Page:Swedenborg, Harbinger of the New Age of the Christian Church.djvu/182

 opened, I was greatly astonished that I could converse with spirits; as the spirits were astonished that I should wonder. From this it may be concluded how difficult it is for man to believe that he is governed by the Lord through spirits, and how difficult it is for him to give up the opinion that he lives his own life of himself without the agency of spirits."

The date of this occurrence appears to have been the middle of April, 1745, while still engaged perhaps on The Worship and Love of God. The fullest account preserved is given by his friend Robsahm, who says that in answer to his own inquiry where and how it was granted him to see and hear what takes place in the other world, Swedenborg answered—

"I was in London, and dined rather late at the inn where I was in the habit of dining and where I had my own room. My thoughts were engaged on the subjects we have been discussing. I was hungry and ate with a good appetite. Toward the close of the meal I noticed a sort of dimness before my eyes; this became denser, and I then saw the floor covered with the most horrid crawling reptiles, such as snakes, frogs, and similar