Life of Emanuel Swedenborg, with some account of his writings, together with a brief notice of the rise and progress of the New church

Front matter

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Chapter II

Remarks on the Philosophical and Mineral Works — Economy of the Animal Kingdom — Worship and Love of God — Hieroglyphic Key 15

CHAPTER I'll.

Swedenborg called to unfold the truths of the new dispensation — An account given of him by a Swedish clergyman now living 33

Appendix

No. I. A Memorial drawn up by Swedenborg concerning Charles XII., of Sweden 113

No. II. Letter to Dr. Thomas Hartley, giving an account of his family connexions, &c. ; together with the original in Latin , uq

No. III. Catalogue of Swedenborg's manuscripts deposited in the Academy of Sciences at Stockholm 122

No. IV. Letter to the King of Sweden relative to the persecution which he received from the clergy 128

No. V. Notice of Count Hopken, by one of his cotemporaries 132

No. VI. Ten Letters addressed to Dr. Gabriel Andrew Beyer 133

No. VII. Sundry Letters 147

No. VIII. Original advertisement of the Arcana Coelestia 154

No. IX. Refutation of an unfounded tale relative to the skull of Swedenborg 160

Containing a general historical account of the rise and progress of the New Church in America and Europe.

America. First introduction of the writings of Swedenborg into New England — Rev. William Hill — Rev. Holland Weeks — Societies in New England — Society in Baltimore — Letter to General Washington and his reply — the Rev. Mr. Hargrove — Introduction of Swedenborg's writings into Philadelphia — Societies in Philadelphia, New York and other places — List of New Church periodical publications — Republication of Swedenborg's works — General Conventions 164

Europe. England — First separation of the New Church from the Old, in that kingdom — Societies in London, and other places — The General Conferences — List of New Church periodical publications — New Church in France, Sweden, and Germany 176

LIFE OF SWEDENBORG.

Chapter I

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ACCOUNT OF THE SWEDEN- BORG FAMILY SWEDENBORG's EDUCATION HIS

EARLY WRITINGS.

It is but a few years since the writings of Swedenborg have received any general attention in this country, and little is now known of them except by those who embrace the sentiments which they contain. But an increased interest is daily manifesting itself, and many are anxious to know something of the life as well as the writings of him who is regarded as the herald of the New Church.

There are many, too, who are desirous of knowing something of Swedenborg's writings, but are deterred, by the number of his works, from the undertaking. To such, a brief account of his writings may be useful, and produce a desire to investigate the subject of the New Church doctrines, by a more full examination of his works.

It may, however, be proper to observe that the same effort is not made by members of the New Jerusalem Church, to disseminate the doctrines which they embrace, as is made by the several denominations in the Christian Church to disseminate theirs. A true disciple of the New Church will be as anxious that genuine truth should

V LIFE OF SWEDENBORG.

not be profaned, as that it should be universally received. In the present dispensation, the Church is an internal and not an external Church. Its growth depends not so much on the accession of numbers as on the state and inward quality of those who embrace its doctrine.

Much external effect might doubtless be produced by resorting to energetic means to disseminate the doctrines. For truth has power in itself, and is felt by all, whether acknowledged or denied. But the greatest danger, perhaps, to which a member of the New Church is exposed, is that of abusing the power which the truths of his doctrine afford him. The truths of the New Church are unfaithfully dispensed when they are used indiscriminately to attract the multitude, or induce men to relinquish their present faith before they are in a state to receive a better. A man can hardly be said to have received genuine spiritual truth, until he has become the willing servant of that truth, ready to dispense it, not to increase his own power and influence, but for the sole benefit of others.

That the writings of Swedenborg may be read, and the truths contained in them be in some measure acknowledged, without necessarily producing any good effect, may appear from the following remarks : ' There are,' says our author, ' five classes of those who read my writings. The first reject them entirely, because they are in another persuasion, or because they are in no faith. The second receive them as scientifics, and as objects of mere curiosity. The third receive them intellectually, and are in some measure pleased with them, but whenever they require an application to regulate their lives, they remain where they were before. The fourth receive them in a persuasive manner, and are thereby led, in a certain degree, to amend their lives and perforin uses. The fifth receive them with delight, and confirm them in their lives. 5

From the above it may appear that nothing is really gained to the New Church simply by inducing men to examine the writings of Swedenborg, without regard to the motives by which they are influenced in the investigation. It is nevertheless our duty to put it within the power of others, so far as we are able, to become acquainted with the truth ; and the object of the remarks already made, is simply to correct an erroneous impression concerning the efforts made by members of the New Church to disseminate its doctrines.

A sketch of Swedenborg's life is not here given in continuity, but is interspersed with some accounts of his writings ; some knowledge of his works being thought necessary to explain many incidents of his life connected with his intercourse with the spiritual world. We shall commence with a short account of the Swedenborg family.

Jespqi; Swedberg, the father of Emanuel Swedenborg, was born on the estate of his father, near Fahlun, in Sweden, in 1653. He was for several years attached to the army as a chaplain of a regiment of cavalry, but finally made bishop of Skara, in West Gothland. For many years he superintended the Swedish mission established in England and America. He was a man of learning and abilities, and of an amiable private character. In 1 719 he was ennobled by the name of Swedenborg. This name, however, was adopted only by his descendants; he always retained the name of Swedberg. He died in 1735. From a book published by him in 1709, entitled 'Divine Exercises, and Comfortable Conversations with a Sorrowful Soul,' and dedicated to his children and grand-children, it appears that he then had three sons and four daughters. The following is the order in which they are named, which is doubtless according to their respective ages : Anna, Emanuel, Eliezer, Hedwig, Catharina, Jesper.

Margareta. The grand-children named are, Ericus Benzelius and Margareta Benzelius. It has been stated that one of the family came to America at the time Jesper Swedberg superintended the Swedish mission established in Philadelphia; and that he finally settled in Canada.

Emanuel Swedberg was born in Stockholm, January 29, 1688. This name he retained until 1719, when, being ennobled, he took the name of Swedenborg. After this period he took his seat with the Nobles of the Equestrian Order in the Triennial Assemblies of the States of the Realm. There are, in Sweden, three ranks of nobility exclusive of the royal family. To the first, or highest, belongs the title of Count ; to the second, that of Baron; and to the third, to which Swedenborg belonged, no title is attached, but only certain privileges. He was afterwards offered a higher degree of rank, which he declined.

He was educated principally at the university of Upsala. Great care is said to have been bestowed by his father on his early education. His youth was marked by an uncommon assiduity and application in the study of philosophy, mathematics, natural history, chemistry, and anatomy, together with the Eastern and European languages. He had an excellent memory, quick conceptions, and a most clear judgment.

There were some remarkable indications of spirituality in his youth. To a friend who, in a letter, inquired of him what had passed in the earlier part of his life, he wrote as follows : ■ From my youth to my tenth year, my thoughts were constantly engrossed by reflecting upon God, on salvation, and on the spiritual passions of man. I often revealed things in my discourse which filled my parents with astonishment, and made them declare at times, that certainly the angels spoke through my mouth.

LIFE OF SWEDENBORG. y

From my sixth to my twelfth year, it was my greatest delight to converse with the clergy concerning faith, to whom I often observed, that charity or love was the life of faith, and that this vivifying charity or love was no other than the love of one's neighbor ; that God vouchsafes this faith to every one; but that it is adopted by those only who practise that charity.'

We make another extract in order to show that he was guarded by Providence in his youth from imbibing false principles of religion.

'I was prohibited reading dogmatic and systematic theology, before heaven was opened to me, by reason that unfounded opinions and inventions might thereby easily have insinuated themselves, which with difficulty could afterwards have been extirpated ; wherefore when heaven was opened to me it was necessary first to learn the Hebrew language, as well as the correspondences of which the whole Bible is composed, which led me to read the Word of God over many times ; and inasmuch as the Word of God is the source whence all theology must be derived, I was thereby enabled to receive instruction from the Lord, who is the Word.' Those who are acquainted with Swedenborg's explanation of the Bible may readily conceive the difficulties which would have prevented his having arrived at the state to which he was elevated, had his mind been previously shackled by the commentaries and biblical criticisms in common use.

He had certain rules which he prescribed for the purpose of regulating his conduct. These are found interspersed in various parts of his manuscripts. They are as tbllows : 1. Often to read and meditate on the Word of the Lord : *2. To submit every thing to the will of Divine Providence : 3. To observe in every thing a propriety of behavior, and always to keep the conscience clear: 4. 1*

To discharge with fidelity the functions of his employments and the duties of his office, and to render himself in all things useful to society.

In 1716, at the age of twenty-eight years, he was appointed by Charles XII. Assessor Extraordinary of his Board of Mines. He did not, however, enter upon the duties of his office till 1722, being unwilling to exercise its functions before he had acquired a perfect knowledge of metallurgy. The diploma appointing him to this office, states, ' that the king had a particular regard to the knowledge possessed by Swedenborg in the science of mechanics, and that his pleasure was, that he should accompany and assist Polhammar (afterwards called Polheim) in constructing his mechanical works.' Charles XII. is said to have been fond of devoting his leisure hours to the subject of mathematics and mechanism; and in Dr. Norberg's history of that king are detailed many interesting conversations between Charles, Swedenborg, and Polheim. There is also a curious memorial drawn up by Swedenborg, concerning Charles XII. in which it is stated that the king invented a new arithmetic, and had several conversations with Swedenborg on the subject, which are related by him with minuteness. This memorial will be found in the Appendix, No. I.

From 1716 to 1720, Swedenborg spent much of his time in the universities in England, Holland, France, and Germany. In 1721, he made various journies in different parts of Europe to examine the principal mines and smelting-works. He was particularly noticed, at this time, by the Duke of Brunswick, who did much to facilitate his travels, and afterwards published, at his own expense, Swedenborg's Opera Philosophica, which we shall have occasion to notice hereafter. He journied much ; in 1738 he travelled through Italy, and spent much time in Venice and Rome. On his return he published an account of his travels.

In 1724, he was offered a professorship of mathematics in the university of Upsala, which he declined. He was admitted a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm in 1729; and was appointed a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburgh in 1734.

Both his philosophical and theological works were written in Latin, with the exception of a few small works written in the early part of his life. Little is known in this country of his works published previous to the year 1734 ; and judging from the little notice taken of them by the New Church in England, we presume that there are not many copies of them extant. We have however seen extracts from some of them, which lead us to suppose that they are very valuable.

In 1710, he published at Skara a collection of Latin verses, under the title of ' Ludus Heliconius, sive carmina Miscellanea, quae variis in locis cecinit Em. Swedberg.'

In 1716-7-8, he published at Stockholm, a work in six parts, under the title of Daedalus Hyperboreus, consisting of Essays and Remarks on various branches of Mathematics and Philosophy. This work was published in the Swedish language ; the fifth part has been translated and published in Latin.

In 1717, he published an introduction to Algebra, under the title of the Art of the Rules, (Regel Konsten.) This was published in the Swedish language.

In 1719, he published the three following works : 1st. A Proposal for fixing the value of Coins, and determining the Measures, of Sweden, so as to suppress Fractions and facilitate Calculations. 2d. A Treatise on the Position of the Earth and the Planets. 3d. A Treatise on the Height of the Tides, and the greater Flux and Reflux of the Sea in former ages ; with Proofs furnished by various appearances in Sweden.

In 1721, he published, at Amsterdam, the six following works : 1st. Prodromus Principiorum Rerum Naturalium, sive Novorum Tentaminum, Chemiam et Physicam Experimentalem Geometrice Explicandi ; or, a Sketch of a Work on the Principles of Natural Things, or New Attempts at Explaining the Phenomena of Chemistry and Physics on Geometrical Principles. 2d. Nova Observata et Inventa circa Ferrum et Ignum, prsecipue circa Naturam Ignis Elementarem ; una cum Nova Camini Inventione ; or, New Observations and Discoveries respecting Iron and Fire, especially respecting the Elementary Nature of Fire ; with a new mode of constructing Chimneys. 3d. Methodus Nova Inveniendi Longitudinem Locorum, Terra Marique, Ope Lunse ; or, A New Method of finding the Longitude of Places, either on Land or at Sea, by Lunar Observations. 4th. Modus Construendi Receptacula Navalia ; or, A Mode of Constructing Dry Docks for Shipping. 5th. Nova Constructio Aggeris Aquatici ; or, a New Mode of Constructing Dykes to exclude Inundations of the Sea or of Rivers. 6th. Modus Mechanice Explorandi Virtutes Navigiorum ; or, A Mode of ascertaining, by Mechanical Means, the Qualities of Vessels. These are all small works. Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6, form but a small pamphlet together.

In 1722, he published, at Leipsic and Hamburgh, the following work, in four parts : Miscellanea Observata circa Res Naturales; praBsertim Mineralia, Ignem, et Montium Strata ; or, Miscellaneous Observations on Natural Things, particularly on Minerals, Fire, and the Strata of Mountains. It does not appear that he published any thing more till 1734, when his great work, the Opera Philosophica, &c. was printed. This work probably occupied most of his time from 1722 to 1734.

His society was sought by learned men of his own and of foreign countries. Christian Wolff, among others, was eager to establish with him a literary correspondence, and consulted him on many intricate subjects. Count Hopken, prime minister of Sweden, was also on intimate terms with him, as well after as before, his illumination. He has left his testimony of the character of Swedenborg, which is valuable ; for if Swedenborg had exhibited any of those frailties, after his illumination, which his enemies, at the present day, attribute to him, they must have been noticed by Count Hopken, who was acquainted with his whole life. We here make an extract from a letter written by Hopken to a friend, during the latter part of Swedenborg's life, but which throws much light on the character of Swedenborg at this period. After some preliminary remarks, he says :

' I have not only known him (Swedenborg) these two and forty years, but have also for some time, daily frequented his company. A man, who like me has long lived in the world, and even in an extensive career of life, may have numerous opportunities of knowing men as to their virtues or vices, their weakness or strength ; and in consequence thereof, I do not recollect to have ever known any man of more uniformly virtuous character, than Swedenborg ; always contented, never fretful or morose, although throughout his life his soul was occupied with sublime thoughts and speculations. He was a true philosopher and lived like one ; he labored diligently, lived frugally without sordidness ; he travelled frequently, and his travels cost him no more than if he had lived at home. He was gifted with a most happy genius, and a fitness for every science, which made him shine in all those he embraced. He was without contradiction probably the most learned man in my country ; in his youth a great poet : I have in my possession some remnants of his Latin poetry, which Ovid would not have been ashamed to own. His Latin in his middle age, was an easy, elegant, and ornamental style ; in his latter years it was equally clear, but less elegant after he turned his thoughts to spiritual subjects; he was well acquainted with the Hebrew and Greek; an able and profound mathematician ; a happy mechanic, of which he gave proof in Norway, where by an easy and simple method, he transported the largest gallies over the high mountains and rocks to a gulf where the Danish fleet was stationed : he was likewise a natural philosopher, yet on the Carthesian principles. He detested metaphysics, as founded on fallacious ideas, because they transcend our sphere, by means of which theology has been drawn from its simplicity and become artificial and corrupted. He was perfectly conversant with mineralogy, having a long time been assessor in the mineral college, on which science he also published a valuable and classical work, both as to theory and practice, printed at Leipsic in 1734. If he had remained in his office, his merits and talents would have entitled him to the highest dignity ; but he preferred ease of mind, and sought happiness in study. In Holland he began to apply himself to anatomy, in which he made singular discoveries, which are preserved somewhere in Acta Literaria. I imagine this science and his meditations on the effects of the soul upon our curiously constructed body, did by degrees lead him from the material to the spiritual. He possessed a sound judgment upon all occasions ; he saw every thing clearly, and expressed himself well on every subject. The most solid memorials, and best penned, at the diet of 1751, on matters of finance, were presented by him. In one of these he refuted a large work in quarto on the same subject, quoted all the corresponding passages of it, and all this in less than one sheet. 5

It was stated that Count Hopken was prime minister of Sweden. He was also one of the institutors of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences, and served, for several years, as secretary to that institution. In public life he was distinguished for his integrity and assiduity in the discharge of the duties of his office ; while as a private man, he was no less distinguished for his social virtues. He died in 1790, at the age of 77 years.

There is a letter written by Swedenborg to the Rev. Dr. Hartley, of England, giving, in answer to Dr. Hartley's questions, a general account of his life. This letter together with the original one in Latin, will be found in the Appendix, No. II. — We now proceed to notice the principal philosophical works of our author.

Chapter II. Philosophical And Mineral Works Economy Of The

ANIMAL KINGDOM ANIMAL KINGDOM WORSHIP AND

LOVE OF GOD HIEROGLYPHIC KEY.

The Philosophical and Mineral works (Opera Philosophica et Mineralia) were published at Dresden and Leipsic, in 1734, in 3 volumes folio, about 400 pages each.

These are three distinct works, each treating upon differ* ent subjects, and dedicated to different men ; but they were published together, and were always alluded to by Swedenborg as one work. It was published in very elegant style at the expense of the Duke of Brunswick, at whose court Swedenborg tarried for some time, receiving from him many marks of favor. The first volume is entitled, The Principles of Natural Things, or, New Attempts at a Philosophical Explanation of the Phenomena of the Elementary World, (Principia Rerum Naturalium, sive, Novorum Tentaminum Phenomena Mundi Elementaris Philosophice Explicandi.) This is generally called the Principia. It is dedicated to Ludovicus Rodolphus, Duke of Brunswick, has an engraved likeness of Swedenborg, and is adorned with numerous fine engravings and copperplates, illustrative of the subjects treated of. The Principia may be regarded as a treatise on cosmology , The author attempts to arrive at the cause and origin of the phenomena of the universe by a mode of inquiry peculiar to himself. He asserts that nature, in all its operations, is governed by one and the same general law, and is always consistent with itself; hence, he says, there is no necessity, in exploring her hidden recesses, to multiply experiments and observations. The means leading to true philosophy are represented as threefold. Firstly, knowledge of facts, or experimental observations, which he calls experience. Secondly, an orderlyarrangement of these facts or phenomena, which is called geometry, or, rational philosophy.

Thirdly, the faculty of reasoning, by which is meant the ability to analyze, compare and combine, these phenomena, after they have been reduced to order, and to present them distinctly to the mind. We here make an extract for the purpose of giving a specimen of his style at this period. Speaking of the futility of multiplying experiments and observations to the neglect of attending to their causes, he says: ' Nature may be styled a labyrinth, whose intricacies you are anxious to explore. Fruitless would be the attempt to wander through its meandering turns, and note the dimensions of all its ways ; the difficulty would but grow the more inextricable, you would pursue your footsteps in a circle; and recognise the self-same spot, when most elated by the prospect of success. But would you gain with ease, and possibly by the shortest road, the exit of the labyrinth, reject then the senseless wish of exploring all its turns : rather plant yourself at any intersection of its paths, strive to ascertain somewhat of its general form from the ways which you have trodden, and thus in some degree retrace your steps. When once you have gained the exit, a mere thread can serve to guide you through all its circuitous tracks, and to retrace your errors; but even this, after a time, you may cast aside, and wander fearlessly without it. Then, as if seated on an eminence, and at a glance surveying the scene which lies before you, how would you smile in tracing out its various breaks and contortions, which have baffled the judgment by multiplied and illusive intersections. But let us now return to the phenomena, and leave similitudes for the subject itself. By too great an accumulation of phenomena, and especially of those which are at a distance from their cause, you not only defeat the desire of scrutinizing the occult operations of nature, but plunge yourself more and more as into a labyrinth, where you are perpetually drawn aside from the end in view, and misled into a distant and contrary region. For it is possible that many things of opposite natures may exist from the same first cause ; as fire and water, and air which absorbs them both.' 2

It is maintained by our author that no one can become a true philosopher who is not a good man. Previous to the fall, he says, when man was in a state of integrity, he had all the essentials of wisdom and true philosophy inscribed on his heart: he had then only to open his eyes in order to see the causes of all the phenomena of the universe around him : but in his present state of sin and non-conformity with Divine Order, he is obliged to investigate truths by a laborious external application of the mind. On this subject he says :

' No man seems capable of arriving at true philosophy, since that first of mortals who is said to have been in a state of the most perfect integrity, that is, who was formed and made according to all the art, image, and connexion of the world, before the existence of vice

One reason why man in a state of integrity was made a complete philosopher, was, that he might better know how to venerate the Deity, the origin of all things, or that Being who is all in all. For no man can be a complete and truly learned philosopher, without the utmost devotion for the Supreme Being. True philosophy and contempt of the Deity are two opposites. Veneration for the Infinite Being can never be separated from philosophy ; for he who fancies himself wise whilst his wisdom does not teach him to acknowledge a Divine and Infinite Being, that is, who thinks he can possess any wisdom without a knowledge and veneration of the Deity, is in the profoundest ignorance.'

In this work he treats of the magnetic needle and its variations. He describes the sun and its vortex, and explains the subject of the creation of the planets of our solar system from the sun. He alleges that there were seven planets created from the sun at the same time ; he has eiffht or ten drawings illustrative of the subject, in all of which seven planets are laid down. This work was published more than forty years before the discovery of the seventh planet by Dr. Herschel. In the latter part of the work he treats of the paradise of the earth and the first man.

It is believed that in this work he made many discoveries in philosophy, which, owing to the little attention paid to his writings, have not been accredited to him. We have testimony to this effect from a philosopher of reputation in our own country. R. M. Patterson, late professor in the university of Pennsylvania, in a letter written to Dr. Atlee, respecting the Principia, says, 'The work of Swedenborg which you were so kind as to put into my hands, is an extraordinary production of one of the most extraordinary men, certainly, that has ever lived.' After stating, among other things, that he should like to peruse it farther before he could form an opinion of it, ' a thing not to be done in few words,' he continues, ' This much, however, I can truly say; that the air of mysticism which is generally thought to pervade Baron Swedenborg's ethical and theological writings, has prevented philosophers from paying that attention to his physical productions, of which I now see that they are worthy. Many of the experiments and observations on magnetism, presented in this work, are believed to be of much more modern date, and are unjustly ascribed to much more recent writers: What these < experiments and observations ' are, which Professor Patterson says, ' are unjustly ascribed to much more recent writers,' we know not : but we shall be able to show, presently, that some other important discoveries, claimed by different writers, were anticipated by Swedenborg.

The second and third volumes of the work now under notice, are together called the Regnum Minerale ; (the

LIFE OF SWEDENBORG.

Mineral Kingdom;) but they are distinct works. The second volume is entitled,

The Subterranean or Mineral Kingdom, or a Treatise on Iron. (Regnum Subterraneum, sive Minerale de Ferro.) It treats of the various methods employed in different parts of Europe, for the liquefaction of iron, and converting it into steel ; of iron ore and the examination of it , and also of several experiments and chemical preparations made with iron and its vitriol. It is illustrated by a great number of fine copper engravings. A part of this volume has been translated into French, and inserted in the Description of Arts and Manufactures. The third volume is entitled,

The Subterranean or Mineral Kingdom, or a Treatise on Copper and Brass. (Regnum Subterraneum, sive Minerale De Cupro et Orichalco.) It treats of the various methods adopted in different parts of Europe, for the liquefaction of copper ; the method of separating it from silver, converting it into brass, and other metals; of Lapis Calaminaris ; of Zinc ; of Copper Ore, and the examination of it ; and lastly, of several chemical preparations and experiments made with copper. Like the other volumes, it is illustrated with many copper engravings. Each volume is subdivided into three parts.

This work, in England, is esteemed very valuable. In the translation of Cramer's Elements of the Art of Assaying Metals, by Dr. Cromwell Mortimer, Secretary to the Royal Society, it is mentioned by the translator in the following terms : ' For the sake of such as understand Latin, we must not pass by that magnificent and laborious work of Emanuel Swedenborgius, entitled, Principia Rerum Naturalium, &c. Dresdas et Lipsice, 1734, in three tomes, in folio : in the second and third tomes of which he has given the best accounts, not only of the methods and newest improvements in metallic works in all places beyond the seas, but also of those in England and our colonies in America, with draughts of the furnaces and instruments employed. It is to be wished we had extracts of this work in English. 5 p. 13, 2d ed. London, 1764.