Possibly she and her aristocratic associates had been impressed with his mental vigor and been led to think that he might be utilized in some way in arousing an interest in church affairs. Possibly it may have been sympathy for him and the kindness of their hearts that prompted them to think of him in connection with their revival project. What they did was to get up a numerously signed petition to the bishop of the diocese, to appoint Niels to act as a lay preacher or exhorter--a kind of home missionary--to visit the members at their homes, hold semi-private services, etc., and to be paid a regular stipend therefor out of the funds they had collected. It could not have been anything attractive about his personality that suggested him for such a position, for in appearance he was repellant rather than attractive. Even the very dogs on the street shunned him or snarled at him and refused to be friendly or sociable with him. It could not have been any zeal that he manifested in the Lutheran church that caused him to be thought of, for although he frequently attended the Lutheran service (more as a matter of policy than otherwise, for he obtained his employment chiefly from the Lutheran ladies) he even more commonly attended the Latter-day Saint services, and had several times been chided by his Lutheran acquaintances for doing so. Of course Niels was not consulted in regard to the plans of the Lutheran ladies concerning him. His projected appointment was intended to be a surprise to him. The bishop announced to the ladies' society that he had complied with their petition and appointed Niels to act as lay preacher on the very day of the latter's baptism, as already mentioned, and that evening a meeting was held in the local Lutheran church, and the announcement was made public. The inquiry was then made of the congregation as to where Niels lived, so that the news might be sent to him, but no person present seemed to know. One man, however, arose in the congregation and volunteered the information that he was acquainted with the brother of Niels (the same one whom Elder Kempe had hoped to baptize,) and that he could carry the news to him of the honor that had come to Niels. He was accordingly commissioned to do so, but when he went to the brother the following day he learned to his surprise that he was just one day too late; Niels had embraced "Mormonism" the night before. He knew it, for he had witnessed the baptism. Niels learned, soon after he was confirmed a Latter-day Saint, of the proposition to make him a preacher of the Lutheran religion, and of course was surprised thereat. He didn't regret having missed the opportunity. Being sure (as he had been ever since he was a child) that "Mormonism" was true, he would have had to stultify himself to advocate any other creed. He was glad, however, that the temptation never was squarely presented to him, lest in his weakness and poverty he might have yielded to it. CHAPTER III.