With the generous donations before named, and with what has been done by the society, and what may be still done by it, the committee think that the church in Leeds will not be more than £80. or £100. in debt; and even this, they trust, will be liquidated before very long. The society are extremely thankful that their efforts have so far succeeded; and they hope that the blessing of Providence will be with them in future.

All communications for the Secretary of the Leeds Society, are requested to be sent to Mr. Smith, draper, North-street, Leeds.

THE VEGETARIAN MOVEMENT.

Having had the pleasure of much acquaintance with the most devoted and enlightened vegetarians, who are many of them receivers of the heavenly doctrines, I may be allowed to state, that they do not deny that flesh is adapted to the uses of man in his sensual condition (which is opposed to his spiritual state), and consequently a merciful provision of the Creator, that man might be in freedom. But what they urge is, that the practice of slaughtering animals and eating their flesh is opposed to the exercise and development of those benevolent and refined feelings, the culture of which lays the foundation for the reception of love and wisdom in the human soul. Thus whilst the sensual man may indulge in carnivorous habits, without doing violence to his conscience and incurring condemnation, the man who is striving to advance in the regenerate life, finding it of great assistance to his mental and moral growth to abstain from such habits, would offend against his conscience if he so indulged. The latter case seems to have been well exemplified both by the theory and practice of Swedenborg himself, after the opening of his spiritual sight, and in no way clashes with the quotation referred to by "A Fair Dealer." This is further shewn from the following passage: "Eating the flesh of animals, considered in itself, is somewhat profane, for the people of the most ancient time never on any account eat the flesh of any beast or fowl, but fed solely on grain, especially on bread made of wheat, also on the fruit of trees, on pulse, on milk and what is produced from milk, as butter, &c. To kill animals and to eat their flesh was to them unlawful, and seemed as something bestial; and they were content with the uses and services which they yielded, as

appears also from Gen. i. 29, 30; but in succeeding times, when man began to grow fierce as a wild beast, yea, much fiercer, then first they began to kill animals and to eat their flesh; and whereas man's nature and quality became of such a sort, therefore the killing and eating of animals was permitted, and at this day also it is permitted; and so far as man doeth it out of conscience, so far it is lawful, for his conscience is formed of those things which he thinketh to be true, and consequently which he thinketh to be lawful; wherefore also at this day no one is by any means condemned for this that he eateth flesh."-A. C. 1002. It is necessary for us to be careful lest by partial quotations we should make out discrepancies between the life and writings of our highly-gifted author, whose theory and practice being in perfect harmony, afford us precept and example well worthy to be obeyed and followed. Nothing can more beautifully explain the Vegetarian theory than the passage just quoted. I therefore do not see the necessity for Vegetarians to "claim kindred to an unfallen race," in order to show that Swedenborg was a disciple of their theory. May we not regard the Vegetarian movement as a pleasing indication, that the world is beginning to forsake the "profane,” the “ bestial," and the "fierce," and becoming more receptive of the holy, the spiritual, the mild, the heavenly principles of the new dispensation? Many are the instances I could name in which the adoption of physiological truth has lead to the adoption of theological truth. Let us hail this movement, then, as a valuable auxiliary to the latter cause. Let us rejoice that although Swedenborg lived a hundred years ago, he was, both in his life and writings, in perfect accordance with the most advanced state of physiological science of the present period.

A STUDENT OF SWEDENBORG, AND
A VEGETARIAN.

[We beg to acknowledge the receipt of a paper from another correspondent on this subject, of similar tendency and import as the above, which, therefore, we shall be excused from inserting. We wish to impress upon our respected correspondents, that whatever is said in this Periodical respecting the Vegetarian movement, should not be construed as adverse to that movement considered in itself,-but the object is to show that Swedenborg cannot be claimed as an advocate exclusively of that movement. As to Swedenborg's "practice as well as

theory being in perfect harmony," &c., as our correspondent observes, there is no doubt that if he had adopted the Vegetarian principle as a rule of life, his practice would have been in harmony with his theory." But it is on record in the documents concerning his life and character, that however abstemious he might be at home, when invited out by his friends, he moderately partook of whatever fare was provided. For he well knew, that it is not that "which entereth into the man that defileth the man," but that it is the evil intents and thoughts of the heart which defile the man.]

EDITOR.

RE-OPENING OF ROSE PLACE CHURCH, LIVERPOOL.

[From a Correspondent.]

This place of worship having been beautified and furnished with comfortable seats and a place of communion, was reopened for the public worship of the Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, on Sunday January 28th, by Mr. L. Kenworthy, secretary of the Manchester Missionary Institution. In the morning he preached from Gen. xxix., ver. 1 and 2; and in the evening he delivered a lecture "On the Nature of Man, Angel, and Devil." Both discourses were excellent, and delivered impressively; many strangers attended, and expressed their approbation in unqualified terms. A collection was made towards the improvements, which was liberal beyond expectation.

The society would embrace this opportunity of expressing their gratitude to the Missionary Society for having supplied them with preachers occasionally. Since the opening a course of lectures has been delivered by their leader, Mr. Sheldon, from which it is expected some good will result. It is intended to hold a general tea meeting, when the 84th Psalm will be considered, and Mr. P. Addison, formerly one of the Manchester missionaries, has promised to preside.

LECTURES AT HOXTON BY THE REV. T. CHALKLEN.-A course of interesting and striking lectures is now being delivered on Tuesday evenings by Mr. Chalklen, at the School-room, Cowper-street, City-road. Our friends at Hoxton are desirous that the truths of the New Church shall be extensively promulgated in that populous district. To this end they would be thankful to receive any contributions to enable them to sustain the expense, and

MARRIAGE: its Uses, Duties, and Blessings, by the Rev. R. Edleston, Minister of Albion Chapel, Leeds. London: Hodson, and Newbery. Manchester: Kenworthy, pp. 168.

This work has but recently appeared, and we have only time to announce its appearance to our readers. Marriage is so holy and important, that whatsoever is well said upon the subject must be of great service to the cause of human improvement and happiness. The object of the writer has been to bring some of the great truths on Marriage, from the magnificent work on 66 Conjugal Love," by Swedenborg, in a striking and popular form, before the public; and his efforts in this holy cause deserve our warmest acknowledgments. All that we can do for the present is to announce the appearance of this little work, that our readers may procure it, and read and judge for themselves.

On the 5th April, at the New Jerusalem Church, Peter-street, Manchester, by the Rev. J. H. Smithson, Samuel, son of J. P. Massey, Esq., Edgbaston, near Birmingham, to Jane, eldest daughter of the late T. Walmsley, Esq., Birch View, Longsight.

On the 18th April, at the New Jerusalem Church, Peter-street, Manchester, by the Rev. J. H. Smithson, John, eldest son of Mr. Holgate, to Emma Almeria, youngest daughter of the late John Faulkner, Esq., both of this city.

Died, on the 19th of December last, at Dalton, near Huddersfield, in the 69th year of her age, Sarah, wife of John Hutchinson, nurseryman and gardener. She had been a receiver of the New Church doctrines 40 years. The venerable and indefatigable servant of the Lord, the late Mr. Senior, of Dalton, was the favoured instrument through whom she was led to see with clearness the superiority of New Church truths. She worshiped in his chapel, and became a member of the society. During the last few years bodily infirmities prevented her from attending chapel except occasionally, but the Sabbath was still set apart as a holy day, and though absent in body from the place of public worship, she was an earnest worshiper there in spirit. Her life was an example of Christian meekness, faith, and love; and during her severe sufferings in illness, she experienced the greatest consolation from the doctrines of Christianity she had so long embraced. They were, indeed, her strength and support in life, and her consolation in death.

J. R.

Died, on the 21st of February, 1849, at his residence, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Robert Coulson, Esq., late collector of excise, aged 79 years. He had been more or less an invalid for some years, though he was seldom prevented long together from taking his usual exercise, and enjoying the society of his friends. But on Christmas-day, 1847, he was attacked with unusual severity, and from that period to the time of his death he was wholly confined to his room, frequently alternating between symptoms of convalescence and sudden departure. He bore his affliction with patience and resignation, departing into the other world with placidity and composure, and without much apparent suffering for the last few days. He survived the death of his wife about seven years, but had no children to lament his loss. Mr. Coulson had been a cordial receiver of the doctrines of the New Church for nearly fifty years, they having been introduced to him in Hull,

by a Captain Collet and his lady somewhere about 1799. At that time he was seriously purposing to settle his religious opinions, for although he was brought up in the Established Church, he had long been dissatisfied with its doctrines; and he now began, for the first time, to read the Bible attentively and consecutively through; also, to visit various dissenting places of worship, for the purpose of fixing on some religious body with which to connect himself. The Solifidianism and Calvinism which were then so unblushingly taught as the doctrines of the Gospel, frequently shocked his common sense; nor could he reconcile the views of Unitarianism with his readings of the Word. The collision of religious sentiment which he observed gave him considerable annoyance, and he was led thereby into some doubts concerning the profession of revelation itself, when the heavenly doctrines of the New Church providentially came to his deliverance, affording his reason satisfaction, and his affection delight. From that time he became a diligent reader of the writings of Swedenborg, and connected himself with the society in Hull, then under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Green, who was originally a minister of the Scotch church, but who had now become a receiver of the doctrines of the New Dispensation. Here Mr. Coulson became an active member and liberal supporter of the church, contributing handsomely towards the expenses incurred by the Chancery suit through which the chapel in Dagger-lane was legally placed in possession of the society there. In the course of about three years the nature of his employment caused his removal from Hull; nor was he so fortunate, for upwards of seventeen years, as to be again fixed where there was a New Church society, with the mere exception of residence for a few months in London. During this time he experienced many trials and some temptations, the conquest of which led to the softening of a naturally controversial disposition, and contributed very largely to build up that better and more amiable characteristic of

the Christian life by which he was after wards so satisfactorily known and distinguished. The doctrines of the New Church had taken a firm hold upon his mind, enlarging his understanding and improving his heart; and to the light and guidance which they afforded he was indebted for many deliverances and consequent blessings. By ability and diligence he was successively promoted in his employment, and when he became collector, his residence was fixed in Sunderland, which from its proximity to Newcastle, led him to take some interest in the society there, then under the leadership of Mr. Linfil, who, dying after about eighteen months' ministration, was soon succeeded by the Rev. J. Bradley, whose volume of "Thirteen Lectures" was published at Mr. Coulson's suggestion and expense; he being the valued friend to whom Mr. Bradley alludes in the preface of that work, and of whom he said,—" My friend is a Northumbrian; and being a zealous recipient of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church, he was desirous to be instrumental in publishing those doctrines in some form or other in his own county, as the best means of usefulness to the inhabitants of his native soil." Mr. Coulson also endeavoured to establish a society at Sunderland, and the Rev. S. Noble once preached there to aid the effort, but without any visible success. Moreover, he was actively and anxiously engaged in the work of building the Temple in Newcastle, and though living at a distance of eleven miles, his advice and assistance in removing the difficult matters attending that erection, were generally sought and eminently useful. On Mr. Bradley's resignation of the ministry there, he was succeeded by the Rev. E. D. Rendell in 1826, and little more than a year afterwards, Mr. Coulson was appointed collector at Newcastle, which had become vacant by the death of Mr. Fox, also a member of the church. He now became a most valuable and influential member of the society, and among the first acts of his liberality purchased the organ now in the Temple, and which, it was always understood by the writer, by his nephew the Rev. R. Abbott, and other friends, was to be left as a legacy to the society. He was one of the trustees of the Temple, and has frequently regretted that that property was not placed in the Conference trust, he believing that its perpetuity for the purposes for which it was erected would be more safe in such custody than otherwise; and there is little doubt, if he had lived to the time when

the trustees were reduced to the number requiring a renewal of the deed, that he would have strongly urged the transference of the property to the Conference trust. He has left by will forty shares in the Newcastle District Banking Company, on which the whole amount. £400., has been paid up; though, at present, they are considerably below that value in the market. These and many other acts of generosity and attention in his connection with the church and its members, shew that "he loved our nation." His genius, as a New Churchinan, appeared to be of the spiritual class; scrupulously exact about what he considered the correct setting forth of her doctrines, and critically observant of what he thought to be inaccurate opinions; nevertheless he was always kind in the expression of his censures, though dogmatically firm in them when once delivered. Punctuality in every undertaking he regarded as of great importance, and any neglect in this particular would give him great annoyance. He had formed to himself an orderly and consistent Christian character, and was influenced in all his conduct by a strong sense of his views of propriety and justice. He made no pretensions to piety in the commonly religious sense of that term, though he was a diligent attender on public worship, a careful observer of private prayer, and a devout receiver of the sacrament; but he regarded the acquisition of interior states for right doing as the essential thing. During his protracted illness he evinced both patience and resignation, for which blessing, doubtless, he was much indebted to the states of good which had been previously acquired; and, although from the first attack he felt an interior persuasion that he should never recover, yet he was occasionally cheerful, enjoyed the society of his friends, for he was a social man, and would sometimes take an animated part in conversation on the topics of the day, knowing that religion was not intended to take men out of the world, but to keep them from "the evil that is in the world." On visiting him in July last, and administering the Sacrament, occasion was taken to speak to him on the subject of his spiritual state and prospects, and from the conversation, information was elicited which, added to the knowledge of him afforded by more than twenty years of friendly intercourse, induces the writer to believe that he was in a state highly favourable to the realization of some of the best hopes of religious men.

E. D. R.