p. 14 | Elder O. A. Olsen by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Feb 25, 1915

Elder O. A. Olsen

By I. H. Evans

OLE ANDRES OLSEN was born in Skogen, about twenty-eight miles west of Christiania, Norway, July 28, 1845. He died of heart failure, in Hinsdale, Ill., Jan. 29, 1915, at the age of 69 years, 6 months, and 1 day.

Besides his beloved wife, Brother Olsen leaves two sons, Dr. Alfred B. Olsen, superintendent of the Caterham Sanitarium, England, and Dr. Mahlon E. Olsen, professor of English literature in the Washington Missionary College; also three brothers, two sisters, and seven grandchildren.

In 1850 his parents, Andrew and Bertie Olsen, immigrated to America, and settled in Oakland Township, Jefferson Co., Wis.

As a boy our brother helped with the farm work, attending school during the winter months, spending the winters of 1864 and 1869 in the Seventh-day Baptist College in Milton, Wis. In 1876-77 he attended Battle Creek College. Though he finished no regular college course, Elder Olsen was one of those strong, self-made men, who, through reading, travel, and close application to details, make a real success of whatever they undertake.

In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Nelson, at Oakland, Wis. Three children were born to them, one of whom died in early childhood.

When about nine years of age the deceased began keeping the Sabbath with his parents, and was baptized in 1858 by Elder Waterman Phelps. Thus his earliest Christian experience was associated with true Sabbath keeping, and his only church affiliations were with the Seventh-day Adventist people.

In 1869 the Wisconsin Conference of Seventh-day Adventists granted him ministerial license, and for two years he acted as tent master during the summers for Elders Isaac Sanborn and David Downer. In the autumn of 1871 he conducted an evangelical effort among the Scandinavians, this being his first public work unaided by other ministers.

June 2, 1873, Brother Olsen was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, and continued his work for his countrymen, the Scandinavians.

In 1874 he was elected president of the Wisconsin Conference, and served in this capacity for two years. He was then released to work among the Scandinavians again. Later he twice served the Wisconsin Conference as president, and in 1880 was elected president of the South Dakota Conference, serving two years. Still later, he was president of the Minnesota Conference for two years and of Iowa for one year, when the General Conference sent him to Europe to look after our work in Scandinavia. He continued this work three years, filling the position of president of the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish Conferences. At the General Conference session held in Minneapolis in the autumn of 1888, Elder Olsen was elected president of the General Conference, which position he filled till February, 1897.

During the period covered by his administration, the work rapidly grew not only in the United States, but in Europe, Africa, Asia, and in many island fields. It was during this time that the denomination entered upon an active campaign to enlarge and strengthen its missionary work in many distant lands.

During his presidency of the General Conference, Elder Olsen traveled extensively, both in the homeland and abroad; his administration gave a new impetus to all lines of our denominational work. Under his guidance, the sale and distribution of our denominational literature was greatly extended; the educational work was built up, and a new inspiration seized our people to educate their children and to fit them for service in the Master's work; our evangelical work was emphasized, and many accepted the truth.

When released from the arduous duties of the presidency of the General Conference, Brother Olsen was sent to South Africa to strengthen our work, especially among the native tribes, and to assist in opening new stations. Later the Mission Board called him to Europe to superintend our work in that field. In 1901 the Mission Board appointed him superintendent of our work in the British Isles. He continued president of the British Union Conference for three years, during the same time serving as president of the South England Conference two years.

The General Conference of 1905 sent him to Australia as superintendent of the Australasian field. He served in this capacity for four years, when he was recalled by the General Conference of 1909 and made secretary of the Foreign Department in North America. At the General Conference of 1913 he was elected vice president of the North American Division Conference and secretary of the Foreign Department for the Division Conference, which offices he held till his death.

The many official positions which our brother was called to fill is evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by the people of his choice. In every place of responsibility to which he was called he gave unsparingly of his time and strength. He was a strong leader, a wise counselor, an earnest Christian, a faithful and true friend. I was closely associated with him in work for over twenty-five years, and during this time my confidence in his Christianity remained unshaken, and my admiration for his sterling qualities of heart and mind continually increased.

Le Sage, in speaking of the dead, said truly, “Their deeds alone can praise them;” and what can I add to a life so active, so complete, and so well known as Elder Olsen's?

He loved his Master. He entered into his service with an undivided heart. There was no call to duty to which he did not respond; there was no task to be performed to which he did not cheerfully give his best. Whether in darkened Africa as a pioneer missionary, or filling the highest office in the church to which he belonged, he was ever the same self-sacrificing, zealous, ardent worker.

For nearly thirty years Brother Olsen was one of the ablest leaders of the Adventist people. During his presidency of the General Conference he probably did more to train, instruct, and inspire our ministry than any other man. His voice ever echoed faith, courage, and hope. Again and again in important crises he stood in the forefront and pointed the way to progress and new endeavor. Like the French lad who told Napoleon he could not play a retreat, but he could play a forward march, this brother was never known to throw discouragement upon an advance move. In our church councils we shall greatly miss him, and we know not where to find one to lift the burdens he has carried so faithfully.

He was beloved by all who knew him.

The poor, the humble, the unfortunate, all sought his counsel in need, and never sought in vain. The aged and the orphan boasted of his friendship. I have heard it said, and I believe it is true, that in all the positions of trust he filled, he never made or knew an enemy. His heart was clean and pure; his tastes were simple; his life was honest, and his speech without guile. He lived and died like an apostle of the early church, anxious only that his Master's name be glorified in his ministry.

We part with him as one of God's chosen men, appointed to a great work, which he has now been called to lay down, that he may rest for a little season, waiting for his Master's return.

The experience of Elder Olsen may be expressed in the farewell words of the aged Gentile apostle to the people he loved:—

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

I. H. EVANS.