In 1842 commenced in Sweden, what the Swedish papers call "Praedeke Sygdom," (the disease of preaching) a strange manifestation of a spirit upon sundry illiterate persons, otherwise perfectly healthy, by which they acted very curiously, preaching and prophesying marvelous things, and crying repentance unto the people. Nor was it confined to men, but women also and even babes, under the same influence, opened their mouths, and testified marvelous things, to the great astonishment of many. And when the excitement could not be hushed by the priests, the doctors were called to their aid, who decided it a sort of monomania, and thereafter every person, so soon as they manifested any of the above symptoms, were immediately confined in hospitals or lunatic asylums, and no one allowed to see them until they were cured of their preaching.
During the last year or two, the Swedish papers report several cases again of the "Praedeke Sygdom" in different places, but the doctors are pushed forward to nip the spirit in the bud. The doctors were ordered to examine brother Forssgren for the same purpose, but his American passport and general appearance admonished them to take another course. One of those families consisting of seven persons, including two small children, resolved at all hazards to make their way to America, and actually travelled on foot several hundred miles, from the upper part of Sweden to Gottenburg, where they arrived too late for a passage last fall, and they made their way to Copenhagen and came immediately to our meetings, and received the Gospel with great joy, and have proved to be an excellent spirited family.
A strong dissatisfaction exists in Sweden with regard to reigning institutions, religious and political, and the opposition is strengthening itself daily, and becoming more thoroughly organized for efficient action. It has its seat in Stockholm, and extends its influence throughout the country, chiefly among the mechanic associations, and farming interests. Elder Forssgren found warm friends among the leaders of this party. The king is favorably disposed towards the popular wants, while the majority of the nobility and clergy seem struggling to maintain their power and influence. While measures for reform and extension of liberty, which had been submitted by the king, were under discussion before the legislature last winter (which finally failed) insurrectionary movements were set on foot in Stockholm, and large quantities of troops from a distance were called to maintain order, till the close of the legislature. One of the reform leaders writing to brother Forssgren in March, congratulates us on the liberty we enjoy in Denmark, and the success of our mission there, and says, "no such good has yet come over poor Sweden;" but, he adds, "we still labor in hopes, and are doubling our diligence." The same writer says that (using the documents furnished him by ourselves) he had published several articles refuting the newspaper charges against the Mormons.
A recent letter from elder Forssgren's father, brings news of a newspaper war between the two parties, in which the defender of reform principles animadverts severely upon the priests for their tyranny and oppression of people who had no confidence in their doctrines, and he fails not to charge home upon them with effect, the expulsion of "Mormoniten Forssgren," without judge or jury. I shall continue to watch with deep interest every movement in Sweden, until the yolk is broken, the fetters burst, and Israel that is pent up in those north countries goes free. I cannot feel satisfied to close this brief review of Sweden without treating my readers to a sketch of the vision of Charles XI, king of Sweden, which I find in the Danish over his seal and signature, attested by five officers of state, who were with him on the occasion. Being ill, and of an unusually melancholy frame of mind, he raised himself in bed, about twelve o'clock at night, and on looking towards the window that commanded a view of the legislative hall, saw a light in the hall. The officer in attendance assured him it was only the reflection of the moon's rays upon the windows. Partly pacified with this explanation, he turned himself in bed to seek repose, but being troubled in spirit, he shortly looked and saw the light again. He then demanded of another officer, who that moment called to inquire after his health, if a fire had not broken out in the legislative hall. This man offered the same solution of the light as the first, but on gathering his garment around him, and going to the window, the king not only saw more distinctly a light, but also the appearances of personages in the hall, whereupon he called immediately for the master of the watch, with the keys, and accompanied him and four others to the hall. The king directed him to open the door, but by this time fear had seized upon him and all the others, so that each in turn refused to open the door, and besought the king to excuse them from the task. At their words the king himself began to fear, but renewing his courage he seized the keys and said, they that fear God have nothing in the world to fear, perhaps the gracious Lord will reveal us something, will you follow me? they trembling answered, yes.
As the king opened the door he drew back with terror, but strengthening his resolution he entered and saw a large table surrounded by sixteen grave looking men, with large books before them, and a young king standing at their head, at the motion of whose head they all smote hard upon their books. As he turned himself he saw blocks with instruments for beheading, and executioners, and at the motion of the young king the grave men smote upon their books, and the executioners began the work of beheading. Those beheaded were all young noblemen. The blood flowed down the floor. So real did it appear, that the king examined himself to see if the blood did not cleave to him. As he looked beyond the table at the right of the young king, he saw a throne, partly upset, and a man about forty years of age, whom he took to be the premier, standing near it. "I approached the door," continued the narrative, "and exclaimed, gracious lord, when shall these things be? I received no answer. Again I cried, Lord, when shall these things be? I received no answer, but the young king motioned with his head, while the others smote hard upon their books. I cried the third time loudly, gracious God, when shall all this take place? The young king then replied, not in your day, but in the sixth reign from yours, and that king shall be as you see me to be, then shall be a time of trouble, and the throne well nigh cast down, but it shall be established after the shedding of much blood. He shall sustain and strengthen it, (pointing to the man by the throne), and after shall Sweden experience great prosperity and blessings, such as she has never enjoyed." Further particulars were explained to the king which I do not here give, but the above is the substance, and then the vision vanished, and the king and his men found themselves alone in the hall, with light in hand, and all appeared in its natural state. Whether true or false, the vision is not without its influence upon Sweden. The present incumbent is the sixth prince from Charles XI.
[POETRY.]
Had the author of the following lines known the calling and mission of the Latter-day Saints, he would have, most unquestionably, represented them in his song; as it is, we offer it to our readers, assuring them that we often appropriate it to our own use.
WIFE, CHILDREN, AND FRIENDS.
When the black letter'd list to the gods was presented—
A list of what Fate for each mortal intends:
At the long string of ills a kind angel relented,
And slipp'd in three blessings—wife, children, and friends!
In vain surly Pluto declared he was cheated,
For Justice divine could not compass her ends:
The scheme of man's folly, he said, was defeated,
For earth became heav'n with wife, children, and friends!If the stock of our bliss is in strangers' hands vested,
The fund ill secured oft in bankruptcy ends;
But the heart issues bills that are never protested,
When drawn on the firm of wife, children, and friends!
The soldier, whose deeds live immortal in story,
Whom duty to far distant latitudes sends,
With transports would barter whole ages of glory,
For one happy hour with wife, children, and friends!But valor still glows in life's waning embers;
The death-wounded tar, who his colours defends,
Drops a tear of regret as he dying remembers
How blest was his home with wife, children, and friends!
Though the spice-breathing gales o'er his caravan hovers,
While 'round him the fragrance of Arabia descends,
Yet the merchant still thinks on the woodbine that covers
The bow'r where he sat with wife, children, and friends.The dayspring of youth still unclouded by sorrow,
Alone on itself for enjoyment depends;
But dreary's the twilight of age when it borrows
No warmth from the smiles of wife, children, and friends!
Let the breath of renown ever freshen and nourish
The Laurel that o'er his fair favourite bends;
O'er me wave the Willow, and long may it flourish,
Bedew'd with the tears of wife, children, and friends!