hich were
translated by Dr. Wilkinson, the Rev. Augustus Clissold, and Mr. Strull.
In 1854 it was thought advisable that the Society should establish a book
depot of its own. Accordingly the Rev. Augustus Clissold subscribed
3000_l._ for the purchase of suitable premises. A house was taken in
Bloomsbury Street. In 1865 there were 3016 volumes disposed of, valued
at 217_l._, and the income of the Society from subscriptions and
donations was in that year 205_l._ The operations of the Society are
not, however, confined to its sales. Swedenborg's works are kept in
print, and often are given away to libraries and to persons of eminence
at home and abroad. It does not appear that Swedenborg's writings have
ever been very popular. The first volume of the "Arcana Coelestia" was
published in 1749, and was completed in 1756, in eight quartos. The book
fell stillborn from the press. In his "Spiritual Diary" Swedenborg
describes the fact, and thus accounts for it:--"I have received letters
informing me that not more than four copies have been sold in the space
of two months. I communicated this to the angels. They were surprised,
but they said it must be left to the Lord's providence; that His
providence is of such a nature that it compels no one; and that it is not
fitting others should read the 'Arcana Coelestia' before those who are in
the faith."

I hasten on to finish what I have to say as to the Swedenborg
organization. There are many of his admirers who believe that the
attempt to form a separate sect was not a wise one; certainly Swedenborg
himself did nothing of the kind. Fletcher of Madely, who read "Heaven
and Hell," and used to declare that he regarded Swedenborg's writings "as
a magnificent feast set out with many dainties, but that he had not an
appetite for every dish," when asked why he did not preach the new
doctrines, candidly confessed, "Because my congregation is not in a fit
state to receive them;" and so, in the opinion of many, people might be
Swedenborgians, as members of other churches, without setting up a new
denomination. Such was the opinion of the chief apostle of
Swedenborgianism in England, the Rev. John Clowes, for the extraordinary
term of sixty-two years rector of St. John's, Manchester. A complaint
was laid before his Bishop, Dr. Porteus, charging him with the denial of
the Trinity and the Atonement, and with holding heretical opinions. The
Bishop summoned him to Chester, "read to