"The Other Swedes"
~ Celebrating Them ~
~ The Smoky Valley Writers ~
<> Celebrating the Augustana Synod Legacy <>
Mr. Alf Brorson's
2001
~ Celebrating Them ~
~ The Smoky Valley Writers ~
<> Celebrating the Augustana Synod Legacy <>
Mr. Alf Brorson's
2001
"He Gave God Glory" "The Story of Olof Olsson"
~ Transcriptions of "Translator's Foreword" "Foreword" "Acknowledgements" "Postscript"
[Although included elsewhere in Mr. Brorson's section, this is for fast access for scholars and scholars-to-be
of this foundational history of Lindsborg]
~ Transcriptions of "Translator's Foreword" "Foreword" "Acknowledgements" "Postscript"
[Although included elsewhere in Mr. Brorson's section, this is for fast access for scholars and scholars-to-be
of this foundational history of Lindsborg]
------------------------------------
"Translator's Foreword"
Page viii
------------------------------------
"When Alf Brorson visited Lindsborg in June of 1993, he gave a lecture and showed pictures taken in Sweden and in the United States. At that time, he told the audience about his father's research on Olof Olsson and showed copies of the book, Jag Sökte Icke Mitt (I Did Not Seek My Own). Since Brorson speaks excellent English, he was asked whether he would translate the book into English. He said, 'No, but if the book were to be translated, I think it should be done by someone whose native language is English.'
"I believe Brorson felt that a person born and raised in America might do a better job with certain expressions that cannot be translated literally from one language to another. I am sure Brorson would have made an excellent translation if he had done it himself, but it has been both a pleasure and challenge for me to assist with this project.
"I must acknowledge the help of several persons. First, I wish to thank my friend and brother-in-law, Pastor Robert Segerhammar, for putting the translation on his computer. I also express thanks to his wife, Janice Houk Segerhammar, for proofreading the manuscript with particular attention to grammar and clarity of thought. I am also grateful for an evening of consultation with friends, Ings-Lill Eliason and Mai-Britt Hawk, natives of Sweden but now long-time residents of America, who were able to Help me understand some Swedish words and expressions that were relevant in Olof Olsson's time but are now obsolete.
"I must express appreciation to my friend, A. John Pearson, who introduced me to Alf and Maud Brorson. I think he may have anticipated what has happened.
"Finally, I wish to thank Alf Brorson for his friendship and encouragement. He was able to supply me with historical information which I needed in order to understand clearly the first half of the book. This explains the use of footnotes which were not found in the Swedish version.
"I have received two additional benefits from this project. I had previous read very little about Olof Olsson or anything written by him. I feel that I am now better acquainted with him, his life and his thought. He was truly a humble servant of the Lord who achieved greatly for Jesus and the people of God.
"I have also acquired two new friends, Alf and Maud Brorson -- two of God's humble and committed servants."
Pastor Martin Ringstrom
Lindsborg, Kansas
May 14, 1994
"I believe Brorson felt that a person born and raised in America might do a better job with certain expressions that cannot be translated literally from one language to another. I am sure Brorson would have made an excellent translation if he had done it himself, but it has been both a pleasure and challenge for me to assist with this project.
"I must acknowledge the help of several persons. First, I wish to thank my friend and brother-in-law, Pastor Robert Segerhammar, for putting the translation on his computer. I also express thanks to his wife, Janice Houk Segerhammar, for proofreading the manuscript with particular attention to grammar and clarity of thought. I am also grateful for an evening of consultation with friends, Ings-Lill Eliason and Mai-Britt Hawk, natives of Sweden but now long-time residents of America, who were able to Help me understand some Swedish words and expressions that were relevant in Olof Olsson's time but are now obsolete.
"I must express appreciation to my friend, A. John Pearson, who introduced me to Alf and Maud Brorson. I think he may have anticipated what has happened.
"Finally, I wish to thank Alf Brorson for his friendship and encouragement. He was able to supply me with historical information which I needed in order to understand clearly the first half of the book. This explains the use of footnotes which were not found in the Swedish version.
"I have received two additional benefits from this project. I had previous read very little about Olof Olsson or anything written by him. I feel that I am now better acquainted with him, his life and his thought. He was truly a humble servant of the Lord who achieved greatly for Jesus and the people of God.
"I have also acquired two new friends, Alf and Maud Brorson -- two of God's humble and committed servants."
Pastor Martin Ringstrom
Lindsborg, Kansas
May 14, 1994
------------------------------------
Foreword
Page ix
------------------------------------
Foreword
Page ix
------------------------------------
"My father, Bror Carlsson, was a pastor of the Church of Sweden. At the time of his death he left a manuscript dedicated to 'the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church with Gratitude and Respect.' The manuscript entitled I Did Not Seek My Own contains 350 pages of typewritten material and deals with 'The Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church in the U.S. A. during the years 1860-1900 with particular attention to a Värmland native, the pioneer pastor, Olof Olsson.'
"My father had the opportunity to trace Olof Olsson's life both in Sweden and abroad. He had become interested, as a pastorial colleague expressed it with astonished reservations, in 'the career of Pr. Olof Olsson, the remarkable pastor from Värmland.'
"My father finished his work on the manuscript on November 4, 1955, at the Jösse Ny parsonage, Värmland. After that, various circumstances prevented its final editing and publication. I have tried many years later to complete my father's work. I have retained the original design of the manuscript as nearly as possible but have condensed its contents.
"As a result, I Did Not Seek My Own (In English as He Gave God Glory) has become the portrait of a genuine human being, Pr. Olof Olsson.
"He could have been my father."
Alf Brorson
[Note: I Did Not Seek My Own was renamed to He Gave God Glory which in Swedish is "Han Gav Gud Ära."]
"My father had the opportunity to trace Olof Olsson's life both in Sweden and abroad. He had become interested, as a pastorial colleague expressed it with astonished reservations, in 'the career of Pr. Olof Olsson, the remarkable pastor from Värmland.'
"My father finished his work on the manuscript on November 4, 1955, at the Jösse Ny parsonage, Värmland. After that, various circumstances prevented its final editing and publication. I have tried many years later to complete my father's work. I have retained the original design of the manuscript as nearly as possible but have condensed its contents.
"As a result, I Did Not Seek My Own (In English as He Gave God Glory) has become the portrait of a genuine human being, Pr. Olof Olsson.
"He could have been my father."
Alf Brorson
[Note: I Did Not Seek My Own was renamed to He Gave God Glory which in Swedish is "Han Gav Gud Ära."]
------------------------------------
Postscript
Page 42
------------------------------------
"In 1917 Olof Olsson's daughter, Anna, published a little book, A Child of the Prairie. (En Prärieunges Funderingar in original Swedish).
"My father was theologically oriented, and he became interested in Olof Olsson's life as a pastor and preacher. He sought out information as to how Olof had understood and fulfilled his calling.
"Anna, on the other hand, tells in a simple childish way about family happenings in Olof Olsson's life. She tells about Papa who preaches in his sleep, and Mama's homesickness, about Grandma who is so stern, so stern, and about little brother's death. But mostly she tells about Papa.
"Among the sections which my father marked in Anna's book is one which he checked with the notation, 'Papa, the Preacher.'
"'Papa can tell Bible stories better than anyone else. I like to hear them many times. But when Papa was going to tell me about little Samuel, two men came and wanted to talk with Papa. So I had to wait until another time. It is not fun to wait until another time. Men are always coming and asking, "Is the pastor at home?" They mean Papa. They call Mama the wife. It is fun, too, when Mama tells stories.
"'But it is not fun to sit still for such a long time in church. Then I get so tired. It is fun when it rains on us in church through the roof because then we can hold umbrellas over our heads.
"'A rattlesnake crawled on the wall in church when Papa was preaching, but Papa did not get scared.'"
"My father was theologically oriented, and he became interested in Olof Olsson's life as a pastor and preacher. He sought out information as to how Olof had understood and fulfilled his calling.
"Anna, on the other hand, tells in a simple childish way about family happenings in Olof Olsson's life. She tells about Papa who preaches in his sleep, and Mama's homesickness, about Grandma who is so stern, so stern, and about little brother's death. But mostly she tells about Papa.
"Among the sections which my father marked in Anna's book is one which he checked with the notation, 'Papa, the Preacher.'
"'Papa can tell Bible stories better than anyone else. I like to hear them many times. But when Papa was going to tell me about little Samuel, two men came and wanted to talk with Papa. So I had to wait until another time. It is not fun to wait until another time. Men are always coming and asking, "Is the pastor at home?" They mean Papa. They call Mama the wife. It is fun, too, when Mama tells stories.
"'But it is not fun to sit still for such a long time in church. Then I get so tired. It is fun when it rains on us in church through the roof because then we can hold umbrellas over our heads.
"'A rattlesnake crawled on the wall in church when Papa was preaching, but Papa did not get scared.'"
------------------------------------
Acknowledgments
Page 45-46
------------------------------------
"The time span of the final publication of He Gave God Glory-The Story of Olof Olsson is 40 years, a significant Biblical number.
"It is a privilege to have this book published by the Smoky Valley Historical Association, and my gratitude is great for generous assistance from many people whose support has made it possible to publish the story of Olof Olsson in the year of 2001.
"My special appreciation goes to Pastor Martin T. Ringstrom, and Mr. A. John Pearson of Bethany College, who have both graciously assisted in the production of my father's book on the spiritual founder of Lindsborg, Dr. Olof Olsson.
"Pastor Ringstrom, whose mother once had the same schoolmaster in Sweden as Olof Olsson, is not only the man who offered to translate this book, he has also become a very important person to my family and a friend in Christ - gently reminding us about what seems to be so easily forgotten by twenty-first century Swedes: 'We live by the grace of God.'
"John Pearson's personal invitation to his and his wife Carol's Lindsborg's home, back in 1993, brought us to the Smoky Valley for the first time ever. From the very beginning of our friendship, John, whose unfailing support goes beyond my vocabulary, has introduced us to the hospitable citizens of Lindsborg. Moreover, he has amply fulfilled his first long-distance promise on the phone: 'When you come here, I will show you all the sites you are interested in . . .' There is a vast number of sites in Lindsborg, and very much to learn!
"Furthermore, I have received splendid co-operation from the late pastor Robert Segerhammar, who was very helpful in preparing the manuscript. for me, and from two of my colleagues at Stjerneskolan, Torsby, Mr. Stanley Sundvall and Mr. Hans Eriksson, doing the same back home.
"I also wish to express hearty appreciation to pastor and Mrs. Herbert Johnson, Jr., Pastor and Mrs. Charles. W. Humphrey, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Carlson, and Pastor and Mrs. Don Hawk. The privilege of being family has in many ways helped me and my family face the impossibilities of the possible.
"The Dean of the diocese of Karlstad, Sweden, Dr. Harry Nyberg, has rendered invaluable assistance ever since the publication of the first Swedish version (Jag Sökte Icke Mitt) and I am sincerely grateful to Rev. Curt Nilsson Stjärnkvist of Sunnemo, Dr. Bo Simonsson of Torsby and Mr. Bengt Åkerblom, County Librarian of Karlstad, for constant support and encouragement.
"I am also deeply grateful to the late Dr. Conrad Bergendoff, President emeritus of Augustana College. After first having read the Swedish manuscript in the early 1980s, he not only helped me find means of publishing it but also, later, graciously welcomed me and my wife to his Rock Island home on our first visit there in the summer of 1994. [See more HERE on the Bror Carlson manuscript in the Augustana College Special Collections Manuscript Collections.]
"I sincerely appreciate the services of Ms. Vicky Oliver at Augustana College -- including a most precious gift, Dr. Olsson's book on sermons which today can't even be borrowed from a Swedish library!
"My genuine appreciation also goes to Mr. Björn Östlund, a Swedish artist and a family friend, who for many years illustrated my books, never saying no, and it's a privilege to present a painting by the late Mr. Göran Hagegård of Brunskog, Värmland.
"The final, English publication of this story, the completion of which I initially looked upon as a son's duty to his father, has become a rewarding and emotional experience, enhanced by overwhelmingly welcoming Smoky Valley People, epitomized by the name of the former Mayor of Lindsborg, Kansas, Mr. Don Anderson.
"I have been truly supported by my own family, receiving much needed encouragement from our eldest son, Jerker, as well as affectionately made drawings, and the front cover painting, by our youngest son, Petter. They have both taken part in an endeavor to fulfil what was long ago begun by a grandfather they never had the opportunity to meet. He was born in 1901, which also make the year of Lindsborg's Svensk Hyllningsfest 2001 a personal 100th anniversary. It was not originally planned to be that way, but it happened. . . .
"Finally, I can't express adequately how much my wife Maud's unfailing support has meant to me! She has lovingly joined me on every road to be traveled in "Olof Olssonland," as elsewhere.
"As Olle would have said, "My heart speaks.
"Tusen tack!"
Alf Brorson
Fryksände, Värmland
January 4, 2001
"The time span of the final publication of He Gave God Glory-The Story of Olof Olsson is 40 years, a significant Biblical number.
"It is a privilege to have this book published by the Smoky Valley Historical Association, and my gratitude is great for generous assistance from many people whose support has made it possible to publish the story of Olof Olsson in the year of 2001.
"My special appreciation goes to Pastor Martin T. Ringstrom, and Mr. A. John Pearson of Bethany College, who have both graciously assisted in the production of my father's book on the spiritual founder of Lindsborg, Dr. Olof Olsson.
"Pastor Ringstrom, whose mother once had the same schoolmaster in Sweden as Olof Olsson, is not only the man who offered to translate this book, he has also become a very important person to my family and a friend in Christ - gently reminding us about what seems to be so easily forgotten by twenty-first century Swedes: 'We live by the grace of God.'
"John Pearson's personal invitation to his and his wife Carol's Lindsborg's home, back in 1993, brought us to the Smoky Valley for the first time ever. From the very beginning of our friendship, John, whose unfailing support goes beyond my vocabulary, has introduced us to the hospitable citizens of Lindsborg. Moreover, he has amply fulfilled his first long-distance promise on the phone: 'When you come here, I will show you all the sites you are interested in . . .' There is a vast number of sites in Lindsborg, and very much to learn!
"Furthermore, I have received splendid co-operation from the late pastor Robert Segerhammar, who was very helpful in preparing the manuscript. for me, and from two of my colleagues at Stjerneskolan, Torsby, Mr. Stanley Sundvall and Mr. Hans Eriksson, doing the same back home.
"I also wish to express hearty appreciation to pastor and Mrs. Herbert Johnson, Jr., Pastor and Mrs. Charles. W. Humphrey, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Carlson, and Pastor and Mrs. Don Hawk. The privilege of being family has in many ways helped me and my family face the impossibilities of the possible.
"The Dean of the diocese of Karlstad, Sweden, Dr. Harry Nyberg, has rendered invaluable assistance ever since the publication of the first Swedish version (Jag Sökte Icke Mitt) and I am sincerely grateful to Rev. Curt Nilsson Stjärnkvist of Sunnemo, Dr. Bo Simonsson of Torsby and Mr. Bengt Åkerblom, County Librarian of Karlstad, for constant support and encouragement.
"I am also deeply grateful to the late Dr. Conrad Bergendoff, President emeritus of Augustana College. After first having read the Swedish manuscript in the early 1980s, he not only helped me find means of publishing it but also, later, graciously welcomed me and my wife to his Rock Island home on our first visit there in the summer of 1994. [See more HERE on the Bror Carlson manuscript in the Augustana College Special Collections Manuscript Collections.]
"I sincerely appreciate the services of Ms. Vicky Oliver at Augustana College -- including a most precious gift, Dr. Olsson's book on sermons which today can't even be borrowed from a Swedish library!
"My genuine appreciation also goes to Mr. Björn Östlund, a Swedish artist and a family friend, who for many years illustrated my books, never saying no, and it's a privilege to present a painting by the late Mr. Göran Hagegård of Brunskog, Värmland.
"The final, English publication of this story, the completion of which I initially looked upon as a son's duty to his father, has become a rewarding and emotional experience, enhanced by overwhelmingly welcoming Smoky Valley People, epitomized by the name of the former Mayor of Lindsborg, Kansas, Mr. Don Anderson.
"I have been truly supported by my own family, receiving much needed encouragement from our eldest son, Jerker, as well as affectionately made drawings, and the front cover painting, by our youngest son, Petter. They have both taken part in an endeavor to fulfil what was long ago begun by a grandfather they never had the opportunity to meet. He was born in 1901, which also make the year of Lindsborg's Svensk Hyllningsfest 2001 a personal 100th anniversary. It was not originally planned to be that way, but it happened. . . .
"Finally, I can't express adequately how much my wife Maud's unfailing support has meant to me! She has lovingly joined me on every road to be traveled in "Olof Olssonland," as elsewhere.
"As Olle would have said, "My heart speaks.
"Tusen tack!"
Alf Brorson
Fryksände, Värmland
January 4, 2001
For other information on Rev. Dr. Olsson are these LINKS from Dr. Emory K. Lindquist's 1953 "Smoky Valley People, A History of Lindsborg, Kansas:"
Go HERE to Swedish Pastor Olof Olsson Emigrating to Lindsborg 1869, June 27th Arrival
~ An account by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist
Go HERE to Pastor Olsson, 1869 - 1876, Founder of Lindsborg's Bethany Lutheran Church
~ An account by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist
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