Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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No. 8 Tiie Acorn VOL. IV. S' MAY J 912 mcrar • A ''• . ■• •' . S: I'V.V?;- 4 MIL V ijAU 09 CLASS PROPHECY. Gunhild Hagsti'om, ’12. In my youth it had always been my ambition to travel abroad and to see and enjoy all the marvels of this world. Imagine my joy when last spring, April the seventh. 1931. I found myself on the mighty Atlantic ocean, bound for England. The time passed pleasantly, for on board was a large company of friends who expected to attend the Baptist World Conference in August in Gothenburg, Sweden. Soon the news spread abroad that the United States Ambassador to England was on hoard the ship. All were anxious to have the honor of meeting him. One day the opportunity was granted. I saw before me a tall, dark man with a kindly smile and was introduced to his highness Mr. Oscar Felth. Was it possible that this great man was the same that' I had once known so well at Bethel? Yes. strange to say, it was. for I saw that he was still wearing his 13. A. pin of 1912. Mr. Felth told me of the many hard struggles he'had bad in the political world and of his final success. On landing in Liverpool, we were royally entertained by Mr. Felth, who invited us to attend the most famous symphony orchestra in the world, which was then paying in Loudon. Who should not have been glad to be the guests of Mr. Felth and we were delighted to accept his invitation. The auditorium was the most magnificent I had ever beheld. After the first number had been rendered, the director turned around and made a graceful bow in response to the hearty applause. Immediately the thought came to me that I had seen that profound bow and sweet smile before. On asking Mr. Felth he smilingly explained that is was Mr. Henry Thunell. He had not told me before whom the director was, wishing to surprise me, and to be sure I was surprised. Mr. Henry Thunell! Yes, 1 had always known that he would make a. success in the musical world, but to find him here with a world wide fame—it fairly took my breath! After the entertainment we all had lunch together and naturally we talked about the good old days at Bethel. But we had to part and bidding farewell to dear old England we prepared for more adventures in Germany. Arriving in Germany we first visited Berlin, after which we planned to take a trip on the famous Rhine. On the river we passed one famous castle after the other, while our guide told us interesting stories connected with them. Soon we came to a very steep cliff and we were

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THE ACORN i very much amazed to see at its summit a modern ami beautitul home. Our guide explained that this was the largest orphan asylum in the world and that the founder and matron of it was ail American lady. Our curiosity getting the better of us, wo begged to be allowed to go ashore and visit the asylum. On approaching the grounds we saw everywhere children playing at various games and all seemed extremely happy. were ushered into the drawing room, where we found our illustrious lady seated at a piano, from which she called forth most beautiful strains ot music. Can you imagine my surprise on being introduced to Miss Ellen Swanson? I asked the secret of her success and what had suggested an orphan asylum. She told me of her love for music and the wonderful effects music had had upon human nature, and that she wanted to prove to the world that music had the magnetic power of developing the noblest and best characters. And for this reason she wished ;o give the poor orphaned children a fair chance, giving them the best environment and the best music the world could offer. 1 had no need of asking her if her plan had been a success for I had but .to behold the smiling faces .about her to see that it was only too apparent. My time being limited I was forced to hasten on, promising to some day return to learn more of Miss Swan-.son’s plans and philosophy. After an extended tour through Germany Ave took a flying trip to Paris, France. Safe in Paris our first thot was to visit the famous art galleries. We came to the largest gallery and sauntered up and down the aisles admiring the wonderful pieces of art. Just as we were about to leave, the guide told us that he had yet the most famous picture to show us. He led us to ‘•.Melissa”, but I scarcely saw the picture, for what attracted my attention was a man Avho stood intently gazing at the picture. His hair was snowy white, he wore large-broad-rimmed glasses and his face had a sad, careworn expression. Holding his high silk hat with one hand, the other rested on his gold-headed cane. The frown on his face seemed familiar. Where and when had I seen it? in answer to my questioning thoughts, a red speller and the reading room at Bethel flashed into my mind. What! Was it Mr. Person? I must have said his name aloud, for he turned around and looked at me squarely. It was Victor Person, or rather. Dr. Person himself! He had just come to Paris from Palestine, where, for so many years he had lived in quiet as a practising doctor. He said that he had always been interested in leprosy and had tried to find a cure for it. His success had come slow but sure and now the whole world was singing his praise. When we began to talk about dear old school days at Bethel he assured me that he had finally conquered that red speller, hut as a result he had always to carry that deep frown on his face. He was now taking a vacation in travel, and promising to meet me at the conference in Gothenburg, we parted. It was now the latter part of July, and wishing to visit places of interest in Sweden before attending the conference, we deemed it wise to set out for Stockholm. We left Paris in an aeroplane, thinking this means of travel more expedient. I had often heard of the famous University of Stodkholm and being anxious to see it, we turned our course thither. At the University we were received cordially and shown the different colleges. Having heard of the illustrious professor of astronomy who had discovered the other side of the moon, we asked the guide it' it would he possible for us to see her. He told us that she was then spending her vacation in Italy, but that we might see her portrait in the large hall. Ah! how majestic that picture hung on the wall, and