and who from faith looks to Him, is blessed by the Lord with good, even as to the minutest particulars of his life; so that the man is exempted almost from every care and anxiety, and is provided with every thing necessary and useful, [Matt. vi. 33.] and he then succeeds in all things, and is led on to heavenly felicity. But the more a man has faith in himself, or trusts to his own prudence, the more he removes himself from the Lord, because he thus removes himself from faith and confidence in the Lord.-1748, July 8. REVIEW. London: PRECIOUS STONES: being an account of the Stones mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures. By the late Robert Hindmarsh. HODSON, 22, Portugal-street, Lincoln's Inn. pp. 85. THIS little work is, in itself, a precious gem, and will be considered as such by all who desire to have a proper and spiritual understanding of what is so often said in Scripture respecting stones in general, and respecting precious stones in particular. We have only to announce the appearance of this little work to awaken in the minds of our readers the most lively interest; since all, at the bare mention of the name of Hindmarsh, are reminded of the life and labours of one of the most excellent of men. Though dead, he nevertheless occasionally speaks to us through the press, and whatever he says will be sure of meeting with great consideration. We remember with what attention and pleasure we first perused the little work on the "Spiritual Signification of Numbers," published in 1820, by the same author,-a work which now often guides us through the obscurities of the letter to the light of the spiritual sense. This work on "Precious Stones" was written not long before the one on "Numbers," and may be considered as a companion to that useful production. The publisher announces the work with the following notice : "This work was written some years prior to the decease of its author, with a view to its eventual publication; but various circumstances, from time to time, occurred to prevent it. A desire having, however, lately been expressed for its appearance, it is now presented to the public, without any alteration from the original MS." The preface written by the author gives us an account of the design of the treatise; it is as follows: : "The chief design of the following treatise is to call the attention of the reader to a few subjects, which perhaps he may have hitherto passed over, without feeling any great interest excited by them in his mind: to collect from the Sacred Scriptures the most striking facts and prophetic descriptions, in which STONES, either common or precious, bear a conspicuous part: to shew their spiritual signification, as well as natural use, in the construction of altars, pillars, heaps, and memorials; in the two tables of the law and testimony; in the breast-plate of judgment, by means of which responses from heaven were obtained: to compare the ancient Jewish method of interrogating Jehovah by Urim and Thummim, with that which the true Christian now practices, of addressing the Lord through the medium of his Word: and to elucidate what may appear obscure and singular, as well as supernatural, in the transactions recorded, in the clearest and most satisfactory manner that the writer is capable of, whose best sources of information on all the subjects treated of, next to the Word itself, are the theological writings of the late Hon. Emanuel Swedenborg. But besides the aid which he has derived from the labours of this great and excellent man, he acknowledges also the following authorities, particularly for the descriptions he has given of the precious stones :— "A Complete System of Literature, by Scott, Green, Falconer, Meader, and others. "Jurieu's History of the Doctrines and Worship of the Church. 66 'Leigh's Critica Sacra. "Buxtorf's Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon. "Calmet's Dictionary of the Holy Bible. "Not to mention upwards of twenty learned authors, who appear to have been carefully consulted on the names and colours of the different stones, both by Leigh, Buxtorf, Jurieu, and others. "Salford, Manchester, July 7, 1815=59. "ROBERT HINDMARSH." This will suffice, without adducing extracts, to give the reader a general idea of the work. We are quite certain that he will be amply repaid by a careful perusal of its interesting contents. The work contains two plates; one coloured, representing the precious stones in the breast-plate of Aaron, and pointing out their spiritual signification; and another shewing the relation of the two tables of stone on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed. This relation is commonly misunderstood, arising from the manner in which the two tables are generally represented in churches, as being separate from each other, having some Commandments written on one table and some on the other. But this is not a true idea of the fact. The two tables were united together, and the writing on the one was continued into the other, so that all the commandments were inscribed on the two tables.* The work is published in a neat and elegant style. * See A. C. 9416. 312 POETRY-MISCELLANEOUS. Poetry. TELL ME, I PRAY THEE, THY NAME. Jehovah, God Almighty, Jah, I am, Emanuel, Shiloh, Lord of Hosts, The Lamb, ΑΝΟΝ. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. THE LONDON MISSIONARY AND TRACT there was a good deal of excitement, and SOCIETY. The 30th anniversary of this institution was held at the church, in Argylesquare, on Wednesday, May 14. The Rev. W. Bruce took the chair, at seven o'clock, and opened the meeting with the Lord's Prayer. From the report, read by Mr. Butter, the Secretary, it appears that, although the opportunities for actual missionary exertions have not been so numerous as in some former ones, there is good reason to believe that the objects for which the society was established have, in several instances, been satisfactorily realised. A brief notice of some of the missions will doubtless prove interesting: fuller particulars will be found in the printed report. Just after the last anniversary, the Rev. E. D. Rendell paid a visit to Chatteris, in Cambridgeshire. It was known there were a few receivers there; and the unsettled state of the members of the establishment, as well as of the dissenters, pointed it out as an eligible field for inseminating the truths of the New Church. The result was very gratifying: some opposition, which tended to deepen the impression his lectures had made. In February, too, Chatteris was visited by the Rev. W. Woodman, an account of which is given in the "Repository" for April. In September, the Rev. W. Mason delivered two lectures at Chatham, which were well attended. Questions having been permitted, an interesting discussion ensued of nearly an hour's length. He also attended a tea meeting of the members, respecting which he thus expresses himself in concluding his communication to the committee :- "At the tea meeting we were delighted with some pleasing musical performances from the Messiah,' and I was much gratified with the address of the leader, Mr. Jones, and felt happy to have made the acquaintance of this (I believe) truly New Church society. I returned to London full of thankfulness to the Lord, that, by His good providence, a tabernacle had been set up in the town of Chatham, which, there was good reason to hope, would not soon be taken down." Respecting the important course of six lectures at the London Mechanics' Insti tution, an account has recently appeared dial support of every receiver of the in the "Repository." The Rev. D. T. Dyke has been four times to Winchester, preaching twice on each occasion; and the Rev. T. Chalklen has delivered four lectures there. Mr. Dyke also delivered a course of six lectures at Exeter. Our City Missionary, Mr. Gardiner, has been actively engaged during the whole of the year, holding meetings for reading and conversation, calling on ministers, conversing with them and lending them books, having private meetings with young men engaged in business, distributing tracts, &c. When it is considered that he devotes his whole time to this work, and is deeply imbued with a sense of its importance at the present time, when Christian teachers are in such uncertainty as to "what is truth," it will readily be seen that in thus employing him, the society is fulfilling one of its most valuable objects. In many cases the readiest way to reach the laity is through the medium of the clergy, some of whom feel, and are even candid enough to admit, that a further developement of religious truth is needed, and therefore to be expected. Mr. Gardiner has deposited some good seed in this field, and signs of germination already appear. There has been an unusually large number of tracts printed, including eight new ones; the distribution has also been large, extending not only to various parts of the United Kingdom, but also to the remotest parts of the world. The committee frequently receive letters of thanks for grants, with interesting details of the good effected by their means. It was The treasurer being seriously unwell at the time, was unable to be present, and his accounts had not, in consequence, been audited; which they will be in time for the printed report. stated that he was somewhat in advance, and that had it not been for some large extra contributions by individuals-two having provided £65. towards Mr. Gardiner's salary-the ordinary subscriptions would not nearly have equaled the expenditure. After the reading of the report, several resolutions were passed, which gave occasion for some animating addresses. The extraordinary aspect of the times was dwelt upon as shewing the vast importance of the operations of the society, which therefore ought to receive the corN. S. No. 140.-VOL. XII. heavenly doctrines, who must naturally desire the extension of their enlightening and enlivening influence among mankind. A draft of a trust deed was presented, which was referred to the consideration of the committee, and the meeting was adjourned for a month for the purpose of adopting the deed and the trustees therein named. The meeting was a numerous and a happy one; a zealous and a right spirit being manifested. It was closed with the Lord's Prayer. At the adjourned meeting the trust deed and the necessary new rules were carefully considered and adopted; and the deed was ordered to be engrossed, executed by the trustees, and enrolled in the High Court of Chancery. By this means property may be safely devised by will for the use of the society, as there is now a legal hand to receive it. The deed will be printed in next year's report. Subscriptions and donations are earnestly requested to be forwarded to the Treasurer, Mr. William Newbery, 6, King-street, Holborn; or to the Secretary, Mr. Henry Butter, 48, Cloudesleyterrace, Islington. MEETING OF THE GENERAL CONVENTION, BOSTON. To the Editor. Sir, The thirty-third annual meeting of this Convention was held in this city, commencing Wednesday June 11th, and continuing in session four days. The Convention consisted of thirtyseven delegates from nineteen societies, and sixteen ministers. Delegates were present from the States of Maine, Massachusets, New York, and Pennsylvania. Rev. Thos. Worcester was chosen president, and Rev. T. B. Hayward, Rev. T. P. Rodman, and Dr. N. C. Towle, secretaries. There was a large attendance upon the Convention throughout nearly the whole session, of receivers from various parts of the country. A collation was provided each day, at which an average of over 300 persons were in attendance, more than two-thirds of whom were from abroad. This has always been one of the pleasantest features of the Convention, as it affords an opportunity to become acquainted with each other, and for a free interchange of social affections. 2 G The "Journal of Proceedings" is now printing, and will be sent you in season for the meeting of Conference. Not much business of importance was transacted, though a great deal of time was expended in discussions. More than one day was spent in discussing the subject of making alterations in the "Book of Worship," and the subject was finally referred to a committee to report the alterations required to the next Convention. Mr. Wm. B. Hayden, who has been officiating for the society in Portland, and who is author of the pamphlet on the "Character and Work of Christ," was, on application of that society, ordained as their pastor. A few years since a Mr. Turner died and left a legacy for the use of the Convention, amounting to about five thousand dollars. He left an only daughter, whose guardian thought that the amount bequeathed to the Convention was out of proportion to that left for the support and education of his child. This has caused considerable delay, but a settlement has finally been effected by a compromise, the Convention agreeing to accept one half the original bequest. There has been accordingly paid over to the treasurer, after deducting expenses, the sum of 3,248 dollars 50 cents, 3,000 of which was ordered to be invested in some safe, dividend-paying stock." 66 A complete set of Swedenborg's works, including a set of the Latin Arcana, was voted to the "Urbana University," Ohio. It seems that the citizens of that place and vicinity have succeeded in raising funds by subscription for the erection of a building adapted to their wants, and that it is now being erected. The above embraces about all of the business of interest that was transacted. A great deal of time was spent in discussions upon points of order, and minor matters, the occasion for which, it is to be hoped, will pass away hereafter, as such use of time and strength are a sore trial to many who feel that such occasions should be used for instruction and encouragement in the distinct and paramount uses which have in view the eleva tion of mankind. Boston, June 25th, 1851. ψ. PROPOSED MEETING OF MEMBERS OF THE NEW CHURCH DURING THE GREAT EXHIBITION. It appears to be necessary to correct an erroneous impression, which, it is to be feared, has prevailed to a considerable extent that there has been an intention on the part of the committee to postpone the interesting social meeting which is regularly held on the Thursday in the Conference week to a later period. This is altogether a mistake. A moment's consideration will suffice to shew that no such alteration could be made by any power less than that of the Conference itself. The meeting proposed to be held during the great Exhibition was fixed for Tuesday, August 19th, that it might be as early as possible after the Conference, while the great majority of those who had been present at it would be still in London, and not absolutely requiring that any one from a society in England should be more than one Sunday from home. It will, in fact, be supplemental to the usual Thursday meeting. It seems highly prebable that so large a number of friends from distant parts and from the provinces will be present, that a single meeting would prove insufficient for all whom we should be delighted to see and to hear, to have an opportunity of addressing the assembled members and friends. On the Thursday evening we hope to witness a larger meeting than is usual on such occasions; a larger room thereforethe Music Hall, in Store-street-has been engaged, as affording ample accommodation for our friends to partake of tea and coffee together, before proceeding to the more interesting part of the business of the meeting-the addresses from the ministers and other friends. This, too, will be the appropriate occasion for introducing the visitors from distant parts to the residents and to each other. On the following Tuesday, August 19th, the great meeting will be held in Freemasons' Hall, which has been engaged in the hope that there will be not only a larger number of New Church friends than ever before met together, but also many strangers, in consequence of the invitations to be given in the public prints and through private channels. Tickets of admission may be had at either of the two churches in London, or |