River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-06-21
COnfirmment Re-Union
1875--1917

the Rush River Lutheran church on
the 18th and 18th inst.
The occasion marked the home
coming Of all those whom Reverend
Marcus Thorsen has confirmed dur
ing his service of forty-three years
at Rush River and adjoining congre-
cations. which in early days included
North Rush River, South Rush Riv-
er. Gilman, Spring Lake, Baldwin,
Hudson and River Falls.
One by one as the number of min
listers increased and conditions be.
came more settled these various con-
gregations came under the care of
other ministers and since 1904 Rev.
Mr.. Thorsen's field has included
Rush River and South Rush River
congregations.
Although tbs festival was primar-
lily for the purpose of gathering as
many as possible of Rev. Mr.. Thor
sens 1,679 former confrmants it al
so served as an appropriate time to
pay tribute and respect to the rev.
end pastor and to his good wife and
co-laborer, who has been his faith
full companion through sorrow and
happiness.
The festival was opened on Sun
day with services conducted by Rev.
Mr.. Thorsen. In spite of the large
seating capacity of the church, hun
dreds were obliged to remain out
side. In the sermon Rev. Mr.. Thor
sen laid especial emphasis upon that
particular fundamental truth Of
Christianity which he had at all
times endeavored to impart to each
and every one Of his confrmants,
and he expressed the hope that al
though the vast majority of his for
mer.. pupils were scattered far and
wide, occupying places in various
stations of life, would all through
their lives incorporate those funda-
mental principles, truth of Chistian-
ity acquired in childhood.
During the noon hour picnic
lunches were served by the ladies
Of the congregations to the vast as
sem blage on the parsonage lawn.
At two o'clock the throng gather
ed under the shade Of the parsonage
trees to listen to an exceedingly in
teresting program consisting Of
speeches by Rev. Mr.. Thorsen, Prof.
Preus of Luther College, DEBORAH,
Iowa, Atty. N. B. Hanson Of Barnes
vile, Mimi, and Rev. Mr.. Rosen-
quist of Baldwin, Mr.. Thorsen's
nearest neighbor pastor for twenty
seven years. Between speeches sew
eral musical selections were render
ed by the Luther Seminary Quartet
Of st. Paul, solo by Miss Alma Ham
mer and piano solo by Miss Marie
Tossing.
Mr.. Hanson spoke in behalf of the
confrmants and in concluding pre-
sented Rev. and Mrs. Thorsen with
large purse.
DR.. Preus, who had been Rev. Mr.
Thorsen's schoolmate in the early
seventies, depicted Mr.. Thorsen's
qualities as true and unchanging
toward that which was right and
good.
On Sunday evening the Luther
Seminary Quartet, assisted by Miss
Tossing, piano accompanist, and
Miss Hammer. vocal soloist, render
ed sacred concert in the church and
DR.. Brandt Of Luther College gave
very interesting lecture on Whats
In A Name.''
The festival was concluded on
Monday at 1920, the main feature
Of the program being a lecture by
Professor Olson of Luther College,
DEBORAH, Ia, on the subject, docs
the Lutheran Church Meet the Re-
quirements of the Times?" He held
the close attention of the vast audi
ence throughout. DR.. Olson's splen-
did oratory, in conjunction with his
masterful presentation of conclus-
i've arguments, answered the ques-
ton of his theme with an emphatic
Eyes"
On Monday afternoon DR.. Brandt
gave a warm tribute to Mrs. Thor.
son. Having known her since child
hood he spoke with knowing senti-
ment. He alluded to her as the
better half" without the help of
whom the naStor would have heen