THE new King of Sweden has issued to his subjects a proclamation which, from its religious tone, stands out pre-eminently from documents emanating from such high quarters in these modern days. The proclamation is as follows:—
“God’s mercies are new every morning. It is because of this that we, though feeling the burden of sorrow and the weight of responsibility that is put upon us, yet, with confidence and hope, bring to you, at this change of year, our Royal greeting.
“While we think of the overwhelming loss which we and all our people suffered when the highly-gifted, loving, and, in his work as ruler, deeply experienced prince, King Oscar II., was called hence, and, besides, look back over the past year and all the lights and shadows that spread themselves over the memories of it, yet it is the goodness of God that shines most brightly before our eyes. With mercy God came to the dearly-beloved father of us and our country to give him deliverance and peace.
“God has shown goodness towards us all in manifold ways. The course of Nature, which has gone forward, guided by the Almighty, has provided us with the means of existence, if not so abundantly as the spring promised, still not so scantily as the continuous rains of the summer caused us to fear. How courage and hope revived in the sunny days of autumn, and then the harvest was gathered in!
“The progress of the affairs of the world, led by the wisdom of God, has preserved to the Fatherland outward safety, and vigorous work has been made possible in the various fields of labour. Memories, recalled in solemn celebrations, witness also that God has been with the King, the Royal house, Swedish heroes, and the whole nation in times past. Even events which disappointed our hopes have conduced to our welfare.
“Therefore let us give thanks for all to our God and Father in the name of Jesus Christ.
“We show poor gratitude to God if we are disobedient to Him and reject His best gifts. Our consciences accuse us of manifold disobedience against God; and in our country even during the past year startling individual outbreaks of crime have occurred, and the habitual sins of our nation seem undiminished. The divisions among the people have continued, and have assumed even more threatening aspects. ‘Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Or why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?’
“The great cure for our wounds is to be had. God’s mercy, given through Jesus Christ, removes the guilt of sin, subdues the power of evil, gives treasures more precious than gold or earthly power, and brings forth a love which breaks down barriers, and levels unequal lots. But few heed it. Few have patience to wait for the quiet working of inward powers to overcome difficulties.
“There is widespread indifference to Christ, and even blasphemy against Him may be heard. No one among us can say that he has with word and life so earnestly opposed evil and witnessed for truth and right that he has no share in the responsibility for prevailing sins; and heavy is the responsibility which rests upon a people which rejects God’s saving grace. Changes and improvements are indeed sought after in our times, but the most important change and improvement is a Universal Conversion to God. Let us, each for himself and unitedly, confess our sins, and ask God, for Jesus Christ’s sake, to forgive our iniquities and heal our diseases.
“By the Reformation the subjects of heart-conversion and God’s unspeakably great Gift to broken hearts were emphasized with a clearness which shines out in the history of the world. May, therefore, the memory of the Reformation be blessed amongst us! Let us follow its exhortations, to hold to the Word of God, seek the righteousness with which God clothes us, and aim at such a development and activity of life as shall be like a plant growing out of love and faith in the heart. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which the Reformation brought anew into the light, like the gold of truth, cleansed from the dross of the inventions of man, shone clearly for Gustavus Adolphus, his people, and army, and it has lost neither its glory nor its power.
“In spite of much enmity shown towards the Gospel of Christ, we see it, even in our times, bring about blessed effects, both in Christendom and in the heathen world. As living seeds are borne over the sea and germinate on foreign shores, so does the Gospel of Christ come to heathen lands. Since we also assist in this work, may it be done with such truth and love as will show that we deeply desire to present to our fellow-men in far-off countries a gift which has for ourselves a priceless value!
“The chief condition for all uplifting of the soul, and the gathering of our people into a solid unity and to strenuous effort towards high ends, is that what has in itself an imperishable worth should also be dear to our hearts. The zeal of many to make the Fatherland precious to the Swedish people is rich in promise; but still more promising will it be if we as well, and before all else, have one and the same precious faith, one hope, one Saviour, and one God Who is the Father of us all. Then we may expect the Lord’s help for the country and ourselves in the days to come; and we may be certain that during the new year and at its close we shall have abundant cause to thank our God for spiritual or temporal blessing.
“So we command and admonish you all—clergy and laity, young and old, men and women, who in our kingdom have your habitation, dwell, and live, none excepted, of whatsoever estate and condition he may be, who is not by absolute necessity prevented—that you, on four days for general thanksgiving, fasting, repentance, and prayer, which we, according to good and ancient custom, have appointed and ordained to be kept in the year 1908—‘Sundays,’ 8th March, 10th May, 12th July, and 18th October—set aside all worldly occupation, and early, with one accord, betake yourselves to the House of God, and there unitedly consider His Holy Word in the specially appointed portions, with prayer and songs of praise.”