Protestantism in Sweden and Denmark - James Aitken Wylie

When we cross the Pyrenees and enter Spain,
we find a people who are more likely, so one
would judge, to give Protestantism a sympathetic
welcome. Grave, earnest, self-respectful, and
naturally devotional, the Spaniard possesses many
of the best elements of character. The characteristic
of the Italy of that day was pleasure, of Spain we
should say it was passion and adventure. Love and
song filled the one, feats of knight-errantry were
the cherished delights of the other. But, unhappily,
political events of recent occurrence had
indisposed the Spanish mind to listen to the
teachings of Protestantism, and had made the
maintenance of their old orthodoxy a point of
honor with that people. The infidel Saracen had
invaded their country, had reft from them
Andalusia, the garden of Spain, and in some of
their fairest cities the mosque had replaced the
cathedral, and the adoration of Mohammed had
been substituted for the worship of Christ. These
national humiliations had only tended to inflame
the religious enthusiasm of the Spaniards. The
detestation in which they held the crescent was
extended to all alien creeds. All forms of worship,
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