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HANDLINGAR TILL GEORGE SCOTTS VERKSAMHET I SVERIGE I 6 7
book» or »the King’s book» are the names by which the history
is most generally known. Of all the more distinguished Temperance
advocates I am acquainted with, there is not one who does not
acknowledge, that it was the reading of »Baird’s book» which
decided to active exertion in this good cause. »The Swedish
Temperance Society», a new and most efficient institution, numbering in
its Committee a Berzelius, a Retzius, Hartmansdorff etc. owes its
origin to the same source; and thousands of families rescued from
the miseries incident to the use of ardent spirits, bless the day
when »the King’s book» came to their neighborhood. Seldom, if
ever, has a single book, in so short a time, produced such results
in a whole country.
You will not be surprised to learn that the intimation of Mr.
Baird’s intended visit this year was everywhere received with
enthusiasm. By the goodness of God, he has been here for about two
weeks, and it would lequire more time than I can at present
command, to give you the interesting particulars. All ranks seemed
equally anxious to show respect to a servant of God who, by the
Divine blessing, had been enabled to accomplish so much for the
good of this land. His reception by the king was, I understand,
most gratifying; the cordiality of his royal highness the crown prince,
I witnessed, and indeed, wherever he went, he was welcomed as a
general benefactor. I very much question, whether any private
gentleman living possesses a tithe of the influence here, which Mr.
Baird has acquired. I accompanied him on a journey northwards,
and attended many large meetings of the friends of religion and
temperance; and wherever we went, we found the name of Baird
known and loved, especially by the truly pious. Thanksgivings
were addressed to him on many occasions, and by all classes, but
what seems most deeply to affect him was the circumstance of two
peasants, one at Huddiksvall, the other at Söderala, coming forward
to express the gratitude of their own class, for the benefits resulting
especially to them from the distribution of »Baird’s book». The
latter of these expressed himself nearly as follows: »This is the
Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes; we render hearty
thanks to Him who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
for bringing this simple remedy out of obscurity; we thank Him for
raising up so many to exert themselves for the people’s weal; we
thank Him for inclining your heart and directing your way hither,
for making you an honored instrument of extensive good. You will
not understand our mode of thanking you. We acknowledge, we
feel our great obligation to you; but just for this cause do we praise
Him, who made you to us what you have been. This day can
never be forgotten by us; we see, we hear, we speak to the servant
of God whose book has long proved a blessing to our land; we
renew in the presence of God this day, our solemn engagement to
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