But Gustavus's
precocity
of intellect
was, above all, surprising.
was, above all, surprising.
Abelous - Gustavus Adolphus - Hero of the Reformation
hathitrust.
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? GTJSTAYUS ADOLPHUS.
CHAPTEE L
CHILDHOOD OF GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS.
His origin -- His education-- His disposition.
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS is one of
the grandest characters of modern
history, and one of the purest of the Ref-
ormation. He was, at the same time, an
excellent king, a famous general, and a
model Christian. His early death, and
the importance of the events in which he
was the main actor, add increased luster
to his genius and virtues. He displayed a
rare example of faithfnl and consistent
piety, in a position in which the soul
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? 8 GusTAvus Adolphus.
stands in even more dangers than tlie body.
He proved that genuine Christianity may
join faith to courage; and, with Coligny,
Duquesne, Havelock, and others, he showed
what power a religion may have which is
drawn directly from the divine sources of
the Bible.
Grustavus Adolphus was born at Stock-
holm, Dec. 9, 1594, and his cradle, so to
speak, was rocked in the midst of national
commotions. By his father, Charles, Duke
of Sundermania, he belonged to the royal
family of Sweden; and by his mother,
Christina, daughter of the Duke of Schles-
wig-Holstein, he was allied to the Danish
dynasty. The prestige, however, of such
an origin did not secure to him rest and
security. His childhood, like his man-
hood, was full of agitation.
At the beginning of the sixteenth cen-
tury Sweden was an elective kingdom.
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 9
Christian 11. governed it, and, as the in-
heritor also of the thrones of Denmark and
Norway, he wore a triple crown. Sweden
submitted to, rather than chose, this vio-
lent and crafty monarch, who, in order to
establish his power, continually multiplied
confiscations and punishments. The son
of a Swedish senator, a victim of this san-
guinary ruler, (Gustavus Johannson, of
the house of Vasa, one of the first of the
Swedish nobility,) escaped from a prison
in Jutland, in which he was detained by a
Danish lord, under the order of Christian,
This young man conceived the bold plan
of delivering his country from the yoke of
tyranny under which it was groaning.
After having evaded all search of his op-
pressors, and resigned himself to the hum-
ble occupation of a thresher, he succeeded
in exciting to revolt the peasantiy of Dal-
matia, whither he had fled, and, with the
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? 10 GusTAvus Adolphtjs.
aid of these rude and brave mountaineers,
lie drove the Danes from Sweden and re-
stored its freedom. Chosen king by his
grateful country, Gustavns Vasa, who had
formerly been under the instruction of one
of Luther's pupils, instituted reforms in
all his States. "To serve God by being
obedient to his law, and by loving him
above all else; to believe in Jesus Christ
as our only Saviour; to study and teach
the word of God with zeal; to love our
neighbor as ourself, and to observe the Ten
Commandments -- such is the true worship
that we should render unto God; these
are our good works, and God has com-
manded no others. The Holy Scriptures
do not require wax tapers, nor palms, nor
mass, for the redemption of souls, nor does
it demand the worship of saints. God has
even forbidden such things. He has giv-
en us the sacrament as a symbol of the
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 11
remission of sins, but not that it should
be framed in gold and silver and paraded
around grave-yards or elsewhere. " Such
was the profession of faith made by Gus-
tavus Vasa and adopted by all his subjects.
Gustavus Vasa abdicated in favor of his
son, in order to consecrate himself more
fully to the interests of his soul and to
prepare for death, whose near approach
was foretold by his failing health. Short-
ly after, he died, regretted by a grateful
people, and leaving his country happy and
prosperous.
His son, Eric, inherited his power but
not his virtues. Subject to frequent ex-
cesses of folly and frenzy, he was, by turns,
whimsical and cruel; demanding in mar-
riage, successively, Elizabeth Queen of
England, Mary Stuart, the Princess Ke-
nee de Lorraine, Christina of Hesse, and
finally finishing by marrying the daughter
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? 12 GusTAvus Adolphus.
of a peasant; at one time poignarding,
with the sang-froid of a barbarian, for
merely imaginary reasons, one of Sweden's
noblest sons, Nickolas Sture ; then, after a
few days, shedding bitter tears of remorse,
and refusing all nourishment. These men-
tal excesses, joined to other ruinous ex-
travagances, soon caused his fall. He was
declared incapable of reigning, and con-
demned to a captivity which shortened his
life. His children were not permitted to
succeed him, and John, his brother, as-
cended the throne. But, influenced by his
wife, Catharine, daughter of Sigismond,
King of Poland, he brought the Jesuits
into his kingdom, and labored for the
restoration of the Romish Church there.
The people, outraged by this betrayal,
withdrew from him their sympathy and
confidence. Duke Charles, his brother, who
showed himself in all things worthy of
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 13
Gustavus Vasa, soon won all hearts to
him.
At John's death, the States, jealous of
the rights and faith of the kingdom, ex-
acted of his son Sigismond, brought up in
Poland in the Catholic faith of his mother,
a decree interdicting every other religion
but the Lutheran. Under the pressure of
these energetic measm^es the new King
pledged himself. But when in power, he
soon violated his promise, and gave orders
to build a Catholic church in every city
of the kingdom. To render his perjury
still more flagrant, he refused to be crowned
by a Protestant prelate, and gave this
honor to the Nuncio of the Pope. The
whole of Sweden protested against such
audacity joined with so much perfidy.
Surrounded by Poles and Jesuits, Sigis-
mond shocked, at once, both the national
and religious sentiments of his people. In
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? 14 GusTAvus Adolphus.
Stockholm there were frequent bloody
riots between citizens and foreigners.
In the midst of these troubles Sigis-
mond was called to Poland, of which he
was also king. He left Sweden in obe-
dience to this call and never returned.
Charles, yielding to the wishes of the
States, and silencing his scruples, in view
of the interests of his fellow-citizens and
of the threatened Protestant worship, ac-
cepted the regency of the kingdom amid
the applause of the people, whose friend
and hope he had long been. The Augs-
burg Confession was again proclaimed, and
every Swede present joined in the deter-
mination: "We will sacrifice our wealth
or our lives, and all that we have in this
world, rather than abandon the pure
Gospel. "
It was in the midst of these scenes that
Gustavus Adolphus came upon the world's
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? GiTSTAvus Adolphus. 15
stage. His baptism, whicli took place
January 1, 1595, was the occasion of great
popular rejoicing. The people loved to
relate that, ten years before that date, the
celebrated astronomer, Tycho Brahe, had
announced the birth of a prince who
should render famous the northern States
of Europe, and should save the Evangel-
ical Church. Without lending faith to
such legends as these, we may easily see
in them the superstitious but sincere en-
thusiasm which welcomed the heir of the
Duke of Sundermania, and presaged his
future elevation.
The child, according to a scriptural ex-
pression, grew, and waxed strong in spirit.
His brilliant natural endowments devel-
oped rapidly under the excellent influences
of his parents. A relish for arms could
not fail to manifest itself in him, for he
had heard of only wars and battles from
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? 16 GusTAvus Adolphus.
early cMldliood. His father was ever tak-
ing his departure to go to the corabat, and
ever returning to relate victories, which
inflamed his young imagination and nour-
ished his martial inclinations.
The National Assembly of Sweden of
1595 had excluded from the throne all
Catholic candidates. Sigismond refused
to subscribe to this condition, and pre-
tended to hold the rights which his father
had delegated to him. His Catholic faith
left to him the succession, on his mother's
side, in Poland, and he flattered himself
also that he should enjoy the benefits of
the Swedish crown. He invaded the king-
dom, and attempted to obtain it by force ;
but, after a decisive defeat, he found him-
self forced to withdraw, after having signed
a capitulation which was equivalent to an
abdication. His uncle became king under
the name of Charles IX. , and his descend-
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 17
ants were declared the only legitimate
heirs to the throne of Sweden.
Charles had already once refused the
place of his nephew, and in obeying new
solicitations and yielding to the force of
circumstances, he thought only to obey
the voice of his conscience. He signified,
to the deputies of the nation, that if a son
of Sigismond should embrace the prin-
ciples of the Reformation, he should inherit
the crown, nor did he forget this generous
reservation in his will. When we com-
pare the delicacy of this conduct with that
of Sigismond, trampling under foot all his
promises, it is impossible not to recognize
in the King of Poland a pupil of the
Jesuits, and in Charles a disciple of a re-
ligion that appeals above all things to the
conscience.
After the war with the Polish invaders,
Charles had to defend his power on the
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? 18 GusTAvus Adolphus.
continent; Finland, stirred up by the in-
trigues of Sigismond, submitted only after
a bloody struggle.
Gustavus Adolphus accompanied his
father on this last expedition, although he
was yet scarcely seven years of age. The
vessel on which they were returning was
frozen fast in the ice, and the child was
obliged to continue the journey on foot
with his father in the midst of the rigors
of a Kussian winter. The robustness of
his constitution, however, withstood these
hardships, and his health suffered no
injury.
There is an anecdote related of him
which shows that, even in childhood, his
soul was as intrepid as his body was
hardy. He was rambling in the iSelds
near Stockholm, when the notion suddenly
struck him to run to a thicket of woods
which was quite distant from those who
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 19
had him in care. They tried to detain
him by appealing to his sense of fear, and
told him that, in the woods, there were a
great many large and fearful serpents.
" That's nothing," he replied ; " only give
me a stick that I may kill them. "
He was fond of watching all military
operations, and thus revealed, from earli-
est childhood, his love for the vocation
of war. While reviewing a Swedish fleet
with his father at Calmar, an officer asked
the young Gustavus which of all the ships
he liked the best. " The Black Chevalier,"
said he. " Why do you give it the prefer-
ence? " said the officer. "Because it car-
ries the greatest number of cannon," was
the reply, without a moment's hesitation.
Still another anecdote is related, which
proves a natui^al generosity of heart, not
less remarkable than his hardihood and
courage. One day, a farmer brought a
2
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? 20 GusTAvus Adolphus.
valuable little pony to the young prince
and begged him to accept it as a gift from
him. "I will take the pony," said Gus-
tavus, " but you must let me pay you for
it; it is worth a good sum, and I know
your resources can illy afford so expensive
a gift. "
While speaking, he drew out his purse,
full of ducats, and emptied the contents
into the hands of the peasant, who stood
as if stupefied at such an evidence of
benevolence and largeness of soul in a
mere child.
But Gustavus's precocity of intellect
was, above all, surprising. Before he had
attained the age of sixteen he had learned
six languages. He was equally master of
Swedish, Latin, German, Dutch, French,
and Italian. He also spoke a little Polish
and Russian. But his father did not limit
himself to the cultivation of his intellect
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 21
alone ; he also gave much attention to the
education of his heart. He inspired in
him habits of industry, and encouraged
him to practice all the virtues which work
together to make a man of a noble and
Christian character. He gave him a com-
plete religious instruction, and endeavored
to render him firm in his faith. He sought
less to make him comprehend the prin-
ciples of the Keformation, than he did to
make him love them. He desired, above
all things, that religion should be, to his
son, an aifair of the heart rather than of
the head. In a word, Charles IX. spared
no pains in making his son worthy and
capable of reigning over his beloved
Sweden.
The letter which this wise and good
monarch gave his son, with his last adieu
and with his last counsels, is still extant.
'' Above all," said he to him, "fear God. . . .
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? 22 GusTAvus Adolphus.
Houor thy father and thy mother. Love
deeply and sincerely your brothers and
sisters. Esteem the faithful servants of
your father, and reward each one accord-
ing to his merits. Be humane toward
your subjects. Punish the wicked, love
the good. Trust every one, but not with-
out caution. Observe the law without
respect of person. Deprive no one of
privileges if they are well-founded and not
contrary to the general good. "
We find, in these simple and austere
maxims, the foundation of that kind of
education which fashions the noblest and
most resolute characters; those men of
granite steadfastness who have ever been
admired, but whose sublime type is being
daily more and more effaced by the grow-
ing effeminacy of our age.
The mother of Gustavus Adolphus con-
tributed also to the best development of
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? GusTAYUs Adolphus. 23
the numerous gifts with which Providence
had endowed her son. She seconded
heartily all her husband's wise efforts
to this end, and tried to suppress all ex-
cessive indulgences to which the tender-
ness of her mother-love often prompted
her. Somewhat stern, and perhaps a little
haughty, she suffered no violation of rules
in her household, and prescribed daily
tasks, even to her lady attendants. Her
virtuous walk was an example to all, and,
thanks to her, the court was without dan-
gers and snares for her sons. She had a
decided preference for her second son,
Charles Philip; so much so that her par-
tiality might have estranged a little her
eldest son and made divisions in the fami-
ly; but Gustavus was too good a son to
make complaints of a good mother and
too loving a brother to be jealous of his
brothers.
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? 24 GusTAvus Adolphus.
Charles thought nothing more desirable,
to complete the education of his son, than
to early accustom him to the management
of business aJffairs and to give him a prac-
tice in real life, a thing which books never
yet have been able to teach. From the
age of ten, he took him with him to be
present at the conclaves of the counselors
of the throne, and into all public assem-
blies. He even allowed him to hold con-
verse in his presence with foreign officials,
who were present from time to time in
these assemblies. It gratified him to hear
the young prince talking of battles, sieges,
and military organization like an old gen-
eral, and asking questions with the ardor
of a child whose curiosity is never satisfied
nor wearied.
At the age of fourteen, the king sent
Gustavus with his mother into the northern
part of Sweden, in order that he might
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? GusTAYUs Adolphus. 25
learn to know and be known by his future
subjects. He advised him to listen to all
who might solicit his support, to aid all
according to his means, and, above all, to
send none away without consolation for
their trials and grievances. The journey
was a complete success. At fifteen he de-
sired to lead an army against the Russians,
but it was not thought advisable on ac-
count of his youth, and so the campaign
was made without him.
In 1611, however, when Denmark de-
clared herself against Sweden, Charles
gave to Gustavus the command of a body
of troops. He set out immediately for
the deliverance of Calmar, which was
then besieged by the Danes. From the
commencement to the end of this war, he
displayed the most eminent qualities of
generalship, and admirably directed all
movements. He so inspired the people
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? 26 GusTAYus Adolphus.
witli confidence, that the king left him at
the head of the whole army, while he was
absent attending a diet elsewhere.
But Charles was only fairly on his jour-
ney when he fell seriously ill, and he felt
assured that he had come to the close of
his career. Many gathered about him and
were lamenting sorely over the loss that
Sweden must sustain in giving up lier
king, and especially that so muck that
was already begun must be left unfinished.
The old king impressively laid his hand
upon the head of his son, who had hast-
ened thither to receive kis last words, and
said, ''^ llle facieV'^ -- He will do it. He
died, October 10, 1611, at the age of
sixty-one.
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? CHAPTEE II.
EEIG]^ OF GUSTAYUS ADOLPHUS.
His valor -- His domestic virtues -- His piety.
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS was only
seventeen years old when lie suc-
ceeded his father, Charles IX. , to the
throne. The time of his majority was
shortened seven years. His wondei^fiil pre-
cocity and maturity rendered him worthy
to be this exception of history. His ability
had been proved in the war which Sweden
was sustaining against Denmark. He car-
ried on the struggle with success, and the
king of Denmark renounced all claims to
the Swedish throne.
Scarcely was this question settled when
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? 28 GusTAvus Adolphus.
he was called into Russia to sustain the
party which had offered the crown to his
brother. Charles Philip's competitor was
Uladislas, son of Sigismond, king of Po-
land, so lately dethroned in Sweden. In
order to terminate these dissensions the
Russians renounced both princes, and
chose a ruler from among themselves.
Gustavus consented to make peace, and
by thus yielding the claim, obtained an
addition of territory which the newly
chosen sovereign ceded to him. "This
short war," says an historian, " was an ex-
cellent school for the young king. He
fought under the brave Count Jacques de
la Gardie, whose valor so struck the Rus-
sians with admiration that they gave his
name a place in their calendar. "
After having perfected his naturally rare
military talents by experience, Gustavus
Adolphus, seconded by his brave and re-
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 29
nowned generals, soon outwitted the eter-
nal enemy of Ms race, Sigismond, who had
used all his power to overthrow him, and
had even seized one of his continental
provinces. Gustavus soon forced him to
withdraw from it, and he also took several
Prussian cities which had favored the at-
tempts of Sigismond.
His power, threatened on all sides, was
thus assured by a succession of victories;
and the liberal spirit of the Swedes, whose
devotion to their king shrank before no
sacrifice, joined to a wise administration,
soon replenished the public treasury, which
had been drained by so many wars.
It has been well remarked, that no king
ever took into his hands the reins of gov-
ernment under more unfavorable circum-
stances; and we may add, that never
were difficulties more swiftly surmounted.
It was necessary for him, so to speak, to
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? 30 GusTAvus Adolphus.
conquer his inheritance, and to purchase
his right to the throne with his blood.
He never drew the sword in a spirit of
conquest, nor for the mere love of war;
the interest of his country was his only
motive of action; he made war only that
he might bring peace. He sternly dis-
countenanced every act of vengeance; he
gave the example of courage in battle, and
of generosity and magnanimity after tri-
umph and victory. He was full of solici-
tude for his soldiers, but he tolerated on
their part no license, and insisted on a strict
cultivation of etiquette and religion in
camp. Regular worship was held there --
morning and evening, the entire army bent
the knee before God and reverently im-
plored his aid and his favor. The king
himself was every-where; giving encour-
agement and counsel here, lifting with a
helping hand there, marching ahead in
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 31
the midst of bloody contest, and handling
the pickax in the trenches. While main-
taining discipline among his soldiers he
suppressed the bastinado as a punishment,
and thus showed himself even more jealous
of the dignity of humanity than do several
civilized nations of to-day. He v^as also
as prudent as brave, always surrounding
himself with the wisest counselors, and
consulting each of his States before enter-
ing upon any public enterprise.
His energy and power of endurance
were almost incredible. When sick or
wounded he was never heard to complain,
nor was he ever seen taking care of him-
self. During the Russian campaign he
was attacked by an intermittent fever,
but, far from keeping his bed, he amused
himself by fencing with one of his of-
ficers, and gave himself up to the sport
with such ardor that he broke out in a
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? 32 GusTAvus Adolphus.
profuse perspiration, and thus conquered
the fever.
Several times during his career he was
saved from death, almost as by miracle.
During the Livonian campaign with the
Poles, a shot swept the place he had occu-
pied the moment after he had left it. On
another occasion several fell around him
under a shower of balls, so close that the
blood of their wounds spurted upon his
clothes, and a few moments later a shot
pierced his tent and passed just above his
head. At Dantzic he gave orders to seven
small boats to seize a redoubt, and, in
order to be more sure of the result, he di-
rected one of the embarkations himself.
While thus employed he received a shot
in his stomach. The wound was quite
severe, but he wrote home the same day:
"It was a warm engagement, and I was
also wounded; but I thank God that my
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? GUSTAVUS Al>OLPHUS.
life and health are not in danger, and trust,
that, after a few days, I shall be able to
resume the command. "
Three months later, in Prussia, he was
again severely wounded in a battle with
the Duke of Brandenbui^g, an ally of his
rival, the King of Poland.
The day after the accident he again
wrote a letter to his people, in which we
are at a loss to know which most to ad-
mire, his courage or his resignation. ^
" We presented ourselves before the ene-
my," said he, "mounted and on foot, and
we played so well our artillery that we
thought we had put them to flight.
? GTJSTAYUS ADOLPHUS.
CHAPTEE L
CHILDHOOD OF GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS.
His origin -- His education-- His disposition.
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS is one of
the grandest characters of modern
history, and one of the purest of the Ref-
ormation. He was, at the same time, an
excellent king, a famous general, and a
model Christian. His early death, and
the importance of the events in which he
was the main actor, add increased luster
to his genius and virtues. He displayed a
rare example of faithfnl and consistent
piety, in a position in which the soul
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? 8 GusTAvus Adolphus.
stands in even more dangers than tlie body.
He proved that genuine Christianity may
join faith to courage; and, with Coligny,
Duquesne, Havelock, and others, he showed
what power a religion may have which is
drawn directly from the divine sources of
the Bible.
Grustavus Adolphus was born at Stock-
holm, Dec. 9, 1594, and his cradle, so to
speak, was rocked in the midst of national
commotions. By his father, Charles, Duke
of Sundermania, he belonged to the royal
family of Sweden; and by his mother,
Christina, daughter of the Duke of Schles-
wig-Holstein, he was allied to the Danish
dynasty. The prestige, however, of such
an origin did not secure to him rest and
security. His childhood, like his man-
hood, was full of agitation.
At the beginning of the sixteenth cen-
tury Sweden was an elective kingdom.
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 9
Christian 11. governed it, and, as the in-
heritor also of the thrones of Denmark and
Norway, he wore a triple crown. Sweden
submitted to, rather than chose, this vio-
lent and crafty monarch, who, in order to
establish his power, continually multiplied
confiscations and punishments. The son
of a Swedish senator, a victim of this san-
guinary ruler, (Gustavus Johannson, of
the house of Vasa, one of the first of the
Swedish nobility,) escaped from a prison
in Jutland, in which he was detained by a
Danish lord, under the order of Christian,
This young man conceived the bold plan
of delivering his country from the yoke of
tyranny under which it was groaning.
After having evaded all search of his op-
pressors, and resigned himself to the hum-
ble occupation of a thresher, he succeeded
in exciting to revolt the peasantiy of Dal-
matia, whither he had fled, and, with the
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? 10 GusTAvus Adolphtjs.
aid of these rude and brave mountaineers,
lie drove the Danes from Sweden and re-
stored its freedom. Chosen king by his
grateful country, Gustavns Vasa, who had
formerly been under the instruction of one
of Luther's pupils, instituted reforms in
all his States. "To serve God by being
obedient to his law, and by loving him
above all else; to believe in Jesus Christ
as our only Saviour; to study and teach
the word of God with zeal; to love our
neighbor as ourself, and to observe the Ten
Commandments -- such is the true worship
that we should render unto God; these
are our good works, and God has com-
manded no others. The Holy Scriptures
do not require wax tapers, nor palms, nor
mass, for the redemption of souls, nor does
it demand the worship of saints. God has
even forbidden such things. He has giv-
en us the sacrament as a symbol of the
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 11
remission of sins, but not that it should
be framed in gold and silver and paraded
around grave-yards or elsewhere. " Such
was the profession of faith made by Gus-
tavus Vasa and adopted by all his subjects.
Gustavus Vasa abdicated in favor of his
son, in order to consecrate himself more
fully to the interests of his soul and to
prepare for death, whose near approach
was foretold by his failing health. Short-
ly after, he died, regretted by a grateful
people, and leaving his country happy and
prosperous.
His son, Eric, inherited his power but
not his virtues. Subject to frequent ex-
cesses of folly and frenzy, he was, by turns,
whimsical and cruel; demanding in mar-
riage, successively, Elizabeth Queen of
England, Mary Stuart, the Princess Ke-
nee de Lorraine, Christina of Hesse, and
finally finishing by marrying the daughter
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? 12 GusTAvus Adolphus.
of a peasant; at one time poignarding,
with the sang-froid of a barbarian, for
merely imaginary reasons, one of Sweden's
noblest sons, Nickolas Sture ; then, after a
few days, shedding bitter tears of remorse,
and refusing all nourishment. These men-
tal excesses, joined to other ruinous ex-
travagances, soon caused his fall. He was
declared incapable of reigning, and con-
demned to a captivity which shortened his
life. His children were not permitted to
succeed him, and John, his brother, as-
cended the throne. But, influenced by his
wife, Catharine, daughter of Sigismond,
King of Poland, he brought the Jesuits
into his kingdom, and labored for the
restoration of the Romish Church there.
The people, outraged by this betrayal,
withdrew from him their sympathy and
confidence. Duke Charles, his brother, who
showed himself in all things worthy of
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 13
Gustavus Vasa, soon won all hearts to
him.
At John's death, the States, jealous of
the rights and faith of the kingdom, ex-
acted of his son Sigismond, brought up in
Poland in the Catholic faith of his mother,
a decree interdicting every other religion
but the Lutheran. Under the pressure of
these energetic measm^es the new King
pledged himself. But when in power, he
soon violated his promise, and gave orders
to build a Catholic church in every city
of the kingdom. To render his perjury
still more flagrant, he refused to be crowned
by a Protestant prelate, and gave this
honor to the Nuncio of the Pope. The
whole of Sweden protested against such
audacity joined with so much perfidy.
Surrounded by Poles and Jesuits, Sigis-
mond shocked, at once, both the national
and religious sentiments of his people. In
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? 14 GusTAvus Adolphus.
Stockholm there were frequent bloody
riots between citizens and foreigners.
In the midst of these troubles Sigis-
mond was called to Poland, of which he
was also king. He left Sweden in obe-
dience to this call and never returned.
Charles, yielding to the wishes of the
States, and silencing his scruples, in view
of the interests of his fellow-citizens and
of the threatened Protestant worship, ac-
cepted the regency of the kingdom amid
the applause of the people, whose friend
and hope he had long been. The Augs-
burg Confession was again proclaimed, and
every Swede present joined in the deter-
mination: "We will sacrifice our wealth
or our lives, and all that we have in this
world, rather than abandon the pure
Gospel. "
It was in the midst of these scenes that
Gustavus Adolphus came upon the world's
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? GiTSTAvus Adolphus. 15
stage. His baptism, whicli took place
January 1, 1595, was the occasion of great
popular rejoicing. The people loved to
relate that, ten years before that date, the
celebrated astronomer, Tycho Brahe, had
announced the birth of a prince who
should render famous the northern States
of Europe, and should save the Evangel-
ical Church. Without lending faith to
such legends as these, we may easily see
in them the superstitious but sincere en-
thusiasm which welcomed the heir of the
Duke of Sundermania, and presaged his
future elevation.
The child, according to a scriptural ex-
pression, grew, and waxed strong in spirit.
His brilliant natural endowments devel-
oped rapidly under the excellent influences
of his parents. A relish for arms could
not fail to manifest itself in him, for he
had heard of only wars and battles from
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? 16 GusTAvus Adolphus.
early cMldliood. His father was ever tak-
ing his departure to go to the corabat, and
ever returning to relate victories, which
inflamed his young imagination and nour-
ished his martial inclinations.
The National Assembly of Sweden of
1595 had excluded from the throne all
Catholic candidates. Sigismond refused
to subscribe to this condition, and pre-
tended to hold the rights which his father
had delegated to him. His Catholic faith
left to him the succession, on his mother's
side, in Poland, and he flattered himself
also that he should enjoy the benefits of
the Swedish crown. He invaded the king-
dom, and attempted to obtain it by force ;
but, after a decisive defeat, he found him-
self forced to withdraw, after having signed
a capitulation which was equivalent to an
abdication. His uncle became king under
the name of Charles IX. , and his descend-
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 17
ants were declared the only legitimate
heirs to the throne of Sweden.
Charles had already once refused the
place of his nephew, and in obeying new
solicitations and yielding to the force of
circumstances, he thought only to obey
the voice of his conscience. He signified,
to the deputies of the nation, that if a son
of Sigismond should embrace the prin-
ciples of the Reformation, he should inherit
the crown, nor did he forget this generous
reservation in his will. When we com-
pare the delicacy of this conduct with that
of Sigismond, trampling under foot all his
promises, it is impossible not to recognize
in the King of Poland a pupil of the
Jesuits, and in Charles a disciple of a re-
ligion that appeals above all things to the
conscience.
After the war with the Polish invaders,
Charles had to defend his power on the
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? 18 GusTAvus Adolphus.
continent; Finland, stirred up by the in-
trigues of Sigismond, submitted only after
a bloody struggle.
Gustavus Adolphus accompanied his
father on this last expedition, although he
was yet scarcely seven years of age. The
vessel on which they were returning was
frozen fast in the ice, and the child was
obliged to continue the journey on foot
with his father in the midst of the rigors
of a Kussian winter. The robustness of
his constitution, however, withstood these
hardships, and his health suffered no
injury.
There is an anecdote related of him
which shows that, even in childhood, his
soul was as intrepid as his body was
hardy. He was rambling in the iSelds
near Stockholm, when the notion suddenly
struck him to run to a thicket of woods
which was quite distant from those who
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 19
had him in care. They tried to detain
him by appealing to his sense of fear, and
told him that, in the woods, there were a
great many large and fearful serpents.
" That's nothing," he replied ; " only give
me a stick that I may kill them. "
He was fond of watching all military
operations, and thus revealed, from earli-
est childhood, his love for the vocation
of war. While reviewing a Swedish fleet
with his father at Calmar, an officer asked
the young Gustavus which of all the ships
he liked the best. " The Black Chevalier,"
said he. " Why do you give it the prefer-
ence? " said the officer. "Because it car-
ries the greatest number of cannon," was
the reply, without a moment's hesitation.
Still another anecdote is related, which
proves a natui^al generosity of heart, not
less remarkable than his hardihood and
courage. One day, a farmer brought a
2
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? 20 GusTAvus Adolphus.
valuable little pony to the young prince
and begged him to accept it as a gift from
him. "I will take the pony," said Gus-
tavus, " but you must let me pay you for
it; it is worth a good sum, and I know
your resources can illy afford so expensive
a gift. "
While speaking, he drew out his purse,
full of ducats, and emptied the contents
into the hands of the peasant, who stood
as if stupefied at such an evidence of
benevolence and largeness of soul in a
mere child.
But Gustavus's precocity of intellect
was, above all, surprising. Before he had
attained the age of sixteen he had learned
six languages. He was equally master of
Swedish, Latin, German, Dutch, French,
and Italian. He also spoke a little Polish
and Russian. But his father did not limit
himself to the cultivation of his intellect
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 21
alone ; he also gave much attention to the
education of his heart. He inspired in
him habits of industry, and encouraged
him to practice all the virtues which work
together to make a man of a noble and
Christian character. He gave him a com-
plete religious instruction, and endeavored
to render him firm in his faith. He sought
less to make him comprehend the prin-
ciples of the Keformation, than he did to
make him love them. He desired, above
all things, that religion should be, to his
son, an aifair of the heart rather than of
the head. In a word, Charles IX. spared
no pains in making his son worthy and
capable of reigning over his beloved
Sweden.
The letter which this wise and good
monarch gave his son, with his last adieu
and with his last counsels, is still extant.
'' Above all," said he to him, "fear God. . . .
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? 22 GusTAvus Adolphus.
Houor thy father and thy mother. Love
deeply and sincerely your brothers and
sisters. Esteem the faithful servants of
your father, and reward each one accord-
ing to his merits. Be humane toward
your subjects. Punish the wicked, love
the good. Trust every one, but not with-
out caution. Observe the law without
respect of person. Deprive no one of
privileges if they are well-founded and not
contrary to the general good. "
We find, in these simple and austere
maxims, the foundation of that kind of
education which fashions the noblest and
most resolute characters; those men of
granite steadfastness who have ever been
admired, but whose sublime type is being
daily more and more effaced by the grow-
ing effeminacy of our age.
The mother of Gustavus Adolphus con-
tributed also to the best development of
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? GusTAYUs Adolphus. 23
the numerous gifts with which Providence
had endowed her son. She seconded
heartily all her husband's wise efforts
to this end, and tried to suppress all ex-
cessive indulgences to which the tender-
ness of her mother-love often prompted
her. Somewhat stern, and perhaps a little
haughty, she suffered no violation of rules
in her household, and prescribed daily
tasks, even to her lady attendants. Her
virtuous walk was an example to all, and,
thanks to her, the court was without dan-
gers and snares for her sons. She had a
decided preference for her second son,
Charles Philip; so much so that her par-
tiality might have estranged a little her
eldest son and made divisions in the fami-
ly; but Gustavus was too good a son to
make complaints of a good mother and
too loving a brother to be jealous of his
brothers.
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? 24 GusTAvus Adolphus.
Charles thought nothing more desirable,
to complete the education of his son, than
to early accustom him to the management
of business aJffairs and to give him a prac-
tice in real life, a thing which books never
yet have been able to teach. From the
age of ten, he took him with him to be
present at the conclaves of the counselors
of the throne, and into all public assem-
blies. He even allowed him to hold con-
verse in his presence with foreign officials,
who were present from time to time in
these assemblies. It gratified him to hear
the young prince talking of battles, sieges,
and military organization like an old gen-
eral, and asking questions with the ardor
of a child whose curiosity is never satisfied
nor wearied.
At the age of fourteen, the king sent
Gustavus with his mother into the northern
part of Sweden, in order that he might
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? GusTAYUs Adolphus. 25
learn to know and be known by his future
subjects. He advised him to listen to all
who might solicit his support, to aid all
according to his means, and, above all, to
send none away without consolation for
their trials and grievances. The journey
was a complete success. At fifteen he de-
sired to lead an army against the Russians,
but it was not thought advisable on ac-
count of his youth, and so the campaign
was made without him.
In 1611, however, when Denmark de-
clared herself against Sweden, Charles
gave to Gustavus the command of a body
of troops. He set out immediately for
the deliverance of Calmar, which was
then besieged by the Danes. From the
commencement to the end of this war, he
displayed the most eminent qualities of
generalship, and admirably directed all
movements. He so inspired the people
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? 26 GusTAYus Adolphus.
witli confidence, that the king left him at
the head of the whole army, while he was
absent attending a diet elsewhere.
But Charles was only fairly on his jour-
ney when he fell seriously ill, and he felt
assured that he had come to the close of
his career. Many gathered about him and
were lamenting sorely over the loss that
Sweden must sustain in giving up lier
king, and especially that so muck that
was already begun must be left unfinished.
The old king impressively laid his hand
upon the head of his son, who had hast-
ened thither to receive kis last words, and
said, ''^ llle facieV'^ -- He will do it. He
died, October 10, 1611, at the age of
sixty-one.
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? CHAPTEE II.
EEIG]^ OF GUSTAYUS ADOLPHUS.
His valor -- His domestic virtues -- His piety.
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS was only
seventeen years old when lie suc-
ceeded his father, Charles IX. , to the
throne. The time of his majority was
shortened seven years. His wondei^fiil pre-
cocity and maturity rendered him worthy
to be this exception of history. His ability
had been proved in the war which Sweden
was sustaining against Denmark. He car-
ried on the struggle with success, and the
king of Denmark renounced all claims to
the Swedish throne.
Scarcely was this question settled when
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? 28 GusTAvus Adolphus.
he was called into Russia to sustain the
party which had offered the crown to his
brother. Charles Philip's competitor was
Uladislas, son of Sigismond, king of Po-
land, so lately dethroned in Sweden. In
order to terminate these dissensions the
Russians renounced both princes, and
chose a ruler from among themselves.
Gustavus consented to make peace, and
by thus yielding the claim, obtained an
addition of territory which the newly
chosen sovereign ceded to him. "This
short war," says an historian, " was an ex-
cellent school for the young king. He
fought under the brave Count Jacques de
la Gardie, whose valor so struck the Rus-
sians with admiration that they gave his
name a place in their calendar. "
After having perfected his naturally rare
military talents by experience, Gustavus
Adolphus, seconded by his brave and re-
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 29
nowned generals, soon outwitted the eter-
nal enemy of Ms race, Sigismond, who had
used all his power to overthrow him, and
had even seized one of his continental
provinces. Gustavus soon forced him to
withdraw from it, and he also took several
Prussian cities which had favored the at-
tempts of Sigismond.
His power, threatened on all sides, was
thus assured by a succession of victories;
and the liberal spirit of the Swedes, whose
devotion to their king shrank before no
sacrifice, joined to a wise administration,
soon replenished the public treasury, which
had been drained by so many wars.
It has been well remarked, that no king
ever took into his hands the reins of gov-
ernment under more unfavorable circum-
stances; and we may add, that never
were difficulties more swiftly surmounted.
It was necessary for him, so to speak, to
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? 30 GusTAvus Adolphus.
conquer his inheritance, and to purchase
his right to the throne with his blood.
He never drew the sword in a spirit of
conquest, nor for the mere love of war;
the interest of his country was his only
motive of action; he made war only that
he might bring peace. He sternly dis-
countenanced every act of vengeance; he
gave the example of courage in battle, and
of generosity and magnanimity after tri-
umph and victory. He was full of solici-
tude for his soldiers, but he tolerated on
their part no license, and insisted on a strict
cultivation of etiquette and religion in
camp. Regular worship was held there --
morning and evening, the entire army bent
the knee before God and reverently im-
plored his aid and his favor. The king
himself was every-where; giving encour-
agement and counsel here, lifting with a
helping hand there, marching ahead in
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? GusTAvus Adolphus. 31
the midst of bloody contest, and handling
the pickax in the trenches. While main-
taining discipline among his soldiers he
suppressed the bastinado as a punishment,
and thus showed himself even more jealous
of the dignity of humanity than do several
civilized nations of to-day. He v^as also
as prudent as brave, always surrounding
himself with the wisest counselors, and
consulting each of his States before enter-
ing upon any public enterprise.
His energy and power of endurance
were almost incredible. When sick or
wounded he was never heard to complain,
nor was he ever seen taking care of him-
self. During the Russian campaign he
was attacked by an intermittent fever,
but, far from keeping his bed, he amused
himself by fencing with one of his of-
ficers, and gave himself up to the sport
with such ardor that he broke out in a
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? 32 GusTAvus Adolphus.
profuse perspiration, and thus conquered
the fever.
Several times during his career he was
saved from death, almost as by miracle.
During the Livonian campaign with the
Poles, a shot swept the place he had occu-
pied the moment after he had left it. On
another occasion several fell around him
under a shower of balls, so close that the
blood of their wounds spurted upon his
clothes, and a few moments later a shot
pierced his tent and passed just above his
head. At Dantzic he gave orders to seven
small boats to seize a redoubt, and, in
order to be more sure of the result, he di-
rected one of the embarkations himself.
While thus employed he received a shot
in his stomach. The wound was quite
severe, but he wrote home the same day:
"It was a warm engagement, and I was
also wounded; but I thank God that my
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? GUSTAVUS Al>OLPHUS.
life and health are not in danger, and trust,
that, after a few days, I shall be able to
resume the command. "
Three months later, in Prussia, he was
again severely wounded in a battle with
the Duke of Brandenbui^g, an ally of his
rival, the King of Poland.
The day after the accident he again
wrote a letter to his people, in which we
are at a loss to know which most to ad-
mire, his courage or his resignation. ^
" We presented ourselves before the ene-
my," said he, "mounted and on foot, and
we played so well our artillery that we
thought we had put them to flight.
