Siberian winter, I bore the banner of the New Jerusalem, rejoicing in the conviction that sooner or later the sunshine of summer would dissolve the icebound channels of the church, and chase away for ever the wintry desolations of her vastated state. The enclosed documents will interest all the friends of the church. It is my wish that the whole should be published in the Intellectual Repository. I may state that Dr. Lewis Johnston is a gentleman of the first respectability in this province; he is a brother of our present Attorney-General, J. W. Johnston, Esq. The doctor for many years edited a monthly religious magazine in this province, and is extensively and favourably known in the religious world here, especially in the Baptist denomination. Owing to his personal influence and family connections, the publication of his reasons for resigning his membership among the Baptists will subserve a very important use, especially in this colony. I may state that it was at my request that Mr. Johnston had this document prepared for publication. He is far advanced in life, and nearly blind. The paper was written by an amanuensis. Yours fraternally, ALEX. MC. ARTHUR. Mr. Gunton. AFRICA. New Churchmen have a special interest in watching the disclosures of what may be the religious doctrines of the Africans; and when those disclosures are made in a spirit of rational inquiry, rather than with sectarian colouring for sectarian opposition, they become important as well as interesting. A writer in the Times, over the signature "African," supplies the following interesting information : "The religion of the natives of Western Africa is monotheistic: When I refer thus to the natives of Western Africa, I include more precisely among them the inhabitants of the districts of Accra and Cape Coast, and of the independent kingdoms of Ashantee and Dahomey. But I think that with some shadow of confidence, I may hazard an opinion by stating that, on closer examination, the religion of Africa will be found in general to be monotheistic. I will, however, confine myself just now to the Fantees and Accras. The Fantees and Accras have a pretty exact know ledge of the one God, whom they call the Father,' the 'Eternal God,' the 'Almighty,' the 'Highest,' or 'Oldest.' The Fantees have a most decided notion of the existence and omnipotence of one Supreme Being, for they put into the mouths of adopted children this plaintive and yet haughty sentiment:Mootshyah yammie nah mintshyah inwoorabbah,'-'I look up to God, and not to the stars.' Such an expression is used by adopted children when they desire to console themselves for having been upbraided by other members of the family not in possession of the domestic right to reprove; for the head of the family is here regarded superiorly as God, and the other members are viewed inferiorly as the stars. The Ga language, or the language spoken by the inhabitants of the district of Accra, does not even own a plural form of the word 'God,' and a most intelligent missionary once assured me, that while engaged in the translation of the Bible into the Ga language, he was obliged to 'coin a word' for the purpose of expressing the plural noun 'Gods.' "You must never forget-and it is frequently forgotten-that the African considers God to be too high,' too 'mighty' a Being, too 'far' from the earth, to trouble himself about the small affairs of men; and therefore it is ordained in African theology that the African mortal creature should be placed during the present life under the protection of the Fetishes.' Around the desire to satisfy or conciliate the Fetishes revolve the terrible 'customs' of Africa. It is the voice of the Fetish which calls on the African king to immolate his units to thousands.' For this reason which I have given the Africans do not often advance their supplications directly to the Deity; but they feel that the necessity of a mediator or of mediators exists. They therefore proceed to relate that God created a number of 'spirits.' The 'spirits' they call their Fetishes. They aver that to the 'spirits' God has intrusted the details of the management of the world, and has delegated the office of mediators between Himself and man. They address the 'spirits' as the 'sons of God,' and sometimes they go so far as to address them as God's firstborn,' but they have never attributed a wife to the Deity. They regard the earth as next in priority to God; but though they allude reverentially to the earth, no attempt is ever made to link it with the Creator as His wife. "The spirits, or Fetishes, are the souls of every visible thing. The sea, the rivers, the mountains, the trees, the animals, are so many habitations or incorporations of the 'spirits.' Indeed, the fervidly-poetical temperament of the African endues all matter with a spiritual background. We strangers are prone to lose sight of this spiritual background, or are unacquainted with it altogether. We deliver our judgment dogmatically. Their God,' we exclaim, 'is a cloud; and so is the mud, and so are the streams, the beasts, and storms.' If we could master their language we should pause before we branded their style of adoration as the style of Paganism. In ignorance of their mode of giving vent to their thoughts, we hastily infer that the black face is the incarnation of a stolid school of idolatry; and, in the deceptive strength of self-sufficiency, we degrade them to the condition of one who deifies and worships a cork, a bottle, and a few feathers. With equal show of logic, and with equal manifestation of tolerance, we might stigmatise the Roman Catholics as heathens, and might declare that their saints, their relics, and their amulets, are nothing less than their gods. "The Fetishes are as numerous, then, as are the visible things in creation. Besides, each tribe, each township, each family, each man, and each woman have, or may have, a peculiar or local Fetish. Altars ingeniously contrived out of reeds, and roofed with the branches of the palm tree, are erected upon the most public sites, and dedicated to the service Fetishes. These altars cannot be polluted with impunity. An act of such irrevence as pollution of the fane of the Fetish carries with it the pain and penalty of being sold into slavery for William Bayley to Miss M. Spink, both of Leeds. January 14th, 1864, at the New Jerusalem Church, Cross-street, Hattongarden, London, by the Rev. W. Bruce, the Rev. O. Prescott Hiller, minister of that church, to Miss Emma Ann, second daughter of Charles Stokes, Esq., Ladbroke Gardens. No cards. Obituary. Departed into the spiritual world, Nov. 21st, 1863, Mrs. John Seed, in her 68th year. This departed friend had from her childhood been connected with the society in Peter-street, Manchester. Her exemplary Christian conduct, in which it may be said that "she adorned the doctrine of God her Saviour," endeared her to all who knew her, and especially to her beloved family circle, who, in their grief over her departure from amongst them, have the tenderest emotions of love and gratitude awakened in their minds at the remembrance of so much self-sacrifice and devotedness to their good as was through many trials manifested in their affectionate parent. For, her husband having died about thirty-two years ago, she was left with a young family to contend with the difficulties and hardships of life in bringing up her children without the help of a father. But her great consolation and support in these arduous duties was her trust and confidence in the Lord's providence and mercy, whom through the whole of her experience she found to be truly a "Husband to the widow, and a Father to the fatherless." Her love for the Word, and her affection for the doctrines of the New Church, were in these times of spiritual apathy and deadness very delightful; and seldom was she absent, either morning or evening, from her place in the public worship of the Lord. And at the week-day meetings for spiritual edification in the divine truths of the Word, she rarely missed for many years together the opportunity of instruction and edification in those blessed truths so clearly opened in the writings of the New Church. She often stated to the writer of this notice that her mind had been greatly benefited at these meetings for social conversation on the truths of the Word and the doctrines of the New Church; and her great astonishment was that so few, comparatively, attended these meetings. During about two months previous to her departure she suffered much; but her great consolation was in the truths respecting the life after death, which for many years she had delighted to contemplate. Her end was peace. Departed this life, Nov. 23rd, 1863, aged 40, Mrs. Mary French, of Brightlingsea. She was a regular attendant at the New Church place of worship at that place for twenty-three years, and for the last twelve years was a respected and worthy member. She was also, during the last three years, an efficient teacher in the Sunday-school. All who knew her can bear full testimony to the fact that she was a faithful wife and a kind mother. Her sorrowing husband and three childreu that survive her greatly feel her loss; but it is hoped that He who is a Father to the bereaved will be with them to mitigate their sorrow, and be to them the source of true consolation and comfort. S. J. Departed this life, Dec. 18th, aged 54, Charlotte, the loving and beloved wife of Mr. C. Penn. She was baptised into the faith of the church by Mr. Noble, and received into the Cross-street society as a member, in 1831. Her life as a New Church Christian was one of purity and usefulness. Besides performing with faithfulness and affection the duties of a wife and mother, she was earnest and active in doing good to others. The young and inexperienced were especial objects of her solicitude, and her home, like her heart, was ever open to such as felt their need of a warm friend and judicious adviser. Many who benefited by her care and counsel felt her departure as that of a mother. Her end was the suitable close of a spiritual, gentle, and peaceful life. Even so, to each of us, come Lord Jesus! Departed this life, Dec. 21st, at Liverpool, Mr. Alfred Tunstall, a member of the Bedford-street society, to which he left a legacy of £250. TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. All communications to be sent to the Editor, the Rev. W. BRUCE, 43, Kensington Gardens Square, London, W. To ensure insertion in the forthcoming Number, communications must be received not later than the 15th of the month, except recent intelligence, which will be received till the 18th. National Missionary Institution, and Students and Ministers' Aid Fund.-The Committee meet at Bloomsbury-street, on the second Thursday in each month, at 6-30 p.m. Members of Conference present in London are invited to attend. F. PITMAN, Sec. Several Essays and Reviews postponed for want of space. The sermon by the Rev. R. Storry, forming the first article in the present number, is printed separately, as No. 2 of "The New Church Pulpit." The intention of the Conference in commencing this new publication, was to supply an additional means of diffusing the truth, and enforcing some of its practical lessons. It is to be hoped that societies and members will therefore do what they can to promote the circulation of these cheap and useful discourses. As they are intended only to appear occasionally, no number of "The Pulpit" will be printed for March. Change of Address.-The address of the Rev. O. Prescott Hiller is changed to 6, Torriano Cottages, Leighton-road, London, N.W. CAVE & SEVER, Printers by Steam Power, Hunt's Bank, Manchester, THE Address from the General Conference reminds us of many important subjects. None are satisfied with the present position of the church; and the hindrances and helps which affect its extension-how to remove the first, and how to develop the latter-demand serious consideration. Inquiry into these questions may assist in providing an answer to the question-"What are the present and especial duties of the New Church?" There are strong grounds for supposing that our Lord designed His church always to assume a missionary character. To go forth and preach the Gospel was and is a standing commission. The church has never so prospered as when this duty has been earnestly discharged. The opportunity has never been wanting, and there is reason for the belief it will always exist. In the present day, no less than of old, the poor are around us, about us, with us. Poverty of truth, no less than of physical comforts, appears to be an ever-present fact, calling upon the church as with trumpet tongue for relief. The holders of a pure faith are besought by necessity-eloquent in its silence-to pour forth of their riches; to exercise a benevolence which, instead of impoverishing, shall enrich their store. In many of our towns and villages, especially in the north of England, where the rapid increase of population has overwhelmed the religious provision made by our ancestors, a vastation of the churches is painfully felt. Of course it will be admitted that in none can religious life be regarded as satisfactory; but in numerous instances, the meetings for Divine worship fail to impress the stranger with a respect for the earnest 106 THE POSITION OF THE NEW CHURCH. ness they exhibit. When the praise, professedly offered to God; the preaching, supposed to be the outcry of a soul yearning that others may be saved; and the devotion, which should represent a true humility at the footstool of Heavenly Grace, a heartfelt conviction of sin, and a desire to obey God's Holy law;-when these sacred solemnities have degenerated into perfunctory performances; or when hereditary associations, or the fashion of popularity, is the chief motive for attendance upon the formularies of religion, we have as loud a call for help as ever was uttered in the dark regions of heathendom. The worship of Mammon may be more refined in its manifestations than the oblations to Vishnoo or to Juggernaut, but is not less opposed to the teachings of Him who demands we should love God, and not self, with all our mind. Truly, we have not far to look ere we hear an appeal to the church to awake and put forth her strength, to exhibit her beautiful garments of holy deeds and a righteous life, to proclaim the authority of an everreigning God. Shall this appeal be rejected? Shall a populace ever distinguished for the heartiness of their devotion, whether to God or to the world,—shall they now, yearning after a purer faith and more Scriptural views of the relations between man and his Maker, be referred back, by the neglect of the church, to erroneous dogmas, the inconsistency of which science has unsparingly exposed? If the church abandons ground so favourable for the reception of truth, she becomes faithless. Instead of doubling the riches entrusted to her care, she hides her talent in a napkin, and buries it in the ground! We shall be told, the New Church is almost powerless. Her members are few, and temerity chills the little energy she has. Men are wanting; places for meeting are not possessed. The world looks coldly on her doctrines; the warm and earnest teachings of the Swedish seer are pronounced vagaries; and as of old, he who comes with the earnestness of an apostle is pronounced mad. True, these difficulties exist; but they may be overcome. God means them to be vanquished; and in their conquest we acquire a power which enables us the more efficiently to work His behests. The fewness and feebleness of the instruments will make clearer the fact that it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Word of the Lord of Hosts, that aught is to be accomplished. But are not these difficulties often overrated? Are they greater than those which existed of old, when the Christian work was attempted in a spirit which shows forth in such brightness as to have been handed down through the history of all time? Are the hard-handed artizans of the North, or the no less industrious labourers of the South, less disposed to believe than were the multitude at Jerusalem who surrounded the |