gs as a
"lay preacher."

In 1842 Scott and Rosenius began the publication of _Pietisten_, a
religious monthly that was destined to play a most important part in the
spiritual revival in Sweden. When Scott was constrained the same year to
leave Sweden because of violent opposition to his movement, Rosenius
became his successor, not only as editor of _Pietisten_, but also as the
outstanding leader among those who were trying to bring about the dawn of
a new spiritual day.

Rosenius centered his activity in the Swedish capital, preaching and
writing. He also traveled extensively throughout the country, and so the
movement spread. Numerous lay preachers, known as "lasare," sprang up
everywhere, holding private meetings in homes and in so-called "mission
houses" that were built nearby the parish churches.

Agitation for separation from the Established Church found no sympathy
with Rosenius, who stood firmly on the Lutheran doctrine and regularly
took communion at the hands of its ordained ministers.

"How long do you intend to remain within the Church?" he once was asked.

"As long as Jesus is there," was the answer of Rosenius.

"But how long do you think He will be there?"

"As long as men are there born anew, for that is not the work of the
devil."

In 1856 Rosenius, together with many earnest-minded ecclesiasts and
leaders in the Established Church, organized the National Evangelical
Foundation, which originally was intended to promote home and inner
mission activities. It subsequently embraced the cause of foreign
missions also and became one of the greatest spiritual influences
emanating from Scandinavia. Rosenius died in 1868, at the age of
fifty-two.

His hymns, like those of Lina Sandell, became known largely through the
musical genius of Ahnfelt. Everywhere "Ahnfelt's Songs" were on the lips
of the so-called "believers." Emigrants from Sweden to America brought
them with them to the New World, where they were a source of solace and
strength in the midst of spiritual and material difficulties. Perhaps no
song verse was heard more often in their humble gatherings than the
concluding stanza of Rosenius' hymn, "With God and His mercy, His Spirit,
and Word":

O Shepherd, abide with us, care for us still,
And feed us and lead us and teach us Thy will;
And when in Thy heavenly fold we shall be,
Our thanks and our praises,
Our thanks and our praises we'll render to Thee.

Then there