THE GEORG SVERDRUP The Georg Sverdrup Society was organized in December 2003 and is open to any- September 2011 SOCIETY NEWSLETTER one interested in the life and work of noted Norwegian-American theologian Georg P. O. Box 400 Sverdrup (1848-1907). The society is registered in the State of Minnesota as a 501 The Georg Volume 8, Issue 2 Beulah, ND 58523-0400 (C)(3) nonprofit corporation. Its activities, which are guided by a seven-member www.georgsverdrupsociety.org board of directors, include: Sverdrup Society  Promoting the study and understanding of the New Testament congregation as understood and explained by Georg Sverdrup;

 Endeavoring to advance the ideal of “free and living congregations” as envi- sioned by Sverdrup; NEWSLETTER Ordet Blev Kjød  Seeking to foster further translation of Sverdrup’s writings into English; (The Word Became Flesh)  Encouraging the study and application of the “Fundamental Principles” and Eighth Annual Meeting to be Held October 8 “Rules for Work” as used in the Lutheran Free Church and as continuing to be

used in the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations; The Georg Sverdrup Society appeared in the April 5, 1911, Hans Nielsen Hauge.  Enlarging the interest in Sverdrup’s works by organizing discussion groups and In this Issue: will hold its eighth annual Folkebladet. The AFLTS Seminary Directors providing speakers on request; meeting in the Hauge Chapel The main speaker for the Chorus will sing for the on the AFLC Schools cam- event will be Rev. Robert Lee Loiell Dyrud, President Eighth Annual Meeting 1 meeting. Mrs. Marian Steven Mundfrom, Vice-President  Operating a Sverdrup Society website linked to for members October 8 pus, 3120 E. Medicine Lake on the topic of “Georg Christopherson, AFLC Marian Christopherson, Secretary of the Society and others interested in the life and work of Georg Sverdrup; Blvd., Minneapolis, MN, on Sverdrup vs. Gisle Johnson— Director of Publications and Kris Nyman, Treasurer and Centennial of Oftedal’s 1 Saturday, Octoer 8. Lunch Lay Preaching and the Parish Education, will again Passing Membership Secretary  Maintaining a current bibliography of Sverdrup’s translated work as well as a will begin at 12:00 p.m., fol- Augsburg Confession.” The lead us in a “Sverdrup Song- Larry Walker, Editor current bibliography of materials written about him; “Prof. Sven Oftedal 2 lowed by the program at 1:00 Sverdrup Society’s topic for fest,” and Rev. Kris Nyman Micah Hjermstad Has Gone Home” and the annual business meet- discussion this year is will be reading a recent ing at 2:30. “Sverdrup and Lay Activity,” translation on lay activity Craig Johnson  Publishing a newsletter for members that provides information on the Society’s Aims and Activities of 4 Because 2011 marks the and Pastor Lee’s presentation from Sverdrup’s Samlede activities as well as general information about Georg Sverdrup; the Society th Prospective members are invited to 100 anniversary of the death should shed light on one of Skrifte i Udvalg. contact the Membership Secretary at  And encouraging research and study of Sverdrup’s life and work by publishing of Sven Oftedal, co-founder the hotly debated topics of To help us get an accurate of the Lutheran Free Church, Sverdrup’s day—should lay the above address. an annual Sverdrup Journal. count for the luncheon, please the program will include Rev. preachers be allowed to notify Loiell Dyrud by Raynard Huglen reading his preach in Lutheran pulpits? September 30 at email translation of “Professor This topic had been an issue [email protected] or phone “Prof. Sven Oftedal Has Gone Home” (cont.) Oftedal’s Funeral” which dating back to the days of 218-681-6964. language, though modern Greek spe- Greek motherland. At that time he also * * * cifically, and made two trips to Greece endorsed the cause of the oppressed. The This is a short summary of this in order to study the language, the Greek colony has declared that his death is man’s life and history. It offers, how- Centennial of Oftedal’s Passing history, and culture of the country, the loss, not only of a good friend and ever, only a feeble outline of his turbu- especially with regard to the New Tes- adviser, but also of a father, and they have lent, active life. The work that he was The year 2011 marks the Oftedal’s death on March tament. (The results of this work, sent notice of his death to the Greek able to carry on for our people here in Georg Sverdrup 100th anniversary of the death 30, 1911, both the men who which he began with unabated perse- National Alliance in Athens, of which he this land, the mark he has left, the con-  Born to Pastor Harold of Lutheran Free Church co- had guided Augsburg Semi- verance and strength after returning was a member. tribution he has made to the develop- Ulrich Sverdrup and founder Sven Oftedal. Ofte- nary for thirty years and the from Greece, is not, so far as we Likewise, on the recommendation of ment of the Norwegian-American his wife Caroline dal, together with his friend Lutheran Free Church for know, yet available.) the Norwegian government and the king of church, will be better told by history Metella, nee Suur, Georg Sverdrup, founded the fourteen years were gone. Through this work Oftedal became Norway, he was awarded the Order of St. than we can just now as has laid down at Balestrand, LFC in 1897. Both men had To mark the centennial intimate with the Greeks, both in Olaf by Bishop Bang during his visit to his day’s labor. It is certain that his Sogn, Norway, on come from Norway to teach at of his passing, we devote Greece and in the Twin Cities Greek America as the delegate of the Nordman’s great leadership, as well as his work December 16, 1848. Augsburg Seminary, Oftedal the rest of this issue to an colony. He delivered several speeches Alliance on May 17, 1908. and the steadfast sense of purpose he in 1873 and Sverdrup in 1874. article that appeared in in Greek to Greek gatherings here in Prof. Oftedal is survived by his wife, pursued, will be etched in sharp lines in  Died on May 3, 1907, in Minneapolis, MN, Theirs was a powerful and Folkebladet shortly after his the city, attended their meetings, and Marie (Gjertsen), daughter Karoline, and history’s pages, and he will be judged, dynamic friendship. They death. This article provides not long ago participated in and ad- sons, Pastor Asmund, Rochester, Minne- by each person who is able and willing and buried in the Lakewood Cemetery complemented each other— Augsburg and the Lutheran a brief sketch of Oftedal’s dressed a mass meeting, formulating sota; Sven, Jr.; and George, Minneapolis. to judge impartially and without preju- Sverdrup the brilliant thinker life and appears on the fol- an appeal to the American people for His brother, Pastor Gustav Oftedal, also dice, as one of the greatest church pio- Free Church. and writer and Oftedal the Older than Sverdrup by lowing pages in a transla- the people of Crete, who desire free- lives in Minneapolis, while a sister, Mrs. neers of this country, and a founder and great promoter and orator. tion by Raynard Huglen. dom from Turkish oppression, and Maren Wettland, resides in Portland, pioneer of the free church work. four years, Oftedal also out- Together they were the lived him by four years. With liberation through association with the Oregon. formidable force behind Folkebladet, April 5, 1911 NEWSLETTER Volume 8, Issue 2 NEWSLETTER Volume 8, Issue 2

Page 2 Page 3 “Prof. Sven Oftedal Has Gone Home” (cont.) “Prof. Sven Oftedal Has Gone Home” Oftedal and Sverdrup as edi- then and later, taken part in credit that Scandinavian lit- Translated by Raynard Huglen tors, while Oftedal managed the mission work that congre- erature, especially that of the finances. Up to the end, he gation carried out through Norway, has been as well Prof. Sven Oftedal passed away at school where his father was a of “The Open Declaration” in was connected with the paper, establishing congregations in represented in the library as it the Norwegian Deaconess Hospital teacher, and graduated from it in January 1874. Professor [August] always one of its directors and other parts of the city. has. Over the years he has last Thursday afternoon at 3:10, 1862. The same year he took his Weenaas, the president of most often the chairman, and Besides this many-faceted been an active leader, and a following bladder surgery in the examination for the Bachelor of Arts Augsburg Seminary, had co- was one of the paper’s most work for the school and other force in the city’s daily life. morning. The operation ended a little degree in Christiania [later Oslo], and authored the Declaration with him, faithful contributors. concerns, he played his part in Prof. Oftedal was also one before noon and he seemed to have the year after he took his examination but later withdrew his name. When the Conference, in the teaching and leadership of of the pioneers in abstinence come through it well, but he never at the same place. Professor Oftedal had no retrac- 1880, decided to set its in- the school and in its develop- work. In the establishment regained full consciousness beyond, Then he travelled for several tions to make, then or later. He gathering for the school at ment and progress. He was a and organization of the South when his daughter Karoline asked years, especially in southern Europe had, as he once expressed it, come $50,000, it was Prof. Oftedal pioneer in other church areas Minneapolis Abstinence him whether he knew her, whispering and around the Mediterranean Sea; to this country to clear away the who was given the task of as well. In the Deaconess Society, he took a leading her name. He faded quickly, and with for some time he was private tutor for forests and wilderness, and in this carrying that out as well. The work, in missions, both part. He was one of the most his wife and the children, Miss Karo- a family up in Telemark. He studied little publication the call to battle amount was raised by 1888. among the heathen Santal and vigorous advocates for the line, Asmund, and George, together at the university again, taking his was given. It should be noted also In the Conference years, dur- Jewish missions, he was institution of police patrol with Prof. [George] Sverdrup, Jr., theology degree in 1871. Through all that it was “The Open Declaration” ing both the proceedings and among those who laid the boundaries here in the city. and Mrs. Asmund Oftedal around his his studies he devoted much time to that hastened the coming of Prof. the violent passions of strug- foundations and gave of his And one of the last things he bed, slept away. the study of both ancient and modern Georg Sverdrup to take up the gle that followed until Augs- strength. Over the years he did before lying down on the The news rang out sorrowfully languages, literature, and philosophy. work along with him. burg became independent was an administration sick bed from which he never over the city and, undoubtedly pain- After taking the examination in From that time on, Prof. again, Oftedal took a leading member for these organiza- rose again, was to prepare an fully, as it spread across the country theology he studied a year in Paris, Oftedal devoted all his manly role and was for much of the tions. He was always willing address to deliver at the among our people. Although he had where Prof. Sverdrup was studying at strength and mental prowess to the time the particular object of to serve his people, always graduation festival of the been very sick for over two weeks, the same time, and here began the preparation of the church work he violence directed against the willing to sacrifice, whether it south Minneapolis and those who looked after his needs friendship, grounded in a mutual had set as his goal. A freedom- school. And once Augsburg concerned being a mediator or Abstinence Society, present- wavered between fear and hope, and churchly interest and outlook on life, loving, progressive, and battle- emerged from these tribula- working to advance God’s ing certificates to the young seemed to fear the worst, yet all had which endured a lifetime between eager man, the sound of the clash tions it fell to his lot to look Kingdom on earth, always a men who had passed the hoped that he would be spared to us these two, and united them in mutual of armor soon became associated after the school’s financial leading force wherever he Abstinence course during the The inscription on the Sverdrup at least for a time. work and common tasks. And their with him. While the finances of interests. It was he who took part. winter. But he grew ill the and Oftedal Memorial stone in There was always the image of common work has left such deep Augsburg were laid upon his headed the ingathering of Prof. Oftedal participated very day of the festival, and Lakewood Cemetery reads: “In him—as he appeared up until the impressions on church development shoulders from the beginning, and funds to erect the new build- in civic life too and exercised so could not participate. Memory of Georg Sverdrup and time he fell ill. They could see him among the Norwegian immigrants in he was also occupied with leading ing (long the administration his influence there in various As mentioned earlier, he Sven Oftedal. On the ground, the moving about with the same buoyant this country. and planning the work of the and chapel building) even as ways. Already in 1878, when devoted himself early to the footstone on the left belongs to step and erect bearing; and even Democratic by nature, through school, he nevertheless advanced later, three or four years ago, he had been in this country study of languages and Oftedal while the one on the before entering the hospital he study and research developing with a the struggle for the free church he had to stand in the breach only five years, he was literature, especially modern right is for Georg Sverdrup. attended the young people’s meeting free, enlarged view of ecclesiastical program to which he had commit- and take upon himself the elected a member of the languages. He pursued his Even in death, the close friends at Trinity Church, where he seemed as well as civic matters, a man of the ted himself. collection of money to elimi- [Minneapolis] school board, love for these interests even are buried side by side.” well and high-spirited as always, and people in the best sense and widest In 1877, the responsibility of a nate the debt the school had and he was re-elected to serve amid his restless labor for the with his accustomed youthfulness meaning of the word, he had no sym- debt of $16,000 accumulated by accumulated. Prof. Oftedal for ten years in all. Four of church and people here in this participated and enjoyed himself pathy for the state church back home the seminary was passed on to him, was, nearly all the time he those years he served as board country. . . . It seems rather among the young. in its deplorable condition. Therefore, and in order to deal with that he was connected with the chairman. During that time he to have been a cherished But his hourglass had run out. when in the summer of 1873 he re- established Folkebladet. Thus he school, chairman of its Board established the high school diversion in which he found The Lord, whose faithful servant he ceived a call from the Conference to not only publicized the school’s of Trustees. In the late 1870s system, of which he is the relaxation, when now and had been, took him home from the assume a theological professorship at financial need, but in the paper he and early 1880s, he edited and recognized father. He was then he could break off from battlefield here below, where he had Augsburg Seminary, he accepted that also did battle for the spiritual prin- published, along with Prof. also a member of the board of his daily life’s tiring work fulfilled a long and active life to call, and that same fall arrived in ciples for which the school stood. Sverdrup, Kvartalskrift (a directors of the [Minneapolis] and struggles. build up His church, unto the rest Minneapolis to take up the work. There are still those among our quarterly newsletter). He was Library from 1886, when the His skill in languages, above. Here he threw himself into the people who possess some of the also co-editor of the library started, until 1896. however, was comprehen- Prof. Sven Oftedal was born in labor and struggle for free and living articles he wrote, and they are devotional church paper The idea of establishing sive. He was especially famil- Stavanger, Norway, on March 22, congregations based on the catechism cherished not so much as historical Lutheraneren (The Lutheran), branch libraries around the iar with the languages and 1844, to his parents, Latin School [children’s instruction] and the Scrip- documents as as treasured jewels. which the Conference pub- city so that library books dialects of southern Europe. teacher and bank treasurer S. L. tures. Shortly after he had taken up The paper was discontinued lished. He also took an active might be accessible to all, Greek had been his favorite Oftedal, and his wife Gunhild his duties at Augsburg, the first pow- after the ingathering for the debt part in pastoral work here in especially to members of the study in youth, and when he (Stokke) Oftedal. Even in childhood erful blow was struck. The thing that had been successful in spite of a the city. From 1874 to 1877, working class, was devised had retired from active work he learned quickly both in home and revealed the battle lines that would poor harvest, but it was revived a he was pastor of Trinity Con- and implemented by him. for Augsburg Seminary he at school. He attended the Latin define the work was the publication couple years later, with Professors gregation, just as he had, both It can also be laid to his resumed the study of that