Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XXI. Political and Social Progress - C. Three Great Social Questions
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Social Progress 353
lying on the bed, groaning, apparently in great pain.
He ordered her at once to get up, and she obeyed. Her
pains were all gone. The pastor then turned to the
peasant, who stood behind the door with an ax in his
hand. "Put down the murderous weapon," came the
order. The peasant obeyed. But when the pastor ad-
monished him to give up his wicked life and ask God’s
forgiveness, he scornfully replied that it would be time
for that when he should lie on his deathbed. "You will
have no deathbed," said the minister. A few days later,
in a drunken state the peasant fell into a well and was
drowned. This event made a more powerful impression
on the parish than the most powerful sermon could
have done.
Finally there came a time when the people learned
to appreciate their pastor. They began to see that all
his efforts were meant for their good. The former wild
and hostile congregation was completely changed. One
after another of the members ceased to convert his
grain into brandy. Prosperity and happiness followed
in the wake of temperance.
Gradually the movement spread over the whole
country. Many of Sweden’s foremost men joined the
movement, among them the crown prince, later Oscar
I. Beside him were two such scientists as the chemist
Berzelius and the noted physician Huss. The latter
made scientific investigations of the effects of alcohol
on the human body. He pointed out its evil effects not
only on the drunkard himself but upon his children
and children’s children even to "the third and fourth
generation."
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