SWEDEN

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY POLITICALLY AND RELIGIOUSLY—VISIONS, MARVELLOUS OCCURRENCES AND EVENTS—PRESENT PROSPECTS, &c.

Although the ancient races of Scandinavia have become somewhat intermixed, and a strong analogy exists between the Danish and Swedish languages, and one country is more or less subject to the influence of the other, yet the state of society in Sweden and spirit of the people are, in many respects, quite different from that of Denmark. At present there is much less freedom, both political and religious, a wider difference between the toiling millions and the nobility and gentry, and more extreme cases of degradation. Until recently their laws have been inimical to emigration, and the influence of the Lutheran religion and policy of the government, have tended to perpetuate the evils rather than remove them. Yet with the masses, a much stronger religious feeling appears to exist than in Denmark, and a much more general diffusion and perusal of the Scriptures; and in the absence of that encouragement which they have a right to expect from the Lutheran clergy that swarm the country, the labouring classes who feel religiously inclined, have formed their little associations for investigating the Scriptures and edifying each other therein.

A few years since a man, by the name of Johnson, made considerable stir in the country, and taught quite extensively the prophecies that relate to the last days, the second advent, gathering, Zion in America, &c.; and although he did not baptize or organize a church in opposition to Lutheranism, yet he became very obnoxious to the clergy, and after being subjected to many of their stratagems and to imprisonment, he finally emigrated with a portion of his friends to Illinois, where he was killed not long since. But the spirit of the latter-day movements and events, which he infused among his countrymen, did not entirely leave or die with him. It is said that in one town there are as many as a thousand, and many in other places, who entertain his notions and look for important events.

It is also asserted that in 1846, (if my memory serves as to time) was published in the papers, in three different parts of the kingdom on the same day, a remarkable occurrence, said to have transpired the preceding night, viz., the illumination of a church in the three different places, and in them the sound of delightful music, singing of Zion and the work of the Lord on the earth, when the churches were known to be closed and to possess no earthly means of illumination. I have seen it, but am sorry that I am unable to furnish at this time a translation of the sketch of the song said to have been sung in each of the three churches, and heard by many persons.

In 1842 commenced in Sweden, what the Swedish papers call "Praedeke Sygdom," (the disease of preaching) a strange manifestation of a spirit upon sundry illiterate persons, otherwise perfectly healthy, by which they acted very curiously, preaching and prophesying marvelous things, and crying repentance unto the people. Nor was it confined to men, but women also and even babes, under the same influence, opened their mouths, and testified marvelous things, to the great astonishment of many. And when the excitement could not be hushed by the priests, the doctors were called to their aid, who decided it a sort of monomania, and thereafter every person, so soon as they manifested any of the above symptoms, were immediately confined in hospitals or lunatic asylums, and no one allowed to see them until they were cured of their preaching.

During the last year or two, the Swedish papers report several cases again of the "Praedeke Sygdom" in different places, but the doctors are pushed forward to nip the spirit in the bud. The doctors were ordered to examine brother Forssgren for the same purpose, but his American passport and general appearance admonished them to take another course. One of those families consisting of seven persons, including two small children, resolved at all hazards to make their way to America, and actually travelled on foot several hundred miles, from the upper part of Sweden to Gottenburg, where they arrived too late for a passage last fall, and they made their way to Copenhagen and came immediately to our meetings, and received the Gospel with great joy, and have proved to be an excellent spirited family.

A strong dissatisfaction exists in Sweden with regard to reigning institutions, religious and political, and the opposition is strengthening itself daily, and becoming more thoroughly organized for efficient action. It has its seat in Stockholm, and extends its influence throughout the country, chiefly among the mechanic associations, and farming interests. Elder Forssgren found warm friends among the leaders of this party. The king is favorably disposed towards the popular wants, while the majority of the nobility and clergy seem struggling to maintain their power and influence. While measures for reform and extension of liberty, which had been submitted by the king, were under discussion before the legislature last winter (which finally failed) insurrectionary movements were set on foot in Stockholm, and large quantities of troops from a distance were called to maintain order, till the close of the legislature. One of the reform leaders writing to brother Forssgren in March, congratulates us on the liberty we enjoy in Denmark, and the success of our mission there, and says, "no such good has yet come over poor Sweden;" but, he adds, "we still labor in hopes, and are doubling our diligence." The same writer says that (using the documents furnished him by ourselves) he had published several articles refuting the newspaper charges against the Mormons.

A recent letter from elder Forssgren's father, brings news of a newspaper war between the two parties, in which the defender of reform principles animadverts severely upon the priests for their tyranny and oppression of people who had no confidence in their doctrines, and he fails not to charge home upon them with effect, the expulsion of "Mormoniten Forssgren," without judge or jury. I shall continue to watch with deep interest every movement in Sweden, until the yolk is broken, the fetters burst, and Israel that is pent up in those north countries goes free. I cannot feel satisfied to close this brief review of Sweden without treating my readers to a sketch of the vision of Charles XI, king of Sweden, which I find in the Danish over his seal and signature, attested by five officers of state, who were with him on the occasion. Being ill, and of an unusually melancholy frame of mind, he raised himself in bed, about twelve o'clock at night, and on looking towards the window that commanded a view of the legislative hall, saw a light in the hall. The officer in attendance assured him it was only the reflection of the moon's rays upon the windows. Partly pacified with this explanation, he turned himself in bed to seek repose, but being troubled in spirit, he shortly looked and saw the light again. He then demanded of another officer, who that moment called to inquire after his health, if a fire had not broken out in the legislative hall. This man offered the same solution of the light as the first, but on gathering his garment around him, and going to the window, the king not only saw more distinctly a light, but also the appearances of personages in the hall, whereupon he called immediately for the master of the watch, with the keys, and accompanied him and four others to the hall. The king directed him to open the door, but by this time fear had seized upon him and all the others, so that each in turn refused to open the door, and besought the king to excuse them from the task. At their words the king himself began to fear, but renewing his courage he seized the keys and said, they that fear God have nothing in the world to fear, perhaps the gracious Lord will reveal us something, will you follow me? they trembling answered, yes.

As the king opened the door he drew back with terror, but strengthening his resolution he entered and saw a large table surrounded by sixteen grave looking men, with large books before them, and a young king standing at their head, at the motion of whose head they all smote hard upon their books. As he turned himself he saw blocks with instruments for beheading, and executioners, and at the motion of the young king the grave men smote upon their books, and the executioners began the work of beheading. Those beheaded were all young noblemen. The blood flowed down the floor. So real did it appear, that the king examined himself to see if the blood did not cleave to him. As he looked beyond the table at the right of the young king, he saw a throne, partly upset, and a man about forty years of age, whom he took to be the premier, standing near it. "I approached the door," continued the narrative, "and exclaimed, gracious lord, when shall these things be? I received no answer. Again I cried, Lord, when shall these things be? I received no answer, but the young king motioned with his head, while the others smote hard upon their books. I cried the third time loudly, gracious God, when shall all this take place? The young king then replied, not in your day, but in the sixth reign from yours, and that king shall be as you see me to be, then shall be a time of trouble, and the throne well nigh cast down, but it shall be established after the shedding of much blood. He shall sustain and strengthen it, (pointing to the man by the throne), and after shall Sweden experience great prosperity and blessings, such as she has never enjoyed." Further particulars were explained to the king which I do not here give, but the above is the substance, and then the vision vanished, and the king and his men found themselves alone in the hall, with light in hand, and all appeared in its natural state. Whether true or false, the vision is not without its influence upon Sweden. The present incumbent is the sixth prince from Charles XI.