Zigzag Journeys in Northern Lands Part 42

CHAPTER XVI.

NORWAY.

STOCKHOLM.--STORY OF THE HERO KING.--UPSALA.--NORWAY.--CHRISTIANIA.-- KING OLAF.--DRONTHEIM.--THE FISHERMAN OF FAROE.

The narrative of travel and history was continued by Mr. Beal.

"Strange is the evolution of cities.

"We are about to glance at Stockholm. Let us go back in imagination six hundred years.

"There are some rocky islands in the Baltic, at the foot of the northern peninsula. Sea birds wheel above them in the steel-gray air; they build their nests there. Storms sweep over these lonely islands; sunlight bursts upon them, and now and then a Viking's ship finds a haven among them, and scares away the birds.

"Years pa.s.s. Fishermen build huts on the islands. Hunters come there.

There come also the sea kings. A mixed, strange people.

"They build a village on the holms, or islets. They defend themselves with stockades, and they found on stocks, or beams, their strong houses. The growing town rises from stock holms; hence, Stockholm.

[Ill.u.s.tration: GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS.]

"The years pa.s.s, and the sea birds fly away. There are wings of gables where once were wings of birds. Stockholm becomes a fortress, and, as in the case of St. Petersburg in recent times, the sea desolation pulses with life and energy, and is transformed into a city. Churches, palaces, gardens, arise. Battles are fought, and here tread the feet of kings.

"The wonder grows. The birds scream far away now. The islands are spanned by bridges. Stockholm stands a splendid city, one of the crowns of earth.

"The city lies before us. n.o.ble structures, villas, steeples, are seen among the green trees. The ships of many flags lie together like a town in the sea.

"It is sunset. The tops of the linden-trees are crowned with sunlight, the Gothic windows burn. A shadow falls from the gray sky. Afar fly the white sea-gulls. The shadow deepens. It is night. We are in Stockholm.

"Every nation has its hero.

"You have been told how that poor Louis le Debonnaire, the son of Charlemagne, preferred to win crowns for Christ's kingdom rather than for his own. He lost his own kingdom; but the missionaries he sent forth, though at first not successful, were the means of giving Christianity to all the nations of the North.

THE HERO KING OF SWEDEN.

There was born in Stockholm, in 1594, an heir to the Swedish throne, whose influence was destined to be felt throughout the world and to very distant periods of time. The child was named Gustavus Adolphus.

He was educated for the kingdom. At the age of ten he was made to attend the sittings of the Diet and the councils of state. In boyhood he was able to discuss state affairs in Latin, and in youth he was able to speak nearly all European tongues.

He was schooled in the arts of war as well as peace. In early manhood he entered Russia at the head of an army, and compelled the Czar to sue for peace.

After the war the young king gave his whole heart to the development of the industries and inst.i.tutions of his kingdom. He founded schools, a.s.sisted churches, and everywhere multiplied influences for good. Never did a monarch devote himself more earnestly to the improvement of his people, or accomplish more in a short time. His influence for good has ever lived in Sweden, and is felt strongly to-day.

He was an ardent Protestant. The Catholic powers of the South and the Protestant powers of the North had become very hostile, and war between them seemed impending. In this crisis the Protestant leaders looked to Gustavus Adolphus as the champion of their cause.

In 1630 Gustavus called a Diet in Stockholm, and reported the danger that was threatening the Protestant states of Germany, and which would involve Sweden unless checked. He announced that he had decided to espouse the cause of the German princes, and to enter the field. He took his little daughter in his arms, and commended her to the Diet as the heir to the crown.

He landed in Germany on Midsummer's day in 1630. He had an army of fifteen thousand men. It was a small army indeed for so perilous an undertaking. "_c.u.m Deo et victricibus armis_ is my motto," he declared, and trusting in this watchword he advanced on his dangerous course.

The Imperialists, as the foes of the Reformed Faith were called, were led by Wallenstein. They were greatly superior in numbers to the Swedes and their allies.

At Lutzen the great battle of Protestantism was fought, Nov. 6, 1632.

"I truly believe that the Lord has given my enemies into my hands,"

said Gustavus, just before the battle.

The morning dawned gray and gloomy. A heavy mist hung over the two armies.

The Swedish and German army united in singing Luther's hymn,--

"Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott."

Then Gustavus said,--

"Let us sing 'Christ our Salvation.'"

[Ill.u.s.tration: DEATH OF GUSTAVUS AND HIS PAGE.]

"Be not dismayed, thou little flock, Although the foe's fierce battle-shock, Loud on all sides, a.s.sail thee.

Though o'er thy fall they laugh secure, Their triumph cannot long endure; Let not thy courage fail thee.

"Thy cause is G.o.d's,--go at his call, And to his hand commit thy all; Fear thou no ill impending: His Gideon shall arise for thee, G.o.d's Word and people manfully, In G.o.d's own time, defending.

"Our hope is sure in Jesus' might; Against themselves the G.o.dless fight, Themselves, not us, distressing; Shame and contempt their lot shall be; G.o.d is with us, with him are we: To us belongs his blessing."

Clad in his overcoat without armor, he mounted his horse and rode along the lines.

"The enemy is within your reach," he said to the allies.

"Swedes," he said to his old army, "if you fight as I expect of you, you shall have your reward; if not, not a bone of your bodies will ever return to Sweden."

To the Germans he said,--

"If you fail me to-day, your religion, your freedom, and your welfare in this world and in the next are lost."

He prophesied to the Germans,--

"Trust in G.o.d; believe that with his help you may this day gain a victory which shall profit your latest descendants."

He waved his drawn sword over his head and advanced.

The Swedes and Finns responded with cheers and the clash of arms.

"Jesus, Jesus, let us fight this day for thy name," he exclaimed.