The Icelandic Canadian - 01.03.2005, Qupperneq 31

Vol. 59 #3
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
117
matters a lot, but he is thoroughly con-
fused. He claims, for instance, to be an
ideal instrument in the hands of God to
reform Icelanders, and he claims to have an
unbroken verbal contact with God. It is
possible that this condition of his is only
temporary. I certainly hope so.
Icelanders in Winnipeg are showing
considerable desire for progress. The
Icelandic Association, for example, is spon-
soring a grade school. There is general
interest among Icelanders in building a hall
for Icelanders in Winnipeg. Helgi Jonsson
has donated grounds for the house, and a
collection among the Icelanders is taking
place in order to finance this project. If
the collection turns out to be successful,
the hall will probably be built this summer.
There is a great number of Icelanders
in Winnipeg, and nowhere in America is
there more need for an Icelandic minister
than there, but their financial status doesn't
allow them to support a minister.
This time I am not going to discuss the
money I owe you. If you need the money
this summer, please write to me about it.
If not, I appreciate being able to put this
money to use because there is certainly
need for it now.
This letter is raw-boned, and I ask you
to pardon its inadequacies.
My wife asked me to give you her very
best, and I myself ask Almighty God to
bless you forever and a day.
Your loving friend,
Fridjon Fridriksson
Letter 21
Gimli, Mar 27, 1881
Dear friends,
I cannot remember whether or not I
have thanked you for your letter of the
15th of Dec. That one is the latest that I
have received from you, and new letters
from Iceland are not to be expected until
the beginning of summer. Anyway, I
thank you very much for it.
Long ago I ceased looking forward to
big holidays, but I keep looking forward to
your letters because they are so warm and
always have the power to cheer me up,
bringing our spirits close together, and
being close to you certainly does me a lot
of good.
I am sorry to learn how few letters you
have received from me, the more so
because you think that I never or very
rarely write to you. Since I have returned
from the trip to Indians1 I have sent a letter
to you on each mail boat that was to sail
from Leith to Iceland, except once, and I
shall continue to write to you as regularly
as possible.
The last few weeks the majority of the
inhabitants of the Vidines settlement have
moved away. Most of our followers went
to Winnipeg or the N. W. T. colony -
whereas the followers of Rev. Pall went to
Dakota.
Benedikt Arason stays in Kjalvik.
There is no-one living any further south
than Kjalvik except old Asmundur
Einarsson who lives alone in his shed, but
he intends to move north to Meidavellir -
Pickerel • Salmon • Crab
Shrimp • Goldeye •
Lobster • Hardfiskur
and more!
We pack for travel
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