SPIRITUALISM AND PSEUDO-SPIRITUALISM.

To the Editor.-SIR,-On perusing an article in your July Number, entitled as above, and signed "Dirckinck Holmfeld," I must complain of somewhat unfair treatment therein, (though arising I have no doubt from inadvertance,) of a communication of mine in your Number for September 1857, pp. 322, 323.

Baron Holmfeld writes as follows; (see No. of July, 1858, p. 228,) in reference to my communication: "The Correspondent says: the possibility of all such occurrences 1 admit, and even that angels' tongues can be heard but they involve even to the best and purest who meddle with it, the most subtle temptation, tending directly to insanity and all manner of wickedness, &c. Nevertheless, I conceive it to be a necessary consequence of the opening of the spiritual world. One great good I can imagine to result, is that they (the spiritual manifestations) may convince many absolute materialists of the existence of a spiritual world, and a life beyond the grave, &c." And again, (p. 235): “the Correspondent declares the conversing with spirits by wooden tables, knuckle-knocking, &c., only nonsensical proceedings;" with yet further quotations which it is unnecessary to repeat.

On referring to the September No. pp. 322, 323, it will be seen that there are two distinct communications, signed respectively, J. S., and M. C. H., the latter being mine, which are here treated of and quoted as one; whereby I submit that great injustice is done; especially in the first quotation. For, the bulk of that quotation being taken from my letter, but the words in italics from that of J. S., I am represented as saying that " even the hearing of the angels' tongues, involves, even to the best and purest who meddle with it, the most subtle temptation, tending directly to insanity and all manner of wickedness" (!) On referring to the passage in the September No., it will be seen that my communication runs thus: "As to this Spiritualism mania, I regard a great deal of it, as most deeply dangerous, involving, even to the best and purest who meddle with it, the most subtle temptations, &c., &c."

Now, of a great deal of this so-called Spiritualism,-that portion of it, namely, which consists in seeking "in the sensual manner commonly practised," viz.: through table rapping, &c., communication with spirits, simply as such, without possibility of knowing beforehand whether they be spirits good, bad, or indifferent,-I have no hesitation in reasserting the above opinion, not dogmatically, but as my individual opinion merely. But the "hearing of angels' tongues," could never,

according to my view, be, or involve, such temptation; because I believe it spiritually impossible that the speech of angels should be heard, unless the bearer be in so angelic a state, as to be safely shielded by the wings of Divine Protection from all danger from evil spirits. When the heavenly voice spake to the Lord Jesus, (see John xii. 28, 29,) some said that an angel spake unto Him, but others only heard that it thundered; the angelic speech being inaudible to those whose spirits were unattuned to heavenly influences. What I hold, therefore, is simply this: that through the species of materio-spiritualism already described, communication with spirits of a high order,-let alone angels-will, or can be attained; and that communications with spirits of a low, positively evil, class, are dangerous, and do involve very peculiar and

no

or

subtle temptations; and this view, though originally formed on d priori considerations, has found ample confirmation in various cases of spiritual manifestation of which I have had intimate knowledge.

In a higher class of angelic and spiritual communications and ministrations, I have the fullest faith; but the only way in which I believe thought as tends to harmony with angelic spheres, and thus renders these are legitimately to be sought, is by such a course of life and capable of more full, perhaps even conscious, reception of their influx; which will then, by the mercy of Divine Providence, most assuredly be sent, when desirable. Seeking for them, according to the usual mode, under the head of striving to penetrate into spiritual things by sensual through tables, mediums, &c., appears to me most clearly to come means; an inversion of order condemned in innumerable passages of Swedenborg's writings. And it will be observed that all the spiritual Manifestations of which the Herald of the New Church was the subject, from his narration of them, to have been so sent, and not sought He, moreover, was especially guarded,

as to the dangers inherent in conscious communication

evil spirits. Doubtless, all willing to be so guarded, will equally

spirit-communications, in such even as they have sought, brought upon themselves; but so we hope to be in all tempand yet they are temptations none the less.

I will only further observe, that while, on the one hand, I regard the bject as far too momentous to have used the word "nonsensical" in gard to it, (the passage in which the expression occurs being taken from the letter of J. S.) I, on the other hand, by no means indulge in any "absolute reprobation, or indiscriminate abhorrence" (see July No. P. 229,) even of the practices of table-rapping and spirit-seeking; (much less of spiritual manifestations as a whole.) For myself, I should

both fear and avoid them; though my feeling on the subject may, perhaps, chiefly indicate that they would be undesirable for me; nor can I but wonder that they should be courted and practised by those who already entertain satisfactory convictions as to the other life, by members of the New Church especially. But I am fully awake to the fact, that what might be very hurtful to one mind, may be very beneficial to another; and when I add that such spirit-rappings and writings, &c., have been resorted to, and practised by some of my dearest (New Church) friends, without its ever throwing a shadow over our mutual regard, I believe I may trust to the candour of your readers, and to that of Baron Holmfeld himself, to acknowledge that my communication so often referred to, has been quite misinterpreted in his article; in many of the sentiments wherein expressed, I very cordially agree.

I am Sir, yours truly,

M. C. H.

EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE OF THE EARLIER MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH.-LETTER IV.

Mr. James Glen,

Homerton, near London,

19th October, 1806-49.

Dear Sir, I wrote you a long letter the 1st June last, since which I have been favoured with yours dated 11th April, whereby I learnt with surprize and concern, that notwithstanding Mr. Theodore Barrell had then arrived at Demerara, you had not received the books you ordered, and which I entrusted to his care, under a solemn promise, on his departure from England, that he would deliver them safe; I hope, however, to hear that you have since received them, which would afford me satisfaction to be informed of.

From an expression in your last letter I was led to conclude that your mind was then in an interior state, your bodily frame might probably in consequence thereof be weakened, yet it afforded me much consolation to perceive, through M. D. H., your internal mind was strengthened and invigorated by the blessed important truths and goods of the New Dispensation, which I consider with you as the Lord's last best gift to his fallen creature man.

The present times in the natural world, are truly eventful; about three months since Lord Lauderdale was sent by our government on a mission to France, for the purpose of negotiating a peace (if practicable) with that power, but he has lately returned, without accomplishing that object; and war, Horrida Bella, is begun to rage with redoubled fury; the troops of Russia and Prussia are marching with hasty strides to renew the dreadful conflict against those of France, who have entered Germany with Bonaparte at their head; and how far the evil will be permitted to spread, Divina Providentia alone can foresee. My mind shudders when I reflect how these armies of locusts must desolate the countries through which they pass; and it appears to me that a much more dreadful devastation of the human race will be permitted from this earth, before a general permanent peace can be established;

perhaps the present ruler of France, (the scourge of the nations,) who seems to be aiming at universal dominion, may be stopt in his career; but of this I cannot judge. A curious circumstance has lately transpired, which I think worthy to be communicated to your observation: Bonaparte has invited the Jews of different nations to assemble in his dominions, under a solemn promise, that he will restore them as a people, and put them again in possession of Jerusalem, and strange to relate, a

Sanhedrim of the Rabbins are

actually to be convened at Paris, for the purpose of

deliberating on this mighty enterprize; several addresses from the Jewish tribes, full of adulation, and thanks to their intended saviour and deliverer, have appeared in the public newspapers, in one of which they pretend to have discovered an ancient Hebrew manuscript, which asserts that Bonaparte is lineally descended from

King David!

I am well convinced, however, from the Writings of E. &, that the Jews will never

more be restored as a

opinion: It is their GOLD, that their pretended deliverer is in search of, and I rather wonder that they do not perceive his crafty views.

nation, though the letter of the Word seems to favour that

You will probably have heard, ere this reaches you, that the English have captured Buenos Ayres, in South America, in consequence of which, immense adventures are shipping by merchants from this country to Rio de la Plata, it is said to the amount of upwards of two millions sterling. An expedition has also been undertaken by Miranda* against the Caraccas, supposed to be encouraged by our Government, with a view (though I think not a just one) of effecting a revolt of the doubtful. If the English should be able to maintain their ground at Buenos natives against the Spanish Government, but whether Miranda will succeed seems but these and other, nay all events, are under the permission and superintendance succeeds at Caraccas, it may open an extended field for commerce and speculation; Ayres, and get possession of Monte Videot, in La Plata, and that Miranda also

of Divina Providentia.

state that one of the most dreadful battles ever recorded in the annals of history Since writing the foregoing, letters have arrived by the Hambro' mail, which has been fought between the French and Prussian armies, wherein the French have gained a decisive victory, 25,000 of the Prussians, among whom is the Prince of Brunswick, Prince Ferdinand, Marshal Mullendorf, and many other general officers, O have been slain or wounded, and 30,000 made prisoners. They have also lost more than 100 pieces of cannon, immense quantities of ammunition, and Ards (trophies

are

said to

possession

Jeace!!!

In a former

of the Old Frederick). The French are at this time also in of Berlin, and also of Embden, and the King of Prussia suing for

October 20th.

letter I mentioned that the friends of Manchester and other places

declaration and resolutions. I little thought at this day, (after more than twenty

were to meet at Hawkstone, in Shropshire; I herewith now enclose their printed

years

has elapsed since the external separation took place in London,) that the ociety at Manchester, with Mr. Clowes at their head, would openly have manifested the said declaration. I cordially agree with them in the first part of it, but how is the latter to be reconciled? Indeed, to me it appears perfectly to DISAGREE with the USCORRUPTED sense of the WRITINGS OF E. S.; for I have long since found in those writings (which to me are dearer than any other consideration on earth) that the faith and forms of the Old Church are diametrically opposite to * One of the earliest patriots of South America.

The Battle of Jera.

This is now the case.

those of N. E., and that they cannot remain together without dangerous consequences to man's spiritual life.

It is true that E. S. has not pointed out any particular forms to be adopted by the societies of the New Church, but what then? I also know, that every essence must or ought to have a corresponding FORM, in order to constitute it an entity. E. S. no doubt was aware that there would be many varieties of forms of worship in N. E., and that all those varieties would or ought to harmonize by the acknowledgment and profession of ONE GOD in the DIVINE HUMAN PERSON OF THE LORD. This universal must enter into every particular and singular as the very life and soul thereof; and this will unite the members of the New Church, however different their modes of worship may be. But surely this cannot extend to the forms in use in the Old Church, for in every the most minute singular of their worship, there is an idea of a Trinity of Persons in the Godhead. (Vide True Christian Religion, No. 177.)

The writings of the New Dispensation are, in my humble opinion, fully explicit on this important subject. Numberless passages may be adduced to prove the inconsistency of abiding in the old forms; and that the genuine wine of the new kingdom cannot be preserved in the old bottles.

How the brethren at Manchester can reconcile their printed declaration with the writings of E. S., I cannot conjecture. Many of them are, I believe, well-meaning, upright minds: it is therefore to be lamented they should thus "halt between two opinions." If they really believe there is only One God in One Person, and that the Lord and Saviour is He, why then are they ashamed and afraid to profess their faith in the open day? Why speak with their tongues what they know in their hearts to be false? The only solution I can offer is this, that while Mr. Clowes remains in the use of the old forms of worship, they continue spiritually bound in his sphere.

I am, however, not without hopes that the discussion of this question may ultimately be productive of use, and that light may arise out of darkness. I recollect to have heard, that before you left London you were instrumental in promoting an external separation from the Old Church forms. I therefore cannot help wishing that what I have mentioned may induce you to write a letter to Mr. Clowes on this very important point. I highly respect his useful labours, but I much doubt whether he has the courage to emancipate from his present shackles. Yet through M. D. H. it may not be impossible.

I approve of the 1st and 2nd resolutions of the Manchester Society as likely to prove useful. I am also glad to acquaint you that a Society* is forming in London for a similar purpose of publishing an annual report, to commence on the 1st of January, 1807. Mr. Tulk, I understand, is at the head of it, who, having much leisure as well as abilities, is, I think, likely to promote its views. As I find you correspond occasionally with Dr. Hodson, who is to print the reports, you possibly may hear from him on the subject.

Although the members in London decidedly dissent from those of Manchester on the subject of Separation, yet I am sorry to learn that the three ministers, Mr. Proud, Mr. Sibley, and Dr. Hodson, appear to be tinctured with some of the old Papal leaven of priestly supremacy. As I write to you in confidence, I think it right to advise you that they intend to announce in their first report a proposed Conference. So far is well; but the intended purport of it is, I understand, on the question of Ordination, which, if brought forward in the way those three gentlemen wish to assume, would, I apprehend, occasion much dissatisfaction; because I doubt *This Society was the precursor of the Society established in 1810, and called the Society for Printing and Publishing the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.-ED.