Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-05-22
OFF WITH THE OLD--0N With The
new.
GOOdby to the Old Lutheran
Church and Laying Corner
Stone of the New Amid
Imposing Ceremonies
Last Sunday.

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congregations. Wisdom prevailed and
the two congregations united under
the p%astorate of Rev. p. II. Tetlie Of
the Canton Lutheran church. His
former church building was moved
and placed alongside the Bethlehem
church on West Bird street, and there
the united congregations grew in
numbers and in strength until the
old double church was inadequate to
the requirements of the growing
membership. A new church was de-
cided upon some time ago and last
fall work was commenced and the
foundation walls were completed be-
fore winter set in.
Norways old Independence Day was
decided upon as the proper time to
officially say goodby to the old double
structure that had served well its
purpose of unity and progress. Rev.
S. j. Nummedal of Moe was selected
to preach the farewell aermon which
was a noticeable address, covering the
, past, the present and the future.
The farewell was a sad one, for the
congregations loved their old church
buildings under whose roofs they had
mingled In joy and in sorrow-in the
joys Of the wedding march-in the
sorrows of the funeral dirge, in the
delights Of Christmas, and in the
sweet remembrance of Easter, and
the blessings of a christian life.
At the conclusion of this memoir
able service the ladies aid society
served dinner in the old Congrega-
tional church and at 3 o'clock over
one thousand people had congregated
at the new church to take part in the
corner stone ceremonies. The wealth
er was pleasant and a gentle breeze
blew from the south, waiting the
sweet perfume of budding nature
over that great audience which filled
every bit Of the main floor and the
walls. A few minutes past 3 o'clock
Rev. P. H. Tetlie announced a song
by the Grieg, after which Rev. Olaf
Lee Of Knoxville, Minnesota, read a
selection from the scriptures and
closed with an invocation. Rev. Tetlie
then introduced the orator for the
occasion, the Rev. Salveson of Sioux
Falls, a gentleman we'll known to the
older residents of this city. He spoke
in English and began his address by
congratulating the pastor and mem
bers of the congregation over their
patriotism and unity Of purpose in be-
ginning such a glorious work for the
benefit of a Christian people and a
monument for future generations, a
monument whose corner stone repre-
sents the living God. He spoke
about one hour and laid stress upon
the fact that in unity there is
strength and counseled all to work
for the upbuilding Of Gods kingdom
on earth, and in no way could a
Christian people better proclaim
their faith and love of Christ than to
complete the glorious structure so au-
spiciously begun. His address was
able and highly appreciated by all.
A song by the church choir followed
and Rev. Tetlie then introduced Rev.
G. S. Evans of the Congregational
church.
Rev. Evans said he vas glad to be
present and represent a sister church
on such a memorable occasion. He
spoke of the large Lutheran congre-
CATION and the need Of a new church
which was an evidence Of the Chris
tian spirit that prevailed among the
people Of Canton and the surrounding
country. He said the imposing struct-
ure would be a monument to God and
man, and a magnificent evidence of a
united congregation. He paid a high
compliment to the Norwegian people
and spoke of the wonderful influence
of Norway as a nation, not for her
size or wealth or power, but for the
love Of God among her people. His
address was inspiring and full OF
christian hope, outlining the glorious
purpose of such a noble STRUCTURE.
The College choir then sang "Glory
to God in the Highest"
Gudmund Skartvedt read a history
Of the old Canton Lutheran church
and M. J. Aus a like history of the
old Bethlehm church and Mr.. Skart'
vedt in turn read a history Of the
united church, and the Grieg sang a
song which brought the program w
to the corner stone ceremony which
was assigned to Rev. Berge of In
wood, who performed the duty we'll
and thus closed the most imposing
church corner stone ceremony evel