[3] In May 1848, Reynolds gave an address at Gettysburg to the Historical Association of the Lutheran Church of America, on the subject of "The Swedish Church in America," after which the Association resolved "that Professor Reynolds be requested to furnish for publication a copy of his valuable discourse, delivered this evening..."[4] He spent much time responding to this instruction, and became fascinated by the subject.
When the work was printed in 1849, Reynolds announced that he was planning to learn Swedish, in order to complete the translation of a History of New Sweden, by Israel Acrelius, which had been begun by the late Dr Nicholas Collin.
[5] In May 1851, Reynolds was visited there by Lars Paul Esbjörn, accompanied by the young Eric Norelius, who stayed on to become a student at the Capital University.
In 1872 he was appointed as Rector of Christ Church, Harlem, in Oak Park, Illinois, his final position.
[3] Reynolds became seriously ill in August 1876 and died at home in Oak Park on 5 September, after twenty days of great pain, suffered with resignation.