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EDITOR'S PREFACE
FIFTY years ago the name of Emanuel Swedenborg was seldom seen in the public journals; and his writings were rarely referred to by scholars or theologians except in terms of contempt and derision. But the case is otherwise now. In the onward march of Christian civilization, and in the development and growth of a larger toleration, truer freedom, kindlier feelings and juster judgments in nearly all the churches, there has come to be a higher and truer appreciation of the great Swede and his teachings in almost all educated circles, and especially among the acknowledged leaders of religious thought.
Within the last few years the change in the popular estimate of this man and his writings, has been quite remarkable. This change is indicated by the frequent and respectful mention of his name in the public journals; by the altered tone and tenor of their criticisms; and especially by the continually increasing demand for his writings among the most earnest inquirers and advanced thinkers of these New Times. And the universal testimony of all who study his works sufficiently to fairly grasp their meaning, is, that there
