s first work, a book of daily devotions that has been highly
prized among his countrymen.

For centuries Norway and Denmark had been closely connected politically
and culturally. The Lutheran Church was, moreover, the state church of
both countries. As a consequence of this relationship Norway had always
looked to Denmark for its hymn literature, and no hymnist of any note had
ever risen in the northern country.

Now, however, it began to dawn on the Norwegians that a native singer
dwelt in their own midst. The political ties with Denmark having been
broken as a result of the Napoleonic wars, the spirit of nationalism
began to assert itself and the demand for a new hymn-book for the Church
of Norway constantly grew stronger. In 1848 the Norwegian ecclesiastical
authorities requested Landstad to undertake the task, but not until four
years later could he be prevailed upon to assume the arduous duties
involved in so great an endeavor.

In 1861 the first draft of his "Kirke-Salmebog" was published. It did not
meet with universal approval. In defense of his work, Landstad wrote: "We
must, above all, demand that our hymns possess the elements of poetic
diction and true song. We must consider the historical and churchly
elements, and the orthodox objectivity which shows respect for church
tradition and which appreciates the purity, clearness, and force of
confession. But the sickly subjectivity, which 'rests' in the varying
moods of pious feelings and godly longings, and yet does not possess any
of the boldness and power of true faith such as we find in Luther's and
Kingo's hymns--this type of church hymn must be excluded. Finally, we
must also emphasize the aesthetic feature. Art must be made to serve the
Church, to glorify the name of God, and to edify the congregation of
worshipers. But it must always be remembered that art itself is to be the
servant and not the master."

Nevertheless, Landstad continued for several years to revise his own
work, and in 1869 the hymn-book was finally published and authorized for
use in the Church of Norway. Within a year it had been introduced into
648 of the 923 parishes of the country.

In 1876 Landstad retired from active service after the Norwegian
parliament had unanimously voted him an annual pension of 4,000 crowns in
appreciation of the great service he had rendered his country. He died in
Christiania, October 9, 1880.

Among the hymns of Landstad that have been translated in