"The Other Swedes"
~ 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"
Alf Brorson's condensed version of his father's, Rev. Bror Carlsson's, 1955 manuscript,
"Jag Sökte Icke Mitt," "I Did Not Seek My Own"
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~ 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"
Alf Brorson's condensed version of his father's, Rev. Bror Carlsson's, 1955 manuscript,
"Jag Sökte Icke Mitt," "I Did Not Seek My Own"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By kind permission, on December 8, 2017, Mr. Brorson granted that his 2001 English version of forty-six pages, "He Gave God Glory" "The Story of Olof Olsson" of his father's, Rev. Bror Carlsson's, manuscript of 350 pages, be shown in its entirety in SWEDES. This is to share this enlightening story of the spiritual founder of Bethany Lutheran Church and of Lindsborg with the Smoky Valley community of today.
Note that "He Gave God Glory" - "The Story of Olof Olsson" in Swedish is translated to "Han Gav Gud Ära" - "Berättelsen om Olof Olsson."
Rev. Carlsson, who had been a former pastor of the Church of Sweden, dedicated his manuscript which was to be a published book with these words:
"To the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church (Synod) with Gratitude and Respect."
In response to that Mr. Brorson ensured that the president of the Augustana Historical Society, Dr. Conrad Bergendoff, President Emeritus of Augustana College, have a copy of his father's original manuscript, which is in the archives of the Bethany Lutheran Church of Lindsborg.
As a former Värmland Church of Sweden pastor, Olof Olsson, involved in the Swedish Pietistic Movement, was destined to leave Sweden for America with members of his Sunnemo Church congregation to found Lindsborg's Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church on August 19, 1869 which was to be a member church of the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church (Synod) which had been formed in 1860.
Here is Mr. Brorson's condensed story of his father's, Rev. Carlsson's, manuscript on Rev. Olof Olsson, using PDFs of the book, with additional transcriptions from some of the parts of the book, for those who have no time to go to the PDFs.
Note that "He Gave God Glory" - "The Story of Olof Olsson" in Swedish is translated to "Han Gav Gud Ära" - "Berättelsen om Olof Olsson."
Rev. Carlsson, who had been a former pastor of the Church of Sweden, dedicated his manuscript which was to be a published book with these words:
"To the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church (Synod) with Gratitude and Respect."
In response to that Mr. Brorson ensured that the president of the Augustana Historical Society, Dr. Conrad Bergendoff, President Emeritus of Augustana College, have a copy of his father's original manuscript, which is in the archives of the Bethany Lutheran Church of Lindsborg.
As a former Värmland Church of Sweden pastor, Olof Olsson, involved in the Swedish Pietistic Movement, was destined to leave Sweden for America with members of his Sunnemo Church congregation to found Lindsborg's Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church on August 19, 1869 which was to be a member church of the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church (Synod) which had been formed in 1860.
Here is Mr. Brorson's condensed story of his father's, Rev. Carlsson's, manuscript on Rev. Olof Olsson, using PDFs of the book, with additional transcriptions from some of the parts of the book, for those who have no time to go to the PDFs.
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The 2001 revised and copyrighted edition of 46 pages
from the Swedish 1984 copyrighted condensed published edition of
the original 1955, 350-page manuscript by Rev. Bror Carlsson.
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The 2001 revised and copyrighted edition of 46 pages
from the Swedish 1984 copyrighted condensed published edition of
the original 1955, 350-page manuscript by Rev. Bror Carlsson.
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Page iii
-- HE GAVE GOD GLORY ~ THE STORY OF OLOF OLSSON --
by
Bror Carlsson
Revision and layout by ALf Brorson
Translation by Martin Ringstrom
Illustrations by Petter Brorson, Goran Hagegard
and Bjorn Ostlund
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Page iv
Page iii
-- HE GAVE GOD GLORY ~ THE STORY OF OLOF OLSSON --
by
Bror Carlsson
Revision and layout by ALf Brorson
Translation by Martin Ringstrom
Illustrations by Petter Brorson, Goran Hagegard
and Bjorn Ostlund
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Page iv
Smoky Valley Historical Publications
A. John Pearson, Editor
The Smoky Valley Historical Association, Inc.
P.o. Box 255, Lindsborg, Kansas 67456-0255
© 1984 by Bror Carlsson
Revised edition © 2001 by Smoky Valley Historical Publications
Translation from Swedish by Pastor Martin T. Ringstrom.
Revision of the original manuscript, editing and layout by Alf Brorson.
Illustration by Petter Brorson(pp. 7, 11, 34 and 37), Bjorn Oslund (pp. 3, 9. 10. 14, 15, 23, and 25), and Goran Hagegard (p. 8). Cover illustraion is based on an original watercolor by Petter Brorson showing the commemorative marker at the site of the original Bethany, Lindsborg. Original sketch of front cover illustration page v) by Axel Hennix.
Photographs provided by American friends of Rev. Bror Carlsson and from the Brorson famil'ys privatecollection; the photo of Dr. Olof Olsson (page vi) could very likely be a gift from Olssonbarnen Hannes and Lydia in 1951.
Revised edition © 2001 by Smoky Valley Historical Publications
Translation from Swedish by Pastor Martin T. Ringstrom.
Revision of the original manuscript, editing and layout by Alf Brorson.
Illustration by Petter Brorson(pp. 7, 11, 34 and 37), Bjorn Oslund (pp. 3, 9. 10. 14, 15, 23, and 25), and Goran Hagegard (p. 8). Cover illustraion is based on an original watercolor by Petter Brorson showing the commemorative marker at the site of the original Bethany, Lindsborg. Original sketch of front cover illustration page v) by Axel Hennix.
Photographs provided by American friends of Rev. Bror Carlsson and from the Brorson famil'ys privatecollection; the photo of Dr. Olof Olsson (page vi) could very likely be a gift from Olssonbarnen Hannes and Lydia in 1951.
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Page v
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Page vi
Page vi
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Page vii
Contents
Translator's Foreword
Foreword
A HUMBLE SERVANT OF THE LORD
"GOD HAS SO CREATED A HUMAN BEING THAT NO TIES ARE STRONGER
IN HIS HEART THAN THE TIES OF HOME" THE SONG OF MESSIAH PEALS FORTH FROM THE PRAIRIE
AT THE CROSS
Postscript
Acknowledgements
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Page vii
Contents
Translator's Foreword
Foreword
A HUMBLE SERVANT OF THE LORD
"GOD HAS SO CREATED A HUMAN BEING THAT NO TIES ARE STRONGER
IN HIS HEART THAN THE TIES OF HOME" THE SONG OF MESSIAH PEALS FORTH FROM THE PRAIRIE
AT THE CROSS
Postscript
Acknowledgements
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INTRODUCTION
Pages i - x
-- Contents, Translator's Foreword by Pastor Martin Ringstrom, Foreward by Alf Brorson
Find the Introduction in file below:
| he_gave_god_glory_i_-_x.pdf |
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Page viii
Translator's Foreword
by
Rev. Martin Ringstrom
(1908-2009)
Page viii
Translator's Foreword
by
Rev. Martin Ringstrom
(1908-2009)
Note: Image from book added
"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
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Page ix
Foreword
by
Alf Brorson
Note: Image from book added
"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."]
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FOUR CHAPTERS
Pages 1 - 46
----------------------------------------
CHAPTER 1
Page 1
A HUMBLE SERVANT OF THE LORD
Page 1
A HUMBLE SERVANT OF THE LORD
CHAPTER 2
Pages 2-19
"GOD HAS SO CREATED A HUMAN BEING THAT NO TIES ARE STRONGER IN HIS HEART THAN THE TIES OF HOME"
Find Chapters 1 and 2 in file below to left:
Pages 2-19
"GOD HAS SO CREATED A HUMAN BEING THAT NO TIES ARE STRONGER IN HIS HEART THAN THE TIES OF HOME"
Find Chapters 1 and 2 in file below to left:
| he_gave_god_glory__1st_2_chapters.pdf |
From page 16: On God's Word and Swedish Kings Gösta and Gustaf Adolf:
"Olof Olsson gave credit to the former kings of Sweden for an important role in the battle for God's word: "The Swedes must have God's word, otherwise they are lost."
"All true history must give recognition to old King Gösta, who with true Swedish honesty and sincerity respected the Scriptures and wished to establish and build a free and prosperous kingdom based on the solid and unshakeable foundation of God's word.
"Sweden held its greatest place in history when respect for the scriptures was shown by the monarch, namely under Gustaf Adolf whose whole life was directed by the word of God."
--Lectures and Addresses (The Swedish people's armor for the defence of the Gospel. Festival address given at Wahoo, Nebraska, February 25, 1893.
"Olof Olsson gave credit to the former kings of Sweden for an important role in the battle for God's word: "The Swedes must have God's word, otherwise they are lost."
"All true history must give recognition to old King Gösta, who with true Swedish honesty and sincerity respected the Scriptures and wished to establish and build a free and prosperous kingdom based on the solid and unshakeable foundation of God's word.
"Sweden held its greatest place in history when respect for the scriptures was shown by the monarch, namely under Gustaf Adolf whose whole life was directed by the word of God."
--Lectures and Addresses (The Swedish people's armor for the defence of the Gospel. Festival address given at Wahoo, Nebraska, February 25, 1893.
From page 16: On the Church of Sweden not accepting his resignation forcing Pastor Olsson to appeal to the King is written:
"By December, 1868, Olof had decided to immigrate to America.
"But under the leadership of Bishop Sundberg the Karlstad diocese decided not to accept Olof Olsson's resignation.
"Olof did not give up. Just as the Apostle Paul appealed to Caesar, so Olof appealed to the King, who on February 19, 1869, granted his request for release from service within the Church of Sweden. The Karlstad diocese, therefore, was required to release Olof Olsson from his Eksharad's pastorate and did so on March 23 of the same year.
"Olof's emigration was preceded by an exchange of letters to and from America. In a letter to T.N. Hasselquist, the first president of the Augustana Synod, Olof wrote: "Thank you for the kind letter which I received a long time ago. The reason I did not answer it sooner is that I was advised and warned on all sides not to journey to America.
"It is not difficult to understand that I became indecisive as a result of these persistent warnings. I have, nevertheless, decided to come to you in the name of the Lord. I have recently sent my resignation from service in the diocese to the cathedral chapter."
"By December, 1868, Olof had decided to immigrate to America.
"But under the leadership of Bishop Sundberg the Karlstad diocese decided not to accept Olof Olsson's resignation.
"Olof did not give up. Just as the Apostle Paul appealed to Caesar, so Olof appealed to the King, who on February 19, 1869, granted his request for release from service within the Church of Sweden. The Karlstad diocese, therefore, was required to release Olof Olsson from his Eksharad's pastorate and did so on March 23 of the same year.
"Olof's emigration was preceded by an exchange of letters to and from America. In a letter to T.N. Hasselquist, the first president of the Augustana Synod, Olof wrote: "Thank you for the kind letter which I received a long time ago. The reason I did not answer it sooner is that I was advised and warned on all sides not to journey to America.
"It is not difficult to understand that I became indecisive as a result of these persistent warnings. I have, nevertheless, decided to come to you in the name of the Lord. I have recently sent my resignation from service in the diocese to the cathedral chapter."
CHAPTER 3
Pages 20-39
THE SONG OF MESSIAH PEARLS FORTH FROM THE PRAIRIE
CHAPTER 4
Pages 40-41
AT THE CROSS
Find Chapters 3 and 4 in file below to left:
Pages 20-39
THE SONG OF MESSIAH PEARLS FORTH FROM THE PRAIRIE
CHAPTER 4
Pages 40-41
AT THE CROSS
Find Chapters 3 and 4 in file below to left:
| he_gave_god_glory_last_2_chapters.pdf |
From page 33: On Pastor Olsson's thoughts on Christian theology:
"In his desire to find meaning in all of life's changes Olof researched in many directions. There is no doubt that he was, from time to time, regarded with mistrust because of his openness to extensive study and research.
"Olof professed to be "a Lutheran at heart" and his frequent references to Luther's "clear and consistent theological positions" confirms it. But he also confessed that "anyone who sincerely believes in Jesus as God's Son and the Savior of sinners is my brother and friend in Jesus Christ." He was always ready to extend the hand of friendship to a brother in the faith.
"Olof was not a typical representative for a single interpretation. His thinking was not fenced in by "isms." Throughout his life he constantly sought to deepen his knowledge in relation to the position that "there is only one name and one proclamation and that is Christ."
"But he thought on an idealistic level and consequently his thinking could constantly expose him to attack. . ."
From page 37: On Pastor Olsson's thoughts on science:
"God's Word was for Olof the highest and most unshakable of all truth. But he did not look upon Christianity as an exclusive educational system. He attempted to keep up with the science of his time insorfar as it was possible for him. 'True faith stands in grateful union with true science and true art.'
"No branch of knowledge has been so badly abused by its highest and most famous spokesmen as theology. In spite of these abuses, we do not reject the knowledge of God or the spirit of man.
"When will we be able to pay our debt of gratitude to natural sciences? The knowledge has grown and had changed our entire physical earthly life in an unbelievable manner. If many people abuse this knowledge so that they deny and ridicule the hope which makes human life worth living, we do not, therefore, reject the marvelous science, but we feel pity for its abusers."
-- To Rome and Home Again (1890)
"In his desire to find meaning in all of life's changes Olof researched in many directions. There is no doubt that he was, from time to time, regarded with mistrust because of his openness to extensive study and research.
"Olof professed to be "a Lutheran at heart" and his frequent references to Luther's "clear and consistent theological positions" confirms it. But he also confessed that "anyone who sincerely believes in Jesus as God's Son and the Savior of sinners is my brother and friend in Jesus Christ." He was always ready to extend the hand of friendship to a brother in the faith.
"Olof was not a typical representative for a single interpretation. His thinking was not fenced in by "isms." Throughout his life he constantly sought to deepen his knowledge in relation to the position that "there is only one name and one proclamation and that is Christ."
"But he thought on an idealistic level and consequently his thinking could constantly expose him to attack. . ."
From page 37: On Pastor Olsson's thoughts on science:
"God's Word was for Olof the highest and most unshakable of all truth. But he did not look upon Christianity as an exclusive educational system. He attempted to keep up with the science of his time insorfar as it was possible for him. 'True faith stands in grateful union with true science and true art.'
"No branch of knowledge has been so badly abused by its highest and most famous spokesmen as theology. In spite of these abuses, we do not reject the knowledge of God or the spirit of man.
"When will we be able to pay our debt of gratitude to natural sciences? The knowledge has grown and had changed our entire physical earthly life in an unbelievable manner. If many people abuse this knowledge so that they deny and ridicule the hope which makes human life worth living, we do not, therefore, reject the marvelous science, but we feel pity for its abusers."
-- To Rome and Home Again (1890)
CLOSING
Pages 42-46
(Not in PDF)
Pages 42-46
(Not in PDF)
Go HERE to "He Gave God Glory" - "The Story of Olof Olsson" ~ Contents & Illustrations.
Go HERE to "He Gave God Glory" - "The Story of Olof Olsson" ~ Transcriptions of "Translator's Foreword" "Foreword "Acknowledgements" "Postscript," for fast access for scholars and scholars-to-be of this foundational history of Lindsborg.
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Go HERE to Their "Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Synod," 1860 - 1962 ~ Gaining and losing its Swedish identity
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"Sweden held its greatest place in history when respect for the scriptures was shown by the monarch,
namely under Gustaf Adolf [1611-1632] whose whole life was directed by the word of God."
-- Pastor Olsson
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"Sweden held its greatest place in history when respect for the scriptures was shown by the monarch,
namely under Gustaf Adolf [1611-1632] whose whole life was directed by the word of God."
-- Pastor Olsson
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* * *
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
