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LETTERS FROM THE CELEBRA.TED LAVATER. 121
LETTER T.
" Most reverend and excellent man,
" I doubt not but you are often troubled with letters from foreigners with
whom you are unacquainted, and as you are much engaged in meditation, busi-
ness, travels, and the company of persons of renown, you will probably con-
sider the present application from an unknown Swiss as trifling and imperti-
nent: yet knowing that so great a man was my contemporary, I could not help
inquiring of him a few things which seemed to me to be of the greatest import-
ance, as I know no person in the world but yourself (who have given proofs of
an extrnordinary and almost divine knowledge), capable of resolving my ques-
tions, I shall therefore take the liberty of proposing them, and trust you will
condescend to satisfy me therein as soon as possible.
•’
I. I have been engaged these three years with heart and soul in writing a
poem on the future happiness of Christians, and have lately written several
letters particularly to Zimmerman, the present celebrated physician to the king
of England, an Hanoverian, and my intimate friend, to the end that I might col-
lect the opinions of the wise and learned, before I should publish the poem itself.
I most fervently v/ish to have your opinion also, which would be of great use to
me ; but as I do not know whether you are conversant with the German
language, I would willingly send you a copy, or, if you please, translate the
principal parts into Latin.
" n. I have a long time been convinced from the Holy Writings and my own
particular experience, that God frequently favors faithful and ardent prayers in
such a manner, that on acciount of them not only wonderful fhings hav^e been
done, but even real miracles effected. I am now writing a dissertation on that
subject, and therefore beg to know your opinion. You may probably not doubt
that God and Christ still work miracles for the sake of the faithful, who are much
united to him ;
perhaps some certain instances, which are beyond doubt, may
have come to your knowledge. Is it true that a very pious girl at Stockholm,
of the name of Catharine Fagerberg, has, when asked, by m.eans of prayer, and
an extraordinary faith, quickly cured many persons otherwise incurable .’
Could
you furnish me with certain and authentic proofs of the truth thereof.’
" III. I have heard and read much of your familiar conversation with the
spirits of the deceased ; may I be permitted, most respected man, to propose to
you some questions, from a mind that is very sincere and filled with respect
towards you, by the solution of which I may be convinced concerning these
almost incredible reports.
•’
1. Felix Hess, a friend of mine, died March 3, 1768,—whether he will ap-
pear to me, while I am living, and when, and in what manner.’—whether he
will reveal anything to me respecting the happiness of those in heaven, or con-
cerning my ecclesiastical destination on earth .’ (I fervently desired him before
his death to comply with m.y request if possible.)
" 2. Henry Hess, brother to the deceased, my very good friend,—whether, and
when, he will be convinced of that power of faith and prayer which I teach,
and of which he still doubts ?—and which of the inhabitants of Zurich, who are
yet in a doubtful state, will be convinced .’
" 3. Shall I ever be so happy as to converse with angels or spirits of the de-
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