REV. GOTTLEIB BENDER CHRISTIANSEN.

The church and the school are the two great forces which make for a broader and better civilization. Their mission is not to compete with the home in the matter of moral training, but rather to supplement its teachings. The man, therefore, who makes his life work the service of humanity through the church, is set apart from his fellowmen by a loftiness of purpose which not only transforms the lives of others, but which likewise puts his own character and conduct upon a higher plane. To the man who loves his work there is no compensation like the consciousness of having done that work well; when his mission is to uplift human life and minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the people, the plaudits of the multitude are unnecessary, for he has his reward in the knowledge of priceless service well rendered. But the public is always interested in the life of a man devoted to its service, and for this reason, as well as for the intrinsic worth of the man, no one is more deserving of mention here than he whose name appears at the head of this chapter. Rev. Gottleib Bender Christiansen, pastor of the Ebenezer Evangelical Danish Lutheran church of Audubon county, is one of the best-known men in the county. Not only as a minister of the gospel is he respected, but as the president of a theological seminary, he has won the esteem and admiration of students and faculty alike. Gottleib Christiansen was born October 27, 1851, in Middlefast, Denmark, and was the son of Christian and Elsie Cathrina (Dalton) Christiansen, who were pious, hard-working people. They lived all of their lives in the birthplace of the subject of this sketch, the father being a successful farmer. All of their children were brought up according to the tenets of the Lutheran denomination. Gottleib's family circle was broken by the early death of four unnamed children. The others were, in the order of their birth: Hans, now living in Denmark; Nels and Carl, both deceased; Elsie Marie and Rasmus Carl, both residing in their native town. Click on photo to enlarge Having graduated in the schools of his birthplace, the subject of this review studied to become a private teacher, a vocation which he followed for two years. But his ambition led the youth to desire a wider field, so he embarked for America when he was twenty-six years of age, and first matriculated in Augsburg College, Minneapolis, where he studied for four years. After his ordination to the ministry, in 1881, he preached in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for a period of four and a half years, and then for a similar length of time in Albert Lee, Iowa. He was then elected president of Trinity Seminary at Blair, Nebraska, serving in that capacity from 1890 until 1896. From the latter date until 1904, he preached in Omaha, Nebraska, leaving there to accept the call at the church in Audubon which he now serves. In 1896, a signal honor was bestowed upon Rev. Christiansen when the United Danish Evangelical Lutheran church was organized, and elected him to its presidency, an office which he still holds. On June 23, 1881, Rev. Christiansen was married to Miss Lena Larsen, of Denmark, who was born in the same town, attended the same school and was confirmed at the same time as the man who in after years became her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen's children are seven in number. Herman, the eldest, is living in San Francisco, California, and is engaged in the furniture and crockery business. Julia became the wife of Berkhard Eskelsen, of Hampton, Nebraska. Carl is now a real-estate dealer in Elkhorn, Iowa. Christian is a well-known carpenter in Audubon. Johannas follows the painter's trade, and lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. Anna married Martin Kjn, of Audubon, and Joseph lives at Brush, Colorado. Realizing the value of an education, Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen gave their children the advantages of the schools in Blair and Omaha, Nebraska, and in Elkhorn, and some of their family graduated from high school. The success of the modern preacher is in no small degree effected by the character and ability of his wife, for she plays a most important part in the life of the church to which he ministers. No sketch of the life of a minister is therefore complete without reference to the faithfulness and devotion of his wife, not only in the home, but also in the larger church home. Indeed, if she be not tactful and resourceful and unselfish, the work of her husband may be seriously handicapped. It is fitting, therefore, that mention be made of the valuable services of Mrs. Christiansen, which, in spite of her large family and their demands upon her time and strength, extended to the wide circle of church members and friends to whom her husband was called to minister. On January 12, 1913. "Ridder of Dannebrug," a degree of honor for efficient service as a minister, was presented to Rev. Christiansen by the king of Denmark. One would expect a man holding the position he has held as a leader in his denomination to be a student of life as well as of books, and Rev. Christiansen is both. He has the culture of the scholar, the refinement of the gentleman, and the nobility of the Christian. Having lived a life of altruism, it has now become a habit, and he finds his highest joy in service. The influence of such a man is incalculable, and not the least part of this good is in the countless little nameless acts of kindness which never reach farther than the person whom they help, and yet which give meaning and worth to the public career of the minister. Rev. Christiansen has been a power in the county where he now resides, and both he and his good wife have a host of friends, not only in their church, but in the wider confines of the neighborhood. To be able to diffuse so much good by active service and his own wholesome life, and to deserve and secure the respect and esteem of all who know him is better praise than words can convey, but the real tribute is in the hearts of those whom he has helped, and this tribute must ever be silent, for it can only be felt.