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30 A CLOUD OF WITNESSES.

the state of his mind in language more appropriate than that of the devout man of old, ' Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word ; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people ; a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.' Luke ii : 29 to 33. Amen.

" ' Glory be to God in the highest.*

"Manchester, February 28, 18 18."

Here we have the testimony of one of the purest and best men that ever lived, and one who was capable of judging between the Old and the New Christian Theology. He had been familiar with the Old doctrines from his childhood; had studied and preached them for several years. He understood equally well, too, the doctrines of the New Church as unfolded in the writings of Swedenborg; for he had made himself thoroughly acquainted with these by long and patient examination. And what is histestimony? Why, that the Old as compared with the New, is as darkness to light. In respect to all the great doctrines of Christianity — the doctrines concerning God, the Sacred Scripture, the Spiritual World, Creation, Redemption, Regeneration, etc. — he confesses that the perusal of Swedenborg's True Christian Religion had opened

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