III. Bishop Butsch Discusses Character, Content, and Claims

Fortunately, a remarkable testimony from Bishop J. A. Butsch, of Skara, has been left on record concerning the sanity, orthodoxy, humility, and wholesome character of these child preachers who had brought perplexity to his diocese. Their stress on the coming doom of the corrupted world, the rebuke of sin, and the fact that these children claimed to have received their messages through visions should not be overlooked. Clearly, as he says, the phenomenon is not to be passed off as mere “religious enthusiasm.” He and others refer to certain accompanying bodily manifestations.PFF3 681.3

1. VISIONS ATTRIBUTED TO CHILD PREACHERS

Writing in behalf of the Consistory of the Diocese of Skara, the bishop says:PFF3 681.4

“As far as I [the bishop] can sec, this phenomenon is the result of combined mental and physical causes and cannot sufficiently be explained as being wrought by religious fanaticism. Many of the sick ones who were questioned, stated that the abnormal condition in which they now were, began with a strong impulse to repent and reform, accompanied by a feeling of weakness, fatigue in the head or in the body generally, sweat, or aching chest, etc. Asked whether the physical ailments and the spiritual promptings occurred altogether simultaneously, ... many, or most of them, answered that the spiritual urge came first.... After the sick ones had begun shaking, they improved and fell better, and declared unanimously that they felt physically better than ever. Even those in whom the malady had advanced so far that they had visions and started preaching, said they were in the same joyful condition. In spite of the fact that the sick ones generally ... had a happy, friendly, and affable look, I seemed to find, nevertheless, ... that the shining gladness in their eyes and faces was something very peculiar and clearly suggested a condition of sickness.... It was generally conceded that the shakings in no wise were an integral part of Christian living, ... but it was nevertheless commonly agreed that they were the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and a sign of grace given to the [allegedly] diseased ... whereby ... all who saw them should be reminded and convinced of the awfulness and iniquity of sin.... The preaching children stand in a peculiar, close relationship to each other. They are drawn to one another, and always, when together, they continually give each other new tokens of the most hearty affection ^{28Aftonbladet, 6 sept., 1842. The high standing of Bishop Butsch is attested by these biographical facts: JOHAN ALBERT BUTSCH (d. 1800) was appointed bishop of Skara in 1837, and received an honorary degree of D.D in 1844. He served several terms as a member of the Swedish parliament, officiated at the royal coronation in 1844, and on other royal family occasions. He was a member of various official and ecclesiastical commissions and boards, was twice nominated for archbishop of the Swedish State Lutheran Church (in 1851 and 1856), but declined on both occasions. He was honorary director of the Swedish Bible Society and other organizations. (Svenskt Biografiskt Lexikon, Ny Foljd, 2 bd., sid. 335, 336)}PFF3 681.5

2. FORETELL COMING DESTRUCTION OF THE WORLD

The bishop continues:PFF3 682.1

“The content of the talks or sermons of these sick ones ... is almost always the same. They consist of simple admonitions to reform and to separate from sin. Sins especially pointed out are card playing, drunkenness, dancing, and frivolity. Often were added predictions of the imminent overthrow of the world, combined with warnings, admonitions, and messages of comfort on the basis of the visions which had been granted the speaker. All recognized, in the first place, their own need of God’s grace and mercy, and declared they left the judging of others to God.PFF3 682.2

“The people in this district generally are distinguished by an altogether sufficient and often admirable understanding of Christianity, ... and the sick ones were no exception to this general rule. Rather, I ought to admit that some among them expressed themselves on important religious questions with unusual understanding and clarity. Orthodox and not adhering to any heretical concepts, the sick ones nevertheless retained their conviction that not only their good impulses toward spiritual improvement ... but also the physical symptoms of their [alleged] disease were from the Holy Ghost. In this they included their predictions of the imminent destruction of the world.PFF3 682.3

“The spiritual pride, which usually follows fanatics and reveals itself in judging others and having no patience with different thinking, was not seen in one of these sick ^{29Ibid., 7 sept., 1842.}PFF3 682.4