advantages that would accrue both to the schools and to the church at large from the proposed union: "for," observed a friend, “ who can tell where our labours will end ?' For it is a fact, that whatever is once known and implanted in the mind, can never be eradicated; but will remain there and affect the individual to all eternity. True it is, it may be forgotten, or smothered by other and perhaps less important subjects; but there it is, and there it must remain: and perhaps some twenty or thirty years after some new object may recall the truths to memory, and he may exclaim, "I well remember being taught this by my teacher at Argyle-square Sunday School, when I was quite a little thing; I wonder whether they still meet there, for I have a good income now, and I should like to subscribe to the school, and become a member of the church. For now I see more and more the great importance of Sunday Schools." "This, I think," said he, "will be the result of our teaching; but, for my part, I do not expect to find any great result in the increase of the church from our schools, until we teachers are grown old and well stricken in years; and then we may begin to look around and see some of the scholars of our youth coming forward and taking prominent and responsible situations in the church, and then, and not till then, shall we have our reward."

In this manner the hour allotted for tea was passed, and the teachers retired while the necessary arrangements were being made for the business of the evening. Their number had now increased to thirty-nine. The time for commencing, eight o'clock, having arrived, Mr. Day was called to the chair, and the proceedings of the evening were commenced by singing the 509th Hymn. The chairman then arose and said, that "all who were • acquainted with the history of Sunday Schools in general, were fully aware that the formation of Unions' had been productive of incalculable advantages to the cause. That in fact their progress to perfection had been mainly dependent on such unions;-originating, it is true, in individual enterprise, but they soon felt the necessity of union to give them strength and stability; such had also been the case with the Sunday Schools of the New Church. In the north, till the union was formed, they existed in weakness, now they exist in power. To that

union we owe the existence of the Juvenile Magazine, and the increasing interest in Sunday Schools felt throughout the chureh. In London also such a union was felt to be equally desirable, and was calculated to be equally advantageous. We could not, from the expense of sending delegates, join the union in the north; but we could form ourselves into a branch union, and unite with it by correspondence. As receivers of the doctrines of the New Church, we know the importance of union- the union of Love and Wisdom, of Charity and Faith; we know that where the essential principles of charity existed, there its appropriate form would exist also, whenever opportunity offered for its establishment. But in order that appropriate forms of union might exist, certain laws were necessary to form a basis; and that therefore our union would require some conditions to give it stability. These conditions, as rules, would be severally proposed by the gentlemen who would address the meeting that evening.

Mr. J. Smith then rose to propose the name of the union, and said, that although labouring under severe indisposition, he could not deny himself the pleasure of attending so important an assembly; for he saw that results of vital importance to the church, depended on it. He then proposed that it should be called The London New Church Sunday School Union; and, quoting from Shakspeare the expression, "What is there in a name?" observed that ALL was in a name; for Swedenborg had taught us that name implies quality; and that as the name proposed was "Union," and as we all knew union was strength, so in proportion as we were united one with another, would the cause we had undertaken prosper; and then, expressing a fervent hope that the Lord would assist us, he sat down, and the resolution was put and carried unanimously.

Mr. Faraday then arose and said, that as the object of our meeting was the mutual improvement of all Sunday Schools in which the doctrines of the New Church are taught, it was advisable that we should be in as close communication with the country schools as possible; and he would therefore propose, That the secretary should invite all such communications as may prove useful and interesting to our future meetings; which also was resolved unanimously.

After many other gentlemen had spoken, and the officers for the ensuing year had been appointed, Mr. Ware Shaw rose, and expressed his great pleasure at meeting so many friends on the occasion, and added, that if they wished to be good teachers, they must take care and be well taught; and that he would suggest to the meeting the propriety of proposing a subject that evening to be discussed at the next meeting, in the absence of other business. The proposal, it is needless to add, was warmly responded to by all present.

Mr. Wild next proposed that the subject for discussion should be that of "Self-Culture," and that to insure a good discussion, it should be divided into three heads; viz. Religious, Intellectual, and Physical Culture, and that three gentlemen should come prepared to open the three divisions of the subject. This motion also met the approbation of all; and Messrs. Day, Smith, and Wild consented to bring the different parts before the meeting.

The Rev. T. C. Shaw then rose to propose that all our meetings should be commenced with the Lord's Prayer, and concluded by singing a hymn. He then expressed the great pleasure he felt in seeing so many of the younger members of his society mingling with those of the other society in so laudable a cause: and said, "This meeting is truly of a religious character, and therefore ought to be commenced with prayer, for all our endeavours would be useless unless the Lord gave his support, and therefore we ought ever to supplicate him for his blessing; and after continuing his remarks to some length, exhorting the teachers to proceed in the good work, the motion was put to the meeting, and after being seconded by Mr. Brookbank, was carried unanimously.

The business of the meeting being terminated, the chairman gave out the 195th Hymu, which was sung with great energy; every one present feeling that the Lord had made good his promise, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

The meeting then adjourned to the first Thursday in June next.

CHARLES HEWETT,

Hon. Sec.

9, King's Row, Pentonville, London, 18th March, 1846.

PROSPECTUS

Of a plan for establishing a fund in connection with the Sunday School Union, for the purpose of aiding in the erection of Schools for New Church Education, (to be submitted to the next Annual Meeting of the Union).

Every endeavour, however humble, to extend the boundaries of the Lord's New Church upon earth, must be regarded with interest by those who are imbued with its doctrines, and are fully alive to the temporal and eternal blessings which they are calculated to confer upon the human family. The efforts which have already been put forth in various directions, the efforts which are now being made by individuals and societies throughout the world, are an indication that this feeling exists, but one unfortunate circumstance characterizes all, the want of efficient means for working out their designs. Happily, however, this is no cause for despondency; we know that in the fulness of time, every good and disinterested feeling will provide the means for its own manifestation, and the greater the obstacles, the more powerful will be the impulse to renewed and energetic exertions. We should rejoice to find that the motive to action exists, and as surely as the effect must follow its cause, so surely will the end proposed be eventually attained.

One thing is clear, the progress of the church can only keep pace with the progress of intelligence; the Herculean task of removing the accumulated corruptions of ages is before us, and the most effectual plan of proceeding is to turn upon it the full tide of free and enlightened inquiry: so long as this corruption exists, its contagion will spread; the errors of the old are instilled into the young, and the mind is choked to the reception of truth. The work of enlightening men must be commenced with the young; the native elasticity of the mind must be preserved by the communication of genuine intelligence; and prejudice cannot then form its torpid concretions in the mind, around which evils gather, and in which falses reside.

The church is the seminary of heaven; schools are the seminaries of the church, and every building that we rear for the education of the young, however humble in its pretensions, or rude in its architecture, will be a nobler monument to

intellectuality, a greater contribution to human improvement, and human happiness, than the splendid relics of the past, which-though fair to look upon-like whited sepulchres, contain little more than "dead men's bones and all uncleanness." Schools are wanted-increased accommodation for educating the young-is the cry on every hand, and notwithstanding the importance which we all attach to them, the response to that cry has been hitherto but feeble. Societies, the country societies in particular, want assistance, to enable them to meet the demands already made upon them in their respective neighbourhoods, and unless that assistance be speedily furnished, the fruit so nearly within our reach, will be borne away by some stranger hand.

These circumstances have for some time weighed upon the Committee of the Sunday School Union, and, after much consideration, they feel assured that by a little coöperation on the part of each, so far as their means extend, mutual benefits may be conferred, and many more labourers introduced into the great harvest of the Lord.

The means by which is proposed to accomplish this end, are,

1st. To establish a permanent fund by subscriptions, contributions, collections, &c. and to vest it in trustees for the purpose of aiding in the erection of new schools, and for the extension of school accommodation, to be called the "Building Fund."

2nd. To support and increase this fund by annual collections from each society in connection with the union.

3rd. To employ the fund thus raised in assisting any society connected with the union to build new, or enlarge their existing schools, the sum advanced not to exceed 50 per cent. on the cost of such building, and to be returned, without interest, at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum, on the amount borrowed.

Such is an outline of the plan which will be submitted in detail to the annual meeting of the Sunday School Union, and which, it is confidently hoped, will receive the hearty approval and support of the church. On a first view it may be supposed, that, with objects so great and comprehensive, the means suggested are inadequate to the end; since the sum required for present exigencies is more than we can reasonably expect to accumulate for many years; but we must

recollect that in this period of the church's progress, we are only sowing the seeds of future greatness, and that the little sum we now raise for such a purpose, will be an imperishable centre of active utility, the circumference of which will be perpetually extending; the money that is lent for building a school is not expended, it is merely sent forth on a mission of mercy, to provide the means of enlightening the darkness that prevails so extensively around; and having accomplished its purpose, it will return to its source, again to be sent forth in some other direction. It is not intended to supplant individual efforts, on the contrary, it will act as a powerful stimulant to them; for a society must prove itself deserving of assistance by raising at least half the sum required, before assistance can be granted to it.

The immediate influence of such an institution in connection with the union, will not be inconsiderable; but if we take a prospective glance at its operations in ages to come, it is impossible to estimate the extent of its powers, or assign bounds to the usefulness of which it is capable; and though, like many a noble stream, its source be but insignificant, the constant additions which will be received from tributary streams, will soon give it volume and strength to bear down every obstacle, until it flows onwards uninterruptedly,a medium of communication between the barren and cheerless abodes of ignorance and "the City of our God."

THOMAS POTTS, Secretary. MANCHESTER DAY SCHOOLS.

A public examination of these schools took place on Monday evening, Feb. 23, in the School-room, Peter-street, when a numerous assembly of friends and promoters of New Church education partook of tea. The examination of the schools was chiefly on the doctrines of the New Jerusalem, and the results were not only satisfactory, but highly gratifying to the assembled friends. Several of the friends from the societies in Salford and Manchester afterwards addressed the meeting on the subject of education; and the following resolutions were unanimously passed:—

Moved by Mr. Shatwell, and seconded

the doctrines of the New Church, inasmuch as it gives them the power of more readily perceiving truth, of whatever kind, and wherever it may be found." Moved by Mr. D. Taylor, and seconded by Mr. Larkin,—

2. "That the members of the New Church, by promoting education, are aiding the cause of human progress in knowledge and virtue, and thereby hastening the approach of that day ' when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea; when there shall be one Lord and his name One.""

Moved by Mr. Bowdler, and seconded

by Mr. Broadfield,

3. "That it is incumbent upon the friends of education in connexion with the New Church, to establish, as early as possible, a School for Infants, in order that the children admitted into our Juvenile Schools may be suitably prepared to profit by the instruction therein afforded, and also that the mind may thereby be early engaged in favour of goodness and truth."

Moved by Mr. Birchwood, and seconded by Mr. G. B. Ollivant,— 4. "That the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. Joseph Moss, for the very able and excellent manner in which he has conducted the New Jerusalem Day Schools during the period of nineteen years; the reputation of these schools having attracted visits from men eminent for their regard to the benefits of education, and also from clergymen of the Established Church."

The meeting was also addressed by several other friends, who dilated on the advantages of New Church education. Three of the speakers, Messrs. Parry, Beswick, and Macareth, having been educated in the schools, gave ample evidence of the great uses these institutions have already effected in the training of the youthful mind. The principles and doctrines of the New Church have not only been implanted, and will, we trust, in due time, through the Lord's mercy, bring forth their appointed fruit; but youths are evidently prepared in these schools who may hereafter become the mediums of doing that for others which has been done for them,-the mediums of spreading the knowledge of the truths of the New Jerusalem, and of implauting them in the minds of their fellow men as the means of eternal life. It was extremely gratifying to hear from

a mother, whose sons were educated in the school, the expressions of gratitude, which, with deep feelings of emotion, she poured forth, for the benefits conferred upon her children. We may take this opportunity of stating, that the schools have been recently put into thorough repair. One of them has been entirely floored anew, and various improvements have been introduced, which render the rooms more eligible for the purpose of accommodating and instructing a large number of children; which number is at the present time considerably larger than at any former period. G. B.

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD TRACT SO. CIETY. The committee of the Manchester and Salford New Church Tract Society have the pleasure to inform the subscribers and the New Church public, that they have issued two new Tracts, No. 58 of their series, "On the Free Will of Man and the Origin of Evil," price Is. 2d. per dozen; and No. 59, "Is it true that we cannot keep the commandments?" price Is. per dozen. would also take this opportunity of requesting all who are desirous to become subscribers to the society, to forward their subscriptions as early as possible; the rules of the society requiring all subscriptions to be paid three months previous to the annual meeting, which is held in the month of May. Each subscriber is entitled to receive tracts to the amount of the subscription.

They

LIVERPOOL QUARTERLY MEETING.On Thursday, the 5th January, was held the quarterly meeting of the members and friends of the Liverpool Society of the New Church, Russell-street, at the usual place. At six o'clock the friends assembled to tea, and after the social repast the meeting was opened in the customary manner by the Rev. J. Cull, who then commented on the 40th chapter of Isaiah, particularly on the spiritual meaning of the 18th, 19th, and 20th verses. Other portions of the chapter were subsequently spoken upon by Messrs. Pixton, Stephenson, Skeaf, &c., and essays were read on parts of the chapter by Messrs. Creige, Shaw, and Selby. All were listened to with great interest; each one developing some new truths, and all guided by the same uniform mode of illustration; so that the mutual harmony of sentiment and ideas. resulting from the spiritual sense, were