17. Letter to Beyer, November 14, 1769
In my last letter, because of lack of time, the story about the lad from Skara was not answered. If the case is actually such, it testifies to the communication of spirits with men. A well-to-do and rich home here in Stockholm has expressed the desire to have the lad live with them, and are willing to defray the cost of educating him in whatever he would seem to be inclined. Should this appeal to the lad, and should there be an occasion of bringing him here with some traveller, then this would be agreeable to those in that house; and in such case 30 daler s.mt could be placed in his hands for travelling expenses and support; and if on his arrival he be directed to me, he will be taken to the house.
I will pass by his vision of white serpents, because that took place in his early childhood. Therefore the meaning may be passed by, especially too since it could be interpreted this way or that in whatever way you like. But his knowledge of the uses of herbs, and knowledge of certain diseases, if he has such knowledge, does not derive its cause from similar diseases and cures in the other life among spirits and angels. But in that life there are spiritual sufferings and spiritual uses, which correspond to natural sufferings and cures here in the world. Therefore, when it occurs, it is correspondence that produces such an effect. And since there are none of the sicknesses of this natural world among spirits in the spiritual world, so there are no hospitals, but instead there are spiritual madhouses, where they live who have denied God in their thinking, and in others those who have done so by their actions.
Those who were insane in the world are on their first arrival in the other world similarly insane and crazy; but when externals are removed, and internals opened, as takes place with all men, they then receive understanding according to their previous nature and life; for actual stupidity and insanity reside in the external or natural man, and not in the internal spiritual.
Here I will relate something of my early youth. From my 4th to my 10th year I was constantly thinking of God, salvation, and the spiritual sufferings of men, and several times made observations at which my father and mother wondered, saying that angels must be speaking through me. From my 6th to my 12th year my delight was to discourse with priests concerning faith: that its life is love, and that the love that gives life is love to the neighbour; also that God gives faith to every one, but that only those receive it who practice that love. I then knew of no other faith than that God created nature and supports it; that He imparts understanding and a good nature to men; and more of this kind that follows as immediate consequences. The learned faith, namely that God the Father imputes the justice of His Son to whomsoever He wills and whenever He pleases, even to those who have done no penance and repentance - of this I then knew nothing, and had I known it, it would then, as now, have been far above my comprehension.
I remain, etc. Eman. Swedenborg
Stockholm 14 November 1769