The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-03-11

and Is now going on, that his children, Who
are in darkness, may be brought to the light II
all the ends Of The earth, that the may come
70 the knowledge OF The Way, tie Truth aud
The Life That, In the end, They may he
more hSppy in this life, and enjoy eternal hap
piness in that which IS 70 come, Is the sincere
nrayer Of JOHN I. CABELL
rs. have a tolerahle extensive fheolo-
gioal, Philosophical Medical aud Historical
Library, and among ihem nearly all the theo.
logical writings OF swedeaborg, and other
subsequent writings relative to the New jcrn-
salem Church Any Of ny friends ia aud near
Lynehburg, thai would feel disposed 70 read
the latter for the sake OF coming 10 the know
ledge Of the heavenly truths therein coniain
ell. would be disposed 10 loan them books,
especially the preachers Of the gospel, and
those who are in preparation TO become
preachers. J / {.
10 he Editors ofHe .1bingdon Gozftte
GrNrlEara-l have lately received
from Philadelphia the following address,
which was delivered by clergyman Of
that city 10 his congregation, short Time
since. To me II appears document Of
sufficient importance To merit universal
attention. Aud if il is mol inconsistent
with your regulations, | should be much
gratilied if il might have place IN your
useful paper.
The author was popular preacher of
the Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, but
has lately received as heavenly truths, the
Doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church,
and isnow preaching in conformity thereto,
10 vast multitudes in thai city and lis Vi
entity.
There never perhaps was any subject
Oh which the public mind has been so
much deceived and mislrd rs ON that Of
the New Jerusalem Church. They have
been accustomed TO hear its tenets repre-
secuted ~ a mere collection of whims and
phanlasics without any solldjty or excel
lrnee whatever. Aud many who have hsd
a desire 10 seek for such information have
been deferred by lis enemies, but there are
thousands no doubt, who have received
uniafourable impressions and have never
had an opportunity To obtain satisfactory or
correct ideas ON the subject.
When new religion is introduced into
the world, declared like this TO he a lew
dispensaton from Heaven, aud whtn thoe-
sands after thorough investigation have
embraced il ~ such, we might reasonably
expect that the clergy ofall denominations,
as having the care of mems souls, would
carefully and spassionately, with humiII-
alton aud prayer, examine the subject,
with a sincere desire If il is truth 10 find
and embrace il, but if il is error t. reject
il, and also save others from H. But have
they proceeded in this manner have
no hesitation in saying that rs a body they
have not. Many of them not only refuse
To examine il themselves but also do all in
then power 10 prevent others. And by
sarcasm, ridicuic, and abuse, endeavOr To-
render the subject trliling and contempt
bic. And thus like the Scrlhes and Phari-
sees Of old, they shut up the kingdom of
Heaven against men, for they neither go
IN themselves, neither suffer they them
that are entering, 10 go in. Others more
aflful but mol less malignant endcavor by
all possible means to keep the subject
from thr public eye, aud therefore can
hardly be induced to say any thing openly
about II for fear of exciting curiosity.-
Thus has this all important subject been
prevented from coming before the public
n proper manner No fair discussion To
any extent has ever taken place. But il is
not the fault of its friends. They wish it
10 BIZ universally and thoroughly inyestign-
ted. II It Is an error, LEI it BIZ proved, and
they will instantly reject it, for they have
no desire In risque their eternal salvation
IN the support of error But il it is truth
as they sincerely believe, they wish all to
ENJOY lis advantages and consolalions which
are neither few nor small They have no
desire TO control the conselences of others
they wish no blind assent, they ONLY
ask AL to examine and Judge for them
selves.
They feel confident, that there are thou
sands of excellent people amongst the diff
tcicnt denominations who would be de
lighted, edited aud happy in the enlighlen-
lns aud consoIing doctrines of the New
Jerusalem if they knew what they were
bt from this they have been prevented by
and prejudice.
But trast that the time is not FIR dis
ant when the public will he undaccived,
when they viii discover 10 their astonish
ment that what they have bern accustom-
ed To consider as mere ianaticism and non
SENSE IS of all things in creation the farthrst
from them. And that il is the most beau
lIlnl' the most Instructive, Consistent, aud
heavenly system of religion that the Lord
IN mercy ever sent down TO earth for the
salvation of man.
Within the las; three years have heard
of eleven clergymep in the u. States of
different denominations who have rejected
their former opinions and embraced the
doctrines of the New Jerusalem. A.
monSst the people where such occurrences
have taken place, considerable excitement
must necessarily have been produced