The Baptists in Sweden. By Mrs. M.F. Anderson ...

PIERSECUTIONS. 183
labors in Skinia an account is given in Chapter X.,
was subjected to cruel imprisonments. On a second
imprisonment, after having being stripped of all his
clothing, they washed his body in cold water, cut
his hair close to his head-a course of treatment to
which criminals are subjected-and severely buffeted
him with their fists. Then, having clothed him in
a prisoner's dress, they threw him into a cold, damp
cell. Severe chills seized him, when the door of the
dark cell was suddenly closed upon him; rebellious
thoughts began to rise, but, says he, "I threw
myself on my knees imploring Jesus, my Saviour,
to be with me, and let me see light in His light.
Then the prison became no longer a prison to me,
but all was peace, light, and joy."
Another Colporteur, ielge Okeson, was treated
in a similar manner.
The hopes of greater religious toleration, which
had been raised by the king's speech, and by the
efforts which had been put forth by the friends of
liberty of conscience, were soon entirely crushed.
After the lapse of two years, in October, 1858,
an act was passed, which pressed still more heavily
on all who sought to worship God according to
the dictates of their conscience. The old law of
banishment for religious dissent was retained. The
Conventical Act of 1726 was repealed, and the new
act invested " the Church Council" in every parish,
with power to prohibit any religious meetings,
which, in their judgment, were likely to alienate the