DESIRE TO MIGRATE--DISCOURAGING PROSPECTS--HELP FROM AN UNEXPECTED
SOURCE--RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION--CONTENDS FOR HIS RIGHTS--EFFECTS
A COMPROMISE--CHARACTERISTICS OF NIELS--SPIRITUAL IMPRESSIONS AND
PREMONITIONS.
In common with all the Saints in Scandinavia at that period, Niels had
a strong desire to migrate to Zion, and was as ready as any of his
countrymen to accomplish that end by rigid economy and self denial; but
how he was ever going to obtain the price of his fare was a problem
for which he could see no solution. His income from charity and his
own earnings had been so meagre and precarious for years that it had
been his habit from necessity to test how little it required to sustain
life. To accumulate anything honestly had practically been out of the
question. How then could he ever hope to save so large an amount as his
fare to Utah would cost?
In the face of this discouraging prospect help came to him from a most
unexpected source, which Niels has ever since regarded as providential.
He had become acquainted with a kind hearted Lutheran priest, whose
sympathy was doubtless excited by his helpless, dependent condition.
One day when they chanced to meet, the priest mentioned the fact that
a person had recently died who for several years previous had been
enjoying a legacy bequeathed to the parish many years before by a
charitable person, when about to die. One of the conditions of this
bequest was that it should be held for the support of some worthy
person who was physically helpless and dependent. Niels was reminded
that he was physically and morally qualified to benefit by that legacy,
and encouraged by the suggestion that he might possibly succeed as
its beneficiary if he made application to the parish officers. He did
so without delay, and to his great gratification he was granted the
benefit of the legacy. It was not very much--it only amounted to about
ten dollars per quarter, or $40.00 per year--but by maintaining the
same system of economy he had previously practiced, he managed to save
the greater part of it, and began to look forward to the time when his
savings would be sufficient to pay for his emigration.
Niels had not enjoyed this legacy very long, however, when the parish
officers learned that he was a "Mormon," and stopped payment of the
stipend. They soon found, though, that Niels was not to be disposed of
so easily. Friendless and helpless and cripple though he was, he was
not lacking in courage and a sense of the justice of his cause. Boldly
he went before the parish officers and demanded the payment of the
stipend that had been withheld, and its continuance while he lived.
Assuming that the person who made the bequest had not stipulated that
it should be held exclusively for Lutherans, he charged that they had
no right to apply any religious test to him, and defended his cause
so well that his hearers were forced to admit that he was right.
After a very lengthly parley they reluctantly offered to compromise
by allowing him the benefit of the legacy for a limited time. He
refused the offer and contended for his life interest, and reminded
them that notwithstanding his weakly condition he was liable to live
a long time, as his ancestors had been noted for their longevity.
When they were thoroughly impressed with this possibility, he offered
a compromise--proposing that the amount of twelve quarterly payments
be advanced to him from the funds of the legacy, on condition that he
surrender his right to any more, and migrate to Utah. This they finally
agreed to, and thus Niels was enabled to come to Utah with a company of
Saints which left Copenhagen May 17, 1866.
Before mentioning the details of the journey or his life in Utah it
may be appropriate to revert to some things that tend to illustrate
the character of Niels. He is possessed of a strong and independent
mind, fixed convictions and marvelous will power for one whose body is
so frail. His spirituality is highly developed; but one would not know
it from his manner. He is never exuberant, enthusiastic or talkative,
but sedate, reserved and self-possessed. He is a keen observer, a
good listener, a logical and discriminating thinker and a thoughtful
and discreet talker. He has a high sense of honor, a respect for
others' rights and feelings, charity for the weaknesses and failings
of others, and for one who has been so helplessly dependent the
greater part of his life, is wonderfully free from servility. He is
grateful for kindness and favors shown him, but never truculent or even
obsequious. He has reasons satisfactory to himself for his actions,
but these reasons are not always apparent to others, and because of
this his motives have often been misconstrued, even by his friends
and co-religionists. He has few confidants, and lives as it were in
a world of his own, being reticent to a marked degree, but confident
and self-reliant as to his course in life. Though diffident about
admitting it, his spiritual impressions have largely controlled his
actions throughout his life. When only ten years old the premonition
of impending disaster was so strong within him, that just prior to the
dreadful accident which left him maimed for life, he plead with his
parents not to send him for the cow, and when they persisted in doing
so, warned them that they would be sorry for if all their lives. They
did not mean to be unkind or heartless; indeed, they had great love
for their children, and the father was especially indulgent; but they
had strict ideas in regard to family discipline, and when once the
word of either one was passed as to any requirement on the part of
the children, both were unyielding in demanding compliance. They saw
no danger in his bringing the cow in from the pasture. He had done so
many times before, without any harm resulting therefrom, and they saw
no reason why he should not do so again, with impunity. The sequel,
however, proved that his premonition was correct.