Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-06-15

this population appreciates the TACT
that they have among them the CEN
ter of Swedish American culture
in America is plainly evident on
the present occasion when large
numbers of the residences and the
business houses are decorated with
the colors of the college, and hun
dreds of homes have been opened to
help entertain the thousands of
guests from all over the country.
That more direct assistance is
given is proven by the generous
gifts that have come to the college,
among which $25. 900 from Mr.. Ca
BILE and now $500, 1000 memorial
library from the Denkman estate.
But of course the strength of Au-
gustana is not the gifts Of wealthy
men, but the devotion and willing
ness to sacrifice that has character
lied it's people as whole. ~ ~
The present festive occasion had
it's beginning on Sunday, June S,
with the baccalaureate sermon by
DR.: Andreen. A great wigwam
had been built to accommodate the
crowds that would attend the jubi-
lee meetings. This auditorium is
about 60x200 feet in size with a
seating capacity of about 5000:
On many occasions during the fest
ival it has proven too small to hold
the crowds that have assembled.
The interior has been finely decor
ated in the Swedish and American
colors and a huge pipe organ was
installed for the occasion. The
roof was built in sections, one over
tapping the other, with plenty of
air space between so that the air
could circulate freely. AS one of
the gentlemen from Sweden re-
marked in his speech, it was most
fitting tabernacle in which to cele-
brate the pioneer period in a COM
memorate way. In the evening it
is brilliantly illuminated with cleo
trio lights, and over the entrances
are the name "Augustana'' and
"1860-1910" in electric lights. The
college buildings were also bril-
liantly illuminated every evening.
Sunday afternoon, June 5, there
were greetings to Augu'tana Gel
lege from all the sister schools of
the synod, all the colleges being
renresented by their presidents
Gustavus Adolphus, Bethany, Lu-
Their, Upsala New Jesery,) North
western. Minneota, Trinity,
Occur d. Alene, North Star-with
a response from DR.. Andreen.
Monday was devoted to class ex-
ercises by the graduates of the vari-
Gus departments of the college.
On Sunday evening the program
was given by pioneers of the Au-
gustana Synod. Rev. Peter Beck
man. one Of the pioneer pastors of
Kandiyohi county and who has or
ganized several of the present thriv-
ing congregations there, was one of
the speakers.
Tuesday morning there occurred
the historical session, with DR.. G.
M. Esbjo-n, son of the pioneer
pastor, L. P. Esbjorn, presiding.
This was the first session at which
the writer was privileged to attend,
and it was a touching sight to see
DR.. Norelius take the two other old
gentlemen, Rev. G Peters and John
Erlander, both very infirm with
age, and lead them out on the stage
and say, Here are the remnants,
all that are alive of those who at.
tended the meeting of the organiza.
tion of the Synod. Bishop Won
Scheele, the official representative
of the Church of Sweden and of H.
M. King Gustaf v, made an address
of particular interest. Tuesday af.
ternoon 1.-The Sons and Daughters
of Augustana, were heard from.
At five o'clock Rector Magnifikus
Henrik Schuck of Uppsala Univer.
sity delivered very scholarly lee.
ture in which he discussed, the pc.
l:riod Of Swedish history when the
u s q IS t3