IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I IIIM IIIIM ilia 11^ 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" — ► V] <9 /} el. 1 em -y O ^/. 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY, 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^\^ <^^<^ % ^\' 'V- ,^" 6= C?, w- w. o^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibiiographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm^ te meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6X6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. □ Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur □ Covers damaged/ Couverture endommag^e □ Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul^e I I Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur v/ /, Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul6es □ Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque □ Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur n Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I — T/Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I !j Pages d^color^es, tachet^es ou piqu^es [7f Pages detached/ Pages d^tach^es I I Showthrough/ Transparence □ Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur □ D Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 film^es. n D Quality of print varies/ Quality in6gale de I'impression I I Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t^ film6es d nouveau de fagon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. D Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires: ^ 10X This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 14X 18X , 22X 26X 30X 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grSce d la g6n6rosit6 de: :ails du }difier une nage ' University de Sherbrooke The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. University de Sherbrooke Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de t'exempiaire filmd, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont film^s en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END "), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent §tre film^s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. arrata to pelure, )n d D 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ■"iin' I 1 1 fi m mmm ' i ' . ' } <9 ^ ^ »■ ■ ■ ■ ' t rn w ■y- a MEMOIliS, n f I •v. INCIDENTS (t mailNISCKNCES or nil; kaim.v irisioiiv oi riii: NE\\' CHURCH IX MICHIGAN, INDIANA, ILLINOIS, AXn AD.IACENT STATKS; AND CANADA, I IIY IIEV. (i. FIELD. ^ ^ jti/-<)j f collection H0UD6 >j TORONTO, Canada: II Causwki.i, .t Co. NEW YORK: E. U. Swixxkv. 20 Cooi-Kit Umox. London, E.\«;:,.vxi): Jamks Si-i:ihs, 36 Bloomsiriry .Stkkkt, W. C. 1879. '! ' ; T tZ f iU * •• t -^.<^^^^ .f (tl^ ' ^A a f TO THE IIEADEP.. In all prol>ability tlieie will bo two classes of persons who will read this hook,— whom we arc ficcnstoiiioa to dosif'nato as " Ol.l Chnrdi," and '• New Church :" hy the former we mean all those who are meinhors of . - heen trained and educated in the faith of,— or under the influence of, some of the various relij,'ious denominations into which the collective Christian world is (""ivided; -whether called Catholics or Protestants; Evanjielicai, Apostolical, Orthod.^x, or Heterodox ;— these heiuf,' hut sects, or parts of what was ori'jiually the one Christian, or Catholic Church; having in j^eneral a com- mon platform of Doctrine, and separating, or disintegrating mainly on some one particnlai- dogma of faith ; or on some n;ode of Church government. These an^ embraced by us in the one comiirehensive term " Oi-p CmiiCTi;" as contia-distinguished fiom those who are desigiuited by the term "Nkw Church." These latter not being a sect, or split, or division of that former, oi- original Church; but a A'c/r {■hun-h itsrn\aH distinct from the first Christian Church, as that was originally from the Jewish Church. Thus not separ- ating on account of a difference of belief on some one or more points of faith; but a complete and total difference, with almost nothing in common. For though we have precisely the same I'.ible, our understanding of it is tnto rc'h different from the universally prevailing one; being so much nioie full and comprehensive. And though we alike believe in a God,— a Spiritual world,— a Heaven and a Hell.— a Hesurrec »• IV TO THE T^EADER. tion and .Tiulgmciit, Ac, iVc. ; yet our iindorstiinding of tliofle tliiiif^H is HO widely diffcrfiit from tlie coinmoii ideas roHpcctiiifj them;— or perhaps it inij^'lit he iiioie correct to say, innit nf 'ulcdK, \h».i they couhl in no wise niinf,'lo : the one faitli heing positive,- the otlier httle more than ne^'utive, opinionative, or specnhitive. Nothinj^ hoin*,' known or helieved in, — in the Christian world at tin's day, tlum the simple fact that there in (I (loil: hut whether personal or impersonal ; visihle or invisi- hie; real or ideal, — nothing,' whatever is known; or even pro- fessed to he known:— the le<,'endary creeds present contrary and impossihle mystifications of llim us a tri-personal heinj;, and yet impersonal: — without form, "l)ody, parts, or pas- sions:" — as cominjj and f^oing, ascending, and descending from one place to another; and yet omnipresent. Whilst in regard to the Spiritual world, the most incongruous and inconsistent speculations : and impossihle and contradictory imaginings are all that the Church has to ol'fer to satisfy tlie requirements of her children ; so that those of intelligent and reflecting minds. re|)udiating such sophistical traditions as unsuhstantial food, hut too often hecome secret, or avowed sceptics and infidels. This is why those of the New Church have nothing in com- mon witli what they helieve to ho a Church that is Christian in name only ; and in consequence of which is now consum- mated ; and hence they see and acknowledge the need of a rational and consistent faith; one in which there will he no conflict with reason, science, or universal laws. And it is hecanse of this vastated and disrupted state of the Primitive Christian Church, that the houd, or ligature hy which influence ■; from God and Heaven might more effectually reach man ; to enlighten, strengthen and save him, that new revelations have been made : not new Scriptures written ; but the clouds of error and ignorance removed by which the Scriptures had been obscured ; and their true and living mean- ing restored; — a true idea of God made known, and His laws th,\ / TO TTIF, TlEAPKTl. T of providence and life: us also of the UeRurrection,— the Tvere but small villages when these records commenced, have mucc become flourishing cities. A large portion too, of those whose uames are here given, have long since passed to their homes in the eternal workl. 1 have presented the best and most perfect statement of these early jnemories of New Church Uistojy in this region of the Western world, 1 have been able t.. do. 1 knew that if I did not, no one else could; as no other person had either the documents or the infornjation. I leave it as a legacy for the New Chuicli to read and reflect upon ; and may 1 also hope, to IHolit by. - (. j,,j^^^ DiiXltOIX, MltUIGAX. i I c I i m DA", PA I MEMOIRS, INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES OF THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE NEW CHURCH or MICHIGAN, INDUNA, ILLINOIS AND ADJACENT STATES; AND IN CANADA. AS no one person can, Trom his own knov.ledge, write a history of the New Church in the United States, whoever therefore may he its historian, he must depend to a great extent upon such informa- tion and materials as he mav be able to collect and compile from the labors of others ; and as such a history will certainly be required, I desire to con- tribute as much information as I may be able, in the region where I have labored, with a view to its being tributary thereto. There is very little that is reliable left to us of the early history of the Christian Church, at least during the first century, except what is written in the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistles. But those records are justly regarded as unspeakably precious; and there can be no good reason to suppose but that in the ages to come 2 PAUL S TRIBULATIONS. much value will be attached to the detail of those events which narrate and describe the state of the human mind in regard to religious subjects, the manner in which the doctrines of the New Church were received, and the mode of their promulgation by its earliest preachers and missionaries: and though none of us may be able to recount, with the apostle Paul, that we have been flagellated with stripes, as he was; nor to say, as he does, "Thrice was I beaten with rods; once was I stoned; thrice I suffered shii^wreck; a night and a day I have been in the deep;" or have been as he was, "in j)erils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by his own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, and in perils among false breth- ren : " or, like him, "In weariness and painfulness ; in watchings often ; in hunger and thirst ; in fast- ings often ; in cold and nakedness." Nor could we thus, even though so disposed, ,"take pleasure," as he did, "in infirmities, in reproaches, in neces- sities, and in distresses:" for, not only do we live under a different form of government, but the state of the times is changed. Still, though we have been subject to no such dangers as the Apostles and Disciples were, in the commencement of the Christian era, there are yet many events connected with the first promulgation and establishment of the Church of the New Jeru- salem, at least in this western region, that are not devoid of interest, or tame for want of opposition; and the experience of many years has convinced ^ t, HOW NEW TRUTHS ARE RECEIVED. a f me — however encouraging the appearances may sometimes be, that the field of the human mind is ripe for the reception of truth, spiritual and divine truth, and that the world is eager for a religion which teaches it, that such an appearance is not real. Multitudes may indeed be attracted by some- thing new and rational, and be interested for a time by the beauty of the truth of the New Church; but the feeling is in general evanescent .and ephemeral, and is soon succeeded by indiffer- ence and neglect. But in the winnowing of this chaff, it is often found that a few grains of wheat are left, yet out of the thousands who for a time have sat and listened with satisfaction to the doc- trines of the New Church, how few, how very few, have received them with gladness, and remained stedfast to their convictions. But an opening has been made, and the way prepared in the wilderness, for the time when *' the plowman shall overtake the reaper," and more ex- tensively prepare the way for "the treader of grajjes to succeed him who soweth the seed." The spread of the doctrines of the New Church seems to have followed the pathway of the sun. Of their first reception in the Eastern States I have no personal knowledge. My first acquaintance with its members was in the city of New York in the year 1836, at which time I was received as a member of the Society meeting for worship in the chapel on Pearl street. There were then about a dozen persons, mostly t DEPARTURE FOR THE WEST. English, members of the New Church, who used occasionally to meet socially at the house of Mr. Purcell or Mr. Slade, on a Sunday afternoon or evening, and talk over the affairs of the Church,, and our duties in relation to it ; but we had na hired room or any kind of public meetings. About this time I first became acquainted with Mr. Henry Weller, who afterwards identified him- self with the New Church in the West. Mr. W. was then a member of a Unitarian Society in England, calling themselves " Free-thinking Christians," and knew nothing, and seemed to care nothing,, about Swedenborg or his writings. During the summer of this year (1837) I removed to Glen Cove, L. I., where I delivered a number of lectures on the- Doctrines of the New Church, in the school-house of that village. In the Fall of the following year, I left Long Is- land with the intention of going to Illinois ; but on my arrival in Detroit, November 5th, 1838, 1 found that all the steamboats for Chicago were laid up for the winter ; and as there was no railroad going west further than Ypsilanti (27 miles), I concluded to remain in Detroit till the Spring. At this time I did not know of a single receiver of the New Church Doctrines in that city, nor indeed in the whole State ; but Mrs. Dorr* must at that time have been living at Springwells, in the vicinity of the city ; and there were perhaps in all about half a dozen professed believers in the Doctrines in Michigan. f^rn ' * Mrs. Dorr has siuce, removed to the spiritual world. /- ^ A NEW CHURCHMAN FOUND. t» I left Detroit somewhat earlier than I had at £r8t intended, having suffered myself to be allured and brought into the wilderness ; though I did not sing there as in the days of my youth, but rather realized the sentiment of the poet who says : " Foud hope is theirs by fancy fed, Least pleasing when possessed." For it was here, that by a singular course of events, I was again brought into relationship with Mr. Henry Weller, in whose society I lived for a few months, and during which time Mr. Weller was in- •duced to read and investigate the Doctrines of the New Church, and finally to profess his full accept- ance of them. We were then residing in Calhoun County, Michigan (between Marshall and Battle •Creek). But my situation not being at all congenial in the place, I did not long remain ; though during the time of my sojourn here, I lectured frequently •on the Doctrines of the Church in the neighboring school-houses, and by this means became acquaint- ed with an old gentleman living near Marshall, a farmer, who for many years had been a profess- ed receiver of the Doctrines — (Mr. Jacob King), — and formerly a member of Dr. Beer's congregation, in Danby, in the State of New York. This was the first person I had found, or even heard of, in the State of Michigan, who made a profession of this belief. In the Fall of the year 1840, I removed to the village, now the city, of Battle Creek, only six miles "distant, where I soon commenced giving Lectures mmmmm^mfmim^ 6 A SOCIETY FORMED IN DETROIT. on the Doctrines of the Church, and holding meet- ings for worship on the Sabbath ; soon after which I learned, to my great surprise, that there was a small New Church Society in Detroit, and meetings for worship held every Sabbath. Little more than 18 months had elapsed since I left that city. Still, up to this time, I had not heard of there being a single receiver of the doctrines living there. But I afterwards learned, that very soon after I left Detroit, others had come to live there from distant places ; and that the Eev. Holland Weeks, of Henderson, Jefferson Co., in the State of New York, being on a visit in the city, an application was made to him, signed by seven persons, to in- stitute them into a Society, in accordance with the Eules of the Convention ; and that accordingly, on the 25tli day of August, 1839, in an upper room, at the house of Mr. Nathan Goodell, in the city of Detroit, they were so instituted and organized.* A constitution was drawn up, adopted, and signed by the 'following persons, viz.: * This was more tliau two years before the first New Church Society was instituted iu lUinois, which was in Canton, Fulton Co., iu that State. This latter Society was instituted by Rev. Dr. Lemuel Belding, of Lo Kaysville, Pennsylvania, October lOtb, 1841 consisting of thirteen members. Six of whom were at that time baptized, as also were eight infants. The Holy Supper was administered to the Society by Eev. L. Belding who also preached a sermon from Rev. xix. 7. On the day previous, two other sermons had been preached ; one from Mai. iii. 16, and the other from the 11th chap, of Mark. The above Society in Detroit was formed a little less than two months after the institution of the Illinois Association, — See paye 12. WHO CONSTITUTED IT. re u Edwin Burnham, now deceased. Elizabeth K. Burnham. Justus Dobbin, now deceased. George Bigelow, now deceased. Robert H. Murray, now deceased. Mary F. Bout vvell, (afterwards Mrs. Murray,) re- moved to Cahimet, 111. Hannah M. Goodell, since of Green Bay, Wis. There were also present, — Mrs. S. M. H. Dorr, a resident of Detroit, but a member of the Boston Society ; Mrs. Ann H. Adams, a member of the Hender- Bon (N. Y.) Society, then on a visit ; Mr. E. D. Fisher, since of Yarmouthport, Mass.; now deceased ; and one or two other friends. At this meeting Mr. Murray and Mrs. Boutwell were baptized into the faith of the New Church, the others having previously been so baptized. William B. Boutwell, aged four years, son of Mrs. B., was also baptized. The Holy Supper was then administered to the above adult members- of the Church by the Rev. Holland Weeks. The same evening, Mr. Edwin Burnham was for- mally elected Leader and Secretary of the Society ; after which Mr. Weeks preached a sermon from John vi. 15, at the City Hall, to an audience, res- pectable both as to numbers and character ; and notice was given that meetings for worship would be held regularly on the Sabbath, at 11 a.m., at the house of Mr. N. Goodell. The names of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Fisher and Miss Jane Bamlett, "were soon after also signed to the constitution. 8 MR. ABIEL SILVER. i This was the first organized form of the New Church in Michigan, or so far west of Cincinnati. A short time after the organization of this So- ciety, Mr. Abiel Silver of Edwardsburgh (Mich), who was then engaged in mercantile pursuits, hav- ing occasion frequently to visit Detroit for the pur- chase of goods, soon formed a business acquaint- ance with Mr. Edwin Burnhara; and Mr. S. hav- ing a short time previously lost his left arm, Mr. B. one day, — after their business had been dis- posed of, — enquired of him what his sensations were in regard to the arm he had lost, — this led to an extended and interesting conversation concern- ing man's spiritual body, awakening in Mr. S. a desire to know more on this subject, and that of the spiritual world ; — the result of which was, — Mr. Silver borrowed some of Swedenborg's works to read ; — but so new, — so peculiar, — and so differ- ent from those of the Episcopal Church in which he had been educated, — was everything which he found in those books, that though delighted beyond measure with them, it was a long time bef3re he would even let his wife know what he was reading ! But eventually she became equally interested, and equally recipient of these heavenly Doctrines ; and who can tell what may be the results growing out of this comparatively unimportant event ; or how little did Mr. S. think, when the knife with which he was pruning his apple tree slipt and cut the artery in his wrist ; or when the Doctor so bung- lingly tied it up, that it mortified, and his arm had to be cut off above the elbow to save his life, that I •-i AND OTHER RECEIVERS. 9 it would be the means of leading him to a know- ledge of Doctrines of faith and life that he had •scarcely even heard the name of before, — much less that he would, as a result growing out of this •apparent misfortune, himself become an honored minister of the Lord's New Church, and the moans •of leading so many others into the gates of the New Jerusalem. Is it not true, in a good sense, as well as in a bad one, *' Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth ? " How wonderful is ■the providence of the Lord. The Society at Detroit continued to hold their meetings at the same house during the Fall and "Winter succeeding their organization ; Mr. E. Burnham officiating as their Leader, and also as "the Instructor of a small Sunday School of some •seven or eight children. The Book of Worship and the Hymns of the Thiladelphia Liturgy, were used l)y the Society. "The only accessions to their number during this "time were Mr. John T. Little, Mr. S. Y. Atlee, and Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Fisher. In June, 1841, l)etween forty and fifty dollars worth of books were received from Boston for sale, which were quickly •disposed of, Mr. Hans Thielson, then of Dexter (47 miles W. of Detroit), an Engineer on the Michigan 'Central R. R., who was becoming interested in the Doctrines, purchased many of them. It was in August, 1830, when Rev. Holland Weeks first visited Detroit, instituted the Society, and preached to them, and in a little more tlian two .years after, they were again gladdened by the 10 DR. BELDINO IN DETROIT. presence of another New Church Minister. On the 24th Septemher 1841, Rev. Lemuel C. Beld- ing, of Leraysville, Penn., then on a missionary yisit to IlHnois to institute a Society at Canton (under the auspices of the Central Convention), — arrived at Detroit ; (see note on page 6) ; — and on the following day he preached in the evening at the City Hall, from Ex. iv : 1-4. The next day (Sunday), J)i\ B. preached again at the same place, in the afternoon, to ahout 800 persons, and in the evening to between four and five hundred. In the morning Divine worship was held at the house of Mr. E. D. Fisher, who, together with his> wife. Miss Jane Bamlette, and Mr. Little, were baptized, and received into tJio Society, and the Sacrament of the Holy Suj^per administered. This visit was received with peculiar satisfaction, and was a very happy and joyful one. In October of this year (1841), another package of books was. received from Boston, — nearly fifty dollars worth, some of which were sold at once, and the others placed in a book store for sale. Thus far did it seem that the prospects of the N. C. Society in Detroit were most encouraging ; — but how futile are all appearances, and how soon are all our fondest hopes dissipated and scattered to the winds. In May, 1840, Mr. and Mrs. Burn- bam left the State, to go and reside in Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; and Mr. Dobbin left the City to reside in Ann Arbor, (Mich.) to which place Mr. and Mrs- Murray had also removed. In September, 1841, Mrs. Goodell left Detroit for Green Bay, Wis. JABEZ FOX APPEARS. 11 And in May, 1847, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher removed to Oakland Co., 35 miles N. from Detroit, so that there was no male member of the Society left, residing in the city, and only about live or six females, as Mr. Little had also removed to Farmington (20 miles N.) Mr. Atlee not having joined the Society ; and Mr. G. Bigelow had removed to Springfield, Oakland Co., about forty miles N. — and finally not one was left of that recently pleasant and promis- ing little Society : the only member of the Church remaining, being Mrs. Dorr, who had never united with the Society, — but, as before stated, still re- tained her membership in the Boston Society. Here then, for a while I leave Detroit, and re- turn to Calhoun Co., about 120 miles west. I have previously stated that in the fall of 1840 I re- moved to Battle Creek, but some time previous, whilst lecturing at Marshall, a village twelve miles east of it, I learned that there had once resided there a young man by the name of Fox, who was a ** Swedenborgian," but that he was at that time down South (in South Carolina), althougli expect- ed to return before long. Mr. F. did return, and his history has since been very considerably in- terwoven with that of the New Church in this State. He is now known as the Ilev. Jabez Fox, Pastor of the New Church Society in Washington, D. C. I have already stated that soon after taking up my residence at Battle Creek, I learned to my surprise that there was a New Church Society in Detroit, and it was but a few weeks after this that I received a letter from Mr. E. D. Fisher, inform- 12 ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION FORMED. ing me that Dr. Belding would pass through B. C. •OP the 28th of September, 1841 , on his way to Can- ton, Illinois, to institute a Society there. * I had not seen a N. C. Minister since leaving New York, and was eager again to meet one, so I left home the day before, and, for want of other conveyance, walked to Marshall (12 miles), to meet Dr. B. there. I arrived in the evening, and slept at the hotel ; then in the morning awaited the coming of the stage : there were several stages full of passen- gers, but in some way which I do not understand, they all passed through the village on their way * A little more than two years before this, a meeting had been held at this place (Canton), of the Readers and Eeoeivers of the Doctrines, for the purpose of forming and organizing the Illinois Association of the New Church. On the 3rd of June, 1839, a circular hud been issued for this purpose, signed by J. Young Scammon, of Chicago, and Jonas Eawalt and John F. Randolph, of Canton, inviting the mem- bers and friends of the New Church to meet at the above vil- lage for that purpose, on Saturday and Sunday, July the 6th jind 7th of the same year. This was accordingly done ; the meeting was held in the College Building, at which ten per- sons were present. Communications were also received and read from friends in Chicago, Alton, Farraington, Charleston, Bochester, Peoria, Petersburg!!, Darwin, Springfield, St, Charles, Elgin, 111. ; and St. Louis, Mo.: John F. Randolph was elected President ; and J. Y. Scammon, Secretary of the meet- ing. An address was delivered explanatory of the Doctrines of the Church, and the articles of Faith wore read, and steps were taken to secure the services of a New Chui'ch Minister. Rules of Order were adopted, a President, Secretary and Trea- surer ; and an Executive Committee for the ensuing year were elected; and additional circulars issued. It was also stated that New Church books were kept on sale at Mr. Gale's book store in Chicago. See N. J. Mag., for Sept., 1839. DR. BELDINQ IN BATTLE CREEK. la West, without my being able to see Dr. B., and as he did not expect to see rae there, of course he did not inquire for me, but passed on ; so I had na other alternative than to walk back again, and with no further expectation of seeing him. But on reaching home in the afternoon I was agreeably surprised to find ])r. Belding at my house awaiting my return ; and as he was obliged to resume hia journey the next day, we made a hanty arrange- ment for him to deliver a lecture at my house that evening, which ho did to about twenty persons The next morning he baptized my second son, (Henry,) and then resumed his journey to Canton, passing through Chicago without stopping there ; — an account of which is recorded in the New Church - man, vol. 1, page 418. Soon after this, whilst giving a lecture at the School House, introductory to a course on general scientific and literary subjects, I incidentally stated that something could not bo made out of nothing, — nor was the earth created out of nothing ; — at the end of my Lecture the Presbyterian Minister,. (who had but recently come to Battle Creek), a^ked my permission to offer a few remarks, which being granted, he arose and spoke for nearly half an hour, attempting to show that what I had said was infidelity in disguise, and subversive of sound re- ligious Doctrine, and warning the audience of the danger of listening to such teaching. "When he had concluded I stated to the audience that it was too late that evening to enter into a re- ply to what had been said, — but that at a very 14 DISCUSSION IN BATTLE CREEK. 1 early day I would deliver a lecture specifically upon that subject, with a view to show the injustice of this censure. Many of the most respectable and intellij:;ont people in the village were present at my Lecture, and they were exceedingly displeased with what they regarded as the captious opposition of an almost entire stranger, as this Minister was, and next day the subject was very generally can- vassed in the village ; — the result of which was that a special committee of the members of the Lyceum called on me to know if I would bo willing to discuss this subject in their meeting, to which I readily consented ; they then called on the Presby- terian Minister with the same request, to which he also assented, and eventually the question for de- bate was put into the following form: — "Do the first chapters of Genesis treat of the creation of the physical earth?" My opponent taking the affir- mative, and I the negative. The evening was ap- pointed and the arrangements duly made, and the house was full of people, but my opponent was not there ! I was therefore requested by the chair- man to say something to the people ; so I made a few remarks to them about the Garden of Eden; and an appointment was made for another evening, and a special committee appointed to wait on this minister, and see that he attended ; so they called on him next day and notified him of what had been done ; but he said he could not attend as he had an appointment to preach on the evening after, and must leave on the day appointed for the dis- cussion, so as to be there in time, as he would ON THE FIRST CnAPTER OF GENESIS. 16 have to walk ; they then promised to drive him •over in a bugf^y, without expense to him, and in good time, if he wouhl fuHil liis previous engage* ment with them ; but ho positively declined, and 80, after further deliberation, and with my consent, they secured the services of two Methodist Minis- ters, a Doctor, a Judge, and two Justices of the Peace ! — the strongest force to be obtained in that part of the country, who were unitedly to maintain the affirmative position. And the question was discussed for six evenings ! when, in accordance •with the rules of the Lyceum, a vote was taken (by rising) on the weight of argument, when not more than six or seven rose in support of the affir- mative, and two or three of those were the speak- ers on that side ! whilst nearly the whole audience rose to sustain the negative. One of the ministers admitting that they had been pretty well " used up." Still had tlui vote been on the mcnts of the question, it is not likely that this would have been their decision. In consequence of the interest excited by this dis- cussion, I was induced, subsequently, to devote my attention more especially to this subject ; which led to my preparing a course of lectures on the Creation of the Universe, and the Deluge, in the light of Revelation and Science. Perhaps it was the circumstance of Dr. Beld- ing's visit that awakened the desire to ascertain if there were any persons residing in the western part of the State who were receivers of the doc- trines of the New Church. It was on the 28th 16 KALAMAZOO AND CONSTANTINE. day of September, 1841, that Dr. Belding came to" Battle Creek: and shortly after that time I sus- pended my Bchool, and made arrangements for a tour of exploration and investigation, by stopping at every village I came to, and either lecturing or teaching by giving lessons in writing or steno- graph}^; that thus I might have an opportu- nity of making the enquiries I desired to. The- first place at which I stayed was Kalamazoo, 25 miles west of Battle Creek. Here I be- came acquainted with Mr. Thos. Atlee, son of Dr. E. Atlee, a well known N. C. man; though Mr T. A. was an Episcopalian. I also formed the acquaintance of Mr Dutton, principal teacher in the Branch University, who had, at one time, read a volume of Swedenborg's, although he did not understand it ; but desired to read more ; I was fortunatel}' able to let him have the very book he wanted, "Heaven and Hell." Mr Atlee also had a copy of De Charms' Sermons. I next went south, and stopped at Schoolcraft, where I saw a son of the late Mr. Copley, of Little Prairie Kondc, whose family belong to the New Church. I also saw and conversed with a Mrs. Church, who seemed to be a good deal interested in the doctrines. I next went to Constantine, where I delivered a lecture on the Inspiration of the Sacred Scriptures, at which Gov. Barry was present. Mr. B. expressed himself much pleased with the lecture, although not much of a believer in any religion ; but he had been very well acquainted with the Hon. C. P. Bush, member of the State Senate, then ELKHART AND EDWAUDSBUllG. 17 residing in Livingstone Co., and also with Condy Raguet, Esq., both well known New Churclimen. I also wrote a long letter to Gov. Barry, and sub- sequently had many conversations with him on these topics. On the 20th of December, I lound myself in Elkhart (Ind)., a few miles south of the Michigan boundary line ; where I remained two weeks. Here I delivered several lectures which were well attended ; mdeed the school-house was crowded, and the subject of the lectures the con- stant topic of discussion ; one of the storekeeper's sending for some of the N. C. books to keep oa sale. Having hoard that there was a Mr. Silver, whose name I have referred to above, living at Edwardsburg, (10 miles north of Elkhart), who, though an Episcopalian, was much interested in the writings of Swedenborg, I had intended to pass through that village on my way ; but had been diverted from it ; s:), whilst at Elkhart, I wrote a few lines to Mr. Silver, better known as *' Judge Silver," informing him of my being tliere, as also of my object, and regretting that I should not be able to call upon him. He immediately came over to see me, and invited me to his house, and promised to come for me as soon as I should be at liberty. This he did on New Year's day, 1842, and I stayed with him about two weeks, dur- ing which time I delivered a number of lectures ; some at the school house, and some at the Baptist Church. Mr. S. then returned with me to Elkhart, where I soon found there was more work for me to do. Rev. Mr. Cooke, (of Goshen, Ind.) being then re^wxiBjpr 18 DISCUSSION IN ELKHART. in Elkliart, (10 miles distant) having heard of the sensation produced by my lectures, made a direct attack on the teachings of Swedenborg, at a meet- ing of the Lyceum (Jan. 14th). I was then deli- vering a course of lectures in Elkhart on the Creation, Garden of Eden, Flood, &c., &c., and a. Mr. Babcock, a preacher among the " Christian Brethren," sent me a challenge to discuss with him the following question, "Do the Scriptures teach, (according to King James' translation), that Christ died for the people '?" I objected to the wording of this question, as it really left nothing to disci.ss ; as he could easily bring plenty of pas- sages to aftirm his position, as far as the mere words go ; but without any regard to their mean- ing. I therefore objected to the phraseology ; and desired it to be so put as to involve the meaning of the words ; but he would allow of no change ; and so, knowing that if I declined, he would at once proclaim that he had silenced me with a word. I thereff)re concluded to accept it, and make the best ex})lanation I could. 8o a time was set, and three Moderators clioson to decide upon the weight of argument. The house was crow^ded long before the time unpointed to commence, and crowds were around outside, at the door and windows. It was with ditticulty I could reach the stand. My op- ponent confined himself almost exclusively to quot- ing those i)assages from the Epistles, which aihrm thatChrist died for us ; whilst I endeavoured to show the meaning of His dying; and that it was not vicarious, or as a punishment for our sin ; but as THOSE WHO WERE INTERESTED. 19 the :ect eet- leli- the id «' itiaii with bures , that 3 the thing [ pas- mere niean- ; and ling of and once kd. I tie best three Ight of I before Is were Lt was ^ly op- qiiot- aftirm lo show las not Ibut as the means by which the Lord opened up the way for man's salvation, by providing the means for cm' dehverance from evil. Of course I labored under great difficulties in this effort ; tbe ideas were all new, and entirely at variance with estab- lished opinions ; and the wording of the question was against me ; — but I believe that notwithstand- ing tbat, the sympathies of the audience were most- ly with me — and after a long debate, the Modera- tors unanimously decided that the weight of argu- ment was in my favor. One of the audience, in alluding to the manner in which my opponent confined himself to the literal expressions of the Scriptures, said he kept " paddling away in his canoo " all the time. When I was in Elkhart this time, a Mr. Thos. Harris, a lawyer from Goshen, called on me to know whether I would not take Goshen in my way ; he said that the people there had heard of mo, and wouLl like me to come. This was out of my intended course, but on further consideration I concluded to go there. On leaving Elkhart the following persons were very much and very favourably interestt.'d in our doctrines ; viz., Mr. Bearup, a school teacher. Dr. Beardsley and wife, Mr. Coinpton, Mrs. Beebee, Mr. Horace Cook, Mr. Philip Smith, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Lauder, Mr. Pease, Mr. llawlins and Mr. Simonton. And at Ewardsburg, Mr. and Mrs. Abiel Silver, Mr. and Mrs. Lee, Mr. Kellogg, and several others who were more or less inter- ested. «■■ 20 PKOPOSEI) DISCUSSION. I arrivtid at Goshen l»y privrjte conveyarce, (there were not even stages running then ; the mail being carried on horseback) ; on Saturday, Jan. 22, 1842 ; and quite unwell ; and I had not been at the hotel where I put up more than an hour, before 1 received the following note from Rev. N. Cooke, Presbyterian minister, who had so recently been at Elkhart. "It will give him pleasure," says Mr. C, "to controvert publicly Mr. Field's position relating to the Creation, — his position relating to the Deluge, — his assumption relating to the person, character and mission of Jesus Christ ; his views of Church history ; and last and least, Mr, Cooke will endea- vor to prove that Emanuel Swedenborg was a blasphemer — an insane person — or a knave, (if Swedenborg's works can be obtained)." This I had had no alternative but to accept, and I so responded. Mr. C, at once without any further preliminary, had his note to me, and mine in reply, published m the next paper that came out, and also stated that the discussion would take place in the Metho- dist Church, — the largest one in the village, the use of which had been readily granted, as it was supposed this modern Goliath would soon demolish such idle conceits as I might present. Three Moderators were duly appointed, and the discus- sion commenced on Tuesday morning, Feb. 1st, (1842), at nine o'clock, and also the whole of the next day ; closing on Wednesday evening at nine o'clock. There were present all the time from three to five hundred persons ; many coming from AVI'ni Ml!. COOK IN (4(»SIIEN. 21 ^nary, iialied itated :etho- the it was Lioliali Three liscus- 1st, .f the nine from from Elkhart and the adjoining country, on purpose to attend. At the conclusion of the debate, 1 pro- posed that a vote be taken on the weight of argu- ment ; or that the Moderators should decide it ; but Air. Cook objecting, it was not done. I think that Mr. C. was well satisfied that he had failed to maintain a single point wlii'^h he had undertaken, and he was also satisfied that the audience knew it ; and I think they felt that his air and manner were over-ruling and brow-beating. At the con- clusion of this discussion I publicly enquired of the Trustees of the Church, if I could have the use of it for a Lecture, the next Sunday evening ; knowing that it was not used at that time. Joeing thus called upon, they had no opi)ortuiiity to make up an excuse ; and though perhaps not very will- ingly, they told me I could liave it. 1 then gave notice that I would, on that evening, give a lecture on the claims and credibility of Swed«>nborg. The house was crowded, not less tlian <")00 being pre- sent. My lecture was three hours long ! yet scarcely a person moved from his seat till I had concluded. Not expecting to get the use of that church, or indeed any other one in that village, for any more lectures ; some of my friends, for I soon found I had quite a good many there, had provided the use of the Court house for me, in which to deliver more lectures. The Court house was not a desirable place, being cold and uncomfortable : but two great fires were made in it, and seats arranged as well as could be : and so T announced that on th'^ next < — T- 22 WHAT THE PAPERS SAID. Sunday evening I would deliver a lecture there, on the nature and character of the Spiritual world. The ^lethodists now began to be troubled ; their Chi'rch and congregation was much the largest in the village ; and though they were not in the habit of having Sunday evening meetings ; the Minister gave notice that they would have one that evening ; but I was informed there were not more than a dozen present ; whilst the Court house was crowd- ed. As an indication of the interest these subjects awakened I will quote the remarks made by the editors of each of the two weekly i)apers published in the village. The " Goshen Democrat," whose editor was a Presbyterian, after referring to the discussion and the subjects canvassed, says, " The debate was one of unusual interest, was numerous- ly attended, and the subject handled with ability." The " Northern Indianian," whose editor was a non-professor, says, — " Pursuant to the notice in our last number, the Eev. Messrs. Cook and Field met, at the Methodist chapel in this town, last Tuesday, for the purpose of discussing the subjects contained in the note of Mr. Cooke. The discus- sion was continued until nine o'clock last evening. The subjects of discussion were contained in the following i)roposition, viz : — 1st. The Book of Gene- sis does not treat of a physical, but a mental crea- tion. Mr. Field took the aftirmative of this (ques- tion. 2nd, The Bible does not treat of a physical, but a moral deluge. Afiirmative, Mr. Field. 3rd, That Jesus Christ was both God and man, and that He came into the world to offer Himself as a SUBJECTS DISCUSSKD. 23 a in s a vicarious or exi)iatory sacrifice for the sins of the people. Affirmative, Mr. Cooke. 4tli, That all the different denominations of Cliristians of the pre- sent day, are seceders from, and hranchos of, the Roman Catholic Church. Affirmative, Mr. Field. 6th, That Emanuel Swedenl)org was an insane person, or a blasphenn'r and a knave. Affirmative, Mr. Cooke. The discussion was one of great in- terest, and the ability displayed by the disputants was of no ordinary character. During most of the time the house was crowded, and the most anxious attention was given by the audience. E. G. Cham- berlin, (Recorder), Dr. E. W. H. Ellis and T. G. Harris, Esq., acted as Moderators ; and we take this occasion to remark that they fulfilled the deli- cate duties of the station in a manner creditable to themselves, and highly satisfactory to the audience. "We will not presume to give our opinion as to the weight of the arguments advanced on either side in support of the general propositions. Suffice it to say, that we consider it altogether immaterial to the scheme of salvation, whether the world was created in six days, or a thousand years ; or whether it was deluged with water or false- hood. The debate on the third proposition was the most lengthy and labored, Mr. Cooke contending that Jesus Christ was both God and man, and also that Christ and the Father were two persons. Mr. Field insisted that there was but one person in the Godhead, and that Jesus Christ was the Almighty and only God ; and that while He was on the earth, veiled in flesh. He was 24 HOW IT KNDKD. omniia'esGiit by virtue of the Divi'iity."" After noticing the 4th and 5th propositions, the Editor furtl'er says : — ** On the wliole, for one, "we were highly pleased with the discussion. The object of de})ate is to discover the truth ;Vand by comparing all systems, we are only able to discover the true wone. When we see a person who is averse to dis- / cussion, we are apt to conclude that he suspects / that his system is rotten, and is afraid that it will be found outV^ Jjut the more a Hubj(>ct is agitated the niore apparent will be the truth. ^Superstition and ignorance form the rubbish that conct-al it from the view. > " Truth, cruHlied to earth, will rise again, The cteiiial years of Cod are liers : — J^ ]3ut error, wounded, writhes in })ain, And dies amid lier worshippers." *^ After giving the two lectures already referred to ; by particular re(piest, 1 remained and delivered a series on the following subjects, viz, — The Language of Scripture, — the Divine Trinity, — Heaven and Hell, — and other subjects ; all being well attended, and attracting much attention. Those who ap- peared to be most interested were Mr. and Mrs. Rollin, Mr. Carr, Mr. T. Harris, Mr. Brown, Mr. Chamberlin, A. M. Haskell and brother, and about a dozen others. Soon after I left Goshen a com- munication appeared in the "Goshen Democrat," in opposition to some views which 1 had presented whilst there, on tlie OrUjin of Thouf/hts ; to which I sent a reply, which also was published, vindicat- ing my position, which was that Thoughts come to us from the spiritual world ; sometimes mediately, I DISCl'SSJON IN' THK NKWSPAPKRK. '25 and Hometimes immediately, which I oxplainod and illustrated. To this no reply was made ; hut the editor of tlie other [)apor. " 'I'lie Northern In- dianian." the next week, of his own accord, repub- lished the Address of the Central (Jouvention of the New Church, wliich had just appeared in the "New World." This brought out Mr. Cooke again in a long article, headed, " Speech for IJimkum," ii\ which he endeavored to weaken or destroy tlie influence it might have. This induced me to write again, to refute tlie false statements and sophistries that had been somewliat freely indulged in : and this corres- pondence was continued for several weeks, until Mr. C. became irritated, and rather wild in his re- marks, when the subject was dropped. One of the storekeepers said he should get some of the books and keep them for sale ; another proiaised to send for one of the New Church [x.'riodicals. I also, soon afterwards, received a letter trom Elk- hart, from a gentleman, who had just returned from a visit to Goshen; in which Ik^ says, " Mr. H. Piollin is much pleased with the new way of reading the Scriptures, and also tht; writings of Swedenborg, so far ; he wishes you to com- there as soon as you can, and bring some small books. He says that there is quite a stir in Goshen, and many quite inclined to fall in with the doctrine." Judge Blackman, who lives about 2Q miles S. of Goshen, is a very warm receiver of the Doctrines, and lent some of the Arcana to people in the vil- lage, after my visit there. After leaving Goshen 2G AT MIRHAWAUKA. I had to pass throiij,'!! Elkhart at,'ain, when I de- livered a lecture on the nature and character of Heaven and Hell, to a full house ; and from thence went on to Mishawauka, (Ind.), where I arrived, Feh. i)th. This village is 12 miles W. of Elkhart, and does an extensive business in the manufacture of iron. I at once applied for permission to use the Pres- byterian Church to deliver some lectures in, which, however, was refused me. Mr. Cooke, of Goshen, having written to one of his friends there about me, in advance of my coming, telling them how dangerous, and yet alluring the doctrines were, that I should advance — or to use his. own language, that I should prepare the jjill and gild it over so attractively, that they would all swallow it. I then applied for the use of the Methodist Church ; but the alarm had spread, and so that also was refused me. It was much more Qustomary in the earlier set- tlement of the country, when churches were very few, and generally built by public contributions, to allow them to be used by other religious deno- minations, than it has become since. Failing in my efforts to obtain a Church, I readily succeeded in obtaining the school house ; although not near- ly so desirable a place, I gave several lectures on the Trinity, Atonement, Language of Scriptures, &c., which were so well attended as to induce the Methodist Minister, on the Sunday evening, to preach against what he supposed to be the New Church doctrines ; and ridiculed the idea of fire F(JOLIBH UEl'ORTS. 27 denoting; love. There must be a f^ood dral of Lor^ said lie, in Hell-lire ! But it wan tliou^dit to ))e a more effectual way to silence my effortH, by pub- liHbinp; in the " Tocsin," a weekly paper owned and edited by Mr. Storey, — now the editor and i)ro- prietor of the " Chicago Times," — that I was the absconding cashier of a Wildcat ]3ank wliich had failed at Battle Creek some time before. I then learned for the first time that there had been such a bank at Battle Creek, and that its cashier was named Field ; but this bank had ceased to exist a long time before I ever saw Battle Creek. I sent a communication to that effect to Mr. Storey, who promised to j^ublish it ; but I do not know whether he did or not. After remaining at ^lishawauka nearly two weeks, I went to South Bend, about 12 miles west, even then quite an important place ; but I did not attempt to deliver any lectures there, as there were two protracted meetings then going on ; so, after remaining there a few days, I went to Niles, (Mich.), about ten miles N., where I was kindly permitted to use the Methodist Church to deliver two lectures in ; at the first lecture there were about 500 present, and at the second even more, the house being quite crowded. The subject of this lecture was the language of the Sacred Scriptures. Dr. E. Atlee, 1 was told, had preached there once, some two or three vears before. At this place I had the pleasure of l)econiing acquaint- ed with Mr. and Mrs. Ward, receivers of the N. C. Doctrines. (Mrs. W. was a sister of ]\Ir A. B. Copley, of Little Prairie lionde, near Schoolcraft), / •28 NIIiKS AND I, A PORrK. who Were then living in Niles. A Mr. KoundB, a Free-will 13apti8t, also hecame very much interest- ed in the doctrines ; and a ^h. Goodman, a book- seller livinj^ in the village, although very sceptical on religions subjects, and who never went to church, attended my lectures at the Methodist (Jhurch, as also others which I gave at the school house, with great regularity, and talked with me a good deal about them. After remaining in Niles over two weci^s, 1 again started West, and my next Btop]>ing [dace was La I'orte, Indiana, where 1 ar- rived March 14th, 184*2. At this ])lace I gave two public lectures at the ('ourt House; one on the Trinity, and the other on the Atonement ; the at- tendance here was not very large, but I had the pleasure of forming the acquaintance of JIarvey Strong, Ks(|., visiting at his house and taking tea with his family. It was on one of tliese occasions, whilst we were conversing on religious suojects, (Mr. Strong's family were IJiiptists^, that some one asked me what church I belonged to; O, 1 said, if 1 told you, you would not understand it any bet- ter ; but they insisted on my telling ; so I said, the New Jerusalem Church. I at once saAv curious and significant glances pass from one to the other, and all seemed to be no little astonished : this led me to enquire its meaning, when I was informed tliat one of the daughters, a short time previous, had had a very singular dream ; she dreamed that the judgment day had come and all the people had to be judged in the churches to which they belonged, and that they were all gathered together under YOUNCi LADY H DKEAM. 29 their roflpective leaders, and the members of each clmrcli had to cross a wide river hy passing over a bridge ; and tliat the Catholics first commenced crossing; hut before they got over, tlie bridge gave wav, and let them all fall into the river below ! But on looking up again, she saw that the bridge was repaired ; and the Kpiseopalians wore about to cross it ; and whilst yet wondering whether it was made strong enough, she saw it give way as before, and all the thousands who stood u^jon it went down into the river and were drowned. Affrighted at this catastrophe, and looking to see how much daiiage was done, she saw the bridge restored, and tht Presbyterians about to cross over it, and whilst stili ; azing at the multitudes as they passed, the bridj^. .igain divided asunder and pre- cipitated them into the stream below ! So in like manner the Congregationalists, Universalists, and Unitarians, all met a similar fate. Next came the turn of the Baptists; and oh, she said, how I did pray that the bridge might be strong enough to bear them safely across, and how eagerly I watched their progress ; but alas ! it was of no use, lor they all went down, just the same as the others. Then next she heard called the "New Jerusalem Church," to pass over ; but as the Baptists had all gone down, and as she knew nothing of the New Jeru- salem Church, never having even heard the name before, she felt entirely indifferent about them ; yet she thought, as she had seen all the others go down, she would see them go down too. So she carelessly saw them pass along ; they reached the "^r 80 MICHIGAN CITY. middle and the end, find all passed safely over, and the bridge did not break ! Then she awoke. It was the remembrance of this dream, that caused so much surprise, when I told them I belonged to the New Jerusalem Church. This also induced them to make further inquiries in regard to the doctrines of that Church. Mr. Strong said he would send for a copy of the True Christian Reli- gion ; which 1 afterwards understood he did. Whilst in La Porte, I attended a series of lectures on Medical Jurisprudence, Inflammation, Obstet- rics, and Astronomy ; as also a lecture by Prof. Morse on Volcanoes ; and formed an acquaintance with some of the Professors. After leaving La Porte, I went to Michigan City, the only outlet on Lake Michigan to the State of Indiana. I was not very favourably impressed with the appearance of this almost deserted village ; built on a sand bank, and of a very forlorn aspect ; but I delivered several lectures there. I had the use of the Methodist Church when it was not otherwise occupied ; it was the only church building in the place — the Presbyterian church iiad been burned down some time previous, and they were then using an un- occupied store. i applied for the use of this ; when the Methodist church was occui)ied ; which the trustees of the church property were not willing to grant me ; so I applied to the owner of the store, who let the Presbyterians have it gratuitous- ly, and he was perfectly willing that I should have it ; so the trustees reconsidered their previous re- fusal and rescinded it, although not very gracious- HOMEWARD BOUND. 81 ly. I delivered a lecture on the Atonement in this building, which some of the Presbyterians attend- ed ; one of them expressed his wonder that the roof did not fall down upon them, as a judgment upon them for being there ! On the k:?unday I obtained the use of the school-house to lecture in ; but when I went there in the morning for tliat purpose, I found the door locked, and the key could not be found ! But those who were waiting outside, not wishing to be disappointed, invented a very simple kind of key with which they opened the door for me ! Two gentleman in Michigan City, (Universalists), were much interested in my lectures ; and said they did not know when they had been so much gratified l)efore ; tliey invited me to take dinner and tea with them, and expressed a wish to hear me again ; they said they would pur- chase " The Plenary Inspiration of the Scriptures," and the work on " Heaven and Hell. ' 1 now turn- ed my face homeward again, but in doing so, by especial and earnest request, I again made a visit of a few days at Edwardsburg with Mr. Silver ; wliere I delivered two lectures, one at the liaptist church, and the other at the school-house. 1 also went with him to see a Mrs. Wealthy Evans, an elderly lady, then l)etween GO and 70 years of nge, and who had been nearly all her life in the Epis- copal church ; she lived about eight miles south ol Edwardsburg, near the state line. For some time past she had been reading New Chuxch books with much interest, and had become quite in earnest on the subject ; she was especially pleased with the mmmi w' W^ < WiT ' " 82 now 1 MUCCEIiDED. Bcience of Correspoiulence. She also was prepar- ing a letter to send to her Episcopal minister in- forming him of her ciiange of views, and consider- ing how she could form a N. C. Sabbath School. And Mr. and Mrs. Silver were no less earnest and indefatigable in their elforfcs to make known to all who had ears to hear, the beautiful truths and glad tidings of great joy, which are now made known to the world in the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem. On leaving the abode of ray kind en- tertainers at Edwardsburg, which I did in their company, riding with them in their carriage about sixty miles of my homeward journey, I turned my face again toward Battle Creek, where I arrived in April, 1842. During the six months I was absent I paid my own way, by giving lectures on other sulijects occasionally; by teaching penmanship, stenography, &c., and taking up collections; so that I was not only able to pay my travelling ex- penses and hotel bills, but to send money home to my wife from time to time, for all necessary uses. I again recommenced school-teaching for the sum- mer ; but as there were now a number of persons in Battle Creek, who were receivers of, or more or less interested in the N. C. doctrines, we held meet- ings for worship at my school-room on the Sabbath mornings. Amongst those most interested at this time were Mr. and Mrs. E. Astley, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Wheaton, Miss Annie Parker, and Mr. L. H. Stewart. Occasion- ally I would lecture at Marshall, Verona, Baton Centre, &c. AGAIN LEFT HOME. 33 or on During this summer (1842), a correspondence was commenced among the more active friends of the Church, inchiding Mr. R. II. Murray, E. D. Fisher, and A. Silver, with a view to inaugurate the establishment of a New Church Association, to include Michigan and Northern Indiana ; which subsequently culminated in a called meeting for that purpose during the next winter, of which, in due time. I have already stated that it was during this summer that the little society in Detroit be- came dispersed, till not one was left of it ! In tlio autumn of this year I again made preparation for another missionary tour, intondhig this time to penetrate into Illinois ; so on the 2()th of Septem- ber, (18-12,) I again turned my face westward tak- ing the stage for Kalamazoo, then private convey- ance southerly to White Pigeon, from which place I went direct to Edwardsburg by wagon, where 1 arrived at our friend Silver's on Saturday after- noon, and next day delivered a discourse there to a small audience ; and on Tuesday morning, Oct. 1th, left Edwardsburg in company wifli Mr. Silver, lor Goshen. On the way called on and saw Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of Cleveland, Elkhart Co., found them deeply interested in the doctrines of the Church ; and had formed, in connection with Mrs. Evans, (before referred to), a Sabbath School of 30 scholars ! Mr. Smith was also intending to read a sermon in public every Sunday ; he wished me to remain awhile there and deliver a few lectures ; but I could not do so then. We made a short stay in Elkliiirt, and proceeded at once to c 84 RECEIVERS IN GOSHEN. Goshen, wliere we arrived in time for me to deliver a lecture there the same evening at the school- house, which was full. I now stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Rollin, who had become full receivers of the doctrines, and warmly attached to them. I might mention here that I left with the editor of the *' Northern Indianian," the copy of a letter ad- dressed by Mrs. W. Evans, to her late Hector, the liev. Mr. Price, giving her reasons for withdrawing from the Episcopal church, which was duly pub- lished. I delivered two discourses from the words : " What think ye of Christ ? Whose Son is He ?" and one each on Jehovah our Saviour — Tlie second coming of the Lord — The liesurrection — Tlie Last Judgment; and then a course of six others, on the Creation, Garden of Eden, Flood, &c., concluding on Friday evening, Oct. 14. There were now quite a considerable number of persons in Goshen who professed their faith in the doctrines of the New Church, among whom were, Mr. and Mrs. Bollin, Mr and Mrs. Ball, and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, Mr. Heglin, Mr. Hucli, Mr. Julian, Mr. and Mrs. Cooke, and Miss Williams, Mr. Elbridge Chamberlin, Mr. Abner Blue, Mr. and Mrs. Carr, Mr. C. Haskell, and A. N. Haskell, Mr. Ebenezer Chamberlin, (Circuit Judge,) Mr. and Mrs. Dun- bar, Mr. T. G. Harris, Mr. John Blue, Mr. Basor, Mr. A. Stillson, Mr. S. Brown, Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Winder, her husband and daughter being both very favorable; and the average attendance at the lectures on week days were about s for St. Joseph (on Lake Michigan\ where I delivered six lectures on the Creation and Deluge, and on the Sal)bath. two Icctur^^s, on t\w Doctrines of the Lord and Bedcmption, and after- wards on the Divine Attributes. Tlies" lecture ^ were well attended, and attracted nnicli attention, many persons becoming very much interested. I jiiigliL especially mention J. X. Bogers, Esq., who seemed to be awakened from the depth of scej!- ticism into an entirely new life. T was commis- sioned to purchase for him ii^id others, such books as I might think most useful for tiiem to read, and they soon obtained the True Christian Beligion, the Four Leading Doctrines, lltaven and [[(dl, Nobhi's Ai)peal, a;id Plenary liHpiration. ! might also give the names of some others wlu) were much interested, viz., ^Ir. .losiah Piogers, Thompson, Hoyt, Sutherland, ^Ir. Plum, and Dr. and Mrs. Wheeler. With these latter I was kindlv invit(d to spend the last three or four days of my visit to St. Joseph. / 38 ST. JOSEPH AND CHICAGO. On Monday evening, Nov. 21st, after waiting two or three days for a violent gale to subside, I left St. Joseph in the last boat crossing the lake that sea- son, for Chicago, distant about 60 miles, which we were nearly fifteen hours and a half in veaching. I went to the City Hotel, where I remained two or three days and made arrangements for delivering my Course of lectures on the Creation and Flood ; and on Wednesday evening, Nov. 23rd, gave my first, or introductory lecture. It was a very stormy night, and not more that 70 or 80 persons were present. At the second lecture, which was on Thanksgiving evening, there was a good atten- dance ; all the other lectures were well attended. The hall, which was in the saloon l)uilding, was conveniently situated, and would hold !il)i)ut 400 persons, and was generally well filled, especially so on Sunday evening. After I had concluded the above course, I, by particular request, delivered another course of five lectures on the doctrines of the New Church, at the same place, whicli also were well attended. Soon after my arrival in Chicago I called upon Mr. J. Y. Scammon, who was almost as well known in Chicago then, as he is now ; who gave me a cor- dial invitation to make his house my home whilst in Chicago, which I was much pleased to accept ; he also, preferring that the lectures should be free, volunteered to pay all the expenses connected with their delivery, and pay me for my services in giv- ing them, to which I consented, and I think, or at least hope, we were mutually satisfied. Chicago HOW A LOT WAS OBTAINED. 89 at this time did not contain more than about 8,000 inhabitants ; but even then it was very hopeful of great things. It was true there was no railroad there, nor even a canal, although one had been commenced to connect Lake Michigan, at Chicago, with La Salle, on the Illinois river, but it was a question between fear and hope whether it would €ver be completed. The Canal Commissioners at this time were giv- ing building lots to such religious societies in Chi- cago as needed them, to erect churches upon ; and Mr. Scammon, willing to take time by the forelock, thought the opportunity ought not to be overlook- ed ; so with his usual zeal in the cause of the New Church, he called a meeting at his house for the purpose of organizing a New Church Society, and applying in an orderly way for one of these lots ; not having any doubt but that " in the course of human events " it wonhl be wanted, to erect a New Church Temjiiie upon. So a meeting of the mem- bers of tlie church was held accordingly, and it consisted of Mr. .1. Y. Scammon, Mrs. Scammon, and a Mr. Lovell. Mr. S. was duly elected Presi- dent, and Mr. Lovell Secretary ; and resolutions were drawn up in due form, unanimously adopted, asking for one of said lots ; which, on being pre- sented to said Commissioners, was duly honored, and a lot was granted and deeded to this embry- otic society. This lot was then away off on the commons, on the outskirts of the city ; i)ut which, in the course of time, was found to })e situated on Adams street, between the two most fashionable 40 NOTICK FN *' WKSTKIIN (^FTIZKN." avenuos in tlie city, and on what is destined to be an important business stroct. Wliilst I was de- livorinf; the ahovo course of lectures at Chicago, Kev. J. B Hibbard who was then living on a farm in Lucas Co., Ohio, was on his way to Canton, Illinois, where ho was going on a visit to the Society, then recently instituted there by Dr. Beld- ing, ot which I have i)ofore spoken. j\[r. Hibl)ard was on horseback, and his horse died whilst on the way, before reaching Chicago. A favorable and friendly notice of these lectures app. Jired in the "Western Citizen," n jiapcr rb(>ii published in Chicago, in which, iilLer soni',- personal remarks concerning ine, the writei* says: — " Jjast winter he lectured in Goshen and Klkhart, Tnrliana, and his lectures were attended by large audiences, and with absorbing interest." Then, after referring to the more recent lectures given in Goshen, I'^lkhart, Niles, and St. Joseph, says, " j\lr. Field belongs to a class of jn'ofessed Christians who believe that tilt second coming of the Lord, foretold in the New Testament, is not a literal coming, or a coming in person, but a coming in spirit, by revealing the in- ternal or spiritual sense of the Word of God. Ac- cordingly he and they believe that the Bible throughout, has an internal or spiritual sense, so that every word has a meaning within the letter, and distinct from it,'' and that " the Mosaic ac- count of the Creation and the Deluge cannot be literallv true and was never intended to be so understood, that it vas written in a symbolical age, when natural images and language were used liECTUREH IN JOLIET. 41 to express spiritiuil things, and that the J^ook of Genesis, instead of troatinp; of a literal creation and dostniction of the world, treats of the regener- ation of man, thus showing that tlic investigations of geology, whieh aro sup])03ed to contrndict the Mosaic act.'ount of the creation, may be true, witli- out detracting from the authority of Scripture." After 8i)onding two weeks quite pleasantly at Chi- cago, I again resumed my journey, and en the evening of the day on which I left, (Dec. Oth,) I found myself at Joliet, about 40 miles distant, where I deliver(Ml foui- lectures, which, thougli not numerously attended, L had amongst my hearers the Episcopal and Universjilist Ministers, Judge Peck, Squire Ilawley, nnd other people of note. On Saturday evening, (Dec. 10th,) I left Joliet for Ottawa, where I arrived the followiiig morning at half past thre?, and [)ut up nt the Mansion House. At tliis place i gave a Course of Ten Lectures at the Court flouse. These Lectures were on the Creation and J)cduge ; th- Miracles of Egypt; and the life alter death. The Court House was full every evening, and the Lectures listened to with profound attention: and were the constant topics of conversation. x\mongst those who seem- ed to be the most interested were Mr. Hise, editor of the Free Tiadcr, Messrs. Ueddiek, Cott(m, True, Ware, Stone, Thompson, Dickey, Champlin, l\[on- roe, Dr. Hurlbut, kc. The Free Tnuler of the next week had an editorial on the subject of the Lectures, in which they are thus spoken of, under the head of " Mr. Field's Lectures. The atten- 42 ^"ADERi, COMMENTS. House „„tl,e«oer„::'!'""''-r' ''' "- Court Jen.salo,„ Church •• h f , "'"'"*"'I^e» "'o ' New lecturer, eanie amon» us „ l- ^^'- *'^'''. 'he "«. in proportion to ti e .7 r '" "™"«''''- ''"J lectures, the anviety L! !T """'"' ^^ *''« epete„'t, m" et frll' """ '"' ^ "" «<" ^f our reader,, who IM .^ "'"■^' '" *''™ "'ose After making another „lt f , "" ''°' '"n'^-" «"-«. .leseript V o he r """ "'^ "'■>'-■« concludes l.is emarh tt 'T'' ."'^ '""'"^ ""'« ami •i»as.s,Mniuth, 1843, I was awakened by the horn of the stage driver summoning me to pursue my way, and on Friday evening (the >Uh,) 1 arrived at the American Hotel, Springlield, at which place I stayed for awhile. Here I found a small society of New Church people, viz ; Mr. Isaac S. Brittain, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. McGraw, Mr. and Mrs. Farns- worth, Miss Cannon, W. L. Tal)or, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Planck, Mr. AVright and llansome. I obtain- ed the use of the hall of the House of Piepre- sentatives for my Course of eight Lectures on the Creation and J)eliige. This was by the friendly assistance of Mr. J. Y. Scammon, of Chicago, who was present, and of Mr. E. N. Powell, of Peoria ; both of whom I had the pleasure of meeting here. These lectures were well attended by from two to four hundred persons each. One of these lectures was on the life after death. On Sunday morning, Jan. 15th, I had the plea- * After leaving I'ooiia a very long notice of my lectures ; from a cornspondent, occupying nearly three columns, ajipeared in the liajitttr ; to wliich I sent a reply. AT JACKSONVILLE, ILL. 49 sure of meeting with our New Church friends, at the house at Mr. Phinck, for worship ; on wliich occasion I explained the meaning of Blood, and why there was no remission, without shedding it. During the latter part of the time I was at Spring- field, I was kindly invited to make my home in the family of Mr. McGraw. Before I left I learned that many other persons had become interested in the Doctrines ; among whom were Mr. Peet, Mrs. Hicock, Mrs. Bowman and Mr. Jankevitch. On Thursday night, Jan. 19th, I left Springfield for Jacksonville, 25 miles distant. There was a railroad to this place, (the only one I believe in the State,) but as I was desirous of getting to Jackson- ville in good season, I concluded it to be safest and quickest to go by the stage ! which I did, and arrived there the next morning by 10 o'clock, and stayed at the Morgan House. I soon made my arrangements for a Course of Lectures here, the same as I had delivered in other places on the Creation, &c.; part of which I delivered in the Town Hall, and the other in the Court House, and Presbyterian Church. These Lectures were well attended, and attracted much attention. After I had finished, Mr. Turner, Professor of llhetoric and Belles Lettres in Illinois College, (wliich is located here,) announced his intention of delivering two lectures in refutation of my main points, at the New School Presbyterian Church, which was willingly granted him for that purpose. I could not but consider that 1 had an antagonist indeed in such a person ; the more especially as Jackson- 50 PKOF. TURNERS ATTACK, ville was noted as the seat of learning, and Athens of Illinois ! For besides the Illinois College, in which Mr. Turner was a Professor, the Methodists, and Campbellites had each a College; and there was a Seminary, or High School for young ladies. It had also two Presbyterian Churches, a Con- gregational, Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, and Campbellite Church. And besides, Prof. Turner had so recently won much renown by the publica- tion of a work entitled '* Mormonism Exposed." So I braced up my nerves as well as I could, and went to hear how this redoubtable giant was going to demolish, in his two lectures, all that I had at- tempted to establish in about seven. And for style, for elegance, for chasteness and purity of expres- sion, I think he could scarcely have found an equal ! Let me, however, attempt, — feeble as the effort may be, to show how completely he refuted all the laws and principles, and facts, which I had advanced with so much preparation and study. " Swedenborgianism (he said), was a subversion of everything decent and sensible, — an extermination of human decency; " and that "this grotesque and upheaving system of Swedenborgianism, brings fires of desolation ; " that it " exterminates the idea of God's omnipotence;" and we "are called upon to tear up our Bibles, and believe it, on peril of our immortal souls ; yet it is only dreams, dreams, dreams ! The dreams of the Joe Smith's, and of the Swedenborgians ; " for " Joe Smith was a par- allel to Swedenborg, — only that Joe Smith had common sense, and Swedenborg was a learned AND MY REPLY. 51 fool ; and those who receive his writings, perfect fools ; " for ■*' Swedenborg's common sense was ground out by book-knowledge ; " he was " an amiable and devout rehgious maniac." His sys- tem is a " chaos of commingled blasphemies and absurdities." Tliat there is " no alternative but to be Swedenborgians or infidels ; " and their object is "to reconcile conscience to a life of sin." That this " hideous and rabid credulity, — this sneaking and drivelling system attacks Christianity and runs, or like Judas, betrays with a kiss, or stabs in the dark." It is "a mockery and mummery of religion," &c., &c. This was the style of his anathema ; but for me to reproduce his coarse, extravagant, and grotesque parodies of my argu- ments, would require much more ability than I possess, so I will not attempt it. But I was at once importuned to stay and reply to these two so- called lectures, and was I to admit that I attacked Christianity (oid ran I Or should I endeavor to do as David did, when met by the haughty Philistine ? I concluded to make the effort at least. 1 was at once surrounded by a host of friends, all desirous to aid me, by procuring a suitable place, and pay- ing me for my time and services ; but no Church could be obtained for my use ! So it was announced that I would give two lectures at the Court House in reply to Prof. Turner's two. The Court House was packed full each evening ; hut Prof. Tamer was not there either time.' But for a man that was absent, it was very generally admitted that he was about as well dissected as he might ever expect to 52 NEWBPAPKR NOTICES. ii I be. I know that those wlio had felt most outraged by his coarse and rude attack ui)on the ])roi)rietiea and amenities of civihzed society, breathed freely again ! With all his prestige they pronounced him a " used up man ; " and they predicted that he would not interfere with the next stranger, who- ever he might be, who came to Jacksonville to lec- ture. Since then I have learned that Prof. Turner had admitted his error; and that if he does not fully accept the doctrines of the New Church, he at least has great respect for them, — and in latter years we became very good friends. After this, by very particular request, 1 was induced to deliver five more lectures on the Doctrine of the Lord, and human lledemption and Salvation ; and the life after death ; and I may mention, as among those who became much interested in, and very favor- able to the doctrines, Jas. Berdan, Esq., J)r. Owen, IJr. C. B. Tabriskie, M. Long, Andrew. F. Wilson, Jos. W. King, Elizur Wolcott, Jacob W. Tabriskie, ifec. The Editor of the llUnoian published at Jacksonville, gave a somewhat ludicrous account of Swedenborg in the next week's papers ; but eased it off by saying, " It must be gratifying to Mr. Field to know that his lectures have been well attended, and much anxiety manifested in his be- half." But the following week there appeared an article of two columns and a half in length, headed, " Mr. Field's Lectures in Jacksonville, — his system of geology, and the outcry of the preachers of the different churches against the lecturer." In which, after giving a brief synopsis of what I had K FAVOllABLE COMMENTS. 53 said in regard to the modus operandi of the creation of the earth, conckided by saying, "Thus miicli for Mr. Field's views of the formation and subsequent changes of the earth. They are not original with him, neitlier are they pecuhar to him. Those views are held by the most learned men of the present age, and are clearly supported by known facts, and the rosearches of the geologist. There is one thing that is a mat- ter of some astonishment to us, and that is, that the preachers of the Gospel, and the believers in the Mosaic account of the creation, in this vicinity, should take alarm at the promulgation of those views ; and what is worse, tliat they should, by ridicule and abuse, attempt to prevent the subject from being examined; or what is the same thing, attempt to prevent the people from going to hear the question discussed. If they would study the sciences, and read their Jiildes, they would see that those views do not necessarily militate against the account of the creation and the cU'luge, as shown in the Book of Genesis. But whether it does or not, shall the subject not be examined ? Does the evidence of the truth of that account rest upon such a doubtful basis, that it will not stand the test of human scrutiny ? No, it will stand the test ; and the truths of geology will only tend to corroborate its truths, and make its recital more manifest. Do those gentlemen, in their fanaticism and tyranny, intend to gag this community, and to smother investigation? If their doctrines are true, (and I believe they are,) why should they fear 54 LECTURES IN ALTON to have them examined ? It ia a poor coinpliment upon their creeds and system of religion, that they fear to have them examined, and compared with any other system. Now the Bihle, and the Chris- tian religion never lost anything hy free enquiry ; the more it is examined, the clearer and hrighter will its truths appear ; therefore we would advise those gentlemen hereafter to adopt the following motto, for their guide upon this and all other sub- jects : — * He that will not reason is a bigot, — he that dare not is a slave, — and he that cannot is a fool.'" On the Otli of February, 1843, I left Jack- sonville and proceeded to Alton, whore I delivered a course of seven lectures, which, although well attended, did not attract the attention they most likely otherwise would have done, from the fact Dr. Boy neon had the public ear at that time, he having preceded me by a few days, — and was lec- turing and experimenting on Mesmerism, which had just th(>n begun to be famous, and being a very popular lecturer, and having secured the best nail in the city, the popular attention was directed to him — and as his exhibitions took place every even- ing, I labored under considerable disadvantage in my efforts to interest the people, either in a new Theology, or a new Cosmogony. Still my lectures were very respectably attended, and attracted a good deal of attention. I found here a few silent receivers of the New Church doctrines, Dr. Skill- man, Capt. llider, Mr. Leonard, Mr. Buffom, Mr. Arnold, and there was living within three or four miles, a Mr. Copley, (brother of the Mr. C. in AND BELLEVILLE, ILL. 55 Michigan), but some of these gentlemen I did not see. Some few others also became interested in the Doctrines. On the lOtli of February I found myself at St. Louis, wliere I was kindly received and entertained by our friend and brother in the Church, Mr. Francis B. Murdoch ; but after remaining there nearly a week and finding every public hall en- gaged, and no immediate prospect of obtaining one, I concluded it best to go to Belleville, (111.,) 15 miles from St. Louis, and lecture there, and then return. So, on the 21st, I went there, and put up at the Mansion House, — the dining room of which Mr. Dickens had made famous in his then recent work, entitled "American Notes," as a Coio Shed .' In this village I delivered eight lectures ; which were not very r merously attended; the population being mostly German and illiterate, still there was much to interest me here ; one person, Mr. Chas. Gleim, was highly delighted with all that he heard, and received it gladly ; another person also seemed not less so ; this was Dr. James Mel- rose, then practising Phrenology, who, under a fictitious name, was made to figure in a very over- drawn manner, by the same distinguished writer (Chas. Dickens), who met with him at the above hotel, which he had reached, as he said, by wading through a continuous sea of mud from St. Louis, — in which there was no variety, except in its depth ! Besides Mr. Gleim and Dr. Melrose, there were several others who became deeply interested in the Doctrines ; among them I might name Dr. iwn 5C LKFT FOR ST. LOUIS. Eandle, — Mr. F.M. Gleim, — L. D. Cabanne, — \Vm» C. Davis, — John Riggles, — A. G. Bragg, and Isaac Terrill. Mr. Cabanne gave me five dollars to ex- pend for him in the purchase of N. C. books at St. Louis, and send him, which I did ; and I learned they were read with great avidity and satisfaction. Soon after I left Belleville 1 received a letter from Mr. Gloira, in which he says, — " I hear that you are lecturing to a very large and respectable audience. I am glad to hear it, as your lectures will induce many like myself, to get more know- ledge of Swedenborg. It seems that the people here have got hold of John Wesley's writing in opposition to the New Church, and all hold on to it with much power. I would like to get an anti- dote, because I feel conscious within me that Wesley is wrong, though the motive which urged him might be pure; if I could explain this matter, I could glide along smoothly ; if Mr. Murdoch has anything in refutation, please get it for me, and send it over; I will take good care, or I will buy it, if it can be had for money. I have read nearly all those books you purchased for me, and have re- ceived new light. I feel as though I can see my way clear towards heaven; not to worship a dread- ful God, — but one of love and truth." On the 28th of February, having accomplished "vv^'•t I could at Belleville, I paid my fare to go by stage at 4 o'clock next morning, to St. Louis j 1 4 the driver failed to call for me, so I had to hire 4 liorse and buggy; and Dr. Melrose was kind enough to drive me over. It was a bitter, cold day ; 1 I MY LECTURES THEIlE. IT \ but I was obliged to go, as arrangements had been made for me to commence a Course of Lectures in St Louis that evening. I was again kindly received and entertained during my stay in the City, at the house of Mr. F. 13. Murdock. I commenced my Lectures in the Lyceum Hall ; but afterwards had fitted up for me a very good room in the Meclianics' Institute. I delivered my Course of Lectures on the Creation and J^uluge, which then consisted of seven, and afterwards, by urgent request, I deliv- ered six others, on the Doctrines of the Church. The Lectures were well attended, and (excited a good deal of interest and enciuiry. A communication appeared in the St. Louis Evening Gazette, written by a Catholic, who attended my Lectures, in which he thus speaks of them : " There has not been a greater source of infidelity on matters of religion than the apparent discordance of revelation with the theories promulgated during the last century, concerning the creation of the world. Many to whoin the mysteries of Christianity, (on account of their incomprehensibihty,) had given rise to doubt and distrust as to their Divine origin, — had their doubts confirmed, and their distrust verified by the researches of the geologist. The atheist exulted, whilst the Christian deplored that these investiga- tions should sap the su])erstructure upon which his faith and hopes had been built. The Book of Genesis received a new construction in the hand of the theologian, and forced interpretations, to suit the views of the new theories, were advanced by the learned. Speculations have succeeded 58 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. I speculation, ■which have only tended to enveloj^e in still greater mystery and ol)scurity the significa- tion of the "Word of God. Men have involuntarily rejected the Scriptures, as the evidences in the material world tended to prove that the relation, given in the Mosaic account of the creation was untrue. Eeason was the light by which they had been guided to these conclusions, — and therefore, all that would not admit of actual demonstration, was not assented to. Voltaire, Volney, Paine, and other infidel writers, are then sought after, as the / advocates of the infallibility of human reason.^ The wholesome restraints of Christian morality are then disregarded as incompatible with the liberty of man, and the Christian has thus been trans- formed into the sensualist.^' Now if an interpreta- tion of the Book of Genesis can be made so as to accord with the known laws of physics, and the established principles of geology, so as to bring conviction to the mind of the infidel of the agree- ment of the Bible in the most minute particulars to these laws and principles, — much will be at- tained.^ I had designed to have given some of the views advanced in a Course of Lectures on the Sun ; — earth, and other planets, which have elicited the above refiections ; but having already encroached on your columns, I must forbear, — assuring your readers, that in case Mr. G. Field delivers another Course, they will find the above assertions fully sustained in the originality of his opinions, deliv- ered in the peculiarly argumentative and forcible language, interspersed with beautiful and sublime , ! RESPECTING MT LECTURE8. 59 images and comparisons, at once pleasing and impressive." The Union Banner also had the fol- lowing editorial notice, under the head of " Lec- ture ON THE Creation of the Universe. The introductory Lecture was exceedingly interesting. Although not abundant with the blandishments and graces of oratory, his thoughts were conveyed in such a natural spiritedness of style, earnestness of manner, and simple elegance of diction as would enchain the attention of the most fastidious. The subject was treated in a powerful and brilliant manner. The reasoning was profound and per- spicuous ; minute, and comprehensive ; the allu- sions appropriate and illustrative; the arrangement ingenious ; — the method and ideas, to us, strikingly original, and clothed in pleasing and sparkling imagery. As he progressed, the gates of the mind seemed striving to burst asunder, that the sublime infinity of the subject might enter, to expand and elevate the soul. Such entertainment makes depravity ashamed ; carries back the heart to ages of primitive piety, — prompts it to legitimate exer- cise, refines and ennobles our being ;^nd gives the Christian that confidence and assurance in His Maker's word, as enables him to sustain with forti- tude and resignation, the jeers and calumny of •^nfidelity." There were a few receivers of the /Doctrines of the Church at St. Louis at this time. / A few months previous, i.e. in September, 1842, ' + the Rev. T. 0. Prescott had been to St. Louis, and delivered two or three discourses there. He then •went to Illinois, and returned to St. Louis about 60 REPORT OF WESTERN CONVENTION. the first of November, when he delivered a Course of very able and interesting Lectures on the Doc- trines of the Church, at Lyceum Hall ; which, though not largely attended, seemed to make a good impression,, On the 20tli of the same month, Mr. P. baptized three adults and nine children ; and instituted a Society composed of the following members, viz., Josej)h Barnard, Timoth.y Keith, Charles E. and Eliza B, Anderson, Susan Barnard, Margaretta Barnard, John Barnard, and F. B. Murdock. This Society met for worship at their respective houses every Sabbath, Mr. Jos. Barnard being elected leader. It was three months after this that I made my first visit to St. Louis, and in re- ference to which the Society say in their report to the " Western Convention," at its session, the fol- lowing May : ** In February (1843), Mr. George Field, of Battle Creek, Michigan, came to St. Louis and delivered eleven lectures upon scientific and theological subjects. IMost of these lectures were delivered in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute, which was fitted up for him. They were well at- tended, and excited in the public mind a high de- gree of interest ; — we may say astonishment. It was interesting to see, night after night, the same persons, occupying almost the same seats, listen- ing with the most profound attention to a man who seemed to them to have unravelled all the mysteries of creation and of the Divine Word. He is still talked about, and will long be remembered. Mr. Field's labors here arrested the attention of -••■ A NEW CHURCH LIBRARY FORMED. 61 many persons. One of the most remarkable con- sequences of these labors is the formation of a Society, (which originated amongst, and is com- posed principally of, persons not members of the Church,) called ' a Society for the examination of the writings of the Hon. Emanuel Swedenborg.''^ The purpose in forming this Society, was, to raise by subscription, a fund, for the purchase of the Theological and Scientitic Works of Swedenborg, which, when obtained, are to be kept by a librarian for the use of the members; and to be loaned out to persons not members, upon paying a small com- pensation. Fifty dollars have already been raised, and as much more, we doubt not, will be obtained, if wanted." " This Society was organized a few days ago by the adoption of a Constitution, and electing Dr. Chas. F. Lott, President, and F. B. Murdock Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian." That Society was composed of persons who were Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Metho- dists and New Churchmen, and were to *' meet €very two weeks, (or oftener if desired,) at the Li- brary, for the purpose of conversation upon the writings and doctrines of the New Church." Dr. Boynton, whom I had met at Alton, came to St. Louis while I was there, to lecture on Mesmerism ; he professed to be fully convinced of the truthful- ness of Swedenborg's teachings, altliough he rarely let anyone else know it. He afterwards liecame a very popular lecturer, and was well known all over the country. Among others who became most in- terested in the doctrines, in addition to those I 62 DEPARTURE FROM ST. LOUIS. have already named, I may mention Mr. Charles Barnard, Mr. Hale, Mr. and Mrs. Stephens, Mr. Gooson and wife, Mr. Anderson, Sen., Mr. Moffat and wife, Mr. Powell, Mr. Morton, Mr. January, Mr. Edgar and brother, Mr. Hardy, Capt. Fithian, Capt. Burnham, Miss Mary McKee, Wm. Mckee, and Mrs. Murdock. Whilst lecturing in this city, I received three letters, remailed to me from Belle- ville, by the same post, although written at inter- nals of a week apart, informing me of my wife's suddjen and severe illness ; next of its being dan- gerous ; and the third one that I received that I must hasten home if I would see her alive. So I made immediate arrangements for leaving, and on Thursday morning, March IGth, took stage for home. But travelHng was slow and tedious then, and there was considerable snow on the ground, sometimes even covering the fences; but by Sat- urday evening I arrived at Peoria, where I received another letter informing me that my wife was better ; so I stayed to rest at night, and on the Sabbath, when, by urgent request, I delivered a discourse in the morning and afternoon ; and in the evening again took the stage for home. The The lectures at Peoria were delivered in the Court House, to very large and attentive audiences; and a strong desire was expressed for me to come and make Peoria my home, and devote myself to the uses of the ministry in accordance with the order and usages of the Church. Indeed, I was told that a subscription paper was in circulation to see how much they could raise for t RETURN TO BATTLE CREEK. 63 that purpose, and they ah-eady had $500.00 sub- scribed towards the first year. But, as I had no thought or desh-e at that time of leaving Michigan, I told them I could not respond to their kind wishes. I arrived in Chicago on Tuesday after- noon, March 21st, stayed over night at Mr. Scam- mon's, and next morning proceeded on my way, and on Thursday reached Edwardsburg, where 1 received another letter informing me that my wife was dead ! and at the time I received the letter she had been buried three days ! Next morning I hastened onward to Constantine, thence to Kala- mazoo, from which place I hired a man and a cutter to take me to Battle Creek, where I arrived on Saturday evening, March 25th, 1843, at half-past nine o'clock. I found strangers living in my house, my three little children scattered into as many families, and all of us without any home. After collecting my bills for the many expenses which had been incurred, and defraying them, I found that I bad expended almost all the little that I had received over and above my expenses during the six months I had been away : but as there had been other work provided for me during my absence, the time for entering upon which, however had not yet fully arrived, I shall take advantage of the in- terval, whilst recuperating for a few weeks at Battle Creek, to go back a little, and state what had been done in Michigan during my absence in Illinois, ii-c. I have already stated that whilst I was at Niles, arrangements had been completed for calling a meeting of the Readers and Receivers of 64 THE MEETING AT ALBION. the Heavenly Doctrines in Michigan and Northern Indiana to assemble at All)ion, for the purpose of Instituting a New Church Association on the 2nd day of January, 1843. This was done by Mr. A. Silver writing to all such persons as were known to reside West of Albion ; and by Mr. E. I). Fisher to those who lived East of that place. In conse- ■quence of which there assembled at the house of Mr. R. H. Murray on that day, the following persons, viz.: Mr. Jacob King, and Mr. Charles Hinkle, of Marshall ; ^Ir. David W. Howell, and Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Wheaton of Battle Creek, Mr. Abiel Silver, of Edwardshurg ; Mr. Hans, and Mr. Henry Thielson, of Jackson ; Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Fisher, of Woodruff's Mills, Brighton, (near Kensington,) Livingstone Co.; Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Murray, of Albion ; Justus Dobbin of Ann Arbor ; also Mr. Henry Weller of Marshall ; and Miss Ann Parker of Battle Creek ; the two latter, though being in- terested in the Doctrines, took no part in the Pro- ceedings : — in all,numbcring fifteen persons. Letters of encouragement and assistance were also received and read from J. Y. Scammon, of Chicago, 111., M. H. Piollin, of Goshen, Ind. ; John T. Little, of Farmington, Oakland Co. Mich.; C. P. Bush, "of Genoa, Livingstone Co., Mich., George Corselius, of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Saml. Hall and Mrs. S. M. H. Dorr, of Detroit, Mich.; and Mr. John Harford, of Lima, Mich. After the necessary con- sultation in regard to what they proposed to ac- complish, the following Resolution was adopted, via : — a. ^ ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED. 65 ^ " Reaolreil, That we, now present, Readers and Receivers of the Doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church, do hereby form ourselves into a Society to be known as the ' Association of Readers and Receivers of the Doctrines of the New Jerusalem Chm-ch in Michigan and Northern Indiana.' " After which, Rules for organization, and the election of a President, Secretary and Treasurer were adopted ; and Mr. Jacob King, (the oldest Receiver of the Doctrines in the range of the Association), was elected President ; and Robert H. Murray Secretary and Treasurer. What was next done I copy from the rannuscript of the Secretary of that meeting as recorded in his Book : which states that — " The following Preamble and Resolutions were then successively offered, and unanimously adopt- ed by the Association : — ''WJurcas, Mr. George Field, of Battle Creek, in this State, is personally well known to several members of this Association ; and to the remain- der, by well f!stablished reputation ; and whereas we consider him to be a man of good moral char- acter, and well qualified to teach and preach the Doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church, — there- fore, " Resolved, That the Secretary be, and he is hereby requested to prepare a certificate of these facts, and a recommendation, in the name of this Association, of Mr. George Field, for ordination into the New Church Ministry ; and, with the pro- ceedings of this meeting, to forward the same to the Ecclesiastical Committee of the Western Con- E 66 RESOLUTIONS. vention of the New Church, soliciting its action, and that of the Acting Committee, for the imme- diate accomphshment of the wishes of the Associa- tion. *' lieHolred, That the Secretary be, and he is hereby requested to forward to Mr. George Field, the proceedings of this meeting, and to tender him, in the name of the Association, a call to the Minis- try of the New Church, in the district of country which it includes ; conditional upon his receiving ordination, or license to preach ; and on that con- dition, to pledge to him in its name, should he accept this cail, the sum of money guaranteed at this meeting for his services during the present year. " Resolved, That all receivers, and readers of the Doctrines, residing in the State of Michigan, or in the northern part of Indiana, are invited to become members of this Association, — to be present at its meetings, — to communicate to it any information they may have in relation to the state of the Church in their vicinity, and to make any sugges- tions which they may deem of use to the Associa- tion. '' liesolvid, That we herebv recommend to each other, and to those who, with us, are willing to contribute to the support of the objects of the Association, that they pay to Mr. Field himself, should he become our jMinister, upon his visiting them, the proportion of the amounts intended for him, due upon the circuit. *' licsoked, That it be recommended to Mr. Field, f^. CHICA30 INCLUDED. er in the case heretofore provided, that he make his circuits or tours, semi-annually; stopping one, two, or three weeks in a place, according to its size, — the effect apparently produced, and the amount subscribed for his services. '* Whereas, a communication from Chicago, 111., solicits the ministerial services of Mr. Field, at that place, and offers to pay a proportional part of his salary, — therefore, " liesolvcd, That it be recommended to Mr. Field, upon his becoming our Minister, to extend his cir- cuit to that city. " liesolvcd, That the Secretary be requested to prepare for publication, and forward an account of the proceedings of this meeting to the Editors of the New Jerusalem Magazine and New Churchman, also to the Acting Committee of the Western Con- vention.* ^^ Resolved, That the next Annual meeting of this Association be at Battle Creek, on the first Wed- nesday of January, 1841, Adjourned. "PtOBT. H. :^[rRRAY Secretary. "Albion, January 2nd, 1813."' The following is a " Sfcatemont of Subscriptions for the salary of Mr. George Field, during the full year of his engagement," which he was to collect himself as he might be able, while on his tour : viz. • A brief account of the Kame, together with tlie above Resolutions, appeared in the ^V. jerusaletn Ma I i>l IM I: n W'- 72 I SET OUT FOR CONVENTION. to attend the meeting of the "Western Conven- tion," soon to assemble at Cincinnati. I stayed one day at Albion, with Mr. and Mrs. Murray, — and about four days at Detroit, with ]\Ir. and Mrs. Dorr. Mrs. D. was a member of the Boston N. C. Society, and besides her, there were then living in Detroit a Mrs. Abby Russell, sister of the late Samuel Wood worth, — Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hall, (Mrs. H. being a sister of liev. N. C. Burnham), and a Mr. and Mrs. Wood, recent receivers. I next proceeded rui Sandusky City, and Tiflhi, to Columbus, Ohio, where I remained two days with Mr. Josiali Espy, one of our sterling New Church- men. Whilst there I delivered a lecture at the Court House, on Thursday evening. May 18th, on the nature of the eternal world. From thence I went to Springfield, and stayed a day or two, and delivered the same lecture that 1 had given at Cclumbus ; both lectures being well attended. Thence I proceeded to Dayton, and arrived there in time to deliver a discourse (to the few New Churcli friends who lived there), on Sunday morn- ing ; staying, whilst there, with my very old and excellent friends, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Richards. On IMonday evening. May 22nd, I left Dayton by Canal Boat, for Cincinnati, where I arrived on Tuesday morning. May 23rd, and was kindly re- ceived and entertained at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Milo G. Williams. The next day (Wednes- day), the Convention assembled in the House of Worship, which was then on Longworth street. My credentials were duly presented, and the Eccle- i MY ORDINATION. 73 siastical Committee reported to the Convention, that they had " taken the above appUcation into careful consideration, (and) would recommend the above application to the Western Convention, now in session, for its concurrence ; and that Mr. George Field, be empowered to lead in public worship, to preach the truths and doctrines of the New Jeru- salem Church ; to administer the ordinances of Baptism, and the Holy Supper ; and to officiate at weddings and funerals: and to perform all otlier duties appertaining to the Ministerial Office, except that of ordaining other ministers. (Signed,) " Maskell M. Carll, " Adam Hurdus, " Nathaniel Holley, " T. 0. Prescott." The above Report recommends a comi> ianee with everything that was asked for by the M. & N. In. Association, "except that of ordaining other Ministers." And it will be seen by the lieport of the Convention for that year, that " Mr. George Field was, by the imposition of hands, ordained into the ^Ministry of the Lord's New Church, by the Revs. M. M. Carll, and A. Ilurdus," with the power aforesaid. It will be perceived that all the authority asked for by the Association had not been conceded. There was a somewhat divided sentiment in the New Church in regard to degrees in the Ministry; some favoring only one order, some two, andotliers three. In the General Convention at that time, three were recognized ; but in the Western Conven- .asmamsmum r 74 THE AUTHORITY BESTOWED. iii tion only one; although indirectly admitting more, but without defining the province of each; only making such ''regulations as occasion may de- mand ;" and " which maybe changed and modified according to exigencies;" so that neither the doctrine of jMrity was recognized, — nor of three distinct degrees ; — but I was ordained with certain powers, giving me authority to perform certain Ministerial acts, which in ^luded all that is contained in the full powers of an Ordaining Minister, as then recognized by the General Convention, except that of ordaining othere, which was a part of the pre- rogative of the third degree.* So that really my ordination was equivalent to the exercise of all the functions of the first and second degrees, as provided for in the General Convention, and a portion of those of the third, which therefore als(j gave me power to "institute and receive Societies into the New Church," and, (although, it would seem as if this should only be, in the absence of a fully ordained Minister), — "to preside at the meetings of Conven- tion, and of Association; and to administer the Holy Supper on those occasions. Jiut there was • It will be seen tliutthe form used, and the powers granted, were substantially the same as those used in the ordination of David Powell, of Steul)enville, Ohio; and Eichard II. Goe, near Wheeling, V: .inia ; each of whom was ordained by M. M. Carll, as " a priest, and teaching minister in the Lord's Church of the New Jerusalem, with power to conduct public worship, to celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, marriages, baptisms, and funerals ; and generally to perform all holy rites and Divine ordinances if the Church, except that of ordaining other priests aud miuisterp ," See iV. J. Mag. \o\\ 44, page 503. ON MY MISSIONARY TOUR. 75 also another Clerical use, not then entertained by the General Convention, but which was by the Western, — which was the granting of Licenses for limited periods; and as this did not involve ordain- ing powers, was clearly included in those functional uses into which I was inaugurated. My first Sermon as an ordained Minister, was preached before the Convention in the afternuon of the same day that I was thus ordained, viz., Sunday, May 28th, 181:3. After the adjournment of the Convention, I deliv- ered, by especial request, my Course of Lectures on the Creation and Deluge? at College Hall, in Cincin- nati ; which were well attended, and were the sul)jects of numerous editorial and other remarks in the newspapers ; but as my intention is to give my reminiscences of the first promulgation of the New Church Doctrines in tlie West ; and as a Society of the New Church had been in existence many years in this city, I pass on to other places, and other scenes ; with the remark that, Ijefore leaving Cincinnati, I went over to Covington (Ky.), on Sunday p.m., June the 11th, and delivered a Discourse there on the nature of the Life after Death.* June 15th, I left Cincinnati for Cokanbus; and on Saturday evening, the 17th, gave my Intro- ductory Lecture to the Course on the Creation, &c., at the Old Court House ; being kindly entertained whilst there at the house of Mr. and ^[rs. Evan * A pretty full account of the newHpaper controversy in Cinciunati, respectiiif^ my lectures tliere, may be fouud iu the • Retina," at pages iH) and 100. 76 LECTURES IN COLUMBUS. Gwynn. There were a few New Church people living here then, but no Society, or meetings for worship, and little or nothing known of the Doc- trines beyond these few ; so I shall state briefly how the views I presented were received. Although the weather was very warm, being the middle of June ; and the evenings short, my Lectures were well attended, and by the most intelligent people in the place. The Lectures were free, and no collec- tions taken up ; but at their close, a few gentlemen said to me, that they had been highly entertained and much instructed, and wished to make me an acknowledgment of it ; and at the same time pre- sented me with a purse containing $>20.00. As an expression of the interest manifested I will present fiome of the comments, and points of discussion raised by my Lectures in the city papers. The •Ohio State Journal, of June 22nd, after stating the subject of my Lectures, says: "Mr. Field is a man of thought and of science, and whatever may be tlionG;lit of his positive declarations of the opera- tions of natural laws, and ot the truths and out- ward existences to the phenoiAena of mind, his Lectures are very interesting, and he makes him- self clearly understood. We suppose, of course, that in investigating that su])ject which he seems to have so much at lieart, for the truth's sake, he has had due reference to the ori(jinal, in consider- ing the import of words, sentences, and figures ; but in our understanding of his system, it seems to us that a true translation of the word 'light,' in the expression * Let there be light,' would militate !il ON THE WORD " LIGHT." 77 against it, we were informed, in a late conversation with one of the first scholars and philosophers of this country and age, that the proper signification of the word rendered * light,' is Unhtninfi, electricity, or the elements of natural light, according to the theory of solar light and heat, as entertained by- many of the philosophers of the present day." To the above I sent the following reply, which was duly inserted. CRITICISM ON THE WORD LIGHT. " To the Editor of the State Journal. " Sir, — I notice in your paper of this afternoon, a criticism on the word * Light,' on which you* say in our understanding of his [myj system, it seems to us that a true translation of the word ' light,' in the expression * Let there be light,' would militate against it. Wo were informed in a late conversa- tion with one of the first scholars of this country and age, that the proper signification of the word rendered 'light,' is liiilttniiifj, — electricity, or the element of natural light, &c. Permit me here to observe that every effort has been made to recon- cile if possible the iirst chapter of Genesis with the philosophy of the natural creation ; with this end in view, some have endeavored to prove that tho sun was created on the Jlrst day, in order to account for the presence of light ; others, as you shew^ would have it appear that thf lighi, was not pro- ■" I" --- -- »...««.». -Ml, 78 LIGHT OR LIGHTNING. If] ' I i i 1 i perly light, but I'uihtning, electricity, or light in a latent form ; yet that these views are far-fetched, and that they militate against each other, might easily appear. That the word 'light' is correctly translated there can be no room for doubt ; not only from the fact that all known translation^ ^ so render it, and the ablest philologists admit it ; but the context demands it. *' In Bellamy's translation he says, the sentence reads thus, 'Be light, and light was:' and not only that " the w^ord aour means the lujht, but also that it conveys the idea of the light as flowing from the sun. This would fully appear from the subject treated of, " And God divided the light from the darkness, and God called the I'uiht day ; and the darkness He called night ; and the evening and the morning were the first day. Now if for the word 'Ucjht,' 3'ou will substitute 'Uf/htnuifi,' or 'electriciti/,' you will perceive that it will make no sense at all. The very terms morning and evening,-day and night, necessarily impl}' tlie presence or absence of Ufiht, and not Hiihtnliiri. 'And God called the light (aour) day,' (yom). Profs. Stuart, and Granville Penn, both eminent Hebrew scholars, have taken the most decided stand as to the literality of the word ' 'hii/ ;' and insist that it means that which we alone understand by that term, that is, a period of twenty-four hours ; and, says the former gentleman, — ' If Moses has given us an erroneous account of the creation, so be it, — let it come out, and let us have the whole. But do not let us turn aside his language to get rid of difficul- SYMiiOLic Language. 79 ties that we may have in our speculations.' — I therefore submit that the transLations of these words is correct ; and the more my attention is called to this subject, the more fully do I see the force of the position I have laid down ; namely, that natural images are made use of, to present, in the beautiful language of (■orrcspondences, men- tal, or spiritual trutlis, which was the language of high anticjuity ; and of which I have shewn that fragments remain to this very day ; and by gath- ering up a few, permit me to hope that I may have thrown some I'KjJit, on this hitherto obscure subject; and that the Ixuiius of truth may illiuninate our dark ti CSS ; and that the Sun of heaven may be a li(jht unto our feet, and a lamj) unto oni' jjaths ; for at present it is but too true, that * The world is wrapped in shade,— the darkest &^e pansini/, Has hardly stirred the drapery yet, that Jiangs upon the nations ; Olden tliiwjs will soon give place to ne r, for lo, A 7iew heaven and a neir earth arc forniinij. Look around wliere Science strn^i4».. WK\K OI5.IECTION3. 81 dissipation and coolin;^, naturally progressing most rapidly at the poles, and causing, in con- junction with the centrifugal tendency of the re- volving mass, the flattening at the poles, and en- largement of the diameter at the equator, that therefore, vegetation commenced at the poles, and progressed towards the equator as rapidly as the sulHcient cooling of the surface i)rogressed, there being no rain, but the vapor, or ' mist ' condensed upon the cooler surface, supplying the moisture necessary for the growth of those gigantic tropical phmts, the remains of which are found in high northern latitudes, and many of which have now become extinct in the tropics, or have dwindled into dwarfish specimens of the luxuriant vegetation of earlier periods. But we must forbear further re- mark, not having leisure to give the subject that thouglit necessary for a proper and concise state- ment of our views ; and we trust no one will infer from what we have said that we iuive failed to receive pleasure and profit from Mr. Field's lectures." I did not reply to this ; — it did not seem neces- sary. In fact, there was nothing to reply to, but mere fanciful assumptions, which were not even attempted to be sustained by facts or philosophi- cal considerations. My points and arguments were neither disproved nor disputed, but an imag- inary supposition was raised as an attempt to ac- count for a literal ti'anshition of the text. Whilst in Columbus I delivered eight pul)lic lectures, and two discourses on the Doctrines of the Church at the house of Mr. Espy. 82 LECTURES IN DAYTON. I ) On Monday, June 20th, I left Columbus for Springfield, and stayed with Mr. John Murdoch. I delivered my course of seven lectures tliere on the Creation, &c., and also one on the doctrine of the Lord, as the alone Saviour and liedeemer ; these were at the Court House, and one other at Mr. Murdoch's house, from Luke xxiv. 41. Two or three persons came from Fairfield to attend the lectures, but the weather was so sultry and the evenings so short that they were not as fully at- tended as they would otherwise have been ; but those who did attend seemed to be very much in- terested. Among others, I may mention Mr. John H. Miller, who has since been a minister and mis- sionary in the New Church ; but is now removed to the spiritual world." On the (jth of July, 1 left Springlield, and the same evening, by previous arrangement, com- menced a course of twelve lectures at Dayton, in the Court House, (Court Houses were our New Church Temples in those days, although rarely suital)le for holding religious meetings in). These * Rev. T. O. Prescntt luid broken ground iu this place by the delivery of a Course of Lectures ou the Doctrines of the Churcii in February, 1812. lie api)lied first for the use of the Pres- byterian Church, but unsuccessfully ; then for the Methodist, which was kindly granted ; and he delivered two Lectures in it to little more than a dozen persons. He then obtained the use of an unconsecrated Episcopal Church, in which he de- livered two Lectures ;, then he went to the Court House and finished the Course, except two, which he subsequently de- livered in the Methodist Church, and these were much better attended. See Mr. Preacott's Letter iu Precursor for May, 1842. ,!^jM.mjmLiniMMVM,yu\-^^ < Mmjm i FIRST ACT OF BAPTISM. 8» lectures, notwithstanding; the hot weather and short eveninj^s, were well attendi-tl and attracted liiuch attention. There were, at that time, quite a nuinher of Now Cliureh peoide living in the city and the vicinity, and tlier^! liad been mucli talk of buildinj^ a New Church house of worship thero ; but as yet it has not l)een done. Whilst in Dayton I baptized Mrs. Broadwell, and Mr. Alfred Carter ; the latter (in coni[)any with Mr. Lord) came eleven miles to attend the lectures ; but, I am sorry to say, that in his old age he became a Spiritualist, and not only denied the Scriptures, but treated them with contempt. Whilst in Dayton 1 made my home with ^Ir. and Mr^'. Amos llichards, with whom was also living at the time Mr. Denman Koss and Mispi Caroline Cathcart (now the wife of Uuv.W. G. Day) . A reporter for one of the Dayton papers attended the lecture s, and made copious notes with the in- tention of giving a detailed outline of them in suc- cessive numbers ; but, for some reason or other, did not do so. But in the Journal and Advertiser y api)eared a long communication, from which 1 make the following extracts : — "These Lectures have now been continued to the fourth evening, with a continued increase of numbers, — and no less increase of interest, to an attentive audience ; although with some, his views are considered as the mere fruits of fantasy, or the chimeras of a delusion. This is by no moans strange, since there is no doctrine, however false, without its followers ; nor any without its opposers, however true ; if they be at war with the popular i\ \\ m 'ISI :LI IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // i/ .<^^%' 'ip i.O I.I IM |||||2^ "^ ililM illM IIM 1 2.0 1.8 1.25 '4 1.6 M 6" 1»> V] <^ o ej e". e: /a o^ o ^;. 'm % Photographic Sciences Corporation ^^ iV s :\ V \ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^th, 1 took the steamboat for St. Louis, which being rather a long journey I had a little time to rest Ijefore again resuming my Missionary labors. As the amount which I received for my services was usually quite small ; my travelling expenses consumed nearly the whole of it ; I therefore con- cluded to try the experiment of going by my own conveyance ; so, whilst I was in St. Louis I bought me a horse, buggy, and harness, for that purpose. In this way I travelled to Peoria, Avhere I stayed and delivered another Course of Lectures. This time I made my home whilst there with Mr. Ham- lin, where I was kindly entertained ; although I had to put up my horse at another place. The famous revival iireacher, Elder Knapp, was at that time attracting much attention there ; and his ful- minations against Swedenborg, and *' Swedenbor- CHICAGO, GOSHEN, ETC. 87 gians," was in his usual denunciatory style. From Peoria, I went to Ottawa, where I found com- fortable quarters with our brother Stone ; and thence to Chicago, where I was again enter- tained at the hospitable home of Mr. Scam- mon. I delivered fourteen Lectures in this City on the leading or fundamental doctrines of the New Church, which met with a very favorable reception. Thence I went to Niles, arriving there September 12th, and delivered five Lectures ; and four at Edwardsburg, (ten miles distant,) delivering them alternately at each place, every other evening. On Monday morning, September 2;")th I again went to Goshen (Ind.), 20 miles south, where I delivered a •Course of ten Lectures, which were very well attended. It was whilst I was in Goshen that I heard of Mr. Blackman, a new Churchman, living some twenty or thirty miles south, so I concluded to ride over and see him. My way was by a very rough road, through heavy timbered land, and the people very primitive and simple. Upon enquiring for Mr. Blackman, I was asked, "Ain't you Judge B's preacher ? " Upon my replying that I did not know, I was answered, " Well, he wants you to go •over and see him ; but liuding him absent from home, I was addressed by another person who said to me, " Here are the Books, (presenting two or three New Church Books), and you are to explain your religion to this man ; he's come on purpose ; but perhaps you don't know him ; he's Judge B's neighbor, — and this, (pointing me out to another), is his man." Whilst I was in Goshen this time, a ' I 88 ELKHART, ALHION, ETC. meeting was held for the inirpose of purchasing Books for the estahlishiutnt of a New Church Lihrary, in shares of one (k)nar each. A Consti- tution was franKcl, and very soon thirty shares Buhscribed for, and arrangements made for obtain- ing the Books. On ^londay October Otli 1 went to Elkhart again, where 1 (klivered a Course ol seven Lectures, which were very well attended. As I lectured every evening, I concluded this, course in a week. I then returned to Battle Creek where I had left my children, having l)een ahsent nearly half a year. I put my two youngest children out to board, and took the oldest one with me. Whilst in Battle Creek this time, 1 bai)tized the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Astley, — (Thomas, Hannah, and Edmund C.) — and deliverc d live Lectures. 1 then went to Marsliiill (12 miles East), where 1 deliv- ered a Course of seven Lectures ; and to N. Mar- shall, where I delivered two; this was the home of Jacob King, the President of the Association ; — four miles from the village. I then returned to Battle Creek, Nov. 6th, and next day left for Albion, where I delivered eight Lectures on the Doctrine of the Lord, Bedemption, Divine attributes, the Second Coming, Last Judgment, Blood of Christ, and Hea- ven and Hell. The first Lecture was on Sunday evening at the Presbvterian Church ; and the others at the School House ; and although the nights were dark and disagreeable, I had a very good and atten- tive congregation. i left Albion on Saturday morning, Nov. 18th,, LECTURES AT JACKSON. 89 through roads almost impassable, I arrived at Jack- son the same evening, and on the following evening (Sunday),! delivered a Lecture at the Court House, on the Language f the Sacred Scriptures ; pre- paratory to the Course I intended to commence on the Creation of the Universe, and the lirst chapters of Genesis. These Lectures were mostly given at Porter's Hall, which had been previously engaged for that purpose by Mr. Thielson, (who was then living in Jackson. The audiences were large and respectable, increasing in number, every evening, and were the general topic of conversation. The Presbyterian, Congregational, Baptist, and Metho- dist IMinisters attending some of them. But these latter did not like them, and they did all they could to keep peojile away. On one occasion, at the close of a Lecture, the Presbyterian Minister asked leave to propose a few questions, which was readily granted ; but instead of doing so, he turned himself to the audience and commenced declaiming against what I had said. I made but a brief reply to this but reminded him that he had asked permission to make a few inquiries of me, which he had not done : but which he was then invited to do, but he had no questions to ask. I afterwards learned that the Methodist Minister, who sat beside him, had urged him to do this ; being unwilling to do it himself. Not so however with the Congregationalist Minister, — he needed no one to urge him, his own zeal being sufficient for him, and this he manifested in much loud tongue-work and acrimonious declamation. Again and again would he speak, being as he j (i i i 90 REPULSE AT JACKSON thought fully armed for the contest ; his weapons being drawn from the armory of the Rev. J. G. Pike's uncrupulous attack on the Doctrines of the New Church which was puhlishcd in England more than twenty years hefore, entitled " Swedenborg- ianism depicted in its true colors" ; although a full and most copious refutation of its false and distorted statements had very soon after been published by Rev. Robt. Hindmarsh; but that was not heeded. So Swedenborg was denounced as insane and as a blasphemer; and this was the way my Lectures were refuted! Again did the dragon seem to be in the act of expelling water from its mouth as a flood, to destroy the man child as soon as it was born, — and when this was not sufficiently effectual, they induced Mr. Porter to withdraw from the agree- ment he had made with us for the use of his Hall ; which he did in the following laconic note, addressed thus: "Mr. Thielson. You cannot have the use of my Hall any longer for your lectures. Respectfully yours, B. Porttr. Sabbath evening, Nov. 26th, 184B." Rev. Mr. Chichester, (Presbyterian), and Rev. Mr. Harrison, (Baptist), made speeches in opposition to the Lectures. The above note was received by Mr. T., as appears upon its face, on Sunday evening, just before I commerced deliver- ing my eighth Lecture, at the Court House, which had been engaged for this evening, in anticipation of a larger audience than Porter's Hall would ac- comodate ; and it was crowded, over four hundred people being present. At the conclusion of my Lecture I read the note which Mr. Thielson had AND STUONG OPFOSITION 91 received, statin<^ tliat we could not have the Hall for any more Lectures ; and asked the audience what we should do. Thoy at once appointed a Moderator, and a Committee of live persons to secure another room, and make arrangements for me to deliver another course ; wliich I did. This Course was on the Divine attributes, the eTewish Dispensation, — the miracles of Egypt, the standing still of the Sun and Moon, — Redemption, Resurrec- tion, Heaven and Hell, lI-c, in all sixteen. These Lectures were delivered at a School house, — a i)Oor place, and in an inconvenient situation ; but it was the best, indeed the only place, that could be ob- tained. Whilst I was delivering these Lectures every effort was made, that could be made, to destroy their inlluence ; and, as in other places, the columns of the i)ul)lic press were resorted to for that purpose. In the State Gazette an article appeared occu- pying more tiian two columns, headed " Sweden- borgianism," which commenced thus. " We are requested to publish the introduction to a work by J. G. Pike, author of *' Persuasives to early piety," " Guide .for young disciples," &c. It is proposed to publish next week, the entire work in pamphlet form, if siiflicient encouragement is given. The title is 'Swedenborgianism depictedinits truecolors ;' or a contrast between the Holy Scriptures, and the writings of Baron Swedenborg, on a variety of sub- jects. The pamphk't contains some curious extracts from Swedenborg's writings, which it is presumed will not be contained in the Lectures now being delivered in town." And then, after lamenting 92 CONTROVERSY ■i ] K bemg., to .ternit^, ,vi,o n. v '■";;' "' '"'" f""'"^" Not a few „f tl,,„, ^re .Jltn ""'" '" l"'""l'I«- °f."'e al.o„,;natious e!^u- '{ .'«"''™'" »f "mny ;'-"i"gs." TJ,e„ l,e 2! T' !" "'^-'^ l"-opl.efs *eacl,i„„,of Swe.Jbo ' ' %'"/''"^ """ ti^e of Cla-i.stia„it,.,. l.„t"^'t ";,"'"'« various sects MaI.o,net the Bivi" T Lc C'l ""i ^« «'"-' or '^t™. and ^homwesJo, , '. ''■'"""«•" ''''odd "''''-easoise.vaetiv;'^^-;;^^'- question J««>>« Christ, orSwecienCl ■ "' '' "'^' ^-ord ■•^vere, a„d ti,e l'ead^.°T^^''°'-'^''^' «'''«''o='ld ^'''I'^ce ? Tins sl^e'^t L'" ""''™" "'^ ^'-ouW q"^«ti«", and tins is the cor27"''" "f "™ °'' "'^ t^o systems of tl,e Lord T ' "'"• ^"'^ the "'■<■. «« Mill here he^J'T^" ^"^''^■"I'org, oi-l»«od, tinit it is as inn on "' '" '«">"«Weali; ^oih at tl. same il ;':';:: . H """"■" '" «-'» ''o a Christian, and \r 1 ' "" '*'""'' '"»<'. to ""-i a i.eatl,en ■ 1 l,e T""' '' "'^ '■' C)"-t an train of nn-srei,rese,Ua on r "•'"'"'' ""■""«'' » 'ong IN THK NEWSPaPHRS. 98 .S Jin personal '' «fiys he 1(1 III <'*'.(. «*'s no "'« A'iJ,)\v- ^^^iplvH of "' '>ut the ' Vituihle. of many ^^■fJpJiet's ^ii-dt the tmo kind »iis sects Jiiestion 1 exactly between ^sion of irist or should i^iestion * Lord should iJioiiJd >i' the )r the borg, CaJJy ihein e, to ti an 'ong eet- veu fitatinp; what I had said, hut ignorantly dechiiming and denouncing wliat ho supijoscd to be, and de- clared was, the teaching of Swedenl)org. Tims tliey sought to create an alarm, and doubtless to a very considerable extent succeeded in doing so. However tlu^y did not meet with success sullicient to warrant their re-publication of Pike's pani[)hU!t. In the next week's (rdzcttc, the following I'eply, from me, was inserted, hearing date Dec. 7th, 1843. — " Sir, I have just seen your paper of the 30th ult., in which appears a lengthy article, fur- nished by an anonymous correspondeut, headed 'Swcdenborgianism.' That communication would not rei^uire any answer but for certain parts, which are recorded as facU, and unless noticed, might leave an impression with some, that they really were so. I have, during the last two weeks been engaged in delivering a series of Lectures on the Creation, Deluge. Langn:i;^o of Scripture, and other subjects interesting to our common widfare. These Lectures appear to have given offence to some persons, who, being desirous of nullifying any influence it may be supposed thtiy might have, in leading to a deeper investigation of these important subjects, a correspondent has favored you, and the public generally, with the communication al)Ove referred to. Instead of controverting, or disprov- ing any of the positions, facts, deductions, kc, advanced by me, the object is to prove that iMuanuel Swedenborg was a madman, or an impostor ! If the latter assumption were fully sustained, in what manr.er, I would inrpiir?, would it affect the posi- 9i pike's attack, tions taken by mo «' P'on^h I freely anaZj°' ^ """ "' """» ? ■jo Measure of present^. „ , " ""^^« ^''"vo had I'mve in every iustane "J^^^ ''om,a„„it^, yet own merits, and the testinrvoT/'''^'" "" "'^'^ wason, philosophy, and „" Z . ''^' '""l"'"-''. 7"» W these al-o tr 11 " ^"'"'""'^ S^e^l'y of .Swedenborg is an 1^ , tr"''';'" '"'''"''^^ «ay be proper to say a few wo'/' '''''''• ^«' '* tljo re,nar,.rnade „pL .sTedl j" "'•^'"«''- '» ihepamphletrefcrre,! t^ 1 °' ontitled -Svvedenbor", i,J-V^'".'r"™«Po»''<'nt. colors, was published a 2 vl """"'' ''" "^ '"'" ^y the liev. J. G. Pike^i J,r': "'" '" ^"«'-". Poso to that in wbiea it is „„? ' " """'"• l'"" P»l'«-. An answer wa soon ' r^'"'^'' « >'ow published by the Key T If f '"■''"''■^'' »"'""'»» eorres- ^"l-ject shoul.1 be jrose'L • * "'""' "" ""« before the connnunit; "t^j" ' ':",''"'"<' ^o™ P^sent both »ides of « e " 'e, T v """» «o object, I will fu,„i,i, ^.^'^ And ,f this be his marsh's answer for that " '"'^•>' "f Hind- AND HINDMAUII S REPLY. 9& ^^ quoted ^^ thinn ? my in. ^in,V(; had ^^^ty, yot on their cnpture, norally ; insanity i'etit ence to ondent, ^^ trim i^'land, "• pur- 1 your >tl and ititJed 'Itinga *t tlio J. G. )rres- tiiis form U' to J his ind- 31*0- )er- bas )ns contained in our prophtt's writings.' Wo have had many Huch friends, who in a similar manner have warned us of our dan<;er, so that wc* may he said to be witliout excuse in this matter. J3ut it has uniformly happened that the very persons, who have thus alfectod to pity us, and warn us, had no proper knowledge of the matter themselves; nay, did not know so much about it as those they cau- tioned ! This has in every inst. nee been proved. We shall always take it kindly, if any i)erson, knowing at least as much on the subject as wo do ourselves, will shew us where we are in error. Now in reference to your present communication, your cor- respondent calls Swedeiiborg a ' Prophet ^^ we do not regard him as such. He savs there is as much dilfer- ence between ' Swedcnborgianism and Christianity as there is between Iiilidelity and Christianity ; and that it is no more possible to believe in the writings of Swcdenborg and tlu; Scriptures than at the same time to l)e both Christian and Heathen.* It may not be easy to designate assertions like these ; they try our patience somewhat ; but they ave more painful than true. The best way is. to lei Swedenborg's own writings answer for themselves ; those that really desire to know the truth, will here find the best way of discovering it. We believe that Swedcnborg has presented the only real anti- dote to infidelity and one wdiich I think the infidel will not attempt to controvert, although it demol- ishes every argument he has used against the Scriptures. If we are at issue with other denomi- nations of the Christian world, we will not appeal i! 96 noble's argument I- 'I «-ptures them ,;; , f, "'*"",":>■• ''"' *« "'e ''■•>e, does it signifvwht.the. ^ . , ^"'■''^'''O'-g be -*'' "'« B,in-t;u i:^^ ^ ,': Mrr""''"-'"''" Wi..y so sonit'o :i'' , 7; tr ?"'• "^'"""-'^ ^ .A'fe<^C/„./.Y„.' ])oc,t, ° """'"'«'•« '"'^'e been were imposters, i.rove tl,., « f ', ^*™"'«s, Ac, well migl.t it l,e . rC U aTl ^'"""^'"1'°'- "'a. ? As J3rabe, and otiK^/taf, ;,?'"' '°'""^-' 'i^''" fore Copo..„ie„.s and ;;:;;:; ^^T'^y' "-re- sortion of |,ei„g ^ < Tea,.I„... ' , ''" ™''™ a^- /"'•'> evidence ti,at such a LT ■"'" '^'"'' ^"•'■"- condition;. In re j/ „ ' ''" "''^'"'"''^ '"«n.y .years aRo, in he % T v ' "'""°«^ '°«de, ^"^ the I,ev. g' Cui :l^r.t' '''«""^''' taet..,l u-on, his 'Ann;u ;„?'';, .'" ^"="1«". ex- 'I7;'en,al world, a,;r::.t''''.'^:"'7-»-f an-itlie more recent ones P ! '" ''™1'''<"' "'ent:-.Ma|,omet was a f ^ ° T'"'"' '''■«"■ Keeve and JfuK-leton « ? l'™l''«^'.-«o were ""Other. ii„t°rs .;".';'■'■':" ^--'-borg was f-e of y„„,. ,,,;:: ;,;;;'-;»a.e„s see the -pectsSwe.,enborgr;^™bKu:;at^^^^^^^^^ WITH AN OPPONENT. 97 to the refuse * Every one vho professes to have received a Di- vine commission is insane ; Mahomet, Muggletou, all che apostles and prophets, with Swedenborg, did this ; therefore Mahomet, Muggleton, all the apostles and prophets, with Swedenborg, were insane ! But, Sir, you should have known, that neither Mahomet, nor Muggleton have been ranked as false prophets, simply because they pretended to Divine revelations ; but because their pretended revelations contained nothing worthy of the source to which they ascribed them. That Mahomet's system is in every respect diametrically opposite to Holy writ, is well known. Nor will the parallel you would institute between Swedenborg, and Reeve and Muggleton, hold in any other way, than in the way of contrast. More disgusting stulf cannot be conceived than tills the pages of those ignorant drivellers ; yet, though nothing bordering on such rubbish is to be found in the writings of Sweden- borg, you are not ashamed to represent him, (and this you affirm seriously,) as treading exactly in the steps of Reeve and Muggleton : not abating an atom of their fanaticism and delusion ! And yet you profess yourself ready to abide by my appeal to his works ! Read them lirst. Sir, and learn what they are. At least, read some one of them straight through, giving a candid attention to every part of its contents ; not looking only for such things as may be distorted into subjects of ridicule, as infidels have treated the Bible. P. 200, 2nd Eng. Ed. "Who among our adversaries will accuse Paul of o bi\ iji m f ^; Til I « I ^i I 98 WHAT WESLEY SAID. insanity for speaking of the * abundance of his re- velations !' Or John, for being * in the Si^irit,' and seeing, and hearing, the wonderful things recorded in his ' Revelations !' Or Zechariah, or Ezekiel, and others? — Has Luther been accused of insanity, because of his recorded conference with the devil ? Or Wesley, — Mrs. Fletcher, or others, who have, in a similar maHner, testified to their views of the Spiritual world ? Did not Wesley himself declare that " We may now burn all our books of theology,- — God has sent us a Teacher from heaven, and in the doctrines of Swedenborg we may learn all that is necessary for us to know /' Some of the most emi- nent of Wesley's preachers, as well as Clergymen from the Church of England, and from other De- nominations, became receivers, and preachers of Swedenborg's doctrines ; and although Wesley afterwards circulated the report of Swedenborg's insanity, he did it, not on any knowledge of his own, but * on the authority of a Mr. Brockmer, as well as of Mathesius ; — this however was only be- cause Mathesius told him, (Wesley), that he derived his information from Brockmer ; but this, Brockmer totally denied'. And it was nearly forty years after- wards that Mathesius 'fabricated the tale with which he imposed on Mr. Wesley.' And more re- markable still, the very man, (Mathesius) who pro- pagated the story of Swedenborg's insanity, died himself a lunatic! It will easily be seen that the frieuds of Swedenborg have not, and do not allow, that ho ever called himself the 'Messiah,' or any of the ridiculous stories propagated respecting HISTORY REPEATED. 99 him, — they are all false. Want of room prevents my saying more ; hut if any persons wish to state all the facts of the case to the puhlic, I can assist them with many documents which may be necessary, "I am, very respectfully yours. George Field." There was no reply made to this letter, or any further notice taken of it ; nor was the pamphlet of Pike's republished, as i)roposed. But instead of an active opposition, we experienced a jKtssirc one. I visited Jackson several times after this ; but always found a difficulty in obtaining any suitable place to Lecture or preach in. The school room, before referred to, being almost the only place that could be had ; and this was very unsuitable, but when we used it, it was well filled. Before I left Jackson, arrangements were made for obtaining the necessary Books for the establishment of a New Church Library in the village. It will be seen from this that no inconsiderable impression was made upon the minds of the people here, in regard to the Doctrines of the New Church ; still the opposition was but a repetition of what had occurred at Goshen, Jacksonville, and other places ; and it was the same feeling of hostility and prejudice as Paul encounter- ed among the Jews and heathen at Tliessalonica, Athens, and other places, where they said, " These that have turned the world upside down, are come hither also." But as I had other work to do, I now left Jackson ; and on Monday, December, 4th, I found myself at Lima, a cross-road settlement, a few miles distant, where a Naw Ciiurchman by the name of Harford lived. m m 1 ' 'f ^ 1* n It • 1= \'\ • 1 ,i 100 RETURN TO DETROIT. I delivered a Lecture there, that evening at the school house, to a small audience ; and next day went on to Ann Arbor, where I made a very brief stay ; but loft 18 volumes of New Church Books with Mr. George Corselius, (a N. C, brother, and Editor of one of the village papers), for him to have presented to the Library of the Ann Arbor Uni- versity. On the 6th of December, (1843,) I arrived at Detroit, and, by invitation, made my abode with Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Dorr, of whom mention has been made before. They then lived in Springwells, on the Detroit river, about a mile from the city. I gave an introductory Lecture to my proposed Course, at the City Ilatl, on the 9tli (Saturday), and on Sunday, one on the Doctrine of the Lord. But on account of the Court being then in session, I could not obtain the use of the Hall again till the 18tli. It will be remembered that the Society which ' was instituted in this City by Eev. Holland Weeks, in August, 1889, — was by August 1842 entirely dispersed and scattered; not one of the original number remaining. Mrs. Dorr, however, still lived there ; but she had never, as before stated, joined the Society ; preferring to retain her membership in the Boston Society. But there were a few other persons, who had since come to reside there, mem- bers of the Church, at the time of my present visit, viz., Mrs. Ably Paisseil, to whom I have before re- ferred as a sister of Samuel Woodworth, then of New York, (author of the "Old Oaken Bucket,") Mr. MEETINO AT BATTLE CREEK. 101 ig at the next day ery brief li Books ;^ier, and a to Lave ^or Uni- I'ived at xle with tion has ngwelJs, 3 city. I'oposed turday), e Lord, session, till the which Weeks, ntirely I'iginal 1 lived joined 31'Sllip other niein- visit, :e re- in of ) Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hall ; and Mr. and Mrs. Herrick, who had just removed there, from Boston. — When I again had the use of the City Haii, I delivered six other Lectures of the Course on the Creation, &c., this was up to Saturday the 23rd. On Sunday afternoon and evening, (the day before Christmas), I delivered a Lecture there on Human Kedemption; and on Heaven and Holl, and on Christmas day, — on the nature of Miracles; but could not conclude the Course the next evening, on account of the Hall being engaged ; nor did I ever deliver that last Lecture, as I was obliged to leave the city, to be in time to attend the next meeting of the Mich- igan and Northern Indiana Association, which was to assemble at Battle Creek, on Wednesday, January 3rd, 1844. After the close of the last lecture which I did give there at that time, a well-known gentleman residing in the city (Mr. Brush") came to me and enquired if I would accept a small purse of money, which several of those who had attended the lec- tures, would like to present to me, as a token of acknowledgement of the [)leasure and gratification they had received from the lectures, and upon ex- pressing my willingness, I was to receive it at the close of the next lecture, (the last of the Course), which lecture, as I have stated, 1 did not deliver, nor did I receive the " token " which was to follow it ! Before I left Detroit a proposal was made to me by Messrs. Dorr, Hall and Herrick, to make that city my home, teach school, preach, and )>uild up a society there. As an inducement to do so, j;' !.. 102 Hall, a hundred doJia s ,td m"""'" ''"'■ *^^- «wo doJJarB; for which iCl f '^ ,^/"'«t. «>%■ on Sundays, using „,„ schnM "'■'""' P^acb as additional pupils wn„^! '"'' "' '"""I* more deliberation Uc'eeptlrt e'"/ "V ^"^ "«» "-' »»''" as suitable arranit'-' ?°'"'»«"ce as carrying it out. On WeT . """''' '''^ ""ade for I i«ft Detroit for Batt I (tlf^ "'""'"S. ^ec. 27' annual meeting of the Lt w ° """"'' ""« second ^''y at Ann Irbo at S"' ''"''^'"^ »" 'J-' Jackson in tin^e to delTver tZ^ '"" """"-i at ^-owe on Sunday. TheT »ft "' "' "'« ^ourt «'ay at Albion, on Tuesd^'pf', """'■"/ « short Creei, and made n,v T "^-"-.I arrived at Battle Wi^aton during LZ ^'"^' ^'"' M''- and Mr " O'clock on Wetaf ™^^ -J-™ there S ^«^^. tl- Associates ir;; '"§ -^""-^ M ^oom, 25 being preset V r^"''^-^'^ ^'''ool- P«side„tbeingl~,r-^'i- '""'"' ^'"8- ">« «'>at a meeting should b hi,! 7 " ^™^ ^^^"'^^d, °" «'at and the following!! '"•■ P"""'" «<»-Bhip Sacrament of Bapti Hfou dT'^ """ '''■•" '''^ «-« e'ose of the service tlit '"'.™">'^'»ed at Holy Supper be adm inl* . '"''"'"S ' and the afternoon "at a p Se n!^' °" "'^ ^""owing -^ M-r;- :i - ^e:;- anrrS ---.ofSpiSt-,--r.r.Oe^^^^ TO JOIN GENERAL CONVENTION. 103 e mington, Oakland Co., John Harford, of Lima, Washtenaw Co., M. H. Rollin of Goshen, Ind. ; J. Y. Scammon, of Chicago, 111. ; Edwin Burnham, of Henderson, Jefferson Co., N. Y. : and also a letter from Prof. Whiting, of the Ann Arbor Uni- versity, in acknowledgement of the receipt of the donation of books from the General Convention. A communication was received from the Illinois Association on the subject of representation in the Western Convention, which, after considerable discussion, terminated in the adoption of a Resolu- tion for the Association to apply for admission into the General Convention; and Mr. Hans Thielson and myself were elected as delegates to represent it at its next session. The use of the Presbyterian Church having been granted for our evening meetings, we met there at seven o'clock, when in accordance with a previous resolution, I delivered a discourse from Mark xvi., 16 : *' He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved ; but ho that believeth not, shall be condemned." After which the following adults came forward and were baptized, viz ; — Abiel Silver, and Mrs. Ednah H. Silver (his wife). Hans Thielson — Henry N. Thielson, — Charles Hinkle, and Edwin Perry. And two children brought by their respective parents, viz: Ednah C. Silver, and Harriet E. Murray. This service was felt to l)e most impres- sive and affecting. On the following afternoon, at the house of Mr. W. G. Wheaton, the Holy Supper was administered to twelve communicants. During the session of :?^. ^41 ; I J lOi NEW ARRANGEMENTS. '•««3ons, I felt oblJt!,' "' ^"'" ''^ f«'- «"'er Missiona,,. labors .^^f, 1',;:"';".""' '^' '"«»'»' »"y permanent l,o n -tr '" '""''^' "«''-°it «« a» annual one, to hi l/e ' r^ ""'"'«-^' '''^ ^'«I1 '" "'e Association; an ,' ,"^"""" '"^''^^ 'vith- ™ontl, eao), wint,,/.: "''"' ^ ^^»"''" devote one ^a» approved .f?''"-^' '"'""•• ^'''- l"'"" «- Phee for the ne . „ i:," "''':."""' "f"'' "s son for the first „uartc,- v '"""''"S; an.l Jack- ^ -.ning anoC :,::':"'"• "" "'^ ■^'""- I'^sbyterian Chnrcl, to T "' ^''"""'"'^ '" tha dience. ""' '" <* '"•■«« and attentive au- -WM t;i';scf " "r' "■« ^"""-' -». J'^ar, was $115,,; "•' ""^^ ''"'■'"« tl'e con,ing Herrick,-He„r,, WeL ;'"; ^.^'•- •^''''» I«aac Newn,an,-.Jabjl"::^::7"'-;„^-'7.-Wi„iam Home,— Jx V T r.i Valni,— L. M TJ'omas Welle;. VH"Ar'"'~'^"""«' I'-'''-.- don Millerd,-Jrr .n 1 \r "T '"'"'' ^"''".-Cory. Mi- Ann Parke 'an .blrt' P' '''"«'''™'' »"d were reported as I eld rs a'd T ""''"" '^^^-"^ 'nnes, within the limts of ,/"'""'*''« ^^»«- "eeting was alto.ethrr 1 ! ^^''""'ation. The LECTURES AT ANN ARBOR. 105 ^sequence ^^I'cii the i'or other ' JMroit '^^■»g tile '^ tiiat I ^es with- '^^0 one i'""^ Vhn 'i'f>n as i -fact, '^'^iurs- in the ve au- it sub- 3ming Isaac 'iiam M. ory. and ons 'oc- ^he nd 3d. After leaving Battle Creek I went to Marshall, where I delivered a lecture at the Court House to a f^ood and attentive audience. From Marshall I went to Albion, where I delivered a Course of seven or eight Lectures, which were very well attended. I also delivered one lecture at Smithfield. I next went to Ann Arbor, by way of Lima, Dexter, and Jackson. In this village (Ann Arbor), I de- livered a full Course of Lectures to large and attentive audiences. There, almost everything yielded to the popular movement, which was to go and hear the Lectures. The Court lloase, at which I delivered them, had been previously en- gaged by a Methodist ^Finister for tliree evenings of the week ; so on those evenings I was allowed the use of the basement of the Methodist Church ; a very ineligible place; but as tliis gentleman could not obtain an audience on the evenings I was lec- turing, he dismissed his own meeting, and came to hear me ; and at my la^t Lecture expressed a de- sire to ask me some questions, which was readily granted : but his object seemed to be rather to ridiculo than to entpiire ; and at this he had very poor success, — the feelings of the audience were against him ; and he retired discoinlitcd. 1 soon after preached several times at Ann Arbor, and always to large and attentive audiences. A New Church Library Society was started there, similar to the one in Goshen. During my stay in Ann Arbor, I made my home with Mrs. C. Bawson (now Mrs. Levanway), and on the 20th of Jan., 1844, again started on my journey, leaving my illl i : II :| ii 1 ■): 1 1 i 1 f ' 1 106 "SITED MR. mMARB. "«' point was Davton m, 7"^ '" ^"'''oi'- My *h-e I thought iTo M a,: i '"".''^^<'" '^-S ^«'d on hia far™, i„ L„ca, Co ^^;^'°«'- Hib much out of my way bTl ?. ' "' '' ''""''^ "ot be I had to spend thfittV™'." "'--»<'»' "<»". in which there "wL" th.' '""'^ "' <"■« trundle-beds, and over TZ , ''"''' ''««''«" •' Then, soon afTer th '"'""^ »"<* "'"l- <"■ «'« road, sick wth CO '."i^'"'"^ '"^ -Jown another night; hut finallv f'f, "^"'"'"'^ ■»« ,^«etmg and spendingoi . "" l''^''^''™ of ,»^f •/• B. Hibbard L tl?'" ^'■"' *^^- """l 'f » Dayton, „■„ Maumeepiri '''™- '^''^' ' B'ac ic Swamp, which, ho" el/ ^""""S''' »"<' the «f aJiUs terrors and eventfuli. T ""' ''^P"^«' tinned every Sunday eveninlti'l. « *■■'''' """■ June; when I left Detro t t » 1 ''"' ^''<^'''' « Convention of the New cLnO ,'"'/'" «''"<'™' held in New York wbel r , 1 ' '™' '» ''« June, 1844. The;c 1 'Tbe' "' "" "'" '^'l' "f »tate and l^-os^cts o ' l' ch^r '' ™r '" '''^ «mce I left it i„ October 1838 "uM'; ■""" ^"^' intend to speak of nor ^f « . "' "'" ^ ''« not -ntion. B'ut on ,:; '^Tf 1 "" ««"■ •nvitation to Henderson fn T„T ' ^ '"'"'• ">? •naice a little Missioi:" ^^iShT ''"; ^^ ^- '" y visit in that neighborhood. (Saturday "" at the . ... and P^i^per to ^"*' in the «f tljfs «ind it ^vas ter- ^^- The A' 'intici- 'i witj, a *'c^i, and '^^G next ^Jei(i at fi(3d my 'ie City Coin- in es of 'e con- oefc in ^neral to be th of 1 the ^Jty, not 'on- , to 5d. SAUBATII WORSHIP IN DETUOIT. 109 I was very kindly received and entertained by my esteemed friends Mr. and Mrs. Kdwin Burnham, who then resided there. On Saturday evening, June the 22nd, I delivered a Lecture at the School House, and on Sunday morning and afternoon, preached at the Universalist Church there ; and in the evening, at Sniithville, (five miles distant), then the home of Dr. Seymour ; many ])erbons coming from within a range of eight miles tonttend. Next evening I lectured at Smithville again, at the Union Church. I also visited Sackett's Harbor, then the residence of Mr. Dyer Jiurnham, and delivered two Lectures there, in the Methodist Church ; and at the close of the second Lecture, started again on my way to Detroit, where I arrived on the 30th. On Wednesday, July 3rd, I again left ]^etroit to go and see my two little boys at Battle Creek; and on my way back stopped at Ann Arbor, to attend the Quarterly meeting which was to be held there. On the Sunday 1 preached twice there, in Hawkin's Saloon, and had a Social meeting in the afternoon. I have no further account of this meeting, but think there were not many present. On returning to Detroit we com- menced, for the first time, holding meetings for worshi[) on Sunday mornin;/, July 14th, 1(3-14, at my School room ; (previously we had met at Mr. Samuel Hall's house). At that first morning, there were present 15 adults, and children. These meetings were now continued regularly every Sun- day morning with an average attendance of 20 persons. '< I 110 REVISIT 008F2N. In August I mar?A o son to comp fn n * ^'"^^^g^ements for m.r Tfent by private coavev.Z ^ "' ""'^ "«' day fore on Saturday, tIT 28, °''""'' ""^'"g "''-nge that had tat.pjf ,' 'l ''^'>, ^nch was thf ttat n,eniorabie Lecture on S r'?"^ ^ ''"liyered ^'3cuss,on with Mr. Cook « ?t''"'"'^8' ''«^r my permuted ,0 „,e the Met .'odtl Jh "'^ ""'' "«"« i de vered a Sermon the dav „f °'' ' '° '^''''eh Si "rr -" "Si /r^'^r'' r "■'' l,„tl. ^^' *'^'' Pi-eached in . "^xt day t-otli morning and eveni^„1. " '*"" Cimrch fo'-vering , Sermon "ri;,;;- "'^ ""'«'"«. after tutirr" ""-""*" ir' "^ "- ^"-i'' J i^ieasant and ffraf if v« -^niswas »»'y Pl<'asa„t to know ?ff ■':« "^^''"S.- " was nu fat ullage who could t'^^ '""" '" "'any in J;"-! and Saviour Je „^ ^t' ""''""^vledge ^he 2^'^^!-man^arth,a deSlr "" ""'■'• «»d FAVORABLE CHANGES. Ill Society for His worship ; but also to know that the general sentiment of the place was so favorable and friendly to the New Church. Only one year before, when application had been made for the use of the Presbyterian Church, we were re- fused, with the remark, that "If Mr. Field waj to use that pulpit, they did not believe that Mr. Broughton (their Minister), would ever go into it again; he would not stay with us !" But at this time, both Presbyterians and Methodists invited us to use their pulpits, and the only reason why we did not use the Presbyterian, was, because their building was not large enough. Pre- vious to my going to Goshen this time, there had been some question about the need, or the propriety of those who had been previously baptized into the Old Church, being again baptized into the faith of the New, but my Sermon on the subject on Sunday morning, seemed to produce general conviction. One •old lady of 70 years, who had been a member of the Ei)iscopal Church all her life, voluntarily came for- ward to make this her public acknowledgement of her reception of the Doctrines of the New Church, according to the form and mode of the Lord's appointment. Another, an old gentleman of 60, the President of our Association, and who had for years before been a member of a New ■Church Society in the state of New York with- out having been l)aptized ; now, seeing and feeling its importanet' and propriety, though his natural feelings rebelled again.st it ; did not come forward with the otliers, but retired, went to his p 1 m ': 1 iLl' ;r>H 1 mm i: % t 112 AT DETROIT AGAIN. i I I room ; and took the fever and ague ! but sent for me after dinner to Baptize him, as he lay in bed; which I did. Two others held back a little longer, but next day, asked me to baptize them before I left, which I also did. Whilst I was in Goshen, Eev. H. N. Strong, who had been residing in Ohio, having heard of the prospects of the New Church in this village came over with a view of making his home here, and preaching to the Society ; and arrangements were soon effected for his doing so ; and a school prepared for him to tear*.h. His family came soon afterwards. On the 30th I left Goshen in company with Mr. Jacob King, M>. and Mrs. Silver, and Mrs. W. Evans, and went to Edwards- burg, calling on Dr. Biardsley, at Elkhart on the way. I preached at Edwardsburg the same even- ing, and next morning proceeded on my way home, calling on Mr. Murra>-, who was then living at Kalamazoo. Made a short stay at Battle Creek ; went to Marshall, and preached there at the Court house on Friday evening, October 4th; and next evening preached in Ho,wkins' saloon, at Ann Arbor, and on the following afternoon and evening (being Sunday), at the Court House ; on which occasion I baptized three Adults, viz., Mr. George Corselius, Mrs. Charlotte Rawson, and Mrs. Evelina Rawson ; and two children, viz., Edward and Charlotte Bawson. I also learned that since I was last there a New Church Library had been established. On Monday I reached home, and the next morning re- commenced my school ; and on the following Sunday resumed our meetings for worship, in my school ASSOCIATION MET THERE. 118 room, at which there were as many as 30 in attendance. The third annual meeting of the Association was held in Detroit, commencing Fri- day morning, January 3rd, 1845. There were persons in attendance from Ann Arbor, Farming- ton, Oxford, Springfield, Pontiac, N. Marshall, Kalamazoo, and Detroit. The meeting was quite pleasant : On the Friday and Saturday evenings I delivered Lectures at the City Hall; and on Sunday morning, at my School room. A social meeting was held at the house of Mr. Dorr, and the Lord's Supper administered to 14 persons. Three adults, and two children were also baptized. On Sunday evening I lectured again at the City Hall on the New Jerusalem. I remained in Detroit, preaching every Sunday, at my School room, till Saturday, April 5tli, when I went to Ann Arbor to attend the quarterly meeting of the Association; on which occasion I administered the Holy Supper; and on the Saturday evening lectured at the Court house, on the Second Coming of the Lord; on Sunday afternoon and evening, on the Blood of the Lord; On Monday evening, on the Resurrection of man ; and on Tuesday evening, on the Resurrection of the Lord ; On Wednesday evening, on the Interior memory ; On Thursday, on Lot's wife, and on Fri- day evening, on the Lord's hungering and thirsting. On Saturday, returned to Detroit. On the 27th of April I resumed my Sunday evening Lectures at my Scliool-room, which were very well attended ; and on the 2nd of June, left Detroit for Boston, to attend the meeting of the General Convention,which < 1 TIM 114 REVISIT HENDERSON. place I reached in five days! But of this I shall Bay nothing, nor of my visit to the Brooke Farm phalanx, or my introduction to the celebrities there; as all this would be foreign to my purpose; nor of my pleasant visit to New York city ; nor any of my adventures until I again arrived at Henderson, the home of our brother in the Church, Edwin Burnham, and at Smithville, — where I, by previous arrange- ment was to deliver my Course of Lectures on the Creation, &c., which, however, was preceded by my preaching on Sunday morning, (June 29th), at the Universalist Church at Henderson. On Sunday evening I gave my introductory Lecture at the Union Church. Many persons came from a distance of several miles round to attend these Lectures ; and it is no exaggeration to say that they produced a very decided sensation in that vicinity, and notwithstanding the weather being very unfavourable — raining much of the time — the house was not only full, but often crowd- ed. Elder Sawyer appeared to be very much ex- cited, and denounced the whole system, pronounc- ing it to be demoralizing and infidel ! And at the conclusion of my Course delivered a lecture in opposition, to a large audience ; he said that he had never before heard so great a perversion of the truth in so short a time ; and if he did not shew it, it was because he could not. The next evening I replied to all Mr. Sawyer's objections, to a large and attentive audience, after which Mr. S. said he did not wish for any more discussion ; but would like to know when we intended having a meeting sackett's harbor, etc. 115 to receive our new converts, as he did not know but that he might join us himself ! This, of course, he said satirically. During the intermediate even- ings of some of my lectures at Smithville, I went to Henderson, and Sackett's Harbor, and delivered discourses at those places ; also baptized Mr. Edwin Burnham's youngest son (Louis Tafel), and administered the Holy Sup]3er to twelve commu- nicants, at Mr. B.'s house. On Monday, July 9th, I commenced the repetition of the same course, (on the Creation), at the session house of the Presbyterian Church at Sackett's Harbor ; but as I did not lecture there every evening on the inter- mediate ones I went to Smithville, or Henderson, and lectured there. On Sunday I preached in the Methodist Church at Sackett's Harbor in the morn- ing, and in the evening at Smithville. These Lectures were all very well attended, but did not attract so much attention as they had done at Smithville ; some of the officers residing at Sackett's Harbor asked some questions in relation to certain points in the Lectures, which were at once replied to. On Monday, July 21st, I left Sackett's Harbor for Cleveland, Ohio, intenduig to deliver the same Course of Leo.tures in that City. The Methodist Episcopal Church had been engaged for me for that purpose ; and on Monday evening, July 28th, I delivered my Introductory Lecture there. The Church was large, and was about half full. The second and third Lectures I also delivered there; but just before I commenced the third one, one of the Trustees of the Church ! 116 CLEVELAND AND BOCKPORT. informed me that, after that evening, I could not have the use of the Church any more ! So I made this announcement at the close of the Lec- ture, and asked the audience, which was quite large, what I should do. A Chairman was chosen, and a committee at once appointed to provide me another place, and of which they would, as early as possible, give public notice. The Wesleyan Metliodist Church was at once offered me, which though not quite so large, was very convenient, and a very desirable place, and the audience about i&lled it each evening. The Lectures attracted a good deal of attention. I afterward delivered two Lectures on Swedenborg at the Court House. On the two Sundays, during the time I was delivering these Lectures on the week days, I preached at Eockport (4 miles dis- tant), and attended Social meetings there. I re- turned to Detroit August 12, 1845 ; and on the 19th again left for the west on a Missionary tour. De- livered two Lectures at the Court House at Ann Arbor ; made a short stay at Marshall, and at Battle Creek, and proceeded to Kalamazoo, where, on the evening of the 23rd, I Lectured at the Branch University on the necessity of a New Dispensation of Divine Truth ; and the next evening (Sunday), on the Divine Trinity, to a full house. On Monday and Tuesday evenings, I Lectured on the Atonement and liesurrection, to good and attentive audiences. Before leaving Kalamazoo — (on the Sunday after- noon,) I went, in company with Mr. R. H. Murray, with whom I was staying, to the Phalanx, at CASSAPOLIS, ETC. 117 Galesburgh (nine miles distant), where I preachep a Sermon on the Divine Attributes ; but the state of feehng tliere, was so divided, and so unhappy, that I doubt whether there was much interest iu anything beyond knowing how they could extricate themselves from their entanglements. I left Kalamazoo a few hours after delivering my last Lecture there, for Edwardsburg ; and in company with Mr. Silver called on Rev. H. N. Strong, who had removed from Goshen, and was now living here.* August the 28th I left Edwardsburg for Cassapolis, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Abiel Silver, where I was to deliver my Course of Lectures on the Creation and Flood. Whilst there, I was the guest of Mr. Jacob Silver, brother of Abiel. — I de- livered my first Lecture that evening to about a hundred persons, which number increased as the Lecture progressed to 150 and 200. These Lectures were the topic of conversation for a long time ; and I had no few questions to answer respecting some of my positions ; but tlujy were very favorably received. On the Sabbath which occurred during my stay there, I went back to Edwardsburg, and preached there in the mommg at the School house, and in the afternoon at the Presbyterian Church, to a very fair audience : we had a Social meeting in the evening at Mr. Silver's where I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. and Mrs, Beardsley, from Elkhart, Judge Page and wife* • The Edwardsburg Society was instituted in April, 1845 hj Rev. H. N. Strong, on which occasion he baptized eight adults and four children. 118 AT PONTIAC. from Springfield, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Silver of Cassapolis, Mr. and Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Evans, and others. Left Cassapolis, in company with Mr. A. Silver, Sept. 6th, for Edwardsburg ; thence to Kalamazoo, where I preached on Sunday morning and evening, Sept. 7th, at the "Branch," to very fair audiences. On Monday and Tuesday evenings I lectured again in Battle Creek, at the School house, which was well filled. Whilst here I met Mr. and Mrs. Henry Weller. I next went to Marshall, where I delivered a Course of five Lectures at the Session House, on the Spiritual world, besides preaching on Sunday, and returned to Detroit on the 15th. On the 29th, I visited Pontiacand delivered my Course of Lectures there, on the Creation, at the Court House ; these were very well attended, meeting with favor by many, and opposition by others. Mr. Brewster, Editor of the Oakland Gazette, wrote a very long article in review of the Lectures, although he had heard but one, in which he endeavored to sustain. the popular theological opinions by the accommoda- tion of science. To this I felt bound to reply, and shew how untenable such positions were ; this led to the publication of a series of articles between us, which continued for several weeks. On the Sunday which I spent in Pontiac, we held a meeting for worship at the Court House in the morning ; and I deliv- ered a Lecture on the Spiritual world, and life after death in the Universalist Church in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Perley Hale were boarding at Pontiac. at this time. ^^mmm^'i^mnfmwmm m SOCIETY AT SPRINGFIELD. 119 From Pontiac I went to the town of Springfield, (about 15 miles N.), to attend the Quarterly meet- ing, and Lecture and preach. On Sunday morn- ing (Oct. 12th, 1845) I delivered a Discourse at Petty's School House, on the subject of Baptism ; and in the evening on the Spiritual world at Hurl- burt's School House. After the morning service I baptized 12 adults, and 9 children ; and in the afternoon, at the house of Mr. E. H. Day, admin- istered the Holy Supper to 15 Communicants ; and (the proper application having been made to me,) I instituted a Society of 14 persons. On the following evening I delivered another Discourse at Young's School House ; and next morning returned to Pontiac, and delivered a Lecture there, at the Court House to a very good audience. I then returned to Detroit. Some short time before this Mr. and Mrs. S. Hall, had left Detroit, and gone to the State of New York to live ; and I no longer boarded with Mr. and Mrs. Dorr. On the 2.5th of October, I again started for the West, on a Mis- sionary tour. Lecturing that evening at the Court House, at Ann Arbor, and in the afternoon and evening of the following day (Sunday). The next day was the annual meeting of the Ann Arbor N. C. Library Society, when they bought some addi- tional books. After making short stops at Mar- shall, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Edwardsburg, and Elkhart, I proceeded to Goshen, in company with Mr. Silver, arriving there on the 2nd of November, in time to preach there in the evening. The morning of that day (Sunday), Rev. Mr. Kedzie, , 120 ELKHART, ETC. had thought it proper in his sermon, to compare Swedenborg to Mahomet and Joe Smith. My Lecture was given at the Court House in the even- ing to a large audience, on the Interior memory. I continued to Lecture every evening of the week following, and on the Sabbath, at its close, I preached in the morning also. In the afternoon thirty persons were present at the social meeting. Mr. Kedzie delivered several Lectures against the New Church, but I do not think they made much impression. My Lectures were well attended, and the time passed pleasantly, and I hope profitably, nott^ithstanding the opposition of Mr. Kedzie. On Monday I left Goshen, in company with Judge Chamberlin for Elkhart, arriving there in time to Lecture the same evening ; several of our friends from a distance being present. I also Lectured every evening that week, making my home whilst there with Dr. and Mrs. Beardsley. I concluded my Course by preaching on Sunday morning and evening on the blood of Christ. Twenty persons came over from Goshen, (10 miles distant,) to attend the services on the Sabbath. A social meeting was held in the afternoon at Dr. Beards- ley's, which was very pleasant. Rev. H. N. Strong, from Edwardsburg, was also with us. On the 17th, in company with Mr. Strong, I went to Edwards- burg, where I gave seven Lectures, and preached one sermon, but the weather was so inclement most of the time, that the audiences were much smaller than usual. From Edwardsburg I went on the 26th, to MR. BRIANT OPPOSING. 121 Niles, where I delivered four lectures; but the weather was still so stormy, and unfavorable, that they were but slimly attended. On the Sunday I preached in the new Baptist Church, and baptized two adults, and two children. In the meantime my discussion was still going on in the Oakland County^ Gazette, with Mr. Brewster, on the subject of my lectures in Pontiac. And, since leaving lid wards- burg, I had learned that Bev. Mr. Briant had been preaching in opposition to the views I had presented there concerning the first chapters of Genesis. So it was thought best that I should return to Edwards- burg, and make that case clear, which I did ; and on the 2nd of December, Mr. Silver again drove me over to Cassapolis, where I delivered two lectures on the Divine Trinity and Atonement. Mr. Briant was there, but did not come to hear my lectures. The next day I returned with Mr. S., to Edwards- burg where I delivered four lectures, at one of which, Mr. Briant was present; after which, in his sermon on Sunday, he took occasion to misrepresent, and speak ill of the New Church, and of Swedenborg, but as it was rather by inuendo, and by coarseness, I could do no more in replying than state the facta in their true light, which I did. Mr. Silver, next day (Dec. 8th), took mo with him to Little Prairie Ronde, (the home of the Copley family), calling on the way at Cassapolis, where we learned that Mr. Briant had been preach- ing against Swedenborg there also: — however, I did not stay, but proceeded at once to Mr. A. B. Copley's house ; and delivered three lectures at the 122 FOURTH ANNUAL MEETINO , , School house, in his neighborhood ; and baptized six adults, and four children. I then went to Kalamazoo, passing through Pawpaw, but not stay- ing there. At Kalamazoo I delivered two sermons on Sunday, at the "Branch," and on Monday com- menced delivering my Course on the Creation of the Universe, &c., also at the Branch of the University. These Lectures were not very numerously at- tended ; but they evidently awakened a spirit of enquiry in those who did attend ; many questions being asked and difficulties proposed for solution. I remained over another Sabbath, preaching as before ; and on Wednesday, the day before Christ- mas, went with Mr. Murray, as far as Battle Creek, where I again delivered four Lectures and preached twice on the Sabbath, at the Long Room, in the Eagle Block. On Monday, the 29th. I left Battle Creek, and the same evening commenced the delivery of my Lectures on the Creation, &c., at the Session House, in Marshall. These Lectures were very well attended and seemed to awake con- siderable interest ; many people rode over in their waggons each evening from Ceresco, Marengo, Eckford, Sec, to attend them. At their conclusion I went to Battle Creek to attend the Fourth Annual meeting of the Michigan and N. Indiana Associa- tion, which assembled there, in the Long Room, in the Eagle Block, (where the Receivers of the Doc- trines met for worship on the Sabbath,) on Friday morning, January 9th, 1846. There were present at this meeting Messrs. Dr. OF MICHIOAN ASSOOIATIOE. 123 E. A. Atlee, Hans Thielson, James Bailey, Thomas Weller, Henry Weller, William Newman, D. S. Calender, Abiel Silver, Orrin Silver, Chas. Hinckle, Jabez Fox, 11. H. Murray, S. W. Shaw, A. B. Cop- ley and G. Field ; also of ladies Mrs. S. Bailey, Mrs. Maria Astley, Mrs. M. F. Murray, Mrs. C. L. Rawson and some ten or twelve others. Communi- eations were also received and read from the Penn- sylvania and Illinois Associations, an I from Spring- field, Oakland Co., Mich. ; Ann Arbor, Edwards- burg, Jonesville, Ypsilanti, Mich. ; and from Goshen, Cleveland, and Noble County, Indiana ; and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Meetings for rship were held at the Friends' Meeting House, ... the evenings of Friday, Saturday and Mont^ on which occasions I also delivered J)iscour3ea on the Doctrines of the Church. On Sunday morning our meeting was held in the " Long Eoom" ; after the usual service two persons were baptized, and the Holy Supper administered to 13 persons. A social meeting was held in the after- noon. The Report of the Committee on Communi- cations at the meeting says, *' that tliere are within the Association, 160 adult Receivers of the Doctrines; (of whom 73 are baptized) ; and 137 interested Readers ; making in all 297 Readers «,nd Receivers." There were also known to be 117 New Church periodicals taken, within the Associa- tion ; also two N. C. Libraries, besides about 20 Tolumes of New Church Books in the Library of the University. Three organized Societies were reported as being formed within its limits, 124 FAVORABLE PROSPECTS. li i I viz : at Goshen, Edwardsburg and Springfield. Mr. Jacob King, the President of the Association was absent at this meeting, and Dr. E. A. Atlee presided in his stead ; and, in the election of officers for the ensuing year, — perhaps in consequence of the Report from the Goshen Society, saying, *' the Society is in favor of limiting eligibility to office, to members of the Church ; and considering that a Minister, if present, should preside at all meetings ;" — the Association so altered its Constitution as to make the President to be the " Presiding Minister "; and in accordance with which provision, I was elect- ed to that office. The meeting was pleasant and harmonious, and felt to be a season of refreshing encouragement. The Secretary in his Report of this Session, says the "meetings were well attended, and a favorable impression towards the New Church appeared to prevail in the place." And in the Re- port to the Convention this year, a similarly favor- able account is given ; " The Lord's Second Advent (it says), is gradually becoming manifest ; buc with- out noise or excitement ; and it is pleasant to know that men of intluence and talent are becoming re- ceivers ; and that the Doctrines of the Churcli are not inoperative upon their lives." January l'3tli, 184G, I returned to Detroit, and soon after this I rented the room on the ground floor, under my school-room, (intended for a store,) and bought benches, and had them painted ; arranged a pulpit, put up a stove with other con- veniences, — for holding our meetings for worship in ; as our audienr js were increasing. On the 7th QUARTERLY MEETINO. 125 of February, I went to Farmington to officiate at the funeral of Mr. Herrick's infant child, who before it had lived six months in this world, was removed to the Spiritual. I preached a funeral sermon there, on the occasion, at the Baptist Church ; and also baptized a child of Mr. T. Little. Owing to my being so much absent from my school, and engaged so much in preaching and Lecturing in Detroit, and in Missionary work, my School could not receive so much of my attention as it ought to have done. At this time, to enable me to meet my expenses, I kept "Widower's Hall," at my school room, and had my children with me, using my school-room as my kitchen, and a room adjoining for a bed-room. It was the best I was able to do. But on the 9th of March, having received an offer from Judge Bell, who was then Auditor-General, (having his office in the city,) to be engaged as a temporary clerk. I gave up my school, and accepted the offer. April lltli, 184G, the quarterly meeting was held in Detroit; there were not very many pr<'sent from a distance; but all who did attend appeared to be refreshed and encouraged. Two adults and two children were baptized after the morning service. There being now quite a number of people in Detroit who had become regular attendants at our public worship, and professed believers of our Doctrines, it seemed proper that they should do something themselves towards meeting our current expenses. I therefore proposed that they should obtain a more desirable place for our meetings for worship ; and as a very pleasant front room, up one I ii 126 MOVED TO BETTER ROOM. i pair of wide stairs, was for rent, in a more central place on Jefferson Avenue, in Kepublican Block, — ■which would seat nearly a hundred persons, they agreed to take it, and pay the rent, which was quite low; I also agreeing to furnish it, and have it warmed and lighted and kept clean ; and preach gratuitously, so on Sunday, May, 3rd (1846), we used it for the first time ; morning and evening ; and on the 8th a choir of singers was formed. I continued in the Auditor-General's Office till Satur- day, July 18th, when I quit it, not finding the em- ployment at all congenial, and the salary was but $500.00 a year. So I returned to School-teaching again, commencing on the following Monday, with three scholars, but more promised. I continued to preach to the Keceivers and others with scarcely any interruption till I made another short Mission- ary visit to Cleveland and Eockport, on Sunday September the 27th ;* morning and afternoon, I preached at the latter place ; and the following six evenings I delivered Lectures on the Doctrines of the New Church in Cleveland; and the next day (Sunday), preached in Eockport again; — On Mon- day, October 5th, I returned to Detroit. The Hon. Lucius Lyon, formerly a U. S. Senator, and now ** Surveyor General of the United States," and resid- ing in Detroit, had become an ardent receiver of the Doctrines of the New Church ; and he, being 1 •A Quarterly meeting of the Edwardal:arg and Goshen Societies was held at this time, iu Edwardsburg, at the Baptist Church, Mr. Strong attended, and preached, and Bap- tized 10 Adults. LECTURES ON THEOLOGY. 127 an intimate friend of General Cass, then Secretary of State, obtained from him permission for us to use the United States District Court Eoom for any of our meetings, when the Court was not in session; BO our room in Repubhcan Block was given up; and, in order to let our true position be as fully, and as clearly known as we could make it, the following Posting bill was pretty widely circulated through the city. "Lectures on Theology. "A course of lectures will be delivered by the Rev. G. Field, at the U. S. Court Room, (over the Post Office), commencing on Monday evening October 19th, [1846] , and continuing every evening until completed, on the following subjects:— THE NEW CHURCH in contrast with THE OLD CHURCH ;— or the Doctrines taught by Emanuel Swedenborg compared with those of the leading Sects of Christendom. First Position : That the First Christian Church has come to its end, or is consummated, as was the Jewish, at the time of the Lord's First Advent. Reasons will be presented for this assertion, in the fact that that Church, (the First Christian), is divided into Sects, among which there is not only no cohesion, but antagonism ; and that so far as there are fun- damental Doctrines, common to them all, as among the Roman Catholics, Episcopolians, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, and minor divisions of the same general Sects, — so far they are substantially wrong ; and in the absence of all true knowlv3dge re- specting the Lord, — the Trinity, — Redemption, — if •t* I" 1 i 128 MOVED TO U. S. COURT ROOM* the Sanctity of the Word, — Faith, Charity and Life, — Regeneration, — Heaven and Hell, — the Human Soul, — the State of Man after Death, — the Resurrection, — Judgment, — Second Advent, — Angels, — Eternity, — Infinity, &c. These remarks will apply with equal force to Universalists, Uni- tarians, &c. Second Position: That in conse- quence of the ahove, the prophetic enunciation is now fulfilled, 'Behold I make all things new;' and that at this day a New Dispensation of Divine Truth is revealed to man, in which a full know- ledge is imparted of everything relating to man's spiritual well-being, — the laws of the spiritual world, and its relation to the natural ; and of all those realities which man, in his long degenera- tion, has lost, — and that, in the words of Sweden- borg, — ' This New and true Church, which the Lord is establishing at this day, will exist to all eternity ; — that it will be the crown of the four preceding Churches; and that it has been fore- seen from the creation of the world, — proved from the Word of both the Old and New Testaments.' Coronis to T, C. R. These pretensions will be esteemed as idle as the Doctrines of Swedenborg have been deemed visionary, by those who are ignorant of their value, and too prejudiced to be informed. Still the conviction is gradually pres- sing itself on the minds of men, that this judg- ment must be reversed; for it does not explain the fact, that so far as they have been investigated by men of unquestioned virtue, and the soundest, and most cultivated minds, — these claims have PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT. 129 re been allowed. No one understanding them has ever rejected them. Not only Laymen, but Clergymen also, of the highest talents, from the Episcopal, Presby- terian, Methodist, Baptist, Universalist, Unitarian, and other denominations, are continually receiv- ing and proclaiming the Heavenly Doctrines of the New Jerusalem. In these Lectures, the Doc- trines of the various Sects of the Old Church, will be freely and candidly examined, and compared with those of the New ; and, the premises being admitted, the conclusions will be such as cannot be gainsaid. And lest the assumed premises should even be remotely wrong, an opportunity will be afforded for their correction ; and notice will be given in advance, of the subject to be canvassed ; the object being to prove, beyond contradiction, the absolute truth of these pretentions. *'The effort will be to present this whole subject in the clearest light ; and at the same time with the utmost good wall, and with the kindliest feelings towards those whose errors may be exposed. The religiously disposed and reflecting, among the Laity, and Clergymen of ever}-^ Denomination, are especial- ly and most respectfully invited to attend. Lect- ures Free. To commence precisely at a quarter past seven o'clock." It may be dilHcult to tell precisely what effect Buch an announcement would have upon the mind of the public : doubtless it would be different with different persons ; — and there may be those who would think it was imprudent to make such decla- rations ; they would say it would prejudice people m i 180 AVOWAL OF FAITH. i . in advance, and keep thera away, and would there- fore be injurious. Perhaps it would have this effect on some; — but then it is also very doubtful if such persons would have attended had none of these things been said ; — or, if they had attended, as soon as they learned what the New Church really meant, they would have kept away: or even if they still had come, they would always bring their fears, and their doubts with them, and have rather neutralized the efforts of others, than really aided them. In saying these things, it was only saying what Swedenborg had said again and again ; and saying it too in his own words, as in the True Christian Keligion ; the Coronis, Canons of the New Church ; and in other of his works. And if the Old Church has not come to its end, what need is there of a New one ? And if we an- nounce a New Church, have we not a right to give our reason luhy a New Church is needed ? It was in the light of these considerations that the above handbill was issued ; and though it might have disturbed some, there was a much larger number that it attracted. The first lecture was not largely attended ; at the subsequent ones the audiences were much larger. A Universalist Minister who attended, asked a number of questions ; as also did another gentle- man. I lectured every evening, and concluded the Course on Monday the 25th. when I was requested to deliver another Course of Lectures. After some deliberation and consultation it was thouglit best to repeat my Course on the Creation, with some NEW COURSE OF LECTURES. 131 auditions. Another posting bill was therefore cir- culated over the city, of which the following is a copy. LECTURES ON THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE. The Deluge, — Standing Still of the Sun and Moon — Miracles, Magic, aucl the long-lost Science of Corretpondeiices, or Key of Kiiowlodgo. By particular request, the Rev. G. Field wiU repeat, and extend his Course of Lectures on the Creation aud Deluge ; and in addition, will explain, by laws not hereto- fo.'e known, the phenomena of Miracles ; aud the abuse of thoB« laws in Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft, at the U. S. Court Room, (over the Post Office), commencing on Wednesday evening, November, 11th, [1846J , and continued every Wednes- day and Saturday evenings, until completed. Admission Free. PROGRAMME. Lecture Ibt. — Primeval language. The nature and laws of the God-given tongue. Tacit, vocal, and written speech. Leciure 2nd. — Origin of Mythology, Astrology, and the signs in the heavens ; and the symbolic style prior to the days of Abraham. Lecture 3rd. — Proofs, rational, inductive, and philosophical, that the first chapters of Genesis do not, and are not intended to treat of the Creation aud destruction of the material earth. Lecture -Ith. — On the Creation of the Universe ; more particularly of our Earth, and the Solar System. LicTURE 5tu. — The true meaning of the first chapter of Genesis. Lecturk 6tii. — The laws of Creation, and Spiritual influx. Primeval formations in the Vegetable aud Animal Kiugdoma. TYlq first Man. Lecture Tth. — The second chapter of Genesis. What it does not mean, and what it does. The Garden of Eden, Rivers, Trees, Serpent, Adam, Eve, &c. Lecture 8th. — The Flood, Proofs absolute, that no such Flood as is recorded in Genesis, ever literally occurred upon the earth; or could have occurred, — examined on its own authority ; rationally philosophically, and geologically. i I *!« :|i| 182 INTEREST MANIFESTED. Lkcture 9th. — "Wliat js tlie meaning of the inundation of the earth, on the accepted Canon, of the Scriptures being their own interpreter. Lkctdke 10th. — The standing still of the Sun and Moon, at the command of Joshua. Lecture IIth. — On Miracles, Magic, Incantation, Sorcery, Witchcraft, and Animal Magnetism. Lecture 12Tn. — On the Miracles of Egypt, and why the Magicians could not turn the dust into hce, when yet they performed all the preceding miracles of Moses and Aaron." Then followed a number of selections of Notices of the Press: At the first Lecture, although the night was dark, and the streets were muddy, there was a good audien«.j. At the second Lecture, although the weather was equally unfavorable, the audience was yet larger. At the third Lecture, which was two hours and a quarter long, the audience still increased ; and so also at the fourth Lecture, which was a yet longer one ! And though the weather continued to be so unpleasant, the audience at the fifth and sixth lectures kept in- creasing. At the eight and ninth lectures the Court House was quite full; and so continued, even to being crowded, to the close of the Course. There was a great deal of interest manifested in these Lectures, and people from most of the Churches in the City attended them, although one gentleman said they were the rankest infidelity, universalism, and fatalism ! Before I concluded the Course, one of the merchants in the city, on behalf of a number of those who had attended, pre- sented me a purse containing fifty dollars in gold; and a special committee from the Young Men's MORE OPPOSITION. 133 Society called on me with an invitation to deliver a Lecture before them, which I did,* and was elect- ed an honorary member of their body. I was also requested to deliver another Course of Lectures on the Doctrines of the Church. It was not, however, till the 6th of December (1846), we gave up the use of the lioom in Republican Block, and com- menced our meetings for wornhip on the Sabbath in the U. S. Court Room, which we had rent free. About a week previous to this, I had again given up my School, to accept the situation of Draftsman in the Surveyor General's Office. During this time our audience on the Sabbath was continually increasing, there being generally about a hundred present in the morning, and more in the evening. Among these were some who were members of other Churches; and, as might be expected, their Ministers began to feel uneasy and excited. This feeling at last culminated in a direct assault ; not in argument or refutation, or even an attempt to shew that anything that I had advanced was un- true ; but by slander, calumny, and vituperation, to endeavor to make us appear infamous ! The Editor of the Christian Herald, a Baptist paper published in Detroit, and edited by Rev. Jas. Inglis, led off in this assault, ai)parently irritated b .-yond endurance, because at this time, at the opening of the Session of the Legislature, my name had been proposed along with several other clergymen of the City, as Chaplain to the Senate ; and I was I i * The subject of this Lecture was tho iufluence of the ciron- latioQ of the Scriptures on the Arts and Sciences. I i 134 THE CHRISTIAN HERALD. almost unanimously elected. Then the vials of wrath were opened, and poured out like rain. In the issue of the ChriHian Herald for January 17th, 1847, a leading editorial appeared, of great length, headed " Attempts to foist Stvedenbonfidnism into notice.'" It is difficult to find words with which to descrihe the shameful character of this article ; nor do I possess a copy of it, although its leading and salient points may be seen in what follows. As soon as it appeared however, some of the most active and inlluontial of the friends of tlie New Church met together to consider what should be done about it ; among these were Hon. Lucius Lyon, Surveyor-General of the U. S., Hon. D. V. Bell, Auditor-General, Hon. John Allen and H. P. Bush, State Senators, Amos T. Hall, Deputy State Treasurer ; and the Chaplain of the Senate. — Indeed it was now called the State Church, on account of our having so many persons holding office who were receivers of the New Church Doctrines. At this meeting it was unanimously agreed that I should be requested to write a reply to this scur- rilous article, and demand its publication in the same paper. I accordingly wrote a reply, and called another meeting of our friends for the purpose of submitting it to them ; and, it meeting their entire approval, Mr. Lyon was appointed to take it to Mr. Inglis, and request its insertion in the Herald. But Mr. Inglis positively refused to let it appear ! Then the question arose. What shall we do now ? , A REPLY TENDERED. 185 And it was decided to have it published in the Detroit Daily Advertiser, and in its Weekly Issue. And also simultaneously in the Detroit Free Prest, and its Weekly issue. And at the same time it appeared in the two Ann Arbor papers, each edited by a New Churchman, (the one by Geo* Corselius ; and the other by John Allen). Also 600 copies were printed in Tract form for circula- tion ; so that it had more than ton times the num- ber of readers it would have had, if it had been published in the Herald, as requested. As this reply quotes very fully from Mr. Inglis' article, as well as replies to it, although very lengthy ; yet on account of its importance in its relation to the effect it had on the growing interest of the New Church in Detroit at this time, I venture to give it in full, as a Document connected with its history. It was headed thus : — "lleply to the Attack made on the New Church, by the llev. James Inglis, in the Michif/