Page:Swedenborg, Harbinger of the New Age of the Christian Church.djvu/288

 smile, 'and then we may be able to help the matter.'

"The housewife, whose strong emotion gave her courage to speak, and words to express her thoughts, at last began:—'Yes, people say we ought not to serve you any longer, because you are not a right Christian.'

"'Nothing else, my good woman,' said Swedenborg quietly; 'nothing else? Well, let the world judge so; but why should you think so?'

"'You see you never go to church; for years you have never been inside of St. Mary's church.'

"'Have you never read,' replied Swedenborg solemnly, 'that, where two or three are gathered together in the Lord's name, there is His church and meeting-place? Do you believe that it is the steeple and copper roof which makes a holy place of it? Do you believe that it is holy for any one else but him who has in his heart Christ's church? Do you believe that it is the walls, organ, and pulpit, which constitute its holiness?'

"'No, no; I know that well enough.'

"'Well, then, here at home, in this room, in the arbor, in the garden, wherever a man or spirit lives within or without space and time,