Heaven and Hell - Swedenborg Foundation

HEAVEN AND HELL 261
influx was perceived to be so tender and soft as to be almost
solely a matter of affection; and at the same time it was
observed that their understanding was open even from the
Lord, for what flowed forth from them was as if it simply
flowed through them. Moreover, the Lord flows into the ideas
of little children chiefly from inmosts, for there is nothing, as
with adults, to close up their ideas, no principles of falsity to
close the way to the understanding of truth, nor any life of evil
to close the way to the reception of good, and thereby to the
reception of wisdom. All this makes clear that little children do
not come at once after death into an angelic state, but are
gradually brought into it by means of knowledges of good and
truth, and in harmony with all heavenly order; for the least
particulars of their nature are known to the Lord, and thus
they are led, in accord with each and every movement of their
inclination, to receive the truths of good and the goods of
truth.
337. I have also been shown how all things are instilled into
them by delightful and pleasant means suited to their genius. I
have been permitted to see children most charmingly attired,
having garlands of flowers resplendent with most beautiful and
heavenly colors twined about their breasts and around their
tender arms; and once to see them accompanied by those in
charge of them and by maidens, in a park most beautifully
adorned, not so much with trees, as with arbors and covered
walks of laurel, with paths leading inward; and when the
children entered attired as they were the flowers over the
entrance shone forth most joyously. This indicates the nature
of their delights, also how they are led by means of pleasant
and delightful things into the goods of innocence and charity,
which goods the Lord continually instilled into these delights
and pleasures.
338. It was shown me, by a mode of communication
common in the other life, what the ideas of children are when
they see objects of any kind. Each and every object seemed to
them to be alive; and thus in every least idea of their thought