not already existing. We will aim to ignore them all, while emphasizing the great commandment: Love to God and Love to Man.' That is the same aim that I strive after with my friends in Koenigsberg; and many religiously-minded people in Germany also are animated by the same ideals. And I can assure you that I shall work with might and main that this glorious aim may be accomplished by ourselves or by our descendants.

But, how is that very difficult work to be done? I think there is no other way than by perfect liberty of religious conviction and of the religious life—and, if possible, the perfect observance of that commandment of our Master: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.'

Thus, you see, we have made for ourselves an open way to God by many and great sacrifices, and I believe that we shall have to sacrifice and suffer more in the future. But we are happy now in the possession of religious liberty, liberty of mind and spirit. And you must see, I think, that we are at one with you, that we are working with you, united with you, by the same principles, by the same love, striving together with you towards the same end. And if there are some who want to have a Church, I accept a word I have heard here: 'The only church of the future is the church of religious liberty and of humanity.'

THE UNITARIAN MOVEMENT IN

SCANDINAVIA.1

MR.

R. KRISTOFER JANSON was educated for the Lutheran Church, having prosecuted his

studies at the University of Christiania. He did not, however, enter the ministry of the State Church, but devoted himself to teaching in the High Schools. He also engaged in literary work, and published several novels, dramas, and poems. In 1876, the Norwegian Parliament voted him a salary of 1,600 crowns a year, in recognition of his literary attain

ments.

While engaged as a teacher in the people's High School, Mr. Janson happened to read a book by the Swedish poet and scientist, Victor Rydberg, on 'What the Bible teaches about Christ,' and this book quite altered his opinions on several theological questions. The book contained an exposition of Unitarian principles, and defended them on Biblical grounds so earnestly and convincingly, that Mr. Janson found it impossible to refute the arguments. About the same time, he read Dr. Albert Réville's

1 This paper was compiled from a manuscript prepared by the Rev. Kristofer Janson, of Christiania.-ED.

'Life of Theodore Parker, with Extracts from his Sermons.' This book opened out new views for him, and he felt that, if he could embrace those views and propagate them in his own land, he would be a happy man and his countrymen a happy people. But to get an audience for such religious. ideas was at that time impossible in Norway.

So Mr. Janson sailed for America. He wanted to see Theodore Parker's fatherland, and to make a fuller acquaintance with the Unitarian faith. He also desired to study the condition of his countrymen throughout the Western States. From September, 1879, until September, 1880, he travelled among the largest Norwegian settlements; he delivered a great many lectures, and was received with enthusiasm. But with regard to the religious condition of his people, he found that the Lutheran Church of America, which had split into five sects on account of doctrinal controversies, was more fanatical and conservative than its sister church in Norway. During his travels Mr. Janson studied Unitarian literature. When at Chicago, he attended a great meeting in honour of William Ellery Channing, where not only Unitarians, but Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and others united in praising the blessed influence of Dr. Channing, in spite of their divergencies in theological belief. This display of Christian toleration was quite new to him. Mr. Janson returned home to Norway; but soon afterwards he received a letter from America, asking him to come back and preach liberal views to a