r the great
good which the fatherland has bestowed upon us from tender childhood
to the very hour when we bid it farewell; we would be unworthy of the
name and fame of our fathers if we did not honor and love as a dear
mother the ever memorable land of our birth, and you, its worthy
representatives, as our relatives and brothers.

"Your presence among us is a proud event, and its remembrance shall be
cherished as one of the most pleasant. And when you return to those
dear places where we took the first steps on life's eventful journey,
we wish you to take back cordial greetings from us all, and say to our
kindred that we teach our children to love and honor the people and
institutions in the Northern lands, although they have never seen
them; and say to them that, far out in the wide West by the laughing
water of Hiawatha, and hundreds of miles beyond, are friends and
brothers whose fidelity and affection neither time nor distance can
obliterate."

The address was responded to with much feeling by Col. Liljehoek of
Sweden. The festivities continued amid addresses, music and song until
long past midnight. The following day the guests were shown around the
city, after which they visited St. Paul, where they also received a
cordial welcome, and were presented to the governor.

The following year, on the 14th of September, an event took place which
deserves particular mention. It was the celebration of the two hundred
and fiftieth anniversary of the landing of the first Swedish settlers on
the Delaware. The Revs. J. Enstam and C. J. Petri, together with myself,
in the middle of the summer called a meeting of Swedish-American
citizens to prepare for such celebration. Committees were appointed and
elaborate preparations made, to which nearly all the Swedes lent a
willing and helping hand. The great exposition building was given up to
our use: bands of music were engaged, a choir of one hundred and fifty
Swedish singers, mostly from the different churches, was trained, and
eminent orators, statesmen and professors were invited. A souvenir badge
was sold at the Swedish business places in the city; the net
proceeds,--amounting to about eight hundred dollars,--were donated to
the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the great fires in
Sundsvall, Umea and Lilla Edet in Sweden.

The program of the day included a fine parade with bands of music and
banners; but a heavy rain came early in the day,