bayley, of Accrington, addressed the meeting, saying,—" Beloved friends, if there is one text that is more delightful than another, one theme on which to dilate with pleasurable sensations, it is on the duty we owe to little children,-to strive to do them good. Everything in them and about them interests us--they appear so happy-there is such a softness in what they do and in what they say, that they seem to be as near Love turned out naked into the world as anything in this our present state can be conceived. It seems strange that any one should require to be reminded of the claims for protection and fostering care which little children have upon us, but we are apt to slacken in our duties and need to be reminded, so that we may gird up our loins afresh to tread anew the path which duty requires." Mr. Bayley expressed the pleasure that he had received from a visit to the schools on the previous day, and bore testimony to the efficiency of the teachers,--that they united the

qualities of gentleness with firmness, so essential for the instruction of youth, and advised all who desired the improvement of the school to visit it,-they would do good in encouraging the teachers, and the words of an intelligent visitor spoken in accents of love to the child whom he pats on the head, will be long held in remembrance, moreover the words will be carried home and repeated to the parents, and thus great good might be done.

Mr. Finch said, that we ought to rejoice with each other that we are able to bear a part in the good work for which this society was instituted, for it is the work of charity to impart instruction and to combat ignorance. Our own experience has taught us how difficult it is to overcome our deeply-seated evils, and how long and obstinate the combat which false principles maintain to preserve their baleful influence in our minds. If, then, with all the advantages of instruction, the eradication and removal of the evil and false is found to be so difficult, what can be expected of those who are in ignorance? Looked at from this point of view, it is impossible to estimate too highly the blessing of a religious education.

Mr. Larkin, after eulogising the services of the late schoolmistress, whose weak state of health has obliged her to retire in part from the duties of the school, alluded to the ample space which a society like this in London has for a sphere of usefulness. To extend and improve education must be an object which the New Church should cherish and carry out with earnest affection, and our endeavours should not slacken to give means to this society whereby that object may be best promoted. The great defect of education in the present day is in making that primary which should be secondary and subservient. Outward discipline and external accomplishments are of little avail, if the affections be not trained to the love of truth and goodness.

The meeting was also addressed by the Rev. T. Chalklen, Dr. Spurgin, Mr. A Es

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time existed in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands. Efforts were made by the late Captain Gomen, of the Royal Navy, many years ago, to disseminate a knowledge of the heavenly doctrines at St. Helier, the capital of Jersey, but much prejudice existed; and owing to this, and other causes, little progress was made! In 1836, however, a small society was formed, which, in the year 1839, was received into connection by the General Conference, and then numbered twelve members. Since that time this little society has been enabled constantly to keep the light of the New Church burning in the island, and although it still only reports fourteen registered members, it has much more than maintained its ground, and ministers in spiritual things to con gregations which have increased and are continuing to increase, both in numbers and respectability. For several years past, our brethren here have met in ani upper room ineligibly situated in an obscure part of the town, and it shası latterly been exposed to annoyances from a neighbour who possesses both the power and the inclination to obstruct in some degree the entrance to it. Conscious of the disadvantages to the good cause under which they laboured from the want of a suitable place, and anxious to remove} every obstacle to the spread of glorious Gospel of our Lord and Saviour," our Jersey friends commenced a building fund, in the year 1841, which, with the assistance of two London friends, now amounts to £84. with a promise of £17.1 more. Their congregations, also, have now become too large for their room, and thus, being at once impelled by their necessities and emboldened by their success, they have purchased a pieces of ground in Victoria-road, one of the most respectable parts of St. Helier. Victoria road communicates with Trinity-road, Sto Mark's-road, and St. Saviour's-road, and is, in fact, that part of the town which is especially selected as the site of the buildings now being erected by the inhabitants. On this piece of ground the society and congregation propose to build a small church, capable of holding 250 persons, and devoted to the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ as the manifested Jehovah, as the alone Creator, Redeemer, and Saviour of the human race. In, proportion to their means they have made great efforts themselves, and they desire to appeal, through the medium of the Repository, to their brethren in other

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