The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-05-29
NORWAY.


tian Bang to the United States. He
sailed on the Hellig Olav, arriving in
New York a week ago, where he was
cordially received by leading Nor
wegian-Americans.. Thence he pro-
ceeded to Washington, where he had
an audience with President Roosevelt,
to whom he brought greetings from
King Haakon and the Norwegian gov
eminent. From Washington the bish-
op journeyed to Chicago, and he will
go from there to Minneapolis to par
ticipate in notable 18th of May eel
ebration and deliver to a committee
of rwegian:Americans a statue of
Henrik Wergeland, the great poet
patriot of Norway, who was the orig
inator of the Norwegian independence
day celebrations. This statue is
gift of the people of Norway to the
Norwegians of America, among the
men subscribing money to defray the
expense being former Premier Michel
sen, former Premier Lovland and
President Berner of the storthing. 1t
center in the Northwest, the site, as
yet, not having been selected. 1t was
supposed until recently that the
statue would be erected at Abercrom-
bic, N. D., but to this there has arisen
strenuous opposition, because of the
smallness Of the place and its inacces-
sibility. Como Park, between Mime
apolis and st. Paul. is believed to be
the best place for the statue.
Bishop Bang is the first Norwegian
prelate Of his rank to visit America
since the Norsemen occupied Vinland
during the eleventh, twelfth and thir-
teenth centuries, and a sketch of his
career will therefore be Of interest to
the readers of these columns. S. c.
Hammer. the Christiania correspond
ent, writes:
"Anthon Christian Bang, at present
one of the most conspicuous figures
within the Norwegian clergy, and in
rank the foremost, was born on Sept.
IS, 1910, in the parish of Donnes, in
North Norway. His parents were poor
and modest people and at the early
age of seven Anthem lost his father,
who persisted at sea on his way to
Lofoten, the center of tile great win
ter cod fisheries. This fate, so CON-
mon to the fishing population in that
weather-beaten district, made a great
impression upon the boy, who also was
deeply impressed by the mighty seen
cry Of Nordland-the midnight sun,
the flashing northern lights and the
wild mountains rising above the sea
in the strangest formations.
when eight years old he commenc-
ed at school where he soon displayed
rare abilities, and at seventeen he got
an opportunity to visit the seminary
(teachers' schooD at Tromsoe. At
that time revival, which forms an
important chapter in the history of
the Norwegian church during the
nineteenth century, was taking place
and Bang, like the rest of his COM
rades at the seminary, was greatly i'm
pressed by it during his stay there
Qe5S-1S6O). After having passed his
seminary examination he in 1861 left
for Christiania, where he soon took
his university degree of B. A. He sub
sequently passed to his theological
studies, which he carried on with
thoroughness and enthusiasm, bound
to lead to extraordinary results
I'm 1868 he took orders and within
the last forty years his life work
forms a chapter in the history of the
Norwegian church during the same
period, not only as a preacher, but as
an author.
''He is the biographer of Hans Mel
sen Hauge, the famous missionary
who hundred years ago reused the
Norwegian church out of it's torpor
and in his work has raised him a mon
ument of high rank. But his most i'm
portant work is his Outlines of the
History of the Norwegian Church At
ter the Reformation (1536-16OO),'
which is considered standard work
in historical literature. He has also
written a number of other important
works
From, 1898 to 1895 he was minister
of ecclesiastical affairs and public in
struction in the cabinet formed by the
Conservative leader, E. Stang This
has been his only participation in pub
lie life. When the ministry retired
in 1905, after the political armistice
then concluded, Mr.. Bang, who, before
he was appointed minister held uni
versity chair, returned not to the uni
versity, but to the church. A few
years after he was appointed bishop
of the diocese of Christiania
He is man Of great abilities,
striking personality imbued with the
spirit of the church, and an ardent
patriot, who, travelling on a national
mission, will no doubt complete it to
the honor of his fatherland.'
During his visit to Christiania King
offered the grand cross of the
Order of Victoria to Premier Gunnar
Knudsen, but the sturdy head Of the
Morse cabinet declined the honor with
thanks, informing the king that it !
would ho onoincf hfo min n3,,Io, ~ = !. II