Reformers in Sweden
Orebro was the home of two of the leaders in the Swedish Ref-
ormation, Olaf and Lawrence Patersen. They were the sons of a
blacksmith, but received a liberal education, studying for several years
at the University of Wittemberg, under Luther and Melancthon, where
they received the doctrines of the reformed faith. The elder of the two
brothers is said to have been in the crowd before the door of the church
at Wittemberg when Luther nailed his theses to it. Both were eminent
for their learning and piety, and for the zeal and courage with which
they advocated their faith. They are said to have resembled the great
reformers of Germany. Like Melanchton, Lawrence, the younger, was
learned, thoughtful, and calm, while Olaf by his powerful eloquence
aroused the people. For this reason he was often violently assailed by
the mob. The Catholic priests stirred up the prejudices of the ignorant
and superstitious people, so that upon several occasions the reformer
barely escaped with his life.
These reformers were, however, favored and powerfully assisted
by the king. Under the rule of the Romish church, the people were
steeped in poverty and ground down by oppression. They were desti-
tute of the Holy Scriptures, and having a religion of mere signs and
ceremonies, which conveyed no light to the mind, they were returning
to the superstitious beliefs and pagan practices of their heathen ances-
tors. The nation was divided into contending factions whose perpetual
strife increased the misery of all. The king determined upon a refor-
mation in the State and the Church, and he welcomed these able and
powerful assistants in the battle against Rome. Olaf Patersen he ap-
pointed preacher in the great cathedral at Stockholm, while Lawrence
was made professor of theology in the university at Upsala. The two
brothers translated the Bible into the Swedish language, giving to the
people of that country for the first time the word of God in their native
tongue.
In the presence of the king and leading men of Sweden, Olaf
Patersen ably maintained the doctrines of the reformed faith against
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