USA > Illinois > Rock Island County > Moline > Jubilee album for the seventy-fifth anniversary of the First Ev. Lutheran Church, Moline, Illinois > Part 4
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they asked $40 to paint it. But I bought paint myself, and a man taught me how to mix the paint, so I could paint it for $10.
Other buildings I can hardly describe, yet it costs only a little com- pared with in Sweden. One does not need to stock up with cattle as in Sweden for fertilizing, if you only have some two cows for milk and then breed. A cow costs on the average $35, large, fine milch cows. I hear they count on five or six pounds ["tt"] butter a week from each cow. They never use cream to coffee or tea, fresh milk always used, or neither among those who do not have their own cows. A team of good horses brings $300, a pair of old but usable ones $100 to $150. A set of new harness is $35, and they are like wagon harness in Sweden. Here they always drive in teams. A new farmer wagon costs $110 to $120. It is both strong and nice. On it you can carry anything needed. On one acre can be harvested 25, 40 to 50 bushels of corn. The seed corn for it, about one Swedish "kappe," costs from 50 to 90 cents a bushel. They count on the average 25 bushels of wheat to the acre .... Potatoes grow abundantly, but are dear about here, because there is a pest called potato bug, like small June bugs, but in color brown. These eat the leafage, so there is left only the stalk, at the time the potatoes bloom. Oats grow abundantly, but are used only for the horses, and whole; they bring about 30 cents a bushel.
As to the economic condition among the Swedes-that is hard to describe in order not to make a liar of some Swedish paper which fights emigration and which has laid hold of some letter coming from one who believed that if a man but come to America he might be fed with- out labor, and then when he failed became enraged and wrote about America as he had experienced it and all he saw there to complain about. I talked with a Swedish young man last year, after his arrival here. Among other things he said that he becomes furious when he sees the "Americans." I asked, why? Yes, "because I can't get any work." Right after that he got work, at $1.65 a day. But he thought it too hard and grew dissatisfied. For here there are required more briskness and zest in work than in Sweden, and there come here so many proud and easy-going folks,-and here no one asks for anything but whether they are rapid and dependable workmen. But that they do look for in a stranger. And they don't go scolding and beating them,-they simply pay them off and discharge them. There are plenty of workers here, so it's not easy for the newcomers, to begin with. Almost all that ar- rive are looking for work. There is required patience. It will always improve when they have been here a year or so, become somewhat ac-
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quainted with the language and the customs of the country. Those whom God blesses with health can generally in four to five years earn sufficient to buy land. There are many Swedes settled here who are right well-to-do, who came here some 12 to 15 years ago with two empty hands, as we say. And I do not believe that any country in the world is better for the poor man to get his own home in. But one who is lazy and "drinks" will not get along. In general the Swedes have prospered. This is natural, when you can buy such fertile soil for such small money, and many years' credit if desired. There is still homestead land left in some places which can be had for almost nothing. But there is needed something to start with, for otherwise the ground can not be cultivated. They who come here and have $600, which makes about 1500 "Riks- daler" [Swedish], do not need to work for others. But the laboring class increases daily. It does look as if it might become "tight" for them. To be sure there are many who off and on can take up land, and so others come in their place [in shops]. But there arrive here between two to three hundred thousand annually. Though, indeed, there is room to settle on in our country, before it becomes crowded here in North America. The population in the United States is now about 33 millions, from which can be seen that it is a great country.
They travel about here with the thrashing as well as reaping ma- chines. Threshing costs about 5 to 6 cents a bushel for wheat, 3 to 4 cents for oats. One does not need to thresh corn, the cobs are picked on the field. They are large, from 6 to 10 inches long, and have from 4 to 7 hundred kernels on, and each kernel is as large as a coffee bean. This is a marvellous product, yielding abundantly. Afterwards the cobs are sold whole, and a bushel sells as before stated. To hire a ma- chine for reaping costs a dollar an acre. They sow just as in Sweden, except corn, which is sown partly by hand, partly by a simple machine. By hand they do this wise : First they mark off the field as they do when they set cabbage plants, by a simple apparatus which anyone can make for himself. It is driven by horses. Then a man walks across the field and drops 3 to 4 kernels at each intersection, and another man walks across the other way. This women could do. It is three feet between each row. They thresh rapidly. I was along eight days last year. About 400 bushels wheat a day are threshed, and then it is also so far clean that they only need to pass it through a sieve. About 800 bushels oats. As to rye I cannot say, for about here no rye is sown, because the soil it too loose, and the winter too open. They raise rye in other States.
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'Yu' wish to know about the Christian life among the Christians that arrive here. I can hardly give an account of that. No doubt they are in grave danger of becoming drowsy, not so much because of living wor- riments as far more because of the new circumstances to which they must address their attention, as language, customs, and manners. At each progress in these it is natural that one feels elated, and in this I seem to see a great temptation for the spiritual life among those who are less watchful. And then there is such a spirit of 'speculation' which occupies the mind,-there are so many things to choose from here, so that the Swedes who come here roam about hither and thither to try now this, now that. Even Christians can be tempted to this, and those who were unsteady and lightminded in Sweden are so here, too, for they wish to become rich without much effort. Those who have come here with that intention travel hither and thither to begin with, until they have been somewhat chastised for their lightmindedness.
Those who mean it earnestly in their Christian life do not all have any more hindrances here than over in Sweden, rather the other way.
The chief temptation for women as to spiritual sloth, I believe, is vanity. For when a Swedish girl comes here and may freely carry the garb of Swedish gentry ["herrskap"], it no doubt becomes a tempta- tion for the old Adam to rule. For there is no class distinction in dress. The garb of men is in general as the middle kind in Sweden. Women like so to have little 'playthings.' They are in general here dressed as the upper classes in Sweden. But in their daily work it is natural they can dress as they please. The women do not wear ker- chiefs on head or neck. They use hats or woolen caps, in all kinds of colors and shapes. And there is not here made any distinction in gar- ments for funerals or Communion Services from what is used at other occasions. The same for all, one garment suits just as well for every purpose.
Church discipline is not different here in the Lutheran Church from what it is in Sweden. The 'unbelieving' are not refused admittance to the Lord's Supper. But the external life is here lived more decently. It is rare at least here in Rock Island and Moline to see a man reel from strong drink or to carry on loud. One is safe wherever you go. One thing is good, that no unconverted ministers are accepted in the Augus- tana Synod .... There are few school teachers, and in the Swedish lan- guage they are not taught more than to read well in a book, because the children must learn arithmetic and writing in English.
I must now close.
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I have tried somewhat to reply on the questions put to me, and I can now mention that I have been especially blessed by God bodily and spir- itually and can safely say that I live in the faith of my Saviour. Nor can I in words describe His goodness toward me.
And now I am also happy that I shall soon see again my wife and confer and counsel with her as to the way to heaven, etc .... I suppose 'yu' have heard that she has sold our property, and in a way which pleased me, namely, without auctions. I wrote her in a letter that if she could not sell our goods and all together, we would let it be, and I would return, if God gave me health and length of life. For I am anxious about her spiritual life, that she should be put into so many temporal worries. Instead, I received what was a fair price. She will be ready to depart at the end of this month, together with the children, if it please God-to grant her a happy journey.
It would be very lovely if 'yu' and we could come into the same neighborhood here in America. But if 'yu' are to have your work [as pastor ] among the negroes, then we will be several hundred miles apart. I intend to buy land when my family arrives here, and then I will go to New Stockholm first to inquire. There are some Christian acquaint- ances there. Others also wish to go along where I go. Farewell in the name of the Lord.
Signed by a fellow-pilgrim to Zion, N. BRATTLUND.
From a letter written by Rev. L. P. Esbjorn to Rev. O. C. T. An- drén February 2, 1858, we quote the following :
"Your request that I might give some notices concerning the congrega- tion I gladly comply with, but I have not much to mention, and what I am able to mention can not very well be done without reference to my- self. Yet I may present something. During the summer of 1848 the first Swedish immigrants came to Andover and near places, except Bishop Hill, which was settled in 1847. They had then no other access to spiritual care than that (offered by) the Swedish Methodist preacher J. J. Hedstrom in Victoria. But he seems at this time to have been rather slow to visit them. At least it is related by some of them that they had ot wait half a year for his visits to break the bread of life to them, alhtough they repeatedly asked him to come. During the summer of 1849 considerably more immigrants arrived, especially from Öster-
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götland, most of whom settled in Andover, but some few went to Rock Island. Among them a shoemaker, Kindstrom, now living on an island outside of Camden, was probably the first, and the next was the tailor Johanson in Moline. October 24, 1849, I came to Andover exhausted, having been down sick with the cholera in Chicago fourteen days. As soon as I was able I began to hold divine services for the Swedes in a schoolhouse in Andover, and later in the fall I received aid from the American Home Mission Society with the understanding that I was to preach every other Sunday in Andover and Galesburg. During the win- ter, if I correctly remember the time, I also went down to Rock Island sometimes and preached to the Swedes in the Court House. At my first visit there the number of listeners amounted to twelve, which com- prised all the Swedes that were there. At my next visit they were thirty, and from that time the number increased more and more. Soon the Swedes also began to settle in Moline, and finally they were more numerous there than in Rock Island, so that I had reason to preach more frequently in Moline than in Rock Island. What I endured on these trips, how often I was stuck in marshes and sloughs, so that there was little hope that either I or the horse would be able to get out, can- not be described. And it is not necessary either. There is one who knows it.
"After I had arrived, Mr. Hedstrom's indifference was changed to the most stubborn zeal to get both me and the Swedes to go over to Methodism. It required in those days, when I was alone among the people that were not accustomed to the American tricks in getting pros- elytes, that permitted themselves to be led to believe that American lib- erty demanded, or at least permitted, throwing away of everything old -even the truth-(it required) not a little effort to defeat these at- tempts. Still, we succeeded by much prayer and struggle and by heed- ing the passage : "In patience ye shall win your souls."
At this time something comical happened in Moline. Mr. Hedstrom preached to the Swedes there and urged them to become Methodists, and concluded by saying that those who now desired to be saved (name- ly) through Methodism should arise. No one arose. Then he reversed the question, presumably counting on that the indifference of his listen- ers would also now cause them to sit still, and said: "I see that you misunderstood me. Let every one who does not desire to accept the salvation now proffered arise, and those who do, remain seated." Then every person in the audience arose, and the preacher became confused. ... "In the spring of 1851 I undertook a journey to the eastern states
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in order to raise money for church buildings. During eleven weeks I traveled 3,500 miles and visited three synods and a number of con- gregations. During the trip I gathered, if I remember correctly, about $2,200, the church accounts at Andover show the amount, of which Jenny Lind gave $1,500 with directions to build at the most important places.
"Having safely arrived home, but pretty tired from the journey, I began building churches in Andover and Moline, paid for mainly out of the money raised, to the amount which the accounts show. The reason why a church was built in Moline rather than in Rock Island was partly this, that there were more Swedes in the former city than in the latter and there were prospects that it would always remain that way; and partly this, that an agreement had been entered into with the most prominent among the German Lutherans in Rock Island, that they should build a church there and we one in Moline, and that we were to use their church and they ours when the owners themselves did not need them. The Swedes kept their word, but the Germans have, regardless of many reminders, done nothing that I know.
"The Moline congregation continued to be served by me, as well as could be done, until they got their own pastor. Nevertheless I must confess that my visits there became steadily fewer, because health and strength declined after the extensive journey and because of my many domestic sorrows. Any one that might think that I have been and still am comparatively inactive should consider all this, and besides bear in mind that I already in Sweden had worked so for the cause of God and His Kingdom, that my friends, who knew what I passed through there, wondered how body and soul could hang together. It should not be forgotten either that a licentiate of our synod, C. J. Vallentine, was in charge of the church in Moline for a time, from 1852 until some time in the spring of 1853.
"You see, Brother, that it is but little that I can relate, and, as I said, I have not been able to present it without frequently mentioning myself. But I have not been able to evade it any more than Aeneas could evade his 'quorum pars maxima fui."
L. P. ESBJORN.
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Greeting
The First Lutheran Church of Moline enjoys the distinction of being the third oldest of all the congregations of the Augustana Synod. It was called into being under the supervision of the founder of our work in America, the Rev. Prof: L. P. Esbjorn. It is therefore old and historic. Within its compass of years is included the entire story of the
DR. G. A. BRANDELLE, President of Augustana Synod.
endeavors of the Swedish Lutherans in America during the latter half of the Nineteenth Century and up to the present time.
Its mission has always been to herald forth the Gospel of the salva- tion which is in Jesus, and what experiences it has had in the doing of this. In the beginning of its career it met with the most violent opposition from those it would serve. By degrees this yielded to the movings of the Spirit of God and there came showers of blessings.
The present large and beautiful house of worship was built as a monument to the victories of the previous days as also to the faith of the fathers. At the time it was one of the very few commodious and
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churchly churches of the Synod, and in its early days it was filled to overflowing mornings and evenings.
The opposition, however, was not overcome. It continued to pour forth its withering fire. The membership of the church knew, however, whom it had believed and continued along the wellbeaten path. To- day the enemy is not so outspoken and confident, he has retreated some- what but he is still here.
This church has done a wonderful work among the thousands of our people that have passed through or have lived in Moline during the past three fourths of a century. Its service to Augustana College and Theological Seminary has also been significant. But the services of this church and those of Augustana College and Theological Seminary have been reciprocal.
From this church has also gone forth four other congregations, each of whom in its turn has been faithful in heralding the advent of the Redeemer and of pointing to Him as the only hope of the individual and of the world as a whole.
Sincerely appreciating the life story of the First Lutheran Church of Moline, we offer our most cordial felicitations and pray that its efforts may be constantly increased and continued until the coming of the Lord.
The Lamb shall overcome them (the enemies), for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with Him, called and chosen and faithful. Rev. 17. 14.
G. A. BRANDELLE.
Greeting
To the First Lutheran Church, Moline, Ill., Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, 1925.
May I bring you a word of greeting at your Diamond Jubilee not only from myself, but from the Illinois Conference, which held its first meeting, as the Mississippi Conference, in your First Church June 6, 7, 8 and 9, 1853? The Conference joins with you in giving thanks to God at the close of the first three-quarter century of your history.
You are looking back upon seventy-five years of divine blessings re- ceived, and seventy-five years of services rendered. The gospel of sal- vation has been preached in your congregation these seventy-five years and its saving truths taught to the young and the old. The sacraments have been administered in accordance with their institution. Pioneer
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pastors and godly men of more recent years have shepherded this flock of God. Sinners have been saved for the Kingdom of Glory, and saved for a life of service in the Kingdom of Grace. You have stood firm "in the faith, once delivered to the Saints." You have faithfully trans- planted into the life of America the conservative Lutheranism of the Mother Church across the sea. It has been your privilege to give spir- itual care to the school family at Augustana College and Theological
DR. PETER PETERSON, President of Illinois Conference.
Seminary. Many a homesick student has been a welcome guest in the hospitable homes of your members. Your past history bears the stamp of a living faith, fervent piety, and zeal for the Zion of God. May it always be so.
You are the second congregation organized by Patriarch Esbjörn, the second oldest sister in the synodical family. Yours has been a posi- tion of leadership in the family of churches. New conditions confront us now; new problems present themselves; new tasks await us; new responsibilities are placed upon us ; new opportunities knock at our doors. From larger fields is heard the invitation: "Come over and help us."
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As you now live and act in this new era, may you be true to your tra- ditions. May you continue to lead. Lead, because you yourself are led by the chief Shepherd. May you serve, because you belong to Him who "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and give His life a ransom for many."
With gratitude for the past, and prayerful best wishes for the fu- ture, I am Yours in the Master's Service,
PETER PETERSON, President of Illinois Conference.
Greeting
Augustana College and Theological Seminary joins most heartily in the greetings which come from all quarters to the First Lutheran Church of Moline, as it now celebrates the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of its founding. It was one of the earliest churches of our Synod, founded the same year as Andover, the oldest one, in 1850. When the congregation was but three years old, pastors and laymen gathered in the Moline Church, then humble in its appearance, and founded the Illinois Conference in 1853. Moline Church soon became one of the very largest in the Augustana Synod, as the population of Moline was and is largely of Northern and Lutheran origin. The work of its pastors, too, has been most devoted, and God has made this Mother Church of these three cities and surroundings an important beacon light in His Kingdom.
When Augustana College and Seminary was going to move away from Paxton in the early 70's, the presence of the strong Lutheran Church of Moline with the Lutheran population of the city, attracted our fathers so that they decided to locate the institution of learning near this center. There was some thought of putting the institution right in the city of Moline; but a tract of land which our fathers con- sidered suitable, located between the business centers of Moline and Rock Island, was finally chosen; this tract is in the territory of the city of Rock Island.
Thus Augustana College and Seminary came to be located in the oldest district in our Synod, in which also our evangelical Lutheran work is to-day represented. It is likewise centrally located for all parts
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of our Synod; I feel certain that the guidance of God brought our institution to its present location.
In the early days of the history of our institution at Rock Island, almost all the teachers belonged to the First Lutheran Church, Mo- line, and we students regularly attended the services in Moline. At the Fiftieth Anniversary of our coming to Rock Island, our speakers re- minded us how the students of Augustana took very active part in the
DR. GUSTAV ANDREEN, President of Augustana College and Theological Seminary.
religious work and the great revival movements of the Moline church in the late 70's as well as afterwards.
The undersigned received his instruction as a catechumen from Rev. Axel Setterdahl. Every pastor since him has shown the members of Augustana College and Seminary a great kindness in all their relations and in their work. Even to this day First Moline church is one of the places which teachers and students visit a great deal, and not a few of the college family belong to this old mother church. Augustana therefore feels that if it had not been for the First Lutheran Church
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of Moline with its importance and its significance, our institution of learning would never have been located here. Historically our roots are intertwined, and Augustana feels most intimately connected with the church's history and with its development. Hence on this Anniver- sary Day we express both our gratitude for all that the First Lutheran Church of Moline has meant to our Institution, and also our deep ap- preciation of the work accomplished during these seventy-five years for the salvation of souls and the advancement of the kingdom of God. Its work will surely continue as long as the world stands, and the fruits of its labors belong to eternity.
GUSTAV ANDREEN.
Pioneers and Leaders
Peter Lind came to Moline in 1856, was confirmed by Rev. O. C. T. Andrén in 1858 and has been continuously a member of the church, has served as deacon two terms and as trustee for many years, part of this time during the building of the church. He served in the civil
PETER E. LIND.
PETER COLSETH.
war, was a member of the first quartette which sang at the services and also of the first choir. He has been a communicant member for 67 years and is still a regular attendant at services though past 81 years.
Peter Colseth was in his day among us a man of strong influence. There was deep piety, forceful character, judicious judgment and de- pendable manliness to him. Easily the first layman of our congregation during his years in Moline, his activities in our church were of lasting importance. He was the one who planned our church as also Immanuel
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C. G. THULIN.
in Chicago, Immanuel in Omaha, and our church at Oakland, Nebraska. In our Church Council, in Sunday-school, in Young People's work, and in general, his word had weight. There was sturdy insistence on his conviction quite often, but always a reasoned conviction which caused men to take note. Few laymen in our congregation's history have left as strong an impress upon the life of our First Lutheran Church as Peter Colseth. In private he was a genial and delighting man.
OLOF HULT.
DR. HELEN B. BODELSON, member of first confirmation class, 1856. Lives in New Boston, Ill.
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