Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-07-12
CHURCH FESTIVAL
IS MEMORABLE
lutherans at Norway Lake GEL
ebrdte fiftieth Year Since
First Organization.

Sunday, July 2, was a bright, beau
tiful morning, roads were good anG
everything pointed to pleasure; ever
nature with the green fields anG
grass and flowers along the roadside
seemed to be dressed in holiday at
tire to salute the passersby. The roads
in all directions gave an appearance
Of regular moving picture with all
kinds of rigs running on wheels from
the most stylish automobile to the old
style pioneer wagon, all vending their
way towards the south side of Ole
Knutson's grove where were spied in
long distance, three large tents pitch
ed on the very ground where stood
the little old log church erected by the
sturdy pioneers fifty years ago, the
first Norwegian Lutheran church in
Kandiyohi county. The place looking
as familiar as ever; even the birds in
the forest sang the same songs they
did fifty years ago, joining in harmony
with the fifty years jubilee which was
the object and the aim of the large
gathering by the several Norwegian
AAutA0As NOAA6A O6ckLAOA0 tA0I AA1OA A1AS.
At about 10: 80 a. m., it was estimated
that about fifteen hundred people had
ternoon, the estimate was over two
Kandiyohi county. The place looked
thousand.
At 1920 the meeting was opened
by the selection Of song by the choir
after which Rev. L. P. Torkveen de.
hvered very impressive morning
sermon. After this service, free din.
ner was served by the ladies. At the
noon recess the large gathering en-
joyed some excellent music by the
Sunburg band and pictures were tax.
en- Of the groups by Elkjer Of Willma1
and Merryman of Kerkhoven.
Afternoon session was called to or.
der by Rev. N. ]. Mus. Old Settlers
from 1862 to 1865 were called upon
to take places provided for them on
the platform, those responding were
Ole Knudson, E. o. Glesne, Erick Paul
son, Hans Peterson, Mrs. Nels Pet
terson, Johannes Halvorson, Ole Hal
vorson and Peter Broberg.
Besides the local ministers present
the Reverends John and Rudolph Fjel
stad, L. P. Torkveen, Jas. Halvorson
T. o. Tolo, Bjorgo, B. S. ]. Sund and
D. c. Jordahl, were also in attend
ance. After a selection by the choir
the meeting proceeded with speeches
by Reverends Jas. Halvorson; ID. G.
Jordahl and Hon. L. o. Thorpe.
An evening session for the Young
Peoples Society was set for eight o.
clock with the Revs. John and Ru
dolph Fjelstad as speakers. Benedic
ton was pronounced and meeting ad
journed until Monday morning.
Monday morning, July 3rd, owing
to a heavy rainfall Sunday night, tht
meeting planned for the previous eve
ming had to be postponed until latel
date. This meeting was opened b!
Rev. Rudolph Fjelstad who led il
prayer after a song by the audience
The meeting organized by the election
of Rev. D. c. Jordahl as chairman O
the meeting, G. Stene, corresponding
secretary in English; E. P. Storake
and S. Hatlestad i'm Norwegian.
Discussion for the day was Matt
2S:1S-21. Introduced by Rev. Johl
Fjelstad. Those partaking in this dis
cussiOn were Revs. D. G. JOrdahl, 7
o. Tolo, Rudolph Fjelstad and Bjorgc
A letter was read by Rev. Mus iron
| AOA. W. 0CuO duAOuAOAA6 AA0 II
ability to be present at this meetin
on account of illness whereupon IL
struction was given the chairman t
send an answer of regret and hop
for speedy recovery.
Rev. B. S. J. Sund made a very goo
speech at this session.
Meeting adjourned until Tuesda
morning.
Tuesday morning, July 4th. Son
by the choir, America. Speech b
Rev. Jas. Halvorson on "Declaratio
of independence and Loyalty to tn
Country" in the English Language
; Speech was made by Melvin Haug
on the Immigration Of Norwegian
: from the little Norway to our cou1
try, the land of plenty, their hero
: wolk and loyalty to their countl
both in church as we'll as upbuildir
Of home and country" in the Norwe
ian language. Speech was made /
| Rev. Bjorgo on Liberty" in the En-
lish language.
e Meeting adjourned until 1:30 p. m
D Afternoon session opened at L.;
p M, by a song of the choir, w
: Gud han er saa fast en- Borg" A ia
was made in English by Missional
1 John Fjelstad, his subject being "Tl
Young Peoples Society,"" after whit
Rev. Rudolph Fjelstad gave very
StructiVe and interesting talk to Il