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WESTIN, JiREV FRÅN C. O. ROSENIUS 313
which awaited me 011 my return from my journey to the west of Sweden.
I thank God, however, for this journey; and it is not inconsistent with
the subject of these lines to explain this my gratitude.
The special object of my sojourn at the bathing-place of
Mar-strand, was to renew my strength, weakened by over-exertion, town air,
and disease; and praised be God our heavenly Father, I have since my
return felt quite young again. My heart has however rejoiced still
more at some unlooked-for fruits of my journey. Partly from
Mar-strand, partly from Gothenburg and Norrkoping, in which lastmentioned
towns I only preached the word of God a few days, I have had the
most encouraging letters, which bear witness that the Lord has been
pleased to bless this poor endeavor with the power of his Holy Spirit.
The kingdom of Sweden, which took a very prominent and effective part
in the work of the Reformation, and became a staunch defender of Protestant faith
and forms of worship against the corruptions and oppressions of the Papacy, has
of låte attracted much attention by reason of her acts of religious intolerance. What
will be the issue of the struggle commenced in that kingdom between the people
and the constituted authorities, on the subject of the free exercise of the rights
of conscience and of worship, time alone can determine. The spirit of inquiry is
aroused in the realm, and is daily widening its influence. The extreme measures
of the Court of Stockholm, a few months ago, in relation to the six women who
had ventured to join the Roman Catholics, (and of which our readers have been
advised,) have not suppressed it, nor hindered others from withdrawing from the
established church with a view to forming new relations.
Our excellent laborer, Mr. Ahnfelt, (a layman and graduate of the
university,) who for several years past has been very useful, as an itinerant
missionary, has recently withdrawn from the establishment, and several persons in the
town where he usually resides have imitated his example. Of the wisdom of this
procedure on the part of Mr. Ahnfelt, at this time, we are not prepared to speak.
It may have been for the best, yet fears are entertained by some, who are nearer
the scene than ourselves, that it may preclude his future operations as a lay
missionary.
We are glad to see (as the following letter from Mr. Rosenius shows us)
that the people in various parts of Sweden are anxious to enjoy the labors of a
spiritual and evangelical ministry. If that feeling shall prevail extensively—if the
people shall continue to desire and to seek for spiritual guides, who, less mindful
of outward forms than of the living power of the Gospel, will lead them to Christ
and to the instructions which he gave, the difficulties which now embarrass that
country will probably soon pass away. We earnestly desire to see religion reviving
in Sweden, and, with that event, we shall confidently expect to see religious
freedom prevail. We trust that in their prayers that land will not be forgotten by the
friends of religious liberty, and an evangelical and pure Christianity. But we
submit the letter of the Rev. Mr. Rosenius, of Stockholm, which we have recently
received.
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