It appears certain that Mr. Wesley was 402. "Yet Mr. Wesley, thus miraculously very much impressed with the truth of Swe- convinced of the truth of Swedenborg's claim denborg's writings, for it is stated on the (as far, at least, as relates to his intercourse authority of Rev. Mr. Clowes, rector of St. with the spiritual world), afterwards exerted John's, Manchester, that in a conversation himself to check the extension of the same which Wesley had with a mutual and intimate conviction to others! — in which, however, he friend of theirs, Mr. Richard Houghton, Esq., only afforded a proof of Swedenborg's conof Liverpool, and which was reported to Mr. stant assertion, that miraculous evidence is Clowes by Mr. Houghton, that Wesley ex- inefficacious for producing any real or permapressed himself as follows: "We may now nent change in a man's confirmed religious burn all our books of Theology. God has sent sentiments. us a teacher from heaven; and in the doctrines of Swedenborg, we may learn all that it is necessary for us to know." 401. 403. "I have little doubt (concludes Mr. Noble) that, though some erroneous sentiments confirmed in his understanding prevented him The manner (says Rev. Mr. Noble, from accepting, in this world, the doctrines of in the letter from which the above is extracted) the New Church, his intentions were upright, in which Mr. Wesley here expressed himself, and there was a principle of real good in his was strong indeed; so much so, that were it heart, which, in the other life would throw off not certain that his mind must have been at the errors that obscured it, and enable him to that time under a very powerful influence in receive the truth. This, it is probable, was Swedenborg's favor, he might be suspected to seen by Swedenborg, and was the reason of have spoken ironically. This I observed in his inviting him to an interview: and thus, I my letter to Mr. Clowes; to which he replies, trust, though Mr. Wesley acted chiefly as an "I can hardly conceive, from the manner in opponent to him while on earth, he may now which it was expressed by Mr. Houghton, that be associated with him in heaven.". irony had any thing to do with it: and Mr.ments, pp. 108-110. Houghton must have known with certainty whether it had or not. His repeating Mr. Wesley's observation to Mr. Clowes, as an inducement to him to peruse the writings of Swedenborg, is a complete proof that Mr. H. believed it to mean what it expresses. But an examination of dates will show, that Mr. Wesley's statement to that gentleman was made while the impression from Swedenborg's supernatural communication was acting in all its force. sphere of intelligence, when he related his sight of, and daily con versation in, the world of spirits, with which he declared himself better acquainted than with this. "I heartily wish that all the real designs which an omnipotent and omniscient God of Love might have, either by him, or by It is amusing to read what Okely says of his difficulty about Swedenborg's sight and conversation in the spiritual world. What artificial stupidity! A rustic would have taken it at once. vealed them unto babes. Close of his Earthly Life. Docu 404. Two or three weeks before Swedenborg's decease, he was visited by his old friend, Mr. Springer, the Swedish Consul in London. Mr. S. asked him when he believed the New Jerusalem would be manifested, and if the manifestation would take place in the four quarters of the world. His answer was, that "no mortal could tell the time, no, nor even the highest angels, but God only. Read," said he, "the Revelation (xxi. 2) and Zechariah (xiv. 9), and you will find, past doubt, that the New Jerusalem of the Apocalypse, which denotes a new and purer state of the Christian church, will manifest itself to all the earth." 405. "Mr. Bergstrom, the Landlord of the King's Arms tavern in Wellclose Square, at whose house he had once lodged for ten weeks, We here recall a little narrative in Swedenborg's Diary (n. 5997). He had been writing upon the Apocalypse, and had treated of called to see him during his last days. Mr. the threefold man, celestial, spiritual, and natural, and of goods and truths in their series, and coming to an inn with his mind B. asked him whether he would take the Sacon the subject, he opened it to the good wife who was the land-rament? Somebody present at the time prolady, Tisula Bodama her name. "She was a person of simplehearted faith. She understood clearly all I said; but there was posed sending for the Rev.. Mr. Mathesius, a learned man present who did not understand it, nay, could not the officiating minister of the Swedish church. understand it. And so the case is with many other things." The Lord has hidden them from the wise and prudent, and re- Swedenborg declined taking the Sacrament While speaking of Okely, who was the author of a Life of from this gentleman, who had previously set Behmen, we take the opportunity of stating, that too close a par- abroad a report that he was out of his senses: allel is often made between Behmen and Swedenborg. There are indeed truths common to both, and no man who values an and he sent for the Rev. Arvid Ferelius, extraordinary brother would say a word in disparagement of another Swedish clergyman with whom he deep-thoughted Jacob Behmen. But his want of education and utterance; his identification of the spiritual with the subjective was on the best terms, and who had visited for man upon earth; his failure of seership, and consequently of him frequently in his illness. Ferelius soon real experience; and above all, his inapprehension of the sole divinity of Christ, which scattered through his theology the returned with Bergstrom to Swedenborg's beddarkness inevitable upon an attempted approach to the thus unapproachable Father—a darkness the more virulent as the ge- side. On every previous visit Ferelius had nius is more intense; these great vacancies, and a host of asked him whether or no he was about to die, other things, such as his doctrine of the bi-sexual Adam, establish between him and Swedenborg a gulf not to be overpassed. to which he always answered in the affirmative. Swedenborg had indeed never read his works, as he told Dr. On this occasion the priest observed to him, sible to affiliate his own works in any sense upon Behmen's. that as many persons thought that he had endeavored only to make himself a name by Beyer in answer to a question upon the subject, and it is impos The admirers of Behmen are aware of this, and Mr. Law has shown it by violent stamping against Swedenborg. his new theological system (which object he and infirm. That towards the end of February, had indeed attained), he would do well now 1772, he declared to Elizabeth Shearsmith (then to publish the truth to the world, and to recant Reynolds) and to Richard Shearsmith's first wife either the whole or a part of what he had (then living) that he should die on such a day; and that the said Elizabeth Shearsmith thinks she can advanced, since he had now nothing more to safely affirm on her oath he departed this life exexpect from the world, which he was so soon actly on the very day he had foretold, that is, one about to leave forever.' Upon hearing these month after his prediction. That about a fortnight words, Swedenborg raised himself half upright before his death he received the Lord's Supper from in bed, and placing his sound hand upon his the hands of Mr. Ferelius, a Swedish minister, to breast, said with great zeal and emphasis: whom he earnestly recommended to abide in the 'As true as you see me before you, so true is before Mr. Swedenborg's decease he was deprived truth contained in his writings. That a little while every thing that I have written. I could have of his spiritual sight, on which account being said more had I been permitted. When you brought into very great tribulation, he vehemently come into eternity, you will see all things as cried out, O my God, hast thou then wholly forsaken I have stated and described them, and we thy servant at last? But a few days after he recovshall have much to discourse about them with ered again his spiritual sight, which circumstance each other.' Ferelius then asked whether he appeared to make him completely happy; that this would take the Lord's Holy Supper? He was the last of his trials. That during his latter replied with thankfulness, that the offer was good sense and memory in the most complete mandays, even as on the former, he retained all his well meant; but that being a member of the ner. That on the Lord's day, 29th March, hearother world, he did not need it. He would, however, gladly take it, in order to show the connection and union between the church in heaven and the church on earth. He then asked the priest if he had read his views on the Sacrament? He also told him to consecrate the elements, and leave the rest of the form to him, as he well knew what it was and meant. Before administering the Sacrament, Ferelius inquired of him whether he confessed himself to be a sinner? Certainly,' said he, 'so long as I carry about with me this sinful body. With deep and affecting devotion, with folded hands and with head uncovered, he confessed his own unworthiness, and received the Holy Supper. After which, he said that all had been properly done, and presented the minister in gratitude with one of the few remaining copies of his great work, the Arcana Cœlestia. He was quite clear in his mind throughout the ceremony. This was two or three weeks before his death. ing the clock strike, Mr. Swedenborg asked his landlady and her maid, who were then both sitting by his bedside, what it was o'clock, and on being answered it was 5 o'clock, he replied, it is little moment after he gently gave, up the ghost. well, I thank you, God bless you both, and then a Moreover, that on the day before and on that of his departure, Mr. Swedenborg received no visits of any friend whatever, and these deponents never heard him either then or before utter any thing that had the least appearance of, or relation to, a recantation. RICHARD SHEARSMITH. 408. " After Swedenborg's decease, his body was carried to the house of Mr. Burkhardt, an undertaker, and former clerk to the Swedish church in London, where he was laid in state, and buried from thence on the 5th day of April, in three coffins, in the vault of the above church, in Prince's Square, Radcliffe 406. "He had told the people of the house Highway, with all the ceremonies of the Luwhat day he should die, and as Shearsmith's theran religion; the service being performed servant maid reported: He was as pleased!' on the occasion by the Rev. Arvid Ferelius — And she made a comparison that the pleasure the last service which he performed in Engwas such as if she herself were going to have land. In 1785, Swedenborg's coffin was side a holiday, to go to some merrymaking. In by side with Dr. Solanders. To this day not Sandel's more accomplished but not deeper a stone or an inscription commemorates the language: He was satisfied with his sojourn dust of the wonderful Norseman. 6 upon earth, and delighted with the prospect 409. "During the later career of Swedenof his heavenly metamorphosis.'" Wilkin- borg, his country had looked on, not without son's Biography, pp. 214, 215. 407. 66 The only particulars relative to the close of Swedenborg's natural life, on which we can rely, are to be found in an affidavit, made by Mr. and Mrs. Shearsmith, with whom Swedenborg boarded at the time of his death. It is as follows: interest, directed both to his character, his pretensions and his labors. No sooner was he dead, than the House of Clergy, through their President, requested Ferelius to give such an account of him in writing as his experience would warrant, which he did, but the document is unfortunately missing. On Octo"Affidavit taken before the Right Hon. Thom- Board of Mines, pronounced his eulogium in ber 7, 1772, M. Sandel, Counsellor of the as Wright, then Lord Mayor of the city of London, the Hall of the House of Nobles, in the name the 24th November, 1784, viz.: That towards Christmas, 1771, Mr. Swedenborg had a stroke of of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Stockthe palsy, which deprived him of his speech, which holm. Sandel was no follower of his, but his he soon recovered, but yet remained very weak discourse, take it for all and all, is the finest resumption that we have of the name and it was with Swedenborg. The powers of his character of Swedenborg. We give the open-mind were matched with an extraordinary ing of the document to show what a scientific strength of body, which pain and passion seem man in such an Assembly dared say of Swe-scarcely to have touched, and hence the crowd denborg, notwithstanding his spirit-seeing. "Permit me,' says he, to entertain you this day upon a subject, which is not of an abstracted or remote nature, but is intended to revive the agreeable remembrance of a man celebrated for his virtues and his knowledge, one of the oldest members of this Academy, and one whom we all knew and loved. of his works, and his broad apparent leisure. The day of such a man is full of commerce and transactions; the reciprocation is unwearied from health to genius; the able-bodied hours cultivate his life to uncommon productiveness, and stretch out the points and patches of his time towards the largeness of their eternal source. 6 "The sentiments of esteem and friendship with 411. "Health in its whole sense is happiwhich we all regarded the late M. Emanuel Sweness. Here again Sandel says of Swedendenborg, assure me of the pleasure with which you will listen to me while he is the subject of my situation, his life was in all respects one of the borg: Content within himself and with his discourse; happy should I be could I answer your expectations, and draw his eulogium in the manner happiest that ever fell to the lot of man, urtil it deserves! But if there are some countenances the very moment of its close.' 'His inward of which, as the painters assure us, it is extremely serenity and complacency of mind,' says Hartdifficult to give an exact likeness, how difficult ley, were manifest in the sweetness of his then must it be to delineate that of a vast and sub- looks and his outward demeanor.' His own lime genius, who never knew either repose or In a fatigue; who occupied with sciences the most testimony corroborates that of Sandel. profound, was long engaged with researches into passage in his Diary (n. 3623), where he the secrets of nature, and who, in his latter years, treats of the proposition, that the enjoyments applied all his efforts to unveil the greatest mys- and pleasures of life are never denied to us,' teries; who to arrive at certain branches of knowl- he says: To this I can bear witness, that edge, opened for himself a way of his own, without they have never been denied to me, but grantever straying from sound morals and true piety; ed, and not only the pleasures of the body and who being endowed with a strength of faculties the truly extraordinary, in the decline of his age, senses as to others of the living, but I boldly elevated his thoughts still further, and have had joys and happiness such as no others soared to the greatest heights to which the intel- I suppose have felt in the universal world, lectual faculty can rise; and who, finally, has and these, both more and more exquisite than given occasion to form respecting him a multitude any mortal can imagine or believe.' of opinions, differing as much from each other as do the minds of the different men by whom they are formed!' 6 6 6 412. "Swedenborg's works furnish one continued proof of these assertions. Who does not know that peace and power are one; that 410. "When a life is past, we speak with tranquillity is the main circumstance of the right of the health and happiness of the de- best lifetimes? No matter to this whether. parted. On these points a few words express the sky be calm, or the soul unassaulted; it is what is known of Swedenborg. He always,' the preservation of the balance, and the firmsays Sandel, enjoyed most excellent health, footedness of the man, under whatever trials, having scarcely ever experienced the slightest that constitute the repose of which we speak. indisposition.' He was never ill,' says Rob- Swedenborg's works, we repeat, from beginsahm, except when in states of temptation.' ning to end, are on a high level of peace; Once he had a grievous toothache for many their even flow is as of a sea inclining only days. Robsahm recommended him some com- to the constellations. No cursory moon regumon remedy. But he refused it, and said: lates its tides from nearer attractions, but they 'My pain proceeds not from the nerve. of the move to the vault, and though they change, tooth, but from the influx of hypocritical spir- it is not by months, but with ages. its that beset me, and by correspondence cause this plague, which will soon leave me.' other studious sedentary persons, his stomach was weak, particularly during the last fourPersonal Testimonies and Anecdotes. teen years of his life, which caused him to be somewhat singular in his diet. Not less, how- 413. "HAVING thus followed Swedenborg ever, from the concurrent testimony of those through his life and labors, it remains to gather who knew him best, than from the works that up any personal particulars that remain unaphe executed, we know that he enjoyed a fine propriated, and also to place before the reader constitution. Health is the ground which what testimonies exist, to the public and prigreat persons cultivate, whereby they ex-vate character of Swedenborg. We begin change the light flying hours into golden usage. with the latter first. If the record savor of To them it is industry represented in its pow- eulogy, it is from no partiality of ours, but er; the human riches of time. The minute because history chooses. glass runs willingly sand of centuries when great ideas are in the healthful moments. So Like PART III. 414. "Sandel says: If his love of knowledge went too far, it at least evinced in him and is so far from the ambition of heading a sect, that wherever he resides on his travels, he is a mere solitary.' And after Swedenborg's death, Hartley again writes: "The great Swedenborg was a man of uncommon humility. He was of a catholic spirit, and loved all good men of every church, making at the same time candid allowance for the innocence of involuntary error. However selfdenying in his own person as to gratifications and indulgences, even within the bounds of moderation, yet nothing severe, nothing of the precisian appeared in him.' A sincere friend of mankind, in his examination of the character of others, he was particularly desirous to discover in them this virtue, which he regarded as an infallible 418. "And lastly Ferelius remarks: 'Many proof of the presence of many more. He may suppose that Assessor Swedenborg was was cheerful and agreeable in society. By a singular and eccentric person; this was not way of relaxation from his important labors, the case. On the contrary, he was very agreehe sought and frequented the company of per- able and complaisant in company; he entered sons of information, by whom he was always into conversation on every topic, and accomwell received. He knew how to check oppor-modated himself to the ideas of the party; tunely, and with great address, that species and he never mentioned his own writings and of wit which would indulge itself at the ex- doctrines but when he was asked some quespense of serious things. As a public function- tion about them, when he always spoke as ary, he was upright and just while he discharged his duties with great exactness, he neglected nothing but his own advancement. In the Diet his conduct was such as to secure him both from the reproaches of his own conscience and from those of others. He lived under the reigns of many of our sovereigns, and enjoyed the particular favor and kindness of them all. . . It may truly be said that he was solitary, but never sad.' freely as he had written. If, however, he observed that any persons asked impertinent questions, or attempted to ridicule him, he gave them answers that quickly silenced them, without making them any the wiser.' 419. "The persons in whose houses he lodged, bear concurrent testimony. Mr. Brockmer (who lived in Fetter Lane) says, that if he believed Swedenborg's conversation with angels and spirits to be true, he should not wonder at any thing he said or did; but should rather wonder that surprise and astonishment did not betray him into more unguarded expressions than were ever known to escape him: for he did and said nothing but what he (Brockmer) could easily account for in his own mind, if he really believed what Swedenborg declares in his writings to He be true. He was of a most placid 415. "Count Höpken remarks: 'I have not only known him these two and forty years, but also some time since daily frequented his company. . . I do not recollect to have known any man of more uniformly virtuous character; always contented, never fretful or morose; he was a true philosopher, and lived He labored diligently, and lived like one. frugally, without sordidness. 416. " 417. "He affects no honor,' says Hartley, 'but declines it; pursues no worldly interest; * "Count Höpken says in a letter to a friend: I have sometimes told the king, that if ever a new colony were to be formed, no religion could be better, as the prevailing and established one, than that developed by Swedenborg from the Sacred Scriptures, and this on the two following accounts: 1st. This religion, in preference to, and in a higher degree than, any other, must produce the most honest and industrious subjects; for this religion places properly the worship of God in uses. 2dly. It causes the least fear of death, as this religion regards death merely as a transition from one state into another, from a worse to a better situation; nay, upon his principles, I look upon death as being of hardly any greater moinent than drinking a glass of water.' 420. "Bergstrom says: 'He once lived ten weeks with me in my house, during which time I observed nothing in him but what was very reasonable, and bespoke the gentleman. For my part I think he was a reasonable, sensible and good man: he was very kind to all, and generous to me. As for his peculiar sentiments, I do not meddle with them.' 421. "Mr. Shearsmith declared, 'That from the first day of his coming to reside at his house, to the last day of his life, he always conducted himself in the most rational, prudent, pious and Christian-like manner.' And Shearsmith's maid servant commemorated that 'he was a good-natured man, a blessing to the house; and while he staid there, they had She said that harmony and good business. before he came to their house he was offered another lodging in the neighborhood; but he told the mistress there wanted harmony in the house, which she acknowledged; and recommended him to Shearsmith's. 422. "The homeliness of some of these tes-truths of revelation. You know,' said he, timonies does not exclude them from our 'how often students, especially theologians, pages, because, diving as they do into Swe- who have gone far in useless knowledge, have denborg's privacy, they are just what we want, become insane.' to fortify our knowledge of one whose interior 426. "The reason of the danger of man, as life was so different from other men's. Swe- at present constituted, speaking with spirits, denborg's biography is a court in which such is, that we are all in association with our likes, witnesses are precisely those whose depositions and being full of evil, these similar spirits, will first be taken by the mass of the public. If the testimony is trivial in so great a case, it is the cross questioning of this age which elicits it. Phenomena of Spiritual Intercourse. 423. "His friends and domestics had occasional opportunities of observing his deportment when in his trances. Some of these we have already narrated, but the following also merit a place. could we face them, would but confirm us in our own state and views, and lend an authority from whose persuasiveness we could hardly escape, to our actual evils and falsities. Hence, for freedom's sake, the strict partition between the worlds. The case was otherwise before hell was necessary to man's life. 6 427. "Shearsmith used to be frightened when he first had Swedenborg for a lodger, by reason of his talking at all hours, the night as well as the day. He would sometimes be writ424. "On one occasion Ferelius visited ing, says this informant, and then stand talking him during his sickness, and as the former in the doorstead of his room, as if holding a was going up stairs, he heard Swedenborg conversation with several persons; but as he speaking with energy, as though addressing a spoke in a language that Shearsmith did not company. Reaching the antechamber where understand, he could make nothing of it. his female attendant was sitting, he asked her 428. His faithful domestics, the old gardenwho was with the Assessor? She said, No-er and his wife, who kept his house near Stockbody, and that he had been speaking in that holm, told Robsahm with much tenderness, manner for three days and nights.' As the that they had frequently overheard his strong reverend gentleman entered the chamber, agony of mind vented in ejaculatory prayer Swedenborg greeted him tranquilly, and asked during his temptations. He often prayed to him to take a seat. He told him that he had God that the temptations might leave him, been tempted and plagued for ten days by evil crying out with tears, Lord God, help me; spirits, and that he had never before been my God, forsake me not.' When the temptatempted by such wicked ones: but that he now tion was over, and they inquired of him the again enjoyed the company of good spirits. cause of his distress, he answered, God be 425. 66 One day, while he was in health, praised, it is all removed. Be not uneasy on Ferelius visited him in company with a Dan- my account; all that happens to me, happens ish clergyman. They found him sitting in with God's permission, and he will suffer noththe middle of the room at a round table, writ- ing that he sees I am unable to bear.' After ing. The Hebrew Bible, which appeared to one of his trials he went to bed, and remained constitute his whole library, lay before him. there many days and nights without rising. After he had greeted them, he pointed to the His servants expected that he had died of opposite side of the table, and said: 'Just fright. They debated whether they should now the apostle Peter was here, and stood not summon his relatives, and force open the there; and it is not long since all the apostles door. At length the gardener climbed up to were with me; indeed they often visit me.' a window, and looking in, to his great joy saw 'In this manner,' says Ferelius, he spoke his master turn in bed. The following day without reserve; but he never sought to make he rang the bell. The wife went to his room, proselytes.' They asked him why nobody but and told him how anxious they had been about himself enjoyed such spiritual privileges? him; to which he replied, with a benignant He said, that every man might at the present look, that he was well, and had wanted for day have them, as well as in the times of the nothing. One day after dinner the same doOld Testament; but that the true hinderance mestic went into his room, and saw his eyes now is, the sensual state into which mankind shining with an appearance as of clear fire. has fallen.' Robsahm also once questioned She started back, and exclaimed: For God's him, whether it would be possible for others to sake what is the matter? You look fearfully!' enjoy the same spiritual light as himself. He How then do I look?' said he. She told answered, 'Take good heed upon that point: him what she saw. 'Well, well,' said he, a man lays himself open to grievous errors Fear not! The Lord has opened my bodily who tries by barely natural powers to explore eyes, so that spirits see through them into the spiritual things.' He further said that to world. I shall soon be out of this state, which guard against this the Lord had taught us to will not hurt me.' In about half an hour the pray, lead us not into templation: meaning shining appearance left his eyes. His old that we are not allowed, in the pride of our servant professed to know when he had connatural understandings, to doubt of the divine versed with heavenly spirits, from the pleasure 6 |