The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-22
svRDENBoRa AND Ills WRITINGS,

Rev. j. 2. ep.ers' Sermon on thu
Author OF the New-Church.
"Swedenborg and His Writings" was the
subject of a sermon preached at the New
Jerusalem church last night by Rev. Julius
B. Spiers.
"Swedenborg's works fifty years age, ~
Mr.. Spiers said, were bought and read by
many on the sly. He was then regarded as
an arch hereto and monomaniac. az
cept by few who recognized the truth
when they saw it. Now mona hut
the most cowardly and narrow
minded are fearful OF letting il
be known that they are readers
of Swedenborg, and q man, especially a
theologian, who is not reader of the sesr's
writings is one who is the straggler behind
the advancing host OF seekers after truth.
There are few clergymeu who are not sup-
piled with one or more OF his works as
about IT'S, 900 have been distributed gratui-
Cuously among them in tbs United States
in the last twenty years; and thousands OF
volumes have been given to public libra
lies.
Swendeaborg was born in Stockholm.
Sweden. Jan. 20, 1888, and died in London
England, March 20. 1772. He was the son
Of Jasper Swedborg, who is described as a
man Of great learning and ability, and who
aad filed successfully the office of court
chaplain, dean OF Vingoker, professor of
theology in the University of Upsala. super.
intendent Of the Swedish churches in
America, London and Portugal, and bishop
Of Gka5a. GWhen Jasper Swedborg was
made bishop he vas ennohled and the name
changed to Swedenborg.
Swedenb re was pious and religiously-
minded from his youth. He graduated from
,he University of Upsala &C the age Of %.
taking the degree of Pb. D. His first lit.
srcry work was poetIcRl. At % he turns
ais attention to mechanics lie published a
magazine which was filled with articles and
Illustrations Of novel mechanical con-
irivances. While editing this magazine he
net Christopher Polheim, the Swede Archin.
Ades, who introduced him to Charles XII.
Ov whom he was appointed assessor extra
ordinary in the Royal Metallic College. All
Along through this period of history be
turns out essays Oh scientific subjects with
astonishing rapidity. At the age of 30 he
Ierved as military engineer. He was a pol
itician as well as statesman, and was one
If the few fearlessly honest men In the
Swedish parliament. We find him several
times struggling with the liquor question.
He said, 1.-The iinmoderate use Of liquor
will be the downfall OF the Swedish people. u
He wrote seventy scientific books, of which
che more important are THE Animal King.
dom, "The Brain" First Principles OF
Natural Things.n end "Apimal Psyohol-
ogy.n Many of the scientific discoveries
presented IL these works are believed to be
Of recent date and are unjustly attributed
co modern writers.
There is nothing of the visionary or en-
thusiast," said Mr.. Speers, in Sweden
borgs works. "Calmness, oonsiderateness.
sobriety aud good sense are among his most
distinguished traits and these qualities
peCvade his works.
Swedenborg's theological work began In
his 56th year. In l743 the Lord called him
as the apostle Of the New Dispensation, and
from that time until his death his spiritual
sight was opened, enabling him to talk with
angels and spirits and visit all portions of
che spiritual world, and also TO be instructed
as to the state of souls after death. He
wrote thirty-three theological works, the
largest of which is the "Arcana Collestra, !"
published in eight quarto volumes. THIS is
an explanation as 10 Genesis and Exodus as
TO the spiritual sense His last work was
ths True Christian Religion summary
OF all the preceding. In this work he says
II foresee that many who read the rela-
tons after the chapters will believe them to
be inventions of the imagiuetion, but as
sert Ia truth that they are not Inventions,
and heard in any state of the mind buried
in sleep. but in state cf full wakefulness.
Fer il has pleasoi the Lord to manifest
himself To- me, and send mo to tea iii thase
thiHgs which e;e OF his New-Ch r,h, which
i meant by the New Jerusalem in tie
Revelations, for which emf be has opened
Tie iuterICr az my mind or spirit by which
Il has been give me - be IN she $ ritual
" rid with ages ? 1T the same time il
tie natural world " ith men, and taij now
Ter u years"
Re died at the age of s.. and his rernniGs
were inferred under be Ii tic LgtherAn
church in Inn 'on. Sredentor5 prescribed
Tor a,'n e.f tho i,losv nix rule:
~ TO o:tn read end msdIt t. well on the
Word OF Cod
70 ne always resigned a43 c1nteDted under
t2e diSqensdl ,nS OF div ne lr5YWen e.
70 oO-etv IN evtr tain< a lropr ETY. of be-
hav.or, q always to KEEP the co4sceuce clear
a2d void # ofTense
: 10 obey what is oriaiaed; 10 discharze
"ltl tIHe.!!r the functions o. my employment
ard no duties OF nay olics ana 90 reader M
Sen ~ all things uSeiui to society.