MASTER NEGATIVE NO. 92-80773 MICROFILMED 1992 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES/NEW YORK as part of the Western Civilizatioi Funded by the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES Reproductions may not be made without permission from Columbia University Library COPYRIGHT STATEMENT The copyright law of the United States - Title 17, United States Code ~ concerns the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material... Columbia University Library reserves the right to refuse to accept a copy order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. AUTHOR: POND , CHESTER E . TITLE: TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF SWEDENBORG'S WRITINGS . . . PLACE: PHILADELPHIA DATE: [N . D . ] COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT pjl^T ^^'^-^ APHir MTCROFORM TARGET Master Negative # 9J -ro 773 z^ Original Material as Filmed - Existing Bibliographic Record r 938.94 7.1 ^Pondf Chester E y A testimony to the value of Swedenborg^s writings, from a member of an orthodox church addressed to all true lovers of Christ ••• Phil clSRO?! T in Nar S 29 p No 3 of a vol/"^ of pamphlets 1 Restrictions on Use: TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA REDUCTION RATIO:___//.L FILM SIZE:,..!!! __^__ IMAGE PLACEMENT: lA dlA IB IIB ^/^ r»ATTJ FTTMRD- T/z57f-L INITIALS Llk-J^ — SlmId " /pg^ATfe-ium"-^"'^^ ■-"- wnonnRiDGE. cr n Association for Information and Image Management 1100 Wayne Avenue. Suite 1100 Silver Spring. Maryland 20910 301/587-8202 Centimeter 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 mm Inches 1.0 |rl^ IM I.I 1.25 ■ «3 III 3.6 4.0 1.4 2.2 2.0 .8 1.6 MflNUFfiCTURED TO fillM STfiNDfiROS BY RPPLIED IMAGE. INC. A Testimony TO THE VALUE OP , SWEDENBORG'S WRITINGS. FROM A MEMBER OF AN ORTHODOX CHURCH. ADDKESSBD TO ALL TRUE LO VERS OF CHRIST AND SEEK- ERS AFTER GENUINE TRUTH, t ^ t -•oJOioo- ^/ PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR, No. 1111 GiRARD Street. A Testimony f TO THE VALUE OP SWEDENBOEG'S WEITINGS. BY CHESTER E. POND. » I THE attention of Christians is now being called as never before, to the Teachings of this eminent man ; and I esteem it a privi- lege as it is a pleasure to offer a few words of personal testimony to their priceless worth. For nearly a third of a century I have pro- fessed myself a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, and have endeavored to walk in the way of his commandments. And latterly, I can say (and I say it without boasting, but with humility and deep thankfulness) that my communion with Him has been most intimate, and at times inexpressibly sweet. The Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg have afforded me incalculable assistance in all my Bible study. They have opened up new and vast fields for thought and meditation, and have been the means of unnumbered blessings to my soul During my first year's reading, I believe I obtained more valuable religious knowledge from these books, than I had ob- tained from all other sources during my whole previous life ; although some twenty-five years 3 4 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF ago I spent a year and a half in Yale Theologi- cal Seminary, and have, ever since my conver- sion, been regular at Church, Sabbath School and Prayer meeting. Therefore, prompted by love to God and man, I offer these experiences and suggestions for the benefit of all sincere Bible students, whose eyes the Lord has opened to see the need of more thorough Bible study, as well as of a purer and holier life, among Christians generally ; and who also feel the need of some new light on Church Doctrines, so that all true Christians, irrespective of names, creeds, or ex- ternal forms of worship, can hereafter walk and work together in the bonds of a true Christian fellowship. I offer this testimony for the aid of those who are seeking some clear and v)ell lighted 'pathway ^ free from error and superstition, free from met- aphysical fogs and subtleties, and that cuts straight through all the discordant jungles of ecclesiastical denominationalism ; even a Gold- en Pathway that leads to the already opening fields of pure and holy living, where '' the wolf and the lamb shall feed together,'' and where " they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord." To all who are willing and anxious to enter upon this comparatively unknown yet well lighted Pathway of Golden Truth, I have no hesitation in saying that the very best books ever written on high and holy living, or genu- ine Bible holiness, outside of the Bible itself, are the Theological Works of Emanuel Swe- denborg. SWEDENBORG'S WRITINGS. 5 There is no theme within the range of exalt- ed Christian thought, on which this writer does not give us something new and striking. And, contrary to the mistaken notions of most peo- ple, he is eminently practical in his teachings. No man has so clearly set forth or so strongly emphasized the heavenly doctrine of "use," as Swedenborg. All his descriptions of the fu- ture life have a wholesome practical tendency, and are for the benefit of people in this present Ufe. He has formulated more practical Chris- tian thought, and said more practically useful things, than any other ton theological reformers that the world has ever seen. He simplifies and explains (by the application of that grand Key — Correspondence) the most difticult passages of Scripture, and every mysterious theological doctrine which men have been puzzling and quarreling over for centuries, — making them reasonable and plain to every candid mind of ordinary intelligence. But owing to a strange yet prevailing igno- rance of the practical nature of these Writings, and hence to a wide-spread misconception of their intrinsic value, there exists in the minds of many, as there once did in my own mind, a strong prejudice against them. But I can now say that, by the careful study of these luminous Writings in connection with my extended daily Bible study, I honestly be- lieve that I have become better acquainted with Heaven, with the plan of Redemption, with the terrible n'ature and consequences of sin, with my own interior heart-life, and with 6 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OP the dear Lord himself, than I could possibly have done in any other known way. Furthermore, I believe that by the aid of these Writings I am daily acquiring such a growing fitness for the society of Heaven, and for the more immediate presence of the Lord Jehovah, as I could not otherwise acquire in this life. Every day the Lord manifests his love to me so forcibly and consciously, that I am literally ^^ filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory y The inspired Psalmist says : "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." And it is now my privilege to say (and I say it with profound gratitude) that the dear Lord has done great things for my soul ; and that these spiritual and truly wonderful Writings are instrumental in drawing me nearer to Him every day, and in giv- ing me a deeper and deeper insight into His holy Word. I therefore believe that others will be glad to know this ; and I am sure it cannot be many years before these Writings will be con- sidered of more practical value to every honest- hearted Bible student, than any other known Commentary. They are so profoundly philosophical, arc in such perfect harmony with sound reason, and so pre-eminently Scriptural withal, that they cannot fail to commend themselves to every in- telligent and unprejudiced reader. Most un- questionably, therefore, they are destined to be the great instrument in the hands of the Lord, in sweeping away the present coldness, indif- ference, worldly-mindedness, sectarianism, and SWEDENBORQ'S WRITINGS. 7 such fossilized creeds as are now checking the progress of vital godliness in nearly all our or- thodox churches. In all ages devout and teachable hearts have at times felt the need of more light on spiritual things. The pious John Robinson, in his part- ing advice to our Puritan Fathers, gave ex- pression to this feeling, as well as to his belief in a progressive Christianity, when he said: "If God reveal anything to you, be ready to receive it ; for I am verily persuaded that the Lord has more truth yet to break forth out of His holy Word." Sectarianism is the offspring of human self- ishness. To the outside world, its extensive prevalence in the churches is the chief of all stumbling blocks. Its existence and domina- tion in Christendom to-day, necessitate the waste of millions of money annually, which ought to be given to the Lord. The most Christ-like men and women are those who are most teachable, most ready to welcome new truth through whatever channel it may come, and who have least of the odious spirit of sect. But worldly-minded Christians have little of childlike teachableness ; they are firmly bound by their creeds, and are inclined to look with intolerance if not contempt upon nearly every new idea. The early Christians were distinguished by their peculiar love for the Lord and for each other. Their different churches were known by their location. The dwellers at Home were called Romans, and those at Corinth, Corin- thians. But now, when church members are 8 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF distinguished by their peculiar ceremonies, be- lirfs, or church polity, rather than by their love of the Lord or of each other, they are called Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Congrega- tionalists, etc. The very fact that there are so many different sects, and that so many of their members are sadly lacking in true spirit- ual life, ought to convince every thoughtful Christian that somethinsj is wronsf with the churgh somewhere. And it ought to lead all honest minds to hail with joy every new ray of light, and every sign of spiritual progress. Looking upon the world at large, and consider- ing the great advance which Christianity has made in the different nations within the last hundred years, I cannot resist the conviction that the spiritual coming of the Lord, "with power and great glory," has already begun. And I believe further, that by means of Swe- denborg's luminous teachings, the Lord will gradually dispel every cloud which now dark- ens the heavens and distracts and divides His church. Swedenborg himself seemed to have had no thouQ;ht of becoming the founder of a religious sect or denomination. He wrote for the benefit of the church and the world at large. But no one can appreciate the exalted worth, or the purity and holiness of his Writings, but in the degree that he has himself been cleansed from sm and sectarianism^ and *'w?acZe white ^n the blood of the Lamh.''^ A worldly-minded Chris- tian can neither understand nor appreciate a heavenly-minded writer. The New Church organization is doing a bwedenborg's writings. 9 great and good work in disseminating the New Truths ; and if some of those belonging to it have not yet caught Swedenborg's spirit of vital godliness, genuine holiness, or disinterested love of the neighbor, it ought not to surprise any one. Indeed, it would greatly surprise us to find it otherwise. But if the members of this organization generally were now enjoying tluit interior heart union with the Lord of which Swedenborg so often speaks, and which consti- tutes the great central thought of all his teach- ings, I believe they would shortly accomplish more toward evangelizing the world, than all the other denominations combined. It is, I think, quite possible for a man to become intellectually acquainted with all the doctrinal teachings of Swedenborg, and conse- quently be able to rejoice in the pleasurable gratification of his own reasoning powers, and yet remain spiritually dead. And I think, further, that there are thousands in the orthodox churches to-day, who are resting in a sort of conscious satisfaction of their reasoning powers, while their hearts are cold as stones. They mistake the pleasures of their own reason for the warmth of Divine Love, As T understand Swedenborg, the New Church in Christian lands embraces all devout Christians who beUeve on the Lord Jesus Christ and live according to his commandments. This Church is the true Body of Christ, the Elect, the Remnant, the Bride, the Lamb's wife, — possibly but a small portion of nominal church members. This was the belief of the excellent John Clowes, and has been that of 10 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF other distinguished students of Swedenborg and expounders of his teachings.* But the genuine Swedenborgian is not, as some seem to imagine, one who thinks more of Swedenborg than he does of his Bible. For the great seer's first rule for his own private life was : " Often to read and meditate on the Word of God.'''' Nothing can supply the place of the inspired Word which '*in the beginning was God," and forever is God. The Lord speaks to us through the Bible as with a living voice. Every devout Christian is conscious of a special Divine influx and internal illumination that comes to him from the written Word. The Lord is especially present with every man, woman and child, whenever they are belie v- ingly and reverently reading His Word. This is Swedenborg's teaching, often repeated in his works ; therefore to neglect the Word is to starve the soul. Within twenty-five years there has been a great change in orthodox preaching. The ob- iectionable features of orthodoxy are gradually being softened or sloughed off. Old creeds are becoming fossilized ; and so far as they are fossilized, they are no part of genuine ortho- doxy. But when ministers write theological essays, or make speeches in ecclesiastical assemblies, they generally adhere to their old creeds, and even go so far as to say, (as did ♦ See " The Golden City," by B. F. Barrett, pp. 172-188. And "The New Church; Its Nature and Whereabout," by the same author, pp. 162-213. Also Vol. III. of " The Swedenborg Library," pp. 223-245. swedenborg's writings. 11 the first speaker in the late Pan-Presbyterian Council in this city) *' we want no new prin- ciples; we want no new creeds." But when they are at home among their own people, con- versing with sinners, with the sick and dying, or earnestly prcacliing to anxious hearers, they frequently forget their creeds and preach Scrip- tural common sense much oftener than they did twenty-five years ago. The difference between orthodoxy and the teachings of Swedenborg are becoming less and less every year. I think " New Church " people are apt to consider this difference greater than it really is. And orthodox people are almost wholly mistaken in their ideas of the teachings of Swedenborg. Tliey form their opinions mostly, I think, from "hearsay." Now if both parties would becoYne personally acquainted with each other's present beliefs and teachings, they would both be surprised to find that, in spirit^ they are united on all important moral and religious questions. Their language would often be different, but their thought and prac- 1 tice would be about the same. The love- element and the truth-element in a man's nature should be well balanced. But there are many orthodox people who have more love in their hearts than truth in their heads; and there are some "New Church " people, I think, who have more truth in their heads than love in their hearts. All our doctrines must be con- joined with love, or they are of little avail. The majority of people rest their faith, in a large degree, on the creeds and opinions of others. Yet, there is, I think, a genuine Bible 12 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF Orthodoxy which now constitutes the great good heart of the present evangelical churches, and which, in time, may "leaven the whole lump." Yet, as illustrating the melancholy divorce of the popular theology from morality or righteous limng in this our day, a minister of my acquaintance, speaking of a young man who has been reading Swedenborg, said of him not long since : "His theology has gone to the dogs, but his morals have been greatly im- proved." He meant, I suppose, his theology as formulated in the old and still prevalent creeds. Now in view of the present deplorable state of religion, or of real heart-life in the churches, who will say that there is no need of an influx of new light and life from on High ? In time past the Lord gave new light to the church through Luther, Wesley, Baxter, Whitfield, and others. To-day He is giving it through a number of his devoted servants in different Christian denominations. But the one exceed- ing great light brilliant above all others, is now coming to us through Swedenborg. This light is so pure and bright that at first it dazzles the eyes of many conservative Christians. They are almost afraid to investigate, or even to look at the teachings of this man. But be not faith- less, my good brother, but believing ; for the Lord's truth can hurt nothing but sin. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are God's ways higher than our ways. Men naturally reject the instruments of the Lord's choosing, and demand something dif- ferent. When He chooses a Swedenborg, the swedenborg's writings. 13 leaders in the churches want something else. So has it been ever since the Fall. When the God of Love clothed Himself with our human- ity, the chief priests refused to receive Him, and were the chief instruments in putting Him to death. And now when He comes again, spiritually, in the power and great glory of his Word unfolded in its true and heavenly meaning, most of the chief priests of our day refuse to receive Him, and some of them are ready, without investigation, to cry, " mys- ticism," "spiritualism," "demonism," and "ghost smoke." What is this but the same old cry, " He hath a devil and is mad," repeat- ed in a little different form ? Yet, in the face of all opposition and many obstacles, the truth is gradually winning its way, and the new spiritual church, the real New Jerusalem, is actually "coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." To me the Writings of Swedenborg are al- ways a source of holy inspiration. They tend to enliven my devotions, to strengthen my faith, and to stimulate me to greater efforts in the service of the Master. No books outside of the Bible itself, are so heart-searching and BO elevating as these. Seldom do I read a page of them, that does not move me to earnest prayer or devout praise and thanksgiving. I think those who accept and try to teach the heavenly doctrines of Swedenborg, from an intellectual standpoint merely, make many mistakes. They leave out the Love Element — the deep and holy heart-experience that per- 14 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF vades all of his Writings, and convey therefore a wrong impression to their readers and hear- ers, taking the very essence and life out of all that he teaches. Divine Love must first pervade and enwrap one's whole soul, body and spirit, before he can fully understand or clearly portray the true meaning of these Writings. For they are rooted and grounded in love to God and love to man, from beginning to end. Genuine love is the true starting point, as it is the final goal, of everything in religion. A man of the world, or a formal professor of re- ligion, may indeed read the works of Sweden- borg with more or less pleasure and profit ; but he will not be able to catch their heavenly spirit — the spirit of true practical holiness. No one can understand the rich and rare experiences of this man any more than he can the experiences of the beloved disciple in the isle of Patmos, un- til his own soul is measurably "filled with faith and the Holy Ghost." The kind or class of ideas we derive from the Bible, or from Swedenborg, depends almost wholly upon the state of our own hearts. One man will derive one class of ideas, another man another class, differing according to the quality of each one's love or inner life. The things of the Spirit of God are foolishness to the natural man ; but he that is spiritual judgeth (or dis- cerneth) all things. There are two prominent features in the teachings of Swedenborg. First:— Ke mani- fests the highest conceivable reverence for, and faith in, the Sacred Scriptures. In this respect, SWEDENBORG'S WRITINGS. 15 V he goes far above and beyond the theory and practice of orthodox Christians generally. Secondly ;— He exalts the Divinity of Christ supremely. He proves beyond all question, that the Trinity all dwells in the Lord Jesus Christ, showing that, as Paul says, ''In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.'^ Or, as Christ himself says, "Jam in the Father, and the Father in me." ''He that hath seen nie hath seen the Father.''^ The new light that Swedenborg throws upon this one doctrine — the Trinity — will be of in- calculable service to the church and the world. For all else in religion depends largely upon having true and reasonable ideas of God. The Lord gives new light just as fast as men are ready to receive it. The world at large is grow- ing better every year. There are more godly men and women in the churches to-day, than at any previous time. Yet every warm-heart- ed Christian realizes the need of more light on spiritual things, and the need of more spiritual power among the great mass of professing Christians. Swedenborg upholds in the strongest terms the doctrine that (in Christendom) there is no possible salvation from a terrible hell, but / through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And he teaches also that faith itself is of no possi- ble use, unless accompanied by a correspond- ing holy life. As the apostle James says, " Faith without works is dead, being alone.''^ He points out the great dangers, too, of mod- ern Spiritualism, and shows us WHY it is so dangerous. 10 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OP swedenborg's writings. 17 He is fundamentally opposed to the Unita- rians ; for while they lessen or destroy the Di- vinity of Christ, he magnifies and exalts it, making it absolute, supreme and perfect. All his descriptions of the next life are in exact accord with those given in the Bible. If, therefore, you believe that the one is a mere fancy, you must believe that the other is a fancy also. In all ages of the world the Lord has, at times, opened the eyes of His children to see spiritual things. I am personally acquainted with three devoted servants of the Lord, who have had distinct views of the spiritual world. Such views, however, are more commonly given just before death. To most people, any future existence at all is a matter of great uncertainty. To many professors of religion even, the future life is a mere "I hope so," or "I guess so." AVhen speaking of a life to come, they use a great many ifs. The way the majority of church members live, and the large amount of money they spend over the dead bodies of their friends, show that they have very little expec- tation of anything beyond this present house of clay. Practically, they are saying to the world, "Let us eat, drink and be merry, for to- morrow we die," and that is the end of us. There is, therefore, great need of more light on spiritual things and the spiritual world. For men will not live with reference to a future life, unless they actually believe in a future life. And no one does actually believe in a future life, who does not now live with refer- ence to it. Actions always speak louder than \ ^ r •y words. It is one thing to talk about the possi- bilities of a future existence, and a very differ- ent thing to actually know, that, just as soon as your heart stops beating, you are going straight to heaven or to hell, according to the nature of your ruling love. The Writings of Swedenborg bring the future life before us as a present and positive reality. His spiritual sight was open for many years. This gave him an abundant opportunity to describe the horrors of hell and the glories of heaven. His works therefore strengthen the faith of Christians, and prove that there is such a thing as a future existence, and that every human being lives forever either in heaven or in hell. . These Writings, as I view them, come as an answer to the prayers of God's people. If you will note carefully the prayers of Christians, you will at times hear earnest pleadings for just such openings of Divine truth, and just such heavenly light as these Writings offer us. Yet this light comes so unexpectedly and is so brilliant, that it often dazzles the eyes even of those who pray thus ; and instead of accepting it, they forget their prayers, and, without in- vestigation, begin to argue against it. In prayer they ask for more light and more power; in argument, they cover up the light and de- stroy its power. They are like the disciples praying earnestly for Peter's deliverance from prison, who, when the damsel came and told them that their , prayers were answered, and that Peter actually stood at the gate, exclaimed at once, " Thmi art mad,'*'* 18 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF Through the Lord's providence I have been a member of the Congregational Church for nearly thirty-four years. During this time I have been connected with six local churches. I have attended the revival meetings of Mr Moody, and other Evangelists ; and hundreds of prayer meetings of other denominations be- side my own. And looking at the Writings of Swedenborg from my present standpoint, I can assure the reader that they neither destroy nor take away anything that the best men and women in all our orthodox churches now hold dear. On the contrary they add new light and new beauty to every doctrine and every hope, that sincere and devout Christians everywhere love and cherish. This enlightened man not only throws much new light on old truths, but clears away the traditional rubbish which has been thrown over the Bible during the past centuries, and thus lets the old truths shine out with even more than their ancient power and brilliancy. Swedenborg must have received more Divine help than any other writer that has lived since the Bible was completed. His writings bear the internal and unmistakable evidence of this. Had all the wisdom of Christendom for the last eighteen centuries been incarnated in one man, that man could never have written what he has written, without special Divine assistance. Whence, then, comes the existing prejudice against this greatest religious philosopher, and greatest expounder of the Bible that the world has ever seen ? I cannot conceive— unless it be from the fact that men's natural hearts are so swedenborg's writings. 19 M ! N deceitful above all thiy^gs, and so desperately wicked, that they do not care to reflect upon the positive realities of an eternal future ex- istence. Fearful of hell, they drive away the thoughts of hell. Conscious of unfitness for heaven, they have no relish for the thoughts of heaven. Spiritual things are not only distaste- ful to the natural heart, but oftentimes abso- lutely loathsome. Before men can really love the good and the true, they must learn to loathe and forsake the evil and the false. "O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men I For He satisfieth the longmg soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Divine Truth, whether taken from ordmary books, from sermons, from Swedenborg, or from the Bible itself, always produces similar re- sults It proves a savor of life unto life to all who accept it ; and a savor of death unto death to those who reject it. For those who reject the truth, are themselves judged and con- demned by the truth. *' And this is the condemnation," saith the Lord 'Hhat light is come into the world, and men \ove darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. *'For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the hght, lest his deeds should be reproved. '<• But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God." 20 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF TWO OBJECTIONS CONSIDERED. 1. Many ministers and churches, I am aware, object to the reading of Swedenborg from a natural and well-grounded fear that the readers may become interested in his teachings, and straightway dissolve their present church con- nections, and thus sever the bonds of brother- hood and weaken and disturb the church. That such has hitherto been the course pursued by many (perhaps by most) readers, is, I am sorry to say, too true. But it is not a neces- sary, nor do I think it the wisest or best, course. It is not the course which I would advise, nor the one which Swedenborg's own teachings seem to favor — as I think can be clearly shown from liis writings. It is not the course that was advised and adopted by the saintly John Clowes, who preached the gospel as expounded by Swedenborg for more than fifty years to a large and admiring congrega- tion of Episcopalians in Manchester (England). And very few, I believe, would think of taking this course, if they could be allowed their just rights and privileges in the communion where they now are — their right, I mean, to read and encourage others to read any writings and accept any teachings which bring them nearer to the Lord and heaven, or help them to live purer and holier lives. I am myself (as already stated) a member of the Congregational Church ; and I am sure that my reception of the teach- ings of Swedenborg does not make me love my brethren less, but more ; nor have I any reason to think that it has lessened their esteem for, swedenborg's WRITINGS. 21 V or materially changed their feelings toward me. They see that I am as scrupulous as ever in the performance of all my duties ; and so we all work together harmoniously, though we do not think precisely alike on doctrinal points— thus exemplifying the truth of what Swieden- borg as well as Holy Scripture so often teaches, that it is life or love, and not cbctrine, which constitutes the church; and "when life con- joins the men of the church, doctrine does not separate them; but if only doctrine conjoins them [as was the case, he says, in his day], then they mutually separate, and form as many churches as there are doctrines." (Arcana Coelestia, n. 446S ; and The Swedenborg Library, Vol. 3, p. 84.) 2. Another objection often made to Sweden- borg's writings, is, that they are too volumi- nous, and therefore too costly. Few persons, it is said, can afford the money to buy, or the time to read, twenty or thirty octavo volumes of theological works. And this objection, I must confess, is not without weight. But an enterprise is now in progress, which reveals the beautiful ways and workings of Providence, and which is admirably calculated to meet and overcome this objection. I refer to the series of small but beautiful volumes being published by E. Claxton & Co., 930 Market St., Philadel- phia, under the title of "The Swedenborg Library." The work is edited by the well- known Swedenborgian writer, B. F. Barrett, than whom (as well-informed journals tell me) "no man living is more familiar with the great Swede's writings," or "better qualified for this 22 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OP labor;" and its purpose, we are told, is, "to present the substance of Swedenborg's teach- ings in a neat, compact and inexpensive form," in a series of judiciously arranged extracts from his writings, and " in the author's own language rendered into good and intelligible English." Six of these exquisite volumes have already been published, and six more are to follow — the series to contain "the essential features and vital portions of the New Theol- ogy ;" and they are sent by the publishers (post-paid) to any address, at the extremely low price of 50 cents each. One good ortho- dox paper (I'he Chicago Advance), in a notice of Vol. v., of this series, says : " It is an ex- ceedingly good book." Another {The Mimie- apolis Tribune), says: "It will be confessed by every reader that they [the extracts in this same volume] embody a code of the purest and highest wisdom." And still another [The Chrvitian Union), says of a previous issue: " One cannot read much in this or any other volume from the author's pen, without realizing that Swedcnborg was spiritually-minded, pure and philosophical." And this same excellent paper, some months ago, placed in its printed catalogue of choice religious works suitable for a family library, all the then published volumes of The Swedenborg Library. All of which goes to corroborate the testi- mony I have here given. And it is all, be it observed, from reliable evangelical sources — from good, honest, orthodox Christians, who may not have read much of these wonderful SWEDENBORG'S WRITINGS. 23 I V ^ ^ Writings, yet enough to be satisfied that their teachings are pure, wise and wholesome. But should the reader of this Tract still think me too enthusiastic in my admiration of these Writings, or too extravagant in my praise, or over zealous in my appeal, I would beg him to order at once one or two volumes of ° the " Swedenborg Library," the titles of which (already published) are as follows :— Vol. 1. Death, Kesurrection and the Judg- ment. " 2. Heaven. " 3. Freedom, Rationality and Catho- licity. ** 4. Divine Providence and its Laws. ♦* 5. Charity, Faith and Works. " 6. Free-will, Repentance, Reforma- tion and Regeneration. And if he sincerely desires the highest truth on the highest subjects of human contempla- tion, and will read one or more of these little books with a mind free from prejudice, and a heart open to the quickening influences of the Spirit, I think he will be satisfied that my es- timate of these Writings is by no means ex- travagant. He will find here such a view of the real nature and proper Object of true wor- ship ; of the wisdom of God's Providence and the laws that govern its manifold operations ; of the nature of the infernal and the heavenly kingdom, and Jiow the former is to be over- thrown and. the latter established here on earth; of the nature of the regenerate or 24 A TESTIMONY TO THE VALUE OF heavenly life, and how that life is to be at- tained ; and of the nature, extent and variety of the true church Catholic— the real Apoca- lyptic New Jerusalem— as he can find no- where else even if he should ransack all the theological libraries in Christendom. In conclusion : — Beloved reader, if you really desire to get rational and Scriptural ideas of God, of the church, of the soul of man, and of life beyond the grave, then lay aside all prejudice (if you have any) and read and study the works of Swedenborg. If you desire to develop a symmetrical and well-rounded Christian character, then lay aside every atom of your sectarianism (if you have any) and, with a childlike spirit of teach- ableness, read carefully and thoughtfully the works of this illumined man. If you would like to have your pride and self-conceit all torn up by the roots and cast to the four winds, then lay aside all ideas of your present great attainments, either in Scripture knowledge or heavenly graces, and become a humble student of Swedenborg. If you are not actually afraid to go to the very bottom of your heart in search of its man- ifold evils ; and if you possess the moral brave- ry to traverse your own soul through and through, as with a lighted candle, in search of your very last secret fault : then read, careful- ly and prayerfully, the heart-searching Writ- ings of this heavenly-minded man. If you desire to get some adequate concep- SWEDENBOKG'S WRITINGS. 25 \ Y tion of how much it means to love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself; if you wish to learn what it is to die, and how you ought to live to meet a happy death and a glorious resurrection ; if you would like to know to what a terrible hell you are tending so long as you follow the dictates of your own selfhood ; if you wish to get a glimpse of the ineffable peace and bliss, and the ''exceeding and eternal weight of glory " that awaits the *' pure in heart ;" if you desire some clear con- ception of how little you really know about the higher or true heavenly life, and how much there is which you do not know ; if you wish to get a true idea of your own weakness and your personal insignificance ; and if you hon- estly desire to become a better man or a better woman than you now are, no matter how high your present standing may be, then, with the / humility of a little child, study the heavenly Writings of this God-illumined teacher. Finally : If you are already a sincere lover of the Lord, and desire to know more about Him and His relation to and dealings with the children of men ; and if you wish to learn just how to feed your inner life on pure Divine Truth and your inmost soul on pure Divine Love ; and if you desire to become well ac- quainted with the deep things of God ; and if you really wish to know what it means to be an actual partaker of the Lord's Divine nature and of His own holiness ; and if you desire to learn how to dwell continually in the secret place of the* Most High, and to abide forever under the shadow of the Almighty ; then study 26 swedenborg's writings. diligently the deep spiritual meaning of God's Word as now explained by the Lord himself, in the Writings of His servant Emanuel Swe- denborg. Objections to this heavenly-minded Writer usually come from one of two sources : First^ from those who base their opinion on ''hear- say," and arc not, therefore, personally ac- quainted with his Writings ; or, Secondlif^ from those who may have read some, but whose re- ligious experience is not deep enough, and whose hearts and minds are, therefore, not yet pure enough, to understand and appreciate such Writings. Therefore, I would say to each one of the churches of Christendom, everywhere, "Lift up thine eyes round about and see." "Arise, shine ; for thy light is come^ and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." These words of testimony are the free and spontaneous overflow of a heart free, as I be- lieve, from all sectarian and denominational bias, and full of love to man and of gratitude to God for the gracious influence of His loving Spirit tliat opened my eyes to see the trutli and my heart to feel the power of His love ; and also for the benign Providence that intro- duced me to the pure and heavenly Writings of His wise and faithful servant Emanuel Swe- denborg. Philadelphia, Nov. 15, 1880. 1 \ Corroborative Testimony FROM OTHER SOURCES. That a great change in the popular estimate of Swedenborg and his teachings, has taken place in our country within the last few years, IS obvious from the tone of the periodical press. A few brief extracts from recent notices of his works, are here added, in illustration and con- firmation of this statement. The Independei\t (New York) says : — "Whoever desires to understand modern the- ology and the elements which have contributed to its formation, has need to stud}'^ the writings of Emanuel^Swedenborg. ''There is in these writings a marvellous in- sight, — a vision of the higher truths of philos- ophy and religion, to which few men have at- tained." (^ The Advance (Chicago) says : — '' Swedenborg deserves to be studied as a philosophic writer not often excelled in pro- fundity, acuteness, variety and consistency of thought." The Christian Union (New York) says : — *' Certainly no man living up to the tcnelfv of Swedenborg, should be other than a sincern, humble, and sweet-minded Christian " The Evening Post (New York) says *'Swedenborg's system has produced a vwiy profound influence upon modern religious thought. . , Its influence has been all the more potent because silent and unrecognized. Certainly he who desires to understand the re- *l ligious convictions of the present age, cannot 27 28 CORROBORATIVE TESTIMONY afford to be ignorant of the contribution which Emanuel Swedenborg has made toward them." The Chicago Tribune says : — " Many persons of all sects are greatly inter- ested in Swedenborg's teaching, and it seems likely to leaven more or less the entire lump of modern religion." The North American (Philadelphia) says : — ''It is proof of the vital nature of Sweden- borer's writings that they have not only sur- vived sharp opposition, but that they con- stantly acquire new disciples and a greater circulation." The Evening Journal (Chicago) says : — *' There is not a reflective person in the world whom Swedenborg's writings wilUnot interest. . . If we look for true Christianity, we may find it everywhere in his books. If we seek for arguments that no human being has yet re- futed, we shall find them also there." The Daily Times (Parkersburg, Va.) says : — "No one who wishes to have his faith secure, . and who wishes that peace which truth alone can inspire, should fail to read his [Sweden- borg's] writings." The San Francisco Bulletin says : — '' There have been plenty of seers who claimed to have heavenly visions, but none who describe what they saw with such realism and apparent truthfulness as Swedenborg. If what he relates [about Heaven] is a coinage of the brain, then is he the greatest master of fiction among mod- ern writers." The Pittsburg Gazette says : — " No system of religion in these latter days has awakened so much interest as that of Swe- FROM OTHER SOURCES. 29 1 v denborg . . There has always been a charm attached to it of the ethereal cast, which has attracted multitudes to its standard ; and no wonder, as it is composed of such elements as will find followers." • The Evening Mail (New York) says : — " Swedenborgianism is becoming an element of great activity and importance in the religious belief and life of to-day . . It is very true, as has been observed lately by several critics, that the doctrines of the Swedish seer have become a permeating formative influence throughout the orthodox churches." The Cincinnati Times says : — ** We can heartily commend this little book [The Swedenborg Library] to any who may desire a general notion of the theological views of one of the most remarkable men that ever lived." Rev. James Freeman Clarke, author of " The Ten Great Religions," and other works, in his discourse on " Christianity : Is it just ending or beginning ?" says : — *' While Wesley was made the mediator of a new moral force flowing out of Christianity, Emanuel Swedenborg became the organ of a new spiritual philosophy, the power of which is hardly yet understood, but which seems likely to leaven all religious thought, and change all arbitrary theologies into a spiritual rationalism. But Swedenborg did not go out of Christianity to find his ideas. Like George Fox and John Wesley, he found them m Christ." Bishop Ilurd, in his ''History of the Rites and Ceremoilies of all Nations," alluding to the vulgar charge of madness or monomania CORROBORATIVE TESTIMONY. orought against Swedenborg, — which he calls " an insult to common sense, being overruled by every page of his writings as well as by every act of his life," — says : — " It operates powerfully with many, even at this day, to prejudice them against a character which otherwise they would revere, and against writings from which they would otherwise re- ceive the most welcome instruction." Rev. Charles G. Ames, in his '' Estimate of Swedenborg" in the Christian liegister^ says : — " No man ever looked into Swedenborg far enough to learn what he means, without re- ceiving a profound impression, and confessing to a large indebtedness. His increasing influ- ence appears in nearly all recent and important modifications of religious thought ; in the most salutary and etfective preaching of our times ; in the growing reasonableness, catholicity and humanity of the churches ; and in all aspira- tions toward a more perfect social order." Rev. E. H. Sears, author of that interesting and powerful work, ''The Fourth Gosjiel, the Heart of Christ," says : — " Swedenborg's essential system has a unity of its own, and an organic connection with Christianity, such as avouches itself the genu- ine development of the Christian system. His cosmology, his theology and his pneumatology, are the Christian revelation breaking into more full and rational light from the seals of the let- ter which had kept and preserved it." This Tract will be sent (pre-paid) to any address on receipt of the price, viz. : 3 cts. per single copy, 25 cts. per dozen, $1.50 per hundred. Single copies may be obtained of the author, 1111 Girard et.. Philadelphia. When wanted by the dozen or hundred, orders may be sent to £. CLAXTON & CO., 930 Market St., Fhilad'a. .:i t < MR. BARRETT'S W^ORKS. PRICES GREATLY REDUCED. Lectures on the New Dispensation, By B. F. Bar- rett. Extra cloth, pp. 328, V2mo. Price 60 cents. "An admirable work for making one acquainted with the doctrines of the New ChuTch."— Intellectual Repository. The New View of Hell. By B. F. Barrett. Extra cloth, pp. 215, r2rao. 50 cents. "Contains much that is profoundly true, and much that is exceedingly suggestive."— An* York Independent. " A really valuable contribution to the world's stock of relig- ious ideas. — I^'ew York Sun. The Golden City. By B. F. Barrett. Extra cloth, pp. 253, 12mo. 60 cents. " The most important book concerning the New Church which has been writlen for years."— Boston New Church Magazine. " The volume is pervaded by a large, free, and truly cathoUc spirit."— /fos^^u Evening Tiariscript. Letters to Beeeher on the Future Life. By B. F. Barrett. Extra cloth, pp. 191, 12mo. 50 cents. " A small volume with a great deal in it:'— The Golden Age. " A grand and impressive statement of the New Church doc- trine of the Future Life.'— A'eu; Church Independent. Swedenborg and Clianning. By B. F. Barrett. Extra cloth, pp. 288, 12nio. 60 cents. " A very interesting work."— Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette. " The spirit of the work is excellent, and its motive commend- able."— 3'/ie Congregationalist. Letters on tlie Divine Trinity. By B. F. Barrett. Extra cloth, pp. 160, 12mo. 50 cents. Presenting with great clearness and force the doctrine of the Divine Trinity as taught by Emanuel Swedenborg. Tlie New Cliurch: Its Nature and Whereabout, By B. F. Barrett. Pp. 213, 12mo. 50 cents. Sfiowing that this Church is not a sect, but much wider and more comprehensive than any existing religious organization. The above works have been commended by persons qual- ified to judge of their merits, as exceptionally able and lucid treatises on the subjects they discuss. Some of them have already passed through several editions, and are still in demand. With a view to increasing their circulation and consequent usefulness, the price has lately been re- duced fiftu per cent. But whether these extremely low prices will be maintained, must depend on the degree of encouragement oifered'by increased sales. Sent (post-paid) to any aSdres^ on receipt of price. Addreaa SWEDENBOEG PTTBLISHING ASSOCIATION, 930 Market Street, Philadelphia. "THE SWEDENBOKG LIBKAEY." A valuable work containing the essential features and vital portions of the New Theology, in choice extracts from the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg (with refer- ences to the works whence taken). The various topics are 80 arranged and classified that the reader, with the aid of a full Table of Contents, can readily turn to any sub- ject on which he desires information, and will there find all the best things that Swedenborg has said on that sub- ject. The series when complete, will comprise twelve beautiful volumes, (averaging 240 pages each) neatly bound in cloth, on fine tinted paper and in good type. Each volume is .complete in itself and can be had sepa- rately when desired. Sample copy sent (postpaid) to any address on receipt of 50 cents. The volumes are: 1. Death, Uesurrection and the Judgment. 2. Heaven. 3. Freedom, Rationality, and ratholicity. 4. Divine Providence and iU Lans. B. Charity, Faith and Works. 6. Free-will, Repentance. Reformation and Refreneration. 7. Holy Scripture and tlie Key to its Spiritual Sense. 8. Creation, Incarnation, Kedcmption, and the Divine Trinity. 9. Marriage and the Sexes in Both Worlds. 10. The New and Heavenly Doctrine of the Lord. 11. The Memorabilia. 18, Swedenborg; With a Compend of his Teachings. Rev. A. O. Brickman, in a notice of this series, says: "It is one of the most useful works which has lately shown itself in tlie Cliurch. For this reason we recom- mend it with our whole heart. The choice of extracts is exquisite, admirable, and of the greatest importance and use even to well-instructed members of the New Church." The Chicago Advance says : " The editor [of this series] has done a real service, not only to those of his own special faith, but for thoughtful Christians in all denom- inations." Price 50 cents a volume. To persons who subscribe and remit early, the entire series is offered at the extremely low price of $5.00. A circular (32 pages), showing the plan and style of the work, and giving the Contents of one or more vol- umes, sent graiia to any one applying for it. Addre9$ SWEDENBOUG PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, 930 Market Street, Philadelphia. I a. [I? I >