novels, of which the first group is represented by early
peasant tales like "Arne." In this later category the stories
are of a more or less didactic nature. Although "In God's Way"
lacks something of the freshness and beauty that distinguished
"Arne," it is, nevertheless a powerful and vivid picture of
Norwegian religious life; and it is, of all Björnson's books,
the one by which he is most widely known outside his native
country. In this story Björnson has been influenced by the
social dramas of his compatriot, Ibsen; but it may be
questioned whether he has not brought to his task a higher
inspiration and a stronger faith in humanity than the famous
dramatist possessed. Published in 1889, the main theme of "In
God's Way" was undoubtedly suggested by the religious
excitement which then prevailed in Norway.


_I.--A Strange Home-coming_


Pastor Tuft was walking up and down his study, composing his Sunday
sermon. He was a handsome man, with a long, fair face, and dreamy eyes;
his wife, Josephine, in the days when she thought she was in love with
him, used to call him Melanchthon--that was not many years ago, and he
still resembled in appearance the poet of the Reformation. But his
features had now lost their fine serenity, and he was glad when his
bitter and troubled thoughts on the doctrine of justification--a subject
he had chosen for its bearing on his brother-in-law's conduct--were
interrupted by his wife. Josephine burst into his study in a state of
fierce excitement.