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TESTIMONY OF THE REV. N. COLLIN. 39
Now if the writer of this letter really was invested with the character he assumes,
could anything be more suited to that character than the whole of its contents! Does
not every sentence and expression in it bespeak the truly humble, pious, and heavenly-
minded man 1 Could any one who falsely pretended to what the author professes,
write of himself in a manner so perfectly in accord with the pretensions assumed 1
Would it be possible for an impostor, whether hypocritical or self-deluded, to assume
that air of genuine simplicity, inward composure, and unfeigned contentedness, which
reigns throughout the whole 1
III.
TESTIMONY
OF
THE REV. N. COLLIN, OF PHILADELPHIA,
RESPECTING
SVV’EDENBORG.
"We next adduce a confirmation of the statements in the above letter, together with a
comment on its contents, by the Rev. Nicholas Collin, Rector of the Swedish Church in
Philadelphia. This gentleman did not profess the sentiments of Swedenborg : but in
the year 1801, when, in conseqixence of the adoption of those sentiments by many in
America, the character and life of Swedenborg had there become the subject, as he
states, of "frequent and sedulous inquiries," he published the above letter of his illus-
trious countryman, with a comment of his own, in the Philadelphia Gazette of August
5th, 8th and 10th. It was reprinted in the New Jerusalem 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 infor-
mation, 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 discussion. Not seldom he appeared
in public, and mixed in private societies ; therefore, sufiicient 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 personally ;
particularly 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 per-
nicious 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
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