MANY of the readers of this paper have been acquainted with Elder O. A. Olsen, who has been prominently connected with this work for many years. They will be pained to learn that he died quite suddenly at Hinsdale Sanitarium, Hinsdale, Illinois, Friday morning, January 29.
Although Elder Olsen had reached his threescore years and ten, yet he labored with the vigor of youth right up to the very end. Last summer was an unusually busy season with him. He attended many of our general meetings, and rendered very efficient help. Just before his death, he was in attendance at an important conference, where many perplexing problems had to be solved. Consequently he became quite well tired out. In this condition he was taken with pneumonia, and very quickly succumbed to the disease.
For eight years of his useful life—from October 17, 1888, to February 19, 1897—Elder Olsen served as president of our General Conference. Previous to his election to that office, he had served successfully as president of some of our most important local conferences, and had also been connected with our work in Scandinavia and elsewhere.
At the time of his death, he was general secretary of the foreign department of our work in North America.
Few men have led a busier or more strenuous life. He believed with all his heart that the prophecies show that the Lord is coming very soon, and all his energies were devoted to spreading this good news among his fellow men.
All who enjoyed the acquaintance of this faithful laborer, prized his genial disposition and his earnest Christian spirit. It was an inspiration and an uplift to associate with him. Our sincerest sympathy is extended to the bereaved widow, who is in feeble health, and to the two sons, Dr. A. B. Olsen and Prof. M. E. Olsen.
