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124 [ Doc. 10.
SWEDENBORG’S ANCESTRY,
"
saw this consumed by the flames, he did not fail to dis
play that calm submission with which he bore all his mis
fortunes. Two days afterwards he wrote a detailed account
of the fire to Princess Ulrica Eleonora ; and in his letter he
entreats the royal assistance, not so much for himself, as for
the other sufferers. In his usual pious manner he describes
the cause and the effects of the conflagration. The cause he
considers to have been “ the many and grievous sins” of the
people; he thinks also that in this conflagration it could be
" seen and heard plainly that the fire of God’s wrath was
kindled. God’s Word, and the preachings from it, are no
longer of any avail among us; therefore God must preach to
us in such a fearful and terrible manner.” His own losses
on this occasion he mentions only in passing. But he adds,
“ If only the Lord’s own beautiful house (the cathedral) had
been preserved! Our losses, although they are very great,
can be repaired .” In consideration of all this, he hopes
that her Royal Highness, “ from her well-known kindness and
charity, will represent to His Majesty their necessities and
misery, supporting her own prayers by the earnest entreaties
of a shepherd for his unhappy flock, and by his groans and
tears for the destruction of the beautiful temple, which had
been an ornament to the whole country, and where many of
the kings and noble families of Sweden had found a final resting
place. He acknowledged the difficulty of providing means
during the present warlike times, but “ if no other means can
be found but those enjoyed in Stockholm by the actors and
actresses," he thinks they ought to be employed to help the
distressed town. All the rest he leaves to the Princess to
care for. This letter was signed: “ Jesper Swedberg, an afflicted
pastor and servant of the Church.” Four days after this he
received his appointment as Bishop.
Swedberg did not share the apprehensions which most
of his order entertained, when they saw “the young lion ” be
ginning his pranks, after the death of the old King. His own
open and frank nature did not miscalculate, when he hoped
to obtain a hearing from the famous hero-son, who himself
possessed these qualities in so eminent a degree. This ap
peared even in the year 1699, in a matter which concerned
79
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