Part 5

But this was more effectually don in the succeeding times of _Charles Gustavus Adolphus_, and _Christina_; who first endowed Schools and Churches; those two firm supports, without which Religion can neither maintain its present strength, nor acquire more.

_Charles_ the IX, about the latter end of his reign was the first that caused Churches to be built in every one of the divisions or Marches at his own peculiar charge; two of them are mentioned in _Lapponia Tornensis_, viz. _Tenotekis_ and _Jukasjærff_, whereof one was built, _ann._ 1600, the other 3 years after. _Christina_ having found a silver mine there, followed his example; and by a public Charter ordered the building of four more, in _Arwitsieff_, _Arieplog_, _Silbojoch_, and _Nasafiell_, ann. 1640. then were Christian Churches built in _Lapland_ itself, and there are now reckoned in _Lapponia Aongermannia_ one, called _Aosalo_; in _Lapponia Umensis_ one called _Lyæsala_; in _Lapponia Pithensis_ four, whose name are _Graatræsk_, _Arwitsierfs_, _Stora sawgcks_, and _Arieplogs_; there was also a fifth called _Silbojochs_, but this was long ago demolish’d and burnt by the _Danes_. In _Lapponia Luhlensis_ there is one call’d _Jochmoch_. There was also another called _Nafrilocht_, but this was burnt accidentally not long since. In _Lapponia Tornensis_ there are reckoned three, _Juckochsierfs_, _Rounala_, and _Enotaches_. In _Lapponia Kimensis_ only _Enare_. All of them being 13 in number, except _Silbojochs_ and _Nafrilochs_, are kept in good repair, and frequented by the _Laplanders_. They all own the Kings, and especially _Charles_ the IX, for their Founders, excepting only _Kounala_, which was built and adorned with a bell at the sole charge of 3 brothers _Laplanders_, whose piety herein is the more commendable because they were forc’t to fetch all the materials requisit for such a work thro long and troublesome waies, out of _Norway_ with their Rain-dears. A memorable example which most men in our daies, tho desirous enough to seem pious and religious, are so far from equalling, much more from exceeding, that they never attemt to follow it. The manner of building their Temples was plain indeed, but fit enough for the use they were designed to, the matter of them is the same timber wherewith the _Swedes_ usually build their houses. Adjoining to their Churches they have belfrys, and houses for the use of Priests and the convenience of those who living at a great distance from the Church, have the liberty of refreshing themselves here in the Winter time by the fire. This constitution was first made by _Christina_ ann. 1640, commanding the Priests to be alwaies resident, whereas before they living a far off, came but at some set times of the year.

Schools were first instituted by _Gustavus Adolphus_, and I suppose in the town of _Pithen_, something before the year 1619, for in that year _Nicolaus Andreæ_, Minister of _Pithen_, dedicates his Ritual to him, in token of thanks and commendation for this his piety. The reason why _Gustavus Adolphus_ founded Schools, was chiefly because he saw the _Laplanders_ profited very little under the Swedish Priests preaching in a forreign language, as they had hitherto don. Besides, the harshness of the air, and coursness of the diet killed great part of the Priests, who had bin used to a better climate, and made the rest more unwilling to undergo this hardship: therefore was the first School instituted in _Pithen_, and committed to the charge of _Nicolaus Andreæ_, who was also commanded for the better promoting of knowledg there, to translate the most useful and necessary books out of the Swedish into the Laplandish tongue. For the _Laplanders_ before this were wholy ignorant of letters, and had not a book writ in their language: the first, which I suppose they had, was the _Primer_, such as children use to learn containing the chief heads of Christian Religion, _viz._ the ten Commandments, Apostles Creed, Lords Praier, and the like compiled by the aforesaid _Nicolaus_, as himself witnesses: he likewise was the first that published the Ritual in the Laplandish tongue, the book is now extant printed at _Stockholm_ by _Ignatius Meurer_, with this title, _Liber Cantionum quomodo sit celebranda Missa Sermone Lappico_. These were the elements wherein they were first to be instructed, afterwards there were other books printed, amongst which was a _Manual_ translated out of Swedish by _Joannes Tornæus_, Minister and School-master of _Tornen_, containing the Psalms of _David_, Song of _Solomon_, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiasticus, _Luthers_ Catechise, sacred Hymns, Gospels, and Epistles, with the solemn Praiers. The history of _Christs_ Passion, and destruction of _Jerusalem_, the _Ritual_, and Praiers of all sorts.

In the next place, for an encouragement to those that would send their children to School, _Gustavus Adolphus_ allowed money, not only for their diet, but also for their clothes, and other necessaries, with a stipend for the School-master: with these helps the _Laplanders_ began more seriously to consider of the Christian Religion, which was now preach’d to them in no other language then their own: heretofore their Ministers using only the Swedish tongue, they learnt somthing but understood it not, and muttered some Praiers, but they knew not what: for somtimes there stood under the Pulpit, an Interpreter who explained to the People as well as he could what the Minister said at length. By the benefit of these aforesaid books they began to understand what they praied for, and some of the Youth of _Lapland_ having studied at the University of _Upsal_, made so good progress in the knowledg of the Liberal Arts and Sciences, and of the Christian Religion, that they were entrusted with the Ministery.

Hitherto we have taken a view of _Gustavus Adolphus_ his first care for the advancement of Christianity in _Lapland_, but as all things in their beginnings find some opposition, so did the preaching of the word of God here; first of all it was a matter of great difficulty to maintain a School without the confines of _Lapland_, to which the Youth of that Nation should resort, therefore in the second place it was advised by that famous man _Joannes Skytte_, free Baron of _Duderhoff_, and Senator of the Kingdom, who to his immortal praise obtained that a School might be erected by the King in _Lapland_ it self, in the Province of _Uma_, near the Church _Lyksala_, from whence the School took its name. This was the second School the _Laplanders_ had, and by _Gustavus Adolphus_, then engaged in a tedious war in _Germany_, the charge of it was committed to the aforesaid _Joannes Skytte_, by a Roial Charter, and setled upon his Family for ever, allowing the School-master the whole Tithe, after the ordinary charges deducted; but still retaining to the Crown the superintendency of the benefaction. The form thereof is as follows,

_We_ GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS _by the Grace of God King of the_ Goths _and_ Vandals, _&c. declare that altho our dear Father_ Charles _of blessed memory; as likewise we our selves, after we were by the Divine Providence placed in the Throne of this Kingdom, have earnestly endevor’d that our Northern Subjects called_ Laplanders _should be instructed, in Arts and Letters; and be informed in the grounds of Christian Religion, yet the distraction of the present time, hath hitherto hindred our religious purpose: but least our attemt should be utterly frustrated, we ordain and appoint our faithfull Senator, Chief Governor of_ Livonia, Ingria, _and_ Carelia, _the illustrious Lord_ John Skytt _L. B. in_ Dunderhoff, _Governor and Visitor of a School to be erected in_ Umalappmark, _he having undertaken that Charge: We farther ordain that the Government of the said School, shall from time to time continue and belong to the Successors, in his family: and that the Master and Scholars in the school aforesaid, may have a constant maintenance, we grant unto them the Tithes which the inhabitants of that division, do yearly bring into the Store-house of_ Uma, _after the ordinary paiments are deducted. These Tithes, with other gifts and benefactions which the aforesaid Lord_ John Skitt _shall by his diligence acquire for the said charitable use; shall be disposed by him for the benefit of the said School, reserving to our selves and successors the supreme regulation of the same. In witness whereof we have set our hand and Seal. Given in old_ Stetin _in_ Pomerland, _June 20. Ann. 1631_.

This School had some peculiar advantages over others, because its setlement was firmly established, having for its Visitor, not the Minister of the Parish, but a Senator of the Kingdom. Besides here was not only a salary allowed to the Master and Scholars, but also an order to receive it out of the Tithes of _Uma_; whereas the other had indeed a set stipend, but because it was not certainly decreed where they should receive it, it was not duely paid as the time and their necessities required, which was no small disadvantage and impediment to their design. But all inconveniences were here remedied and the salary most firmly setled; and not only so, but also full autority granted unto the Illustrious Lord _John Skytte_ to find out and confirm any other means, which might conduce more to the good of that foundation. Neither was that eminent man wanting out of his singular piety to God, and love of learning, to make this his whole business; till at last he gathered a sum of five thousand Dollars, partly thro his own, and partly thro his friends liberality, which he delivered to the Queen _Christina_ for the use of a Copper Mine, that in lieu thereof the School of _Uma_ might yearly receive the whole revenue of the Crown, due from certain Towns in that Province. This request of his the Queen easily granted, and two years after issu’d out her Letters patents, and a new Charter by the Protectors of the Kingdom, whose worthy Commemoration is not to be omitted. The words of the Charter are as follow,

_We_ CHRISTINA _by the Grace of God Queen elect and hereditary Princess of the_ Swedes, Goths _and_ Vandals, _Queen of_ Finland, Esthonia, Carelia, _and_ Ingria, _do declare, that whereas our dearly beloved Father, somtimes King of_ Swedland, _did out of his singular zeal and religious affection for the promoting of the Church of God, especially in the Northern parts of his Dominions, institute a Laplandish School in the Province of_ Uma, _and did constitute our trusty and well beloved Senator the illustrious Lord_ John Skytte, _Senator of the Kingdom of_ Sweden, _President of our Roial Council in_ Gothland, _Chancellor of our University of_ Upsal, _High Commissioner of_ South-Finland, _free Baron of_ Duderhoff, _Lord of_ Grænsia, Stræmfrum _and_ Skytteholm, _Knight, to be superviser of this work, setling the same power upon his Posterity after his decease, and bountifully allowing to this design out of the stores of_ Uma _the yearly Tithes due to the Crown; We therefore by vertue of these Letters patents to not only confirm that wholsom Constitution of our pious Father deceased, but do also certify that the illustrius Lord_ John Skytte _hath brought in the sum of 5000 Dollars of silver given by himself and his pious friends for the use of the Laplandish School, which entire sum he hath paid to the Copper-Company, humbly intreating that the said sum may remain in that Company to Us and our Crown, and that We for the yearly interest of the said money allowing 8 per Cent, would give to the Laplandish School the use of certain Villages in_ Norlands, _that the inhabitants thereof may pay their taxes to the aforesaid School; which We graciously approving, do give, as a security, the benefit and profit of these following Villages belonging to Us and our Crown in the Provinces of_ Uma _and West_ Bothnia; Roebeck 12 _Farms_ 5/8. Stæksive 2. 3/16. Clabbiler 3. 9/16. Baggaboelet 2. 27/32. Kuddis 2. 5/16. Bræneland 2. 11/16. _These Farms shall yearly pay to the Laplandish School all their ordinary and extraordinary taxes which are hitherto imposed, which their inhabitants are hereby commanded to do without intermission, during the time that we retain the aforesaid sum of 5000 Dollars, paid to the Copper-Company, until We shall have restored the sum entire to the Laplandish School. Wherefore We command our Officers, and all whom it may concern, that they substract not from the said School the aforesaid sum given in security, before such time as the money may be restored; and that they do not offer nor suffer to be offered any injury or prejudice to the aforesaid School, contrary to this our Edict, in confirmation whereof Ours and the Kingdoms Protectors and Administrators have hereto set their hands, and sealed it with the Roial Seal. Dated at_ Stockholm _Novemb. 5. 1634_.

The Persons that subscribed were, _Gabriel Oxenstern, Gustavi F. R. Drotsetus_. _Jacobus de la Gardie_ High Marshal. _Carolus Caroli Gyldenhielm_ High Admiral. _Petrus Baner_ Deputy Chancellor. _Gabriel Oxenstern_ Tresurer.

This is that School to which the _Laplanders_ ow their Progress in the knowledg and love of Christian Religion, which appears from those many useful and eminent Persons who have bin there bred; also the success may be seen from the testimonials of the Examiners, who were constituted in the same year that the School was endow’d by the aforesaid Roial Charter, the words are related by _Brazius_ as follow,

_We, whose names are underwritten, do testify that we were called by the Reverend and Learned_ M. Olaus _our Pastor of the Church of_ Uma, _to be present at the examination of the Laplandish Youth frequenting the School of_ Lyksa _in the Province of_ Uma; _we also testify that we did hear them examined by their Rector our aforesaid Pastor. First, they altogether sang the Psalms of_ David _translated into the Swedish language, as they are now used in the Church: next they all, and singular repeted the_ Primer, _containing not only the Elements of Speech, but the Lords Praier, ten Commandments, Apostles Creed, the words used in administring the Sacraments of Baptism, and the Lords Supper; also the Graces before and after meat, together with the Morning and Evening Praiers. This Book they all read according to the manner prescribed in other Schools, and the more ingenious of them did distinctly and without hesitation repete the little Catechism made by_ Luther: _Besides this, they read the Gospels for Sundaies and Holy-daies as they are published in the Swedish tongue, this was the task of all the Scholars. Only 8 of them being of slower parts, did nevertheless emulate the more ingenious according to their abilities. Now they all begin to learn the Fundamentals in the Laplandish Idiom, that they may instruct their Country-men in their own mother tongue. This school exercise and the fruit arising from thence as it exceeded our expectation, to see the illiterate Youth in a short time by the blessing of God, learn the Principles of our salvation, which better Scholars have bin much longer in attaining to, so ought we to give singular thanks to Gods who hath made their endevors so successful. Nor must we omit the deserved Commendation of those pious men, who by their bountiful largesses founded and endowed the School, and at this time maintain it; altho for the reward of their piety must expect the blessing of God, according as he hath promised. Witness our hands and seals. Dated in the place aforesaid_ Ann. 1634. Jacobus Andreæ Buræus. Petrus Jonæ. Andreas Hacquini. Jacobus Nicolai. Olaus Olai.

From this testimony it appears that the School was frequented by no small number of the Laplandish Youth, also that they were not wholly unfit for the study of learning and Religion; making it their chief care to learn those things which are especially necessary to the improving of a Christian life. Last of all, the readiness of the _Laplanders_ to send their children to School: so that now there appears another face of Religion in _Lapland_ then what there was in former ages, because the Kings have taken greater care in providing for Churches, Schools, Books, Ministers, and School-masters. The Priests in like manner are more careful, being now for the most part _Laplanders_, or skilful in that tongue, whereof there is in _Lapponia Umensis_ one, in _Lapponia Pithensis_ 3, in _Lapponia Luhlensis_ one, whose trouble is the greater, because the Country is large and the inhabitants dispersed.

In _Lapponia Tornensis_ and _Kiemensis_ they have both Laplandish and Swedish Priests, who once a year at their public Fairs in February visit the Country, baptising their children, and preaching to them in the _Finnish_ language, which they seem to understand. For their reward they have one third part of the Rain-dears, which the _Laplanders_ are bound to pay to the Crown: and whereas every _Laplander_ was obliged to pay for a tax either two pair of shoes, or a white Fox, or a pound of Pike, this is now equally divided between the King and the Priest; which makes not only the Priests more chearful in doing their duty, but the People also more diligent in their performances. Hence it is that they pay their Ministers so much honor and respect, saluting them at their first coming with bowing their head, giving them in token of Reverence the title of _Herrai_, i.e. _Sir_, conducting them upon their Rain-dears to their Cottages, adorned with birch bows, covered with their furrs, and shewing them all the civility they have. Upon a table or rather a plank laid upon the ground they set them meat, which is usually fish, or flesh of Rain-dear dried together with the tongue and marrow. They use neither Salt, Bread nor Wine, all which the Priests are forc’t to bring with them, the _Laplanders_ drinking only Water, because the extremity of the cold spoils their Beer. They are careful in observing Sundaies, refraining both themselves and their Cattel from all work on that day, and somtimes on the day before; nay some there are who refuse to milk their Raindears on Sundaies. While the Sermon is preaching they attend diligently; and in singing of Psalms they are so zealous that they strive who shall sing best. They very much reverence and frequent the Sacraments, especially that of Baptism which they never defer; but the women themselves within eight or fourteen daies after their delivery do often bring their children thro long and tedious waies to the Priest. They likewise pay much reverence to the Lords Supper, and to the ceremonies of Confession and Absolution, which are alwaies used before that Sacrament, which they now are really partakers of, whereas in the times of Popery they received it without any solemn consecration. Neither do they neglect the other parts of Christian Piety. They most religiously abstain from swearing, cursing and blasphemy: they are very charitable to the poor, and just, insomuch that there are scarce any robberies ever heard of in the Country. Their mutual conversation is very courteous, especially among persons of the same Country or family, often visiting and discoursing with one another. This they learn from the precepts of Christianity, which requiring them not only to regulate their Faith, but their lives, teaches that tho there be three Persons, the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, yet they are but one God. And as by the help of Christianity they learn the rule of true piety, so do they utterly abhor all their ancient superstition. They pull down all their drums, and burn and demolish all their Images of wood and stone. A memorable example hereof is mentioned by _Johannes Tornæus_ in this manner. A certain _Laplander_, just, pious, and wealthy, named _Petrus Peiwie_ dwelling in _Peldojærf_, at a Village of _Lappmarkia Tornensis_, with all his family worshipped the Idol _Seita_: it happened upon a certain time that his Rain-dears died in great numbers; whereupon he implored the assistance of his _Seita_. But he praied in vain, for his Rain-dears died still. At length with his whole family and good store of dry wood, he took a journy to the place where _Seita_ stood: round about the Idoll he strewed green bows of Firr, and offered sacrifice to him, the skins, horns, and skulls of Rain-dears; at last he prostrates himself with his whole family before the Idol, beseeching him that he would by some sign testify unto him, that he was the true God. But after a whole days praiers and devotions finding no sign given, he sets fire to the combustible wood, and burns down the Idol of the Town. When his offended neighbours sought to kill him, he asked them why they would not permit the God to revenge himself for the affront. But _Peiwie_ became so constant an adherent to the Christian Religion, that when others threatned with their charms to mischief him, he on the contrary repeated the Lords Prayer, and the Apostles Creed. He burnt all the _Seitas_ he could meet with, and at length sent his eldest Son _Wuollaba_ to _Enorreby_ to do the like there; for which he was forc’t to fly into _Norway_ to avoid the _Inarenses_, who lay in wait for him. There was also one _Clement_, a _Lappo-Jenabiensis_ whose Mother being grievously sick, he sought remedy from the Drum, but his Mother died notwithstanding; whereupon he cut his Drum in pieces, alledging that he saw no use of it.

Hitherto we have seen the Christian Religion much better received and improved by the _Laplanders_, and applied to their daily conversation, then what it was in ancient times. And from hence we may collect the care of those who by their authority, counsell or ministery did promote it; yet cannot we triumph over Pagan impiety wholly rooted out; as shall appear by the following Chapter.

CHAP. IX.

_Of some remains of Paganism in_ Lapland _at this time._