by Erik Sandstrom
The above title suggests what is my primary purpose with this address, namely, to try to demonstrate that the doctrine of correspondences is not only a science but also—and I believe essentially —a philosophy. Since, however, we are concerned with a doctrine that is revealed, it follows that it is revealed science and revealed philosophy we are inquiring into. For while we stand in awe of Swedenborg’s philosophical insight prior to his call as revelator, and his thoughts at that time concerning correspondences and representations, yet for a full instruction with regard to the laws of correspondence, according to which both the spiritual and the physical universe with all things within them were created and are sustained, we cannot go elsewhere than to those Writings which took the revelator himself beyond the realm of human research and contemplation.