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68 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG.
after the revolution in 1772. Swedenborg said, that Mr. Rutstrom acknowledged
it all ; but his life and actions proved, that he held his own tenets dearest to him.
The chaplain to the Russian embassy, Mr. Oronoskull, a monk of the order of
Alexander Newsky, who was at Stockholm with the ambassador Count Oster-
man, led a very orderly and decent life (contrary to the usual custom of many
Russian priests) ; he borrowed Swedenborg’s works, which he read with great
pleasure ; he was likewise anxious to see and converse with such an extraordi-
nary man. Mr. Robsahm fulfilled his desire, and invited him and Swedenborg
to dinner, in company with the late president of the Royal College of Commerce,
Mr. V, Carleson, the counsellor of the Chancery, Mr Berck, and some other
gentlemen. During dinner, the priest, among other things, asked of Sweden-
borg, whether he had seen the Empress Elizabeth. He replied, I have often
seen her, and I know she is in a very happy state. These words occasioned
the priest to shed tears of joy. Her good sentiments towards her people, said
Swedenborg, were after her decease known in the other life ; for there it was
declared, that she never went into the council without praying to God for ad-
vice and assistance to govern her country and people with wisdom and equity.
This discourse so much affected the priest, that he indicated by his silence and
tears his happy surprise.
"Mr. Robsahm hav-ing asked of the wife of Swedenborg’s gardener, if she had
ever observed any change in the countenance of her master, soon after he had
conversed with spirits ; to this she replied :
’
Entering one day, after dinner, into
his chamber, I saw his eyes like unto a most bright flame : I drew back, saying,
in the name of God, Sir, what has happened extraordinary to you, for you havp
a very particular kind of appearance ? What kind of look have I ? answered he.
I then told him what had struck me. Well, well, replied he (which was his
favorite expression), don’t be frightened ; the Lord has so disposed my eyes,
that by them spirits may see what is in our world. In a short time this appear-
ance passed away, as he said it would. I know,’ said she, ’ when he has con-
versed with heavenly spirits, for there is a pleasure and calm satisfaction in his
countenance, which charms those who see it ; but after he has conversed with
evil spirits, he has a sorrowful look.’
" Concerning his temptations, it has been mentioned by his honest servants^
the old gardener and his wife, that their master in the night time often spoke
aloud, when the evil spirits w^ere with him, which they could easily hear, their
room being adjoining. When asked what caused his disturbance in the night,
he answered, that it had been permitted the evil spirits to blaspheme, and that
he had spoken against them zealously. It happened often, that, weeping bitterly,
he cried with a loud voice, and prayed to the Lord that he might not be forsaken
in his temptation which then assailed him. His words were. Lord, heli^ me !
Lord, my God, do not forsake me ! Those who saw him in these states supposed
he was sick ; but when delivered from them, he returned thanks to God, and told
those who were troubled for him, God be eternally praised ! comfort yourselves,
my friends, all has disappeared or passed away ; and be assured, that nothing
happens to me, but what the Lord permits, who never lays on us a burden more
weighty than we are able to bear.
" Once it was remarkable, that after such a state he went to bed, and did not
rise for several days and nights. This gave his domestics much uneasiness •
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