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MEMOIliS,

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•v.

INCIDENTS (t mailNISCKNCES

or nil; kaim.v irisioiiv oi riii:

NE\\' CHURCH

MICHIGAN, INDIANA, ILLINOIS,

AXn AD.IACENT STATKS; AND CANADA,

IIY IIEV. (i. FIELD.

jti/-<)j

collection
H0UD6

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

* ••

-^.<^^^^

(tl^ '

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

»•

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 T<ftst
Judgment,- Heaven and Hell, and tlie life after death.

Tl'.ese, like all previous revelations, it is believed, were made
by, and tlin)n<,'li, % luunaii instrument, as tliey could be made
in no other way : and we believe that instrument was Knianuo!
Swedenbor^, whose writings bear the fullest and clearest evi-
dence of the truth of his missir'n;— and it is because they do
so, that we receive theMi. And the advent of tliis Church was
foretold and epitomized more especially in the 21st chaiiter of
the Revelation, i)y the symbolic iniaj^ery of tlie New Jerusalem
as descendinff froni (lod out of Heaven. And we believe that
this Church will be the crown of all the preceding Churches,
and will endure for ever.

And the Doctrines of this Cliurch are those which are ad
vocated in this Boolv. lUit it must not bo thouj^'bt from this,
that every one jiro/r'fxiiiii to receive them, dors rrdlhj rciwiri-
tlit'in. Tiicy contain so uiuch. and rc(]iiire, not oidy that tlu;
false and perverted habits of thinkinj^, l)elieviii;^ and actin;,',
which have grown with our growth, and become strengthened
and confirmed by liabit and association, should l)e given up;
but that moie unsuUish, elevated, rational, and spiritual ideas
should take their place; and the winkle mental fabric as it
were, recast, so that tlie Divine prediction may be fultiiled,
"Behold, I make all things new." And that those truths
should be nuide practical in a life of Love, Charity, and Use.

But who is there that cannot see how impossible it would be
for this to be done at once ; and how unreasonable it would be
to suppose that those who become interested in these heavenly
doctrines, — who perceive and acknowledge their rationality
and their harmony and consistency with all known truths,
should at once have them fully embodied in their lives : it
were as x'easouable as to suppose that as soon as a child is
born, he becomes a full-grown man I He first receives them
intellectually;— and this even but in part, and by degrees;

TO TTTR nKAPTin.

ypt ^'i'a(liiall.\- tlicy i-o-cast and ro-fonn the wliole lifo : but
(liiriiif; this pi-occss tlic old is foi' ii lout,' tiino more or less eom-
iniii^lcd witli the new; -mid tho iinw is often si'cn very
ohHPurcIy ; and tlio old nuin often prevails over the new man;
niid tor awliiie it ninst nerds lie so, during tliis transition
state: and this will peihaps explain why many tliiu<»s are
done hy profoHsin{:» New Chnrelimen that are l)y no moans
illustrations of the Doctrines they profess; and may often
seem even to tlirow discredit upon them. Whilst it is very
different with those in whom these Doctrines have taken
deeper root, and with whom the old is no lon<,'er minf,'led with
the new. Much injury is often done to the cause of the New
Clinrch hy self-confident men, who, with but a very shght and
imperfect acquaintanee with its teachin<,'s, speak and act as if
tiiey really knew and tmde:stood them ; and it may be that
many things recorded in these reminiscences, that might seem
to be (piestionable, oi- even mijust, may be accounted for in
this manner. Perhaps, liowevei", tliis miglit be urged in ex-
cuse of unjustifiable actions in any religious community; but
the genuine test is in knowing what are the standards of faith
and life which such religious lK)dies really teach: and I am
not aware of a single Church in Christendom that has incor-
]);)i'ated into its Creed, eitlier the Doctrine of Clidritij : tlie
J.tiir ()/■ Lore : or a TJJ'e o/ (/-.v. Tt is all F.vrrn, — F.uth AiiOXF, ;
and even that, unhappily, a faith in what is not true; or in
what could not l)e made practical in our daily life. And the
practices of a Church ouglit not to be expected to be better
than its principles.

Whilst the Creed of the New Church teaches and declares
that, " If 1 would be saved, I must shun all evils as sins
against God; and live a life according to the Ten Command-
ments." And "That Charity, Faith, and Good works are
unitedly necessary to man's salvation ; since Charity without
Faith, is not spiritual, but natural; and Faith without Charity

(►

..,

(

To TIIR nKAnKi;,

VII

is not livii.-, l,„t dc.ul; uiul In.th Cl.anty an.l I'uitl. without
Good works arc merely .ueiital uiul perishable thiii««, because
without use „v lixedness. And tliat n.-thiiit,' <»f Faith, of
Charity, or of Good unrks, is of nmii ; but tliat all is of the
Lord. a. 1.1 all tiio iiurit is Jlis aloj.e." Which is thus co.u-
prelieiiHively eiuiuciated: "All i-eli^'ion has rehitiou to life;
aud the life of religion is to do ;^ood."

Some ai)olo^<y is due to the reader f<.i' the want of a better
chronological order; and i)erhai)s liiore methodical urnii.^c-
meut of these memoirs; all that I can oiler, is, that they were
written at irref,'ular times, and often witii l, i<i inter\ais bi-
tween ; and the scenes kept changing. Many places that >vere
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

DA",
PA I

MEMOIRS, INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES

OF THE

EARLY HISTORY OF THE NEW CHURCH

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

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

HOW NEW TRUTHS ARE RECEIVED.

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

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^

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.

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.

MR. ABIEL SILVER.

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

AND OTHER RECEIVERS.

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

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.

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-

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.

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

DISCUSSION IN BATTLE CREEK.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

«■■

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.

^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-

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.

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

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,

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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 ' "

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.

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

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(), and on Sun-
day about 150. Every effort was made that could

MODE OF OPPOSITION.

who

New

;ollin,

Mrs.

Mr.
•idge
Carr,
nozer

)iin-
iiisor,

Mrs.

1 very

the

Sun-
could

])e made, to keep the members of the other
clmrches from attending the lectures ; a prayer-
meeting was commenced and continued during my
stay there, i.i the Methodist church : and prayers
offered up for the especial benefit of those who were
being deluded by false and deceptive teaching ;
which prayers were aided in their efficacy by sta-
tioning zealous members of the church in the way,
to intercept and turn back any of the flock that
might be straying to the lectures !

Whilst I was in Goshen this time, Mr. Rollin
received about a dozen volumes of New Church
books which lie had sent for, (among which were
three vols, of the Arcana,) all of which were in
great demand for reading. Several articles also
appeared in the " Northern Indianian, ' written by
Mr. A. Silver, Mrs. Evans, and mys(;lf in favor of
the New Church. Thus notwithstanding the op-
position, the prospects seemed every way favorable
for the establishment of a New Church Society
there, as large, or even larger, than any of the Old
Church. On Saturday evening, Oct. 15th, I left
Goshen in company with Mr. Jas. Blue, with a
kindly expressed wisli for my speedy return, and
went to Elkhart again, and was cordially invited
to stay there at Dr. and Mrs. Beardsley's. I de-
livered two lectures there on the day after my
arrival (Sunday), and afterwards six others, on the
following subjects, viz : The coming of the Lord
- - Hell — Second Coming — Resurrection — Last
Judgment — Miracles of Egypt, and meaning of the
Son of Man. The attendance was good at every

mm^imm

KLKITART AND YANKKETOWN.

lecture, many expressing tliemselves deeply inter-
ested in the subjects advanced ; cspeciaDv Dr. and
Mrs. Beardsley, besides whom I now found Mr.
and Mrs. Lander, Dr. Weyner, Mr. and Mrs. Bear-
up, Mr. H. Cook, Mrs. Beebee, Mr. Kellaman, Mr.
Philip Smith, and Squire Heaton and wife, who
lived five miles from Elkhart. The avera^^e atten-
dance during the week days was about GO. Elk-
hart at this time was but a small place ; not a
church building had as yet been erected there, the
school-house being the only church ! I left Elk-
hart on Saturday evening (after my lecture), Oct.
22nd, in company with Mr. Walters, and went to
Yankee Town, 4 miles distant ; staying with Mr.
Walter's and ^Ii*. Smith ; and on the following
day (Sunday), I delivered two lectures at Mr.
Smith's house, on the Trinity, and Redt-mption to
about 10 persons. This place is also the residence
of Mrs. Evans, before mentioned, where the Sal)-
batli school was commenced ; they wert; then
waiting to get suitable books. From this little
settlement 1 went to Edwardsburgh again, (8 miles
distant) ; and next morning, in company with Mr.
Silver, rode over to Niles, where I remained two
weeks and delivered l-J lectures, part of them at
the Methodist Church, and the others at the school
house. These lectures were on the Creation of the
Universe, Flood, &c., and also on the Divine Trin-
ity as centred in the person of the Lord Jet us
Christ, Human Redemption, the Second Comhig
of the Lord, the IJesurrection, and Last Judgment.
Those who were most interested in Niles at this

LECTUUES IN NILES.

time, were IMr. and ^[is. Warrl, Jonathan Brown,
Esq., "Nfr. Forres. "Mr. Jacob Brown, Mr. Bounds,
Elder Fellowes Mrs. Perkins, Mr. MeWilliains,
T^fiss Huston, and Miss Folwell, ]\[r. I^arrow, and
Mr. Williams. During mv stay in Niles T boarded
with Mr. and ]\[rs. Perkins.

It was whilst I was here that it was decided to
ca-1 a meeting of the Beceivers of tlu; Doctrines of
the New Church to be held at Albion, on tlie 2nd
day of January, 18 JB, for the i)urpose of forming
and organizing an Association to embrace Michi-
gan and Northern Indiana. On tlu^ Sth of Nov. 1
left Nil(>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.

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.

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

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.

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-

^"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 """'"' ^^ *''«
e<l to know somSn" '" ''■"'•' l'*'*'" in^'-eas-
An extract is tZ^'il'"'" ''"<"" '"e leoturer.-

i" relerenee to m^" " ^^ '™V''" "'^^"■'■« «"««.
<"■'- wlu-eh the c'/itore' «^ "/^-'•^""'-edents,
purpose to mve nnv . A •"" ^^ ^^ ^ot our
"-0 lectur::" SCL^ '""'^^'' ^"^'"'^ "'
^oom to ,Io it, even s on, ' ""■ '™"''' "»' have
'•-1 cou>pete„'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,Mniu<Mn.,,n ■ , , , '* " ^'"•^ ""odest
•noreensasin, :,";"/: ^'"''-"^ "^^^'^^ heard a
to the ei:,cMari:rc^^^t ;";:."- ^^"« -"'■' ''-S
scientific knowledge or ",",^^'' \Sreatev hind of

'eft a deep i,npres°o'n L Z'l ' ""'^- '^^' ''-

-11 induce a search fo;i,Sr"j ''"^'.'''''
" one of immense interest n„„ ^^ ™''J'"='
thorough investigation itUn weU w„,,,,y „, ^
o 'on. it will not do to treat with

ARiaVAL AT PKORIA.

indifference or contempt, doctrines which hear with
them such a fair show of reason, and which come
ostensihly hacked hy what are at k^ast conceived to
he the discoveries of geolo :ists : hut, if met at all,
they must he met l)y reason and argument." On
Wednesday evening Dec. 21 st, f loft Ottawa for
Teoria : the weather was very cold, and tlie stages
very comfortless. I arrived at Peoria the next
evening, and put up with ^Ir. King, at the Clinton
House. Mr. E. N. Powell, hrother of Rev. David
Powell, w^as the only New Churchman living there,
and he was al)Si3nt at the time, in Springfield,
where the Lui'islature was in session.*

* Tu a coiiimiiiiiciitioii to tlm H'i'stfni ''miri'iit inn, which met
11 Ciiiciiiiiiiti ill 1SJ;{. Mr. K. N. Powell, of I'eoria, says; "Dr.
BeUliiig preacliecl the first New Church serinou in Peoria, in
the Fall of 1H41 (when on his way to Canton). Ho liad to
preach under the most unfavorahle circumstanceH, and liis
•conf^ret^atioii was small."" He delivered two discourses. Aud
ahout a year afterwards, Mr. Powell says, " Mr.Prescott visited
Pooria and prea'ilifd for us three times." Then he (^ives an
account of my visit in January. 1813, and adds; "And T am
liappy to s:iy that the spark which had heen ij^nited hy Dr.
Beldiiif^, and made to hurn hy Mr. Prescott, was fanned into a
flame hy Mr, Field."' •' .Mr. Field's power of reason, aud the
force ill whi;h he jtrt'seiiti'd tlie truths of the New Church was
such, that it almost silemed opposition." " His lectures were
attended hy the most iiitellii,'ent and virtuous of our citizens;
iuid he has made an impression in favor of the truths of the
N w Church, which I trust will never he effaced." "Upon
airivinti home, (he says): I found that a niitjhty revolution had
taken place in the minds of many, in re^jard to the True object
of reUf{ious worship, and of love to God, and our neighbor ;" and
"a deep toned desire— to know the tmi' way of interpreting the
Sacred Scriptures:" Ac, iVc.

now I GOT TflE COURT HOUSK.

The next day I sought tlio shcrilT to ohtain tlie
use of the Court house for my lectures ; l)ut it was
a long time hefore I conkl find him ; and wlien I
did he as positively as politely informed me tliat I
could not have it ! I remonstrated and hosought
in vain ; he said the hall had heen so abused by
being used by every one who catne along, that they
had concluded not to grant the us(! of it any more
for any other than City or Council purposes. But
as this did not at all comport with the purpose for
which T had come to Peoria, I thought T would not
take "No," for nn answer: so I continued to be-
siege him in the most agreeable! way T could;
mentally resolved not to leave him till he had con-
sented. So presently 1 took out a posting bill,
which 1 Jiad with me, ;)nd filled out the blanks to
the effect that I should deliver the first Lecture of
the Course at the Court House in Peoria, on Mon-
day evening, Dec. 'J(')th. I showed this to the
Sheriff, who said notjiiu';: 1 then went to th(? out-
side door, and tncked it ui)on it! Wliilst I was
doing so, he came out, and apologized to me for
for being so hard-hearted, and said T could have
the room for that one lecture, but for no more ; so
that much was gained. The next day 1 had my
advertisements circulated about town, which creat-
ed some talk : the prevailing opinion however was
that it was a humbug. Still the lecture was well
attended, and attentively listened to, and seemed
to make a favorable impression. At its close I
stated to the audience what I proposed doing, and
suggested the way I wished it to be done. I said

AliPAN(ii;MENT FOR LKCTUUKS.

that it" tlioy would like vO hear the Course of Lee-
tures, (tliey were on the Creation, &c.,) that I
would deliver theui on these conditions, viz : they
must furnish me with a suitable room or hall for
that purpose, and warm and light it ; I told them
the difliculty I had had with the sheritT in regard
to obtaining the Court House for that evening, and
that he would not let me have it again. That they
must advertise the Lectures, appoint a door-keeper,
and take up a collection every evening ; and that
if they collected enough to satisfy me, I would go
on with them, if not, I should stop ; or if they
were dissatislied, they weri; to let me know. And
I said, with a view to ascertain whether this
method will suit you, I propose that you nominate
a chairman, and take the sense of the meeting ;
and, if approved of, that he aiipoint a committee of
six persons to make the necessary arrangements.
This was at once agreed to, and Dr. Dickinson,
(Unitarian,) was called upon to take the chair,
which he did ; and the plan which I suggested was
at once adopted. There was now no dilliculty in
obtaining the use of the Court House, and suitable
persons were ai)pointed to warm and light it, and
ring the l)ell, and take up the collections.

The Lectures were well attended, and for the
first two or three evenings the amount collected
was quite satisfactory, alter that they fell olf ; so
the connnittee announced that no person should
be allowed to come in who did not give something;
and as there was no currency then smaller than
live cents, they iiuisfc pay at least so much. The

WHAT THE PEORIA REGISTER SAID.

first evening after this, many who came without
any money, had to go away, or go and get some ;
some returned, and some did not ; but after that
they all brought something, and the collections
were again satisfactory, and the attendance large
and respectable. After finishing the Course on the
Creation, &c., I was urgently requested to deliver
some on the peculiar theological views of the New
Church, which I did, giving in all eleven lectures.
The editor of the Peoria Recjister, who was a
deacon in the Presbyterian church, in his paper of
Dec. 80th, thus notices my lectures. "Mr. Field
a lecturer of some celebrity at the Nortli, com-
menced a course here on Monday night which has
been received with great acceptance. His subject
is The Creation — a boundless field. We have not
been able to be present, but learn from those who
have, that they have been highly entertained, and
on some points instructed. ' On Wednesday even-
ing,' says a correspondent, 'the manner in which
the sun, earth and other planets were produced
was the subject. The positions taken b}- him are
at least novel, and however our fancy may have
been pleased, our judgment is not yet convinced.
Tliis evening the proper signification of the first
chapter of Genesis is announced to be given, and
a rich treat is expected." Mr. F. is a believer in
tiie theological doctrines of Swedenborg, though
whether his scientific views are derived from him,
or whether they are his own, we know not." In
tlie next issue of the same paper, (Jan. 6th, 1843)
the editor thus comments ; — " Mr. Field's Lec-

FURTHER COMMENTS.

TURES. Mr. Field closed his course of Lectures, on
the Creation, Deluge, and the Doctrines of the
* New Church ' last night, drawing crowded audi-
ences. We were able to be present at one only —
the first of the theological series. It would require
more room than we have to spare to present an
outline of this, and we shall therefore offer none.
A word or two upon the lecturer must suffice.
That he is a highly intelligent gentleman all will
acknowledge. His manner is entirely free from
declamation, and without any effort at oratory, he
rivets the attention of his hearers, while he unfolds
his meaning with the clearness of light itself. His
theological views are those of Emanuel Sweden-
l)org, a Swedish nobleman, who flourished about a
hundred years ago. Buck speaking of him says ;''
— Here, although hv had no room to give even " an
outline " of my lecture, he quotes at length what
Buck says. And thus he concludes : " Some of
our readers may possil)ly be reminded by this ex-
tract of some later prophets, who have sprung u^),
professing to hold colloquial intercourse with
' saints and angels,' but we dismiss all such 'cor-
respondences.' In all gravity we think the theo-
logical doctrines of the first seventeen cfuturies
the safest, and shall therefore adhere to them.
Mr. F. goes from here to Springfield wlience he
may proceed to St. Louis, in both of which cities
he will produce a * sensation.* '"

Before leaving Peoria, 1 had an opi)ort unity to
learn that the following named persons had become
deeply interested in the Doctrines of the New

LEFT FOR SPIiIN(iFlEIiD.

Church, aiifl -(lesh'ous of loarniiig more alrout it,
viz : Dr. and Mr3. Dickinson, J)r. lious, Mr. Alex.
Cooper, Amos Bartlett, Ealph Ilanihn, II. Lightner,
Merriman, Taylor, Greene, Tuttle, Bryon, Bester,
Ingraham and wii'e, Eamen, Smith, Durst, Laman,
Howell, Keller, Mrs. Davis, and Rev. Mr. Allen ;
besides Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Powell.

Having so satisfactorily accomplished the object
for which I visited Peoria,* 1 again made ready to
continue my journey ; and about the middle of the
night of Jan. <">th, 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.

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-

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.

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

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

FAVOllABLE COMMENTS.

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

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.

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

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 ;

MY LECTURES THEIlE.

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

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

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.

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

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.

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

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

RETURN TO BATTLE CREEK.

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

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 : —

ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED.

" 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-

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.

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<h< vol. IG, page
317, — and in the New Churchman, toI. 2, page 188.

I '3

AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED.

By Jacob King, for Marshall $15 OO

" Charles Hiukle, for Marshall 10 00

" Abiel Silver, for Edwardshurg 25 00

•' David W, Howell, for Battle Creek . . , 15 00

" Hans and Henry Thielson, of Jacksou 25 00

" E, D. Fisher, of Brigliton 10 00

" R. H. Murray, of Albion 20 00

" J. Y. Scammon, for Chicago 60 00

•• J. T. Little, of Farmington 5 00

" M. II. RoUin, for Goshen, Ind 40 00

" Mrs. J. R. Dorr, of Detroit 15 00

$2H0 00

EXPECTED FROM

C. P. and R. Bush of Genoa $20 00

Detroit 10 00

Ann Arbor 10 00

Dexter and Lima 5 00

Prairie Roude 20 00

Homer 5 00

St. Joseph 30 00

Elkhart 20 00

»120 00

Total $350 00

The following is a copy of the communication
sent to the Ecclesiastical Committee of the New
Church Western Convention : —

** Dear Brethren, — Inclosed I send you the
Minutes, of the Proceedings of a meeting of Eead-
ers and Eeceivers of the Doctrines of the New Jeru-
salem Church, convened at this place on the 2nd
inst., to which I respectfully ask your attention.*

In accordance with the instructions therein given
me, as Secretary of the Association then organized,

*A copy of the above Proceedings, together with a reference
to my Missionary tour just published, accompanied this.

APPLICATION TO CONVENTION.

I beg leave to represent to the Committee, in
behalf of said Association, that Mr. George Field,
the bearer ot this communication, is personally
well known to a majority of those present at the
meeting above mentioned ; and by reputation to the
remainder ; that all testified their perfect confidence
in the goodness of his moral character, and his
fitness for the duties of a* Minister ; and that by a
unanimous vote, the Association gave a formal ex-
pression to these sentiments. The Association of
Keaders and Receivers of the Doctrines of the New
Jerusalem Church, in Michigan, and Northern
Indiana, therefore, entertaining these opinions, and
desirous of engaging brother Field as Missionary
for the region of country represented by the Asso-
ciation does hereby recommend to the Ecclesiastical
Committee of the Western Convention, that Mr.
George Field, of this State, be ordained a Minister
of the Lord's New Church, fully authorized and
empowered to lead in public worship, — to preach
the truths and doctrines of the New Jerusalem
Church, — to administer the ordinances of Baptism,
and the Holy Supper, to officiate at funerals and
weddings ; and, under the authority, and at the
request of the Western Convention, and in such a
manner as it may prescribe, to ordain others into
the Ministry of the New Church. And we respect-
fully request that the Committee will, as soon as
may be, give to this, our recommendation and
desire, a favorable consideration, and we hope, if it
be admissible, that without waiting for the meeting
•of the Convention, the Acting Committee may

I
i

ill

f!(

I ACCEPT THE CALL.

accord a confirmation of your compliance with our
earnest wish. Signed, Jacob King, President,
Ilobt. H. Murray, Secretary, Abiel Silver, E. D.
Fisher, Hans Thielson, Henry Thielson, Charles
Hinkle, David W. Howell, William G. Wheaton,
Justin Dobbin.

" By EoBT. H. Murray,

"Secretary.
"Albion, Michigan, Jan. 29th, 1843."

Together with the above documents, Mr. Mur-
ray, as Secretary of the Association, wrote me a
very kind and hopeful letter, in which also he gave
me a cordial invitation to come to his house when
I came to Albion, for I think it was fully expected
that I should accept the offer thus made mo. This
letter, and the accompanying documents had been
detained for some time in the hands of the Secre-
tary, before they were mailed ; but reached me
whilst I was in St. Louis ; but the circumstances
then occurring and already related, prevented me
from replying sooner than the 28th of March,
whilst in Battle Creek.

The proposition was in every way agreeable to
me ; and it opened up an orderly and legitimate
way of promulgating the Doctrines of the Church,
as well as conducting its public worship. I am
conscious that I had already been transcending my
proper function and use in the manner I had pro-
claimed and taught the Doctrines. It certainly
was not my intention to do so ; but I often found
myself exposed to great uncertainty as what I
ought to do in the peculiar circumstances in which

INADEQUATE PROVISION.

',;

I found myself placed, and with no one to consult
with, or advise me ; and this ditliculty increased
as I went on, rather than diminished. But now a
way presented itself by which this irregularity
could be avoided, by being, with the full consent
and approbation of my brethren, ordained into the
Ministry of the New Church ; and I therefore wrote
my acceptance of their call to the IMinistry, and to
become their Missionary. Still the means provid-
ed for doing this were not j^articularly encourag-
ing. Here was a range of country for me to visit,
of nearly three hundred miles in length, from East
to West; i.e., from Detroit to Chicago; and by
cross country routes, often without any stages, from
Goshen, Ind., to the heavy timbered lands of
Livingston and adjoining Counties in Michigan.
And whilst tlnis travelling, my tlu-ee little children,
now motherless, the oldest only eight years old,
and the youngest only a year and a half, had to be
put out to board. And what were the means pro-
vided for me to meet my expenses with ? For the
year, there was prnmiaed $'280.00; and in expect-
ancy, si'iO.OO more, which, if all realized, would
be $320.00 ; and out of this I had to pay my ex-
penses for board, &c., whilst staying eight weeks
at Battle Creek, till tlie Convention should assem-
ble at Cincinnati; and also to pay my fare, &c., in
getting there.

But nothing discouraged by the prospects I re-
solved to do the best I could, and trust in the [)ro-
vidence of the Lord for the rest. So, on the lltli
of May, 1843, I again left Battle Creek, on my way

ill l> I i>l IM

W'-

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-

MY ORDINATION.

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

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.

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.

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."

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,

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.

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<j()linij with the shades of fiirfht.

Breaks like the Borealis, througli the gloom, stax'tling the ilniui

menty
A heavenly sign that virtue is rex^irintj among men. truth,

And the celestial marriage, so long lost, of goodness with its
Shall be restored.'

"I am, yours very respectfully,

"George Field,
"Columbus, June 12, 1818.

*' P. S. — The words italicised in the latter part of
this communication, are to shew that without such
natural things and actions, borrowed from the
material world, no mental ideas could be coiutnun-
icated."

EDITORIAL CRITICISM.

To this was appended the following editorial re-
marks. "We cannot enter into a full discussion
of even this one point, in which we differ from
Mr. Field ; and had almost determined to publish
his criticism without any intimation whether it
had, or had not removed our objections. We will
however barely state, that we are not convinced
that the true translation of aour, is 'light,' and not
matter of light. Nor are we prepared to admit
that the latter translation w^ould give us merely
latent light, and not that light requisite for the
growth of vegetation, and for the distinction of
day from night.

" What the particular agent may have been
which rendered those elements active, or called
forth sensible light, we do not know ; but it
may have been the proximity of one of these
dark bodies known to sometimes interpose be-
tween us and stars — perhaps a twin sister in
the same stage of creation. Late investigations
in electro-magnetism have resulted in discoveries
which threw doubts upon the old theories of
geological deposits and formations, and may
thoroughly revolutionize the science (so to speak)
of geology — rendering it, as they do, probable
that this 'matter of light' produced an instan-
taneous stratification of the primitive or interior
substances of the earth. Assuming this to have
been the case, we account for the mass hav-
ing been thrown, by sudden condensation, into a
state of fusion, and hence deduce, that by degrees
the great heat at the surface was dissipated ; this

- *i

.■.^■t^..^Uh-^'S>^i4»..

WK\K OI5.IECTION3.

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.

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

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\ \\

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Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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&?-

THE DAYTON PRESS

opinions of the age, whether the same be of a moral,
civil, scientific, or religious nature." — *' Since Mr.
Field has been among us, delivering his course of
Lectures, some few, who had been forced into
scepticism, have seen a new light, and we hope will
be able to see that there is now a highway out of
Egypt. ]\rr. Field has established beyond the
power of contradiction, that the Bible is written in
a peculiar language, which was transmitted from
God to man, through nature; and in the language
of nature itself; and hence the most pure of all
languages. This fact he not only proves l)y the
Bible's own authority, but by ancient and profane
history." " I shall now only say in conclusion,
that every one who feels a desire to enquire after
TRUTH for the sake of truth, may find a rich reward
by going to hear IMr. Field. He appears to be a
man profoundly learned in all the sciences, and has
an uncommon fund of historical knowledge, and
withal, they will lind him a very pleasant speaker."
These remarks, however, besides being far too
compliuK'iitary, contained a statement which I
thought would leave a wrong impression : I have
not quoted it, but its import was, that (ill the Bible
w'as purely symbolical, and luid no literal sense.
So I wrote a reply, in which after properly introduc-
ing tlie subject, I said, "Had your correspondent
said, as I have no doubt, but he intended; that
these observations hold good only to the first eleven
chapters of Genesis, which treat of events up to the
time of Abraham, and were therefore written in
that style of pure allegory which then prevailed,

AND MY REPLY TO IT.

both in treating of things sacred and profane, there
would have been no misunderstanding; l)ut at that
period the knowledge of this universal language
being lost, at the confusion of tongues ; a more
external language began to prevail, as the character
of men became more external, natural, or literal ;
and that thus whilst the Divine language could be
no other than the same, yet in accommodation to
the state of man, for whom it was intended, the
internal meaning, which before was purely allegor-
ical, or symbolical, now became invested with a
literal sense, and thus literally true; although,
this mode of communicating Divine truth was not
80 much for the sake of the letter, as for the spirit
which was within ; — and sometimes this literal
sense was not intended to be strictly understood,
even after the above referred to epoch, as may often
be seen in the prophetic writings. But the Divine
Word was first like a naked child, which afterward
became clothed, exce[)ting the face and hands.
And so was the Divine Word : when used by men in
a celestial, or child-like state of innocence, it was
naked; but as the wickedness of man rendered the
mental or si)iritual atmospheres colder, as he
receded from the Tree of Life, he clothed himself
with fig-leaves, representative of the natural state ;
or of the spiritual sense of the Word, being clothed
with the letter ; and this clothing became thicker,
and thicker, as it was necessary more and more to
preserve from profanation the holy things of the
internal sense, which renders so much of the
genuine sense of the Word obscure, save where

ST. LOUIS AND PEORIA.

the hands and face thereof arc seen." Thus, "in
the Jewish dispensation, the internal sense is
clothed with the literal, which is for its protection ;
for over all the (/lory, it is written, there shall be a
covering, or defence.

George Field."

Mr. Prescott had preceded me at this place by
delivering a few lectures there, nearly a year and a
half previously ; and there were nearly twenty
adult receivers of the Doctrines in the place ; but
no Society, or meetings for worship.

On concluding my labors in Dayton I returned
to Cincinnati, where I remained for a few days,
during which time I preached at the Temple, and
also at Covington, liy., and on Tuesday p.m.,
July 2;">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.

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

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.

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

i i

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

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

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.

.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-

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 '"■''"''■^'' »"<!
'A Vindication of the 1 ^^'"'''""^h. entitled
of the Hon. E„,an, el "^'T"'"' ""'' ^^'i'-s

i'^ko of J)erby,. 4e.' If "ot ^ "" ''^"- '^^ «•
pondent is desirous thaf » T°".>'""'»» 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.

^^ 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

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.

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

f ^;

Til

^i
I

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.

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.

1 '

n It

• 1=

\'\

• 1

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

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

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 :|

■):

f '

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 , ''"''' ''««''<Je»
'>«" •' 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"^«<i
"macadamised road was made t?'' "^ " S"""
« sl.ort cali on Mr. Gwynn, It r,"""'', "^ ^ «'"'«
John JIm,,o,j, SimWfi ;. '"'"''"^'""'IMr.
^^b. 6th, (1844) ZTf: '"■"^"'« ™ Dayton
a^.V home with my steeiT;" ""''^ "^ '^"Por-

I preached at the AfpHf"'^'''™''"" ("'e llth)
fl-ctable audience an 'I 1- ^!i""'' '" " ^-^ "e.
^^« Dayton the next morn '"' '''" "'"W''^" I
^""sday evenings ;te,rd"';!r'°" M°"day and
Springfield. Here It, t " "'« ^«'"-' House in
;!«h A-in,,ly cxcha^g^d "1'""= ^'^''' ^^- M".

---outfu'rstShr-!^^^^

COMMENCE IN DETBOIT.

107

Af bor, till I
etroit. My
efore going
'Other Hib-

o"^d not be
the woods,
Jse of one
8, besides
and cbi].
^^y down

ained me

'easure of
Mf. and

• 31st), I

' and the

deprived

s a good
J made

and Mr.

Dajton,
'empor-
id Mrs.
'llth),
ery re-
en. I

^jand
use in
Mur-
!o, on
a bus,

3U8e.

went

to Detroit ; arriving at Mr. Dorr's on the 23rd of
February, with a view of making that City my
home, in accordance with previous arrangements.

On the 1st of March (1844,) I rented, and took
possession of a room, to be jointly occupied as a
School room during the week, and for a Church on
the Sabbath.

It was not a very attractive place, being a back
room, up one flight of stairs on Jefferson Avenue
nearly opposite to the Michigan Exchange ; (then
numbered 53). At this time this was about the
outskirts of that part of tlie City, and but little
business was done there. On the 14tli day of the
same month I commenced teaching ; and on the
27th commenced the re-delivery of my Course of
Lectures on the Creation, &c., at the City Hall.
This was done at the especial request of one of the
citizens, who wished them to be free, and volun-
teered to pay all the expenses himself. On the
27th of April I went to Jackson to attend the first
Quarterly meeting of the Association.

As this was not a business meeting; but de-
signed expressly for ttie religious and social inter-
course of such as resided in that region of country,
a large meeting was not expected. It may however
be interesting to put on record the names of some
of those who attended — which, as well as can now
be ascertained, were Mr. J. I. Herrick, Mr. Hans
Thielson, Henry N. Thielson, D. J. Holden, Jabez
Fox, C. Hinkle, and Howe, Hasbrook Calender*
Perry, Millerd, R. H. Murray, wife, and children,
Mrs. Eawson, Mrs. McClara, Mrs. Mann, Mrs.

^*j

4-41

108

MKETINO AT JACK80K.

Johnson, and myaelf On M,„t

April 27tl., 18441 I ,,,,i<'™""'8. (Saturday

m the afternoon administered t'^frTT" = """
ten communicants,, an.l deli", 'a w"''!'"'" '°
evening. After the service ZV ,"" '" "'«
Mr. Corjdon Jfillerd ,7„e » '"*■' "'""'"S-
The Secretary, in irl ' p"'"' ^~ ''■■'I'"''ed.
meeting, say.s, '' A Z"'tZ "?""'" "^ """
i« ''"I'e.!. ..rofitalile e ,t o 7 '"""""'"' ""'' «

-•-tod '.y.,.arati:nr; j;::::''-''"^^- '^'■

■"emlicr., parted however witH J T ■'""• ^'"'
Pation of again meetin. \nl"l"^T"'" """«'-
larger number of tlieir hZ "''"' '"""' «'"' a

fellow citizens of N 1 "" '"i "'" ^'"-''' ""d
Quarterly meetin. va7r,.f !,"'"•" '^''"^ '"^^
Ann Arbor. On «,e 8tb " 7r '' *" ^" ''«''' at
Course of Leetureson he /'^.' ™"'='"''«' ""y
Hall ; and on tiie „W * ^^"'^ ^^ ."- CitJ
mence,! a Course of I ,. .7 '*' "'"'"'"S eom-

«'« «'"eh at :; Lt:'~j::,:,.^''-''- <>'

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

m ':

iLl' ;r>H

112

AT DETROIT AGAIN.

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

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

126

MOVED TO BETTER ROOM.

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

•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, —

•t*
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

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

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|

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.

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/<in Christi<in llcndd; on the tendency o^
the writings of the Honble. Emanuel Swodenborg."

After which, addressing him in propria per4ona,
I say :

*' To the Rev. James Inglis, Editor of the Michiijan
Christian Herald :

" Sir: — There is an editorial in your paper of this

day's date, of considerable length, purporting to

tell what * Swedenborgianism' is ; and (although

perhaps unintentionally,) really telling what it is

not. If you had simply stated that to which we

Jjad no right to take exceptions, or had no just

ground for so doing, we should be content to let it

' ¥ :

186

SCANDALOUS CHAROES.

pass unnoticed, but it is not so. We do protest
against ar.l deny the view that you have presented
of us ; we affirm that we are injured and scan-
dahzed by that article, and as such, think that we
do not ask too muc}» ''n requesting the insertion of
this reply. Should . deny it, it will but add to
the obloquy which such a course of treatment can-
not fail to inflict upon yourself.

You speak of us in the most contemptuous terms.
— You call us '* infatuated," and describe us as
" shallow quibblers, cowardly infidels, self-indulgent
boasters, and morbid doaters on earthly mysteries :"
— as using ** substitutes for religion, cloaks for
infidelity," — and you say that " in the cunning
efforts of its ministers to beguile unstable souls,
may not those we love be drawn into their pernicious
■ways'?" — Andindee' hat we " have enticed and
entrapped the honcL iC sincere and the lovely,"
&c. And after much more to the same effect,
•which we shall notice in order, you thus conclude
your chapter of expletives and declamations : —
** Such a thing may thrive in the licentious courts
and capitals of Europe, — the people of Michigan
will spurn it from their shores !" Yet, (on the
opposite side of the same paper, and it is well it is
the opposite), you say, ^'Jhlelity and honestif, com-
bined with vharitji and Jorhearance, are eminently
demanded (!) of the advocates of a pure and spiritual
Christianity !" and " from our defence and our ad-
vocacy we shall seek to exclude all bitterness and
wi'dth, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking,
and in all our dealings with brethren of every name.

IN BAPTIST PAPER.

187

we wouW bo actuated l)y the apostolic precept,
"forbearing one another, even as God for Christ's
sake, hath forgiven you." Wo appeal to your own
heart and ask if you have thus dealt with us?
"What can we say to such chart^es, but that they
are unfounded, and unworthy of aChristian minister
to make ? We ask what evil have we done ? We
learn in our church that every injury inflicted upon
another, wounds those most who inflict it, and if
you had known this, you might, perhaps, have
been more sparing in your denunciations.

Still, we do not complain that such an article
will do U8 any permanent injury ; it oversteps
propriety far too much for that ; but it may mis-
lead some minds, and give them erroneous impres-
sions, which you, as a Minister of Truth, would
certainly wish to see corrected. But before speak-
ing of these particularly, I would notice the lead-
hig idea, and I suppose the most painful of all,
viz : — That in the election of Chaplain of the
Senate of this state, Mr. Inglis received two votes*
and Mr. Field eleven.* Now you would seek to
rescue this commonwealth from the obloquy and
disgrace that will attach to our humiliating position
in the eyes of sister states" by this act, and for
this purpose you would enlighten our Senators*
shew them that they have not been less " infatuated"
than ourselves, by lending " their sanction and
influence" to the teacher of these " mysteries," and

• The vote stood thus :— Rev. Dr. Duffield. 1 ; Rev. J, B.
Davidson, 1 ; Rev. Stebbins, 1 ; Bishop McCoskry, 1 ; Rev. J.
A. Baughmau, 2 ; Rev. J. IngUs, 2 ; Rev. G. Field, 11.

138

FALSE STATEMENTS.

thus "by an overt act sought to enrol 'Us] among
Christian denominations !"

With deference we submit that our honorable
Senators are competent to judge for themselves
who shall be their Chaplain ; l)ut was there the
most remote su&^jicion for the thought that they
repented of their choice, the present incumbent
would instantly withdraw, and afford an opportuni-
ty for the Senate to make a re-election.

You call us infidels ''cowardly infidels,'" seeking by
** an overt act, to be enrolled among Christian deno-
minations ;" but here you do but reveal how lament-
ably ignorant you are of our true position. We
assure you, Sir, that we are not infidels, but so
far othciwise, that our doctrines are the oiili/ jyroper
antidote Jor infidelitif. Hence it is that so many
who have been made such by the inconsistencies
and contradictions presented in what is termed
orthodox}', have become sincere believers in the
Divine Word, through the light of the New Jerusa-
lem ; and what is remarkable, — no person, once
intelligently receiving this enlightened faith, was
ever known to forsake it ! And as for being coward-
ly, we know of no act of ours that can come under
that reproach. We openly avow our belief to the
whole world, and are ready to defend it when assailed.
You appear but now to have discovered that those
you love may be drawn into our " pernicious ways,"
and that we have " enticed and entrapped the
honest, the sincere and the lovel3\" It is certainly
true that those, and especially those who are
** honest, sincere and lovely," are such as find a

DENIED AND REFUTED.

139

kindred home witbin the walls of our New Jerusalem,
and there we believe, none others will seek to enter.
But it is not true when you say that they are
** enticed and entrapped." What inducements
could we offer ? They would know that they must
be expo«ed to such revilin.'^s as your present notice
is a specimen of ; but did you know the joy they
experience in these heavenly doctrines, notwith-
Btanding this, you would hardly say that they felt
entangled. Besides it does not explain the fact
that ministers of your own denomination, have
embraced our faith. The last I know of, is the
Rev. Mr. Wilkes, of New York, who has been 23
years a Baptist minister, and about a year ago
was re-baptized into the New Jerusalem and is now
a licenced preacher. If you should think that he
was entdnyled, I will furnish you with a copy of his
public address, (for insertion in your paper,) de-
livered upon his renunciation of the Baptist faith,
and embracing that of the New Jerusalem, which
will convince you that however much he might
have been entangled before that he is free now. Or
should one such case be insufficient, it is easy to
furnish more. But "Job Abbott" has unravelled
the tangled thread of Jiaptist orthodoxy, morG
successfully than perhaps any other person, and
before you attack us again, you had better read
that book.

Let me here reason with you a moment, — You
call our Church a " revived delusion, which may
entrap immortal souls," and as being unworthy of
being classed among " Christian denominations,"

!i ■'

I'll

140

THE FUTURE NEW CHURCH.

I I

&c. &c. Yet, I cannot but think, that had you
made yourself better acquainted with our doctrines,
you ivould not, you could not have said this.

So far from seeking to enrol ourselves under one
or other of your peculiar standards, or even as
taking common ground among you — we utterly dis-
claim it. All your sects and parties bear the same
relation to us, that the Jewish Church did to the
primitive Christian. We hold that all that first
Christian Church, (by whatever name now called,) is
consummated. And notwithstanding your expressed
conviction, that the New Church now being estab-
lished upon the earth, is but an ephemeral delusion'
we affirm that it will be the crown of all Churches,
the (jlory of the whole Earth, and trill endure for
ever. You say that "it is right that it should be
known, that out of this city there is not an organ-
ized body of Swedenborgians in the state." — Here,
Sir, your statistics are slightly at fault ; for we
have not as yet an organized body in Detroit, at
all. But we have three in the state, and certainly
more than one ordained minister. And if you
should have any further use for information of this
kind, I would say that we are even now very few
in number, every where. But about five years
ago, there were not more than a dozen receivers of
our doctrines known in the state, now, however,
they are scattered in almost every part of this
peninsula, and will increase, with the growing
intelHgence of the people.

Turn we now to Swedenborg, and how stinted
are your encomiuma. You seem to think that he

OPINIONS OF MAGAZINES.

141

possessed nothing more than " a general smatter-
ing of science," &c. How unbecoming it seems for
one in your responsible situation, to thus determine
without knowing, (see Prov. ch. 18, v. 13,) or if
knowing, then, worse still, to refuse credit. The
editor of the " Southern Literary Messenricr," who
has for " the last 20 years" noticed with the
*' curious eye of a spectator,'" the growth of the New
Church, speaks of Swedenborg as acquainted " with
the principles of almost every art and science
within the range of human inquiry ;-— was minute
and accurate, and whose contributions to philosophy,
to the mathematics, and especially to theology, rare
and wonderful in their kind, are more voluminous,
probably, than those of any other author, living or
dead."

And the editor of the " Monthly Review," says :
— " We have seen that in philosophy, mineralogy,
magnetism, anatomy, physiology, algebra, ethics,
theology and geometry, he excelled all other authors
of his age." " Men of slender pretensions, and
even those taking high rank among the jjeritissimi
of the day, have been accustomed to dismiss with a
sneer, or condemn with a scowl, all mention of or
reference to, Emanuel Swedenborg. The " enthu-
siast, visionary, monomane, the man who affected
to converse with beings of another world, the cal)a-
listic mystic, — in short, the madman dreamy."
** A person" say they, "who pretended to enjoy
intercourse with invisible beings ; — who affected
to be able to converse with the spirits of the de-
parted, and who indulged in the delusive fancies of

142

GENIUS OP SWEDENBORQ.

a heated, if not distempered brain, can surely lay
no claim to the title of a man of science, and pre-
tend to be expositor of the all but hidden laws of
nature," &c.

" This, or something like this, is the opinion,
either expressed or implied, of most persons with
•whom we have conversed respecting Swedenborg
and his works. And it is not derogatory to us to
say, that until we perused some of his works — such
is the influence of early academic prejudice, — that
we were just as much inclined to unite in the
general censure, as are those to whom we have
just now alluded." But, he continues, *' visionaries
do not deal in geometry and algebra, and mathe-
matics, nor do they make great discoveries in the
brain." " In fine, we record our opinion, positively,
and not relatively ; wholly, and without reservation,
that if the mode of reasoning and explanation
adopted by Swedenborg, be once understood, the
anatomist and physiologist will acquire more in-
formation, and obtain a more comprehensive view
of the human body, and its relation to a higher
sphere, than from any single book ever published.
Nay, we may add, than from all the books which
have been written (especially in modern times,) on
physiology. Swedenborg reasons not on any
hypothesis, nor on any theory, nor on any favorite
doctrine of a fashionable school, but on the solid
principles of geometry, based on the immutable
rock of Truth. And he must and will be considered
at no distant period, the Zoroaster of Europe, and
the Prometheus of a new era of reason — however

SWEDENBORG S DISCOVERIES.

143

at present the clouds of prejudice may intervene,
or the storms of passion obscure the coruscations
of his intellect." — Monthly Review, June, 1844.

Still you say, " with what discovery is his name
identified ? What contribution has he made to
human knowledge ? Unless we concede that his
dreams are true revelations of the spirit world, none,
— it is not pretended." Though we consider it to
be of little consequence whether he did make any
discoveries in science, or not, yet when it is thus
denied that he made any, and that it is not even
pretended that he did ; we are led to inquire if
you have ever read, or even seen, in Latin or in
English, Swedenborg's ** Principia,'" (2vols. 8vo.)
— his "Animal Kingdom,'' (2vols., 8vo.,) — his
" Economy of the Animal Kingdom,"" (2 vols., 8 vo.,)
— his work on the Brain, or on Iron, Copper and
Brass, &c. ? Or are you aware of the discovery
•which Swedenborg made of the coincidence of
motion between the brain and the lungs ? or of
" a passage of communication between the right
and left, or two lateral ventricles of the cerebrum,
afterwards attributed to Dr. Monro, as the
^* Foramen of Monro V — Or of his discovery of a
seventh planet 40 years before it was proclaimed
by Herschel ? If you do not know these things, it
is useless to ask further. You have certainly shown
how ably you can criticise the Master Genius of
the age !

*' We follow you now in your expositions of
* Swedenborgianism ! ' as you are pleased to term
it, to the account you give of Swedenborg's pecu-

^'1
»«1

■■i

■W"

144

SHAMEFUL ATTACK.

liar psycological condition. You say that 'he was
in a superior Mesmeric state ! — he was the Prince of
Clairvoyants ; ' and this, you affirm, is stating his
claims as they were presented by his friends ! ' "

" Now we do most distinctly affirm, that the
friends of Swedenborg never do, or have said any
such thing ; but that on the other hand, they have
uniformily protested against everything of the kind.
Indeed, no one could know enough of Swedenborg
to be his friend, who would say any such tiling.
And now we come to notice the last and most dis-
reputable thing of all. You say that this system
* panders to each corrupt propensity,' and ' offering
to the heart in all its corruptions, unlimited indul-
gence. There is not a demand of passion, any
more than an emotion of pride, that is not flattered
with a license ! ' And you ask in triumphant cli-
max, whether parents * will be willing to furnish
mistresses for its disciples, from the fairest of their
daughters?'"

** Oh, Shameful ! Shameful ! — What spirit could
possess any man, so to write ? — If you were ignor-
ant why did you not learn '? But if you knew, why
did you say so? Did you not think that then you
had made the fatal stab ? But did you examine the
quality of the spirit that dictated it ? The world
knows of nothing so pure and spotless as our heaven-
ly doctrine of conjugial love. — Nothing can exceed
its beauty, or equal its exalted virtue. It is the hal-
lowed love of those angels nearest to the throne of
God ; and Swedenborg everywhere presents this as
the proper life of those who shall constitute the
Lord's New Church.

REFUTED AND EXPOSED.

115

" But besides this celestial or angelic love, he
describes that which is infernal — tlio lusts and con-
cupiscences of devils, which he denominates * the
pleasures of ijimnity concerning Scortatory Lov<\'

" Have you read, Sir, the treatise on Conjugial
and scortatory love ? I infer that you have not,
because I notice that you quote precisely the same
passages, and in the same words, that Dr. Wood
does in his work against our author, (whicli are not
correctly quoted by him, conse({uently, not by you !)
and which you bring forward in a far more unjust
manner than even he does. Suppose an infidel
were to object to the truth of the Scriptures, because
of the conduct of Lot's two daughters, (den. ch. IJ),
from V. 131 to end of ch., also the 8th v. of the same
ch.,) and Abraham's intercourse with Hagar — or
Sampson, (see Judges, 10th ch. v. 1st. — and Amos,
7 ch. 17th V. — or Hosea, cii. 1 v. 2, &c. &c.) then
how would you reason ?

" Whatever your answer may be, it will apply to
your own position. Swedenborg everywhere des-
cribes lusts and fornications of every kind, as sins,
and teaches that they should be shunned as such
— and that no one, in the love and indulgence of
these passions, can enter heaven. But that the
vilest of the Hells are composed of adulterers, and
also says that " at this day that Hrll increases,
owing its increase particularly to those who are of
the Christian world, so called, and who have their
chief delights inadulteries.'- -And that ' there have
been some of each sex from that part of the world
called Cliristendom, who during tlieir life in the

14G

TIIK WICKED IN HELL,

Ixtdy, have t]ioii<^lit arlulterieR not only lawful, but
likewise holv, and have thus considered what the\'
hav3 impionsly termed common or jn-omiscuous
marriages, under an appearance of holiness. 1
observed that such were sent to Gehenna.' * Thev

ft'

who ensnare,' he says, ' by pretending a regard for
conjugial love, and for love towards children, be-
having themselves in such a manner, that a hus-
band has no suspicion but they are chaste, innocent
and frieudlv guests, and who under such and
various other appearances, commit adultery with
greater security. These are in a hell beneath the
back parts, in the most filthy ordure, and are vas-
tated to such a degree as to become like mere bonejs,
because they rank with the treacherous ! ' And ' it
was told them that it is as impossible for such adult-
erers, void of conscience, to come into Heaven, as
for a fish to live in air, or a bird in ether ; because
on the instant of their approach thereto, they feel,
as it were, a suffocation, and their adulterous de-
light is changed into a most offensive stench ; —
And further, that they must needs be thrust down
into hell, and become finally, like bony substances,
with little life in them, because they have accpiired
to themselves a life so wicked, that when tlicy lose
it, there remains so very little of life truly human."
* All such ' he continues, ' suffer the most grievous
punishment in another life, inasmuch as their life
in this world has been contrary to all ordtr, natural,
spiritual, and celestial; and not only contrary to
conjugial love, which in Heaven is accounted most
holv, but also contrary to innocence, which they

AND THK WICKKD ON EARTH.

14'

wound and kill, by engaging innocent virj^inB in a
life of prostitution, who might 1)0 initiated intoconju-
gial love. The destroyers of such love are interior
homicides ; they must needs sutler in another life
the most grievous punishment.'

"And yet, Sir, while we believe such dreadful
results liapp(!n in the other life to fornicators and
adulterers, you actually say we give these passions
'unlimited indulgence,' and either ignorantly or
wilfully present us as luring into this dire and in-
fernal life, ' the honest, the sincere and the lovel}' I '
and appeal with subtle craft, to woman's dearest
treasure — to lacerate and wound her finest sensi-
bilities, by so ruthless and cruel an attack. Oli, Sir !
could you see the face of your own soul, as it will
be seen in the eternal world, you would not again
try by such a desperate effort, to pour out poisoned
water upon the fair fame of the daughters of the
New Jerusalem. P]very honest female, every truth-
ful heart will brand this artifice with the stamp it
merits, and recoil indignantly from such a charge.
And shame, hiirniiKj shame, will yet mount into your
face, and cause your ears to tingle.

Yet Swedenborg teaches that there are different
degrees of enormity amongst the sensual, the
brutal and filthy; and distinguishes between them,
and shows that there are cases, where the pre-
servation of the life, or of the reason c^ould not
otherwise be effected, than by the permission of
certain lesser evils, according to the law of the
Divine Providence, which is that Irsser eiuJs are
permitted a-hen theij will prevent greater, because

^:ii^
■ i

\r'

148

SCORTATOUY LOVE.

thus successively all rr/7.s can be removed, when
otherwise they could not at all. And this we
helieve to l)e tau^^ht in the internal sense of these
words: — "And Jehovah, thy God willput out those
nations by little and little. Thou raayest not con-
sume them at once, lest the (wild) beasts of the field
increase upon thee." (Deut. 7. 22.) And Sweden-
borg's work on Scortatory Love, or infernal lusts,
from which you have quoted, (through J)r. Wood),
is for the use of such abandoned and prostituted
creatures as are in the connnission of the vilest
and most inordinate passions, that they may be
elevated, step by step, from the lowest wretched-
ness, even to angelic hai'pincss.

"It was for the same reason that minor evils
were permitted among the -Tews, ' because of the
hardness of their hearts," or they would have rushed
into the most dreadful enormities, and from whicli
they were thus withdrawn. And Paul seems to
have acted upon the same principle with his Gentile
converts, permitting tln-m to do what was not
allowed to the converted Jews. — Acts, 15 ch. vs.
10, 19, 20, 28, 21). And the Jews did then, what
you would fain do now. -See Acts. ch. 13, vs. 50.

And thus, though our author says so distinctly
and plainly, that all such sins are contrary to the
law and life of Heaven, and no one can be received
in the Church who does not acknowledge that all
evils must be shunned as sins against God, and that
we must live a life according to the Connnand-
ments ; yet you say that these things are not only
'flattered with a licence," and allowed ' milimited

SWEDENHOIUl S WUITINOS.

141)

in(lulp;oncc,' but even intimate that they are
pmctiaed by the nicinbers of the New Church !
l^jither, Sir, coine forward at once and renounce
this Ciihiinnious assertion, or it must and will
redound to your discredit — not only now, but will
])e written on your book of life to eternity.

" In conclusion, we intreat you and your readers
to examine carefully and i)rayerfully, these won-
drous writings, for they will brinf; peace and hap-
piness to your soul. In the words of the writer in
the Southern QaartcrJif licricir, we may say ' how-
ever slow their progress may have been in times
past, and in however little pojjular favor held, 'they;
are destined to impart a new impulse to social
progress, and infuse new life into the body politic
and theological: we cannot hesitate to assign to
them that prominence which they seem to v^ vO
fairly entitled to claim at the hands of patriots,
philanthropists and Christians. Their influence
even now is beginning to be more deeply felt than
is generally imagined. Some of the most masterly
writers of our day and country, are deeply imbued
with the spirit and general tone of thinking, of the
Swedish seer — appear to have sounded the depths
of his spiritual philosophy, and to have slaked
their thirst with liberal and refreshing <lraughts
from the overflowing fountain of his writings.'
And * that the promised period already approaches
— that tli(! seals are already broken — that light
already streams with a new and living splendor,
from the sacred page : jind they accordingly turn
to that new star which alreadv glitters in the East

'tii

150

Mil. INOLIS INDIGNANT.

with reverence and joy, as the harliiiigir of a
brighter and a better day.'

" How {greatly Hhines the illuHtrious Hcribo, whose pen
UnfoldH the preciouH scieuce of GocVa Word ;

How Hiiik tlie labors of all other men,
Coinnarcd with his wliose li{»ht was from the Lonl.

*' These, grovelliiij^, strive to reach the vast profound

Of Truth Divine, to men and anj^els j^iven ;
While lie, triurnphunt soars al>o\e the i^roiuid,

And ri'ads the sacred oracleH in Heaven.

" In that hri<,'ht li^'ht what f^lories meet his eye I
From that hrij,'ht sphere, what wonderH fill his mind ;

lie learns angelic wisdom in the sky,

And bears it down to earth to bless mankind.

" Yours, very respectfully,

" George Fikld.
''Detuoit, Jan. 18tb, 1847."

^Mr. Inglis was indignant that any other papers
should have consented to publisli this Reply, after
he had refused to do so ! But, not having accom-
l)lished his purpose in this his first essay, he re-
solved to try again ; and to this he was undoutedly
additionally uiov«.h1 from the fact, that not less
than six of the members of his Church had become
avowed receivers of the New Church Doctrines, and
attended our meetings.

So the next move was to get a cojiy of the work
on Conji((/ial Lor-' -I'l out from it the append-
ed treatise on ^ » sures of insanity concern-
ing Sd ' . presenting this sundered
append. > the 1 .Uing and most influential clergy-
men of the so ailed Evang(;lical Churches in the

TRYING AGAIN.

151

city ; requested them to read it, and then give him
their opinion in writing, of the character and ten-
dency of Swedenhorg's writings ! This they readily
agreed to do, — excepting one, and that one was
Bishop McCronky, of the Episcopal Church, — he
declined, — not, however, hecause he felt any more
friendly to the New Church than the others did ;
hut, as I was informed, his answer was, — " No Sir,
I shall have nothing to do with it ; and allow me to
say that I think tjon will do quite as well to do
nothing with it either ; at all events I am deter-
mined to give no help to it, or to let Swedenbor-
gianisra ride into notice on my shoulders." But,
not heeding this, Mr. Inglis persevered, and in due
course of time obtained his desired documents, and
so, on the 15th of March, the following Editorial
appeared, together with the above communications:

" SWEDENBOlKl's WRITINGS."

" We proceed to redeem a pledge, formerly given,
that we should bring forward conclusive testimony
as to the immorality and licentiousness of the
writings of Swodenborg. Wlion the justness of
our first remarks on tliis subject was disputed, we
felt that no other course remained open to us, — for
while we were conscious of having made ;i mild re-
presentation of the case, rather tiian an exaggerat-
ed estimate of its enormities ; we were, from the
nature of it, shut out from an opportunity of a full
justification. For we dare not assume the respon-
sibility 01 s[)rcading out but'oro readers of all ages
and conditions, the polluted, and polluting princi-
ples of this system. The oi)inions expressed below

!il-f|

152

IGNORANCE DISPLAYED.

i'
■v

will, doubtless, satisfy all candid readers, — and
warrant a repetition of the opinion that, ' such a
system may do for the licentious courts and capitals
of Europe ; but the people of Wichi{j;an will spurn it
from their shores.' Before introducin<j; our testi-
mony, it may be proper to say a word or two on
the general tendency ot the system. It may be
supposed that we have selected the treatise on
Scortator}- love, as being the worst, and most ob-
jectionable part of the writings ; and that all the
rest are characterized by purity. Now while the
principles of that work are of such a character, as,
in themselves to settle the question of the Divine
origin of the system of which they form a part ; we
may remark, that in almost every part of the sys-
tem are to be found principles as ungodly, and
views as base. It will be admitted that one of the
fairest and most unquestionable tests of a religious
system, or a man's religious principles, may be
found in the character of the heaven to which they
lead; — here you have their full development, —
their perfected results. And what is the charac-
ter of the Swedenboxgian heaven '? Swedenborg,
who asserts that the i\Iahometan religion is of
Divine orighi, places the Mahometan paradise on
the outside of the Swedenborgian heaven ; and the
readers of the Alcoran would, perhaps, fail to see
any very good reason why they should be in any
way separated.

We will admit that the .sentiment is elevated
somewhat in the writings of the Swedish pretender ;
but, after all, the picture he draws is of the same

OF THK STATE AFTER DEATir.

l.")3

order. According to liim, distinction of sex remains
after death, — love of the sex, and conjugal love re-
main — and consorts in Heaven, after all are suitably
mated ' 'enjoy intercourse with each other, similar
to that which they enjoyed in the world, hut more
pleasant and bli'ssed, and without prolitication.'
And this is heaven I This is that for which patri-
archs, and prophets, and apostles, waited, and
looked, and longed!! And for this we are to ex-
change the hope of the inheritance incorruptil)l(',
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, eternal in the
heavens ! ! !

The conversation of angels, as reported by the
strange intruder into the spirit world, would not
be tolerated by respectable people in America ; and
where it is not gross in its allusions, it is so childish
as to be intolerable to any but lovesick swains.
We might open at random for instances : but as we
have already bestowed more space upon it than
many of our readers will think warrantable, we
shall merely refer to two. In one of his relations,
regarding the spirit world, ho makes an (iiincl say
to certain strangers, to whom he had shown some
things in heaven ; ' In heaven wo love virgins for
their beauty, and the elegance of their manners,
and we love them intensely and chastely.' In
reply to which, his companions said, 'Who
can behold such beauties neiir, and not feel
some desire.' In another relation, he gives an
accountof a discussion, which was held by the spirits
of three new comers of distinction, who luid been
permitted to see the magnificence, and the virgins,

III

154

ORIGIN OF BEAUTY.

Ill

i ;

and wives of heaven ; * on the origin of the heauty
of the female sex." The last speaker thus sums
up, * What is beauty hut the delight of the sight ?
Whence is the origin of this delight, but from the
sport of love and wisdom. From this sport the
light is brilliant, and this brilliancy darts itself
from eye to eye, and forms beauty. What makes
beauty of face but red and white, and the beauti-
ful mixture of these with each other ? Is not the
red from love, and the white from wisdom, these
two T have seen manifestly in the face of two con-
sorts in heaven. The redness of whiteness in the
wife ; and the whiteness of redness in the husband,
and I have observed that from looking at each
other, they shone forth, v/e could almost venture
to alhrm that the speaker would have l)een hissed
out of the Lyceum of a Lunatic Asylum, l)ut in
the palace above they have a different standaud of
common sense, from what is known in this dull
sphere, for the assembl}'' of spirits 'clapped their
hands, and shouttil. He has conquered : and sud-
denly a llamy light, which is also the light of con-
jagial love, tlien'hlled the house with splendor, and
their hearts, with pleasanfcuess.' And must we
actually stoop, at this day, and in this country, to
discuss tlie inspiration of such a man '? We do not
believe it can ever come to that. Those who are
acquainted with the Baron's writings, know that
we have still kept back the worst of this com[)()und
of profanity, obscc'nity, and folly. We shall be
sorry to be driven to unveil it. The following ex-
pression of opinions, will speak for themselves.

DR. DUFFIELD S LETTER.

155

"DETRoir, March lOtli, 1847.

The Bev. J. Inglis, l)E\n Siu. — At your request I
have examined the treatise of Swedenborg, entitled,
'The pleasures of insanity concerning Scortatory
love.' Its language and thoughts, in many pages,
cannot but prove injurious to youthful minds. It
aliirms false and dangerous positions in morals,
and is eminently adapted to minister a salvo to
the consciuncesol some whose actions are lascivious.
He falsely and dangerously teaches that actions
which the Scriptures condemn as criminal, such as
fornication, can be rendered excusable and good, by
good purposes or ends. Concubinage, he says, in
the same way, may become lawful. Other things
of kindred character, with great particularity, are
set forth as Divine revelations! I am perfectly
disgusted with its pages. The dissemination of
such a work cannot fail to excite a most pestilentijil
influence in Society, by corrupting the minds, and
morals of youth. That any should for one moment,
conceive it possible that the num who wrote such a
iilthy treatise, can lay claim to Divine inspiration,
would lead me to question, as well, their sense of
X)urity, as tiie sanity of their judgment. I regard it
of kindred character with somi' of the Jesuitical
writings on the subject of morals.

"Yours truly,
•' Geo. Duffield."

" [A few words in the connuencement of thenext
letter have become illegible ; the meaning is, tliat
he has been en<j:n;ied in the unwelcome taski of

i ^Iti*

I )

•&"o"

reading the transhition of Swedenborg's treatise on

15G

Mil. HAMMOND 8 LETTKK.

Itl:

'fornication' and ' eoncul)inaf?e.' T speak of it as
an umvelcome tusk. — Siu'ely yon will sympathize
with me, and well understand the stateuient. I
had, from various sources, received some inthnation
of what I might expect ; hut the actual reading of
such sentiments exceedingly shocked and disgusted
me. As I turned over the polluted pages, I was
often reminded of the words of another; — 'Thave
touched pitch and am defiled.' The moral influence
of these treatises cannot hut he mischievous in the
extreme. For a professeiily relujioua treatise to
apologize for licentiousness under novel and soft
names ; and actually to advise certain forms of it,
by making great distinctions, where there are no
differences, is strange conduct. And that its
strangeness and absurdity are not at once seen,
and loathed by all who have enjoyed the pure
light of the Bible, is perhaps still more strange. It
can be explained however by the l)ook, which
declares that ' men love darkness rather than light,
])ecause their deeds are evil.' I would write more
at large, but for want of time.

"Yours sincerely,

"H. L. Hammond.

" Detroit, March 18th 1847."

"Dkar Sir, and Brottikr. — I have read with
care, the treatise on Scortatory love ; and in com-
pliance with your request, for an expression of my
opinion as to its moral character and tendency, I
freely state tliat both are decidedly bad — its general
dissemination could not fali to produce r(>sults
damjeroHs to socirtij : and especially tlie youth be-

MR. BAITGHMAN S LETTER.

157

coming familiar with its views, and embracing
them as true, mxiai nccesmrllff become corrupt therc-
}>y. Should the views therein inculcated on con-
cubinage, become common, they would inevitably
break ap the vert/ fomuhdion of society and domestic
order, and brint/ disgrace and ruin upon families. Its
justifiable .^rounds of concubinage may occur in
any family, and at any time ; and I might ask
with propriety, what lady of sensibility and refine-
ment would unite her destiny with any man, subject
to such misfortune or caprice. With regard to
your remaining questions, I should say, that the
production of such a treatise, must in itself be
fatal to all claims of the author to inspiration.
"Yours very n-spectfully,

" J. A. Bauqhman."
l>ear Sir, I have examined the pleasures of in-
sanity concerning Scortatory love, and am free to
t^xpress, that it is a work wholly unlit for the public
eye. Its tendency is of a eorrnptiiuj and demoraliz-
ing character ; and the diffusion of such principles
mustl>c regarded in the light of agreat moral calamity .
As it regards the author's claim to inspiration,
nothing could be more absurd, it is blasphemous
to say that the God of inlinite purity and holiness,
i\\ciiii^i\\m\iQ'\\A(;i-,>iomanifeiitUi<)bsceneandlicentious.
I cannot better express my opinion on this whole
subject, than in the language of the Tiev. John
Wesley,— Who illuminated either Jacob Behmen,
or Baroii Swedenborg, to contradict these things,
(the Scrii)tnres)? It could not hv the God of the
holy prophits, for lie is always consistent witli

' m

1)' 1 i

158

Mil. DAVIDSON S LKTTEK.

Himself ; — certainly it was tlio spirit of darkness.
And indeed " tlie light that was in them was dark-
ness," while they lahored to kill the never-dying
worm, and to put out the unquenchahle ih'e. And
with what face can any, that profess to ])elieve the
Bible give any countenance to these dreamers, —
tJiat filtlui dreamer in imrticuhir, who tales care to
provide harlots, in stead of fire and brimstone for devils,
and damned spirits.'' I am, Dear Sir, Yours in the
bonds of a free and holy gospel. J. H. Davidson."

Of course, in whatever light we might view it, this
was a severe trial to imdergo. Here were five of
the most inthiential Clergymen of Detroit, — Mr.
Inglis, of the Baptist Church, — Dr. Dutlield, of the
Presbyterian, — Mr. Hammond, of the Congrega-
tional, — Mr. Baughman, of the Methodist ; and
Mr. Davidson, the presiding elder of tlie Methodist
Church ; with John Wesley added ; — all combined
and arrayed against us ; determined if i)()ssible to
crush and exterminate us ! and we so few in num-
bers, and having so little influence. Besides, the
assault was so unfair; it took Jalse ground, as if it
was the true firound ; it dealt almost altogether in
invective and appeals to ])rejudice, endeavoring to
excite alarm by making a charge of immorality and
licentiousness. It is true no effort was made to
sustain these charges, because that would have
shewn their falsity ; and the few garbled and mis-
tated extracts which Mr. Inglis made from the
Book in question, although really having no bear-
ing on the Doctrine of life, as taught by Swedenborg,
yet from the manner of their presentation to those.

; t '

■'^:^-^.^jt

A REPLY REFUSED.

150

as ignorant, of his teachings, as the}- knew most of
those who wouhl read them, and their invectives,
would be ; would not fail, as they also knew, to
poison the public mind against us. Well, what
was to be done '? The same friends again met, and
held a council as before, and it was again resolved
that I should be requested to write a reply for
publication, which I accordingly did, and pre-
sented to them, and it mot their full approbation.
Mr. Lyon was also, as before, deputied to wait on
Mr. Inglis, and request him to publish it in his
paper, but this he again positively refused to do ;
so the same arrangements were made as before ;
it was published in the Daily and "Weekly Adccr-
tiser ; and in the Daily and Weekly Free Press ;
and the next week copied into the two Ann Arbor
newspapers ; and extra copies printed in tract form
for distribution. The following is a copy of the
second reply to Rev. James Inglis' on the writings
of Swedenborg, as published in the il//('// ///a// Chris-
tian Herald of March 15, 1847 ; together with Let-
ters from four Clergymen. Both replies having
been refused insertion in the Herald.

Detroit, March 17, 1847.
" Gird up thy loins, and speak unto them, all that
I command thee : be not dismaved at their faces,
lest 1 confound thee before them. For behold, I
have! made thee, this day, a defeuced cit.y, and an
iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land.
And they shall fight against thee, but they shall
not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith
the Lord, to deliver thee." — Jer. i., 17, 18, 19.

«p

1()0

THE REFUSED REPLY.

To THE Editor of the Michigan Christian Herald :
Sir — Again have you rendered it necessary to
i(!ply to you, and unwelcome as tlie task is, I am
induced to undertake it.

I would ask of your sense oiJiiHtice, that you give
this rejoinder an insertion in your next paper, but
that experience has made thisa very doubtful ground
to rely u})on. Still, it is right to give you the choice
of publication ; it may be that expediency will dic-
tate what higher claims cannot effect !

It is painful — it is humiliating — to see men fill-
ing so high and responsible stations, so unwilliiKj •
to do right, or so incupuhlc of seeing what right is.
In the commencement of your last article you say,
** While we were conscious of having made a mild
representation of the case, rather tlian an exagger-
ated estimate of its enormities, we were, from the
nature of it, shut out from an opportunity of a
justification." And then, because you " dare not
assume the responsibility"' of presenting "the pol-
luted and polluting principles of this system," you
will " submit to the public, the testimony of well
known citizens of Detroit, to the character of these
principles, so soon as they shall have an oportunity
of forming an opinion of the work — >mch testimony
as the friends of Swedoihortj nill not attempt to gain-
say T' Did you know so little of the nature of man,
— of the first principles of jurisprudence, that we
should not object to an exparte statement like this ?
— a jury pannelled by yourself— composed of men
as hostile to our doctrines as you are ! Yet, such
testimony, ice should not attempt to (jainsay ! Why

4 >

DISINGENUOUS CONDUCT.

161

did you not, in plain terms, call us imbeciles ? It
would have classed well with the other vituperous
epithets you have applied to us.

And, now, Sir, you have not only selected your
jury, hut with more than legal skill, you h&\e select-
ed the evidence. It appears that you have cut up
a hook, and taken out of it that which you supposed
would answer your purpose hest, to secure a verdict
in your favor ; and you deemed this necessary,
even after you had chosen your own judges ! In a
work consisting of 438 pages, on Conjugial and
Scortatory Love, you have taken ahout a 100 pages,
and sent round to such persons as you thought
would condemn it ; the notices of which we shall
duly consider, but first in reference to yourself.
You say that you feel " conscious of having made
a mild representation of the case." I would respect-
fully ask then, what a secerc one would be ? But
our ground of objection is, that it is neither true nor
faithful. As if the inspired penman had in prophetic
gaze, seen your conclave performing their so " un-
welcome task," he says, " their tongue is an arrow
shot out ; it speaketh deceit," for they have taken
up a reproach to slay the innocent ; but the word
of the Lord hath gone forth, and "the scorner is
consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut
off ; that make a man an offender for a word, and
lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and
turn aside the just, for a thing of nought." Before
Inoticeyour misstatements, and misrepresentations,
permit me to ask why, supposing it were true, that
Swedenborg allowed all manner of fornication and

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162

COMMANDMENTS OMITTED.

adultery, and approved it most highly, why are you
the first to object ? Is it held in so much disrepute
among your body ? Do any of your clergy ever
read to your congregations this command from the
Decalogue. "Thou shall not commit adultery?" Or
do any of the four clergymen ■whose condemnatory
epistles you have published ? How is this, Sir,
that neither you nor they deliver this command-
ment of the Lord to your people ? Can it be because,
that if they read this portion of the Divine law, they
must also read that which says, " Thou shall not
hear false witness against thy neighbor.''

Let us glance hastily at some of your descriptions
of our unhappy and abandoned state ! I perceive that
you not only select your own subject, cut up our
books, to present it, and choose your own arbitra-
tors ; but you also ask questions about our doctrines,
ajid answer them yourself: thus you say, what is
the character of the Swedenborgian heaven ? And
then instead of showing its character, answer that
it is contiguous to the Mahometan Heaven, and that
"readers of the Alcoran would, perhaps, fail to see
any good reason why they should be in any way
separated."

Perhaps I do not know what idea you meant to
convey by this relationship, but it is certainly not
true. Swedenborg teaches that in the spiritual
world, nearness and remoteness are according to
the acknowledgment and confession which are
made of Jesus Christ as the only Lord ; therefore
ai in the old Christian Church, no such acknowledg-
ment is made ; that since the establishment of the

OENDERLESS ANOELB.

163

New Church, new heavens have been formed which
are the inmost of all — and that the order of their
circumferences are as follows: — Ist, the lieformed —
2nd, the Papists — 8rd, the Mahometans, and 4th,
in the extreme circumference, the Gentiles, (L. J.,
No. 48, and in the Cont. of do 08.) Thus, though
you say the Mahometans are outside the "Sweden-
bor^^ian heaven," in such a way as to imply the
immediate proximity, you omitted to say that the
Eeformed and the Papists come in between ! But,
yet apprehending that this might not fully serve
your purpose, you next present, as if it were some-
thing shocking, indeed, and as an almost incredible
fact, that " distinction of sex remains after death,
and consequently the love proper to man in his
translated state ; and with astonished emphasis
you say, " And this is heaven." It may seem sin-
gular to you that Swedimborg, the prophets, and
the angels who appeared to them — disciples, and
" penmen of the sacred Word," should all have
agreed upon this, that an{ieh have sex, and that the
human race, in becoming inliabltants of the Spirit-
ual world, are angel men, or angel women, or male
and female devils I — but could they all have erred
so widely ! Yet, they nowhere recognize the idea,
as conveyed by you, that they become epicene !
And now, that you attirm it, its truth is not the lees
doubtful. Let us try it by a practical illustration.
Young says,

• Ml

"Angels aro men of a suiierior kind —
Angels are nien in lighter habit clad.

164

THE SEX OF ANGELS.

i'ij

But by the negation of sex it would read :

Angels are thingi of a anperior kiud —
AHjj'els are things iu lighter habit clad."

And the same change would have to be effected
in the version of the Scripture ; thus it would l)e,
" and the thhu/ that stood among the myrtle trees."
** The angel that talked with me, went forth, and
another angel went out to meet it." And not only
for man must we use the word thing, or some neuter
substitute, but for woman also, thus, "This is a
thimi that sitteth in the midst of the ephah." " Then
lift I up mine eyes, and looked, and behold there
came out two things, and the wind was in their
wings" — see Zech. chs. 1, 2, 3, & 5, Sec, Sec.

And how far from recognizing the truth of your
assumption, must John have been, for when intro-
mitted into the Spirit world, he classes the angels
into male and female, never seeming to suppose
that angels have no sex, and should be described
by a neuter pronoun !

Thus, he saw an angel with a rainbow " upon/<<5
head, and his face was, as it were, the sun, and his
feet as pillars of fire ; and he had in his hand a
little book open ; and he set his right foot on the
earth"— (Rev. 10, 1, 2.)

Do you suppose, Sir, that he was in error, thus
to describe anr/els, as having heads, faces, hands,
and ,/eet and in always using the male and female
pronouns ? Did he really believe that angels have
no sex, when yet, not only he, but all the sacred
writers make mention of them as male and female ;
and by one, Joshua the high priest, was seen in

SEX AFTER DEATH.

165

the spiritual world, standing before the angel of
the Lord, clothed with filthy garments, &c. (Zech.3.)

And in the Apocalypse John, describes an angel
that ho talked with, who said, " I am thy fellow
servant, and of thy brethren, that have the testimony
of Jesus " — (Rev. 10, 10.) Thus, Sir, do we see
the holy Scriptures teach, with Swedenborg that
man's identity is, and must be preserved, or he can-
not exist at all, for the very ground of his being is
destroyed if your supposition is true.

But do not your own doctrines teach it? Do
they not affirm that man is raised in the very same
body which was put off at death, and consequently
has the same personality, and conscious identity,
the same affection and thouglit, indeed that he is
the same, and not another ? How then, can it be
possible, that he is neither male, nor female } Only
consider in what trouble such a view must plac©
you. And yet, your indignant emotions seem
awakened at the idea of husband and wife being
re united in another and butter world, and enjoy-
ing the chaste and blessed delight of conjugial love,
for this seems to you so altogether indecorous, that
it shocks you to convey to your pages such "pol-
luted principles."

Did YOU, Sir, never ascend so far out of a dog-
matic theology, as to enquire on rational and phil-
osophical grounds, what would constitute identity
in another world ? Have you supposed man seg-
mented, cut up, as you have done our books ! a
portion of his being abstracted from him, that he
becomes a formless conjictiire, or an '^organized noth-

iiWii

:ii7iiri-im

166

SPIRITUAL ORGANIZATION.

I. \

I r

ing f" Your clear and rational elucidation of the
nature, form, and identity of sjaritual being, or
pBychological existence, would be as interesting, as
it seem::' necessary.

Is it not beaause you do not realize the fact that
the spiritual world is not merely composed of ab-
stract non-entities, but real, living, spiritual and
BMbstantial forms, that you object to our author's
testimony? He reveals it as a continuance of life,
in anoth'3r and better world. Man is man still,
and woman is woman still ; and their affections
and thoughts which made them what they are, viust
remain, or they can have no conscious identity !
And if this be so, they must tJiink the same, and feel
the same. If it be true that man's state is fixed at
death, whatever was the state of his love, or of his
understanding, it must continue so Jor ever. Noth-
ing can be more puzzling than to dispute it. for it
is attempting to contradict self-evident ^'acts ; and
notliing but a perverted theology could ever have
denied it. Therefore man would talk about the
things he loved, as well after he had put off his
house of flesh as before, whether they were good
or whether they w'^re evil.

And though you profess to make quotations from
Swedenborg's writings in reference to the conver-
sation of novitiates and others in the spiritual
world (without reference,) I can find no such words.
It is true that 1 can find some that I suppose to be
those you intend to quote, but so singularly altered,
that I acknowledge it to be conjectural. Thus you
Bay in one place, that an angel says "in heaven we

WHAT MAKES BEAUTY.

167

love Tirgins for their beauty, and the elegance of
their manners, and we love them intensely and
chastely." Now, the nearest approach I can find
to this is in Conj. Love, 55, which is a description
of what chaste conjugial love is, ** free from every
idea of lasciviousness."

And in another place you tell us, or rather you
should tell, the idea of three persons just departed
from the world, on the "origin of the beauty of the
female sex;'" the first affirming that love was its
origin, and that its affection going forth into the
looks, stamped them into corresponding forma, I
therefore (he said), conclude that love forms beauty
into a likeness of itself. The second maintained
that "wisdom is the origin of beauty:" who sum-
med up his argument thus: "In a word, wisdom
is as the light or splendor of fire which strikes the
eyes, and as it strikes them, forms beauty." Whilst
the third maintained that " love by means of wis-
dom, forms that beauty ; and wisdom from love re-
ceives it ;" and also described how love was the
origin of red (or warm) colors, and wisdom of white
(or cold) colors, and that these principles were the
origin or cause of the variations of color in the face,
for said he, "love is red from its fire, and wisdom
is white from its liglit." — (C. L. 381, et seq. 9.)

And such conversation in the spiritual world
you are pleased to consi.ler as improper and inde-
corous ! If they had said as much before they
crossed the " narrow sea," you actually alfirm, that
they would have been, (i. e. if meeting their just
deserts), " hissed out of the Lyceum of a Lunatic

ill

l-li

\ H '

168

LIFE IN THE SPIBITUAL WOBLD.

Asylum !" (well, perhaps this was better said than
you intended.) Lunatics only, would hiss at such
Bentiments as these. In Hades at least, with kinder
feelings, our author says "when the third had
spoken, the assembly clapped their hands and
shouted, he has conquered." Why should it be
thought incredible with you, that these things
should be ? Is it not because all your ideas of the
spirit world are so loose and vague ? Swedenborg
commenced this work (Conj. Love) by saying, " I
foresee that many who read the relations immediate-
ly following, and those annexed to the chapters
will believe that they are inventions of the imagina-
tion ; but I assert in truth, that they were not in-
vented, but truly done and seen ; nor seen in any
state of the sleeping mind, but in full wakefulness."
He also presents the ideas which different people
have of the joys of heaven, one of which is thus
expressed. ** The joys of heaven and its eternal
happiness are nothing olse than the perpetual
glorification of God ; a never ceasing festival of
praise, and the blessedness of divine worship with
Bongs and jubilee ; " &c. And they were let into
this state, and after tico daya, they began to weary
and feel uneasy, and, (although very disrespectful
perhaps you would say, and deserving of being
hissed,) said, " end your discourses, for our ears
are stunned, your words are no longer distih^j lished,
and the very sound oi your voices becomes pain-
ful;" and leaving their seats they rushed out:
" The priests hereupon followed them and clung
close beside them, teaching, praying, sighing, and

THE BODY THE FORM OF THE SOUL.

169-

Baying, celebrate the solemn festival, and glorify
God, and sanctify yourselves," il-c, (9.) How
would the editor of the Christian Herald supj^ose
such conduct should be punished ?

But we pass on, that we may notice your remark
in reference to the love of the sex. *' According to
him [E. S.] distinction of sex remains after death,
love of the sex, and conjugial love remain," &c.
This seems to disturb you considerably sir, but if
thev do not remain, what becomes of them ? The
questio'^ again returns, what is an inhabitant of
the spirit world ? Be assured sir, that reason and
revelation teach us, that man is such as his God
has made him, and intented that he should be, as
to the organism of his frame, and whether in the
natural world or the spiritual, he is not the less
human.

Neither does distinction of sex originate in the
body, but in the mind ,- the body is })ut the effigy
of the nifections and thoughts, or rather the organ-
ized form thereof. Thus our author says, that in
heaven "there are also virgins and youths, virgins
of such beauty, that they may be called beauties
in its form ; and youths of such morality that they
mav be called moralities in its form,'' And when
some novitiates enquired if love of the sex were
there, *' the angelic spirits answered, your love of
the sex is not given there, l)ut the angelic love of
the sex, which is chaste, and wholly free from the
allurement of lust." At which they said, and it
almost seems as if the words had been written for
your edification. *' If a love of the sex is given ^

111

\ m mmmSim

170

CONJUOIAL LOVE.

which is without alhirement, what is then the love
of the sex ?" They did not see that it was heaven-
ly love, a conjunction of affection and thought from
intimate to ultimates, but ** when they thought of
this love, they lamented and said, how empty is
the joy of heaven ! What young man can then
wish for heaven ? Is not such a love barren and
■devoid of life?" Here, thon, we sec that the very
kind of love that you suppose Swedenborg to teach
as being in the spiritual world ; Swedenborg de-
scribes some new-comers as lamenting because it
was not there !

And when they repudiated this pure and heaven-
ly love " the angelic spirit replied with indignation.
You are wholly ignorant what a chaste love of the
sex is, because yourselves are not yet chaste."
" Think more deeply — consider the matter well,
and you will perceive that your love of the sex is a
love extra conjugial, and that conjugial love is quite
another thing ; the latter being distinct from the
former, as wheat is from chaff, or rather as the
human is from the bestial." Such a love "breathes
after an eternal union, which is when two are one
flesh."— (C. L. 44.)

Proceed we now to notice the criticisms of your
ecclesiastical brethren, wlio have lent their aid to
crush, if possible, this iiltby dreamer ! " But they
know not what they do, and they do not even un-
derstand what they say. " Must we actually stoop
(you ask,) at this day, and in this country to dis-
cuss the inspiration of such a man ; " and very con-
tentedly reply, " we do not believe it can ever coma

HOW THE WICKED LIVE.

171

to that." No, sir ; there is a more summary method
— one that doubtless will be much easier, viz : ridi-
cxile, abuse, slander and evil speaking ; and of this
method your present efifusions would afford no
mean testimony. And whilst you shrink with well
described horror from the descriptions which our
author gives of the dreadful condition of the hells,
3 "^u have no hesitation in presenting? the most cal-
umnious aspersions, as a veritable statement of the
tendency of our author's writings !

If you could have stooped to discuss this matter,
you would, instead of proceeding with such loud
denunciations, have first replied to the positions
presented in my former letter. But as you did
not I will again call your atten jn thereto, trust-
ing that you will yet see, that though it may be an
act of humiliation on your part to " stoop," to re-
ply to legitimate argument, you will in the end
discover, that it has a better effect, than the
harshest denunciations, even though they may
be uttered by a thousand voices. I before said ;
" Suppose an infidel wore to object to the truth of
the Scripture, because of the conduct of Lot's two
daurjhters, (Gen. ch. 19; from verse 81 to end.) also
8th verse of same chap. — and Abraham's inter-
course with Hagar — or Samson, (Judges ch. 16, v.
1,) and Amos ch. 7, v. 17 — or Hosea, ch. 1, v. 2,
&c., [to which might be added such narrative as in
Ezek. chs. IG and 28. Then how would you rea-
son ? Whatever your answer may be, it will apply
to your own position."

But you have given no answer at all, and seem

172

HOW MEN JUDGE.

\<^0P f ■

to think it beneath you to do bo. Yet if you really
thought us so contemptible, how is it that you
deemed it necessary to engage so much additional
aid to enable you to accomplish your purpose ?
What a waste of power to crush a worm ! Did you
all feel that the subject was not worthy of an argu-
ment ? If so, how pitiable is your delusion, — yet
judging from your several letters it would really
seem so. And yet you might have known that
Clergymen of the first talent, reputation and virtue,
and in no respect inferior to yourselves, and from
your own religious bodies in this country and in ■
England ; as well as laymen, deep read, erudite
and learned, and of pure and blameless lives, and
some of the most talented writers of the age, are
ardent and affectionate receivers of the heavenly
doctrines of the New Jerusalem. Yet you, gentle-
men, after having read this sundered extract of a
few pages of the voluminous writings of this master
mind, on the licenses allowed to the insane ; you
quietly sit down, and pronounce your judgment
with as much complacency as if you were compe-
tent to judge ! — Now, gentlemen, [and I use that
word for obvious reasons,] I call upon you by all
the regard you have to truth and candor to shew
cause for your censure. We accuse you of having
done us injustice ; and, outraged charity, like the
voice of thy brothers' blood, will repeat that cry,
till restitution be fully made. And in preferring this
request, let it always be remembered, that the trea-
tise on scortatory love is 7iot the law oj life for Christ-
ian men and ivomen, but is provided for the benefit

EVILS TOLERATED.

173

of those who do not acknowledge the Christian law;
it is written for those who live in the wanton indul-
gence of unhridled lust : that wliero men are so
hrutal as to acknowledge no Divine Law, thny may
be led by means adapted to their state to shun their
evil courses, by the very faithfulness of their por-
traiture and see their damning guilt. To present
tli^ Christian law to men whose indulged passions
have made them insane, is a mockery; and their
brutal laugh reveals its im potency. On this prin-
ciple, the apostle Paul did not require the rude con-
verts from among the Gentiles to keep the Jewish
Law — knowing well they could not l)car it, — neither
did he ask of them the full requirements of the
Christian faith and life, but to these he says, " we
gave vo sucJi coinDiandincnt.'" (Acts 1B:29.)

And the Lord teaches that because of the hardness
of their hearts y" the Jews also were allowed to do
things^ that were not. so in the beginning.

All the providence of the Lord is merciful, and,
in accommodation to man's estate, he hath prepared
a ladder of ascent ; and whilst the lowest rounds
come down to man's depraved nature, the highest
steps will elevate him to heavenly happiness — and
the angels of the Lord are ever ascending and des-
cending upon that ladder of life, to bring man, by
means of permitted evils, of a less degree of guilt,
to a pure and spotless life —

'* And, as we can bear the sight.
He shews his face in clearer hght ;"

Still, whilst man is in evils, milder or of deeper
guilt, all the consequences proper to such actions

]:1?

174

LKS8 EVILS PERMITTED.

1,-t

11;

;i: ,1

must follow ; for every cause produces its own effect,
and must do so. Adultery, theft, murder, false
witness, &c., Sec, are all violations of the Divine
Laws, and must bring with their performance their
attendant punishments : Yet as in civil law, the
ofTonce of manslaughter is not bo great as that of
wilful murder, or petty larceny as that of burglary,
or highway robbery, so, therefore, the punishment
is less. And who would not rather, where there is
no alternative, but a choice of evils ; who would not
rather choose the less than the greater ? On this
principle the hord permits many things to be done
in the world, which are nevertheless evil, because
thereby greater calamiticis can be avoided.

So every wise man should see that where perpe-
tual inchrietij cannot be avoided, that the occasion-
al and limited use of ardent spirits is a much less
evil. And is this not the reason why the Lord
commanded the Jews to do many things, that in
themselves, purely considered, were evils, because
by permitting these, the mind was weaned, and
gradually alienated from sins of far deeper enor-
mity ?

Those who reject this mild and judicious course,
must be answerable for the consequences that issue,
and they are neither light nor trifling.

This is the economy of the Divine Providence ;
the practice of all good men in all ages ; the voice
of reason, and the teaching of Eevelation. It is a
principle true in spiritual, moral, civil and political
life. It is only in the questionable orthodoxy of
modern dogmatic theology that it is denied, and

TO PREVENT GREATER ONES.

17&

there only theoretically. Let us again glance for
a moment at the approved practices of men. In
physics, when the eye is injured or diseased, does
not the wise physician prescribe that the li(jht be
excluded, or admitted but in a very limited degree ;
or when the body is wounded is not the air shut
out, lest it should irritate and inflame the injury?
And at other times are not poisons given for medi-
cine, because they are l)etter adapted to the vitiat-
ed condition of the body ? But who complains
then ? Yet is not the light good — and the air good,
and healthy food better than poisonous drugs ? Yet
does not every one see that the laws of order require
that in such cases these substitutes be preferred,
m accommodation to that diseased state ? This in-
deed is seen to be the only means of restoring to
health.

So also in political economy, it has ever been
found necessary to tolerate lesser evils, to avoid
greater ; instead of allowing a wide and indiscrimi-
nate range to civic disorders, to narrow them down
to limited boiDularies, where they can more easily be
eradicated. Does not this city afford a practical
illustration of this principle ; when in accordance
with the spirit of your favourite theology, the cor-
poration thought to compel men into sobriety, by
refusing to grant licenses for the sale of intoxieat -
ing liquors, was the evil lessened ? In all probabil-
ity it was increased, and entailed upon it the vio-
lation of a corporate law ; and has not the impolicy
of this act, since been recognized '?

Thus, the granting licences for the sale of ardent

nimf

! i|

176

WHY EVILS ARE PERMITTED.

! I
.i i

spirits, is seen to be as necessary, as for the Jews
to be permitted to do many things whicli, abstract-
ly considered, were not good. And who cannot
see, that amongst the depraved and vile, the ex-
crescences of humanity, who would prey upon the
innocence of maidens, and the chastity of wives,
who know no law ))ut their unbounded and craving
passion, and with unbridled lust, range the face of
society, and phindcr where they list ; who, wo ask,
cannot see it were better that such lepers limit
their indulgence to some paramour, rather than
domestic relations be thus jirofaned and polluted ;
when, only by such allowances, the greater evil can
be avoided ? And if any one should yet deny it,
then we can only say, that should his own domes-
tic hearth be thus invaded by some such human
fiend, he might learn, perchance, too late, and bit-
terly, the truth of Swedenborg's teaclnng.

Still, we affirm, that whilst these things are thus
necessarily permitted, to lead man from the com-
mission of more terrible offences, they cannot, even
in their mildest forms, be done with 'nnpunity, they
must and will be punished — but the punishment
will be moderated to the offence. No confirmed
violator of the laws of chastity, or any law of the
divine order, can find a home in heaven — (see Kev.
xxi. 27, and xxii. 15.) Bui their punishment in hell
will be according to the nature of their crimes.

Let us now return, to notice what vou have said
of the tendency of Swedenborg's writings, after
reading this little book, which pictures forth the
permissions, to those in the moral Lazar house,

'&• i'

ji;

BUT GOOD ALWAYS REQUIRED.

177

the iinconfined lunatics, who, in the pleasures of
their ihsaniti/, roam over the face of the earth.
Suppose some strangers, from a foreigu hind,
should come to this country, and visit the jails,
the penitentiaries, insane asylums, and hospitals ;
and then report the code of laws and treatment of
the patientsi, there adopted, (in the laws of this Re-
public, and inter from tlience, the character of its
inhaljitants, would you not feul that justice and
truth had been violently outraj^ed ?

And yet, this is precisely the course that five dis-
tinguished clergymen, in the city of Detroit, have
adopted in reference to the writings of the Hon.
Emanuel Swedenborg ! and those who receive hia
testimony, are indirectly charged with impurity and
insanity, with loving ''darkness rather than light,
because their deeds are evil,'' &c.

Had there been anything like argument, or rea-
son in these communications,- there might have
been something that might have reached the public
understanding; but unless our opponents can deal
in something better than harsh denunciations, fire,
brimstone, devils, and damned spirits, with which
your talented array of writers conclude their male-
dictions, they will find that they will produce but
little effect on such minds as have already broken
the shackels of prejudice, and allowed the mind to
reason. But it is saddening to think that all the
pure, holy, and heart-Hearching princii)les of our
venerated author, should all have been overlooked,
and nothing seen but this dismembered treatise !
What could there have been in it so congenial to

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178

CONTINUED OPPOSITION.

your minds ? And why, forsaking all else, did your
genius lead you to this ? You say, you have "touched
pitch, and are defiled," — did it then defile you so
quickly ! Is there in your composition any secret
affinity for pitch, that it should so soon pollute ?
Of the Lord's disciples we learn, " they shall take
up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it
shall not hurt them.'' But though most of our New
Church friends have this work, (on Scortatory
love), they very seldom read it; to them, happily,
it has hut few attractions; it is intended, as we
have shown, for another class of persons, such, as
your preachings, perhaps, might never reach ; or
who could not, and would not, try to step at once
from their abandoned loves, to a life of holiness.

In conclusion, we ask you to refrain from this
persecuting spirit, and if you speak of Sweden-
borg's writings — first study them, — and then do
them justice. Eespectfully yours,

George Field.

After this, nothing more appeared in the
Christian Herald against Swedenboig, or the New
Church. Whatever eiforts may have been made
in opposition thereto, were of a less public character.

But we were not to be let alone, for during tlie
delivery of the last Course of Lectures as above
stated. Dr. Duffield delivered a Lecture against us
on the "Modern Phase of Infidelity," and Mr.
Stebbins, the Universalist Minister, was desirous
of having a discussion with me, on the subject of
"Hell;" but I declined. Then, shortly after, I
received a letter from Mr. J. J. Moss, a Minister of

A NEW ANTAGONIST.

179

the " Christian," (or Campbelhte) Church, inviting
me to a public discussion with him ; — this I also de-
clined. And soon after the following handbill,
in very large letters, was posted all over town :
" TO THE PUBLIC. Having been informed in
the Country, and in the City, that Mr. Field, of the
New Jerusalem Church, in this place, had invited
open discussion or investigation, I opened a cor-
respondence with him, in which he disclaimed all
intention of giving a challenge for a public discuB-
sion ; and altogether declined entering into one.
Attention is therefore called to the following Course
of Lectures ; at each Course, said correspondence
will be read, with some remarks thereupon. Yours
respectfully, J. J. Moss. Religious Notice ! A
Course of Lectures on the Doctrines of the New
Church, with a special reference to the eight ques-
tions proposed for discussion in the above corres-
pondence, — will be delivered by J. J. Mobs, for-
merly of Cincinnati, 0., in the Hall formerly
occupied by the New Church, Republican Block,
Jeflersou Avenue ; to commence on Saturday
evening 30th, P. M.; and each evening next week,
till closed ; and Mr. Field is respectfully invited to
attend, and reply, if he wishes. Detroit, 30th Jan.,
1817." Well, I thought I would go and hear how
this redoubtable champion would annihilate what-
ever might be left of us, after the assault of our
more ponderous assailants. I found the room
tolerably well filled, and saw quite a pile of New
Church books, upon the desk, which Mr. Moss had
borrowed to let his audience see that he knew

180

LIBRARY IN DETROIT.

there were such books, although it became very
manifest that he had never read them.

After repeating some of the stale, and oft refuted
objections to the New Church, and shewing how
incompetent he was to lecture upon a subject on
which he was almost entirely ignorant ; he invited
me to reply.

I had no wish to say anything, and did not ex-
pect to, but being thus publicly called upon. I
rose and said a few words to the effect that if he
had been acquainted with the contents of the books
thus displayed to the audience, he never would
have said the things he did.

I made him acknowledge that he had not read
them ; and really knew nothing of what he was
proposing to explain. And so Mr. Moss subsided.
But other matters of more interest to the prospects
of the New Church in Detroit were meantime
going on.

On the 25th of January, 1847, a meeting was
held to commence the operation of a New Church
Library, and a Constitution was adopted, and
officers elected : there were forty shareholders.
During the past year a copy of Clowes' affectionate
address to the Clergy was sent to every known
Clergyman within the Association ; and between
three and four hundred dollars worth of New
Church Books were sold in Detroit within that
year ; and the third Course of Lectures was still
in progress.

On Friday, February 5th, 1847, the Fifth Annual
Meeting of the Michigan and N. Ind. Association

FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING.

181

held its session in Detroit, in the Hall, in Republi-
can Block.

At this meeting there were present Mr. and Mrs.
A. Silver, and Mr. Jabez Fox, of Marshall ; Mr.
Jacob Silver, of Cassapolis ; Mr. Robt. Children,
Senr. and Robt. Children, Jr. of Flat Rock,
Honble. J. Allen, and G. Coraelius, of Ann Arbor,
Mr. Geo. Bigelow, and Mr. and Mrs. Perley Hale,
of Pontiac ; Mr. Eli H. Day, and Mr. and Mrs.
Hurlburt, of Springfield (Oakland Co.); Mr. C.
Merriman, of Battle Creek; Mr. and Mrs. D. V.
Bell, Lucius Lyon, P. S. Titus ; Mr. and Mrs.
Burnham, Dr. and Mrs. J. Ellis ; Dr. Wheaton,
E. U. Blake, Mr. and Mrs. A. Chope, E. Chope ;
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Dorr, Mrs. R. Dorr, Geo. Dorr,
Mr. and Mrs. J. L Herrick, Mr. and Mrs. A. T.
Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Burpee, G. W. Thayer, Mr.
Whitcomb, Wm. Bell, Mr. McCartney, myself, and
others, of Detroit. Communications were also
received and read from Edwardsburg, Saline,
Truago,* and Jonesville, Mich., and Goshen, Ind.
The Sacrament of Baptism was administered, after
the morning service, on the Sabbath, to Mr. Chaa.
L. Merriman, Mr. John Allen, Mr. Martin W.
Burpee, Mrs. Diana Burpee, Mr. Amos T. Hall,
Mrs. Lucy Hall, Mrs. R. Dorr, and to four children.

In the afternoon the Holy Sup[)er was adminis-
tered to twenty-two persons. The Services, morn-
ing and evening, were attended by large audiences.

The Report of this session of the Association
says, " A social meeting was held at the house of
• Now Trenton. rff

F 1"

^ai

li I

182

A TIME OP REST.

Mr. J. R. Dorr, on Saturday evening, at which
were present a larfi;er number of New Church
people than ever before assembled at one place in
Michigan ; the meeting was eminently happy and
refreshing ; and all, we think were encouraged to
look forward with hope to the better time that is
yet to be, — to new states of refreshing from on high,
when Jerusalem shall be a praise, and a joy, in
the whole earth."

After this we had a time of peace, and I also of
rest. The Church continued to increase and grow,
and iti prospects everywhere within the As^socia-
tion appeared to be most encouraging : a Commit-
tee had been appointed to make efforts to sustain
one or more Missionaries to be actively employed ;
but the effort had failed for want of pecuniary
support ; and from exi)erience, I had found that
often I received but little more than sufficient to
pay my travelling expenses ; and sometimes not
even that : thus I was obliged to seek such employ-
ment as would enable me to support myself and
children. I therefore continued in Detroit this
year (1847,) in the Surveyor General's office, but
preaching and lecturing regularly on the Sabbath,
as before, and as we now had the use of the U. S.
Court House, rent free, and my services were
gratuitous, I was in hopes that sufficient inoney
could be raised to purchase a Lot and erect there-
on a small Temple for our use. But although I
made a strenuous effort to do this, I was not suc-
cessful. During this year I went to Pontiac, and
on Saturday evening, an^l Sunday morning and

THE CHRISTUN VISITOR.

188

evening, July 3rd and 4th, I lectured andjpreached
there, in the Universalists' Church. And on
Saturday and Sunday, August 7th and 8th, I went
to Marshall, to attend a Quarterly meeting, where
I also lectured and preached to good audiences, at
Mechanics' Hall, and administered the Holy Supper.
Next day I went to Battle Creek and delivered a
lecture there in the Quaker Meeting House, and
from thence returned to Detroit. In the month of
October an attack was made on the New Church
by the Rev. J. V. Watson, in the Christia^i Visitor,
a Methodist paper, pubHshed at Adrian, to which
I replied : and this produced a second article in
opposition to our Doctrines, to which also I sent a
reply : but it was refused insertion ! These articles
were headed "A chapter on New Revelations;"
and were written by the Rev. S. D. Symonds, of
Detioit, In consequence of this refusal to insert
my reply, I had the whole of the four articles
published as a Tract, entitled " Correspondence
between a Methodist Minister and a Minister of
the New Church, respecting Swedenborg, and the
Doctrines of the New Jerusalem." As soon as this
appeared Mr. Symonds called on me, and wanted
me to permit him to append to it the scurrilous
remarks of Mr. Wesley concerning Swedenborg,
and also some additional remarks of his own ;
which I declined. Mr. S. then published his ap-
pendix in the form of a small Tract, entitled "Mr.
Wesley's views of Baron Swedenborg, and hia
writings, with Notea, <kc., by S. D. S." Mr. S. also
desired to have a public controversy with me on

184

A NEW SOCIETY IN DETROIT.

( •

the subject ; but I did not agree to it. At that
time Mr. Symonds was very severe against Sweden-
borg, and his Doctrines ; but since then, has not
only become a receiver of them, but advocates
them, in a periodical of which he is the Editor in
San Francisco, entitled " The wav of Life." * To-
wards the close of this year Mr. A. Silver, (who
was then, and had for some time past been living
at Marshall), wrote a letter to the President of the
Convention (Rev. T. Worcester), respecting the
course then being pursued by himself, Mr. Jabez
Fox, and Mr. Henry Weller, of Lecturing in various
places on the Doctrines of the New Church, and
holding stated meetings for worship, without ordi-
nation, license, or other authority, on the ground
of a present necessity, in the absence of sufficient
Ministerial Labor ; and not from a belief that it
is the orderly and proper way in which to proclaim
the Heavenly Doctrines of the New Jerusalem ; on
which ground, it seems to have met the approba-
tion of Mr. Y/orcester. This letter is published in
the N. J. Mag. for Feb. 7, 1848; Mr. Strong also
had a letter of his published at about the same
time, giving a very encouraging account of the man-
ner in which the New Church Doctrines are re-
ceived in Western Michigan ; Goshen, Ind. &c.
It now began to be thought desirable that a New
Church Society should be instituted in Detroit, as
the one established there in 1839 had long ceased
to exist. So, after due deliberation, and finding
that there were twelve adult members of the

This has since been dis continued.

NEW CHURCH QUARTERLY REVIEW.

185

Church residing in the City, they made the usual
application to me, to meet them, and, in accordance
with the regulations of the General Convention,
institute them into a Society of the New Church,
which I did on Sunday, the 30th day of January,
1848. The names of those twelve persons, were,
Mr. John I. Herrick, Mrs. Rebecca Herrick, — Mr.
A. T. Hall, Mrs. Lucy Hall,— Mr. Martin W.
Burpee, Mrs. Diana Burpee, — Rev George Field,
Mrs. Jane E. Field,— Mr. De Witt C. Whitcomb, —
Mr. Edw. U. Blake, — Mrs. Rebecca Dorr, and Mrs.
Abby Russell. I was then invited to become the
Pastor of the Society ; which invitation I accepted,
and was, by a simple form inducted as such. In
the Neiv Church Quarterly Review, vol. 1, published
in London, Eng., in 1847, there is quite a lengthy
historical and statistical account of the New Church
in the United States, collated from various sources J
in which, after noticing the Society at Goshen
(Ind.,) the writer says, " The zeal of the scattered
members of the New Church here, is deserving of
all commendation. They have united with the
receivers in Michigan, in forming an Association,
to which the Holy Supper is administered every
alternate quarter. These meetings have, thus far,
been very interesting and satisfactory. They have
been attended, notwithstanding bad roads, by
receivers from the distance of 10, 12, 20, 23, and
80 miles : so that persons residing 53 miles
apart, have met together on these occasions.
In January last, the Presiding Judge of the
Circuit, E. M. Chamberlain, with his wife, and

'. • i!

!i..

■f

186

NEW CHURCH IN THE WEST.

Ill

three children, were baptized by Mr. Stropfj.
There are also receivers at the following placeg
in this State, — Bristol, Cleveland, Elkhart,
Enterprize, Eugene, Evansville, Home, Langhery,
Madison, New Albany, Noble, Richmond, and
Scipio." In Illinois, the writer also notices the
Society in Canton, which he says has 30 members;
and the one in Sprinpjfield, which has 11. In
Peoria, there are about 17 receivers, besides many
others interested, who have been formed into a
Society, and have built a " small but comfortable
House of Worship, which is already free from the
incumbrance of debt." The Chicago Society has 16
members, who meet for worsliip " in the room for-
merly occupied as the City Council room." " On
the whole, (he says), there is a gradual, though
slow spread of the light of the New Church in this
part of the West." Then he speaks of the Socie-
ties, and incipient societies in Michigan. In
Edwardsburg, he says there are 13 members, and
the Rev. H. N. Strong is the Minister of this
Society, preaching also at other places in the vicin-
ity. Detroit, (he continues), the residence of the
Rev. G. Field, the presiding Minister of the Asso-
ciation, is the seat of an incipient New Church
Society, and to which he ministers when not en-
gaged elsewhere on missionary duty. Mr. Field
has been very successful in making the doctrines
known in this region ; and his abilities as a preach-
er are so highly regarded, that he has recently
been elected Chaplain to the State Senate, during
its present session. He now preaches in the Dis-

SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING.

187

trict Court room to large and attentive audiences."
Then he adds, there are receivers in the following
places in the State, viz : — Convis, Dexter, Emmett,
Parmington, Genoa, Grand Rapids, Hillsdale,
Homer, Iosco, Jackson, Jonesville, Kalamazoo,
Lima, Little Prairie Ronde, Marshall, Ontwa,
Oxford, Pennfield, Pinckney Rosefield, Smithfield,
and St. Joseph."

On Friday, the 4th of February, 1848, the sixth
annual meeting of the Michigan and N. Ind. Asso-
ciation was held in Detroit, — in Mechanics' Hall.
There were present at this meeting : from Detroit,
23 persons; from Pontiac, 0; from Marshall, 3;
from Niles, 3; from Flat Rock, 3; from Pawpaw,
2; from Jackson, 1; from Saline, 1; from Indepen-
dence, 2; from Springfield, 1; from Troy, 1; from
Ypsilanti, 1 ; from Ann Arbor, 1 ; and one visitor
from New Hampshire. Communications were re-
ceived and read from the Goshen and Springfield
Societies; also from Lima, Flat Rock, Marshall,
Jackson, Edwardsburg, Pittsfield, and Noble Co.,
Ind.; as also from the Illinois Association. At
the previous meeting of the Association a Commit-
tee had been appointed to make a report on Mis-
sionary labor, that ComraiUee this year presented
its Report, the point of it was, as to " who should
be employed as public teachers of the Doctrines of
the New Cliurch; " and the ground taken was, that
the Association, as a constituent of the General
Convention, should be amenable to its rules and
regulations ; and that they provide for an orderly
mode of proclaiming the Doctrines, either by or-

188

WHO SHOULD PREACH.

dained Ministers, or Licentiates preparing for the
Ministry, in accordance with the principles and
practices of the Church, as taught in the Word ;
and as confirmed hy Swedenl)org ; and that this is
necessary, wherever there is an organic Church, to
secure it from being misrepreHentod by erroneous
or incompetent teachers. Quite a lengthy argument
was presented on this subject ; and the recommen-
dation of the Committee was, that tlie Missionaries
who should be recognized and approved by the
Association should be " approved Ministers, or
Licentiates, in accordance with the rules and
principles above presented." This Report led to
a lengthy and animated discussion, when Mr.
Murray offered the following Resolution, which
was adopted. '* That a Committee of five be ap-
pointed, * * to take into consideration the
subjects presented in the Report of the Committee
* * upon Missionary labor; and enquire whether
any, and what measures may be necessary in order
to avoid the dangers and disorders supposed
to be connected with the practice of Lecturing
on New Church Doctrines, by those not
licensed for that purpose; and report at the
next annual meeting." That Committee consisted
of Messrs. Murray, Field, Hans Thielson, Merri-
man and Silver. Mr. Herrick then offered the
following as a Standing Recommendation, which
was referred to the above committee, viz : "Any
person wishing to become a public teacher of the
Doctrines of the New Church within the States of
Michigan and N. Indiana, will apply to the Presid-

MISRIONAKY LAnOR.

189

rri-

the

Ich

Ihe

id-

ing Minister for a license ; and if in the opinion of
the MinintcrB of tlie AHHOciation, and the ActingCom-
mittoe, tho aijplicant in a Huital»le person to become
a pul)lic teacher, the Presiding Minister shall license
him to preach." Looking back on these proceed-
ings after the lapse ot thirty years, it seems to the
writer to be a matter of deo]) regret that the above
Report on Missionary labors was not at once adopted ;
as also the above Standing llecommendation ; liad
they been, the Association would have had a very dif-
ferent history, and a much more useful one, than
unfortunately resulted. At this meeting fifteen dol-
lars was raised to purchase New Church Books for
the use of the Library in the State Prison at Jack-
son. Social meetings were held on Friday and
Saturday evenings," which were very fully attended,
and highly agreeable." Our meetings for worship,
both morning and evening, on the Sabbath, were well
attended. Mr. Silver also delivered a Lecture in the
afternoon, "in the usual familiar and conversa-
tional style of his discourses." On this occasion T
baptized two adults and one child ; and administered
the Holy Supper to 28 persons. The following
year was a remarkable one : — in it there were many
things that were encouraging ; and many that in-
dicated a change, either for better, or for worse.
As I still continued in the Surveyor General's office,
I could not be away, as I had been, on Missionary
work; though I still continued to preach on every
Sabbath in Detroit, but our meetings were much
broken up on account of the U. S. Court, being so
often, and so long in session, during which time we

■U

190

FLAT ROCK.

could not have the use of their room ; and some-
times we had to discontinue as long as five weeks
at a time ; when we met at private houses. But
our quarterly meetings were continued ; though I
could only attend those that were held in Detroit.
At one of these quarterly meetings held this year,
at Marshall, at which Rev. H. N. Strong and wife
were present, and also Messrs Merriman, Griffin,
Wetmore, Hinkle and wife. Freed, Dewey, Galium,
King, Murray, Knight, Dobbin, Morton and wife,
Titus, Kent, Parkhurst, Silver, H. Weller, wife and
son, — T. Weller and wife, Andrews, Harris and wife,
Goodrich, Hicks, Fox and wife, Mrs. Rawson, Miss
Parker, and others. Mr, Strong preached at the Court
House. At this meeting a Resolution was present-
ed and adopted for the ordination of Mr. Henry
Weller into the Ministry of the New Church, and
in the following July, he was so ordained by the
Rev. J. R. Hibbard of Chicago.

At Flat Rock, I officiated at the funeral of Mrs.
R. Children, and preached a funeral sermon there
on Sunday, September 24th ; Baptized two adults,
and four children ; and administered the Holy
Supper to lien persons there. At this time there
was a considerable amount of zeal manifested in
the cause of the New Church ; and in the minds
of many a strong desire to lecture and preach, on
the part of those who were recent receivers of the
Doctrines; and as yet, but imperfectly acquainted
with them; but they were unwilling to be restrained;
and although a Resolution on this subject was still
pending in the Association, there was no disposition

SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING.

191

to await the action of that body upon it ; and this
feeling was encouraged by most of the recent re-
ceivers of the doctrines, and even apparently sus-
tained by the President of the Convention ; wha
did not really understand the true state of the case.
The consequence was, that many entirely er-
roneous ideas were promulgated as the teachings
of the New Church ; some of them utterly
wild and unfounded, and even dangerous in their
tendency. During the year a strong desire was
expressed either to purchase a building for the use
of the Society in Detroit as a Church : or a lot to
erect one on : but although several attempts were
made, — none of them were successful. Nothing
else seems to have occurred worthy of especial
notice during this year, till the assemblmg of the
seventh Annual meeting of the Association at
Niles, on Friday, February 2nd, 1849. That was
not only the larjjest assemblage of the New Church
in this region of country ; but also one of the most
important; — and perhaps the most unfavorable in
its results. It has been said that history repeats
itself ; not in j^nrisely the same way ; but in very
similar ones. In the first establishment of the Chris-
tian Clnurch, there was much zeal and unity, whilst
passing through the fiery ordeal of persecution ;
but when that subsided, then there began to be in-
ternal dissentions, — strivings to take the lead, and
to see who should be greatest ; thus party feelings
sprung up, divisions and jealousies. And unhap-
pily, in our Association, feelings and actions, some-
what akin to these, soon began to be developed;

VM)

ii^

: I-

I ,

192

WHO WERE PRESENT.

and which the approaching session of the Associa-
tion, but too sadly reaUzed. As the proceedinjrs of
this meeting were so important it may be proper
to give the names of those who were present, as
well as a brief statement of the events and circum-
stances connected with it.

Those in Roman letters were members of the
Church ; those in Italics, Readers and Receivers of
the Doctrines.

From Battle Creek. — Mr. Joseph A. Kent. Mrs.
C. L. Rawson, Mr. C. L. Bird, Miss Ann Parker,

From Berrien. — Mr. F. B. Murdoch.

From Cassapolis. — Mr. Jacob Silver, Mrs. Sher-
man, Miss M. Silver, Mrs. Silver, Mr. Sherman,
Mrs. Chadfield, Mr. C. Colby.

From Cleveland, Indiana. — Mrs. W. Evans, Mrs,
Keliog, Mr. L. Kellog.

From Detroit. — Rev. George Field, Mrs. Jane E.
Field, Mr. L. Lyon, Mr. Ralph Phelps.

From Edwardsburg. — Mr. S. W. Jones, Mrs.
Jones, Mr. D. B. Sherwood, ^Irs. Sherwood, Mr.
Orrin Silver, Mrs. Silver.

From Flat Rock. — Mr. Robt. Children, Sen'r.

From Goshen (Indiana). — Mr. E. M. Chamber-
lain, Mrs. P. A. Chamberlain, Mr. M. H. KoUin,
Mrs. A. Rollin,Mr. J. M. Ball, Mr. Peter Kerstetter,
Mrs. Mary Kerstetter, Mr. A. B. Clark, Mrs. Clark,
Mrs. Martha Cook, Mrs. Cecilia Cook, Mrn. Mary
A. Winder, Mr. John Jackson, Mrs. E. Chamber-
lain, Mrs. W. Cook, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Idella Clark,
Mr. Aaron Clark, Mr. W. Earl, Mr. J. Mayfield,
Mr. S. Chamberlain, Miss Lathrop, Miss Powell.

WHO MET AT NILKS.

198

Lmber-
liollin,
tetter,
Iciark,
Mary
[imber-
\ciarh,

\vdl.

Grand Rapids. — Rev. Henry Waller.

Jackson. — Rev. H. N. Strong, Mr. C. L. Merri-
man, Mr. D. J. Ilolden, Mrs. Holden, Mr. J. B,
Boyle, Miss H. Davis.

Little Prairie Ronde. — Mr. G. L. Rogers, Mr. L.
B. Lawrence, Miss Eveline E. Copley, Mr. B,
Hathaway, Mrs. Hathaway.

Marshall. — Mr. Abiel Silver, Mrs. E. PL Silver,
Mr. Jacob King, Mr. Jabez Fox, Mr. Hans Thiel-
son, Mrs. Mary L. White, Mrs. A. W. Snider, Mr.
Robert Andrews, Mr. W. B. Buckingham, Mrs*
Buckingham, Mr. A. E. Bliss, Mr. C. R. Robson,
Mrs. Thielson, Mrs. E. Wcller.

Niles. — Mr. R. H. Murray, Mrs. Mary F. Mur-
ray, Mr. H. N. Thielson, Mrs. Lydia E. Hale, Mrs.
Mary Rood, Mr. Perlcy Hale, Mr. H. Rood, Mr,
H. R()U)ids, Mr. DunJ)ar, Mrs. Dunbar.

Pokagon. — 3//'. Charles Evans.

Pontiac. — Mr. Jacob. Loop, jr., Mr. Wm. Loop,
Mr. Algernon Merriweather, Mr. A. T. Howard.

Tecumseh. — Mr. John Allen.

These numbers indicated a large increase in the
reception of the Heavenly Doctrines from the time
I started on my first tour in 1841; although of
course they were but representatives of the collec-
tive body. In my Ivcport to that meeting, as the
Presiding Minister, I state, among other things,
that tliere were then three ordained Ministers in
the Association, and live societies. Tliat the De-
troit Society then contained 28 members, with as
many more interested receivers. That during the
past year an incipient society luid sprung up in

194

THE MEDIUM.

the vicinity of Almont, consisting of 12 persons,
mostly from Scotland,* and the nucleus of another
one at Flat Eock, consisting of 8 persons, mostly
from England. That during that year Rev. H. N.
Strong had been elected Chaplain of the State
Prison, at Jackson ; and had commenced the pub-
lication of a New Church semi-monthly paper,
called The Medium. \ I also stated that Dr. West-
lake, a member of the Methodist Church at Grand
Eapids, had been expelled from that Church for

receiving the Doctrines of the New Church. Mr.
"Weller had also removed to Grand Eapids, and
was attracting much attention there by lecturing
and preaching on the Doctrines of the New Church.
"Witliin the year I had baptized 36 persons ; and

* Subsequently, ou the occasion of a Missionary visit to this
region, by Rev. Jabez Fox ; they instituted theraselves into a
society, (after the English and Scottish manner,) consisting of
17 persons ; and Mr. Fox administered the Holy Supper to
them ; but they never united with the Association, This was
on Sunday, June 30th, 1850. Mr. J. Marshall was elected
Leader.

t The first number of this paper was published in Jackson,
December 25th, 1848, but a few weeks afterwards, (March Ist,
1849,) it was removed to Marshall, where it was edited and
puhliKhcd by Mr. Fox ; and (soon after), at the time Mr. Fox
removed to Detroit, he took it with him, and issued it
there, jointly with Mr. E. Barber; this was on the 15th of
January, 1850. Afterwards it was transferit d to Cincinnati,
and edited by Eev. J. P. Stuart; but its name was changed
from the Medium to the Mrsseiitjer ; the first number under
this name appeared Feb. Ist, 1803. It was still a bi-monthly.
But was subsiquentiy made over to the General Convention,
and published at New York, under the joint editorship of n v.
W. B. Hayden, and Mr. John I-. Jtwett, as a weekly paper,
under tin li n.c ofthe AVir Jcrumlem ^Itssenyer.

,1-

MAJORITY AND MINORITY REPORT.

195

ersons,
Liiother
mostly
.H.N.
B State
he pub-
paper,
r. West-
ii Grand
urcb for
i\\. Mr.
)ids, and
lecturing
V Cbarcli.
ons; and

visit to this
elves into a
lousisting of
Supper to
TbiH was
was elected

I in Jacksou,
[(March Ist,
I edited and
[me Mr. Fox
lul issued it
I the ISth of
Cincinnati,
Las chantied
Iniher under
. \)i. monthly.
] Convention,
Kliip of »' V.
leekly paper,

Mr. Strong, five or six. All this presented a very
encouraging exhibition. At this meeting a resolu-
tion was offered to have Rev. Henry Weller, who
had been ordained into the New Church Ministry,
about half a year previous ; inaugurated into the
functions of an Ordaining Minister ; but as this
did not seem to meet with much approbation, the
Resolution was withdrawn at his own request. But
the subject which seemed to excite the most inter-
est at this time, was the Report on the subject of
■"Lectures and Licences;" or more properly, on
the preaching and teaching of the Doctrines of
the Church. The Committee appointed to report
on this, at the last meeting of the Association, had
not been able to agree upon it; four, viz., Messrs.
R. H. Murray, Abiel Silver, C. L. Merriman, and
Hans Thielson, — were agreed, the fifth was myself,
and I, unfortunately, as it seemed, could not con-
cur in the views they had presented in their Re-
port; and so I had drawn up one, presenting, what
I considered to be the teaching of the Divine Word,
and the Doctrine of the New Church upon the sub-
ject, which they were unable to agree to ; so there
were two Reports presented to the Association, a
Majority Report and a ^linority one.

The Majority report was tirst read ; its principal
points were in regard to the general principles,
functions and organs of man, and of the church ;
and that each could best perform his own use ; and
in all this there was no difference of opinion : it
then also fully admitted tiie lay and clerical func-
tions ; but in doinjj; this denied that those who were

''I

'I r

't J

196

WHO ARE THE CLERGY.

I '

i ! [

practically to constitute the Clergy in the Church,
need to be inaugurated by any external clerical act
of ordination, in order to perform the functions of
that office. The language of their Report, on this
subject, id, " That internal men are the clergy,and
external the laity ; and that, independent of any
external ordination." The Report proceeds to say,
" Arguments have been adduced to shew that inter-
nal men became clergy, only after a formal ordina-
tion, or inauguration into the priestly office.'' And
then affirms that this is an error. But as Sweden-
borg had distinctly stated that, " the clergyman,
because he is to teach out of the Word, doctrines
concerning the Lord, and concerning Redemption,
and Salvation by Him, should be inaugurated by
the promise of the Holy Spirit, and by the repre-
sentation of its translation ;" (Canons ch. 4 and 7),
this was pronounced to be " a mere ritual,'* and
not binding upon the Church ; indeed the whole is
classed under the term *' Apostolical succession;"
and declared to be " an invention from the love of
dominion over the holy things of the Church, and
over heaven, grounded in self love, which is the
devil, as is also the transferring of the Holy Spirit
from one man to another." And this extract is
taken from A. R. 802, to disprove the position that
those who officiate in the Clerical functions should
first be inaugurated into that use by ordination ;
but it really has nothing to do with it : Sweden-
borg's application of it is to " the Pope's viearship ;"
and the succession of Peter, and the inherent power
of that Chvu'ch ; all of which he says, " is an inven-

liurch,

cal act

ions of

an this

gy,and

of any

to say,

Lt inter-

ordina-

." And

aweden-

:gyman,

octrines

jmption,

rated by

e repre-
and7),

al,'" and

whole is

ession ;"

lO love of
rch, and
h is the
ly Spirit
.tract is
ion that
.8 should
ination ;
Sweden-

\\i power
m inven-

AND WHO SHOULD I'HEACH.

197

tion and fiction, whicli ought to l)c rejected," Nor
had the question of " Apostolical succession" ever
been claimed for the New Church in the sense re-
ferred to by Swedenl)org ; or any thing founded upon
it, nor any such idea advanced, as "the transferring
of the Holy Spirit. /)v>m one nutx. to tuiother ;" or that
any one should be ordained " without any agency o^
the general body of the Church;" all of which
is assumed in this majority lieport as having been
claimed ; when yet nothing of the kind had either
been expressed or desired : only that it was dis-
orderly, and tended to had results, for every one
who felt disposed to assume tlic functions and office
of a Clergyman, without being first inaugurated
into that use, in an orderly manner, />// the consent
and approbation of the Church: but this form and
mode of inauguration by ordination, was declared
in this lleport to relate " to the order of a corrupt
Church ;" and what Swedcnborg says about none
others teaching truth in a public, or official
capacity, but those who are " teaching Ministers,"
is explained away ; and the question asked,
*' who would presume to say, that a layman really
born of water and of the spirit," truly "baptized
with the Holy Ghost and with tire" into the "body
of Christ;" would still be unable to inseminate
truth into another, without giving birth to heresies"?
— But does not say who was to be the judge of
whether such person was realltf so born, — or so
"truly baptized"; or how it should be known
whether he had zeal without knowledge; or was
carried away by enthusiastic spirits. But to

III

;^ri

-;3 4

198

INCONSISTENT ACTION.

Bustain this view several passages from the Word
were quoted, as supposed, by inference, or implica-
tion, to involve the idea that as the gospel is free,
and salvation is free, so preaching is free, to all
"who think, or feel they have an inner call to
preach ; and that no other burden should be laid
upon them ; yet, the writers of this report do not
desire to repudiate an ordained ministry in the
Church ; but rather to permit it for all those who
choose to avail themselves of it ; but, it continues,
" we do, nevertheless believe, that no obstacle, or
prohibition, should be laid by the Church upon the
free action of its members to teach, severally as
they receive the gift, the glorious truths of the New
Jerusalem," but rather, that they should be "stimu-
lated and encouraged," so to let the light they have
thus shine. — Such was the substance of this
report; its tendency was to tolerate the existing
clerical order ; but to make it cutireli/ optional with
tho.^e who believed they had this inward call to
preach, whether they complied with the outward
order or not. And what seemed to be most remark-
able about this, was — that the very persons who
wrote this lleport, were those who had taken the
lead in inviting me to become the Missionary of
the Association ; but had expressly made my ac-
ceptance of it conditional upon my being ordained
as a Minister in the usual way; and had even
pointed out the time and place where I should be
80 inaugurated.

And subsequently, three of the four who signed
that Report, were among those who passed a
Eesolution, asking for the ordination of Mr. H.

LATINO ON OF HANDS.

199

Weller, "into the second grade of the New Church
Ministry," by an " Ordaining Minister of the New
Church," that he might thus be empowered to
preach ! And, because he was ordained only into
the first grade of the Ministry, at this very meeting
of the Association to which the above Report was
presented, another resohition was offered, asking
that he might again be ordained, with higher
powers, as an Ordaining Minister ! And, but for
the objections which I made to it, and his own
desire to have the Resolution withdrawn, I had
every reason to believe it would have been adopted .
And yet this majority Report was urged and en-
forced by unusual, if not extraordinary efforts !

After it had been read, I asked leave, (which was
granted), to read my Minority Report, or Protest
** against that part of the majority Report which
acknowledges the right of Lay inauguration into the
Priestly office ; and of preaching without Ordina-
tion, or License." But as several of the points
which were made in the Majority Report, and are
here replied to, have already been noticed, I will
not again introduce them. The first position in
that Report which I dissent from is the declaration
therein made, that the laying on of hands in the
act of ordination into the ministerial office is not to
their knowledge "the exclusive, or even the appro-
priate function of the priesthood." To this I reply,
that when the Lord ordained His twelve apostles,
and sent them forth to preach His gospel, that He
** lifted up His hands, and blessed them "; because
by this is denoted influx, or the reception of the

: i ;■

-srr

200

ORDER OF INFLUX.

I :

i::; «!

f *i

i I

Holy Spirit; and this, says Swedenhorg, **is the
reason why inauguration into the Ministry is per-
formed hy the imposition of hands," see D. L. & W.
222, and C. L. 390. For, as he says in another
place, "to put the hand on the head, \ittifi represented
that hlessing was communicated to the intellectual
and to the voluntary, thus the man himself, the
same ritual remains even at this day, and is in use
in inaugurations, and also in l)enedictions," A. C.
6292 — But it was objected, that if tlie laying on of
hands, was a part of the service, it does not follow
that it needed to l)e the hands of a priest, the
hands of a layman being as effective, and as orderly;
and that it is questionable w'hether such was
a part of the Divine law ; and in evidence, reference
is made to Swedenborg's exposition of Nmnbors viii.,
9 to 14 ver. ; when yet nothing is there said about
ordinations or inaugurations into the priesthood ;
but to the an-'mals that were to be sacrificed : and
even there, when Jereboam, who was not authorized,
put forth his hand u[)on the altar, it " dried up, so
that he could not pull it in again to him" ! A. C. 878.
And nowhere is it recorded that a priest was ever
consecrated by the laying on of tlie hands of a lay-
man ; but everywhere that it was the especial func-
tion of the ]}riestli/office. And yet a question of doubt
was raised as to whether it was so ? My lieport
covers this whole subject so fully that it would seem
to be impossil)le to question it ; and in conclusion,
I adduce the words of Rev. S. Noble in his address
to the English Conference ; who says, ** But to
suppose that a Society, or Congregation, can itself

rUKACHlNCi AND KVANGELIZIXfi

201

'is the
is per-

inotlier
isented
[lectual
elf, tliG

ill use
" A. C.
g on of
t follow
jst, the
»r Jerly ;
cli was
ference
ii'S viii.,
l1 about
stliood ;
(1 : and
Jiorizcd,
I up, so
. C. 878.
i-as ever
if a lay-
al func-
of doubt

lieport
lid seem
elusion,
address
' But to
m itself

duly ordain its Minister, is to suppose that influx
can fiow from the external which the laity denotes,]
into the internal; denoted by the clergy, and in-
deed that the external can produce tlie internal,
and the expanse the centre." I also shew the in-
correctness of the allegation, that " the Holy Spirit
id transferred from oiu; man to another ; but that,
as Swedenborg says, "the Divine principle, which
is Hiiderstood by the Holy Spirit, proceeds fuo.m the
Loud, by the clergy to the laity" (Canons, ch. 4),
and thiit this is what is meant by what is recorded
in the Acts, "that through lay ingon of the Apostles'
bands, the Holy Spirit was given.'' (8:18.)

I also dwell at considerable length on the differ-
ence between preachuui, and erioit/eUziiKj ; and shew
that these words have each a distinctive meaning.

The Aposth'ti were ordained, and sent out to prmch
(prsedico) ; the Disciplns, who were not ordained ; —
were sent out to evanfjdizc ; /'. e. to be the bearer of
good news ; to go from house to house, proclaiming
the joyful tidings ; but never publicly preacliing or
performing any of the functions of an ordained
apostle. This is shewn to be sustained by the
facts in every instance. But no one, under the ap-
probation of the Divine law, ever went forth to teach
the Doctrines of life and Salvation, as they are re-
vealed from heaven, unless in accordance with the
same law^ by which that revelation was made : this
is shewn from all, and every case recorded, both in
the Old and New Testaments. For " no one in
the Jewish Church, could preach, or teach truths
from heaven to man, without authority, or being

^02

ADDED AUTHORITY.

commissioned, any more than he could officiate
at the altar, without incurring the censure of
being a false prophet, or priest of Baal, &c." Nor
in the Christian Church, unless lirst ordained
and commissioned ; for, as the Apostle Paul
pertinently asks, " How shall they hear, without a
preacher ? And how shall they preach, except they
be sent ?" For, as Swedenborg states, it is the
province of the Clergyman alone " to teach out of
the Word, doctrines concerning the Lord, and con-
cerning lledemption, and Salvation, from Him.''

Private and social instruction, in an informal
manner could always be given by the laity ; but,
"we are taught that the proper function of a
Priest is jn-eachinc/, as well as private instruc-
tion, (D. C.) And that Priests ** ought to teach
men the way to heaven ; and also to lead them."
And Priests are also " appointed to administer those
things which relate to the Divine Law and wor-
ship." (H. D., 351.)

But in that Minority Report, I cover the whole
ground in extcnso ; and not only so, but I adduce
the corroborating testimony of several of our most
distinguished and talented ]\[inisters in support of
the position I had advanced ; these were the Revs.
Thos. Worcester, M. M. Carll, B. F. Barrett, Thos.
P. Rodman, Richd. De Charms and Saml. Noble ;
besides referring to the able work on this subject
by N. F. Cabell, Esq.

Yet conscious of the fact, that though I believed
I had made my position an unanswerable one ; and
•doubting whether it would be tested upon the real

\ -i

IMPUESSIVE ADDUEH8.

203

merits of the case, knowing as I did, how much
feeling, and the prejudice of previously formed
opinions might stand in the way, I appeal to them
to take time to consider, and weigh the 8u))ject de-
liherately and calmly in their minds, before coming
to a decision ; — T said " surely we ought not hastily
to adopt 80 important a measure as this, without a
certain conviction of its truth ; for much of the
future weal, or woe of the Church, may depend
upon it ; for whatever is not true, or according to
order, must be injurious to the welfare and pros-
perity of the Lord's New Church." I concluded
this Report in the words of the liev. li. DeCharms,
thus: "'All then that I have to say to you, who
are the guardians of our Church's true Order, and
the honored pioneers of her heavenly principles in
the great and growing West ; and I do say it from
the depth of a most profound love for man's eternal
good, in the lasting success of our holy faith ; — be
cautious how you, in seemingly plausible accomo-
dation to your present wants and exigencies, sow
the tares of heresies, which will hereafter spring
up and ripen, in the disturbance and rending
asunder of our heavenly Church in your borders,
by the toleration of lay preaching, instead of the
provision of a properly qualilied, well appointed
and duly sustained body of regular teaching Minis-
ters. It is much easier to begin right, than to
correct the late evils of early errors.' " — These two
Reports having been read, it was proposed to put
them to a vote ; and as there was evidently
a strong desire to obtciin as large a number of

••i:
II r

• «

1 ,

_,::

»■-■— -'»-3

It. ;

204

PARTY SPIRIT

votes as possible for the Majority Report, enquiry
was made if all present could not vote ; but the
Chair decided that according to the Constitution
of the Association, none but members of it could
vote. Then it was asked if the Ladies, who
were members could vote ; to which the Chair
replied that the Constitution said nothing on that
subject, consequently there was nothing but the
established usages of the Church to go by; and
that it had not been the custom for ladies to vote.
A llesolution was at once offered that the Ladies
should vote on this question, wliicli WaS carried;
after which a vote was taken on the adoption of tiie
Majority Report ; the vote standing in the allirma-
tive 24 ; and in tho negative 5. So that out of
fifty-four persons entitled to vote, only twenty-nine
votes were cast : twenty-live not voting at all. There
was undoubtedly a painful feeling in the minds of
many of these, and they did not feel prei)ared to
vote either way ; indeed, with the exception of a
few, they were so little acquainted with the merits
of the case, as to render them really unable to vote
understandingly upon it ; and, but for the feeling
which had been excited upon the sul)ject, it is
doubtful if a dozen would have voted at all. By
the afternoon this feeling had somewhat subsided ;
amongst others, Mr. Lyon had done what he could
to reduce it, and to induce the meeting to act
more advisedly ; so, after awhile Mr. Silver made
a motion that the vote on this subject, taken in
the morning be reconsidered ; and it was so. Mr.
Allen then " offered the following Preamble and

AND UNFAIR COURSE.

205

Kesolution, which were adopted by a small majority,
*' Whereas the Reports from the Committee on
Lectures and Licences, relate to a subject of very
great importance, on which full reflection and
deliberation should be bestowed previous to decisive
action, — Resolved, That the whole subject be re-
ferred i)ack to the same Committee for further
consideration, and to report to the next Annual
meeting of the Association." The question after-
wards arose as to whether my Minority Report
should be published with the Proceedings of the
Association, as well as the Majority Report. There
was a very decided unwillingness on the part of
many to allow it to be so printed ; but finally
it was agreed to. And, although not in the order
of the proceedings, yet in direct connection with
the subject, I may here state, that when the Pro-
ceedings were printed, — in a large number of
copies, my ^linority Report was left out ;
and these were sent to the Editors of the \ew
JcrusdloH Mdijazine, and the N. C. Repository ; the
latter of which copied nearly the whole of the Mti-
jontif Report into its pages, with very laudatory
comments ; at that time knowing nothing of the
Minority Report, as that was left out in the copies
so sent ! And this report as it ap])eared in the Re-
pository, w^^ copied into the EngUsh S. (\ Quarterly
as soon as it was received by it, witli equal expres-
sions of approl)ation. As soon as I discovered this,
I sent uninutilated copies of the proceedings, contain-
ing both reports, to these periodicals ; and though
the English Quarterly did little more than acknow-

*ii

II P

206

OFFICERS ELECTED.

I ;

ledge its receipt ; Prof. Bush inserted a large por-
tion of it, with qualifying praise ; he said, however,
" that the two Reports embodied in this pamphlet
exhibit a very able discussion of a very important
subject, and would make a very useful tract for
circulation in the Church, were they published by
themselves," which was a very great concession for
Prof. Bush to make ; his leanings being so very de-
cidedly toward th(i views of the Majority Report :
but he always desired to be candid. In the No. for
April, 1850, at page 187 ; he published a letter from
me in which I explained how this Majority Report
was treated in the session of the Association, as
well as afterwards. But to return to the doings of
the Association, which then proceeded to the elec-
tion of officers for the ensuing year ; and Rev. H.
N. St'-ong was declared elected as the Presiding
Minister, anl R.H. Murray as Recording Secretary,
A. Silver as Corresponding Secretary, and Hans
Thielson as Treasurer ; the balance of the Acting
Committee being, E. M. Charaoerlain, Jabez Fox,
and Lucius Lyon. So my name no longer appear-
ed among the officers of the Association; and after
the reading of my Report the Association appeared
to have nothing more for nK; to do. Mr. Allen was
a[)pointed to Lecture on Saturday evening ; Mr.
Strong to preach on Sunday morning, and admin-
ister the Sacraments of Baptism ; and the Holy
Supi)er in the al'tenioon ;* and Mr. Weller to lec-

•Mr. Strong also nnitetl in marriage Mr. L. B. Lawrence to

Miss 11. E. Coplty.

MISTAKE CORRECTED.

207

ture in the evening. That this gave great dissap-
pointment and dissatisfaction to many I very well
knew; and though unwilling, yetto satisfy the urgent
request of many of my friends, I consented to make
Bome remarks at the close of Mr. Weller's Lecture
on Sunday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Hale also wish-
ed me to baptize their young child, (Perley,) at their
house, which I also did. Let me not however for-
get to say, it was subsequently announced that, " by
an oversight on the part of the Recording Secretary,
who counted the ballots, and announced the result
of the election of officers," a slight mistake had
been made ; the rectifying of which made me still
to be the 'Corresponding Secretary. The Baptists
had kindly let us have their Church on the Sabbath
for our worship ; and the Odd Fellows the use o^
their Hall for the business and other meetings.

This was the largest assemblage of New Church
people that had ever been held in this region of
country ; and but for that difference of opinion on
the subject of the Ministry, would have also been
the happiest. Nearly a hundred persons were pre-
sent, from sixteen different places.

The events of the next year will take less time
in recounting. In Jackson, Rev. H. N. Strong,
wlio was still Chaplain at the State Prison, com-
menced meetings for public worship in a room pre-
paivjd for that i)urposo, over IMerriman's storo, on
Sunday evening, .January 7th, 1841). The New
Church Library was also in operation there. On
Sunday, Feb. 2.oth, the Chicago Society was "con-
secrated as a religious Society; " having 20 mem-

'lll

i|;

•208

ALIENATION OF FEELING.

bers, and about 50 persons attending the public
worship. Rev. J. R. Hibbard being the Pastor.
At this time Mr. Fox, of Marshall, delivered lec-
tures on Sunday afternoon, at Mechanic's Hall,
Marshall; Mr. John Allen and Mr. A. Silver, also
occasionally lectured at various places around.
On the 16th of June, at the meeting of the General
Convention, Mr. Abiel Silver and Mr. Jabez Fox,
were ordained as Ministers of the New Church.
Although I continued to officiate gratuitously to
the Society in Detroit, I had for some time past
felt and seen that my services were no longer as
acceptable as they had been ; the positions taken
in my Minority Report were regarded as objection-
able, and seemed to engender a feeling of dissatis-
faction and coldness towards me on the part of a
few, who made their influence felt upon others ; and
there was no longer the kindness and sympathy
manifested towards me that there had been. So,
■after long and earnest reilection on this subject I
-came to the conclusion to send in my resignation,
as Pastor of the Society ; which I did on the 15th
of July, 1849. In doing so I gave a somewhat de-
tailed statement of the reasons which had impelled
me to take this course; offering, however, to con-
tniue to officiate for them as l^efore, until such
time as they should be able to obtain the services
of another pastor. There were many in the Society
who were unwilling to accept my resignation, and
a number of meetings were held during several
weeks to endeavor to compromise matters; but the
strong and persistent opposition of two influential

REV. J. FOX ENQAQED.

209

oth
de-
nied
?on-
luch
lices
liety
land
3ral
the
tial

members, at last convinced the others that it would
be best to accept it. On the 12th of August, reso-
lutions were therefore adopted to that effect by a
majority of one; also thanking me for my services
in the past, and accepting my offer to continue to
officiate for them until such time as they should
obtain the services of some other person to be my
successor; which was not, however, until tht fol-
lowing year. For some time past there had been
a good deal of objection made by different partiep
to our having the use of the U. S. Court room
for meetings, and so the permission to do so
was withdrawn ; so, on Sunday, September 16th,
we met there for the last time. One week prior to
this Eev. J. Fox, of Marshall, had been engaged to
succeed me in Detroit, as soon as he could make
arrangements to move to the city. In^the mean-
time the use of the County Court room had been
obtained for our meetings, for worship, and evening
lectures, in wliich we met for the tirst time on
Sunday morning, Sept. 23rd and on Sunday Oct.
7th, Mr. Fox preached there, and Mr. Si'.ver ad-
ministered the Holy Supper, it being the (quarterly
meeting of the Society. On the loth of Novembei,
I attended the meeting at Urbana, 0., as a delegate
from the Detroit Society, to determine upon the
establishment of a New Church College.

And on Friday evening, November 3()th, I com-
menced the delivery of my Course of lectures on the
Creation and Flood, for the fourth time in Detroit,
they were delivered at the County Couit room, every

Friday, Monday and Wednesday evenings. The
o

.11=1

; f 'I

d
m

■fiJM

il III

210

EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING.

room was usually crowded, and many additional
seats brought in. This time there was not a word
of unfavorable notice from any of the papers ; but
some that were highly eulogistic.

On the 22nd of December, I went to Jackson and
delivered four lectures on the Doctrines of the
Church, and preached on Sunday morning. The
audiences were very good and attentive. On Friday,
Feb. 1st, 1850, the Eighth Annual meeting of the
Mich. & N. Ind. Association was held in Detroit —
in Mechanic's Hall. But there was already a great
falling off from the attendance of the previous year ;
and as no other record was made of the proceedings
than a letter from the Cor. Secretary, (J. Fox), to
the N. J. Mag. — in which it is stated that there
were six societies, as before, and that lectures had
been delivered at various places by Mr. Siiver, Mr.
Weller, Mr. Fox and myself ; and that Prof. Bush's
** Statement of Reasons" had been pretty widely
distributed, also that a Eesolution had been adopted
strongly urging that the name of the Genl. Con-
vention be changed to that of General Conference ;
and that it only meet triennially, and be merely
advisory in its character. It also stated that the
meeting " was a very pleasant one. The snl ject
of Lay Lectures and License, was harmoniously,
and finally settled by adopting the recommendations
of the Majority report! "

Saying however that they were " a compromise
between views, which, in the abstract conflict," but
expressing the conviction that "in their practical
operation" they would be " a satisfactory settle-

LEFT FOR ST. LOUIS.

211

jons

Imise

but

Itical

Ittle-

ment of the whole matter " (?) I took no part
in the proceedings of this meeting, as the
time had now arrived when I was to dissolve
my relations with the Detroit Society, and
the Michigan Association. But on Sunday morn-
ing (Feb. 3rd,) I preached for the last time, and, by
their own particular request, baptized Judge Bell,
and Sally, lioseby, Vincent, John, and George Bell,
Mr. F. Finster, Mr. C. Risdon, Mrs. Paull, Mrs.
Allen, Miss E. Storry, and Miss C. Merriweather.
In the afternoon Mr. Silver administered the Holy
Supper to about 40 communicants, — assisted by
Messrs. Fox and Strong. After which Mr. Fox
preached a Sermon ; and Mr. Weller officiated in
the Evening. Some time previous to this, the St.
Louis N. C. Society having learned in some way,
that I was about to dissolve mv connection with
the Detroit Society, had opened a correspondence
with me, and invited me very urgently to accept
the Pastorship of their Society — this however I did
not do ; but I agreed to make them a visit and
Lecture and preach to thum for two mouths : so on
the day the Association adjourned i.e., Monday
Feb. 4th, I left Detroit, intending to make several
Missionary visits on my way to St. Louis. My
first stopping place was Ypsilanti, where I delivered
three Lectures to good audiences ; on February 4th
5tli and 0th; thence I went to Chicago and preached
there on Sunday morning, Feb. lOfcli. Next day I
left for Peoria, and commenced the delivery of my
Course of nine Lectures there on the Creation, &c.
the second time, to audiences of nearly 300 persons.

212

ON MY WAY.

Preaching also on two Sabbath days. On the 26th
I deUvered a Discourse to the passengers on the
Steam Boat Prairie Bird on my way to St. Louis,
where I arrived the next day : and on the 28th
commenced the same Course of Lectures for the
second time at Wyman's Hall, to audiences varying
from 100 to 500 persons. Before leaving St. Louis
I again received a very unanimous and cordial
invitation to become their Pastor : ])ut as we were
not entirely agreed in regard to the distinctive
difference between the Sacrament as administered
in the Old Church and the New, I did not feel at
liberty to accept, — but stated to them the ground
of my objection. After some discusion on the sub-
ject my views were acceded to, and I accepted their
call ; but was not to enter upon my duties till the
ensuing autumn, April 25th, 1850. 1 lelt St. Louis on
my way back to Detroit, delivering another Lecture
on the Boat. On my arrival in Chicago, by previous
arrangement I also commenced on the delivery of the
same Course of Lectures there, the second time, on
Wednesday evening May Ist, at the Saloon
building. They were well attended. On the
I3th, I left Chicago, and next day was again in
Detroit. In June, I attended the Convention in
New York, and on my return delivered two Dis-
courses on tlio Doctrines of the New Church
in the Rev. S. May's Church, at Syracuse.
On the 6th of September, 1850, I left Detroit,
with my family and household goods for St. Louis,
stayed over the sabbath at Chicago, and preached
there ; and also at Peoria ; from thence I went to

SAFE ARUrVAL.

213

Canton, 111., where I delivered a Course of Six
Lectures to the Society and others; and adminis-
tered the Holy Supi)er to 15 Communicants ;
arriving at St. Louis on the 25tli, and comuKuiced
our regular Sahbath worship on Sunday morning,
Oct. 0th (1850.) at the Church on the corner of St.
Charles and Sixth streets , and on the 27th was
received as Pastor of the Society. The events of
the past year were among the most trying and pain-
ful I had ever experienced. For the previous ten
years my life had been devoted to the promulgation
of the Heavenly J)octrines of the New .Ferusalem
mainly in ■Michigan and Northern Indijiiia ; and in
this ettbrt I had labored with what ability I possess-
ed, through much opposition and many trials, and
no small share of ol)lo(piy. Part of tlie time left
alone with three little children, and not knowing
how to provide for them, or vwn to su[)ply their
daily wants. I yet pressed onward, trusting in the
jirovidence of the Lord to sustain me ; and He did
sustain me, and uphold me ; though often sorely
tried by those to whom I looked for encouragement
and support ; still I experienced that the mercy of
the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting ;
and that lie never forsakes. And not only so,
but that He provided for all my needful wants.
I was also ha])py in knowing that I had many true
friends whose kindness will ever be remembered.
Among these, none were more so than Mr. and Mrs.
Dorr; and Mr. Lucius Lyon.

But being satisfied that my services were no long-
er appreciated as they had been, at least by an active

■ i)

i'll:

214

TO MEET NEW TRIALS.

few, who had produced discord and division ; I re-
olved to depart in peace as soon as my place could
be filled, which, as I have already stated, was in due
time accomplished. I also gave notice that as soon
as my successor should come, I should resign ray
position in the Surveyor General's office, which I
accordingly did, without, at that time, the most
distant idea of where I should go, or what I should
do. And it was a great surprise to me, that so
soon afterwards I should have received a letter in-
viting me to become the Pastor of the St. Louis
Society ! For though the pecuniary compensation
would not be two-third ) of what I received for my
secular employment in Detroit, it would yet enable
me to devote all my time and energies to the cause
of the Church. Still it was with a feeling of much
sadness and regret that I left Michigan lor a dis-
tant and almost unknown state, to begin again in
a new field of labor ; ar.d again to experience new
trials, and now difficulties.

It was expected that a new building, the upper
part of which was to be used as a House of Wor-
ship for the New Church Society, would be com-
pleted by the time 1 returned to St. Louis; but
this was found to be impracticable. I arrived at
St. Louis on the 25th of September, staying on the
way from ])etroit, at Chicago, and preaching there
on the Sabbatfi ; then attended the annual meet-
ing of the Ilhnois Association at Peoria, and
preaching there on the following Sabbath; then
delivered five lectures at Canton, and commenced
my pastoral duties by preaching at the Church on

VISIT TO QUINCY.

215

the corner of St. Charles and 0th streets, on Sun-
day, October 6th, 1850. During my stay at St.
Louis, I went to Quincy, lUinois, with the inten-
tion of deHvering a course of lectures there, on the
Creation and Deluge ; but, owing to its being too
early in the season, (September /ith,) the atten-
dance did not seem to warrant ray doing so. I
therefore delivered but ono lecture, and then in-
serted a valedictory Card in the Daily Journal,
with a few gentle hints expressive of my regrets
&c., which the Editor pleasantly alluded to, as
shaking off the dust of my feet, as a testimony
against th • mdifference of the people; adding, how-
ever, that my remarks were " well delivered;" and
making additional strictures in support of them;
and summing them up with the compliment,
"Mr. Field is eminent as a Lecturer; we regret
that his success was no better." Soon after my
return to St. Louis, I went to Peterborough, near
Springfield, Illinois, where I delivered twelve lec-
tures at the Court House, which were very fairly
attended, although it was raining almost all the
time I was there.

On my way back I stayed at Springfield long
enough to deliver two lectures on the Itesur-
rection, and the Spiritual world, which also
were well attended. About the middle of October
(1851), I went to Alton, and delivered ten lectures
there, and one sermon; these were on the first
chapters of Genesis, the Life after Death, and the
unchaugeableness of God ; they were well attend-
ed. These lectures were delivered at Concert Hall.

>m. ■ I I

216

MR. WELLEU H CLAIM,

About thin time, or soon after, un unexpected and
somewhat remarkable event occurred in the Michi-
gan Association, evidently produced by certain dis-
turbing elements in the World of Spirits, which, in
connection with other, and kindred influences, were
seeking to paralyze and destroy the man-child of
the New Church as soon as it was born. In the
beginning of the year 1852, several of the Ministers
of the New Church and leading and inHuential lay-
men received each a comnuuiication from i{ov.
Henry "Weller, then of (irand Papids, Michigan,
notifying them that they were to attend a meeting
he had appointed, to be held in that city about the
middl(! of i'ebruary, that same year, to commence,
and lay the foundations of the New Church, under
his directions and supervision. That he received
authority lor doing this from iSwedenborg ; and that
he was chosen as the Lord's High Priest on earth,
with authority to appoint all those who were to
officiate in the Ministerial office. This meeting was
appointed to be held in Grand Uapids on the same
days that the Tenth Annual meeting of the Michi-
gan and N. 1. Association was to be held in Detroit.

The letter which I received at St. Louis, requir-
ing me to attend, Mr. Weller informed me, ' was
■written by direction of Lucius Lyon, your fmy]
old friend in Detroit ; but now as you will know, the
Lord's instrument for establishing true order in the
Church." Mr. Lyon was then living in the Spirit-
ual world. The letter was as follows : — *' To George
Field. — You are hereby informed that a meeting of
the brethren called to lay the foundation of the

AND HIS I,KTTER TO MK.

217

it-
ge
of
the

Lord's Church on earth, will be hold at Grand
Rapids on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of next month;
at which meeting you are rerj nested to attend.
Moreover it \h the Lord's willtluit yon he then, and
there present, if it be possible, to receive sueli in-
structions as may b(> given you by me, througli the
Lord's High Priest, who is already known to thee;
and within whose jurisdiction thou hast been placed
in vision, l)y the Lord's servant, Knianuel Sweden-
borg, who hast given thee a testimony in the jjatiu
language, a language thou canst not write ; and
which few can writi' at the present day. Wiierefore
it is the Lord's will that you bring tluifc testimonial
with you, to be ])r()duced, how, and wh(!n, and where,
the Lord pl(;aseth : Lirnrs Lyon,

through the hand of the Lord's High Priest

Hknry "

This was dated January '22nd, lHr)2.

I was as much bewildered as 1 was surprized, to
receive such a communication. It was inexplicable,
and yet it was absurd and pnjsumptuous.

I had received no such document, either in Latin,
or any other language, as he said I had ; and so of
course I could not bring it ; and if 1 had, I sliould
not. Of course I did not attend the meeting ; nor
did I answer, or pay any attention to the summons.
A few, (a very small few), did attend, and inaugu-
rated a sort of spiritualistic fraternity, seeking open
intercourse with the spiritual world ; and a kind of
spiritual wife system, together with other peculiari-
ties and assumptions, and follies, which led to much
discord and unhappiness.

218

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.

All this was distinctly and emphatically repudiat-
ed at the regular meeting of the Michigan and N.
I. Association ; at which meeting Mr. R. H. Mur-
ray offered the following Resolutions, which were
unanimously adopted : viz : —

** Whereas, — A communication received by this
Association from Henry Weller, of Grand Rapids,
together with various other letters received by
members thereof, and others, from the same source,
do most conclusively demonstrate in him, a state
of mind eminently unfitting him for the useful dis-
charge of a pastor, or minister : therefore.

Resolved imanimously, — That this Association
no longer recognize the said Henry Weller as a
Minister of the New Church.

Resolved, — That A. Silver, E. M. Chamberlain,
and John B. Niles, be appointed a Committee to
correspond or confer with said Henry Weller and
endeavour to draw him, as a misguided brother,
from the lamentable delusion into which he has
fallen.

Resolved, — That recent occurences afford new
testimony in support of Swedenborg's oft repeated
cautions of the dangers of open intercourse with
spirits ; and should be received as a special warnir^g
to New Churchmen."

The following year, (1853), the Association met
at La Porte ; it was a stormy and unhappy meet-
ing. Mr. Weller it seems had the control of the
pulpit in the Society's House of Worship ; and in-
sisted upon preaching there on the Sunday morn-
ing ; this was held by Mr. Fox to be a claim for

VISIT TO 8T. CHARLES.

219

-g

n-
'or

him to be recognized as a New Church Minister,
although repudiated as such at the last meeting of
the Association ; he therefore decidedly objected to
his doing so. Mr. Fox was sustained by Mr. Hib-
bard, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Niles, Mr. Andrews, and
others ; Mr. Weller refused to recede. At last he
could bear the pressure no long«ir, and very unwil-
lingly and ungraciously gave up the pulpit. The
Convention also removed Mr. Weller's name from
the list of Ministers.

In March, 1852, by invitation of Mr. Judge, I
went to St. Charles, Missouri, and delivered three
Lectures on the Doctrines of the New Church, to
very respectable audiences. In May, I again at-
tended the annual meeting of the Illinois Associa-
tion, held at Peoria, where I preached once, and
delivered two Lectures: one on being graven on
the hands of the Lord, and the other on the origin
of the human race. I continued my pastoral re-
lations with the St. Louis Society till the autumn
of 1852; and then as suddenly as unexpectedly,
they were dissolved. There had been a disturbing
element in the Society from the beginning which
had divided and weakened its power for use, and
finally separated it into two nearly equal parts;
but the majority still continued to maintain public
worship; and were just about to lay the founda-
tions for their long contemplated Church edifice,
when another apparently slight and unimportant
event occurred which resulted in the non-renewal
of my engagement with the Society as its pastor ;
and I preached my farewell sermon there on Sun-

i'l'

V :

220

LECTURES IN CARROLTON.

day, September 26th, 1852. Notwithstanding the
difficulties which had unhappily occurred to divide
the Society, my own personal and social relations
to the members had always been kind aud pleasant^
and have continued so to the present day.

Eight years afterwards, by invitation, I made
them a long missionary visit when I received a
very cordial and unanimous call to again become
Pastor of the Society ; but the portentous sounds
of the approaching civil *\ar were so threatening^
and the generally disturbed state of the country,
were of themselves sufficient reasons to deter me
from its acceptance: still 1 shall ever cherish in my
remembrance the many pleasant hcurs I have
passed in St. Louis, as also the many land friends
I have found there. On the 2nd of October, 1852,
I left my family in St. Louis, and went in search
of a new home, going first to Carrolton, Illinois, where
by previous arrangement, I was to lecture. j\[r.
Curtius, with whom I stayed, had engaged for me
the use of the ^lethodist Church for a course of
lectures ; the lirst of which I delivered on the
evening of my arrival there ; it was introductory
to the Course on the Creation of the Universe, &c»
The roads were very muddy, and the audience was
not large. The next evening on going to the
church with Mr. Curtius, we found the door locked,
and tlie inside dark and cold ! Neither key nor
sexton could be found; and this was the way we
were refused its further use: so no lecture was de-
livered that evening. The next day Mr. C. ob-
tained for me the use of the Presbyterian Church

EN3AGED AS MISSIONARY

221

in which I concluded the course ; nine lectures in
all. For various reasons, as may easily be under-
stood, they were not numerously attended ; one
was, it was on the eve of a presidential election,
and perhaps the subjects ranged somewhat higher
than the ordinary grade of thought in that locality ;
and they had to meet the usual amount of pre-
judice against anything that was out of the or-
dinary current of established prejudices. Whilst
at Carrolton I met, by previous arrangement, the
Kev. J. R. Hibbard, President of the Illinois As-
sociation, and accepted an engagement to act as a
missionary for the Illinois Association till it should
meet at Peoria on the 27th day of May following ;
with the exception of three weeks, which I reserved
to attend to my family whilst removing from St.
Louis to our new home in Jacksonville, Illinois :
making six months for missionary labor, for which
I was to receive $300.00 and pay my own expenses,
in addition to the supporting of my family in St.
Louis, (aided by such incidental help as 1 might
meet with on the way). To do this as economically
as I could, I ])ought me a horse and Imggy, for
which I paid $1(10. 00; this also saved me the ex-
pense of freight for books I carried with me for
sale. After leaving Carrolton, I revisited Jackson-
ville, where, some ten or eleven years before I had
lectured, and encountered the renowned Prof.Turner.
This is a very pleasant town ; and finding a loca-
tion that I tliought would be desirable, I made ar-
rangements to remove there with my family as soon as
mv encagement with the Illinois Association should

3' S

"IPn

222

TREMONT AND PARMINOTON.

be terminated. I repeated my Course of Lectures
on the Creation and Deluge at the Universalist
Church; and, this time, without opposition; at
least not of a direct, or opon character ; but many
vrere very favorably impressed. I went from
Jacksonville to Pekin intending to lecture there ;
but owing to the incessant rain and deep mud did
not attempt it ; but proceeded to Tremont, where I
found hospitable entertainment with our esteemed
friends Mr. and Mrs. Emerson. I delivered seven
lectures here on the leading Doctrines of the New
Church ; — being permitted by the courtesy of the
Kev. A. Andrews, to use the Presbyterian Church
for that purpose ; my lectures also were well at-
tended. Hence I went to Peoria, the scene of my
earlier labors (in the winter of 1842-3), and lectured
on three successive evenings.

I next visited Farmington, (by previous arrange-
ment), and delivered six lectures in the Universalist
Church, on the Resurrection and the Spiritualworld.
This place was a sort of head quarters for Spiritua-
lism ; although it seemed to me to he more allied to
Naturalism ; judging from the rude and uncultured
aspect of the surroundings ; it w:is the least attrac-
tive of any place I visited, and, I should think, least
receptive of the New Church Doctrines.

My next stopping place was Galesburg, at wliich
place I gave eleven lectures, touching upon all the
fundamental Doctrines of the New Church, com-
mencing Decemher 2nd, 18r)2. By the intluonce of
our N. C. brother Judge Lan',)here, I was permitted
the use of the Baptist Church for nine of them ;

OALESBUKO AND PRINCETON.

228

although it was reluctantly granted ; and Mr..
Newton, the Baptist Elder was evidently a good
deal disturbed at the views I presented ; and gave
two or three lectures which were intended to refute
them. The use of the Universalist Church, or
"Liberal Institute" was freely granted, and my
lecture there on the Divine attributes was listened
to by a very large audience.

One lecture I gave at a private house. There
was of- course, a considerable diversity of sentiment
in regard to these Lectures ; as also a good deal of
prejudice on the one hand, and indifference on the
other; but the lectures awakened new trains of
thought, which it is hoped might be useful.

From Galesburg, I went to Princeton. This
was a tedious and perilous journey, it was the depth
of winter, and bitterly cold ; in crossing the open
prairie I got out of the way, the track being partly
covered by thii. ice and snow and the wind blowing
a hurricane ; and I was yet three miles from
Providence when it grew dark, so that it needed
the utmost watchfulness to keep the track ; at last
the glimmer of a distant light was my only guide ;
and it was with great thankfulness that at last,
stiff and well-nigh frozen, I found poor shelter,
and a comfortless night's lodging at Providence.
Next day, (Friday, Dec. 17th), I arrived at Prince-
ton where 1 found a pleasant resting place in the
house of ]\Ir. A. 13. Thayer and wife. Here I deli-
vered a Course of Ten Lectures at the Court House
cliietlv on the Creation and Flood. Here, of course I
encountered the usual opposition ; and here 1 met

l<l

1 '

1 M-,

b 1

■ill

FSF

224

DR. SAMUEL MARSHALL.

with a very marked character, a member of the
Presbyterian Church ; a man who by unconquerable
perseverance, and very Hmited education, had, from
being a journeyman mechanic, obtained a diploma
as an eclectic physician, and was then practicing
medicine in Princeton ; he attended all my Lec-
tures; became deeply, and enthusiastically interested
in them ; obtained N. C. Books, and soon proclaim-
ed himself as an earnest receiver of the Doctrines:
this of course brought him into trouble with the
Presbyterian Church, and caused his dismissal:
but nothing discouraged, he was instant in season,
and out of season, advocating and proclaiming them.
He has since become a Homceopathic physican, but
is now living in Southern California, and plodding
over the old and new Testaments in their original
tongues ; and as zealous as ever in the cause
of the New Church ; and only grieving that no N.
C. Minister has as yet como that way ; if any
should do so, let them enquire for Dr. 8. Marshall.
I left Princeton on the 80th of December ; and
the next day commenced a Course of Lectures on
the Doctrines of the New Church at Dixon ; making
my home, whilst there, with ]\[r. Wm. Patrick, and
Mr. Heaton. There was a Ba[)tist and a Methodist
Church in this village, and I was freely tendered
the use of each for my Lectures. Seven I deliver-
ed in the former ; and one in the latter. There
appeared to be a struggle between these two
Churches to see whicli should be the greatest ; nor
were they very particular as to what their members
believed, especially if they had means and influence.

UOCKFORD AND BRLOI!'.

225

id
it
Id

r
Is

Quite a imniber became very iniieh interesteil in
my Lectures, which woro on tlio Doctrine of the
Lord — Tlio Atononiont — -The Sacred Scriptures —
Heaven and Hell, iVc. I dehvered niy last discourse
in Dixon, January (Uh, 185:5, and coninienced a
Course of Eight Lectures on the leading Doctrines
of the New Church, in the Unitarian church at
•liockford, on the 8th. Mr. Windsor, the Unitarian
Minister attending most of them ; and was very
courteous and attentive^ during their delivery. I
stayed whilst at liockford, with my old friends, Mr.
andlSlrs Wheaton, (formerly of Jiattle Creek ; ) ana
an earnest desire was expressed that I might stay
longer, and extend the Course ; ])ut my arrange-
ments would not [x-rmit me.

^Fr. Henry Weller, hap[)i'ning to pass through
Piockford at the time, preached then; on the first
Sunday afternoon, after my arrival. 1 left liock-
ford on the! morning of Jan. 17th, and the same
evening comuienci'd a Cours<i of I'jleven liectures
on the Creation of the Universe, t?(e Flood ; and
the Divine Attributes, at Deloit, Wiscon. These
Lectures had to be given in iliree diiVerent places ;
the first (me in tlu; basement of the Congregational
Church; and tlie others in School rooms a mile
apart from* eacli other : i)ut the rooms were filled
every evening; somethnes as many as 100 persons
being present. They produced quite a sensation,
and were generally well received. J^'rom lieloit I
went to Milwaukee, where 1 arrived January •28th,
and stayed there between two and three weeks, de-
livering in all liftcen Lectures in Young's Hall, to

! ! fi

5 li|

226

MILWAUKEE, ETC.

congregations of from 300 to 400 persons ; abstracts
of which were pubHshed in the Daily papers. My
subjects were the Creation ; the Divine Attributes ;
Heaven and Hell ; &c., &c. There were then quite
a number of professed receivers of the Heavenly
Doctrines living in Milwaukee, among them were
my Host and Hostess, Mr. and Mrs. William l^ell,
Hr. PersonSjMr. Ladd,Mr. Stringfellow,and others.
From Milwaukee I went to Waukegan where I
delivered four Lectures, on the Language of Scrip-
ture, the Spiritual World, &c., to very full and at-
tentive audiences. This place is another centre of
Spiritualism, against Vv'liieh,iay Lectures, although
of course aggressive, were very favorably received.
I arrived at Chicago on the 19th day of February
(1853); made a flying visit to Detroit, and returned
to Chicago, where I preached twice. During my
stay here, I was kindly and hospitably entertained
by my friends of the olden time, liev. Mr. (and
Mrs.) Barrett. On the 3rd day of March, after
a wearisome and tedious journey, over roads al-
most impassible for mud, I found myself again at
Ottawa, where, about ten years before my Lectures
had awakened so much interest. Here I was the
guest of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Stone, who had now
become full receivers of the N. C. Doctrines ; as
also had many others ; and there was a very kindly
recollection of my former visit. I delivered this
time ten Lectures on the Doctrines of the New
Church, at the Court House, wiiich were well at-
tended. I also renewed my acquaintance with
Mr. Hise, of the Free-trader, whose columns had

HENRY, PEIEUSBURO, ETC.

227

Ibis

few

at-

rith

tiad

contained so kindly a notice of my Lectures. After
leaving Ottawa, I delivered one Lecture in the
School House at ^Faj^nolia ; and tiien set my face
for Henry, where I found myself on the l/)th day
of March, safely sheltered in the friendly home of
Dr. C. l>avis. Here I gave seven Lectures ; six of
them in the " Christian Church," and one in the
Protestant ^Methodist Church. j-

These Lectures were on the Sacred Scri{)ture8,
the Atonement, Pleaven and Hell, d-c, and were
very well attended. On the 2ard of IMarch (1853),
I left Henry, and the next day delivered a Dis-
course in Peoria on the correspondence of the
Serpent, and its tem[)tations. On the '25th, I
sttirted for Jacksonville, which was to be my future
home, passing through Tremont and Springfield ;
and after a tedious and wearisome journey I
arrived safely at my destined haven on the 30th ;
and next day went to Naples to meet my two
youngest children, on their way from St. Louis
whom I had not seen for the past six months. My
wife did not arrive till the 27th of April. I ex-
pected now to have a rest ; but the expectation
was an illusive one, for within a few hours of her
arrival, I w;is on my way to fulfil an engagement
to Lecture at Petersburgh, where I was absent nine
days ; being detained by incessant rains which
had caused the rivers to overflow their banks, and
drown the bridges, where there were any. I re-
turned to Jacksonville on Saturday, the 7th day of
May, at 8 o'clock in the evening, alter a very toil-
some and dangerous journey.

ill

'nu

^■M

fll
f

i --r

* I

ll'l I

IHI

228

REPORT TO ASSOCIATION.

I I

In my lU;port to tlio Jllinois Association, I say,
" \vitliin the past ciglit months I have visited, and
lecture d at seventeen difTerent i)hices, giving in all,
124 disconrses. In most of the places 1 visited
the Doctrine had never hefore hecn piil»licly pro-
clnimed. In many of the i)laces the resident Clergy-
men attended the Lectures ; sometimes once, at
other times frecpiently ; hut only in one place,
(Gale^hurj;), did anyone attem[)t to controvert my
arguments. Although ]\Ir. llihbnid had jtrcccded
me in most, or all the pla-cs 1 visited, l)ut a few
weeks hefore, nnd had nlready sold a large stock of
N. C. Books, 1 nevertheless disposed of hetween
eighty 'and ninety dollars worth; Jind it may reason-
ahly he expected that the seed thus sown will not
all perish ; hut will much of it, if not all, yield fruit
for future harvest." I conclude my report thus :
** I have said nothing in the ahovc narrative of how
I got from one place to another, hecause this was
of little importance to the Association to know : yet
it nuiv ho allowable for me to say, that for full
three fourths of the altove time, travelling was
toilsome, dil'licult, and ])erilous. The roads were
like a plowed lield, soaked with water, — only full
of holes and ridges ; or, as on the prairie sod,
sometimes llooded and saturated, or like a shallow
lake. Twice 1 had to get other horses to haul my
buggy from bottomless nuul holes ; once nearly
drowned in fording the deep and rapid Vermillion,
swollen by heavy rains; once to pass through a
wide lagoon of water four feet deep, and cross a
bridge underneath it, sometimes drenched through

INADEQUATE MEANS.

229

with rain, and no holp for it; at other times ahnost
frozen with a hitter north-west wind, l)lowing like
a hurricane over a [)rairie where, for miles, neither
house, fence, or tree, could he seen; crossing 4'i vers
when only half frozen, hetween great holes in the
ice ; and riding after dark on the open prairie, and
guessing at the road in the dei)th of winter; some-
times losing my way on these waste wildernesses, or
passing the night in rude houses, only next to
being in the open air. Yet this hy no means coji-
"veys an idea of the travelling in this new country
for eight months, — from October to June ; neither
can I tell the dread I felt in commencing a fresh
journey. ]^ut I have experieuct.'d the mercy and
protection of the Lord in all my sojourning; and,
with hut sliglit exception have had good health,
and good courage to [)ursue my way. I have, to
the hest of my ahility, accom[>lished my engage-
ment witli the Association, and shall now hj glad
to take a little rest."

In presenting this ile{)ort, I added verbally, that
although I had used the utmost economy in the
support of my family, and in my travelling expen-
ses, I had found it impossible to meet them for the
amount the Superintendent of the Association had
agreed to pay me ; and that I had been obliged to
expend an additional hundred ilo'iars from my own
pocket to enablo me to pay my way. After the
reading of my Report, and mv making the above
statement, it was moved by i)r. Melrose, and
seconded by liev. T. Storry, " That this Associa-
tion pay the Kev. G. Field the sum of one hundred

■ I

'A: i i-

- 1

l»

230

AT JACKSONVILLE.

dollars extra for his services as Missioiuiry during
the past winter." This, ai't'jr some discuHsion,
was "referred to tiie lOxecutive Coiiiiuittee, with
power, to act at discretion." Thev did do so, and
declined payinj^ me jin additional cer ' ^'ut sent a
hundred dollars to (iermany and Frr> to aid in
disseminating the Doctrines there; and then re-
ported thsit they " have a sum still in the Treasury,
and continually accumulating, as a means of fur-
ther effort." This ended my engagement with the
Illinois Association.

Having met with so little to encourage and
sustain me in mv labors in this cause, I now felt
disposed to rest, and retire within myself, and
minister to the recuperation of my natural wants,
and the requirements of my family; trusting that
it might still he true that " Th«'y al nrve, who
and stand wait."

I therefore settled down on mv little homestead
at Jacksonville, with a view to making it a perma-
nent home. And for awhile this occupied all my
energies ; still I felt the need of spiritual sustenance
and intercourse with those of a kindred faith. There
were Mr. and Mrs. llamsey. Dr. .Jones, and a few
others living there who were either full, or partial
receivers of the Doctrines ; and so, after awhile we
concluded that we wouhl hold public meetings on
the Sabhath for religious worshi[) and instruction.
Accordingly on Sunday, Jan. 28th, 1855, we com-
menced meetings for this purpose in ^[assey's
school-house ; about a mile from my house, and
two miles from town. They were very fairly at-

LKTTKR FROM DETROIT.

231

tendod, not only by tlio residents round about, but
also l)v nmnv who drove over IVoin the villa''e in
tlie al'tcnK^oii to attend. I'Ik^si' were continued
re<i;ularly, with but one exception, on aceou!it of
rain, to tlu; ond of Ma}'; when it beinj; so close
and warm in the sehool-rootn, it was proposed, and
agreed to, that we meet in JJceroft's drove, a plea-
sant and suitable place close by. We met there
regularly with but three exceptions, (on account of
rain), till the close of August; — [ having delivered
in all 28 discourses on the Doctrines of the Church,
in addition to stated worship). Then, for various
reasons, thev were discontinued.

On the 12th of January, 185l>, 1 r(;c,eived an in-
formal letter from the Detroit Society, (dated the
6th), desiring to know if I would be willing to return
to ^fichigau and fjecture in the State, at various
places, for about three months, or longer ; or act
conjointly 'th Mr. Fox, in pastoral and missionary
work in the > >y and State. In reply, I referred to
some of the causes which had induced me to send
in my resignation, and the unworthy reasons which
had been asigned for its acceptance ; adding if they
were withdrawn and a Resolution expressive of re"
gret for receiving them, unanimously adopted by
the Society, I should feel myself at liberty to make
arrangements with thom in regard to missionary
work in Michigan. And in due time this was done
not only by the Detroit Society ; but also by the
Executive Committee of the Michigan Association
in regard to their own conduct towards me. I
therefore willingly accepted their offer to return to

232

llETUKN TO MICHIGAN.

Michigan for the winter, and Lecture at such places
as should he agreed upon, and these places were,
first Detroit, where I arrived on Saturday, ¥eh. {)tli
and the following evening delivered a Discourse at
the Church on Jefferson Avenue, (formerly the
Congregational Church), on lietril>-iion ; and on
the following Tuesday commenced a course of
Lectures on the Spiritual world ; the language of
Scripture, the Trinity &c., and on Saturday, March
1st, (185G,) I went to Jackson, where I gave 12
Lectures on the general Doctrines of the Church ;
one of which was to the captives in the State
Prison, — on the ]jook of Life.

The following Sunday (March IG) I delivered the
first of four Lectures on th^ Spiritual world, Modern
Spiritualism, Sec, at Battle Creek. Thence I
went to Charlotte, and delivered eight Lectures in
the Court House on some of the fundamental Doc-
trines of the Church. From Charlotte I went to
Lansing, jind delivered 13 Lectures in the Senate
Chamber, commencing with one on Swedenhorg as
a philosopher : — then on the necessity of a New
Dispensation of Divine Truth : these were followed
by the Course on the Creation of the Universe ; —
the Laws and vunhis operandi of its production —
the symbolic history of the Creation as given in
Genesis, *.Vc. From Lansing I went to Grand Ra-
pid s, where I delivered a similar Course, making
in all twelve Lectures and Sermons : these were
given in the Society's House of worship in that
City : the attendance was somewhat varied on ac-
count of the rain ; but was upon the whole very

CALLHD TO DETROIT AGAIN.

233

good. I stayed in Gr.and Ilapids between two and
three weeks ; 'Mr. llihhnrd passed throuf,di wliilst I
was there, and preaclied on Sunday mornin<j;, April
13th (1850). [ next visited Porthmd, where 1 de-
Uvered four Lectures in the Universahst Church,
on the Doctrine of the Lord, and Human redemp-
tion, the Resurrection, and Heaven and Hell.
Thence I returned to Grand Rapids, and preached
there twice on Sunday, the 4th day of May ; this
ended my engagement with the Michigan Associa-
tion ; and on the next day I left for homo, (via
Chicago), where I arrived on the 7th. I had Lec-
tm'ed in eiglit different places, and delivered in all
seventy one Discourses ; besides calling at several
other places, and making visits where was no con-
venience for holding public meetings. I found a
ready and kindly welcome in every place I visited,
and a readiness to do all that was required in pecu-
niary aid. Wliilst in Detroit, and subsccpiently, I
was ^3l\y earnestly requested by the leading and
influential members of that Society to rtturn to
Detroit, and again resume my pastoral relation to
the Society there; Mr. Fox, (their then pastor),
also uniting in this desire ; as for various reasons,
he did not expect to remain there ; and whilst at
Lansing I received a formal overture from the So-
ciety, again to become its pastor ; asking me, at the
same time, on what conditions I would accept it. So
strong was the desire for my return that one individual
otfered to give $300 a year towards defraying ex-
penses; another olYered to give !?200; another $100;
several $50 each ; and there seemed to be no dilti-

In.

i::

234

CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE.

culty in raising sufficient to meet all incidental ex-
expenses, in addition to $700.00 a year assured
me fcr my services. In my reply in regard to the
required conditions, I said, among other things,
that it would be a " most deceptive fallacy to think
that WB can live as a Church, any more than as a
nation, without Laws for guidance and control ; —
nor can it he optional with man whether he will
observe them or not : and the very fact of any one's
being received as a member of the Church whilst
he yet declines to submit to the Laws the Lord has
given to his Church, which are but truths in form,
is an indication that there is a disturbing and way-
ward element within, which must sooner or
later manifest itself in dividing and rending the
Church asunder." "And, as far as possible, to
prevent any misunderstanding, I will at once state
to you some of the settled convictioiis of my own
mind of what is the true and orderly course by
which a person should l)e received as a member of
the New Church; or any of its Societies, viz:
''That he make an open and i)ublic avowal of his
belief in the sole and supreme Divinity of the Lord
Jesus Christ, as the only object of worship in the
New Jerusalem ; and that in order to be saved he
must shun all evils as sins against God ; and live a
life according to His Commandments; and that he
be baptized into that faith and life by a Muiister
of the New Chuich;" — and, " that I should not be
expected to administer the Sacrauu'ut of the Holy
Supper to any one who had not been so l)aptized."
I also added th< hope " that this should become the

KEGARDING THE SACRAMENTS.

235

deep and earnest conviction cf every meniLer of
the Society ; for it is the strongest conservative
element winch can liind a society together; and
because they would feel it us a Divine Law wliich
they woukl love to obey." But clear and self-
evident as this seemed to he to me, the Societv did
not see it in the same light ; nor did they accept
my standpoint; they regarded this matter as an
open question, or as a matter of ophiion ; and hence
that the opinion of one should not constrain the
opinion of another; whereas 1 did not so regard it;
for if it had been, they would have been clearly
right; but 1 took higher ground; I recognized the
New Church as the Lord's, and not ours ,• and that
He had Himself nuide and estabhshed tlie Law and
the order of His own Churcli, which neitlur 1, nor
any one else could set aside at our pleasure; hence
it was not a matter either of our own choice, or our
own conscience; and that the order of the Divine
economy was, that there were two Sacraments
which were the symbolic types of the Church, re-
spectively called /^/^j^j.sm, and the Stijtpcr ; these,
in the writings of the Church are called the two
Gates to eternal life ; one the outer, and the other
the inner; the outer Gate being liaptism, and the
inner Gate the Supper; ; and that the inner Gate
can only be reached by tirst passing through the
outer, unless it be done by scaling the wall, or
climbing up some other way. But no person is
compelled to enter either of them ; though if he
desires to do so, it must not be done by violence to
the Divine order.

•T ■

236

THE SOCIETY DEMORALIZED.

And the Clmrcli is tlio ciistoilian and guardian
of the J)ivine Law, and has im y'lifhl to permit it,
knowingly, to he invaded. Thus, recognizing it as
a Dic'iHc Laic, hoth Minister and Society are ahke
amenahle to it; and no one should claim the right
to set it aside.

This was the ground I took; hut the eyes of the
Society were holden, so that they could not see it;
they, however, respected mij vision, and were will-
ing that I should act upon my own convictions of
the truth; and as I hoped and helieved that they
would soon pass out of this transition state, I
accepted their call to become the Pastor of the
Society, as soon as I could make the necessary
arrangements to return to Detroit ; this, however,
I was not able to do before the 2;h-d day of October,
185(5, and commenced preaching on th;* Sunday
follownig ; the Society then met for worship in the
Churcli (formerly Congregational), at the corner of
Jefferson Avenue and 13eaubien street ; Avliich they
had unfortunately contracted to purchase whilst
I was in St. Louis. — It was now past the time,
when the annual meeting of the Michigan Associa-
tion should have been held ; and no steps had been
taken towards it : indeed it had so run down that
Dr. Drake in writing to me about it, had said, " I
think it is in a comatose condition at present ; if
not moribund ; and unless you get here soon I fear
our Society will foUow from inanition." 1 therefore,
by concurrent action of the Society, sent out circu-
lar notices to as many as couhl be reached in the
State, inviting them to meet in Detroit, on Friday,

CENTENARY OF TirE NEW CHIRCH.

'237

that
I
if
fear
"ore,
re li-
the
ilay,

November Ttli (18r;<)j, at Avliicli time the l;5tli An-
nual moetini; wiis lield: the attendance was ne-
■cessarilv smnll : liut it served as a lij^atiire by which
it was held to^^other. Tlie following year (1857),
was the close of the first centenary of the New
Church : the Convention behijjj hidd that year in
Cincinnati, it was commemoratid l)y addresses
delivered there by ^fessrs. AV. ]>. Ihiydeii, T. Wor-
cester, T. 1). Ilaywnrd, A. Silver. C. Giles, J. Pettee,
J. 11. Hibbard, T. Storry, .1, P. Stuart, and myself ;
from the clergy; and IMissrs. S. iiccd, J. Y. Scam-
mon and N. F, Ca])ell, from the Laity ; the sub-
jects were Swedenborg, the Last Judguient, Ibc
New Jerusalem, and Permanence of the New
Church. Successive Churches, Freedom, Education
and Literature, ^ly subject was " Tlie Progress
of the Ages.'" These were suljsequently jublished
in a volume, < ntitied " Centenary Addresses." On
Sunday. .)uly l'2tli (1857', the Society used the
church on Jefferson Avenue for the last time,
having, as tluy believed effected a sale for it, and
thus r('li( vtd tlumselves of a great incumbrance.

Tlu' n( \t Sal»lialh. tlie UKU'liiig for worship was
held at uiy house : and the following day a num-
ber of my friends Kindly came to see me oil, and
l)id me (lod-speed, on a visit to Lugland, where j
was about two inonths in attending tlie centenary
celebration of the New Cliurcli dining the session
of the (leueral Conference, held that year at Man-
chester ; and revisiting old sci-nes, friends and
relatives, lleturned to Detroit, on Saturday P.^L,
September, 'iOth, and preached the following day

I j

! .[■'

238

SIXTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING.

in the new hall (No. 15 Woodward Avenue, a little
north of the Campius Martins), wliich the Society
had leased for two years, during my absence, and
fitted it up with seats, &e. for public worship. It
was a front room, up one pair of stairs, narrow,
and not very easy of access. The following month
(October), the IGth Annual meeting of the Associa-
tion was held in Detroit. Owing to my absence,
and but recent return from England, but little had
been done by way of recuperating it from its pre-
vious decline ; but this being the Centennial year
an effort was now made to re-invigorate and restore
it. There were visitors present from Jackson and
Portland i^Iowa Co.) and Chicago: and ])r. A. E.
Small, of Chicago, by special invitation delivered
an able historical address on the first and second
coming of the Lord, on Friday evening, October
23rd (1857), and on the following Sunday morning
I entered into a more specific detail of the succes-
sive steps of progress which characterized the
coming of the new age in which we are now living,
as the result of that second coming of the Lord ;
and in the evening I delivered a Lecture on the
relation of Emanuel Swedenborg to the Church of
the New Jerusalem, and the memorable epoch of
1757. These discourses were publislied in neat
pamphlet form, together with the Proceedings
of the Association : as also a " Public declara-
tion and announcement to the Christian World''
respecting the claims of the New Church to
their attention and consideration ; briefly stat-
ing what had been done, and what was now

i <

mgs

•Id"

stat-

now

LECTURES REPEATED FIFTH TIME.

23»

in progress ; concluding with tliese words : —
" Gradually and slowly, but surely, tliese Doctrines
are permeating Society ; they have been embraced
with earnestness and affection by such as are
in the love of truth for its own sake, and for the
good to which it leads ; and by men in every walk
of life.

The ignorance ond bigotry which first assailed
them are either hiding their heads in shame, or
seeking other objects of attack : the greatest foe
we now encounter is indifference ; and this perhaps,
rather because we are classed with the religious
world at large, than because our Doctrines are
appreciated, — and therefore neglected, &c." To
this was added a brief synopsis of what we do not
believe : and what we do believe. In December
following it was thought desirable that I should
deliver my Course of Lectures on the Creation of
the Universe, &c., a lifth time in the City ; and the
Young Men's Hall was engaged for that purpose ;
a formal application having been made to me to
that effect, signed by many of the leading men in
the City. Previous however to their delivery, I
published in the Jhdly Advertiser a brief statement
of the circumstances which gave rise to the pro-
duction of these Lectures ; and the places at which
I had delivered them. The first Lecture of the
Course was given on Saturday Dec. I2th to an
audience of about 500 persons ; admission to the
Lectures was by Ticket, (single Lecture 25 cents).
They were not all equally well attended ; still they
seemed to awaken a very lively interest in the

;t-

^40

SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING.

>•

minds of many, and tliis time tlioy mi;t with no
(outward) opposition, as tlioy had dono when de-
livered hero ten years hefore. At tlie annual meet-
ing of the Society, held in January 18ij8, lifteen
months after my return to Detroit, a Resolution
was adopted offering to renew my engagement at
the reduced sum of $()()(). 00 a year. This was done
after three months of the year had expired, and
without a word of iirevious notice !

The Society had urgently pressed me to come
but a little more than a year hefore; and had
agreed to pay me $700.00 a year : I paid all my
own expenses in removing, disposed of my property
at considerable loss in order to do so ; and now,
at the end of the first yearit was reduced to i^OOO.OO,
although the Society had very considerably in-
creased in numbers during this time, it is true
there had been a great commercial panic, and all
business had suffered in conse(]uence — but if all
had been laithhil to their ability there would have
been no mnd of this defection : on the contrarv,
the subscriptiims might have been increased.

In October (1858) the 17th Annual meeting of
the Association was held at Jackson, at which there
were now del(>gates and visitors from Detroit,
Dexter, INEai'^hall, St. Clair, Charlotte, Pewamo,
Little Prairie llonde, Eckford, Ypsilanti, ]3arnum,
Adrian, Dover, and Jackson, Mich. ; and Laporte,
Ind. Letters were also received and read from
Kev. A. Silver, Rev. H. N. Stroiig, Rev. Rich.
Hooper, ^fr. W. 1^. Morton, (Almont), N. ]3igelow,
<Springlield), Dr. Shepard (Grand Rapids), Mr. E.

NUMBERS AT CIIUUCII AND SCHOOL.

241

111 ere

Iroit,

I1.U10,

mm,

brte,

I'rom

lich.

[low,

•. E.

Bailey (Portland) and Mr. Jacob Silver (Cassapolis);
all of an encouraging kind; and the Secretary
of the Detroit Society said that that Society had,
during the past year " been marked by an unusual
increase of members, and attendants u[)on public
worship :" we have, he says, preaching in the
morning of every Sabbath, with an average attend-
ance of about one hundred and twenty-live persons :
Sunday Schiol in the afternoon, witli an average
attendance of thirty-iive children and seven teachers.
We have also a Doctrinal Class after Sunday
school, which is attended by about twenty-five
persons," &c. The Rev. Jabez Fox had, at this
time returned to Michigan, and was Pastor of the
Society at Jackson. The Secretary in concluding
his Report of this Session of the Association says,
" Thus closed one of the most pleasant and useful
meetings of this Association that had bcien held for
several years past."

But alas, a seed of discord was again sown, which
not only foreboded, but also produced, troul)le and
division in the Association, which soon terminated
in its dissolution. It was the 6ne 1 had been so
solicitous to guard against in the Detroit Society ;
and whi(di I had liopcd wouLl not present itself
again ; it was the virtual repudiation of the Sacra-
ment of Baptism in the New Church ; it being re-
garded as a merely human institution which might
be observed or not, at the option of the novitiate
who should claim the privilege of partaking of the
Sacrament of the Supper ; and was altirmed that
the Church had no right to protect the Table of the

\\ J^'

242

ENEMY SOWING TARES.

f
i

Lord by the Gatewliich the Lord Himself had pro-
vided and commanded.

It was the old Church idea, from which they were
not yet lib* rated, tiiat Baptism was bnt a formal,
or ecclesiatical mode of reception into the Church ;
and as that outward form was similar in the Now
CI lurch to the old ; it was but a repetition of it ;
anii hence not necessary ; not seeing or acknow-
led^n'ng that the very essential of this form is just
as different from that of the former ]3a)itism as the
Doctrines of the New Church are from those of the
Old ; for it is the ])octrine which is professed to be
believed in at Bai)tism that gives it its virtue. Yet
because this was not seen, it could not be acknow-
ledged. But I believed that that light had come to
me, and I could not be so recreant as to be unfaith-
ful to its teachings. And because I could not, the
enemy took advantage of it, and came and sowed
his tares there ; and they soon began to grow. My
mind was greatly disturbed at this, and I did all I
could to explain it. After the meeting had adjourn-
ed I wrote a letter to the members and i^rofessed
receivers of the Doctrines in the Association, which
I had printed, and sent them each a copy for their
consideration and investigation, before the next
annual meeting should be held. ]3ut no one r('i)lied
to it, because no one could gainsay it ; so I awaited
the result ; and meanwhile prepared my next Ad-
dress, so as more specifically to meet this ques-
tion from every point of. view from which it could
be seen ; and when fhe 18th annual meeting of Ihe
Association was held at Marshall, in October 1859,
I delivered it.

COMMITTKK ON " ADDRESS."

243

vvre
nal,
•ch ;

New
'. it;

110 vv-
just
stlie
f the
to be
. Yet
vnow-
me to
faith-
t, the
owed
My
1 all I
ourn-
fessed
which
their
next
(■plied
Aiiited
t Ad-
quc'S-
could
of the
1859,

At the cloae of tlie Addross tho siil)ject of it was
discusf^ed by Messrs. Fox, EHis, Fariisworth,
Lail)le, Hatch, Dodge, Dewing, Smith, llaininoiid,
myself, and others: and various Uosolutioiis and
Subsitiites were pro[)Ose(l in re:^ard to it, which
either avoich'd meeting the [)oints presented, or else
virtually admitted them ; but deijhued to a'loi)t
them. Finally the following Ui'solution was a'l()[)!i-
ed by a vote of thirteen to six : — 'I'hat it be ret\'rred
to a Committee of seven to report at the next An-
nual meeting ; and the Chair was requested to nomi-
nate that Committee. And as I was in the Chair,
I nominated seven persons, all of whom 1 bdi'V.d
to be opposed to the views [)r('senteil in my Adlress.
When that Committe re[)orted, instead of doing as
the mover of the Uesolutiou re'[uired, /. c, that they
" be instructed to reply to tiie arguments, and [)re-
sent the op[)Osite side;" ihi^y did nnt repJi) to <inii one
of them ; nor even notice thera : although the mover
himself was one of that Committee. They found
the arguments were unanswerabln ; and so did not
attempt it!* And yet, so determined were they
not to adopt it, that, probably regarding discre-
tion as the better part ot valor ; they contented
themselves by presenting the following as a reply
to perhaps the fullest and most coni[)rehensive and

exhaustive argument on

that

subject that has vet

been written, viz : "Your Committee, to wiiora was
referred the Address of ilie Presiding Minister ou
the subject of Baptism, would simply report unani-

*'J'hia Addross will bo found in full iu tlio A^)peudix to tUose
Romiuiacencea.

It I

- ir

i i

i|^

t
1

[

244

RKCA STATION OF KRUOn.

r !

I •!

moMsly, that tlioy believe the AsHOciation oupiht not
to exclude from tlie lloly Siipi)t'r any person of
good life, who in a receiver of the II(!aveniy Doc-
trines ; and who heheves that he has been truly
baptized." — Signed by the Committee. I forbear to
give their names, as 1 think they would hardly like
to see them appended to anch (( reply to the
arguments of the Addrcsss ; the more especi-
ally as one of them, in a subsequent Report
from the Detroit Society to the Association, says,
that the constitution of that Society has been so
worded "that there can be no doubt as to the
proper mode of entrance into the Society of the
Church ; and now it distinctly states that persons
desiring to become members, must ih*st be bai»tized
into the faith of the] New Church, if not already
80 baptized; and we believe the future prosperity
of the Church would be advanced by the Associa-
tion taking ecpially affirmative grounds upon the
same question." — October, 18(52. And on the
following year another of the signers of that
memorabli! reply to the arguments prest-nted in my
Address, gave notice of the following amendment to
the Constitution of the Association, viz.; that "no
person shall be entitled to a vote in ecclesiastical
matters who is not a member of the New Church,"
meaning thereby, l)aptiz(;d into the faith of that
Church. And the next year ♦' tution was

so revised, as to contain II i. It must

have been seen so ur. )y t se who gave

any attention to the b gect v .itever, that to con-
tend against it was but an fort to repudiate and

THK DIVINI-; LAW AND OUDKIi.

'2t5

lo gave
to con-
Lte and

set aside ; or at least, not to endorsci and ado[)t a
law of Divine order and couiinandmtnt ; but to
permit any candidate for admission into the Church
to prescribe and determine the manner in which
the Church should admit him! — or, if any condi-
tion was required it was, either that the candidate
should say for himself " I am a person of good life ;"
or to be /</w.vc//'satislied that lie is a receiver of the
Heavenly Doctrines ; and that his baptism into the
belief in a tripersonal God, the Vicarious Atone-
ment &c. &c., was just the same as being biiptized
into an acknowli'dgment of the Faith of the New
Church ! — In the one case the man jtidfics hiniHel/;
in the other, the Society sits in judgment on the
qnalitt/ of his life; or else \w. breaks down the
hedge, and tramples upon it ; or climbs up some
other way to get into th(j Vincjyard ! whereas all
that the Church has any right to do, is to see that
the Law of the Divine order is complied with ; and
to instruct the candidate what that Law and order
is ; for "not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be
removed ; neither sliall any of the cords thereof be
broken." — But they ircir broken and removed, for,
although there was an outward compliance with the
Divine Law, there was but too evidently an inward
repugnance to it, which induced a state of aliena-
tion and disalfection towards those who maintained
it. This eventually became so marked as to pro-
duce an unbrotherlv state of feeling, even amount-
ing to discourtesy and intolerance ; till, feeling un-
able to bear the pressure any longer, on the 1st
day of January IHO'), I resigned my Pastoral re-

(It'

I ■ 1

li <

24G

EFFOUT TO IIESUKCITATE.

lation to the Detroit Society, and in the following
Octol»or, when the Association met at Grand
rkai)ida, I announced my intention not to accept
any ollice therein, and so retired from it ; and this
was i)ractically the last time the Association ever
met, for thou^^h it was afterwards called to meet at
Detroit, there were not a suflicient numher of
persons in attendance to make it seem desirahle
even to open the Church doors ! Thus, after
twenty- five years of earnest and lahorious effort to
huild u}) the Church in Mi^diif^nn, did this Associa-
tion, once so flourishing, and with such hopeful
prospects, pass away into oblivion, with the things
that were; and because "freedom" is so clearly
recognized in the New Church, it was strained into
the persuasion that every man is a law to himself,
and that he is free to remove the J)ivine landmarks.
An att( nipt was made eleven years afterwards, (in
September, 1877), to resuscitate the Michigan
Association, but as there was still the same hostile
feeling towards the Divine Law concerning the
Sacranunts, Hjpy had so far removed themselves
Iron' tlie means by which tlie Divine Providence
could aid them, that nothing was accomplished,
for '• except the Lord keep the city, the watchman
waketh but in vain."

But 1 have somewhat anticipated events. After
the adjournment of the r7th annual nuieting of the
Association, which was held at Jackson, in October,
1858, I continued preaching to the Society at
Detroit, on the Sabbath, and Lecturing and preach-
ing at various [daces within the Association whore

LECTUHES AT PITTSBURG.

247

there were small, or incipient societies, besides
occasionally visiting contii^uoas places in Ohio.

This I continued to do for two years, till I left
Detroit, October 15th, ISUO, for a three months en-
gagement at St. Louis, (Mo.) During this timi^ I
delivered four lectures at Vermillion, (Ohio), on the
Doctrines of the New Church ; one at Niles, (Mich.),
on Modern Spiritualism ; nine at South Bend,
(Ind.), on the Creation and its relation to Genesis,
and a sermon on the true idea of God. Three
Lectures at Pewamo, (Midi.), on the leading
Doctrines : one at Lyons, on Heaven and Hell ;
seven at Davisburgh, (two visits) ; three at
Marshall, (two visits) ; eleven at Berrien, (two
visits) ; one at Flat Rock, (a funeral sermon) ;
three in the town of Berlin, (near Almont) ; three
at Holly, and two at Port Huron.

Besides which on the 5th of February, I com-
menced the delivery of a Cours;; of nine Lectures
at Lafayette Hall, Pittsburg, on the Creation of the
Universe, and the first eleven chapters of Genesis;
and preached three times in Apollo Hall, to the
Society meeting for worship th -re. After which I
went to Philadelphia and repeated the same Course
there in the Haydn and Handell Hall. The notices
in tlie public press in both these cities were not only
favorable, but highly eulogistic. The Editor of the
Pilttihiu'fi DispdtcJi said, " We were glad to find a
respectable and intelligent audience assembled at
Lafayette Hall, to hear the introductory Lecture
of Mr. Field's Course, on " The Creation of the
Universe." It is but little indeed to say that it

i\ f

' )'

. u

248

EDITORIAL NOTES.

was a most delightful one, as evinced by the ab-
sorbed attention of the audience. The Lecturer is
a man of sound, deep learning, beyond all ques-
tion, very sincere, and full of his great theme,
with all the power of expression and elucidation
necessary, clearly to convey his meaning to his
hearers. We can assure all who attend that the
fault will be their own if they are not thrice com-
pensated for the time, and trifling expense of at-
tending the Course of Lectures. Don't miss one
Lecture of the Course."

After a subsequent Lecture, the Editor says:
"We have rarely felt so well repaid for the time
spent at a public entertainment. In fact nis Lec-
tures are calculated to set every faculty of the
mind in most active exercise, in the attempt to
grasp the great theme so finely presented by the
learned speaKer. Jle affords a stock of informa-
tion scarcely to be obtained in years of reading, and
appears perfectly master of his subject." In Phila-
delphia the Press not only pul)lished a very copious
abstract of each Lecture, but, among other favor-
able comments, said, " The vast amount of scien-
tific knowledge brought to bear upon this immense
theme by the gifted Lecturer, is a matter of won-
der and admiration with all who hear him. They
are at once intensely interesting and instructive."
In the lieport of the Pennsylvania Association to
the General Convention, in 18(K), the President
says, " In February last Eev. George Field visited
our State and delivered two Courses of Lectures ;
one in Pittsburg, and the other in Philadelphia.

TEMPLE ON MACOMB AVENUE.

249

itc'd

Ilia.

These Lectures excited much interest in the puhlic
mind, and were listened to hy attentive audiences,
constantly increasinpj in number, until the last,
when the room (Haydn and llandell Hall), was
crowded to its utmost capacity : and mucli regret
was expressed that Mr. Field's engagements would
not permit a repetition of liis Lectures in Philadel-
phia. \Vliilst delivering these Lectures in Phila-
delphia on week-day evenings, I went to Wilming-
ton, (Delaware, ) every Sunday, by invitation of the
Society, and preached there four times. Put these
excursions in tlie East are rather an ei)isodo to the
intent and purpose of these Pieminiscences of the
commencement of the establishment of the New
Church in the Wist. On the28rd of March, 1800,
I returned to Detroit, and continued preaching in
the Pvoom on Woodward Avenue; and in the follow-
ing ^lay, d. divert d three Lectures at Holly. About
this time arrangements were commenced to be
made for changing a small double cottage, owned
by the Society, on ^lacomb Avenue into a house of
1 ublic Worship, which was eli'ected at an (xpeuse
of $000.00; and on Sunday, August 2Gtli, IHGO, it
was duly opened and dedicated ; my text on this
occasion l.eing from Is. xl: 5. " The Glory of
Jehovah sliall be revealed, and all flesh shall see
together; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken."
Previous to dedication, an explanation was
given of the correspondence and use of external
forms wdien thev embodied internal thoughts and
feedings ; and also why the Woao of tue Loud
Bhoukl have a special place in the House of the

f jiiL

\ V

I 1

». I,

250

REVISIT ST. LOUIS.

Lord ; and of the Sacraments of the Church ; and
of the order of worship.

The next month (September), I delivered two
discourses at Port Huron ; and one month later I
again left l)(;troit on a three months missionary
visit to St. Louis (Mo.), where I repeated my
Course of Lectures on the Creation, &c. (a full ab-
stract of each lecture being published in the St.
Louis Republican) ; and preached and lectured on
the Sabbaths. Whilst I was in St. Louis, the
Micliigan Association hold its 19th session in
Detroit (October 19th, 20th and 21st, 18(10). There
was a very good attendance, about twenty persons,
outside of Detroit were present, from Jackson,
Kalamazoo, St. Clair, Marshall, Flat Rock, Monroe,
Almont, Ypsilanti, and La Porte, Ind. llev. Jabez
Fox was the presiding minister— also chaplain of
the State prison at Jackson — and acting, when-
ever priicticable, as the Missi(mary of the Associa-
tion ; as also had llev. G. N. Smith of Grand
Rapids been so acting, but who had now left the
State. The services in Detroit during my absence
were conducted by one of the members of the
Society, iiefore leaving St. Louis I received an
earnest and cordial invitation to again become the
Pastor of their Society ; but for various reasons
it did not seem best to nie to accept it ; and so
lelt St. Louis on the 21st of January, 18G1, after a
very pleasant visit, Jind again returned to Detroit,
where, ci the 3rd of February following I recom-
menced preaching : but soon after made another
Missionary visit to Vermillion (Ohio), where 1 de-

NOT TO PREACH ON BAPTISM.

251

livored nine Lectures on the Doctrines of the New
Church. Soon after I went to JJuffcalo (N. Y.), and
delivered my Course of Lectures on the Creation,
Deluge, &c., part of them in the American Hall ;
and a part in the Kremlin Hall : returning to
Detroit, and preaching there again on the 24th of
March.

;;, Tiiese various places I visited, alforded me main-
ly the means for my support, whilst my time anu
lahor was chiefly devoted to the cause of the New
Church in Detroit. There had l)een at this time, as I
have already stated, an intensely hostile feeling on
the part of a few of the more active members of
the Society, against requiring as a condition of
meml)ersliip, or of admission to the Sacrament of
the Supper, that the candidate sliould lirst make a
profession of his faith in the fundamental Doctrines
of the New Church ; and be baptized into that faith ;
and everv elTort was made that could l)e nuide, to
induce m(i to forego this condition ; but as this was
found to be unavailing, the Society passed a lie-
solution exju'essing a " retjuest that (I) sliould not
preach on the subject of re-baptism, either dirt!ctly
or indirectly, without ex[)resHly stating that his (my)
views on that subject, are not the views of the
Society " ! What a request was this f(n* the Society
to make; and to embody it in a Resolntion/ es-
pecially after the Society had nuide this a consti-
tutional requirement. 1 did all that 1 could do;
or ought to do, to satisfy them : but my nllegiance
to the Lord, and to His Commandments ranked
higher than my obedience to them ; and because

i!i

l»

252

VALEDICTORY SKRMON.

I would neither bow clown my knee to Baal ; nor
recognize their repudiation of one of the Sacra-
ments of the Church, a hitter feeling was engen-
dered which was continually manifesting itself in
faultfindings and accusations ; till the sphere be-
came so unpleasant ; and my usefulness so abridged,
that I believed it would be better for me to retire.
I did so ; and on Sunday, July 14th, 18G1, 1 delivered
my valedictory. In that sermon, I said, " It lacks
six weeks of one year since this temple was 0[)eni'd
and de(licat<'d ; and yet, several times since tlieu
I have thought that I was entering tliis [)ul[)it for
the last time : but I havt' never felt this so fully as
I do to day. It is a singular co-incidence too th:it
it was on this very day (-Tuly 14th). seventeen years
ago, that I preached my first sermon in Detroit ;
and when I look baek on all thr dtiys tliiit have
passed since then and sec; thai, of all those who
then attended our meetings for worslii[)^ — that I
alone am left! it fills me with a sadness I cannot
express ; nor can I well resist the thoughts that
arise from my heart. More than eleven years ago
one or two influential and dissatisfied persons
made so nuieli trouble and difficulty in the Society,
making my services (though gratuitous), so un-
acceptable that I resigned my office as pastor of
the Society, and left the city and the state. J3ut
six vears after I was recalled, and urgentlv re-
quested to resume my former [)astoral duties ;
many of you can remember tliis time ; and how
for a long time the Societv seemed to flourish and
prosper ; and you can remember the many, and

LAST WORDS.

253

lio
I

lOt

Ill-
of

5ut

•0-

()\V

U(l

pleasant, and liapi\v meetinj];8 we have had together.
You will often think of our social parties, — our
pic-nics, and other festive gatherings ; and I shall
not fail to rememher the kindly tokens which I
have more than once received at your hands. But
evil times came upon us ; and, as in 1850, so also
in 18G0, similarly disturhing causes occurred to mar
the peace, and arrest the progress of the Society.

Again there is discontent ; and either direct, or
indirect eftbrts have for some time heen made to
silence my preaching; and the Society are either
willing or indift'erent. It is very sad; and 1 feel
it very discouraging and disheartening. 1 have
given my whole heart to this Society ; it was ray
first charge ; and, as far as my own wishes were
concerned, would have heen my only one. I have
had many other calls; l)ut have declined them all
for this. Amid all discouragements, against all
opposition, I liave struggled onward, so long as
there was anyone to sustain me ; and if 1 have not
accomplished much, it was not from want of will-
ingness, hut inability." And after expressing my
earnest hopes for the future prosperity of the
Society, I thus concluded niv farewell sermon:
*' May the Lord guide you; may He give you the
disposition, — the earnest, seli-sacrilicing disposi-
tion, to do right, and to do good; and may He hless
you in your eft'orts to do it."

In delivering this Sermon I never again expect-
ed to preach from that pulpit; but the whole ex-
perience of my life has been that man proposes,
but God disposes. 1 did not leave Detroit at this

254

PARTING ADDIiESS.

I'll 1 1

time ; I had no where else to go; indeed I did not
desire to go anywhere ; I rather wanted rest and
relief; so, with the exception of a visit to Hull-
prairie, Ohio, to which I was invited hy the Ohio
Association about a year afterwards, where I de-
livered two Discourses ; and another visit to Davis-
burgh, Mich., where 1 also preached twice, I em-
ployed myself in attending to my own personal
affairs, and so awaited the ordering of the Divine
Providence. Ten davs after the deliverv of the above
f-'ermon, I received the following memorial, which
I shall ever preserve and cherish, as the kindly
testimony of regard, which, notwithstanding ad-
verse inliuences, was still entertained towards me,
and which 1 thus put on record.

"Detroit, July 24th, 1861.
liEv. George Field : —

Dear Sir, — The undersigned, members of the
New Church and Congregation in Detroit, have
heard with regret that there is a probability of your
ceasing to be Pastor of the Society ; and they can-
not permit such an event to take place without
giving expression to their views and feelings on the
sul)ject.

It is said that actions speak louder than words ;
and we must acknowledge that all your actions shew
tiiat you have had the good of the Society at heart
fro;n its first foundation, when you worked faith-
fully without fee or reward, until you saw it increase
in numbers, and in strength : then you no doubt
felt grateful to the giver of all good for having so
blessed your labors, iiut evil times came, slight

oai)t

ig so
light

OF MEMBEUS AND OTHERS.

255

differences being imagined into grave and serious

ones, until they now threaten the dissolution of the

Society ; or at least, to snap the tie that has bound

you and it together : but however it may end, be

assured that for one moment we have never doubted

the sincerity and purity of your motives ; nor, tliat

the good of the Society was the end you had in view.

Such being our views, be assured that we shall

deeply regret any action that shall tend to sever

your connection with the Society and Congregation ;

and hope that sober, second thought will tend to

mollify the feelings of all, and restore us to unity

and harmony under your Ministry and leadership

again. But, if there is no recoLciliation to take

place, the undersigned, wlio have been edified and

instructed by you, will always remember you with

affection and esteem ; and will [)ray that after having

fought the good fight, our Heavenly Father, who

knows all our motives, will receive you with, "Well

done, good and faithful servant: enter thou into the

joy of thy Lord."

Alexander Drysdale. Emily L. Davis.

Mrs. E. Drysdale. Mary Davis.

Mrs. Hannah H.Brennan Mrs. E. Chope.
Francis P. Fisher. Mrs. Henrv Seitz.

Mrs. C. Fisher. Edward Chojie.

Mrs. Anna Mathison. William Mocre.

Henry. A. Sealey.
Mary Sealey.
Jane Sealey
Jane A. Labram.
Harriet Lahram.
Mrs. Alex. iMathison.
C. F. Davis.

Mrs. J. B. Wayne.
J. B. Wayne.
Henrietta J)arrow.
Mary A. Battisoii.
Julia Pattison.
James Bothwell.
H. Benson.

if ' ^

III

25G

INVITATION TO UETUUN.

But tlio iidverso influences prevaih'd ; and tlie
separsition remained; the Society becoming more
disunited and demorali/ied ; and ho continued for
more than a vear.

About threo monthH from the above date, i. e., on
Friday, Oct. 18th, 18G1, the 20th Annual meeting of
the Micliigan Association commenced its session at
Kahimazoo. There were present Rev. Jabez Fox,
who still continued to l)e Chaplain of the State
Prison at Jackson ; as well as Pastor of the small
New Church Society in that City : — Kev. G. N.
Smith, of Grand Rapids ; and about a dozen other
persons, including those residing in Kalamazoo.
Nothing of much importance seems to have i)een
done.

About nine months afterwards, (piite unexpectedly,
I received the following notice of a Resolution un-
animously adopted at a meeting of the Detroit So-
ciety held on the 8th day of July, 18()2 ; viz :

Itesolccd, — That the Society hereby cordially in-
vite the Rev. George Field to become its Pastor ;
and from this date. J. B. Wayne, Sec.

July 7th, 18G2.

This was accompanied by an earnest request that I
would accept the invitation. To this in due time I
re[)lied, and after expressing my acknowh dgments,
and presenting for consideration the imi)ortance of
united and concurrent action between Society and
Pastor, 1 add, " The welfare and prosperity of a
Society cannot long continue to exist unless they
are founded upon acknowledged principles and
actions, in which both Pastor and Society wholly

MY REPLY.

257

111-

ttor ;

liat 1
ine I
?nts,
Ice of
and
[of a
Itliey
anil
II oily

and unconditionally agree. If not so, a tearing
and rending aaunder must .sooner or later occur ;
not only ia this true in principle, but all experience
has proved it to bo 80 in practice. 1 jiold it there-
fore to be essentially and absoluttdy necessary to
the continued advancement of any Society, not only
that the Pastor and peo[)le are mutually agreed ;
but that they are so — not on grounds of policy or
expediency merely, but on the clear and distinct
teaching of the Wohd, and the Doctrines of the
Church ; which shall be recognized as the final
authority on every subject where opinions or pre-
judices may be in opposition."

I then illustrate tuis, by shewing the incongruity
which existed in the Society on the subject of
Baptism. They required it, as a pre-re({uisite con-
dition of membership, but were indifferent as to
what faith the candidate had made a profession of,
claiming that if he, (the candidate), believed that
the baptism " into a false and idolatrous faith "
was the proper Gate of introduction into the
Church of the New Jerusalem, the Pastor and
Society should so far respect his convictions as to
recognize it also ! " because the sign and the seal of
that false faith were similar to the one used in testi-
fying to a true faith!'" If I say, " the New Church
was a .sect of the old, having a faith in common
therewith, then no new Baptism could be necessary,
because there would bo no new faith to confirm and
testify to. But the New Church is not a sect of
the old ; nor has it a faith in common ' therewith ;
and baptism is but tho sign and seal to the faith of

!!!

258

rilOPOHAL TO UNITK.

Jill

the Church, a faith wliicli is taupilit, and to he ac-
knowlodfJicd andconfcKsod at tlie Door of admission
into the Churcli; or, as Swodonhorfi; says, ** Biip-
tisra is introduction into the Cliristian Church,"
not the consuniniatcd Church, which he says "was
Christian only in name ; hut not in essence and
reahty," (T. C. H. G(i8) : hut the True Christian
Church, — which is the Ni<;w Chukcu. — More to the
same effect I also stated, and concluded my remarks
on thissuhject hy saying'. "These positions are, or
ou^lit to he self-evident to the mind of every New
Churchman ; and the only wonder in times to come
will he, that it was possihle that any man in the
light of the New Churcli could ever for a moment
have thought otherwise." I next adverted to, and
dwelt upon the importance of a mutual recognition
of the Ministerial Oftlce; its duties and functions,
— the Pulpit and the Pastoral office, and concluded
by saying, " If the Society are prepared to concur
with me in the above, and thus to unite with me in
a renewed effort to advance the spiritual prosperity
and welfare of our beloved Church in this city, I
shall be ready and willing to do all that is in my
power to accomplish it, for I feel that I have already
stood idle too long, and that I ought to be at my
proper work."

But the Society did not concur either with the
Spirit, or the letter of the views I had submitted
to them ; l)ut by Eesolution, adopted by a vote of
ten to two, affirmed that they differed and dissented
** more or less" from them, " yet being desirous to
promote the harmony and highest good of our

ON A KALHK I'UINCIPLK.

259

.ions.
Aided
oncur
ue in
)erity
•ity, I
in my
heady
at my

ii the
Imitted

/ote of
jsented

lous to

)f our

Society, and the; Church ; witliout pivsuminp; to
know what course, under tlie circumt'tances will
hest promoto these ends ; do now, in accordance
with our present hest judj^nicnt, waivo all differences
of oi)inion and disHcntinfj; views to Afr. Field's
conditions and views ; and agree to hold them in
abeyance ; to the intent that Mv. Field and the
Society may co-operate; together harmoniously,
and in peace in the performance of the uses of the
Church ; and on our part ask only to he regarded
as those referred to in No. 318, of the Heavenly
Doetrines i. c. " He who believes otherwise than
the priest, and makes no disturbance, ought to be
left in peace ;" and thus leave to time, and the
future, by a peaceful process, the harmonizing of
our views and opinions, as far as may be;, with
those of the Pastor upon the subjects involved."
But declining to so alter the Constitution as to
make it accord with them; though discountenancing
"any controversy in opposition to" them. To-
gether with these ilesolution, of the Society, I re-
ceived the earnest and cordial expression of the
Secretary that I would accept this compromise ;
he regarding it as a " golden o[)portunity" for re-
conciling and uniting tlie Society in a common
cause. But all the convictions of my reason ; and
all the knowledge 1 had accpiired in the experiences
of the past, told mo otherwise ; and I felt distressed
and pained, that instead of closing up the gulf that
was between us ; the effort was rather to build a
temporary bridge across it. In my reply to them
I express my regret that professing as we both do,

i 'II

i'h
< ■

irS DIFFICULril'TS AND DANGERS,

.•^0 acknowledge the supreme and absolute authority
and teaching of the Divine Word; and the Doctrines
of the New Church ; yet that when they are ap-
pealed to, their authority is evaded, and held m
abeyance ! And what is professedly regarded as the
Pastor's opinions, or perhaps his prejudices, is
allowed to rule, rather than the Divine Law ! For
1 said, "Your standpoint seems to be that it is
the Society's church ; and that they have the right
to make just such Laws of order and government
for it as they please. Whereas 1 contend that it is
not their Church, any more than it is mine ; and
that neither of us have any such privilege, when
the Lord Himself has established and revealed His
own Lp.sv of Divine order. Our duty is only to
learn and obey it. The positions, (I said) upon
which I stand, arc either right or wrong : if they
are right, on what pretence do you refuse to make
them obligatory '? If they are wrong, by what
authority do you permit me, and co-operate v/ith
me, in doing them '?" Instead of understanding for
themselves, ! say, " You take shelter behind the
fact that some few men of mark in the New Church
hiv f^ held opinions different to mine ; and therefore
assert that they are open questions!" But I add,
** The same men have repudiated the New Church
priesthood ; the New Church Convention ; and the
p.'ithority of Swedenborg; and therefore these ought
also to be open (piestiona, to for ever disturb the
peace of the Church. But, (I say,j neither these
men ; nor any other men, have ever disproved ;
or attempted to disprove the position which

jrr-'"£^-?"a£-

ANP INCONSISTENCIES.

261

hority
jtrineB
re ap-

. as the
ices, is
t \ For
at it is
lie right
irnmeGt

,liat it is

ne ; and

o'c, when

jaled His

I only to

^id) upon
if they
to make
\)y what

irate with

..nding for

[ehind the
,w Church
therefore
[i3ut I add,
iW Church
1^; and the
hese ought
inturb the
.ther these
disproved ;
lion which

I have taken on New Church Baptism : nor can
it ever be done." I then refer by name, to
several of those who hold this to be an
open question, whom I had invited, and even
challenged to refute my positions respecting
it; but who had never attempted. One of them
having " acknowledged my position to be incon-
trovertible; though, he said, what use was it, when
people made up their minds not to admit it." Two
others had said, that if it "-3 admitted that l^aptism
is a)t external imVinmice of tin- Church, then my
position 7conld he 'nnprecjnahU'. And then I ask»
how is it met by the Society? '' With an admis-
sion of its truthfulness; and with no attempt to
refute it; and yet, "at the same time with a de-
claration that they will not adopt it ! " Is such a
course, I ask, " calculated to be productive of good
results '?" or be "the one step that shall once more
make this Society feel united, instead of (lieing)
factiously divided ?" It would rather be "a going
down to Babylon, instead of going up to Jcrnsal'.'m."
And I further way, " I stand within the walls of
Jerusalem, and invite all to conie through her <nrn
(jati;s ; " and 1 invoke the Society " to uphold ai)d
sustain me in this, by all the authority they
possess; and 1 will aceept tiieir call, and take my
place in a lawful jiud orderly manner.*'

And in the strength and earnestness or my ci-n-
victious, I mtide this solemn appeal: "May the
Lord sustain and strengtlu-n me, as reverently I
stand before Him, aeknowledging Illin, and His
Law alone, as supreme and absolute. On the

262

PLEADING WITH THEM.

Society and their children will be tlic issues, if
they decline thus to receive me in His name. I
can say no more; my heart is full of foreboding
sorrow."

Stil) the consequences for the future seemed to
me to be so full of importance ; and as this would
probal)ly be the last opportunity I might have to
plead with them, that I was unwilling to let it pass
by without a further effort on my part to shew the
fallacy of any merely temi)orizing policy in the
vain expectation tliat it would promote either the
peace, harmony, or welfart; of the society: for, I
said, in tlie course you propose to adopt you '* only
speak for yourselves, and for the presenl ,- how can
you tell who luay unite with tlie Societ}' with-
in a, year, or even six. months. These would not
be hound by your [)rotnises; nor would you, your-
selvos !)(( bound by them, if any new circumstance
should hereafter arise to make you think that you
had not acted wisely. What a scene of difiiculties
and contentions; or oi" dissatisfaction and separa-
tion dofS the begiiniing of such a future present.
You cannot have considered it, or you would shrink
from its consequences." " What is a society with-
out a law as a stan^lard of a[)p 'al and arbitra-
ment'?" Then I say, you have already declared
yoiu" belief in a Constitutional Law by making it
obligatory that a candidate for membership in the
Society shall have been ba[)tized ; but seem to be
perfectly indifferent as to what faith he was bap-
tized into ; appearing to regard it as of no conse-
quence whether it was into a belief in a tri-))ersonal

TO REACH THEIR UNDERSTANDINGS.

263

s, if

!. I

iding

ed to
vould
ve to
; pass
w the
n the
3r the

lor, I
' ' only
iNV can

with-
Id not

, yo^^r-

istance

it YOU

iciiltiea
epava-

)rescnt.
Hlirink
V witli-

arbitra-
ii'Aared
ikin^ it
ill the

Bii to he
as liap-
conHO-
orsonal

God, and a vicarious atonement ; if only the out-
ward ceremonial form was passed through ! To
me it seemed so marvelous, that in tlie light of the
New Church, it should be possible for any one to
assume such a position, much less to insist upon
it, and conhrm himself in it. ]\[uch more I said ;
and I know that my reasons and arguments were
unanswerable. There was no attempt to answer
them, either then or at any other time : 1 was
esto[)ped only as by a dead wall.

This reply was sent to the Society, August 4tb,
18G2 ; and ten days afterwaias I received a note
from the Secretary to sa,y, that the Society would
hold my letter to them under advisement ; and as
soon as practicable give me their reply. I know
that the Society felt tronbled about it, as well as
myself; I liad no reason to think that they wtre
not sincere and earnest in the position they had
taken ; indeed it was evident to mo tliat they were ;
and could 1 have done so, 1 would willingly and
gladly have complied with their wishes : but 1 could
not; my convictions in regard to it had l)een well
expressed l)y Prof. Bush, when he said, (althougl'
not in this relation), " It commend sitself to my best
reason, as given of God;" " and so believing I dare
not confer with flesh and blood." " If then this
truth has come to me, and throned itself in the
central convictions of my soul ; it brings with it the
most sacred obligation '" to bo " faithful to it." —
The So:-iel.y had no such conviction to the contrary ;
with them it was exclusively a matter of r.rpedicncfj ;
hence they never even attempted to shew me that

1 'i

! »

264

A COLD ACQUIESCENCE

I was wrong ; but in taking this ground, they claim-
ed the same right which the Cathohc Church does,
to set aside or remove any Divine Law which they
may regard as inconverient. After this, instead
of investigating my jiosition to see wliether or not it
was true or well-founded ; and giving me the reason
for their conclusions ; they decided to lay the case
before the lievs. T. Worcester ; J. 11. Hibbard, and
A. Silver ; and be guided by their advice ! They
therefore wrote to them, giving them such informa-
tion on the subject as they thought necessary ; and
awaited their answers. In due time the answers
came ; all of them advising the Society to accept
my conditions ; and they did so.

On the 24th of September, the Secretary notified
me, that the Society had agreed to have their Con-
stitution so revised as to make it read : " that Ar-
ticle 4, Sec. 2, of the Constitution be so amended
as to read, after the word baptized, " into the New
Church."*

The following llesolution was also adof)ted ; " that
when this Society has occasion to resort to Lay
reading, a suitable place outside of the Pulpit shall
be provided for the same." And with this the de-
sire was expressed to know if T would at once resume
my pastoral relations to the Soi-iety.

It might .seem from this as if I should have been
glad that the Society had at last complied with every
requirement that 1 had made ; and yet, I do not
think I was. i dare say it will be said that I was

* This is precisely as the ConBtitution readwheu it was adopt,
ed on the 27th of April, 1863.

1 iil

AND RENEWAL OF LABORS.

266

,liat

Lay

lall

de-

mme

been

jvery

not

was

adopt.

hard to please ; perhaps it may be so ; and yet I
fihould always bo glad to please and to be pleased ;
but the reason why I was not so glad on this occa-
sion, was, because the Society had not yielded to
reason, to evidence and conviction ; but rather to
authority, or necessity.

In this concession therefore 1 saw but little to
rejoice at ; it was not the forerunner of an auspi-
cious future. — Of course I accepted it. — In all this
discussion no pecuniary considerations ever entered
into it. Not a word was said about what the So-
ciety was to pay me, — or whether they were to pay
me anything ; nor, in any of my relationships to
the Society hud that ever been regarded as a lead-
ing feature.

So after an interval of fifteen months, I, on
Sunday, October, 5th 18G2, rc-commeneed my
pastoral duties to the Society, my sermon on that
c^casion was from these words, " Thine eyes shall
see Jerusalem a (juiet habitation : a tabernacle
that shall not be taken down : not one of th(; stakes
thereof shall ever be removed ; neither shall any
of the cords thereof be broken," Is. xxxiii : 20. — i3ut
my prognostics had not deceived me ; our Jerusahm
was not built " as a city which is united together ;''
nor was there peace within her walls ; and hence
was not as yet " a (juiet hai)itation." The old
feelings remained, and the ideas which were en-
gendered in them : and so, amid a constant con-
flict of opinion, 1 labored under great disadvantage
for three years more, and on the 20th day of July,
1805, I sent in my resignation again, and on the

|i!

Iiii
III

ism

t ( •;

''1

i %

^^H 1

• 1

!i '

SL.

266

MY LAST WORDS

last (lay of that year I preached my farewell sermon
from the words of the Psalmist, " We spend our
years as a tale that is told." In the course of that
sermon I said : — "The life of a man, or of a nation
are equally under the operation of the same laws 5
and are amenable to the same results. The
principles entering into the government of our
Country are those which will sooner or later ripen
into fruit; and that fruit will eitli(;r be bitter in the
belly ; or sweet as honey in the mouth, according
to the ends that it has in view ; and the means it
makes use of to accomplish them. And so also in
a Society, its growth, its progress, advancement
and prosperity, will always be commensurate with
the ends it has in view in its formation ; and the
means it maki>s use of to accomplish them. If we
are in real earnest, that oarnestucss will be visible
and manifest in all ourelTorts; — we shall then not
be slow to perform our religious duties ; for the
manner in which our external acts are performed,
are the measures of our real affection for the life
that promi)ts tlicni. If we are slow, — indifferent,
— late, — cold, or negligent, — our ends will be no
better than the means we make use of to accom-
plish them. And if our own seliish cares and
interests so absorb us, tbat we make our religious
duties and obligations altogether secondary and
subservient, then we cannot expect them to be very
productive, or even healthy.

And if the money that we make by this constant
absorption of our time to our selhsh interests, is
also to be appropriated to equally seliish purposes,

AND VAIN EFFORTS.

267

not

the
iiied,

life
;rent,
)C no
:oni-

and
liious

and

very

Lstant
jts, is

)08e8,

then the moral of the tale of its life will soon he
told;" for it will he manifest in its comatose con-
dition ; and the little value that it sets upon its acts
of puhlic worship. And there is another aspect in
which "life is a tale ;" and that is, my own life in
relation to this Society; a life which is now heing
drawn to its close ; and consecjuently when its
moral will have to he nad, and the quality of its
fruits tested, as will as the amount, and it mij^lit
not he an nnprofitahle lesson to review all the past,
and see what has heen the end, and what have heen
the means for accon)plishin^i; it. In doing this,
whilst 1 readily acknowledge my ineiliciency, —
my iiupLrlV'ction, and lack of judguKint, 1 hclieve
that I have ever endeavored to act u[)()i; true
principles, and true order ; and with a sincere
desire to inculcate and establish those; prin-
ciples in life, and in worship ; and yet, no
one knows better than 1 do, how little i have
accomplished; indeed I have often thought my
efforts were; an entire failure, so far as I could
read results; ai.d no one knows how sincerel}' I
have deph red it, and wished that 1 had been
more capable, or that those efforts had been better
adapted to the desired end." 1 then adverted to
what I had said in my inaugural Sermon, (on my
return to J)etroit, some nine oi- ten years before);
" Upon these duties, ([ had tliiu said), with a con-
sciousness of my own weakness and imperfections,
do 1 now re-enter, conliding in your forbearance,
and in your aid and syrii[)athy to sustain me, to
help me, and to bear patiently with me in all

i i

\i\

268

HEKKINO REST.

■fill*

■I

my weakness and incompetence. With a willing
heart I resura»j my labors among you : this was my
first pastoral charge; my wish is (was), that it
may also be my last." " Such (I said), were my
thoughts and feeling in 1856 ; and I wish they had
all remained unchanged to 1866." But they were
not so, for I find in my Diary of that datu the fol-
lowing entry : " This day terminates my pastoral
relation to the Detroit Society, and for forever."
My convictions and impressions were so strong
that with the influences then ruling that Society I
should never be called to minister to it again ; nor
did it seem probable that I should be likely to out-
live them ; and subsequent events have seemed to
fully verify those impressions.

My valedictory Sermon was preached on Sun-
day, J)ecember 31st, 1865 ; but I remained in De-
troit until the 4th day of May, IHIUI. I had no
where else to go, and was too weary from the con-
flicts and discouragements I had passed through
to desir(i to run the hazard of encountering them
again ; so I sought and found a quiet home in the
retired and pleasant City of Adrian, where 1 should
have leisure to carry out an intention I ha I long
been contemplating to publish in book form the
Course of Lectures I liad so often delivered
on the Creation of the Universe, and the Language
of the Sacred Scriptures. But I have passed o/er
the events which occurred subsequent to October,
1862, when 1 recommenced my pastoral relations to
the Society, and my Missionary labors in the Asso-
ciation, and its immediate surroundings ; but to

A (JENERAL Sl'MMARY.

'269

avoid a tedious repetition I will classify and sum-
marize them up to tlie time of leaving' the States
to go to Canada to live, in September, 1872. In
these ten years I made seven visits to Davishurgh
and vicinity, (Oakland Co. Mich.,) preaching and
lecturing, sometimes twice, and sometimes three
times; delivering in all, seventeen Discourses there.
In the town of Berlin, Lai)eer Co., during the same
time, I went there six times, delivering from one
to four Discourses each time; in all iit'teen, besideR
attending social gatherings ; these were between the
years 18(13 and 18(50. And between IHiV) and 1870,
I visited Marshall six times, d< livering in all twelve
sermons and lectures ; Strathroy, Canada, live times,
delivering twenty-seven Lectures and Sermons ; and
Chatham, Canada, four times; delivering nine Lec-
tures; Napoleon, Ohio, three times, delivering in all
eighteen Lectures and Sermons ; these include the
Course of nine Lectures on the Creacion, &c. Two
visits to Bowling Green, (Ohio,) where I delivered
17 Lectures, (including my Course on;the Creation).
Two in Urbana, in which place I delivered the same
Course, — in all 12. Twice in Teeumseh, Mich., (4
Lectures). Twice iu Monroe, (Four): Twice in
Wyandotte, (Four) : Twice in Flat Rock ; a funeral
Sermon each time. Once in Berrien, where 1 de-
livered seven Lectures. And once eaclr at the fol-
lowing places, where I either Lectured, or preached
as follows, viz : In Adrian, 3 ; (before going to
live ther:*); Grandville, 1 ; Grand llapids. 1 ; Jack-
son, 9; (on the Creation); Belleiountain, Ohio, 3;
Newark, Ohio, 2; Defiance, Ohio, 10; (9 on the

270

F.FFOIITS IN ADRIAN.

Creation) ; Marengo, Mich., 1 ; (a funeral Sermon);
Charlotte, 10; (also includin;^' the Course on the
Creation); lliohmond, Ind., 11 ; Do., (hefore f^oinp;
to live there); Laporte, Ind., 2 ; Trafalj^'ar, Ind., 4.
Besides preaching and Lecturing at Springfield,
Mass., 15 times ; and at Thompsonville, Conn., 9
times ; &c., &c. Soon after removing to Adrian the
few receivers in that vicinity commenced meeting
at my house, on Sahl)uth mornings for worship '
and on the 17th of Nov., 1860, 1 delivered my Course
of nine Lectures on the Creation, in the New Hal),
and ahout a year afterwards, (Nov. lOth, 1807),
commenced Sunday evening Lectures on the Doc-
trines of the New Church in a commodious lioom
we had fitted up for the purpose in the Masonic
Temple ; and the following January \vc also met
there in the mornings for Sahhath worship ; and
about tlie same time commenced holding (,)uarterly
meetings, at which our New Church friends from the
surrounding country (in Mich., Ind. and Ohio), at-
tended ; when the Sacraments were administered.
These continued to January, 1809, soon after which
time I left Adriail for Richmond , Indiana.* The

ri':!

*Haviiif» beta vory frequently requested t/ publish in Book
form, my Course of Lectures on the Creation of the Universe^
and the meaniu]f« of the syinliolic imogery in tho lirt:t chaptoi's
of GenoHis, I, whilst liviuj,' in Jacksouville, (J 11.,) fur the nrst time
wrote them out in full, as a preparation for doinj? so ; and sub-
sequently nnido an effort to get them published by Lippincott,
of Philadelphia; but without success: afterwards I made the
same attempt with the Harpers of New York ; but was equally
unsuccessful. I then tried tha Appletous and Scribner firms;
but could effect no satisfact.'ry arrangement.

21 8T AND 22nd meeting.

271

Book
iverHe,
laptors

At time

liniiott,
Ido fue
[jqually
I lirms ;

last meeting of the Micliigan Association that I
mentioned, was hold inKalaninzooin 18(51. The next
one, (the 2l8t,) was held in (Irand liapids in Octoher
1862. This was shortly after I had resumed my
relations to the Detroit Society ; hut only one per-
son was present from Detroit at this session. Rev-
G. N. Smith, the resident Minister of Grand Rapids ;
the Rev. Richard Hooper, of Grand ville ; and Rev.
J. R. Hibhard, as a visitor, were also tliere ; and
t'.velve others outside of Grand Rapids. At this time
Rev Jahez Fox had removed to Peoria, 111., but
sent a long and important communication to the
Association, earnestly advising it to come into a
more orderly and organic form; whilst the Reports
from the Detroit Society strongly advised that the
Constitution be so altered as to require its nu mbers
to consist of those who had been baptized into the
faith of the New Church ; — which was so done.

The Twenty-second meeting of the Association
was held in Detroit, in October, 1803. There were
39 persons present from 18 different places outside
of Detroit; and 08 persons were present at the
Holy Supper. The Report of the Secretary says,
"This meeting of the Association was better attend-
ed than any previous one for three or four years
past; and was accompanied with hopeful signs of
an improving future." The Address of the Rev. G.
N. Smith, as also that of Mr. A. Drysdale, on "The
Church, and what we can do for it;" contained each
many excellent remarks, and were well worthy of
adoption.

The 23rd meeting was also held at Detroit, in

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■272

23rd, 24th and 25th meeting.

: I

\ i

October, 1864. On this occasion there were pres-
ent 25 persons from 13 places out of Detroit; and
more than a hundred were present at the Social
gathering. The Holy Supper was administered
to 60 communicants ; and every one found it was
good for him to be there.

The 24th Annual meeting was held again in De-
troit, in October, 1865. There were present on this
occasion 39 persons from 19 places beyond Detroit ;
and the Report of the Secretary says, " The Asso-
ciation was more largely attended than it had ever
been before, in Detroit;" and that "the meeting
was pleasant and satisfactory to all present ; " and
** nearly 150 persons were present at the social
gathering, at which all seemed to enjoy themselves
very much." Thus it was made manifest that the
making it a distinctly New Church organization,
composed of those only who were baptized mem-
bers of the New Church, instead of retarding its
progress and increase, was constantly adding to it.
But again a dark cloud intervened, and evil coun-
sels prevailed, introducing discord.

The Detroit Society were embarrassed by unfore-
seen pecuniary liabilities, which they felt unable
to meet, and pay for the services of a Pastor.

I then offered to preach without any pay till the
Society should be able to clear themselves of their
indebtedness, but my ofifer was declined ; only five
voting ; two for accepting it, and three against !
So I \vithdrew. The next year the Association met
for the 25th time, in October, (1866) ; its session
this year being at Grand Eapids, at which 21 per-

III

THE ASSOCIATION ENDED

278

lill the
their
lly five
lamst !
)n met
lesBion
U per-

sons were present, out of the place of meetmg,
from lime different localities. I was then living
at Adrian; hut "the Detroit Society invited the
Eev. AVillard G. Day, of East llockport, Ohio, to
make them a Missionary visit, and administer the
Sacrament at their regular quarterly meeting in
July last." This was practically the winding up
of the Michigan Association ; for although a meet-
ing was called to assemble in Detroit in 1867, there
was not a sufficient number in attendance, as has
already been stated, to make it desirable to open
the doors of the Temple ; so the few who came met
in a private house, and adjourned sine die !

This was a sad and mournful termination of
the earnest labors and struggles, which through so
many years I, together with others, had sought to
make known the ])octrines of faith and life of the
New Church in this State and vicinity. All the
causes which led to this result originated in the re-
pudiation of one of the Sacraments of the Church •
a removal of, or allowing to be removed, the guiird
for safety and protection which the Lord had provid-
ed for it ; and a substituting ; or permitting to be
substituted, the faith of the old and consummated
Church, for that of the New and true Church ; or
taking the Gate away altogether ! How truly luis
the lesson been verified which is contained in tlie
prophetic words of the Apocalyi)se : " And if any
man shall take away from the words of the 13ook of
this prophecy ; God shall take away his part out of
the Book of Life ; and out of the Holy City ; and
from tlie things which are written in this Book."
8

II i

III

274

PUBLISHED MY BOOK.

So far as the visible existence of the New Church
in Michigan is concerned, with the exception of a
feeble tenure still retained in Detroit ; it is
practically blotted out; and, under such influences,
can never be restored. Whilst residing in Adrian,
a few persons interested in the Doctrines of the
New Church, conceived the Idea of forming a
N. C. Library, for the purpo!R> of lending such
Books to all who might desire to read them ; and
in January, 1867, about twent}' persons subscribed,
and paid $80.00 for this purpose : which amount
was afterwards considerably increased ; and,
with Books afterwards added ; about 120 volumes
were purchased for this purpose. Tliis however
includes a donation of a set of the Arcana Celestia
by the Swedenborg Printing and Publishing Society
of New York ; and some other donations. As many
as 25 different persons availed themselves of the
use of this Librar} in Adrian ; and about 90
volumes were lent out.

During my residence in Adrian, having the
leisure and means, I made arrangements for
publishing the series of Lectures on the Creation of
the Universe, and the Flood, which, as previously
stated, I had already prepared in manuscript, luit
could not get published. This made a volume of
about 500 pages, entitled "The Two Great Books of
Nature and Bevelation; or the Cosmos and the
Logos" ; with a Lecture on the One IicUf/ion, and
other additional matter. (See page, 270. Note.)

I had a thousand copies of this work printed and
bound in Detroit ; nearly all of which have since

REMOVED TO RICHMOND.

275

rr the
for
;ion of
lion sly

^t, l)Ut
line of
ioks of
id the
u, and
S^ote.)
id and
since

been sold : the larger portion of them where I had
delivered them orally. I also had stereotyped a
Tract of 12 pages, (the type for which I set up my-
self), on (iod and the Sjnrltiud World ; and what
is known concerning them, many copies of which I
printed and distributed.

Soon after removing to Adrian, I finished the
printing of a Liturgy and Hymns which I had com-
menced in Detroit, (intended for the use of that
Society), which had been prepared under their
auspices, and ordered to be printed for their use.
This I did at my own expense, and with a press
and type bought expressly for that purpose, but
which when completed, they neither aecepted or
acknowledged. This Liturgy however was subse-
quently adopted by the Toronto N. C. Society, and
is still used bv them.

On leaving Adrian for llichmond, (with the con-
sent of the contributors to it), I removed this
Library with me ; and whilst there, loaned 75
volumes to 25 different persons. Afterwards, on
removing to Toronto, (Canada), as many as 160
vohnnes were lent to 58 persons, or families in that
city. And not a single book has ever been lost ;
or injured, otherwise than by such wear as was
unavoidable.

1 remained about two years and a half in llich-
mond, where I preached and Lectured regularly
every Sabbath ; but, questioning my ability to
successfully cultivate a mental soil com])osed
mostly of Quakers, Spiritualists, Lutherans, Roman
Catholics and the so-called Evangelists ; all of

I 8 1

I, El

276

NEW CHUHCH IN CANADA.

whom seemed to bo so well satisfied with their
present convictions, as not to care to know about
any other faith, I doubted the propriety of remain-
ing there ; and having a very cordial invitation to
accept the pastorate of the New Church Society at
Toronto, Canada, I accei)ted it, and early in October,
1872, I commenced my work in that city. * ]3ut
before continuing this record in relation to the New
Church in Toronto, it may l)e v,ell to brieHy state
something concerning its commencement in this
region of the liritish dominions.

The first known receivers of the Doctrines of the
New Church in Canada, were ]\[r. John Harbin, his
wife, and her sister, (Miss ^Vheeler), who in 1830
left Salisbury, England, for Montreal, Canada. Mr.
H. then being 37 years 'of age. He had l)een a
Local preacher among the Methodists in England;
but on receiving the ])o(!trines of the New Church,
had, in 1827, been baptized by the liev. T. Goyder,
and soon after originated the New Church Society
in Salisbury. These three first came to Montreal,

* Whilst living,' in Kichraoiul, an firticle appeared in one of
the city papers on a Hciinun 1 hud recently delivered, in which
article it was stated tliat the Yicurious Atonement wan a
'• Hoax."' This criticism produced a reply hy the Rev. Thos.
Comstock, (Methodis ^linister), in which he defended the
doctrine; and repudiated thetei-m by whicli it was dosif^nated.
This led to a long scries of articles which appeared in the
Richmond Ti-liujiniii; (14 in all), hetweeu August, 1870, and
Januaiy, ISTl ; in which, whilst no defence was made of the
teiiu " hoax ; " I endeavored to shew the utter untenableness
of the doctrine of Vicarious Atonement ; whilst Mr. C. as con-
fidently maintained it.

MR. HARBIN S LABORS.

277

lie of
liich

;iH a

^108.

1 the
ated.
the
and
if the
enesH
8 con-

biit remained there only during the winter ; and
after visiting several other locaUties, settled them-
selves in Chinguacouchy, — about 20 or 25 miles
north from Toronto, — in Canada West, (now
Ontario), where they resided some years, and where
a Mr. Bagwell, (also an Englishman), had erected
a very commodious Log Chapel, in which Mr.
Harbin preached regularly ; and soon there were
known to be a number of scattered receivers of the
Doctrines in various places. An effort was also
made to obtain the services of a regularly ordained
New Church Minister, to make a permanent, or
temporary abode with them, but without success.
On the 9th of January, 1842, Mr. Christopher
Enslin writjs from Berlin, (Waterloo Co., Ontario),
and says : *' Besides myself there is only one
receiver of our Doctrines, and three occasional
readers,'' but he says, " in the rear of Toronto,
(some 70 miles from this), there are several re-
ceivers, having a regular preacher" ; meaning Mr.
Harbin.

And in 1844, Mr. x\dam Ruby said tliere was an
increased number of members and receivers, and
the work goes bravely on.

In February, 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Harbin, sister
and children, removed to Berlin ; and with the
few others then living there, constituted the
first organic Society of the New Church in the
Dominion of Canada. Thirty-two years afterwards
(in 1877), that Society reports 208 adult members ;
and had the largest and best House of worship in
that Town. In 1859 another small Society of the

tii

t I

i i

Si
i--

278

DEP.LIN, STRATHROY, ETC.

New Church was instituted at Wollesly, a few
miles distant from Berlin, which in 1877 contained
56 members, and had a House of Worship of their
own. These two Societies consist mainly of native
Germans, although they nearly all speak the
English language. The following year (1860), a
small Society was also instituted in Strathroy ;
composed mostly of English and Canadians. The
birth of this Society was probably hastened by a
rude and vehement assault which had been made
ujDon a few professed receivers of the Doctrines
living in the village : the most conspicuous of
whom was the Eev. IJich. Saul, a Minister of the
Primitive Methodist Church who had distinctly
and boldly declared tho change in his religious
convictions ; (to those of the New Church). This
seems to liave excited a united and intense feeling
of opposition ; and a determination if possible, to
stamp it out, and extinguish it. In the Clinst'uui
Guardian of August 24, 1859; published in Toronto;
and in other religious periodicals, the following
anathema was published ; headed " Swedenborgian-
ism in Strathroy."

" The Ministers, and certain laymen of the differ-
ent Denominations in Strathroy and vicinity, have
unanimously adopted the following Resolutions,
for the purpose of counteracting the strenuous
efforts made b}' the advocates of Swedenborgianism
in this place, to circulate their literature, and dis-
seminate their heretical views ; especially among
the young and more credulous of other denomina-
tions. Resolved, 1st. That we, the Ministers and

PIERCE OPPOSITION.

279

Laymen of the diflferent sections of the Church of
Christ in this vicinity, deeply deplore the introduc-
tion of the Doctrines of Baron Swedenborg into
our Country, and among our people, thereby un-
settling the minds of the weak ; and furthermore,
that we give it as our matured and deliberate
opinion that such doctrines are infidel and heretical
in their character ; and so dangerous in their
tendency, as to render it extremely unsafe for the
young especially to meddle with them. Resolvedy
2nd. That whereas Swedenborgianisni has doubtless
received its chief sanction from the fact, that the
leader of that party ' n this place, has represented
John Wesley as being favorable to it ; and the
doctrines ot Wesley as differing only slightly from
that of Swedenborg ; we deem it our duty to state
that Mr. Wesley unhesitatingly declares the doc-
trines of Swedenborg to be " contrary to Scripture,
to reason, and to itself ;" and the whole to be the
work of a disordered imagination; and that **if
Swedenborg was inspired, he was inspired from
the bottomless pit." Mr. Wesley further declares
that the waking dreams of Swedenborg, are so
remote from Scripture and common sense, that
we might as easily swallow the stories of " Tom
Thumb", or "Jack the Giant Killer ": and the cele-
brated Richard Watson declares the whole system
to be, "inadmissible of any rational defence."
Resolved, 8rd. That we believe Swedenborg's idea
of Heaven and Hell so absurd, low, and grovelling,
and his absurdities so numerous as to render his
whole system fearfully demoralizing in its tendency;

280

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED

and should therefore receive no countenance from
any of our people. Resolved, 4th. That whereas the
policy of Swedenborgianism is so perfectly Jesuitical,
we, as Ministers and Laymen of the different
Churches, enter our solemn protest against any
person or persons holding Swedenborjian views ;
or favoring directly, or indirectly that abominable
system, being members of our Churches, or Teachers
in our Sabbath Schools ; and any such being
identified shall immediately ha dismembered, un-
less amendment be solemnly promised ; and further-
more, we are of theopinion that professing Christians
of any of the orthodox Churches shew very great
disrespect to the Bible ; and are in danger of
suffering spiritual injury themselves ; and are set-
ting an example that may prove ruinous to others
by countenancing with their presence any Sweden-
borgian meeting. Itcsolvcd, 5th. That we, as
Christian Ministers, feel it oui* duty to preach at
all our appointments, the pure doctrines of the
Bible against the grievous errors of Swedenborg ;
and earnestly invite the co-operation of all those
who take the Bible for their guide,in discountenancing
that fearful system. Resolved, 6th. That we join
heartily and pra.yerfully in inviting all such as
have been separated from other communities,
through delusion by the Swedenborgian system,
to recant their views, and to return to the bosom
of their respective Churches, from which they weru
excluded. Resolved, 7ih. That in order to preserve
our respective Churches from any errors in doctrine,
the officers and teachers in our Sabbath Schools

AND PUBLISHED.

281

be subjected to a rigid examination as to their doc-
trinal views, similar to the examination to which
the other public instructors amongst us are sub-
jected ; the time of such examination to be optional
with their Minister in charge, and two of the oldest
members of Committee. Resolved, 8th. That as
the advocates of Swedenborgianism in this place
strenuously exert themselves to disseminate their
Books and Tracts among our people, thereby
poisoning the minds especially of the young and
more credulous, we urgently recommend that our
people positively refuse to admit any of their litera-
ture into their families. Resolved, 9th. That the
editors of the Strathrov Times, the Christian
Guardian, the Kclto, the Canada Christian Advocate,
the Mornintf Star, the Kvan(jdical Witness, tlic
Christian Messcnffer ; and all other editors favorable
to our orthodox Christianity, be requested to pub-
lish the foregoing liesolutions in their respective
Journals, accompanied with a brief synopsis of the
leading Doctrines rejected by the Swedenborgians,
together with some of their absurdities.

(Signed.)
Eev. N. Brown, Wesleyan Methodist,
"W. Chapman, do do

B. M. Cr.AiiKE, Episcopal do
Geo. Sharp, Free-will Baptist,
Jas. Baskervili.e, New Connection Methodist,.
T. E. Owen, Baptist.

R. Cowan, M.D. Officiating Episcopalian.
Robert Pegley, J. P. Methodist,

C. Nappen. Methodist L. P.

282

PREJUDICE AND INTOLERANCE

((

Rev. James Cooper, Methodist.

'* Richard Kerr. Do. R. S.

" A. N. Johnson. Edit. Strathroy Times.
D. C. McIntyre, M.l). Baptist.
Edward Dodge. Do.

Joseph Little. Methodist."

These Resolutions will remind the reader very
much of the days of the Spanish Inquisition ; at
least one could hardly think that the professors of
such a religion belonged to an enlightened age ; or
that they regarded those whom they addressed as
being any more intelligent than themselves. Such
intolerance and despotism however could have no
influence on the minds of those who might be pre-
2)ared to receive the Heavenly Doctrines of the New
Jerusalem.

But it may seem surpri/ing to the thoughtful
mind that such an ebullition as the above, should
have been produced by the visit of two laymen from
Berlin ; each of them delivering a Lecture on the
Doctrines of the New Church, and then returning.
What power there must have been in the few truths
■which they thus uttered to awaken such a storm of
feeling; and such a combination of all their obtain-
able forces to put them down, and endeavor to
stamp them out ! And what could those few friends
of the New Church do in such a case ? Ostracised,
■excommunicated, denounced and vilified ; and de-
nied the privilege of even replying. It was well
they could not also add the Stake, the faggot, and
the Auto da fe. Replies were sent to some of these
papers ; but, as might have have been expected,

OUADUALLY OVERCOME.

288

vrere refused insertion ; whilst another long and
virulent assault was made on the New Church in
the columns of the so-called ChriHtian (hKxrdian hy
Elder Tucker. What reraarkahle courage and
bravery they manifested in this crusade against a
windmill, or less than a windmill; only a " wakinrf
dream,'" told by two travellers ! And because these
moral and religious forces were insufficient to sub-
due them ; they subsequently resorted to these final
and most convincing arguments of brick-bats and
rotten eggs ! Thus was the New Church inaugu-
rated into Strathroy. Of course for a time it was
repudiated; but who does not know that "Truth
crushed to earth shall rise again" ? It did so tlien.
About live years from the time this onslaught was
made, i.e., in November, 18(54, by invitation I made
my first visit to Strathroy, and delivered three Lec-
tures there, in the Town Hall. These Lectures
were well attended, and seemed to make a favorable
impression ; the number of receivers had consider-
ably increased, and at that time I baptized three
adults and one child into the faith of the New
Church, and administered the Holy Supi)er to
twelve persons, all members of the New Church.
A number of our Books were also disposed of. Since
the Strathroy Society has been instituted it has
been gradually increasing, and now they have a
neat little Church building of their own ; and there
is no hostile feeling toward them from any quarter.
The Toronto Society had its trials and persecutions
also to pass through, although not of so severe a
character as were those at Strathroy. In the sum-

!■

284

A SOCIETY FORMED.

mer of 1863 eight persons, receivers of the Doc-
trines of the New Church, met together at a private
house to take action in regard to the propriety of
hiring a suitable Room, or Hall, in which to hold
meetings for public worship. Mr. John Parker, a
receiver of the Doctrines, from London, England*
was present, and being regarded as a suitable per-
son, was invited to act as tboir Leader. They con-
cluded to rent a Room belonging to the Mechanics*
Institute, and hold religious services every Sabbath
morning. At their first meeting eleven were pre-
sent, which number soon increased to from 16 to
18 : and when they advertized their meetings there
were sometimes from 25 to 35 in attendance.

In due time a general meeting was called for the
purpose of instituting and organizing a Society ;
when 25 persons were received into membership —
this was in April, 1864 ; and in the following
February, four more were added ; in addition to
which a number of others were becoming much
interested in the doctrines of the church. During
this time they had received but one Ministerial
visit ; this was from the Rev. Edwin Gould, of
Montreal, who administered the Holy Supper to
16 persons ; and baptized two children. Their
room could scarcely contain the number of those
who then attended. The Lecture delivered by Mr.
G. was on the Resurrection. Many Books and
Tracts were also sold and given away. In 1867, Rev.
J. A. Williams, a Wesleyan Methodist Minister of
Toronto, issued a Tract entitled " IVhtj I am not a
Sicedenborgian ; " in a letter to a friend, at the

OPPOSITION IN TORONTO.

•285

request of the " Association of Wesleyan Ministers,
in the city of Toronto." This Tract manifests a
very superficial and imperfect knowledge of the
subjects it attempts to discuss : and a pre-deter-
mined disposition to reject whatever was not in
accordance with his stereotyped convictions ; and
is written in such a rtip[)ant and self-conceited
style, as to make it to be really undeaerving of
attention. But, as it gave an opportunity of re-
futing some of the many widely circulated
misrepresentations respecting the character and
claims of the New Church ; a somewhat full and
elaborate reply was prepared by Mr. Parker, (the
leader of the New Church Society) ; and the two
Tracts were bound together, (and sold and given
away), under the title of" (-nod and EcilS'

Two years later, in the " Home and Foreign
record of the Canada Presbyterian Church," for
November, 18()1>, another attack was made upon
the ])octrines of the New Church. To this, there
was published in Tract form, a response, bearing
these words on its title page : " Prcshiitcrinmsm
iind Siccdenborfj'iuniani ; being a defence and reply
to a piece upon, and against, Swedenborgianism."
kc, "By a member (not a Minister) of the New
Jerusalem Church Society, of Toronto, Canada."

This was a trenchant and masterly rebuke, and
refutation of the misconcei)tions and i)t>rvor.sions
■of this assailant, as well as a turning of the tables
upon him. To neither of these replies was there
any response. After this, so far as outward and
visible opposition was concerned, the New ChiUTh

286

ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED.

I :.i

\ !l

in Canada had a season of rest. Eev. F. "W.
Tuerk, (formerly a Lutheran Minister) was ordained
as Pastor of the Berhn Society in 1857 ; and con-
secrated as an Ordaining i\[inister in 1864. Mr.
Edwin Gould was ordained as Pastor of the
Montreal Society in 1862, and Mr. J. Parker, of
the Toronto Society in 1868.

The Montreal Society is, and always has heen,
quite small; and has not had so severe an ordeal
to pass through as have those in a Protestant com-
munity ; the Eoman Catholic Church apparently not
regarding the New Church as sufficiently worthy of
their notice to give it any trouble. A small society
was formed at Port Elgin as early as 1859, with
Mr. J. J. Lehnen as their Leader ; but apparently
without much active life ; and owing to its mem-
bers migrating to other places, it gradually passed
away.

Eeceivers of the Heavenly Doctrines, however,
soon began to multiply in numerous other places,
mostly in the Province of Ontario ; so that in 1862
it was deemed advisable for these collected, and
scattered members to gather together in one body,
and form an organization under the name of an
AsHocidtioii.

At the Ih'st meeting, held in Berlin, 41 persons
were present, from 20 different places ; and 37 by
proxy, from six additional places. This Association
was an entirely independent body, and was organ-
ized after the pattern of the English Conference,
to, and from which, it sent and received yearly
addresses. But at the Tenth meeting of the Asso-

ii!

VISIT STRATHROY AND TORONTO.

287

ciation, held in Berlin in 1871, it was Resolved to
apply to the General Convention of the New Church
in the United States to be received into its con-
federacy of Associations, in common with them.
This was accordingly done.

My second visit was made to Strathroy in »Tan.
1867, when I delivered live Lectures ; preached
twice ; Baptized two adults, and administered the
Holy Supper to 15 Communicants. In September
of the same year, I again visited Strathroy, when
I delivered three Lectures — preached once ; baptized
one adult, and administered the Holy Supper to
18 Communicants. On my next visit, in October,
1869, I preached twice, and Lectured six times :
Baptized two adults ; and administered the Holy
Supper. Again I visited Strathroy in May, 1872,
and preached once ; Lectured four times ; l^aptized
one adult, and one infant ; and administered the
Holy Supper to 17 Communicants. I have already
stated that I visited and Lectured at Chatham four
times to good audiences ; persons sometimes com-
ing from a distance of from 12 to 20 miles to
attend them. All this was previous to my going
to Canada to live ; or even thinking of going there.
In Miiy, 1872, I received an invitation to make a
Missionary visit to Toronto, which I accepted,
preaching there twice ; and delivering a Coarse of
eight Lectures on the Doctrines of the Church, to
good and attentive audiences. The Toronto
Society rt this time had a neat and convenient
little Temple, which will seat about 200 persons,
with a School room in the rear, and in a very

•288

llEMOVED TO TORONTO.

•desirable location. This building was erected, and
dedicated in 1870, after a long and labored effort.
At first it stood upon a Lot having but 40 feet
frontage (on Elm Street) ; but '20 feet more have
since been purchased, which adds much to its
pleasantness. The Society here has undergone
many vicissitudes and changes ; but still continues
its stated meetings for worship. Soon after
my arrival in Toronto, to reside, in October 1872,*
I commenced the delivery of my Course of Lectures
•on the Creation of the Universe, cl'C. These did
not draw out as large audiences as they had done
in the States ; nor were they noticed by the Press.
Indeed neither the mental or religious atmospheres
appeared to be receptive of ideas so far in advance
of the standard dogmas of the times ; still there
were some that were made glad by them. There
was also much to do in organizing the Society,
which for some time had been without a Pastor,

*Al).)ut this tiiiu! the Society in J)i'ti'oit, (Michigan), hud
■cciupletod their new Ilonse of Worship on the S. W. corner of
Cass Avenuo and lli>,'h Street, a very ehfj;il)le and j)lea8aut
location, o)i a liOt 7') feet hy 100, the cost of whicli (witliout the
buildinf;) was ^1750.00. Attached to the main huildiuf,' are
rooms for Sabbath School and other Church uses; the whole
having quite an attractive aspect both within aud without. The
records of their Society say, that " To day (November Jh-d,
lH72),our new Temple was formally dedicated l)y the Rev. Jabez
Fox, assisted by tlie Revs. A. (). Brickman, L. P. Mercer,
and E. S. Ilotliam." The latter (E. S. Hotham), was not,
uor ever has been an ordained Minister of the New Church,
although ho oflliciated for this Society for a short time as thei^
Minister.

NEWSPAPER PREJUDICES

289

had
■r of
isaut
the
are
[hole
The
:u-(l,
abez
Ircer,
uot,
irch,
:hcir

But eventually we all got into working order, and
the prospects were by no means discouraging. I
preached regularly every Sabbath morning, and
delivered Lectures in the evenings, during the
winter ; visiting also, and Lecturing at such of the
surrounding towns and villages as facilities were
afforded for. In February, 1873, I visited
Strathroy again, preaching there once, and deliver-
ing six Lectures ; also administering the Sacra-
ment. And in the next month, (March), by special
invitation, I went to Berlin, and delivered six
Lectures on the leading Doctrines of the Church.
The English speaking portion of the Community
had requested this ; as Mr. Tuerk usually preached
in German. These Lectures were well attended,
and gave very general satisfaction. As an illustra-
tion of the popular prejudice against the New
Church in Toronto, the Globe, the leading paper in
the Province, if not in the Dominion, refused to jmb-
lisli as an advertisement, the notice of our Sabbath
evening Lectures, it was only by a very strenuous
effort ; and perhaps the fear of the consequences
that refusal might produce, that this intolerance was
overruled. The same thing occurred the following
year in Montreal : — One of the papers there, pro-
fessedly the most liberal, also refusing to publish
the advertisement of a New Church Sermon ! In
the following June, (1873), I preached one Sermon,
and delivered one Lecture in the village of Wellesley,
whilst the Canada Association was in session there.
In January of the following year, again by invita-
tion, I delivered a Course of seven Lectures in

290

REPLY TO PROF. HIRSCHFELDER.

Berlin, and preached once ; end the following
month, visited Stratford, and delivered three
Lectures there, in the Town Hall. These Lectures
attracted a good deal of attention ; a Baptist, and a
Methodist Minister attended them, and at the close
of each Lecture asked a multitude of questions ; and
made remarks intended to prejudice the minds of
the audience; although it was evident they felt dis-
comforted, this continued till near 11 o'clock on
one evening. But the impression made was not
favorable to them. Three months afterwards I was
invited to return to Stratford, which I did, and gave
three more Lectures; but the Ministers did not
present themselves again ; although indirect efforts
were made to arouse a feeling of opposition to the
New Church. If these visits could have been con-
tinued for awhile, there was every reason to believe
that an influential society might soon have been
formed: but the time had not yet come. In July,
(1874), I preached on one Sabbath in Montreal;
and in October following delivered three week-day
Lectures in Toronto in review of a Course of
Lectures on the Creation, delivered by Prof. Hirsch-
felder, in the University in that city, in March,
187B, and afterwards published. These Lectures
appeared to be intended as an antidote to the views
presented by me in my Lectures on the same sub-
ject delivered the year previous. Prof. H. assum-
ing in his Lectures, that the Creation which
Geologists teach, was all swept away, and destroy-
ed ; and [a waste and chaos ensued ; and that it
was from this that our jDresent vegetable, animal

ARTICLE IN THE " NATION."

291

and human creations were produced in six days as
literally and historically recorded in Genesis. A
reporter of the Mail, (one of the daily papers pub-
lished in Toronto), noticed my Lectures in review of
this theory very favorably ; which called forth a
very lengthy article from Prof. Hirschfelder in de-
fence of his views, and in contravention of mine.
I would have rejilied to this througli the same
channel, but the editor positively refused to permit
me.

Soon after this, (in Sept., 1874,) Prof. Tyndall's
address at Belfast was published in many of the
Papers, which led to many editorial comments :
amcng them the Editor of the Xation, (a weekly
literary paper of Toronto, under the control of
Goldwin Smith) ; in which the Editor says, " Does
he (Tyndall), really believe that if the deca3'ing
civilization of ancient Ptome had continued ; and
Christianity had never been, that Science would
have benelitted by its continuation ?" And that he
(Tyndall), seems to have forgotten that it was not
one of the despised Christians, but the Caliph
Omar, of the enlightened Arab race who counnitted
to the flames the literary treasures of Alexandria.
This la'oduced a somewhat caustic and hostile rei)ly
from a correspondent over the signature of C. Rice,
claiming that this outrageous and atrocious act was
not done by order of the Caliph Omar ; but " by the
Christian Bishop, Theophilus ; who also demolish-
ed the Temple of Serapis ; reducing it to a heap
of rubbish:'' and attributing every act of vandalism,
intolerance and destruction to the intiuence of

i^ !l

292

REPLY TO A SCEPTIC.

Christianity ; and of all i)ro^ress, refinement and
civilization to an atheistic science ! This was not
permitted to pass without an ahle and talented
criticism by the Editor ; yet, as I thought, without
reaching the real point of attack, which was Christi-
anity itself ; therefore I wrote the following reply,
which was readily inserted.

THE INFLUENCE OP INFIDELITY AND CIIEISTI-
ANITY COMPARED,

To the Editor of The Nation.

Sir, — I feel moved to say a few words, by your
permission, in reply to some very bold and unmis-
takable sentiments, presented by your correspon-
dent from Perth, growing out of previous notices of
Prof. Tyndall, which I think calculated to produce
erroneous impressions. I will follow them in the
order in which they are presented. The query as
to whether science would have been Ijenefitted by
the decaying civilization of Home, had Christianity
not been introduced, is answered by the admission
that it would not. But, if a decaying civilization
would not benefit science, would science benefit a
decaying civilization ? Or could it exist in such a
soil? Or could it take root there and grow ? Evi-
dently it could not ; for in other lands, where there
had been an advanced civilization, and no Christi-
anity, as in Egypt, Greece, Arabia, and even in liome
before the Christian era, civilization had become
Tfell nigh effete, and the people degraded and sen-
sualized ; idolatry and superstition had cast their
deep shadows over lands that had once been mag-
nificent in beauty and in works of art; and the

ABOUT ALEXANDRIAN LIBRARY.

293

lag-
the

science of Pythagoras had been superseded by that
of Tycho Brahe, and Ptolemy. Science in itself
has no creating life in it — nor even any self-sus-
taining life — but was, and is, inert and dead. Why,
therefore, attribute the decadence of the Roman
Empire to the introduction of Christianity ? Besides
it could not properly be called Christianity at this
time: for what went by that name was only the
heathen idolatry, with Christian names appended.
For as Mosheim very truly says of the fifth and
succeeding centuries — " it was difficult to tell
whether Paganism was most Christianized, or
Christianity most Paganized." But this is true,
that wherever, and in the degree that the Scrip-
tures have been freely circulated. Science has found
a foothold ; has taken root, expanded and grown.
If this is so, it disposes of the first part of your cor-
respondent's objection. And in reply to the ques-
tion raised concerning the Alexandrian Library, it
may be said that perhaps it is not fair to take Gib-
bon's statement unqualified ; that the Iconoclasts
who destroyed the Temple of Seraphis under the in-
stigation of a so-called Bishop of a Christian Church
and by authority of a so-called Christian Emperor,
did also destroy a vast number of books and manu-
scripts there, need not be denied ; any more than
that subsequently a greater number still was des-
troyed by the Saracens ; nor was there much to
choose between the Emperor Theodosius or his
Bishop Theophilus, and the Caliph Omar. A true
Christianity should not be held responsible for any
such outrages. But the animus of your correspondent

294

TEST OF RELIGION,

1 I

towards the Christian religion is very observable
throughout, and it leads him to a false position in
regard to it, and to false conclusions. Thus he says,
** There is no religious hypothesis in existence
verifiable by experiment." That is, I suppose, it
cannot be put in a crucible and melted, or proved
and analyzed by chemical tests. Well, I suppose
not. Still, I think there ts a way of testing and
proving it ; and it furnishes itself the means for
doing it. Thus, in one place we read, " With
what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged ; and
with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured
to you again." And " ]3y their fruits ye shall
know tlieni." This is the crpcrivientum criicis ;
and it is a most perfect one. But lot us adopt the
method suggested by your somewhat dogmatic cor-
respondent, of changing a word in his lemma, and
read it thus : — " There is no sciciitijic In'pothesis
in existence veriliable l)y principle.'' Science is
mere fact ; and sciences are but accumulations of
facts ; there is no law of causes ,- no philosophy of
principles ; it is simply a dead fact, and nothing
more. It does not make people better ; it has no
tendency to do so ; it has no vivifying power in it ;
-or any moral or religious influence. A man may
be a learned scientist and vet be a thief, an
adulterer, or a murderer, without the least com-
punction ; but not so with a man who is religious
in the proper sense of that word. Then we are
asked, "Are there any beliefs implanted in the
universal consciousness of man, as a fact ?" I should
be content to answer No ; any more than there

ALSO OP SCIENCE.

296

llg

it;
[nay

an
om-
ious

are

the
ould
here

are any scientific facts thus implanted in the
universal man. The child, when horn, knows no
more of science, than he does of religion. In fact
he knows nothing ; hut is horn with a capacity for
knowing, and with faculties for receiving hoth
natural and spiritual knowledge ; hut they must
first he communicated, or taught, and provision is
made for hoth. Stuenco is no more innate than
religion is ; therefore, again to paraphrase your
correspondent's language, I must say : " The in-
fant has no scientific beliefs, and if taught none,
like a Hottentot, or a New Zealander, he would
live and die like them, witliout any." Nor are
either scientific facts, or religious principles or
ideas self-ingenerated, but irroiled, — the first to
his phijsical senses, — for man does not create the
facts he sees ; and the other to his nientdl fucalties,
for man never created the idea of a God, of a
spiritual world, or of his having a human soul.
The facts of science he receives, as they are revealed
to him by the organs of sight, lio.iring, feeling,and
the lower frontal organs oi the brain. The truths
of religion he receives by corresponding mental
faculties, and the higher frontal and coronal regions
of the brain. And both these classes of mental
faculties are capable of perversion — the one may
run into the vagaries of the atomic theory, the
eternity of matter, self-creation, or other absurdities ;
whilst the other may' run riot in persecutions,
witchcraft, or other forms of fanaticism. And so,
to shew the superiority of science over a true re-
ligious faith it is sagely argued, that *' the material

296

WHAT TRUTH TEACHES.

universe exists to-day because it existed yesterday,'*
and therefore there is good reason to believe that
it existed always. So man exists upon the earth
to-day, because he existed yesterday ; and hence
there is good reason to believe that he existed al-
ways. But did the earth exist ten thousand years
ago in the same condition that it does to-day ! Was
there not a time when neither man, animals, nor
vegetables existed upon ii ? Was there not a time
when neither the Alluvial, Tertiary, nor Secondary
formations were in existence? Was there not a
time when the primitive granite was in a state of
fusion ? In a gaseous state ? Even when it was in-
visible and imponderable ? And if so, did it always
exist ? And if not, was it not created? And " if we
have no reliable guide but the senses," of what use
is that portion of the brain which rises above the
perceptive organs of the j^liysical senses ? And if
these are, or ought to be quiescent, it would indeed
be folly to speculate about the "Infinite," when
all our researches ought simply to be confined to
the pleasures of animal recreations, and the delights
of our sensuous appetites. Your correspondent
from Perth does not do well to draw' his conclusions
from falsified or perverted views of religion, any
more than it would be just to judge of a true science
from the opinions which prevailed in the middle
ages, or even the later crudities of Tyndall and
Darwin.

Yours, &c.,

G. Field. ,
Toronto, 26th October, 1874.

HOW SCEPTICS ARGUE.

297

Mr. Rice replies to this, by assuming that what
was called Christianity, was such^ and that there was
DO other; and that it was not true to say that
science has only found a home and encouragement
where the Sacred Scriptures have been freely
circulated and cherished ; for he says, " Science
took root, expanded and grew, centuries before the
Scriptures had an existence, the oldest books having
been written in the time of the Jewish Kings."
And that " since the advent of Christianity the
same thing has occurred where the Scriptures have
never been known." And that "it is doubtful
whether the Scriptures ever would have been circu-
lated had not scientific scepticism and doubt, pre-
pared the way for a more free enquiry into the
dogmatic teaching of the Church." Then he calls
what I say about science being but an accumula-
tion of facts; and possessing no law of causen ,- oi*
philosophy oi pr'uiciplcs, and as having no tendency
to make people better ; or as possessing any
vivifying, moral, or religious influence ; "jargon,"
and "unmitigated nonsense "! " One would think
(he says), the writer had just made his escape
from the Asylum." Then, after a further laudation
of scientific infidelity, and its moral status as com-
pared with that of the Christian world, (still assum-
ing that Christianity so-called is the standard of a
true religion) ; and repudiating any known belief
either in a God, a spiritual world, or the human
soul, he concludes by expressing his regret that he
has occupied so much space " in trying to winnow a
few grains of wheat from a car-load of chaff.'

)»

1 1

^98

TRUE AND FALSE SCIENCE.

il ,

To this I sent the following response, which was
duly inserted in the "Nation.''

THE KELATION OF RELIGION TO SCIENCE AND

CIVILIZATION.

To the Editor o/The Nation.

Sir, — After so rude an onslaught as I have already
experienced at the hands of your doughty correspond-
ent of Perth, you may perhaps have thought that
I should hardly dare enter the list again against so
formidable an opponent ; one who reminds me of a
man, who in a state of undue elation, once said, " I
came down from Heaven, I am forty feet high, and
I weigh a ton and a half.*' Nor, sir, do I really
wish to do battle with such an Ajax, or Achilles, or
attempt —

" To break a lauce against Ithuriel's spear."

I shall therefore omit all reference to that peculiar
style of bravado and contempt which I trust may be
found to be the exclusive province of those onl}^ .sdio
repudiate with so much disdain the courtesies and
amenities which characterize the Language and the
tone of the Chri-itian gentleman ; and w^tli your
permission notice a few of the points raised in regard
to the relation which religion and science bear to
each other. The first ])oiiit is : that science is in
no way dependent u[)on leligion for its support, or
propagation ; but flourishes independently of it ; or
rather that religion serves to extinguish it ; although
sometimes it prevails in spite of it. But surely it
must be allowable to distinguish between a true
and a false philosophy. A false religion will sustain
and encourage a false philosophy, as it did that of

TRUE AND FALSE RELIGION.

299

y ])e
.vlio
and
[the
your
!:!;ard
ir to
lis in
;t, or
It; or
lough

true
Istain
lat of

Ptolemy ; but not a true philosophy, as that of
Copernicus or Newton ; which a true religion would
sustain and cherish. This will always be found to
be true. But as the difference between a true and
a false religion might not be agreed upon, I will
substitute this alternative by saying the Bible, in-
stead of a true religion, and put the position thus :
Science flourishes wherever the Bible is allowed
freel}- to circulate, as may be seen by n-fercnce to
all Protestant countries ; but tbe Bible does not
(nor is it permitted to), circulate freely, under the
auspices of science. This was made manifest in
France under the rule of the Academy of Sciences,
the Encycloptedists, and at the French revohition.
And when I say the Bible, I say it as a u-liole, and
the influence as such, which it exercises, and the
effects which it produces wherever it is freely read.
Nor do I think that this positioncau be controverted.
But, your correspondent sa^'s that " Literature,
Arts, and Science flourished among the Saracens,
when the Christians had no better mode of curing
diseases " than by the relics of the dead, etc. Jkit
this is not the true religion 1 mean, nor the result
which would be produced by the free and uiu'c-
stricted reading of the Scriptures in the vernacular
tongue. And yet we are told tliat " Literature,
Arts and Seiences " flourished at the same time
among the Saracens. And this is the way they
flourished : Genghis Khan, during his lifetime is
reported to have put to death, or caused to be slain,
more than fourteen million human beings ! AVas
that an evidence of advanced civilization? And

300

HEATHEN CIVILIZATION.

Tamerlane, who succeeded him, was scarcely less
brutal and savage. Could literature, arts, or
science, make any progress whilst the earth was
thus being depopulated? Then we have the
ravages and the slaughter of Alaric, and of Attila
(the scourge of God ;) and the widespread havoc
and ruin effected by the Huns, the Goths, and
the Vandals, who, with the Saracens, rather
helped to lay the would in ruins, than to advance
either science or civilization Then we are told
that "at the advent of Christianity the civilization
of the old Eoman Empire was at its zenith." Why
then did it not continue to flourish ? Did the fact
of a few simple and illiterate men and women, pro-
cessing a new religion, put a stop to it '? An event
regarded as one of so little importance as scarcely
to be even noticed bv a heathen writer of the times,
and which could in no way have affected the litera-
ture of tlie age, before the fourth or lifth century ;
and then, as in reality was the case, Christianity
became a convert to Paganism rather than Pagan-
ism to Christianity; it is very difficult to see what
responsibility attaches to the Christian religion for
the decadence of literature or civilization. If (Chris-
tianity had not been captured by heathenism, and
dragged down by it, the long dark night of ignor-
ance and semi-barbarism would not have set in.
But what is the evidence that " at the advent of
Christianity the old Roman Empire was at its
zenith?" Was it manifested in its tolerance, its
justice, its clemency, or any ennobling virtue ? Read
the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles ; read the

ADMIXTURE CF TRUTH AND ERROR.

301

letter of the 3'ounger Pliny to the Emperor Trajan,
which is one of the authorities your correspondent
cites, is forced to admit is genuine, (I mean the ex-
reverend Uobert Taylor, author of the "Devil's Pul-
pit," and the "Diegcsis;" though he calls in ques-
tion the testimony of Tacitus;) and in what way did
these uohlc ii'om^nts treat these poor simple-hearted,
devout and loving men and women who worshij)ped
Christ as God; they drove them from city to city •
they cast them into prison ; they scourged their
naked backs ; they cast them to the lions ; had
them torn to pieces by dogs ; or smeared with pitch
and set fire to, to illuminate Nero's gardens.

Even this gentle Pliny, by his own account, put
to the torture two women (deaconesses), to make
them confess ; but he says, "I discovered nothing
beyond an austere, an excessive superstition." And
this was the civilization which is so vaunted, as so
superior to the one which has been fostered under
the influence of the circulation of the sacred Scrip-
tures ! Let it not be retorted tliat as bad things
have been done in the name of the Christian reli-
gion ; such things have never been done where the
Scriptures have been frtely circulated and read.
Although, in such case, great wrongs have been in-
flicted ; and those, because those Scriptures were
read under the false ideas which had been inculcat-
ed by the Pagan doctrines which had been incor-
porated into the creeds of professing Christians. If
those Scriptures were read in their spirit and their
life, there would be no persecutions or bitterness ;
but civilization, science and art woukl expand and

r r

302

CHANGE IN LANGUAGE.

i !

flourish under their influence, as all nature revives
undsr the warmth and hght of the sun. And al-
though tJiis has not yet been proved, it has been
proved that civiUzation, literature, science and art
have, and do, flourish most wherever those Scrip-
tures are read and loved. And although there is
an antagonism at this day between the teachings
of science and the alleged teachings of Divine lievo-
lation, the antagonism is not really between Science
and Scripture, but the falsified interpretations of
Scripture. When the nature and character of the
pre- historic languages are better understood, the
true intent and meaning of the prophetical and his-
torical style of the Scriptures wdll, in the same de-
gree be better understood also; L e. that which is
called Scripture history. And this we are already
approaching; within the past century the researches
that have been made in Egyptology, and in Archae-
ology generally, especial!}^ in Hieroglyphics, is a
step in that direction. And when we reach the
purely symbolic language we shall see and under-
stand the true meaning of those records which were
originally written when all the earth was of one lan-
guage ; and when it was disrupted, we shail, in trac-
ing it through the long ages of its transition periods,
be able better to imderstand the earlier history of
the Hebrew and Israelitish people. We shall also
learn that "the oldest books" were not " written m
the time of the Jewish kings," but that there were
other books of greater anticpiity, some of which are
referred to in our existing Scriptures, but which
have long since been lost. Among these are the

MERE SCIENCE IS DEAD.

303

lan-
trac-
iods,
of

ll also

ieii in

were

111 are

,'lucli

3 the

Book of Jashcr ; the Wars of Jehovah; and the
Prophetic Eimnciaiions ; to say nothing of the
Jehovah Documents ; the Elohim Documents ; the
Generations of Adam," etc., etc.

It would occupy too much of your space for nie
to enter into the proof that Science of itself is dead ;
but it is so ; it cannot even be said to be a Truth ,-
but only a Fact ,- for a trut)i involves a imiicipJr,
which has a living power within it ; but a mere fact
has not. Philosopluj is not dead, for that includes
an active principle, a reason, a cause ; but Science
is only the conclusion arrived at ; and is stationary
— immobile. And as to the "idea of a God, a
spiritual world," or a "human soul," I must for
the same reason, pass them by with the observation
that whether they exist objectively or not, they cer-
tainly do subjectively ; and I mean to say that even
so, man never could or would have created the i(]ea
of them. And as to Creation, I do not believe that
the world was created out of nothing any more
than I do that it eternally existed ; nor do I jire-
sent my remarks as a defender of " orthodoxy" so
called.

With these remarks I leave your redoubtable
and heroic Philistine, who

" To his owu prowess all the glory gave ;"

Only regretting that he should have taken u}) so
much time, and wasted so much powder, in shooting

((

snipe," "when bull'alo were within range."

G. Field.

Toronto, Nov. IG, 1874.

304

VISIT TO STREETSVILLE.

Mr. Rice replied again, but in so venemous,
•contemptuous and abusive a stylo tbat the editor
refused to insert it. Then he wrote again in a
more moderate and subdued manner ; but all the
time taking shelter behind the assumption that a
perverted and falsified system of Christianity was
the true religion ; and by indulging in sarcastic
and acrimonious retorts and recriminations, when
he was unable to answer a question argumentatively;
or to refute its point by reason or by proof. Still
he did not talk so proudly as at first.

This subject attracted the attention of some of
the most intelligent and literary minds in Canada ;
one of whom, in a communication to the editor,
after alluding to the " abusive letter " of Mr. liice,
gives him a problem to solve on the subject of
Evolution, which would have puzzled him to
answer. This was almost the only time or
opportunity I ever had to get a hearing in a To-
ronto paper. About the middle of December, 1874,
arrangements were made for me to go to the village
of Streetsville, and deliver three Lectures on the
Doctrines of the New Church, in the Town Ilall ;
which I did ; my subjects were, the True idea of
God ; human ledemption, and the resurrection.
The doctrines were entirely new to the people ; and
there was nothing particularly inviting in the out-
look ; and not much of an audience was expected;
but the Hall was comfortably filled at the first
Lecture ; with more at the second ; and was
crowded at the third ; and the people seemed to be
quite interested : the Ministers not having had time

LITURGY AND HYMNS.

805

Lie of

ada;

Utor,

nice,

^-ct of

n to

ae or
To-

1874,
illage

l)n tlie
Hall;
dea of
ction.
3; and
e out-
ected ;
e first
d was
d to be
,d time

to interpose their dissent. The following month
(January, 1875,) I was sent for to Berlin, to preach
the funeral Sermon of Mrs. Harbin, widow of Mr.
J. Harbin, whose family, as already noticed, were
the harbingers of the New Church in Canada, and
in June following, whilsi; attending the annual
meeting of the Canada Association in the same
Town, I lectured once and preached once. At the
time of my going to Toronto, the Society were not
suited with the Liturgy they were using, nor any
other that they had seen. I had shortly before
finished printing the one that the Detroit Society
had ordered for their own use, including also a
collection of Hymns ; but which, when sent to them
theyneither accepted nor acknowledged. I presented
a copy of one of these to the Toronto Society for
their acceptance ; which, on examination, they
were pleased with, and at once adopted. But as
there were not a sufficient number of Hymns, and
no Chants, a Committee was elected by the Society
to review an enlarged and improved collection which
I had prepared as a substitute for those tlien used.
After a long, and careful examination, and, to some
extent, revision of these Hymns, they were reported
to the Society as well worthy of their adoption.
The Society at once made arrangements to have
them printed and bound for their use, in a neat
and ornate style ; and in November, 1875, they
took the place of the former Hymns in their public
worship; and were received with much satisfaction.
This was accomplished whilst as yet it was re-
garded as very doubtful whether either the Con-
u

III;

li !

806

MOUNT FOREST.

vention, or the Ministers' Conference, would agree
upon their proposed rehgious services. Early in
the following year, having heard that some Lectures
on the Doctrines of the New Church would be
favorably received at Mount Forest, I wrote to ob-
tain further information : but could not learn that
there was a single person there who either knew, or
cared to know, anything about the New Church in
that neighborhood ; but being advised that it would
be well to make the effort to introduce them, I sent
an advertisement to the editor of one of the papers
published there, that I would deliver three Lectures
at the Town Hall, (having previously engaged it for
that purpose), on the evenings of February 15, 16
and 17th, 1876. I accordingly arrived there in due
season, and at the appointed hour wended my way
to the place of meeting, with no apparent prospect
of a single hearer ; but there was a very fair attend-
ance ; and I presented my, to them, new views, to
an attentive, if not receptive audience. At its con-
clusion two or three persons desired to present
questions to me concerning statements x'/hich I had
made, that were intended to be refutations of them.
I distinctly stated that I did not come there to
argue, or discuss the doctrines with them ; but
simply to present them ; and they would accept, or
reject them, according to the evidence I gave of
their truthfulness. But this did not suit them at
all ; they were resolved that I must answer their
questions, and so I did as well as time would per-
mit. The second Lecture was better attended than
the first one : there were three Ministers attending

PLEASED, YET NOT PLEASED.

307

them, (Church of England, Presbyterian, and
Methodist). At the close of the second Lecture,
the Presbyterian Minister voluntarily came forward
and spoke to the audience in the most laudatory
manner of the Lecture, saying that it was all true ;
and more too.

At the close of the third Lecture, when the interest
seemed to be increasing, the subject being on the
Eesurrection, the same Minister came forward and
spoke of the views presented in the highest terms
of approval ; and siiid that there was a strong de-
sire on the part of many that I would come again
and deliver some more Lectures.

What was my surprise however to learn, after I
had returned home, that this same Minister had
given notice to his congregation that he would de-
liver two Lectures in review of mine, which ho said
were an insult to the intelligence of the peo-
ple of Mount Forest; for that, according to
them, "God Himself was dethroned"; and that
he had "no patience with such people" ! and using
much hard and censorious language : his object
being to prove that there were three separate and
distinct persons in the one God. •

This Sermon was published in full in the Mount
Forest Kxaminer ; in which paper an abstract of
my own Lectures had appeared. To this I sent the
following reply, which duly appeared the next week:

MR. FIELD'S REPLY TO REV. J. ERASER.
To the Editor of The Examiner.

Dear Sir — I notice in your issue of the 25th
inst., that the Eev. J. Eraser has delivered a very

808

IDEA OF OOD.

critical sermon in review of the first of my three
Lectures recently delivered in Mount Forest. You
will not, I trust, therefore, think it unreasonable if
I ask your permission to reply to some of the more
salient points of objection now made by Mr. Fraser
to that lecture. Mr. Fraser, it seems, fully concurs
with me in the acknowledgment of the Deity of the
Lord Jesus Christ ; that he is eternal, omnipotent,
omniscient, creator, and, "over all, God blessed
forever." And that as such He is a distinct per-
sonality ; but, says Mr. Fraser, — one of the three
distinctive persons — and, not to leave us in any
doubt about what he means by the word person:
he defines it as "a being who is independent in
action — has free will in choice ; has a reasoning,
self-determined power within him, and is responsible
for his actions and volitions." And there axe three
such persona to constitute one God ; that the second
person is a distinct individual — **a living, moving
independent agent — apart from God the Father,"
(the first person) : as much so as two men are dis-
tinct and separate from each other. Now, if I should
ask which of these is God? Would the answer be,
neither of them alone is God ; but that each is a
third part of God ? Surely not. Then is each one
alone, by Himself, God ? If so, is He the only God?
— if not, then there must be more than one God !
If each is an independent Divine Person and each
is God — how is it possible that there is but one
God ? If God is infinite, is infinity divisible into
three infinities ? If not, can each be infinite ? Or
is one Divine nature common to the three ? If so,

Ili

INCONSISTENCIES.

309

is it not like three men with one mid to the three
bodies ? But have they one nature in common ?
Is not the Father's nature full of vindictive justice,
demanding a victim to satisfy His justice ? Has
the second or third person any such stern or in-
dignant feelings to be satisfied ? Is not the Son
represented as suppliant and interceding? Has
the Father any such characteristics '? What feel-
ings are in common between them, or, in what re-
spect do such opposite qualities constitute equality,
or oneness, or present the idea of a God in whom
there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning ?
How forcible and to the point is the language of a
clergyman of New England, who says, " To say
that God exists in three persons, is to say there
are three self-conscious Beings ; and the concep-
tion is produced instantly in the mind, of three
Gods. You may protest that you are not using
language in its common acceptation ; but what
does the protest avail, if you go right on and as-
sign such offices and functions as inevitably beget
the notion of three self-conscious actors in the
believer's mind ? Is it the words on his lips, or
is it the inmost thoughts of your heart that God
regards in worship ? We may. say : ' One God'
with the mouth all day, and all night ; and yet,
if the attitude of the soul within is toward three
Persons, each with an independent, self-conscious-
ness, and each having Divine attributes, then the
motions of the mouth are as empty sounds, while
the act of the soul is an unblest idolatry." The
highest and truest idea we can have of God, is, that

810

THREE ESSENTIALS.

I W,

He is absolutely and indivisiblyONE. One in Essence,
and One in Person. No such words as three per-
sons, or their equivalents, ever occur in the Scrip-
tures ; and it is only by a sensuous thought that we
attribute personality to the names of the three es-
sentials which constitute the One person of the
Lord.

The Jews had in their Scriptures throe distinc-
tive names of their One God — Jehovah, Elohim,
and lliKich, answerinf^ to Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, of the New Testament ; l)ut the thought
never occurred to them tliat there were three per-
sons in their Monotheistic worship, because the
words do not convey any such meaning. Tiie
Hebrew word, Ruach, answers to the Greek word
Pneuinn : its literal meaning is Breath ; l)ut as
breath is the sign indicative of Life, it therefore
stands for Life ; and as such is rendered Spirit,
from the answering Latin word Spirit us. Thus^
the Spirit of God is the same as the Life of God,
or the Breath of God ; i. c, His proceeding, out-
going life, as in Gen. i., 2 : "The Spirit of God
moved upon the face of the waters": /'. c, the
Breath (liuach) of God, emanated, or flowed forth
from Him. But that Breath (or Spirit) was not
2b jicrson I So the Greek word Pnciuna, translated
Spirit, or Ghost, is also Breath ; as when Jesus
breathed on his disciples, and said : lleceive ye
the Holy Breath, Spirit, or Life. He did not
breathe a Person on His Disciples ! Nor, when He
said He would baptize them with the Holy Spirit,
(Breath, or Life), did He mean that He would

NOT THREE PERSONS.

811

baptize them with another Divine Person. It is
true that the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit are often
pei'sonijied, but tliat does not constitute them real,
or actual persons. Personification is the constant
language of Scripture. Death is personified, Sin,
Wisdom, Undorstaiiding, etc., etc, are personified,
or are addressed as persons ; but tliey are not
persons. So also the soul is often addressed as
anotli(>r person : as — " my soul, come not thou
into their secret." " my soul, tliou hast trodden
down strength." " Wiiy art tliou dis([iiiotod, my
soul?" etc. Nor does the word Father, in the
language of Scripture, any more nece?- warily con-
vey the idea of personality, than the wi ' Spirit
does. The Father is the all-begetting > ; the
inmost cause of action. When our life is like the
Divine life, because received from it, and appro-
priated, then God is our Father, and ire are His
children ; but not in a personal sense. Jhit when
we do the works of the Devil — thcai the Devil is
our father ; but this is not personal either. And
when we say, " the wish is father to the thought,''
we do not mean that the " wish" is a person; but
it is the inmost moving spring of action, and the
generator of the thought. And when the feelings
and the thoughts are in unison, they act as a one.
And this is fully and beautifully explained by the
words of the Lord in answer to Philip, who wanted
to see the Father : " He that hath seen Me, hath
seen the Father ; I and the Father are One. The
Father is in Me. The Father that is within Me
doeth the works," etc. But the rebuke of the Lord

812

MEANING OF HOLY SPIUIT,

is as applicable now as it was then : ** Ye neither
know Me, nor My Father." But the Son, or
the Divine Humanity, brings forth the Father to
view, as the body does the soul, for the Father is
in the Son, as the soul is in the body. And the
Father sending the Son, is but the innermost
Divine life descending into the outermost manifes-
tation, which was when the Word was made Flesh,
and dwelt amongst us ; it was not one God sending
another God, or one Divine person sending another
one ; but it was by Jehovah Himself assuming
Humanity, by birth in our world. All the Prophets
announce this; thev all declare that Jehovah Him-
self would come to be our Saviour and Redeemer.
There is no mention in the Old Testament of any
then existing Son of God ; or any Holy Spirit ;
but the Humanity He assumed in the world, it is
said, " shall be called the Son of God." Nor do thev
speak of any then existing Holy Spirit, i^or Ghost);
but of the Sj>irit of God, and the Breath of God ;
for the "Holy Spirit was not till Jesus was glori-
fied", or till He had made His Humanity Divine.
The Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the
profanation and rejection of the Divine life, (which
is the life of the Divine Son or wisdom), when done
wantonly and wilfully. It is indeed singular '^aid
even astonishing, when the Scriptures are so plain,
explicit and emphatic in teaching us, that Jehovah
our God is One Jehovah ; and that " thou shalt
know no God besides Me": that " I am Jehovah,
and there is none else." " There is no God else
beside Me, a just God and a Saviour; there is none

"WHY NOT UNDERSTOOD.

313:

beside Me" — that men should have multiplied other
Gods, or have divided the One God into three ;^
when yet the word Jehovah itself is not only abso-
lutely singular, but does not even admit of a plural
form. And this One Jehovah is constantly declared
as Himself coming to be our Saviour and Redeemer.
And when He came into the world and took upon
Him His new name, Jesus, (or Saviour), then
was fulfilled the prophetic enunciation : "And it
shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God ; we
have waited for Him, and He will save us ; this is
Jehovah, we have waited for Him, we will be glad
and rejoice in His salvation." " We have found
Him," said Philip, " of whom Moses in the Law
and the Prophets did write." And the Lord Him-
self, "beginning at Closes, and all the prophets,
expounded unto them, in all the Scriptures, the
things concerning Himself.'' And they did not
understand it then, any more than men understand
it now, for the Lord said to them. " O fools, and
slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have
spoken."

Had I time, or did I think you could spare the
space, I would show how utterly unfounded is the
comparison of the Doctrines of the New Church up-
on the assumption of Humanity in our world by
Jehovah, to the teachings of Sabellius, or the Patri-
passionists — it has already been refuted more than
a score of times ; and because men will not learn
before they accuse and condemn, may yet have to be
done as often again. Let this suffice for the present.

Yours, very truly, G. Field.

-' I

^ i

S14

MR. YEWENS APPEARS

To the above, the Editor, who is a member of Mr.
Frazer's Church, cautiously added the following
•wise suggestion :

[Ed. Note. — Though not endorsing the above
views, we feel bound in all fairness to Mr. Field to
give him full space in our columns for their ex-
pression. All we would desire to say to our readers
is this — honestly and candidly compare the respec-
tive systems presented in our issue of this and last
week, by the common standard claimed by both
disputants. Apart from all mere human reason
and assertion, wliich of the two has more fully ex-
hibited the truth as it is revealed in the Holy
Scriptures. — Ed. Ex.]

To the above Mr. Frazor made no reply ; but
shortly afterwards the Rev. II. L. Yewens, of the
Church of England, who attended my Lectures,
felt an irresistible desire to silence any heresy or
schism which might creej) into his Church ; he
therefore sent the following communication to the
Examiner, which appeared in due season.

SWEDENBORGIAN THEOLOGY.

To the Editor of the Ex.vminkr.

Dear Sir. — The llev. Mr. Field, in his lecture
in this place some time ago, on the Idea of God,
spent a largo part of his time in endeavoring to
make it appear that the Doctrine of tlie Holy
Trinity, as received in the Church of Christ, is un-
reasonjible. I will not now dwell upon what struck
me as the needlessly mischievous tendency of that
part of his lecture, nor upon other points in it open

IN BEHALF OF HIS CREED.

815

to criticism ; but there is one point which is re-
peated in his recent letter, in your columns, upon
which I would like to make some remarks.

It is expressed in the letter thus: "The Jews
had, in their Scriptures, three distinctive names of
their One God — Jehovah, Elohim, and liuach,
answering to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the
New Testament." This, if true, is a most im-
portant fact. Let us test it by two distinct lines of
enquiry.

It is certainly reasonable to say, that, if the
above assertion be true, we may, in all cases, where
''Elohim" and " JiinovAH" occur in the Old Testa-
ment, put in the place of " God " and " Loud," by
which they are represented in our English Bible,
the new Testament s^^nonyms (on this theory) of
"Father" and "Son." Let us see, by a few
instances, how the theory works. First, I will
take a few examples from the lirst three chapters
of Genesis :

Chapter i., 1 — 2. " In the beginning the Father
created the heaven and the earth. * * * And
the Spirit of the Father moved upon the face of the
waters,"

CuAPTKii ii., *2. "And on the seventh day the
Father ended His work which He had made."

4. " These are the generations of the heavens,
and of the earth, when they were created, in the
day that the ,SV*// Father made the earth and the
heavens."

10 — 17. "And \\i<i Son I-'atlier coiunuinded the
man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou
mayest freely eat ; but of the tree," etc.

.1 ► (

816

HE PERVERTS THE TEXT.

Chapter iii., 1. " Now the serpent was more
subtle than any beast of the field which the Son
Father had made. And he said unto the woman,
Yea, hath the Father said, ye shall not eat," etc.

Now let us make a few selections from later
books of the Old Testament:

Psalm ii., 7. "I will declare the decree ; the
Soil hath said unto me. Thou art my Son ; This
day have I begotten Thee."

Psalm vii., 1. "0 Son, my Father, in Thee do I
put my trust."

Isaiah, xi., 1 — 2. " The Spirit of the Son Father
is upon me : because the Son hath anointed me to
preach good tidings unto the meek, etc., etc. To
proclaim the acceptable year of the Son, and the
day of vengeance of our Father/'

It appears to me, Mr. Editor, that these few
specimens are quite sufficient to show that this
theory, as to tlie Hebrew names of God, does not
present the language and meaning of the Bible in
any more reasonable, or intelligible light than does
the common doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

But now let us test this theory in another way.

It is evident that in the Old Testament, the names
** Lord" {Jehovah) and " God" {Elohun) are used
to a very large extent synonymously. Each of
course has its distinct meaning in the original ;
but those meanings do not correspond to "Father"
and " Son." The former is used, we know, with
a special reference to the covenant relationship
assumed by the Almighty to Israel, — see Exodus
iii. But, apart from this, they are used synonym-

^msmmmmmu

TO SUPPORT HIS ARGUMENT.

317

ously, so that, in multitudes of cases, we might ex-
change the one for the other, without spoiling the
sense of the passage. Where "Lord" occurs alone,
we might in most cases put " God" in its stead;
and where *' God" occurs alone, we might put
** Lord" in place of it, without producing any con-
tradiction of the original meaning ; we should only,
in some cases, obscure the special reference to
covenant relationship expressed by Jehovah. But
very different would be the effect if we were to ex-
change "Father" for "Son," and "Son" for
*' Father" in the New Testament. We should
make every such passage contradict its true mean -
ing. We should produce utter confusion through-
out the volume. For personal acts and works are
attributed to each separately and distinct from the
other. So that what is true of the Father is not
true of the Son ; what is true of the Son is not
true of the Father.

By these two tests, then, Mr. Editor, I tliink it
very i^lainly appears that the assertion, that the
Hebrew names "Elohim" and "Jehovah" answered
to the Christian or New Testament names "Father"
and " Son," is utterly contradicted by the facts in
the case. Very truly yours,

Harry L. Yewens.

Mt. Forest, 16th March, 18^0.

To this I at once forwarded the following reply,
which appeared in the next issue of the Examiner :

MR. FIELD'S ANSWER TO REV. MR. YEWENS.

To the Editor of The Examiner.
Dear Sir — I begin to see that my work in Moimt

? I

318

A TRI-PERSONAL GOD,

'■1

!
1

'^^^^^H

i^l^^H \

''^^^H '

[

t .{<iH^H '•

i^^^H

! i

Forest is not quite completed, but that statementa
"which I made in my former communication are
called in question by another defender of the
Athanasian Creed, and are supposed to be refuted
by the letter published in your issue of the 17th
inst. May I ask of your courtesy permission to
reply ?

Your correspondent has thought proper to intro-
duce for the first time the name of Swedenborg. I
have no objection to his doing so, although I have
not deemed it necessary to do it myself. Mr.
Yewens objects to my shewing that "the Doctrine of
the Holy Trinity, as received in the Church of
Christ is unreasonable." As I like to be exact,
as well as correct in my words, I would say that it
was not the Doctrine of the Trinity that I present-
ed as unreasonable, but that of the Tri-personalitif
of (iod ; this I uflfirm is not only unreasonable, but
unscriptural and idolatrous ; because the descrip-
tions which are given of this conception of the
Deity are, that there are not only three distinctive
Divine Persons each by himself being God and
Lord, and Almighty ; but that one sometimes sits
at the right hand of another, either on the same
Throne, or on another one ; and sometimes one
stands before the other, and pleads and supplicates ;
then again they separate, and one comes down to
earth, whilst the others remain in heaven; but
afterwards returns and takes his seat again *' at
thtt right hand of God, the Father"; and that each
of these Divine Persons is to be regarded as an
object of worship ! How is it possible that this can

AND OTHER FALLACIES.

81^

present to the mind the idea of One God? No
intelligent mind can so conceive of it. Nor does
the language of Scripture really convey such an
idea. In the revelations made of the Lord in the
Sacred Scriptures, His attributes are personified,
as I have already shown ; l)ut that lends no count-
enance to the idea that those attributes, or essentials
are persons, nor can it justly be said that my
exposition of this fallacy, and the presentation of
the genuine truth, is in any sense " mischievous."

Then, I presume, inadvertly, Mr. Y. has mis-
conceived what I said about Jehovah, Klohim and
Ruach : my point was not to show that they were
the answering equivalents in the Old Testament to
Father, Son and Holy Sjtirit in the New ; but to
show that, although the Divine Being was revealed
by three distinctive names in the Old Testament,
the Jews never understood them as being the nami s
of three Divine Persons ; and there is no more
reason for believing that the names in the New
Testament convey this idea than those in the Old do.

It is not claimed that one name is j^reciscli/ equi-
valent to the other, because the circumstances in
the one case were different to those in the other,
but, so far as the circumstances were the same, so
far do the names bear a relative signification.
The difference in -the circumstances is, that the
one class of names designate the Lord before He
came into the world, and the other, after. But it
is somewhat remarkable that in this juxtaposition
Mr. Yewens has in every case misplaced their
order, and put Son as the equivalent of Jehovah,

820

NAMES OF GOD.

instead of Father, and put Father as the synonjnn
of God, instead of Son, and thus shewn their in-
congruity !

Jehovah is the name of the inmost and unap-
proachable essence of the Divine Being — the hid-
den life — the moving spring and generative source
•of all creation, of which the name Father is not a
remote correspondence ; each being alike expres-
sive of the Divine Love. Elohim (or God), is the
form or manifestation of Jehovah, as the Divine
Truth in which Jehovah is revealed ; as the Father
is revealed, or brought forth to view, in the Son ;
or as the solar heat is manifested in the light of
the solar disc ; and the radiation of its heat and
light, which is the effulgence of the solar glory, is
typical of Ruach (pneuma) the proceeding life of
spiritual heat and spiritual light, which is ever
efflow'jg from Him who is the Sun of Eighteous-
ness ; and is, in the language of Scripture, called
the Spirit of God, or the Breath of God — the Para-
clete, or Comforter.

Creation was ejected from Jehovah, hy Elohim,-
or from Divine Love, by (or by means of). Divine
Truth or Wisdom. Kedemption and Salvation
were in like manner effected from the Father (or
Divine Love), by, or by means of, the Son (Divine
Truth); and their blessings and benefits are con-
veyed by the saving influence of the breathings
forth of His pneuma hagion (Holy Spirit). The
compressed form of expression in the Hebrew
language, needs some expansion to adequately ex-
press it in the English, which requires preposi-

DENOTING QUALITY.

321

tions to be introduced where, in more primitive
languages, they are understood, as in the name
Jehovah-God, where, instead of saying Jehovah in
God, the very combination of the words is intend-
ed to imply it ; being equivalent to the Greek form
of the Father in the Son ; or the English mode of
the ioul in the body ; or the heat in the light. If
the same ideas were expressed in Hebrew phrase-
ology they would be Father-Son; soul-body; and
heat-light ; but such terms would sound quaintly
to us and be obscure, because they are not in
accord with the genius of our language. Hoping
this will prove satisfactory to Mr. Y., I cone hide ;
if not, I will willingly try again.

Respectfully yours,

G. Field.

Toronto, Ontario, March 20th, 1870.

But Mr. Yowons was stratog:!tic: and when he
found himself unsuccessful in one point of attack,
he, like a skilful general, sought some other one
that might seem to be more vulnerable; accord-
ingly, in the next week's issue he renews his at-
tack in another form, as will be seen by the fol-
lowing : —

SWEDENBORGIAN THEOLOGY.
To the Editor of The Examiner.

Dear Sir, — Mr. Field remarks that he did not
mention Swedenborg ; but he does not object to
ray doing so. I will also remark, that I did not
<;all myself a defender of, or say anything about
the Athanasian Creed ; yet I do not object to his
bringing it in. That Creed expresses the Scrip-

822

rERVERHIONS OF TRUTH.

ture Doctrine of the Trinity which has heen re-
ceived in the whole hody of the Christian Church
from the beginning in a scholastic, but very explicit
manner. At the same time, in my letter I defended
nothing, but simply showed that Mr. Field's asser-
tion as to the relation of Jehovah, Elohim, and
Ruach in the Old Testament to Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost in the New was utterly untenable. I
shewed this by two general considerations. One
he does not attempt to teach. As to the other he
says that I misunderstood his meaning. All I can
say is that I answered what his language expressed.
If he did not mean that, it was no fault of mine.

Warning was given, long ago, in the writings of
St. Paul that in the latter days there would be a
wide-spread rebellion against the Truth of God as
given to, and held forth by the Christian Church,
and a multiplication of false teachings on Chris-
tian topics. Among the fulfilments of these pro-
phetic warnings is the rise of the comparatively in-
significant sect that has received the opinions and
fancies of Emanuel Baron Swedenborg as of co-
ordinate authority with the inspired Scriptures.

Baron Swedenborg was a very remarkable man.
He attained to considerable eminence in the science
of his day ; but at the same time he was an extra-
vagant enthusiast on the subject of religion He
supposed himself to have visited the heavens, and
to have learned a great part, if not all, of their
secrets. And he undertook to tell a great deal about
the manner of life of the inhabitants, as corres-
ponding minutely with that of earthly people. Ta

tlK

CONFIRMED AND PERPETUATED.

323

sucli high position do his followers elevate his
fancies that they are thus mentioned in tne offices
of BaptiRin used hy the sect. An exhortation re-
quires the newly baptized to he made, or to become
acquainted " with the Holy Word, and with the
heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, as re-
vealed htf the Lord in the writings of Ilia Servant^
Emanuel Sn-edcnhonj/' The Italics are mine.

Mr. Field presents anew the spectacle so often
Been in the advocates of false doctrines that in con-
troverting the ancient doctrine of the Church of
Christ, he is forced to light against the very terms
of God's Word written. His charge against tiie
Church's doctrine is " that there are not only three
distinctive (distinct) Divine Persons, each, hy
himself, being God, and Lord, and Almighty;
but that one sometimes sits at the right hand of
another, * * and sometimes one stands be-
fore the other, and pleads, and supplicates; then
again tkey separate, and one comes down to earth,
whilst the others remain in heaven ; * * and
that each of these Divine Persons is to be regarded
as an object of worship ! " Every one of these
particulars is the subject of plain and unmistake-
able statements of the Holy Scriptures which there-
fore the Church receives as they stand. Yet Mr.
.Field docs not hesitate to say: "Nor does the
language of Scripture really convey such an idea."
What blank astonishment must have sat on the
countenances of many of your readers when they
came to that sentence, Mr. Editor. " What does
he mean ? " they doubtless asked Why those are

824

SPIRITUAL LIGHT EXCLUDED,

the very words of the Bible ! What kind of a Bible
does he use ?

Permit me to throw a little light upon these
befogged intellects. The Swedenborgian has a
most convenient Article in his Creed, by means of
which he is able to turn the plainest statements of
facts in the 'e into a mystical sense, that serves
to deny its .ae meaning, and make it support
Bomething altogether the opposite of what it was
intended to convey. This precious Article is the
8rd in the Swedenborgian Confession of Faith, and
reads thus, in the copy before me: " I believe that
the Sucred Scripture, or Word of God, is the Very
Divine Truth, cotiUdning a celestial and spiritual
sense in all and every part, from whence it is
divinely inspired, as well as a literal sense, wherein
Divine Truth is in its fulness, sanctity and power.
Thus it is ?commodated for the instruction of
of angels men." It is easy to see how con-

venient for tiib holder of heretical opinions such a
fancy as this is. One instance of its perversion of
Scripture Mr. Field gave faint intimation of, in the
brief discussion that followed his first lecture here.
John XX., 17. "Touch me not; fori am not yet
•' ascended to my Father," having been referred to,
he said, in a casual way, that he did not under-
stand by that an actual going up of Jesus into,
heaven, but a mystical meaning of rising morally,
spiritually.

Mr. Field says: " In the revelations made of the
Lord in the sacred Scriptures, His attributes, are
personified." This assertion I am under the

AND CALLED INTKLLKCTUAL PllIDK.

825

necessity of saying is altogether contrary to fact,
as regards the New Testament, in the Old Testa-
ment there are some personifications of attributes
of God, as Wisdom in the Book of Proverbs, and
80 forth. But in the New Testament there is
nothing of the kind. "Father " is not an attribute,
but a Person. *' Son " is not an attribute, but a Per-
son. If a man chooses to say — " Father" doesn't
mean Father, but soni&thing else — " Son" doesn't
mean Son, but something else. And if to support
these assertions, he further says, ** The Bible has
an interior meaning that only the initiated under-
stand " — then he puts himself out of the reach of
right reason and common sense into a field pecu-
liarly his own, where it is inconvenient to argue with
him, because you have nothing to hold him by.

It must be observed, however, that the root of
this Swedenborgian error, in regard to the Holy
Trinity, lies in an intellectual pride that will not
take the simple revelation of God, as Himself has
given it, but will attempt to explain that which is
above man's comprehension.

'*How can these things be?" is an old question,
at which pride is continually stumbling. But to
the humble student it is a necessary thought that
the manner of God's Being must be different from
the manner of any other Being — that it must be
incomprehensible by man. " Oh no," says the
Swedenborgian, **I can tell you all about it. The
Trinity is perfectly easy to explain, if you will
only receive my dictum as to the meaning of the
words used in the Bible ! "

826

VAIN NOTIONS llKBUKEl).

Such vain notions, liowever, have their stern
rebuke already provided in the very words of
Scripture. " Canst thou by searcliing lind out
God ? canst fhou iind out the Ahnif];hty u'lto per-
fection? ]t is as liigh as heaven ; what canst ///om
do? deeper than lie 11; wliat cause thou know?
The measure 'here of is longer thanthe earth,
and broader than the sea."

Apologizing, Mr. Editor, for the length of this
letter, in which, however, I thought it proper that
I Bhoi.id give your readers some information
possibly not within the reach of all.

I am, yours faithfully,

Harry L. Ye wens.

Mount Forest, March 31st, 1870.

Comparatively unimportant as were these stricturt'-s,
when the more essential points were virtually con-
ceded ; still as the obvious intention was to make
it appear that our Doctrines were entirely depend-
ent upon what was regarded as the merely specu-
lative opinions, or fanciful inuiginations of Sweden-
borg, in contradistinction from long and venerable
ecclesiastical authority: I at once sent the follow-
ing reply ; which duly appeared.

REV. Mil. YEWENS CORRECTED.

To the Editor of Tue Examiner.

Dear Sir — 1 really liavo no desire to enter the
polemical arena with ]\lr. Yewens, or any one else.
I came to Mount Forest to present to those who
were w'illing to hear some of the Doctrines of the
New Church, which we believe was foretold by the

AFTER MR. VEWENS MANNER.

327

symbolic figure of the New Jerusalem, descrnding
from God out of heaven ; and if Mr. Ye wens had
come to Toronto to declare what he believes the
Apostles taught, I should have recognized his right
to do so, without my interferenci'. However, if
Mr. Yewcns regards it as his duty to challenge me,
I have not t'.ie lea.'^t objection — only 1 ought to ex-
pect that he will do it fairly, omitting those ad-
jectives which cnly express his o[)inion8, or his
prejudices. Mr. Yewens returns to my former re-
marks on the relation of three names i)i the Old
Testament, and the three relatively similiar names
in the New, as designating the constituents of the
One Divine Person of the Lord, as revealed before
and after His coming into the world, and insists
that those names do not designate aspects, or phases
of character, of the One Divine Person, but separate
and distinct persons, as proclaimed in the Athana-
sian creed ; which creed, he says, " expresses the
Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity." Certainly it
can onlv be bv infcmnee that it does, because the
word *' Persons,"" or " Three Persons,"" in relation
to the Lord, never occurs in the Old or New Testa-
ment. And the only ground on which that infer-
ence is founded, is, the use of the words P'dthcr, Son,
and lloJif Spirit, and their occasionally represen-
tatively addressing each other. But the fallacy of
this reasoning, as I have already shown, is evident
from the clear and explicit teaching of the Scrip-
ture itself.

The Lord Jesus Christ was one Person, and he

sayi

The Father is in Mo, and I in Him" —

828

MY REPLY TO Hni,

" He that Lath seen Me, Lath seen the Father" —
" I and My Father are One" — manifestly One, as
Soul and Body make one man ; or as the natural
man and spiritual man, both for a time in one per-
son, as the old man and the new man, and one or
the other in the ascendancy, not one Person in
another Person ! And the one addressing the other
does not convey the idea of their being two sepa-
rate persons, any more than it does when the man
said : "I will say to my soul, thou hast much goods
laid up for many years," etc. ; or, " my soul
thou hast trodden down strength ; " or, ** Why
art thou cast down, my soulf and why art thou
disquited within me ? Hope thou in God." But
soul is not used in a personal sense ; no more is
Father: if it were, the Devil might be our Father
personally; for the Lord said — "Ye are of your
Father, the Devil, and the works of your Father
yo will do," etc. And the Ifoh/ Spirit (Saxon,
Ghost), is not a Person; but, as I have already
shown, is, in strict Enghsh, Breath. And Jesus
breathed this Holy Breath of Life upon His Dis-
ciples. He did not breathe a person upon them.
Indeed, 1 have shown this so fully before, and no at-
tempt has bien made to controvert what 1 have said,
that I need not repeat it nj^ain. But instead of ad-
mitting this, an effort is made to raise new ques-
tions, which 1 regard as disingenuous. Let me add
in further conliimation of what I have already said,
that in all the Thcophanies in which the Lord is
described as having been seen in both Old and New
Testaments, and these cases are very many, it is

AND HIS ERRORS SHEWN.

829*

sepa-
3 man

goods

y soul

'Why

t thou

' But

Qore is
ather

f your
leather

Saxon,
Iready
Jesus
is Dis-
them.
noat-
e said,
1 of ad-
ques-
me add
\y said,
ord is
id New
y, it is

■^

always in One Personal form, as an infinitely glori-
ous Divine Man, and never otherwise. Never in
three personal forms, or two — never but in One.
And what can, or ought to be, more convincing
than this ? But, as I have said, Swedenborg is in-
troduced, and that, too, as "an extravagant enthu-
siast on the subject of religion." But Swedenborg
was rather the reverse of this ; he certainly was no-
enthusiast, but was one of the mildest, most mod-
erate and amiable of men ; his manners were
methodical, exact, and systematic, and this style
pervades all his writings. Then, Mr. Yewens^
says that we receive " the opinions and fan-
cies of Emanuel Baron Swedenborg, as of co-
ordinate authority with the inspired Scriptures.'"
Mr. Yewens ought to have known better than this ;
and if he did not, it was unbecoming in him to say
it, because it is not true. The highest claim we make
for him is, a highly illuminated expounder of the
Scriptures. And whilst professing to quote the words
we use in our Baptismal service, he not only in-
terpolates, but puts his interpolations in italics, as
well as in quotation marks ! All those words fol-
lowing are interpolated: " as revealed by the Lord
in the writings of His servant, Enuiimel Sweden-
borg." No such words are to be found either in
the form used by us in England, the United States,
or Canada. The alleged quotation from Article '6
of our Doctrines of Faith, is equally spurious : no
such wonh arc there as: "containing a celestial
and spiritual sense, in all and every part." Not
that we should object to it ; but when an opponent

«■

S30 WHERE THE FALSE TEACHING COMES IN,

professes to quote oui- language, he should do it,
as we ourselves give it ; when this is not done, a
sinister motive is apt to be suggested. The lan-
guage we use is as follows: "That the Sacred
Scripture, or Word of God, is Divine Truth itself,
containing a spiritual sense heretofore unknown,
whence it is Divinely insi)ired and holy in every
syllable, as well as a literal sense, which is the
basis of its spiritual sense; find in which. Divine
Truth is in its fulness, its sanctity, and its power."
But to eke out the want of argument, and a truth-
ful presentation of fact, we are told that '* warn-
ing was given long ago in the writings of St. Paul,
that in the latter days then; would l)e a wide-
spread rebellion against the Truth of God, * *
a,nd a multiplication of false teachings rtftd Chris-
tian tonics." And that the comparatively insigni-
ficant sect that has received the opinions and
fancies of Emanuel iJaron Swedeuborg,'" is includ-
ed among them. Well, well, I really think if
Mr. Yewens had read Ecclesiastical History more
carefully, ho need not have gone so far down the
stream of time to discern who the Apostle alluded
to : for even as early as the third and fourth cen-
turies he would have found (inostics, and Arians,
and Athanasians enough to liave veritied all the
Apostle had said about false teachers. And these
errors then propagated have been continueil to the
present day ; and constitute what is now, with so
much emphasis, designated as the Apostolic and
Evaniu'llcal ClinicJi ,- wliethor as distributed among
the various religious denominations as the compo-

AND MR. Yl-WKNS SUMSIDES.

331

do it,
ane, a
e lan-
Micred
itself,
Luown,
every
is the
Divine
»ower."
, trutli-
' warn-
t. Paul,

I wide-

* •*•

I Chris-
insigni-
113 and

includ-
tliink if
rv more
own the

jiUuded
rth cen-

Arians,
all the

d these

d to the
with so

tilic and

1 among
compo-

nent parts of One ('liurcdi ; or whether as concen-
trated in the one cxehisive Kcct, called the Church
of England. They all alike helong to the former
things which are to pass away, and usher in that
New Dispensation (whiidi Mr. Y. regards so lightly),
that was in-eligured hy the New Jerusalem in Re-
velation xxi., not as a sect ; hut as a New Church.

Yours truly,

G. Field.
Toronto, April 4th, 1876.

It appeared however, as stated hy the Editor,
that Mr. Yewens had a copy of one of the earlier
Liturgies, puhhshed in London, in 1810, in which
the words used were *' substantially the same as
given in his letter last week." But this was non-
important; as I distinctly said, ''Not that we
should object to it;" but that it seemed like an
undue straining to make a point, to go back to a
form pu])lis]ied in Enghmd more than sixty years
ago ; and which was utterly unknown to any per-
sons now living.

Mr. Yewens himself wrote a note to the Editor
to say that being so near Easter Sunday he could
not write that week; but the next, he would again
buckle on the sword and finish his work : but
Easter passed by, WJiit Sunday, Trinity, and all
tlio holy dnys, and other diiys ; but Mr. Yuwons
never returned to the charge ; and so again there
was peace. But there were many now in Mount
Forest that wanted to know more obout the Doc-
trines of the New Church ; and after awhile an

832

REVISIT MOUNT FOREST.

eflfort was made for me to return and deliver
some more lectures ; which in due time 1 did.

On the evening of April 11th, (1876), I delivered
the first of a Course of three Lectures on the
Spiritual World : but the time was unpropitious ;
the Presbytery was then in session, and a case of
great local importance was then before it. Three
other Churches were also exercised in " revival "
meetings ; and the roads were almost impassable
with deep mud ; and the rain falHng all the time.
Still I had very fair audiences ; but no opposition
raised this time. A very fair and full abstract of
these three Lectures appeared in the Examiner ;
and soon after, the Confederate, (the other village
paper), whose editor is a Ba^Dtist, j)ublished the
following synopsis of them : —

THE SPIRITUAL WORLD :- HEAVEN, HELL, AND-
THE WORLD OF SPIRITS.

The following is an account of the lectures de-
livered, in the Town hall, here, by Eev. G. Field, of
Toronto, week before last : —

In commencing his first lecture Mr. Field gave
as a reason for calling attention to this subject, the
absence of all reliable information upon it, at this
day, in the Christian world. Whilst it was almost
universally admitted that there was a life after
death, a heaven and a hell, it was claimed that no
information existed as to their real character;
where they were, or by what means they were
reached, or what we should be, or be like, when
there, and that the absence of any such knowledge
is the cause of so much grief and desolation of

ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL WORLD.

333

eliver

Lvered
n the

bious ;
ase of
Three
ivival "
issable
e time»
)osition
tract of
xminer ;
r village
tied the

.L, ANI>

iurca de-
Field, of

Lcld gave
)ject, the

, at thia
almost

fe after
I that no
laracter ;
hey were
ike, when

nowledge
olation of

lis

feeling at the loss by death of our loved friends and
children. This was iUustrated by quoting from a
letter recently published in the most widely circu-
lated religious periodical in America, in which the
mother so pathetically bewails the loss of her
darling child. *' The house," she says, " is cold
and dark." I go from room to room, but there is
no bright spot anywhere. His face was as the sun
to me, it made everything bright ; and his voice,
— how sweet it was ! But his lips are silent now.
The light has gone out of his beautiful eyes, and
his lovely presence has faded away. There is such
a. void in my heart, and it aches so. Will it over
be filled? Shall I ever find relief from the pain?
I suppose it is wicked to feel so, l)ut 1 cannot help
it. I try to be calm and to be reconciled. I know
it is all for the best. I say it over and over again
to myself: but I cannot feel so : the loneliness,
and the aching, and the sadness will come." Then
she says, she prostrates herself in humble supplica-
tion before the Lord, and tries to believe that (iod is
merciful and just whilst yet her heart rebels. Then
she appeals to the editor of the paper, — a minister
of world-wide reputation, — to give her some assur-
ance of the welfare and whereabouts of her child.
But he could give her no such relief; he knew
no more of the condition of her child than she did,
and could only offer some common-place platitudes
about resignation, and trust, and time, as the great
consoler. Indeed, he said, in regard to those who
pass through the gate of death, " It behoves us to
be very modest." " Men know so little, and con-

334

NOTHINO KNOWN OF HEAVEN,

jecture so much about it, that we tliink a profoun(?
conviction of liiiuian ignorance in regard to the
details of a futiirehl'e would be exceedingly healthy.""
And this response might l)e stereotyped for multi-
tudes of otlicrs ; at least such was the ojiinion of
the lecturer. Mr. F. then alluded to the prevalent
opinion in the Christian world of heaven l)eing
somewhat up high above the clouds, or the stars,
as originating in the exceedingly literal interpreta-
tion given to descriptions which are purely sym-
bolical: and also as being a tradition from the
ideas formed during the dark and media3val ages,
when the stars were supposed to be either the
paving stones of heaven, or openings in the crystal
sphere surrounding the earth, through which the
angels looked to behold the doings of the dwellers
upon earth; whilst hell was somewhere in the
bowels of the earth, of which the craters of burning
mountains were the entrance. And that preachers
drew upon their fancy or imagination to produce
sensational impressions of the happiness or the
misery of these two regions. But, said Mr. Field,
there is no assured knowledge or reliable informa-
tion given, or believed to be possessed by any of
the religious denominations in the Christian world
on this important subject. We follow our friends
through sickness and suffering to the gate of death,
and there we part with them, and they are to us
afterwards as a total blank ; professedly believing
in a spiritual world, but yet know no more of it
than by name. And instead of lifting up our eyes
to the world to which they have gone, we only do.

OR WHAT CONSTITUTES IT.

835.

ountl
) the

thy.;

aulti-

ion of

talent

])emg

stars,

preta-
sym-

m the

,1 a}:!;es,

ler the

crystal

ich the

Uvellers
in the
lUining

leachers

nrodace
or the
. Field,
iorma-
any of
,11 world
friends
if death,
e to us
elieving
•re of it
|our eyes
only do.

as the gentile sisters of Lazarus did, — go to the
grave to weep there. And yet, knowing no more
than this, we say,

" Sliftll wo, whoso souls are lighted
By wisdom from on high ;
Bhall we to man, bcnighttd,
The lamp of life deny ?"

Mr. F. then referred to the assured knowledge
which these gentile nations Lad of thc^ reality and
organic existence of the spiritual world ; alluding
to the teachings of Plato, Socrates, and others ; re-
marking how it had been said of them, " See how
these old heathen shame us." Now, said Mr. F.,
either there is a spiritual world ; or, there is not.
And the universal Christian Church acknowledges
there is. But if so, what is it that constitutes it
such '? In illustration of the meaning of this ques-
tion, he said, there is also a material world ; but
of what does this world consist ? Is it not composed
of mountains, bills, valleys, plains, woods, gardens,
cities, mansions, etc. ? And are not all these com-
posed of material substance ? If there was no
material substance where would they be ? And so,
by parity of reason, the spiritual world must be
composed of spiritual substance, or it could have no
existence. All its " Sweet fields beyond the swell-
ing flood," its "never withering flowers," its hills
and vales, its palms and crowns, and harps of
gold, are not idealities, but realities, and are as
certainly composed of the spiritual substances of
that world, as their counterparts are of material
substance in this. But if it be denied there are

ill

:tJ3r>

8T. AUGUSTINE 8 ARGUMENT.

1:1:

such things there, then what is there there ? Is
there anything'! If so, what ? — for whatever it may
he it must be composed of spiritual substance.
And it there is nothing there — then there is no
spiritual world at all. This, said the lecturer, is
the only alternative we can come to. And that
there are such things there, was illustrated and
•elucidated by numerous evidences. One case was
that of a remarkable dream recorded by St. Au-
gustine. His friend Sennadius, although amiable
and virtuous, did not believe in a spiritual world ;
but he dreamed one night that a radiant youth
•came to him, and took him to a city, where he
heard sweet and heavenly music and singing.
Soon after he awoke ; after which he fell asleep
again, when the same youth came to him as before
and asked him if he remembered him. He said he
did. Then he asked liim if it was whilst asleep or
awake that he had seen him. 1 was sleeping, he
said. True, he replied, it was in your sleep that
you heard and saw these things ; and what you
now see and hear is also in your sleep. Where
then is your material body ? In my bed-chamber,
he replied. But, he said, are not the eyes of that
body closed and inactive. With what eyes then do
you see these tilings / But, as he could not answer,
the youth said : As the eyes of your body, which
now lie asleep, are inactive and useless, and yet
you have eyes by which you see me and other
things, so after death, when the eyes of your ma-
terial body will fail you, you will find yourself as
now with a spiritual body and organs, by which

ALL EVIDENCE DENIED.

337

you will see. Doubt therefore no longer that there
is a life after death. And Sennadius said, I was
convinced, and all doubt removed. Mr. F. then
referred to the remarkable case of Nicolai, the
philosopher of Berlin, and his peculiar intromission
into the adjacent regions of the spiritual world ;
and the people that he saw there as distinctly as
anything that ever he saw in this world ; and yet,
because he did not and would not believe there was
a spiritual world, he endeavored to account for
these appearances by attributing them to a diseased
imagination or a depraved state of the bodily organ-
ization, as if disease or disorder could create and
produce living human beings, who could talk to
him, and even try to console and comfort him ;
whilst at other times, by his own volition, he never
could succeed in reproducing the faintest appear-
ance of them. Mr. F. especially called attention
to the case of the young man of Elisha, at the time
the Israelites were threatened by the overpowering
numbers of the Syrian army, and his saying to
Elisha, " Alas ! my master, wiiat shall we do ?"
And EHsha prayed to the Lord that He would
open his eyes that he might see. It was evident,
he said, that it was not his physical sight that was
opened, as it was because that w<(s open],. that he
was alarmed at what he saw. It must, therefore,
have been his spiritual sight, i. e., the sight of his
spiritual body, which was further evident from the
fact of his seeing the mountains around filled with
chariots and horses of fire, which things do not

exist in the material world. Thus, he argue d, it
w

838

THE INTERMEDIATE WORLD.

is evident that the spiritual world is as near to us
as the material world ; and that it is only the veil
of flesh which separates the one world from the
other. And that when angels were seen, they
were seen in their own world, by the opening of
the spiritual sight, which at once disclosed them ;
and as it was gradually closed again, so they seemed
to vanish. Mr. F. then referred .to the way in
which thoughts come to us ; often altogether un-
expected, and imparting ideas that we never had
before. We do not create them ourselves, nor do
they come to us from the dead things around us,
for they are not in them ; but they come to us, or
flow into us, from the spiritual world around us,
although to us unconsciously.

The rev. gentleman commenced his second lecture
by affirming that the Scriptures as plainly and dis-
tinctly revealed a world intermediate between
heaven and hell, as the common receptacle of all
who leave the world by death, as they do heaven
and hell themselves, and that this was not only
known and believed in the primitive Christian
church but also in the Jewish, and in the
churches preceding the Jewish, the traditions of
which exist among all heathen nations. And it
had never been questioned in the Christian church
until it was repudiated by Luther, and this because,
as he afHrmod, it had been pet verted and corrui)ted
into r jif purgatorial punishment, out

♦" *'■ could be delivered by priestly

ap. n f i the offering up of masses, and
mus nifio a source of extortion and revenue to the

THE SPIRITUAL IMAOED BY THE NATUHAL. 339

church. And in protesting against those abuses
the early Reformers not only rejected the errors
and the abuses, but also repudiated and denied the
existence of any such world at all. And in trans-
lating the Scriptures they corrupted the text in
such a way as to wipe out the evidence they so
clearly present of this tnost important truth. Mr.
Field explained this by stating that, both in the
Old Testament and in the New, the spiritual world
was described as being tri-partite, and that these
regions are described and pictured by the scenery
of the natural world and by such objects as would
bear a correspondent relation to them. Thus, he
said, there is a natural heaven where the sun,
planets, moon, and stars are ; but this is not the
heaven where the angels live, but is only a type
or symbol of it. So also there is a natural hell ;
this is that region which is on the South of Jeru-
salem — a dark, gloomy, desolate place, where all
impure and filthy things were cast and burnt, the
flames of which were never extinguished ; where
sacrifices were offered to Moloch, and the degrad-
ing .scenes connected with the worship of Baal,
Asliteroth, etc., were ex]iil)ited. This, he said, was
the natural hell, Gia-h'uni 01)1,01' the Valley of Hin-
nom, also called the Valley of Slaughter, and
Toi)het, and was used as the symbol of the spiritual
hell, where the wicked would dwell after death.
But, besides these two regions, there was an inter-
mediate one, described by the Hebrew word shcol.
But the translators of the Bible into English have
in almost all cases, rendered this word hell, too.

340

EACH WORLD TRI-PARTITE.

although it has no such meaning. But in some
places, where it was so self-evident that it could not
mean hell, they have translated it grave. Thus,
when Jacob was persuaded to believe that Joseph
had been slain and devoured by wild beasts, he
says, in his grief, "I shall go down into sheol unto
my son mourning." But the translators make iiim
say, ** I shall go down into the grave to my son,"
etc. But Jacob no more thought his son was in
the grave than he did that he was in hell. SJteol
is the intermediate world between heaven and hell,
the common receptacle of all departed spirits im-
mediately after death. It is in that world they
are judged, and go from thence either to heaven or
hell. And these three regions of the spiritual
world are, in the Hebrew Scriptures, named Sha-
mayim, (Heavens), Sheol (World of Spirits), and
Gia-hintwm, (Hell). And in the New Testament
the answering Greek words are : Uranos, Hades
and Gehenna. And the Septuagint, in translating
the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, invariably use
the word Hades for the Hebrew Sheol. And that
Gehennaifi the Greek of Gia-hinnom needs no proof.
Mr. Field illustrated the above by a diagram, some-
thing like this, in which he showed the relation of
these departments to each other, and their names
in each language. Thus : —

HEBREW.

GREEK.

ENGLISH.

Shaiiiayim. Uranos. Heavens.
Sheol. Hades. World of Spirits.

Gia-hinnom. Gehenna. Hell.

The translators, he said, had taken the same liberty

-. •■• ♦^^I'

SHEOL AND HADES.

341

;irits.
iberty

with the Greek word Hades that they had with the
Hebrew Sheol ; always translating it either as hell,
or as the grave, when yet it means neitlier. Thus,
in one place, they make the Scriptures read, "Death
and hell were cast into the lake of fire," whereas
the lake of fire is hell ; thus it would mean that
hell was cast into hell. But it is "Death and
Hades,'' or all those who were spiritually dead (the
wicked) in Hades were removed into Hell. Mr. F.
further explained that Hades, or Sheol, was the tri-
partite : the depths of Sheol, or the land of dark-
ness below, being separated from the inferior para-
dise, which is above. It was in this paradise where
the malefactor on the cross would meet the Lord
immediately after death, i. c, in the upper regions
of Sheol. So also, he said, the answering word Hades
is also tri-partite, its upper region being Elysium,
— the same as the inferior paradise of Sheol, — and
its lower region Tartarus, — the same as the gloomy
abodes of Sheol. It was in Hades, said Mr. F.,
where the rich man and Lazarus met after death,
and not heaven nor hell. But Dives was in that
place called Tartarus, and Lazarus in Elysium,
with only a chasm or gulf between them. Heaven,
or rather heavens, in the i^lural, as it almost al-
ways occurs, said Mr. F., in harmony with a uni-
versal anplogy, was also three-fold, or composed of
three distmctive heavens, to the highest of which
(the third), the Apostle Paul aftirms he was once
admitted. The hells, in like manner, consisting of
three : but that in each of these (heavens and hells)
there are innumerable societies, all, as it were gra-

342

WHO GO TO HEAVEN OR HELL.

ded, according to the state and quality of the life of
those who dwell there : and that the mere fact of ad-
mission into heaven would not give happiness, hut
that the quality of the life of each constitutes the
happiness, or conversely, the misery of each. And
that the Lord admits no one into heaven, by a mere
act of mercy, or by entreaty, for if they were so
admitted they would not be happy, unless their
life was heavenly. And for the same reason the
Lord casts no one into hell, or sends them there to
punish them, but that they go there as by a law of
spiritual gravitation, each being drawn to his like,
as "Birds of a feather will flock together."

Mr. F. said a good deal more on this subject,
which we are obliged to oniit, but the whole opened
up, as it were, a new realm of thought, which,
whether true or not, is certainly interesting, and in
the way in which it was presented by the Lecturer,
could not fail to be practical and useful. The
weather during Mr. Field's visit was very unfavor-
able, the roads exceedingly muddy, and it was rain-
ing mos*- of the time, in addition to which the Pres-
bytery wiia in session and important local and reli-
gious matters were occupying the attention of very
many ; but all who attended the lectures seemed to
be much interested in them.

Thus ended my work at Mount Forest : quite a
number became interested in, and favorable to the
New Cliurch Doctrines ; but there was not sufficient
money in the Treasury of the Association to meet
the expenses of further Missionary efforts ; and so
the seeds thus sown have not been watered. And

f' lii

TORONTO ANNIVERSARY.

343

this, with the exception of another sermon
dehvered in Strathroy, at the annual meeting of
the Association in July, 1876, was all the work I
did outside of Toronto, during the five years of my
residence there. In the city itself I preached and
lectured regularly on the Sabbath, save the few
times when absent attending Conventions, meet-
ings of Associations ; or occasional Missionary
work. During that time I baptized into the faith
of the New Church, more than one hundred per-
sons — adults and children ; the majority of whom
were adults ; and although many were constantly
leaving to reside in other localities, yet the Society
constantly increased in numbers, and every effort
was made that we were able to make, to extend a
knowledge of these Doctrines to others. Some-
times a syllabus of the proposed Course of Lec-
tures was printed and circulated over the City by
the Post Office, the Newspaper, and by private
effort ; sometimes Sermons published and scattered
in a similar manner. Every year tho com-
mencement of the Society was commemorated by a
public social entertainment, and l)y Addresses
suited to the occasion. At the eleventh Anniver-
sary, in 1875, one of the members prepared and
delivered a metrical essay in which he forecast
the manner in which the 70th Anniversary, (in
1934), would bo celebrated. The scene was laid
in the "Educational Metropolis of the Dominion
of Canada;" and in the ''spacious Lecture Hall of
the University, on Swodenborg Street, and almost
in the centre of the great city of ;JO(),003 inhabi-

■■■

344

EVENTS ANTICIPATED,

tants. The scene (lie says), is a brilliant one, up-
wards of 5,000 persons are assembled, and the
Chief servant of the people, who is the Iluler of the
Dominion (he omits his titled, by special request, oc-
cupies the Chair. The soft, but bright electric light,
illuminates the Hall, and lights up the lively, intel-
lectual and comely countenances of the assembled
thousands ; and the decorations of the Hall glow
with the living beauty of flowers in clusters, with
rich and artistic painted landscapes and portraits,
and groups of truthful statuary symbolically arran-
ged." " It is (he says), a happy, hopeful, loving gath-
ering, a picture true of scenes oft seen in Paradise."
Then the speaker, '* an aged man," whose *' hair
is white with four score winters' tinge," makes his
Address ; and in his retrospective review of the
amazing developments, and wonderful improve-
ments of the past century, thus alludes to the time
they were then commemorating:

" 'Twas ou the sixth
Of this, the present month, that iu that year,
Was held th' eleventh annual mental feast
Of this Society ; and I was there,
A well f,u'«^\n youth, just ent'riiig manhood's life."
" We met ; not in this spacious, hfuuteous hall,
But .71 an humble Temple, imadorued,
Though dedicate to wisdom and to love,
And to the Lord, essentially their source."

" A lowly band they were
That gathered into Elm Street New Church fold."
' ' To them the daily, weekly press, was closed ; "
And Doctors of Divinity most wise,
Did point the finger at them, oft in scorn ;
And then would laugh at the conceit absurd.
That one Gkoroe Field could set them all aright,
In Doctrine and Theology."

' fc.

AND PROSPECTS CLOUDED.

345

But alas, if this was the prospect then, how soon
the vision faded ! We cannot forecast the future ;
we do not even know what a day may hring forth.

It is only in the present that we hve ; and though
that present is pregnant with all the future, we
cannot see it until it is born. But if we make the
present right, we need have no fear but that the
future will do justice to it. In that present all our
duty lies; and all our effort should be to make it
accord with the orderly operations of the Divine
Providence ; and to be at one with the Divine Love
and the Divine Wisdom : then, however obscure, or
dark it may have been in the past, tlie future will
be bright and cloudless ; and there will be no night
there : but it " shall be as the light of the morning,
when the sun risetli ; even as a morning without
clouds ; as the tender grass springing out of the
earth by clear shining after rain." 2 Sam. 23:4.

I have now briefly passed in review forty years
of varied, settled, and Missionary life in the
Western States and in Canada ; from the time
when neither the name of Swedenborg, or the New
Church had ever been heard in this newly settled
region of the habitable Globe, to the time when,
notwithstanding all discouragements and difticul-
ties, they are stranger sounds no longer ; and the
receivers of these Doctrines are scattered as seed
blown by the wind over almost all that widi) region
which these memories have traversed. But few of
those who first received and lovingly embraced
these heavenly Doctrines, are yet lingering so-
journers here; one by one they have successively

346

HAVE THE BEST MEANS BEEN USED?

passed away, and I can almost say I alone remain
to tell the story, or to write the record.*

And in review of all the past, the question forcibly
presents itself for consideration, — Have the means
that have been employed in the various efforts that
have been made for the promulgation of these Doc-
trines been the wisest, or the most judicious ? Or
is there no lesson to be gathered from the experi-
ence of the past ? My own convictions, arising both
from theory and practice are, that, if they could be
realized, it would be I jtter to make more concen-
trated efforts : to establish as many, or as few
centres as means would permit, and build up cir-
cumferences around them ; rather than scatter so
broad-cast, without the means of cultivating and
fostering the tender germs in their isolated and
far apart localities, where, surrounded by uncon-
genial relations, they dwindle away, and leave no
seed behind them. A Society of as many as six
persons holding meetings for worship every Sabljath,
establishing a Sunday School ; and visited by a
[Missionary regularly once a month, or even once

* Siuce my ordination in 1848, I liave baptized into tlie faith
of tho New Church, tlie following number of persons, viz :

Adults, 205 ; Children, 215. Total, 510.

Of these, there were in the Michigan and N. lud. Associa-
tion : Adults, 170 : Children, 1 17. Total, ;U7.

And of these, tliere were in Detroit: Adults, 100; Children,
70. Total, 170.

And in Toronto, (Canada): Adults, 55; Childx'en, l-l.

Total, yy.

In addition to which there were 20 Confirmations. A large
number of the above have siuce passed into the Spiritual World.

■^^^l

:\IINGLING OLD WITH NEW.

847

in three months, together with a New Church
Library for gratuitous circulation, (and one or
more New Church periodicals), would be far more
efl&cient than all the occasional and irregular efforts
of the most talented Ministers (although at much
greater expense), could ever accomplish. Especial-
ly is it desirable to cultivate a united feeling ; and
for all to find guidance and direction under one
common law ; and that, the Divine Law (as enun -
ciated in the Doctrines of the New Church), be ac-
cepted as supreme : — not mingling the old with
the new ; for it is that which makes conflict and
division ; and yet, in the transition from the one
to the other, this is often found to be so difficult
to avoid. And there are so many who from time
to time are attracted by the beauty and the ration-
ality of these heavenly Doctrines ; who, often with
a merely cursory and imperfect knowledge of their
real character and requirements, class them with
some of the liberalistic notions of the Jige ; or under
the broad banner of freedom and charity, seek to
establish some dogma or opinion of tlieir own self-
derived int^^lligcnce, aud demand that it shall be
recognized and adopted as the glorious privilege of
the New Church ! It is the same feeling, and the
same spirit that infused itself into the early
Christian Church ; and divided and tore it asunder :
and the same enemy is sowing the same seeds
amongst the converts to the faith of the New
Jerusalem. But we have every confidence to believe
that with the increasing power and clfulgence of
these Divine Truths, it will only be necessary clearly

348

GREAT CHANGES.

to understand them, to see their unity, their order,
and their harmony; and for all who embrace them
to stand unitedly together under one banner, and
under one Law ; and so to co-operate as to pro-
duce one common efifect — then will Jerusalem be-
come a praise in the earth, for then will "the
glory of the Lord be revealed, and all flesh shall
see it together." And when I contemplate what
has already been done in preparing the way for
the Second Coming of the Lord, in the power and
glory of His Divine Truth ; although in the prepara-
tion of the soil there may have been many difficulties
to encounter, yet the way of the Lord is onward ;
and amid all discouragements there has always
been so much to comfort and sustain.

And in writing this record of the past, and of
the varying events which have occurred since the
doctrines of the New Church were first proclaimed
in these broad regions of the Western world, very
many things will have unquestionably been omitted,
which in a history would have been inexcusable ;
but this does not profess to be a history ; but
rather personal reminiscences ; and being such,
will, I am fully aware very often present an ap-
pearance of egotism which I would fain have avoid-
ed : but it did not seem practicable for mo to do so
without casting the whole narrative into an his-
torical form, in which aspect its shortcomings
would have been more manifest, and more object-
ionable than in its present less pretentious charac-
ter. I have recorded all that I remember, that
appears to me to be of importance ; and I have

MATERIALS FOR HISTORY.

349

undoubtedly inserted many things that some will
think had far better have been left out ; but then
it would not have had that stamp of idiosyncracy
which is really a part of the record. As it is, I
present it to the members and friends of the Church
at large as so much material out of which, when
the time conies, the future historian of the Church
may gather information for a more perfect digest.
Anjtnow, although my work is done, as far, and
as well, as 1 could do it, my thoughts and feelings
still retrospectively linger over the scenes and the
events of the past ; over all the way which the
Lord my God hath led me these forty years in the
wilderness : and though sometimes suffered to
hunger, yet oft-times fed with manna when I did
not see from whence it came : — in every trial and
difficulty I have been led and cared for ; and 1
know that I have been wonderfully sustained and
preserved when all seemed dark before me ; and
my heart is tilled with gratitude and thankfulness
for all these mercies ; and in its inmost recesses

" This ono, long-loved remembrauce yet,
Lives like the dark soft violet there."

THE END.

APPENDIX.

[REFERRED TO AT PAGE 243. J

ADDRESS

ON THE SACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM, AND THE SUPPER^

EEV. G. FIELD, Presiding Minister,

Delivered before the Michvian and N. Indiana Asso-
ciation of the New Church, at the A7imial Meeting,
held at Marshall, October 29, 1859.

Dear Brethren,— In accordance with establish-
ed usage, I present to you an annual address.
Dififerent subjects have been presented to 5'ou for
consideration or adoption, from year to year, bear-
ing more or less upon the states and needs of the
Church, — its progressive order and establishment
on earth. And we now seem to have come to the
consideration of its ordinances and sacraments,
and what is or should be required concerning them ;
and as your minds have all been doubtless some-
what exercised upon this subject during the past
year, and as it now comes l)efore us not only in a
practical form, but in one which the welfare of the
Church requires should be, if possible, properly
understood and definitely settled, it has, therefore,

862

THE TWO GATES.

seemed to me desirable to invite your undivided
attention to some remarks concerning it. The
Sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Supper are
of Divine institution. They are, as it were, the
ligaments or nexus uniting the Church on earth
with the Church in heaven. They take the place
in the Christian Church of all the rituals and
sacrifices in the Jewish, and correspond to the
uses of the heart and lungs in the human body.

It cannot, therefore, but be important that we
should have a true knowledge of our duty in regard
to them: and, in what I shall now say, you will
perceive that I appeal to no arbitrary rule or law,
to no decision of merely human authority, or dic-
tate of societies, associations, or conventions, but
to the law and the testimony; i.e., to the Divine
law and to the testimony concerning it in the
writings of the Church, and in such light as shall
enable it to be clearly seen by every rational mind.
And, in order that it may be thus seen, we ought
to know, first, what Baptism is, or what it means,
before we can determine what is the duty of the
Church in regard to it, or what is its relation to
the Sacrament of the Supper. Baptism, says
Swedenborg, is ** introduction into the Christian
Church," and takes the place of circumcision,
which was introduction into the Jewish Church.

The Church is described as a city, with walls
and gates ; and as a vineyard, with a hedge around
it ; and as a sheepfold, with a door or sheepgate ;
or as a tabernacle and temple, with inner and outer
doors {ostium and janua); and these doors or

BAPTISM AND THE eUPPER.

353

ision,
eb.
walls
L'ound
gate;
outer

gates are the modes of inlet therein. And these
"two sacraments — Baptism and the Holy Supper
are, as it were, (the) two j^ates to eternal life," of
which Baptism is the first or outer gate, and the
Holy Supper the inner (T.C.ll. 721); and that the
Lord is Himself the door, and tluit it is by Him, or
by the acknowledgment of Him as the alone shep-
herd of His fold, the true vino of His vineyard,
the tree of life of His garden, the Lord of His
heavenly Kingdom, or the alone God in His Divine
Humanity in His Cinirch, that entrance can h) had.
To make any other confession or acknowltHlgment,
or to come in any other way, is to be a thief and a
robber, because it robs the Lord of what is exclu-
sively His. About this there can be no possible
doubt in the mind of any one who professes to re-
ceive our doctrines at all. But there are some who
may think that bai)tisni is not required as an ex-
ternal act, but is only an internal or spiritual
operation ; and, therefore, that the non-observance
of this ritual should be no bar or hindrance to
partaking of the Holy Supper. Neither, indeed,
should it, if both are placed on the same ground ;
as, of course, they ought to be: i.e., if baptism is
only to be regarded as an uitcniul and spiritual act,
so also, by parity of reason, should the Holy Sup-
per be also ; and thus the one should be partaken
of in the same manner as the other. But if it is
claimed that the baptismal sacrament at the outer
door is only an internal operation, but the euchar-
istic sacrament at the inner door is an outward ,
external, and visible one, it must be seen to be so

t rt-i-"ii r^i'-'-YuHim

854

Till-: ESSENTIAL OF HAPTISM.

inconsistent and so unrea^sonable as to need no re-
futation. It is to those, therefore, who recognize
and acknowledge that bai)tisni also is an outward
and visible act, the sign and token of an internal
and spiritual one, that these remarks are more
especially offered. If the Holy Supper is a sig-
niticative, external, and visible ordinace, it is be-
cause it is a constitiu-nt part of an organic; and
visible church, of which the l)aptisnial service is
the outer and introductory door. To these pre-
mises it also supposed no exception will be taken.
If, therefore, we are only agreed as to irhat consti-
tutes tluit Ixiptisni, the question must at once be
settled. But, as this is with some the disputed
point, it will now be necessary to have it clearly
understood. It is commonly supposed that Baptism
is onlv a ceremonial form of Christianity, the mode
of which is by innncrsion, pouring, or siu'inkling
with water, by a Minister, and his pronouncing
over the head of the candidate the formula of words
commanded by the Lord, or, as Swedenborg says,
t'jat " any one might say or mutter to himself,
' What is bai)tism but the pouring of water on the
head ".*'" and that it is nothing more than a cere-
mony (T.C.Il. GOT), if this were so, however, it
might as well be dispensed with altogether ; for, in
the New Church, mere emi)ty forms can be of no
value, and will never be tolerated, because they have
no virtue in them, and are, therefore, utterly use-
less. But the essential of baptism, (which is the rea-
son why^ifc is admission or introduction into the
Cliurch), is the achwiclahjnicnt of the Lord and Jus

no re-
;ognizo
utward
nternal
e more

a sig-
, is be-
lie and
rvice is
'se pre-
> taken.
t consti-
onre be
lisputed
, clearly
Ijoptism
Ibe mode

rinkling
lomieing
of words
)rg says,

iiimself,
on the
a cere-

wover, it
; for, in

be of no
u y have

eriy use-
the rea-
iiito the

/ (tnd his

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE LORD.

355

commandments, or law of life ; and that, in this
Divinely commanded ritual, the first thing which is
required to be done, is to make a declaration and
profession of faith, which is certified to by the sign
and seal which the minister imposes in the presence
of the Lord, and the congregation before whom
that profession of faith is made. But this profes-
sion of faith may be a true or n.faUc one. If it be
a false faith ; if it declares a belief in a tripersonal
God, a vicarious atonement, and a resurrection of
the flesh : or if this is understood or implied, and
the candidate assents to it, and desires (or, if an in-
fant, his parents desire for him) to l)e initiated and
inaugurated into its acknowledgment, as is done
in the various sects of the former and now consum-
mated cliurch, — which is there coniirnied by testi-
fication, imposition of hands, and the application
of water to the body, — how can any one believe
that this is tlie door of adinission into the New
Jerusalem '} Or can anv one, who for a moment
thinks it is, be a proper and suitable person to be
a member of tbe New Church, or to come to the
table of the Lord thereof, bearing with him the
ensign of a tripersonal Deity? It would be like the
subject of a foreign nation bringing his flag with
him, and under it, cLiiraing the privileges of an
American citizen. Is it not in reason, does it not
commend itself to the convictions of even the most
simple mind, that admission into any constituted
or organized body, whetlier it bo civil or ecclesias-
tical, political or moral, requires the candidate to
acknowledge and profess his acceptance of the

856

ENTRANCE BY THE GATE.

principles, covenant, constitution, or articles of
that body, either by an oath, or solemn public de-
claration, sign, or seal, or both? Neither is this
ever left to his voluntary choice, but is obligatory.
And is not this profession the very essential of
that covenant? Of what use ^vould the forms and
ceremonies be, unless they were to ratify and con-
firm that declaration? or of what avail would the
ceremonial of baptism be, without the profession
of faith, of which it is only the corresjjondent sign
and seal ? And is not the Sacrament of the Holy
Supper the inmost act of Divine worship ? Is it
not denoted by the inner gate of the temple-wor-
ship, or the Holy of Holies, around which tliere is
a plain, and bej^ond which is the wall of the outer
gate ? (T.C.E. 0G9) And at this outer gate all
must come in who come at all. There the gospel
of the Lord is proclaimed, inviting men to come.
There Teter stands, with his keys, to teach the
truths of faith, and to admit those who receive
them; or, rather, thei the Lord Himself stands
the Divine Truth itself, which Peter represents, and
vhich is to be received and acknowledged : and it
is there where the servants of God receive His seal
in their forehead.

And there is no other way or mode of admissioH,
no other path, no other gate, and no other faith,
because no other Lord and Saviour than the Lord
Jesus Christ in his Divine Humanity : r, as Swe-
denborg says, " the^e is only one true faith ; and that
is in the Lord God, the Saviour Jesus Christ, the
God of heaven and earth." But he says, there is

TO WHAT IT INTPODUCES.

357

cles of
blic de-
is this
igatory.
iitiiil of
ms and
id con-
Ill] d the
^fession
mt sign
le Holy
? Is it
:)le-\vor-
tliore is
le outer
^ate all
) gospel
come,
ich the
receive
stands^
[its, and
and it
lis seal

mission,
r faith,
le Lord
as Swe-
nd that
ist, the
,here is

a spurious faith " with those who climb up some
other way ; " one which " adopts the falscs of
heresies," and which is an adulterous faith ; one
" which acknowledges three Lords of one church,
— a faith which is meant by those of whom the
Lord speaks where he says, " Verily I say unto
you, He that goetli not in through the door into
the sheepfold, but climbcth up some other way, is
a thief and a robber" (T.C.ll. 378-380).

Now, let it be remembered, it is not merely said
that a person should thus believe, (or should say
that he be^^ves) in this faith in order to enter the
gate, but that his profession must also be certified
and sealed, and thus take the solemn obligation of
an oath. And the formal rite of baptism is that
act of certification; which is why "he that be-
lie veth and is baptized (into that belief), shall be
saved : " and every one, who believes in the ordin
ance at all, admits it by saying, " 1 have been
baptized," even though be must know that his
baptismal vow was in a spurious faith,- -the faith
of a church no longer in existence, — into a church
which " was Christian only in name, but not ia
essence and reality." (T.C.R. G()8).

How, then, has such a person approached the
inner sanctuary, or the table of the Lord of the
New Jerusalem ? There are but these two univer-
sal gates ; and Baptism is the outer one, the only
door of introduction into the organic church ; and
the essential thereof is the acknowledgment of the
Lord in his Divine Humaiuty, as revealed in the
doctrines of tne New Jerusalem : because, as

358

WHO ARE TO BE RliCEIVED.

Swedenborg says, " the knowledge of the Lord is
the universal of all things of doctrine, and thence
of all things of the Church : (because) from it all
the worship derives its life and soul ; for the Lord
is the all-in-all in heaven and the Church, and
thence the all-in-all in worship " (A.E. i;i25). If
this acknowledgment is, therefore, the gate of the
church, then how did he gain admission without
making it? And, if he did not so gain admission, on
■what plea can he even persuade himself that it is his
privilege to enter the door of the innrr temple of
the New Jerusalem before he does gain admission
by thus passing through the door of its outer tab-
ernacle ? And yet it is said that this is an open
question in the Clmrcli, or that there are differences
of opinion concerning it among its members.
There may, indeed, be differences of opinion re-
garding it among professed receivers of the doc-
trines ; but the teachings of the Word and the
doctrines of the Church give no uncertain sound.
Indeed, they are most plain and explicit ; and they
appear to come home to the reason with an irres-
tible conviction. And not only does Swedenborg
say that none may enter the gates of the New
Jerusalem but those who are in these truths
derived from the good of love, but that, *' if such
as are aliens enter, they are not received, because
they are not in agreement ; and, in this case, they
either depart of their own accord, on account of
their not being able to bear that light, or they are
cast out.'' (A.K. 922). They are those described
by the Lord as not having on the wedding garment.

CIRCUMCISION AMONG THE JEWS.

359

they

A precisely similiar obligation and reqnirement
was comnmmlcd in the Jewish as in the Christian
Church ; the only dilYercnce being, that, instead of
Baptism, their outward sign and seal of the cov-
enant l)etween man and the Lord was Circumcision,
• — corresponding to the circumcision of the heart ;
which was, loving ''the Lord our God with all the
heart and with all the soul." (Deut. xxx. 0). And
a? circumcision denoted the character and quality
of the faith professed by the Jew, as distinctive
and peculiar from that of the surrounding nations ;
so also baptism into the faith of the Now Church »
in a like manner, distinguishes it from that of the
surrounding sects who are in a spurious or false
faith. And no one was allowetl to eater the inner
sanctuary of the temple who had not been circum-
cised ; " for *' thus saith the Lord God, No stranger,
uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh,
shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is
among the children of Israel." (hlzok. xliv. 7, 9).
The children of Israel were prone to admix their wor-
ship with tlie idolatries of the surrounding nations.
They were willing to mingle with them at their
altars, and to unite with them at their saoritlcos ;
which, throughout the Word, is every where de-
nounced as denoting spiritual adultery. Thus :
"They sacrilice [with the Gentiles upon the tops
of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills."
(See IIos. iv. 12, &;3.). And thef/ wore willing also
to receive them at the altars of Jehovah, in despite
of the Divine prohibition. They were commanded,
through the Prophet Ezekiel, to observe "all th^ or-

„__ X—

360

INTEIINAL KErUGNANCE.

i!i

dinances of the lioiise of Jehovah, and all the laws
thereof, and marlv well theenterin^-in of the house ;''
and the rebellious sons of Israel were constantly pro-
hibited from permittinf? it to be desecrated. "In
that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers,
uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh,
to be in my sanctuary to pollute it, even my house,
where ye offer m^' bread " (Ezek. xliv. 5-7). This
intermingling of the true with the false, is also rep-
resented by the Jews marrying wives of Ashdod ; of
whom it is said, " Their children spake half in the
speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews'
language." (Neh. xiii. 28, 24).

There may, indeed, sometimes seem to be a
principle of good within : but, so long as it is con-
joined to an external profession of what is false,
it speaks through it, producing an uncertain sound ;
and the good within is delivered over to those who
seek to destroy it, as Samson was, when he married
a daughter of the Philistines. In such case, the
real quality of that good seems to be doubtful ; for
we know that every one is intcrnaUy joined to his
own love, even without his being conscious of it.
And, if that love is not in a genuine affection for
truth, it will seek to avoid making an open profes-
sion of it. There will be felt not only an internal
repugnance to doing so, but often a moral inability
to do it. It will be like the Ephraimites, who
would fain have passed for the men of Gilead;
but, when they tried to say shibboleth, they always
said sibboleth ! And Swedenborg says, that, in the
spiritual world, those who do not internally

)

AVHEJ; IN NO (iKNllNE lAlTH.

aei

believe tliat Jkshs is the one only Lord ramut say
so ; but that those who had confirnicd them-
selves in the doctrine of a Trinity of persons,
when they tried to say ''Our (rod,'' "twisted
and folded their lips into many folds, and could
not articulate"' it. They could say ''Christ,"
and also " (iod tlir Father;'' but they could not
Bay " One God," neither could they say "* Divine
jliiman," because, in their interior thought, they
did not recognize it (T.C.Pi). 111. And it can only be
for a similar reason, however much it may be con-
cealed from us, that there is in this world such a
repugnance to openly avowing it, or to making this
profession at the door of the New Jerusalem.
Many are willing to come to the inner door, where
no such 2>rofessi(»i is required to be made, who are
yet unwilling to come in through the outer door,
where it is required ; although that door is always
open, and they are continually invited to come in
thereat. This peculiar state is very clearly illus-
trated bv the Ilev. 11. Edleston, in the case of the
pilgrim seeking the Immortal Fountain, who, when
she came to the Gate of Obedience, "felt an oppres-
sive pain upon her forehead," and her sight became
dim ; and, when the angels saw this (ho Hays),
" they sighed, and tears of pity rolled down their
cheeks :" so she " was compelled to withdraw to
the outside of the gate. " We know by this (said
the first angel), that you cannot reach the fountain;
for none can breathe the air of our land but those
who in spirit and life are like us. Now, this gate
is closed against no comer ; for it is the will of our

§i

302

A TRUE AND ORDERLY LAW.

great blaster that all slioukl outer : but, when any
one retires with pain [or repu;^nance| , we perceive
that he is as yet^ unfit to pass through our land."
Hence it is that a gate is a test of litness for enter-
ing into a new state : for, if any one feels an
internal repugnance to its quality or character,
there will he an unwillingless to make such public
avowal and testification. It is probably for a
similar reason that many foreigners never become
naturalized in this country ; because, though will-
ing to avail themselves of tho advantages of its
government and laws, the}' are internally attached
to the land of their birth. And because this is so,
and because it is seen and admitted by all nations
and people to be orderly and right, every govern-
ment, society, or constituted organic body, has
required such a test of litness, of faith, or of obedi-
ence, before admission. Thus the requirement of
a profession of faith being made at the door of the
Church, and the conlirmation thereof by the sign
and seal of baptisnuil waters and benediction, is
neither arbitrary nor miusual, but most orderly and
proper ; and it is dillicult to conceive of a valid
objection to it.

The fallacy of the reason sometimes alleged, of
hari)i(j been htipt'Lrcd, when it means no more than
having been duly initiated into the acknowledgment
of a tripersonal God, and the doctrine of faith alone,
simply because the form of uiaufiuratlon was the
same as (or similar to), that used in professing a
belief in the fundamental doctrines of the New
€hurch, is equivalent to saying that, — because the

NOT A MKIIK lOmiATi ACT.

81)3

ung a
New
se the

raarriagG servico liiul l)eon used in solcinni/ing
nuptials, afterwards, when tlie wife died, or when,
for tho cause of adultery, the liusbaud i)ut her away,
and united liinisolf instead to a virgin daughter of
Jerusalem — no nnxrriago service was reijuired on
the occjision, the former one heing all snfticient ;
or that the new oldi^titions would llow into the
former ceremony, and till it. Thus, to say that he
has already been hapizcd, is just as pertinent as to
say he has aln^ady been married !

Still, that there is virtue in that original act of
baptism cannot be doubted. It is not only a means
of conjunction with that sect or society in the re-
ligious world on earth which is in tlie same faith
as was professed in uniting with it ; but, as thought
brings presence, so also it is a sign which is per-
ceived in the spiritual uorld, and ])rings the person
thus initiated into conjunction there also with those
who are of a similar faith, or into association with
*' such spirits as make one with their life and faith"
(T.C.H. ()77). But the only reason why baptism
represents rcrjcnc ration, is because it acknowledges
the Lord and His connnandments, or laws of life,
by which alone regeneration can be effected ; and
unless rej:eneration can as well be effected by an
idolatrous object of worship, and by faith alone, as
by the true God as our Saviour and lledeemer, it
must be obvious that baptism into such a faith is
not the means for accomplishing it. Nay, it is not
only incflicient to this end, but it must be actually
injurious in its inlluence on a genuine receiver of
the New-Church doctrines, because it becomes to
him a door of influx for the infestation of falses.

■am

3G1

KEV. II. DK CIIAIIMS KXrKUIENCi:.

A striking, though it inay ho soinowhat extreme
view of this is given hv Mr. Do Charms in his o\Tn
experience, he having heen ])aptiz(!(l into tlio faith
of a tri-personal (iod; so that long after liis recep-
tion of the J)octrines of the New Jerusalem, the
spirits in the; world of spirits, who had then heen
associated with him, continued to flow into his
thought, and excite in him the ideas of that faith.
"Such (he says), were the horrifying injections of
those spirits into our mind, when we attempted to
address our prayers to the Lord, as the only God,
that we would oftentimes spring up involuntarily
and spasmodically from our knees, in veriest terror
of them ! In short such were the infestations of
our new faith hy those spirits, such their tempta-
tions of us, hy the suggestion of harrowing douhts
respecting its heavenly verities, that we were thrice
driven to the utmost verge of despair." And this
went on accumulating, he says, until ho was bap-
tized into the faith of the New Church ; when, he
continues, "the sign of our old baptism seemed to
be wiped from our spirits, or to be veiled from the
view of other spirits, by the superinduction of ihe
new sign : for, ever since that time, we have never
known what it is to f^'el the slightest doubt in re-
gard to any truth of the New Church, much less
its fundamental one, nor have we suffered any of
our previous infestations from Old-Church spirits."
That experience, he says, and the profound study
of the subject for a period of thirty years, " brought
us to our present very clear convictions and most
decided advocacy of the necessity of a new and

^^^If

FROM THE OLD TO THE NEW.

3G5

treme

3 o\Tn
faith

rccep-

1, the

11 been

ito his

, faith.

ions of

[)ted to

y God,

intarily

it terror

iions of

tempta-
doubts

■e thrice

nd this
as bap-
hen, he
mod to
om the
1 of ihe
never
in re-
[ich less
any of
pirits."
id study
brought
d most
ew and

•distinctive baptism of tlio New Jerusalem." (Ext.
Church, p. 7*2). Indeed, instead of the baptism
into a false faith and idohitrous worship, admitting
any one within the walls of the Now .h'rusalcm, it
only removes liim so much furtbcr from them ; and
it is rt'allv wonderful tluit anv profi'sscd receiver of
the doctrines of tlu* New Clmrcli should not see
this, or that he should think the mere formula of
l)aptism was the all of baptism. Why, thos^ sim-
ple, naturally-minded men, wIkj were baptized by
John in the Jordan, with all the jiroper fornia of
baptism, before the Lord in his Humanity was
made known to them, n-evc (Kjain haptized by Paul,
■when th(!V received this faith, into the name of the
Lord Jesus ; and then the IIol}' S[)irit was given to
them : for this can only be received by those who
acknowledge Him in his glorilied Humanity (Acts
XIX 5). To recognize a baptism into the faith
of the Old Church as valid, is virtually to admit
the New Church to be a sect and constituent part
thereof, instead of being a New and distinct dis-
pensation, in which all things are to be made new;
i.e., new doctrines and new rituals, new wine and
new bottles, a new fig-tree and new organic body.
What then have we to do with the old ? Or, what
right have we to commingle it with the new ? Is it
mir church that we may do as we please with it ?
Is the Eucharist our feast, that we may invite
whom we choose ? Is it not the Lord's Church
and the Lord's table ? and what have we to do but
to obey His teachings ? Or have we any right to
set aside His divine order, or to invite anv one who

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NOVITIATES TO OBEY.

has not thus acknowledged Tlim ? If baptism is
the outer door, and that tabic is the inner door, of
His church, and the officiating priest (who is His
ministering servant), there and then invites in the
name of the Lord, those who are to approach it,
have we any right to invite anyone in any other
way, than by that baptismal door where the Lord
is first acknowledged and professed? Or by what
authority can any one assume to set aside a condi-
tion which the Lord himself has enjoined ? Has a
Minister of the church any such right *? or liave
any number of men the ability to bestow it ? It
was not singular, fifty years ago, when the New
Church was just coming into form and visibility in
the world, that, in its then transition state, there
should for a whih^ have been some admixture of the
old with the new. But is this state always to con-
tinue? or has not the New Church assumed a separ-
ate and distinct organization long enough yet, to
see and admit that neither Ordination, Baptism, or
the Eucharist, in the Old Church, are, or can be,
any constituent parts of the New.

But do you say, " Yes, ire see and admit this all
as true and proper for us, but not for others ; and,
if there are any who do not see it as we do, we have
no right to require it of them?" But, in saying
this, what do you do, but virtually invite those,
who are so disposed, to climb over the wall ?

The Minister who invites to the Supper, has no
prerogatives beyond what the Lord has taught and
commanded him. It is neither oiii' table nor our
feast, for us to do as we please ; but it is the Lord's

AND NOT TO DICTATE.

867

Church and the Lord's table, and he has Himself
made the requirements ; and we have no more the
privilege to set them aside, than we have to dis-
pense with the Decalogue, or to grant indulgences.
A novitiate receiver may not know this ; but we
know it, or ought to know it, and we should so in-
struct him. Th(! walls of the church are for its pro-
tection and defence, the doors for admission ; and so
long as ]]aptism is tluit door, and the essential of
baptism is the acknowledgment of the Lord in His
Divine Humanity, and the signing and sealing of
that testimony is by water and the spirit, we have
only to obey ; and those who cannot do this, or are
unwilling to enter this outer door, ought not to
enter the inner, but should wait till they can ; and
if thev are in earnest, and in the real affection for
truth they will not have to wait long. But if any
yet refuse to come in this Divinely appointed way,
and still complain of being excluded from the
benefits of this sacrament, they must be most un-
reasonable and inconsistent indeed : because this
table is open to them in every sect of the Old
Church, into the faith of which they have been
baptised ; and if they are so well satisfied with
that baptism, how can they be otherwise than
equally well satisfied with that communion ? It
may be, indeed, that you can cite me cases, in
which Ministers of the New Church will recwve, or
even invite others to come, who have never been
thus baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ, but who, ins^tead of coming in by Ilim alone
as the door, have acknowledged a tripersonal God.

'^•--.

868

THE CASE OF SWEDENBORO.

But would you cite such cases? Especially are you
willing to sanction it m our Association ? It may
be said that Swedenborg received the sacrament of
the Supper before his death, without having been
baptised into the faith of the New Church. But,
at that time there was no organized New Church
on earth, or any New Church Minister; conse-
quently no possibility of being thus baptised. Nor
did Swedenborg desire thus to receive the Supper.
He said "the otfer was well meant ; l)ut that being
a member of the other world lie did not need it."
Still he consented to take it, but arranged the form
and manner himself, the attending minister only
consecrating the elements ; and this "to show the
connection between the church in heaven and the
church on earth." But you will also remember
that as Swedenborg had not been baptized by a
minister of the New Church, so neither did he re-
ceive the Holy Supper at the hands of one, because
the time had not yet come. Thus this case is not
at all in illustration. Nor can any authority be
adduced for receiving the Holy Supper, in the New
Jerusalem, until the candidate has entered her
sacred portals as the Lord has taught and required.
And they shall be blessed who thus come, because
they do his commandments ; and then they shall
have a right to the tree of life in the midst of the
city, and to eat thereof, and live forever, because
they thus " enter in through the gates." May the
Lord in His mercy help you to see this subject in
in its true light and aid you by his wisdom, to do
His will ! Amen.

• are you
It may
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[ the form
ister only
show the
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The work roferrod to as embodying the Course of Lectures so
often referred to in these pages on tl,e Cukation ok thk
Univkrse, etc., entitled,

The TiVB Great Booh of Nadife aod hMm

of the

roSMOS AND THE L()(;()S:

Being a History of tlie origfn and progression of the Universe,
from cause to effect ; more particularly of Tlie EARTH and the'
SOLATl SYSTEM .-the n,o.J,. oprnuuN of the creation of
^EOKTABLKs, Animals Axn Man ; and h.nv they are tvpes and
symbols by which the Creator wrote the LOCJOS. Illustrated
by the first chapters of Genesis. .^00 pages. May he had of the
author (Detroit, Mich.) at the reduced price of Si..-.,),, or of
E. H. Ssvinnoy, 20 Cooper Union, New Yoik.

ALSO

The difference between SHEOL, HADKS. and (iKHENNA-
and the meaning of the word INFE K NUH ; by the same author.'
May be had as above, prices 1,1 cents.