USA > Illinois > Rock Island County > Moline > Jubilee album for the seventy-fifth anniversary of the First Ev. Lutheran Church, Moline, Illinois > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
Third Row-Grace Lindberg, Cleone Kruse, Edith Swanson, Edith Anderson, Stella Johnson, Hilding Johnson, Carl J. Peterson, Alfred Erickson, Evalina Anderson, Eva Johnson, Dorothy Lindquist, Mrs. A. G. Edlen, Carl W. Faust.
Seated-Mrs. Ben Benson, Mrs. Clark G. Anderson, Mrs. C. O. Morland, August N. Brissman (Supt.), Rev. C. O. Morland, Mrs. Martin J. Anderson, Mrs. August N. Brissman, Mrs. Alfred Erickson, Rhoda Brissman.
MEN'S ENGLISH BIBLE CLASS.
Top Row-A. Edlen, R. Lundahl, C. E. Peterson, C. M. Fredrickson, M. J. Anderson, T. L. Toline, J. N. Shallene, C. Brissman, C. G. Anderson, C. R. Crakes. Middle Row-P. A. Johnson, C. H. Godehn, S. H. Forsberg, Dr. O. Bostrom, E. L. Nordgren, J. A. Godehn, B. Benson, C. W. Lundahl, Clifford Anderson. Lower Row-Petrus Bjorklund, C. Lundeen, A. P. Berzelius, A. J. Swanson, J. A. Forsberg, A. Eckerman, F. W. Shallene, M. Johnson.
LADIES' BIBLE CLASS.
Top Row Mesdames C. Brissman, A. Berzelius, F. W. Shallene, O. A. Eckerman, G. Landee, A. JJ. Swanson, J. Swanson, A. Brissman, C: Bohman. Second Row-Mesdames C. M. Carlstedt, C. M. Johnson, C. M. Fredrickson, O. Brissman, J. Godelm, C. Anderson, B. Benson, C. Larson, C. Westberg. Third Row-Mrs. C. J. Swanson, Miss E. Anderson, Miss I. Nordgren, Mrs. B. Swanstrom, Mrs. G. Rehn, Mrs. O. Bostrom, Mrs. A. E. Edlen Mrs. A. Swanson. Bottom Row-Mesdames M. Isaacson, A. Erickson, V. Swenson ( Leader), C. O. Morland, A. Axelson, Miss Edna Swanson.
.
SWEDISH BIBLE CLASS.
Upper Row-Holger Gavert, Aug. Anderson, Gust Freeman, Carl Erickson, Martin Soderquist, Hugo Hagman, Karl Nykvist, Karl Johnson, Henrik Carlson, Ernest Erlandson, Gust Swanson, Hugo Wahlgren.
Second Row-Emily Stonefelt, Christina Andreen, Bertha Johnson, Signe Carlson, Hanna Gustafson, Mary Swanson, Agnes Anderson, Edna Swanson, Emma Welander, Evalina Anderson, Jessie Strombeck, Olivia Carlson, Augusta Johnson, Tillie Peterson, Selma Anderson, Emily Lundberg.
Third Row-Selma Anderson, Charlotta Samuelson, Emma Rehn, Johanna Tellberg, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Johnson, Rev. C. O. Morland, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Erickson, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. A. Carlson, Lillian Hagburg, Mary Larson.
Lower Row-Albert Larson, Joe Bodin, Carl Sundell, Bertil Johnson, Gust Grahn, Minnie Hester, Allan Johnson, And. Johnson, Jennie Markstrom, Annie Nelson, Sophie Tenglin.
CRADLE ROLL.
Upper Row-Charles Delbert Larson, Allan Arthur Ekerman, Lois Marilyn Anderson, Patricia Ann Grell, Joyce Irene Swanson, Perry Duane Benson, Donald Richard Carlson, Dorothy Mary Thorngren.
Middle Row-Carl Edwin Faust, Carol Josephine Swanson, Mary Alice Anderson, Marilyn Joan Nelson, Bonnie Jean Rahn, Ernst Hugo Johnson.
Lower Row-Louise Ruth Anderson, Paul Ellwood Anderson, Barbara Charlotte Anderson, Svea Elizabeth Anderson, Donald Edwin Nelson, Marjorie Helen Thorngren, Irene Bernice Kruse, Mary Ann Lundeen, Glenna Lillian Oldefest, Katherine Lundeen.
JUNIOR MISSION BAND.
Top Row-G. Brady, K. Peterson, H. Skoglund, H. Verme, E. Anderson, H. Bjorkman, H. Thorngren, G. Hellstrom, H. Ohline, B. Bohman, M. Faust, E. Benson, H. Klingberg, C. Hemmingson, H. Peterson, P. Servine, L. Peterson, R. Lindquist, H. Newman, P. Hult, L. Gustafson, C. Johnson. Second Row-L. Johnson, P. Kruse, E. Engstrom, E. Johnson, A. Anderson, M. Shallene, L. Bergstrom, L. Carlson, N. Johnson, I. Anderson, D. Flesberg, J. Almblade, J. Anderson, G. Rahn. L. Forsberg, H. Flesberg, D. Wieden hoeft, G. Arvidson, K. Morland.
Third Row-A. Johnson, M. Brissman, G. Nelson, H. Johnston, M. Engstrom, H. Lundquist, E. Thorngren, I. Peterson, R. Benson, F. Bishop C. Rahn, D. Anderson, B. Johnson, K. Gustafson, H. Anderson, M. Carlstedt, V. Grafton, H. Anderson, R. Almblade, H. Brissman, E. Swanson, V. Swanson, M. Bohman, G. Johnson.
Fourth Row-N. Nyquist, E. Robertson, V. Swanson, W. Carlson, H. Suman, D. Brissman, R. Hogberg, J. Hvitfeldt, J. Kruse, D. Engstrom, F. Carlson, A. Johnson, H. Almblade, R. Viborg, M. Sersion, A. Carlson, E. Granquist, H. Hellstrom, M. Strand, C. Nelson, F. Vernberg, J. Carlson, E. Wiedenhoeft, P. Fredrickson, D. Benson.
Fifth Row-R. Edlen, J. Rahn, D. Simpson, C. Kronholm, O. Simmons, V. Swanson, R. Anderson, B. Anderson, M. Lundeen, E. Albietz, E. Bohman, C. Bostrom, D. Oberlander, C. Holmgren, C. Engstrom, W. Anderson, F. Peterson, M. Kruse, R. Suman, R. Swanson, B. Holmgren, A. Anderson, S. Sersion, M. Bohman, J. Benson, L. La Vold, V. Carlson,
Sixth Row-A. Johnson, M. Suman, D. La Vold, G. Brissman, R. Gustafson, C. Olafvison, D. Bohman, T. Bostrom, I. Beckman, L. Beckman, L. Wassberg, J. Wassberg, W. Carlson, M. Anderson.
Organizations
The Mission Society
HE oldest society in the congregation is the old Sewing Society, which is mentioned as early as the year 1853 and 1854. Mrs. Elmer Mattson was the leader. The society gathered funds which amounted to $30 during the year, and the money was used for various benevolent purposes, especially for the sufferers in the cholera epidemic.
The Mission Society is in reality a continuation of the old Sewing Society. It retained the name 'Syföreningen" and continued as such until about 1885, when the name Mission Society was adopted and the resolution was accepted to meet every other Thursday and give a free- will offering of 10 or 15 cents each for the support of missions. The society has held its meetings in the church and the South Chapel, but more often in some home. However, for a long time meetings have been held almost exclusively in the church parlors. A devotional serv- ice is held at each meeting and a short talk by the pastor. The offering is received and refreshments served.
Many ladies who are not members of the church have visited these meetings and given their contributions for which we are thankful. The society maintains a flower fund for cheering the sick. A visiting com- mittee makes frequent calls to encourage the sick and shut-ins. Money is often raised by special offerings for the needy. From 1900 to 1925 the sum of $6, 166.48 has been raised.
Ladies' Aid Society
On May 28th, 1875, a small group of women organized the Ladies' Aid. The first members were : Mrs. Hilda Pears, Mrs. Johanna Aron, Mrs. Anna Kohler, Mrs. Albertina Hanson, Mrs. Carie Elmsted, Mrs. Eva Frid and Mrs. Johanna Norton. Mrs. Hilda Pears was elected
MISSION SOCIETY.
Upper Row-Mrs. Chas. Nelson, Mrs. B. Swanstrom, Mrs. Carrie Westberg, Miss Christine Bengtson, Miss Marie Bengtson, Mrs. Nellie Carey, Mrs. P. A. Johnson, Mrs. C. E. Peterson, Mrs. W. R. Johnson, Mrs. August Mortenson, Mrs. C. J. Swanson, Mrs. Jacob Swanson, Mrs. C. J. Hogberg, Mrs. Ed. Erickson, Mrs. C. M. Fredrickson, Mrs. Elmer Olson, Miss Jennie Astrom, Mrs. Sophia Hoglund, Mrs. Amanda Miller, Miss Emily Anderson. Second Row-Rev. C. O. Morland, Mrs. Christina Chester, Mrs. Anna Lindberg, Mrs. Nels Olson, Mrs. Emil Johnson, Mrs. Carl Brissman, Mrs. Gust Carlson, Mrs. Mathilda Odehn, Mrs. John Kronholm, Mrs. Amanda Kronholm, Mrs. Gust Anderson, Mrs. C. J. Lindahl, Mrs. Gust Rehn, Mrs. Emily Hallgren, Mrs. Fred Shallene, Mrs. Philip Hoogner, Mrs. Chas. Carlson, Mrs. Fred Linquist, Mrs. Fred Johnston, Mrs. Esther Swanson, Miss Emily Stonefelt, Mrs. John Hogberg.
Third Row-Mrs. C. O. Morland, Mrs. Anna Bergren, Mrs. Mathilda Gyllenbeck, Mrs. Johanna Telberg, Mrs. Lovisa Beckstrom, Mrs. Maria Ostergren, Mrs. Annette Ekstrom, Mrs. C. F. Erickson Mrs. Maria Wahlberg, Mrs. Carolina Johnson, Mrs. Charlotta Samuelson, Mrs. Josephina Samuelson, Mrs. Lars Anderson, Mrs. Carolina Lundquist, Mrs. Ben Benson, Mrs. Hugo Walgren, Mrs. Augusta Axelson.
Bottom Row-Mrs. Carrie Rundquist, Mrs. Caroline Lamon, Mrs. B. A. Fagerberg, Mrs. Mathilda Stromberg, Mrs. Gust Swanson, Mrs. Emma Lindstrom, Mrs. Axel Servine, Mrs. Josephine Peterson, Mrs. Axel Carlson, Mrs. Charles Larson, Mrs. Frank Landee, Mrs. Alfred Erickson, Mrs. Q, E. Holmquist, Miss Ida Nordgren, Mrs. Frank Nyberg, Mrs. Gust Enstrom.
IOI
president and served in this capacity 25 years. Mrs. Johanna Aron was elected treasurer. At the 25th anniversary of the society in 1900, all of the above members were still living. The society has met regu- larly once a month. The dues have been 25 cents per month. At the first annual meeting the members numbered 36.
Rev. A. G. Setterdahl was pastor at the time of the organization. Among the rules adopted were the following: "that all the society's in- come should be used exclusively for the church as long as it has debt." During the 50 years of the society's history it has gathered and dis- bursed the sum of $22,981.75. Among the large disbursements may be mentioned : 136 pews, $1,403.07; painting the church three times, $3,200; the South Chapel lot, $787; toward the debt of the church at different times, $3,214; the large stone steps, $372.70; the church bell, $125. The society has sponsored a number of large dinners, when extra efforts were made to aid the church treasury. The membership num- bers 101. None of the first members are now living, but a number of the present members have been along almost from the beginning. The 50th anniversary of the society was celebrated on May 22nd, 1925. Mrs. Carry Rundquist, the present treasurer, had at that time served 39 years, and her long and faithful service was recognized with a gift from the society.
The Sorosis Society
The Society was organized by the young ladies of the church in 1880. It was first called "Flickornas Syförening," which was later changed to "The Young Ladies' Society" and in 1898 again changed to the "Soro- sis" which name it still bears.
Meetings were held twice a month for a number of years, but were later changed to once a month. They are now held the first Tuesday of each month.
In 1883 a constitution was adopted.
The City Hospital was given aid by the Sorosis Society donating a bed in the ladies' ward. Our Lutheran Hospital has been given aid by the society, a room being furnished and kept up with painting, furnish- ings, etc., and a substantial donation given towards their laundry. The dining room in the church bears a token of the work done by the Sorosis. In 1912 the society bought a grand piano for the auditorium of the church at a cost of $800. The society paid for the grill on the new pipe organ at a cost of $350. The children of the Andover Orphans' Home are remembered at Christmas time both by the society as a whole
2020
3
LADIES' AID.
Top Row-Josephine Holm, Maria Hogberg, Mathilda Stromberg, Anna Fagerberg, Hannah Peterson, Sophie Goodmanson, Amanda Johnson, Maria Brissman, Selma Johnson, Olga Brissman, Anna Johnson, Anna Erickson, Josephine Olson, Phoebe Verme, Esther Kronholm, Anna Swanson, Anna Johnson. Second Row-Alma Wahlgren, Bertha Johnson, Augusta Axelson, Emma Carlstedt, Josephine Gustafson, Albertina Erickson, Anna Olson, Anna Lundberg, Emina Anderson, Hilda Johnson, Bettie Shallberg, Amanda Hoogner, Ida Anderson, Charlotte Anderson, Amalia Swanson, Lena Carlson, Emily Hallgren, Emma Lindstrom, Alvina Johnson, Emma Nelson, Edna Hult, Rev. C. O. Morland. Third Row-Alma Sundell, Hannah Rundquist, Annette Ekstrom, Sophie Carlberg, Maria Johnson, Carrie Rundquist (Treas.), Maria Wahlberb, Sophie Ander- son, Mathilda Bergstrom, Louisa Beckstrom, Eva Holstein, Christine Chester, Anna Peterson, Sophie Tropp, Mathilda Godehn. Bottom Row-Sophie Nelson, Margaret Frederickson, Amanda Miller, Ellen Wyman, Elis Johnson, Emily Anderson, Nellie Forsberg (Pres.), Anna Morland, Emma Rehn, Elida Mortenson, Josephine Samuelson, Carolina Lundquist, Clara Erickson, Elisabeth Johnson, Anna Landce,
SOROSIS SOCIETY
Top row-E. Olson, O. Carlson, H. Hagberg, J. Strombeck, M. Serene, H. Bohman, A. T. Johnson E. Peterson, E. Anderson, S. Peterson. Second row-A. L. Johnson, E. Swanson, M. Shallene, E. V. Anderson, E. Swanson, N. Swanson, E. Johnson, S. Johnson, F. Swanson, Ruth Brandelle. Third row-Edna Swanson, A. Anderson, G. Johnson, Rev. Morland. Mrs. Morland, D. Schaffner.
104
and by its members individually. Other worthy institutions have also been given aid by the society. During the World War the society met several evenings a month in the church to do their part towards the Red Cross work by knitting and sewing. The Sorosis Society has given the treasurer of the church substantial financial aid each year.
In 1923 the Sorosis sponsored the organizing of a Junior Sorosis so- ciety for the younger girls of the church.
The membership at times has numbered close to 100. Some have dropped out after marrying, to join the other ladies' societies, and some dropped to join the Junior Sorosis.
The Veronica Society
On July 7th, 1898, twenty ladies of the First Lutheran church met at the home of Mrs. N. J. Olson and organized the Veronica Society. The first officers were: Mrs. Chas. Holmgren, president; Mrs. G. W. Johnson, vice president; Mrs. E. Anderson, secretary ; Mrs. N. J. Ol- son, treasurer. The meetings were at first held the third Wednesday of every month, but were later changed to the second Wednesday. The meetings are opened with a devotional service, hymn, Scripture reading and prayer.
The aim of the society has been to work for the church. This it has done in various ways, either by cash donations or by purchasing things the church has needed. Besides this it has furnished a room at the Lu- theran Hospital and one room at the Children's Home at Andover, Ill. There have been many changes during the twenty-seven years of the society's existence. Some of the members have passed to the great be- yond, some have moved away, others have dropped the membership, and new members have come to replace the losses.
The society has steadily increased, until now it numbers 80 members. It has received many blessings in the past. May God's blessings rest on the Veronica Society in years to come !
Two charter members still remain: Mrs. Will Shallene and Mrs. Ben Benson.
Money taken in from 1898 to 1900-$563.
Money taken in from 1901 to 1925-$6,399.34.
VERONICA SOCIETY.
Top Row-Rev. C. O. Morland, Mrs. Gust Carlson, Mrs. Emil Ekblad, Mrs. Gust Peterson, Mrs. Harry Leipold, Mrs. C. A. Hemmingson, Mrs. John Shallene, Mrs. Alfred Forsberg, Mrs. E. L. Nordgren, Mrs. Martin Anderson, Mrs. Otto Bostrom, Mrs. Victor Swanson, Mrs. Aug. Brissman, Mrs. S. A. Swanson, Mrs. Earl Braumiller.
Second Row-Mrs. Augusta Axelson, Mrs. Charles Nelson, Mrs. Elmer Benson, Mrs. Hugo Nelson, Mrs. C. W. Bandy, Mrs. O. A. Eckerman, Mrs. Caroline Lamon, Mrs. Charles Larson, Mrs. Gust Enstrom, Mrs. Amanda Kronholm, Mrs. Mathilda Isaacson, Mrs. Fred Nelson, Mrs. Fred Peterson, Mrs. Clarence Bohman. Third Row-Mrs. C. O. Morland, Mrs. B. C. Swanstrom, Mrs. Josephine Peterson, Mrs. I. E. Holmquist, Mrs. Axel Carlson, Mrs. C. Mauritz Johnson, Mrs. C. J. Swanson, Mrs. Curt Lundeen, Mrs. Jacob Swanson, Mrs. G. E. Landee (Sec'y), Mrs. C. R. Crakes (Pres.), Mrs. A. P. Berzelius (Treas.), Mrs. Alvin Anderson.
Bottom Row-Mrs. C. A. Berglund, Mrs. Carl Holmquist, Mrs. A. J. Swanson, Mrs. Arthur Eckerman, Mrs. Herman Kronstedt, Mrs. F. W. Shallene, Mrs. Ben Benson, Mrs. Anna Kronholm, Mrs. A. G. Edlen, Mrs. Carl Peterson, Mrs. O. T. Bohman, Mrs. David Simpson.
106
Men's Society
The Men's Society was organized January 18th, 1910, with 39 char- ter members. It has held quarterly meetings regularly from its organi- zation. At each meeting, which is usually on a Tuesday evening, a dinner has been served at 7 o'clock and a program given at 8 o'clock, when some outside speaker has given an address or lecture. The dues have been 25 cents per month. The interest on the part of the mem- bers has been very good and the attendance excellent at the meetings. During the World War the Men's Society affiliated with the Lutheran Brotherhood of America. The Men's Society has also affiliated and become a part of the Rock Island District Lutheran Brotherhood; of the Illinois Conference Lutheran Brotherhood, and the Augustana Synod Lutheran Brotherhood. The dues per member toward all of these organizations is 50 cents a year. During its history the Men's Society has raised the sum of $2,885.49.
The Women's Home and Foreign Mission Society
The local society of the Women's Home and Foreign Mission So- ciety of the Augustana Synod was organized at a meeting held April 2Ist, 1920. The first officers elected were: President, Mrs. C. O. Morland, vice-president, Mrs. Will Shallene; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Andrew Johnson. The number of annual members the first year was 133, life members 12.
The society has held four regular meetings annually and also ob- served Prayer Day, the First Sunday in Advent, each year.
At each meeting an interesting mission program has been carried out. The society has 222 annual members; 27 life members, six of these being Juniors; 177 annual Junior members; one life member in Zion Society for Israel; 28 W. S. S. There are 113 subscribers to the "Mission Tidings," the official organ of the synodical society. The total receipts since the organization of the society amounts to the sum of $2,121.74.
Every year the society has contributed neat sums for the Christmas Cheer Fund, in our foreign field.
This society conducted a campaign for the new Women's Building at Augustana College and secured in pledges $1,551.25. Only $61 of these pledges remain unpaid.
--
MEN'S SOCIETY.
Top Row-A. Swanson, J. Holmer, A. Erickson, II. Wahlpren, C. J. Peterson, C. E. Peterson. M. J. Anderson, C. Brissman, C. Roykouff, Emil Benson, O. Brissman, J. N. Shallene, M. Johnson, C. Bohman, C. Lundeen, S. H. Forsberg, R. Lundahl. Next to Top Row-C. H. Johnson, G. A. Peterson, C. Faust, A. Johnson, J. A. F. Peterson, G. Carlson, P. Hoogner, E. J. Engstrom, C. W. Lundalil. G. W. Johnson, F. W. Shallene, A. Brissman, A. Eckerman, E. Benson, C. R. Crakes, G. Landee, J. Nelson. Next to Bottom Row-N. Olson, P. A. Johnson, J. A. Godehn, J. Sward, C. J. Swanson, A. Swanson, G. Anderson, C. P. Bohman, O. Hult, E. Nordgren, A. V. Esterdahl, Fred Johnston, C. M. Carlstedt, B. A. Fagerberg.
Bottom Row-Rev. C. O. Morland, Carl Sundell, A. P. Berzelius, C. J. Hogberg, J. Swanson, A. Servine, T. L. Toline (Pres.), Wm. R. Johnson, B. Benson, J. A. Forsberg, O. E. Holmquist, E. H. Herrstrom. A. J.Swanson, O. T. Bohman, Dr. O. Bostrom,
GROUP OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY.
Top Row-G. Johnson, E. Anderson, E. Peterson, S. Johnson, G. Petrain, E. Johnson, R. Peterson, O. Hoglund, M. Hoglund. Second Row-A. Johnson, E. Hogberg, M. Widen, M. Faust, C. Lindquist, M. Hogberg, D. Holmquist, R. Peterson, D. Servine, L. Odhe, J. Strombeck, G. Lindberg, H. Swenson, E. Swanson.
Third Row-E. Hemmingson, J. Landee, L. Ekblad, M. Holmquist, H. Bohman, D. Lindquist, O. Andreen, Rev. Morland, E. Brissman, M. Engblom, B. Landee, E. Wilson.
Bottom Row-E. Carlmark, A. Johnson, E. Wilson, S. Servine, W. Anderson, K. Peterson, L. Peterson, P. Servine, H. Johnson, O. Wahlgren, E. Peterson.
109
Young People's Society
This society traces its beginning to the organization of the Young Men's Society on May 8th, 1877. On this date the meeting was opened with prayer by Peter Colseth who was elected chairman. Carl A. Swensson was elected secretary. The chairman reminded those present why they were meeting and urged that something be done for the young men of the church. Was a Christian Young Men's Society necessary ? After a lively discussion a unanimous "yes" vote was cast. The com- mittee to draw up the constitution was as follows: Prof. O. Olsson, P. Colseth, J. Forsberg, Oscar Johnson, A. G. Anderson, John Carlstedt, and John Bergbloom. It was decided to call the organization "Sven- ska Lutherska Församlingens Ynglingaförening i Moline, Ill." The chairman in a heart to heart talk made it plain that this was not to be a society by itself, but under and subject to the congregation, a society within the church organized for the growing young men. He asked them to prayerfully consider these things. At the next meeting, the following Tuesday afternoon, the constitution was adopted, and Pro- fessor Olsson was made first honorary member. A room was rented in a building on Fifth avenue, but later the society met in the church school-room. At one time, night school was conducted and these sub- jects taught: bookkeeping, singing, English, and Swedish. In 1882, when girls were permitted to join, the following were admitted to the society: Augusta Berg, Lottie Johnson, Sophia Lindvall and Anne Sjö- holm. On January 16th, 1882, a discussion took place regarding the changing of the name to "Ungdomsföreningen" (Young People's Soci- ety), and on July 3rd, 1882, the new name was accepted. The next month seventeen young people joined. The programs became more varied. The first lecture given was by S. P. A. Lindahl on Prohibition. Bible discussion, in which O. Hult and A. G. Anderson (both living) took active part, had a very prominent part on the program in these early days. On May 28th, 1883, a festival was held, when the pro- ceeds went to the organ fund. At this time Professor Olsson gave his well-known lecture, "Något om Känslans Bildning," which the society had printed and sold many copies. On March 16th, 1885, it was decided to spend $150 to decorate the meeting room. On February 4th, 1889, the society decided to publish Ungdomens Sändebud (Young People's Messenger), of which the first copy appeared in March, 1889. The pastor and society have edited and managed the paper from its first
IIO
publication and are still doing so. Until 1915 the society met every Monday with a literary and social program. Since then the meetings have been held the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month. The minutes of the society were all written in Swedish until January, 1918, when it was decided to record them in English. On July 14th, 1919, a com- mittee composed of Rev. Morland, Oscar Bohman and Carl Faust was elected to translate the constitution into English and revise. They reported at the annual meeting in December when it was accepted.
The society has a good-sized library which was inherited from the Young Men's Society. There were about three hundred volumes at the time the name was changed. At one time the young men of the early days took a subscription of $47 for books, a large sum for those days. It is a reminder to our young people to-day that great treasures are found in good books. One series of books in English, Pictures from the Life, are books that hold much for young people who read them.
The constitution of this organization was the first of its kind in the Augustana Synod. Many Luther leagues have patterned after it in shaping their own constitution. It is plain, complete, and well-written. It stands like a Gibraltar.
The Society has good, accurate records which are well-written and preserved. It speaks well for the efficient secretaries that have served, and stamps the organization as thorough and businesslike in the conduct of its affairs, these forty-eight years of its existence.
The records from 1900 to 1925 show a great variety of activity. In a literary way they have sponsored Bible discussion, debates, papers on different subjects, speeches, readings, musical numbers, general discus- sion, illustrated lectures, and exchange programs. The last named has helped our young people get acquainted with members of Luther Leagues in neighboring churches. At one time the Luther Study Club, Students' Volunteer Union, and societies from Augustana College rendered pro- grams. Luther Fests were popular in the early part of this period. The society has a social hour every meeting after the regular program, when games are played under the direction of our own young people. During the summer some of the meetings have been in the form of outdoor meetings. The society has also had several moonlight boat excursions.
From 1918 to 1925 marks a new period in the history of the Young People's Society-the English period. Previous to this time there was a slight tendency towards a change in language, but with the decision in January 1918 to record the minutes in English, the translation of the
III
constitution into English in 1919, the society became English. The transition came of its own accord and was not forced although the war may have hastened it somewhat. It seemed that God willed it so. To- day the membership is over one hundred. Efforts are made to get the entire confirmation class enrolled each year, as that is one way to keep the young people close to God and His church. The Young People's Society has tradition ; some of its first members are now venerable people with pleasant memories of their dear old Ungdomsförening. The pres- ent members appreciate their heritage and look with admiration upon the furrow this society has plowed. With the help of God they expect to carry on the good work.
By the committee on History, GERTRUDE JOHNSON
CARL FAUST EDNA SWANSON
Ungdomens Sändebud (Young People's Messenger )
In March, 1889, the first number of Ungdomens Sändebud was pub- lished. It was after considerable work that C. I. Josephson then could present to the congregation on behalf of the Young People's Society this small but valuable paper.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.