Whether fictional or real, this very detailed design advertises Christian emigration from Sweden’s “City of Destruction” to a New Jerusalem, the location of which is not disclosed. The destination could be one of many: Erik Jannson’s Pietist movement encouraged Swedes to settle in a “New Jerusalem” in western Illinois in 1846; in the late 19th- to early 20th century, Scandinavian Mormons made the pilgrimage to Salt Lake City’s “New Jerusalem;” during the same time period, many Swedes joined the American Colony in Jerusalem. At any rate, The Savior’s Royal Line will take you there. The text lets us know that the departure is today and tickets are free, but travelers are urged to book quickly as only one ship is destined to depart. At the center of the Gospel ship, Jesus is at the helm; his crew is the Lord’s apostles and the passengers are denoted as “chosen strangers.” The key at bottom also identifies the lighthouse as “The word of God,” the compass as “Faith and love,” the seal as “Truth,” the flag as “The blood of Jesus,” and the wind as “The Holy Spirit.” And in case there is any hesitancy, we’re told that “The ship has never suffered a shipwreck. The captain sails in both storm and silence.” Rare!
literature: PAI-LXXXIV, 173