Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-21

college board of directors and vice
president of the synod, took his place
at the northwest corner of the library
building and commenced the ceremony
of laying the stone. The ritual, which
had been written by DR.. c. E. Lind
berg. began with the second chapter
of the Ephesians.
Blessing Is Invoked.
DR.. Johnston then continued: las
we are assembled for the purpose Of
beginning the erection of library to
be consecrated to the honor of God, a
building which shall be a temple of
learning, let US invoke the blessing of
the Lord
Almighty God and merciful Father.
Except Thou build the house, they la
Dor in vain that build it. We pray
Thee, therefore, in the name of Thy
Son, to help us and by Thy grace to
crown our undertaking with success.
Hear our prayer and bless us abund-
antly in the spiritual and temporal
things. Amen"
Then followed the reading of the
Lords prayer by the entire assem-
blage, after which the stone was ad-
justed in its place.
Following a short liturgy, DR.. John
ston struck the stone three times, re-
peating: 'Tn the name of the Father.
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
Amen. BY this solemn act is laid the
corner stone Of the library which shall
be dedicated to God and His service as
a temple of learning
Repeat Apostolic Confession.
Then followed the repeating of the
Apostolic confession by the assem-
blage and the singing of the doxology.
after which the ceremony was closed
by DR. Johnston with the following
prayer:
Blessed be Thy name, o, Lord, that
Thou hast blessed us in beginning the
erection of this temple of learning. Do
Thou help all who are to take part in
its construction, and do Thou crown
the undertaking with success so that
no accident may occur. nor the work
in any way hindered. Bless the givers
and those who are to direct the work.
Grant Thy grace that we all may right
~ make use of the privileges Of this
building. Gracious Father, give us
strength to keep Thy commandments
and obey Thy will Guide and direct
all things SO that at last we may be
permitted to enter into Thy courts
above This and all that we need we
pray Thee to vouchsafe for the sake of
Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
who liveth and reigneth with Thee and
the Holy Ghost forever and ever.
Amen
DR.. Andreen Speaks.
Dr. Gustav Andreen gave an In
ject, What mean these stones?"
His words were full of ardor and en-
thusiasm, bearing eloquent tribute to
the donors of the library. In part he
said:
What mean these stones around
which we are now gathered? They
mean that a new civilization is spring
ing up on territory which, even within
the memory of men. yet living, had lain
faIlow for ages. On these bluffs less
than century ago The Indians fol
lowed the chase and their canoes
SKINNED the surface of the Father Of
glistening at our feet
These stones have not come hither
Of themselves; they speak of much
previous labor and preparation Just
as the rocks were slowly formed in the
bosom of the earth, and as much ex-
ertion has been required to exhume,
to shape and to bring them hither,
as well as to plan the structure of
which we now see the foundation, so
much labor, great exertion and ardent
prayers must belong to the history of
an institution before development of
this kind becomes even possible.
Some years ago one of the donors of
the building expressed to me preg-
nant word which with its import has
burned itself deep into my heart: If
you and your people and the friends
Of Augustana are in earnest with refer
ence to the advancement of the insti-
tuition, library building will come TO
you On this day at the beginning
Of the 5Oth year Of our history. can
testify that the friends of Augustana
have been in earnest IN their efforts
for its upbuilding.
Few and poor were the founders