The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-01
To help
SWEDISH
CHURCHES

A conference OF practical workers and
friends OF federation under the auspices
OF the Rhode Island Federation OF
Churches is being held today In the chapel
OF Beneicent Congregational church on
Chestnut street. The days proceedings
opened at 10 o'clock with a private con-
ference VI home missionary boards and
Swedish pastors relative to comfy and CO.
operation between the Swedish churches
Of Rhode Island.
The conference was called 10 order by
Rev. Edward II. Root, New England sec
rotary OF tho National Federation OF
Churches and Christian Workers. and
field secretary of the Rhode Island
Federation OF Churches. Rev. A. j.. Coul-
tas was chosen chairman and Mr.. Root
secretary.
Those present and participating In the
conference We're: Rev. A j. Coultas,
chairman; Rev. f. T. Root, secretary;
Rev. IL. w. Lampert, Rev. A. o. Peter
son, Rev. o. +. Falquist, Compton; Rev.
n. r.. Johnson. Providence; Rev. j. NJ.
Henderson, Pawtucket, Rev. G. j. Ljun-
gren, Providence; Rev. Andrew Pierson,
East Greenwich; Rev. +. ". Lindstrom,
Pawtucket; Rev. NJ. j. English, East
Greenwich; Rev. h. w. Robanias, Pom
tiac; Revs. J. f. Morton n L. o. Nond
qulst, Providence.
Rev. Il. 7. Root made a statement Of
the purpose OF the conference and made
three suggestions. The first was that
the Swedish pastors OF the state unite in
sending out a circular letter TO the Swed-
ish people Of the state, announcing that
on certain points where dictrine was not
involved the churches would work to-
getnJr for the good OF themselves and Of
the community.
The second suggestion was that a
committee be appointed TO investigate the
statistics Of the state as 10 the Swedish
population. both the federal census and
for ecclesiastical data.
The last suggestion was a development
Of the parish plan, so the Swedish pastors
could get the names OF all scandinavian
families I'm the state.
After these suggestions there was n
spirited discussion, especially Of the new
Episcopal church work In East Green
witch.
During the discussion Rev. c. ]. Ljun-
gren OF Providence gave some interesting
statistics relative TO the Swedish popula-
ton OF Rhode Island. He stated that
for a rough estimate he would say there
are about 15.O00 or 10000 Swedes in the
state.
or this number he said that about TO-
900 were I'm Providence, and out OF the
whole number not over 5000 were at pres
ent reached by the churches.
After some further discussion II was
voted TO appoint a committee TO draft
such a letter as had been suggested and
submit II TO a meeting to be called by
Secretary Root. The committee consists
OF Rev. Messrs. Oldstrom, Holden, john
son, Norton and Ljunren, representing the
Eve denominations OF Swedish churches In
Providence.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Tho afternoon session opened at Z
o'clock with a 15-minute devotional SER
vice. The session was given over TO a
discussion OF the Parish Plan
Rev. Lester Bradner, Jr, and Rev Dr.
Edward Holyoke discussed Theory ana
practice" Rev. L. T.. Lindh and Rev l."
NJ. Flocken Methods OF Permanent
Work" and Rev. q. Il. Cutler spoke on
Needs and Possibilities in Rural Fields.
Following these addresses there was I'm
animated discussion from the floor.