LECTURE ON SWEDENBORG.

He

On December 26th, 1847, at the Scientific Institution, John-street, Tottenham-court Road, a lecture "On the Doctrines of Emanuel Swedenborg" was delivered, by Mr. Thomas Cooper, author of the "Purgatory of Suicides." The lecturer commenced by owning candidly, and regretting, his very imperfect acquaintance with the author upon whom he had undertaken to speak. He related that having, not many months ago, delivered a lecture upon certain Mystics, a friend observed to him that he had said nothing of Swedenborg. "Because I know nothing of him," was his reply. He had now, however, commenced a course of reading, and with much that he confessed himself unable to understand, and much that to his (the lecturer's) mind, in its present state, could not, without further evidence, be received, he fully admitted that there was also much that surprised and also that deeply interested him. He particularised the doctrine of correspondences as the point that at present most strongly seized his mind. He then gave a short sketch of Swedenborg's life, particularly pointing out his religious tendency in childhood, and his persevering devotion in after life to the exact sciences. severely reproved the light and thoughtless manner in which the world allowed itself to pass sentence of MADNESS upon extraordinary men; and no less strongly censured the charges of IMPOSTURE as lightly made, which, he said, no man who professed anything like honour himself ought, without a due examination, to admit against another man. He mentioned the relation of the fire at Stockholm, and that concerning the Queen of Sweden, and read a few extracts from the Arcana Calestia, impressing, however, upon the audience the impossibility of obtaining any very clear idea even on such an extensive theme. He however felt that no vulgar theology was therein contained, and observed, by the bye, after reading a passage of the internal sense belonging to the history of Noah, that the readers of Swedenborg ought to be excellent metaphysicians, duly to follow their author. He also gave his audience to understand, that they must not think that Swedenborg's internal sense was identical with the explanations of Scripture which they were in the habit of hearing of, as being either Allegorical or Mystical.

He confessed, for his own part, to a most earnest desire to have his mind cleared as to the existence of a future state. Ardently as he desired that there should be such a state, it was not yet self-evident to him, although he was convinced that to Swedenborg, all that he had related was evidently true. He alluded to the circumstance that the fact of clairvoyance tended to confirm the relations of Swedenborg, and insisted on the necessity of a minute and careful examination into the truth, quoting emphatically the words of Hamlet,-" There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Finally, he repeated the expression of his own interest in the writings of Swedenborg, and of his desire, upon a farther insight into them, again to address the public on the subject, and concluded by some happily-expressed observations on the powerful incentive to virtue involved in being able to receive the doctrine of a future state.

THE SWEDENBORG ASSOCIATION.

To the Editor.

SIR,I have thought much of the eminent uses which this Association is now performing in bringing, out the name of Swedenborg as a scientific man and philosopher. The works already published, and presented in so correct and beautiful a form, have already done much good in removing prejudice and in causing favourable impressions in respect to the author's important claims as a theological writer. There is now quite a different tone of feeling springing up in the public mind in relation to Swedenborg, and I am strongly disposed to conclude that it is chiefly owing to the operations of the Swedenborg Association. In your last number I perceive there is an announcement of a very important work by Swedenborg on the subject of generation, lately received in manuscript from the Royal Academy at Stockholm. Now, this subject is probably one of the most important and profound in physiology, and in medical philosophy, and as the author will, no doubt, have treated it in his own original and profound manner, it is certain that such a work would make a deep impression on the scientific world,-especially as a theory on this subject is a great desideratum, and would be hailed with pleasure

from a profound investigator and philosopher, such as Swedenborg was. The Association, therefore, should at once be put into possession of the means of publishing it; and surely, if the different societies of the New Church seriously consider the subject, these means cannot be long withheld. Every society should enrich its library with at least two copies of each work published by the Association. Are there any Societies which do not as yet possess them? If so, let them think what good service they would render to the elevation of Swedenborg's name in the estimation of the public, if they were to purchase the stock of the Association, and in other respects liberally support that useful institution.

Our readers will remember that we have already pressed upon their attention the works of this useful and most practical writer, entitled "Sweethearts and Wives," and also the "Maiden." In our review of those productions we stated our opinion respecting their useful tendency, and likewise respecting the able manner in which they are presented to the public. The "Wife," and the "Mother," in point of practical tendency and of eminent usefulness, are equally deserving of praise. Such works, written on New Church principles, cannot be too earnestly recommended. They ought to be in every family. As a brief specimen we adduce the following extract from the Mother""

"The hardest thing I have to do, is to cause Marian to obey me," said Mrs.

Hartley, as they sat conversing about their child, one evening after she had been put to bed.

"No doubt of it," replied her husband. "And yet obedience is, of all things, most necessary. In the young mind must be formed vessels into which principles of action that are to govern in manhood can flow. Obedience to parents forms in the mind vessels that become recipients of obedience to civil laws, without which all social order would be destroyed ;-and by any other process obedience to laws changes as the mind rises into higher and better states, into obedience to divine laws. Obedience to these laws involves all the rest. A good Christian is of necessity a good citizen. He does not obey the laws as penal enactments, but because they are founded upon a just regard to the good of the whole. From this view of the subject may be seen the importance of securing the implicit obedience of our children. We cannot hope to make this so perfect that they will always regard our injunctions when absent; but the consciousness that every act of disobedience, if known, will meet with some correction, cannot fail to have a restraining effect, and will cause civil laws to be obeyed until the mind is so far elevated as to observe them from a regard to their sacredness, as means of securing the good of the whole."

66

"This view of the subject," remarked Mrs. Hartley, than I have yet felt, the necessity of causes me to feel, more

obedience in children. I did not see its important bearing upon social order before, nor how it was the only means of leading our children to what is so much desired,―obedience to divine laws, when they become responsible beings."

The great duty of obedience in children is the only solid ground-work of all genuine religion and virtue. It is a law of Providence, that every thing shall be brought to its destined maturity by imperceptible degrees. We first stand upon the lowest steps of the divine ladder let down from heaven, before we can reach the higher, and obedience and humility are no doubt the only foundation upon which the work of genuine religion and of spiritual development can be carried on. This order of progress is clearly shewn in the work. Parents, and especially mothers, should read this little work through and through, as a guide to the performance of the highest, noblest,

On the 10th of December, after a few days illness, of cholera, Mrs. Elizabeth Shalders, of Norwich, was removed into the eternal state. The deceased was baptized into the faith of the New Church about twenty years ago, by the Rev. W. Mason, when on a missionary visit. She had numbered nearly fourscore years-a period chequered with events which, it is humbly hoped, were the means of preparing her for a happy spiritual change. She was brought up in the Established Church; afterwards she joined the Methodists, and was a member of the society of the Rev. G. Beaumont, author of the Anti-Swedenborg; and at length she enrolled her name amongst the small band of the New Jerusalem, so foully calumniated by that minister. She often expressed her regret (speaking according to our natural ideas) at not having received the doctrines earlier in life, as she considered her infirmities a hindrance to a more extensive knowledge of the exalted truths of the New Dispensation. She was tolerably well versed in the general contents of the Sacred Scriptures. The fundamental doctrines of the church had engaged her deep attention; her mind, consequently, was well prepared to combat the common errors entertained on these vital points; and especially, it has been remarked, the flagrant inconsistencies of Calvinism, and the direful falses of infidelity, received, when brought before her, an effectual exposure of their malignity. But what is of much greater moment, she had imbibed the solid principles of the Christian life. Often, whilst in her usual state of health, would she dwell on the change which awaited her, and calmly contemplate her removal from this mortal sphere. She gave to the visible church to the utmost of her means; had she been able, she would have delighted to raise a temple to her Divine Saviour, as the Only God!

On the 24th December last, in the 70th year of his age, Mr. Henry Franks. The deceased was for more than thirty years a sincere receiver of the doctrines of the New Church; they were the chief consolation and support through the greater part of a life of more than ordinary trials. It is humbly hoped he is now realising, in the spiritual world, what they had taught him to look forward to and aspire after. J. T.

Died, at Wigan, on Sunday morning, the 26th December last, Mr. Wm. Mason, aged 81 years. He was a zealous and faithful member of the New Church Society in Wigan for the space of forty-six years. His kind and amiable disposition endeared him to all his acquaintance. He was well beloved by all the members of the society; and being looked up to as a father, his counsels and opinions were always entertained with the greatest respect. He had an ardent affection for the doctrines of the church; his principal delight was in reading the writings and in conversation thereon. In fact, for the last few years of his life he was in this manner solely occupied; and his love for the truth was manifested in externals by his blameless and irreproachable life. As I was in Wigan on the day of his decease, I took the opportunity of addressing the society in the evening, noticing the decease of their aged and beloved friend, and endeavoured to improve the circumstances connected with that solemn event for their spiritual edification. May his example be imitated by them all!

J. S.