682.78

$23.29

Respectfully submitted,

C. T. A. ANDERSON, Treasurer L. L. of America.

Chicago, April 5, 1913.

New York City District.

-The silver jubilee of the Luther League was celebrated at its birth place, within the very walls that inclosed and sheltered its cradle, on Monday evening, April 21. The auditorium of old St. John's Church, on Christopher street, Dr. John J. Young, pastor, was nearly filled with people, among whom were not a few who were active in the movement at the beginning, or prominently identified with their local societies when the "Central Association" was formed.

At the meeting in the auditorium Dr. Young presided, and addresses were delivered by Rev. J. B. Remensnyder, D. D., LL. D., of St. James' Church, and Rev. George C. F. Haas, D. D., of St. Marks' Church, the only two ministers of this city who serve the same congregations when the League was formed, and William C. Stoever, Litt. D., president of the Luther League of America.

On account of the unique positions occupied by these men in reference to the League, as well as the prominent places they hold in the Church itself, their addresses on this occasion have more than ordinary significance, not only to the workers in this locality, but to the wider circle of the whole Luther League in America and in the world abroad. For this reason a somewhat extended synopsis of each address is given below:

"THE PURPOSE AND PROMISE OF THE LUTHER LEAGUE." Junius B. Remensnyder.

I congratulate the Luther League on the attainment of its twenty-fifth anniversary. And that it is still in the glow of active life, is shown by the inspiring throng of Leaguers who confront me. The purpose of the organization of the Luther League was threefold.

First, its aim was the advancement of religion and the kingdom of God, especially through the agency of the Church of its members, the Evangelical Lutheran.

Second, its purpose was to organize young Lutherans, to band them together, and to increase their devotion and efficiency as children of their ecclesiastical mother. This made the League an agency of prime importance. Youth is the impressionable age, and if religion is to mold the life, its roots must take deep hold in the early years. And if our Church is to be a factor of usefulness and power in the religious world we must ensure the devotion and lasting fidelity of our youth.

A third purpose of the League was to call out and develop lay activity. The League works in harmony with and under the supervision of the pastors, and it is chiefly managed and carried forward by laymen. The effect of this is to acquaint laymen with the needs of the Church, and to fit them to aid pastors in bearing its responsibilities. It also naturally devel

ops the abilities of talented laymen and equips them for leadership.

As an instance of this we need but point to the president of the National Luther League, W. C. Stoever. What a practical force for progress he has made himself by his guidance and inspiring addresses at so many gatherings of young Lutherans. This has cost him large sacrifice, which had this society never been founded, he would not have thought he was ever able to make.

When we come to consider the definite work of the Luther League I should say that it was to equip our young people with an intelligent knowledge of their Church. This is a thinking and a reading age. Our faith in our Church must be more than a blind devotion, or it will soon be knocked out of us in the generous rivalry of Protestant Churches. It is, too, an era of adroit skepticism. Hence it is of vital importance that our young people be able to give a rational answer for their profession of Lutheranism.

Now, along with literary and social features, every true League makes it a point to have reading circles and themes for study, which

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acquaint our youth with our distinctive doctrines, and with their thorough harmony with Scripture. The strength and glory of our Lutheran system of faith are impressed upon them. Then they also learn to read Lutheran literature. The Luther League Review occupies a field of great value in this educational process. Church love is another marked feature of the work of this society. Said Charles Lamb, "I never disliked a man except one whom I did not know." To know one's church is to love it. As we are fond of the mother who cherished us in the home, so should we be devoted to the spiritual mother, who bore us in her loving arms to the altar and fold of Christ. And such intense love for our Church is not bigotry. Said Phillips Brooks, "He loves the universal church the best, who loves his own church the most." It is not so much numbers but loyalty that tells. One young Lutheran, loyal, burning with enthusiasm, and ready to sacrifice, is worth a hundred who are apathetic.

So, I ask our young Lutherans to show an ardent church love. Give to your church a single hearted devotion.

If you are intelligent, talk and speak for it. If you have social position, don't leave your church, but seek to give to it refinement and social recognition. If you become wealthy, shower upon it your benefactions, so that its church edifices, its universities and theological seminaries, and its Home and Foreign Missions may rank with those of any other. And if you marry out of the church, bring either your husband or your bride into the Lutheran Church. Further, this organization promotes Lutheran unity. In its constitution it overleaped the bars that separated the great Lutheran bodies, and acknowledged all who sincerely professed generic Lutheranism. The Luther League first brought together in the same fellowship, and on the same platforms, representatives and leaders of many types of Lutheranism. This has been one of its really momentous achievements. We know that in unity there is strength. United we stand, divided we fall, is an indisputable maxim. Strands are stronger in a cable, notes are sweeter in a chord, colors are fairer in a rainbow, and Christians are mightier and lovelier when bound by the tie of unity.

No church has so little reason for divisions as ours. With a common origin, a common confession, a common and glorious history, why should we suffer the contentiousness of narrow minds to defeat our usefulness and to cloud our future by separatism. Let the Luther League everywhere labor that we may have a common faith, a common Book of Worship, a common Hymnal, a common church and chancel architecture, and one common world-wide church organization. Tren and then alone will Lutheranism be able to take the part which I firmly believe Providence designs for her, the leadership of the mighty evangelical hosts of Protestantism.

Finally, stupendous as is this task, it is also a no less splendid and inspiring opportunity. The Luther League has contributed notably to this grand consummation. May it go forward,

MEMORIAL

& CHURCH WINDOWS A. C. GRIMM

155 East 23rd Street, New York, N. Y.

with growing energy, and it will write a new and notable chapter in the history of the American Lutheran Church

ADDRESS BY GEORGE C. F. HAAS. When first asked to speak on this occasion I sought to be excused, not from any lack of interest in the League, but on the ground that I had in recent years not been in active touch with the larger work of the League. I may, therefore, be pardoned if, having been urged to accept, my remarks are chiefly reminiscent. It scarcely seems twenty-five years to me since the movement to unite the Lutheran Young Men's Societies in New York began. I can hardly realize that almost twenty years have elapsed since I sat during my vacation-time before a well-worn old square piano in a farm house in Wayne County, Pa., with the words of Mrs. Cassidy's hymn before me, trying to concoct a tune for them, the Luther League Rally Hymn. But these years have not passed in vain. The Luther League has accomplished something and stood for something that we may be thankful for and proud of. It has proved a means of information and education for our young people as to what the Lutheran Church is and holds. It has spread among them a knowledge of the history, the doctrines and the activities of their Church. It has accomplished a great deal in awakening and nourishing in them a sense of loyalty to their Church. Where formerly many of our young people especially almost hung their heads in shame when they thought that they were only "Lutherans," many have now learned to lift them up in justifiable pride in consideration of the great and glorious inheritance left to them. It has awakened and inspired our young Lutherans to work in and for their Church, to devote their interest and their strength to its causes.

Indirectly I believe that a great deal of the credit for the phenomenal growth of English Lutheran Churches during the past two decades belongs to the Luther League and the spirit it has awakened. I am free to say, that I am glad and proud of what the League has stood for apart from any visible attainments. It is to its credit that it has pursued proper methods, methods recognizing the authorities and the traditions of the Church. It has minded its own

business and not meddled in Church politics. It has tended toward a closer union among Lutherans, but not by exalting forms and organizations, but recognizing the true basis of all unity in the agreement upon the essentials of the faith. For all this we rejoice and give thanks to God. From this, too, we take courage in looking into the future. This will not be without its problems and its difficulties.

Let me remind you of but one thing that might spell danger. Of those who were the founders and the first workers in the work of the League, some have already passed from among us; those then in the lead have grown twenty-five years older and, more and more, others are taking, and will take, the place of the founders and pioneers. There is always in all organizations a danger that the rising generations may not know Joseph as did the old. Guard against this. Continue on the old foundations in the old methods, and we may be assured of success and growth by the blessing of the Almighty. This I wish from the bottom of my heart.

ADDRESS BY DR. STOEVER. While this is a time of congratulation, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the Luther League in this city and in this Church, yet it seems to me that this ought to be an evening of thanksgiving to God, who has prospered this movement, has raised up workers in the Church, and has helped in the instruction of the young people in better things, for to Him belongs all the glory. The past has been. so well set forth by those who have preceded me that it is unnecessary to speak of that. is equally unnecessary to talk of the future, for we live in the present. Our time may be short. Before tomorrow our lips may be sealed in death, or our bodies possessed of infirmities which will not permit us to do any work. Now is the time, and therefore three needs are specially presented for the Leaguers' consideration and action:

It

First-Consecration-that is, "the setting apart for God's service." We talk of consecrating ministers, churches and missionaries, but how rarely we speak of the consecration of church members to this work. The Hebrew meaning of the word for consecration, I am told, is "the filling of the hands," the idea being that when a man is consecrated to His work, God fills his hands with those things which are necessary for his success in the work. We think of the consecration of Livingstone, the centennial of whose birth we are just celebrating, of our own day, who for twenty-five years was the leader in Muhlenberg Mission in Africa, and of all our missionaries in India, China, Japan, and other places, all noble examples. We need the study of the Bible, and prayer, continuous prayer, for our perfect consecration.

Some one has recently suggested the following set of Beatitudes for the churches, and they are given as a hint to our Luther Leaguers: Blessed is the man whose calendar contains prayer-meeting nights.

Blessed is the man who is faithful on a committee.

Blessed is the man who will not strain at a drizzle and swallow a downpour.

Blessed is the man who can endure an hour and a quarter in a place of worship as well as two hours and a half in a place of amusement. Blessed is the church officer who is not pessimistic.

Blessed is the man who loves the church with his pocket as well as with his heart.

Blessed is the man who is generous to his neighbor in all things except the application. Blessed is the man whose watch keeps church time as well as business time.

faithfulness in

Second Conscientiousness every duty laid upon us as Luther Leaguers. A colored girl who was converted was asked how she was different after she came into the Church. "Why," said she, "I sweep in the corners now." She felt that she had been remiss, and that she must do her whole duty, even in sweeping the corners. A teacher writing of his Indian boys says that they set an example to our American boys even in the playing of ball, because they take no mean advantage of the adversary. Remember the Lord's promise: "Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful.”

Third-Confidence in our Leader Jesus Christ: Our eyes are holden that we do not see How patiently He stands, how lovingly, The while we pause, affrighted at the way, Ere we have crossed the threshold of the day, The fulness of the joy He'd have us know Ofttimes we miss, because we are so slow To trust him, even when we hear him say, "Fear not; lo, I am with you all the way.' Sometimes He lifts the veil and lets us see How close beside He stands to you and me. Ah! then we know it is His hand, His touch, Moves this and that, that hinders overmuch, And learn, at last, unfalt'ringly to say, I know He will abide with me today.

When William Booth, as a young man, attended a meeting at which an infidel spoke, who, among other things, said: "If I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Christians say they do I do not and you do not-I would not rest day or night until I had tried to bring every man with whom I come in contact to this Saviour." The effect of that speech was SO great upon Booth that he determined he would give his life to the saving of men, even those who were the lowest in this world, and that caused the organization of the Salvation Army with him as its head.

And if we are thoroughly consecrated to our work, and conscientious in the doing of it, with full confidence in our Leader Jesus Christ, then comes the result, namely, conquest. Jesus Christ said, "Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. I have set thee to be a light," and if we are whole-hearted Christians. then the light which comes from Him must shine everywhere. In a square in a Greek city was erected a statue of a girl, beautiful in proportions, perfect in every way. A little slave girl, with unkempt hair, worn and torn garments, was seen looking intently upon this statue. The next day she came with her hair

combed, another day with the rents in her clothing neatly sewed; at each time she was seen before that statue she showed an improvement, until there was no fault to find in her appearance. Gazing upon Jesus Christ, and copying Him, we certainly must be faithful, and the Lord has promised that he that is faithful shall be made ruler of others, and shall be acknowledged at the last day as worthy of admission to Heaven to be with Him forever.

After the service in the church was concluded the company gathered about tables in the spacious upper room of the parish house, where light refreshments were served. Here Rev. John Kopp, president of the Luther League of New York City, introduced Mr. Andrew Busch as toastmaster. Mr. Busch was the first president of the district organization. Mr. Busch read this message:

"Mr. Andrew Busch: Greetings and most hearty congratulations to you and all participating in the silver jubilee. May the Luther League grow and prosper in the future as it has in the past to the glory of God in the upbuilding of His Church and betterment of its members. Fraternally yours,

A. J. D. WEDEMEYER."

Toasts were responded to by Mr. E. F. Eilert, A. M., Mr. George D. Boschen, Mr. William H. Rose, Mr. I. Searles Runyon, all of whom have served terms as president of this District League, and Rev. Luther M. Kuhns, of the Luther League of America. This was a notable gathering in League annals, and doubtless will leave its impress upon the minds of Leaguers and others who were present. Some new notes were struck which may start whole chords vibrating and awaken new and wider interest in the Luther League.

Brooklyn District.

-The Luther League of St. Matthew's theran Church, Clarence C. Dittmer, president, will produce the operetta "Sylvia" at the Bedford Avenue Y. M. C. A. on May 23, 1913. The League is looking forward to a very successful entertainment. Albert Farrington, of New York, is coaching the company. Albany and Susquehanna District.

-The Luther Leagues of Albany managed the concert recently given in Centennial Hall by the Muhlenberg College Glee Club.

-St. John's Luther League gave a reception to the newly confirmed April 3.

Mohawk Valley District.

-At a meeting of the Luther League of the Gorman Lutheran Trinity Church, Troy, pastor John E. Duerschner, held March 7 the membership campaign between the rival groups closed. The winning group, of which Mr. J. Jordan was leader, brought in twenty-two new members, and the losing side brought in twenty-one new members. Mr. A. Duerschner was leader of this group. It has been a spirited contest for the past two months. The society now has 102 members. It was decided to have a strawberry festival in May and to give $50 toward recarpeting the church. Thursday, April 17, the League gave a farewell reception to Mr. Rudolph Reglin, a faithful member of the League and a mem

-The Luther League of St. John's Church, Boyertown, secured the active membership of every one of the thirty-eight members of the 1913 confirmation class. A reception was held on April 8, at which time Rev. Dr. W. L. Hunto delivered his lecture on "Makers of History."

-The Luther League of the church at Wrightsville; Rev. G. William Millar, pastor, observed the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the Luther League on April 18. The address was delivered by Rev. P. George Sieger, of Lancaster.

-The Luther League of St. John's Church, Boyertown, Rev. A. M. Weber, pastor, gave their annual reception to those confirmed on Wednesday evening, April 9. The League and members were addressed on "Makers of History" by Rev. W. L. Hunton, of Philadelphia. St. John's has a large number of young people who are very active in the work of the congregation.

-The Luther

League of Trinity Church, Ephrata, Rev. J. W. Smith, pastor, tendered a reception to the newly confirmed members of the church during the week following Easter. Greensburg District.

-The Junior Luther League of St. James' Church, Legonier, Rev. C. A. Naumann, pastor, conducted the service on Easter Sunday evening, rendering a very edifying service of readings, recitations, solos and songs. Pittsburgh District.

-The Luther League of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, East Liverpool, Ohio, is in a growing and encouraging state, adding new members each meeting and doing nice local and district work. At the recent business session $10 was given toward the Church Extension Fund of the Pittsburgh Synod. During Lent a series of devotional meetings were held by the League which were well attended and interesting. The officers for the year are: S. Luther Gilbert, president; John Schneidmiller, vice-president; Nettie Hetzel, secretary; Henry Schneidmiller, treasurer; Nettie Hetzel, organist; Erla Blower, assistant organist; S. Luther Gilbert, librarian; . Walter Habenicht, assistant librarian.

OHIO

-The eighteenth annual convention of the Luther League of Ohio will be held June 25 and 26 in the First Lutheran Church at Springfield, Rev. C. E. Gardner, pastor. Let each League be sure to arrange in ample time for ful representation.

-The young people of St. Paul's Church, Pleasant City, have reorganized their Christian Endeavor Society as a Luther League. There