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 18
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Yours truly,
P. H. BRISTOW.
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HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 17, 1893.
LUCIUS D. ALDEN, Esq., City.
DEAR SIR: Your card inviting me to unite with you in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of your Sabbath school, at hand. Please accept my thanks for the invitation. It was late on Saturday when I returned from Ohio, and I was not prepared for my evening ser- vice, and felt compelled to remain with my books, much as I would like to be present with you. It is not too late as yet to express my congratulations on the very great success of both your school and your church. May our common Lord and Master bless you and inake you a blessing in the future as he has in the past.
Very truly yours, &c.,
G. JAMES JONES, Pastor Tabernacle Congregational Church.
WASHINGTON D. C., April 14, 1893.
MY DEAR ALDEN: You can not imagine how much I regret my inability to attend the "jubilee" which your Sabbath school is to celebrate on the 16th instant, to which you have so kindly invited ine. Three P. M. is our Sabbath school hour, and I feel it mny duty to be in my place even at the sacrifice of such a treat. I congratu- late the English Lutheran Church, its pastor, the offi- cers and teachers of the Sabbath school ( particularly the model superintendent), and the dear children, on the 50th anniversary which they are about to celebrate, and pray that the dear Lord inay be present to bless and encourage you in the good work to which you have been called.
Your friend and brother,
JOHN B. SLEMAN.
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ENGLISH LUTHERAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Report of the Superintendent
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1892. (The 50th Year of its Organization.)
WASHINGTON, D. C., January 31, 1893. To the Council of St. Paul's English Lutheran Church :
BRET IREN : I have the honor herewith to submit for your information, and for proper entry upon the church records, a complete report under the various heads of the organization, enrollment, equipment, etc., which is intended to cover all matters in relation to the Sunday school in all of its departments of organization and work for the year 1892 inclusive, with the accompanying re- ports of the secretary, Mr. J. Granville Meyers, Jr., and of the treasurer, Mr. Albert F. Fox. The year has been one of unusual prosperity, and has proven a veritable jubilee year. The enrollment increased during the year over and above all losses 67, or over 1712 per cent., and now numbers 447. Two officers and teachers and one scholar have died during the year : Mr. I. N. Kalb, the associate superintendent in charge of the adult department; Mr. John H. McCormick, the assistant su- perintendent in the intermediate department, and Mrs. Henry Raabe, a member of the pastor's class, adult de- partment. In the death of the two first-named persons the school lost from its working force two most faithful and efficient officers and teachers, eminent in christian ac- tivity and usefulness ; and in Mrs. Raabe, a member whose character was that of a sincere christian, and who did what she could, as opportunity offered. My own personal loss in the death of these two assistant super- intendents was great.
The sessions of the school have been well attended, also the Monday evening meetings for the study of the
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following Sunday's lesson and for the transaction of current business. There is a marked improvement in regard to all that makes up a good session in the various departments of the school, and at the week-night meet- ing the hour has proven one of unusual interest and profit, and has through those present been of great benefit to the various classes and the school.
Three of our teachers, Mr. J. A. Weigle, Mr. E. B. Corcoran, and Miss Helen Schreiner, were transferred to the scholar's roll, being unable to continue in charge of their respective classes. One other, Miss Miriam Meals, married and withdrew, and Mrs. E. C. Opperman re- signed on leaving the city. The following scholars, nine in all, were appointed by me as teachers: Miss Ada Augusterfer, Miss Minnie Seitz (reappointed), Miss Amy Eckhardt (reappointed), Miss Zada Kemp (reappointed), Miss May Levers, Mr. H. H. Seltzer, Mr. Charles Phillips, Mr. Dan. N. Klapp, and Mr. Lee Landers, and have in each case justified their selection and appoint- inent. In the removal of the others mentioned the school lost the services of valued and experienced teach - ers, all of whom have records alike complimentary to themselves and to the school.
A goodly number of our members, thirteen in all, were received into the church during the year, and many others, I trust, will soon be candidates for admission. The reports of the secretary and treasurer are such as reflect the highest credit upon the entire school, and prove it to be active and to abound in good works. The offerings in all departments are of the highest amount known to be given by the members of any Sun- day school, and appear to be given with the right spirit and a hearty desire to contribute to the Master's cause, and especially to spread abroad the Gospel.
Both reports show a very prosperous condition of affairs and give promise for 1893, for which we can all " thank God and take courage."
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ENGLISH LUTHERAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The recent improvements in the Sunday-school room, with special reference to the primary department, are of a inost satisfactory character, affording a measure of relief from the crowded condition of all departments of the school, but will, I think, if the school continues its usual degree of prosperity and gain, prove only of a temporary character at best, and soon again the question of inore room will be one that must be considered and solved with greater accommodation, or the growth of the school will be checked, if the enrollment does not decrease because of insufficient room. I submit here- with under different headings a large number of papers, showing everything of importance connected with the school.
With gratitude to God for His guidance and mercy, with thankfulness to all the officers, teachers, and schol- ars for their hearty cooperation and assistance, and with grateful rememberance of the many kindnesses shown ine by the pastor and yourselves, brethren, and the most hearty acknowledgements of his and your services in and for the school, and with praise and commendation of all of our dear teachers and scholars, and asking God's guidance and even greater blessings for the year upon which we have entered, I am, brethren, in christian love, your brother in Christ,
LUCIUS D. ALDEN, Superintendent.
Supplemental Report of the Superintendent,
COVERING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY I TO JUNE 30, 1893.
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 30, 1893. To the Council of St. Paul's English Lutheran Church.
BRETHREN: I have the honor to submit herewith additional information and report in regard to the
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organization and enrollment of the Sunday school to include June 30, 1893, with papers appended whichi give in detail accounts of all proceedings in connection therewith to date.
The growth and prosperity of the school continues, and we have much reason to be encouraged in the work. I urgently request that some action be taken at an early date looking to the necessary increased accommoda- tions required by the school, its present quarters being totally inadequate to the needs of the present time. We have reason to believe that our enrollment will in- crease to over 500 before the end of the year, and look forward to a gain of one hundred or more during the year 1894.
The reports of the secretary and of the treasurer are very encouraging. The enrollment is now 480, witli 31 classes in the school. The treasurer reports the class offering for the first six months of this year as amounting to $612.75, and the receipts from all other sources $207.46, making the total receipts $820.21, tlie largest for a like period in the history of the school. The disbursements amount to $881. 31, and include tlie following: For Foreign Missions, $129.98; church exten- sion, $117.82 ; Orphans' Home, $151.20; and general expenses, including improvements to primary room and school, of $482. 31, leaving a balance on hand of $86.44.
Interest in the study of the Word increases. Written examinations at the end of each quarter have been in- stituted, which are optional with the scholar, and bid fair to be popular and helpful. One death has occurred, that of our veteran member, Mr. Emerich G. Hansell. Two teachers, Miss Nannie Fleming and Miss Zada Kemp, have resigned, and left the city. Three teachers, Mrs. N. T. Haller, Miss Ella House, and Mr. Henry Raabe, have been appointed, and the coming month will witness, I trust, the organization of
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an orchestra and choir to lead in the music of the school. A number of classes will soon be transferred to the adult department, which will then number over two hundred. The office of superintendent of that de- partment is open. Was offered Mr. Albert F. Fox, but declined.
We are much indebted to Mr. Fox for his having the Sunday-school room repainted during the spring at his own expense. Our improvements are very much admired and enjoyed, and the entire school is in perfect harmony, and moving on with high hopes and aims, con- fident of more and greater successes in the great work assigned it as a part of the advance guard of the Chris- tian Church, to perform.
With grateful appreciation of the services of all our workers, I beg to submit this as the closing act of the fifteenth year of my superintendency, and with it to thank you each and all for uniform helpfulness in the work of saving the young and instructing others of larger growth and advanced years in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
In christian love, your brother,
LUCIUS D. ALDEN,
Superintendent St. Faul's Sunday School.
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HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
Our Record for August, 1893.
The record for this month also surpasses all previous ones for a like period. The average attendance was 164. The class offerings amounted to $37.15; $9.29 per Sunday, or 533 cents per member. This makes the class offerings for the first eight months of 1893, $707.52; the average attendance for the same time, 265; the average Sunday offering, $20.21, or 710 cents per member per Sunday-a splendid record with which to close our history at this time of going to press.
During August the pastor has been absent, also Miss Grace E. Fox, teacher of the primary department. Miss Nettie E. Seitz has had charge of the primary class, developing talent in that very particular and re- sponsible place for a teaclier.
The superintendent has continued in charge of the school. Two new members have been added to the roll, Miss Ida Faber and Mr. E. E. Jones. The enroll- ment is now 494.
On August 13th $30 was voted the Sunday-School Union for the pledge to the International Sunday- School Convention, and the expenses of the superin- tendent as a delegate also voted. At this date he will not be able to attend.
"At the sounding of the trumpet, when the saints are gathered home, We will greet each other by the crystal sea ;
With the friends and all the lov'd ones there awaiting us to come, What a gath'ring of the faithful that will be !"
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CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETIES.
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETIES.
The Christian Endeavor Society held its anniversary meeting Sunday, May 14, at 7 P. M., conducted by the president, Daniel N. Klapp. Remarks were made by members of the society and visiting friends. The fol- lowing history of the society has been furnished for publication by its recent secretary, Mr. Charles Phillips:
HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S Y. P. S. C. E.
St. Paul's Young People's Society of Christian En- deavor was organized May 18, 1890. The following were the originators and organizers: Mr. L. D. Alden, Master Russel Alden, Mr. George F. Muth, Mr. E. B. Corcoran, Mr. Hansell, Miss Grace Fox, Miss Nettie Seitz, Miss Belle Leeds, Miss Margie Hubert, Mr. Geo. R. Linkins, Mr. Charles Linkins, and Mr. Edward Leeds, all but three of whom are active members in the society to-day. This first meeting was presided over by Mr. L. D. Alden, and was opened by reading the Scrip- tures and prayer, followed by a brief explanation of the objects of the society they were about to organize. After a free discussion of the subject in hand, it was decided by a unanimous vote that such a society be organized, as it would meet a long-felt want in the church, and also partially solve the problem of what to do in order to get the young people of the church at work.
The following officers were elected: George F. Muth, president ; Lucius D. Alden, first vice-president ; Belle Leeds, second vice-president; George R. Linkins, secre- tary and treasurer.
October 3, 1890, the first constitution of the Endeavor Society was adopted, and remained without change until April 27, 1892, when the model constitution was adopted.
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HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
About the 15th of January, 1891, at the request of the Washington City Bible Society, this society can- vassed a district in the neighborhood of the church and distributed about thirty Bibles to children under the age of fourteen. Several older persons were found without Bibles; they also were supplied at the society's expense.
Sunday evening, May 31, 1891, the first anniversary of this society was held in the auditorium of the church after the regular prayer meeting in the lecture room. Mrs. Opperman, the president, presided and made some appropriate remarks. Short addresses were made by W. H. H. Smith, then president of District of Columbia Christian Endeavor Union, and by Mr. D. N. Klapp. George R. Linkins, secretary, mnade a full report of this society's work during its first year. He also reported a total membership of 59-20 active and 39 associate members.
The following committees were also appointed : Prayer Meeting Committee, Lookout Committee, Social Com- mittee.
Some time after its organization a committee was appointed to draft a constitution. The hour appointed for meeting was 7.15. During the week intervening between the first and second meeting, the committees got to work and steadily the society grew; and when summer came it was decided to continue the meetings during the summer.
Each Sunday evening at the stated hour the regular prayer meeting is held, and the last Sunday night in each month a solemn consecration service is held.
At the third meeting the pastor, Rev. Samuel Domer, was first present, and has been a constant attendant ever since. It may be well here to state, as it will ap- pear on the records, no Sunday evening passed since the organization of the society that a regular prayer meet- ing has not been held.
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CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETIES.
The first delegate sent to the International conven- tion, held in Minneapolis July, 1891, was Mr. L. D. Alden. The funds for sending a delegate were raised through the kindness of Mr. Lee Pitchlynn, who gave a stereopticon exhibition, realizing $50, and Mrs. Rose Taylor and Mr. George Ryneal, Jr., each contributed $5 apiece, $60 in all. Mr. Lee Pitchlynn was elected an associate delegate. November, 1891, our society was honored by the election of one of its members, Mr. George F. Muth, as second vice-president of the District Christian Endeavor Union.
Since the organization of this society several very en- joyable sociables have been given, but at all of them there was one drawback-the church did not own a piano; and in February, 1892, the matter was brought up and it was decided to supply this long-felt want. A "C" supper and concert was given in the National Rifles' Armory, March 25, 1892, Mr. Lee Pitchlynn, chairman, proceeds of which were nearly $200. Some voluntary subscriptions were raised, which made the amount $300, and the piano that now ornaments the Sunday-school room was purchased.
The second anniversary of this society was held on May 15, 1892, and at this anniversary the secretary re- ported a membership of 90-30 active and 60 associate.
Mr. Alden was elected this society's delegate at the convention held in July, 1892, in the city of New York, but owing to sickness he could not attend. Mr. George F. Muth attended as the representative of the society at that convention.
Although this society is not as large as its members would like it to be, yet it has in it earnest christian workers who are true to their pledges, and many are pres- ent in clear and stormy weather. God's blessing has crowned their humble endeavors in His name. True to
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HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
Christ and loyal to their own church, they are hopeful in their work.
November 4, 1892, the following officers were elected to serve six months: Mr. D. N. Klapp, presi- dent; Mr. William P. Belt, vice-president; Mr. Charles Phillips, secretary; Miss Jennie Barron, treasurer; Miss Nettie Seitz, corresponding secretary.
December 2, 1892, the regular monthly business meeting was held, and at that ineeting the president of the Eureka society, a helpful circle of the Christian Endeavor Society, presented the sum of $15, proceeds of the entertainment held in the lecture room of the church in October. It was accepted, and in addition $10 was given which, by unanimous vote, was donated to a mission church at San Diego, Cal. The money was forwarded by the pastor, Rev. Samuel Domer.
The society now numbers nearly 100 members, most of whom are always willing and ready to do their part. The associate list is gradually diminishing, and the active list growing larger by these transfers. God has crowned the labors of this christian organiza- tion during these six months with much success.
On May 5, 1893, the regular monthly business meeting was held, and the following officers were elected: Mr. George F. Muth, president ; Mr. George R. Linkins, vice-president; Miss Mabel Griffiths, recording secretary ; Miss Maggie Jones, treasurer.
The office of corresponding secretary is permanent. This honor was previously conferred upon Miss Nettie Seitz, who fills the position with complete satisfaction. She enters heartily into all church work.
CHARLES PHILLIPS, Secretary.
MAY 19, 1893.
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CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETIES.
Junior Society of Christian Endeavor.
Our Junior Society of Christian Endeavor was organ- ized Sunday, January 22, 1893, by the superintendent of the Sunday school, with 7 members present. It has now nearly 30, and meets in the primary department room each Saturday at 2 P. M. Miss Margaret R. Fox, the superintendent, is in charge; Miss Mabel Griffith, as- sistant; Master Russell Alden, secretary, and Miss Louie Leeds is the organist. This society is increasing in numbers rapidly, and it is hoped to gather in all the junior members of the Sunday school. It is to be a training school for the right upbuilding of Christian character, and a preparatory school for the senior Christian Endeavor Society.
The following is a list of the members other than those already mentioned who were present at the last meetings held in May and June : Grace Alden, Hattie E. Alden, May Corcoran, Susie Corcoran, Fred DeMoll, Helen DeMoll, Merl DeMoll, Blanch Koontz, Lottie McLaine, Bertie Muth, Charlie Ourand, Guy Ourand, Alma Rose, Annie Rott, Hattie Seitz, Clemos Stinzing, Rita Stinzing, May Viet.
On June 24th the closing meeting for the summer took place. - June Ioth the topic was "How inay we make sure of a happy old age ? " Miss Helen DeMoll was the leader. The subject was well presented, and a number took part, reading, speaking, and in prayer. L. R. A.
HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
MAR 87
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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