--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Nephi Anderson collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 5 number: 9 published: 1902-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Nephi Anderson, "The Castle Builder. V, VI," *Improvement Era* 5, no. 9 (July 1902): 664–680.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0509unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0509unse start_page: 664 end_page: 680 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1902-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0509unse publication_year: 1902 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1902, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Castle Builder. V, VI THE TWO WREATHS. 663 their motions, and now he perceived that some of them, attracted by the perfume within the palace, were trying to enter through the window screen. "Let the window screen be opened!" exclaimed the monarch. humming and flying above the It was done; and the bees came in, heads of the crowd, and, without any hesitancy, alighted upon the wreath of natural flowers in the hand of the queen. Not one flew to the other wreath. "As the bee," replied Solomon,"never rests on painted flowers, but draws its sweetness from natural ones alone, so should man be captivated by that beauty in woman which is natural, and never allured by qualities which are assumed only to fascinate and betray." "THOSE FRAGMENTS OF TRUTH." Lines suggested on reading Roberts' "New Witness for God" — (See page 125, last line.) BY A. P. WELCHMAN, GROVER, UINTAH CO., WYOMING. Beautiful dome of stars! All bright, but yet uncertain, is the way The traveler wends, with weary flight, beneath each distant flick'ring ray. When earthward beams the moon doth shed, we love its soft, and sil- • v'ry light; Still, hazardous our path we tread, illusive shadows cheat the sight. But, when yon glorious orb of day disperses gloom, both far and near, No danger then that we shall stray, we stumble not, we banish fear. So, when the Israelites of old, the Carnal Law alone their guide, Essayed to reach the Heavenly fold, full oft their steps would stray aside. And, so the borrowed "Christian" light, which guides the struggling sects today, Though cheering to the pilgrim's sight, can scarce illume "The Narrow Way." But when the gospel's purer ray, like search-light, blazes far ahead, All shadows flee, clear is the way, disaster we no longer dread! THE CASTLE BUILDER. BY NEPHI ANDERSON, AUTHOR OF "ADDED UPON," "MARCUS KING MORMON," ETC. PART TWO. V. AN INTRUDER AND HIS DOCTRINE. Harald Einersen traveled much in the interest of the West Akerby Club and its extending branches. One day, in the latter part of May, found him in the small fishing village of Aanes, a few miles up the coast from Akerby. He was spending the evening at the house of a friend, and, as the principal men of the village had been invited in, there was a room-full of company. A good-natured crowd it was, too, though the parish priest and the schoolmaster were both there to bring the gravity of their positions to bear on the general conduct. Politics had been discussed in a general way. The business outlook had been reviewed, some gossip had been indulged in, and the conversation was lagging. Out of respect to Mr. Einersen's well-known temperance principles, the punch bowl was absent, and coffee and chocolate were served. Pastor Brun had not yet con- tributed his share to the intellectual feast which was supposed to be taking place, so he was called upon to say something. "Well, I was just thinking," he began, as he slowly sipped the hot chocolate and munched the wheaten cakes — "I was just think- ing of the preponderance of evidence in favor of the early Christians." There was a pause. No one seemed to understand such a profound remark. THE CASTLE BUILDER. 665 The pastor chuckled. "I'll have to explain myself, I see," he continued. "I was thinking that we latter-day Christians are blessed, yes, greatly blessed; but think of living in the time of the beloved Lord and Master, of having the blessed privilege of behold- ing his face and hearing his voice. Ah, what one could afford to suffer for that blessing! What do you think, Mr. Schoolmaster?" As the teacher was thus appealed to, he had to continue the conversation along the same lines, which, in truth, he was not loath to do, for the schoolmaster was one who had "gotten re- ligion" and was "saved." "Yes, dear pastor, I have often thought the same. What if we could have helped an apostle or succored a persecuted saint. There was Paul, at Jerusalem, or at Csesarea, for instance." But the ship-captain present did not like such talk, and he managed to turn the conversation into another direction. Then, when the host was in the middle of a story, the door bell rang. He stopped, called for the girl, and sent her to the door, telling her to show the gentleman right in — was no doubt friend Anders it who had said he could not come until late. There was some talk at the door, and then the girl came back, saying that it was a stranger who desired lodging for the night. "Tell him this is not a lodging house," said the host, quite loudly. "Friend, I am surprised," said the priest. "Where shall the man go to find such a place in Aanes? Reconsider." "Tell the man to come in, then." A young man, carrying a grip and an umbrella, entered the room, hat in hand. "Good evening, all," he said as he looked around the room. "Good evening, sir," said the host, advancing towards him. "What can I do for you?" The stranger placed his grip on the floor, and his hat on a chair. He looked tired and travel-stained. His shoes and cloth- ing were not free from the wet soil of the country road. "1 am a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ," he said. His words came slowly, and with a foreign accent. "I have been traveling through this part of the land preaching, and arrived at Aanes this evening. I am looking for a place to stop over night. " " 666 IMPROVEMENT ERA. I have asked at quite a number of places, this evening, but, so far, I have been refused. I have money to pay for my lodging." The company remained quiet. There was something strange about the proceedings. Pastor Brun advanced. "You are a minister of the gospel, you say, and yet can get no entertainment. That is ftrange! What society are you repre- senting, my friend?" "I am representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known by the name of 'Mormon.' The stillness in the room was broken by hurried whispers, and subdued acclamations of, "A 'Mormon!' a 'Mormon!'" The stranger stood erect and still. He did not attempt to sit down, and he w as not invited to. "Now I understand," exclaimed the pastor, why people will not let you into their houses. So we are to be plagued with that basest of all delusions, are we? Not if I can help it, my friend. Take my advice, get out of the country. Go home to Utah, from whence, I suppose, you came. We do not want any of your 'Mor- monism.' We do not want any of your impositions." Turning to the host, the pastor continued, "1 would advise you to follow the good example of your neighbors, by refusing to entertain this man, for harboring him will bring down on your head the displeasure of God." "Yes, I don't see how we can keep you, sir. There is another house some distance further on and — But the "Mormon" had taken up his hat and grip, and was moving towards the door. As he passed through the door-way into the hall, he looked Harald Einersen, who was standing near by, straight in the face. Something in his eyes pierced Harald to the soul. What it was, Harald could not tell, but the whole man reminded him of one whom he had loved, and had buried up in Nordland. When the man was out of sight, the company heaved a united sigh of relief.It had surely been a narrow escape. The school- master soon found his tongue, however, and began telling some wonderfully strange and horrible stories about the "Mormons," their beliefs and practices. The company listened with eager ears. Ten minutes later, Harald went into the ball, took his hat THE CAS1LE BUILDER. G67 from the hook, and stepped out at the front door. There were no gas lamps in the one street of Aanes, and the night was dark. The sky was filling with clouds. The wind howled dismally around the gables of the house. He hurried up the street. That would very likely be the direction the stranger had taken, though it was an hour's walk to the next house. He hurried on; the hill was on one side; the still forest, on the other. Every moment or two, he paused to listen; but he heard nothing save the wind in the trees. The clouds came from the sea, thick and black, and now a few drops of rain fell. Harald stopped. What a fool he was, chasing this stranger! What was he to him? He was but a preacher, anyway, no doubt like all other preachers. Let him go his way. A flash of lightning tore across the sky; and, in an instant, another lighted up the road in front of him. A few rods ahead, a high, stone wall extended down the hill to the road. By the side of this wall, Harald saw the man, sitting. His hat was off, and his grip was on the ground. Then came the crash of thunder. Harald advanced slowly. Another flash came, and by its light he saw the man kneeling on the grass by the wall. He was praying. Harald stopped again, but could hear nothing save the noise made by the approaching storm; however, there the man was —he saw him again —there he was, out in the night, alone, an outcast, pray- ing to God. He stepped out of the road, and stood leaning against a tree, deciding that he would not go farther to intrude upon the man. In a few minutes, he heard the stranger's footsteps coming down into the road again, and then, Harald shouted to him. They met in the road. "You are the 'Mormon,' are you?" inquired Harald. "Yes, sir." "Then, come back with me. I will find a place for you." "Thank you, sir, for your kindness." They could not converse much. The storm came on. The stranger raised his umbrella, and Harald took shelter under it, walking in step with his companion. Harald took him to his own lodgings, and asked the lady of the house to make him comfortable for the night. If she had no spare room, she should make a bed in his own room, and give him some supper. 668 IMPROVEMENT ERA. "Good night, sir," said Harald, "I shall see you again in the morning." "Good night, and God bless you." Harald hurried back to his company. They met next morn- ing at the breakfast table. Harald led the conversation to political conditions in America, and the landlady knew not the professional nature of her guest. Religion was not mentioned, and the "Mor- mon" had no inclination to broach the subject. "I am to remain here until this afternoon," said Harald to his guest, after breakfast. "If you could spare the time, I should like to speak further with you." "To talk to people is my whole business," replied the young preacher," and I am only pleased to speak when I can get a hearing. "Come into my room, then— no, I'll settle for the entertain- ment." He led the way into his room. "I'll have to ask for your name. It will hardly do to call you Mr. Mormon. Some one might hear it and be shocked." "My name is Olsen." "That's common enough not to frighten anybody." "True; not long ago I was looking over the directory in Christiania, and there are only about five thousand of us in that city, alone." "Not all 'Mormons,' though!" "Well— no." "You'll excuse my light-mindedness, I'm sure; but you remind me somuch of an old friend of mine whom I held very dear, but who is now dead. My name is Einersen; not quite as common as yours, but still the same sen. There are a lot of us. Were you born here?" "No; I was born in America. You may, perhaps, hear that by my poor language; although my parents are Norwegians, I have spoken English all my life, until a year ago. My Norwegian is practically only one year old." "You speak it exceedingly well then — but hear—now answer me, what must I do to be saved?" They drew their chairs up to the table. The "Mormon" took from his grip a Bible and opened it. Harald watched him closely. The preacher did not at once say, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, THE CASTLE BUILDER. 669 and thou shalt be saved." In fact, this preacher did not look like a preacher, at all. He did not have the clerical air, as Harald defined it. "Have you a Bible?" asked the missionary. — "Not with me but look here, I see you are going to prove your points from the Bible* You are going to tell me how to be saved by reading from the Bible, exactly as all other preachers do. Is it not possible to be saved without that book? I can think of a time when the Bible was not in existence. How were men saved then?" Mr. Olsen closed the book on the table in front of him, and pushed it aside. "Yes," he said, "I can tell you of the plan of salvation with- out the Bible, because this plan existed before that book was written. The gospel plan exists independently of any book. If it were not so, our salvation would depend upon the dead forms of a printed page; but, of course, I thought I would have to prove every statement I may make from these scriptures; and, in fact, they are very useful in establishing the truth of what we teach." "Don't misunderstand me," said the other, "I believe in the Bible." "And you believe in Christ?" "Certainly." "Very well, then, that is the central idea, the foundation. Upon it, I think, we can build our structure." Harald enjoyed the ring of the last sentence. Here, at last, might be some tangible thing to do. "Christ, then, is the starting point, for by him were all things created. * * * All things were created by him and for him; and he is before all things, and by him all things consist you — will excuse me, if I sometimes use the words of the scriptures to express the thought. In him all fulness dwells. He has 'made peace through the blood of the cross,' and has reconciled 'all things unto himself.'That is the reason that Christ is back of it all. Now, sin and evil are in the world, and it is a con- tinual struggle on our part to keep from getting under their dominion. Why sin is in the world, we can not now discuss, at length — enough that it is, and is in direct conflict with righteousness, the same as 670 IMPROVEMENT ERA. darkness is in opposition to light, bitter to sweet, sorrow to joy. All things seem to be double. Our contentions are with sin. We- have nothing else in this world to worry over or to combat. Sin ap- pears in manifold forms, and comes in countless ways. Sin is the real enemy— the enemy of our souls. Working out our salvation consists in fighting this enemy. To be saved is to overcome sin, in all its ramifications, and to place it under our feet, triumphantly, gloriously. Within and of ourselves, this is impos- sible. Our mortality is We need divine aid, and we too weak. have it in the Lord He came from the realms of Jesus Christ. perfection, with more than mortal power within himself. He came to our rescue, glory be to his name for it. He came willingly, gladly, because of his great love for us. Sin came into the world through the transgression of the first man. 'The wages of sin u death.' Christ took upon himself the sins of the world. He paid the penalty imposed by the Eternal Adjudicator of Justice. He died on the cross, that he might draw all men to him. He broke the bands of death and opened the grave for all men. We are saved from the effects of Adam's transgression. 'As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.' Christ, then, 'bought us with a price.' We are not our own. We are the Master's. We are free from any original sin. That came through no fault of ours. The blood of Christ washed it unconditionally from the soul of every living creature. But while we are in the world, we are liable to sin, personally, knowingly. We have our agency. We may choose. The good is on one side, the evil is on the other. The right of choice is fundamental. We often choose the evil, and sin. Did Christ pay for these personal sins also? Yes; but the effects of his atonement come to us only upon conditions. Here is where we come in. Here is where we must act. Herein, again, isshown the eternal law of compensation." At this point in the speech, there came a knock at the door. The housewife wished to tidy up the room, but Harald asked her to- defer it until later. When she had withdrawn, he turned again to his companion and said, "Go on, please." "As I said, Christ has bought us, and we are his. He then, certainly, has the right to say what we must do to get the full benefit of his atonement. This he has done, and we have a record THE CASTLE BUILDER. 671 of it here in the scriptures. It is called the gospel plan of salva- tion. The first principles and ordinances of this plan are: first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Now, you will excuse me, if I use the Bible," he said as he again opened the book, "I wish to support my argument with apostolic evidence. I think these examples will also make my points clearer. You remember at the time Christ ascended into heaven, he told his apostles to tarry at Jerusa- lem that they might be endowed with power from on high. It seems that a divine authority was necessary to carry on the work of preaching the gospel, and initiating those who believed into the fold of Christ. You will remember also that when this power came to the apostles, on that memorable day of Pentecost, they spoke with other tongues, and Peter, the chief of the apostles, arose and addressed the large assembly present. He told them of Christ, and proved from the scriptures that he was the one spoken of by the prophets of old, even he whom they had taken and put to death. Peter told them of his resurrection and of his ascension to heaven. 'And now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?' They asked the same ques- tion, Mr. Einersen, that you asked me, a few minutes ago, the same question that has been asked by thousands of honest souls. Hear Peter's reply: 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall re- ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost.' There it is, plain and simple. Nod a word did Peter say about faith. Why? They already had faith, or they never would have cried, 'What shall we do?' Peter, seeing this, told them what should naturally follow, namely, re- pentance; and then came baptism in water for the remission of their sins; and then the promise was that they should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. We are not told in that passage how bap- tism was performed, neither how the Holy Ghost was imparted, but we have numerous other instances which prove conclusively that baptism was performed by a burial in the water, to typify a new birth, and that it was given only to those who were old enough to sin, to have faith, and to repent of those sins. The Holy Ghost " 672 IMPRO VEMENT ERA . was given by the laying on of the hands of the apostles, as wit- nessed in the case of the baptized Samarians receiving this ordinance under the hands of Peter and John." The young man paused. The two looked at each other earn- estly. Harald sat as one in a spell. It was all so new and strange, yet it seemed as if he had known it, at some time in the dis- tant past. "Have you no questions to ask?" Harald aroused himself. Yes; he had a goodly number, and he proceeded to ask them. The "Mormon" turned the leaves of the Bible, and answered most of them by reading and commenting on scripture passages. "This plan of salvation, as you call it," said Harald, "is based on Christ and his teaching. Is this the only plan, and must it ap- ply to all who have lived and will live on the earth?" "There is but one name, one plan under heaven given to man for his salvation." "Then, what becomes of those who have died without a knowl- edge of this name or plan? Is there no hope for them?" "Christ is 'Lord both of the dead and living.' He died for the sins of all men, past, present, or future. The redemption could mean nothing less. An infinite plan could not be so unjust, so im- perfect as to fail in saving nine-tenths of the human race." "But, but, you said — "Wait, I understand you. God's arm is not shortened. Christ said to his apostles : 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live;' and the apostle Peter plainly tells us that Christ, when put to death, went and preached to the spirits in prison. Without quoting so much of the Bible, the fact of the matter is, my friend, that the gospel of Christ will be preached to every son and daughter of Adam, either in this life or the life to come, and they will be given an opportunitv to either receive it, or reject it, before they are judged in the matter. That is fair, isn't it? That is in accordance with the justice of God, is it not?" "Does 'Mormonism' teach that?" asked Harald. "The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that," replied the mis- THE CASTLE BUILDER. 673 sionary; "some people call it 'Mormonism,' but I like to call a thing by its proper Dame." VI. THE STRUGGLE TO DECIDE. This was only the beginning. Harald Einersen seemed to for- get all else except the young "Mormon" elder and his doctrines. He took him to Akerby, and gave him lodgings at Mrs. Jacobsen's, that they might be together.For a few days, at least, the interests of the West Akerby Club were neglected. The first thing in the morning, they talked. They went out over the hills back of the town, discussing as they walked. They rowed in the harbor, conversing as they rowed. The days were now warm and long, but the two men sat up half the night talking, talking. Harald's weather-stained Bible had never been in use so much before. It was not his nature to go into anything half-heartedly; so he probed and argued, and questioned. What appealed to him most forcibly was the new light that was thrown on old themes. Why couldn't he have thought of these things? They were simple enough. Then, again, the "Mormon" did not try to escape from reason, rather, he tested all his doctrines by it, as well as by the scriptures. The question of salvation for the dead was met in a clear, sensible manner. Were the Vikings of old to be punished for the non-observance of a law not given to them? Justice an- swered, no. Were the Grecian, the Roman, the Chinese philosophers doomed to an everlasting hell? Justice and reason, yea, the gos- pel of Jesus Christ, answered, no. The explanations given by the "Mormon" to these questions which had vexed him so were in- deed satisfying. "Last evening you were speaking of an apostasy," said Harald. "That is hardly clear to me; besides, if we admit of such a thing, the consequences are so far-reaching and disastrous." The two were seated on a hill-top overlooking Akerby. "Well," answered the elder, "facts are facts, even if they are unpleasant. The fact that the whole of the so-called Christian world today is divided and sub-divided, each sect striving against the other, is conclusive proof that the pure principles of Christian- 674 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ity are scarce in the earth. Christ gave a key by which all men may test the Christianity of the world. He said: 'By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.' Apply that test to the nations. Are the Danes Christians, follow- ers of Christ? Are the Germans Christians, disciples of Christ? If so, they love each other; yes, even with that love with which Christ loved them. But these two nations, adherents even to the same division of Christianity, go to war and slay each other. Do the English love the French? Do the French love the English? Both are Christian nations. Over in our country, the great America, we recently had a war. Methodists marched against Methodists, and slew each other by the thousands. Baptists marshaled in arms against their fellow Baptists, and bathed their swords in each other's blood. Yet, they were all Christians, de- sciples of the same Christ, who had said that if they were his they would be one, they would love one another, even to the laying down of their lives. Imagine for a moment members of the church of Christ taking up arms one against another! Christ is not divided. Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation ; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." Harald thought of the secret plots which even then were be- ing talked about in the meetings of the West Akerby Club, but he said nothing. "These evident truths are enough for me; still we have much historical evidence to prove the apostasy. The scriptures tell of a time of great wickedness, when men would be ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Then the history of the great Roman church, and the Reformation, proves much.. Luther said the Roman church had become corrupt. The pope said Luther and all his followers were apostates, and cut them from the church. Luther never claimed any renewal of divine authority from the fountain head in heaven. The fact of the matter is that Luther did not reform the church as regards doctrine, because he taught some doctrines just as erroneous as those taught and prac- ticed by the Catholic church. What Luther did, was to break the chains of despotism which the popes had bound around the people,, and for this he should have the honor due him. Now, coming nearer home, how was Christianity introduced into Norway? You THE CASTLE BUILDER. 675 have read history, how Olaf Tryggeson Christianized his kiDgdom by killing, maiming or driving from the country all who would not be baptized. Do you think for a moment that what Olaf brought to Norway was the pure doctrine of the Master? No; of course not. Then again, what about the Reformation? That was little better than the first introduction. The Catholic bishops were forcibly ejected, and their property seized. The spirit shown by the Lutheran reformers was scarcely Christlike." "Well, I have thought as much, myself," said Harald. "Then, again, another phase of this divine authority will strike you as inconsistent. Who is the head of the church in Norway?' "The king." "And how did the king obtain a power which is divine?" "Well, I suppose the constitution gives him that power." "And who made the constitution?" "Representatives of the Norwegian people." "Yes; there we have it. The people, many of whom are not even believers in God, give Godly authority! No; the stream is flowing up hill. Then, again, see how kings become converted. When the present king's grandfather, Marshall Bernadotte, was chosen crown prince to the Swedish throne, it was on the condition that before entering Swedish territory, he should embrace the Lutheran religion. This, you will remember, he readily did, for when he landed at Elsinor, he made solemn professions of the protestant faith before the archbishop of Upsala and the bishop of Lund. This conversion may have been sincere. I don't know; but it doesn't sound like the conversion we read about in the day of the first apostles." "Well, but all this leaves us without a roof over our heads. What use is it all then?" "My friend," said Elder Olsen, "we never demolish a man's house until we have a better one to give him. Listen to this reading: 'And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come and worship him that made heaven, and : earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.' I bear testimony 676 IMPROVEMENT ERA. to you that the angel here spoken of has come, and has delivered that same pure, everlasting gospel again to the earth, with divine authority to preach it, and to administer its saving ordinances to all mankind." "You mean the angel visits, and the revelations given to Joseph Smith?" "Yes." "It can't be true." Harald said this more to himself than as a contradiction. He sat and looked out on the harbor, and then out beyond to the sea. What was all this coming to, anyway? What did it all purport? He must get away from this "Mormon." Here was another and a terrible disturber of the peace of life. "I know what prejudice you must naturally have against such a belief," continued the elder. "All your religious teachers hold that God has had his say, and has ceased to speak. In fact, they have sealed the mouth of God. If he has a message to give to man, be it ever so important, it could not be received. I prefer believing that God can and will reveal his will to his children, just as well now as formerly." now I must go," said Harald, somewhat impatiently. "Well, They went down the hill, silently. Harald avoided the town. When they arrived at their lodgings, Harald explained that he must visit some towns around the coast. They would doubtless meet again, some day, but now he had no more time to talk. "There, thank goodness, I am rid of him," said Harald, quite aloud after the elder's departure. People were beginning to talk again, and the business of the club was being neglected. It was all nonsense any way. What business had he to thus bother with religion when his country needed his whole attention. He would put the whole "Mormon" mess out of his head. Easier said than done. Harald did not leave Akerby that day, nor the next. For two nights, he lay awake listening to the tick of his tall clock on the wall, until past midnight. Questions crowded themselves in and out of his bewildered mind. He could not get rid of that which he had heard; but, rather, that which he had, called for more. On the third day, he hunted up Mr. Olsen, " THE CASTLE BUILDER. 677 who had left the town, but he traced him to a nearby village, and then followed after him. "I must talk more with you," Harald explained. "Why did you go?" The elder looked him in the face and smiled. Harald under- stood. The man seemed to know his thoughts. "Forgive me," said Harald, "I sent you away — but, tell me, is all this true?" He said it as a child, light. The groping for young elder took him by the arm, and his heart went out to him. How could Harald know of the secret prayers that this man had breathed for him? "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself? That is all I can say. I have borne my testimony to you. I have preached to you the gospel of Jesus Christ. I can do no more. I can not convince any man of its truth. That power belongs to God only." "But this word 'Mormon,' and this man Joseph Smith. They make me nearly shudder. What you have said about the doctrine is beautiful, but — "My friend, a bitter fountain does not bring forth sweet water. You must remember, to be evil-spoken of is an heritage of the saints. This thing is not my doing. As I explained to you, I get no pay or worldly honor; but God has put it upon us who have received of this gracious light to impart it to our neighbor. I come 'not to do mine own will.' I would have a much easier task and more pleasant time at home with my wife and baby." Harald took the "Mormon" once more back to Akerby. Once more, they roamed the hills, and sailed on the water, talking, talking. Harald could never become quite satisfied. He read the tracts and books which the elder gave him, but they did not satisfy him like the word of mouth. Then, there was something about the young missionary that drew Harald to him, something so simple, humble, yet natural — something so different from other preachers he had known. Harald lived those days as in a dream. The weather was unusually fair, and much of the time the two men spent out of 678 IMPROVEMENT ERA. doors. The arousing of the world from its long, cold sleep in the dark was but a type of his own awakening; and the beauties that daily sprang] into view in the physical world, had their counter- part in the loveliness which unfolded to his eager soul. With all his studying, Harald Einersen had never really delved into the basic study divided into three great headings: first, where did I come from? second, what is the object of this life? third, where do I go when I leave this world? Perhaps the reason for his ignorance of this science of all sciences was the scarcity of text books, and the absence of teachers, and now, this young teacher had come to him with a broken speech and a simple way, and had taught him some of the first principles of this great science. The "Mormon" missionary remained in and around Akerby for some weeks. Harald gave him the names and addresses of a number of his friends, and asked the elder to call upon them. This was gladly done; but the reports which he brought to Harald were discouraging. None of them could see any good in "Mor- monism," as they persisted in calling his doctrine. Some were very indifferent, and others again insulted him openly. Harald was grieved at this, but the elder simply smiled as he told how one of Harald's best friends had opened the door and told him to get out in a hurry, if he did not wish to be helped. "Did he actually do that?" enquired Harald. "How did you feel?" "Oh, I simply walked out, and did not think much about it. — Such things discouraged me terribly at first came in conflict with my Americanism, you know —but now, I have become accustomed to it, and do not mind it much." "It must be hard —but am surprised at him." I Elder Olsen left Akerby to attend some kind of conference at Bergen, and Harald went back to the duties of the West Akerby club. Some of his friends acted strangely towards him, he thought, but he paid no attention to it. Of course, his intimate association with the "Mormon" had become somewhat known, and had created some talk; but he tried not to care. Though he tried not to care he did care. His friends were dear to him. Their society was all he had in the social world. But above all, his political ambitions de- — : THE CASTLE BUILDER. 679 pended wholly on the good will of his friends. If he lost that, he himself was lost, and with him, his nicely laid plans. But then, if all this which the "Mormon" had told him be true, what then? What then of friends, and well laid plans? Perhaps God had sent this man to him as an answer to his yearn- ings for light. If God had sent him, how could he resist? If "Mormonism" was the truth, how could he consistently withstand ;it! Truth is all powerful and can not be overcome. No one can successfully fight against truth. But oh, it must not be true. It can not be true. He must reject it. His plans were too well matured to be overturned now. His country needed his aid. He could not desert his friends who placed the utmost confidence in him. They had promised to elect him to the Storting, and from that body, he could make his influence felt. Then Harald tried to convince himself that he could go on with his plans, do it all, and still accept this new truth, if it proved to be such; but he could not deceive himself. He knew that if it came to an issue, his surroundings would compel him, he would have to choose — and that thought, as it came forcibly to him, made him sweat at every pore. The supreme struggle was at hand. He felt it' coming, and tried to ward it off, but on it came, relentlessly on. His efforts were the puny exertions of a child. He tried to set his heart against this disturber of his peace, but his heart rebelled. He tried to close his eyes against the new outlook; but, time and again, his soul hungered for a sight of the new regions of beauty. The new force was already shaking to its foundation his latest and grandest castle. Then arose another champion against the still, small voice — deep within his bosom a voice which had to contend with so many foes already. This warrior was bold, and strong, and might turn the tide of battle. Harald thought he could hear his voice saying "You fool, to thus throw your life away! Here you have pa- tiently worked your way up from poverty and ignorance to a high level;and through it all, Thora Bernhard has been true to you. She has had faith in you, that you would overcome the differences between you, that you would place yourself on her level. She has been your star of hope through all your struggles — and the north