thing we can obviate, we all ought to speaker. These changes necessitated strive to do something more than we increased attention to the religious have done. I dare say there are parents instruction of the young, and would here who wish they could do something ere long render this the only subject more for their children, and think if needed in the Sunday school. If the they had wealth and intelligence what teachers, therefore, were to be prepared they would do. Who can do as much for the efficient discharge of the duties for little children in their earlier years that were opening before them, they as the mother, and in following years as must become themselves interested in the father? How can you expect teach- the study of religious truth, and in the ers to instil lessons of common order practice of a religious life. The chairinto your children if you counteract it man's address was followed by a pleasant by lessons at home? Of what use is conversation, in the course of which their speaking of kind words and loving many suggestive remarks were made by deeds if they see you bickering with the teachers. A spirit of unity and each other at home? I believe a great mutual affection pervaded the assembly. deal of evil and ignorance exists not so This was especially manifested in the much from want of warning as from terms of affectionate regard which were want of strengthening remarks at home; expressed for one of the superintendents, for, after all, these Sunday-schools can Mr Isherwood, who has been for many only supplement what must be done at months unable to attend to the duties home. of his office by a severe railway accident. A resolution expressive of the feelings of the meeting was warmly supported by several speakers, and very cordially passed by the meeting.

HEYWOOD. On the evening of Tuesday, December 5, a pleasant party of Sunday school teachers and elder scholars was held in the School-rooms, Hornby Street, by invitation of the minister and superintendents of the Sunday School. Tea was provided at seven, when about a hundred young persons sat down. In the course of the evening the numbers were increased. In the girl's school-room engravings, philosophical instruments, &c., were placed on tables, and afforded both pleasure and instruction. The chair was occupied by the minister, who stated that the teachers were the guests of himself and the superintendents of the Sunday school-the tea being generously provided by Mr Isherwood, one of the superintendents. The meeting was for the teachers of the Sunday school, the few scholars who had been invited being those who, from their ages and lengthened connection with the school, might be expected before long to become teachers. The object of the meeting was to afford an opportunity of spending together a pleasant evening, and of helping each other to attain an increased interest in the schools, and deeper earnestness in a good and holy life. This object it was thought could be best accomplished by a free conference among the teachers. The present condition of Sunday schools and their relation to the educational changes which are taking place, were dwelt upon by the

ISLINGTON.-The Annual Festival of the New Church School connected with College Chapel was held at the College on Tuesday the 12th of December, and was largely attended by the scholars, their teachers, and several other friends.

Nearly sixty children assembled at 4 p.m. in the schoolroom, where preparations for tea were already commencing, and the walls of the refectory soon resounded with the merry voices of its young occupants, to whose honour be it said that the freedom from restraint did not, in a single instance, result in insubordination.

At five o'clock, tea was provided in the schoolroom, after which the party again adjourned; some to the greatly appreciated play-room, others to the college library, where the kindness of Mr. Oborne had provided entertainments for the "children of a larger growth," in the exhibition of a beautiful microscope and a series of stereoscopic views, which he displayed to the great interest of the elder boys and girls.

A magneto-electric machine also afforded much amusement to such of the children as were sufficiently venturesome to attempt a "shock," and it was almost with difficulty that some members of the party were persuaded to retrace their steps to the refectory, where pre

parations for a magic-lantern had been jectures. It had been common to remade in their absence. This perform gard it as immensely distant-someance was prefaced and interluded with a hymn and some sacred songs, which were sung with much feeling by the children, under the guidance of Mr. Noel, and passed the time so agreeably that all were astonished at the shortness of the evening. The slides were chosen with a view to the entertainment of all, as the ages of the scholars varied from eighteen to four years old, and after the little ones had been amused by the representation of a well-known fairy story, the elder portion of the audience enjoyed an interesting selection of views of the Arctic Regions, concluding with eighteen pictures illustrative of "The Book and its Story." Several children then recited pieces suitable to the occasion, and their performances were, in many instances, a mark of both diligence and taste. At nine o'clock a general distribution of oranges took place, followed by a present of bonbons from a kind member of the Society, whose interest in the school has been similarly displayed on a previous occasion; and the meeting after wards closed by singing the national anthem.

where outside the pale of the terrestrial universe. To think wisely and truly of the place of heaven and its relation to the Creator's works, we must endeavour to elevate the mind above the laws of time and space. This might be difficult, but it was indispensable to the formation of right opinions on the subject. It was remarkable that the general teaching of the Bible speaks of heaven as near, not distant. And this was the experience of all who had been permitted to have open intercourse with the heavenly world while they remained on earth. Prophets, seers, and apostles, were not conveyed through large tracts of space to reach that world, and to have open intercourse with its inhabitants. Their eyes were open, and they were present with the angels, and held converse with the departed. An ex ample of this was afforded in the case of the prophet's servant. When the servant of the prophet was alarmed for the safety of his master, Elisha said, Lord, I pray thee open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw, and behold the mountain was full of horses SOUTHPORT.-A course of six week and chariots of fire round about Elisha.' night lectures have been given at this The eyes that were opened were not the place during the months of November bodily eyes. They were the eyes of the and December last. Three of these were spiritual organism which is concealed by the Rev. R. Storry, and were on the within the natural body. That organfuture life. Two were by Rev. W. ism constitutes the man himself, is the Woodman, and were on the distinc- ground of his ipseity, and the seat of all tion between man and animals, and on his truly human faculties. As spiritually free-will and foreknowledge. The lec- organized beings we hold unseen and tures were given in the meeting-room unconscious, but most real, intercourse Occupied by the Society. They were with the inner and unseen world during advertised in the local papers, and one the present life. Angels minister to of these papers, the Southport Inde- our higher nature from within the veil, pendent, inserted a condensed report of and when it suits the purposes of proeach lecture. From these we give a vidence and grace, men on earth are portion of the reports of the second permitted to have open vision of the lecture on "The Future Life." The unseen realities of the world to come. subject of the second lecture on the An example or two of this fact might future life was, "Heaven-Where is suffice. Ezekiel tells us that the it? What is it?" "The lecturer heavens were opened, and he saw visions said heaven was the home and hope of God.' John says, 'I was in the

of the good. The more men rose spirit, and heard behind me a great

in goodness and wisdom the more were voice as of a trumpet ;" and when he they assured of its existence, and the turned to see the voice that spake with more certain did they become of its him, he saw seven golden candlesticks. promised blessings. The question, Similar experiences were recorded of 'Where is heaven?' was one which others. They made no long journey had often occupied men's minds, and through space, but by a simple transihad given rise to many and varied con- tion found themselves in the midst of

Obituary.

the scenery and objects of the unseen world. Their eyes were opened, and just as the opening of the eyes of one On the 29th November, in the 79th born blind would introduce him into year of her age, Mary Anne, widow of a world of light which surrounded him the late James Shirley Hodson. She unseen, so the opening of their spiritual was introduced by baptism into the New eyes introduced them to a world which Church and remained a steadfast receiver is everywhere around us, though we are of the doctrines during a long and useful unconscious of its presence. In a sense, life. She became seriously indisposed therefore, higher than is contemplated above eight months previous to her by the poetdeath and was confined to her bed, gradually fading away into eternity. The belief in the truths of the New Church seemed so much a part of her life that her exit from this world was awaited with neither apprehension nor fear, but appeared to be looked forward to as a reali zation of long cherished expectations. Her end was very peaceful, and she was quite resigned and prepared for the change.

'Man is one world, and hath

Another to attend him.' But a not less important question was, 'What is heaven?" Accustomed as we were to the presence of only material substances and objects we were slow to realize the fact that there were other substances and objects, of a higher order, and subject to more perfect laws. These higher substances and objects we called spiritual, and of those heaven, as a kingdom or world, was composed. But though essentially and intrinsically different to earth, in external appearance it was similar

'Sweet fields, beyond the swelling flood

Stand dressed in living green.' But that which constitutes heaven essentially was not its phenomenal existence, but its internal life and spiritual condition. It was the Divine principle of the Lord, received and reciprocated by the angels, which constituted heaven. That principle was the animating principle of the angelic mind and fruitful source of all their perfection and joy. And it was from the perfection of angelic life all heavenly beauty and supernal glory arose. The lecturer proceeded to treat upon angelic qualities as the root of all heavenly experiences, and thence of the necessity of men becoming heavenly here if they were to enjoy heaven hereafter,

Marriages.

At the New Jerusalem Church, Heywood, by the Rev. R. Storry, on the 2d of December, Mr. William Riley to Miss Sarah Holt, both of Heywood. And on the 16th, Mr. John Ashton to Miss Mary Anne Glover, both of Heywood.

On December 23, at the New Church College Chapel, by Mr. P. Ramage, Mr. Henry West to Miss Sabina Harriott Austing.

Departed this life on the 9th of December, to the inexpressible grief of her children and a large circle of friends, Mary, the beloved wife of John Wickham Barnes, formerly Minister of the Bath Society, and for many years surgeon of that city. Her gentle and unobtrusive spirit, which bore patiently the constant recurrence of bodily suffering, shed a charm around her happy domestic circle and all with whom she came in contact, which was indescribably fascinating to old and young. Though fully appreciating and entering into the little daily occurrences and affairs of life which were gradually becoming less enjoyable through failing sight, one felt in her presence less of earth than heaven, and were reminded instinctively of the Apostle's words, "Charity suffereth long and is kind, charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." selfish to the last, her constant thought on her dying bed, though suffering much, was for the happiness and personal comfort of those around her, to whom, the night before she died, she spoke affectionately and seriously about the religious education of their children, and the love they should all bear each other, leaving her own as a legacy to many friends she named, and including any she might have omitted.

Un