The Portland daily press., 1880-06-19
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
The Annual Convention of the Sweden
borgians.

The Genera. Convention of the New Jerusa-
lem Church opened yesterday morning at 10 a.
m. in the church on High street.
Rev. Chauncy Giles, of Philadelphia, took
the chair and opened the exercises with the
reading Of the Scriptures.
The Rev. Mr.. Hinkley read an invitation to
all members of the New Church to take seats
in the Convention and requested their names.
The Chair appointed Rev. Messrs. Ager,
Knight and Stearns Committee on Creden-
tials.
The Rev. Mr.. Reed offered the following
resolution, which was unanimously adopted:
Resolred That the convention extend cordial
welcome to George Broadfeld, a well known and es-
teemed member of the New Church in England and
invite him to participate in the deliberations.
Mr.. Broadfeld was presented to the conven-
ton by Rev. Mr.. Giles. Mr.. Broadfield res
ponded and thanked the convention for the
warm welcome extended to him personally.
He alluded to the friendly spirit existing be-
tween the churches in England and America
Mr.. Giles made some remarks upon the work
of the New Jerusalem Church abroad, and
hoped that some measure would be taken to
explain the same to the household of faith in
England.
Rev. Mr. Ager offered the following resolu-
ton, which was adopted:
Reso.red, That the suggestions in respect to the
New Church in England be referred to the Commit
tee on Arrangements
Rev. Mr.. Giles then presented his report.
AS messenger in behalf of the New Church in
America to England he was warmly received.
While in Paris he addressed the little church
there and baptized five persons. He found
them working and trying to do what they
could under disheartening circumstances and
overshadowed by the vast power of the Roman
Catholic Church The American Tract Society
has distributed during the year 1000 copies OF
"Heaven and He'll and 1000 copies of the
life of Swedenborg. They have also published
5000 copies of nine sermons recently delivered
at Philadelphia. The report related also, to
the work of the ministry and the Importance
of receiving those who have proper qualifca-
tons to become ministers DR.. Giles also OBJ
served in this connection that they ought to be
equipped for performing their work, and for
this purpose theological school is needed and
should be established and endowed. The re-
port stated that there had been no loss from
the number of ministers by death. Four
young men had been added tosthe ranks. In
looking over the whole field hopeful and en-
couraging signs of progress are seen, and the
Church is succeeding to much greater extent
than the most sanguine could suppose.
The report of the Board of Missions was
read by Rev. Mr.. Huxley. The report showed
that the missionary work is progressing and
great results have been achieved The report
also stated that there are promising young men
in the theological school. One is a Wesleyan
Methodist clergyman, who. after completing
his education, returned TO his native province
of Nova Scotia and is doing good work. In
brief, the work under the executi We committee
of the Board of Missions is very satisfactory
and large amount of money has been raised
and paid into the treasury the past year.
The exercises of the forenoon closed with an
address from Rev. Mr.. Giles. Subject, "Unity
| of work and worship"
At the afternoon session reports FROM the
| various State associations were read. Reports
| from various boards were also listened to-
| In the evening there was large and bril-
| liant reception held at Gilberts Hall. Rev.
| Jas Reed, of Boston, and Nh. George Broadfeld
| furnished some delightful music The young
| people had dancing and refreshments were
| served The floor managers were G. R. Burr,
| c. M. Smith, E. H. Pane c.. H. Lamson and
| W. W. Roberts.
| To-day, at p. M, there will be conference
| on the New Age, in which Revs. Edwin Gould
| Chas. Harden, c. III. Mann and W. H. Hink-
| ley will take part and deliver addresses. In
the evening Revs. Jas. Reed, of Boston, and
Jno. Westall, of Fall River, will deliver ad-
| dresses