Deuteronomy 19:14
“Do not move your neighbor’s boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess.”
When I was in my 20’s and 30’s and into my 40’s, the history of my family was not that significant to me. In recent years it has become much more intriguing and I am way more focused on what type of legacy am I leaving in regards to my relationship with Jesus Christ to my children and my grandchildren. My hope and my prayer is that the family circle would be unbroken and the impact that we could have on those around us would be significant as we do all we can to take as many with us into eternity as God gives us the opportunities to share the Gospel message.
When I look back on Hauge Free Lutheran Church and how it was originally formed I see that the faith of those men and women had was solid and their desire to gather together to encourage one another in their walk and to fellowship and pray for each other was a priority.
The first settlers came from Norway to Goodhue County in 1847. They settled south and west of Kenyon. There is not a lot of information written about this group of pioneers for about 12 years. They traveled by walking and by oxen teams as there were no roads. It is thought that they would meet in homes of neighbors and friends to gather around the Word of God and in prayer. Elling Eilson would travel from place to place and share messages from the Word of God.
In 1859 they formed a congregation and called it the Hauge Congregation. Osten Hanson was a lay preacher that served the group. The first recorded service was a communion service on June 30, 1861.
Norwegian was the language that they used until 1939 when English was adopted. All records were written in Norwegian until that time and the history was often difficult to decipher.
In March of 1871 they discussed building a church. A unanimous vote was taken and funds were raised to start the structure. Land was purchased and mason work was under way.
Christian education for their children was also a prime concern for the settlers as well. They started a school and had the children go for at least two months each year.
The church building was mostly completed around 1875, but it was not completely equipped until 1888. Congregants discussed a steeple but decided it would cost too much and they didn’t want to spend money frivolously. A 1/4 acre lot that this church sits on was purchased for $7.00. Later 2 more lots were purchased for the cemetery for $25.00. This church was used until 1902 when it was decided to build a church building in the town of Kenyon.
All of this history is fascinating and important as well, but the most significant history is about the settlers love for Christ and necessity of passing on that legacy to their descendants. We see the fundamental interest of the people of Hauge to keep this building intact and have it for a landmark set by their predecessors. As Pastor of this church I can tell you that they view the passing down of their spiritual heritage as being foremost in their thoughts and even more salient. The same type of story and heritage is recorded in the churches in our community and treasured as well. To hear these stories would be a faith builder for us all.
So, how do we carry on this principal task of passing this message to the next generation?
I would like to share with you a page from the New England Primer. This is a text book used in the early public schools and what was likely taught in the school that the settlers opened. It is called ‘Verses for Little Children’.
Though I am young, a little one, If I can speak and go alone,
Then I must learn to know the Lord. And learn to read His holy Word.
This time to seek to God and pray, For what I want for us all day,
I have a precious soul to save, and I a mortal body have:
Though I am young, yet I may die, and hasten to eternity.
There is a dreadful fiery hell, Where wicked ones must always dwell,
There is a heaven full of joys, Where Godly ones must always stay.
To one of these my soul will fly, As in a moment when I die;
When God that made me calls me home, I must not stay, I must be gone,
He gave me life, He gave me breath, and He can save my soul from death.
By Jesus Christ my only Lord, according to His holy Word.
So, how do we take back ground that was given up in years past?
There is legislation recently signed into law in Louisiana that would require the display of the Ten Commandments in large, easy readable font in all public classrooms in the state by 2025. This will all be funded by donations. No education funding would be used for this. This is one state’s attempt to take back ground. If we don’t look at where we were when our forefathers came to this country and how they set up what was important to them, we will never strive to carry on that legacy of Christ-centered living.
Every time I step into the ‘Old Stone Church’ I get the feeling I am walking on hallowed ground. The sacrifice and determination that the men and women exhibited to come together and worship and pray together, causes me to shrink back in shame at times. How we can complain about the fact that we are tired or it may be too cold or maybe too hot to go to church, it’s raining or it’s snowing. Then we think about what they went through to gather for fellowship and it can be heart-wrenching to see how luke-warm we have become.
Getting up before sunrise to do the chores, to feed the cattle, clean the barn, feed the chickens, pick the eggs, slop the pigs, hook up the horses, clean up, put on good clothes and make it to the church on time, help with any setup, and even take part in the service would be a common commitment. What we go through to worship together pales in comparison.
That is why it is important to remember the commitment of our pioneering fathers. Psalm 77:11-12 tell us of God’s faithfulness.
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”
Psalm 145:13 is a promise that had to be treasured by the people that started this church.
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.”
We must hold fast to the truth of God’s Word with the same determination that we saw in our forefathers.
I just received a book from one of my sons. It is called, “Dad, I Want To Hear Your Story”. This is probably one of the most profound gifts I have ever received. To think that my son would want to know my story is humbling and very gratifying. I want to encourage you all to tell your family your story. To tell them your parents and grandparents story as best you can remember it. And most importantly, tell them about your spiritual journey. How you came to faith in Jesus Christ and what are some of the most significant things He has done in your life as well as how He has used you in the lives of others for His glory.
If Jesus Christ has never become the Lord of your life, don’t let another day go by without coming to the foot of the cross in repentance and faith.
Jesus is waiting with open arms. Romans 10:13 says, “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
The history of the churches in our community is foundational as we continue to build our spiritual legacy. Think seriously about writing down your life story for your descendants to see. It can be an heirloom that can be treasured for generations to come. May we always cling tightly to the testimony of God’s working in our lives and be ever on the watch for opportunities to add to that story as God brings situations our way.
