herald, that the more enlightened views of the present day have come.
And if Swedenborg, upon this subject, has spoken so contrary to the belief which once prevailed, yet in strict accordance with the highest ideas of the most enlightened Christians in this enlightened age, then is there not some reason for believing that his claim to an extraordinary divine illumination may not he wholly unfounded? If what he has taught upon this subject be, indeed, worthy the heavenly origin claimed for it, then is it not possible that he may have been "a man sent of God," and that his teaching upon other subjects may be equally far in advance of the wisdom of all preceding times? All those who have made themselves thoroughly acquainted with his teachings, have been constrained to acknowledge that such is their firm belief; and their concurrent testimony may be taken as some evidence of the alleged fact. Those who deny or doubt his claims, are always persons least familiar with his writings, and who are not qualified, therefore, to pronounce an intelligent opinion. Those who have studied his writings most, discover in them such stores of wisdom, as could not have come elsewhere than "from God out of heaven." They know that these writings have opened their eyes to new and higher views of God and duty. They know that they have been a means of drawing them nearer to the Lord and the angels. They know that they have rent in twain the
