The tower is 202 feet high and divided into twelve stories, for the storing of records. In the Common Council chamber is a very valuable collection of portraits of the Governors of the State. The original city charter, granted July 22, 1686, by "Thomas Dongan, Lieutenant and Governor of the Province of New York and Dependencies in America under his most sacred Majesty James II," may be seen at the Mayor's Office.

To the left is the State Hall, built in the Greek style of architecture. Its classic front, with its great white columns of stone and the

THE CITY HALL, ALBANY. deep portico, reminds one of the pictures of Greek temples. From an architectural standpoint this building is considered one of the three most nearly perfect in the country. It is used as headquarters for several of the State departments.

At the foot of the hill on which the Capitol stands is the Government Building, a granite structure in which are found Federal offices and courts, Post Office, United States Weather Bureau, offices of the Surveyor of Customs.

Proceeding due west from the Capitol we reach the State Armory. Its drill shed is 170 by 240 feet. The armory is headquarters of the Tenth Infantry, N. G. N. Y., and Troop B, cavalry. In the basement is a mess hall, with a seating capacity of 400 and a fully equipped kitchen. Proceeding due south we come upon a different house of discipline-the penitentiary, located in the center of a park of 12 acres. Once quite a noted prison, containing 650 cells, it has had confined within its walls many Federal and State prisoners, including

those under life sentence. Now used only as a county and city prison for short term prisoners. We are hoping that it may soon give place to a university, if rumor is to be credited.

Although first in war and first in peace, yet Albany has been slow in erecting what almost every other place of any size has done-a monument to her brave men who fought for their country. But before the convention meets in November, one of the finest monuments will have been unveiled at one of the entrances of Washington Park. Its 50 feet of bas-relief will contain over forty figures of soldiers and various arms of service and batteries of horses in life size.

The Nation, a heroic bronze figure 9 feet high, represented as having risen, bearing a sword as the symbol of war and palms as the symbol of peace. Back of her, to the right and left, in bas-relief, are infantry, soldiers and marines, with their equipment, marching forth to her defense. Across the back of the monument are shown infantry and cavalrymen in readiness for the onslaught. At the west end of the memorial is "Victory," advancing regardless of the wounds and death, and at the east end the figure of "Peace" places a laurel wreath upon stacked arms, upon which the eagle, as the emblem of the reunited union, alights.

We have given you hastily a glimpse of Albany on its governmental side. Next time on its educational.

-St. John's German Lutheran Church, Reading, Pa., Rev. J. J. Kuendig, D. D., pastor, recently received from the German Empress a gift of a chalice, heavily gold plated, to commemorate the semi-centennial of the church's founding and the pastorate of Dr. Kuendig, which event was observed more than a year ago.

-The agitation in Saxony and other parts of Germany in behalf of a magnificent Lutheran building in the Catholic stronghold of Rome, begun by the Gustaf Adolph Frauenverein, has resulted in the gathering of sufficient funds to assure the structure. In addition to the gift of money, the historic Lutheran cities have pledged beautiful memorials for the decoration and furnishing of the church. Eisleben, where Luther was born and baptized, presents a magnificent baptismal basin; Erfurt, where Luther was ordained to the priesthood, presents an altar; Magdeburg gives a monumental pulpit; and Wittenberg furnishes three great and magnificent bells. It is said that the Roman Catholic Church is far from appreciating this great gift of German Lutheranism to the city from the power of whose Pontiff Luther wrested such a large. part of the Christian world.

I

N February the Detroit League of Lutheran Young People (now a year old) requested its extension committee to work for a State organization. As the results, a convention

was called for June 23, 24 and 25.

On Sunday afternoon, June 23d, a mass meeting of local churches was held in Messiah Lutheran Church, corner of Toledo avenue and West Grand boulevard, Rev. A. Homrighaus, pastor.

Rev. Mr. Homrighaus conducted the opening services and Miss Ruth Homrighaus rendered a vocal solo. The address was delivered by Rev. Luther M. Kuhns, general secretary of the Luther League of America.

Monday Evening

The opening session of the convention was held Monday evening, in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, corner of Melbourne and Oakland avenues, Rev. A. M. Sappenfield, pastor. The vesper services were in charge of the pastor. The address of welcome was given by Harry Feldman, president of the Luther League of Christ Church, to which response was made by Rev. B. O. Steffensen, pastor of the First English and Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Muskegon. This was followed by an anthem rendered by the choir of Christ Church. The convention address was delivered by Rev. Luther M. Kuhns. The session ended with the closing service and the singing of the Luther League Rally Hymn. All delegates and friends adjourned to the Sunday school rooms of the church, which were beautifully decorated in the Luther League colors. Here followed an informal reception, refreshments were served and the Sunday School Orchestra furnished music and Mr. Anderson rendered a solo.

Tuesday Morning

The opening services were in charge of Rev. J. S. Blank of Jefferson Avenue Lutheran Church. Mrs. G. Sales rendered a solo. This was followed by a business session, Mr. O. H. Bardo in charge. Miss E. Helwig was elected secretary pro tem. A short time was taken for the registration of all present. Seven societies were represented.

The subject of State organization was thoroughly discussed by pastors and delegates and it was decided that we were not ready to take definite steps towards a State organization but that "A committee of five be appointed by this convention whose purpose it shall be to ascertain, by correspondence, visitation and other methods, of the Young People's Societies in connection with the Lutheran churches in the State of Michigan the prospects of organizing these societies in a State work and that a convention for this purpose shall be called, in the judgment of the committee, when they shal!

organization of a State League and showed in many ways the need of such and its useful

ness.

At the close of the address Mr. Bardo read the names of the extension committee and a few closing remarks were made by pastors and delegates. With the singing of the Luther

League Rally Hymn and prayer the convention closed.

It was a great pleasure to have the General Secretary of the Luther League of America, Rev. Luther M. Kuhns, present at all the sessions and to be permitted to listen to his excellent addresses.

OMEONE has quaintly said, “The value

So a hitching post is in the fact that you

can find it precisely where you leave it." It is a good thing for young men to have a "hitching post," tying to principles that will not change, rather than to impulse as fickle as a wave of the sea. Seated in a railway car en route to an engagement a successful, hard headed business man was commenting on the need for young men to have as their capital a few fundamental principles to which they could hold to in their lives. These he counted a possession that was gilt edged. It was refreshing, invigorating conversation.

The General Secretary spent several weeks in the office of THE LUTHER LEAGUE REVIEW.

It was an interesting place. Wonder how many could imagine the amount of work done there for the Luther League by the men connected with the paper. How many little details have to be cared for! How many of other people's mistakes must be rectified if possible! Then the large amount of cheap advice, and the catalogue of the wise who could out Solomon Solomon. It is interesting, and the rest of us should appreciate what is being done for us by THE REVIEW and the men in charge at the busy New York office. What was the General Secretary doing there? Playing? Not a bit of it. It was work from 8 o'clock in the morning until midnight every night, and still people ask: "How is the Luther League? Is it growing?" Well, it is not dying; no obituary notices yet.

The Indiana convention at Camden, Rev. Morgu L. Webb, pastor, in point of delegates was the largest and in point of interest the best in the history of that State League. The delegates and visitors were delighted with their host. A new constitution for the State League based on the Model Constitution was adopted. "The Sons of Issachar," by Rev. F. W. E,

Perchau, D. D., Miamisburg, Ohio, was admirable and enjoyed by an audience testing the capacity of the church.

Three days were spent in Detroit. Intitial steps were taken toward organizing the Michigan State Luther League. On Sunday afternoon there was a Lutheran mass meeting. On Monday evening and Tuesday morning there was a preliminary convention. Committees were appointed, and measures taken contemplating the organization of a State Luther League. These meetings were most encouraging.

The seventeenth annual convention of the Luther League of Ohio-the largest we can remember in ten years-was held in Findlay, Rev. J. O. Simon, pastor. Delegates and visitors were handsomely entertained. The convention sermon by Dr. L. S. Keyser, Springfield, Ohio, pitched the keynote of this convention very high, and it is commendable it was sustained throughout. The redistricting of the State has proven beneficial. It was an aggressive body of young people. Enterprise was written large. The program was unusually strong and must have proven helpful.

A day in passing was spent in Toledo, where we had the opportunity of seeing the fine new church of which Rev. William Brenner is pastor. Besides this a number of other points were visited as locals. At this writing the General Secretary is preparing to start for five other State Luther League conventions.

The National Convention in Albany deserves your attention. Albany is the splendid capital of a great State. There are found footprints of historic Lutheranism in America. It has large commercial interests worth seeing. The National Convention at Albany will be worth going far to attend. Keep your eyes on Albany. LUTHER M. KUHNS.

Second Session

The evening vesper service was in charge of Rev. Beates, of St. Paul. Rev. W. F. Bacher was the first speaker. His subject was "Some Tendencies of Modern Education." He said in part:

Tendencies of modern education are not agreeable to us as Christians. Public school education not as satisfactory as it should be. Word of God is forbidden in our schools. Education should include the training of the intellect and the building of character. Anyone may teach as far as religion is concerned and some express their beliefs and implant them in the young. In high schools they teach Bible as only a collection of good literature and not inspired.

After the rendering of an anthem by the local choir Rev. C. J. Rockey, of Minneapolis, delivered an address on "The Luther League as an Educational and Spiritual Factor in Our Church."

He characterized the modern educational tendencies as "the most insidious, destructive agencies begotten by the adversary for the destruction of the Kingdom of God. They are so because they beget and increase unbelief, and unbelief is the crowning sin and all-enveloping destroyer." To offset and counteract the influence of these tendencies the speaker emphasized first the need of a positive Christianity, and gave the Luther League Topics a hearty recommendation. This positive Christianity should then be known by the Luther Leaguers that they might be intelligent Christians. He said in part:

I.

In the first place, the Luther League shall teach a positive Christianity. This it always has done and we pray that it always will. The Luther League of America uses a set of topics which are edited from year to year dealing with the various doctrinal, practical and historical departments of the Church's activity, also with the festivals of the Church year and with the missionary operations of the Church. These topics are edited by men within the Lutheran Church and up to the present time the Lutheran Church in America has not been infected with any of the negative tendencies of modern education or modern scientific research. These topics are not colorless, indefinite, dealing with generalities and pious platitudes that are unavailing before the positive assaults of skeptics. These topics do not teach anything not found in Scripture or contrary to it. No one reads in this set of topics that man descended from, a monkey instead of being created as he now is. No man reads in these topics that the Books of the Old Testament are not true or that a man may believe as much or as little of them as he pleases. No man reads in these topics that the Scriptures are only so much literature and halt of them not fit to read even then. No man reads in these topics that man wrote the Ten Commandments from his own growing sense of right and that God had nothing to do with it at all. No man ever reads in these topics that one can learn as much from a heathen philosopher as he can from Christ. No man has ever yet read in these topics that man is the real God of the universe and that all the salvation he needs or will ever get is what he can lay his lands upon here and now. There is no weakness in the orthodoxy of the topics. They teach a positive Christianity.

2. But how then shall the Luther League become or be an educational factor to offset the teachings of the modern educational tendencies? She has the topics for a cure. But a cure is never really a cure until it is taken into the body and effects a cure. A man

may be ill. He may know precisely what medicine is needed to cure the sickness. He may know also that in the corner drugstore he can get precisely the medicine needed. But as long as that medicine is in the store instead of in the man's body it effects no cure. And until the medicine supplied by the topics of the Luther League, and by its reading courses, get into the head of the Luther Leaguer there is nothing in him yet to withstand the onslaughts of the modern educational tendencies. The topics and literature and reading courses teach a positive Christianity, but it must be known by the Luther Leaguer in order that it may become and be an intelligent Christianity. The necessity of being well posted in a positive Christianity is the second factor in counteracting the influence of the modern tendencies in secular education. Because if a man does not know the weaknesses in the facts presented in some of our schools at the present day he is at the mercy of everyone who had some new heresy to set forth.

So it is apparent that the Luther League shall be a training school. Luther Leaguers shall read their Church papers to strengthen their faith and broaden their vision. There is no reason that the Lutheran Church in these days shall rear a generation who, in the words of the farmer, are unable "to see across the fence of their own churchyard." And Luther Leaguers shall read solid matter for their own enlightenment. In these strenuous days many of us do not read at all; if we read we read current fiction, which is the flimsiest of nonsensical stuff. The average Christian is not intelligent enough in his Chris tianity; and he is so, not because he needs to be, but because he will not be otherwise. Too much of our religious knowledge is knowledge gained incidentally rather than intentionally.

In a discourse of such short scope as this it is impossible to show the fallacies in all the various things that some of our schools and universities teach contrary to the Christian religion. But though it is impossible to show the weaknesses in the theories advanced it might be well to say a few words concerning the attitude against the Bible so prevalent in America now. Let us look at the teachings and the facts.

The Bible tells the modern educator that God created the heavens and the earth. He laughs at it. But the wisest philosophers the earth ever contained have never told us, neither is he able to tell us, where this earth came from. The Bible tells us that on successive days God divided land from sea, created trees, reptiles of sea and land, land animals, the stars of the heavens, sun and moon and made them to give light. and to separate seasons and act as divisions of time. He denies these statements, but neither he nor any other man with all the wisdom they have ever possessed, have ever been able to tell us where these things came from, how the stars and planets revolve so regularly and unceasingly through space in such unvarying order, why the earth should incline on its axis as it revolves in its orbit, giving us spring and summer, autumn and winter; what has caused it to turn on its axis, giving us days and nights with regularity. The Good Book tells us that God created man in His own image. This he scorns as the climax of foolishness; but with all the scientific investigation that he or any other man has made, his mind, hiş thinking, his longings, his determinations, the secret of his personality, these things summed up in himself the man, yet remain the greatest, the most perplexing problem that has ever engaged these thoughts that are so great a problem in themselves. He scoffs and scorns the story that man and woman fell into sin, bringing misery upon the race; but he is totally unable to explain the misery of the world, man's selfishness, hatred and sinfulness with all the attendant and consequent phases of sinful activity when he denies that man is by nature sinful or that it all had its origin in the Garden of Eden. He laughs at the story of Jonah, not thinking that every miracle in Scripture is either creative or redemptive, that this as a miraclę with a purpose of saving Assyria was reasonable, and that that fact that the Assyrians had a fish-god named Dagon made it a most expedient thing that Jonah should have some such experience in order to have a better ground of appeal to the Assyrians. He denies that Christ was divine, maintaining that He was simply a human teacher of more than ordinary ability; but he is unable to explain the wondrous growth and working of the Christian Church for 1900 years if he says that it is the product of a Galillean peasant in