New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-29
A PREACHERS CONFESSION.
THE GREATEST PULPIT ORATOR IN NORWAY
SUENCED BY SCANDAL
Stavanper. Norway. Novembe

The large congregation had gathered as usual. In
St Peters Church. Sunday evening, November !.
Lars Ostedahl Norways most famous preacher, inc
Pope of Stavanger," was TO lead the simple
service. People whispered words of admiration OF
the great pulpit orator. and wondered what might
I've the subject of his coming homily lie YVES
late, apparently. and his assistants walked ner-
vousy back and forth across the low, broad
pulpit of the ancient house of God. Suddenly
the old sexton threw the doors open and Lars
Ostedah, clad in the vestments of civilian.
walked up one OF the long aisles. and with his
family, took his seat in the midst of the con-
gregation. An hour passed. The sub-chaplain had
conducted the service, had preached an effective
sermon, had pronounced the blessing: but still
the congregation remained. as il held by some
strange mysterious power Suddenly all eyes
turned toward Lars Osedahl, as the great preacher
rose to his feet in his pew.
Il came to this meeting echoed the familiar
voice, the stiffness of death reigning over the
house, with the most sacred mission that man
can have. / came In sackcloth, publicly TO do
penance | am guilty of immortality and have
committed q crime against this congregation.
That is my shame, that is my deep misery. can
not retain my place. l must ask you to accept
nv resignation. 1 have felt the necessity of con-
Tossing THIS mere DPP III uuMpiNuCSo VI oPA''N
that the congregation of St. Peters and the Nor
wesan church-pe upon both sides OF the ocean,
will forgive me- Pardon me for the sake of Christ.
and pray for me and mine. thank you for the
good that you have done Do not desert the poor
in my asylusls Let the love which you may
have had for me go to them. That will be great
consolation in my misery. AS sign that you for
give me, beg you TO arise and pray"
T,o Of such words from who had been
worshipped almost as an idol will never be for
gotten in Stavanger. The great congregation
stood ND to listen for the last time to the eloquent,
plaintiye voice of the beloved pastor. Children
sobbed and cried, women tainted, men wiped their
tear-stained faces. The echoes of the preachers
last prayer in the presence of his flock died away.
The people were too astonished to speak, and the
preacher left the church in silence and-disgrace
Ostedahl who made this startling confession
which has been received with wonder and in
dignation throughout Norway and Sweden, was
not only minister. lie was the founder and
conductor of great benevolent institutions which
cover whole blocks in Stavanger, and were sup
ported by contributions from all parts OF the
land lie had his Peters Church, his Vatican,
his Peters Pence and was rightly called the
Pope of Stavanger." lie was politician and
sat in the Storthing as the representative OF the
city in which he lived. He was the leader of a
group of Moderates who bore his name; who, hold
ing the balance of power in the last lew years,
have made and unmade Ministries. lie was the
editor and publisher of an influential political
newspaper which numbered subscribers and read
ers in every village and town in Norway No
pulpit orator could compare with him In the
country and his sermons were quoted far ana
wide His religious views were rigid. lie taught
the gospel of asceticism, and called upon his
hearers to forsake the weaknesses OF
the flesh. Indulgence, according to his sermons,
was one of the greatest SINS, ana
wine women and song" brought destruction
lie filed his people with fear, but he controlled
them at will The peasants in the valleys and
in the mountains whittier his mission took hm
believed him infallible, and implicitly obeyed him
Rich, independents clever, influential, an appointes
of the Government his position was enviable and
powerful and his unexpected fall the greater and
deeper
Ostedahl is fifty-three years old. lie is short in
stature and teshy. Black hair crowns his head,
and heavy, dark beard covers the greater part
of his face. His eyes are black and brilliant.
Although looked upon as "a saint by his people and
friends, Alexander Kielland, the novelist, in his
recent story ST. Hanns-Fest" dared to assert that
tage of innocent women while practising his holy
profession. This accusation although not be-
lieyed, led, in all probability, to his dramatic
confession. Subsequent investigation has proved
him guilty of long course of hypocrisy. Ills
position is changed. Men point at him with the
finger of scorn. Children even avoid him, and
his friends have deserted him. The effect Of his
revelations will be 1ar-rcaching. The sturdy,
sober NOrwcgians are excited as they seldom have
been, and it Is diilcult 10 fOretell what may be
the outcome But words of pity and sympathy
for the fallen man are heard even amidst the
general condemnation which las overtaken him.
His power was great; it may save him yet
Henrik lbsen, the novelist, Is still in Chrlstlanla
and, has become one of its most active
citizens. He seems to have given up his exclusive
manner of living, and allows hms If to be lion
lied as never before. lie can be seen at the
theatre and can b. met in society. He appears
filed with the desire TO convince lis cOuntrymen
that he loves and venerates them, despite his long
absence in foreign lands In that he is successful
and Is more popular than ever before
Although he has taken no active part in the
political campaign drawing to a close. he
Is proud of the success of his only son. There
seems to b, no doubt that young DR.. Sipurd
Ihsen, who is a member Of the bar, will become
al Under-Secretary OF State. lie will have charg,.
among other things. of the consular bureau.
Sweden has no greater enemy than the novpIist's
SON. whose dearest dream IS the independence OF
Norway.