tional importance. I had also been invited by the Norwegian
women to preach in the State Church of Norway, but there we experienced
obstacles. By the laws of Norway women are permitted to hold all public
offices except those in the army, navy, and church--a rather remarkable
militant and spiritual combination. As a woman, therefore, I was denied
the use of the church by the Minister of Church Affairs.

The decision created great excitement and much delving into the law.
It then appeared that if the use of a State Church is desired for a
minister of a foreign country the government can give such permission.
It was thought that I might slip in through this loophole, and
application was made to the government. The reply came that permission
could be received only from the entire Cabinet; and while the Cabinet
gentlemen were feverishly discussing the important issue, the Norwegian
press became active, pointing out that the Minister of Church Affairs
had arrogantly assumed the right of the entire Cabinet in denying
the application. The charge was taken up by the party opposed to the
government party in Parliament, and the Minister of Church Affairs
swiftly turned the whole matter over to his conferees.

The Cabinet held a session, and by a vote of four to three decided NOT
to allow a woman to preach in the State Church. I am happy to add that
of the three who voted favorably on the question one was the Premier of
Norway. Again the newspapers grasped their opportunity--especially the
organs of the opposition party. My rooms were filled with reporters,
while daily the excitement grew. The question was brought up in
Parliament, and I was invited to attend and hear the discussion there.
By this time every newspaper in Scandinavia was for or against me; and
the result of the whole matter was that, though the State Church of
Norway was not opened to me, a most unusual interest had been aroused in
my sermon in the State Church of Sweden. When I arrived there to keep
my engagement, not only was the wonderful structure packed to its walls,
but the waiting crowds in the street were so large that the police had
difficulty in opening a way for our party.

I shall never forget my impression of the church itself when I entered
it. It will always stand forth in my memory as one of the most beautiful
churches I have ever visited. On every side were monuments of dead
heroes and statesmen, and the high, vaulted blue dome seemed like the
ope