Henry James Snr. & Swedenborg

Martin E. Marty, in his introduction to William James' iconic book The Varieties of Religious Experience, has this to say about Henry Snr., father of William and Henry:

"Henry Senior found resources for making his break from old-style Calvinism in the writings of the mystic Emanuel Swedenborg, who was then enjoying a vogue in the United States. With the aid of Swedenborg and his own instinctive talent, the elder James fused old religion and new into a private blend..."

The roots of the New Age

From Peter Clarke's fascinating book New Religions in Global Perspective (2006):

"The writings of Emanuel Swedenborg...are among the principle sources of New Age thinking, in particular his metaphysical theology, which is an attempt to unravel the inner sense or spiritual sense of the scriptures."