Handwritten letter from John Pitcairn Jr. in Oil City, Pa. to Rev. Chauncey Giles for the editor of the (New Church) Messenger. “Vandergrift, Pitcairn & Co.” letterhead. Regarding the state of the "Old Church." Letter transcribed as the handwriting is difficult to read.

Transcription: “Rev. Chauncey Giles Edr Messenger- Will you have the kindness to insert the enclosed article in the Messenger of next week, or if the columns are made up in the paper of the week following and thereby oblige the undersigned and a many laymen who are interested in the subject treated of. Editor Messenger: The Monday evening discussion at the last Convention concerning the Relation of the New to the New to the Old Church called out such diverse expressions of view in respect to the teaching of the Doctrines that it seems highly important that what is really taught should be clearly understood by the Clergy first, and then perhaps us of the Laity may have some hopes of illustration . The question upon which I desire more light is what is the teaching of the Lord in the Doctrines concerning the state of the Christian World? There are certain generals of doctrine upon this subject that most New Church men are acquainted with. Fore example, that many more proportionally of the heathen than of the Christins are saved, and that that the condition of the laity of the Roman Church is better than that of the Protestants. However, there is much more said throughout the Writings concerning the general state of the persons amongst whom we live that is not generally known, so far as my experience goes, and this experience was strengthened by the remarks of various speakers upon the Monday night afore (?) referred to. It was thought by some to be an imprudent thing to bring such a subject up for consideration. But be this so or not, the fact is that the subject has been brought up, and our only prudence now is to get all possible light upon a matter in regard to which the Lord has seen fit in his providence to reveal so much. It is unquestionably pleasant to believe that among our neighbors, friends and family who are connected with the Old Church, there are many good persons who are traveling towards heaven by another road, but neither the life of regeneration nor true charity can be attained by consulting our feelings, and, setting everything else aside, I now ask simply “what does the doctrine say?” From the many passages that have come under my observation during the past few years I extract the few following, and shall be sincerely obliged for any selections from the Doctrines that are of an opposite character & bear as directly upon the subject; -as these would of course modify what seems like “an hard saying.” “Few at this day can be regenerated, for these are the last times of the Church.” A.C. 3761. “They who come from the Christian world have scarcely any other thought and purpose, than to become the greatest, and to possess all things. So entirely are they eaten up with self-love and love of the world.” “It was shown to me how they entertain mortal hate towards each other, instead of love & charity, and how they cover such hatred also with simulated integrity and deceitful arts.” AC. 2121-2125 “At this day there is scarcely any faith because there is not any charity.” AC 3398 “In as much as in the Christian World the inhabitants at this day are of such a quality, namely, in externals without an internal, therefore scarcely any are affected with truth for the sake of the truth; hence also it is that they do not even know what good is.” A.C. 9409. There once appeared some spirits from Christendom, & they were forced to hear the interior (?) things of the Word, when they were seized with such loathing, that they said they felt in themselves as it were an inclination to vomit; & it was told me, that such is almost universally the character of the Christian World at the present day. A.C. 5702 The explanation given by some that such passages as the above refer only to the time of Swedenborg appears unsatisfactory when such teachings as the following are considered: I The general doctrine in regard to the increase of hereditary evils when patents are not regenerated by the truth. II The use of the future tense as for example “there will be few within the Church” A.C. 3898: “and confirmations of what is false by means of reasonings will be multiplied in the vastated church” A.C. 3900 III “A New Church is always established among the nations which are out of the Church” A.C. 9256. When the last time of vastation comes upon these who know and see unwillingly, like the Christians of the present day, they a Church arises anew not amongst them indeed, but with those whom they denominate Gentiles. This occurred with the most Ancient Church which existed before the flood, with the Ancient Church established after the event, and also with the Jewish Church.” A.C. 410 “The case will be the same with this Church which is called Christian A. C. 2986 In addition to the above, I would refer to the following namely A.C. 1850 – 2597 – 2910 – 3489 – 4423 – 4535 – 5639 – and I would again earnestly request any person who knows of passages in the Writings teaching apparently what is contrary to that which has been addended to favor me through the Messenger with the references."

Names mentioned: Convention, (New Church) Messenger