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224. LETTERS.
innocent angel beside the death-bed of little children, giv-
ing peace to many a mother’s and father’s bleeding heart.
It is always interesting to hear the ideas of distinguished
persons on this subject, and I have read some of these dur-
ing the last days. You have, no doubt, heard something
of a celebrated Swedish scholar, the visionary Swedenborg.
He is still a problem and a marvel to our philosophers ;
many have endeavored to explain his visions, but have
finished by declaring them to be— inexplicable. All,
however, agree that Swedenborg was a man of almost gi-
gantic learning, and his life and character of the highest
moral beauty. His visions and his intercourse with spirits
did not disturb the equanimity of his soul, and he reached
a very advanced age in the happiest and most amiable
frame of mind. What I have read of his visions and reve-
lations from the world of spirits, has not struck me as
being more profound revelations, but often as very ingenious
intuitions, although absurd and extravagant. But in gen-
eral his doctrine distinguishes itself by its moral nobleness
and beauty. Nobody speaks more beautifully than Swe-
denborg of, for instance, conjugal love, and his visions
concerning the state of married couples in another world
are indeed heavenly. He speaks of these visions and reve-
lations with remarkable simplicity. He never proves any
thing; he merely says, “I saw it;” or, “it is so and so.”
With respect to the state of children after death, he has
such a beautiful idea, or, as he considers it, revelation, that
I believe your maternal eye would rest upon it with de-
light. I shall begin by quoting his words relating to the
parents : —
«‘ When the husband has been taught by the wife to experience
love for the children, he shares with her this kind of love, which,
in the strength of its disinterestedness and its sacrifices, in which ?
it finds the greatest enjoyment, is, of all human love, nearest the
divine love. We see hereby clearly how great and beneficial
must be the influences of the love for children in parents, who in-
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