The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-31

The most beautiful portion of the decoration
was around the altar. The railing of the chancel
was covered with beautiful wreathes, baskets,
and bouquets OF natural flowers. In the centre
was very large bouquet of white flowers;
directly behind this, the assistants desks
were covered with flowers, in the midst of which
lay the Bibles. The pulpit was handsomely de-
corated, and In centre niche was a handsome
cross OF white flowers; against the wall, back of
the pulpit was pedestal OF evergreen and flow
ers, supporting fancy stand, which was sur
mounted with cross, on each side of which was
beautiful shield, on the left of which was the
word Luther, "and the date 1917. On the shield,
on the right, the word "Melancthon," and the
date 1867, the whole inclOsed IN evergreens,
forming an arch, surmounted by large white
cross OF beautiful flowers. The whole presented
The appearance of beautiful garden in spring.
The choir was greatly augmented for the ooca-
son. and band OF wind Instruments accompa-
MED the choir. The anthems we're rendered in
the finest style. The order of exercises was as
follows:-
choir sang the Introductory anthem, "Glory be to
eight Psalm the choir responding, after which me
was followed by re DStTa LaS9anits' The "Confe5-
sion and Creed was then read followed by the Epis-
"Haelulah chorus,1 from the MesStah. The pastors
I-iS; which was succeeded by the Apostles creed,
The pastor then offered prayer tor the festival Of
hymn, Elm Feste Burg nnser Gqtt;" ,.,,.--.,
the oe @ dsy az Which H. the 9hSp s e
abstract. The text was taken from the 18th chapter
bic put be forth unto them saying, the Kingdom or
took nd fs @ & m & G @c Is eed h
least OF al seeds but when 1t is grown II is greatest
ofthe air come and lodge in the branches thereof"
LORD Jesus Christ, Is like grain OF mustard in It's
In both Of these parallels the Lord sets forth the
growth of His kngdom-in one the outward, in the
other the inward. And @ what Is true Of the grand
known In the individual heart II is IKE grain Of
CHURCH It is the same Q On this account have
selected this text. wish to show how the Church OF
the Reformation Is like to grain Of mustard seed
The Church, like the seed, had small beginnings.
great growth which comes from il, Il is indeed the
smallest Of seeds Christ was the small seed planted
Sso He has ,a grown and become she literal
Him for salvation. The apostles we're the twelve
little mustard seed Sseds which were to spread oyer the
great branch OF the old tree the seed Of which was
years ago the seed was ag ain planted in one human
soul struggling for berty--a faithful creature who
that monk went % WITH OS in n his hand and
little thinking he the grain of mustard seed
! was to cause such great commolion. The Pope Gt
! thought 1t mustard seed out of which nothing
aid not use the parable for nouEht He alluded to the
same slmile often, ''There was sOwer went out to
grew, for the Hoy Ghost Vas in it. Do we not look
| Tor the same in the Church of the Reformation?
little 1t grew, rendering tributary acres far aroul
and 70 crush the seed, saying il was tares; men in
the their 6gGtry tried TO destroy IT, 61, 1t grew 1t az
branches may be wthered but they are only waiting
TIE SEED spread ali over Europe, and became a
mighty tree. we speak, not only OF our own beloved
when he went forth from the church at Wittenberg,
Il wherever it could by the fire of persecution,
the plant was torn up but Notwithstanding this seed
| was COCO and to-day IS great tree.
T9S great Tree stands before our mental vision and
the illustration that the birds come aud nd shelter
| In It's branches seems to show that IL now atfurls
sh lt.r and protection to the bids; But not only for
attracted by it's fruitfuness. II the attraction in
tree ne =, bearing 1weIys eE fIo aaR9h kads
Here Jesus is that tee AS gather round the tree
DO d%SS nGt only TRGM Te@emSeT m its Story but we
out Is Of PO whSh SFSe0G% o0@e Us the
Of grace An we have ,sr6s or aTd nope s Ipr raes
birds b % SP tbs % Tss ySn " We 70 6s.
Per fnI6S5 @ MsisnS56Gn S16 aii who haye ia9oTed
m ns nr house Of wos to Sm INK
let us thank Him with our hands; let us each give
something TO His cause. We are called on to renew
over it, it grows many man ha' died. Luts er often
became faint hearted; but the tree has grown
man Trust IN dSd VINO wa
day to hold fast that wnich we have, to be loyal to
the tree, and to Him who planted it, 1t Is beneath
sSnafe Of that hearts beat
sive to hearts that beat years ago. S So we fee!
G0G Bring forth tTGit b for on, every G
in the fire. and in the last place pray that the cause
prosper and that every tongue may confess that
! Jesus Christ Is the Lord We change the song and
Flourish oh tree may thy branches be strong and
| thy fruits gladden. the nations ana all people be
gathered round Thee to glory to God in the high
est and on the earth peace and goodwill towards
| men" Amen.
The Lords Prayer was then offered by the
pastor after which the choir sang the chorus,
"Lit up Thy countenance, o Lord" which was
followed by the hymn "Hallelujah," The doX-
ology was then sung and the benedichon de-
livered. Tonight the church will be brilliantly
illuminated on the occasion of the children's
! iuh1lpa