The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-20

rnE CLAIMS or swEpESBoRG As A SPIRITUAL siIR.
Last evening Rev Chaunccy Giles, pastor Of the New
Church. In Thirty fifth street delivered lecture In the
hall OF the Cooper Union setting forth tho claims OF
swcienborg q There a large attendance.
The lecturer commenced by saying that the Lord
always provides leaders and teachers for HIS people
citing Abraham and Moses as examples Great men are
the waymarks that show the progress Of ages In ad-
mating the claims of any be the instrument Of
the Lord In introducing order Of things the real
and final test be the necessity for the work he
claims TO have been sent to do, and the manner in
which he performs IL. The people of the New
Church only ask for their doctrincs n fair hearing
But this they ind II difficult to get, as most peo
pie take IL for granted that swcdenborg insane
aud his writings not worthy Of notice. swcdenborg
claims 10 have received and communicated 10 men
true knowledge OF the spiritual world and OF "A
spiritual bcng-hayng had open intercourse with spirits
learned and disclosed the true Interpretation Of the
sacred Scriptures and the laws according 20 which they
written that he has found and given TO w the key
by which the natural sense of the Word may he
locked, and the spiritual obtained He gives
true doctrine on all points OF fath-a doctrine con-
sstent with itself with the scrptures and right reason
The fitness OF Swedenborg for hs work next
sdered. He was Of unexceptionable parcnlage. His
father was bishop OF great learning and most
excellent character He had all the advantages for
instruction that the institutions oil his c,-nty could give
him. He Wa well vcrsed In the learned languages. He
attained great eminence in many departments OF natural
science He anticipated many of the modern discoveries
In astronomy and chemistry. His works very
great variety oil topics. I'm
pclled by desire To learn the nature of the soul he
studied the structure Of the human body with great
mnuteness. His work on anatomy entitled ''The Ami.
maj Kingdom, contains wsiomenough To make the
reputation Of many common men. But instead OF lnd.
ing the soul ~ he had hoped by the study anatomy
his eyes were opened and he clearly before him
what he had hoped to reach by logical conclusions His
vast natural requirements necessary basis for the
spiritual truths lie 70 communicate. He was
10 present spiritual truth In scientific aid rational
forms aud this he could not do unless he
understood them Admitting his claim to be true, va
challenge all history TO produce well fitted for
such an Office Sw'denborg His education, both in
direction and extent was ~ preparation for his high
Office He possessed remarkable simplicity II character
and devotion 10 duty VIII ich could not be moved He
seemed to BIO entirely destitute of ambition lie did biz
work regardless of praise, blame consequence.
lie claims no henor for himself " IL hns pleased the
Lord he says not from any merit Of my TO use
me a. an humble instrument Ia lnicating these
truths IT, men. They are bis not mine. md 10 Him be
all the praise 50 he completed hts work earth and
passed on 10 continue through ctcrntyan earnest.
humble devout, and truly great As the ages roll
on he wiz keep pace with them and ever remain among
men as the grandcst type aud truet measure Of man.