Page:Swedenborg, Harbinger of the New Age of the Christian Church.djvu/254

 "In the year 1762, on the very day when Peter III of Russia died, Swedenborg was present with me [a God-fearing friend of Stilling's friend] at a party in Amsterdam. In the middle of the conversation his physiognomy changed, and it was evident that his soul was no longer present in him and that something was taking place with him. As soon as he recovered, he was asked what had happened. At first he would not speak out; but after being repeatedly urged, he said, 'Now, at this very hour, the Emperor Peter III has died in prison'—explaining the nature of his death [strangled by order of the Empress]. 'Gentlemen, will you please make a note of this day, in order that you may compare it with the announcement of his death which will appear in the newspaper?' The papers soon after announced the death of the Emperor, which had taken place on the very same day. . ..

"Such is the account of my friend; if any one doubts this statement, it is a proof that he has no sense of what is called historical faith and its grounds, and that he believes only what he himself hears and sees."

And yet Jung-Stilling himself preferred