Post: Readers Respond

Thanks for another marvellous piece of Pietisten. Living in Sweden and in the middle of the secularization of Western Europe, it is fascinating to follow your path of devoting your project to "intend blessing... seek a thankful heart and to look for the gospel." I especially loved "The Making of a Reader" by my friend David Hawkinson. I can see him standing in his kitchen some years back when he invited me to his house. I can see him in the daily life of his thinking, praying, sharpening his mind, warming his heart up, and wrestling as far as he can go to benefit and bless us with his skillful, carved thoughts. We need that kind of scholarship. In these times we especially starve for that kind of stewardship. I open each piece of yours with expectation and hunger, and there has not been once that I have returned after reading not being blessed or fed. Thanks, guys over there. Runar Eldebo, Lidingö, Sweden

I enjoy this publication very much. Keep up the good work. Elvira Johnson, Little Falls, Minnesota.

Thanks for the interesting, stimulating reading. Gordon A. Bengtson, Dassel, Minnesota.

Pietisten continues to be a great publication. I look forward to its arrival. Warm regards to the entire staff. Roger Carlson, Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Pietisten Friends: What a great issue this is. Number One is no exaggeration. I am circulating it on campus. Elmer Ost, Mount Miguel Covenant Village, Spring Valley, California.

Enjoyed the article written by David Hawkinson. Send him my best. God’s speed to all of you in the work that you do. Thanks much, Doug Carlson, Dassell, Minnesota.

Keep up the good work you do. I enjoyed Bob Bach’s article on C. P. John Bergstrom, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The North Park faculty in the persons of Elder [Lindahl] and Mel [Soneson] were a quietly earthy group. I was reminded of this when I read in the scholarship article that Mel "worked with bulls." In fact, he did more than that. He was an artificial insemination (A.I.) man. As life has unfolded, this, to a city boy, unusual occupation was never forgotten. So it was with more than superficial interest that I visited Bell Ahlem’s dairy in Hilmar, California. I was unable to resist the opportunity to join a large-animal vet as he, by touch, followed the progress of A.I. success. Mel and Elder have been fine examples of mentors, intellects, believers, and men who were not afraid of working with their hands. I have not yet had the opportunity to experience Elder’s canine animal husbandry but await an opportunity.

It is difficult to imagine having had an opportunity to study under men better than these (along with a splash of Sebestyen Spice). Karl N. Klockars, Wheaton, Illinois.

I always enjoy articles by David Hawkinson, and the one in the latest issue is a fine one too. Made me realize I need to re-read the old stories, asking questions as I read (instead of listening to the old sermons recurring in my head).

A younger cousin of mine has been researching our family recently (Hoagbergs) and came upon some church history from what started out as Gethsemane, was renamed Broadway Covenant and became Trinity up in Crystal, Minnesota. There are a lot of familiar names in the history—names I remember my grandparents talking about on long summer evenings when we visited their home. Clearly the Covenant churches have changed a great deal for there are a lot of non-Scandinavian names in the recent history. Makes me wonder just how the Covenant church differs now from many other evangelically-oriented churches. Perhaps there will be clues in the book written by Zenos E. Hawkinson, Anatomy of the Pilgrim Experience: Reflections on Being a Covenanter. I would like to buy a copy of that book. Could you give me the correct number for Covenant Press? The number I had jotted down in my copy of By One Spirit is no longer correct. [1-800-621-1290—Ed.] I was much impressed with By One Spirit—not only was it rich with fine history, but it was beautifully written. I picked up a copy of A Centenary History written by Adolph Olson about the rise of the Swedish Baptist church, and was disappointed for it was not nearly so well written as By One Spirit. Perhaps I noticed that particularly since the early material covered similar history in both books.

One more question, while I am at it—could you recommend any tapes or CDs of music with Swedish hymns? I would be particularly interested in a collection of Lina Sandell’s songs, many of which are my particular favorites. I wonder, by the way, if the Tatoo learned over in Sweden by the 135th Infantry National Guard Band some years back might have been based on one of Sandell’s songs—"Thy Holy Wings, Dear Saviour" in the red Covenant Hymnal. It was a hauntingly lovely tune anyway and struck me as being qualified as "the first song for the world of peace" (not that that looks as though it will come soon!). I’m still enjoying both Sounds of Sweden and, even more, the specifically Swedish Covenant hymns. I found a tape by the Gustavus choir which is good, too, though leaning more toward Lutheran songs.

I should take time to check into your web site for that sounds interesting. And thank Max Carlson for the balanced review of American Beauty. I had heard such mixed reactions to it that I wasn’t sure I wanted to hunt up the video, but he persuaded me it is worth watching. Hope you hear more from Ellen from Ecuador, too—fascinating report.

Pietisten is always a fascinating mix of topics and a joy to find in the mailbox. Thanks for your continuing inspiration. Marilynn Ford, Eitzen, Minnesota.

Thank you for your good work—I love it! Jean Nelson, Mercer Island, Washington.

We went to First Covenant Church [Seattle] Sunday. Their delegates to the Annual Meeting gave reports. One of them showed off his Pietisten tee-shirt. Your outfit is getting well known all over the place! Jackie Mampel, Seattle, Washington.

I look forward to every issue of Pietisten—read it from the beginning to the back cover. First, I check the articles looking to see what Elder Lindahl has written.

Please add the enclosed to the Mel Soneson/Elder Lindahl Scholarship Fund. Carol R. Jackson, Iron River, Michigan

I just found out that my dear brother was not getting Pietisten. I couldn’t believe he was missing out on one of the finer things in life. Please send to him. Betsy Evans, Houston, Texas.