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CHURCH SOCIETIES

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LUTHER LEAGUE

ROM the earliest times in Fridhem the young people have had a society for the purpose of cultivating the mind in religious as well as in secular matters. A literary society existed during Fahlund's time, but it was not a permanent organization.

    At a meeting in the old sod church on February 7, 1888, it was decided to organize a permanent young people's society. Rev. C. H. Södergren was elected president, Thure Lind vice president, Frank V. Hedstrom secretary and John Lind treasurer. Membership fees were fixed at 25 cents and regular dues at 10 cents per month. A committee for the purpose of drafting a constitution and a set of by-laws was chosen, and consisted of Rev. Södergren, B. J. Fahlund, B. L. Fahlund and Emil Lind.

    The society adopted for its name that of "The Martha Society" as most suitable and suggestive of its purpose. At its meetings the men members furnished the greater part of the program, while the young ladies were to do sewing circle work. It is evident that the society, besides the cultivating of the mind, also had the purpose of raising revenue in mind.

    The society had at the end of the year 1888 forty-five members. It has continued active ever since, although its character has materially changed during the latter part of its existence. At the present time there is no difference in the proportion of the program rendered by the young ladies and the young men members: all take active part.

    During Rev. Andrén's time the society was reorganized and called the Luther League. It adopted a new constitution and new by-laws and

joined the conference and synodical Luther League. In Fridhem the young people's society has always been permeated with a commendable enthusiasm. It meets twice a month, at the church, and is untiring in its work for the advancement of the church. While yet in its primitive form, it showed its capacity for work. This is proven by the fact that at the end of the year 1892 the society had contributed $659.58 to the church. During the time it has existed as the Luther League, refreshments have been served at the end of each program, for a small price, and by this means there has been raised the neat sum of $4,823.78.

    The present officers are: Rev. G. W. Henry, president; Elmer Gustafson, vice president; Estella Wallin, secretary; Lawrence Peterson, treasurer, and Sylvera Holmquist, corresponding secretary. All the young people of the church belong to the Luther League, but the society is not exclusive and has gathered under its influence man who are not church members.

    Although the women of Fridhem had for a number of years met in sewing circle work, no permanent organization had been perfected until in 1908. Then it was deemed opportune to bring about such an organization. Therefore, on the 23rd of January, this was done at the home of Mrs. P. J. Hokanson. It was tacitly understood from the beginning that the pastor of the congregation, whoever he may be, shall be the president of this society. And as the Rev. M. Theo. Andrén was in charge at this time, he was the organization's first president. The first secretary (called finance secretary) was Mrs. Victor Peterson, and the first treasurer Mrs. A. A. Gustafson. When Mrs. Victor Peterson with her husband and family later that year moved to Texas, the office of secretary became vacant. Mrs. Martin Swanson was elected to fill the vacancy. Both Mrs. Gustafson and Mrs. Swanson have time and again been re-elected and are today (1919) in office. As a matter of fact, it may, be stated that, except for Mrs. Victor Peterson, they are the only elected elected (sic) officers the society has ever had. The object of this organization is to gather funds for home and foreign missions and other benevolent purposes. The society has sole control of the expenditure of its funds.

   Dorcas has 47 members, who pay a fee of 25 cents per month. They

meet once a month in the basement hall of the church. After each meeting refreshments are served by two of the members, who serve by turns, in alphabetical order. The money collected at the tables and the regular dues paid by the members go into the general treasury until needed. The society has an annual sale of needlework and other articles at Thanksgiving, and this usually results in a satisfactory addition to its "exchequer."

    From the time of its organization, January 23, 1908, to January 1, 1919, it had collected and distributed $2,577.99.

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    This society is the local branch of the synodical Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society. It originated during the meetings of the Nebraska Conference when that body met at Funk, April 21-25, 1915, when seven women signed for membership. But it was not until the 30th of March, 1916, that an organization was perfected, at a meeting for that purpose, in the basement chapel of the church.

    Mrs. A. A. Gustafson had exerted herself in getting signers, so that when the meeting was called there were seventeen women who had signed for membership. These, together with others who joined with them as charter members, and those who have joined since, have swelled the number to 45.

    At this meeting the officers chosen were: Mrs. Rev. O. G. Berg, president; Mrs. T. A. Gustafson, secretary, and Mrs. J. S. Johnson, treasurer.

    The society realizes that it is necessary to keep in touch with the work, and for this reason annually sends a delegate to the conference, when this meets. In 1916 Mrs. A. A. Gustafson went as delegate to Swedeburg, Mrs. B. E. Bengtson to Saronville in 1917, and Mrs. Peter Peterson to Oakland in 1918. The delegate for 1919 is Mrs. August Peterson, who went to Shickley.

   Among the charities embraced by this society may he mentioned the keeping of one pupil in school in India. This society, like the other charitable organizations of Fridhem, serves refreshments at its meetings, which are held on invitation of the members in their homes. Such meeting is usually held on the anniversary of the inviting member's

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