Joseph's Mission to Sweden Part 2

When Joseph returned from his family visiting/sightseeing trip he found out his companion, Bro. Mortenson, had baptized three people.

Their usual missionary activities resumed.

Two weeks later, on Friday 24 August 1888, Joseph went to Ramlösa, a mineral spring resort near Helsingborg. He wrote:

Weather looks better, so took some tracts out to Ramlösa; but did not sell any. Went in by the back way, so did not have to pay. Looked over the grounds. They are very picturesque; also saw some very nice houses. While there was regailed by some of the most exquisitly sweet music it has ever been my privelage to hear.

The place is about an hours walk from Helsingborg. Is a very pretty wood, with a deep creek running through it. Has also several mineral springs coming out from a bank. The sides of this stream are covered with beautiful woods, and buildings of different kinds. It is withall a very beautiful place.

After tireing of sight seeing took the railroad-track back. On the way visited a man's turnip patch.

Ramlösa in 1888

The stream in Ramlösa as it looks today.

The spring water from Ramlösa has been marketed and sold since 1707. Today it is slightly carbonated and has a variety of added flavors.

On Monday, 28 August 1888 Joseph headed up the coastline to Kullen, located at the tip of a peninsula, visiting church members and contacts on his way up and back. I found these journal entries pretty intriguing for various reasons:

Tuesday, Aug. 28.

On my way to Kullen tried to sell tracts at a couple of places, but failed. Got a ride with a beer vender. Found Anders Larsons allright. On account of his daughter from America being home, could not stay there. Called on Tilda, Jöns Anderson's daughter. Was treated to coffee and cake. they wished me to drink Punch, and smoke cigars; but declined. Finally drank some wine.

Wednesday, Aug 29.

Went on to Ladark to see Ola Person. He has been in Utah 19 years, and has come back as an apostate. He was not at home when I got there, so went to his son's: Peter Olson, and awaited his return. Had quite a talk with the old man, but he still has his ideas. The son treated me very kindly. By invitation I stayed over. Had quite a chance to talk religion with them.

Sunday, Sep. 2.

Sacrament meeting at 10 oclock a.m. Quite a number were present. One person was cut off from the church. In the afternoon we had a large and attentive congregation. I was the first speaker. Took my text from Acts 2:38,39. Mortenson followed. Had the privelage of talking with some after meeting. They seemed favorably impressed.

On Monday, 3 September 1888 Joseph left for Kristianstad, one of the branches in which he had previously served, to say his goodbyes and to retrieve some money his sister had sent him. 

When Joseph arrived in Kristianstad he wrote "Feal like I was home." His friends and contacts gave him gifts, took him out on daily activities, and treated him to a "coffee feast". He stayed until Friday, 14 September when a local family invited him over for a going away party. Joseph wrote:

In the evening we met by invitation at Holm's where we had chocolate and cake. After which I was called on for a speach, but my fealings were too great for utterance. My language was inadaquat to express them....We spent a very pleasant evening; and one long to be remembered by me. They also made me a present of 4 kr. to pay my fare to Helsingborg.

On Saturday, 15 September 1888 he wrote:

Bade goodby to the saints and friends, and started for Helsingborg. When I arrived at 1:20p.m. Found a letter awaiting me from Pres. Olson informing me of my release to return home with Sep 27 emigration. My joy was complete. To have the privalage of going home once more can be appreciated after an absence 2 years. But when I think of what I have accomplished, feal like staying a little longer, in order to do something. However will have to go now, and try to do better another time. Think, however, I have gained some experience.

On Sunday, 16 September Joseph went to visit with a man named C. J. Winberg "for the purpose of pleading with him to let his bad ways alone." Joseph's visit only made Bro. Winberg "angry". Joseph was the principle speaker at sacrament meeting and asked the congregation to remain after the service to discuss Bro. Winberg. Joseph wrote:

The saints were now asked to remain, and bro Winberg’s case layed before them. It was the opinion of all that he must be handled if he did not repent. By a unanimous vote it was decided that he be not in full fellowship until he repents; and that a letter be written to him in regard to the matter, with the privelage of repentance, and of asking forgiveness to regain his standing.

Personally, I'm very glad this shaming, humiliating, non-Christian practice (because that's exactly how I see it) is not happening in the church today.

Joseph, along with his companion, participated in 5 more convert baptisms and spent the remainder of the week preparing to leave Sweden. He would make his way south to Malmö in order to cross over to Copenhagen. His last few days were eventful.

Monday, Sep. 24.

Parted with Mortenson and left for Löddeköpinge. On my way got a ride with some fellows who I afterwards discovered were drunk. Was glad when I got to the end of my day’s journey so I could get rid of my company. Was not the extent of my journey, only a stoping place. From there walked to Filändia station, but found no train went toward Malmo, so walked toward Lund. On my way soon got a ride with a beer vender, which brought me in in fine shape. Was made very welcome by Winberg’s. Several of the saints came in and spent the evening. Sister Winberg made me a present of a pair of socks.

Tuesday, Sep. 25.

Went to Staffentorp on my way to Malmo to seak for Lena Jenson’s relatives. Found one who is named W. Willborg. Was quite a gassy man. Arrived in Malmö and found a letter awaiting me with $11.00 in; though some was to buy wool cards. Spent considerable time running around for emigrants.

Wednesday, Sep. 26.

After settling up and seeing the emigrants in shape; and visiting the photographer to have my picture taken, went to Copenhagen. Called at the office. Bro. Flygare was alone home, but Bros. Christenson and Anderson soon came in, and others soon followed.

Went out to the exposition with Bro. Flygare. Visited the marine department as well as the machine shops. Also spent some time in hearing some of the sweetest music I've ever had the privelage of listening to. Everything in this exhibition was in the grandest stile possible.

Thursday, Sep. 27. 

Bro. Tollestrup and I went to see the exhibition again. The paintings and sculpture work were of most interest to me. It seems I could live there, but all things of that nature must have an end as time is limited. Saw the various kinds of machineries in work; which was quite imposing; but not so extensive as that at Liverpool.

There was such a variety of works, and my time was too limited to notice them all; and to commence mentioning them would be next to impossible. Got back to the office to see the brethren a little; and than went to the dock. Where we bothered with immigrants a little all afternoon. Bros. Jönson, Mortenson and myself took a walk out in town in the evening.  Got back just in time to go on board ship 900 and than away from old Scandinavia. Went to bed and rested well.

And here's a REALLY interesting fact which I may or may not have mentioned in a previous blog post. Just as a reminder, Joseph Christenson was my dad's maternal grandfather. One of my mom's paternal great-grandfathers was Karl Erik Magnus Hallman who, along with his two youngest children, were among the 130 or so immigrants whom Joseph accompanied to "Amerika". Karl's son, Erik (my great-grandfather) had joined the Mormon church in 1882 and helped convert his parents and two youngest siblings. His parents, Karl and Anna, were baptized in 1883. Erik immigrated to Utah in 1886. In June of 1888 Karl's wife, Anna, died, so Karl and his two youngest children joined Erik in Southern Utah. Since Karl and his children left from Söderala, which is north of Stockholm, I don't know if they traveled with the group from Sweden, from Copenhagen, or met up with them in Liverpool. In any case, I'm sure Joseph and Karl had no idea their families would eventually become joined together.

Karl Erik Magnus Hallman with his two youngest children, Karl and Anna