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TESTIMONY OF THE REV. N. COLLIN. 29
fess the sentiments of Swedenborg : but in the year 1801 ,
when, in consequence ofthe adoption of those sentiments
by many in America, the character and life of Sweden
borg had there become the subject, as he states, of
"frequent and sedulous inquiries," he published the
above letter of his illustrious countryman, with a com
ment of his own, in the Philadelphia Gazette of August
5th, 8th and 10th. It was reprinted in the New Jeru
salem Church Repository, published at Philadelphia in
1817, at which time Mr. C. was still performing the
duties of pastor of the Swedish church in that city.
Mr. Collin was well qualified to give authentic informa
tion, having, when a very young man, lived three years
at Stockholm, when, as he says, " Swedenborg was a
great object of public attention in that metropolis, and his
extraordinary character was a frequent topic of discus
sion. Not seldom he appeared in public, and mixed in
private societies ; therefore, sufficient opportunities were
given to make observations on him."
The comment begins thus :
"His family connexions were such as he relates, and
well known in Sweden; some of them by myself person
ally; particulary Bishop Benzelstierna. The mention of
his father, being, though honorable, modestly short, I
shall enlarge upon it. This Jesper Swedberg was well
qualified for one of the principal Bishopricks in Sweden,
by his piety, learning, integrity, benevolence, and all
other virtues. His plain manner of living enforced his
zealous remonstrances against pomp and luxury, which,
if not very common, yet were the more pernicious in
that distressful period, when Sweden had lost her veteran
armies, depended in a great measure on lads and old
men for the combined forces of Russia, Poland and
Denmark, and was moreover consuming by famine and
pestilence. The bishop’s influence animated that patriotic
fortitude, which sustained such burthens and misery, and
blazed in so many battles ! His popularity gave parti
cular energy to some public regulations, which lessened
the havock of pestilence : a judicious and pathetic address
·
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