Special music (either instrumental or vocal as arranged).

Summarize discussion in THE LUTHER LEAGUE REVIEW.

Hymn 43.

Summarize discussion in the Topics. Hymn 52. Sung as double quartette. Readings: "The Boy Makes the Man." Make the readings brief, but of sufficient length to make the picture complete. A good plan would be for the readers to confer beforehand.

1. Selection from chapter 1, "Luther, the Reformer," by Hay.

2. Selection from Book II, "Martin Luther," by Jacobs.

3. Selection from Kurtz Church History, Vol. II, From the Reformation, secs. 39, 51, 52. (An epitome may be given.)

4. Selection from part 3, chapter 7, "Martin Luther," by Köstlin.

5. Selection from "The Hero as Priest," in "Heroes and Hero Worship," by Carlyle. Remarks (brief) by pastor.

2. His fatherly grace and mercy toward those who keep His commandments. (Develop this thought.)

Questions for answer. (Give them out in advance.)

r. What does God threaten? Heb. 2:2; Rom. 6:23.

2. What does God promise? Rev. 22:14. 3. What effect should His promises have? Psa. 19:11; Prov. 3:1-2.

4. When and for whose sake will Goa reward the righteous? Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 10:42; John 10:28.

Give the conclusion of the commandments and Luther's explanation. Hymn 26.

Prayer by pastor and silent prayer.

The approaching convention of the Luther League of America at Albany presents an opportunity to the Church. It affords the privilege of becoming acquainted with some of the ablest men of our Church and of hearing them upon vital subjects of the day. It lays a claim upon the Church that emphasizes our duty to know our Church as well as the members of other denominations know their Church. The organization has claim to some consideration. It is an agency of the Church. Its motto, "Of the Church, By the Church, For the Church," indicates its aim and spirit. The question is, "Why Believe in the Luther League?" It has accomplished much in the seventeen years of its history as a national organization. It has sent men into the ministry, promoted the spirit of benevolence, educated the laity of the Church and fostered loyalty. For the work

it has done, and which but for it might not have been done, lays claim to consideration for our organization. The outlook for the organization is most promising. The look ahead is full of cheer. We need to lay our plans for this convention with a look ahead to derive from it for our locals, our districts and our State organization the largest amount of profit.

His His

The Reformation under Luther was one of Luther the most important epochs in history. was chosen of God for this work. He was the human instrument to accomplish the Divine Will in God's government of the world. To-day, he looms large upon the horizon. The approaching of the four hundredth anniversary of the Reformation reveals something of the stupendous greatness of this remarkable man. He took his stand on the teaching of the inspired word. He has allowed nothing to move him from that solid foundation. only appeal was to the Divine Word. only infallible source of truth, the Bible. Heroically he stood upon this foundation amid the storm that beat upon him. The Church to-day needs the Luther spirit. Pastors and laymen need to study the life of this great English-speaking Lutherans need to value the heritage he has left them-the world was saved from the bonds of superstition and ignorance and ushered into a period of freedom of thought, making possible civil liberty and self-government as a result of the work Luther did. The onslaught of liberalism and anarchy against the old Bible, the old creeds and the old truth has raised a crisis. Against this spirit, the adherents of the Augsburg Confession must stand as an impregnable rock in defense of all that is true and precious in religion. In Church and State he insisted upon separate and distinct spheres for each. Here, too, the Lutheran Church, with its conception of Church and State, must take its place in defense of that relation of Church and State that is fundamental to our American liberties. The spirit of Luther when he

man.

stood alone at Worms relying upon God and the everlasting truth of the Divine Word, must animate our Lutheran Church to-day. Great opportunities confront us in America. A special Providence seems to have ordained a work for us in this country no other denomination can do so well as the Lutheran Church with its historic antecedents. .

Many of our young men and women have entered our colleges and schools for higher education. The opportunity for liberal education in these days is most excellent. The instruction imparted in our Lutheran institutions is thorough and complete. There is none of the distraction of the State university nor theories that threaten to engulf our youth in religious shallows and miseries. Without exception, the atmosphere is thoroughly moral and Christian. Never did the Church need strong educated men and women more than to-day. From our colleges must come the workers who are to advance the cause of the Church. The Christian colleges of our beloved Church are the bulwark of the nation. There godly characters are developed which make the very best citizens. It is here the opportunity is afforded for the nurture and development of one's best intellectual powers. Here is exerted the lasting influence of the sympathetic and beneficient oversight of Christian professors. Christian religion is the foundation of all true morality and secular education without this foundation is a source of danger. The companionship among the students in our colleges is calculated to develop intelligent, loyal, active and pious Christian manhood and womanhood. These are qualities much needed in our country to-day.

The management of the finances of a Church is at all times a delicate and difficult task. Yet we should not hesitate to examine ourselves and see if we are doing our duty as Christians and followers of Jesus, who gave Himself for us. The finances of our Church need the consideration of every member right now. Every one who belongs to this Church should pay

something regularly to its support. Each member of the Church should either pay something to its support or receive something from it for his support. Neither the council nor the pastor desires to dictate or suggest the amount any one is to give. It may be little or much, according to ability and the pressing needs of the Church. But we want the name of every member on our list of contributors. The Church needs them. And every one who gives regularly will receive greater good from the Church. They have a deeper interest in her welfare. When they help support the Church, they feel it is theirs. It is a mistaken notion that because the parents rent a pew, the children are to pay nothing. There is no lesson to be taught the young people of greater importance than the sacredness of obligation. If they are old enough to be confirmed, thereby taking the obligation that they will support the Church with their prayers, presence and money, they should give some of their own money for the Church. Every one either earns money or has it given to them. They should be taught when young to pledge a definite amount for the Lord's work. It is not so much the money that the Church will receive thereby as the influence on the giver. It will train one more person to fulfill his obligations to God. We are too apt to look upon what we receive as wages, and make in daily transactions, or have given to us, as ours, to use as we please. But the Lord has a right in all we have and all we are, and we should pay our obligations to Him that we may come into the most intimate relation to Him. Husband and wife are one, and that is the only case where a subscription should stand for two persons. We want every member to be credited with a regular subscription to the Church. It is expected that each member will contribute something each year toward the support of the gospel, either by taking a pew or sitting, or making a stated monthly or quarterly contribution. It is a privilege and a blessing to aid in the essential and blessed ministries of God's house. We need them. God has appointed them, and so has He appointed that those who minister at the altar shall live at the altar. Nothing unreasonable or impossible is asked, but no one should neglect a definite amount, whether lit tle or much, nor neglect to remember our dear Church in sympathy and faith and prayer. It is for the Lord, and, trusting Him, we should have no fear.

In Some of Our Large Cities

New York.

-At the recent meeting in Syracuse of the Synod of New York, Mr. E. F. Eilert, A. M., and Mr. I. S. Runyon, of the Review, were elected lay delegates to the General Synod, which will meet in Atchison, Kan., next June.

The Lutheran Inner Mission Society has taken a lease upon a large house at 2040 Fifth avenue, where, under the direction of Mr. Paul Holter, there will be conducted a hospice for Lutheran young men. Young men who intend coming to New York to live and work or study and want a comfortable and homelike place to live at a price that represents practically its cost, should address Mr. Holter at the hospice, 2040 Fifth avenue, New York.

-The board of trustees of the German Lutheran Emigrants' House has called Pastor Fritz C. Evers, formerly in Englewood, N. J., as successor to Pastor C. Deering. The new missionary took charge of the home and of the mission on September 1. Philadelphia.

"

-Major E. R. Artman, a prominent member of the Church of the Holy Communion, who died September 3, bequeathed nearly $300,000 to charity. Most of the amount will go to Lutheran institutions, including $100,000 to establish a home "for poor and deserving Lutherans of all ages and both sexes,' to be located in Bucks or Montgomery counties within a radius of thirty miles of Philadelphia. The Orphans' Home and Asylum for the Aged in Germantown is to receive $45,000; Mt. Airy Lutheran Theological Seminary, $45,000; Church Extension Society, $5,000; Roanoke College, $5,000; Lutheran Dispensary for Tuberculosis, $1,000, and the Church of the Holy Communion, $10,000. Major Artman also provided liberally for a number of other charitable institutions in Philadelphia.

Chicago.

-Augsburg English Lutheran Church, Rev. William E. Wheeler, pastor, laid the cornerstone of its new building, September 1. The building in course of erection is 43 by 53 feet and is planned to seat 200 people and to accommodate 250 in the Sunday school.

-St. Paul's Lutheran Church, recently organized, has purchased the property of the Cuyler congregation. Cuyler and St. Andrew's congregations decided to unite, and the unfon was consummated on September 1. A new lot will be purchased and a portable chapel will probably be used for, the present. Rev. W. Gardner Thrall, pastor of Cuyler Church, resigned the pastorate to co-operate in effecting the union.

Denver.

-Rev. J. O. Hummon, formerly of Omaha, Neb., has become pastor of St. Paul's Church, succeeding Rev. Dr. R. B. Peery. Cleveland.

-Bethany Church is carrying on a campaign to raise $5,000 to liquidate indebtedness.

-The Christian Endeavor Memorial Church will be without a pastor, Rev. H. C. Hadley

It

-St. Mark's Church, Washington, Ill., consecrated, on September 15, 1912, its large and handsome new church edifice. The consecration sermon was preached by Rev. M. Rhodes, D. D., of St. Louis, and many visiting and neighboring pastors participated in the services attending and following the ceremony. The building cost about $100,000, of which all but $30,000 was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Denhart. The building is of the Gothic style of architecture, and constructed of Bedford stone. It is 120 feet long by 86 feet wide. is arranged and furnished with every modern facility for effective work, and its decorations are sufficiently rich, beautiful and appropriate to please the most exacting taste. The color scheme is brown. This church was organized in 1875, and now has enrolled about 400 members. In the Sunday school there are enrolled about 450 children. Mr. Denhart has superintended the school for twenty-five years. The Church has a number of auxiliary societies, each taking an active part of the work.

-The Good Shepherd Home, at Allentown, Pa.. has received a gift of $3,000 from Mr. George W. Zeller, of Easton, Pa.