KinSource - Tale of the Week - Three Congregations Honor Their Pastor

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

New Richland Star, September 1, 1916, p. 1

THREE CONGREGATIONS HONOR THEIR PASTOR

REV. J. E. ERIKSSON OF OTISCO LUTHERAN CHURCH PRESENTED WITH AUTO.

The pleasure and the happiness he felt over the honor shown him by his congregation fairly shone in the eyes of Rev. J. E. Eriksson Sunday last after his people had presented him with a new automobile.

Members of Mr. Eriksson's congregations have long realized the inconvenience he is subjected to in traveling by train between his parishes at Otisco, Waseca and Mansfield, and they sought to lessen his labors. For several weeks a committee was at work secretely, so far as Mr. Eriksson was concerned at least, collecting funds among the parishioners. The success of the committee's efforts was decidedly encouraging, for by the time the rounds had been made the price of a car had been raised and a neat surplus was left after the price of erecting a new garage had been deducted.

At the Sunday morning services at the Otisco church in addition to the large local attendance many were present from the Waseca and Mansfield congregations. Upon glancing over the well filled church Mr. Eriksson is said to have been so completely surprised that he was unable to proceed with the services for a few moments at least, when he had partially regained his mental equilibrium. It was in a more or less disconcerted manner that he conducted the services, showing plainly that the impending event, the secret of which he was not permitted to share, was rather getting on his nerves.

The climax was reached when Rev. K. Newquist of the neighboring Mission church with members of his church arrived, and at the close of the services the latter addressed the gathering. In a [neat] congratulatory speech he presented his neighbor pastor in behalf of the latter's congregations with a brand new auto and invited Mr. Eriksson out of doors to view his new possession. Mr. Eriksson was too astounded for utterance, but his looks showed his delight.

The car is one of the handsome new Ford touring cars, the first seen in this locality. Carefully handled it will take Mr. Eriksson safely on his journeys in rain or shine and there is no doubt that he will soon master its intricacies.

Before the car was given a thorough trial some one mentioned dinner and the large gathering was fed in an elaborate manner. Later in the afternoon the banquet of good things to eat was deserved for the feast of oratory and reason and all repaired to the parsonage lawn where ample seats had been provided to accomodate the gathering.

Miss Linnea Newquist was first on the program with a beautiful solo superbly sung, for Miss Newquist is a trained singer possessing a sweet yet powerful soprano voice. A girls' quartette selection followed after which A. F. Sponberg, who presided, introduced Rev. Lucas G. Engelstad pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran church of New Richland. Mr. Engelstad spoke entertainingly and instructively, his remarks dealing principally with the pastor and why he is honored. Following Mr. Engelstad's address the quartette sang again and then Pastor Eriksson was called on. He spoke in Swedish and very heartily thanked the gathering for the honor and the magnificent gift bestowed on him. Miss Linnea Newquist then sang 'A Perfect Day.' Rev. K. Newquist then addressed the gathering in Swedish, and in a facetious manner he instructed his neighbor pastor regarding the proper way to run his new car, very properly advising him to avoid all accidents and mishaps and to spare the lives of pedestrians.

Delicious ice cream and cake were then served to all present and the gathering dispersed, all satisfied that it was an event entirely worth while.