Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1907-12-25
MEMORY OF
SWEDISH KING
. IS HONORED
Large Gathering at the Memorial
Services in the Bethel Church
Thursday Evening.
TRIBUTES TO THE REIGN OF
A PEACE-LOVING MONARCH

The memorial services at the
Swedish Bethel church last Thurs
day evening was an occasion of rare
interest to the large number of peo-
pie who had assembled to pay their
respects to the memory Of the de-
ceased king, Oscar II. The love for
the old fatherland still dwelling in
the hearts Of Swedish Americans
was stirred to its fullest depths.
The assemblage was made up of
Swedish people of all the different
churches of the city and the occa-
sion was one of which all could
unite to give expression to the old
national feelings of pride and rev.
erence for that grand old country
that has bequeathed a priceless leg
acy of honor and patriotism to its
children everywhere, regardless un-
der what flag they live and bear
allegiance.
the church had been very appro-
priately decorated. In the chancel
was an arch draped with the Swed-
ish colors and in it was a portrait
of the deceased king, surrounded by
large wreath of evergreens deco
rated with yellow and blue electric
bulbs. At the right of the picture
was placed a United States flag and
at the left the Swedish flag.
The exercises were begun with
the singing of the second and third
verses of hymn No. 3O6. Rev. A.
G. Hall read the Goth Psalm, fol-
lowed with a eloquent tribute to the
king and expressing the deepness
of loss felt by him when he heard
the sad news. He then led in an
earnest and touching prayer.
Rev. Theo. J. Paulson then made
an effective address on the subject
bright Recollections at King o.
cars Bier" He devoted himself
principally to the kings personal
ity, citing numerous instances
showing the late monarch's simple,
democratic manners and how he was
always ready to listen to the appeals
of the poor as we'll as the rich; hi
benevolence, shown in his numerous
gifts to every worthy object
brought to his attention; and the
deep, calm and strong religious
feeling Of the monarch.
The assemblage next sang the
first verse Of hymn No. 448.
Editor A. O. Forsberg spoke on
the subject of king Oscar as a
Ruler.'' Mr.. Forsberg prefaced
his remarks by an emphatic state
ment that he was proud Of his
Swedish nationality and no apollo
gies were needed for a gathering of
this kind. Due respect for and
appreciation of ones old national
antecedents does not in any way re-
fleet on the loyalty to ones adopted
country; but on the contrary
strengthens true patti lotto feeling.
The speaker reviewed the resources
of the true greatness Of King Os-
cars rule and the peaceful develop
ment of his country in material
wealth, in the arts and literature.
He referred to King Oscars reign
as the realization of the prophecy
made by the greatest of Swedish
poets, Esaias Tegner, in his great
national poem "Svea."
Editor V. E. Lawson read a poem
written by William Larson and pub
lished in the Swedish periodicals,
entitled AT the Death of King
Oscar.'
A duet was sung by Mrs. A. G.
Hall and Miss Esther Peterson.
Judge A. F. Nordin then followed
with an address on the subject
liking Oscar and His People,