The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-10-14
DEDICATION DAY.
Augustana College.


er, the attendance upon the dedication GER
monies of Augustana College to-day, was
very large. A special train of crowded
coaches came from Galva. Other morn
ing trains brought numbers of people,
while the Scandinavian population of this
county and vicinity was in attendance in
great numbers. The entire buildings were
a perfect jam of men and women, and
hundreds were unable to get into the
buildings.
The formal exercises commenced by
music in the chapel, from the Augustana
Silver Cornet Band, of IL pieces. Then
followed vocal music, by the choir of stu
DENTS after which, prayer by the Rev. A.
Andren. The choir then sang the 15Oth |
Psalm.
Alto o'clock, Rev. L. Norelius, of Min.
nesota, commenced the opening address in
the Swedish language. His address, of
course, was upon the Importance andbenefts
of education. but he dwelt especially upon
the importance of religious instruction in
the public schools. And he was particu-
larly severe upon all who oppose the use
of the bible, and religious Instruction. the
public schools. He mentioned rationalism'
and 'materialism" as uniting with Roman
Catholics to oppose religious instruction
in the public schools and warned his hear
ers against these influences.
i Mr.. Norelius is too loose and diffusive in
in bis expressions, and is quite mistaken
when he says that Roman Catholics are
opposed to religious schools. The Catho-
lies believe in religious schools,as thorough
, ly as Mr., Norelius or any other religionist'
And no one in this country objects to reli-
gious schools supported as Augustana Col
, lege is supported,o r supported in any man
, ner other than by forced taxation upon the
public. Mr.. Norelius should draw better
distinction between what we call
public schools. viz: schools supported by
= public taxation; and private schools OIL
!. schools supported by tuition, or subscrip
= ton, or donations, or in any other mode
= than by lawful taxation. Neither the bible
nor any kind of religious instruction car
legally be permitted in the public schools
of this country. In other schools nobody
= objects to both.
Mr.. Norelius's address occupied three
fourths of an hour. The chapel doors
- windows, and adjoining rooms were densel
y crowded with silent and attentive au
% dience during its delivery.
{ Music from the band followed, an
;. then vocal music from the choir.
70 The Rev. Mr. Carlson followed in a
- address also in the Swedish Is nguage. II
~ confined his remarks strictly to the subjeC
~ of education, and carefully avoided attacl
. ing any sect or creed. He spoke half a
hour, and was followed by vocal music fro
, the choir, land prayer by Rev. G. Peters, aft
~. which all formal ceremonies were suspend
J. ed, for dinner, the band playing in IL
j. great hall where dinner was spread.
m After dinner the crowd, (some 1000,
ho more) assembled on the bluff just back
the college, where stand had been cree
ed for the speakers and music. Aft
music, and singing, prayer " cred
' d, DR.. Greeuwald, CT Philadelphia, in En-
Tue lish. After this prayer DR.. Greenwa
'he made few remarks, in English, referri
oVo to the rapid growth of the Swedish Il
ne heran church in the last IS years, to
az interest in the cause of education, &C., 4
'i"s and referred specially to the benefits
un accrue from the establishment of Augusta
us College, &C., &c.
"U The choir then sang in the Swedish !;
'ne guage, and then 'Hosanna" in English
'@"' Rev. DR.. Passavant, president OF
uaS Augustana Synod, and one of the m
'nly prominent Lutheran clergymen in
WIN country, was then introduced by Rev.
1'ou N. Hasselquist. president Of the insti
oon' ton. He spoke in English, and occup
oiNo most of the time (about half an hour)
''II' referring to the progress of the August
III Synod, and to the objects and benefits
%,0' the college to this section and the wi
Wv country. He also spoke of the use of
Slo' bible in our schools and said the Luthe
church would always oppose any after
"nu to expel it from them. He, too, seem
be under the impression that church SC
ue ties have rights in the public schc
! i"iu They have no more right than Jews,
onei Mormons, or Infdels. No church ant
s not i'll. - /,
noon
was ism into our public schools.
also asked those present to give
college all the aid they possibly could;
ls IN was benefit not only to the Swede pc
' UauS lation but to the whole country. He 81
last of the trials and duties of the stud
~ be and hoped that when they returne
tram. their homes and to their parents
s 'Ia friends, they would show decided
bonId provement in their moral and religious
port, ucation, and their physical condition.
have alluded to the positions they will be ca
'~''''' to gil, in all the various ayocations Of
rberg anu cioSeu Wy no'' 1Ao'ien' ao''oe :
# as coileo'ion " 40 ''on '"Nsn Wy ~
,sonts benefit of the college.
no of The exercises were closed by music
This evening the exercises will be
,rho-c tinued at the college by music, and
t, and siou' Sei'loes.
80 Of Think About This.
So it W. Lnow n oood manu- naon1e II