CHURCH: First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1897 Dedication, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ html page with photos and illustrations: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/1picts/1stluth/luth1.htm _______________________________________________ A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY -AND- DEDICATION -OF THE- First Evangelical Lutheran Church, ALTOONA, PA MAY 21-24, 1897 COMPILED BY GEO. W. CURFMAN, ASSISTED BY R. RHOADES and WILL V. GLENN 1897: PRESS OF H. & W. H. SLEP, ALTOONA REV. HENRY BAKER, D.D. [photo] C. M. ROBINSON, ARCHITECT. W. V. HUGHES, BUILDER. OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH REV. M. W. HAMMA, D.D., PASTOR ELDERS: J. B. HILEMAN J. T. WESTON ANDREW BIDDLE ELDERS: JACOB GOOD WILLIAM ALLOWAY PETER GOETMAN HENRY STITT CRAWFORD YON WILLIAM JOHNSTON CHURCH CHOIR: PROF. A. J HARTER, Organist Soprano: MRS W. BLAKE MISS MOLLIE E JONES MISS MARGARET SPEARING Alto: MRS. DAVID LITTLE MISS ANNA SPEARING Tenor: DAVID YINGLING Bass: E. L. TAYLOR J. H. BAIR H. L. SNYDER OFFICERS OF SABBATH SCHOOL G. W. CURFMAN Superintendent J. B. KUHN Assistant Superintendent LEVI GEESEY Superintendent Infant Dep't. MISS FLORENCE COVER Assistant Superintendent, Infant Dep't. MISS G. A. ASKEW Assistant Superintendent, Infant Dep't. E. L. TAYLOR Treasurer MILTON SPRINGER Secretary JOS. H. GIARTH Assistant Secretary MISS MOLLIE JONES Secretary Infant Department LIBRARIANS W. W. BLAKE A. M. LAUVER M. R. KEESEY J. W. BARRY D. M. WAUMBAUGH BUILDING COMMITTEE Rev. M. W. HAMMA, D.D. J. B. HILEMAN, SR. SAMUEL ABRAHIMS ANDREW BIDDLE RUSSEL GRIFFIN WILLIAM HOUSAM W. W. BLAKE H. PRICE GRAFFIUS DAVID KOCH J. G. HERBST JOSIAH ARTHUR D. K. RAMEY SOCIETIES CONCERNED WITH THE CHURCH Home and Foreign Missionary Society. President Mrs. W. W. Blake Vice Pres. Mrs. Jno. Brehman Secretary Mrs. Jos. Davis Cor. Secretary Mrs. E. P. Grove Treas. Mrs. J. B. Hileman, Sr. The Home and Foreign Missionary Society was organized in the early history of the Church. The Young Ladies' Home and Foreign Missionary Society. Pres. Miss Missouri Wambaugh Vice Pres. Miss Mollie Alloway Rec. Sec Miss Emma McCloskey Cor. Secretary Mrs. Jos. Tate Treasurer Miss Lizzie Moore The Children's Missionary Society. President. Mrs. J. A. Brehman Vice Pres. Miss Florence Cover Rec. Secretary Miss Effie Lorenz Treasurer Miss Carrie Ramey The King's Sons. President Charles Plitt Vice President Lloyd Goettman Secretary Earl Lockard Cor. Secretary Scott Yon Ladies' Aid Society. President Mrs. Hetty Taylor Vice President. Mrs. Anna Davis Secretary Miss Mattie Griffin Treas. Mrs. J. B. Hileman, Sr. This Society was organized November 16th, 1892 for the purpose of raising funds to furnish the new Church. During this time they have paid the sum of $2,575.00 on the lots and Church. The Young People's Luther League. President J. W. Schell Vice Pres. Miss M. Wambaugh Secretary Mrs. Jos. Tate Treasurer Samuel Metzgar This Society was first known as the Young People's Prayer Meeting, which was organized about 1875. It continued under this name until 1890, when it was changed to the Young People's Union, adopting a Constitution and By-Laws, and was fully Officered. Five years later it assumed the present form of a Luther League. $552.53 has been given by this Society towards the new Church. AD APERATUM The publisher of this work has compiled it in the belief that a history of the Lutheran church in this neighborhood would be of interest to every Lutheran in Altoona, as well as to many who were identified with the early history of Lutheranism in this city, and who have gone to other places. The fact that there has never before been published a book on this subject made the work of securing and verifying the data doubly hard. In view of the foregoing, the indulgent judgment of the public is requested for any errors that may have been made in the admission of matter not pertinent, or the omission of anything of importance, as, in a work of this kind, it is practically impossible to avoid a few discrepancies. The publisher wishes to express his gratitude to the Revs. P. G. Bell, Dr. Hamma, and D. S. Lentz, and to Messrs. T. B. Patton, D. K. Ramey, J. B. Hileman and C. C. Mason, and to all others who have in any way furnished information or assisted in the compilation; and to Messrs. Raymond Rhoades and Will V. Glenn for assistance in the compilation, writing and editing of this booklet, which is now consigned to the tender mercies of the followers of Martin Luther here and elsewhere. GEO. W. CURFMAN, Publisher. Altoona, Pa., May 21, 1897. FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH - Dedicated Sunday, May 23, 1897. [photo] EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. TO THE humble log school house of our "grandfather's days" America owes much of its national greatness. Within the walls of those early intellectual temples were inculcated the principles of religion and manliness that were destined to make statesmen of broad minds and far-seeing wisdom, who should declare for the right, and having committed themselves, stand by their convictions, without regard to temporal cost. In a log school house, that stood in the edge of a wood on what was at that time known as Beal farm, Where Fourth avenue and Twenty-third street now cross each other, the Rev. J. H. Schmidt, an ardent follower of the humble Galilean, and a brave pioneer taught, as early as 1827, the first lessons in the immortal Luther's version of the Holy Scripture, to the few residents of what was then a wilderness, but which has since become the enterprising, bustling, Nineteenth century city of Altoona. The first organized Lutheran church and Sunday school had its inception about the year 1833, under the ministration of the Rev. Huffman, of Newry, and continued to hold services in the log school house in the name of the Pleasant Valley church, of the Newry charge. In 1836 the Lutherans Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists combined with the view of building a union church and bought from Mr. Eli Hastings a tract of ground lying at what is now Union avenue and Sixteenth street. About the same time the township 8 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. school directors decided to build a school house, and for that purpose bought the lot adjoining that of the church. It was then agreed between the church committees and school directors, in the interest of economy, to erect the church and school as one building, each on its own lot, separated from the other by a swinging partition, which could, when necessary, be raised to the ceiling, where it was fastened by hooks and both rooms were thrown into one. The pulpit was high and was reached by winding stairs that led from the aisles of straight, high-backed pews. The Rev. C. C. Ginther started the church on its mission of good, and, after six years, was succeeded by the Rev. Jacob Simons, a strong- minded and strong-voiced expounder of the Book of Law, whose thundering invectives against all forms of vice, and gentle exposition of the love and goodness of Jesus touched chords in many hearts that will vibrate till the end of life. He remained pastor for two years and was succeeded by the Rev. W. W. Weaver, during whose ministry the cornerstone of a new brick church, which the Lutherans had decided to build in Collinsville, was laid, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Jacob Martin, of Hollidaysburg. This church was dedicated in June, 1846, when the Rev. Baker, who succeeded the Rev. Weaver, was pastor, Dr. Peter Anstadt preaching the dedication sermon. Shortly after Dr. Baker came, this church dissolved relations with the Newry charge, and, in connection with the Antis church and the Duncansville church, formed the Pleasant Valley charge. Services continued in the brick church until 1854, when it became evident that Altoona, which was then beginning to show activity, would grow into importance, and having, the year previous, secured the ground where the old First Luther- DIAGRAM OF CHURCH PEWS AND RENTERS IN 1854-69. [illustration] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 9 an church now stands, on Eleventh avenue, above Fourteenth street, they turned their faces once more in the direction whence they came. A one-story building, which had been hauled to that ground, served as a place of worship until the erection of the new church, which was dedicated in 1854, the sermon being preached by F. W. Conrad, D.D., L.L. D. At the time the church was dedicated it was seventy feet long and forty-six feet wide, with a gallery where the organ loft now is. There was no tower on the building and the only exterior garniture it supported was a miniature steeple. After removing from the parsonage in Collinsville, Dr. Baker lived in an old log house, which stood on Fourteenth street, opposite where the new church now stands, until the completion of the parsonage, near the old church. This church, though dedicated the "First Lutheran church of Altoona," continued in the Pleasant Valley charge. In the fall of 1857, the Rev. Baker resigned, and was succeeded by the Rev. S. Curtis, who remained six months. The Rev. Jacob Steck then took charge and for eighteen months carried the work forward, and was followed by the Rev. C. L. Ehrenfeld, during whose ministry the First church separated from the Pleasant Valley charge. The Rev. Samuel A. Hileman, now of Philadelphia, then took up the reins, to resign them into the hands of the Rev. Henry Baker, who was re-called in the fall of 1867, and came early in 1868. In 1869 the church was remodeled at a cost of $35,000, and, August 29, 1869, was re-dedicated, Dr. W. M. Baum, of Philadelphia, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The Revs. J. H. Menges, of York, and Dr. Baker assisted at the ceremony. In 1882, Dr. Baker resigned on account of ill health, and 10 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. was succeeded by the Rev. M. J. Firey, D. D., who remained three and a half years. After the resignation of the Rev. Firey, a young minister named Hull supplied the congregation for six months. SYNOPSIS OF DR. FIREY'S FAREWELL ADDRESS. Sunday evening, November 28, 1886, the church was filled to hear the Rev. M. J. Firey's farewell sermon as pastor of the church. He took for his text Hebrew xiii:21, 22: "Now the God of Peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will, Working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen." After dwelling on the teachings of Paul to those Hebrew Christians as to their fidelity to the church, among other things he said: "To this end let peace reign among you. If discord enter the God of Peace will forsake you and decay will begin. May the God of Peace bind you and keep you of one mind and one heart. Satan will seek every occasion to enter and trouble you. It is greatly to his interest to create divisions and animosity. Many strong churches have been destroyed in this way. It is necessary for some to sacrifice their preferences or deny themselves in some particulars. Never suffer Satan to use any one of you as his agent in bringing discord into the church. Does not the text imply that in order to have the presence of God in the church, peace must dwell there? It certainly does. He is the God of peace and can dwell in no other atmosphere. How vital, therefore, to the welfare of souls and the church is this peace. On this account we are warned against discord. 'Offences must 11 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. REV. M. J FIREY, D. D. [photo] 12 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. needs come, but woe unto him by whom they come.' See, then, that the devil of discord be kept far from you and that the God of Peace continue His abode in your midst. In the three years and a half that I have been your pastor, three hundred and forty-six have united with the church. There were three protracted meetings, lasting six, eight and fourteen weeks, and resulting in large accessions. One hundred and twenty-nine children have been baptised and fifty-eight marriages solemnized. It has been my aim to call upon each family at least once a year. None were intentionally overlooked or passed by. Such is the size of the church that the pastoral work of visiting the members in health and sickness, burying the dead, and all the other duties of a large church, required most of the time. Seventy-two funerals were attended. Some of these were of persons not in any way associated with this church, except by friendship. About three hundred and fifty sermons were preached. I need not here speak of all the minor duties which necessarily follow in the pathway of the pastor." He was very much interested in the young, insomuch that he organized a "Band of Hope," which resulted in three hundred and fifty young people of the church pledging themselves to abstain from the growing evils of the day. MINISTRY OF REV. E. D. WEIGLE, D.D. April 1, 1887, the Rev. E. D. Weigle, D.D., began his ministry to this congregation, which lasted until the last Sunday in 1895, when he resigned and accepted a charge elsewhere. During the nine years of Dr. Weigle's ministration the congregation grew in numbers and financial strength very rapidly and many of the progressive spirits joined in the wish for a larger and more modern house of worship, where there would be less discomfort from the noises of the railroad at the rear of the old church, and the rattle of vehicles and A GOLDEN SHEAF OP HISTORY. 13 REV. E. D. WEIGLE, D.D. [portrait] 14 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. street cars in the street, in front. Another reason that was strongly urged was the necessity for more room to properly carry out all the purposes of the numerous societies of the church and Sunday school. With this end in view, two lots were bought on the corner of Twelfth avenue and Fourteenth street. Rev. E. D. Weigle preached his farewell sermon Sunday evening, December 29, 1895, and while the regular services only had been advertised, yet in the forenoon, there was a congregation present which really crowded the large auditorium to its capacity. He preached on "Paul's Determination, the Crowning Prerequisite of a Successful Ministry," based on I Corinthians, ii:2. In the evening, before the biggest audience that ever crowded itself into the large auditorium, he discoursed on "Christian Activity in the Light of Christ's Example," based on St. John, ix:4. Both sermons were eloquent and forceful. At the close of his exhortation in the evening, Dr. Weigle read a summary of his parochial work during his pastorate at the First Lutheran church, from April 1, 1887, to January 1, 1896, a period of eight years and nine months. It is as follows: Infant baptisms, 624; accessions to communicant membership, 1,097, making an average of 125 per year. Pastoral visits, 7,004; visits to the sick, 2,019, making a total of 9,023, or an average of 1,031 per year. Moneys raised for local expenses during these years, as taken from the minutes of synod, exclusive of the amount raised since last meeting of synod, September 10, 1895, $54,338.94; benevolent moneys A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 15 contributed during the same period, $24,324.87, making a grand total of moneys raised for all objects from April 1, 1887, to September 10, 1895, $78,663.81. The audit of these moneys contributed toward the new church enterprise, which was inaugurated June 1, 1891, and greatly embarassed during the panic, and in other ways, received the following: Subscriptions to September 1, 1895, $25,252; paid on subscriptions, $14,393; subscriptions unpaid, $10,859; amount regarded as doubtful value, $1,338. This leaves an indebtedness on the church in round numbers of $19,000, to offset which the congregation has the valuable property on Eleventh avenue, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, 100x110 feet, and the beautiful site for the new church on the corner of Twelfth avenue and Fourteenth street, 100x120 feet. The church is thoroughly organized for efficient work. Aside from the large and wide awake Sunday school, there being 621 present December 29, there is a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary society, a Young Ladies' Mission band, a Children's society, The King's Sons, a prosperous Luther league and a vigorous Ladies' Aid society. During the ministry special emphasis was laid on the faithful preaching of the word and the stated administration of the sacraments. Special care was taken that a diligent pastoral oversight was not neglected. All year round personal work coupled with the faithful indoctrinational of the young in the fundamental truths of Christianity, gave tone and direction to all the work. This constant work was supplemented by special services in January of each year and services preparatory to the Easter ingathering of two weeks' continuance. As a result, the accessions were, as indicated, an average of 16 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 125 per year. Since taking charge of the mother church of the Lutheran denomination of this city, Dr. Weigle has seen the growth of the church as follows: The Fourth Lutheran was built; St. Paul's, of Millville, was brought into a position of strength and the Bethany Lutheran was organized, and its new church built. Notwithstanding, the First Lutheran has maintained its large membership, being as strong numerically today as at any time in its previous history. MINISTRY OF DR. M. W. HAMMA. January 1, 1896, Dr. M. W. Hamma succeeded Dr. Weigle and entered into the project for a new church with an enthusiasm that in a short time brought about excellent results. Rev. M. W. Hamma, D.D., was born in Richland county, Ohio, of Pennsylvania parents. Rev. Hamma was graduated from Wittenberg college and theological seminary in Springfield, Ohio, and began his first ministry in 1862. After traveling for several years he returned to Springfield and became pastor of the College church, remaining there nine years. The last charges in which Rev. Hamma was regularly installed were in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Baltimore, Md., respectively. For the last ten years he has had no settled pastorate, but has been actively engaged in general work and in voluntary service, having been a member of the home mission board for twelve years. During his ministry, and especially during the last ten years, he has repeatedly visited all the countries in Europe, the Orient, Asia Minor, the Turkish countries and the Holy Land. Ha has recently returned from a trip to the Scandinavian countries, of which he made a thorough study, taking A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 17 DR. M. W. HAMMA. [photo] 18 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. in all the points of interest, making the trip to the North cape, where he Was one of the fortunate few who saw the midnight sun. Rev. Hamma has been frequently across the American continent, and has visited in every state and, territory in the Union except three. He has spent much of his time in California and other states In the Pacific slope. As a preacher, he is a powerful and eloquent expounder of the Holy Writ; and as a minister and man he has the respect and affection of all who are so fortunate as to know him. As a lecturer, he has won the plaudits and everlasting friendship of his auditors from the Atlantic to the Pacific by his fascinating discourses on the beauties of the different countries he has visited. A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY 19 HISTORY OF THE NEW CHURCH. THE purpose to erect a new church edifice was cherished for years before it took tangible form. Much faithful labor looking to that end in the way of gathering funds for the new lot that had been purchased, was performed by the Rev. Dr. E. D. Weigle, the former pastor. But unsurmountable difficulties presented themselves at every forward movement toward the actual beginning of the building and there was much discouragement because of that "hope long deferred, that maketh the heart sick." At length there came a conjunction of circumstances, a meeting of providence, which became a God given opportunity. The people were united as one man, and universally enthusiastic on the proposition of rising up at once and building. Rev. Dr. Hamma, the new pastor, saw the providential opportunity and on February 11, 1896, called into private conference with himself eight or ten of the most prominent members of the congregation, including Mr. D. K. Ramey, a member of Christ's Second Lutheran church. Before these gentlemen separated that night Mr. Ramey had purchased the old church property, for $40,000.00, at once bringing success within reach, and enough was pledged by the others present to put the project absolutely upon its feet. What the First Church owes to that night the people may never fully know, but it was on that now sacred evening and in the generous hearts of those noble Christian gentlemen that the new church edifice was born. 20 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. At a congregational meeting held February 12, 1896, it was decided to proceed at once to the building of a new church, and the following were appointed on a Building Committee: Dr. M. W. Hamma, J. B. Hileman, Saml. Abrahims, Andrew Biddle, Russel Griffin, William Housam, W. W. Blake, H. Price Graffius, David Koch, J. G. Herbst, Josiah Arthur and D. K. Ramey. The agreement was then drawn up disposing of the old church to D. K. Ramey, which was accepted and the Church Council was ordered to consummate the same. The pastor arranged to hold a Jubilee Service on Sunday, March 1, 1896, for the purpose of raising sufficient funds to proceed with the new church project, at which time the large sum of $15,000.00 was pledged, much of which was paid in cash. The Ladies' Aid society subscribed $1,500.00 and the Sunday school $1,700.00, which greatly encouraged the people. The formal ground breaking for the magnificent church which graces Twelfth avenue at Fourteenth street took place April 3, 1890. A preliminary service, at which addresses were made by Revs. B. S. Dise, D. S. Lentz, P. G. Bell, J. F. Hartman and E. J. Metzler, was held in the old church. At the conclusion of the addresses Rev. M. W. Hamma, the pastor, announced that in view of the untiring efforts of the ladies of the congregation toward furthering the new church project, it was but justice to allot to them the pleasant duty of breaking the ground upon which was to be reared a monument to the unselfish devotion of themselves and kindred spirits in the cause of Christ. In pursuance of this decision a silver-plated pick and shovel were presented to the Ladies' Aid Society by Mr. G. W. Curfman, for the givers, Mr. Levi Geesey and the pastor, respectively. A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 21 All present then proceeded to the new church site, heralded by the inspiring strains of the Logan band, where Mrs. Hettie Taylor, president of the Ladies' Aid Society, struck the silver pick into the consecrated ground some of which was shovelled into a miniature wheelbarrow with the shining shovel, and wheeled away by Blanden G. Cook, the little grandson of Mr. Levi Geesey. The benediction closed the ceremony just before a snow squall burst over the scene. May 19, 1896, excavating for the cellar was commenced and the work pushed very rapidly up to the time of the corner stone laying, which took place on Saturday, July 18. The impressive ceremonies were begun at 3 o'clock p.m.; the pleasant weather favored the occasion and a large assemblage of Lutherans and their friends were present. Chairs had been carried from the old church and placed in the Sabbath school room of the new building, which was already floored, and the principal part of the program was carried out there. An organ had also been provided and Professor A. J. Harter, the church organist, presided. The singing was in charge of the church choir. The services were in charge of the pastor, Rev. M. W. Hamma, D.D. The program was as follows: Hymn No. 1. Scripture Reading and Prayer, by Rev. H. M. Heilman, of Bethany Lutheran church. Hymn No. 193. Address, "The Significance of the Corner Stone," by Rev. E. J. Metzler, of St. Paul's Lutheran church. Address, "The Value of the Church to the Community," by Rev. J. Mueller, of St. James' German Lutheran church. Address, "The Church as a Spiritual Home to the Christian." by Rev. J. F. Hartman, of Christ's Second Lutheran church. Hymn No. 194. 22 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. After this the pastor spoke of the success the church had had thus far in carrying out their plans, and said that if they had been told one year ago today, that they would be assembled at this time, to lay the cornerstone of their new church, they would have exclaimed, "Impossible!" As a people who had been looking forward for six years with anxious hearts, they would have been willing, a year ago, to make any sacrifice that the erection of a temple unto the Lord might go on. "Still," he said, "we do not come today to ask you to give largely, but to make an offering on paper, or an offering of silver and gold." The offering amounted to $150. Hymn No. 262 was sung, after which the ceremony was performed on a small platform at the corner of the church by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Hamma. A sealed copper box was placed in the hollow of the cornerstone before it was cemented in its place by the masons. It contained the following: Holy Bible, Book of Worship, copy of the Report of the Synod, 1895; copies of the daily newspapers of Altoona of that date; copies of the Lutheran church papers, Observer, World Evangelist and Luther League Review; copy of Lutheran almanac, 1896; coins bearing date of 1853, taken from the cornerstone of the old church on Eleventh avenue, the money being all that had withstood the destroying hand of Time in that stone; United States coins - one dollar, half dollar, quarter dollar, dime, half dime, one cent piece; copy of the Sunday school report of 1896; copy of the program of the day and a paper compiled by G. W. Curfman, containing the names of the President and Vice President of the United States, Governor of the State of Pennsylvania, Mayor of the city, present and past officers of the church, Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, Ladies' Aid Society, Mission A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 23 Band, Children's Society, King's Sons, and Luther League; names of the Building Committees, architects and builder of the new church. After the stone had been put in place, floral offerings made by six small boys and six small girls from the Sunday school were laid upon it. Mrs. Hettie Taylor, president of the Ladies' Aid Society, deposited a bunch of wheat upon it, Dr. Hamma making brief and appropriate remarks. While both these closing ceremonies were being performed all joined heartily in singing the doxology and the benediction was pronounced by Rev. P. G. Bell, and thus closed a great and joyous day to one and all who were present on the occasion. The congregation continued to worship in the old church until Memorial Day, the occasion of the farewell to the old edifice, and a day long to be remembered by Lutherans in Altoona. The morning service was of unusual impressiveness and the pastor, Rev. Hamma, delivered an able and instructive sermon. At a quarter after 2 in the afternoon the Sunday school also, met to say farewell. This meeting was in charge of Superintendent Robert Metz. Addresses were made by Mr. D. K. Ramey, of this city, and Mr. T. B. Patton, of Huntingdon, both of whom had been superintendents. They spoke of the early history of the school, of its trials and of its growth, until now it is numbered among the largest in the city. A pleasing incident was that which occurred in the interval between the addresses. Dr. Hamma called upon the school to give the two ex- superintendents the Chatauqua salute (the waving of handkerchiefs) which was done with hearty good will. Secretary G. W. Curfman read to the assemblage a very 24 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. interesting letter from Dr. P. S. Leisenring, now of San Diego, Cal., but who was superintendent of the school from 1874 to 1878. He also read letters from Messrs. C. C. Mason and W. F. Taylor, of this city, who regretted their inability to be present. Of the sixteen superintendents who from time to time served the school, but five are now living. The pastor and Assistant Superintendent J. G. Herbst made pleasing remarks, referring to the enlarged opportunities of the school for doing good work by its removal into a larger room. They also spoke of the sadness which mingled with the joy of leaving the room in which the scholars had so often met. "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" was sung and the audience was dismissed. In the evening service, which was the last regular meeting in the old church, the building was crowded to the doors and many persons had to stand. The service was not of the ordinary nature, consisting principally of reminiscent and historical addresses by members of the congregation. The singing of the choir was worthy of mention. After the Scripture reading and singing of hymns the addresses commenced. The speakers were limited to ten minutes each, into which a great deal of historically interesting matter was crowded. The first speaker was Mr. J. B. Hileman, one of the original members of the congregation. The topic of his address was "Our Beginnings," and he spoke as follows: "I will not make a speech, but I will give a little history of the church. In 1834, over sixty-two years ago, there was a Lutheran organization in this county known as the Pleasant Valley congregation. It belonged to the Newry charge. They worshipped A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 25 in a log building. In 1836, a Mr. Hastings, who owned what is now called the Loudon farm, gave an acre of ground for a school house, church and graveyard. The building is still sanding on Union avenue and Sixteenth street, and is now occupied by the African Methodist Episcopal congregation. In 1842 we had a revival meeting in the church which lasted one week. Many were converted and joined the church. Among others was my father, my cousin, a young lady and myself. Brother John Loudon joined at that time. In 1843 William Bell deeded an acre of ground for a church parsonage and graveyard at Collinsville. In 1846 the Pleasant Valley church was formed and Rev. Henry Baker became our pastor. The lot for the present church was purchased in 1852, and in 1853 we commenced building the church. It was dedicated some time in June of 1854. After an absence of nine years Rev. Baker became our pastor the second time." Mr. Hileman was followed by Mr. T. B. Patton, a former member of the congregation, but now of Huntingdon. Mr. Patton's subject was "The Period of Larger Developments," and was a continuation of the historical review, as follows: "It is an old and trite saying that "actions speak louder than words," and I feel impressed tonight that the events of today prove again the truth of this old adage. Nothing will prove of as much force and bear as much weight as the actions of the members of this congregation. Brother Hileman has called our attention to the early beginning of this old church. Rev. H. Baker came back as pastor of this church in the year 1867. Those of you who knew Pastor Baker of those early days will remember that, when he was in the strength of his manhood, he was not satisfied with confining his work to this particular locality, but you will remember he went up and down the Tuckahoe valley. The church had assumed considerable proportions, and we had a good sized congregation, and he must needs devote his entire time and attention to his own people." Mr. Patton here read a list 26 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. of the persons who were specially interested in the building of the church. He said the cost of the church was supposed to be $8,000, but had run considerably over that figure. There were seventy-two pews in 1864 in the church. He read the names of the pew holders at that time. He concluded: "It seems to me that this occasion, and the close of the old year and the beginning of the new year, is especially appropriate for the services tonight. The history of this church has been marked with advancements and progress, and, as I said this afternoon, there can be no doubt that the hand of God is manifest. The reason for it is that the people had a mind to work, and when God finds that in a congregation or in the individual He helps them." "Our Later History" was the title of the next address, which was delivered by J. G. Herbst, as follows: "The later history of this church is well known to every one of you, and it is a difficult matter for me to stand before you and tell you something that you already know. I suppose that the later history includes the administrations of Revs. Firey and Rev. Weigle. Rev. Firey came in our midst soon after Dr. Baker laid down the armor, and he stood here in tis place with us, made so sacred by Dr. Baker. Well do I remember how Rev. Firey stood here and preached the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. There are several texts that I want to refer to and you will remember them. One was the language of Martha to Mary upon the arrival of the Lord at the sepulcher of Lazarus. 'The Master is here, and calleth for thee.' You will remember how Rev. Firey emphasized the term 'Master;' how he impressed that idea upon our minds and consciences. The Master of the universe! There are lots of people in this city as well as elsewhere who will curl up their lips against the Son of God, and think Him unworthy of their consideration. 'The Master is here and calleth for thee,' and then another text. When Pilate had scourged the Lord Jesus Christ and made his back bleed, He turned to His accusers and said, 'Behold the Man.' Those A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 27 of you who are acquainted with Roman history know what Roman scourging means. It was a picture that Heaven should blush to behold. And, if I refer to Dr. Weigle's sermons, how he would branch out his ideas and how he would follow them up. We thought of building a church, and we took measures to build a church, but one difficulty after another rose higher than mountains, and we didn't succeed as well as we thought we would. But all this has disappeared under the present administration and under the present workings of the church." After Mr. Herbst, Mr. D. K. Ramey delivered a short address on "The First Church as the Mother of Lutheranism in Altoona." He spoke as follows: "When I came here in 1865 the church was built, but was only two-thirds as large. Soon after my coming the church began to get too small, not because I was so large, but because the people attended. I came into the church and commenced the first Sunday in April and I have been at it ever since. When the church became too small the question, what to do with the people, began to agitate some of us, and then the idea of colonization, or starting another church, was agitated. Then the idea was to enlarge the church and that idea prevailed and the church was enlarged as I have intimated. But as time went on the congregation grew and we were soon full again. We had enough to fill the house, not quite as full as it is tonight, but frequently comfortably full. There came a time in May, 1871, when at last it was resolved, that those who were in favor of organizing a new church should stand up. Three of us, William Bell, John Westley and your speaker, were the only three that stood up that night, but inside of a week we had twenty members and with that we went out and organized what is now known as Christ's Second Lutheran church, on Seventh avenue, where 28 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. we have now a congregation of 682, with five hundred and seventy-six in the Sunday school. In a little while our preacher preached in a little chapel in the Seventh ward, and the next work done was at Millville, where Brother Metzler is now. Then we started a congregation at Juniata. Later on Bethany was started, starting first with a Sunday school, until a congregation was organized, and that is now Bethany, at Third avenue and Second street, occupied by H. M. Hileman. That is the way Lutheranism has been extended here. One by one churches have sprung up. During all these years the old First church has been sending out members to all these different organizations, as has also the Second church, and as Brother Herbst has alluded to the recent history of this church, I need not say what the disturbances were, but I will say that I have believed for a long while that it was the hand of the Lord moving on these people to go out and do something more than they were doing. Some of us thought the church would die. It looked terribly blue. Instead of the old mother dying it brought forth another and very lively bantling called Grace. I believe in two years they will have a church and nice congregation. I am not much of a prophet, but you may write that down and if it don't come true I will say I am not good at guessing." Mr. Samuel Abrahims next delivered a short but interesting address, entitled, "From the Old to the New." His words were as follows: "If I can say a few words that will encourage this congregation I will have accomplished all that I can expect to. As Brother Herbst said, obstacles rose mountains high. It went on and about a year ago a dissolution between the pastor and the church occurred. It went on until Dr. Hamma was called and united the congregation. He called a meeting together to suggest some plan to build a new church. The question of selling this building came up. I remarked to sell it at any price. At the second meeting Brother Ramey offered a guarantee of $40,000 for the building, and A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 29 later on he agreed to buy it for that, and that encouraged us." Mr. Abrahims then related the difficulties that were encountered in building the new church, how the financial stringency hindered the progress of the building, and the many disappointments that were felt. But all has been happily overcome and the church is almost completed. Mr. Abrahims was a member of the building committee, and was untiring in his watching the construction of the building. Rev. Dr. Hamma delivered a short address in conclusion on the subject, "Bidding Farewell." He treated it in his usual lofty and masterful style, and spoke in the following language: "Now, what are we bidding farewell to? We are bidding farewell to a great many things, and a great many things that are not a great loss to us. We are bidding farewell to the hissing of the engines and the rolling and the rumbling of the cars, which at times have not been any special accessories to our worship. The railroad is a good thing, but not next door to a church. We are grateful to he able to bid farewell to it. We bid farewell to the other road in front of us. We are glad to bid farewell to that, and we are bidding farewell to this location. We can bid farewell without shedding a great number of tears; we are bidding farewell to this old building. I speak with reverence of it. It has been the home of God's people for many years, and if these bricks could speak, what a story they could tell us of the acclaim of new born souls to God, and if I were to take down the building I would handle the bricks with reverence. A thing that has fulfilled its purpose is not long appreciated, so that this, having fulfilled its purpose, we gladly bid farewell to it. Now, these are some of the things that we are going to bid farewell to and they are things that we shall not miss very much. Now, there are other things that we are not going to bid farewell to. We are not going to bid farewell to the good times that we have had in this building for a whole gener- 30 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. ation. We are not going to leave these good times behind us. They shall go with us and help to enter into the new and better experiences. And another thing that we are not going to leave is the friendship and associations that have been formed in this sacred place. And how many there are of those, and how interesting they are. How heart has been bound to heart here! How lives have been interwoven here! We are going to take those ties with us. There shall be no breaking of ties between here and there, and if you find anyone who is hesitating to go along, bring him up and press him to the foremost rank. Let no one escape the mesh of friendship and love that has been netted all over this congregation. We are going to take all these friendships and loves to the new building, and we are not going to bid farewell to the truth that we have learned here. We are going to take it all along. We are not going to bid farewell to the songs we have learned in the Sunday school and sung. They have sung us into higher Christian experiences in the Christian life. O, no, we cannot bid farewell to these things. Those who have gone out into all parts of the world are thinking of the hymns they sung in the Sunday school; they are singing of them and thinking of them and they are living in the life and joy of them." T. B. Patton stated that there were a number of persons present who wished to show their appreciation to Rev. Hamma by a rising vote for what he had done toward forwarding the day we have anticipated when we would enter the new church. The congregation arose in a body and the reverend gentlemen responded in a pleasing manner. After the singing of a hymn the benediction was pronounced. Thus a high day in Lutheranism went into history. The following Sunday, January 3, 1897, was a red letter day. All the meetings were held in the large and commodious Sunday school room in the newly-erected church. The A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 31 decorations were elaborate and beautiful. A canopy made of strips of delicately- tinted paper, hundreds in number, was erected over the room. The outer border of the canopy was decorated with thousands of little green leaves, while the iron pillars were covered with paper and garlanded with vines and roses from top to bottom. In front three large panels were erected, one on the left bearing the date "1846," while the one on the right bore the date "1896." The central panel in the rear of the altar was made entirely of vines and carnations, and was in itself a work of art. Roses and sweet peas were used in the side panels. A large floral wreath, made by Mother Way, adorned the altar. In the morning Rev. Dr. Hamma, the pastor, preached a powerful sermon from the text, "What mean ye by these stones?" The Sunday School Jubilee services were held in the afternoon and were in charge of the Superintendent, Robert Metz. Including the officers and teachers there were 700 members of the school present. Congratulatory addresses were made by Rev. J. Mueller, D. S. Lentz, S. F. Dougherty, J. F. Hartman and the pastor. In his remarks he said that the day was one of many anniversaries, it was the Golden Anniversary of the Organization of the school, was the first Sunday of the New Year, the first anniversary of the pastorate of the church and of the present officers of the school and was the ninth anniversary of the pastorate of Rev. Hartman of the Second church. In honor of these events he called upon the assemblage to give the Chautauqua salute to each one of them and they were given. Then he proposed one more for the prosperity of the school. It was given most heartily. A most happy illustration during his address referred to the 32 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. Susquehanna river, always running down hill and finally emptying into Chesapeake Bay. If the people of Altoona were to awake some morning and find the waters of the Susquehanna running up Eleventh Avenue they would pronounce it a miracle and indeed a miracle had taken place. The stream of humanity which for forty years had travelled Eleventh Avenue to the old church had now turned and was going uphill to the new church. The room was again crowded in the evening. Dr. Hamma preached from Psalm xc:12: "So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." The sermon was an excellent one eloquently delivered. A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 33 Churches that have Gone Out from the First Lutheran Church. ST. JAMES GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, established in 1861, and admitted into the Allegheny Synod in 1867. The congregation worshipped in the First Lutheran church until the dedication of their own building at Eighth avenue and Fourteenth street, March 15, 1863, During the ministry of the Rev. M. Wolf, who took charge in 1864, an adjoining lot was secured on which a house that served as a parsonage stood. The congregation withdrew from the Allegheny Synod and joined the General Council, of which it is still a member. During the ministry of the Rev. H. J. H. Lemcke, which began in 1881, the congregation began the building of a new church, which was dedicated September 14, 1890. The new church cost $30,000. The third Lutheran congregation in Altoona founded what has grown to be in point of wealth and membership second in importance only to the First church. Christ's Second Lutheran church of Altoona was organized August 13, 1871, with twenty charter members. These were: Mr. and Mrs. William Bell, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Westley, Mr. and Mrs. David K. Ramey, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Houseman, Mr. and Mrs. James Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Walton, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Stahl, Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Stahl, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew McClure, Mrs. Matilda Fyler and. Miss Josephine Fyler. 34 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. CHRIST'S SECOND LUTHERAN CHURCH [photo] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 35 REV. JOSEPH F. HARTMAN {portrait] Pastor of Christ's Second Lutheran Church. 36 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. "Bell's Hall" (now Gamble's), corner Seventh avenue and Twelfth Street, was rented and fitted as a place of worship. Here the services were held until the lecture room of the new church was completed. Rev. George Scholl, D.D., was chosen as the first pastor. He began his labors in the fall of 1871, and met with encouraging success. During his pastorate the present ground was purchased and the large new brick church was erected upon it. The auditorium was not completed for some time. Rev. Charles T. Steck became the second pastor and served the congregation from November, 1874, to February, 1876. In March, 1876, Rev. John F. Shearer entered upon the work as the third pastor. During his pastorate the auditorium was finished and solemnly dedicated to the worship of the Triune God. Having resigned and accepted a call to the Lutheran Church of Somerset, Pa., he was succeeded by Rev. William W. Criley, D.D. After a pleasant and successful pastorate of five years, Dr. Criley accepted a call to Findlay, 0., and moved there in Oct., 1887. Rev. Joseph Franklin Hartman took charge January 1, 1888, and is still serving the congregation. During these last eight years the church has been enlarged and renovated; and an elegant new parsonage erected. The membership is 700 and the church has grown to be one of the most influential in the "Mountain City." The fourth was the result of an effort made by Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Mason to better the condition of many children whom they saw in the streets on the Sabbath day, in the A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 37 neighborhood of their home in the Seventh ward. They organized a Sabbath school in a rented room, in November, 1873, from which was destined to grow, after many difficulties and vexatious delays, the Fourth Evangelical church, at Howard avenue and Fourth street, which was organized in the chapel, at Walnut avenue and Second street, January 1, 1882, under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. J. Kerr. The cornerstone of the new church, which was the logical outcome of the desire for better facilities and more convenient access, was laid August 28, 1887, the sermon being preached by the Rev E. D. Weigle, of the First church. The lecture room was dedicated January 22, 1888, the Rev. J. C. Zimmerman, secretary of the Board of Church Extension, preaching the morning sermon. The auditorium proper was dedicated November 16, 1890. The present efficient pastor, the Rev. D. S. Lentz, has done much to improve the general condition of this congregation. They have at present 240 members in the church and an enrollment of 400 in the Sabbath school. The fifth is St. Paul's in Millville, the western suburb of Altoona, which was organized in May, 1882, with twenty-six members. Early in 1883, a lot was given to the congregation by the Elias Baker heirs, and, having purchased an adjoining lot from the same estate, they built a frame chapel at the corner of West Chestnut avenue and Thirtieth street. The chapel cost $4,000 and was dedicated in the spring of 1881. During the ministry of the Rev. E. J. Metzler, the present pastor, the membership has been greatly increased and the church remodeled at a cost of $1,000. At present there are 114 members in the church and 160 in the Sunday school. 38 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. FOURTH LUTHERAN CHURCH. [illustration] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 39 REV. D. S. LENTZ, [portrait] Pastor of Fourth Lutheran Church. 40 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. The sixth grew out of a union Sunday school, which existed in Juniata for some time prior to January 1, 1887, when the Rev. J. J. Kerr effected a Lutheran organization of 37 members. In April, 1890, the Rev. J. R. Williams became pastor, and during his ministry a parsonage was built at a cost of $2,000, the frame church 36x54 feet at the corner of Third avenue and Williams street having been built at a cost of $2,500 during the incumbency of the Rev. Kerr. The edifice was remodeled at a cost of $1,000 while the Rev. Luther S. Black, who succeeded the Rev. Williams, was pastor. The present membership of the church is 135; Sunday school, 256. The seventh is the Bethany church at Third avenue and Second street, which had its inception in a Sunday school, organized November 22, in Kline's old hall at Sixth avenue and Fourth street. The church was organized June 25, 1893, in the new hall, with 48 charter members. In October, 1893, under the ministration of the Rev. H. M. Hileman, the contract for the church, to be built on a lot given by Mr. D. K. Ramey, was let. The cornerstone was laid November 12, 1893, and the building was dedicated April 1, 1894. There are at present 225 members of this church and the Sabbath school has 350 pupils enrolled. The eighth is the Grace church, which was organized January 5, 1896. Services were held in Hare's hall, Chestnut avenue, between Ninth and Tenth streets, until January 3, 1897, when they removed to the building known as Ramey's hall, formerly the old First Lutheran church. Ministerial service was rendered by supplies until September 1, 1896, when the Rev. Silas D. Daugherty became pastor. The lot at the corner of Twelfth avenue and Eleventh street has been purchased by this congregation and, it is probable, they will erect a church there in the near future. One hundred and forty communicants belong to this church and one hundred and sixty pupils to the Sabbath school. Death and Funeral of Rev. Henry Baker, D. D. [From the Altoona Tribune, January 29, 1895.] AT FIFTEEN minutes past five o'clock on Sunday afternoon, January 28, 1893, Rev. Henry Baker, D.D., died at his home, 1323 Sixth avenue, after an illness which attacked him in October of the previous year. On the 31st day of that month he was stricken with paralysis, his entire left side being affected. After being stricken he twice suffered from congestion of the lungs, and later with spinal meningitis. Naturally of a strong constitution, he was slow to succumb to the inroads of disease, but the fight which he made was a losing one, and despite the best of medical care and careful nursing, he grew weaker and weaker, until at last the tired eyes closed upon earthly scenes, all pain disappeared, and the spirit left its tenement of clay and returned to its Maker. In the death of Rev. Dr. Baker there has passed from mortality to immortality a man who was beloved by all who knew him. He enjoyed the good will and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. The genial character of his disposition caused him to be everybody's friend, and the announcement that he had passed away was read with genuine sorrow, not only by members of the Lutheran church, but by the public at large. Not only was he esteemed by his own church, but he possessed the good will of the members and pastors of all other denominations. He was in the fullest sense entitled to the honor which came to him in being called the father of Lutheranism, not only in Altoona, but also in this vicinity. 42 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. Rev. Henry Baker, D.D., was born November 23, 1816, in Bakersville, Washington county, Md., and was aged 77 years, 2 months and 5 days at the time of his death. He was in his youth a clerk in a store, but when he attained the age of twenty entered the Gettysburg preparatory school, and after five years of study graduated in 1841. He then took a theological course at Gettysburg and entered the ministry in the year 1842, being licensed by the English Synod of Ohio and ordained to preach by the Miami Synod of the same state. His first charge was at Mt. Vernon, O., and of this church he continued as pastor for two years and nine months. It was in 1846 that he came, to the vicinity of Altoona and became pastor of what was then known as the Pleasant Valley charge, and which embraced Pleasant Valley, Antis and Duncansville congregations. Here he labored most successfully, and in 1847 was instrumental in having a Lutheran church built at Duncansville. In 1854, what is now known as the First Lutheran church of this city was built, and in it the Pleasant Valley congregation worshipped previously, and afterward became a separate charge, the members meeting in the Union school- house, which is now the African Methodist Episcopal church. As pastor of this charge he remained until 1857, when he went to Lewistown and was pastor there until 1861. In this year he went to Newville, Cumberland county, where he met with great success as a preacher. It was during the war time, and even ministers became imbued with the excitement which was then running high. He remained in Newville until 1867. In the latter-named year Rev. Dr. Baker returned to Altoona, which had now become a town of large proportions, A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 43 and the church constituted a separate charge. He again became pastor of the First Lutheran church, and from then until his retirement labored to advance the cause of the Master and the interests of the church. How well he succeeded can be learned by talking with any of the older members of the congregation, by whom he was so much beloved. He labored hard to advance the work, and the membership grew rapidly. He remained its pastor until April 1, 1883, when he retired from the active ministry. Thus ended an active ministerial life of forty-one years duration. During that time he was pastor of four charges only, and for twenty- seven years and six months he labored zealously in Altoona. After he retired from the ministry the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater, and was an honor worthily bestowed. He was at different times president and secretary of both the Allegheny and Central Pennsylvania synods, was a trustee of his Alma Mater in 1857, and also president of the board the same year, and was one of the board of directors of the Seminary for a number of years. On August 25th, 1843, while he was pastor of the church at Mt. Vernon, O., he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret O. Evanson, of Shepherdstown, Va., the ceremony being performed by Rev. Joseph Seiss, D.D., LL.D., of Philadelphia. Railroads were scarce in those days, there being none west of Harrisburg. He was therefore compelled to drive overland both to and from Shepherdstown, a total distance of 500 miles. On the 25th of August, 1893, the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding was celebrated in the First Lutheran church of Altoona. After retiring from the ministry, Rev. and Mrs. Baker made their home alternately 44 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. with their daughters until September, 1894, when they went to housekeeping at 1323 Sixth avenue, where the husband died. To this worthy couple five children were born, two of whom preceded the father to the spirit world. The aged widow, with her three daughters, grand-children and great-grandchild, is left to mourn the death of the one who had been her companion for so many years. The grandchildren are the following: Fred. Myers, Laura Myers, Emma Myers, Anna Myers, Margaret E. Baker, Mrs. Ella W. Richard, Laura W. Irving (deceased), Henry Baker Irving and Jeannette E. Irving. The great-grandchild is Margaret M. Richard. FUNERAL SERVICES - BY REV. E. D. WEIGLE, D. D. The funeral services of Rev. Henry Baker were the most impressive the writer has ever witnessed. Amid many tokens of affection in the way of flowers, modest drapery and suggestive symbols of his earnest life and assuring death, his body lying in state from 11 to 2 o'clock in the church of which he had been pastor for so many years, was viewed by many hundreds, whose eyes were suffused with tears as they looked for the last time upon the features of him who had been so much to them in life. The services, in charge of the writer, commenced at 2 o'clock, in the presence of an audience which taxed beyond its capacity every department of the large church. A funeral dirge, "Resting in Peace," by the choir was followed by the reading of appropriate Scripture selections by Rev. E. Dutt, of Martinsburg; prayer by Rev. J. F. Shearer, of Conshohocken, and a hymn, "I Have a Home Above," when Rev. S. Domer, D.D., of Washington, D. C., preached the sermon A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 45 from Acts xi. 24 - "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and faith: and much people was added unto the Lord." The sermon, whose delivery occupied one hour and ten minutes, was an eloquent eulogy of the life, ministerial services, and high character of the deceased. The speaker truthfully emphasized the fact that Dr. Baker was the evangelist minister of the General Synod Lutheran church. After another song, "Gathering Home," remarks, at the request of Mother Baker, were made by the writer, in which he, among other things, referred to his pleasant relations with Dr. Baker, as successor in the pastorate, and his privilege of ministering to him in his protracted illness. The services at the church closed with a prayer by Rev. G. Sill, of Philadelphia, a life-long friend of the deceased, and the hymn entitled "Home of the Soul." The funeral cortege slowly proceeded to Fairview Cemetery, where all that was mortal of Dr. Baker was placed in the receiving vault until such time as may be desired by the family for sepulture, when he will be laid in the family lot, by the side of an only son and beloved daughter, awaiting the resurrection at the last day. The following Lutheran ministers of the city acted in the capacity of pall- bearers: Revs. J. F. Hartman, H. M. Heilman, B. J. Metzler, B. S. Dise, P. G. Bell and D. R. P. Barry. There were also the following honorary pall-bearers: John Loudon, J. G. Herbst, S. S. Taylor, Henry Yon, D. K. Ramey and John Westley. The following named ministers were present at the service besides those from this place: Revs. S. Domer, D. D., J. E. Shearer, G. Sill, C. Luther McConnell, F. L. Bergstresser, 46 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. T. F. Reeser, Isaac Krider, E. Dutt, A. H. Shertz, J. E. Weidley and F. S. Shultz. From the city these ministers besides the pall-bearers: Revs. Dr. D. S. Monroe, J. Ellis Bell, William Moses, J. W. Rue, J. H. McCord, C. Benscoter, J. W. Bain, Allen Sheldon Woodle, J. I. L. Ressler, J. P. Truxal, J. F. Moyer, Emil Lewey and J. H. Houseman. The Ministerial Association had accepted an invitation to be present and also appointed a committee to prepare a minute in regard to Rev. Baker, to be placed on their records. Dr. Baker was one of a committee which installed the writer in April, '87, and afterward preached one sermon from St. John xiv:1-2, on the heavenly missions, and on several occasions assisted in the administration of the Holy Communion. October 22d his successor, as pastor, in company with an elder of the church, administered the Holy Communion to him and his now bereaved companion. After receiving the elements of Christ's body broken and His blood shed for the remission of sins, he broke out in the language of the Psalmist: "Bless the Lord, 0, my soul, and forget not all His benefits." It was his last communion on earth. He now sits at the Lord's table in Heaven, "where congregations ne'er break up, and Sabbaths have no end." During his protracted illness, his sufferings were intense at times, but in them all he exhibited Christian patience, and even at times something of that personal cheerfulness, which was such a marked characteristic of his life and character. When his pastor would encourage him with the prospect of early release from his sufferings, and the glad realization of the Christian's hopes, he would frequently say: "Oh, what a reunion that will be." He loved to have sung, "There is a Home Above," and the piece entitled, "Home of the Soul." A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 47 His now bereaved companion told us that quite recently, during lucid moments, she heard him say: "Brighter and brighter, higher and higher, oh, what joy!" Such is the death of the righteous. What a comfort to his former parishioners, not a few of whom he baptized, confirmed and married, that he was permitted to close his earthly existence amid the scenes of his long ministry. An analysis of the life and character of this man of God, who was in no unreal sense a pioneer of the Lutheranism of these regions, is difficult because of their completeness. As a preacher he was thoroughly evangelical, pietistic in the best sense of the word. Blessed with a musical and impressive voice, he commanded attention. He never wanted for hearers. He could not account for the fact that the multitude waited on his ministry from year to year, according to his own word, unless it was that he held himself to the simple gospel, and ever applied the truth to the individual heart and conscience. Said one who sat under his ministry: "Dr. Baker would preach for six weeks nightly during a revival service, and he was as clear in voice and as earnest in manner at its close as when he preached the first sermon." As a pastor, his charming social qualities and perennial cheerfulness won all hearts. He was not a pastor who could not be approached. Always maintaining the dignity of the ministerial office, he nevertheless was open, frank, communicative and sincere. He drew around him the young and the children with a strength of attraction the passing years were not able to weaken. As a friend he was kind, true and helpful. His support of the writer in the work of this large pastorate has been most hearty from the first. It is esteemed a privilege to have been permitted to be pastor to him and his family in 48 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. these hours of sore trial. We lay this feeble tribute on his coffin, feeling that we have lost a spiritual father, a wise counsellor and an unselfish friend. As we stand in the place where he so often stood, a sense of obligation possesses us to faithfully transmit and perpetuate a ministry so fruitful of results, and so richly blessed of heaven. As a husband and father he was devoted and tender. A wife, who always well adorned the parsonage and commanded the respect of all the parishioners, and fond and faithful children, mourn the loss of one who was so great and good as a preacher, pastor and friend. because he was a true and kind father in the home. He rests well. His reward is sure. There are many stars in the crown of his rejoicing. To the God of all grace we commend the stricken ones. A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 49 Memorial to Our Deceased Superintendents. WILLIAM BELL (at Collinsville) 1846 to 1854. JACOB N. BURKET, 1854. ANDREW LOWE, 1856. J. N. GLANDING, 1858. DANIEL DONAT, 1866. DAVID ROBISON, 1867. G. W. PATTON, 1869 and 1873. REV. H. BAKER, D.D., 1872. GEO. F. JONES, 1878. These men served their offices faithfully and well for a space of 32 years. 50 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. History of the Sunday School. IT IS probable that the first Lutheran Sabbath school services, held in this neighborhood, were conducted by that sturdy pioneer, the Rev. J. H. Schmidt, who preached in the old log school house, in 1827. In 1834 the Rev. Huffman effected an organization, which held its sessions in the log building. When the Lutherans withdrew from the Union church, at Eleventh avenue and Sixteenth street, to go to the brick church, which had been built in Collinsville in 1846, Wm. Bell became the first superintendent of which there is a record. Mr. Bell continued in that position until 1854, when he was succeeded by J. N. Burket, who was superintendent until the congregation moved to the new church, on Eleventh avenue, above Fourteenth street. The present First Lutheran school was organized March 8, 1856, the following officers being elected: Superintendent, A. Lowe; assistant, J. N. Glanding; treasurer, Theo. A. Stecher; librarian, G. W. Patton; managers, J. B. Hileman, J. N. Glanding, H. L. Delo, Mrs. H. Baker, Mrs. S. Mason, Miss L. Levan. In April, 1857, Mr. Lowe, who was going away from Altoona, resigned, and J. N. Glanding was elected superintendent, and Theo. A. Stecher, assistant. The first Sunday school "celebration," as they were then called, cost $82.20, and was held July 4, 1856, in Baker's woods. Two hundred and twenty persons attended. The money to pay for the dinner, music of a band, etc., was raised A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 51 by a committee of the ladies. The amount of the collections for the nine months of 1856 was $18.85. The collection for the year 1857 amounted to $16.35, in addition to a special collection of $12, with which to purchase chairs. Prizes were offered as an incentive to the committment to memory of Scripture passages and were awarded, in 1856, to Susan Figart, Alice Glanding and Mary Lowe. In January, 1857, prizes were given to Annie Haddock, Alice Glanding, John Koonsman and John Mason. In July, 1857, the awards were to John Mason, Malcolm Ferguson, Sarah Koonsman and Rachel Snyder. In January, 1858, J. B. Hileman was elected assistant superintendent and Jacob Good, Mrs. J. Levan, Mrs. Ferguson, and Miss M. Longenecker, members of the board of managers. The premiums for learning Scripture passages in that year, fell to Malcolm Ferguson, Lucinda Cadwalader, Sarah Koonsman and Alice Glanding. In the month of June, 1858, Theodore W. Stecher moved to Harrisburg, and G. W. Patton was elected secretary. Mr. J. N. Glanding was elected superintendent in January, 1859, and J. L. Reifsneider, assistant. A subscription was made for 100 copies of a child's Sunday school paper, in 1859, and, one year later, 150 copies of the first issue of the Lutheran Sunday School Herald were subscribed for. The infant department of the Sunday school was organized June 11, 1860, and held its first meeting June 18, of that year. J. L. Reifsneider was made superintendent. Mrs. C. C. Mason was made assistant, a position which she held for many years. July 1, 1856, a committee of ladies was appointed to solicit money to start a library, and secured $31.60, with which 52 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. books Were purchased. In January, 1866, Daniel Donat was elected superintendent and C. C. Mason, assistant. C. C. Mason was elected superintendent in April, 1866, and D. K. Ramey, assistant. At the anniversary meeting, in April, 1867, David Robison was elected superintendent and it was decided to purchase question books on the Acts of the Apostles, which should be sold to the teachers and pupils, at cost; also, that the old library books should be sent to the Lutheran Sunday school in Huntingdon. During that year an effort was made to collect money with which to buy new books for the library and, after a sermon by the Rev. Baker on the importance of the Sunday school, Misses Laura Baker, Annie Arthur and Susan Ramey were appointed a collecting committee, and secured $58.70. A new organ, costing $116, was bought the same year. In February, 1868, a musical entertainment was given in the church under the supervision of H. L. Delo and a Mr. Smith. The net receipts of the concert, amounting to $238.12, were set aside for use in the building of a new church, but were probably used to assist in the payment for the enlargement of the old edifice. The election of April, 1868, resulted in the election of D. K. Ramey, superintendent, and G. W. Patton, assistant. In 1869, Mr. Patton became superintendent and was assisted by A. Riley, while Mr. Ramey was placed at the head of the infant department. That year the Sunday school gave $53 toward paying for the carpet for the church, which was remodeled at this time. A lecture by the Rev. Stuckenberg, of Pittsburg, in February, 1870, added $95 to the funds of the Sunday school. A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 53 The April election of that year made J. B. Hileman assistant in the main school and Henry Yon assistant in the infant school. In August, 1871, J. B. Downing succeeded Mr. Hileman, who moved to Michigan, and Miss Jennie Moser was placed at the head of the infant school, from which position D. K. Ramey had withdrawn to go with the Second Lutheran church. In October, D. J. Weidle was elected assistant superintendent. A lecture on "Palestine and the Holy Land," by the Rev. Barclay, increased the funds $70. The Rev. Henry Baker was elected superintendent in April, 1872, and J. B. Downing and V. McCoy, assistants. January 24, 1874, a lecture by the Rev. Uriel Graves, with "Young America" as the subject, netted $100. Dr. P. S. Leisenring was elected superintendent in April, 1874, with Geo. W. Patton and G. F. Jones, assistants. Dr. Leisenring served until 1878, and was succeeded. by George F. Jones, '78 to '80; T. B. Patton, '80 to '91. In 1891, W. F. Taylor became superintendent, in which office he remained until January 1, 1896, when he was succeeded by Robt. H. Metz, who continued at the head of the school until February, 1897. During the year 1896, the enthusiastic efforts of the officers and pupils in pushing to the front the new church project resulted in the collection and payment to the fund for the erection of that building the very creditable sum of $1,700, in addition to $1,400, which had already been given. J. G. Herbst, the assistant superintendent, filled the unexpired term of Mr. Metz, and was succeeded by G. W. Curfman April 1, 1897. 54 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. The New Building. THE problem submitted for competition among architects, something over a year ago, and which resulted in this beautiful building, was a difficult one. The location (on a hillside), and the large seating capacity required, taxed to the utmost the power of the designer. A number of drawings were submitted and the plan of Architect Charles M. Robinson, of this city, was unanimously chosen, he having been in charge of the work up to this time. The contract was let to W. V. Hughes, and the work of these two men - the one who conceived the design, the other who executed it - is here to speak for itself. Gothic style is preeminently the style for church building, and it is in this style that you see today the finished structure, with its pointed arches, graceful outlines and lofty spire, pointing like the finger of faith always heavenward. The Gothic is certainly a poetic style, not a debasing thought suggested, but everything elevating and cheerful. The building stands on the corner of Twelfth avenue and Fourteenth street, with its main facade on the avenue and the Sunday school entrance on Fourteenth street. The main entrance is through triple, pointed arches into a tiled vestibule, flanked on either side by a tower. The style is French (flamboyant) Gothic and shows some excellent work in the flame-like tracery of the window. The roof line of the building is simple, although the exterior denotes a Latin cross shaped plan, the interior shows a rectangular room, with A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 55 elliptical vaulted ceiling and horseshoe shaped gallery. The original intention was to have made the gallery more of a horseshoe, but the gallery was sacrificed for the memorial windows in each transept. Indeed, it is regretted that more of the gallery was not taken off to entirely expose the windows now partly covered, for this church is truly a "noble setting for a number of gems." The stained glass windows are, without doubt, the finest bit of color in many a city. The room appears somewhat contracted about the altar, owing to lack of ground, but, with this exception, the auditorium is all that can be desired. The pews are of quartered oak and will accommodate about one thousand persons, and are arranged on the amphitheatre plan. There are no posts to obstruct the view, as the gallery is hung from the roof trusses. The architect's (Charles M. Robinson) original plan contemplated an entire steel structure, but, owing to the expense, wood was substituted in some places, but the entire roof is supported from the foundation on steel, making probably the most permanent church building in the city. Ohio buff stone was used in the exterior, with copper trimmings and slate roof. The entrance is in the form of a triple arch, the aggregate length of which is 34 feet and the height 7 feet. The main auditorium is 61 feet by 78 feet, having a seating capacity of 850, exclusive of the gallery, which will seat 350 additional. The choir and pipe organ are located on the left side of the pulpit, facing the entrance. On the wall at the right hand side is the Lord's Prayer and Apostle's Creed in embellished characters. Beneath the auditorium the Sunday school room is of the same dimensions as the auditorium, with a seating capacity of 800. This room has its entrance on the Fourteenth street 56 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. side. The ground floor is used as a festal hall, the main chamber of which is 64 feet long and 36 feet wide. In addition to the hall, which is reached by a flight of stairs descending from the Sunday school entrance, there is a kitchen fitted up with the necessary utensils, and pantry, where dishes and supplies are kept, and toilet rooms, which add greatly to the utility and convenience of the hall. DESCRIPTION OF WINDOWS. The following is an extract from an article published in the Home Journal of Boston, from the pen of Mr. Frank T. Robinson, one of the art critics of that city: "Doubtless the aesthetic clientele of your paper will be interested to know something about the remarkable series of sixteen stained glass windows, recent products from the studios of Messrs. Redding, Baird & Co., of Boston; at all events these artistic creations deserve public notice, and your medium seems to reach a class most devoted to such expressions. The series of windows are to adorn the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Altoona, Pa., and to the eye in the least familiar with such monumental embellishments there can be no doubt about the effect that they will have upon the interior lighting and the influence upon the worshipers in this sanctuary. [This series of windows embraces the prominent events of the Earthly life of Christ in Historic order and was selected and arranged in all its subjects by the Rev. Dr. Hamma, the Pastor of the Church.] To watch the progress of these works from time to time, to note the buildings of these delightful symphonic thoughts in glass - how first the artist seeks for his data, then his production of the sketch for proportions, followed by the adaption of colors to design or cartoon in glass, and then the selection of the glass itself and the ultimate blending and leading of the meshes - these are interesting stages, developments that unfold a systematic world - that of creating something, rounding out and making manifest in material pictures that shall outlast every other known example of the handiwork of man. A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 57 INTERIOR VIEW OF CHURCH. C. M. ROBINSON, ARCHITECT. [photo] 58 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. The subjects chosen for the series may be briefly described as follows: Beneath the Gothic tracery pediments are panel groups which illustrate incidental stages in the life of Christ, marked moments which the profound painters as well as scholars have thought best to dwell upon in color and words. Here is Melancthon, an original idea of this mighty character being given; Luther is shown as depicted or sculptured on the monument at Worms; the Virgin used is adapted from the "Assumption," by Murillo; the "Nativity" or adoration is an adaption from the Renaissance period of painting; "The Journey Into Egypt" is after Furst; "Christ in the Temple" and "Christ in Gethsemnae" by Hoffman; "Christ Walking on the Water" by Plockhurst; also, "The Resurrection" and the "Walk to Emmaus" by the same painter; "The Ascension" by Bierman; "Christ Before Pilate" by Munkacsy; the others are semi-original compositions, and these embrace the "Baptism of Christ," "Raising of Lazarus and "Christ Bearing the Cross." It would be difficult indeed to pick out from this assemblage which were the better window - it is a matter of personal choice of subjects - the coloring and arrangements are invariably agreeable. "The Nativity" showing the mother and child with the shepherd standing in adoring attitude, gives the artist possibly more chance to display his color, while the baptism scene may be a trifle more vigorous and picturesque. Of course the scene where Christ as a youth teaches the truths to the assembled elders in the temple is a superb bit of coloring and grouping, and it is well to remark just here that the artist has not attempted to deviate from Hoffman's rendering of this sublime subject. These panels, which cover a space of nine feet by four, are intense revelations of the translucent power of the pigments on glass. All things intended to be seen are evident, yet the light permeates and heightens the portrayal, and this light coming from the exterior makes every color line count for its true worth, so that there is no hiding a neglect; everything is revealed. For this reason the artist must be by instinct and practice, gifted beyond the canvas painter. In these panels great care has been used in the disposition of draperies, - these masses of color unless handled right are likely to disturb other tones, - the robes of the elders, the textures, their flexibility and arrangements are splendidly produced; in fact, this phase of work throughout is masterful, with grace, dignity INTERIOR VIEW OF CHURCH. C. M. ROBINSON, ARCHITECT. [photo] 60 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. and decorative effect, always so appealing in such work. There are many other features of true art merit noticeable in these panels, such as attention to details without interfering with the required breadth; the gradation of light and shade in order to bring out the modelling; the knowledge of anatomy; the selection of types of faces, those which bear inspired, spiritual, rather than ordinary expression; the relation of color values; the disposition made of accessories, be they verdure, domestic objects or architectural forms; the atmosphere which enables one to feel the upward flight of the Saviour or the movement of the wings of the dove, and so on; these harmonize, balance and take their places, and over all is spread the religious sentiment, the earnest of the art genius to make and feel the ideal so that in ensemble we obtain the maximum of beauty and the minimum of how it is all made. Above these panel groups the splendor of the variegated tints or hues seen in tracery - the jewels of rare quality, the opalescent bits which play their active parts in the design just as new flecks glitter beneath the foliage, or the rays dance on the water's surface, - these, with the open-work which overlays them, showing the movement of semi-meandering lines that scarce terminate at the frames, give effect, a glory of concentrated sunbeams that fairly capture and hold the eye as if jealous of the themes over which they try to reign supreme. Specially interesting in two distinct features is the original window which is named "The Gate of Heaven." [This window which is the original conception of the Rev. Dr. Hamma, both as to its subject and all its essential details, is intended to bring the Historical series to a striking and most exalting climax. The window preceding it represents Christ in the act of Ascension. This one throws its golden gates open to receive him and leaves the shining portals wide open to admit all His followers after Him into the Joys and Glory of Heaven regained to fallen man.] This work is a gift of the children and teachers of the primary department of the Sabbath school to their superintendent, which consists of three steps of gold effect which lead to and through the flowing vine-clad gates of gold thrown wide open. Through this one gains a glimpse of the beautiful verdure in the holy foreground, while above it all the clouds uplift the Saviour toward the ethereal regions above. Away in the perspective the evening shadows seem to approach, and the now quiet city of Jerusalem outlines its domes against the twilight sky. The very height of A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 61 the beautiful is reached in the intense richness of the glass used in this window, - it is of the nuggets order, as if mine lamps were enkindling light on hidden gems, - not garish, but profuse and delightful to witness. Beneath, set in a panel of rich russet, floral in design, is a tablet whereon are inscribed the words: "AND THE GATES OF IT SHALL NOT BE SHUT AT ALL." A TOKEN OF AFFECTION TO LEVI GEESEY, SUPERINTENDENT, BY THE CHILDREN AND TEACHERS OF THE PRIMARY DEPARTMENT OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. Taken as a whole I never saw such a grand, free, yet artistic and intelligent use of stained glass. The verdure in telling mass; the sparkle of the golden gates amid the delicate leaves, flowers and tendrils; the contrast between the solid earth and aerial sections, - these features all contained within a semi- Gothic frame, evidence the just order of artistic genius. Such is the work being produced in our midst, and while appreciated by those who occasionally stroll into the studio, workshop and display rooms of Messrs. Redding, Baird & Co., it would seem as if the public should be allowed a view of these and other works of art which issue from the well-known house, One half regrets that these works are not to stay in our midst, though we would not deprive the good people of Altoona, Pa., the possession of such treasures." 62 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. [ADVERTISEMENTS] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 63 PROGRAMME -OF THE- DEDICATORY EXERCISES -OF THE- First Evangelical Lutheran Church-, ALTOONA, PA, MAY 21-24, 1897. 64 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. [ADVERTISEMENTS] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 65 Programme of Exercises. FRIDAY EVENING, DIVINE SERVICES AT 7:30 O'CLOCK. SERMON BY THE REV. M. J. FIREY, D. D. SATURDAY EVENING, DIVINE SERVICES AT 7:30 O'CLOCK. SERMON BY THE REV. E. D. WEIGLE, D. D. SUNDAY MORNING, ANTHEM. INVOCATION - The Lord is in His Holy Temple, Etc. CHOIR - Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, Etc. PASTOR - And if any man sin, We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the Whole World. PASTOR AND CONGREGATION IN CONCERT - I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before Thee. Against Thee, Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight; that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest. 66 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. [ADVERTISEMENTS] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 67 Program of Exercises - Continued. PASTOR - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. PASTOR AND CONGREGATION IN CONCERT - I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father, Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy Christian Church; The communion of Saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting. Amen. CHOIR - Glory be to God on High, Etc. READING OF SCRIPTURES. HYMN No. 1. PRAYER. SERMON BY THE REV. H. H. WEBER. OFFERINGS. HYMN No. 149. THE LORD'S PRAYER IN CONCERT; DOXOLOGY AND BENEDICTION SUNDAY SCHOOL SERVICES AT 2:15 O'CLOCK P. M. ADDRESSES BY LOCAL AND VISITING MINISTERS. 68 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. [ADVERTISEMENTS] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 69 Program of Exercises - Continued. SUNDAY EVENING, DIVINE SERVICES AT 7:30 O'CLOCK. (REPETITION OF MORNING INTRODUCTORY SERVICE.) READING OF SCRIPTURES. HYMN No. 11. PRAYER. HYMN No. 193. SERMON BY THE REV. S. A. ORT, D. D. 14. L,. D. OFFERINGS. HYMN No 194. DEDICATORY SERVICE BY REV. M. W. HAMMA, D. D. DOXOLOGY. BENEDICTION. MONDAY EVENING, AT 7:30 O'CLOCK. SOCIAL ENJOYMENTS AND GENERAL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIPS. SHORT ADDRESSES BY CITY PASTORS. 70 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. [ADVERTISEMENTS] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 71 Addresses by the Various Pastors. SYNOPSIS OF ADDRESS BY REV. M. J. FIREY, D. D. Luke vii:5 - "He loveth our nation and hath built us a synagogue." These words were spoken concerning a Roman centurion, who desired the Savior to heal his servant. Though a Roman military officer, sent to Palestine to keep the Jews in subjection to his government, he was yet popular among them. The character of the synagogue. Its influence upon the Jewish people. How it changed them from an idolatrous people to a firm, resolute nation. The Christian church has supplanted the synagogue and has shown its influence in developing the best types of character among men, such as stability and firmness, courage and virtue. The church has proven herself the prime promoter of education and science. The most enlightened, progressive and prosperous nations are the Christian nations. Secular education and instruction in ethics cannot develop the basis for a sound morality and virtue. Sound morality is the child of spirituality and can come from nothing else. Civil law and government will prove a failure except it be established upon the basis of sound morality and virtue. The church is the best friend of government because it establishes the necessary condition of virtue. The church is the hope of the nation. The church is the sole conservator of the only power that can radically elevate man. Secular education, philosophy, invention and discovery have done much to elevate man, but it is not in their power to radically elevate him, neither can civil law, legislation or revolution - they have produced great generals, statesmen and poets, but they are upon too low a plane to radically elevate man. Their effect is at best only moral and external. The power that can radically elevate man must be spiritual, and in- 72 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. [ADVERTISEMENTS] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 73 ternal. It must destroy depravity, change the heart and inspire the soul with loftier aims and aspirations, than education, science and philosophy can. The Holy Spirit is the only power that can radically elevate mankind. It is God dwelling in, and inspiring us. The church is its sole conservator in the world and will one day effect this. This work is now only in its infancy. The church has reached only a fraction of the human race, but of recent years rapid progress has been made. Let her continue to conserve the purposes of the Holy Spirit and in God's own time mankind will be lifted into the plane which God intended him to occupy. SYNOPSIS OF DR. WEIGLE'S ADDRESS. THEME: The Foundation and Permanence of the Christian Church. - Matt. xvi: 18. The many-sided characteristics and soul-inspiring features of the Christian church will naturally occupy our thought in this beautiful new temple during these dedicatory exercises. The noble confession of Peter, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." in reply to Christ's question, "Whom say ye that I am?" became the occasion of the words of the text. The New Testament term for church, "ekklysia," called out or forth, occurring frequently in the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles and in Revelation, appears in only one other ing [sic] sufferings, immediately after Peter's noble confession. [sic] sense, it denotes an assembly of Christians gathered for worship. Christ manifestly has in mind the church, not merely as a visible organization, consisting of members publicly known and recognized as such, hut as it is designed to exist on the earth, composed of all true believers. The Augsburg confession teaches that the church is the assembly of believers in which the Gospel is rightly taught, (purely preached) and the sacraments are rightly administered (according to the Gospel. A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 75 74 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. I. What is the Church's Foundation. 1. Christ could not mean to build His church on Peter. A fair exegesis, the meaning of the word church, the omission of the text by the other evangelists, the fact that Peter himself did not so understand Christ, and the absence of historical proof that Peter ever was at Rome, forbid any such interpretation. 2. Christ could not mean to build His church on the apostles represented in Peter. The apostles in their office and teaching are the appointed founders of the church, but only instrumentally - Eph. ii:20-22; Rev. xxi:14. 3. The foundation upon which Christ is building His church is the fundamental doctrine of salvation through Jesus Christ. It invalues Christ for us and Christ in us. This view accords with the context, the character of Peter, the analogy of Scripture, and with Peter's understanding of his Master's words I Peter ii:4-6; it is in harmony with apostolic preaching, which was "Jesus and the resurrection." It also makes plain Christ's announcement of His approaching sufferings, immediately after Peter's noble confession. Incarnation, atonement, inspiration and regeneration are the cornerstones in this foundation of Christ's church. II. What Assures the Church's Permanence? 1. Its living and enduring foundation. 2. The blessed fact that Christ Himself is the builder of His church. He is the foundation, its cornerstone, its architect, its builder, and its capstone. It is a blessed thing that its permanence does not depend upon human builders. Christ purchased His church with His own blood, and is now superintending its construction. The Prince of Peace dwells in His church. He is possessing the hearts of parliaments and kings. His are the forces of civilization, though locomotive and steamship and dynamo know it not. He is the great architect, that touches every domain. 76 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. [ADVERTISEMENTS] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 77 3. The gates of hell (Hades) shall not prevail against it. The gates of hell stand for all the powers that oppose God and Christ's church. Satan's kingdom, compared to a vast edifice, strongly fortified, with its strength and power concentrated at the gates, shall not prevail. The history of nineteen centuries might be put in evidence of the truthfulness of this Messianic claim. 4. The church shall prevail against the gates of hell. This is implied in the text, and a matter of constant promise throughout the Bible. The church has prevailed, is prevailing, will prevail. All enemies shall be put under Christ's feet by and through His chosen instrumentality, the church. The last enemy to he destroyed is death. When the Lamb which was slain from the foundation of the world shall sit on His throne, His bride, the church, before Him, death and hell shall be cast into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; then those that are Christ's shall shine as the stars of the firmament, forever and ever, Amen. SYNOPSIS OF ADDRESS BY REV. S. A. ORT, D.D. The human race is not as it ought to be. It has sinned. This act incurs the displeasure of a righteous and holy God. It dooms mankind to eternal ruin. But the Divine Being cannot let the creature bearing his own image perish. He loves him as the most precious object of His affection. He cannot give him up. He cannot be without him. He must get him hack and have him with Himself through the eternal ages as the sharer in His glory. But how can this achievement be effected? What method can be used which beyond possibility of failure will gain success? That something extraordinary must be done is plain. Sin, the transgression of the law; transgression is the putting of this law under foot - a most contemptuous kind of action. The law is the transcript of the Divine nature. Transgression of the law, hence, is the most heinous offense of which the moral creature can be guilty. It is the most daring insult the human soul can offer. Can it be indifferently overlooked and, in spite of its wickedness, can the sinner be treated on God's part as though he were innocent? Never! God must always be true to Himself. 78 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. [ADVERTISEMENTS] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 79 The righteousness of His nature must be vindicated. The claims of His excellence must evermore be respected by Himself. The transgressor of His law must suffer the penalty. And yet in the face of this demand of His unchangeable righteousness, eternal love declares that it cannot allow the loss of the masterpiece of its creative work - man. True, he is guilty, grievously so, but still he must be recovered from final ruin. Eternal love, moved to its depths, exclaims, justice! What wilt thou take to release and give to me the jewel of my creation? I am ready to pay any price. Do not hesitate. Speak the sum. The most precious treasure I have, I am willing to give. My only begotten Son I will surrender as a ransom. He will take the place of sinful man and glorify Thee. Do you accept the offer? When it is done, in due time My beloved Son will ascend the heights of Calvary and there on a cross die, the just for the unjust; satisfy by His suffering and death every claim you raise against My precious creature, man and thus accomplish his eternal redemption. The offering has been made. The incarnate Son of God gave Himself a little more than 1800 years ago a ransom for sinful man. By His own most precious blood He redeemed a fallen race. Such is the Divine method for the recovery of a world ruined by sin. 1t is interesting to note what specifically this method does. First, it harmonizes the Divine justice and mercy. It reconciles God with the sinner. The crucified Jesus makes peace between heaven and earth. Second, it secures the forgiveness of sin. In Christ, God hath had mercy on us. In His heart God has forgiven all men their sins. This is glad tidings. This is the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, viz: That He has forgiven a sinful world - "All things are ready; My oxen and fatlings are killed. Come! partake of the feast." And now what remains for the sinful soul to do? Simply to believe what God says is true, which is, that for Christ's sake He has forgiven it its sin. When this takes place then the reconciliation is complete. God and the sinner meet together in Jesus Christ, where perfect peace reigns. Third, redemption secures the ultimate unity of all things, both of heaven and earth. The apostle affirms this comprehensive truth when he states, that in the dispensation of the fulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ." Lastly, redemption in Christ obtains for us an eternal inheritance. This is an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance, a most glorious possession, even the fullness of God. 80 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. [ADVERTISEMENTS] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 81 NOTES. At 2:15 o'clock the Sabbath school convened in the Sunday school room in charge of the superintendent, Geo. W. Curfman. After the school was called to order and the necessary class work done, the choir sang "When the Roll is Called up Yonder," when the school proceeded to the main auditorium. Singing and addresses were made by the Lutheran ministers of the city, as well as the visiting clergymen. The Primary department sang several selections. At this point of the exercises, T. B. Patton, of Huntingdon, a former superintendent of the school, stepped forward, when four little girls advancing, to the sweet strains of music, unveiled a beautiful Italian marble baptismal font, bearing the following description: "IN HONOR OF REV. M. W. HAMMA, D. D., AND WIFE. PRESENTED BY THE SUNDAY SCHOOL." Mr. Patton then presented, in a pleasing manner, the font to the church in behalf of the school in honor of Dr. Hamma and. wife. Dr. Hamma accepted the gift in an appreciative manner. The exercises closed, all joining in singing "God Be with You Till We Meet Again," and the benediction was pronounced. The four little girls who unveiled the beautiful baptismal font were Helen Grove, Edna Little, Nora Madis and Maud Kuhn. 82 A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. [ADVERTISEMENTS] A GOLDEN SHEAF OF HISTORY. 83 Monday evening, at 7:30 o'clock, according to the program, there was a meeting for social enjoyment and general Christian fellowship, with short addresses by the city pastors. After spending a pleasant evening the audience repaired to the lecture room, where the ladies of the church served refreshments. All departed feeling that they had enjoyed a feast of good things, both spiritual and temporal. In looking over the past history we find that under the leadership of all the pastors and active laymen, the Lutheran church has not been idle during these many years, in the work of the Master. Of those who were interested in the upbuilding of His earthly kingdom, many have been garnered from the fields of sin and brought into the saving knowledge of our blessed Master. There have been many gathered from this field into the Haven of Rest, and what a joyous meeting that will be when pastors and people shall be re-united to praise God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. Amen.