we shall give what the author says of the general causes of the diseases of the body, with highly interesting specimens of his manner of considering particular diseases. (To be continued.) By way of appendix to this review, and in order to call attention prominently, we may here state that Mr. Wilkinson has received for the Swedenborg Association some valuable documents from the Royal Academy of Sciences of Stockholm. From time to time we shall give extracts from, and accounts of these manuscripts in our pages. At present it is sufficient to observe, that they consist of the continuation of the Animal Kingdom, comprising full and interesting Treatises on the senses of SMELL, HEARING, and SIGHT, with an Epilogue ON SENSATION GENERALLY; also of THE TREATISE ON GENERATION, quite complete, and written out for the press. This work may justly be considered the most interesting of these physiological manuscripts, being on a subject of which there is no rational knowledge in the medical world, although Swedenborg treats it with the same prodigious analytic power that he has brought to bear upon the lungs and the other structures, and the locks of the mysterious organs yield easily and beautifully to the key of truth and order. There is no doubt that if the work were published, it would in a short time be one of the most popular of medical books, and carry the name and fame of Swedenborg with it, wherever these arcana of the human body are studied. The third work received is The Treatise on the Loves and Faculties of the Human Mind; a work also of the most interesting kind, and which may be appreciated by any reader. For the most part the subjects are shortly treated, which gives great variety to this Treatise. We have no time to say more at present, but will conclude with a short extract which arrested our attention in the Continuation of the Animal Kingdom: "It would seem," says Swedenborg, "that there may possibly be more than five senses; particularly if we consider all the varieties of substances which present themselves to us from the macrocosm; besides which, objects are seen by some people more distinctly than by others. One organ, excepting the internal organs or the brain, receives the varieties of but one sense, or degree. Wherefore the organ is perfect which attends to its own senses; but two senses may exist in one and the same organ. Moreover, I. There may be an organ which enjoys the perception of the lesser distinctions of substances floating in water, as is the case with the human organs. II. There may be a sense that apperceives the lesser discriminations of effluvia in the air; and perhaps also those that float in the ether; this dogs have in smell. * * * III. There may be a sense to perceive the minutest effluvia in the purer ether, IV. as well as the very modification of that ether, which runs in vortical forms, rendering animals magnetic, and making them know their quarters. V. It is our rational mind, or the fact that we are creatures of reason, that causes our sensations to be so blunt, as both psychology and reason itself demonstrate. VI. These considerations shew, that there may be communications or messages of sympathy by virtue of the mere influence of the purer ether; this is the case in the state after death, when every one knows the others' thoughts; but not so in this state. To this we will add, that in a highly interesting chapter On the State of the Soul after the Death of the Body, in the work ON THE HUMAN FACULTIES, (where Swedenborg canvasses physiologically and psychologically many questions respecting the process of death, the state of the soul before it is fully emancipated from the intricate meshes of the body, &c. &c. &c.) there is the following; which shews that Swedenborg was not unaware of some of those remarkable passages in human nature and history which have been brought out prominently in this age, by Mesmerism. "To say nothing," says he, "of those manifest sympathies which are acknowledged even in this lower world, and which are too numerous to record, so great is the sympathy, and, as it were, magnetism in human kind, that communications often take place [between individuals] at a distance of many miles; which, however, are rejected as idle tales by some persons; ALTHOUGH EXPERIENCE SHEWS THEIR TRUTH.* Nor do I wish to mention, that the ghosts of some after death and burial have distinctly appeared; which could never have been, (granting for the once that it was,) unless the animal spirits were mutually conjoined, and inseparably united with each other in the bonds of fellowship." * * * The italics and small capitals are not Swedenborg's. ERRATUM.-Page 30, line 15 from top, for DATE, in some copies, read STATE. N. S. NO. 97.-VOL. IX. Poetry. ON BEHOLDING THE SEA IN AN AGITATED STATE. (By the late Frederick Abbott, aged 16.) Behold! since yester eve the scene how changed! As on the rugged, rocky strand they rise! 'Tis thus on life's rough current, strong and wide;- And nought but happiness and joy preside; Full oft, alas! the next is wintry and severe : The storms of life arise, discordant, fierce, and strong, THE COPERNICAN SYSTEM. It is the earth that moves; so years renew A deeper lesson tells to him who reads. For still, with thoughts bound to a lower sphere, Gives human attributes to changeless Love. W. M. N. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. THE LONDON PRINTING SOCIETY. The useful labours of this society cannot be too frequently and too seriously impressed upon the attention of the New Church public. Some months since we gave an abstract of their last report, which sufficiently exhibited to our readers the zealous operations of the society. We have now much pleasure in introducing to the public the beautiful stereotype edition of the "True Christian Religion," in one volume, which, when properly bound, will not be found too bulky for convenient use. This is by far the most complete edition ever published, since it contains a most copious index of subjects treated of in the work, and also (what has never appeared in any previous edition) the index of the "Memorable Relations," drawn out by Swedenborg himself. This index is rather a digest, presenting the cream and substance of the especial instruction communicated in the "Memorable Relations." The author had no doubt good reasons for inserting this index, we are therefore glad to see it in the present edition. And lastly, there is an index of the numerous texts of Scripture explained or referred to in the volume. The type is extremely clear and beautiful, and the paper excellent. This volume forms an admirable present to young people, as it affords them every facility for the study of the "True Christian Religion," and of very many important things which relate to the spiritual and eternal state of man. Besides this work, the society have also published new editions of the latter volumes of the "Arcana Coelestia," carefully collated with the original, and much improved in the style of the expression. The sincerest thanks of every New Churchman are due to the society for the publication of these volumes. The public, we believe, may now have a uniform and beautiful edition of the author's theological works at a rate as cheap, or nearly as cheap, as any works that leave the London press. This, some years ago, was considered to be a great desideratum, and the London Printing Society have now nobly supplied the want. It remains to be seen whether the New Church public will now vigorously second their efforts, both by subscriptions to their funds, and by purchasing their stock. One fact is certain, that the society, through great labour, and many difficulties, has nobly done its duty to the public. MINISTERS' ENDOWMENT FUND. To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. SIR,-It gave me great pleasure to peruse the communication by James S. Hodson, in your last number, since I have long regretted that a better and more comfortable provision for the ministers in the New Church, as to pecuniary means, is a matter that seems to have been greatly overlooked, probably through the constant demands made for the support of the different institutions in the church, and from other combined causes. These, indeed, are laudable and useful, and they deserve support. But is the ministry, and its proper personal support, to be the exception? "These things ought we to have done, and not to leave the other undone." From the best information I can collect, as to the different incomes of the ministers, I have been pained at the thought that a supply more adequate to their necessities has not been provided by some such plan as that proposed in the communication just alluded to. A respectable appearance, an exemption from debt, and to 66 owe no man any thing," is expected to be exemplified by ministers in the New Church, as lights of the world, while the necessary means to accomplish it are not supplied, and hence it follows that many privations must be felt, and inconvenience endured, together with mental labour, and health impaired, which should, nevertheless, be preserved for the sake of a vigorous intellect. Celibacy is not a doctrine of the New Church, and it grieves me to think of the trials those ministers must endure who have families dependent on them for support and education, whose income is by no means sufficient to support the single state, even in the most humble manner. I shall, therefore, watch with deep interest the movement which I trust will be made in this right direction, in agreement with the plan now suggested by your correspondent, and shall be happy to afford every aid in my power, as well as to exercise my influence in the circle in which I move, in the furtherance of so desirable an object. For it is abundantly evident that the first requisite, as a medium in the Lord's hands, of making known the glorious truths of the New Church, are educated and effective men, who have had a scientific and classical education, and who by knowing the languages in which the Scriptures are written, can unfold the spiritual sense to the edification of those who hear them. For without that knowledge, it is impossible to know the correspondences in which the Word is written. Hence it was that Swedenborg was so highly educated, and every one who follows in the ministry of the Word and of spiritual things, must in like manner be well educated. The progress and spirit of the age also demand this. But educated and effective preachers cannot come forward in the New Church until some suitable provision is made for their support. I am, &c., New Brighton, Dec. 1847. S. W. TRACTS FOR THE POOR. To the Editor of the Intellectual Repository. Sir,-There is what I consider a great deficiency in the literature of the New Church, which consists in this, the want of a series of suitable tracts, for lending and distributing amongst the poor. Let each tract consist of a good tale or story, impressing some duty, condemning some vice, or illustrating some Scriptural truth. In the Old Church this is done in the tracts issued by the Religious Tract Society, and why not we of the New Church adopt this plan of instructing the poor? especially as we could place things in a clearer light before them, being possessed as we are of such lucid doctrines to guide both us and them. I do earnestly entreat the Manchester Tract Society to take this subject into their earliest consideration; they may easily find persons of ability to write such tracts as those I have mentioned. Liverpool, Dec. 16, 1847. AMICUS. [We beg the writer to remember that the tracts already published, entitled "Jacob's Ladder," ," "The Caterpillars and the Gooseberry Bush, "The Broad and Narrow Way," "The Young Prince," &c. are well adapted for the purpose he intends.]-EDITOR. MINUTES OF CONFERENCE. We beg to remind our readers, that the "Minutes of Conference" appeared simultaneously with our former number. It is much to be regretted that the rule which states "that they are to appear within one month after the sitting of Conference," is not complied with. After so long a delay, much interest felt on the part of the New Church public in the proceedings of Conference, is weakened and lost. We have inserted the "Affectionate Address," &c., in our present number; but there is a great amount of interesting matter contained in the volume, which should by all means be read by those who feel an interest in the cause and progress of the New Church. We allude especially to the "President's Report," and to the report on the Nature, extent, and frequency of the instruction required by the Conference, to be given to the children it may adopt for education." Besides which, the addresses from the three Conventions in America ought to be read 66 |