the flesh; and generally it is believed that angels only are permitted to minister to the world."

"You are so taught by Milton, whose theology contained more poetry than truth. There is no such teaching in the word of God. In Judges, thirteenth chapter, you will find that when the angel appeared unto the mother of Samson, he is called a man of God as well as the angel of God; again he is simply called 'the man.'

"In the book of Daniel, the angel Gabriel is called the man Gabriel.

"The angels who appeared unto Mary in the Holy Sepulchre were doubtless like men, as there is no record of her regarding them otherwise. They talked with her like men.

"In Revelations, twenty-first chapter and seventeenth verse, it reads: And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man; that is, of the angel.'

"I recommend you, however, to read the words of Swedenborg upon this and other subjects to which I could not much more than allude."

"That will I do."

CHAPTER II.

CONVERSATION CONTINUED.

ISRAEL continued: "I wish to hear your views of the character and mission of Jesus Christ on earth. Your words respecting the purification by an intermediate state of discipline and instruction, as also some of your observations upon the resurrection, have excited my interest. In short, let me first ask you if you believe in the doctrine of the Trinity?"

66 'Swedenborg teaches that there is but one God. This God was and is Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ (as we are taught by writers of this faith)' is a Trinity composed of the Essential Divinity, the Divine Humanity, and the Divine Proceeding, corresponding to the human trinity in every man, of body, soul, and operating energy. In eternity He was Creator, in time, Redeemer, and to eternity, Regenerator.' No other God will be seen in Heaven but Jesus Christ. His appearance there is as a sun high above the heavens. Hence, in the time of his transfiguration before the disciples, whose spiritual sight was partially opened, it is said, His face did shine as the sun.' (Matt. 17: 2.) Also in the apocalyptic vision to John, 'His eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace.' The mission of the

6

incarnate Deity was, in the language of another, 'to check the overgrown influence of wicked spirits over the minds of men, opening a nearer communication with the heavenly powers, and making salvation, which is regeneration, possible for all who believe in the incarnate God, and keep his commandments.'

"Let me read to you from the pages of a prominent disciple of this faith: 'It was not, then, any selfish regard to His own glory which led to this grand expedient; but in his love and his pity he redeemed

us.

There never was any conflict between his attributes. The justice of God is but his goodness in restorative action. He does not demand the punishment of an innocent substitute. (Gen. 18:25; Ez. 18: 20.) He requires our repentance and reformation alone. (Jer. 18: 7, 8; Isa. 56: 7; Luke 24: 47-8; Acts 5:30-1; 1 John 1, 9.) It is not enough barely to believe all this, though true; to repent in extremity.; or to confess our sins in the gross.''

"But how will you manage the case of the thief on the cross?" here interposed Israel.

"Christ only promised him paradise," said Stilwell," and by what I have already told you, you can understand our view of the states after death. If the thief, on coming into paradise or the state of blessedness, found himself fitted for that society, he would remain; on the contrary, if he was evil in the ruling love, he would leave there of his own accord. None are banished from happiness or heaven by the Lord or His angels, more than are they excluded from goodness and its enjoyment on earth, save by their free will. It by no means followed that this person was a

good angel after death, in his ultimate state, because he was to be with Christ in paradise that day."

Israel continued: "Since Paul uses the word 'paradise' as synonymous with the 'third heaven' in his account of his remarkable vision, into which he was caught up and heard unspeakable words, I think the condition of the repentant thief may be predicated as tolerably safe, especially as he was there to be with Christ."

"Place has no importance," said the Swedenborgian; "it is state or the condition of the soul and spirit. Here, what is heaven to one man is hell to another, and the converse. Precisely is it thus hereafter. Dives could speak to Lazarus, who was in Abraham's bosom, and yet between them was a great gulf fixed.” "That was a parable," said Israel.

"Certainly; but of what use is a parable save as a representation of truth? If it represents a nonentity, a falsehood, it is not a parable, but a myth. As such it could have had no introduction into the word of God.

"In this world," continued Stilwell, "there is also a great gulf between persons of different faith and life. For one of these to be admitted into the life of the other, would be, indeed, an indescribable torment. It is not the act of the good which banishes the evil from their presence or life; but they go away to their own place in the greatest freedom of choice.

"To proceed with my reading upon the manner in which regeneration is effected, and the death of Christ made efficacious unto men:

"Man must examine himself in detail; fight against his evils in the strength of the Lord; follow the great

exemplar; (Matt. 10: 38; 16: 24; 19: 28; 1 Pet. 11: 21-2; John 12: 26; 1 Cor. 10: 13; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; 4: 16;) and thus, by an union of faith, charity, and good works, without attaching any merit to either, "work out his own salvation," or qualify himself for happiness. We know of no shorter road to heaven. A God of truth will not impute to us either the good or evil which was not and could not have been done by us. (Ez. 18: 20-21.) And though all are predestinated to heaven, yet none will be forced to accept it; nor will any be elected, but by that principle of spiritual affinity which leads those who are by reformation and regeneration made like Him, to choose Him freely and reciprocally. * As the ability

*

to keep the commands is constantly afforded, voluntary perseverance, and constant vigilance are as little as could be expected in return.'

"Here follow words which I desire you to espe cially notice: 'Who then can estimate the importance of regeneration, when we reflect that man is by every thought, word, and act of his life drawing his own portrait and forming his own state for eternity? When we know that outward realities are but shadows compared with our own inward imaginations and desires, and that we are either good or bad, and, therefore, already in conjunction either with heaven or with hell, according as these and yet deeper principles are working within us.'

"Yes, my friend," continued Stilwell, closing the book, 66 we are already either in heaven or in hell. We may ourselves know whether we are children of God or of the Evil-for he that is born of God or