One cannot help recalling what

become as it were mad, and in a terrible rage; and inquiry. directly seek to hide themselves in holes and cav- Swedenborg said to Hartley, that he sought erns, as spoken of in the Revelation, vi. 16. Your admission into no literary society, because he deceased wife was with me yesterday, and informed me of a variety of things concerning what she belonged to an angelic society, wherein things thought, and what she had spoken to you her hus- relating to heaven and the soul were the only band, and to the clergymen, the seducers. Were subjects of entertainment. The Royal AcadeI at this time near you, I could relate a number of my of Stockholm was not an angelic society. things on this head, which will not admit of being Whether this communication was presented sent in writing. — I remain, &c., to the Academy, and, if so, how it was received, we are not aware: Swedenborg also sent it to Dr. Hartley, with a request that his circle of friends would investigate the subject. It has since been published as an appendix to the White Horse.

66

"EMANUEL SWEDENBORG. Stockholm, October 30, 1769."

377. In the same year, also, appears the letter to Dr. Beyer, in which he makes mention of the state of idiots and of the insane, after death. He says:

379. "From the beginning of October, 1769, "There exist spiritual diseases and spiritual until August, 1770, he resided at his house in uses in the other life which correspond with the the environs of Stockholm. On the 23d of natural diseases and cures in this world, so that July in the latter year, on the eve of departthe correspondences effect such things when they ing for Amsterdam, he took his leave by letter happen. And as there are no natural diseases of Dr. Beyer,' hoping that our Savior would among the spirits in the spiritual world, there are neither any hospitals; but instead of them there support him in good health, keep him from are spiritual madhouses, in which are those who further violence, and bless his thoughts.' On theoretically denied God, and in others, such as the day that he quitted Stockholm, he called practically did the same. Those who in the world upon M. Robsahm in the bank of Sweden, of were idiots, at their arrival in the other world are which that gentleman was a director, and also foolish and idiots; but being divested of their lodged in his hands a protest against any juexternals, and their internals opened as is the case with them all, they acquire an understanding agreedicial examination of his writings during his able to their former quality and life, inasmuch as the absence. M. Robsahm asked him, as before actual follies and madnesses dwell in the external the other journey, whether they would ever natural man, and not in the internal spiritual.” - meet again? He answered in a gentle and Documents, p. 129, 130. affectionate manner, 'Whether I shall return, I do not know, but of this you may be certain, Offering to Science. Journey to Amsterdam. for the Lord has informed me of it, that I shall An Evening at Copenhagen. not die until the book that I have just finished 378. At this period of his life Sweden- is printed. Should we not see each other borg made a last offering to his old associates again in this world, we shall meet in the presof the Royal Academy of Sciences of Stock-ence of the Lord if we have kept his comholm. This was couched in a letter, in which, mandments.' 'He then,' says Robsahm, 'took after explaining some of the correspondences leave of me in as lively and cheerful a way as of the Scripture, he ended as follows: Inas- if he had been a man of middle age.' And much as the science of correspondences was so he passed from his fatherland. the science of sciences and the wisdom of the 380. "On the voyage to Amsterdam, the ancients, it is important that some member of ship that carried him was detained for several your Academy should direct his attention to days by contrary winds off Elsinore, and Genthat science. He may begin, if he pleases, eral Tuxen, hearing that Swedenborg was in with the correspondences discovered in the the offing, determined to improve their acApocalypse Revealed, and proved from the quaintance, and taking a boat went off to see Word. If it be desired, I am willing to un- him. He was introduced by the Captain, who fold and publish the Egyptian hieroglyphics, opened the cabin door, and shutting it after which are nothing else than correspondences; him, left him alone with Swedenborg. The a task that no other person can accomplish.' Assessor was seated in an undress, his elbows How fixedly Swedenborg must have dwelt in on the table, and his hands supporting his face, the inward, to imagine that the Royal Acade- which was turned towards the door; his eyes my would undertake such an inquiry, or that open, and much elevated. The General at a purely spiritual explanation of the hiero- once addressed him. At this he recovered glyphics would satisfy the men of that age! himself, (for he had been in a trance or ecstaSo far as hieroglyphical interpretation has sy, as his posture showed) rose with some gone, the sense elicited is any thing but spir- confusion, advanced a few steps from the table itual; and the less spiritual, the more accept-in visible uncertainty, and bid him welcome, able to the scientific man. Nevertheless the asking from whence he came. Tuxen replied existing interpretations do not exclude a that he had come with an invitation from his deeper significance lying at the roots of the symbols; an interpretation of them not as parts of language, but as ciphers of nature. But the time has not yet arrived for such an

wife and himself, to request him to favor them with his company at their house; to which he immediately consented, and dressed himself alertly. The General's wife, who was indis

who through his eyes and ears had seen and heard it. I do not positively recollect whether he also mentioned the late beloved Queen Louisa among them. After this he retired.'

6

posed, received him in the house, and request- | have not a very good voice, though fond of ed his excuse if in any respect she should fall singing, and would sing if my mother would short of her wishes to entertain him; adding accompany me." He requested my wife to that for thirty years she had been afflicted join, to which she assented, and they sang a with a painful disease. He politely kissed few Italian duettos, and some French airs, her hand, and answered, 'O, dear, of this we each in their respective taste, to which he will not speak; only acquiesce in the will of beat time, and afterwards paid many compliGod, it will pass away, and you will return to ments to my wife, on account of her taste and the same health and beauty as when you were fine voice, which she had preserved notwithfifteen years old.' The lady made some reply, standing so long an illness. I took the liberty to which he rejoined, 'Yes, in a few weeks.' of saying to him, that since in his writings he From which they concluded him to mean, that always declared, that at all times there were diseases which have their foundation in the mind, good and evil spirits of the other world presand are supported by the infirmities of the ent with every man; might I then make bold body, do not disappear immediately after death. to ask, whether now, while my wife and 381. "We have hitherto had little opportu- daughter were singing, there had been any nity of being introduced to Swedenborg in pri- from the other world present with us? To vate life; we have seen him at the mines, at his this he answered, "Yes, certainly;" and on office, at his desk, and in the Diet; let us now my inquiring who they were, and whether I spend a portion of an evening with him at Gen- had known them, he said that it was the Daneral Tuxen's. Even if it illustrates no doc-ish royal family, and he mentioned Christian trine, yet it is always coveted to enjoy the fa- VI., Sophia Magdalena, and Frederic V., miliar presence of extraordinary persons, and to find that their habiliments and corporeal mould are like our own. The brotherliness of mankind is gratified by these near occasions, even as more sublime but not dearer emotions, 383. "During this visit to General Tuxen, by the aspect of genius on its public days. in the course of other conversation, Tuxen 382. " Being then together,' says General produced the autobiographical letter that SweTuxen, in company with my wife, my now denborg had written to Hartley, and which deceased daughter, and three or four young begins, I was born in the year 1689.' ladies, my relations, he entertained them Swedenborg told him that he was not born in very politely and with much attention on in- that year, as mentioned, but in the preceding. different subjects, on favorite dogs and cats Tuxen asked him whether this was an error that were in the room, which caressed him of the press, but he said, No; and added, and jumped on his knee, showing their little You may remember in reading my writings tricks. During these trifling discourses, mixed to have seen it stated in many parts, that with singular questions, to all of which he obligingly answered, whether they concerned this or the other world, I took occasion to say, that I was sorry I had no better company to amuse him than a sickly wife and her young girls; he replied, "And is not this very good company? I was always very partial to the ladies' society." After some little pause he cast his eyes on a harpsichord, and 384. "We have here a reason for that asked whether we were lovers of music, and modification of events according to a context, who played upon it. I told him we were all of which the Gospel histories, so often dislovers of it, and that my wife in her youth crepant from each other, furnish numerous had practised, as she had a fine voice, perhaps instances. Thus five baskets full in the one better than any in Denmark, as several per- evangelist are twelve in another; not to mensons of distinction, who had heard the best tion other cases about which unsuccessful singers in France, England and Italy, had harmonists of the letter have written at large. assured her; and that my daughter also played Manifestly it is the plan of the context which with pretty good taste. On this Swedenborg regards the events from its own point of view, desired her to play. She then performed a and paints the narrative in its own colors. difficult and celebrated sonata, to which he beat is what all historians do in a lesser way, bendthe measure with his foot, on the sofa on ing the history to ideas, or shaping it with an which he sat; and when finished, he said, artistic force. Taking a certain larger block "bravo! very fine." She then played anoth- of time as a period of birth, it is hieroglypher by Ruttini; and when she had played a ically truthful to play down upon any date few minutes, he said, "this is by an Italian, contained in the block, according to the subbut the first was not." This finished, he said, ject and the signification. There are many "bravo! you play very well. Do you not kinds of truth besides black and white; and also sing?" She answered, "I sing, but generally, figurative truths require latitude

every cipher or number has in the spiritual sense a certain correspondence or signification. Now,' said he, 'when I put the true year in that letter, an angel present told me to write the year 1688, as much more suitable to myself than the other; "and you observe," answered the angel, "that with us time and space are nothing."

It

of phrase. At the same time it must be con- nations and opinions; and it is very difficult to fessed, that one would like to know when the be divested of them. We ought, therefore, to writing is pure history, and when it is a base lay them aside here." My friend took his leave of history, made use of for symbolical pur- of this remarkable man, perfectly convinced, poses, and touched in part by spirit. Literal and returned back to Elberfeld.' people are apt to be offended otherwise, and we sympathize with them.

Our Opinions follow us into the next Life.

Testimonies to spiritual Intercourse.

386. "In June, 1771, Swedenborg pub385. "Swedenborg arrived at Amsterdam lished at Amsterdam the True Christian Reprobably about the beginning of September, ligion; containing the Universal Theology of carrying with him the manuscript of his last the New Church. He had been employed work, the True Christian Religion. Jung upon this large work for at least two years, Stilling supplies us with an anecdote of him and when he arrived at Amsterdam, he comat this period. An intimate friend of Stil- menced the printing of it, always exhibiting ling's, a merchant of Elberfeld, had occasion an assiduity which surprised those with whom to take a journey to Amsterdam, and having he came into contact. It will be remembered heard much of this strange individual that he was now in his 84th year. We have (Swedenborg), desired to become acquainted a few particulars of his life during this resiwith him. He called upon him, and found a dence in Holland, from David Paulus ab Invenerable friendly old man, who desired him to dagine, a respectable and learned individube seated. The Elberfeld merchant, Stilling al,' who cultivated his acquaintance, first by says, was a strict mystic in the purest sense. letter, and afterwards personally. Ab IndaHe spoke little, but what he said was like gold-gine, in his open manner, could not conceal en fruit on a salver of silver. He would not his astonishment that Swedenborg had put have dared for all the world to tell an un- himself upon the titlepage as "Servant of truth.' He explained to Swedenborg that he the Lord Jesus Christ.” But Swedenborg was acquainted with his writings, and had replied, 'I have asked, and have not only reheard the relations of the fire of Stockholm, ceived permission, but have been ordered to and the affair of the Queen of Sweden's do so.' (It appears that it was owing to Dr. brother, but that he wished for a proof of a Hartley's remonstrance with him that he was similar kind for himself. Swedenborg was in the first instance induced to depart from willing to gratify him. The merchant then his course of publishing anonymously, and to said, "I had formerly a friend who studied prefix his name to any of his works.) Ab divinity at Duisburg, where he fell into a con- Indagine continues, in a letter to a correspondsumption, of which he died. I visited this ent (Jan. 26, 1771): It is wonderful with friend a short time before his decease; we what confidence the old gentleman speaks of conversed together on an important topic; the spiritual world, of the angels, and of God could you learn from him what was the sub- himself.' . . 'If I were only to give you ject of our discourse?" "We will see. What the substance of our last conversation, I should was the name of your friend?" The mer- fill many pages. He spoke of naturalists chant told him his name. "How long do you (those who ascribe all things to nature), whom remain here?" "About eight or ten days." he had seen shortly after their death, and "Call upon me again in a few days. I will amongst whom were even many theologians, see if I can find your friend." The merchant or such, at least, as had made theology their took his leave and despatched his business. profession in this life. He told me things Some days after, he went again to Sweden- which made me shudder, but which, however, borg, in anxious expectation. The old gen- I pass by, in order not to be over hasty tleman met him with a smile, and said, "I in my judgment respecting him. I will willhave spoken with your friend; the subject ingly admit, that I know not what to make of your discourse was, the restitution of all of him; he is a problem that I cannot solve. things." He then related to the merchant, I sincerely wish, that upright men, whom with the greatest precision, what he, and what GOD has placed as watchmen upon the walls his deceased friend, had maintained. My of Zion, had some time since occupied themfriend turned pale; for this proof was pow- selves with this man. erful and invincible. He inquired further, 387. "I have often wondered at myself, "How fares it with my friend? Is he in a how I could refrain from laughing, when ́ I state of blessedness?" Swedenborg answered, was hearing such extraordinary things from "No, he is not yet in heaven; he is still in him. And what is more, I have often heard Hades, and torments himself continually with him relate the same things in a numerous the idea of the restitution of all things." This company of ladies and gentlemen, when I answer caused my friend the greatest aston- well knew that there were mockers amongst ishment. He ejaculated, "My God! what, in the other world?" Swedenborg replied, "Certainly; a man takes with him his favorite incli

them; but, to my great astonishment, not a single person even thought of laughing. Whilst he is speaking, it is as though every person

who hears him were charmed, and compelled

389. The Landgrave again wrote to Sweto believe him. He is by no means reserved denborg, inquiring about the "miracle" of his inand recluse, but open-hearted, and accessible tercourse with the Queen of Sweden's brother; to all. Whoever invites him as his guest, may to which he replied : — expect to see him. A certain young gentle- "As to that which is related of the brother of man invited him last week to be his guest, the Queen of Sweden, it is entirely true; but it and although he was not acquainted with him, should not be regarded as a miracle; it is but one he appeared at his table, where he met Jew- of those memorabilia, of the same kind as those ish and Portuguese gentlemen, with whom he inserted in the book just mentioned, concerning Luther, Melancthon, Calvin, and others. All these freely conversed, without distinction. Who-memorabilia are but testimonies that I have been ever is curious to see him has no difficulty; it introduced by the Lord into the spiritual world, as is only necessary to go to his house, and he to my spirit, and that I converse with spirits and allows any body to approach him. It can easi- angels. It is true also that I have conversed with ly be conceived, however, that the numerous a person mentioned in the journal you cite, and, visits, to which he is liable, deprive him of much six months ago, with the deceased Stanislaus, time. I am, &c., D. P. AB INDAGINE." king of Poland, in a certain society where he was, and where it was not known who he was. He 388. In the same year, we find the fol- made all the happiness of his life consist in relowing letter to the Landgrave of Hesse maining thus unknown in these assemblies, and in Darmstadt. Swedenborg did not answer it at conversing there familiarly with the spirits and first, being doubtful of its genuineness; but angels as one of them. I afterwards saw him his misgivings were set aside by a visit from transferred to a northern region, where I learned M. Venator, the minister of that prince. that he had been called by a society of Roman Catholics, over whom he presided. In the same I have often conversed with the Roman Ponway,

"In your gracious letter, you ask, how I attained to be in society with angels and spirits, and whether that privilege can be communicated from one person to another. Deign, then, to receive favorably this answer.

"The Lord our Savior had foretold that he

tiff, who has lately died. After his decease he remained with me a whole day; but it is not permitted me to publish any thing respecting his manner of living, or his state. You may see, if you will, what I have written in my last work, concerning the Pontiff who reigned some thirty or whatever has relation to the honor of God. — I forty years ago. Treat favorably, I pray you, am, with respect, &c.,

"EMANUEL SWEDENBORG. "Amsterdain, July 15, 1771."

390. In another letter to M. Venator, Swedenborg states that such matters are not to be regarded as miracles, but only testimonies as above.

"In order that the church, which until now had remained in ignorance of that world, may know that heaven and hell exist in reality, and that man lives after death, a man, as before; and that thus there might be no more doubt as to his immortality. You may see, in the True Christian Religion, that there are no more miracles, at this time; and the reason why. It is that they, who do not believe because they see no miracles, might easily, by them, be led into fanaticism."

would come again into the world, and that He would establish there a New Church. He has given this prediction in the Apocalypse xxi. and xxii., and also in several places in the Evangelists. But as he cannot come again into the world in person, it was necessary that He should do it by means of a man, who should not only receive the doctrine of this New Church in his understanding, but also publish it by printing; and as the Lord had prepared me for this office from my infancy, He has manifested Himself in person before me, His servant, and sent me to fill it. This took place in the year 1743. He afterwards opened the sight of my spirit, and thus introduced me into the spiritual world, and granted me to see the heavens and many of their wonders, and also the hells, and to speak with angels and spirits, and this continually for twenty-seven years. I declare in all truth that such is the fact. This favor of the Lord in regud to me, has only taken place for the sake of the New Church which I have mentioned above, the doctrine of which is contained in my writings. The gift of conversing with spirits and angels cannot be transmitted from one person to another, unless the Lord Himself opens the spiritual sight of that person. It is sometimes permitted to a 391. "The True Christian Religion, (making spirit to enter into a man, and to communicate to 815 close pages in the eighth English edition,) him some truth; but it is not granted to the man contains the author's body of divinity. The to speak mouth to mouth with the spirit. It is whole of his theological works, hermeneutical, even a very dangerous thing, because the spirit enters into the affection of man's self-love, which visional, philosophical, dogmatic, and moral, does not agree with the affection of heavenly love. are summed up and represented in this delib"With respect to the man tormented by spirits, erate system. There is none of his treatises I have learned from heaven that that has befallen him so plain, or so well brought home to apprein consequence of the meditations to which he has hension; none in which the yield of doctrine devoted himself; but that, nevertheless, there is no is so turned into daily bread, the food of pracdanger to be apprehended from them, because the Lord protects him. The only method of cure for him is to convert himself, and to supplicate the Lord our Savior Jesus Christ to succor him. remain, with respect, &c.,

“Amsterdam, 1771.

"EMANUEL SWEDENBORG.

I

True Christian Religion.

tical religion. Viewed as a digest, it shows a presence of mind, an administration of materials, and a faculty of handling, of an extraordinary kind. There is old age in it, in the sense of ripeness. If the intellectualist misses there somewhat of the range of discourse, it

is compensated by a certain triteness of wis- ground. The words mine and thine have not dom. As a polemic, not only against the laid their paws upon these estates. Still the errrors of the churches, but against, the evil genius reverts the mightier for its unselfishlives and self-excusings of Christians, the ness. The method of thought is the same in work is unrivalled. The criticisms of doctrine his theology as in his philosophy; his theolowith which it abounds, are masterly in the gy is his latest philosophy explaining his extreme; and, were it compared with any walks and experiences in the spiritual world. similar body of theology, we feel no doubt The active mental power is greater in his latthat the palm of coherency, vigor, and compre- ter than in his former life; and would be hensiveness, would easily fall to Swedenborg, more manifestly so, had he not always practiupon the verdict of judges of whatever church.cally disclaimed his own gifts in favor of the 392. "It will not be necessary to enter at Giver; a course that offends the pride of large upon its contents, as we have dwelt upon self-derived intelligence,' which misses the them already in reviewing the author's pre- brilliancy of its earthly fire in his low speech vious writings. The following summary, how- and self-absent periods. But assuredly his ever, of the chapters, will show the scope of knowledge of man is more exceeding than his the work. I. God the Creator. II. The knowledge of nature; his plainness is more Lord the Redeemer. III. The Holy Spirit picturesque than his imagination; and his and the divine operation. IV. The Holy spiritual cosmogony and humanity will surScripture, or the Word of the Lord. V. The vive the ingenuity of his Principia, and the Ten Commandments, in their external and in- natural beauty of his Physiology. ternal senses. VI. Faith. VII. Charity, or 395. 66 In Part I. of his biography, we have love towards our neighbor and good works. devoted a few words to the author's philosoVIII. Free determination. IX. Repentance. phical style; we shall now say somewhat on X. Reformation and Regeneration. XI. Im- his theological. In the former case, we noted putation. XII. Baptism. XIII. The Holy with surprise that the dress of his books beSupper. XIV. The Consummation of the came more and more imaginative, as his mind Age, the Coming of the Lord, and the New matured. The ornament, it is true, was a Heaven and the New Church. Besides these part of the subject, as a flower is a part of a subjects, the work contains no less than 76 plant. In his theological works, he discarded Memorable Relations from the spiritual world, interspersed between and among the chapters; for Swedenborg always addresses the reader as already a member of two worlds.

this vesture, and began not from the flower, but from the seeds of his philosophy. The difference between The Worship and Love of God and the Arcana Cœlestia, is immense in 393. "Some time before his last publication, point of style; the rhetoric of the former is Dr. Ernesti attacked him in his Bibliotheca shorn into level speech in the latter. But it is Theologica (p. 784), and before he left Hol- a second time to be observed, that his mind land, Swedenborg issued a single leaf in reply took the course from plainness to luxuriance, to his opponent. It is a short deprecation of and that in his later theology, copious illuscontroversy characteristic of the peaceful and tration gave fruitiness to his style. Ornabusy old man. 'I have read,' says he, what mental it cannot be called, but full and aboundDr. Ernesti has written about me. It consists ing. Instead of the beauties of color, he profof mere personalities. I do not observe in it fers gratifications for many senses, in solid a grain of reason against any thing in my paragraphs of analogies. If his old age is writings. As it is against the laws of honesty specially discernible in his True Christian Reto assail any one with such poisoned weapons, ligion, it is in the wealth of the comparisons, I think it beneath me to bandy words with which succeed each other with childlike voluthat illustrious man. I will not cast back bility, though it must be confessed also with calumnies by calumnies. To do this, I should felicity. The child learns by comparison; the be even with the dogs, which bark and bite, or with the lowest drabs, which throw street mud in each other's faces in their brawls. Read if you will ... what I have written in my books, and afterwards conclude, but from reason, respecting my revelation.' Severe words, these, if not controversial!

adult, more alive to intellectual beauty, decks his mind in colored garments, and sets forth his theory as a captivation; the elder teaches. as the child learns, by comparisons again. There is nothing like them for power; they cleave to the mind in its youngest and still joyous parts; and are to abstractions what gold coin is to doubtful promises in air Mental Peculiarities. Last Sickness. or upon paper. By them the good old men 394. "Our enumeration of Swedenborg's prattle to the young, who are the seed of the theological publications is now ended. Un- state, and the inheritors of the future. It apparent as his person is throughout them, we was Swedenborg's last and most loving mode feel that it is almost profane to dwell upon his of speech, to familiarize difficult things by tellgenius. In reading them we rather think of ing us what their case is most like in the a gifted pen than of a great man. Originality world about us: a method which he followed and competitive questions are far in the back-particularly in the True Christian Religion.