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WESTIN, BREV FRÅN C. O. ROSENIUS
24I
executed, and cannot be in our present state of religious liberty. But
a Society for founding an " Institute for Deaconesses " has this year
been formed. Its principal aim is a spiritual care for the souls of the
poor, a work of the religious persons here. Among the signs of an
increasing spiritual life and hunger for spiritual food in Sweden, may
be counted the sudden increase of religious periodicals. Ten years ago
this country had no more than two religious papers; it has now ten or
twelve, all of them more or less intended to create and satisfy spiritual
hunger; such signs, as well as glad accounts from different parts of
the country, give us the hope of better times. But with the exception
of these bright points, a shocking impiety and a heavy slumber of death
reign everywhere in our poor country.
The Temperance cause progresses slowly. It its true that the
ruling opinion with regard to it is better; yea, such, that many think
the cause is advancing without the help of associations—some members
of the Society have become so inactive, that in many places things have
a sad appearance; drunkenness is even beginning to gain the victory.
There are fewer distilleries than formerly, though larger and better
conducted. That less brandy is consumed is clear; but it seems to be
because many moderate drinkers have become absolutely temperate,
while the number of drunkards does not seem to decrease. In the report
of the Temperance Society at its annual meeting, there are mentioned,
" accused for faults committed in a state of inebration from 1843—46,
at an average yearly 4,372; but in 1847 they amounted to the
number of 4,723. The number of patients seized with the delirium tremens,
and brought into our hospital, was in 1844, 51; 1845, 75; 1846, 118;
1847, 150."
Hereby I have given you briefly a view of our present condition.
It will again awaken your Christian philanthrophic heart to remember
Sweden in love before God and your benevolent brethren. Now may our
Lord bless you forever with much comfort, strength and peace, for all
your love! Such is the prayer of yours most humble, but cordially
affectionate and grateful friend in Christ.
C. O. Rosenius.
2.
[Odaterat.]1
Rev. Dr. Baird, Nezv-York:
My dear and Reverend Sir,—Half a year is now past since I last
gave you notice of the state of things amongst us. During this time
our merciful Lord has gladdened our hearts with many evidences of
1 Detta bretf förekommer i nyss nämnda tidskrift, jan. 1851, s. 24 IT. Det
hör dock tydligen samman med följande brev från Scott, publicerat i samma
tidskrift, nov. 1850, p. 520:
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