Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Sidor ...
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
74 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG.
view, we are astonished at the greamess of his labors, the extent of his know-
ledge, the purity and consistency of his doctrines, the order and perspicuity of
his discussions, all which bespeak a mind vastly above the common sort, inde-
fatigable in its exertions, profound in its researches, illuminated and clear in its
perceptions, pious, sober, and solid in its principles.
" With respect to this highly gifted man’s visions and communications with
the spiritual world, in a frequent visible intercourse with angels and other spi-
rits, they are so well known and attested both in this and other countries, that
sincere and well-informed minds will no longer doubt of their reality ; nume-
rous well-known instances might be adduced in confirmation of them : the fol-
lowing transactions, which may be depended on, will perhaps prove not unac-
ceptable to many of our readers.
" The senator, Count H6pken, and the wife of Swedenborg’s gardener, have
confirmed me in the truth of the two following transactions. After the decease
of M. de Marteville, certain people came to demand a debt of his widow, of a
considerable sum of money, that they said was due to them by her deceased
husband ; this she knew was not a just demand, because she was certain it had
been paid during his life- time, yet could not tell where the acquittance was put.
In her trouble she applied to Swedenborg, who informed her the next ^ay where
it was, telling her he had spoken with her deceased husband, who related to
him where he had put this acquittance, and that she would find it in the particu-
lar place he described. The acquittance was found in the place Swedenborg
had named. This account was universaUy known, both at court and in Stock-
holm, and every one related it according to his information.*
" Notwithstanding the number of visits that Swedenborg received from people
of all ranks, he would never receive any particular ones, and more especially
those of the female sex, without one of his domestics being present; he also
required that his visitors should speak in the language of the country ; the rea-
son for which he gave ^vas, I will have, said he, witnesses of my discourse and
conduct, that all pretences to malicious assertions and scandal may be taken
away.
"The following fact is a proof of what I have just observed, and which I have
from the wife of Swedenborg’s gardener. Bishop Hallenius, the successor of
Swedenborg’s father, paying a visit to Swedenborg, the discourse began on the
nature of common sermons. Swedenborg said to the bishop, among other
things :
’
You insert things that are false in yours ;’ on this, the bishop told the
gardener, who was present, to retire, but Swedenborg commanded him to stay.
The conversation went on, and both turned over the Hebrew and Greek Bibles,
to show the texts that were agreeable to their assertions : at length the conver-
sation finished, by some observations tending as reproaches to the bishop on his
avarice, and various unjust actions; you have already prepared yourself a place
in hell, said Swedenborg; but, added he, I predict that you will some months
hence be attacked with a grievous illness, during which time the Lord will seek
to convert you. If you do then open your heart to his holy inspirations, your
conversion will take place. When this happens, write to me for my theological
* The other m&morable transaction is that concerning the queen of Sweden. See
above p. 58.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
