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Doc. 268.] 567
JOHN WESLEY’S TESTIMONY.
"It may here be proper to observe, that the translation
of Swedenborg’s little work on the ’Intercourse between the
Soul and the Body
’ had been published not long previously
(in 1770), with a preface by the translator, addressed to the Uni
versities, urging the author’s claims to attention. This Mr. Wesley
had probably seen, and had thence conceived the desire he
acknowledges to see the author. The discovery that this desire,
though it had remained a secret in his own breast, was known
to Swedenborg, must have affected him very strongly: it must
have convinced him that Swedenborg’s assertion, that he
possessed the privilege of conversing with angels and spirits,
was true: and it is natural to suppose that he would conclude
from it that the cause assigned by Swedenborg of his having
(pp. 62, 63) ; but he adds there the following additional account which he
received from another gentleman present, when Mr. Smith made his statement
about Wesley and Swedenborg : "Another gentleman, Mr. Benedict Harford,
now of Liverpool, who was also present when Mr. Smith stated the above
particulars to the Society [which worshipped in the Eastcheap chapel], gives
a similar account from his recollection, which was minuted by him in
writing, and delivered to me, on the 5th of August, 1822. It is as follows:
’An anecdote of the late Rev. John Wesley and the late Hon. Emanuel
Swedenborg, as related by Mr. Samuel Smith, a Methodist Preacher, who
had it from Mr. Wesley’s own mouth. - Swedenborg, a little previously to
his decease, sent a note to Mr. Wesley to the following effect: "I perceive
in the spiritual world ; that you have a desire to see me. Ifyou would see
me, you must call before such a day; for after that I must go to the angels,
with whom I have been associated these twenty seven years." "It is certain,"
said Mr. Wesley, "that I had a strong desire to see the Baron ; but how
he came to know it, I have not an idea, as I never told any creature that I
had such a desire"
(Signed) ’BENEDICT HARFORD.’"
Mr. Hindmarsh adds to this account, "I was myself also present, with
several others now living, but not mentioned, when Mr. Smith related these
particulars; and though I do not charge my memory with the exact words
of Mr. Smith, yet I well remember, that the account given above is sub
stantially correct, having frequently heard him repeat it."
The following is a short account given by Mr. Hindmarsh respecting
Mr. Smith: "Soon after the opening of the chapel, Mr. Samuel Smith, an
itinerant preacher among the Methodists, joined the Society, and gave proof
of his ability to serve the cause by his valuable assistance in the work of
the Ministry." Mr. Samuel Smith was ordained into the New Church
Ministry on June 1 , 1788.
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