Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-04-25
A LETTER FROM NORWAY,
Description Of a Journey from Chris
tlalia 10 TrOmSo.
.rsondi,jems DsmlIrke."-rhe Mos
Northern nrsnch Of the church.
"A Light In the Darkness

TRoMso, Northland, Norway, Apr
I, ls03.-As anything il seldom hear )
through the columns OF the NEW
about the "land If the midnight SUM-
perhaps few notes from this pnrl
the Lord's vineyard might not prov
uninteresting.
At the last conference In Christianin
Brother IL. A. Poderson from Logan
and I, received our appointments u
labor as missionaries In rromso branch,
Norlhland, tor the ensuing six months
Our prospects were not Of the bright
est--we naturally expected TO meet
unusual hardships from cold, etc, In
such an extreme lattitude--but put
ting our trust In the Lord, to whom
these two years Of our lives had been
gratefully dedicated and we believe
accepted by Him, we made all necea-
sary preparations, babe goodbye to the
Elder presiding over tho conference
and the few remaining missionaries a
the capital, and via Nord Baucn were
soon ON our way towards the north.
Two days' travel 400 miles, brought
us TO Norway's ancient capital, Trond-
hjem, n city OF 1900 inhabitants and
situated on one OF this country's most
important gords, a veritable queen OF
the northern seas. Behind IL rises In
Its majesty n branch Of Dovregeld, In
trent CLEAN the bluc.green waters Of
a lovely bay. Much could BIO said oil
the many sights thrt meet the inter-
ested gazer's eye, Of mountain, lake
and valley between Chrlstiania and
this place, but feel the hopelessness Of
an attempt ut description with my
poor stock Of words.
We remained in Trondhiem week,
and during that time had an excellent
opportunity 10 visit thc various places
OF interest for which this city IL noted.
The greatest attraction is the cathedral.
Although this majestic pile has thrice
been destroyed, almost razod TO The
ground, twice by tho Hires oil
heaven, AMI once by the Swedes.
1t now raises Its magnificent
spires toward the skies, n monument OF
former Catholic glory and present
Catholic pride. The structure was
commenced In the year 1000 A. d., In
the days OF that staunch reformer, ~.
Olaf (Olsf Haraldsonj, who brought
the light OF Christian hope to the o
climes, only by wading through the
blood OF fellow creatures. The cathed-
raj IL the prominent object Of attrac.'
ton TO the visitor Ms s9on as the city
comes within sight, but In order 10
comprehend the collosal proportions OF
IL the observer must DO brought within
the shadows Of Its walls. On every
arch ana portal aro delicate carvings
aud symbols OF the creation, the cruc!.
fxion Of Christ, etc., cut In such
manner that they became silent teach.
ere, even to this enlightened age. Not
wilhstanding ten centuries having
passed since tho originals were carved,
these ancient works Of art tell US that
the Catholics OF those days were IN
possession OF far better ideas concern
Ing the hidden mysteries OF the Al.
mignty than the se.cail,d Christians Of
To-Day.
The trumbliug at IT es, cirslngs AMI
eivrmous pillafs OF ,ne exterior,
remnants OF former glory, are ouly
"outward signs OF inward 2racer."
Within these gloomy walls arc hidden
Eelics OF oldiime Christian worship. A
hole In the ceiling above the officiating
dignitary's head, from which, upon
the summons Of the priest, issued n
Eve % from the heavens" WHEN ne cii-
sity required, Is nO longer mystery,
nor an excuse Tor the supetsiiiioui.
Under the stone floor, near the pulpit
and ut the east end OF the larS. central
hall, lie entombed Norwuy's great
heroes Of earlier timer, prominent
among them the founder If The csthe'
dral, st. Olaf Msgnus the Good and
King Halidan, while at the opposite
stand the cold alabaster statues Of the
Twelve Apostles OF the pfimitlv,
church. Much has been don,
10 make this cluich monu
ment OF Interest. This has provot
q success. But au air Of gloom aud
GOODNESS SCENE ~ pervade the cntif'
building. AS sat contemplating tn,
colossal proportions anu mpgniiicen
architecture Of this grand pile brough
Into existence by the wisdom AM
genius Of man, my mind reverted /,
the time when had the privilege o
entering the House OF the Lord II
Zion, Of the spirit that petvalei tn
very atmosphere Of that structure, au'
the contrast was pleasing.
"Wednesday moruing, Nov. %, "
embarked ON the large coas, slesmc
Haakon Jarl anu again commence,
our journey northward, landing Us u
our destination, rromso, after
rough voyage OF seven days. Tn
distance nom ChTistiAuia Ia thirtee
hundred miles. A sail along the coat
of Norway Ia full OF interest. IL Is
trip to he remembered with profit an
delight az long as life lnsts; "A niu
hundred mile long panorama VI all tn
IL grand, weir anu romantic In NJ