SWEDENBORG, THE MAN, THE RELIGION AND THE RITE

by William G. Peacher, FMR

It is with great pleasure to have been given this exceptional opportunity to address this distinguished group of Freemasons on this memorable occasion of having been elected a Fellow of the Maine Lodge of Research. I have elected, arbitrarily to review with you some notes on a subject that has been of considerable interest to me through the years, and hopefully, you will enjoy them as much as I have in their acquisition. This concerns the man, Emanuel Swedenborg. Swedenborg was one of the most exceptionally talented and gifted men that graced the eighteenth century. He formed a group of the elite in that era of great scientific achievement, philosophical enlightenment, psychological advancement and theological erudition as will be noted below. He contributed extensively to all these fields of endeavor using a quill pen writing in Latin and personally publishing his works anonymously in the early years. Following his religious revelations occurring between 1743-1745, he felt that the Lord had called him into the office of bringing news of the second coming ofJesus Christ. He called himself the revalator and was convinced that his forays into the higher life were divinely guided. The religion and church based upon his philosophy and theology and the Masonic rite named in his honor were inculcated with his principles.

ATMOSPHERE OF GREAT IDEAS- AGE OF DISCOVERY

1578-1657 William Harvey - English physician and anatomist- Discovered circulation of blood.
1540-1603 William Gilbert - English physician and physicist had shown that the Earth was a magnet.
1642-1727 Sir Isaac Newton - English natural philosopher. His "Principia" establishing universal gravity was published the year Swedenborg was born.
1628-1694 Marcello Malpighi - Italian anatomist. Malpighi in following the high doctrines of Hippocrates, Leucippus and Lucreteus had given emphasis to the dogma that nature works best
in leasts "Tota in minimis existit natura".
1637-1680 Jan Swammerdam - Dutch naturalist-known: biology-research microscope.
1632-1723 Anton Van Leewenhoch - Dutch naturalist.
1669-1760 Jacob B. Winston - Danish naturalist.
1524?-1574 Bartolommeo Eustachius - Italian anatomist
1683-1758 Lorenz Heister - German surgeon- wrote: Chirurgie-1719
1668-1738 Hermann Boerhaave - Dutch physician, Prof. Med/Botany 1709 and Chemistry 1718, Leiden.
1646-1716 Baron G. W. von Leibartz - German philosopher and mathematician.
1679-1754 Baron Christian Wolff - German philosopher and mathematician.
1632-1704 John Locke - English philosopher
1583-1646 Hugo Grotius (de Groot) - Dutch jurist and statesman.
1707-1778 Carolus Linnaeus - Swedish Naturalist. Father of systematic botany who affirmed that "Nature is always like herself:", and added, "The nobility of method, the largest application of, had been established by Leibnitz and Christain Wolff in cosmology; whilst Locke and Grotius had drawn the moral arguments".
During this period, the universal dissectors: Swammerdam, Leewenhock, Winslow, Eustachius, Heister, Vesalius and Boerhaave left nothing for scalpel or microscope to reveal human or comparative anatomy.
1575-1624 Jacob Boehme - German theosophist and mystic. Descartes taught by Gilbert's magnet with its vertex, spiral and polarity had filled Europe with the leading thought of vortical motion as the result of nature.

Swedenborg was born on January 29, 1688 at Stockholm, the second son and third child of nine. His father, Jesper, was Professor of Theology at the University of Uppsala, Dean of the Cathedral and subsequently Bishop of Skara.

Queen Ulrika Ellonora ennobled the family in 1719, and their family surname was changed from Swedberg to Swedenborg. His father was also Chaplain of the Royal House, giving the family unusual social and political opportunities. Swedenborg was also entitled to sit in the House of Lords in which he contributed greatly through the years.

His mother, Sara, unfortunately, died when he was eight. Her family had been quite financially successful in the mining industry and Swedenborg's inheritance subsequently was to help him immeasurably throughout life, in addition to stimulating his interest in mining.

The children received scriptural names, and in the case of Emanuel it meant "God with us". The atmosphere at home tended to be religious and resulted in a marked influence on Swedenborg's future court connections also permitting discussions on war, politics, technology and philosophy.

Amidst such early intellectual motivation, Swedenborg was able to enter Uppsala in June 1799. He elected to major in philosophy which embraced also science and mathematics, one of the four major fields of study then available the others being theology, law and medicine, and he did add courses in law subsequently. Instruction was primarily in Latin and he later studied Greek and Hebrew. His knowledge in languages extended ultimately to include English, French, Dutch, German and Italian, nine in all, including his native Swedish. His formal studies were completed in 1709, his thesis being on Moral Philosophy.

Following graduation, Swedenborg spent the next five years, (1710-1714) traveling abroad visiting England, France and Holland. Eric Benzellus, his brother-in-law, was most helpful in introducing him to many of the most learned individuals of the day in England. He studied physics, astronomy the natural sciences, mineralogy, metallurgy, chemistry, geology, mining engineering, cosmology, economics, mathematics, physiology, politics, anatomy, philosophy and theology. He became proficient also in practical mechanics, including bookbinding cabinet work, watch making, engraving and the construction of brass instruments. His proficiency in grinding lenses was achieved in 1713 while in Holland, and his pursuit in the field of science continued in France, and proceeding on to Ristock via Germany, he returned finally to Sweden in 1714.

Swedenborg published a collection of Latin poems at Greifawald, Germany in 1715. He was responsible for Sweden's first scientific publication in 1716, "Daedalus Hyperboreus" which although short lived (a total of six issues), brought him considerable notoriety. He was appointed also in the same year Extraordinary Assessor of the Royal College of Mines by King Charles XII. He became, thereafter, Assessor in 1723 and Full Assessor in 1724, approved by the king and placed on full salary and continued to serve until 1747. His administrative duties included attending Board meetings regularly when decisions had to be made in the regulation of the mining industry, hiring of officials, arbitration of labor and personal disputes, study and recommendations of progress and collection of taxes levied by the government in mining. Swedenborg worked also in the field, spending the best part of seven summers on inspection tours of the mines which involved the quality and quantity of ore and the necessity of appropriate safety precautions for the miners.

Following visits to Holland and Germany in 1721-1722, he wrote "Specimen of a Work on the Principals of Natural Philosophy and Miscellaneous Observations on Natural Things" Returning to Germany then via Bohemia in 1733-1734, he published "Pentographical and lneralogical Works" and "The Infinite". Subsequent research in Paris in 1736 in the field of Anatomy and Physiology over a period of two years, resulted in one of his most celebrated works, "The Economy of the Animal Kingdom" which was printed in Amsterdam in 1740.

Swedenborg's life and writings were to undergo an evolutionary change during the years 1743-1745 during which time he experienced many visions and dreams. Although he did not discuss these emotional reactions with his friends, they were recorded in his Journal of Dreams and Journal of Travel. Previous to this time, his writing had been primarily scientific, but some philosophical including "Minor Principia (1720), The Principia (1730) and Infinite and Final Cause of Creation (1734) and Psychological: Empirical Psychology (1733) and Rational Psychology (1742)".

A radical change occurred in April 1745 following an intense emotional experience while dining alone in an inn during a visit to London. He was accosted and addressed by an apparition in a visual hallucination as the room darkened. The room cleared and Swedenborg returned obviously quite moved, the spirit returned during the night and this time emphasized the need of an individual to spread the word of God in such a manner that works of the Lord would again be revealed, not unlike the revelations given in the Old Testament. This prompted Swedenborg to believe that he had been called to be this heavenly inspired instrument. With this in mind he then spent his remaining years in the preparation of theological treaties.

These works included an extensive study of the books of Genesis and Exodus which appeared in 12 volumes under the title of "Arcana Coelestia-Heavenly Secrets" from 1749-1756. This was followed by the "Apocalypse Explained" in 6 volumes from 1757-1759. Other extensive volumes were published including, Heaven and Hell (1758), The Four Doctrines (1763), Divine Love and Wisdom (1763), Divine Providence (1763), Apocalypse Revealed (1766) in two volumes, Conjugal Love (1767), True Christian Religion (1771) in two volumes, Miscellaneous Theological Works (1758-1769) and Post-Humous Theological Works (1761-1772) in two volumes.

Swedenborg became more or less an international celebrity following a series of mystical experiences beginning in 1759, a few of which will be recorded here.

1. Swedenborg was dining in a party of fifteen at the home of William Castelln Gottenberg which was a town approximately three hundred miles from Stockholm in late July 1759, when he suddenly arose about 6 p.m., left the house, returning shortly thereafter and was quite pale, obviously upset and agitated and explained his great concern was about a devastating fire that had broke out in Stockholm or Sodermalue and his home was in grave danger and feared the loss of his papers and manuscripts. His distress continued, pacing about the room frequently going in and out of doors. Finally at 8 p.m., he exclaimed with great fervor; 'Thank God! The fire is extinguished the third door from my home".

The news of the conflagration spread rapidly reaching the Governor's attention. Swedenborg was summoned and dearly discussed the incident which caused great consternation among the populace. Every detail was confirmed when a messenger arrived from the capitol two days later.

Swedenborg became, thereafter, public figure which was greatly enhanced by similar episodes of clairvoyance which are well known and documented.

The granddaughter of a Mr. Bolander, owner of extensive cloth mills in Gottenberg, recalled another dramatic incident of Swedenborg's clairvoyance to Dr. R. L Tafel, who wrote extensively on material obtained from Swedenborg's papers. Swedenborg was enjoying a sumptuous dinner given in his honor in I770 at Mr. Bolander's home where he turned and abruptly addressed his host exclaiming, "Sir, you had better go to your mills". Bolander hurried to the mills and found a large section of cloth had fallen close to a hot furnace and was smoldering. The fire was quickly extinguished and thus avoided spreading and would have completely destroyed the structure. Bolander returned and thanked Swedenborg profusely for his remarkable insight. Swedenborg smiled apologetically for his sharp manner in apprising him of the impending calamity as he recognized the immediate danger and knew there was no time to be lost.

Another interesting anecdote illustrating Swedenborg's extraordinary visionary ability concerned John Wesley (1703-1791), celebrated evangelist, theologian and founder of the Methodist Church. Swedenborg, as a result of one of his visions, wrote to Wesley that he felt that Wesley desired to converse with him and he would be quite pleased to see him. Wesley was greatly surprised as he had been thinking about him and his works for some weeks. He responded quite apologetically that he would accept his kind invitation as soon as he returned from an extensive six month evangelistic tour on which he was about to leave. Swedenborg replied shortly after that it would then be too late as he would enter the spirit world on the 29th day of March, 1772, which proved to be the exact date of his passing as predicted.

THE LAST YEARS

Swedenborg returned to London in August 1771 where he rented rooms from Richard Shearsmith, a local wigmaker and continued writing and meditation. He suffered a moderately severe stroke just prior to Christmas that year manifested by impaired speech and use of his right limbs. There was sufficient improvement for him to resume working on his manuscripts in the latter part of January 1772. In early March 1771 Swedenborg conversing with his maid, Elizabeth Reynolds subsequently Mrs. Shearsmith advised her that there were several matters that would need his immediate attention as he would be dying in just three weeks time at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

Ms. Reynolds recalled subsequently that "He was as pleased as if he were going to a holiday, and go to some merrymaking". He received what was to be his last communion in his room a few weeks before his death from the Reverend Arvid Ferelius, former pastor of the Swedish church in London. The above prediction proved to be true as exactly three weeks later on March 29, 1772 at 5:00 p.m., Swedenborg asked the maid the time, to which she replied as noted. Swedenborg then said, "That is good, I thank you. God bless you." He then passed away peacefully.

Services and interment beneath the altar were carried out at the Swedish church on Princes Square near the tower of London led by Pastor Arvid Ferelius on April 5, 1772 at 4 p.m. The small church was filled with Swedenborg's friends. Samuel Sandals, a councilor of mines, read a eulogy in the House of Nobles in Stockholm at the time.

Due to the possibility of demolition of the church, and with permission of Parliament, his remains were disinterred on April 7, 1908 and taken on the frigate Fulgia with much fanfare. He was laid to rest for all time on May 18, 1908 in a handsome sarcophagus in a side chapel in the Uppsala Cathedral, the burial placed of King Gustavus Vasce, other Swedish royalties and distinguished citizens. The tomb next to that of Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778), Swedish naturalist and founder of systematic botany was unveiled by King Gustav V on November 19, 1910.

Many well known poets, philosophers and authors in succeeding generations were greatly impressed with Swedenborg's philosophical, theological and psychological contributions to the literature.

Henry James said: "Emanuel Swedenborg had the sanest and most far-reaching intellect this age has ever known".

Samuel Taylor Coleridge remarked that Swedenborg was "one of the most remarkable poets and thinkers". "I can venture to assert, as a moralist, Swedenborg is above all praise; and that, as a naturalist, psychologist and theologian, he has strong and varied claims of the gratitude and admiration of the professional and philosophical faculties.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning the well known poet stated, "To my mind, the only light that has been cast on the other life is found in Swedenborg's philosophy. It explains much of the incomprehensible."

John Greenleaf Whittier said, "There is one grand and beautiful idea underlying all Swedenborg's revelations about the future life."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote, "I am as much inclined as any one to believe in a world beyond the visible, and I have enough poetic and vital drive that even my own constricted self expands to feel a Swedenborgian spirit world."

Ralph Waldo Emerson was most impressed and influenced by Swedenborg's philosophical aiid theological contributions and was instrumental in their introduction, to his erudite colleagues. He made at least eighty references to Swedenborg in his writings including one widely accepted essay on Swedenborg as the Mystic".

Henry Ward Beecher noted, "No one can know the theology of the 19th Century who has not read Swedenborg".

Harvey F. Bellini in his essay Opposition is True Friendship, Swedenborg's influences on William Blake aptly observed that Swedenborg had earned the distinction of having been the last man on earth to master all the knowledge of his time.

Helen Keller remarked, "Swedenborg's message has given color and reality and unity to my thought of the life to come, it has exalted my ideas of love, truth, and usefulness; it has been my strongest incitement to overcome my limitations." She became further a most eloquent spokeswoman for the Swedenborgian church in the 1920's. Her activities on the part of the handicapped and her inspiring account of her personal Swedenborgian beliefs in "My Religion" brought considerable attention to this small but outstanding religious sect.

William Butler Yeats commented, "It was indeed Swedenborg who affirmed for the modem world, as against the abstract reasoning of the learned, the doctrine and practice of the desolate places, of shepherds and midwives, and discovered a world of spirits where there was a scenery like that of the earth, human forms, grotesque or beautiful, senses that knew pleasure and pain, marriage and war, all that could be painted upon canvas or put into stones".

There are few who have not heard of Johnny Appleseed, the nickname of John Chapman, born at Leominster, MA on September 26, 1774 and died on March 17, 1845 in a cabin owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Worth along the St. Joseph's river 3 miles south of Fort Wayne, IN. Chapman first walked into American history on a mid-eastern day in 1797 and his wanderings through the mid-west along the Ohio River to the Great Lakes in modern Ohio, Indiana and illinois have entered into our folklore and the Johnny Appleseed story has remained to this day a favorite part in our primary school curricula. His appellation was derived from his planting, pruning and distributing apple seeds over hundreds of square miles in the Ohio River Valley. He served additionally as a herbal doctor, and minor military hero as a frontier messenger in the War of 1812 and what perhaps is less well known was an ardent Swedenborgian. Along with his apple seeds he distributed Swedenborgian books throughout his journeys for over forty years. On occasion when supplies ran low, he would tear a book in segments or pages and then supplement missing parts to the farmers on return visits. His figure in American literature was enhanced further by Vachel Lindsay's poem "In Praise of Johnny Appleseed".

 

 

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