Two Good Visits by Ole Andres Olsen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 10, 1910

Two Good Visits

By Ole Andres Olsen

HUTCHINSON, MINN.—After attending the district meeting for western Iowa at Council Bluffs, and a council at College View, I accepted an invitation to visit Hutchinson, Minn., and meet the students of the Danish-Norwegian Seminary at that place. We arrived by train on Friday noon, October 7, just in time for dinner, and received a hearty welcome from both teachers and students.

At the end of the first full week the enrolment had reached forty-eight. This was a considerably larger number than expected, and we are assured that probably as many more will be enrolled before the close of the present term.

Some twenty acres have been cleared, and utilized for various crops; and forty acres more are under process of clearing, so that by next spring the school will have sixty acres ready for cultivation. It will be remembered that the land purchased for the school farm, consisting of one hundred fifty acres, was all in brush and timber. We also found a fine barn and many other improvements, all of which show hard work on the part of Brother Axelson and his assistants. But the best was yet to come. With the beginning of the Sabbath, everything was in readiness, and the family gathered for worship. It was indeed a precious season. Then a little later, at 7:30 P. M., we gathered in the smaller chapel for the Friday evening meeting. The writer spoke for a short time, recounting God's mercies, and referring to some of the experiences leading up to the present occasion and the school so recently opened.

Following the remarks we enjoyed a precious social meeting, in which the presence of the Lord was very manifest. The testimonies borne by teachers and students were full of joy and thankfulness, and buoyant with hope and courage. Every testimony expressed a renewal of consecration, and an earnest desire for a fitness for service in the Lord's work. It was indeed one of those seasons whose memory one wishes long to retain.

For the service beginning at eleven o'clock the next morning we met in the large and beautiful chapel, where we again realized much of God's presence. At another service at 4 P. M. we studied the great foreign field as it opens before us in America and in the regions beyond. This meeting continued until the close of the Sabbath, many taking part.

I am thankful that the way has opened to secure an efficient faculty; for this means much to the success of the school. I found Elder Andreasen, the president, full of courage, and greatly enjoying his work. The same can also be said of Professors Berthelsen and Peterson, and all others who are carrying burdens and responsibilities. May God's signal blessing rest upon them in their efforts to guide the minds of these youth, and aid them in a preparation for such work as the Lord has for them to do.

RAYMOND, WIS.—After a long absence it was my privilege to meet with the church at Raymond on Sabbath and Sunday, October 22, 23. I was glad to find that this church is holding its own, and making good progress. The membership has been well kept up, and at present there seems to be excellent harmony and a good interest among both the old and the young. It was a refreshing experience for me to meet with these dear souls. There were only four left of the first who accepted the truth; but it is always cheering to meet these pillars in the truth, who have weathered so many gales, and yet stand firm to the principles of the message. Many who were children and youth in the early days are now bearing burdens and carrying responsibilities in the work. May the blessing of the Lord continue with them.

There seemed to be a good interest among the young people. A school building has been added to the church, making what is really the best church-school building I have seen anywhere. The school itself is prospering. This matter of the early Christian education of our youth has not always received the attention that its importance demands. When we stop to consider it, we can not but be impressed with the necessity and the wisdom of providing facilities for bringing up our children in the fear of God and the love of his truth. The only thing in this world that we can take with us into the kingdom is our children. Houses, lands, money, cattle, everything else that we may accumulate, will all be destroyed in the day of the Lord; but it is our privilege to take our children by the hand, and lead them through the pearly gates, to enjoy with us the blessing of eternal life.

O. A. OLSEN.