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334
III. CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION.
Jokkmokk has an area of over 18 000 sq. km, or more than that of the whole
of the Kingdom of Saxony. In 558 livings the population amounts to 2 000,
in 556 to 5 000, in 197 to 10 000; of the remaining, twelve have over 25 000.
In Stockholm especially, many parishes are exceedingly populous, with as many
as 50 000 parishioners and upwards. It is intended, however, to divide up the large
parishes, both in Stockholm and elsewhere. The total number of clergymen in
Sweden is about 2 800, or one to 1 800 inhabitants, a proportion which may be
termed about normal for a Protestant country. In North Sweden, however, the
relative number of clergymen is considerably less.
During the period 1900—04 the expenditure of the parishes in Sweden on
the Church and the clergy amounted to 9’08 million kr. a year, t. e. l’7i kr. per
inhabitant. The value of the churches themselves is estimated at 95 million kr.
Creed and Cultus. The "pure evangelical doctrine" which the
Swedish Church professes is laid down, according to the Constitution of
Sweden, as being "that which was accepted in the unalted Augsburg
Confession and set forth in the resolution arrived at by the Uppsala Synod of
the year 1593". The Ecclesiastical Law, on the other hand, mentions
the whole of the Book of Concord as an exposition of the accepted doctrine.
The Neological Handbook of the year 1811 was replaced in 1894 by a new
one, which more faithfully preserves the Lutheran tradition; in connection
therewith the choral part of the service has become richer and more varied. In 1860
two fresh series of texts for sermons for the round of the year were ordered to
be used together with the old ones. Wallins Hymnal (of 1819) is still in use.
Proposals for its revision have often been made: the last one to be made was
brought forward by a Hymn-book committee in 1911.
The Church Bible is still that of Charles XII (of the year 1703), but ever
since the end of the 18th century, a work of revision has been in progress;
this is now approaching completion; a provisional revised translation of the Old
Testament was issued in 1903, and of the New Testament in 1912.
The revival of interest in religious life during the last few decades, in
conjunction with the interest for history and the fine arts, has resulted in great
activity in the restoration of churches, more especially of cathedrals and in the
erection of new church buildings. Moreover, by procuring better and more
tasteful altar-cloths and other altar decorations, by arranging liturgical services, and
by taking steps to improve the quality of church-singing, the endeavour has been
made to awaken attention to the richness and beauty of the Lutheran services.
Religious Life in the Sweden of our day presents a living and varied
picture. During the 19t,h century, the movements and currents in
religion have called forth a lively activity both within and without the
Church.
The Sunday services of the church (mass; at the great festivals, matins; in
towns, evensong) are very disproportionately attended in various districts. In
the south a "church-going zone" stretches from the diocese of Gothenburg over
Västergötland and Småland. In Värmland and the districts round the Lake
Mälaren the attendance is least, on the whole. In certain parts of Norrland it
improves again. The average for the whole country will be about 10 % of the
population, and at the great festivals many times as great. Attendance at the Holy
Communion has fallen with the disappearance (in most parts of the country) of
the previously predominating force of custom in this respect.
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