AUGSBURG SEMINARY. HISTORICAL SIYE T CII. HE aim of Augsburg Seminary, the first Norwegian E divinity school in America, is to meet the demands that a new people in a new country makes for earnest, consecrated ministers of the Gospel. The very foundations of the school are a true and living Chris—... Show moreAUGSBURG SEMINARY. HISTORICAL SIYE T CII. HE aim of Augsburg Seminary, the first Norwegian E divinity school in America, is to meet the demands that a new people in a new country makes for earnest, consecrated ministers of the Gospel. The very foundations of the school are a true and living Chris— tianity, Lutheran profession, and a close alliance with the congregations and the people Such a school could not find a model in the institutions of the established church of Norway, as these were designed to educate ministers, who were the servants of the government. Nor could the American churches show anything that was satisfactory in every respect. It was, therefore, necessary to reach the desired end through personal experience, and the history of Augsburg Seminary is, therefore, the story of the trials and sufferings and final success of its founders in their effort to establish a school that relieves this urgent need for faithful and earnest pastors among the Norwegians in America. The beginning was insignificant. The congregations belonging to “the Conference,” were few and their mem- bers poor, and the school naturally shared their condi- tion. The years spent at Marshall, VVis.,were, indeed, full of troubles, and when Prof. \Veenaas, who was then the president, could, in 1872, move his school of nineteen students into a new and commodious building in Minne- apolis, the rejoicing was general. Through the persever- ing and energetic work of Rev. 0. Paulson, who was then pastor of Trinity Church, grounds had been secured and the west Wing of the present main building erected. But on this property, worth about $10,000, rested a debt of $5,000. The outlook was far from bright after all. The receipts were small and uncertain, and how could the money be raised to meet all obligations ? In spite of the Show less
