sign the register with a mark. Hence the distinction and aversion of classes, and of the poor against the rich. In France, in 1844, with a population of thirty-four and a half millions, about seventeen millions were unable to read and write; 7,097,000 were able to read but not to write; 6,968,000 were able to read and write imperfectly; 2,430,000 were able to read and write correctly; 735,000 possessed the elements of a classical education, and but 315,000 have a complete classical education.

In view of such facts, who can wonder at the difficulty of establishing a government depending for its support upon the sympathies and intelligence of its people? The rational mind of the nation is yet in its infancy, and can hardly be developed before a system of free schools has been established, and a long time in successful operation. What is true of France, is true also of all the countries of the old world. Even in Great Britain, the amount expended for public schools is less than that of the single city of Boston! The consequence is, that large classes are growing up with minds nearly closed to the light of knowledge, with faculties limited and impaired for application to uses, and with the sentiment of hope nearly extinguished. Their tendency seems, therefore, downward towards a state of brutality, rather than upwards towards the angelic state; and society is taxed to put the machinery of prisons and bayonets in requisition to keep them in order.

Knowledge and wealth, which were intended, by the Giver of all things, to promote the happiness of all, are the possession of the few; while ignorance and want seem to be the lot of the many. Does not his state of things indicate a sad deficiency in the institutions of the civilized world? Have they anything in the way of amelioration to present to their subjects but despair? Were the Lord present in them in His Divine Humanity, I see not how ignorance and famine could be the lot of so large a portion of His children. Hence I infer that the civil governments of the world are consummated, as well as its churches; and that the revolutions and commotions now going on, are permitted to prepare the way for subsequent changes, which are to result in fulfilling the prophecy, "Behold I create all things new." It seems as though we were approaching the period spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel, "I will overturn, overturn it, until he come whose right it is, and I will give it him." The selfish dynasties which have so long ruled with a rod of iron must give place to principles of justice and humanity.

When the principles of the New Dispensation shall have sway in civil governments, then will they have the sympathy of willing hearts for their support; and under the reign of this sphere, the nations of the earth will begin to blossom as the rose.

As the New Heaven comes down from God out of heaven, and its principles are received into the hearts of men, it will be seen that the law of kindness, of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us, is the only basis of a successful and permanent prosperity. True charity in a parent prompts him to so cultivate the faculties of his child, that he may be qualified to take his part in fulfilling some

among the numerous uses in society. He can then sustain himself, while serving others. So with all civil communities. A community which allows its members to grow up without the means of providing for themselves, by reason of ignorance, is recreant to the high duty imposed upon all of God's children. Who, therefore, that has a heart to feel for ignorant and suffering humanity, can fail to feel an interest in all practical means to elevate the condition, natural and spiritual, of the human race? The feet of society are diseased, and unless the disease can be arrested, it threatens the health of the body politic. "The world," says Wilkinson, "is now learning, by severe practical experience, that great and new truth announced by Swedenborg, that the world is the foundation of heaven, and that heaven rests upon it as a basis. The practical unity of things is becoming obvious to the most unobservant. The human race is like the human body. There is no such thing as a pain so confined to one part, that the whole man does not feel it. All disease invades the subject integrally, however it may appear otherwise, from the intensity of its attack upon a part or member. And hence it is, that there must be a wholeness in remedies, a wholeness in truths, a wholeness in our charities."

The remedy must consist in a new creation-a new application of the truths of the Word to the life of man; which involves an organization of industry upon principles of equity, and a more thorough application of the laws of charity in our social relations.

In the Ancient Church, and on the planet Jupiter, Swedenborg informs us, they had no desires beyond the necessaries of life-they accounted nothing useful but so far as it was necessary-no one coveted another's property-it never entered their minds to desire the possessions of another, still less to obtain them fraudulently, and least of all to extort them by violence. It was a thing altogether unknown for one person to enrich himself at the expense of another, or to aspire at dominion from a principle of self-love. On this account the ancient times, and especially the most ancient, were more acceptable to the Lord than succeeding times. Then every one rejoiced in his own, and not less in his neighbor's good. But in succeeding times this scene was changed, and totally reversed, when the lust of dominion and of large possessions invaded the mind; then mankind, for the sake of self-defence, collected themselves into kingdoms and empires; and inasmuch as the laws of charity and conscience, which were inscribed on the hearts, ceased to operate, it became necessary to enact external laws to restrain violence, &c. (E. U. 49). When we contrast this state with the sphere of the world in our day, all must be struck with the remoteness of the New Dispensation from our midst. Let no one, however, be discouraged at the magnitude of the work to be done. Every individual forms a link in the grand chain of humanity, and can do something towards hastening its descent from God out of heaven.

Our Lord said, when upon earth, "The foxes have holes, and the sirds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head." There was room on the earth for man's self-derived pru

dence, and for his intellectuals, which are signified by foxes and birds, but not for the goods and truths of the Word. The Lord stands at the door and knocks, and it is in the power of every one to open the door of his mind. As he does this, the Son of man will have where to lay his head, and the New Dispensation will draw near. We have a work to do in following the Lord in the regeneration, similar to His while upon the earth. He visited the sick, the lame, halt, blind, lunatic, and healed them all. It was these who were the objects of his mercy, instead of those who were able, in return, "to do good to us again." In short, he came to save that which was lost. His true disciples will seek to be mediums of his spirit in a similar manner. The church and society, as they have existed, seem ignorant of the power of doing good which is open to them in this direction.

The little that is known with regard to the successful manner of treating insane persons, consists in applying the principles of charity, and in making them feel that they are men and women, with duties and responsibilities to be regularly observed. When this is felt, and they are disposed to devote themselves to regular uses, their restoration to reason is almost sure to follow. One great cause why so many lose their balance of mind, is because the rational mind has not been properly educated and developed. As an important remedial agent, the Board of Visitors of the Hanwell Lunatic Asylum in England have established male and female schools for the instruction of patients. Their object is, as stated in their report, "the awakening and improving the intellectual state of the imbecile and idiotic, for the cultivation and gratification--by instruction in natural history, geography, and general knowledge-of those patients who are already partially educated and instructed, and so as to excite, relieve, and recreate, as well as inform their minds." (Jour. Is. p. 6, 1848.)

In the case of idiocy also, it has been ascertained by the results of an active philanthropy, that the light of spiritual day may be let into the minds of those who have been heretofore left to themselves, in a state of almost total darkness. Schools have been started in France and Switzerland, and the result is, that "the fact is now clearly established that idiots may be educated, that the reflective power exists within them, and may be awakened by a proper system of instruction; that they may be raised from the filth in which they grovel, to the attitude of men; that they may be taught different arts which will enable them to gain an honest livelihood." Experience shows that these poor creatures-the most wretched that are born into the world -who are usually abandoned to a life of brutishness, and who can never, of themselves, step upon the platform of humanity, can be saved. Instances could be adduced which would gladden the heart of humanity, did time suffice. Patience," said one of the teachers in this noble work, " and the desire to do good, are all that are necessary." Is not this realizing the command of the Lord to His disciples, to go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel? His command was also to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give.

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By thus commencing in the cesspools of society-in the Nazareth of the natural world-the work will be begun in the lowest ultimates.

It must start from this point before society can be restored to a healthy state, and heaven be brought down to earth. It is from this point that the flood-gates of evil must be stayed, and the tide rolled back. Whoever lends his sympathies in this direction, if not his active exertions, like him who gives a cup of cold water only to a disciple, will receive his reward. It strengthens, and gives warmth and life to the moral faculties.

There is no pleasure so healthful in its influence as the pleasure of doing good to others. The State of Massachusetts has already taken the lead in this noble work. She has just started a school for educating the poor idiot; and a reform school for boys, just commencing a career of crime.

It seems to be the peculiar province of the disciples of the New Dispensation, to arouse the moral feelings of this community to their duties in these respects; to encourage and help its members to stand upon their own feet, with the ability and disposition to perform uses as of themselves.

The cost of educating the rising generations, and the care of the sick and imbecile, is small, when contrasted with the cost of the vast machinery of war. Could the two hundred millions of dollars expended by our government in the effort to conquer a 'peace with her neighbor, have been dispensed upon the principles I have attempted to illustrate, how different the result!

Instead of laying waste cities, towns, and villages, and carrying sorrow to the hearts of bereaved parents and widows, who have done us no wrong, it might have aided to develop the resources of both nations, stimulated their moral and educational efforts for the good of the race, and carried comfort to the children of want, wherever found.

The war establishments of the world, with their vast machinery for destroying brethren, are altogether disproportioned to the machinery for lifting humanity upwards. Of the money raised for the support of governments, the amount devoted to keeping alive and perfecting the machinery of war, dwarfs that of all other uses combined.

Take our own government as an example. Of the whole amount expended, even in a time of peace, for the administration of justice, our relations with foreign nations, light-houses, internal improvements, and all other uses, eighty dollars out of every hundred has been devoted to the support of the war and naval establishments. It is thus that the bounties which God has given us for the good of His children, are now dispensed.

Let it be the duty, as well as the pleasure, of the disciples of the New Church, to enlighten public sentiment on these points. This may be done by scattering broadcast the seeds of truth, and insinuating the goods of charity towards the neighbor.

With a healthy public sentiment, the bounties of Providence will be dispensed more in accordance with the principles of the New Diopensation. Schools, or standing armies, are the necessary appen dages of all civil governments. One helps to raise its members towards the angelic state; the other to depress them towards a state of brutish ignorance. The community is beginning to realize the truth,

that a government of practical love to the neighbor is the cheapestthat it is cheaper to prevent crime than to punish it-cheaper to educate and develop the capacity to be good citizens, than to support them after graduating in the schools of indolence and hatred-to say nothing of the eternal impress which is left upon the soul, by a life of good or evil.

Four churches have existed since the creation, viz., the Adamic, the Noahatic, the Israelitish, and the Christian. Each has passed through four successive states, or periods, corresponding with morning, noon, evening, and night. The first state, or morning, was the appearing of the Lord Jehovah, and redemption; the second was its instruction, and day of progression; the third its declension, which is its evening or vastation; and the fourth its night, or consummation. After consummation the Lord appears, separates the good from the evil; elevates the good to Himself, and removes the evil.

And after the consummation of these churches He formed another, which is called the New Jerusalem. All are members of this church who acknowledge the truths of the Word, and follow the Lord in the regeneration, and who do the work which he commands. What these duties are, I have endeavored very briefly to set forth.

We are in danger of being satisfied with merely yielding assent to important truths, and external ordinances. It will be well for us to bear in mind, that the kingdom of heaven is given to those only who bring forth the fruits thereof.

Our Lord commanded His disciples to go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. The Gospel denotes annunciation concerning the Lord, His coming, the things which are from Him, and thus the whole Word. We preach it, when we acknowledge its teachings and apply them to life.

In the Ancient Church it was one of their works of charity to instruct each other in doctrines, and in matters of opinion.

Let it be our duty also to strive to accomplish a similar work, and to arrive at similar states, and the reward will then be with us.

O. C.

ARTICLE III.

WATER AS AN ELEMENTARY CORRESPONDENCE OF TRUTH. GOD in creating can only express, in the different spheres and gradations of the stellar, planetary, human, animal, vegetable, mineral, and elementary existence, those principles which constitute his own being, thus rendering the universe a mirror reflecting his infinite perfections. In like manner man, created in the image of God, a microcosm within the macrocosm, finds in the world around him, in his circumambient sphere, innumerable reflections of the elements of his