Swedenborg's Maximus Homo/Memorial to the General Convention/Chapter 2
II.
MEMORIAL.
To the General Convention of
Dear Brethren:—We, the undersigned, receivers of the Heavenly Doctrines revealed through Emanuel Swedenborg—believing these doctrines to be among the mightiest providential agencies of our times for enlightening mankind on spiritual subjects, and promoting the enlargement and upbuilding of the kingdom of heaven on earth—do earnestly desire that every hindrance to their candid consideration and wide reception by our fellow men, may be removed as speedily as possible.
We desire especially that the attitude of the organized New Church may no longer continue to be one of seeming antagonism or conscious superiority to other religious bodies, but rather one of modest self-appreciation, and kindly fraternal recognition of other Christians. There is little danger, we think, of becoming too broad in our sympathies, too catholic in our feelings, or too conciliatory in our disposition and attitude toward others. The danger, we submit, lies wholly in the opposite direction.
I. We believe there never has been and never can be more than one Church, in the large and comprehensive sense of the term, at any given time—though this, like the human body, may consist of a great variety of parts. (A. C. n. 7396, 7836, 9276. D. P. 254.)
II. We believe that, since the time of the Last Judgment (1757), the New Church signified by the New Jerusalem has been and continues to be the only Church on earth. (T. C. R. n. 668. Con. L. J. 12, 13 30. Ap. Ex. 641, 948.)
III. We believe that this Church is much larger and more inclusive than any sect; that it is distinguished less by its beliefs or doctrines than by righteousness of life—love to the Lord and the neighbor being its great fundamental. (Ap. Ex. n. 724, 730, 732. A. R. 903.)
IV. We believe that life or character rather than doctrine is what distinguishes individuals and churches in the sight of the Lord; and that all who desire to be his true followers, should, therefore, lay the strong emphasis on this. (A. C. n. 1799, 3241, 1515, 4468, 2009, 2231.)
V. We believe that the existing Church is, and is ever to be, characterized by variety rather than uniformity—including those of every clime and creed who love the Lord supremely, and humbly strive to keep his commandments. (A. R n. 66, 903, 925. A. C. 3241, 3451. H. H. 56, 57.)
VI. We believe, therefore, that members of the New Church are to be found in all existing religious bodies—and some, doubtless, outside of all; for we cannot doubt that there are, both within and without such bodies, some who truly love the Lord and the neighbor; while some who accept the doctrines of this Church and join the organization bearing its name, may be quite destitute of its heavenly spirit, and in reality constitute no part of it. (A. C. n. 916, 3379, 3963, 4736, 9192, 1285 10,310. Ap. Ex. 388.)
VII. We believe that, since the time and in consequence of the Last Judgment, there has been and continues to be a freer, more interior and more universal influx of spiritual good and truth into all humble, earnest and truth-seeking minds, than at any previous time, giving them new enlightenment on subjects of transcendent interest. (Ap. Ex. n. 1217. L. J. 74. Con. L. J. 11, 13, 30.)
VIII. And while the several churches or sects of to-day, viewed externally or in respect to ritual, creed and discipline, are found to be substantially as they were in Swedenborg's time, we believe that their internal quality is very different, on account of that great and beneficent change in the World of Spirits, and the increased light and liberty resulting therefrom. (L. J. n. 73.)
IX. We believe that in this New Church, as in the heaven of angels, there exist degrees—that is, more or less interior states of life; and that those who constitute the external or lowest grade, are "a great multitude" who are "in the good of life," though "not in genuine truths"—many of them "in falsities of doctrine from ignorance" (A. R. n. 363, 744. Ap. Ex. 455); for, in respect to all such (and their number is undoubtedly very great), the falsities they believe are not imputed to them, but are accepted by the Lord as truths, and made the mediums of heavenly influences to the believers' souls. (A. C. n. 3452, 7887, 9192, 10,109. Ap. Ex. 443, 625.)
X. We believe that this "great multitude," distributed throughout all the religious sects (and many outside of them all) constitute by far the largest part of the New Church; for, though their minds are imbued with many falsities, their hearts have become wedded to the Lord through simple obedience to his precepts. (A. R. n. 363. A. C. 6587.)
XI. It is each one's end or governing purpose in life, which the Lord and the angels chiefly regard; therefore it is this which determines his character, and his consequent relation or nearness to the Lord and heaven. And we cannot help believing that there are multitudes in all religions and religious sects, whose ruling desire and purpose is to know and do the will of the Lord, and whom the angels must, therefore, love and fellowship. (A. C. n. 1568, 1909, 3570, 3796, 3993, 5949. Ap. Ex. 867.)
Believing thus, and finding for our belief the amplest justification in the teachings here referred to, as well as in reason and the written Word, we are anxious that the body which assumes the name and stands as the most conspicuous representative of the New Church at this time, should, by its declared policy and its attitude toward other Christians, exemplify the grand catholicity of this Church. We do not deprecate a separate organization based upon the New Doctrines. This, perhaps, was unavoidable, and has doubtless, been useful. We would not lessen but gladly increase its efficiency and usefulness. To this end, therefore, we would have it assume a more fraternal attitude toward other religious bodies. We would have it adopt and pursue a policy which shall illustrate the large, conciliatory, catholic and loving spirit of the New Jerusalem.
We would have the General Convention, by a frank and public declaration, plant itself on the broad platform laid down for us so distinctly in the Heavenly Doctrines, and briefly hinted at in this Memorial. We desire especially that the Convention cease to claim for itself any special prerogatives—any special right to the Christian name or ordinances, or any special efficacy in the latter when administered by its own officials; that it frankly admit (and have its admission promptly recorded) that these ordinances are equally valid, efficacious and significant when reverently administered by Christians of whatever name or creed.
We sincerely hope, Brethren, that you will give this subject your earnest and prayerful consideration. We think it is one deserving your very best thought. By adopting a policy and platform in harmony with what your Memorialists have ventured to suggest, you will, we believe, give joy to many affectionate receivers of our doctrines, bring increased strength and honor to your body, and greatly advance the interests of the Cause we are jointly seeking to promote. You will remove all just grounds for the charge or even suspicion of narrowness and illiberality. You will regain the affection and confidence of brethren who have been alienated by what (to them) has seemed like sectarian exclusiveness. You will place yourselves on a high and impregnable platform, and win the favorable regard of the best men and women in all the denominations. And by coming into more fraternal relations with other Christians, you will, we doubt not, open new channels of usefulness and new avenues for the descent of the Divine Spirit, and many souls may be thereby blessed.
The foregoing Memorial, which was presented to the General Convention by Otis Clapp, was kindly received by that body and referred to a committee of three (one of whom was President of the Convention) to be reported on at the next session. The committee's report on the Memorial was presented to the Convention the following year (1881); but no action seems to have been taken upon it beyond its acceptance by that body, and consent to its being printed with the Convention's Journal of Proceedings. The report expressed no sympathy with the spirit or purpose of the Memorial, recommended no change in the Convention's attitude toward other Christians, and failed to recommend the granting of Memorialists' request.
The following Review of that Report, which appeared shortly after the publication of the Convention's Journal, will give the reader an idea of its general character. The Review was written for The New Jerusalem Messenger, but was sent for publication in The N. J. Magazine; but its insertion in that journal was respectfully declined. It was subsequently published in the pamphlet containing the "full text" of passages referred to in the Memorial, along with "other sequelæ."