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Doc. 253.] SWEDENBORG’S EXTERNAL APPEARANCE. 423
garden. It had an agreeable building; a wing of which was
a kind of temple, to which he often retired for contemplation ;
for which its peculiar structure, and dim religious light were
suitable. "*
C.
COLLIN’S DESCRIPTION OF SWEDENBORO’S EXTERNAL APPEARANCE.
In a letter addressed by Mr. Collin to the Rev. John Har
grove, of Baltimore, dated Philadelphia , March 16, 1801 ,
which was lately found among the papers of Mr. rgrove
after his decease, Mr. Collin states respecting Swedenborg as
follows :
"Swedenborg was universally esteemed for his various eru
dition in mathematics, mineralogy, &c., and for his probity,
benevolence, and general virtue. Being very old when I saw
him, he was thin and pale; but still retained traces of beauty,
and had something very pleasing in his physiognomy, and a
dignity in his tall and erect stature. On my requesting his
bered." Upon which Dr. Collin, in a letter to the Editors, gave the follow
ing explanation:
"Gentlemen,
"Permit me to explain the following words in my conver
sation with Swedenborg : "That if any important spiritual or temporal
concern of mine had been the case, he would then have solicited permission
from those angels who regulate such matters.’ This answer to me is cor
rectly translated from the Swedish. It does not imply, as you apprehend,
any worship of angels, but only a request to them, as agents, by Divine
commandment. Christians have generally believed such agency, as appears
from the Bible and ecclesiastical history. Many persons, not chargeable
with credulity, have ascribed to them influence on the human mind, and
aid in dangers, when human means and other causes were incompetent,
though this agency was not seen, heard, or felt by the bodily organs.
Swedenborg did, indeed, assert a very familiar intercourse with them, but
not any sort of adoration.
"NICHOLAS COLLIN."
* Mr. Collin means by this structure what is known as Swedenborg’s
summer-house which is preserved at the present time, and is officially de
scribed in Document 140, no. 6, under the heads fourthly and fifthly.
The Rev. John Hargrove was the first New Church Minister in
America.
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