"THE S1FEDEKRORG LIBRARY." A Letter— after Reading Vol. IX. The following' letter is from an intelligent gentleman who has been for several years employed as a New Church Mis- sionary in Tennessee, and doing very acceptable work in that field. It was written shortly after he had received and read Vol. IX., which treats of " Marriage and the Sexes in both Worlds," and is published with the author's permission. " McMinnville, Tenn., May 2Gth, 1881. "Rev. B. F. Barrett. "My Dear Brother: — I have read with unusual interest the 9th volume of the ' Swedenborg Library,' which, in some respects, is the crown of all the rest. " Swedenborg's teachings on the subject whereof it treats are entirely new. There is nothing approaching them in the writings of the Old Church. His ' Conjugial Love ' has been the target of slander, abuse, and misrepresentation by Pike, Pond, and others. I have often won- dered that something more has not been done by the New Church to vindicate his writings from the filthy vituperations of these authors. " The only serious opposition that I have ever had in my missionary work, had its origin in the clandestine circulation of garbled extracts from 'Conjugial Love' by a Baptist preacher. I know of no better way to counteract such influence than by a free circulation of E. S.'s own teachings on these subjects, or such extracts from his writings as shall give the pith and marrow of his teachings. This is most admira- bly done in Vol. IX. of the ' Swedenborg Library.' " The series of works you are publishing under this general title has, in my judgment, no equal for giving to the masses the grand truths of the New Age. The volumes, so far as they have been published, contain the very essence of the great seer's teachings, every sentence ponderous with glorious truth adapted to the comprehension of all. Surely the happy thought that gave these little books to the world had its origin in the celestial heavens. "Rest assured, the Lord, with his holy angels — among whom may be Swedenborg himself — will carry on this work to a success far beyond your most sanguine expectation. What a rich, priceless, blessed priv- ilege to cooperate with them in this glorious work ! " Very truly yours, J. P. Smith." jJES** For Special Terms — which may sometimes be made to min- isters and theological students — or for any special information respect- ing this work, address "Swedenborg Publishing Association," 930 Market Street, Philadelphia, or its President, B. F. Barrett, Gei- mantown, Pa. 8
