plain harmoniously the whole of the Sacred Volume. Many other observations were made by different individuals, and about half-past nine I concluded the meeting by a short address, strongly recommending the doctrines of the New Jerusalem to the affectionate consideration of my audience. Thus closed my labors at Exeter ; and from all that has transpired I am fully persuaded, and so are all our friends, that our heavenly cause has gained strength in this city. The average number that attended each lecture was about 550. The interest was kept up to the very last; and sincerely do I hope that the Lord Jesus, in his mercy, will in due time cause the seed thus sown to spring up and produce an abundance of fruit.

in

Tuesday, May 26, I left Exeter early in the morning, accompanied by Mr. Lowrey, for Tiverton, where in the evening of the same day I delivered my second lecture to a crowded house. The lecture was on the divinity and spirituality of the Holy Word; which I explained, according to the spiritual sense, many abstruse and difficult passages of Scripture, taking care at the same time to keep in view, throughout the whole of the lecture, that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Light and Life of men, is the sole object of all worship and adoration. After this lecture there was a most animated and interesting conversation. A good spirit seemed to pervade the meeting. Many questions were asked, and the answers I was enabled to give, appeared, by the approbation that was expressed, to give general satisfaction. I heard of little else but expressions of delight at what was delivered; and one gentleman at the close of the meeting, expressed himself nearly as follows: We must admit, friends, that Mr. Goyder has conducted himself in this meeting in a most kind, patient, and christianlike manner; and although we may not all see as he does in every thing, yet we must admire him for his very

.6

N. S. NO. VII.-VOL. I.

close adherence to the words of Scripture; and I hope we shall all soon drop the name of sects,-that we shall not talk of Baptism, or Independentism, or Methodism, or any other ism, but try to find out what is truth." The meeting was closed a little after nine o'clock; and upon coming out of the hall I found several groups of people in the street, talking about the subjects that had been elucidated.

Wednesday, May 27. This evening I delivered my third lecture, from Isa. Iv. 2, concluding with an explanation of the miracle of the Lord's feeding the multitude, with the five loaves and two fishes. The ball was again filled with persons who gave me a silent and attentive hearing. In this lecture, I explained the text according to its spi ritual import, and shewed that the bread mentioned therein was not that which nourishes the body, but the bread of life, which gives strength and nourish ment to the soul, and that it denoted all the good that cometh down from God out of heaven. The money, or rather silver, which is said to be spent for that which is not bread, denoting the truths of the Word of God, which in the language of Scripture are called gold and silver, and also true riches. These, I observed, were given by our Heavenly Father, that we might apply them to the procuring of bread, or of that state of goodness of life, by which heaven could be formed within, and the soul become mentally rich, fat, and flourishing. But when these truths are merely received in the understanding or stored up in the memory, so that we talk of them as so many doctrines or theories, without applying them to the purposes of a holy life, we then do spend our money for that which can yield no solid satisfaction. An evil life, I observed, produces darkness in the understanding; and to the minds of such persons, the truths of revelation, which in themselves are bright, become dim and obscure. This state of mind, in the language of Scripture, is described in these words.-"How is

U U

the gold become dim! how is the fine gold changed!'' (Lam. iv. 1.) "Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water." (Isa. i. 22.) After I had finished the lecture with an explanation of the Lord's feeding the multitude, I invited conversation. A person, who as I was informed, was a preacher among the Methodists, then rose, and as usual did not attempt to disturb the doctrine advanced in the lecture, but proceeded to read a written paper containing an extract from the writings of Swedenborg concerning heaven and the things therein. He said, "this gentleman takes his doctrines from Emanuel Swedenborg; and this Swedenborg says that in the spiritual world there are mountains, and hills, and valleys that there are gardens, paradises, fields, groves, houses, and even merchandise, &c." It was evident that the object of this speaker was to ridicule the writings of E. S. In some measure he received, by the plaudits of many, the little reward he sought. When he had finished, rose to reply. I said, "I could not see what objection any rational man could have to the extract read. Swedenborg not only states, but proves from the Word of God, that heaven is a real world, and that the scenery there is rich and beautiful, calculated to delight the minds of immortal beings. If upon my departure out of this world, I should, by divine mercy, come into heaven, I suppose I am to have eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to handle, and feet to walk. If we have eyes, there must be objects to see; if we have ears, there must be sounds of angelic harmony to be heard. Our Lord says blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God and again he says, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine until I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom;' so that, if our Lord's words are true, there is eating bread and drinking wine in heaven. With respect to mountains, hills, fields, and the like being in the heavenly world, what objection can there be to

this? How often are Christians heard to sing in their places of worship,'Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood, Stand dressed in living green ;' and in singing about heaven, they say, 'There everlasting spring abides, And never withering flowers." What! sing about green fields in heaven, about everlasting spring and flowers, and deny the truth of what you sing! We ought, I think, to cease to sing or utter with the lips what is denied in the heart. Again, with respect to houses or habitations in the heavenly world, we have our Lord's own words in proof of this,

In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you; I go to prepare a place for you' (John xiv. 2). As the Lord has told us this, I believe it; our objector is left to do as he may think proper. Now with respect to merchandise, upon which the gentleman has laid so much stress, and which he has repeated so often, in order to excite a laugh, I ask, what is merchandize in reference to this world? What is it but the free exchange of earthly commodities from each to the other, by which the whole become enriched, and their comforts increased! And what is heavenly merchandize, but the free communication amongst the angels of all those spiritual goods or principles of love, wisdom, truth, and divine knowledge, which, as they are freely communicated from the one to the other, the whole are enriched, and each one's joys are increased. This is the heavenly merchandize of which Swedenborg speaks, and not as the gentleman would insinuate, a trading in earthly articles.'" I made many other remarks upon other subjects, and received, when I had done speaking, considerable approbation. The opposing parties were rather excited; one stated that I had thrown down all the doctrines of every sect and party, that I had denied the three Divine Persons, and the doctrine of atonement and satisfaction to Divine Justice, and many

other things. The lectures have excited a good deal of interest here. A gentleman the next morning early called at the shop of Mr. Beedle, and bought a few of our tracts.

Friday, May 29. I delivered my

fourth and last lecture at Tiverton. The Hall was filled to excess, and it was thought that 600 persons were wedged together. My lecture was, "On the Future State, and the Christian Doctrine of the Resurrection." In this lecture I confined myself to the views of the New Church respecting heaven and its joys, and of the resurrection, without directly attacking the old doctrines. Respecting the resurrection of the body I said nothing; but suffered it to fall by its own weak

ness.

While the lecture was in progress of delivery, I could feel in my own mind that the New-Church views on these subjects were grateful to the people. A breathless silence prevailed during the whole of my lecture; and I am certain that the people, generally, were very favorably impressed with this doctrine of the New Church, upon which I dwelt much,-that bodily death is a continuation of life. The lecture occupied about an hour. When finished, I invited to conversation. It was truly remarkable to observe the reasoning of the first person who spoke; his object appeared to be, to oppose the doctrine I had advanced in the lecture, of a good life being essential to obtain heaven and its joys. He thought faith alone, and not a life of good works in keeping the commandments, was the way to obtain pardon of our sins. He said no one ever kept the commandments, and challenged me to produce any one passage of Scripture where an instance was given of any person's ever keeping the commandments. In reply, I instanced the case of Zechariah and Elizabeth; of whom I observed it is written in Scripture, that they walked in all the statutes and ordinances of the Lord blameless. It was evident that the production of this passage very much disconcerted him; and it was curious to see how hard he labored in

trying to set it aside. He said, "They did not always live in this blameless way they were sinners as all other people were; and were to be saved by faith." I observed, "I have given a passage as the gentleman asked me, and now he wants to find spurious arguments to deny its force." There was then an evident wish to change the subject; and a Methodist preacher began to speak on the doctrine of the resurrection. He said, the lecturer has said nothing about the resurrection of the body from the grave at the last day; but only spoke of the soul rising when the body died. Now he contended, that the body which was put into the grave should rise again, and be united with the soul; and as it had been the sharer of its trials, it should also be a sharer of its joys. One of our friends asked this gentleman a question: "If the same body that goes down into the grave is to be raised, how do you understand this passage in Job, 'As the cloud is consumed and vanishethaway: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more?' (vii. 9) He said in reply, "The body will not come up as it went down, but it will be changed, and raised spiritual." This was an admission fatal to his material resurrection; which led me to explain the New-Church doctrine upon that subject at considerable length, which appeared to give great pleasure to some, but very much to disturb the minds of others. About nine o'clock, which was the time I had previously stated at the commencement of the lecture, that the conversation should terminate, I rose to close the meeting, and to take my farewell of the people of Tiverton ; when three or four persons, whose only object was to oppose, began to speak aloud, and to ask one question after another in quick succession.

A gen

tleman of the Baptist connexion shewed a bitter and un-Christian spirit, for which he was severely reprimanded by the hisses of the people. He said, "Mr. Goyder has thrown down all the doctrines of every sect: he denies the three persons in the Trinity, Atonement, and

satisfaction," &c., &c. He went on in a strain of bitterness that I can hardly describe. Among other things he said, "Swedenborg was the secretary of the devil, and Mr. Goyder is a paid agent from the infernal regions" (hisses, and cries of No, no.) After he had finished his tirade, the Methodist preacher rose and said, "I do not participate in the sentiment of the last speaker: we must all admire the Christian spirit which the worthy lecturer has maintained in these meetings; and although I think him in error in some things, yet we have learned much that is valuable"

(applause). The Baptist then rose again, but could scarcely obtain a bearing. He said he was sorry if, in the heat of the moment, he had said any thing to offend Mr. Goyder (hisses and laughing). He respected Mr. Goyder very much indeed (tremendous hisses). He continued speaking while two or three others were addressing the meeting at the same time, and all was noise and confusion. When order was somewhat restored, I rose to take my farewell of the meeting. I said, I lamented the feeling that had been manifested, and hoped that we should not allow our passions to interrupt us in our search after truth. After addressing them for some time in a conciliatory spirit, I stated that tracts explanatory of the doctrines of the New-Church, might be had by applying at Mr. Beedle's, and wishing them every earthly and heavenly blessing, I took my leave. I found upon reaching Mr. B.'s, that tracts had been applied for, and some sold that evening, and also the following morning. After the lecture on each evening, clusters of persons assembled in the ball and outside, talking about what had been delivered. In one of these clusters, a person said that Swedenborg was certainly insane; when a young lady about 15 years old, said, "Beware, sir, what you say; for the person who first propagated that Swedenborg was insane, did himself die mad!"-The lectures have certainly made a great stir in Tiverton; and I hope that some good, under the provi

dence of our Lord, will in due time be realized.

Sunday, May 31. This day, both morning and afternoon, we had divine worship in Mr. B.'s house. There were

several persons present from Exeter and Cheriton, and all experienced a most happy time. In the morning, I preached on the Lord's transfiguration, and in the afternoon, on the person mentioned in the Gospel, who had not on a wedding garment. In the morning I baptized eight persons, and in the afternoon administered the holy supper. This was a day of spiritual rejoicing; and the delight which seemed to encompass every one, imparted happiness to the whole. Yours truly,

THOMAS GOYDER. On Tuesday evening, June 2nd, the few friends at Exeter, met at Mr. Lowrey's, for the purpose of taking their farewell of me. In the course of the evening, they read an address expressive of thankfulness to the Missionary Society, for sending a minister to visit them; after which, they presented me with a handsome silver watchguard.

On Wednesday morning, June 3rd, I left Exeter, and arrived in the evening at Bath, in time to attend the monthly meeting of the New-Church society for reading and conversation. About 24 persons took tea and coffee together; after which, the following passage of scripture was considered, "Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away." Mr. Pitman, Mr. Keene, myself, and others, spoke upon the passage; and the evening was most profitably spent.

After stopping a short time at Bath, I proceeded to Salisbury, where I arrived on Saturday, June 6th. On the next day, Sunday, I preached in the morning, from Matthew v. 25, 26, to a small, but most attentive congregation. In the afternoon, the two sacraments of baptism and the holy supper were administered; when I baptized three adults, and three infants, and had about 18 communicants at the table. In the

evening I preached again to the society, from 1 Kings, iv. 33, when the congregation in comparison with the morning one, was so considerably increased, that the room could not hold them, and many were standing on the stairs and in an outer room. The place of worship here is very small, and I suppose, when well filled, would not hold more than 100 persons. Mr. Dyke read the

cause.

service for me both times. I consider him a very efficient leader; and if the society at Salisbury had a more eligible place of worship, I have no doubt but that many would soon be added to our On Monday Evening, June 8th, a few friends of the church assembled at the house of Mr. Dyke, at Wilton, where they took tea together; and the evening was spent in conversing upon the heavenly doctrines. On the next morning early, I left Wilton, and arrived in London in the afternoon: after spending two days with my friends there, I left, and arrived safe at my home in Norwich, on Friday evening, June 12th. Such, then, is the account I have to render of this my journey, and hope it will be attended with some beneficial effects. In this missionary tour, I preached sixteen times, held nine conversational meetings, adminis-, tered the sacrament of the holy supper three times, and baptized twenty-two persons, viz., sixteen adults and six infants. In the hope that the divine blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ will attend every effort to extend a knowledge of the doctrines of the NewJerusalem, I remain, Yours, very sincerely, THOS. GOYDER.

Norwich, June 15, 1840.

sionary visit to this city. We engaged the largest and mos suitable room for the delivery of the lectures, and were highly gratified by seeing it well and respectably attended. On the first night we suppose there were about 500 persons present, and on the second about 1000; and the remaining four lectures were attended with but little variation from the first night in point of number.

An opposition was raised by a gentleman named Wilkinson, whose peculiar views have created some sensation in this city. His first objection was that no man now living could commit the sin against the Holy Ghost. He stated that the Jews' imputing the Lord's miracles to the power of the devil, constituted that sin; and as no man can now witness the working of miracles, he cannot possibly commit it. On the next lecture night, he brought three books, and placed them in Mr. Goyder's hauds, and inquired "if they were not the work of Swedenborg, the person who wrote the doctrines called the New Jerusalem Church." One of which Mr. G. told him was, and the second a little work of Mr. Clowes: the third he knew nothing about. Mr. W. then read a passage from Swedenborg's work on the education of infants in heaven, also of governments there, which he endeavored to turn into ridicule. His manner must have been most repelling to every reflecting mind; but Mr. Goyder's Christian demeanor afforded us the greatest satisfaction and delight; and many persons present, one of Mr. Wilkinson's own followers among the number, said that Mr. W.'s manner was very unfair, and seemed much pleased with Mr. Goyder's explanation of the subject. On the whole, instead of throwing ridicule on the doctrines, we think Mr. W. did much to strengthen our cause, and we therefore feel much obliged to him.

It would be entering into too lengthened a detail to treat of the various oppositions Mr. G. met with here; and I therefore; will not say