livened with music. Scarcely any were present but the members of the congregation, the idea being to make it a strictly "family party."

The second meeting was held on Tuesday, January 4th, with success exceeding even that of the first. Being Christmas-time, the room was ornamented with crimson cloth, holly, and other evergreens in profusion, along with mirrors that greatly enhanced the picturesque effect, especially of the noble Christmas Tree that rose proudly, as if in its native mountain, at the end of the room. The really beautiful roof of this fine apartment was shown to the highest advantage by the rich ornamentation below, which seemed to bring out its peculiar character and elaborate inlay ing in a way that is impossible to bare walls. Music and other lively entertainments formed the staple of the evening; but the gem of all was a procession of little children. At a given signal, the pastor of the church (Rev. J. H. Smithson) was requested to take a seat in front of a mysterious looking curtain. Before he had been there long, there entered at the further end of the room, walking two and two, about seventy of the youngest children belonging to

the society, as radiant as New Year's clothing and happy hearts could make them. The four youngest and prettiest came at the head, looking like little snowdrops, and carrying, suspended on a kind of cushion, a large and handsome Bible, which they laid at the feet of the minister. They then retired a little way, and, with the others, formed a semicircle, lifting their sweet small voices in a hymn. The effect was magical. Nothing so beautiful or heartstirring has ever been seen at a social church or school meeting, as plainly shown by the many lifted handkerchiefs. The hymn concluded, and a few gracious words from the honoured one, the mysterious (believed) curtain was raised, disclosing the tree, lighted up, and hung with gifts for the children, every one of whom was provided for. Really, these meetings are productive of so much delight, and so genial in their miscellaneous influence, that we know nothing we can more cordially recommend to our societies elsewhere than to do likewise.

Another meeting will be held early in February, which will partake, it is understood, largely of the nature of a private

concert.

On the 23rd December, 1858, at the New Jerusalem Church, Summer Lane, by the Rev. E. Madeley, Mr. William Buncher, of Church-street, Lozells, to Sarah Eliza, second daughter of Mr. John Haseler, of Birmingham.

On the 6th January, 1859, at the New Jerusalem Church, Summer Lane, Birmingham, by the Rev. E. Madeley, Mr. Edward Madeley Haseler, of Broughamstreet, Aston, to Jane Adelaide, youngest daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Best, of Birmingham.

Died, August 31st, 1857, at Frankfort, Pennsylvania, Joseph Borrough, in the 77th year of his age. The subject of this notice was born in Westmoreland, England, and passed the earlier portion of his life in the naval service of his country. On withdrawing from that service he went to reside at Bolton, in Lancashire, England. He there became one of the earliest receivers of the doctrines of the New Church, in association with the Rev. Samuel Dawson, James Wilde, and others, and under the influence of the periodical visits to that town of the Rev. John Clowes, of Manchester. In the year 1826 he emigrated

to the United States of America, and settled in Frankfort, where he became one of the most faithful in support of all the measures taken to introduce the influence of the new doctrines into that village. He was one of the first of those who established the charitable institution of Oddfellowship in the town of his chosen residence, and died the very oldest member of the lodge to which he belonged. He was an instance of the great power of pure religious principles in protecting man's highest nature, while passing through a long life in busy association with the affairs of this world; and he retained throughout the whole

course of his pilgrimage here the highest sense of the truly honourable, and a bearing of the purest integrity. It was truly refreshing to witness his ardent zeal for the true and the good of the church, and his affectionate remembrances of the meetings and conversations of his early companionships when the profession of the new doctrines subjected men to the bitterest persecution. He was ever faithful in his religious and civil duties, quiet, and retiring from all selfish prominence; and he was taken hence enjoying the highest respect of his acquaintances in this his adopted country.

J. S.

Mr. George Baron Flowers departed this life, at Pentonville, London, Dec. 2, 1858, in his 87th year. He was one of the old members of the Friars-street Society, London, under the ministry of the Rev. M. Sibley, and being of a scientific and mechanical turn of mind, in addition to his New Church views, rendered him a valuable acquaintance of Mr. Dunn, and the late Mr. John Isaac Hawkins, with both of whom he was on inmate terms of friendship for many years. As treasurer to Vauxhall Gardens, for some years of the latter whilst the property of the late G. Barrett, his conduct and services were such as to continue Mr. Flowers in confidential consultation with the family. He had been in partnership with the late Alderman Farebrother, at Stockwell, Surrey,i n waxbleaching, from which, however, he retired, the connexion not being congenial with his feelings. For some time latterly he had resided in the United States, but had not been successful in his selection of pursuits, which rendered the benevolent addition to a small income from a few kind friends of great comfort in the wind-up of his earthly

career.

At Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on the 18th day of December last, Henry Liddell Elliott departed, after a residence of thirty-two years here, for a "house more glorious, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." The assurance for such a statement is grounded in his obedience to the laws of Divine order,

*If some friend could supply us with a notice of this truly ingenious and excellent man, we should feel much obliged.-ED.

as far as known to him. In this respect he kept up, by great care, a "frail house of clay" for years, which otherwise would have sunk to rapid decay by consumption. On the other hand-though advised not to attend church by his surgeon for two years past-the Divine Word was his companion and guide, the regular study of which, morning and evening, is an example bequeathed to those of us who remain. The texts written in his diary, the sweet breathings of some of his verses, together with an amiability of disposition worthy of emulation, and the sweet, consolatory, calm departure, are some evidences of what the Truths of Revelation, as seen and applied in the light of the Lord's New Church, can do for us "in our last trying hour."

C.

Died, December 28th, 1858, at his residence, Grove Villas, Osmaston Road, Derby, John Corden, Esq., in the 66th year of his age. From his long connection with the Derby Society, and the active interest he had taken in the church generally, he was well known to a large circle of friends.

His attention was led to our doctrines in the year 1818, at which time they were being preached in Derby by the late Rev. E. Madeley,-whose name is still held in affectionate remembrance by those privileged to know him, for his many amiable qualities and sterling worth. As has always been the case in places where New Church principles have been just disseminated, many strange and ridiculous rumours were then circulated respecting them; but our friend, not being entirely satisfied with the old church views, in which he had been educated, and remembering the apostolic maxim, "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good," determined to judge for himself. Doing this in a candid and truth-seeking spirit, it is not surprising that he soon saw how unjust were the calumnies he had heard, to desire to become more acquainted and that he was sufficiently interested with our author's teachings. He accordingly commenced attending the chapel then used as a New Church place fully read for himself, the result being of worship, at Greenhill, and also carethat he gradually became impressed with the truthfulness of our views, and at length ardently embraced them.

Our friend was thoroughly practical in what he said and did; and this characteristic led him to discard any principle, however beautiful, if he conceived it to be merely ideal. When, therefore, he identified himself with us, he felt that his first duty was to develop in his own life the teachings of his creed, and then to make himself as useful as possible.

The whole tenor of his life evinced his anxiety to observe the first, and the second was manifested in the circumstance of his joining the infant church then in existence at Derby, and uniting with his brethren in extending a knowledge of our doctrines. He was successively appointed to the most important offices in the society, being for some time secretary, and subsequently chairman of the committee; he was likewise a trustee of the present chapel, and at the period of his decease had been for many years treasurer. His name has also long appeared as one of the collectors of the Swedenborg Society.

Mr. Corden was deeply impressed with the importance of public worship. He regarded it as no mean privilege to be enabled to join his fellow-members in offering up their united ascriptions of praise, and of seeking to gain some glimpses of divine light which would guide him through all the intricacies of life. He was accordingly most constant in his attendance-latterly often there even when experiencing bodily indisposition-and therein set an example which might by many be profitably imitated.

His conviction of the importance of making himself useful led him to perform many services, the results of which can but be imperfectly known. When he joined the church, the rising generation had far less opportunity of procuring the simplest rudiments of knowledge than is now the case; and this fact, coupled with the conviction that, from the great prejudice which existed against the doctrines in the minds of adults, the main hope of advancing them was in the young, led him to connect himself with the Sunday School then established, and with his wife and daughter he was many years its main stay. A few of these now belonging to the Derby Society are more or less the fruits of his indefatigable efforts, but there are many others who do not worship

with us, who have reason to be grateful for the instruction he imparted to them. The same feeling led him always to take an especial interest in those young men who promised to become useful to the church,-none experienced more pleasure than our friend in watching these indications, or was more ready to encourage them by his advice and friendship.

Without any solicitation on his part, he was in 1842 appointed to the responsible duty of distributor of stamps for the county of Derby. He also held several important public offices in the town, amongst others being secretary and manager of the largest local charity, and a member of the town-council, to which body he was appointed at his last re-election by the largest number of votes ever polled in the borough, although his political principles were not those of the popular party. He was thus brought into contact with persons decidedly unfavourable to the church, but he never faltered in his adhesion to it, always publicly advocating its claims, so far as he could do it without obtrusion; and this, added to the universal esteem in which he was held, doubtless helped to remove that intense prejudice against it which once existed in Derby.

Our friend felt most acutely the removal of his wife, to whom he had been united above forty years, in 1855 (see Intellectual Repository for that year); and although he received from his only daughter all the attention which filial love could devise, yet he missed one who had ever been ready to minister to his happiness. There is reason, however, to hope that his sorrow was gently assuaged by the consolatory teachings of our doctrines, from which he was enabled to picture the reality of the heavenly kingdom, and of the bliss he was shortly to eternally share with her.

His health, which had up to this time been unusually good, shortly afterwards began to fail. His illness was much protracted, and although his friends at times fondly believed he would be restored to them, unfavourable symptoms latterly dispelled the idea. Though naturally of an impatient temperament, he bore his sufferings, which were at times very severe, with unmurmuring patience and firmness, often saying, "The Lord knows best, and His will be done." His thoughts were then directed