37 every side, for probably the most memorable question ever before these legislators was debated on that June morning 892 years ago. It was the closing scene of an enquiry into the merits of a new religion—that of the White Christ—lately brought into the country by certain emissaries of Olaf, the first Christian king of Norway, and the same who pulled down London Bridge. The first missionary who came seemed to have had a rather peculiar manner of enforcing the truths of the Gospel ; he had been sent over into Iceland because he was too disreputable to be allowed to live in Norway. The old chronicler gives a quaint description of him. “ Thangbrand was a passionate, ungovernable person, and a great manslayer, but a good scholar, and clever. Two poets composed a lampoon against him, but he killed them both outright. Thangbrand was two years in Iceland, and was the death of three men before he left it.” Notwithstanding this a number of proselytes were made, and the whole island became divided into two factions, ready to appeal to the sword for the triumph of Christ or of Odin. Fortunately, before coming to this extremity, the voice of reason was heard, and the contending parties agreed to submit the question to the decision of the Althing. The president, who was, perhaps, influenced by the bribes more than by the arguments, proposed such legislation as would satisfy both parties. He explained the serious consequences to which the disruption of the Commonwealth would probably lead Said he, “ If we choose not laws and religion in common our peace is gone.” These persuasive words had a great effect on both parties when suddenly a loud crash of subterranean thunder was heard, and the earth shook under their feet. “Listen,” shouted a follower of Odin, “ and beware of the anger of our gods ; they will consume us with their fires, if we venture to question their authority.” The Christian party hesitated ; but their confidence was restored by the presence of mind of their chief orator, Thorgeir, who, pointing to the lava-fields around, asked with whom the gods were angry when these rocks were melted. This burst of eloquence decided the question in favour of th6 Cross ; though we are informed that many accepted only when convinced of the superior strength of the “ Military Mission” with- rww WWWWW WWW VI

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