The morning call., 1893-07-02

renewal of family associations will form
not unimportant feature of the fine
appearing delegates visit to America:
But during the short time the Bishop
was here he was a most busy man. 1--WE
stay only about day at time in place"
said Mrs. AbrahamSOn at the rooms OF the
party in the Occidental. just after the hour
for lunch. and to travellers that means
great deal, but even then the Bishop was
not in San Francisco, being instead on a
ferry-boat coming over from Oakland.
where he had been addressing meeting
at the Swedish Lutheran church. In the
morning he paid hurried visit 10 the
Office OF the Swedish Consul, Henry Lund,
to say g0od-by. and soon after he was en-
route to his Oakland appointment. He
when there awaited him pressing in
vtation from Mrs. Anna Hultberg
to dinner at GAG Folsom street,
and TO eat, devote a few minutes to con-
versation, get, perhaps. a short respite
from the mental wear and tear OF travel
ing. and then to pack luggage for the next
railroad stretch. left no waste time between
his return from Oakland and his departure
for the East Professor G.. M. Esbjorn. the
pastor Of the Swedish Lutheran Church here
was a very busy man too. On Thurs
day, he dined the bishop. and then
tr-centenary jubilee Of the Swedish Lnth-
Grams In the evening. and, on Friday, he
accompanied him to Oakland and back.
and looked carefully after the numerous
little details necessary to the comfort and
convenience OF his honored guest. AS for
Professor Abrahamson, that exponent of
Lutheranism took things Hitler easier.
and has not left San Francisco without
seeing one of its chief attractions.
"Do you feel better?" Professor Esb-
jorn inquired sOlicit0usly. as he rushed.
almost breathessly, up to Professor
Abrahamson. just after the return from
Oakland
"Yes," was the reply; II feel much
better. 1 have been out, saw Chinatown
and feel much better now."
do you, really?"
"Oh. yes; do, indeed"
The Bishop could spare only few mo-
ments. but he. with the usual European
politeness, came into the room, seated
himself and placed himself at the service
most accomplished linguist. is the
Bishop. speaking, besides his native
language, German, French and Italian
fluently, also Hebrew, Greek and Latin.
and he Is fairly familiar with Spanish.
but. though he can speak English with
much accuracy. it is still little difficult
for him to express his thoughts In Amer
icanized Anglo-Saxon. especially when
greatly hurried, so he talked mostly in his
mother tongue, Professor Abrahamson
acting as Interpreter.
He says he is very favorably impressed
with America both socially and re-
ligiously." said Professor Abrahamson,
land is surprised at the wonderful ad-
vancement of American institutions
Such progress in such short period Of
time is indeed marvellous"
Professor Abrahamson informed the re-
porter that the Bishop had travelled very
extensively in different European coun-
tries and in Africa. This is the first time
a Lutheran Bishop from Sweden and Nor
way has paid an official visit to America
though, and the Bishop wasiof the opinion
that it would be productive of much benefit
to the church, both in the New World and
the mother countries.
"You need more concentration, and we
more Freedom" the Bishop explained In
perfect English.
He thought the religious spirit was
growing more and more intense in tbs old
countries. The extension of the church is
less, perhaps, but the feeling is more pro-
nounced. At least, such was his expert
ence. said he.
Speaking of the church in this country.
Professor Abra hanson gave the following
figures to show its condition:
''Altogether there is Lutheran enum-
Grafton of about 100000. In the Swed-
ish Lutheran church itself there are about
175. OO0 mem bers 10 all, about 10000 OF these
being communicates. We have seven
conferences, three colleges. one theological
seminary, four academies, our main inst-
tuition being in Rock Island. Iii. Last
year we mad 1900 Students"
The Bisnop declined to have anything to
say with reference to the division senti-
ment which was so outspokeD in Norway
not long ago; in fact, he declined to ex-
press himself upon political matters at all.
II am always glad to SEQ the representa-
tives of the press" he remarked as he rose
to his full height-he is magnificent type
OF physical manhood-and then he took
cordial leave of his interrogation.
When he bad left tho room Professor
Abrahamson said his superior was for
twenty-one years a professor in the great
university of Upsala. and he has been
Bishop since 1885,. The Won Scheeles were
originally Germans. very old and aristo-
cratic stock, out about 200 years ago the
family separated, one branch crossing over
into Sweden. Now the Scandinavian
branch Is distinguished by accentuation
point over the first re" of their name. The
Bishops home Is at Visby, on the island
of Cortland. He married the daughter of
q man of great wealth.
The Bishop will return to Europe
1ulv %