Page:The Other Life.djvu/269

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CHAPTER XI.

WHY ARE THESE THINGS NOT BELIEVED?

THE theo-philosophy of Swedenborg is the most beautiful, comprehensive and perfect system ever presented to man. It is the only system in the world which is based upon the Word of God, and claims to have been derived from heaven. The claim itself is so stupendous as to paralyze curiosity by exciting suspicion of insanity in the man who makes it.

"He is mad!" exclaimed the leaders; and for a whole century the church turned its face away from the great light which is to illumine and gladden it for ever.

But readers and believers are found. The strange doctrines pass into all countries, like the seed of heavenly fruit, borne by the four angels who hold the four winds of the earth; and already they are received and loved and lived by thousands of earnest, intelligent and practical men.

"There was method in his madness!" suggest the defenders of the old faith.