Iceland and the Message of Present Truth
By Jos. Clarke
HITHERTO, Iceland has been so separated from the great world by her rigorous climate, her isolated position, and by her peculiar language, customs, and institutions, that no good opportunity has been given to the Icelanders to hear or read upon the present truth. But, at the present time, a movement is going forward, by which these intelligent and worthy people are to be brought under the influence of American literature and people; and, doubtless, in the same way that Denmark and other European countries are receiving the light of truth, the people of Iceland are soon to hear and read the glad and solemn truths of the prophetic Scriptures. The language of Iceland is the old Norse nearly, but the Danish will reach them. A committee of three representative men from that distant island are now on their route to Alaska, intending to find in that vicinity a point to which Icelanders can emigrate, and find a home, where the sun does not shine too warmly, and where they can find subsistence for man and beast without either the rigor of cold as in Iceland, nor the extreme of heat. If these men find matters as favorable as they expect, they will report favorably; and in the spring an emigration will probably take place from rock-bound Iceland, such as has not been anticipated or conjectured by the most visionary enthusiast. Iceland has a population of some sixty or seventy thousand, and a good system of education and laws. President Grant and his cabinet are assisting and favoring the enterprise; and will, no doubt, continue to assist these people in their enterprising and noble plans. Our good government has very liberally furnished a sloop of war to convey the committee of three from San Francisco to Alaska, where they will see the country for themselves; and if all is favorable, two, at least, will remain to prepare cabins and other indispensable conveniences for the expected emigration next summer. The committee are expected to take a small printing press with them to Alaska; and printed reports will probably be sent to Iceland in October of this year. It is well known that the Icelanders are a well-informed people, and many of them highly educated; and their religion and morals are of a higher grade than that existing in more populous and wealthy countries. May we not safely conjecture, that as these dear Norsemen seek a home under the American flag, the protection of all the exiled, they will also find Christian friends who will bring to them the glad tidings of the near coming of the expected Messiah? Jos. CLARKE.