and diverse communions, one harmonious and united Church; not one in doctrine, discipline and form of external worship, but one in spirit,—one in the real and practical acknowledgment of the Lord and his Word,—a Church all the more beautiful and perfect, because of the endless diversity among its component parts.
It cannot be denied, therefore, that this doctrine of the human form of heaven, is good and wholesome in its practical tendency. And what stronger evidence of its truth could any one desire than this? No such beneficent results could flow legitimately from a doctrine which is itself false. "Of a bramble-bush men do not gather grapes, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
XIV.
A HEAVEN FOR THE NON-CHRISTIAN WORLD..
IT will not be denied that, since the memorable year 1757—the alleged date of the last General Judgment—the human race, especially throughout Christendom, has enjoyed a steadily increasing degree of enlightenment on religious as well as on all other subjects. The new angelic heaven has been pressing with continually augmenting force upon all minds—pressing in every direction like a subtle and elastic atmosphere. And under the influence of this pressure, a gradual change in theologic thought has been going on in the minds of individuals and churches. The theology of Swedenborg's
