The Angel of Death | Page 3

_editions de luxe_ are marvels of costly
taste and typographic skill. His poetic productions are numerous, and
they are all of a high order of merit. The "ANGEL OF DEATH,"
however, partly on account of the undying interest of the subject, and
partly, also, because of its bold and daring thought and vigorous
expression, is that by which he is best known, and with which his name
is destined to be indissolubly linked.
Wallin is remembered as a great churchman, as well as scholar and poet.
As a preacher, he had few if any equals. Of dignified aspect, gifted with
a rich sonorous voice, and visibly impressed at all times with the
solemn character of his mission, he presented the very ideal of the
pulpiteer; and, whenever and wherever he appeared, he was attended by
admiring crowds composed of all ranks and classes of the people.[C]
As a hymn-writer he had also great success; and to his taste and skill,
the Swedish Church is indebted for its finest collection of sacred
songs.[D] How gracefully Tegner refers to him in his poem, "The
Children of the Lord's Supper," every reader of Longfellow is well
aware:
"Hark! then roll forth at once the mighty tones of the organ, Hover like
voices from God, aloft like invisible spirits; Like as Elias in heaven,
when he cast from off him his mantle, So cast off the soul its garment
of earth, and with one voice, Chimed in the congregation, and sang _an
anthem immortal Of the sublime Wallin, of David's Harp in the
North-land_."
For thirty-one years, Wallin occupied a place, prouder, in many
respects, than the Swedish throne itself,--recognized and honored by his
countrymen as their greatest scholar, their greatest preacher, and one of
their greatest poets. In June, 1839, in his sixtieth year, the angel of
death, of whom he had written so well, approached him with his sad
summons; and, amid the regrets and sorrows of a whole nation, his

lofty spirit took its flight to those purer regions, in which, in
imagination, it already long had dwelt. He was buried in the new
cemetery in Stockholm, which he himself had consecrated; and his
grave is adorned with a large and appropriate monument.
At the first anniversary meeting of the Swedish Academy, after his
death, Bishop Tegner read a memorial poem highly eulogistic of the
deceased, and which ended as follows:
"And, tire, as it speeds along,
The lightly flying Swedish song;

Then let its weary wings be rested,
Against thy grave--and soar anew

To starry realms again, to you,
With prestige by the Learned Circle
vested,
Thou bard like few! Prime speaker uncontested!"[E]
[Footnote A: The Swedish Academy is composed of eighteen men,
selected from among the most learned and literary men of the country,
and is the highest tribunal to pass upon the merits of poetical essays
and works of literature in general; and the very fact, that a person has
been awarded a prize by this Academy, is alone sufficient to insure for
him an imperishable name in the annals of Swedish literature.]
[Footnote B:
"Du väktare i skyn! Är natten ännu lång?
Vi tro ej stjernans ljus, ej
månans stilla gång
Vi trodde uppå dig. Så upplys jordens slägten!

Är natten ännu lång? Och kommer morgonväkten?"
]
[Footnote C: His great popularity with the masses naturally caused
them to apply to him for all sorts of information and advice, with full
confidence that he knew how to assist and advise in all matters. As an
example of his oft peculiar way of treating queer questions, and yet
satisfying the questioner, the following may be related: For about
twenty years a number of writs and fore-tellings had frightened
credulous people with the prediction that the world would perish on a
certain given date. As the time drew near that date Wallin was besieged
for information as to the validity of the said prediction. To the
constantly repeated question, "Is it true, Bishop, that the world shall

perish on Thursday?" Wallin had always the same answer: "Please call
again on Friday, and I will let you know." The questioner withdrew
consoled.]
[Footnote D: Wallin not only revised completely the old hymn-book of
the church, but composed a very large number of the divinely beautiful
and universally celebrated songs, of which the present Swedish
hymn-book is composed.]
[Footnote E: The literal translation of the last two lines (impossible to
retain while maintaining the original meter) is:
Thou first voice in the Literary Circle!
Thou poet as few! Thou orator
as none!
]
ANGEL OF DEATH.
[Illustration]
Ye children, Adam's, of earth begotten,
Who unto earth shall again
return!
You are my own: Be it not forgotten,
I am the penalty sin
did earn!...
O man, time's guest!
With my grasp, I reach thee,
From east to west,

And by voices, teach thee
With scripture's word in the Master's
name,
From air and