The age-herald., 1898-04-21
Prince Oscar Bernadoite, of
 Sweden. to Enter the Ministry

Prince Bernadotte, son of King Oscar II. of Sweden and Norway, has recently de- cided to resign from the Swedish navy in order to preach the gospel to the poor in his own country An exchange says of him and his proposed work:
 Prince Bernadotte, who Is the second son of the old king, has reached his 39th year. He is tall and well built This physical ad- vantage he has-fn common with his father and his brothers, but beyond this there is little in common between them and him. The king himself is as vivacious at 69 he was when his gay brother, the lamented King Charles XIV, still lived. Most of his sons take after him, especially Prince Charles, dashing cavalry officer, said to be the handsomest man in Sweden, and Prince Eugene, who, in spite of royal birth, has developed into painter or talent. These men love to live and to let live. Prince Oscar, on the other hand. finds noth- ing but vanity in this world and its pur- suits Dark of countenance, modest in mien, yet rather hauty in his manners, with coal black eyes and flowing beard, he re- sembles some of those great warior-prel- ates of times gone by that were always ready to enforce the dogmas of the church with their swords while they were preach ing humility and the turning of the other cheek to the smiter. His character IS fraught with that sternness which IS capa- ble of much sacrifice and much cruelty for the sake of religion. He is self-willed to an extent which would have made him despot or a rebel in another age. Ills plety borders on fanaticism. He is, in a word, his mothers true son. If he were not, ne might be the idol of the Swedish people, and, even, as 1t is, they look with great deal of respect upon the man who had courage enough to renounce his rights and privileges as a royal member of the house of Sweden in order to marry the woman or his choice.
 Some years have elapsed since the atten- ton of the world at large was drawn to the doings of this prince. Other members of reigning dynasties had previously dared what he intended to do, namely, to marry A woman with no royal blood in her veins hut his case was different. First, because a prince of Sweden counts for more than A prince of Reuss or of Lippe-Detmoio' and. secondly, because there was no scan- dal of any kind connected with the pro- posed marriage. The woman who had won his heart was no circus rider, no celebrity of doubtful morals, but a good-hearted, pure-minded, well-educated, and rather re- Iigiously inclined daughter of poor Sweo- ish nobleman. If Ebba Munck was to be blamed for anything, it was for being neither royal nor rich.
 Queen Sophia held Miss Munck in such regard that she is said to have encouraged the plans of her favorite son.. The old king drowned and fretted, but could not make up his mind to start a row about It. lie wanted peace and he entertained good deal or re- spect for the independence and strengtn or will of his second son. The royal councillors and chamberlains wrung their hands in dis gust, predicting all kinds of evil and speak ing much nonsense about state reasons, etc. The marriage took place at Bournemouth, England. Royalty, Swedish and Engiish, was absent but represented by accredited COthllnd stepped down from his position next to the crown prince. Officially he ceased to be member of the royal house. There was much talk about the title he should bear. Prince Bernadotte was the one hnally se- lected. and even this title could not be in- herited by his children. Being placed in a position resembling that of Mohammends s coffin, he could not get a Swedish dukedom for his family because that dignity IS re- served for members of the royal family in good standing, and he could not accept tne title of count; because that would nave placed him on 0 level with the average no- bility To save his children the disgrace of being born like just common untitled people, the old king turned to his young friend, the emperor of Germany, for help dukedom of Wisborg, which title was tac- ftly recognized by the Swedish nobility.
 iCyeh before his marriage the young prince used to be a regular attendant at the prayer meetings and religious services neio in the private apartments of his mother the queen; and it is said that it was there he first met and became attached to Miss Nunck. After his marriage he found pore time than ever to devote to religious mat ters He and his princess have allied them selves with the most pious element within the established church of Sweden-an ele- ,Tnent that would like to sever all connection with that church or to conquer it-and they have showed themselves quite friendly to the Salvation army. The prince has preach ed at revival meetings and missionary gath eripgs time and again. both in Sweden and fin Denmark, but 1t is to be feared that cu- riosity has led more people to listen to him than his fame as an orator He has not in h4rited the sparkling with and elegance of iAheuage which have always characterized the ufferances of his royal father. His sermons are methodical earnest and dry.
 when it is said that he will become nais. sIonary this does not mean that he intends 10 seek tho heather of heathen lands. He thinks that there are enough of them 1T Sweden, and his work will be carried or right there.