Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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I 10 THE ACORN NEW ACADEMY 3mtr of tl)c (Emtrrrt Unuiji of tin ®?%I AntiU'nuj Alumna? Asanriatirm h red IK Johnson During the past year, the chief aim of the members of the Bethel Academy Alumnae Association has been to raise money for a complete chemical laboratory. Each Alumnus has been asked to either contribute or try to collect a certain amount from his friends so that the required sum could be had before the school moves to its new home. But in addition to this mode of raising money, the Association decided to resort to another means. This was to send out a concert troop to visit as many towns as possible during Easter vacation. Those who were chosen for this tour were: •Miss Gunhild Ilagstrom, reader; Miss Myrtle Wernstrom, pianist; Messrs. Walfred Danielson, Ephraim Danielson. Charles Hodne, Alfred Dahlquist, constituting the Bethel Academy Quartette; Mr. Fred Y. Johnson, violinist, and Mr. Ernest Nordstrom, manager. We left Minneapolis Thursday afternoon, bound for Isanti. Here we were received by members of the South Isanti Church, who took us in automobiles to the home of their pastor, Rev. Nelson. The attendance at our concert in the evening was very satisfactory since every seat in the

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THE ACORN 9 A ffituik Aliraii (i. , lrvid H'tgslrom. The message of the prophet is located in the realm of conjecture and mystery; for who can correctly foretell what is in the unknown future, ei there is an adage which reminds us that “while there is life, there is hope. Hope always points forward to future prospects, hence the hopeful optimistic soul always looks ahead. In fact hope which is called the last thing in the world is founded on faith and love, which have been called respectively, the first thing and the greatest thing, in the world. So that even while dealing with futures, as hope does, it is not purely visionary and mystical The sane and safe prophet is one who bases his prophetic predictions on the events of history. So history and prophecy are closely related as parent and child. No parent desires lor his child the limited and narrow career he himself has had but one infinitely greater and brighter. So. in our look ahead for Bethel Academy, based as it is on a glorious past of less than a decade, with a surprising growth in enrollment, financial development intellectual and most of all Christian influence, we can hardly paint tlio horizon of its future in too bright tints. When we think of our Alumni, some of whom are already represented on the far flung battle front of roreign missionary endeavor, while younger aspirants are preparing therefore, and others of whom are in various departments of professional and practical life, here at home, and almost every one making his mark in life's onward march: I say, when we think of these things, we should indeed feel inspired and with a real prophetic vision we should go forth in a most hopeful and cheery note. In the horoscope of Bethel's future we seem to see, the fondest dreams find the largest fulfillment. The eye of l'aith in the realm of hope, sees an enrollment climbing toward the three cipher figure. When our campus, comprising even now more than eight acres, shall be doubled :n area and becomes the soil out of which shall grow not only a larger Bethel but also dormitories lor boys and girls, a library building, an auditorium and a conservatory of music, an art museum as well as a commodious and well equipped gymnasium, these latter buildings, together with the administration building forming centers for both theological and academic students, who then shall say that our visions were the vagaries of a dreamy Seer. Furthermore when these buildings will bear, as donors, the names of Alumni or families of Alumni, and the campus and buildings will be dotted with memorials, the gifts of the classes that have graduated; then will the joy of harvest mingle with the tears of the sowers, of earlier years of struggle and trial. When, not only in the ranks of ministers and missionaries, but also among educators, statesmen, judges, lawyers, doctors, engineers, musicians, editors, lecturers, tradesmen, fathers and mothers and other moldcrs of the lives ol the present and future, are numbered with honorable mention the names of Bethel's Alumni, who then will grieve over investments made, but rather will they grieve over the fact that these investments were not larger and more compatible with the greatness of the future possibilities of the instltu-ticn of learning which is today passing this milestone in its history. To other prophets will be left the task of forecasting the future of Bethel College and University.

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THE ACORN 11 church was taken and the audience displayed every sign of satisfaction with our program. The next morning we were again on our journey. This time our destination was Stanchfield. Upon arriving at this place, we were met at the train by the pastor, Rev. Nylin. Thereupon we were treated to a very pleasing dinner which we consumed with enthusiasm, because it is generally known that travelling gives a person a good appetite. Although Btanch-field is not a very large place, the attendance at our concert in the evening was large, and the success or the entertainment was shown by the tact that every participant, except Mr. Nordstrom, who acted as introducer of the troop, was encored. After the concert was over, our greatest difficulty was how we were going to get to Milaca, Minn., without any waste of time. Our main idea was to hire automobiles to drive us from Stanehfield to Milaca, but as the roads were poor, nobody dared lo risk their Fords for the trip. Consequently, we had to take the train to Coon Creek, where we had to wait four hours for the train to Milaca. Hut during this period of time, we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Our thoughtful manager had bought a supply of groceries at Stanch-field, so that we had the first picnic or the season, consisting of buns, weiners, dill-pickles, coffee and toasted marshmallows. Thus we enjoyed ourselves until train-time drew nigh. Although we had a great deal of amuse ment on our picnic, we were very glad when we were permitted to enter the train and rest comfortably in a large seat. Upon arriving at Milaca, we found the members of the church to be no less hospitable to us than at the place previously mentioned. We were met at the station, and places were assigned to us as to where we were going to slay during our visit. This being Saturday evening, we did not expect to see a very large attendance at the concert. But in this we were very badly mistaken, inasmuch as we had the largest as well as one of the most appreciative audiences on our tour. The following Sunday was Easter, and the congregation had made special preparations to serve lunch in the church dining room. In the afternoon, there was a large young peoples meeting with special music and speeches, and also special music at the evening service. At this meeting, a collection was given for the benefit of the cause which we represented. Our visit to Milaca was very much enjoyed, and when Monday morning came, we felt very sorry indeed, to leave. At one o’clock, we arrived in Minneapolis. Since we had a concert scheduled at St. Bonifacius, and the train did not leave until five o'clock, we decided that a good meal was necessary lo keep up our energy to perform at the next place. Therefore we marched to Donaldson's and had a little banquet by ourselves. Here we spent a merry hour, talking about all that had happened during our trip. After our repast, some of the members of the group spent the remainder of the time viewing the art gallery, while others went to their respective homes for a brief visit. At five o’clock we met again, having St. Bonifacius as our destination. When we arrived there, we were welcomed by members of the German Baptist Church, and their pastor, Rev. Heineman. But our spirits were enlivened when we were met by cur President, Dr. Hagstrom, who made a brief speech in our behalf. Our concert here was well attended, and we were asked to come to Scandia a little later. The next day, the group returned to the cities, each full of spirit to take up their own work, and all acknowledging the fact that a better Easier vacation could not be had, since our tour netted the Bethel Academy Alumnae Association approximately one hundred dollars. Since this tour we have had the privilege of visiting Scandia. Minn., to which place we were invited while at St. Bonifacius. A most delightful lime was spent here with the members of the Scandia Church. On behalf of the members of the group. I extend our most hearty thanks to the many friends who so kindly provided for us during our visits in their communities.