Decorah-posten., 1894-11-06

OF them beng new arrivals oehta' enen
the loves, class, was so large II had to
be divided in two, Sexta A and b, and a
large numbsr of students had 70 board
in town for want OF many OF theii
occupying the house now owned ana
used for residence by Mr.. liver Lar en-.
When we marched through town morn,
n 2 and evening 1t wa Ike the tread OF
a small army. Through the work Oh
surrounding farmers and the help OF
students the backyard was cleared away
the slough was nlled up the avenue
planted, and the grounds improved.
Thus as natures growth OF brush was
moved away and the signs OF cultivation
became apparent on all sides 80 by inc
mental and spiritual work done here the
rough and untutored human nature mas
been changed into a cultivated CHRISTIAN
character. Peace and prosperity pre-
vailed il the 7oties, and the cultivation
Of minds as well as the Cultiyat on OF
the grounds went on uninterrupted.
Then came in the Soties a time OF per
plexity and strife: the strife of predesti-
nation was aging in our Synod. some
Of its oldest and many OF Its younger
supports fell away and became opPo-
nents; the attendance at Luther
College dwindled down to ia, q
finances were in bad cond ton. IL
was like a mighty storm that swept
over the Synod and left wreck and ruin
in IS wlke. But the storm passed, the
atmosphere cleared up, peace was re-
stored, energy reawakened and new
theological seminary and a new normal
school had just been built. Then Goa
again let his rod fall on our church and
school, but it fell with a blessing. Luther
College has burned down was the mes
a that came to me on the v OF my
wedding day in May 1880. 1t was the
hardest blow hat had yet fallen on my
young life; and many were the hearts
bowed down L grief as with the sorrow
of a great loss. But the affection was
a blessing in disguise, and the murmur
and complaint loon turned into a bene-
diction.
The hearts bent in mourning were
| reused to labor Willing hands supplied
the means, and within the next year the
ask that had seemed well nigh impos-
sible was ACCOMPLISHED. Luther College
was rebuilt and better furnished than
before, and every item was paid.
Through this affection the school
gained a still stronger hold on the hearts
and sympathies OF the people. Students
again crowded to its halls and gave
promise Of a great harvest.
In spite Of the many academies, hign
schools and colleges built round about
Us, Luther College still holds its own
| New stu les have been added and a dit
ferent arrangement has been made
with terms, classes and departments
Many professors have departed or re.
moved but the Lord has always given
new and able men to FIJI their places.
It's venerable father and president
S still with us. Luther College is
yet in the first stage Of its existence
The generation that planned and bull
il are still its main supports, but they
are p ssing away. The president OF oul
synod for e 80 years, n. A. Preus,
who laid the corner stone and dedicated
the first building here, has, this summer,
departed for a better home. OF the othel
six pastors who organized the Synod
three are still living with US, but on &C
count of the inirmities of age are out O
regular employment: Rev. H. A. Stub
N. Brandt and /. A o tesen.
But the two men, who in all these ;.
years have more than any others beer
ident fed with Luther College as it maiI
supports, are still active in it's service
President Laur IL Larsen, who, today
celebrates his 35th anniversary as Pro
fessor of the Norwegian Synod, anc
Rev. V. Koren. the president of on
Synod and the chief defender OF its faith
the main stay of its workers, is toda.
dedicatlng Pacific Luth. University a
Falkland Wash.
We have also another one among u
whom we should honor for his long ant
faithful service in the interest of GU
church and its institutions, Mr.. GulbranC
Rustad member of the first colleg'
building committee and since 1871 treas
urer Of the synod. Many are the burden
and anxieties he has had to bear for GU
be owed church and its institutions, Blu
with small pay for his labor he has con
tinued true to his work and his duty.
Many are the younger men that hav,
studied and taught here, who might b,
mentioned for the work they have don
and the honor they have brought t
Luther College, both among the clerg.
and in other positions in life, bat they ar
still on the journey; may they prov
faithful to the end.
1t remains with you professors. whc
are still conducting the instruction il
these halls and with you students, nov
growing up under its influence, if Luthe
College shall remain to be in the !utur,
as in the past-the leading educationa
institution among the Norwegian Luth
Grams and the exponent of a manly, thor
ough education, and a true Lutheran
spirit and faith.
| trust that although certain change.
may take place in its management anC
in the curriculum Of its studies, as tim,
demands, Luther College may Away.
remain true TO its early ideals. that i
may always teach the supremacy o
mind above matter, of moral principles
above greed and lust, of God above self
that it may always be true to its motto
"SOH dec gloria" to God alone tn
honor; that il may always abide by the
rule of the inspired Word and let reason
taste and science b. Judged by the Bible
that il may always teach the fear Of Goo
as the beginning and end OF true wisdom
And when il cultiyates the mind and re
fines the character, may it never lowe
itself to that bastard view which look
d wn upon honest labor and coarse
clothing, but teach a refinement which
hates sin, greed. lust, injustice, vail
glory and Incidence, and always honor
that which is noble and true, whether
appears in a homespun garb or in sabl
and ermine. With this view and on thes
principles may Luther College always
grow and prosper, or as the classics woul,
say it: Sember mat e,escat JloreaN
ia
mOotaset It Sreu fro Baron Grid,
builfet benue Iiaer ON ben iebiife anb