USA > Washington DC > History of St. Paul's English Lutheran Church : and of the work of the church and Sunday school for the semi-centennial year, including additional reports to June 30, 1893, with a synopsis of the semi-centennial services of the church and Sunday school, April 16 and 17, 1893 > Part 15
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teachers, and always ready for every good work and enter- prise for the advancement of the church and Sunday school. He was for a number of years past a member of the church council, and treasurer of the church. His ex- ample is worthy of all commendation to our young ineil. He is a young man yet, but a veteran in Sunday-school service. Our personal interest in the Sunday school ought never to die out, and we should never consider ourselves too old and too wise for continuance in such blessed work and amid such blessed associations. Never too old to work for the children and our young people. May life and health be long extended, and his sphere of usefulness be enlarged. On July 16, 1893, at the ses- sion of the school, Brother Fox was presented by Miss Sophie Pitchlynn with a boquet of roses in appreciation of his noted record, and suitable remarks were made by the pastor and superintendent in reference to the same.
AND STILL ANOTHER.
Mr. George F. Muth on the second Sunday in Febru- ary, 1893, completed his twenty-eighth year of continu- ous membership in St. Paul's Sunday school. He has been a teacher for many years, served as librarian for a long period, and has now one of the largest classes in the school, a young ladies' Bible class. He is one of the original members of the Christian Endeavor Society, is now its president and one of its mnost earnest and active members, and was at one time one of the vice- presidents of the United Society of this city. Planted in the house of the Lord, he has gone " from strength to strength," and a great door of usefulness has been opened to him. May God continually bless him, and inay he be long spared, is the prayer of his many friends in St. Paul's.
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Other Records.
Mr. John F. McClain, now member of the churchi council, has a twenty-years' record as a teacher, and his . present class numbers in its ranks some young men who were in the school many years ago. Teacher and class render efficient service in various ways, and are large givers to every object brought before the school.
Mr. Elder McWilliams on May 28 celebrated the 20thı anniversary of his entry into the Sunday school; was for many years a member of Mr. McClain's class, and since October 4, 1891, has been the successful teacher of a large class of boys in the intermediate department.
Mr. John C. Parker president of the church council, has a record of nearly twenty years' service as a teacher, and has served as such in each of the three depart- ments of the school. He has been a successful teacher of boys, some of whom have grown up to be workers in the Sunday-school army, and he is still regular and punctual in attendance, always on hand for every good work, and is a most helpful member.
Miss Annie Eckbert, teacher of a young ladies' Bible class, has been for nearly thirteen years one of the most faitliful and efficient workers in the school, and has succeeded in retaining several of hier scholars who are no longer single, but married. No graduating from her class at any time.
Miss Emma O. Meyers has been a teacher since March 16, 1884. Her "boys" are now young men, and are active in every department of religious work in the church. They are a standing testimony to hier faithful- ness and success as a teacher in the school.
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Mrs. John C. Parker was first enrolled as a member of the school prior to 1850, and has the earliest date of original entry of all the present members of the Sun- day school.
Mr. Franck L. Ourand, of the adult department, first entered the school prior to 1860. His first teacher in the primary class was Mrs. J. G. Butler, wife of the pastor of the church.
Mr. Charles Webel, also of the pastor's class, entered the school in 1862, and while his service has not been continuons, he has retained his membership during this long period to the present time. He was once the libra- rian of the school.
Mr. Thos. F. Pendel entered the school as a scholar May 6, 1866, became a teacher in 1868, and lias served as such much of the time since that date. He is at present a member of Dr. Domer's class. Over a quarter of a century of active, earnest, christian life is his record in the Sunday school.
Mr. J. A. Weigle has a record as a teacher and scholar for twenty odd years, and is now a member of Dr. Domer's class.
The superintendent of the Sunday school was a mem- ber of the young inen's Bible class in 1868, and was a teacher in 1869 and the early part of 1870, at which time he left the city for a period of eight years, return- ing to the city and school in 1878. In his class in those early years was Emil G. Schafer, now one of our most helpful young men, and a member of Mr. McClain's class. It is a source of great pleasure to note the above, and after an experience of almost a quarter of a century still to be together in the blessed work. The superin-
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tendent and Mr. Pendel are the only members of the school who were teachers in it during the years 1869 and 1870.
Many others of our teachers and scholars are nearing the point when they also can be considered veteran members, on the score of membership and service. None under twenty-one years of age know of any pastor at St. Paul's but Dr. Domer, and none under eighteen of any other but the present superintendent.
Mr. A. S. Pratt, formerly superintendent, who started the present superintendent in the work, is now in charge of the primary department of the Sunday school of the Church of the Ascension (Episcopal), of which he is a inember. He is indeed a veteran worker. Of his former teachers at St. Paul's four are now superintend- ents of schools in this city: Mr. L. D. Alden, at St.
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Mrs. John C. Parker was first enrolled as a member of the school prior to 1850, and has the earliest date of original entry of all the present members of the Sun- day school.
Mr. Franck L. Ourand, of the adult department, first entered the school prior to 1860. His first teacher in the primary class was Mrs. J. G. Butler, wife of the pastor of the church.
Rev. Samuel G. Finckel, former member of the Sunday school, is now pastor of the Lutheran Church at Lansingburg, N. Y. On August 20, 1893, he preached at the Keller Memorial Church, for the pastor, Rev. C. H. Butler, also a former member.
[The above was inadvertantly omitted and we take pleasure in in- serting in proper place .- L. D. A.]
time he left the city for a period of eight years, return- ing to the city and school in 1878. In his class in those early years was Emil G. Schafer, now one of our most helpful young men, and a member of Mr. McClain's class. It is a source of great pleasure to note the above, and after an experience of almost a quarter of a century still to be together in the blessed work. The superin-
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tendent and Mr. Pendel are the only members of the school who were teachers in it during the years 1869 and 1870.
Many others of our teachers and scholars are nearing the point when they also can be considered veteran members, on the score of membership and service. None under twenty-one years of age know of any pastor at St. Paul's but Dr. Domer, and none under eighteen of any other but the present superintendent.
Rev. Dr. G. J. Butler, former pastor and teacher of the Bible class at St. Paul's, who received the present su- perintendent into the church in September, 1865, and on whose invitation he first entered St. Paul's Sunday school, is now pastor of the Memorial and superintend- ent of the afternoon Sunday school of that church; also teacher of the Bible class of his school. Mary J. Kelly, now Mrs. A. F. Fox, Mr. Albert F. Fox, Mr. George F. Muth, and Mr. Thomas Pendel were in the class taught by him in 1867.
Rev. Charles H. Butler, a former member of the primary class, is now pastor of the Keller Memorial, our new Lutheran church in the northeast, and super- intendent of its Sunday school.
Rev. Francis H. Weaver, former member and teacher under Mr. A. S. Pratt, is now chaplain of the Tenth United States Cavalry, and stationed at Fort Custer, Montana.
Mr. A. S. Pratt, formerly superintendent, who started the present superintendent in the work, is now in charge of the primary department of the Sunday school of the Church of the Ascension (Episcopal), of which he is a member. He is indeed a veteran worker. Of his former teachers at St. Paul's four are now superintend- ents of schools in this city: Mr. L. D. Alden, at St.
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Paul's; Mr. I. C. Slater, at the Church of the Reforma- tion; Mr. Robert B. Kinsell, at the Memorial morning and Zion's afternoon schools; and Mr. J. L. Enderle, at the Central Presbyterian; and of his former scholars, Rev. Charles H. Butler is superintendent of the Keller Memorial, as also pastor. Mr. Pratt was considered by Mr. Alden a model superintendent, and the latter has, during his own service as superintendent, followed largely his way of working.
Mr. George Ryneal, Jr., former member and teacher, and treasurer of the school from 1863 to 1873, is now a inember of the Memorial Church, and connected with the Sunday school of Zion's Church as teacher. He is still active and helpful in every good work. His ac- counts as treasurer of St. Paul's Sunday school were destroyed by fire, which took place at his store some years since. But for that loss of records the receipts and disbursements for the above-mentioned period could be fully noted. Mr. Ryneal is represented by both relatives and friends at St. Paul's, and is highly thought of by its workers.
Mr. J. Albert Hawken, late member of Mr. John F. McClain's class, is now residing at Williamsport, Md. He is superintendent of the Sunday school of Zion Lutheran Church, Rev. M. D. Garver, pastor, and is president of the Christian Endeavor Society of the same church.
Prof. Harry C. Davis, former member and secretary, is now the assistant superintendent of the Sunday school of the Presbyterian Church at Wilkes Barre, Pa. He was also at one time a teacher at St. Paul's, and his wife, tlen Miss Ida Schneider, was one of the primary class teachers from 1876 to 1878. Prof. Davis is connected with the Academy at Wilkes Barre, and both are still active in christian work.
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Mr. Cornelius Eckhardt and Mr Chauncey Bottsford, former members of Mr. John C. Parker's class, are now connected with St. Mark's of this city, and are active in the work of the church and Sunday school and the Luther Alliance of Cliristian Endeavor.
Mr. I. C. Slater, former member and teacher, is now the superintendent of the Sunday school of the Church of the Reformation, Rev. Dr. Parson, pastor.
Mr. Robert B. Kinsell, former teacher, is now the superintendent of the Memorial morning school and of Zion's afternoon school, both of this city.
Mr. Joseph L. Enderle, former superintendent at St. Paul's, is now superintendent of the Sunday school of the Central Presbyterian Church of this city.
Many former members are now active workers inl other Lutheran Sunday schools of this city, and we have representatives also in schools of other cities in different parts of the United States.
CHURCH MEMBERS IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
All the officers and teachers and many of the scholars, in all about 160, are members of the church, leaving 320 members that are not connected with the church. Of this number 132 are in the primary department and 188 in the junior and adult departments. What shall the harvest be ?
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
At a meeting of the teachers of the Sunday School, held in the Sunday-school room, on the 2d of January, 1893, all the officers of the school were, with the excep- tion of Mr. H. H. Seltzer, of the adult department, who is unable to serve, unanimously re-elected for the cur- rent year.
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Mr. George F. Muth was elected musical leader of the school, and has since resigned the office of librarian, and his assistants, Mr. Win. P. Belt and Mr. George R. Linkins, who have managed the library under his direction, have been elected librarians of the school, and will have entire charge of that important part of the work.
The pastor most gratefully acknowledges the helpful cooperation, the valuable support, which officers and teachers of the Sunday school have rendered all along the line of the progress which, by the blessings of the Master, the passing years have brought to the churchi. In November, 1874, the first Sunday after he took charge, the Sunday school had only 60 persons present, all told. Now we have five times as many. Then the membership of the church scarcely numbered 100, 10w above 400.
When Rev. J. E. Graeff came to St. Paul's his first Sunday in the Sunday school witnessed twelve persons present. Now we have 25 to 30 times as many.
The superintendent most gratefully acknowledges the hearty cooperation and support which the pastor, Rev. Dr. S. Domer, has rendered him during his fifteen years' superintendency of the school. It has been a most helpful factor in the general results and successes which have taken place, and a delightful remembrance it will remain.
To Mr. Charles H. Ourand, of the adult departinent, the superintendent is under many obligations for valna- ble assistance in the preparation of copy for the printer.
EASTER SERVICES, IS92.
Our anniversary on Sunday, April 17, at 7.30 P. M., in the audience room of the church, was a most notable
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occasion. Designs, illustrations, and decorations, under the direction of the superintendent, were noted as till- usually fine. The exercises of the school were varied and complete in all the elements of a fine anniversary. The music of the school was notable, "The Easter Dawn," by Emma Pitt, being rendered in a mnost ex- cellent manner. The church choir and pipe organ, with orchestral accompaniment of cornet and two vio- lins, added much to the rendition of the musical pro- gramı. The crowded condition of the Sunday school and church inade it evident that St. Paul's inust pro- vide larger accommodations, or suffer.
OUR ROLL-CALI, DAY, 1892.
Sunday, May 22, was the day fixed for the first for- mal annual roll call. The threatening weather inter- fered with the attendance, yet 328 responded to the call, with a class offering of $18.89, which is a little over the average Sunday offering.
It was a solemn service. Mr. McCormick had but recently died, and Mr. Kalb was lying at the point of death. Prayers were offered for his recovery.
CHILDREN'S DAY SERVICES, 1892,
On Sunday, June 19, at II A. M., in the audience roomn of the church, were of unusual interest, and en- joyed by the large number of members of the school and others who were present. Appropriate services, songs, recitations, a letter read by the superintendent from one of the orphans at the Lutheran Orphans' Home at Lloysville, Pa., and remarks by the pastor and brother A. F. Fox, filled up the time allotted to the service. A large offering was made by the school for the Lutheran Orphans' Home. The church was dec-
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orated, and to the music of the children was added the songs of birds. Bright day. Happy time. Blessed children. "Glory to His name."
RALLYING DAY, 1892.
Our second rallying day was on Sunday, September 25, with ali attendance of 233, and class collections of $20. 70, an average of nearly 9 cents per member present. After the regular session the school marched up to the audience room, the children of the primary department occupying the gallery. The church was nicely dec- orated with pictures, plants, and flowers, and cages of singing birds were suspended in different places.
The service was opened by the pastor; then there was music by the church choir, then prayer, the reading of the Scriptures, and then while the choir sang, the col- lection, which was for the Lutheran Orphans' Home, was taken up. 'A letter was read by the superintendent from one of the orphans. Then followed the review of the 3d quarter's lessons by the superintendent, fol- lowed by the presentation of the resolutions of sympathy on the death of the two assistant superintendents, Messrs. I. N. Kalb and J. H. McCormick, to the families of the deceased. A large audience was present, and a delight- ful hour it proved on this first reunion after the sun- mer vacations. In the school-room, on motion of Bro. John C. Parker, seconded by Bro. Jolin F. McClain, the school voted ten dollars to the proposed model Sunday- school building at the World's Fair, to be erected for use in 1893, in connection with the Columbian Exposi- tion.
The 50th anniversary of the Sunday school took place on the last Sunday evening of 1892. An excel- lent program had been prepared, consisting of music,
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responsive exercises, addresses, reports from the secre- tary and treasurer, the announcement of the honor roll, etc., all most satisfactorily carried out under the direc- tion of the superintendent. Scriptural designs and illustrations, with a fine picture of the Madonna and child Jesus, helped to make up a scene of impressive beauty and loveliness, suited to the anniversary joy. A house crowded in every part gave evidence of the interest of the people in the work of the school, and their untiring attention to the close of the proceedings was the evidence of their satisfaction in the services of the evening. We need not go into any details of de- scription of the performances of the evening, since our pages are so fully occupied with the practical affairs of the school.
The social anniversary-or social part of the Sunday- school anniversary-took place on Wednesday evening following the Sunday evening services. Too many things in hand to crowd them all into one evening. The distribution of Christmas gifts, with an entertain- ing and amusing programı, was, consequently, deferred until Wednesday evening, and for the lecture room of the church. The room was nicely decorated. The evening gathering was very large, and replete with pleasant exercises and social greetings. The first part of the evening all gathered in the audience room of the church, where, after appropriate services, Mr. Lee Pitchlynn, with his stereopticon, gave fine views of the early incidents in the life of the Christ Child, followed by appropriate Christinas views, also throwing upon the canvas information about the school and notices of its sessions, following with a picture of the superin- tendent, which was a great surprise to Mr. Alden, at least, if not to all others. After this the roll of honor rewards were distributed, and the superintendent was
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again surprised by being noted by the pastor as being on the roll of honor, who, with most beautiful remarks, presented him, on behalf of the teachers, with a Christ- inas remembrance, which was received and responded to with suitable words. After this, and with song, the school proceeded to the lower room, primary, junior, and adult departments, followed by the others present, where all enjoyed the social cheer and a bountiful sup- per of ice cream and cake. The children of the primary department each received a suitable gift, and the even- ing was full of cheer and good will. Many presents were exchanged between teachers and classes, and the large quantity of gifts for the poor gave evidence of the right spirit at the happy Christmas time.
At the Christinas treat all present enjoyed the violin solo by Miss Clara Ruth. This young lady also kindly assisted at the anniversary. After the violin solo caine a banjo trio by the Misses Margaret R. Fox, Mary Morgan, and Ella Harold. These were delightful numbers on the program and afforded much pleasure.
(From the Lutheran Observer )
Sunday=School Anniversary at St. Paul's.
MR. EDITOR: Our Sunday-school anniversary has just taken place. We think a brief report of our work and its results would be worthy of a place in the Observer. The anniversary of the past year, in accordance with our custoin, was two-fold-the anniversary proper on Sunday evening, Christmas day, and the social anni- versary on Wednesday evening last. That on Sunday evening consisted of a song service with orchestral accompaniment, scripture readings, class exercises, ad-
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dresses, reports of secretary and treasurer, and the dis- tribution of rewards to the members of the several rolls of honor. That of Wednesday evening consisted of singing by the school, withi stereopticon scenes in the life of Christ, Mr Lee Pitchlynn, a member of the school, furnishing the stereopticon and using it for the special entertainment of the crowded audience present. After these exercises closed in the audience room, refreshments and the distribution of gifts came next in order in the lecture room of the church.
All the anniversary exercises were under the conduct and management of our energetic and faithful superin- tendent, Lucius D. Alden, supported by an earnest corps of officers and teachers. No necessity for dilating on decorations, designs, and individualities of everything that occurred. I need not specially speak of the crowds present; they were large, of course-they always are; and our anniversaries are always full of interest, and are known as such. Our Sunday school, moreover, takes a high rank among the schools of the city, and among the schools of the Synod of Maryland. There are larger schools in the city than ours, but none more active and vigorous; none that make higher averages in all the factors of a model school. Such is, at least, the self-consciousness into which we have advanced. And the following statement of facts and figures, we believe, will justify our self-consciousness.
Our church is now fifty years old, and we are nearing our semi-centennial celebration. This last anniversary shows that the school never was so large and flourishing as it is now. The organization as it now exists has 14 officers, all of whom are class members, 31 classes, 32 teachers, 415 scholars, and a total enrollment of 447. There are three departments-primary, intermediate, and adult. During the year over 200 were present on 42 Sundays, and over 300 on II Sundays. The largest attendance during the year was on Easter Sunday, April
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17, when 340 were present. The largest during the preceding year, 302. During this year there has been a net gain of I department, 3 classes, 2 teachers, and 65 scholars, being a total net gain over all losses of 67 members.
The year has been one of marked prosperity in all the departments, and especially in the primary. This department is in charge of Misses Grace Fox and Nettie Seitz. It started the year with 113 members, sent 4 full classes into the intermediate department, and now has a larger number on its roll than it had when the year began. It lias crowded itself out of its old quarters, and on Sunday last occupied for the first time its en- larged and newly fitted-up room, which will seat at least a third more than the former one. In the three rolls of honor the following statements appear in the secretary's report: Present every Sunday during the year, 16; ab- sent only one Sunday, 9; absent but two Sundays, 13. Knowing the titles of lesson and golden texts for the
year, 9. The offerings for the year are reported by the treasurer as follows: On hand January 1, 1892, $66.62. Received during the year from direct class offerings, $1,000.99; from other sources, $265.07; total, $1,332.68. Expenditures during the year were as follows: For sup- port of school, $410.09; benevolence, $656.21; cash on hand, $266.38; total, $1,332.68.
During the year the school donated to St. Mark's Lutheran Sunday school, of this city, 50 copies of " Gem of Gems;" to St. John's, of Wellington Kansas, 75 song books; to St. Paul's Sunday school, of Newark, Ohio, 125 library books, and 24 Bibles to a small colored school in the country. The largest collection for one Sunday was on Home Mission day, November 13, $125.57; the largest in 1891, Home Mission day, $80. 50. The second largest was on Sunday last, $111. 79. The largest offering during the year from a single class, enrollment 14, amount $144.61. The next largest from
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the primary department, $138.87; the third, with an enrollment of 12, $101.90. All the rest of the classes did proportionately well, maintaining an encouraging and honorable rank throughout. The average offering per member per Sunday was .0719-a gain of .01 14 over the preceding year. We shall be glad to hear from any other Sunday school that can show a higher average than this. Until then St. Paul's of this city will claim the banner, and stand in front in the great procession.
I would like to give the names of our officers and teachers through whom these results are atttained, but you will "grumble " already at the length of this brief article, and so I must pause. As a pastor, however, I must acknowledge their services, and I rejoice in being sustained and encouraged by so faithful a band of Sun- day-school workers. Many from the Sunday school annually pass into membership of the church, and "fol- low on to know the Lord" while they press on to the City of God.
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