Willmar, Minnesota, Saturday, June 8; 1901 .--Special Convention Edition No. 17 J. manTou, and Mrs. Elizabeth Tou ley City, N. D.; ReVi E. O. Larsen, Bretcke, Anita, N. D.j Mr. H. Visjan- Many of those who have not been sick Lemond, Minn.; <=p<> Hanson, Le- Son, Calumet, Mich. v :, - BETH ANNUAll MEETING themselves have had to devote a good mond, Minn.J Jens 4une, Crookston, Prof. Sven Oftedal of Minneapolis deal of their time to nursing the oth Minn.; Rev.-H. Ostgulen, Warren, was elected ordinator. Sg§$^' OF THE .NORWEGIAN "•"•] '.-• I ers. Minn. * •-' g' Rev. A. Holland resigned from the The board of home missions report Committee on ordination: Profes board of home missions, but the res ed through its secretary, Rev. E. P. sor S. Oftedal; Rev.H. S.Qvanbeck, ignation was not accepted. fLUTHERAN FREE CHURCH Harbo. This part of the church work Areta, N. D.: Rev. ». Haukom, Port The committee on Lithurgies made PROGRAM. shows more activity than any other land, N. D.; Rev: M. M. Midthun, the following report: «i& *£<&<£ branch. A number of traveling mis New London, Minn.;-Rev. J. O. Are- "The committee has carefully re SATURDAY (TODAY.) sionaries have been at work in differ vik, Vang, N.'Bv.- viewed the new Norwegian Altarbook, Report of committee on resolutions. In the evening a social ent parts of the country. Twenty con The subject of foreign missions was and find that it would be well to pre by the ladies of the Lutheran Free Church of Willmar on Pf oceedings of the Church Meeting gregations have been given aid to then taken up for discussion. Prof. pare: the lawn by tho church (In easo of bad weather in Sonde's pay their ministers. Several others J. H. Blegen read, the^ following "1. A draft for an order of high Hall.) Charges, twenty cents—for new church building fund. will apply to this meeting for aid. Now in Progress at Seminary Hall* theses as a basis fof the discussion: mass service, taking in the confession SUNDAY. The following were elected as com The place of foreign missions in of sins and the confession of faith, and introducing more scriptural reading, Forenoon sermon at the hall by Rev. Gustav Oftedal, of Buxton, - The annual convention of the Luth school were not sufficient for the num mittee on nominations: Rev. E. P. congregational life. N. Dak; at the church by Rev. Peter Nilson, of Minneapo eran Free church opened at Seminary ber attending the previous year. To Harbo, Rev. G. Oftedal, Rev. S. R. 1. Next after the upbuilding of the especially responsive readings of the lis—Collections for foreign missions at both places. hall on Wednesday, June 5, 1901. remedy this it had been found neces Tollefson, Mr. Theo. Johnson and congregational life the foreign mis psalms. Afternoon: Ordination of young men for the ministry by Prof. Rev. Anders Holland delivered the sary to erect a new building for the Mr. Korsmoe. sions should have first place in the "2. A draft of a form for a common Sven Oftedal and assistants.—Collection for home missions. Evening sermon at the hall by Rev. 0. 0. Wold, of Fertile, Iowa. opening sermon, takiog for his text school. The contract has bee a lit for Rev. E. P. Harbo was elected presi congregation. , prayer after services, mure adapted to Also sermon at the church. the 126th psalm. Rev. E. E. Gynild our country's conditions and form of a building to cost when ready for dent of the church for the ensuing a. Because Christ in his mission welcomed the delegates to Willmar plastering $21,700, but work had been message has made this one of the government. MONDAY. year and Prof. H. N. Hendrickson and then declared the meeting duly suspended until it was certain that tl e chief objects of a congregation. "3. A draft for a form of congrega Regular sessions will be devoted to discussion of the Third opened for business. The sessions church was willing to assume the bur was elected secretary. b. Because' the love of Christ tional meetings on Sunday afternoons, Article of the Apostolie Creed, introdueed by Prof. 0. -Sver were fixed as follows: In the fore den. To complete the building for should compel his congregation and with prayers, songs, and mutual ad drup and Rev G. Oftedal. noon, prayer meeting from 9 to 9:45; Evening: Rev. L. E. Kjelaas, of Thorson, S. D., and Rev. M. A. vice and encouragement. Pederson, of Chicago, III., will speak at the halt on the regular session from 10 to 12. In the "4. A draft for form of baptism for subject of home missions. *1 afternoon, from 2 to 5. adults. TUESDAY. On motion the chair appointed as "5. A draft for form of infant bap *^ committee on credentials the follow tism, without the questions about for Forenoon; Business session. Afternoon: Lecture by Prof. S. saking and the confession of faith, Oftedal, of Minneapolis on the subject, "The Communion ing: Rev. Berntsen, Rev. H. Ost- of the Saints." Closing Exercises. f~ V gulen and Mr. L. Kolsrud. and, without sponsors. ,f ; ' The afternoon session opened with "6 'A draft for a suitable form of )** prayer, led by Rev. M. B^ Sveen. finishing the religious instruction of S. R. Tollefson, director of the Norw. Luth. Deaconess Insti children and preparation for the first tute, will address the convention at some time on the sub rv* Rev. E. E. Gynild, president of the ject of deaconess work, at the close of which a collection , " Free church, read his annual report commun'on, when it is not desired to will be taken for that cause. have confirmation with the promises He began with th-ase words from the Rev. J B. Hoigaard, of Madagascar, was delayed in Norway bible: 'Nobby might, and not bj and confessions " by sickness and will not be here. power, but by my spirit, says the Lord The committee desires in cmrection of hosts>." To be successful in its herewith to strongly emphasize that it mission a church mubt get power from is no. the intention by these proposi above. This power is given by th« tions to introduce any new forms in . holy ghodt to the poor in spirit. A the congregations, but to give the con church needs revival, but this revival gregations the opportunity to try for " must not be the work of man. The themselves and determine if they want v .. servants of the lord must be willing any departure from existing forms. Free church, and it expressed the hope report of the president of Augsburg - tools in the bands of the spirit, ana The committee has not had time to that the congregation would reconsid Seminary was next read. The com • 'preach the law and the gospel clearly prepare any drafts for these changes, er its action. mittee endorsed the report of the and without foreign admixtures. and therefore asks the meeting to con A motion was made to strike out the board, and made special recommenda The president laid special stress on sider if it wants such forms as above resolution. Rev. Gynild protested tion that provision be made to prepare *~ the mission work. Next after the up outlined, to be considered at the next against this. He said it was a matter some one to take the place of instruct building of the congregation the mis annual meeting If so, the meeting of self-defense. Rev. Gjertsen had or in theology when a vacancy occurs. sions should have a place. This is will appoint a committee to continue claimed that he had been persecuted The report was unanimously adopted. the direct order of the Savior to his the work commenced." in Norway because he represented the A vote of thanks to Prof. Sverdrup Free church, and if the church took for his faithful services during the sdisclples when bidding them farewell. The report led to considerable dis no action now that the matter had past 25 years was unanimously adopt "Go out and make all people my dis- cussion, but the concensus of opinion r been brought before it the impression ed by a rising vote. ciples." That this command did not was in favor of the proposed changes. would go out that the church had en The committee on the report of the j *- , apply only to the twelve disciples, but Willmar Seminary building, where the Lutheran Free Church Convention Is being held. A motion was made to accept the re dorsed the actions of Gjertsen as well Augsburg board reported, endorsing '"' to all disciples of Christ in all ages, port and request the same committee //rig evident from the words that follow: i as the congregation. the action of the board in making a occupancy would require $15,0 0. to prepare the drafts for the proposed "Lo, I am with you to the end of the FORENOON SESSION, JUNE 6. all its members to woi k for the epread- A question was raised as to whether contract for a new building for the There are on hand for this purpose changes, to be submitted to the next ;' . world." Therefore, as long as there Session opened with prayer led by of the kingdom of God to all parts of or not the meeting had a right to in seminary. Before its adoption Prof. about $8,000, leaving $29,000 to be annual meeting. The motion was un ^^* i« a congregationJ in the world it is Rev. P. Winther. the earth. ^ \ terfere in the affairs of any congrega Oftedal explained that the adoption raised^ The1 commercial club of Min animously adopted. T^fts BacredoaMnK and duty to do mis Rev¥*Rarbo\ Tiaving been - efected -, i^ Wher«1ihe^f0r^«rinl9eioi» have tion. This seemed to he the only of that report would mean that the neapolis has promised to raise $10,- The' cdiMaittee'^wlitcir^wiTl ^ave sionary work. Where there is no president, resigned from nomination taken this p'ace in the congregational question at issue. The opponents of church assumed responsibility for the 000, to retain the school in Minnea charge Of this Important work is com sense of this duty it is an evidence of committee, and Rev. Chr. Yttrehus life the congregation will take a liye the resolution agreed with its advo debt incurred. The resolution was polis. The church will therefore have posed of the following members: failing or extinguished spiritual life. was elected In his place. and regular part in the missionary cates that Trinity church had acted unanimously adopted. The time of to raise $19,000 if the work is to go on. Prof. G. Sverdrup, Rev. E. O. Lar the session being up, the considera In order to be successful in this mis The following committees were elect work by praying and working for the wrong in refusing to probe the matter son and Rev. E. P. Harbo. tion of the next point in the report— sion work a church needs to feel the The report of the president of Augs ed: missions, and by sacrificing men and to the bottom and determine the inno the ways and means of raising the responsibility for some particular mis burg Seminary, G. Sverdrup, was Committee on the report of the pres means for it according to the power cence or guilt of its pastor. Revs. necessary funds—went over to the sion. The Free church has found its read and accepted. The report men ident: Rev. O. Paulson, Blanchard- given it by the Lord. • AFTERNOON SESSION, JUNE 7. Holland, Villesvik, I. Tollefson, Paul next session. field of work in Madagascar. For the tions some of the facts already men ville, Wis.; Rev. Charles Ytrehus, 3. Where the people through love The committee on the president's son and Midthun defended the right of work there we are responsible. If we tioned in the board's report. It also Hillsboro, N. D.; P. Korsmo, North- of the Lord and in obedience to His report made its report, strongly en the meeting to protest against any ac In the evening there were three ser reports the following graduates for •afcVo-r are able to do anything more we can wood, N. D.; Thor Pederson, Port commands thus have made foreign dorsing the opinions and recommend tion of a congregation that brought mons preached. Rev. E. Aas, of giye a helping hand, to our neighbors the year just ended: land, N. D ; F. Foslien, Brandon, missions a principal object of congre ations of the president. They exhort discredit to the church. One of the Christiana, Minn., and Sven Heskin, in other fields. All members of the Classical course—Hans D. Bakken, Minn. gational work the fruits of the mis ed the members of each congregation speakers said that while he did not of Portland, N. D., spoke at the Free church ought to be given an oppor J Ohan O. Brensdal, Lars H. Frojen, Committee on the report of the pres sionary work will be exceedingly great to work faithfully for the spiritual up wish to express any opinion as to the church and Mr. Edw. Brekhus, a trav tunity to take part in this work. The Gulorand O. Gilberts on, Oliver J. ident of Augsburg Seminary: Pastor both at home and abroad. building of the congregation. Mis guilt or innocence of Gjertsen, the lat- eling missionary, addressed a congre children should be gathered o-ce a Lee, Lars L. Lillehei, Oscar Nilsen, A. Helland, Minneapolis; Rev. P. a. A fir richer measure of spiritual sion work was recommended not only ter's action in asking for the dismis gation at Seminary chapel. month to do something for missions. John J. Oyen, Lars O. Sinnes, and Winther, Minneapolis; Rev. N. Hal- blessings will fall to the share of the for converting the heathens, but also sal of the committee on inquiry looked fc In all congregations, the women haye Sever in O. Vangstad. vorsen, Wanamingo, Minn.; John congregation engaged in missionary for the beneficial effects of such work like a confession of guilt, and would The New President. some organization for mission work. Theological department—Olous A. Granbo, Harwood, N. D.; C. C. Birk- work. on the congregation. The beneficial be so taken. Finally the point was Rev. E. P. Harbo, pastor of the But there should be some work in Assen, Erick A. Erickson, Peder M. eland, Willmar, b. God's kingdom will go foward results of laymen services in the con raised that as the advocates of the Trinity Norwegian Lutheran church which the entire congregation had a Fosse, Olav E. Haheim, Ludvig E. Committee on the report of the with power among the heathens, and gregations the past year were attested, resolution had laid stress on the point at Duluth, was elected "formand" for part. There Bhould be regular days His Gospel will soon be preached and request made that the work go on that Gjertsen's claim of representing the Free church for the ensuing year, for taking offerings for this purpose. among all people. in which capacity he already has Thanksgiving Day would be an ap c. The end and the transfiguration served one year, in 1897-98. The rules propriate day for this, as we could will be hastened, to the joy of all the provide that two years is the limit that then show our thankfulness to, the faithful and the entire congregation." one man may be at the head of the or ;i«T-: Lord by offerings for his work. The The discussion was opened by Prof. ganization. Rev. Harbo was born at congregations need to krow about the Sverdrup, who strongly emphasized Fredrikshald, Norway, Feb. 6, 1856. work being done, and for that reason the duty of all who had tasted the He received a common school educa the board of missions has established joys of religion to*carry the gospel to tion in the old country, aad. on his ar ^:^>; a paper, "Gasseren," which is de- those who are yet in darkness. The rival in America entered Augsburg, in i'-J voted to the work in Madagascar. work requires haste, for while we are the fall of 1881, and completed his stu ^?fc Ail members of the church ought to waiting thousands are dying daily dies there in the spring of 1889. He ^^^ take it. without having heard the gospel. was ordained the same year at Mor ris, 111., and became pastor of a '^"'' At Augsburg Seminary the work church at La Crosse, Wis., where he hT)S gone on in its regular way. If APTFRNOON SESSION, JUNE 6. remained until 1893, when he accepted the Free church is to work and grow a call to Duluth, at which place he this school must flourish;/It is there The entire session was devoted to now has charge of the Trinity church. fore a matter of life that every congre discussing the subject of missions. gation does all,in its power to enable The following persons took part,- in Augsburg Seminary to do its -work the discussion: The Free Church book con powerfully wi'h the same' spirit in " H. J. Villesvik, of Irowood, Mich.; cern and newspapers have their dif which the N. Jacobson, -of Montevideo, Rev. L. ferent representatives hard at Work. v|past years, E. Kjelaas of Thorson, - S. D.; -Pro An abundance of church literature is fessor S. Oftedal of Minneapolis, Rev. being circulated. ^ The ^contributions forv the other ^branches of the work have been par T. Tollefsen of Staten Island, N. Y.; tially goodf^tThe home mission has Rev. J. H. Brono of Fargo, N. D., Revro. Paulson, the first regular' ****fa*ed quite well, due mainly-to the and Rev. G. Oftedal of Buxton. pastor of the local church, is a fa- J ^faithful work of the committee. The • TAU made stirring appeals to the miliar delegate. He has been a resi deaconess home and the children's congregations to take a more active dent of Blanchardyille, Wis., ever home have also, been supplied'wfth part in missionary work.-.-^'V^--^; since his removal from Willmar, and wb:at they needed?-""The two branches has a good field at that place, J of the: work which have been behind gg -The Friday forenoon session was ^ are the Seminary and the foreign mis largely attended, about 600 people be Hon. John W. Arctander, a former •?-£ sions;'', This is- probably not due to ing packed in the hall. The session Willmarite, is with the Minneapolis I,' £ failinglhterest, but to the failure1 of opened with prayer \j Rev. A. J.-Lo- people, and takes an interest in church *- 5^ crops in large portions of the west* geland. The first business taken up work. He has become prominent in ' -| During the past year, as formerly, was the election of a Board of Home evangelistic work in the cities, and ^TZJ I "several persons h*v0 traveled among Missions. The;committee en nomina has spoken from the pulpits in some " J*i:M Jk£the congregations, preaching the word tions reported the following, -which of the leading churches in Minnea- V> of God4$When .properly .epndueled were elected without opposition: Ex polls. j;-*^*V-^i.."^V%\^V^" ^ ^^this is a work that brings £re*t !Wes- REV. E. P. HAWO, of DHluth-Tho newly eUoted president. % ecutive cpmmittee--Ret. A. Holland, CYN1LD, of Will sar—The ratlrlng president ~% . * *; sings;; It irawork especially for lay MinneapoHs^ ^airman; Prof. L. J, During the meeting sermons have- ;; ~^ ^m&m? &$ w* Afe&swt Nydahl, Minneapolis; Rev. A. J. Lo- ;f men. "But these-, visiting workers - '•"*' been delivered as follows: , *.* , \ *'" ,?, *' should be careful not to interfere with Johnson, Peder a Lanrhammer, Nico- board of trustees of Augsburg Semi geland; Cumberland, Wis,; Rev. E. the present year. A resolution of con- f the Free church had given the church Wednesday forenoon, by "BovT A." ^ the Internal affairs of the congrega-' lay Nilsen, Asmund Oftedal, Johan- nary: Professor Gl Sverdrup; Rev. M. Broen, Osakis, Minn. vS :,„: doiencefor the widow of the late Rev. the right to interfere to protect itself, Holland, Minneapolis; Wednesday -* ].2 f lotions. That U a wprk;tks4be|ttn^#|pr|nes Skonnord, Christlah S." Vang, E. E. Gynild; S. Heskin, Pprtland, N. ^ Corresponding lc^ O. Jacobson was'"adopted unanimously thatxmght to be statedln the resolu evening, by J. H. Villesvik of lron- * ^ ^| % ^th^resident ministers^^^^Mfg !&& t^*"«' Ba^'K^fcftMw^ D.^Rif D.^Tegnander, Duluth; A. Dahl, Altken, Minn.; Rev. O.O. Wold, by aiding yoteag^fai tion,, and a motion was made to senjl wood, Mich.; Thursday evening, ^Z i\§ Fertile, Iowa; Rev.^A. J. Vortdal, Then came Jthe long, expected fire-1 the resolution, back -to; the committee Seminary hall, by Rev. H. Ostgulen|^V3 ip^dentof the board of trustees of %^^$U»V0L-&* ?s«!jritaryiePro*^eo^ Church's FerafytN. ^j ^Bev.^J* E. brand.; The committee had adopted a J for such correction. A vote was tak- of Warren, Minn.; Thursday evening,^;- &&&**& j&narifcTj, was. readr„ iknd Sverdrup. «