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488 TESTIMONY OF CONTEMPORARIES. [Doc. 257.
M. I am from Elberfeld, in the duchy of Berg. Your
writings contain so much that is beautiful and edifying, that
they have made a deep impression upon me: but the source
from whence you derive them is so extraordinary, so strange
and uncommon, that you will perhaps not take it amiss of a
sincere friend of truth, if he desire incontestable proofs that
you really have intercourse with the spiritual world.
S. It would be very unreasonable if I took it amiss ; but
I think I have given sufficient proofs, which cannot be contra
dicted.
M. Are these the well known ones, respecting the Queen,
the fire in Stockholm, and the receipt ?
S. Yes, those are they, and they are true.
M. And yet many objections are brought against them.
Might I venture to propose, that you give me a similar proof?
S. Why not? Most willingly !
M. I had formerly a friend, who studied divinity at Duis
burg, where he fell into consumption, of which he died. I
visited this friend, a short time before his decease
versed together on an important topic : could you learn from
him what was the subject of our discourse ?
S. We will see. What was the name of your friend ?
The merchant told him his name.
S. How long do you remain here?
M. About eight or ten days.
S. Call upon me again in a few days. I will see if I can find
your friend.
"The merchant took his leave and dispatched his business.
Some days afterwards, he went again to Swedenborg, full of
expectation. The old gentleman met him with a smile, and
said, ’
I have spoken with your friend ; the subject of your
discourse was the restitution of all things.
’ He then related
to the merchant, with the greatest precision, what he, and
what his deceased friend had maintained. My friend turned
pale; for this proof was powerful and invincible. He in
quired further, ’How fares it with my friend? Is he in a
state of blessedness?’ Swedenborg answered, ’No, he is not
yet in heaven ; he is still in Hades, and torments himself con
tinually with the idea of the restitution of all things.’ This
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