CHAP. V.
THE London Society, having proceeded thus far in their exertions, first, to bring the Church into an actual external existence, then to introduce into it a regular and orderly Ministry, and afterwards to invite their brethren in other parts of the kingdom to unite with them in giving more full effect to their humble endeavours to propagate the truth among mankind, – now proceeded to take into consideration the propriety of calling a GENERAL CONFERENCE of all the readers of the Theological Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, in order that the measures to be hereafter adopted might be the acts, not of one Society only, but of the New Church in general. For this end a Meeting was convened of all the members of the London Society, who appointed a Committee to prepare a Circular Letter, to be addressed to all the Societies of the New Church in Great Britain, and to such individuals, not united in any Society, as were known to be receivers of the new doctrines, and friendly to the formation of an external visible Church. {80} This Meeting was held in the Chapel in Great East Cheap, London, on the 7th day of December, 1788; when the following Circular Letter, containing Forty-two Theological Propositions, taken from the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, with a general invitation for all the readers to attend the proposed Conference, was submitted to the Meeting, approved of, and ordered to be forthwith sent to all Societies and individuals, that might be supposed interested in the establishment and prosperity of the New Jerusalem.
“COPY of a CIRCULAR LETTER, addressed to all the Readers of the Theological Writings of the Honourable EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, who are desirous of rejecting, and separating themselves from the OLD CHURCH, or the present Established Churches together with all their Sectaries, throughout Christendom, and of fully embracing the Heavenly Doctrines of the NEW JERUSALEM.
“NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH, GREAT EAST CHEAP, LONDON.
“Dec. 7, 1788.
“At a full Meeting of the members of the New Jerusalem Church who assemble at the above place, for the purpose of considering the most effectual means of promoting the establishment of the New Church, distinct from the Old, both in this and other countries, it was unanimously agreed, that a GENERAL CONFERENCE of all the readers of the Theological Writings of EMANUEL SWEDENBORG who are desirous of rejecting, and separating themselves from, the Old Church, or the present Established Churches, together with all their Sectaries, throughout Christendom, and of fully embracing the Heavenly Doctrines of the New Church, be held in Great East Cheap, London, on Easter Monday, the 13th day of April, 1789; when the following Propositions, containing the principal Doctrines of the New Church, will be taken into serious consideration, and such Resolutions submitted to the said Meeting, as may be found necessary to promote the above design.
“PROPOSITIONS.
“I. That Jehovah God, the Creator of heaven and earth, is One in Essence and in Person, in whom is a Divine Trinity, consisting of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, like Soul, Body and Operation in Man; and that the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is that God. True Christian Religion, n. 5 to 24, 25, 164 to 171, 180.
“II. That Jehovah God himself came down from heaven as Divine Truth, which is the Word, and took upon him Human Nature for the purpose of removing hell from man, of restoring the heavens to order, and of preparing the way for a New Church upon earth; and that herein consists the true nature of redemption, which was effected solely by the omnipotence of the Lord’s Divine Humanity. True Christ. Rel. n. 85, 86, 115 to 117, 124, 125.
“III. That a Trinity of Divine Persons existing from eternity, or before the creation of the world, when conceived in idea, is a Trinity of Gods, which cannot be expelled by the oral confession of One God. True Christ. Rel. n. 172, 173.
“IV. That to believe Redemption to have consisted in the passion of the cross, is a fundamental error of the Old Church; and that this error, together with that relating to the existence of Three Divine Persons from eternity, hath perverted the whole Christian Church, so that nothing spiritual is left remaining in it. True Christ. Rel. n. 132, 133.
“V. That all Prayers directed to a Trinity of distinct Persons, and not to a Trinity conjoined in One Person, are henceforth not attended to, but are in heaven like ill-scented odours. True Christ. Rel. n. 108.
“VI. That hereafter no Christian can be admitted into heaven, unless he believeth in the Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, and approacheth him alone. True Christ. Rel. n. 26, 107, 108.
“VII. That the doctrines universally taught in the Old Church, particularly respecting Three Divine Persons, the Atonement, Justification by Faith alone, the Resurrection of the material Body, &c., &c., are highly dangerous to the rising generation, inasmuch as they tend to ingraft in their infant minds principles diametrically opposite to those of the New Church, and consequently hurtful to their salvation. True Christ. Rel n. 23, 173. {81}
“VIII. That the Nicene and Athanasian doctrine concerning a Trinity have together given birth to a faith, which hath entirely overturned the Christian Church. True Christ. Rel. n. 177.
“IX. That hence is come that abomination of desolation, and that affliction, such as was not in all the world, neither shall be, which the Lord hath foretold in Daniel, and the Evangelists, and the Revelation. True Christ. Rel. n. 179.
“X. That hence too it is come to pass, that unless a New Heaven and a New Church be established by the Lord, no flesh can be saved. True Christ Rel. n. 182.
“XI. That the Word of the Lord is Holy; and that it containeth a Three-fold Sense, namely, Celestial, Spiritual, and Natural, which are united by Correspondences; and that in each sense it is Divine Truth, accommodated respectively to the angels of the three heavens, and also to men on earth. True Christ. Rel. n. 193 to 213.
“XII. That the Books of the Word are all those which have the Internal Sense, which are as follow, viz. in the Old Testament, the five Books of Moses, called Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy; the Book of Joshua, the Book of Judges, the two Books of Samuel, the two Books of Kings, the Psalms of David, the Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi; and in the New Testament, the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Revelation. And that the other Books, not having the Internal Sense, are not the Word. Arcana Coelestia, n. 10325. New Jer. n. 266. White Horse, n. 16.
“XIII. That in the Spiritual World there is a Sun distinct from that of the Natural World, the essence of which is pure love from Jehovah God, who is in the midst thereof: that the heat also proceeding from that Sun is in its essence love, and the light thence proceeding is in its essence wisdom; and that by the instrumentality of that Sun all things were created, and continue to subsist, both in the Spiritual and in the Natural World. True Christ. Rel. n. 75. Influx, n. 5.
“XIV. That immediately on the Death of the material body, (which will never be re-assumed) man rises again as to his spiritual or substantial body, wherein he existeth in a perfect human form; and thus that Death is only a continuation of Life. New Jer. n. 223 to 228.
“XV. That the State and Condition of man after death is according to his past life in this world; and that the Predominant Love, which he takes with him into the Spiritual World, continues with him for ever, and can never be changed to all eternity; consequently, that if this Predominant Love be good, he abides in heaven to all eternity, but if it be evil, he abides in hell to all eternity. Heaven and Hell, n. 480, 521 to 527. True Christ. Rel. n. 199. Arc. Coel. n. 10596, 10749. De Amore Conjug. n. 524. Apoc. Explic. n. 745, 837, 971, 1164, 1220.
“XVI. That there is not in the universal heaven a single Angel that was created such at first, nor a single Devil in all hell, that had been created an angel of light, and was afterwards cast out of heaven; but that all both in heaven and hell are of the human race, in heaven such as had lived in the world in heavenly love and faith, and in hell such as had lived in hellish love and faith. Last Judgment, n. 14. Heaven and Hell. n. 311 to 317.
“XVII. That man is not Life in himself, but only a Recipient of Life from the Lord, who alone is Life in Himself; which life is communicated by influx to all in the Spiritual World, whether in Heaven or in Hell, or in the intermediate state called the World of Spirits, and to all in the Natural World; but is received differently by each, according to the quality of the recipient subject. True Christ. Rel. n. 470 to 474.
“XVIII. That man hath power to procure for himself both Faith and Charity, and also the Life of Faith and Charity; but that nevertheless nothing belonging to Faith, nothing belonging to Charity, and nothing belonging to the Life of each, is from man, but from the Lord. True Christ. Rel. n. 356 to 359.
“XIX. That Charity and Faith are mere mental and perishable things, unless they be determined to Works, and exist therein, whensoever it is practicable. And that neither Charity alone, nor Faith alone, produces good Works; but that both Charity and Faith together are necessary to produce them. True Christ. Rel. n. 375 to 377, 450 to 453.
“XX. That there are three universal Loves, viz., the Love of Heaven, the Love of the World, and the Love of Self, which, when in right subordination, make man perfect; but when they are not in right subordination, that they pervert and invert him. True Christ. Rel. n. 394 to 405. {82}
“XXI. That man hath Free-will in spiritual things, and that without this Free-will the Word would be of no manner of use, and consequently no church could exist; and that without Free-will in spiritual things there would be nothing about man, whereby he might join himself by reciprocation with the Lord, but God himself would be chargeable as the Author of evil, and all would be mere absolute predestination which is shocking and detestable. True Christ. Rel. n. 479 to 485. New Jer. n. 141 to 149.
“XXII. That Miracles are not to be expected at this day, because they carry compulsion with them, and take away man’s Free-will in spiritual things. True Christ. Rel. n. 501, 849. Div. Prov. n. 130.
“XXIII. That Repentance is the beginning and foundation of the Church in man; and that it consisteth in a man’s examining not only the actions of his life, but also the intentions of his will, and in abstaining from evils, because they are sins against God. True Christ. Rel. n. 510 to 566.
“XXIV. That Regeneration or the New Birth is effected of the Lord alone, by charity and faith, during man’s co-operation; and that it is a gradual, not an instantaneous work, the several stages thereof answering to those of man’s natural birth, in that he is conceived, carried in the womb, brought forth, and educated. True Christ. Rel. n. 576 to 578, 583 to 586.
“XXV. That in proportion as man is regenerated, in the same proportion his Sins are removed; and that this Removal is what is meant in the Word by the Remission of Sins. True Christ. Rel. n. 611 to 614.
“XXVI. That all have a Capacity to be regenerated, because all are redeemed, every one according to his state. True Christ. Rel. n. 579 to 582.
“XXVII That both evil Spirits and good Spirits are attendant upon every man and that the evil Spirits dwell in and excite his evil affections, and that the good Spirits dwell in and excite his good affections. True Christ. Rel. n. 596, &c.
“XXVIII. That spiritual Temptations, which are Conflicts between good and evil, truth and falsehood, are a means of purification and regeneration, and that the Lord alone fighteth for man therein. Ibid.
“XXIX. That the Imputation of the Merit and Righteousness of Christ, which consist in Redemption, is a thing impossible; and that it can no more be applied or ascribed to any angel or man, than the Creation and Preservation of the Universe can; Redemption being a kind of Creation of the Angelic Heaven anew, and also of the Church. True Christ. Rel. n. 640.
“XXX. That the Imputation, which really takes place, and which is maintained by the New Church from the Word, is an Imputation of Good and Evil, and at the same time of Faith; and that the Lord imputeth Good to every man, and that Hell imputeth Evil to every man. True Christ. Rel. n. 643 to 646.
“XXXI. That the Faith and Imputation of the New Church cannot abide together with the Faith and Imputation of the Old Church; and in case they abide together, such a collision and conflict will ensue, as will prove fatal to every thing that relates to the Church in man. True Christ. Rel. n. 647 to 649. Brief Expos. n. 96, 103.
“XXXII. That there is not a single genuine Truth remaining in the Old Church, but what is falsified; and that herein is fulfilled the Lord’s prediction in Matthew xxiv. 2, that ‘one stone of the Temple shall not be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’ True Christ. Rel. n. 174, 177, 180, 758.
“XXXIII. That Now it is allowable to enter intellectually into the Mysteries of Faith, contrary to the ruling maxim in the Old Church, that the Understanding is to be kept bound under Obedience to Faith. True Christ. Rel. n. 185, 508. Apoc. Rev. n. 564, 914.
“XXXIV. That external Forms of Worship, agreeable to the doctrines of the New Church are necessary, in order that the members of the New Church may worship God in One Person, according to the dictates of their own consciences, and that their acknowledgment of the Lord may, by descending into the ultimates, be confirmed, and thus their external man act in unity with their internal. Apoc. Rev. n. 533, 707. True Christ. Rel. n. 23, 55, 177, 508.
“XXXV. That the two Sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Supper are essential institutions in the New Church, the uses of which are now revealed, together with the spiritual sense of the Word. True Christ. Rel. n. 667 to 730.
“XXXVI. That the Kingdom of the Lord, both in heaven and on earth, is a Kingdom of Uses. True Christ. Rel. n. 387, 459. Arc. Coel. n. 5395. {83}
“XXXVII. That true Conjugial Love, which can only exist between One Husband and One Wife, is a primary characteristic of the New Church, being grounded in the marriage of goodness and truth, and corresponding with the marriage of the Lord and his Church; and therefore is more celestial, spiritual, holy, pure, and clean, than any other love in angel, or men. De Amore Conjug. n. 57 to 73.
“XXXVIII. That the Last Judgment was accomplished in the Spiritual World in the year 1757; and that the former heaven and the former earth, or the Old Church, are passed away, and that all things are become New. Last Judgment, n. 45. True Christ. Rel. n. 115, 772. Apoc. Rev. n. 886. Brief Expos. n. 95.
“XXXIX. That Now is the Second Advent of the Lord, which is a Coming, not in Person, but in the power and glory of the Spiritual Sense of his Holy Word, which is Himself. True Christ. Rel. n. 776 to 778.
“XL. That this Second Coming of the Lord is effected by means of his servant EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, before whom He Hath manifested Himself in Person, and whom he hath filled with his Spirit, to teach the doctrines of the New Church by the Word from Him. True Christ. Rel. n. 779.
“XLI. That this is what is meant in the Revelation by the New Heaven and New Earth, and the New Jerusalem thence descending, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband. True Christ. Rel. n. 781.
“XLII. That this New Church is the Crown of all Churches, which have heretofore existed on this earthly globe, in consequence of its worshiping One Visible God, in whom is the Invisible, as the Soul is in the Body. True Christ. Rel. n. 786 to 790,
“Sir,
“As a friend to the establishment of the New Church, distinct from the Old, you are hereby invited to the above-mentioned CONFERENCE, to be held in Great East Cheap, London, on Easter Monday, the 13th of April next, at Nine o’clock in the morning. Any person within the circle of your acquaintance, whom you know to be a lover of the truths contained in the Theological Writings of EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, and friendly to the formation of a New Church, agreeable to the doctrines contained in the said Writings, and consistent with the plan proposed in this Circular Paper, you are at liberty also to invite; as nothing but the real welfare and promotion of the New Jerusalem Church is hereby intended; which end, it is thought, may be most effectually answered by a general concurrence of the members of the New Church at large.
“Signed in behalf of the New Church at London
THE COMMITTEE:
THOMAS WRIGHT, President
ROBERT HINDMARSH, Treasurer and Secretary
JOHN AUGUSTUS TULK
THOMAS WILLDON
RICHARD THOMPSON
ISAAC HAWKINS
MANOAH SIBLY
SAMUEL SMITH
JAMES HINDMARSH
“Great East Cheap, London.
“Dec. 7, 1788.”
On the publication of this Circular Letter, and the Propositions accompanying it, by some means or other it came to the knowledge of the then Bishop of London, (Dr. BEILBY PORTEUS,) who immediately sent his Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. SELLON, Minister of St. James’s Church, Clerkenwell, to my house for a copy of it, and at the same time to inquire of me what it all meant, or what our intentions were in summoning an Assembly of the above description. In answer to this application, I sent two or three copies of that Circular, with my compliments, to the Bishop, and begged the messenger to assure his Lordship, that no violence or disrespect was intended to any order of society; but that the design was to spread the doctrines of the New Jerusalem among mankind as publicly and extensively as possible. {84} I heard no more from the Bishop after that. But I have reason to believe, that his Lordship was pretty well acquainted with the nature and tendency of those doctrines, and that he was far from entertaining an unfavorable opinion of them. His Chaplain, Mr. Sellon, who was a neighbour of mine, after that, frequently called on me, and purchased the books, as they came from the press, partly on his own account, and, as I understood, partly on account of the Bishop.
On the arrival of the appointed time for the meeting of the General Conference, which began on Easter Monday, the 13th, and continued till the 17th of April, 1789, a numerous assemblage of readers attended at the place of worship in Great East Cheap, London. Besides the Society in London, individuals were present from Kensington, in Middlesex, Rotherham, in Yorkshire, Derby, Liverpool, Salisbury, and other parts of England; also from Sweden, America, and Jamaica. All seemed desirous of promoting, to the utmost of their power, the great object for which they were convened; and though many of them had never before seen each other, they all rejoiced in the opportunity afforded them of testifying their sincere attachment to the cause which brought them together, and were anxious to manifest to the world their sense of the blessings, which awaited them in this new era of the Church.
The Meeting was opened in the manner described in the Minutes of the First General Conference of the Members of the New Jerusalem Church. After a prayer suited to the particular occasion of the day, and for the prosperity of the New Church at large, a member of the London Society (Mr. ROBERT HINDMARSH) addressed the Meeting in the following words:
“Friends and Brethren,
“I am directed by the members of the New Jerusalem Church in London, to thank you, in their name, for the readiness you have shewn in accepting their invitation to this General Conference. It gives them unspeakable pleasure to find, that the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem are now manifesting themselves in this land, and that in every quarter of the globe, the Lord’s New Church is in some small degree beginning to make its appearance. May the Lord hasten the time, when righteousness shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea!
“Be assured, that nothing but a sincere love to mankind in general, and an ardent desire to promote their spiritual welfare, could have induced them to step forward on the present occasion, and call your attention to subjects, which, however new, or opposed to the prejudices and misconceptions of the present day, are nevertheless of the utmost moment and importance to all.
“With hearts filled with gratitude to the most merciful Lord Jesus, for the greatest of all mercies, his Second Advent; and warmed with affection towards their brethren of the New Church, the Society of London can with freedom and confidence communicate their sentiments to all present; not doubting but the same charity and benevolence, which they trust actuate themselves, will be equally manifested on the part of the friends now assembled. Under this persuasion, and that all our proceedings may be conducted with harmony and good order, they have directed me to request, that the Meeting at large do now proceed to the election of a President and Secretary, to officiate in their respective capacities during the present Conference.”
[Note: the page numbering jumps from 84 to 97. This appears to be simply an error of pagination in the original text and not the loss of any material.] {97}
Hereupon the Meeting unanimously appointed Mr. HENRY PECKITT, of London, to be President; and Mr. ROBERT BEATSON, of Rotherham, in Yorkshire, to be Secretary.
When the President had taken his seat, he opened the business of the Conference in the following manner.
“It is presumed, that all present are well acquainted with the design of the present Meeting, that it is, as stated in the circular letter, for the purpose of considering the most effectual means of promoting the establishment of the New Church, distinct from the Old, and for entering into such Resolutions, as may appear necessary in a work of so great importance. I trust, that the utmost harmony will be preserved during the whole of this Conference; and that each member, in delivering his sentiments, will ever keep in mind the necessity of humility, and guard against every domineering spirit that might attempt to infest his mind, by persuading him that he alone is in the true light, or that his judgment is superior to that of others; as knowing, that of himself he can neither think a good thought, nor speak a good word, but that every good and perfect gift proceeds from the Father of mercies, even the Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who alone is the true fountain and source of all life and light. In his Name, and by the influence of his Holy Spirit, may all our proceedings be begun and carried on!
“Sensible of the many difficulties we have to encounter, and of our inability, without divine assistance, to perform the task before us, let us remember, that whatever may be done in our present weak and imperfect state, can only be preparatory to the future complete and glorious establishment of the Lord’s kingdom upon earth; to effect which great and blessed end, frequent Conferences will no doubt be necessary, in order that unanimity and harmony may prevail in all the Societies of the New Church, wheresoever they may be formed throughout the world. In the mean time, let us offer up our united prayers to the Omnipotent Jehovah Jesus, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords, that he would be pleased to preside in the present Assembly, and by his divine presence warm our hearts with love to himself and his kingdom, enlighten our understandings with the pure and genuine light of heaven, and so bless our feeble endeavours at this time, that they may tend to the further exaltation of his great and holy Name, and a more general reception of the glorious truths of the New Jerusalem.”
The following passages, extracted from the True Christian Religion, written by the Hon. EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, were then read; wherein is contained an account of the New Angelic Heaven forming in the Spiritual World, and a view of the principal Arcana of the New Church now revealed to mankind.
“108. I shall relate the following particulars, which I know to be true, because I have been an eye-witness of them, and therefore can testify the truth of them. There is at this day a New Angelic Heaven forming by the Lord, consisting of such only as believe on the Lord God and Saviour, and approach him immediately as the Object of their worship; and all others are rejected. Wherefore, from henceforth, if any one cometh from a Christian country into the spiritual world, where every man is received after death, and doth not believe on the Lord, and approach him alone as the Object of his worship, and cannot then receive this doctrine concerning him, in consequence of a mis-spent life, or a confirmation of himself in falses, he is rejected at his first approach towards heaven, and his face is thence averted, and turned towards the region below, whither he goeth, and joineth himself in society with those there, who are signified in the Revelation by the dragon and false prophet. The prayers also of every man that liveth in a Christian country, and doth not believe on the Lord, are henceforth not attended to, but are in heaven like ill-scented odours, or like eructations from corrupted lungs; and although he may fancy that his prayer is like the perfume of incense, yet in its ascent to the Angelic Heaven it is but like the smoke of a chimney, which by the violence of the wind is driven down into the eyes of men below, or like the incense from a censer under a monk’s cloak. This is the case from henceforward with all worship, which is directed towards a Trinity of distinct Persons, and not towards a Trinity conjoined in One Person.
“846. I was once raised up as to my spirit into the Angelic Heaven, and introduced into a particular Society therein; and immediately some of the wise ones of the Society came to me, and said, WHAT NEWS FROM EARTH? {98} I replied, This is New, that the Lord hath revealed Arcana, which in point of real excellence exceed all the Arcana heretofore revealed since the beginning of the Church. They asked, What Arcana? I answered, The following, I. That in all and every part of the Word there is a SPIRITUAL SENSE corresponding with the natural sense, and that the Word by that sense is a medium of conjunction between mankind and the Lord, and also of consociation with Angels; and that the sanctity of the Word resideth in that sense. II. That the CORRESPONDENCES, of which the spiritual sense of the Word consisteth are discovered. And the Angels asked, Had the inhabitants of the earth no knowledge heretofore concerning Correspondences? I replied, None at all; and that the Doctrine of Correspondences had been hidden now for some thousands of years, viz., since the time of Job; that at that time, and in the ages before it, the Science of Correspondences was esteemed the chief of Sciences, being the fountain of wisdom to man, because it was the fountain of knowledge concerning spiritual things relating to Heaven and the Church; but that that science, by reason of its being perverted to idolatrous purposes, was so obliterated and destroyed by the Divine Providence of the Lord that no traces of it were left remaining: That nevertheless at this time it was again revealed by the Lord, in order to effect a conjunction of the members of the Church with Him, and their consociation with the angels, which purposes are effected by the Word, in which all and every thing are Correspondences. The angels were much rejoiced to hear, that it had pleased the Lord to reveal this great Arcanum, which had lain hid so deep for thousands of years; and they said, that it was done with this view, that the Christian Church, which is founded on the Word, and is now at its period, may again revive, and derive spirit through heaven from the Lord. They inquired further, whether it was discovered at this day by that science, what is signified by BAPTISM, and what by the HOLY SUPPER, which have given birth heretofore to so many various conjectures about their true meaning? And I replied, That it was discovered. III. I further said, That a revelation was made by the Lord at this day concerning the LIFE OF MAN AFTER DEATH. The Angels replied, How concerning life after death? who doth not know, that man liveth after death? I replied, They know it and they do not know it: they say, that it is not man who then liveth, but his soul: and that this is then a living spirit; and their idea of spirit is like that of wind or ether: thus they insist, that man doth not live till the day of the Last Judgment, and that then the corporeal parts, which had been left behind in the world, (notwithstanding their having been eaten up by worms, mice, and fish,) will be collected together again and again fitted and formed into a body, and that thus they will rise again as men. Hereupon the Angels said, What a notion is this! Who doth not know, that man liveth as a man after death, with this difference alone, that he then liveth a substantial man, and not a material man as before; and that the substantial man is visible to the substantial man, just as the material man is to the material, and that they know no difference, except that they are in a more perfect state. IV. The Angels asked, What do they know on earth concerning our world, and concerning HEAVEN AND HELL? I answered, Nothing at all; but that it had pleased the Lord to discover, at this day, the nature and state of the world in which Angels and Spirits live, consequently the nature and state of Heaven and Hell; and also that Angels and Spirits are in conjunction with men, with many other wonderful particulars concerning them. The Angels rejoiced to hear, that the Lord had been pleased to reveal such things to mankind, that so they might no longer live in doubt respecting their immortality, in consequence of their ignorance of a future state. V. I further added, The Lord hath been pleased at this day to reveal, that there is in your world a Sun, distinct from the Sun in our world, and that the Sun of your world is pure love, and that the Sun in our world is pure fire; and that therefore whatsoever proceedeth from your Sun, by reason of its being pure love, hath somewhat of life in it, and that whatsoever proceedeth from our Sun by reason of its being pure fire, hath in it nothing of life; and that hence ariseth the distinction between what is SPIRITUAL and what is NATURAL, which distinction heretofore unknown is now revealed. Hereby also is discovered the source of that light, which enlighteneth the human understanding with wisdom, and the source of that heat which kindleth love in the human will. VI. It is further revealed, that there are three Degrees of life, and that consequently there are three Heavens; and that the mind of man is distinguished into the same Degrees, and that hereby man correspondeth with the three Heavens. The Angels asked, Did not they know this before? I replied, They knew somewhat of a distinction of degrees in relation to more or less, but nothing of their distinction in relation to prior and posterior. VII. The Angels then inquired, whether anything else had been revealed? {99} I said, Much more besides, as concerning the LAST JUDGMENT; concerning the LORD, that he is the God of heaven and earth: that God is One, both in Person and Essence, in whom is a Divine Trinity and that he is the Lord; also concerning the NEW CHURCH about to be established by him, and concerning the Doctrine of the Church; concerning the SANCTITY of the SACRED SCRIPTURE; that the APOCALYPSE also is revealed; and, moreover, concerning the INHABITANTS of the PLANETS; and concerning the EARTHS in the UNIVERSE; besides many memorable and wonderful particulars relating to the Spiritual World, whereby several things connected with wisdom have been revealed from Heaven.
“847, In some further conversation with the Angels, I acquainted them, that the Lord had been pleased to make a revelation to the world on another subject. They asked, On what subject? I said, In relation to LOVE TRULY CONJUGIAL, and its Spiritual Delights. And the Angels said, Who doth not know, that the delights of Conjugial Love exceed the delights of every other kind of love? and who cannot conceive, that there must be some particular kind of love, on which are amassed together all the blessednesses, joys, and delights, which it is in the power of the Lord to bestow; and that the receptacle of those blessednesses, joys, and delights, is true Conjugial Love, inasmuch as it correspondeth with the love of the Lord and the Church, and is capable of receiving and perceiving such blessednesses, joys, and delights, in a full and sensible manner? I replied, Mankind on earth know nothing of all this, because they have not approached the Lord, and therefore have not shunned the concupiscences of the flesh, and consequently could not be regenerated, and Love truly Conjugial is only from the Lord, and given to those who are regenerated by him; and these also are they who are received into the Lord’s New Church, which is understood in the Revelation by the New Jerusalem. To this I added, that I had a doubt whether men on earth at this day were disposed to believe that Conjugial Love in itself is spiritual, and consequently grounded in religion, inasmuch as they entertain only corporeal ideas concerning it; and of course they will hardly be persuaded to believe, that, by reason of its religious ground, it is spiritual with such as are spiritual, natural with such as are natural, and merely carnal with adulterers.
“848. The Angels, on hearing an account of all these new discoveries made to mankind, were much rejoiced; but they saw that I was sorrowful and dejected, and they asked, What is the cause of thy sorrow? I replied, Because these Arcana at this day revealed by the Lord, notwithstanding their superiority in excellence and dignity above all the knowledges that have been heretofore published to the world, are yet reputed on earth as things of no value. The Angels wondered at this, and requested the Lord’s permission to look down into the world; and they looked down, and lo! mere darkness was therein. And it was suggested to them to write those Arcana on a paper, and let the paper down on earth, and then they would see a prodigy. And they did so, and lo! the paper, on which the Arcana were written, was let down from Heaven, and in its progress, whilst it was yet in the Spiritual World, it shone bright like a star; but when it came into the Natural World, the light disappeared, and as it fell on the ground, it was totally darkened; and when it was let down by the Angels amongst some assemblies consisting of learned clergy and laity, many of them were heard to mutter words to this effect, What have we got here? Is it anything or nothing? What matters it whether we know these things, or do not know them? Surely they are the offspring of imagination and a disordered brain. And it appeared as if some took the paper, and folded it into different shapes, and then again unfolded it with their fingers; and also as if some tore it in pieces, and were desirous to tread it under their feet. But they were prevented by the Lord from proceeding to such enormity; and the Angels were charged to take up the paper back again, and secure it. And because these things affected the Angels with sorrow, and they began to think with themselves how long the darkness on earth would continue, it was told them, “FOR A TIME, AND TIMES, AND HALF A TIME.” Rev. xii. 14.
“849. After this I heard a confused murmur from below, and at the same time these words, DO MIRACLES, AND WE WILL BELIEVE. And I replied, Are not the things above- mentioned Miracles? and answer was made, They are not. And I asked, What Miracles then do you mean? and they said, Discover and reveal future events, and we will believe. But I replied, Such discovery and revelation are not allowed by the Lord, since in proportion as man knoweth future events, in the same proportion his reason and understanding, together with his prudence and wisdom, fall into an indolence of inexertion, and thereby lose their activity, and their very existence. And I asked again, What other Miracles shall I do? and they cried out, Do such as Moses did in Egypt. And I replied, Possibly ye may harden your hearts against them, as Pharaoh and the Egyptians did: and they said, We will not. {100} And again I replied, Assure me of a certainty that ye will not dance around a golden calf, and worship it, as the posterity of Jacob did within about a month after they had seen the whole mount Sinai on fire, and had heard Jehovah himself speaking out of the fire, consequently after being witnesses to the greatest of all Miracles: (a golden calf in the spiritual sense signifies carnal pleasure:) and reply was made from below, We will not be like the posterity of Jacob. But at that instant I heard a voice from Heaven, saying to them, If ye believe not Moses and the prophets, that is, the Word of the Lord, neither will ye be convinced by Miracles, any more than the posterity of Jacob were in the wilderness, or when they saw with their eyes the miracles which the Lord did during his abode on earth.
“850. After this I saw some spirits ascending from below, whence the voices proceeded, who, addressing me in a deep tone of voice, said, Why did the Lord reveal the long list of Arcana, which thou hast just now enumerated, to thee who art a Layman, and not to some one of the Clergy? To which I replied, That this was according to the Lord’s good pleasure, who prepared me for this office from my earliest years: nevertheless I will also ask you a question in reply, Why did the Lord, when he was on earth, choose fishermen for his disciples, and not some of the lawyers, scribes, priests, or rabbies? ponder well this circumstance in your minds, and form a right judgment concerning it, and ye will discover the reason. Hereupon they began to murmur, and afterwards they were silent.
“851. I am aware, that many, who read the Memorable Relations annexed to each chapter of this Work, (the True Christian Religion,) will conceive that they are the fictions of imagination: but I protest in truth, that they are not fictions, but were really seen and heard; not seen and heard in any state of the mind in sleep, but in a state when I was broad awake; for it hath pleased the Lord to manifest himself to me, and to send me to teach the things relating to his New Church, which is meant by the New Jerusalem in the Revelation; for which purpose he hath opened the interiors of my mind or spirit, by virtue of which privilege it was granted me to have commerce with Angels in the spiritual world, and at the same time with men in the natural world, and that now for twenty-seven years. Who in the Christian world would have known any thing concerning HEAVEN and HELL, unless it had pleased the Lord to open spiritual vision in some person or other, and to shew and teach what relates to the spiritual world? That such things do really appear in the heavens, as are described in the above Memorable Relations, is clearly evident from similar things being seen and described by JOHN in the Apocalypse, and also by the PROPHETS in the Word of the Old Testament. In the Apocalypse we read, that John saw the SON OF MAIN in the midst of seven candlesticks; that he saw a tabernacle, a temple, an ark, and an altar in heaven; a book sealed with seven seals, the book opened, and in consequence thereof horses going forth; four animals about the throne; twelve thousand chosen out of each tribe; locusts ascend from the bottomless pit; a woman bringing forth a man child, and flying into a wilderness by reason of the dragon; two beasts, one ascending out of the sea, the other from the earth; an angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel; a glassy sea mixed with fire; seven angels having the seven plagues; vials poured out by them on the earth, on the sea, on the rivers, on the sun, on the throne of the beast, on the Euphrates, and on the air; a woman sitting on a scarlet beast; a dragon cast out into a lake of fire and sulphur; a white horse; a great supper; a new heaven and new earth; the Holy Jerusalem coming down from heaven, described as to its gates, its wall, and foundations; also a river of the water of life, and trees of life bearing fruit every month; with many things besides, which were all seen by JOHN, whilst as to his spirit he was in the spiritual world and in heaven. Not to mention what things were seen by the Apostles after the Lord’s resurrection, as by PETER, Acts xi. and by PAUL; and also by the PROPHETS in the Old Testament, as by EZEKIEL, that he saw four animals, which were cherubs, chap. i. and x.; and a new temple, and a new earth, and an angel measuring them, chap. xl. to xlviii.; that he was carried to Jerusalem, and saw there abominations, and also to Chaldea, chap. viii. and xi. The case was the same with ZECHARIAH, in that he saw a man riding amongst myrtle-trees, chap. i. 8; that he saw four horns, and afterwards a man with a measuring-line in his hand, chap. iii.; that he saw a flying roll and an ephah, chap. v. 1, 6; that he saw four chariots and horses between two mountains, chap. vi. 1, &c. So again with DANIEL, in that he saw four beasts ascending out of the sea, chap. vii. 1, &c.; that he saw the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, whose dominion shall not pass away, and whose kingdom shall not be destroyed, chap. vii. 13, 14; that he saw the fighting of the ram and the he-goat, chap. viii. 1, &c.; that he saw the angel Gabriel, and conversed with him, chap. ix.; that the young man of Elisha saw chariots and horses of fire about Elisha, and that he saw them when his eyes were opened, 2 Kings vi. 17. {101} From these and several other instances in the Word, it is evident, that the things which exist in the spiritual world have appeared to many, both before and since the coming of the Lord. What wonder then is it, that the same things should now also appear, at the commencement of the Church, or when the New Jerusalem is coming down out of heaven?”
Having finished these Extracts, the Circular Letter, convening the Conference, was read. The Meeting then proceeded, with a solemnity and deliberation suited to the magnitude of the occasion, to take into serious consideration the various PROPOSITIONS contained in the above Letter; and after a most interesting and instructive conversation on their important contents, the following RESOLUTIONS were moved, and unanimously agreed to.
“RESOLUTIONS.
“I. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Theological Works of the Hon. EMANUEL SWEDENBORG are perfectly consistent with the Holy Word, being at the same time explanatory of its internal sense in so wonderful a manner, that nothing short of Divine Revelation seems adequate thereto. That they also contain the Heavenly Doctrines of the New Church, signified by the New Jerusalem in the Revelation; which Doctrines he was enabled by the Lord alone to draw from the Holy Word, while under the Inspiration and Illumination of his Holy Spirit.
“II. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the First Proposition in the Circular Letter, asserting the Unity of Jehovah God, both in Essence and Person, is a truth founded in, and demonstrable from, the Holy Scriptures or Word of God, as well as consistent with sound rationality. That this Unity implies a Threefold Principle, consisting of Divine Love or Divine Good, Divine Wisdom or Divine Truth, and the Divine Proceeding or Operation, which in the Word are called Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; being so termed by way of accommodation to the capacity of man, in whom also exists a Trinity, though finite, of soul, body, and operation, corresponding with the Divine and Infinite Trinity, which alone exists in the Glorified Humanity of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
“III. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the second Proposition, asserting the nature and end of Redemption, together with the mode of its accomplishment, is agreeable to the genuine sense of the Holy Word.
“IV. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Old Church, by which is meant the present Christian Church, so called, both as existing among Roman Catholics, and among Protestants of every description or denomination, is at this day arrived at its full period or consummation, in consequence of its destructive faith, the fatal effects of which are enumerated in the 3rd to the 10th, 32nd, and 38th Propositions.
“V. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Faith of the Old Church is a Faith directed to Three Gods, the ultimate consequence of which is a belief either that Nature is God, or that there is no God at all.
“VI. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Faith of the Old Church ought to be abolished from the mind of every individual, in order that the Faith of the New Church may gain admission, and be established.
“VII. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that so long as men adhere to, and are influenced by, the Faith of the Old Church, so long the New Heaven cannot descend to them, and consequently so long the New Church cannot be established in and among them.
“VIII. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that all Faith and Worship directed to any other, than to the One God Jesus Christ in his Divine Humanity, being directed to a God invisible and incomprehensible, have a direct tendency to overturn the Holy Word, and to destroy every thing spiritual in the Church. {102}
“IX. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Doctrines and Worship in the Old Church are highly dangerous to the rising generation, inasmuch as they tend to implant in young people the idea of Three Divine Persons, to which is unavoidably annexed the idea of Three Gods; the consequence whereof is spiritual death to all those who confirm themselves in such an opinion.
“X. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that it is the duty of every true Christian to train up his Children in the Principles and Heavenly Doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church alone, the two grand Essentials of which, as stated in the 1st, 23rd, and 42nd Propositions, are, I. That the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the Only God of Heaven and Earth, and that his Humanity is Divine. II. That in order to salvation, man must live a life according to the Ten Commandments, by shunning evils as sins against God.
“XI. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that for the above purpose it is expedient that a Catechism be drawn up for the use of the New Church; and that a deputation from this Conference be appointed to see the same put into execution.
“XII Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that a complete and total Separation from the Old Church is warranted not only from the Theological Writings of EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, but also from the Holy Word; and that this Separation ought to commence in every individual, on being fully convinced of the truth of the Heavenly Doctrines of the New Church, and of their opposition to those of the Old. See Prop. 29, 30, 31, and 33.
“XIII. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that as the Doctrinals of the Old and New Church are in full and direct opposition to each other; and as the Faith of every Church does, or ought to, contain a clear, explicit, and determinate view of their Understanding of the Word; so no person, when once convinced of the truth of the Heavenly Doctrines of the New Jerusalem, ought to assent or conform to any of the Articles of Faith in the Old Church, or to Prayers directed to any other than to Jesus Christ alone.
“XIV. Resolved Unanimously
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the establishment of the New Church will be effected by a gradual Separation from the Old Church, in consequence of a rational conviction wrought in the minds of those, who are in search of Truth for the Sake of Truth, and who are determined to judge for themselves in spiritual things, without any regard to the influence or authority of the Clergy in the Old Church, or the hopes of preferment either in Church or State.
“XV. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Establishment of the New Church distinct from the Old, is likely to be productive of the most eminent uses to mankind at large, inasmuch as thereby the communication betwixt the Angelic Heaven and the Church on earth will be rendered more full and complete – and consequently that it is greater charity to separate from the Old Church, than to remain in it.
“XVI. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Eleventh Proposition, asserting the Sanctity and Divinity of the Word, and its Threefold Sense, is abundantly proved in the Works of EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, by the clearest and most satisfactory evidence from the Word itself.
“XVII Resolved Unanimously
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that those Books only, which contain the Internal sense, and are enumerated in the Twelfth Proposition, ought to be received by the New Church as Canonical, or of Divine Authority, inasmuch as they treat of the Lord alone, and of the most holy things of Heaven and the Church.*
“* The other Books, which have not the Internal Sense, as well as those which have an internal sense, but not in Series, are nevertheless useful in their place, so far as they inculcate the great Doctrine of the Lord, and the Doctrine Of Charity.”
“XVIII. Resolved Unanimously
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the existence of a Sun in the Spiritual World, distinct from that of the Natural World, as the primary instrumental Cause of Creation and Preservation, agreeably to the 13th and l7th Propositions, is highly rational to suppose, and at the same time perfectly consistent with the Holy Word. {103}
“XIX. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Doctrines of the New Church concerning the nature of man’s Resurrection, his eternal state and condition after Death, according to his past life in this world, and the Seminary from whence both Heaven and Hell are peopled; concerning Charity, Faith, and Good Works; concerning the Order whereby man’s Life ought to be regulated; concerning Free-will, Repentance, and Regeneration; concerning Imputation, the exercise of the Rational Understanding in matters of Faith and the necessity of a Life of Uses; and concerning true Conjugial Love, as described in the 14th to the 30th, 33rd, 36th, and 37th Propositions, are Doctrines drawn from the pure and genuine sense of the Holy Word, and calculated, through divine mercy, to instruct, reform, and bless mankind.
“XX. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the working of Miracles, which was necessary for establishing the first Christian Church, is now superseded by the plain Manifestation of Divine Truth in the Holy Word, and the Revelation of its Internal sense; the effect whereof is as much superior to that of Miracles, as the Understanding is superior to the bodily eye. See Prop. 22.
“XXI. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that it is agreeable to Divine Order, that the New Jerusalem Church assume to itself an External Appearance, distinct from the Old Church, both in Doctrine and Worship; but that there may be many varieties of External Worship therein, provided they are all influenced by the genuine Doctrine of the Lord and of Charity. See Prop. 34.
“XXII Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that as Baptism in the Old Church is a Baptism into the Faith of Three Gods, between which Faith and Heaven there can be no conjunction; so Baptism in the New Church, being a Baptism into the Faith of One God, between which Faith and Heaven there is conjunction, is highly necessary, inasmuch as the person baptized thereby takes upon him the badge and profession of genuine Christianity, and is at the same time inserted among Christians even in the Spiritual World. See Prop. 35.
“——- It is therefore recommended to all, who desire to become members of the New Jerusalem Church, to be baptized, both themselves and their children, in the Faith of that Church; and in case they have already been baptized in the Faith of the Old Church, to be re-baptized in the Faith of the New.
“XXIII. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Holy Supper in the New Church is the most sacred and solemn of all Worship; but that it ought not to be received in the Old Church, by any who desire to be members of the New Church; because this would be a solemn acknowledgment of the existence of Three Gods, and that the sum and substance of redemption consisted in the passion of the cross, as a satisfaction or atonement made to appease the wrath of the Father. See Prop. 3, 4, 7, and 35.
“XXIV. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the state of Marriage, when under the influence of true Conjugial Love, is the most holy, chaste, and perfect state, that either Men or Angels are capable of attaining; being the very ground or plane which receives the influx of the Lord into his New Church. See Prop. 37.
“XXV. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Second Advent of the Lord, which is a Coming in the internal sense of his Holy Word, has already commenced, and ought to be announced to all the world. That this Second Advent involves two things, namely, the Last Judgment, or Destruction of the Old Church, which was accomplished in the Spiritual World in the year 1757, and the consequent Formation or Establishment of the New Church. See Prop. 38 to 41.
“XXVI. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the true Christian Religion is alone to be found in the New Jerusalem Church, because this is the Only Church that acknowledges and worships Jesus Christ Alone, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in One Divine Person, and consequently as the Great Jehovah, the everlasting God of Heaven and Earth, in a Visible Human Form; which Church, being the Crown of all Churches, which have heretofore existed on this earth, will never have an end. {104}
“XXVII Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that men of every Religion or Persuasion throughout the whole world, even Pagans and Idolaters, are saved, after receiving instruction in the Spiritual World, provided they have lived a life of Charity, according to the best of their knowledge. That nevertheless the true Christian Religion, being founded on the Word, which is the Lord himself as to Divine Truth, is that to which all other Religions tend as to their Centre, and from which they receive all their Sanctity, together with all their Power of Salvation.
“XXVIII. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Evidence of the Truth of Christianity arises chiefly from the Internal Sense of the Word; by virtue of which Sense, rationally understood, according to the Science of Correspondences, the New Church is in possession of more certain Evidence in favour of the Christian Religion, than it is possible to obtain without it.
“XXIX. Resolved Unanimously,
That it is the opinion of this Conference, that, notwithstanding the apparent severity of some of these Resolutions, which are intended to be directed chiefly against the Evils and Falses of the Old Church, and not against the Persons of any religious Body whatever; yet the greatest Charity ought to be maintained towards those in the Old Church, who, being in states of simplicity, and not confirmed in Falses of Doctrine, are the Remains, out of which the Lord will build his New Church, on their reception of the Heavenly Doctrines of the New Jerusalem.
“XXX. Resolved Unanimously,
“That it be recommended to all the readers and lovers of the Theological Works of EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, both in this and other countries, to form themselves into Societies distinct from the Old Church, and to meet together as often as convenient, to read and converse on the said Writings, and to open a general correspondence for the mutual assistance of each other.
“XXXI. Resolved Unanimously
“That it is the opinion of this Conference, that the Writings of EMANUEL SWEDENBORG are calculated to promote the Peace and Happiness of Mankind, by making them loyal subjects, Lovers of their Country, and useful Members of Society: And therefore that these Resolutions are not intended to militate against, or in the smallest degree to annul the Civil Authority in any Country; but only to emancipate mankind from the mental Bondage and Slavery, wherein they have so long been held captive by Old Leaders and Rulers in the Old Church.
“XXXII Resolved Unanimously,
“That a GENERAL CONFERENCE of the MEMBERS of the NEW CHURCH be again held in London, on Easter Monday, the 5th of April, 1790, when, by the Divine Mercy of the Lord, such further matters respecting the Establishment of the New Church distinct from the Old, as may at that time appear necessary, will be taken into serious consideration.
“Signed in behalf of this Conference,
HENRY PECKITT, of London, President.
ROBERT BEATSON, of Rotherham, Secretary.
AUGUST NORDENSKJOLD, from Sweden.
CHARLES BERNS WADSTROM, from Sweden.
SAMUEL HANDS, of Derby.
HENRY SERVANTE, of London.
BENJAMIN BANKS, of Salisbury.
CHARLES HARFORD, of Liverpool.
JOHN WILLDON, of London.
JOHN ASHPINSHAW, of London.
ROBERT JACKSON, from Jamaica.
JAMES CRUDEN, from America.
JOHN AUGUSTUS TULK, of Kensington.
BENEDICT CHASTANIER, of London.”
“Great East, Cheap, London,
April 16; 1789.” {105}
Such were the proceedings of the First General Conference held in London; and as a singular circumstance it may be recorded, that, although the individuals composing it came from the east, the west, the north, and the south, and had been previously, of almost every denomination of professing Christians, such was the unanimity which prevailed on all the subjects of discussion, that not a single dissentient voice was heard, but the whole of the proceedings was conducted in harmony, peace, and love.
As this was the first General Assemblage of the members of the New Church, met for the purpose of promoting the great interests of that Body at large, it was thought advisable to give a particular and circumstantial detail of what passed on that occasion; in order that the spirit of charity and affection, which influenced all present, and the zeal tempered with prudence, by which all were actuated, might never be lost sight of, nor departed from, by those who shall hereafter be engaged, either publicly or privately, in advocating and advancing the same cause. It was to be expected, that a Church, professing to derive its lineage and birth from heaven, should bring with it into the natural world not only those doctrines of divine truth, which were seen by the beloved Apostle to descend in their aggregate as the holy city, New Jerusalem, from its celestial abode in the spiritual world, but also the still more valued principles of universal benevolence, which so particularly distinguish that Church. This expectation was fully realized during the time the General Conference held its sittings; and the harmony, which then prevailed, was justly regarded as a kind of pledge or earnest, that all future meetings of the New Church would in like manner be conducted in the true spirit of love to the Lord, and charity towards all mankind.
When the business of the Conference was completed, a Committee was appointed to prepare an Address to the Members of the New Church at large, informing them of the nature and design of the Meeting, the harmony that prevailed among them, and the result of their deliberations in the Resolutions which they had unanimously adopted. Of this address, which was prefixed to the printed Minutes, the following is a copy.
“The Members of the NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH, assembled in General Conference, in Great East Cheap, London, the l3th of April, 1789, for the Purpose of taking into Consideration the most effectual Means of promoting the Establishment of the NEW CHURCH, distinct from the OLD,
“To all the Lovers of Truth, as contained in the Holy Word, and illustrated in the Theological Writings of the Hon. EMANUEL SWEDENDORG.
“Dear Friends and Brethren,
“Impressed with a deep sense of the important business, in which we are engaged, and desirous that all the members of the New Church, wherever dispersed throughout the whole world, may be preserved in perfect harmony of sentiment, as well as united together in the bonds of mutual love and affection; we think it a duty incumbent upon us to communicate the result of our deliberations, by transmitting you such Resolutions, as appeared to us necessary to be adopted, in order to promote the above design. And it is with particular satisfaction that we can with truth declare, there was not a single dissentient voice among us, notwithstanding the Meeting was numerously attended, as well by the friends from different parts of England, and from abroad, as by the Members of the New Jerusalem in London. {106}
“We do not, however, hereby mean to dictate to you, or to any one, either how you must act or believe; as knowing that this would be contrary to the genuine principle, of the New Church, which allows all men the free enjoyment of their religious persuasions, however various, without attempting even to touch, much less to violate, the freedom of the human will. We would only recommend to you and to all, and this with the most sincere and affectionate desire for your spiritual good, a serious examination and search after truth for the sake of truth, that in all things our Words and actions, as well as our thoughts and affections, our external man, as well as our internal, may be brought into a strict conformity to the divine laws.
“The reasons, which have induced us to think it absolutely necessary for the New Jerusalem to assume to itself an external appearance, distinct from the Old Church both as to doctrine and worship, are many and weighty, and may be seen partly in the Resolutions accompanying this Letter, but more fully in the works of our enlightened Author, EMANUEL SWEDENBORG; whose testimony in this matter, authorized and confirmed by innumerable passages from the Holy Word itself, is so positive and clear, that, notwithstanding the weakness of the instruments, whom it may please the Lord to make choice of in so great a work, yet we have not the shadow of doubt, but even in our days “the God of heaven hath begun to set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed; a kingdom, which shall not be left to other people, but shall break in pieces, and consume, all these kingdoms, and shall stand forever.” -Dan. ii. 44.
“We desire with affection and thanks to acknowledge the receipt of sundry Letters from different societies and individuals, members of the New Church, in various parts of England, as likewise from abroad, who, by the necessary avocations of life, were prevented from a personal attendance. It has afforded us no small satisfaction to find, that the end proposed in the Circular Letter meets the approbation of so great a number of the lovers of pure and undefiled religion. May each of us in heart and life endeavour to promote the same, by examining the ends and motives of all our actions, by shunning evils continually as sins against God, and by living a life of genuine uses according to His Holy Word and commandments. So will the kingdom of the Lord be established in our hearts, and we ourselves prepared for admission into the holy city, the New Jerusalem, now descending from God out of heaven.
Signed, in behalf of the Conference,
“HENRY PECKITT, President.
ROBERT BEATSON, Secretary.
AUGUST NORDENSKJOLD.
CHARLES BERNS WADSTROM.
SAMUEL HANDS.
HENRY SERVANTE
BENJAMIN BANKS.
CHARLES HARFORD.
JOHN WILLDON.
JOHN ASHPINSHAW.
ROBERT JACKSON.
JAMES CRUDEN.
JOHN AUGUSTUS TULK.
BENEDICT CHASTANIER.”
“Great East Cheap, London.
“April 16, 1789.”
The following was added, by way of Postscript.
“P.S. The members of the New Church at large are requested to make inquiry among the readers and believers of the Writings of EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, whether they have any children, whom they wish to have educated by a Tutor approved and appointed by the New Church, and to transmit an account of the same to Mr. HENRY PECKITT, President of the Conference, in Compton Street, Soho, London.”
This Postscript shews, that, though the Education of children in the principles of the New Jerusalem formed no part of the avowed design in convening a General Conference, it was yet deemed of such importance, that the first opportunity that offered of calling the attention of the Church to that subject, was eagerly embraced. No further steps, however, appear to have been taken, beyond that of a Catechism, to bring this suggestion into effect, till some years afterwards, when New Jerusalem Sunday Schools* were instituted in different parts of the country, particularly in Lancashire and Yorkshire. {107} Since then, and but very lately, Schools for the Daily Instruction of children of both sexes have been opened by the members of the New Church in London and Manchester; and good hopes are entertained of their becoming more general.**
* Mr. RAIKES, a Printer, of Gloucester, was the first Who about this time proposed the Institution of Sunday Schools for the instruction of the poor throughout the kingdom; and Mr. WILLIAM ILLINGWORTH, who married my sister, and thus became my brother-in-law, was the first in Yorkshire to second that benevolent design. While his health permitted, he was ever afterwards a most active and zealous promoter of that Charity, in the place where he resided and died, which was Keighley, in Yorkshire. For the character of this good man, see the Intellectual Repository for the New Church, No. 13, for January, 1815, p. 275. – R. H.
(Mr. Hindmarsh, in common with the prevailing opinion at the time he wrote, seems to have regarded Mr. Raikes, of Gloucester, the intelligent and early advocate of Sunday Schools as being the founder of those admirable institutions in England. But this was not the case. The following is given, in the controversy of 1841, as the order in which the names of the first founders of Sunday School stand relatively to each other.
Rev. Theophilus Lindsey, Catterick 1764
Mrs. Catherine Cappe, Bedale —
Rev. William Jones about 1765
Miss Hannah Ball, High Wycombe 1769
Mr. James Heys, Little Lever, near Bolton 1774
Rev. Thomas Stock, Gloucester 1777
Rev. David Simpson 1778
Mr. William King —
Messrs. Stock and Raikes, Gloucester 1780
Mr. Robert Raikes 1781
Rev. John Clowes, Manchester 1784
It will be observed that the earliest Sunday School dates seven years after the Last Judgment.- ED.)
** Thirty-three Societies of the New Church reported to the General Conference of 1858 as having Sunday Schools containing 4144; and 670 Teachers. There are several others of which no returns were made. Six Societies have established Day Schools, having 2106 Scholars, 1858.- ED.
It ought not to be forgotten, that every day, during the sitting of Conference, the members dined together at a neighbouring tavern in Abchurch Lane, to the number of sixty or seventy, male and female; at which repasts the most cordial unanimity and brotherly affection were observable. It appeared as if the times of Primitive Christianity were restored among us, when all things were held in common. Natural and spiritual food were both dealt out with an unsparing hand; and while the body was refreshed with a rich supply of the good things of this world, the mind was at the same time replenished with the bread that cometh down from heaven. The tree of life, whose roots are planted in the gardens and streets of the New Jerusalem, as well as on either bank of its river, spontaneously sprung up before our eyes, luxuriant in foliage, and laden with the sweetest fruits of paradise in endless variety and abundance. Filled to satiety with this delightful food, yet panting as it were and anxious for the return of the next meeting the company retired at an early hour of the evening of each day, highly gratified with their own sumptuous entertainment, and no less so with the assurance from the Divine Word, that “the leaves of the tree of life were still left for the healing of the nations.” Rev. xxii. 2. {108}
The Church, in its aggregate capacity, having proceeded thus far, now took a survey of its relative situation since the commencement of public worship in 1788, compared with its former state before that event: and it was ascertained that the increase of members in particular, and of readers in general, in one year after the opening of the Chapel in Great East Cheap, was at least seven-fold more than it was during the four years that the London Society held their meetings the Temple. From this circumstance alone it is very evident, that the fears entertained by some sincere but timid minds, lest a separation from former Establishments should prove to be premature, and even injurious to the cause of truth, were entirely unfounded. On the contrary, the success, which had been anticipated by the friends to that measure, was realized beyond the fullest extent of their most sanguine expectations. Almost every week added to the number of recipients; the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg came to be more in demand; and the doctrines of the New Church began to spread themselves far and wide both at home and abroad.
In 1790, the New Jerusalem Magazine made its appearance in London, being set on foot by a few gentlemen who met at the house of Mr. Henry Servante, No. 45, Upper Marylebone Street. This was the first Periodical Work undertaken by the members of the New Church, being published in Monthly Numbers, and containing much valuable information respecting the life of Swedenborg, and the state of the New Church, as it then existed in England and foreign countries. It continued only six months, viz., from January to the June following, when it ceased for want of sufficient encouragement. But in May, 1791, an Appendix was added to it, to complete the Volume.
In the same year another Periodical Work, on a plan different from the former, issued from the Press of Mr. ROBERT HINDMARSH, Printer Extraordinary to HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES*, under the title of The Magazine of Knowledge concerning Heaven and Hell, &c. The first Number appeared in March, 1790, and the Work was continued till October 1791, being completed in Twenty Sixpenny Numbers, and making two Octavo Volumes. {109} As sole Editor, Printer, and Proprietor of this Work, I can say, that the expenses attending it were very heavy. Besides about fifty thousand Hand-bills, which were distributed in all directions, I caused long Advertisements to be inserted in almost all the Town and Country Newspapers of the day; also in many of the leading Newspapers both in Scotland and Ireland; for most of which a charge was made of from fourteen Shillings to a Guinea for each insertion. So that the expense of advertising, and making the Work publicly known, could not have been less than One Hundred Guineas. The result was, that a great sensation was created in the religious world; and the Orders for the first Number were numerous, arising no doubt from the novelty of the Work, and a curiosity in the public mind to know the nature of its contents, and the character of the new religion, as it was called by some, which it was the object of the Magazine to make known to the world. About fifteen hundred copies each of the first and second Numbers were disposed of: but by degrees, as the Work advanced, and the principles of the New Jerusalem began to be unfolded in it, which cannot be permanently retained except by minds duly prepared by the previous love of truth for its own sake, the sales sensibly diminished, until it was at length found expedient to discontinue the Work, when it had reached the twentieth Number, from the same causes which had before interrupted the progress of the New Jerusalem Magazine. Still, it is presumed, that much good was effected by both publications, as both for a time succeeded in giving publicity to the new doctrines, and have ever since been regarded as valuable acquisitions to the Church.
* On the 18th of June, 1787, I obtained the honour of being appointed PRINTER EXTRAORDINARY TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES; with full liberty to place over my door His Royal Highness’s ARMS or CREST, in token thereof. Soon after, notice of this appointment was inserted in the London Gazette, by the proper authority, in the following words:
“Carlton House, July 7. Mr. ROBERT HINDMARSH, of Clerkenwell Close, is appointed PRINTER EXTRAORDINA- RY TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES.” – R. H.