Speech at opening of the bazaar of Norw. Luth. Deaconesses Hosp., Northwest Hall, Chicago, October 28th 1908.

Mr. President, Sister Superior, Deaconesses, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a great pleasure to be here tonight and be given an opportunity to felicitate the hospital upon this occasion; for indeed it is an occasion that justifies congratulation and rejoicing.

In holding this Bazaar the institution of Norwegian Lutheran Deaconesses is engaged in a vigorous attempt to raise the means to accomplish a most laudable purpose: that of adding a new building to the present hospital. How necessary this step is, we all know; for the need of more space in which to carry on the work of the hospital has long been deeply felt. The calls upon the hospital to supply accommodations have been far in excess of what it could furnish; and the time would now seem to be here to relieve these conditions.

Now, what is the record of this institution up to date? In responding to the call made upon our interest and charity it is only natural for us to examine into what it has accomplished so far. It is not for me here to give any detailed history of the hospital it's small and modest beginning twelve, thirteen years ago, its early struggles, its gradual growth and development, until it has reached its present state of activity and prosperity. We may content ourselves with finding that this splendid

growth and development have mainly been due to three causes: The excellent administration it has enjoyed, the high order of efficiency of its medical staff, and last, but certainly not least, the never-failing faithfulness, loyalty and devotion of its deaconesses.

I emphasize this last feature of the hospital's work and life as the one that appeals to us most strongly. The institution of deaconesses, as we find it here, is one that enlists our respect and admiration. Not only is the life of its members devoted to the care and nursing of the sick, but it is also consecrated to the service of God and His Church. As consecrated members of a church their ministrations are not only to the body but also to the soul, and the two often go singularly well together. Their long arduous period of study and apprenticeship is undergone not with any selfish aim of acquiring at the end of it a certain earning capacity for their own benefit, but solely to become most useful in the service of God by reaching the highest degree of efficiency in caring for sick and unfortunate humanity. By its selfdenial and selfsacrifice their mission is indeed glorious.

But what also appeals strongly to us Norwegians is the fact that the deaconesses here are continuing in The New World the work of the ancient and honorable Mother institution in old Norway that they here amid new surroundings, too often apt to create a spirit of selfpromotion and desire for personal gain, are remaining true to the splendid principles of that Mother institution and in America perpetuating its glorious traditions.

Just such an institution as the Deaconesses Hospital

proves that we belong to a nation so vigorous and true to itself, that new surroundings cannot wholly absorb it and make to disappear its identity and character.

I am charged with a special duty here tonight, which I feel it a singular pleasure and honor to perform: that of bringing to you all a cordial greeting from King Haakon and Queen Maud of Norway. Their interest and good wishes for the hospital have taken a more tangible form in a beautiful present to the hospital, which it was planned should be turned over with this greeting here tonight. Unfortunately Uncle Sam has not performed his part as satisfactorily as desired in having his postal service bring the gift here on the appointed day. I can therefore tonight only describe the donation as being a beautiful Norwegian rug, designed by one of the country's foremost artists, Gerhard Munthe, and woven by the Arts and Crafts Society of Norway. But I can add to this something of which I had an opportunity to judge during my visit this past summer in Norway: that the King and Queen sincerely feel the deepest interest in and affection for the emigrated sons of Norway now living in America, and therefore I know I can say that this greeting from our King and Queen comes straight from the heart.

Tale ved Overrækkelsen af Kongens og Dronningens Portrætter til Det Norske Alderdomshjem i

Chicago, den 23de Januar 1909.

Hr. Præsident Quales, Medlemmer af den norske Alderdomshjem forening, mine Damer og Herrer:

Jeg er paalagt det ærefulde Hverv at overrække Alderdomshjemmet en Gave fra Norges Konge og Dronning -deres signerede Portrætter-og paa samme Tid bringe eder allesammen en hjertelig Hilsen fra Kong Haakon og Dronning Maud.

Ved denne Gave har det norske Kongepar git et smukt Bevis paa sin Velvilje og Interesse for Alderdomshjemmet, Følelser, som vel ikke kunde faaet et vakrere Udslag end netop i denne Form. De ædle og tiltalende Ansigtstræk, lysende af Venlighed og Godhed, vil stadig minde eder om, at den norske Konge og hans Dronning omfatter ogsaa Norges udflyttede Sønner og Døtre med Kjærlighed, at hans Sympathi og Kjærlighed ikke bare gjælder Norges Land, men at hans Kjærlighed som sand Landsfader ogsaa naar det norske Folk, hvor det end findes, paa Land og Sjø, i alle Verdensdele.

Og Kong Haakon paa sin Side sætter stor pris paa de udvandrede Normænds Sympathi og Hengivenhed; det har han lagt for Dagen ved mange Anledninger. Da de norsk-amerikanske Deputerede havde Foretræde for ham under Kroningen i Trondhjem, sa han, at den Sympathi, som blev vist ham af de udflyttede Normænd,

havde været ham en stor Hjælp og Opmuntring i hans vigtige Gjerning. Det bør vi lægge os paa Hjerte og ikke glemme her i det fjerne Amerika.

Men denne Gave har ogsaa en videre Betydning end den at være en Hilsen fra Landsfaderen, den er ogsaa en Hilsen til eder fra eders gamle Fædreland. Den er et Bud om at gamle Mor Norges Kjærlighed til sine Børn aldrig ophører, selv om Børnene blir meget gamle og kanske aldrig kommer hjem igjen til hende. Hendes Hengivenhed for eder vil aldrig bli mindre, men holde ved til Livets sidste Stund.