# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_September 1858_S261
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

The Church of Norway. 261

dear and precious to me. Among the younger theologians there is a lively activity. Clergy and candidates have in many places come together into theological societies, in which literary publications and churchly matters are discussed.

In a country of Norway's peculiar character, whose population is forced to live scattered, where the parishes cover a considerable area — some 12 Norwegian square miles (the Norwegian mile is about 1½ German miles) — where some parish residents live 3 to 4 miles from the church, and the individual pastor often has numerous congregations, there is much to do in order to further the course of the Word, and much is indeed done, some of which may be mentioned here. —

1. The Supply of Clergy. A shortage in this respect is at present keenly felt, and is often and vigorously discussed. (According to a statistical statement before me, Norway counted, at the beginning of the year 1856, on the assumption that all posts were filled, 484 men who stood in the spiritual office.) The church government does what it can to remedy this deficiency. Since 1854–57, 14 new offices have been established, and continual thought is being given to dividing up larger vacant parish districts. Yet such a measure cannot be rushed, since pecuniary considerations also require attention here, and it is scarcely possible for the remedy to keep exact pace with the need. Another kind of remedy was sought by the church department in the institution of stift-chaplains, that is, clergy who, without being called to any particular congregation, were to be employed for assistance according to prevailing need, as determined by the bishop. A motion put forward by the government in this matter in 1854 found no acceptance in the Storting, and the funds needed for it were not granted.

After the matter had gone undiscussed for some time, it was raised anew by Lector Nissen, who, in a lecture given on some occasion, argued that, in the face of Roman propaganda, it was desirable to have disposable forces available that could be employed according to need, wherever they might be immediately required — a purpose for which he considered such stift-chaplains particularly suited. From other quarters too, for example from the Diocese of Tromsø, where in part strong religious movement, in part a lack of sufficient manpower, made a remedy especially desirable, a request was made for the establishment of such an office. Last year a new proposition came before the Storting for deliberation and this time found support. According to the law, these stift-chaplains are to be employed: 1) for the administration of clerical offices that are vacant, or whose incumbents are temporarily released from their administration, insofar as no suitable personal chaplain can be obtained under fitting conditions; 2) to hold divine service or otherwise assist with spiritual activity for masses of people who are gathered at certain times, for example in connection with the fishing trade,