New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1884-01-16
Lake Hanska Correspondence.

The fine fall weather has now turn.
cd into the severest winter weather.
The ground is covered with snow
which is shifting around whenever
there is a gust Of wind. Whenever I
get out into the open air I fully rea.
lie that our severe Minnesota winter
has set in with all its fury. Nearly
the whole of the first week in Janua-
ry was stormy and 50 cold that it was
nearly impossible to venture out of
doors. Some Of the oldest settlers say
that it has not been so cold weather
since they came 10 this country. TIE
THERMOMETERS fell to 40 degrees be
low zero, and would undoubtedly
have gone farther If. the theremome-
ter had been longer, as people say.
Christmas holidays are now over
again. Christmas is strictly ohserv-
ed by nearly all Norwegians. In the
old country Norway they made great
preparations for Christmas, such as
cutting up large wood piles, preparing
some extra dishes, etc. But in COM
ing to this country everybody gets o
busy that although they still retain
few, they have to slight most of the
Old fashions. Bat everybody gener-
ally likes to get hold Of some spirits
SO as to be in good mood during the
holidays, which I do not think is ont
of the way as long as they can refrain
from tasting is too often; but for
some this is u pretty hard job. Christ
mas evening they had Il Christmas
tree in the Synod church. The tree
was nicely trimmed but there were
not many presents. Most Of the pres
ents were to the children, heing most
ly toys After the band had played
some nice pieces of music the choir
came forward and sang few Christ
mas hymns. have 10 doubt as to
the capability of the singers, but /
can never agree with these old-fash-
Toned hymn-tunes which is so dnll and
dragging that you almost feel like go
ing TO sleep while listening to them.
think that many beautiful hymns
are entirely ruined b, the old tunes.
| The Unitarian church is now ready
again. The new church is built on
lower grounds SO that it does not ap,
pear quite SO stately as the old one
6d.
Rev. Kristofer Janson has been here
two times during the winter. His
sermons ale always interesting. HI
does not preach dry dog MALE, which
has been a corpse for long time; but
something which is interesting, some
thing III which there is life, which PEG
pie want in the nineteenth century
Janson has been severely assailed b,
most of his countrymen on account Of
his liberal views on religion. They
believe him nothing better than al
infdel, and his ideas will always be as
sailed us long as ignorance and super
stition hold the way; but we hope fol
the time when education shall have
got SO far ahead of these that every
body shall dare to investigate ant
think for himself. We hope for TIT
time when people shall honor instead
; of prosecuting those who are strugg
ling for the advancement of man
kind.
Fhe Synod preacher, O. Green, ha
been speaking ABOUT going to Illinoi
where he has been offered the charge
of IL congregation. He informed hi
church members about it and sai'
that if they did not like to have hin
any longer they had now q chance t
get rid of him. The result wis q grea
number Of meetings, and all Of cours
= voted against his going, and whel
the minister saw that he was so gen
orally beloved lie resolved to stay, t.
the great rejoicings OF his congrega
ton. ANON.