The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-02-02
RESIGNATION.
Rev. l. Bergstrom Resigns His Pastor
ate and Will Join the EpiSco-
pal Clergy.

At the requestof Rev. I. Bergstrom,
Rev. E. r. Pope, of Minneapolis, Sup
erintendent of State Missions, occu-
pied the pull pit of the Baptist church
Sunday forenoon and evening When
Mr.. Bergstrom gave the usual an
nouncements at the evening service
he made another announcement that
created a sensation OF sorrow among
the large congregation present. lie
stated that he had handed his resigna-
tion 10 the deacOns of the church, IN
a letter giving his reasons In detail,
and that he had decided to withdraw
from the denomination and attach
himself to another church, though he
did not say what church. He spoke
feelinGly of his regret at the seTering
Of relations which have always been
of most cordial and pleasant nature.
1t was evident that he felt the full
force and effect of the unusual words
which he was speaking, as he was
scarcely able to restrain his emotion.
He simply gave as an explanation
of his forsaking the Baptist denomi-
nation that his action was due to
change of belief. Further than this
he said nothing, but it is understood
that in his letter of resignation he
criticises the Baptist creed very freely
in his full explanation Of the cause
that led up to his remarkable step.
This letter will be considered at
meeting of the deacons Thursday
night, and will not be made public
until that time.
At the conclusion of the service last
evening a large part of the cOngrega-
ton crowded about Mr.. BergstrUm
and besought him to cha nge his plans
and reconsider what he had said
Many asked this with tears in their
eyes. Others took the matter in a
different spirit, and some have even
referred to hold conversation
with him, and one church
member is even said to have evinced
his disapprobation of Mr.. Berg
strom'S course by shutting his door in
his face when he called. Many Of the
church members today are severe in
their denunciations Of their pastors
act, and all look upon it with
feelings Of sorrow and regret.
They had received no intimation that
such step was in contemplation by
Mr.. Bergstrom, and it came as thun-
derbolt out of a clear sky.
MT. Bergstrom, during the three
years that he has been pastor of the
Baptist church ia this city, has been a
most active and enthusiastic worker,
and many conversions have rewarded
efforts. During the last year he did a
remarkabl work in Decoria, securing
so many conversions that a church
has been organized and building
erected. Mr.. Bergstrom's last action
before resigning was 10 place deed
of this mission church into the hands
of the board of trustees.
Mr.. Bergstrom was born in Sweden
and received his education there. At
ter entering the ministry he was pas
tor of the Baptist church at Brainerd
and also at Lake Crystal, and succeed
ed Rev. w. w. Whitney in this city
three years ago. For eighteen months
he was district missionary of southern
Minnesota.
MIR. BERGSTROM TALKS.
A FREE PRESS reporter secured an
interview with Mr.. BergstrOm today.
Though somewhat unwilling to go in
to the questions affecting his change
OF belief, he was quite ready TO talk
upon other subjects. Said he: Il have
been considering the matter for some
months, so it is no new thing for me.
/ continued to perform the rites of
baptism up to last fall, but since that
time have not felt that l could sin
cerely perform the function, and the
SIX persons who have desired baptism
L have purposely put off until 'ome
one else could do it. l have in all
matters been true to my trust as pas
tor of the Baptist church, and have
neither failed in spirit nor activity.
SIN arriving at the conclusion
that l did, L simply arrived at
the logical conclusion of my line
of thought and investigation,
as it appeared to me. Having reached
this determination, there was nothing
left for me to do honoraoly but to step
down and out, although it brought
sorrow upon my fam ly and my CON
gregatiCn. L realize what grave step
/ shave taken. | admit it is
an unusual thing for minister to do,
but th ere are numD1r Of precadenLj
in the Baptist church. DR.. Bridge
man, of New York. is a conspicuous
example, and there are Others nearer
at home DR.. Shutter, Of the Univer-
saist church at Minneapolis was
formerly Baptist preach r. All
these have found in the other
churches to which they went that