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1210 NOTES TO VOLUME II.
the Rev. Samuel Noble," by the Rev. William Bruce, which is pre
fixed to the "Appeal."
Samuel Noble was born in London on March 4, 1779. His father,
who was a bookseller, and the author of a work of great merit on
the "Elements of Linear Perspective," died when the son was five
years old. His mother, on whom the entire charge of a young
family now devolved, discharged her maternal duties in an admirable
manner. After receiving a good education, including a sound know
ledge of the Latin language, he was apprenticed to an engraver.
He subsequently attained to eminence in his art, and was engaged
on many of the principal architectural works of his time. His tastes
and talents, however, were still more literary than artistic, and he
was, moreover, influenced by strict religious principles, so that before
long he exchanged his profession as an artist for that of a minister
of the gospel.
When nineteen years of age he became acquainted with the
doctrines of the New Church. Of the mode in which he was led to
receive these doctrines he gives us the following account: "In a
remarkable manner, some of the works containing them were brought
to my hands ; but I had heard some of the common calumnious
reports, and began to read with much distrust and prejudice. The
first book that I opened was the treatise on ’Heaven and Hell.’ I
read some passages near the middle ; but meeting with some things
that greatly contradicted my prejudiced notions, I soon began to
treat it with derision, and, at length, threw it down with contempt.
Getting hold, however, of some doctrinal works, I speedily became
very much interested. I saw, from the beginning, that every doctrine
advanced must be the truth; but I had imbibed so much of the
common erroneous sentiments, as to dread the thought of embracing
new ones, lest, erring from the faith, the consequences should be
fatal. At length, I heard that there was a place where these
doctrines were preached, and I went to hear. Whether what I then
heard was more suited to my state of apprehension than what I had
read, or whether it be that truth spoken by the living voice has a
more powerful influence than truth read in a book, I cannot say ;
but I went away with a full assurance, that the doctrines advanced
as those of the New Jerusalem must be those of the New Jerusalem
indeed. I felt perfectly convinced that there could be no danger in
venturing my salvation on their truth. I solemnly and devotedly
resolved to do so. I dismissed all my former obscure notions of
Three Divine Persons, and the doctrines which require three distinct
divinities for their support, to the winds. I cast my idols to the
moles and to the bats: and all my anxieties and fears went with
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