The New York herald., 1872-07-14
Swcde nbOrgiaufsm.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
In reply to the inquiries OF your correspondent
permit the writer to Observation-Disclosures and
SwedenbOrgiansm are names applied by others,
but not adopted by the readers OF and believers In
the important truths contained in the writings
OF Swedenborg. They simply claim to be New
Church men, and to belong to the New Jeru-
salem Church, which they regard as new dispen-
sation and not as q Sect Few men who have ever
lived have manifested in their lives and writings
less OF q sectarian spirit, less desire to build
UP sect or party than Emanuel Swedenborg, for
he was one Of the most humble childlike and un-
pretending OF men and he would undoubtedly have
been shocked at the idea or the believers In the
doctrines OF the new age being called by his name
for he makes no pretension or claims OF
being the author of the doctrines of the inter-
pretatlOns OF the Holy Word contained In his writ
ings To the Lord alone he gives all the honor; for
himself he simply claims to be the servant Of the
Lord Jesus Christ" BY his own unaided intellect
could no have discovered the great science OF
corresp0ndences, IN accordance with which the
sacred Scriptures are unlolded In his writings, than
he could have created a world
1t is doubtful whether he ever expected any dis.
tinct and separate organization OF those who should
accept the new views. In speaking OF the descent
of the New Church or New Jerusalem from God out
of heaven ne says 1t can only take place sin pro-
portion the raises of the former church
ed for what is new cannot gain admission where
fnlses have before been implanted, unless those
flses be first rooted out; and this must first take
place among the clergy, and by their means among
the laity"-a change which Is steadily going on, as
every one can see. The works OF Swedenborg were
translated into English by the Rev. John Cloves,
clergyman of the Church Of England, who remained
connected with the Episcopal Church up, to the
time OF his death, and who freely taught the new
doctrines; and the number OF readers OF Sweden
borg both clerical and lay connected with the vari
GUS denominations OF the first Christian church,
and unconnected with any church, probably FAR
exceeds those who have come out and joined dis
tincty new church organizations. The question may
be asked why any distnctively new church socle-
ties have been or should be formed. The reasons
which have led to sucn OrganiZations, can be
readily seen. A large number Of the receivers OF
the new doctrines were disconnected with any
church when they became convinced or the truth
OF the heavenly doctrines, and, OF course, they
could not join any Of the sectaran churches without
asserting to creeds which they believed to be false.
Others, formerly more frequently than lately, on
churches, were either expelled for heresy made
so uncomfortable that they could not remain. stu
others could not st patiently 9pdeT, Or Pave their
be erroneous. Now all OF the above parties
were desirous OF enjoying the prlvileges OF
the sanctuary and, where practicable, have united
in societies Tor such purpose. And they unite also
for the purpose OF proclamng the doctrines to the
world through the pulpit, by lectures and by the
press.
Your correspondent inquiries why Swedenborg
has not given the connected spiritual sense OF the
Gospels, and II they are not as important as GENESIS
and Exodus. or course they are equally important,
and all parts OF the Divine Word; but the
practical truths requisite for good life shine more
distinctly through the clouds or letter Of the gos-
pels than through Genesis the history OF the JEWISH
Church and the Book OF Revelations for the latter
was comparatively sealed book and the literal
interpretation of Genesis is driving men to
eceptlcism. Again, the Book OF Revelations
was o prophetical announcement OF the
end OF the first Christian Church and OF the de-
scent OF the New Jerusalem and its true interpre-
tation was OF vast moment, now that 1t has been
and Is being fulfilled.
Perhaps the most satisfactory reason Of all Is,
that by giving the spiritual sense OF Genesis, EX0-
aus and Revelations the key was given, or suiil-
cient knowledge of correspOndences, TO enable the
intelligent reader to unfold the entire Word by ap-
plying the same rules and principles OF interpreta-
tion, Nothing more was needed. j. Il.