People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1897 — Church-Going in Iceland. [ARTICLE]

Church-Going in Iceland.

Jessie Ackermann, in an article describing a recent visit to Iceland, tells how she attended a country church in the northern part of the island. “The Sabbath day was full of interest, for we had not attnded service in the rural districts. In the early morning we betook ourselves to the front of the house to watch the country folk assemble. In the distance we saw them fording the river in a long line, and in the other direction men, women and children rode slowly over the mountains down to the farm. What the Sabbath day means to these people few can realize! Some of them never see a face besides those of the members of the family from one church day to the other. What wonder, then, that they begin to assemble fully two hours before church time! A peculiar form of salutation prevails outside of the cities. With this we had not yet been made familiar, and our astonishment can well be imagined when we saw the men dismount, embrace and kiss each other. I learned later that this is the usual form of salutation among the men in the inland districts. The hour of service arrived, and in company with the preacher, who wore a high silk hat, a loose, flowing gown buttoned from chin to hem, and a great white Elizabeth ruff around his neck, we entered the church. From the back seat we had full view of the congegation, and not being familiar with tbe language, the time was passed in meditation on the situation. In the pulpit the pastor was assisted into a long white robe, which fell over the black one, and down his back hung a large surplice of bright velvet upon which a golden cross was wrought. On the altar two great candles about a yard long and three inches thick shed a dim light. These were the especial charge of an official who gave out the hymns, and between times snuffed tbe candles with an old-time pair of “snuffers.” After church the worshipers dispersed, and many of them did not reach their homes until night.”