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TESTIMONY OF COUNT A. J. VON HOPKEN. 55
Count Hopken to General Tuxen.
LETTER V.
" Sir,
" I have had the honor of receiving your letter dated Elsineur, June 16th. But
I am very sorry that I could only enjoy an hour of the edifying and learned con-
versation of Dr. Bastholm, and that I could not show him more attention and
civility, as he was to continue his journey the next day through Upsal, without
returning to Stockholm. I found him to be a very rare clergyman, for he spoke
reasonably, and without acrimony, of all the different opinions which have of
late arisen in matters of religion. He was by no means a Swedenborgian, for
he did not understand his memorable relations; and I could wish the happy
deceased had left them out, since they may prevent infidelity from approaching
towards his doctrines. I represented to him these inconveniences ; but he said
that he was commanded to declare what he had seen in the other world ; and
he related it as a proof that he did not reveal his own thoughts, but that they
came from above. As for the rest, i find in his system a simplicity and grada-
tion, and such a spirit as the work of God in nature everywhere proves and
exhibits ; for whatever man creates is complicate, labored, and subject to vicis-
situde. The atithors of the Monthly Review, who every month publish criticisms
that are rather severe, speak of Swedenborg as an extraordinary and wonderful
man, and withotit adopting his principles, treat him with much regard and
respect. The sentence said to have been pronounced on Swedenborg by a
committee during the diet, which you request of me, has not reached my know-
ledge, and probably does not exist in the manner of approbation. The matter
began at Gottenburg, particularly against the late Dr. Beyer, and was continued
here by the chancellor of justice, but came to nothing; for neither the accuser
nor the judges understood Swedenborg, and had no lights, or capacity to judge
of such matters. Dr. Beyer has employed a vast deal of pains about his Index,*
which deserves all admiration, and is well worth having. Here it is not to be
had, except either in the house of the deceased, or else from Amsterdam., where
it was printed.—I have the honor to be, with the most perfect esteem. Sir, your
obedient servant,
" Hopken.
" Stockholm, July 6, 1781."
" The above letters are faithful copies from the originals in my hands.
’•’C. TuXEN."
Opinion of Count Hopken respecting the writings of Swedenborg, in a letter to another
friend.
*’ Dear Sir,
" The present religion is mystical and filled with paradoxes ; it is as incohe-
rent and unreasonable, as if formed for cattle, and not for rational men : agree-
* This Index is a very elaborate work, entitled, " Index Initialis in opera Sivedenborgii
theologica, iripartitus. Primus, Verborum, Nominii^in, Rerum ; Secundus, Dogmatum, Sen-
tentiarum ; Tertius, Locorum Scripturce SacrcB LucuUntori(,’m, Scientice Correspondentia-
rum, DoctrincE Ccclesti Studioque Biblico Dicatus.’^ Astdodami, 1779—Dr. Beyer was
Professor of Greek Literature, and Assessor in the Consistory of Gottenburg, and was
one of Swedenborg’s intimate friends. We shall adduce below the testimony of this
pious and learned man concerning Sv/edenborg.
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