Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-15
Drs. Myerly & Kreul
Offices 10, 20 and Fl, Holman Bldg.
Old Phone 4o4-Y. New Phone 966.

pervaded its leaders and members. To
facilitate the varied work of the con-
ference 1t has for many years been
divided into five districts: Burling-
ton Stanton, Des Moines, Sioux City
and Algona Within these districts
monthly meetings are held consecu-
lively in the various congregations at
which all of the pastors are required
to be present. These district meetings
within the Swedish Lutheran church
have been the means OF creating q
strong sentiment that each congrega-
ton is a part of the whole and that
the success of the whole is dependent
upon the willing work and constant
development of the various parts.
Guest of Honor.
The second address of the evening
was delivered by Rev. NJ. G. Ranseen,
D. D., of Chicago, the guest of honor of
the Iowa conference being the Oldest
president Of the same, still living. He
was one of the pioneers in Lutheran
church work in this state. His address
was therefore along the line of Rem
iniscenses of the early days and its
many traits which today seem too
peculiar, yet necessary in their day.
That Swedish people early organized
themselves into congregations and
built churches even long before they
could afford homes Of their own, finds
it's explanation in the deeply rooted
religious life and ferver that they car
ried with them from thei. homeland
across the seas. The speaker said that
the experiences of the Lutheran pas
tors Of 80 and 40 years ago in the old
Swedish settlements at Dayton, Swede
Valley, Sweedsburg, Manson Burli
ton, are colored with 1t great deal Of
humor viewed in the light of present
conditions. Munterville, large Swed-
ish community today, was named in
honor of Swedish layman by the
name of Mr.. Munter, who was noted
for his always happy (Munter) mood
and willingness to lead gatherings and
religious meetings in singing, playing
the organ with no more than two
fingers. Another earnest character,
Mr.. Frid, (peace) prided himself over
the fact of having carried on his back
across sloughs and swamps, more
ministers of the gospel than any other
man in the community. 1t often hap
pened in those days that instead of the
usual collection of coppers and nickels
for the pastor, the collection box
would bring in plentiful supply of
homemade socks. 1t was not an I'M
common thing for train conductors to
accommodate the missionary by drop
ping HIM off in front of the farm house
where he was scheduled to preach.
Thus in a jovial strain the venerable
DR.. Ranseen spoke for over an hour
of the ups and downs, the encourage
| ments and the disappointments in the
early beginnings of the Iowa confer
ence. Those days,he said were times of
| deep piety, religious convictions and
an earnest seeking after God, which
we too often find lacking in our day of
larger congregations and more beauti-
full churches.
DR.. Ranseen was the first pastor Of
the local church and took occasion
| also to refer to the small beginnings
| Of the Lutheran work here that has
grown to such large proportions.
| The choir rendered two excellent
selections. Miss Clara Rosine and Mr..
G. G.. Nelson singing the solo parts.
mixed quartet sang also. God so
Loved the World by Bliss.
Today, Friday, the ladies' previous
ly mentioned, entertained all the pas
tors and lay delegates at a noon day
| luncheon in the church parlors.
This evening the Mission society,
assisted by the Young Peoples society
will serve dinner to the entire congre-
| cation at o'clock The church par
lors and the basement will be turned
into one big banquet hall. Covers
will be laid for 500 people. The SOC
ieties are to be complimented for at
tempting such big undertaking.
Every assurance is given that it will
be genuine Swedish dinner.