The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-06-07

Fargo, n. d.. June Five thou
sand pastors and lay delegates at
tended yesterdays session of the Uni
ted Norwegian Lutheran church con
ference for North America. which
opened in the Sunday tabernacle. Ev-
cry hotel in the city is taxed to ca
pacity with delegates, while dormitor-
les at Concordia college and many
private homes are furnishing lodging
for the visitors.
Two From Norway.
Two representatives from the state
church of Norway will arrive in Far
go today to attend the United Nor
wegian Lutheran church convention.
The men are Bishop i. w. *. Boeck-
man of the diocese of Trondhjem,
Norway, in whose cathedral the kings
of Norway arc crowned, and Rt. Rev.
Hans Nielsen Hauge. descendant of
the noted lay reformer for whom the
"bauta" stone will be unveiled at Con-
cordia college June 10.
The coming of these two men from
Norway marks the first time in the
history tina the church of Norway
has over sent delegates to a church
gathering in the United States. The
fact that they come this time is ac.
counted for by the growing import.
ance of the United church in the Uni
ted States and the more intimate re.
lations between the people in the tive
countries.
Afternoon Session.
In his annual report to the national
convention of the United Norwegia.
church of America. Yesterday after
noon, the Rt. Rev. T. II. Dahl, D. d.,
president of the organization. called
attention to the rapid transition from
Norwegian to English which is taking
place. He stated that there were sixty
parishes without pastors at the pres
ent time. There We're no mel to fill
these vacancies. Only those could be
used who were able to use good Eng
fish and in addition to this. also able
to use Norwegian.
Great Rejoicing.
Another feature of the report was
the mention which the president
made of efforts which are being made
at an agreement in doctrine between
this organization and the Synod of the
Norwegian Lutheran church of Amer
lea. DIR. Dahl said:
There was great rejoicing among
our people when the message came
from Madison. Wis. that the joint
committee representing these two bod
les had reached a full agreement.
God be praised for every sign which
POAliAo W uH aus wei VI lHe prayers
which have been offered up for this
great cause. A desire for agreement,
peace and union mas taken hold on
the Norwegian Lutheran church peo-
pie in this country more than v
before. This is a work of the Lord
and it is wonderful 10 our eyes. With
prayer to God for his guidance we
will consider this great question at
later sessions of this convention"
Rapid Growth.
The rcpor also mentioned that the
has 10000 members in the three
states of Minnesota and North and
South Dakota. a very rapid growth
is also noticed in the Dominion of
Canada.
More Thorough Instruction
Great stress upon Il more thorough
religious instruction of the young was
also a feature of the presidents re-
port. He said that the church body
which paid the greatest attention to
this work had the greatest prospects
for "a bright future.
Report of Secretary ROscland.
q j. G. Roseland. secretary of
United church. also read his annual
report. He made mention of the work
done by the young peoples organiza-
tons, n the increase from year to
year in the tendency to use the Eng
llsh language by the young people. He
said the church must be prepared to
meet the demands of the young peo-
pie in this direction. The statistics
quoted by the secretary in his report
contained the following items: There
are 1888 congregations formally or
informally connected with the United
church. These congregations have
been increased by an addition of S.441
persons who have been admitted by
confirmation, and in addition to this
9,615 have been received by letter or
transfer; 10,2S4 children have been
baptized during the year; 33,252 SER
vices have been conducted in the Nor
wegian language, and 5.49O in the
English language. From this it will
be noted that one-siXth of the service
es of this church body are conduct
ed in the English language.
Increase of English Services.
The ratio of English services is in
creasing nor rapidly every year. The
secretary also read "A copy OF a letter
which he had sent to James j. Hill,
president of the Great Northern rail-
way. thanking him. on behalf of the
United church. for MIR. Hills offer of
a permanent endowment fund for st.
Olaf college, Mortified. Mimi. on
condition that the United church rails
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