out a new path through this deep abyss, which no one can guess by his writings, he knows where man ever trod before. He has left all the com- to find them. But it matters not what or who the mentators and expositors to stand on their own person is that writes, if his writings are founded footing; he neither meddles nor interferes with on truth, and agreeable to such learned men as are any of them; his thoughts are all his own; and competent judges of them. The deepest and most the ingenious and sublime turn he has given to learned, as well as most valuable pieces, are someevery thing in the Scripture, he has copied from times misunderstood and rejected many years, even no man; and therefore, even in this respect, he by learned men themselves; to instance only three hath some title to the regard of the ingenious and performances out of the many that might be prolearned world. duced, viz. Locke on Human Understanding, Milton's Paradise Lost, and Prideaux's Connection of the Old and New Testament. Those who have been conversant with books, especially in the trading way, cannot be ignorant of the difficulties which these valuable pieces have met with in making their way into the world; and it is as remarkable now to observe, how they have been called for and admired for many years past.

each; so that from hence it is easy to imagine account is too lightly regarded by the major part of how cheap the whole will be, especially when print- the present Christian world), proved to be as delighted in such a grand and pompous manner at so low a price. But it is the generous author's absolute command that it should be so, who, it is plain, wants neither purse nor spirit to carry on his laudable undertaking.

As the copy comes from a foreign country, and as one number may contain nearly double the quantity of another, it is utterly impossible to fix a certain regular time for the publication of each. But this the public may be assured of, that when a fresh number is published, it shall be advertised in the newspapers. Those who are pleased to give their orders to the news carriers, will have every number as certainly as though they were apprised of the certain time of its coming out. And the price will be printed on the title of each English number, (and every Latin number will be of the same price with the English,) so that the readers may be sure that they will not be imposed upon; for sometimes the bulk of the work will plainly appear to be worth five times as much as will be required for it.

Those who are so happy as to be well acquainted with the Latin tongue, will be highly delighted with the author's elegant and sublime language.

ful, instructive, and as necessary for the knowledge of Christians as the New. This the Arcana Calestia gives me the fullest satisfaction of. But the illumined author, whoever he is, (is it Mr. Law?) must expect a considerable army of gown men to draw their pens against him: it is a blessing their power is prescribed within impassable bounds.

"The favor of a line in answer, to know what dependence I may make upon you, will very much oblige, Sir, your most humble servant, "STEPHEN PENNY.

"P. S. Perhaps the author was concerned in the publication of Mr. Hutchinson's works? Has he published any other work, and at what price?" " To this the bookseller appends the following notice:

"This large Latin book is neatly printed in 4to.; and sold by Mr. Nourse, at the Lamb, opposite Katharine Street, in the Strand; Mr. Ware, at the Bible on Ludgate Hill; and by John Lewis, printer of the same, as above mentioned; price 6s. unbound."

Notice of the London Monthly Review. 501. In the London Monthly Review for 1844, is an article on the discoveries in science made by Swedenborg, concluding thus:

First Reception of the Writings of Swedenborg. 500. The first volume of the Arcana Calestia, con"In conclusion, we record our opinion positively, taining the explanation of the first fifteen chapters and not relatively; wholly, and without reservaof Genesis, was published in London, in the Latin tion, that if the mode of reasoning and explanalanguage, in the year 1749, and was the earliest tion adopted by Swedenborg be once underof Swedenborg's theological works. Our readers will not be displeased to see the following letter, from, probably, the first person who embraced the truths it contains, expressing the satisfaction he derived from it. Though not a document of any decided importance, it is interesting as a curiosity, and as evincing that the truths of the New Church found some receivers on their very first publication. This letter was sent to the Daily Advertiser, formerly a popular newspaper, of Christmas day, 1749, by the publisher of the work, and is introduced by his business-like note, to the Editor, as follows:

"JOHN LEWIS.

"To Mr. John Lewis, in Paternoster Row, Cheapside, London.

"Dartmouth, October 15, 1749.

"MR. JOHN LEWIS,

stood, the anatomist and physiologist will acquire more information, and obtain a more comprehensive view of the human body, and its relation to a higher sphere, than from any single book ever published; nay, we may add, than from all the books which have been written (especially in modern times) on physiology, or, as it has been lately named, transcendental anatomy.

66

'Swedenborg reasons not on any hypothesis, not on any theory, not on any favorite doctrine of a fashionable school, but on the solid principles of geometry, based on the immutable rock of truth; and he must and will be considered at no distant period the Zoroaster of Europe, and the Prometheus of a new era of reason, however at present the clouds of prejudice may intervene, or the storms of passion obscure the corruscations of his intellect."

Extract from the Commencement of Wilkinson's Biography.

502. "There is, in the present day, a constantly increasing inquiry among intelligent persons, respecting the life and labors of Swedenborg, whose name begins to be whispered, with more or less respect, and with undefined feelings, throughout 666 Sir, Accidentally reading the advertisement Christendom. We are no followers of Swedenof the Arcana Calestia, excited by the oddness of borg, although we accept his views of Christianthe title, I presently ordered my friend in London ity, but not because he discovered them, but beto send me one. The extraordinary degree of cause they were there to be discovered, and are pleasure the reading of it has given me, and the true. The truth, we believe, is not arrested or yet more expected from what more is to be pub-contained by any man, but as soon as found, the lished, induces me to request advice as often as mind may pass from that level, and rise from any new publication happens, which I apprehend to it as a vantage ground to new truths. It is, therebe designed annually. My reason for troubling fore, in the service of the public, and not of you, is, because I very rarely see any of the pub- Swedenborg, that we write these pages; for the lic papers, and, consequently, future advertisements time has come when every enlightened man and may escape my knowledge; which, I hope will ex- woman ought, for their own sakes, to know of Swedenborg and his pretensions.

cuse me.

"I have long ardently wished to see the historical part of the Old Testament, which seems only to regard the Jewish dispensation (and upon that

"For consider the case. Here was an author, flourishing in the last century, whose princi pal works were written from 1721 to 1772, and who,

they will or no; because it is not proselytism that will take them there, but the expansion and culmination of the truth, and the organic course of events. The following pages will have their end if they be one pioneer of this path which the learned and the rulers are to traverse."

enjoying at first a good reputation as a scientific and | tions exist that in another five and twenty years practical man, saw that reputation gradually expire the field occupied by this author must be visited as his own mind unfolded in his works, until at by the leaders of opinion en masse, and whether length he was only known as a visionary, and the fact of his early career was scarcely remembered by his few surviving contemporaries. There was every reason why his works died to that age. He had a firm faith, from the first, in the goodness of God, in the powers of the mind, in the wisdom and easiness of creation, and in the immovable firmness of revelation; later on, a belief too in Testimony of Professor Gorres, spiritual existence, in a sense intelligible to all Of Germany, Professor of Roman Catholic Themankind. In his case, there was a breaking of ology at one of the German Universities. shell after shell-a rolling away of delusion after delusion, until the truth was seen to be itself real voluminous works every thing appears simple and 503. "Throughout the whole of Swedenborg's -to be the true creation, the world above and be- uniform, especially as to the tone in which he fore the world, of which mortal creatures are made. writes, in which there is no effort at display in the How could so substantial a personage-a man whose imaginative powers, nothing overwrought, nothing spirit and its relations were a body and a force be seen at all in the last century, when the public be construed into a morbid bias of a prevailing fantastic, nothing that can, in the remotest degree, wave ran in spring tides towards materialism, mental activity, nothing indicating a fixed idea, or frivolity, and all conventionalities? The savage manifesting any peculiarity of a commencing menmight as easily value a telescope or a theodolite tal derangement. Every thing he undertakes is as Europe estimate a Swedenborg at such an era. developed in a calm and measured manner, like the Accordingly, in proportion as he transcended brute resolution and demonstration of a mathematical matter and dead facts, he vanished from its sight, problem, and every where the operations of a mind and was only mentioned with ridicule as a ghost composed and well ordered shine forth, with conseer- the next thing to a ghost. But how stands viction as to the certainty of the results of its acthe matter now? The majority, it is true, know tivity. In the cultivation of science, sincerity and nothing of Swedenborg; and it is for them we simplicity of heart are necessary requirements to write. But the vast majority of those who do the attainment of durable success. We never know- and the number is considerable in all observe that Swedenborg was subject to that pride parts of the civilized world-regard him with by the influence of which so many great spirits respect and affectionate admiration; many hailing have fallen; he always remained the same subhim as the herald of a new church upon earth; many dued and modest mind; and never, either by sucas a gift of the same provident deity who has sent, as cess, or by any consideration, lost his mental equiindirect messengers, the other secular leaders of librium." the race, the great poets, the great philosophers, the guiding intellects of the sciences; many also still looking towards his works in order to gain instruction from them, and to settle for themselves the author's place among the benefactors of his kind. We ourselves are in all these classes, allowing them to modify each other; and perhaps, on that account, are suitable to address those who know less of the subject, for we have no position to maintain but the facts of the case.

Extract from the Memoir by Rev. O. Pres

cott Hiller.

504. "A man, -a human being like ourselves, has been chosen by the Divine will, as the instrument for conveying these truths to the world. And as Moses, a man like ourselves, was chosen of old, to be the instrument for bringing into the land of Canaan the people with whom a represen-. tative Church was to be established, and who was called too, (man though he was) up into the mount to speak with God, and receive the tables of his law;-as Paul, a man, too, like ourselves, was chosen, at the commencement of a former dispensation, to be an apostle to teach the new truth to the world, and, in order to enlighten and strengthen him for that work, was admitted in spirit to a view of the heavens and even of the Lord Himself:

"Now whence this change in public opinion? It has been the most silent of revolutions, a matter almost of signs and whispers. Swedenborg's admirers have simply kept his books before the public, and given them their good word when opportunity offered. The rest has been done over the heads of men, by the course of events, by the advance of the sciences, by our new liberties of thought, by whatever makes man from ignorant, so now, in our own day, at the commencement enlightened, and from sensual, refined and spiritu- of another Dispensation of Divine truth, at this the alized. In short, it is the world's progress under time of the Lord's second coming in the light of Providence which has brought it to Swedenborg's the Spiritual Sense of His Word, has another indidoor. For where a new truth has been discovered, vidual, — a man, like ourselves,- been raised up as that truth has said a courteous word for Sweden- the instrument for making known to the world the borg; where a new science has sprung up and entered upon its conquests, that science has pointed with silent-speaking finger to something friendly to, and suggestive of, itself in Swedenborg; where a new spirit has entered the world, that spirit has flown to its mate in Swedenborg; where the age has felt its own darkness and confessed it, the students of Swedenborg have been convinced that there was in him much of the light which all hearts were seeking. And so forth. The fact then is, that an unbelieving century could see nothing in Swedenborg; that its successor, more trustful and truthful, sees more and more; and strong indica

truths and doctrines of that New Church which is about to be established on the earth-the New Jerusalem. The herald will not be received nor believed, for a time; he has been, and he will be, slandered and reviled; he has been and will continue to be, by some and for a while, pronounced a mystic and a madman; the interested, the prejudiced, and the self-confident will scoff at him, as the proud Athenians scoffed at Paul preaching to them the truth-as the doctors of the Jewish Church scorned the words of Him who was the Truth itself. But these things will be only for a time. Truth is strong and will prevail.' There

are always a few candid and earnest minds in the | the sweet and tender influences of the divine love, community, anxious for the truth, and ready to seek is perceived to proceed from this Divine Fountain, it wherever it is to be found, and to follow whither-as its only source! Yet such is the transcendent soever it leads. Such there were, even in Swe- glory, gain, and happiness imparted to every penidenborg's lifetime,men too of high character, tent and devout receiver of the above Heavenly intelligence, and education, who perceived the Doctrines. Add to this, the nearness and connectruth of the principles he taught, received them tion between this world and another, demonstrated with delight, and sought to make them known to by such a weight of irresistible evidence; the great others. Since his death, the number has been evangelical doctrines of Faith, of Charity, of Resteadily increasing, in all parts of the world. And pentance and Remission of Sins, of Temptation, within a few years past, many of the profound and Reformation, Regeneration, and the Freedom of original thinkers of the age have repaired to his the Will, opened, explained, and enforced, accordpages, as their chief source of instruction, and have ing to their edifying and important meaning; the acknowledged that they could find there satisfac-nature, also, and effect of the Last Judgment, the tory answers to their inquiries, that could be found Lord's Second Advent, and the descent of the New nowhere else, in the whole range of moral, theo- Jerusalem, presented to view in all the brightness logical, and philosophical writers. The signs of and fulness of truth, and confirmed by the testithe times are now giving token of a change and a mony of the sure Word of prophecy; and some great change, in the view generally entertained of faint idea may then be formed of the immense debt this author. As he becomes more known, surprise of gratitude, owing at this day from all the famiand admiration take the place of neglect and con- lies of the earth to their Heavenly Father. For tempt; the earnest searchers for truth wonder that who, except that Father, 'whose tender mercies they had not been directed to this light before are over all His works,' could thus cause. His the intellectual and the learned are astonished that light to shine in darkness' for the deliverance of they had passed by a thinker and writer, who far His people from evil, from error, and from destrucexcels thein both in intellect and learning; and the tion, and, at the same time, for the guidance of admirers and collectors of great names are begin-their feet into the ways of righteousness, truth, ning to admit his into their list. And we venture and salvation? To his praises, and most unthe prediction, that as years roll by, and these writ- feigned thankfulness on this occasion, the author ings are examined, explored, understood, more is lastly urgent to add his ardent prayers, that the and more thoroughly as the world grows wiser above glorious light' may shine in every corner and better as the darkness of old error passes of the habitable globe, until the whole earth beoff, and the light of truth increases the name of comes that blessed tabernacle of God,' which was SWEDENBORG will shine the brightest in the whole announced to be with men,' in which God will galaxy of great names, and his memory be revered dwell and be with them their God, and wipe away as that of the most powerful and most useful of all all tears from their eyes' (Rev. xxi. 3, 4)." the human instruments whom Heaven has raised up, to communicate truth, goodness, and happiness to mankind."

Testimony of the late Rev. John Clowes, A. M.,
Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Rector
of St. John's Church, (Episcopal) Manchester,
England.

6

The New Church.

506. "The reception of the Doctrines of the from the time when Swedenborg began to teach New Church has slowly, but constantly increased, them, up to the present moment. Those who be come fully impressed with their truth, and with the desire to live according to them, usually endeavor to connect themselves with each other, and to form 505. "The author (of this Memoir) cannot con- societies for the purpose of mutual encouragement clude his narrative, without offering up to the and instruction. This effort commonly results in Father of Mercies his most devout and grateful the building of churches, establishment of preachacknowledgments for the extraordinary privilege, ing, and performance of religious services, very and inestimable blessing vouchsafed him, in having much in the ordinary congregational and episcopal been admitted to the knowledge and acknowledg-forms. There are now in England some seventyment of the truth and importance of the doctrines five ministers or preachers of the Doctrines, and unfolded by Swedenborg from the Word of God as the genuine doctrines of christianity. For what worldly glory, gain, or happiness, can stand in competition with this to know Jesus Christ to be the only true God,' and to be allowed to approach and worship Him in his Divine Humanity; to be delivered thus from all perplexity as to the proper object of worship; to see, at the same time, the divine volume of Revelation opened; its interior treasures displayed; its evidence and authority thus confirmed by its divine contents; its apparent contradictions reconciled; whilst all that is divine and holy, all that is good and true, all that is calculated to excite the veneration of intelli- "The Receivers of the Heavenly Doctrines gent beings, and the affection of penitent ones; of the New Jerusalem Church, await patiently to all, in short, that has a tendency either to enlighten be joined by their fellow-men, in the glad confithe human understanding, or to purify the human dence that there is a good time coming, when the will; either to edify, by the bright and proud les-whole Christian world will rejoice in the light of sons of divine truth, or to soften and console by the New Jerusalem." - Hobart's Life, p. 276.

in the United States about sixty. The number of places, however, where receivers are known to reside, is much larger, being in the United States, about four hundred and fifty. There are also many known in France, Germany, and Sweden, and some in other countries. In Sweden the New Church Doctrines have not been preached openly as such, on account of the established church; but it is understood that many of the clergy there are well acquainted with Swedenborg's writings, and instruct their people in accordance with them, although not openly professing the source of their instruction.

INTRODUCTION

TO THE COMPENDIUM.

THE Compiler of this work has endeavored to phy of the day. "The secret of heaven" (says answer a want which has been deeply felt, and Emerson) "is kept from age to age. No impruwhich, at the present crisis, seems more pressing dent, sociable angel, ever dropped an early syllathan ever. It is a time of unparalleled interest in ble to answer the longing of saints, the fears of spiritual truths. It is a time, in God's Providence, mortals. We should have listened on our knees when the old systems of theology are evidently to any favorite, who, by stricter obedience, had breaking up and passing down the stream of Time brought his thoughts into parallelism with the ce- when ancient authorities are questioned with a lestial currents, and could hint to human ears the bold and determined aspect- and the most keen scenery and circumstance of the newly-parted and searching glances are sent into every creed. soul."* This is the utterance of the merest, It is a time, too, of much doubt and confusion most refined naturalism of our age. So low has of the most bare and unblushing infidelity—of a philosophy fallen in her high places! Yet it exdeeper and wider knowledge of Nature on the one presses the yearning wants of the human soul. hand, and a more lamentable ignorance and denial The transcendental Philosophy of this age would of God on the other. It is, as a consequence, an get down upon its knees for any, even the faintest age of extremes. The freedom of the human whisper, from the mysterious dwellings of etermind, for which we are now so distinguished, has nity. But upon such ears, no sociable angel ever revealed to many the hideous deficiences of the so dropped a syllable! It would be better to ascribe called Protestant faith, and driven them to a ref- the cause to the right party. uge in Catholic authority. It has become too evident, that the prevalent theology will not bear the piercing test which it is now submitted to that the better reason flees from it, a million times in secret, and many times in open affront; and that thus, where the religious tendencies predominate, there is either a backward movement to the Church of Rome, to save the fear and trouble of thinking, or a melancholy indifference to all that demands a Philosophy commensurate with Faith; while on the other hand, where the natural reason predominates, there is a tendency to flee from all venerated "theologies," to the open fields of Nature and her pantheistic enticements. There is a middle class, who still strive to reconcile their various theologies with the Reason that so urgently impels, and who are really doing much to save many fragments of truth, and adapt them at once to the science, philosophy, and theology of the soul. But amidst the whole, what dread confusion and scepticism! How much doubt, even of the future, immortal life of man!

Now, that we are approaching an Era of marked spiritual truth, it would seem useless to deny. Notwithstanding the immensely higher truth which has, at least for a century, been already in the world, to wit, in the pages of our Author, yet Providence is evidently now permitting an external and visible communication from spirits out of the material body, with the men of our earth, to the end, among others, that the sensual philosophy of our times, and the gross unbelief of the church and the world, may find its proper antidote in these tangible and sensuous phenomena. Of the heights and depths of this most palpable demonstration, of its measure of truth and falsity, of its infernal deceptions, and the willingness with which so many thousands are led astray by a converse with the other world, we here say nothing. Of its amount of honesty we here say nothing. It is sufficient here to say, that no one can take a survey of the wide extent and practice of this very evident demonstration from the invisible world, without believing that a more than ordinary movement is takBut again, we are opening into new and strange ing place in the world of spirits. To believe that wonders. New indeed, to those who now first it will all come to nothing, does not comport with realize them; not so new in the history and expe- the best ideas of Providence. Should it even al' rience of man. The whole Past has been fruitful end here, it would not be without a stirring up of of a varied spiritual experience; and we are now the minds of hundreds of thousands of those who really experiencing nothing but what has been most needed it, to a faith, realization, and knowlbetter and more fully attested in ages long since gone by. Not so, however, the sceptical philoso

* Representative Men, p. 140.