The True System of Religious Philosophy, in Letters to a Man of the World Disposed to Believe

A philosophical text with interesting provenance, being owned by the Union Major General and 14th Governor of Illinois, Richard J. Ogelsby (1824-1899). Ogelsby began his service in the Mexican-American War before becoming a prospector during the California Gold Rush. After volunteering for the Union Army, he rose to the rank of Major General but after sustaining severe injuries in the Battle of Corinth, and at the request of President Lincoln, he left his commission and successfully ran for Illinois Governor in 1864. He was at Lincoln's side when he died at the Petersen House in 1865. The text itself is Swedenborgian Jean François Étienne Le Boys des Guays' outlining, through a series of easily-understood letters, of his ideas of rational faith and spiritual interpretations of the universe. Among topics discussed are God, immortality of the soul, logical reasoning in theological questions, religious doubt, religious skepticism, existence of evil, creation, free agency, laws of divine order, the physical body and spiritual body, angels, the spiritual world, space and time, souls of animals, creation of the universe, infinity, redemption, memory and thought of man, Holy Trinity, and the Divine Word. This edition was translated by John Murdock and edited, with corrections, by Hebrew professor at NYU, George Bush. 8vo, x, 259pp. Publisher's brown cloth ruled in blind and lettered in gilt on spine. Corners worn, spine faded, few spots to lower board. Ownership signature of R.J. Ogelsby dated 1863 in Chicago on ffep. Half-circle moisture stain to outer margin of first 50 pages or so, else clean internally and very good.…