Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-10-16
GALA WEEK AT
LUTHER COLLEGE.
CONFERENCE AND DEDICATION OF DOR.
MITORY LARGELY ATTENDED.
Two Hundred Ministers Of Norwegian
Lutheran Synod Hold Annual Confer.
ence and Assist in Dedication Of
New Dormitory.

The annual conference of the min
listers of the Norwegian Lutheran
Synod of America. the forty seventh
anniversary of Luther College, the
dedication of the new $50, 900 dormi-
tory just completed, and the oppor-
tunity to meet relatives and old
friends have attracted large crowds to
Decorah and Luther College during
the past week.
The conference opened last Tuesday
afternoon. closing yesterday. There
are three hundred ministers in the
conference, but on account of the long
distance necessary to travel, there
were only two hundred present. The
various sessions have been for the pur-
pose of mutual uplift and co-opera-
i tion. for consultation and discussion
| of matters pertaining to the future of
the church and college, etc. Among
the things most prominently discussed
was the future policy of government
! fof Luther College. whether tuition
should be charged in the collegiate
department., etc. Another matter very
thoroughly considered was the propo-
sition to cooperate with the members
of the church in Norway in the effort
to separate the church and state. There
was strong feeling that inasmuch as
the church here is free from govern
mental alliances the American church
could be of much assistance to their
countrymen in laying the foundation
for securing the free church in Nor
way. This conference has no execu-
tive power. but is merely advisory.
Among the special services was the
sermon last Wednesday evening by
Rev. D. Q. .Tordahl of Norway Lake,
Mimi. and on Friday evening by Rev.
R. j. Birkelund of Chicago. whose
subject was his work as city mission
airy.
! On Sunday morning some three
thousand people packed the audi
torium. to attend the dedicatory cere-
monies of the new dormitory. The
sermon was delivered by Prof. DIR.
H. G. Stub of Luther Seminary. after
which an offering for needy students
was taken. Then the procession
marched to the new dormitory build
ing across the campus, the Luther
College Band at the head, followed
by the student body, faculty, members
of the conference, alumni and other
former students and congregation.
At the entrance to the building the
male chorus sang beautiful selec-
tion, and the dedication ceremony
was performed by Rev. DR.. V. Koren,
president of the Synod. Short appro-
pirate addresses were made by Presi.
dent @. X. Preus and DR.. Laur Lar
sen.
1t might be stated here that the
new dormirory stands on a prominent
site just southeast of the main COL
lege building. it's size is 13lx94, three
stories and basement, and has 100
rooms for students. Prof. Bleken
will live in the building, Prof Sheel
will also have classroom here and
in the basement ample room has been
set apart for the college laboratory.
The building is CONSTRUCTED of pressed
brick and stone, and cost between
$50. 600 and 100000. 1t is lighted by
electricity. heated by. steam, both
from pants outside the building, and
has modern system of ventilation.
o. H. Olson of Saltwater, who also
built the court house, was the con-
tractor, and as usual has given good
satisfaction. To President Preus OF
Luther College is due much of the
credit of making the new dormitory
possible. He has labored faithfully
and diligently in raising funds for it.,
and has been ably assisted by many
others in this community. The build
ing is called "Laur Larsen Hail." in
honor of Prof. DR.. Laur Larsen,
former president, now professor in
Luther College.
\ The beautiful weather of Sunday at
tracted large crowd in the afternoon
as we'll, some four or five hundred
people not being able to get seats in
the auditorium. The sermon was
preached by Rev. o. p. vangsness OF
Story City. after which the ladies
chorus, assisted by Miss Selma Vangs-
ness and Rev. o. j. Kvaie OF Orfords-
willie, Wis, rendered several selections
from Mendelsshon's Hymn of Praise.
Monday morning an open session
was held at the auditorium, during
which there was special music and
addresses by various visiting ministers
, and others.
The celebration of the forty-seventh