The Portland daily press., 1889-07-26
LUTHERAN MISSIONARY Fes-
TlvAl.
Grand Excursion to Long island
Yesterday.
A Brief History OF the Portland Luz
theran Congregation.


Fifteen years ago a handful OF Scandi-
nayians, representing all the three national
tiles, Norweglans, Swedes and Danes, with
some Germans also, met together and decid-
ed to form Lutheran congregation. e
They had many obstacles to overcome, and
trials unknown to American congregations
beset them. They were foreigners in new
country. all persons of limited means, but
men and women of determination.
The following year, 1876, they voted to
build a church, and for that purpose they
purchased the lot on Elm street adjoining
the Natural History building, on which they
erected modest building for worship.
During the years 1874 to 1880 the congrega-
ton was led by Rev. N. Ellistad, who was
installed by Pastor julie, then of New York.
he was man of energy and did good work
am 'ng the people. He also displayed good
financial management, and materially re-
duced the church debt
Rev. X. G. Faegre presided from 1880 to
1884, and during his pastorate the church
steadily grew.
Since 1884 Rev. G. T. Rygh has been the
pastor, and it Is since that date that the
church has shown the most steady growth
and financial strength
The debt has been largely reduced, and the
handful Of persons has grown to be large
congregation. -
Yesterday tue Lutheran Church gave a
missionary festival, showing that they are
now strong enough to extend help to others.
The festival took place at Cushing &
Mitchell's picnic grounds, Long Island, and
over three hundred people were present.
Besides those from Portland, there were
delegates from New York, Berlin Falls, N.
H.. Kennebunk, Cumberland Mills and Fal-
mouth. Chandler's Band furnished the in
strumental music, and choir of 16 voices
furnished vocal music
The following was the programme of ex-
ercises:
Morning.
Band Concert.
Welcome address. Rev. G. T. Rygh
Invocation and missionary address -. ........
Address key hs C. 3 Eyerson Of New Yprs
Picnic Dinner.
afternoon.
Swedish rectation.-"General Doeben at the
n,.. Mr.. Carl Uner of Kennebank '''
MI. Jacob Jacobsen.
Doxology
After the above programme the day was
given up to games and amusements.
The addresses were exceptionally good and
well received, and Mr.. Uner's recitation the
best ever heard in the Swedish language in
this city.
| The following Is a brief extract of the
Rev. c. S. Everson's address on missionary
work, the text being Peter, ii, 9th, 9th and
| 10th verses: The words of the text were ad.
dressed to Jews and Gentiles alike, as living
stones built by God into a spiritual temple
though becoming believing Christians. First
the people must build themselves through
the preaching and partaking of the sacra.
ments. They should show forth praises aud
advancement from darkness to light. They
should reach forth and preach to those who
have never heard the word of God, and tt
| those who have heard but who do not follow
itnow. Under the FIRST class Of course arr
the heather, and under the Second our own
countrymen. 1T is our duty to bring the Cos
pei to both these classes of people. 1t needs
men of ability and determination and self
denial. Let us pray God to furnish us with
such men for the work. s%