GREAT changes are taking place in the very structures of society. Old notions, like dilapidated houses, are passing away. New ones, possessing greater breadth and light and beauty are rising upon the ruins. The revolution is a silent one, accomplished over the heads of men nolens volens, by forces noiseless as the sunshine. The opposition is strong, for the positions disturbed are ancient; but many opponents, rather than be "behind the age," have accepted the situation, at first with distrust, then with tolerance, then with ample wonder that such excellent things had not earlier arrived. One of the symptoms of these changes (itself almost a revolution) is the attention now given by pulpit, platform, press, and in the social circle, to the remarkable theories which EMANUEL SWEDENBORG promulgated more than a hundred years ago. Somehow or other SWEDENBORG is becoming a factor in many of the problems of to-day. His influence pervades modern literature and dogma to a surprising extent. His writings exist in many languages, and circulate by thousands every year. Many of the leaders of public opinion, and most of the public libraries, theological seminaries, and literary institutions possess them. Books, representing his views reduced to common parlance, multiply very fast, find a market, and are reviewed by the press, sometimes with favour, generally with respect. Further, a band of intelligent followers, whose strength is not to be measured by the foot-rule of the statistician, by means of lectures and "Silent Missionaries" make SWEDENBORG'S doctrines widely known, and defend them-when they get an opportunity. Even the Scientists, who, Dr. GARTH WILKINSON tells us, "take off their grave hats to a new beetle or a fresh vegetable alkaloid," and steer clear of the great facts that are dear to the hearts of men and women, are sending out spies to explore the Unseen Universe which SWEDENBORG has described. They have begun with Spiritism; they will come to SWEDENBORG. EMERSON wittily observes (Letters and Social Aims)—“The savans are chatty and vain, but hold them hard to principle, and definition, and they become mute and near-sighted. What is motion? what is beauty? what is life? what is force?-push them hard, and they will not be loquacious; they will come to PLATO to PROCLUS and to SWEDEN BORG." Some are already there. The Want of the age is a Theosophy which is at once Scriptural, Scientific, Rational, and Practical. In every previous age man's necessity has been God's opportunity. Is ours an exception? How then is SWEDENBORG and his works to be accounted for? They cannot be squeezed to death nor explained away; already they have survived several generations, and are still "new." And if this much-needed Christian psychology does lie hid in the works of SWEDENBORG?-loyalty to the truth, liberty of conscience, freedom of voice and pen, all those noblest elements of English character demand its resurrection though the skies fall. In the following pages I have not tried to praise or blame, defend or denounce, vindicate or asperse SWEDENBORG; that has been sufficiently done by his friends and enemies. I have aimed rather to present a pen-and-ink sketch, leaving the reader to place it in such "frame" as suits his fancy, and being myself more concerned that my description be accurate and impartial, than whether it favours SWEDEN BORG or the reverse. LONDON, N., Dec. 1876. U. S. E. CONTENTS. PAGE Swedenborg's Personal Appearance: Habits, Diet "Judge a man as you find him " Swedenborg's English Biographers Daniel Isaksson: Jesper Svedberg... Emanuel's Early Years and Education The Swedish Seer Born-not Made His Father appointed Bishop of Skara...... His Social Position Science, Correspondence, Discovery and Invention Polheim introduces him to King Charles XII....... 2 12 27. 28 |