a mostly german debate on conversion and salvation the Royal letter of 1830 indicated that already the Royal ordinance of 1741 had forbidden speeches. No such prohibition is explicit in it, and it is hardly logical to consider such a later important and in 1741 possibly unknown task as part of the prohibited pomp.793 In a memorandum to Alexander I, written by Johan Bonsdorff 1816 to present the position of Calonius, not able to write himself due to his severe health situation, the presence of the priest at the site of execution and in particular him having any significant role there was rejected.794 A few years earlier his brother, Jacob Bonsdorff, had recommended the priests not to arrange solemn processions to the site of execution. He cited Sturm, but unlike Calonius the ordinance of 1741 was not mentioned.795 Going to Denmark, the priest Henrich Ussing in 1789 suggested that it should follow Hamburg and others in removing the priests from the sites of execution. Few of them could attend executions without damage to mind or health. He also criticised that the ritual encouraged the priest to support the delinquents in courage in front of death, something only those who had lived virtuously were entitled to do. He was especially upset that the priests could describe the death as resembling that of martyrs or even comparing it with the death of Jesus.796 Hans Gad, a Danish town judge, referred to Steinbart when questioning the singing of hymns at the execution of Lisbeth Larsdatter January 25th 1796 near Hasle.797 In a proposed book of worship and rituals of the Church of Denmark that the bishop Jacob Peter Mynster published in 1839, he suggested that if the priest on the day of execution found the criminal unrepentant, his ministry should be considered complete, as only those showing regret should have the support of the priest in their final moments. This, how793 SFS1830:7 p 100, KF12 December 1741 in Kongl. Maj:ts Förordning s a. 794 Palmén 1861 p 150 sq, 159. 795 Bonsdorff 1811 p 462. See also the warnings of Bonsdorff for processions and accompanying priests in Anmärkningar vid Svenska Kyrkohandboken nr 54JI:36ÅDARAÅ. 796 Ussing 1789 p 771 sqq. 797 Memorandum from Hans Gad 6 February 1796 in nr 4917 (15 October) F42 Danske Kancellie RAK. 215
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