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TESTIMONY OF REV. JOHN CLOWES. 25

founded rumors respecting Swedenborg and his doctrines, and the most bitter and scurrilous invectives, emanated from this source almost daily. Nor were his persecutors content with employing their tongues only; they had recourse to their pens. They wrote and published a pamphlet in which they endeavored to prove that the writings of Swedenborg were opposed to religion and common sense. Mr. Clowes at once replied to this pamphlet. They next appealed to the Right Rev. Dr. Porteus, then Bishop of the Diocese, preferring, in a formal manner, the four following charges against Mr. Clowes: 1st; that he denied the Trinity; 2d, that he denied the Atonement; 3d, that he went about the country endeavoring to propagate the New Doctrines; 4th, that he had private meetings at his own house for the same purpose. Mr. Clowes was accordingly summoned to appear before the Bishop to answer to these charges. He appeared and answered — in a manner, it is said, quite satisfactory to the Bishop, who is reported to have said afterwards, that he " wished there were many more John Clowes in his diocese." This damped the ardor of his persecutors; and from that time he was permitted to preach and publish his own sentiments without further molestation.

It was in the fourth year after his acceptance of the pastorate of St. John's Church, that Mr. Clowes com-