CHAP. II.

IN one whole year after my reception of the Writings, I found only three or four individuals in London, with whom I could maintain a friendly intercourse on the subjects contained in them. In 1783 I invited these few to hold regular meetings for reading and conversation in my house in Clerkenwell Close; not far from the spot where Swedenborg died. These meetings were continued every Sunday morning, till it was thought expedient to endeavour to make them more public. I was possessed of all the Writings in Latin, and these were constantly on the table before us, while we read in them those illustrations of the Holy Word, and those extraordinary Relations in reference to the state of things in another life, which so peculiarly distinguish our Author’s theological works from those of every other man. In this manner we went on for a time*, our first meeting consisting of only three persons, viz., Mr. Peter Provo, of the Minories** Apothecary; Mr. William Bonington, of Red Lion Street Clerkenwell, Clock-case Maker; and myself, of Clerkenwell Close, Printer. Afterwards John Augustus Tulk, Esq., of Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, a gentleman of independent property, joined our little Society, and by his zeal, ability, and judgment, added strength to our hands. It was now agreed to call a public meeting of all the friends and readers of the Writings in London, of whom we had any certain information; first, that we might become better acquainted with each other; and secondly, to unite our forces, and make known to the world what we could no longer in conscience conceal from their notice. Our first public meeting was accordingly fixed to be at the London Coffee House on Ludgate Hill***, where we met, five in number, at 5 o’clock on Thursday Evening, the 5th of December, 1783. {15} But finding, when we were assembled, that no private room could be allotted to our party, and that it would be inconvenient to transact our business in any of the open boxes of the Coffee Room, we immediately adjourned to the Queen’s Arms Tavern, now St. Paul’s Hotel, on the south side of St. Paul’s Church Yard****, where we had a room to ourselves, and drank tea together. The following persons were present on this occasion, viz., Mr. John Augustus Tulk, Mr. Peter Provo, Mr. William Bonington, Mr. William Spence, of 17, Great Mary-le-bone Street, Surgeon*****, and myself. Another gentleman, Mr. Henry Peckitt, of 50, Old Compton Street, Soho, a retired Apothecary, went to the London Coffee House, after we had left it, in hopes of joining our company; but hearing no tidings of us there, although we had left word at the bar where we were gone, returned home without seeing us.******
* At this period Mr. Hindmarsh was in the twenty-fourth year of his age.- ED.
** Mr. Provo afterwards resided at Pentonville. He is mentioned by Mr. Noble in his Appeal, (2nd edit., p. 207,) as having supplied him with an original anecdote respecting Swedenborg therein printed. Other anecdotes collected by him are printed in the Intellectual Repository for January, 1836, p. 27. Mr. Provo published a work, called Wisdom’s Dictates, printed in the year 1789, and advertised to be sold at Mr. Chalklen’s, 49, Grace-church Street. Swedenborg also, at one time, lived in the Minories, prior to residing in Clerkenwell.- ED.
*** This circumstance is alluded to in the Report of the Friendly Meeting held in London during the sitting of the Forty- second Conference, 1849. The President of the Meeting, the Rev. S. Noble, (then in his seventieth year,) on introducing the speakers to the audience, adverted to a fact of singular interest to the entire assembly; but which he left to be narrated by the first speaker introduced; who observed “That we were assembled in a locality which was historically connected with the commencement of the New Church in the world. For it was a fact, that in the year 1783, the very first assembly that ever met for the purpose of considering how the Heavenly Doctrines could be promoted in the world, were gathered together under that very roof. For in that year the late venerable Hindmarsh, who was one of the earliest disciples of the New Jerusalem, issued, in various newspapers, an advertisement to the effect that all persons acquainted with the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, and favourable to their promotion, were earnestly invited to meet together for consultation at the London Coffee House, Ludgate Hill, on a certain day in the year 1783. At the time appointed five individuals assembled; and this is the first meeting on record of persons receiving the doctrines of the New Church, and consulting together for the purpose of making them known in the world.” The London Coffee House is still on Ludgate Hill, and consists of Nos. 24 to 26.- ED.
**** This Hotel still remains, and is Nos. 5 and 6, St. Paul’s Church Yard, at the corner of Dean’s Court.- ED.
*****Afterwards Dr. Spence. He was the author of Essays on Divinity and Physic, with an Address to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York; printed by Hindmarsh in 1792. He also edited The Apocalypsis Explicata, a posthumous Latin work of E. S., in 4 vols., quarto, which sold for L4. 4s.- ED.
****** It was observed by some of our friends, that several remarkable coincidences were frequently presenting themselves to our notice, in the various occurrences that took place at this early period of the New Church. Among others, the number five was very distinguishable. Thus, the number of persons, who assembled at the first public meeting, was five; the hour of the day was five in the evening; the day of the week was the fifth (Thursday); and the name of the month was the number five doubled (December), usually regarded as the twelfth month in the year, which is another significant number. Again, the place where the meeting was actually held was first at the Queen’s Arms Tavern or Inn, on the South side of St. Paul’s Church; then in the Inner Temple; and afterwards in New Court, Middle Temple. These circumstances, though in themselves trivial, and perhaps not worthy of being recorded, were however noticed by some members of the Society, as significative of the rise or commencement of the New Church. Five, in the science of correspondences, denotes what is just sufficient for future use, or the lowest degree of remains, which can preserve spiritual life, and from which a New Church can be formed on the destruction of a preceding one; while the number twelve denotes an assemblage of all the goods and truths of the Church together. Not that the five persons assembled actually formed the remains here spoken of; but only that as to their number they may be said to represent the remains still subsisting in the Christian Church at large. Again, our meeting at an inn brought to recollection the passage in the Gospel, Luke ii. 7, where the Lord is said to have been born in the stable of an inn, at the period of his first advent; to which place the shepherds were directed by the angel of the Lord, ver. 12: also another passage in Luke x. 34, where the man, who had fallen among thieves, was brought by the good Samaritan to an inn, to be taken care of, and provided for. In the spiritual sense, an inn signifies where the knowledges of good and truth are to be obtained; and these knowledges, it is well known, are to be found in great abundance in the New Church.
I may add, as rather a singular case, in relation to myself and the No. 5, that my grandfather had five children; my father five children; myself five children; and my three sons each five children, and no more. My wife and I were married on the 7th of May 1782; and she died on the 2nd of March, 1833; consequently we lived together fifty years and ten months, wanting five. days. During all that time we never had a death in our own house. And we have seen five generations in the family, viz., 1. My father and mother; 2. Myself and wife; 3. Our children; 4. Our grandchildren; and 5. Our great-grandchildren. Not to mention some other circumstances distinguished by the No. 5, which are too insignificant to be particularly noticed. (This Memorandum is made on the 12th of May, 1834.)- R. H.

{16}
At this first public meeting, if it may be so called, we mutually congratulated each other on the good fortune and happiness we enjoyed, in having become acquainted with the Writings of a man so highly distinguished above his fellow-men by the divine favour, and by gifts from heaven of the most extraordinary description, as was the late Emanuel Swedenborg. To hear the story of each other’s first reception of the doctrines, and to observe the animation that sparkled in the eye, and brightened up the countenance of each speaker, as it came to his turn to relate the particulars of that by him never-to-be-forgotten event, was itself a little heaven, a foretaste of those pure delights, which we foresaw would spring up in the minds of all future recipients, when they should, in years or ages to come, first meet together in little bands or Societies, to see and converse with each other, to talk of all the wonders of the new revelation, to help each other in the way to the heavenly Zion, to point to the gates that open into the holy city, and to spread widely, and more widely still, the happy news, that the New Jerusalem is in the act of descending from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband; that the angels are already stretching out the curtains, lengthening the cords, and strengthening the stakes of a new habitation on the earth for the Most High to dwell in; and that the tabernacle of God is about to be set up with men, who will dwell with them, and cause them to be his people, while he himself shall be acknowledged and worshiped as their only Lord and God. No more tears; no more death; no more sorrow, nor crying, nor pain: for the former things are passed away, and behold! all things are become new. Rev. xxi. 3-5.
After our mutual congratulations, and the reading of some letters from absent individuals, who resided in the country, we began to consult on the best means of making known the new doctrines, and enlarging our Society. It was agreed that we should meet again at the same time and place on the Thursday following, unless a more convenient situation could in the mean time be procured. Our spirits were elated by the meeting. Three or four hours swiftly passed away; and soon after nine o’clock we adjourned, highly gratified with this first public interview of congenial minds, and determined to prosecute our plan of holding up to the view of the world a Light, which could no longer be concealed in a secret place, nor hid under a bed or a bushel. {17}
In the course of the following week we engaged Chambers in the Inner Temple, near Fleet Street; and to make our next meeting more public, we caused an advertisement to be inserted in some of the Newspapers, stating the objects we had in view, and giving a general invitation to all the readers of Emanuel Swedenborg’s Writings, in London or elsewhere, to join our standard, and by one common exertion to assist in extending the knowledge of their important contents. This advertisement was immediately noticed by Mr. James Glen*, a Scotch gentleman about to settle at Demerara, in South America, who was then in London, and who, introducing himself to the Society at their next meeting, most heartily united with us in our professed design of procuring and publishing translations of all Swedenborg’s Works. He gave us a short but interesting account of his first reception of the doctrines, which was on the ocean, while he was on his return from America, where he had been to purchase a plantation for himself to reside upon. The captain of the vessel, in which he was sailing, after many conversations with Mr. Glen, whom he found to be a person of literary habits, and liberal sentiments, in a great measure free from the influence of religious prejudices, told him he was in possession of a book, written in the Latin language by a very extraordinary man, which he thought would prove acceptable to him: whereupon he presented him with a copy of the Latin work De Coelo et Inferno (the Treatise on Heaven and Hell). As soon as Mr. Glen had read the work, and well considered its contents, he was all astonishment, first, at the nature of the information, which that book conveys; and in the next place, at the goodness of the Divine Providence, which had so unexpectedly brought him into such a peculiar situation, that while sailing on the surface of the great deep, of an abyss of waters beneath him, his eyes were opened to behold an abyss of divine truths above and around him. That day Mr. Glen declared to be the happiest day of his life, which thus brought to his view the glories of the heavenly state, and the stupendous realities of the eternal world.
* In the Monthly Observer for June, 1857, p. 213, will be found a notice of Mr. Glen; also in the Intellectual Repository, vol. 2, for 1814-15, p. 445, where his decease is recorded. “He delivered some lectures in Philadelphia in the year 1784, and was the first avowed advocate of the heavenly doctrines of the New Church in America. He travelled to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Kentucky, for the purpose of making them known.”- ED.
The same meeting in the Inner Temple, which was attended by Mr. Glen, was favoured also with the presence of a young clergyman of great piety and uncommon ability, viz., the Rev. Joshua Gilpin, whom I had the honour of introducing to Swedenborg’s Writings, as well as to that meeting. {18} This gentleman (who was afterwards engaged by the Rev. John Fletcher, Vicar of Madeley*, in Shropshire, as his Curate,) expressed his entire approbation of so much of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg as he had then seen; and cordially wished us success in our endeavours to make them universally known.**
* A most interesting notice of the Rev. Mr. Fletcher, is contained in Noble’s Appeal, 2nd edit., p. 251, et seq.- ED.
** He was for many years afterwards the esteemed Vicar of Wrockwardine in Salop, and author of Monument of Parental Affection, two volumes of Discourses, &c.- ED.
Mr. Henry Peckitt also, who had been disappointed in meeting us the former week, now joined us, and brought with him a rich harvest of information concerning the personal character, circumstances, and habits of the great Swedenborg. This information he had carefully taken down in writing with a view to its being preserved for the gratification of those, who, like him, might hereafter regard every little anecdote of his life, that could be depended upon for its truth and accuracy, as a most precious relic. Being myself in possession of all the particulars alluded to, I take this opportunity of giving them to the public, in Mr. Peckitt’s own words, from the original manuscript deposited in my hands upwards of forty years ago.

COPY.

“London, January the 24th, 1778, I, Henry Peckitt, went to Bath Street, Cold Bath Fields, to one Mr. Shearsmith’s, a Barber, at whose house the learned and Honourable Emanuel Swedenborg lodged, and died the 29th of March, 1772; and was then, as I have since found, eighty-four years old. He, by the order of one Mr. Charles Lindegren*, a Swedish Merchant, who lives in Mincing Lane, Fenchurch Street, was laid in state at an Undertaker’s**, and deposited in three coffins in the vault of the Swedish Church, in Prince’s Square, Ratcliffe Highway, with all the ceremonies of that Church.***
* Mr. Shearsmith informed me, that after the decease of Swedenborg, Mr. Lindegren came to his house, and claimed the property left by Swedenborg, for the purpose, as he said, of transmitting the amount to his surviving relations in Sweden. There was in Swedenborg’s pocket-book a bill for L400 sterling, drawn upon the house of Mr. Hope, a Banker in Amsterdam. This bill was delivered into the hands of Mr. Lindegren by Mr. Shearsmith, who yet doubted in his own mind whether Mr. Lindegren had a right to demand it. But as he had no means of ascertaining who was the proper heir to the property, and Mr. Lindegren at that time(a) had the reputation of being a respectable and substantial merchant, well acquainted with Swedenborg’s family in Sweden, and in the habit of corresponding with some of them, he thought himself justified in giving up the property to him, that it might eventually reach the legal owner or owners.- R. H.
(a) Mr. Lindegren was, at the time, in the Royal Exchange Assurance Office, and through him Swedenborg received his remittances from Sweden.- ED.
** This Undertaker’s name was Robinson; and he kept a shop in Ratcliffe Highway, to which place the remains of Swedenborg were conveyed in a hearse after his decease. I once saw this Mr. Robinson, but had not an opportunity of conversing with him. -R. H.
*** In 1785, Mr. Keene went down into the vault of the Swedish Chapel and saw his coffin, which lies next to Dr. Solander’s.- P.P.- ED.
“It seems by the account of Mr. Shearsmith, that the Baron* had visited England three or four different times. {19} He had before lodged in Cold Bath Fields; and upon his return to England, came to the same place: but the people had removed, and he was recommended to Mr. Shearsmith’s, where he lodged about two years. Then he left England, and went to Amsterdam, in Holland, at which place he had published many of his Latin works. He staid there some time, and then returned to England, and came to the same place to lodge with Mr. Shearsmith**, and remained at his house till his death, which might be about two years.
* Swedenborg is generally designated “the Baron” by the earlier readers of his Writings. In all the documents that are reprinted in this work, that designation is retained; but in other cases it is altered. His rank of nobility in his own country was that of the Equestrian Order. It did not confer upon him any title, it consisted only in the change of his name. But it has been customary to call him “Baron,” because that is the lowest order of nobility in England. On the continent he was sometimes called “Count.” When he was ennobled by the Queen of Sweden, Ulrica Eleanora, his name was changed from Swedberg to Swedenborg.- ED.
** On the arrival of the vessel in London, Swedenborg took a hackney coach, and directed the coachman, as well as he could, to Mr. Shearsmith’s in Great Bath Street, Clerkenwell, where he had before lodged. Mr. Shearsmith was going out on business, when he heard behind him a voice calling out of the coach-window, in broken English, “Dat be he! Dat be he!” The coach stopped, and Mr. Shearsmith, coming to the door,immediately recognised his former noble lodger, Emanuel Swedenborg, whom he assisted to alight from the coach, and conducted into his house. On Swedenborg’s telling him, that he was come to lodge with him again, Mr. Shearsmith informed him, that his apartments were at that time occupied by a family: “but,” says he, “I will go up stairs to them, and ask them if they will quit the lodgings, to make room for you.” On his return, he told him, that they were willing to accommodate him; and, what is very singular, they immediately removed without further notice, and gave up their apartments to Swedenborg that very day, though a perfect stranger to them. This information I had from Mr. Shearsmith’s own mouth.- R.H.
“The dress that he generally wore, when he went out to visit, was a suit of black velvet, made after an old fashion; a pair of long ruffles; a curious hilted sword; and a gold-headed cane.* He ate little or no animal food, only sometimes a few eels. {20} His chief sustenance was cakes, tea, and coffee, made generally exceedingly sweet. His drink was water. He took a great deal of snuff.** Mr. Shearsmith was affrighted when he first lodged with him, by reason of his talking in the night and day. He said, he would sometimes be writing, and sometimes would stand talking in the door-stead of his room***, as if he was holding a conversation with some person; but as he spoke in a language Mr. Shearsmith did not understand, he could not make any thing of it.
* This gold-headed cane, as it is called, is now in my possession, having been purchased of Mr. Shearsmith by the Rev. S. Dean(a), late of Manchester, when in London, who left it to his widow; and she, before her death, gave it to Mrs. Marsden(b), who presented it to me a few years ago. It has the cypher E. S. engraved upon it in a foreign style: but on examination it does not appear to be gold, but copper, which was probably gilt, so as to have the appearance of gold. The stick itself is a painted thorn, and not a cane.(c)
I may here add, that a Picture of Swedenborg, painted by my late brother John Hindmarsh, about the year 1785, from Swedish and English Engraved Prints, corrected by Mr. Shearsmith’s description of his person and dress, so as to form, in his estimation, a most perfect likeness, is also in my possession. Of the striking resemblance, which this Picture bears to the Original, the reader may judge from the following anecdote, related in the Intellectual Repository, vol. 3, for 1816-17, p. 515. “The reader may feel an interest in being informed, that he (the late Mr. Henry Servante, of London(d),) was one of the last remaining individuals, who remembered the person of Swedenborg, though at the time he saw him he did not know him. He was once passing along St. John’s Street, London, in the neighbourhood of which Swedenborg lodged, when he met an old gentleman of a dignified and most venerable appearance, whose deeply thoughtful yet mildly expressive countenance, added to something very unusual in his general air, attracted his attention very forcibly. He turned round, therefore, to take another view of the stranger, who also turned round, and looked again at him. Some years afterwards, when Mr. Servante had received the Writings, he called on Mr. Hindmarsh for some of them; when seeing in that gentleman’s parlour a Portrait of the Author, he instantly recognised in it the venerable stranger, whose appearance had so much interested him. The Portrait, which he saw, was copied from the Print engraved by Martin, representing Swedenborg in advanced age, the fidelity of which is thus singularly proved.”
The strong resemblance, which this Picture bears to the Original, was further confirmed by Dr. Messiter, an intimate acquaintance of Swedenborg. Being informed, that the Doctor was paying a visit, on a certain day, to his friend Dr. Spence, of Mary-le-bone, I sent the Picture to him, with a view to obtain his opinion of its accuracy and fidelity; when he immediately pronounced it to be a very striking likeness.(e)
It cannot be said, that the members of the New Church are particularly fond of being possessed of relics, like the members of the Old Romish-Christian Church, whether they be old bones, old sticks, or old boards. But I must acknowledge, that a little spice of that taste adheres to myself, as well as to some others of my friends of the New Church. And first of all, it shews itself in my attachment to the walking-stick before mentioned, which I prize, not for its real value, but merely because it was once a kind of support to the hand of that great Man, whose works I can never think of without the most intense admiration, and gratitude for the benefits they confer. In the next place, I must suppose, that my friend, Mr. John Barge, of Manchester, has a similar feeling of admiration for the works of the same great Man, because he purchased, at more than treble its value, an old table(f), formerly the property of Mr. Shearsmith, and the very same on which Swedenborg wrote several of his latest productions. This table Mr. Barge keeps in his parlour, and justly regards it rather as a memento, than a relic, calling his attention, whenever he sees it, to those great truths, which were first spread upon it in the shape of written papers, before they were sent to the press, and thence propagated in all directions throughout the world at large. How different a feeling of sentiment this, from the idle, superstitious, and idolatrous reverence paid to old bones, rags, chips, nails, and crosses, by the ignorant and deluded sons and daughters of the Roman-Catholic Church!- R. H.
(a) The Rev. S. Dean was atone time Head Master of the Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth, and Minister of St. Paul’s Church, Blackburn; and afterwards for a short term Minister of the New Jerusalem Temple, Hatton Garden, and Author of a Series of Letters On the Nature, Evidence, and Tendency of the Theological Writings of Swedenborg.- ED.
(b) The widow of Mr. G. B. Marsden, a member of Mr. Hindmarsh’s Society, Bolton Street, Salford. – ED.
(c) Besides the walking-stick here mentioned, of the genuineness of which there cannot be any doubt, and which is now in the possession of Mr. J. S. Hodson, who has purchased it from the author’s grandson; the Rev. S. Noble had a cane presented to him, by the late Mr. Holder, of Highbury, also said to be that of Swedenborg’s, – which he left, with his other property, to the Cross Street Society, and is now in its library. Upon investigation and inquiry, as well as from a recollection of Mr. Noble’s opinion about it, this also may have belonged to Swedenborg. It has the initials J. L. engraved on the head. The conjecture is, that it was presented to Swedenborg by John Lewis, the Bookseller, who appears to have had a great veneration for him, and who may have taken this as one way of manifesting it. It is not altogether unusual for the donor’s name to be engraved on such presents. This cane is a genuine Malacca, and has a metal head, called gold, but is most likely a metal then known as pinchbeck, which was much in use at one time as a substitute for gold. Malacca canes, at the period in question, were comparatively rare, and this would have been of the value of 20s. without the mountings, so that it would not have been a very unsuitable present.- ED.
(d) Mr. Servante died the 23rd August, 1817, in his seventy-sixth year.- ED.
(e) This painting is now in the possession of Mr. J. S. Hodson, who purchased it of the author’s grandson.- ED
(f) Into this table, now supposed to be in the possession of his daughter, Mrs. Tyrrell, Mr. Barge had a brass plate inserted recording to whom it belonged, &C.- ED.
** One advantage of the Author’s profuse snuff-taking appears to have been the preservation of his Manuscripts: for when printing his posthumous work, entitled, Apocalypsis Explicata, I found every where between the leaves a sufficient quantity of snuff to prevent their being perforated and injured by those little active mites or insects, which are so destructive to old books and papers.(a)-R. H.
(a) His visits to the European mines, his chemical and anatomical researches, and his voyages in ill-ventilated vessels, will go far to account for this habit.- ED.
*** The following anecdote was communicated to me by Mr. Shearsmith. Among the many gentlemen and others, who, from time to time, came to his house, to make inquiries concerning Swedenborg, after his decease, one gentleman from St. Croix called to see the apartments, which so great and extraordinary a man had occupied; and being led up to the one pair, he was shewn the front and back rooms, in which the Author was wont to write and sleep. The stranger quickly passed his eye over the two rooms, and then cast them up to heaven, as if in the greatest astonishment, that so humble a dwelling should have been chosen for the abode of such an exalted genius as he considered Swedenborg to be. After putting some questions to Mr. Shearsmith, and receiving his answers, he then said, “Place me, as near as you possibly can, on the same spot in the room, as that on which he formerly stood: that is all I request.” Mr. Shearsmith accordingly took him to the door-way between the two rooms, where he had often observed Swedenborg to stand, while he was conversing with his invisible friends. “Here,” says Mr. Shearsmith, “place your feet on these boards, and you will be on the very spot you desire.” The gentleman then, standing as he was directed, said, “Am I now exactly in the position, and on the very spot of ground, on which you have observed Swedenborg to stand? “You are, Sir,” replied Mr. Shearsmith. “Then here is half-aguinea for you,” said the gentleman: “I am abundantly satisfied with the honour of having for once trod in the footsteps of so great a man.”- R. H.

{21}

“During the time he was at Mr. Shearsmith’s, some learned men came to converse with him, especially a Rev. Mr. Hartley*, of East Malling, in Kent, and a physician called Messiter. He did not know the English language so as to hold a running conversation in it. He had an impediment in his speech. He laid some weeks in a trance, without any sustenance; and came to himself again. This was not a great while before his death. He seldom or never complained of any bodily pain; but was attacked, before his death, with a kind of paralytic stroke.
* The Rev. Thomas Hartley, Rector of Winwick, Northamptonshire, departed this life 11th December, 1784, aged 77. He was the author of a Volume of Sermons, and several other works; and was most highly esteemed and respected by a large circle. See The Monthly Observer for 1857, p. 177.- ED.
“He had no books, no not so much as a Directory. He was far from being verbose, or addicted to many words. It was said, he had conversation in spirit with Luther and Calvin. During his last visit to England, he chose to be mostly retired.
“It seems he had no particular regard for times or seasons*, or days or nights; only taking rest when nature required it. He did not indulge in needless gratifications. He went not to any place of worship during his abode with Mr. Shearsmith.** He did not want money.- Dr. Messiter had some manuscripts of his, which were returned by him at his death.***-The above is what I gathered from Mr. Shearsmith.”
* On one occasion Swedenborg desired the people of the house, where he resided, to shake his carpet, which usually had a surcharge of snuff upon it, and in the operation of cleansing excited considerable sneezing. It happened to be on a Sunday, of which he did not seem to be aware. Mr. Shearsmith observed to him, that it was the Sabbath, and he would prefer having it done the next day. “Dat be good! Dat be good!” immediately replied Swedenborg, and most readily assented to the proposed delay.- A certain professor of religion, hearing that Swedenborg did not pay that formal attention to particular days, which others are in the habit of doing, observed to Mr. Shearsmith, that on that account he could not be considered a good Christian. To which Mr. Shearsmith replied, that “to a good man, like Swedenborg, every day of his life is a Sabbath.”– It may be proper to remark, here, that Mr. Shearsmith was not attached to any religious sect of professing Christians; but appeared to be a plain, simple, and upright man, assenting to the religion of his country as he found it established, yet acknowledging and respecting the good among other denominations, without mixing with any of them. A character of this description was perhaps the most suitable that Swedenborg could have selected for a landlord; and having no prejudices for or against any particular Society or any particular tenets of a Society, he was always ready candidly and honestly to speak the truth, whenever called upon to answer questions relative to his venerable and illustrious lodger.- R, H.
** For a reason see True Christian Religion, n. 108.- ED.
*** These Manuscripts, though incomplete, were afterwards printed at London, in the year 1780, at the expense of Mr. Frederick Nordenskjold, under the title of Coronis seu Appendix ad Veram Christianam Religionem. The work was afterwards translated into English by me, and published in the year 1811, being the Coronis or Appendix to the True Christian Religion, &c.(a) – R. H.
(a) It was also translated by the Rev. M. Sibly, and since then by others.- ED.
“Dec. 4, 1783, I went again to Mr. Shearsmith’s, to read over to him the above account, to know if it was just in every particular; and he told me it was. Mr. Shearsmith not being at home when I called, I staid till he came in, and had some conversation with the maid who attended the Baron.* She said, that he was a good-natured man; and that he was a blessing to the house, for that they had harmony and good business, while he was with them.** She said, that before he came to their house the first time, he was offered another lodging in the neighbourhood, but he told the mistress there was no harmony in the house; which she acknowledged, and recommended him to Mrs. Shearsmith’s.
* This servant-maid, who attended upon Swedenborg, afterwards became Mr. Shearsmith’s second wife, and was employed by the Society in Cross Street, Hatton Garden, to clean the Church, and open the pew doors, when the Temple was first opened for public worship in 1797.- R. H.
** I have frequently heard Mr. Shearsmith say, that every thing went on prosperously with him, while Swedenborg lodged at his house. When I resided at 32, Clerkenwell Close, from 1783 to 1793, I employed him in the way of his profession, and consequently had many opportunities of gaining information from him concerning Swedenborg and his habits of life. As Mr. Shearsmith advanced in years, his business declined; and I have heard him, with much feeling, regret the loss of one, whom he always considered as his best friend. “If I have not a friend in this world,” said he, “I know I have one in the other” (meaning Swedenborg).- R. H. {22}
“Upon asking the maid if he ever ate any animal food, she said, he once had some pigeon pie. She said, that he told them a few days before his death, when it would happen; and, said she, “he was as pleased,” and made a comparison that the pleasure was such, “as if she was going to have a holiday, to go to some merry-making.”*
* Mr. and Mrs. Shearsmith both informed me, in addition to the above, that when the day of his departure arrived, (which he had foretold a month before it took place,) he asked them what time of day it was: and when he was told, that it was nearly five in the afternoon, he replied, “Dat be good! Me tank you, God bless you.” He then bade them farewell, saying his time was come; and in a few minutes after he calmly resigned his breath.- R. H.
“London, March, 16, 1778, I, Henry Peckitt, called on Mr. Springer, No. 12, Craven Buildings, near Wych Street, who is Counsellor of Commerce for Sweden. He had been acquainted with the Baron Swedenborg for many years. It seems the Baron had visited England many times during his life. Mr. Springer told me, the Baron had a fine house and garden at Stockholm; and that on one occasion he was sitting with company at Gottenburg, which is 188 miles from Stockholm; when he told them, that that part of the town was then on fire, where his house and garden were situated; but he hoped his house would escape the flames. He shortly after told them, his house was safe, but his garden was destroyed. When the Post arrived a few days after, it was found to be as he had previously stated. This was in the year 1759.
“Mr. Springer also told me, that the Queen of Sweden had written letters to her brother, a Prince of Prussia; and that, having no answers, she doubted whether he had received them or not. The Baron at that time had converse with the Queen, and her brother died in Prussia. She was very desirous to know if he had received the letters. She consulted the Baron, who said he would inform her in a few days. He did so, and told her he had received them, and was going to answer them, and that in the scrutoire of the Prince was a letter unfinished intended for her; but he was taken ill, and died. She sent to the King of Prussia, and the unfinished letter was found where the Baron had described it to be, which was immediately forwarded by the King to her Swedish Majesty.
“It seems the Baron was always subject to an impediment in his speech.* He wrote none of his Theological Works for gain.- So much from Mr. Springer.”
* In the printed Anecdotes of Swedenborg, annexed to Sandel’s Eulogium, p. 17, of the first edition in 1784, it is said, “that he usually spoke very distinctly, but stammered a little when he spoke too fast.” It may be regarded as a singular coincidence, that Moses, who was the chief instrument, in the Lord’s hands, of raising up the Jewish and Israelitish Church, was of “no eloquence, but slow of speech, and of a slow tongue,” Exod. iv. 10; and that Swedenborg, who was the chief instrument in founding the New Jerusalem Church, was also a man of no eloquence, but on the contrary defective in the powers of elocution, and apt to stammer in his speech. But as the external imperfection of Moses was amply made up by the superior oratorical talents of his brother Aaron, of whom it is written, “I know that he can speak well,” ver. 14; so it appears, that the defect of Swedenborg as a public speaker, which was a character he probably never attempted to assume, was more than compensated by the uncommon facility, order, and correctness, with which he penned his voluminous Writings. In the former instance, two distinct persons, Moses and Aaron, were necessary to the conveyance of heavenly instruction to the Israelites; the one as an organ for the immediate reception of the divine law from Jehovah, and the other as a medium for its further external and audible propagation among that people: whereas in the latter instance, a single person only, Emanuel Swedenborg, was, by his extraordinary mental endowments, and due preparation of the Lord, perfectly qualified to receive for himself immediately, and by his superior capacity as a writer to communicate, mediately, through the Latin language, and the press, the interior things of the same divine law to all the nations of the earth.- R. H.

After meeting twice or thrice in the Inner Temple, the Society removed to more convenient Chambers in New Court*, Middle Temple. {23} We now took the name of “The Theosophical Society, instituted for the Purpose of promoting the Heavenly Doctrines of the New Jerusalem, by translating, printing, and publishing the Theological Writings of the Honourable Emanuel Swedenborg.” The news of such an association soon spread in the Metropolis, and our numbers began to increase. Gentlemen of respectability found their way to our meetings, and cordially united with us in the objects of the Society. Among these were several persons of distinguished reputation for talent and merit in their several professions.**
* New Court contains only one large house, which occupies the entire of the west side. The east side is formed by the back of the Chambers in the adjoining Court.- ED.
** Among them were Mr. George Adams, of Fleet Street, Mathematical Instrument Maker to His Majesty, and author of several works on Vision, &c.
Mr. Joshua Jones Prichard, a learned Proctor, of Paul Baker’s Court, Doctor’s Commons.
Mr. Thomas Wright, of No. 6, Poultry, Watchmaker to the King.
Mr. Benedict Chastanier, M.A., of Grafton Street, Soho, and afterwards of 62, Tottenham Court Road, a French Surgeon, who always distinguished himself for his zeal in advocating the cause of the New Church.
Mr. J. Sanders. of Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, Miniature Painter.
Mr. William Sharp, of Bartholomew Lane, Threadneedle Street, afterwards of Charles Street, near the Middlesex Hospital, Marylebone, Engraver.
Mr. Thomas Osmand, of the Bank of England, and Denmark Hill, Surrey.
Mr. F. H. Barthelemon, Musical Preceptor to their late Royal Highnesses the Dukes of York, Gloucester, and Cumberland, and of His Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick; and for several years Leader of the Band at the Ancient Concerts and the King’s Theatre.
Mr. John Flaxman, the celebrated Sculptor, Wardour Street.
Mr. Emes, of Poland Street, Engraver.
Thomas Parker, Esq., of Red Lion Square, Counsellor-at-Law.
Major Dowling, of the Tower Hamlets, and of Aldermanbury; with his two sons, Mr. John Dowling, and Mr. Edward Dowling.
Mr. Benjamin Hutton, of Friday Street, Merchant.
Lieutenant-General Rainsford, of Soho Square, afterwards Governor of Gibraltar.
Lieutenant Horseley, of the Tower Hamlets, and Hoxton Square,
Mr. Loutherbourg, of Stratford Place, Piccadilly, the celebrated Painter.
Mr. Henry Servante`, of Upper Marylebone Street, Gentleman.
Mr. Manoah Sibly, of Goswell Street, Bookseller, afterwards an Ordained Minister of the New Jerusalem Chapel, Friars’ Street, Blackfriars.
Mr. Daniel Richardson, of Clerkenwell, Artist.
Mr. Isaac Brand, of London, Watch-Jeweller.
Mr. Thomas Young, of Little Britain, Silversmith.
Mr. Richard Thompson, of Snow Hill, Floor Cloth Manufacturer.
Mr. Isaac Hawkins, of London, afterwards an Ordained Minister of the New Church; and his son, Mr. John Isaac Hawkins, a distinguished Mechanist and Engineer.
Mr. Thomas Willdon, of Tooley Street; and his brother, Mr. John Willdon, of No. 8, Snow Hill; both zealous and valuable members of the Society.
Mr. John Rainsford Needham, of Cross Street, Wilderness Row, Wholesale Druggist.
Mr. Robert Brant, of London, afterwards an Ordained Minister of the New Church. Mr.
Samuel Smith, of London, afterwards an Ordained Minister of the New Church.
Mr. Benedict Harford, of London, Carver and Gilder.
Mr. Benjamin Banks, of London, formerly of Salisbury, Musical Instrument Maker.
Besides many others, now deceased, whose names are not recollected – R. H.
Mr. James Rayner; Mr. Joseph Osborne; Mr. Joseph Richards.- ED.

{24}    One of the first measures taken by the Society was to address the public, and particularly the Clergy, on the design of the Institution, and to invite to our assistance such of them as were disposed to take a part either in the translation of the Latin works of our Author, or in contributions to be raised for defraying the expenses of printing and publishing them in English. Among the few written documents, which have been preserved as evidence of the transactions of those early days, I find the following Address, which sufficiently shews the temper and state of the Society at the time of its original formation.

“THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

To the Christian World at large, but more particularly to the Clergy, whether of the Established Church, or among Dissenters, the following Address is earnestly recommended.

“Friends and Fellow-Creatures,
“It having pleased Almighty God, of his great mercy to the Church on earth, in this age of darkness and error, to raise up his servant, the Honourable Emanuel Swedenborg, to teach the genuine doctrines of the everlasting gospel, as revealed from heaven in the Writings of this great and good Man, – certain number of gentlemen, into whose hands these works have providentially fallen, fully convinced themselves of the superior excellence and importance of the grand discoveries therein contained, and being anxious to communicate to their brethren of the same spiritual treasures, have united together for the avowed purpose (under God) of procuring faithful and correct translations from the original Latin, and publishing them at an easy rate for the benefit of mankind in general.
“It is true, our number at present is small, the undertaking before us extensive and laborious, and the opposition we may reasonably expect to meet with, from those who shut up their minds against all spiritual information, by no means inconsiderable. Yet we trust we have embarked in a good cause, with consciences void of offence, free from all motives of self-interest, and, as far as in us lies, dovoted to the spiritual welfare of all ranks and conditions of men. We wage war with none, but are determined to maintain peace and friendship with all: and being sensible, that without variety (in religious as well as other concerns) there cannot exist harmony, or true order, we allow all men the free exercise of their respective modes of worship, however various, according to their different persuasions and habits of education; and wish nothing more, than to renounce every appearance of a sectarian spirit.
“That every person, who is unacquainted with the theological principles of the Honourable Emanuel Swedenborg, may receive information thereof in as few words as possible, we think proper to declare the two grand fundamentals of the whole doctrine, which are as follow:
“I. That there is only One God, One Person, in whom is the Divine Trinity, called Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, like the human trinity of soul, body, and proceeding operation, in every individual man; and that the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is that God.
“II. That a saving faith is to believe in Him; and that such faith is necessarily conjoined with charity, or a good life.
“With principles like these we do not hesitate to declare our most hearty concurrence; and doubt not, but every one, who feels the truth of these propositions, will likewise unite with us in bringing to light all those other doctrines which are derived from them, and which, after having been smothered in the ruins of Christianity, are again about to recover their former splendour through the instrumentality of Emanuel Swedenborg. To men of liberal sentiments and candid minds we are not ashamed to appeal, earnestly requesting them (as they tender immortal souls) not to be dilatory in giving what assistance may lie in their power, whether in the capacity of Translators, or otherwise. For as the works of our Author are many and voluminous, at the same time that they display such a fund of learning and knowledge as, beyond all manner of doubt, has not been equalled these seventeen centuries back, – there will be found ample room for every volunteer either to exercise himself in the field of Translation, or to join the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY in Contribution and Support. {25}
“It is thought proper to observe, we have in our possession, among other Posthumous Works of this Author, authentic copies of the following Manuscripts, viz., Clavis Hieroglyphica Arcanorum Naturalium et Spiritualium, per Viam Repraesentationum et Correspondentiarum.- Summaria Expositio Sensus Interni Librorum Propheticorum Verbi Veteris Testamenti, necnon et Psalmorum Davidis: Cum Duplici Indice Rerum.- Index Rerum in Arcanis Coelestibus. Also Index Rerum in Apocalypsi Revelata. Whoever may be desirous of seeing these Manuscripts, is at liberty to call on Mr. Chastanier, Surgeon, No. 62, Tottenham Court Road, who will not only favour any gentleman with a sight thereof, but likewise make known the plan and conditions of subscription, and give such further information respecting the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY as may be judged necessary.
“The benefits, we presume, arising to mankind, from the reception of our Author’s works, and the application of the truths therein contained to uses of life, cannot but appear in a most striking point of view. Sensible, however, at the same time, that every one does not see with our eyes, nor consequently receive with equal satisfaction things alike offered to all, we beg leave, with the greatest respect, and deference to the judgment of others, to submit to their serious perusal and earnest attention, those works of the Honourable Emanuel Swedenborg, which have already been published in the English language. And if, after a fair and candid investigation, the reader cannot think himself justified in adopting the principles, or acknowledging the extraordinary mission of our enlightened Author, we are ever ready to indulge him with all that liberty of peaceful dissent, which the bowels of charity rejoice to confer. Whilst, on the other hand, we seriously admonish all persons of a different complexion from ourselves, to beware with what spirit they reject the doctrines of this New Church, lest, on the day of account, they should be found fighters against God.
“For the Theosophical Society,
“ROBERT HINDMARSH, Secretary.”
“Middle Temple, Jan. 15, 1784.”

The Society continued to hold its meetings on Thursday evenings, when the untranslated writings of Swedenborg were read from the Latin either by Mr. George Adams, or myself. Particularly we devoted ourselves to the reading of the Apocalypsis Revelata, which treats so copiously of the consummation or end of the Christian Church, the Last Judgment, the Second Coming of the Lord, and the Descent of the New Jerusalem, or the establishment of a New Church upon earth. The translated works also, viz., the Treatise on Influx, or the Intercourse between the Soul and Body, the Treatise on Heaven and Hell, and the True Christian Religion, containing the Universal Theology of the New Church, afforded the most important instruction on all the grand topics of Christianity, the state of man after death, and the order in which life is communicated, by influx, from the Lord in the midst of the spiritual sun, to angels, spirits, and men. The conversation, to which these interesting subjects gave rise, and in which each member took a part, was in the highest degree animated and delightful; and tended, in an extraordinary degree, to unite us together in the bonds of mutual affection and charity. In many respects the Society might have been compared to the Primitive Christians. Sincerity, simplicity, and an earnest desire to communicate to others those spiritual advantages, which we ourselves enjoyed, were distinguishing features in all our meetings, which were conducted with an order and harmony truly gratifying.
That the benefits arising from these meetings might be diffused more generally, the Society soon came to the resolution of holding them twice a week, on Sunday as well as Thursday evenings, for the accommodation of those, who could not conveniently attend on days of business. {26} At one or other of these meetings, we were frequently favoured with the visits of strangers, who had heard of our Society and views by the reports of some who had previously attended. On one occasion, Captain Webb, a gentleman distinguished for his zeal in the cause of Methodism, and admitted by Mr. Wesley to preach in his pulpits, was introduced by a friend to our meeting; and, after hearing for some little time, the conversation that passed among us, he entered into the story of his own experience. With his left leg resting upon his right knee, while he detailed to us, in the most animated terms, the particulars of his conversion and instantaneous justification, he no sooner came to the last- mentioned point of his relation, than, raising his arm with enthusiastic feeling, he struck the calf of his leg so forcibly with the palm of his hand, as to cause the sound to ring again in our ears. “There,” says he, “my justification was as sudden as that blow; and I found the callous nature of my heart to be changed in an instant to the softness of the flesh of an infant. From that moment I became a new man, and have ever since enjoyed the liberty of the children of God.” We heard him with respect, and, believing him to be sincere and conscientious in his profession, gave him full credit for the warmth of his feelings, but could not help judging that he was still under the delusion of a favourite system, which the Methodists, as a body, take great pains to inculcate, viz., the instantaneous forgiveness of sins.
As a preacher, dressed out in his full regimentals, he presented a striking appearance in the pulpit; though one eye was covered with a black ribband, he having lost it by a musket ball in an engagement, and narrowly escaped with his life. In this costume, I once heard him preach to a crowded congregation, on the tremendous subject of the day of Judgment. The utmost attention was paid to him by the persons assembled, who appeared to tremble before him, while he proclaimed, in accents swelling with impetuosity and thunder, the terrors of the Lord, which would then inevitably fall on the heads of guilty and impenitent sinners. Many were melted to tears, no doubt with the consciousness of their own unworthiness; and the whole congregation seemed humbled in the dust, with the dreadful apprehension of that great event. It was the Captain’s favourite theme, and no man could set it off with fuller effect, or to better advantage. With a commanding person, a Stentorian voice, and action suited to the words, he made his way to the hearts of the timid; and considering the low degree of illumination, with which both speaker and hearers were at that time blessed, they having no other knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, than what is derived from their literal and obvious sense, it may be fairly concluded, that even this kind of preaching may have had its use, in stemming the tide of infidelity and wickedness among those who could not otherwise be led to see the dangers of immorality and open vice. {27} But in general, it may be remarked, that the effects produced in this way are too often, like those of tragic representations, transitory in their nature, and soon forgotten. Widely different are the results proceeding from an enlightened address to the understanding and judgment, accompanied with a suitable appeal to the best affections of the heart. Discourses of this description must be edifying, and cannot fail to be attended with the happiest effects.
In the months of May and June of the year 1784 a grand Musical Festival in commemoration of Handel was held in Westminster Abbey in the presence of several of the Royal Family, and great numbers of the Nobility and Gentry. This circumstance furnished a good opportunity of making known to the higher classes of the community, by means of printed notices, the objects which the Society had in view, and at the same time of publishing a list of those works of our Author, which had already been translated into English. A short advertisement to this effect was accordingly printed on Cards, as more likely to be preserved, than if printed on Paper; and these were delivered indiscriminately to all who entered the Abbey. The following is a copy of such advertisement, and the list of books then published.

“THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

“The design of this Meeting is,
“I. To consider the Spiritual Sense of the Sacred Scriptures, with intent to gain further knowledge of the laws of Divine Order, and the Doctrine of Correspondences, according to which great part of the Old and New Testament is written, and the spiritual and natural worlds are united.
“II. To acquire further knowledge concerning that eternal world and state we are all born to inherit, are daily verging to, and for which this world was created, and is preserved.
“III. To enter occasionally into the investigation of the wisdom and laws of God, as existing and operating in the natural creation, from a scriptural ground.
“IV. To enter into a serious and deliberate discussion of the most important truths contained in the Writings of EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, acknowledging the Scriptures as the ONLY RULE of doctrine and life.
“V. To urge the necessity of repentance and regeneration, by renouncing all evils as sins against God, in order that it may be well with us here, and that our states may be blessed eternally hereafter.
“It is the earnest desire of each member, that their conversation may be influenced by principles of the most unbounded charity, by no means subversive of any of the present establishments, nor in the smallest degree tending to discountenance any religious sect or party whatsoever, either by controversy or separation.
“N.B. The hours of meeting are from Six to Nine every Sunday Evening.

“ROBERT HINDMARSH,
“No. 32, Clerkenwell Close, Printer to the above Society.”
“New Court, Middle Temple, Oct. 1784.”

On the back of this card was printed the following “List of English Translations from the Latin of the Honourable Emanuel Swedenborg. {28}

“I. True Christian Religion, containing the Universal Theology of the New Church. 2 vols., quarto, 14s.
“II. First Volume of Arcana Coelestia. in 12 Sixpenny Numbers.
“III. First Part of the Second Volume of Arcana Coelestia. 2s. 6d.
“IV. A Treatise on Heaven and Hell, and of the Wonderful Things therein. 4s.
“V. A Treatise on the Nature of Influx, or of the Communication between Soul and Body. 1s. 3d.
“VI. The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Lord. 1s.
“VII. The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine. 4s.

This advertisement was not without its effects. Several were induced to look into Writings, which before were altogether unknown to them; and the Society by degrees acquired the reputation of possessing more interior and more consistent views of the great doctrines of Christianity, than those of any other denomination. The subjects discussed at our various meetings frequently excited the astonishment of visitors, some of whom were disposed to concur with us in sentiment, while others, it must be acknowledged, treated the doctrines of the New Church generally with some degree of contempt. But nothing could for a moment divert the Society from their fixed determination, of bringing before the public those extraordinary discoveries of divine truth, which the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg are known to contain.
In the course of the year 1784, Mr. Glen (whose name has been already mentioned, p. 17, as the first person who answered to the advertisement inserted in the public papers by the Society meeting in the Inner Temple, near Fleet Street,) went to Philadelphia from England, taking with him, partly from the Society, and partly of his own free bounty, an assortment of such of the works of Emanuel Swedenborg, as were then translated. He there attempted to promulgate the doctrines of the New Church, by public Lectures, and explanations of the science of correspondences, but without any apparent effect. He soon after quitted Philadelphia, leaving behind him the box of books, which he had brought over from England.* At that time Miss Hetty Barclay, a pious and intelligent lady, was residing in the family of the gentleman, at whose house the books were left. She had the curiosity to open the box, and peruse the books contained in it; and after a long and careful examination of the new and sublime doctrines, which they unfolded, she most cordially and fully embraced them.
* This is differently related. The facts we believe are, that Mr. Glen after lecturing on the Science of Correspondences in Bell’s Auction Room, in Third Street, Philadelphia, according to advertisement dated June, 1784, remained there but a short time. A box of books, soon after his departure, reached the city, consigned to the care of Mr. Bell for him. On the death of Mr. Bell, the books were sold with his other effects at a public sale. Mr. Fisher and Mr. Bailey purchased several; and Mr. Bailey, his wife, and a Miss Barclay became warm recipients of the doctrines: shortly after this, Captain Lang, Mr. Thomas Lang, and Judge Young of Greensburgh, became receivers. In 1788 the last-named received from London a copy of The True Christian Religion, and reprinted it by subscription. Among the subscribers were Dr. Benjamin Franklin and Robert Morris. He died on the 6th October 1840, aged 78.- ED. {29}

About the same time, or soon after, Mr. Francis Bailey, Printer to the State of Pennsylvania, and one of the deacons or elders of the Presbyterian Church in Pine Street, Philadelphia, also received the new doctrines, and with Miss Barclay, and another lady, formed a little Society, the first in the United States, not for public worship, but for reading and conversing on the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. Mr. Bailey soon wrote to me for more of the books, which were immediately forwarded to him, including a Summary View of the principal Doctrines of the New Church, written by the Rev. J. Clowes. Some of these he circulated among his friends, and others he re-printed at his own expense. Thus by the instrumentality of Mr. Glen, who first announced Swedenborg’s Writings in America, and afterwards by the successful exertions of Miss Barclay, then of Philadelphia, Mr. Bailey, of Philadelphia, and Mr. Folsom, a bookseller of Boston, to whom the Writings were also sent from London, the doctrines of the New Church were extensively circulated in that country, and the inhabitants of the New and Old World were, nearly at the same time, enlightened by the rays of divine truth proceeding from the Sun of heaven.
It is pleasing to notice the means whereby the Lord, in his Divine Providence, gradually and almost imperceptibly raises up and establishes a Church. Miss Barclay, in 1789*, paid a visit to her brother in Bedford, Pennsylvania, and shortly afterwards made his house her permanent residence. There, by her intelligent and spiritual conversations, and a variety of Swedenborg’s works which she took with her, she laid the foundation of a New Church Society**, which, so long as it existed, had reason to bless her memory. Through her agency, either directly or indirectly, it appears, that almost all the early members of the Church in the western parts have received their first impressions. She died at Bedford, in 1796.
* From the year 1789 to 1793 or 1794, several interesting foreigners, attached to the doctrines, visited America. Margaret Bailey in a letter to C. Raguet, Esq., in 1837, gives their names as follows: Col. Julius Vahn Rohr, by birth a Swede, who had seen Swedenborg and knew his family. He possessed all his writings, philosophical as well as theological. Mr. Chalmer, or Charing, a Danish gentleman, who was there in some diplomatic capacity, who had also seen Swedenborg; and Captain Byard, a French gentleman, who with his family had fled from his country, but was soon after recalled. – ED.
** The Bedford Society is not reported to the Convention as in existence since 1835, but Mr. Sam. M. Barclay is mentioned as a receiver so lately as 1852.- ED. {30}