Volume VI July 1948 Number 4 .

Historical Address, Minnesota Co.nference

Bv EMEROY JoHNso

HIS is Lhe year of our Aug·usLana Cem ennial. WiLh pon, Burlington, St. Louis. The while pine of the St. Tgratiwde LO God we recall the day of our beginnings. Croix Valley is being made into hou e , faCLories, stores One small congregaLion in Iowa, organized in 1848, a in a thousa nd towns and cities of the booming Midwest. liule group of Christian men and women who felt the · But as ye t there i no Chisago Lake Church, no Center call of the Spirit in their heans, and who, having no pas­ Cit , no Chisago Coumy, no Minneapolis, no Minnesota. LOr, organized a co ngregation and called one of their own 1L is eleven years ince the Chippewa and Sioux Indians men to aclmini ter the means of grace-such was the un­ were persuaded to give up all their rights to the triangle pr Lemious yet sacred origin of the church body which of land ~eLween Lhe St. Croix and the Mississippi, approxi­ we now call our own, the Lutheran Augustana Synod. mately a far north a lo foose Lake and Brainerd. -When Lh e Synod iLself was organized in 1860 it had fifteen The Pioneers Arrive co ngrega tions in Minnesota. The earliest of these had \ •Ve leave that sce ne of 1848. We come back to the same their beginning nearly a century ago. spot three years later, on an April day in 1851. The scenery Let us this evening visit some of the scenes of bygone is fa miliar: The same forested slopes, the greenish black days and picture lo our minds the Minnesota of a hundred lraprock of the dall es, the river clown below, the hills of years ago. I invite yo u first of all Lt> come with me to a Wiscon in rising b yond. More logs are flo ating down the spot about Len miles from where we now are gathered. river. But what is Lh at coming around Lh e bend from the \Ve mee t on_a high \·am age point at the Dalles of Lhe St. outh? How can logs float upstream? No, it is not a raft of Croix River, near the village of Taylors Falls. The time is logs coming against the current. Il is a rather clumsy a May day in 1848-let us say May 30. lL is a lovely land­ homemade flat-bottomed boat. And it is followed by an­ scape. Down below us the river winds along between its other similar craft. T here are men on the boat~ . and Lraprock walls, on iLs way LO meet the Mississippi. Beyond women too, and household goods, immigrant trunks, box­ the t. Croix rise the greenclad hills of Wisconsin. Wiscon­ es . implements. The men are laboriously pushing these sin I A new name in the rosLer of slates! Yes terday, May 29, boaLs upsLream wiLh long, stout poles . It is evident that 1848, \ iV isconsin, was admitted to the Union, another star they are having a struggle with their heavy loads against is added to Old Glory's galaxy, the thinieth star on the Lhe currem of the St. Croix. Sometimes it seems that their fi eld of blue. effons will be in \'ain' , but slowly, steadily they advance Now as we sLand wa tching the river, on this fay morn­ up the ri ver umil they reach the landing place below the in'g in 1848, we see no farms, no fences, no roads. But oc­ point where we are standing. casionally we caLch sight of logs floating down the river. Who are they? Our curiosity is stirred. Our interest is Th while man h as begun the conquest of Lhis region. aroused. Who are these people just now setting foot on the Taylors Falls i a little primitive trading post. Sawmills soil of Minnesota? They are the Pilgrim fathers of the are singing their strident song at Marine and Stillwater,. Lutheran Minne ota Conference. They are the founders a few miles down the. river. The tall white pines of the of Chisag·o Lake, they are the first brave band of the thou­ for t primeval are falling, floating down to the mills, sands of Scandinavian immigrants who since have settled down to Lh e lumber yards at Rock Island, Moline, Daven- in these regions, built their homes, and helped to establish ADVANCE Page 2 free democratic institutions and a church founded upon presses itself in a free recognition of the rights, the abili­ the Word of the Jiving God. Somewhere in the immigrant ties, and the personal worth of one's fellowmen. This is trunk on that flatboat these Minnesota Pilgrims 'had a freedom of enterprise at its best, the freedom to cooperate book with the title "Den Heliga Skrift" (The Holy Scrip­ with neighbors in building a better life for one's commu­ tures). That sacred volume became the cornerstone of the nity and for posterity. In such an enterprise God Himself new community which they established. enters in with His blessing. The pioneen of our church These Pilgrim fathers of our Lutheran faith had no hefe in this country did not sit down to philosophize much aristrocratic names nor grandiose titles. They were plain about their role in American history or in church history, Peter Anderson, Per Wicklund, Per Berg, Anders Swen­ bµt constrained by the love of Christ in their hearts they son, Daniel Rattig. As they step ashore on the soil of came together voluntarily Lo cooperate in the establish­ Minnesota they are met by one who speaks their langu~ge, ment of democratic institutions and a free church. a fellow, countryman by the name of Nordberg. With him One month before Minnesota became a Territory, in as guide and helper they soon set to work on the prosaic .1849, a 15-year-old farmer lad, Eric Norelius, left his home yet thrilling task of cutting a trail through the woods from in Hassela, Helsingland, Sweden, to attend high school in Taylors Falls to Chisago Lake, a distance of ten miles. In Hudiksvall. He hoped to enter the ministry in the Church the first week of May 1851 they bring their families, their of Sweden. Five years later he was in Minnesota, and to belongings, and their Christian faith to the spot where this state he gave nearly sixty years of service as a Lutheran they had chosen to build their homes. churchman. He organized, or helped to establish, at least Whence came these Lutheran Pilgrim fathers of Minne­ a score of congregations; he was one of the organizers of sota? How did they think of coming to this place? We who the Minnesota Conference; he was the founder of a school, have entered into their inheritance, we who build on the now Gustavus Adolphus College; he started an orphan foundations they laid, we surely ought to know something home, the first such institution in Minnesota, Vasa Chil­ of the story of our spiritual ancestry. The Minnesota Con­ dren's Home, the oldest charitable institution of our Con­ ference today is an American church group. Almost every ference; he left us a valuable collection of writings, chiefly nationality is represented among the 123,000 members of on the history of our church. our Conference. The Chisago Lake Church has members In his youth Eric Norelius was deeply wuched by the who are of the sixth generation of the early pioneers. Bu.t religious awakening that stirred the very soul of Sweden whatever our national background may be, we rejoice to a century ago. Convinced in his own heart that he had to share in the spiritual heritage handed down to us by those received the grace of God unto salvation, he longed who founded our church. They came from Sweden, where share God's love with others. He entered eagerly into his the Lutheran Church already had a history of 300 years. studies. But lacking financial means, he was forced to quit school in Hudiksvall a year after he had begun. Then the It is not likely that any of these Swedish immigrams thought of emigra1 ion to America took form in his mind. had ever seen a copy of the United States constitution, About Easter time, 1850, as the long northern winter but one of its chief articles they knew before they left wearily drew to a close the young and studious, but dis­ Sweden: Freedom of religion was one of the basic prin­ couraged high school boy packed up his books and return­ ciples of American life. Though some people from the ed home to Hassela. I-te found his neighbors and his rela­ state churches of Europe cast off all religious restraints tives eagerly discussing America. Excitement was in the and came here to have freedom from religion, we can re­ air. New ideas, new visions, a new horizon had appeared joice and thank God that there also were many who had Lo the memal outlook of this old, staid, conservative, come to know the glorious freedom of abiding in Christ woodland community of northern Sweden. A well-to-do and who came to America with the hope and the intention and well reputed land owner, Peter Anderson, had de­ of planting the church in their new homeland. I cided to sell his farm and en'ligrate to America. Many of Christian Freedom of Enterprise his neighbors wanted to accompany him, and among these We hear rnuch today of America as the land of free was Anders Norelius, Eric's older brother. And after mull­ enterprise. Too often this is construed w mean. merely ing over the maller, Eric also decided to go, in hope of economic enterprise. It has often been pointed out that finding opportunity in America to complete his education the pioneers were enterprising people: eagerly grasping for the ministry. every opportunity for individual advancement in busi­ Sµmmer came and auLUmn drew near. After many de­ ness or politics. The frontier life especially offered free­ lays the group, now numbering 109, sailed on August 17 dom for individualistic action. But in 1the history of our from the port of Gav le, Sweden. They planned to establish nation there is nothing more glorious, nothing so inspir­ a new colony somewhere in America. It was to be a Luth­ ing as the story of a free people who of their own free eran colony, and before they left their' homeland they will met together for Christian worship. and established called a pastor to serve them. churches and church institutions. The individualism of Nine of the emigrants never r~ched the loJged-for the pioneer was not always expressed in a materialistic land of their dreams. They died on the weary, ten-week selfishness. There is a Christian individualism which ex- ocean voyage. Soon after the ship reached New York thB Page 3 ADVANCE

remaining 100 found it impossible lo stay together. About half the company arrived in Illinois late in November, 1850, some of them sick, many of them burdened with PIONEERS OF THE sorrow, nearly all of them penniless. Life in America was MINNESOTA CONFERENCE not all a rosy path or a ~eautiful . dream. They scattered here and there to look for work and means of support. At Andover, Illinois, a Swedish Lutheran congregation ABOVE: had been organized in the spring of 1850 and Pastor L. P. R EV. J. P. C. BOREN, Esbjorn was the shepherd and home missionary. To meet MR. OLA PAULSON, him and his flock gave die newly arrived immigants a great R EV. P ETER BECKMAN encouragement. Some stayed in that region. The plan for a new Swedish Lutheran colony seemed a forlorn hope. RIGHT: Minnesota Beckons to Immigrants REV ~ PETER CARLSON Peter Anderson did not forget. He still cherished the hope that a new place could be found for the establish­ ment of a colony. While spending the winter at Moline, Illinois, he corresponded with a friend of h is, a Swedish immigrant who had arrived in America earlier. This man was Ulrik Nordberg. He had gone to Minnesota Territory to look at the new land recently opened for settlement. took courage unto himself to go lo the famous Swedish While sojourning at Taylors Falls he wrote a letter to singer to ask for some as~istance in his desperate plight. Anderson, describing the regions he had seen. She gave him fifty dollars and this enabled him and his Anderson, pleased with the prospect, took his family family to continue on their journey to Minnesota. and a hired man, and set out for Minnesota as soon as the Eric Norelius did not come to Minnesota with the An­ spring thaw opened the way for river boats. Two families, derson group. He had found his opportunity for con­ the Berg's and the vVicklund's, accompanied the Ander­ tinued study at a German Lutheran school, Capitol Uni­ son family from Illinois. Another family, Anders Swen­ versity, Columbus, Ohio. Earning his support by various son's, joined them on the journey up the river. They had jobs of a lowly nature, and sometimes receiving a little come all the way from Sweden by boat, via New Orleans. aid from interested friends he studied diligently in prep­ On the way up the Mississippi someone stole their money aration for the ministry. In the summer of 1853 he spent and all their belongings, and the unfortunate Swenson several weeks in New York, working in an office for a sal­ family was stranded, penniless, in St. Louis. It happened ary of two dollars a week, while waiting· for his parents that on this ve.Fy day Jenny Lind, the "Swedish Nightin­ to arrive from Sweden. They too had decided to emigrate. gale," was in St. Louis to give a concert. Andl!rs Swenson Continued on Page 5 ADVANCE Page 4

Adolphus College, is serving as assistant Lo Pastor J. Walton Kempe in Chisago Lake during the summer. Mr. Boraas will enter Augustana Theological Seminary in the Fall. To Observe 90th Anniversary St. Pete1·-The Scandian Grove Lutheran PASTORAL CALLS !!'fega tion is one of the oldest in the Minne­ Church, one of the historic congregations of ~o ta Conference, having been organized in the Minnesota Conference, will celebrate its Received the fall of 1858. At the Synod this year ap­ goth anniversary July 10 and 1 1. Four years proval was given to a change of name of the before the Indian uprising settlers in the Rev. Wayne Peterson to Avoca, Minn. Gotaholm congregation to Trinity Lutheran Rev. Evald Olsenius to Braha!ll, Minn. "Torkel's Lake" colony ten miles from St. Church. PeLer, founded the Scandian Grove Lutheran Church under the leadership of the pioneer Accepted Brotherhood Convention pastor, Pehr A. Cederlltam. The date of or­ Rev. Oscar Lund to Grand Forks, N. D. St . Pau.1-Clilford Dahlin, Conference Broth­ ganirntion was June 13, 1858. Descendants of Rev. Lael Westb6rg to the Director of Parish erhood president, has announced that the an­ thost sturdy pioneers will meet to celebrate Education. nual convention of the Brotherhood will be the founding of their church. Rev. Elmer .J. Holt to Triumph, Minn. held in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 22nd On Saturday afternoon, July 10, the Wom · and Fremont North. Minneapolis, on Septem­ an's Missionary Society meets. The historical Anniversaries ber 11 and 12. The Minneapolis District program will be given on Saturday evening. May 23-Bethan " Minneapolis, Minn. 4oth Brotherhood and the Brotherhood of Bethle­ The Sunday school will have a special observ­ Anniversary. hem Church wiJI be host's. The first session ance on Sunday morning, after which hol y will be at 9:30 A. 1. on Saturday, September communion will be celebrated. In the after­ I I. noon there will be an anniversary program Home Missions Teaching Mission Mr. Dahlin has urged every Brotherhood and a memorial service in tribute to pastors URING the months of September, October, in the Conference to select delegates early. who have served this congregation. A con ­ D and November a Home Missions Teach­ Congregations not having Brotherhood or­ firmation reunion will be held Sunday eve­ ing Mission will be conducted in each of the ga nizations are also invited to send represen­ ning, July 1 1 . All confirmants of Scandian beneficiary congregations in the Minnesota tatives. Grove are asked to accept this announcement Conference. The purpose of the mission, as an invitation to attend this reunion. Those which is being sponsored by the Board o[ Mille Lacs W.M.S. Meets ' ~ ho find it impossi ble to auend are requested Home Missions through the Minnesota Con­ Aitkin-Mrs. Arthur L. Chell, St. Cloud, was to send a brief greeting to the vice pastor, Rev. ference regional director, is to assist pastors reelected president of the Woman's Mission­ Rudolph Bloomquist, St. Peter. and members of beneficiary congregations to ary Society of the M!lle Lacs Di~tri~t at the realize more fully their potential powers for ninth annual convention of the d1stnct group Centennial Observed spiritual, financial, and numerical growth. in First Lutheran Church on May 11 . Mrs. C. Duluth-Augustana churches in the Arrow­ The need for such a teaching mission has Vernon Swenson, Minneapolis, former mis ­ head region united in a Centennial observance been manifested in the questions which are sionary to Africa, was the speaker at the after­ in Betl1an y I.:.utheran Church on Sunday eve­ frequently asked representatives o[ the Board noon session. The treasurer's report showed ning, April 2/). with Dr. Paul H. Andreen . of Home Missions, especially by members of that a total of $4,130.37 had been contribltted Mankato, vice president of the Minnesota Con­ congregations receiving aid from the board. during the past year by the societies of the ference as the' speaker. Districts participating Some of these questions include: "\.\/hat are district. in this service of gratitude Lo God for a cen ­ our responsibilities to the unchurched in our tury of blessings were the Duluth, Lake Su­ community?" "How can we reach them?" Returning to Africa perior; Carlton, and Tron Range districts. "What is required of us?" "How much should Dr. Andreen, in his address on this occa­ we pay to the church?" "Are 'we different fro~1 St. Peter-Dr. and Mrs. Richard Reusch will return to the mission field in Africa in the sion, outlined Augustana's first century under self-sustaining churches?" "What is our busi­ the heacl.ing of three questions: "Where are ness with the Board of Home Missions?" "Why fall a[ter a furlough of a year and a half. Dr. Reusch has been on the faculty at Gustavus we? How did we get here? Where are we going do we have to get money from the Synod?" from here?" He called attention to the inter­ To help answer these and ol!her questions is Adolphus College during his furlough, teach­ ing Russian and. assisting in the Christianity esting fact that during the first fifty- two years the function of this project. of the cenLury our church gi·ew to a total of The plan of the mission is this: Each of the department. H~ has also been much in de­ mand as a missionary speaker. The Reusch 921 congregations, while during the last forty­ months mentioned will be devoted to inform­ eight years only 254 new congregations were ing the church members about a certain phase children will remain in this country to attend school. founded. The preachers during the early of the Christian life and church activity. Sub­ years were laymen. Some pastoral recruits jects such as Evangelism (i n September), Stew­ Archbishop Speaks came from Sweden. Tbe leaders, both pastors ardship (in October), and the Board of Home and laymen, were characterized by their zea l Missions (in November) will be treated. Each St. Paul-Dr. Erling Eidem, archbishop of for the Word of God, true doctrine, prayer, pastor, vice-pastor, or Ja y preacher of a bene­ Sweden, preached Lhe sermon at the morning and untiring labor and sacrifice. Not only ficiary congregation will be "teacher." He ~vill worship in Gloria Dei Luthi:ran Church on were congregations organized, but Augustana receive information and helps from the region­ Sunday, May 30. On the prev10us Sunday Dr. College and Theological Seminary was found­ al director on these subjects and will pass it on E. E. Ryden, Rock Island, Illinois, a former ed, also three other colleges, as well as Im ­ to the people. Special tracts, booklets, bul­ pas Lor of Gloria Dei, spoke. at a Hoi:necoming manuel Deaconess Institute, ten hospitals, letins and audio-visual aids will be made Service. At the confirmallon reumon there twelve children's homes, nineteen homes for avail~ble to the' congregations, and the pastors were representatives from nearly all of the the aged, ,and other institutions. will use opportunities a t worship services and thirty-seven classes that have been confirmed. The second question, " How did we get other meetings to present. aspects of ~he The Homecoming was parL of the festivities here?" was answered by : "The grace of God: month's topic. The commumty survey, pansh held in observance o[ the congregation's for­ the intercessory prayers of Christ; and the un­ and prospect visitation BY THE PEOPL~ •. t~1e tieth anniversary. Dr. Clifford A. Nelson is the tiring work of the pioneers." Our forefathers every-member canvass, a11d other act1v1ues pas tor. On Sunday, June 6, the pastor's broth­ who founded our church were faced in the will be stressed. , er, Rev. Clarence T. Nelson, Washington, old country with the teachings of Karl Marx The initial plans for this Home Missio_ns D. C., spoke at the morning service. (communism), the industrial revolution, Teaching Mission were presented ,at a special Frerich atheism, hard times, etc. Their faith gathering of pastors and Jay leaders at the Speak at Confirmand Reunion was tested, but they held fast. These same recent Conference convention and were favor­ Ce11ter City-Rev. Gilbert T. Monson, head problems and teachings confronted them in ably received. of the Canadian Seminary in Saskatoon, Sas­ America, just as our present ge1~~ration is katchewan, and president of the Canada Con­ faced with these problems. The penod of our Church Burns Down ference, was the speaker at communion serv­ greatest growth was marked by Bible study, Watertown-The Gotaholm Lutheran ices on confirmation reunion Sunday, June 20, prayer meetings, mission meetings for discus­ Church was completely destroyed by fire of in Chisago Lake Church. Rev. Monson is a sion, missionary zeal, presonal evangelism, and undetermined origin on Monday, June 7. The former pastor of this congregation. Rev. Har­ the dynamic power of the laity. building, which was erected 18go, was being old E. Peterson, Cambridge, a son of the con­ In answering the question "Where are we prepared for installation of a new organ. The gregation, gave the address at the afternoon going?" the speaker stated it is very notice­ Joss is partly covered by insurance. The con- service. Roger Boraas, a graduate of

newed spirilual power is needed. In order lo Augustana Seminary. Dr. Edgar Carlson will get renewa l of powr.r there must be a return speak on "A Lutheran Philosophy of Educa­ to the Word of God, confession of our faith, tion." There will also be studies and discus­ "A CHUR CH IS PLANTED" and a. rebuilding for the glory of God. sions on preaching and on foreign missions. I Costs for tie week for pastors will include The story of the Lulheran Minnesota a registration fee of 3.00, and a charge of Conference 185 1-1876. By Emeroy .John- Summer Seminar for Pastors $2.50 per individual for rooms, or 5.00 for • son. 4 12 pages, 150 ill ustrations. St. Peter-The sixth annual summer semi­ families. Kindly address all inquiries or regis­ nar for pastors will be held on the Gustavus tration to: Director, Pastors Seminar, Gustavus 1.50 per copy in lots of 20 or more. Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn. campus August 23 -27. Cl asses will convene at Order now for your congregation. Single 1 :oo P. M. on Monday, August 23, and con­ tinue through the mornings of the four fol ­ copy, s~.00. lowing days. Dr. T . A. Kantonen, professor of Parish Education Institute sys lematic theo l o~ at Hamma Divinity School St. Peter- A four day Sunday School Teach­ Send order and remittance to Mr. wi ll conduct studies on "Light from Luther on ers' Institute will be held on the Gustavus Christopher Hoff, 2445 Park Avenue, the Fundamentals." ca mpus simultaneously with the Pastor's Semi­ Minneapolis 4, Minn. " Parish Education" will be Lhe topic for nar, August 23 -27. Each congregation in the three lectures by Dr. Paul M. Lindberg, Conference is asked to send at least one teacher or officer. Dr. Paul M. Lindberg of the Seminary ·11111111111111111111111111ni111111111111111111111 11111111111111111111111111111111 11 11111111 111 111 11 111 1111 1•.: The choir is under the direcljon of Mrs. Mary faculty in Rock Island. and also acting direclor Nelson Wee. frs. David Johnson is pianist, MINNESOTA CON F ERENCE of Parish Education, will speak on Christian and Russell Swanson organist. Mrs. George F.d11ca1ion. Others on the program include Bye is choir chairman. ADVANCE Rev. Walfred Erickson, Hector; Rev. Carl H . Sandgren, St. Paul ; frs. C. Vernon Swenson, Minneapolis-Mount Olivet Lutheran The o lTi cial org-,111 of Lh e :\finnesota i\! inneapolis: 1iss Hilclme Anderson. St. Church, R ev. Reuben K. Youngdahl, pastor, Conference of the Augustana Evangeli­ Paul : and Miss Lauree elson, Minneapolis. will be hosts to the Synod in 1949, Synod hav­ ca l Lutheran Church. Published bi ­ Registra tions should he sent to Miss Lauree ing officially accepted Lhe invitation. monthly hy the Executive Commiuee Nelson. 2445 Park Aven·ue, Minneapolis 4. of the Conference. Minn. Total cost for the four days including Jlifi11 neapolis-The Conf~renc e Executive " DR. EMIL SWENSON, Editor-in-chief lodgi ng, meals, and registrati on fee is 10.00. Commiltee has elected the fol lowing to rep­ R Ev. EMEROY JOHNSON, Associate Editor resent the Conference on the Board of Trns­ tees of the Minnesota Temperance Move­ ~- C HRISTOPHER HOFF, Business Manager Briefs ment: Dr. Emil Swenson, Minneapolis; W. E. All material intended for publication Jllheaton- R ev. Elder J ackson, ordained at Hanson, Braham; Rev. Reuben H . Ford, Min­ ~ should be sent to Rev. Emeroy Johnson, the recent Synod in Rock Island, Illinois, and neapolis; Rev. Frank Bonander, Worthing­ ~=====,,,_~ 317 West Broadway, Little Falls, Min­ commiss ioned as a miss ionary to Africa, will ton; Earl R. Anderson, St. Paul ; Rev. Lambert nesota. Correspondence concerning sub- serve the Gustavus Adolphus-Immanuel par­ Engwall, Winthrop; and A. M. Loberg, Co­ scriptions and advertisi ng should be ad ­ ish here temporarily until opportunity is kato. dressed to Mr. Christopher Hoff, 24,15 given to go to the foreign field. · ! Park Ave., Minneapolis 4, Minn. Minneapolis-A pas tora l conference will be Hastings-The choir of First Lutheran held at Gustavus Adolphus College on Octo­ ~ Thy Kingdom Come ~ Church, Rev. C. Daniel Anderson, pas tor, gave ber 18 and 19, according to plans being made ~llllllllllllllllllllllutllllllllllllfl l lll l llll l lllllllllllUllllllllllHlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllHli a sacred concert on Ascension Day, May G. by the Conference Executive Committee.

r of loneliness, or whether he just got tired of being horse Historical Address for the whole Chisago Lake community. At any rate, we From Page 3 can be sure that the entire populace mourned the untime­ ly death of Peter Anderson's horse. But their coming was long del.ayed and he could not con­ Though it might seem that the time would have been tinu~ to work for less than a living wage. He determined more than full y occupied with the strenuous task of earn­ to return. to Illinois where he had friends. Arriving in ing a livelihood and carving a home out of the forest Chicago he went to find Rev. Erland Carlsson 'Vho had primeval, it thrills us to note the fact that these settlers recently come from Sweden to become pastor of the newly did riot forget God and His Word. As we have already organized Immanuel Church, the first Swedish Lutheran mentioned, the Anderson emigrant group called a pastor Church in Chicago. In Carlsson's home young Norelius who was to come and serve them when they had establish­ found friendly fellowship, and in his congregation he ed their new coldny in America. The pastor's name was found opportunities for participation in the work pf the Gustaf Palmquist. H e came to America and was on his church. He did not return Lo school that winter, but way to Chisago Lake. For some reason he turned back stayed in Chicago. when he had reached Stillwater, and he never came to In the meantime Norelius heard occasionally from his Chisago Lake. Probably he had reason to feel that he friends at Chisago Lake, Minnesota. The colony was grow­ might not be welcome. Before he left Sweden he had de­ ing. In the fall of 1851 Peter Anderson wrote that ten parted from the Lutheran faith and had become a Baptist. farms had been begun. Farming then was not quite the same as it is today. There were no tractors puffing merrily First Worship Services along the smooth, straight furrows. There was no electric Under the leadership of Peter Anderson himself the motor to run the milking machine. There was no need of settlers met for Christian worship and fellowship, begin­ oni;!, anyway, for there were no cows. Peter Anderson had ning some time in the summer of 1851. The first service one horse, but this precious beast of burden was found in a building was held in Anderson's log cabin home on d<';ad in the woods .one day. The records do not indicate Advent Sunday, 1851. There also they celebrated their whether ))e was devoured by wolves, or whether he died first Minnesota Christmas. ·who can imagine the feelings ADVANCE Page 6

that stirred in their hearts as they heard the story of the There he organized a congregation on May I 9· It was for Babe whose first home was the rude shelter of a stable? a long time known as the Marine congregation, until after The first visit by an ordained pastor was in September, a congregation had been organized in the village of Marine i852, when the Swedish Episcopal clergyman, Rev. Gustaf Mills. Then the name of the township was changed to Unonius, conducted services at Chisago Lake. Some were New Scandia, and the congregation became the Elim pleased with him and would gladly have welcomec;l him as Church of Scandia. Thus we have three Lutheran con­ pastor. But Peter Anderson and others were staunch in gregations organized in Minnesota under Erland Carl· their Lutheran faith, and no Episcopal Church was or­ sson's leadership on a three weeks' visit in the Territory. ganized at Chisago Lake. Unonius never returned, but we He could not stay to tend these flocks, for he had liis con­ may give him credit for one important contribution. He gregation in Chicago and a tremendous mission field in was stationed as pastor of a church in Chicago and there that young and growing city. ' he ·had opportunity to advise many Swedish immigrants Norelius Comes to Minnesota as to where they should go. He convinced a great many of them that Minnesota was a good place. ',Ye mentioned that Eric Norelius had spent the win­ ter of 1853-54 with Carlsson in Chicago. He had intended Now I should like to transport you to another scene, the to accompany Carlsson on his journey to Minnesota but busy waterfront in St. Pa~!. on a May morning in the year he was visiting friends some distance from Moline when 1854. Down there at the foot of Sibley Street we see a mot­ the steamboat came, and he missed the boat. He came on ley crowd of people, stacks of freight and merchandise; another river steamer a few days later, and after a brief we hear the chunk, chunk of stern wheel river boats, and yisit with the Lutherans in St. Pa:ul, he went up to Chisago the excited babble of ma.ny voices, the voices of workmen, Lake to spend the summer in the service of the newly of traders, of immigrants and of curious on-lookers. organized congregation. There he had the pleasure of Among those who are disembarking from a boat our meeting his old friend, Peter Anderson, and there he saw eyes follow one who seems different from the rest. He is the fruition of their cherished hope that they together not among the noisy ones; there is a quiet dignity about would build in America a Swedish Lutheran colony. him. He is met by a few men who seem to hesitate as to whether they should speak to him. But 'as soon as they Eric Norelius was not yet an ordained pastor. He was· express their words of introduction to him, this newcomer only twenty years old, but he already had a fairly good meets them with warm and hearty evidences of friendship. theological and cultural education, and was able to serve This newly arrived visitor is Pastor Erland Carlsson of the congregation with the preaching of the V\Tord. He also Chicago. He has been met at the landing place by some of taught parochial school. No public school had as yet been the Swedish Lutherans in St. Paul. AII].id earnest and seri­ established. The church in Chisago Lake was a function­ ous conversation they now walk up the hill. Carlsson re­ ing organization before any public school was begun. mains a few days as guest of the Lutherans in the capital There were a few who were not fully satisfied with the city of Minnesota Territory. He is the first ordained sermons preached by the young student. On the other clergyman of the Lutheran faith to set foot in Minnesota. hand, there were those who hel.d him in reverem;:e as if he On the 6th day of May, i854, a meeting was held at which had been a bishop. One day young Eric was out walking, Pastor Carlsson served as chairman. A constitution was dressed in blue overalls as was customary on week days. adopted, and a church board was elected. The First Luth­ He came to a place where the narrow path crossed a brook. eran Church of St. Paul was organized, the first Lutheran A log had been laid to serve as a bridge across the little congregation in Minnesota. stream. Here Eric met Gustaf Collin, a little man with Then Pastor Carlsson journeyed on to Chisago Lake. clear blue eyes in which the love of Christ shone with Now there is a well travelled road from St. Paul to Still­ childlike innocence. Collin had ·reverent respect for the water, and he makes the journey by stagecoach. There is ministry, and since student Eric Norelius was already well even a primitive sort of trail from Stillwater to Taylors on the way to that high and holy calling, Gollin now step­ Falls, but it is no luxurious mode of travel for this pioneer ped aside from the narrow path, took off his cap, bowed home missionary. In Chisago Lake Carlsson finds friends deeply and reverently, called young Eric "Magister" and who had come to America on the same boat as he, friends waited for him to cross first on the one-way log bridge. who had been influenced by his fervent, clear, ~nd power­ This was too much for young Norelius. He was of a ful sermons back in Smaland, ~weden. Now the hopes of truly humble and democratic spirit. He realized how in­ Peter Anderson and the other staunch, pious Lutherans congruous it was for him to accept such deference from an of Chisago Lake are to be 'realized. On May 12 Pastor older fellow Christian, especially out here where the fron­ Erland Carlsson led them in the establishment of a Luth­ tier influence tended to wipe out all thoughts of class dis- . eran congregation. The organization meeting was held in tinction. Norelius wrote many years later that this little a newly built, haymow belonging to Peter Berg. incident had a lasting effect upon him, and helped to re­ On his way back to St. Paul a week later Pastor Carlsson move from his heart all desire for aristocratic pretense. stopped off at another Lutheran rural settlement in what Eric Norelius fell in love with Minnesota, in spite of was then called Marine township of Washingto~ County. hordes of mosquitoes who tried to devour him on his Page 7 ADVANCE in large numbers settled in Carver County and in Nicollet County, as well as the regions already mentioned. Con­ gregations were organized at East and West Union ln 1858, St. Peter in 1857, Scandian Grove in 1858, Vista in 1858, Cannon River in 1858, and in Spring Garden in 1858. There was also a little congregation at Stockholm, Wisconsin, organized by Norelius iQ 1856. . Time does not permit us to dwell on details of the his­ tory of all these congregations. We have mentioned that Erland Carlsson was the first ordained Lutheran pastor to visit Minnesota in May, 1854. Eric Norelius was the first Lutheran theological student to be stationed for a time in Minnesota. The first Lutheran minister to be sta­ tioned as resident pa tor anywhere in Minnesota was P.A. Cederstam. Having arrived from Sweden in 1853, he came to Illinois the following year and was granted a license to REV. AND MRS. ERIC NORELIUS IN 1855 preach by the Synod of Northern Illinois, the synod to which Carlsson, Hasselquist, and Esbjorn belonged. At walks to the homes in the parish, or LO Taylors Falls, their urgent request he was sent to Chisago Lake in the Scandia, or Stillwater. In September he retllrned to iHi­ spring of 1855. He was ordained in the fall of that year nois and then back to school for his final term at Cap ~tol and served the Chisago Lake congregation until 1858. University in Ohio. In the spring of '55, though he had Peter Carlson had come to Carver County in the fall of not quite completed his course at school, he consented 1857 and was persuaded to stay and serve the shepherdless to the pleas of the brethren in Illinois that he now enter people. He was ordained soon after and served East Union the ministry. He was licensed by the Synod of Northern · for almost twenty-two years. lllinois, the synod to which L. P. Esbjorn, Erland Carl­ Peter Beckman, another of the pioneer pastors, was 11. sson, and T. N. Hasselquist belonged. Norelius accepted neighbor of Norelius, serving the Spring Garden con­ a call to a parish in Indiana. But he longed for Minnesota. gregation. J. P. C. Boren was also in Goodhue County. He tried to persuade his Indiana parishioners that they He had arrived from Sweden in 1858 and was assigned to should all move to Minnesota. In the fall of '55 one of the be assistant to Norelius in his extensive field. men went with Norelius on an exploratory journey. Let us now transport ourselves back•to the days of '58- They landed at Red Wing on August 3 1, 1855, and the ninety years ago .. Minntlsota has become a state, but a pall following day they began their reconnaisance. 1 orelius of gloom has settled over the young and hopeful common­ found Swedish Lutherans in and around Red Wing, and wealth. Financial panic has replaced the exciting boom gathered about 100 of them for divine services. Soon he times of territorial days. But now we are at Chisago Lake learned of a new rural settlement founded by Swedish im­ on an October day in 1858- 0ctober 7 to be exact. The migrants thirteen miles up the country. Thither he went, hard times are forgotten today. The people are taking a and on September 3 organized the Vasa Lutheran Church. vacation from the potato patches and the cranberry marsh­ Returning to Red Wing the same day he met with the es. Great things are astir today. The people of Chisago Lutherans in the evening and organized a congregation. Lake are today preparing to welcome a group of pastors This is probably the only instance in the history of our and.laymen who are coming here to organize a Lutheran Conference where ne man has organized two congrega­ Minnesota Confe~ence. tions on the same day. Yes, now there is a church in Chisago Lake, a good-sized Vasa was a community that appealed to ~orelius. He frame building erected in 1856. It arouses the admiration did not succeed in persuading all his Indiana friends to and interest of all the visitors. \ i\Te enter for a gladsome move up to Goodhue County. Some of them came, and and festive service. Four pastors have come: Eric Norelius, Norelius himself came, together with his young wife, in J . P. C. Boren, Peter Carlson, and Peter Beckman. Never the spring of '56. From that time until 1916, a period of before had the Chisago Lake people seen four pastors in sixty years, Norelius and Vasa belong,ed together. He did their church. It is a most joyous and sacred occasion. not serve the congregation continuously through those six Hearts are deeply stirred as these pioneer farmers and decades. Indeed he had five calls to the Vasa congregation, their families gather in their plain, unfinished, but hal­ but the intervals between his terms of service were not lowed and beloved church to hear the message of the long. Word of God. More Congregations Established Conference Is Organized In the meantime new settlements were springing up in On Friday morning, October 8, at nine o'clock the four various parts of the southern half of Minnesota. Lutherans pastors met in the church, together with four lay dele-

I ADVANCE Page 8 gates. These were Ola Paulson of East Union, a fine, alert, became ill and there was no help for them. Father and and consecrated young man who later became a pastor; mother died, leaving four penniless, sorrowing children Frans Bjorklund from the little pioneer settlement of who wandered the streets, strangers in a land where peo­ Rusheby, twenty miles north of Chisago Lake; Daniel ple were too busy to care. There was not an institution of Nilson of Scandia; and Hakan Swedberg of Chisago Lake. any sort in the state where homeless children could be Rev. P. A. Cederstam, the first of the pioneer pastors, cared for. Eric Norelius cl.id not long hesitate. He took the was not present. He was now living at Scandian Grove, children along with him to his own home. His wife gave having accepted a call to Scandian Grove and St. Peter in them her personal care and attention, and the people of the spring of 1858. He had been at Chisago Lake on a visit Red Wing and Vasa helped to contribute for their sup­ a few days prior to the opening of the Conference but im­ port. Soon a capable Christian woman was found to take portant duties necessitated his return home., However, he charge of the children. Other homeless children were was counted as a member of the Conference from the be­ found, and thus the Vasa Children's Home had its begin­ ginning. ning, the first institution of charity in the Minnesota Con­ At the first business session Rev. Boren was elected ference, the first orphan home in the state of Minnesota. president, Rev. Norelius secretary, and Ola Paulson of And what shall I more say? For the time will fail me if I East Union treasurer. A constitution was adopted. These tell of Norelius with his blind horse out in the blizzards in formalities of organization were soon completed. Then central Minnesota; or Peter Carlsson stuck in the swamp the men proceeded to the vital business of what to do on his way to church service; or Guri Enderson saving about the vacant congregations and the many new settle­ precious lives from Indian massacre; or the hundreds of ments that were in need of attention. men and women, unknown, unhonored, and unsung,' who Perhaps it seems insignificant, this little gathering of helped to plant a church here in these regions of what we foJir pastors and four laymen in a simple country church now call the upper midwest. in a pioneer community. It received no attention in the They were heroes and heroines of faith, and we thank papers of the day. But it was a great step forward for the God that we may follow in their train. If we had seen Swedish Lutherans of Minnesota. Now they had an or­ themtas they went aboUL their duties we would have look­ ganization which was based on unity of faith, and they ed in vain for any outward evidence of glory. They were were ready to move forward with united purpose in the not candidates for canonization. If they were here with us great task of gathering as many as possible of their coun­ tonight, they surely would say, "The only glory we would trymen who were coming into the state. claim is that we carried with us the glorious message of a Among the people of this Conference there were some crucified, risen, ascended Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. who felt from the beginning that a Lutheran school was His narrie we ~ought to glorify, and in His name we plam­ needed in Minn_esota. Only one among them was capable ed the church." of making this dream a reality. That man was Eric When their day's work was done they sought their Norelius. In 1862 he announced that he was willing to night's rest in whatever shelter might be found. It was not accept students who might desire to come to him for in­ always in a comfortable bed. It was never in a Pullman struction at his home in Red vVing. The Conference gave berth. A remarkable chapter could be written just on the its full sanction and blessing to this project, but no money subject of where the pioneer home missionaries slept at was appropriated. The Red Wing congregation gave $20 night. It might be on a pile of lumber at a sawmill; or on to give the institution a start. On the opening day, in Octo­ the deck of a noisy and smelly river steamer; or behind ber, 1862, one sttident applied for admittance. He was the bar in a tavern; or in a hotel room where the stars Jonas Magny of Chisago La~e. twinkled between the chinks in the roof; or under the ·was it worth while to start school with one student? open sky in a pouring rain; or in a covered wagon where Norelius never entertained a doubt on this point. Jonas prairie winds rocked them to sleep. But wherever it might Magny rec~ived the full attention of the entire faculty, be that the weary missionary found his place of rest for the except when the faculty was away on a preaching tour. night he ~ade of it a Bethel, for he knew that God was · Then the student body was busy chopping wood and with him on his journeys. Perhaps he had no bright doing chores. Jonas Magny became a pastor, gave forty dreams of angels on the heavenly stairway, but he held to years of service to the Minnesota Conference. his bosom a cherished hope that tomorrow might bring The school which had its beginning in Red Wing be­ him to fields yet unvisited, that hungry souls might be came definitely a Conference institution the following nourished and that the church might be planted in yet an­ year. It was established in East Union, Carver County, other field. and remained there until 1875 when it was moved to St. Peter and given the name Gustavus Adolphus College. And when the evening of life drew near, as the home missionary surveyed the scene around him, he saw that the In the fall of 1865 Norelius was in St. Paul one day. A little duster of pioneer churches had become a great con­ friend of his in the St. Paul congregation related a sad story: A newly arrived immigrant family had recently stellation; and then, in all sincerity and humility he said: CO!J1e to St. Paul. Shortly after their arrival both parents "This has been accomplished by the Word of God."