A Good Work Being Carried on by Bev. H. Olson.
Help Needed to Meet the Growing Demands.
There are more than a hundred Swedish people in this town at present, and the number is constantly increasing. As the majority have not been in this country long enough to understand English, there has been great demand for worship in their own language. Rev. H. Olson, who has resided here for several years, has done what he could for them by preaching week evenings, but as they have had no other place for meetings in any suitable location than in private houses, and as Mr. Olson has not always been at liberty on Sunday, the work has not amounted to a great deal.
Some time ago they rented a room in the Winslow house, on the corner of Chapel and Cedar streets, which is a very suitable location, and Mr. Olson was called by the people, in connection with Mr. Geo. S. Winslow, who has been the leading spirit in this movement —to open the mission and take charge of it. Mr. Olson, being now at liberty on Sunday, accepted the invitation with the understanding that it shall be a free mission, without any strict denominational lines being drawn.
Mr. Winslow asked Mr. Olson to buy seats for the hall, and send the bill to him and he would pay it. Fifty-two folding chairs and other things needed were bought, six dollars’ worth of songbooks purchased, and the little hall fixed up very nicely. On the last Sunday in June the mission was opened by services in the forenoon and evening. Prayer meetings were held on Wednesday evenings, and services have continued with success up to the present time. The average attendance hits been from thirty-five to forty, and last Sunday evening there were forty-four present, leaving only eight vacant chairs.
This shows that this class of people understand how to appreciate a good thing when they get it, and there is no doubt but that a good mission work will be done in our midst if it can only be supported, it is not to be expected that these people, who are all day toilers, will be able to support the movement alone, and it is hoped that the good people of Norwood will feel interested in helping them to carry it forward, for there is no doubt but that every dollar put into the mission, will, in moral and spiritual ways, return as good result as if put into any other place for the same purpose.
What they are in special need of just now is an organ, but as they can do only a little themselves toward it, there is no doubt but that they will receive help; and any person who feels interested in ‘helping them to get an organ, or who desires to contribute to the support of work in any way, can send the money t0 Mie pastor, Rev. H. Olson, Washington street, who will give due credit to every one from whom he receives aid.
Such a work cannot but prove beneficial to concerned, and Is worthy the hearty and liberal support of all Christian people who love to do the Master’s bidding and would help spread abroad the gospel of peace and goodwill. Rev. Mr. Olson Reserves great praise for his untiring energy and kindly efforts to help those from his own country; and Mr. Winslow, whose name is synonymous with generosity, has shown his big heart by words and deeds.
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)