Churchgoing In Iceland

Jessie Ackerruan, in her articles on "Thre; Women In Iceland, " in The Woman's Home Uompanion, tells how she attended a country church in the northeru part of the island. "The Sabbath day was f uil of interest, for we had not attended 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 thein fording the river in a long line, and in another direction men, women and children rode slowly over the mountains down to the farm. What the Sabbath day rueans to these people few can realize. Some of thern never see a face besides those of the members of the f amily from one church day until the other. What wonder, then, that they began to asseinble fully two hours before church tinie? A peculiar f orm of salutation prevails outside of the cities. Withthis we had not yet been made familiar, and our astonishinent can well be iniagined when we saw the men dismount, embrace and kiss each other. I . learned later that this is the usual form of salutation among men in the inland districts. "The hour of service arrived, and, in company with the preacher, who wore a high silk hat, a loóse, flowing gown buttoned from chin to hem and a great white Elizabeth rulï around his neck, we entered the church. From the back seat we had full view of the congregation, and, not being familiar with the language, the time was passed in rneditation on the situation. "In the pulpit the pastor wasassisted into a long white robe, which feil 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 candlesabout a yard long and three inches thick shed a dim light. These wero the especial charge of an official who gave out the hymns and between times snuffed the candles with an old time pair of snuffers. After church the worshipers dispersed, and many of them did uotreach their honies . until night. "