Lutheran congregations.

The priests and their influential, loyal supporters held numerous meetings, to discuss measures for checking this defection and restoring the waning fealty of their flocks. Among other schemes resorted to was that of organizing a society or club among the wealthy women of the Church, and the collecting by them of a large sum of money, to effect a kind of revival in the church. The lady mentioned as having taken such an interest in procuring work for Niels was one of the leaders in this movement. She had discovered that Niels was a very observant individual, was a logical reasoner, had a most retentive memory and a very thorough knowledge of the scriptures. It had been her habit while Niels was employed at her home to test him upon these points. Occasionally she would ask him what the preacher had talked about at the service on the previous Sabbath, or to relate some particular thing that he had heard or read. He would not only be able to repeat, almost verbatim what he had heard or read, but to mimic the gestures of the speakers as well.

Possibly she and her aristocratic associates had been impressed with his mental vigor and been led to think that he might be utilized in some way in arousing an interest in church affairs. Possibly it may have been sympathy for him and the kindness of their hearts that prompted them to think of him in connection with their revival project. What they did was to get up a numerously signed petition to the bishop of the diocese, to appoint Niels to act as a lay preacher or exhorter—a kind of home missionary—to visit the members at their homes, hold semi-private services, etc., and to be paid a regular stipend therefor out of the funds they had collected. It could not have been anything attractive about his personality that suggested him for such a position, for in appearance he was repellant rather than attractive. Even the very dogs on the street shunned him or snarled at him and refused to be friendly or sociable with him. It could not have been any zeal that he manifested in the Lutheran church that caused him to be thought of, for although he frequently attended the Lutheran service (more as a matter of policy than otherwise, for he obtained his employment chiefly from the Lutheran ladies) he even more commonly attended the Latter-day Saint services, and had several times been chided by his Lutheran acquaintances for doing so. Of course Niels was not consulted in regard to the plans of the Lutheran ladies concerning him. His projected appointment was intended to be a surprise to him. The bishop announced to the ladies' society that he had complied with their petition and appointed Niels to act as lay preacher on the very day of the latter's baptism, as already mentioned, and that evening a meeting was held in the local Lutheran church, and the announcement was made public. The inquiry was then made of the congregation as to where Niels lived, so that the news might be sent to him, but no person present seemed to know. One man, however, arose in the congregation and volunteered the information that he was acquainted with the brother of Niels (the same one whom Elder Kempe had hoped to baptize,) and that he could carry the news to him of the honor that had come to Niels. He was accordingly commissioned to do so, but when he went to the brother the following day he learned to his surprise that he was just one day too late; Niels had embraced "Mormonism" the night before. He knew it, for he had witnessed the baptism.

Niels learned, soon after he was confirmed a Latter-day Saint, of the proposition to make him a preacher of the Lutheran religion, and of course was surprised thereat. He didn't regret having missed the opportunity. Being sure (as he had been ever since he was a child) that "Mormonism" was true, he would have had to stultify himself to advocate any other creed. He was glad, however, that the temptation never was squarely presented to him, lest in his weakness and poverty he might have yielded to it.

CHAPTER III.

DESIRE TO MIGRATE—DISCOURAGING PROSPECTS—HELP FROM AN UNEXPECTED SOURCE—RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION—CONTENDS FOR HIS RIGHTS—EFFECTS A COMPROMISE—CHARACTERISTICS OF NIELS—SPIRITUAL IMPRESSIONS AND PREMONITIONS.

In common with all the Saints in Scandinavia at that period, Niels had a strong desire to migrate to Zion, and was as ready as any of his countrymen to accomplish that end by rigid economy and self denial; but how he was ever going to obtain the price of his fare was a problem for which he could see no solution. His income from charity and his own earnings had been so meagre and precarious for years that it had been his habit from necessity to test how little it required to sustain life. To accumulate anything honestly had practically been out of the question. How then could he ever hope to save so large an amount as his fare to Utah would cost?

In the face of this discouraging prospect help came to him from a most unexpected source, which Niels has ever since regarded as providential. He had become acquainted with a kind hearted Lutheran priest, whose sympathy was doubtless excited by his helpless, dependent condition. One day when they chanced to meet, the priest mentioned the fact that a person had recently died who for several years previous had been enjoying a legacy bequeathed to the parish many years before by a charitable person, when about to die. One of the conditions of this bequest was that it should be held for the support of some worthy person who was physically helpless and dependent. Niels was reminded that he was physically and morally qualified to benefit by that legacy, and encouraged by the suggestion that he might possibly succeed as its beneficiary if he made application to the parish officers. He did so without delay, and to his great gratification he was granted the benefit of the legacy. It was not very much—it only amounted to about ten dollars per quarter, or $40.00 per year—but by maintaining the same system of economy he had previously practiced, he managed to save the greater part of it, and began to look forward to the time when his savings would be sufficient to pay for his emigration.

Niels had not enjoyed this legacy very long, however, when the parish officers learned that he was a "Mormon," and stopped payment of the stipend. They soon found, though, that Niels was not to be disposed of so easily. Friendless and helpless and cripple though he was, he was not lacking in courage and a sense of the justice of his cause. Boldly he went before the parish officers and demanded the payment of the stipend that had been withheld, and its continuance while he lived. Assuming that the person who made the bequest had not stipulated that it should be held exclusively for Lutherans, he charged that they had no right to apply any religious test to him, and defended his cause so well that his hearers were forced to admit that he was right. After a very lengthly parley they reluctantly offered to compromise by allowing him the benefit of the legacy for a limited time. He refused the offer and contended for his life interest, and reminded them that notwithstanding his weakly condition he was liable to live a long time, as his ancestors had been noted for their longevity. When they were thoroughly impressed with this possibility, he offered a compromise—proposing that the amount of twelve quarterly payments be advanced to him from the funds of the legacy, on condition that he surrender his right to any more, and migrate to Utah. This they finally agreed to, and thus Niels was enabled to come to Utah with a company of Saints which left Copenhagen May 17, 1866.

Before mentioning the details of the journey or his life in Utah it may be appropriate to revert to some things that tend to illustrate the character of Niels. He is possessed of a strong and independent mind, fixed convictions and marvelous will power for one whose body is so frail. His spirituality is highly developed; but one