New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-16

SwedenbOrg and the Protestant Clergy.
The influence of Swedenborg on modern
religious thought ie not generally under.
stood or appreciated. II is now over 100
years since the pure and learned swede
wrote and published his theological works,
and ever since that time earnest men who
accepted the new doctrines which he pro-
mulgated have been steadily engaged IN
printing and circulating them among the
people. There is not, 1t is claimed. Single
advance from the old narrowness Of creed
and dogma made during these lCO years
which can not be traced to the influence Of
his writings.
Within the last few years the circulation
of Swedenborg's WORKS has largely in
creased in this corntTy, and knowledge
Ct their true character has become in con-
sequence more widely known. Oaly the
preiudiced or ignorant now regard them as
weak and visionary. Their breadth and
logical clearness command the respect and
attention of the best minds OF the age.
The profoundest thinkers and the most
astrce tneologians, when they stand face
to face with Swedenborg on the rational
plane of thought and doctrine, find them
selves in the presence OF master spirit.
Hitherto the Protestant clergy in this
country have, strange as il may seem, re-
NAMED in comparative ignorance of Swe-
derborg's writings, and of their widely
Increasing influence on the religious ideas
Of the age. Aware of this fact, and deeply
IMPRESSED with the importance Of giving
them an oppor, unity TO examine the new
doctrines set forth therein, gentleman OF
this city, Mr.. L. c. Iungerich, generously
offered about two years ago TO furnish
every Protestant clergyman in America
who might desire to receive it, a copy of
Swedenborg's True Christian Religion" a
large octave Of over 600 pages, in which
the whole theology of the New Church is
fully set forth. In order 10 carry out this
work efficiently, he made an arrangement
with the extensive publishing house of j. b.
Lippincotr & Co., OF Philadelphia, to take
applications for the book, and to send it to
any clergyman who asked for it; the only
expense to the applicant being the postage,
forty cents, or, if delivered TO any one in
person, there would be no attendant cost.
The reeult of this offer Is remarka BILE.
Up to this time nearly four thousand copies
of the book have been asked for and sent
TO clergy IL IN and students Of theology; and
the demand increases from day to day, the
fifth thousand being now On press. Mr..
Iungerich being a gentleman Of large
wealth, and deeply in earnest IN the work
he has undertaken, stands ready to res.
pond, through the publishing house above
1amed, to any extent and there is not a
clergyman in America who may not, if he
desires it, have copy of deDborg's
True Christian Religion"
Coordinate with this work is that OF
.sTbe American New Church Tract and Pub
lcation Society of this city, which less
than year ago offered to send to clergy
men, through the same publishing house
, used by Mr.. Iungerich, copy of Sweden
| norg's work. entitled Heaven and Its Won
ders, and Hell; from Things Heard and
Seem an octave of $50 pages, requiring
| only the postage. twenty-six cents. The
response to this offer has been quite as
| active as that just mentioned, over l50C
copies of Heaven ard He'll having. in a
| few months, gone into the hands Of minis
tiers. The demand for these books is no
| limited to one or TWO denominations, bu
cones from all alike. Many of the letters
| that accompany the calls for books show &
| strong desire 70 examine the doctrines O
| the New Church and to know just wha
| they teach. II is claimed by the receivers
| of these doctrines that they are not only
| rational and scriptural, bur that they fur
nish the only means for harmonizing the
conflicting views of the many sects in Chris
tendon and of uniting all in charity if 10
in external conformity. Such consumma
| tion all true souls most earnestly desire
| and through whatever means IL comes i
will be gladly welcomed.-Phildaelphio Zee
nina Te!eQrUph.