Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-04
A GREAT LUTHERAN GATHERING.
Fifteen Thousand People Attend the
Reunion Mt Pen Mar

AScuulOH NJ rem MAR.
The gathering that attended the fifth annual
| reunion Of the Lutherans Of Maryland, Penn
sylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the Dis
trict at Pen Mar yesterday was remarkable for
its great size as well as for the interest in the
proceedings. 1t is estimated that there were
$4,000 people present The Baltimore Sun to-
day says the visitors were from points as far
down the valley OF Virginia as Roanoke, and a
train from Martinsburg and Winchester took
SEQ excursionists to the mountain resort. Over
three thousand persons were from Harrisburg,
Carlisle, Shlppensburg, Chambersbrrg,
Waynesboro', Hagerstown and Williamsport.
Llttlestown had 500, Frederick an equal
Hanover and Gettysburg 1000. The
Western Maryland transported i,1OO to the
place from stations north of Westminster
10 move this mass Of humanity required
great care and GOODNESS on the part Of the
officials Of the road. The arrangements, which
were excellent, we're in the hands Of Trainmas-
ter j. e. Hiltabidle. Dispatcher w. P. Geary
did the train running. In addition to those
who went by railroad three thousand persons
rode in different sorts Of convey ances. They
commenced to arrive on the grounds at day
break, and there was a steady procession on
: the main road to Pen Mar up the mountain
until o'clock in the morning. From morning
until evening the sky was clear, and the sun
shone brightly through the locusts, chestnuts
and pines on the sides and top of the mountain
Each OF the excursionists found an opportunity
to indulge in his or her way Of spending a
pleasant afternoon. Most Of them listened to
inspiring music and speeches from ministers
we'll known in the denomination, who occupied
ing pavilion. The Rev. W. G. Wire Of Littles-
town, Pa, was chairman of the executive COM
mittee. After a responsive service, the recita!
of the creed and prayer by Rev. Geo. Par
sons OF Sunbury. Pa. the whole assemblage
sang the coronation hymn. Rev. J. E. Bush
nell Of St Marks Church, Roanoke, Va, who
Is an active Lutheran in that section Of Vir-
ginia, spoke on Union in Love ana Labor"
THE GROWTH OF LUrHERANIsM.
Mr. Bushnell, in the course OF his address
said: We can muster in a solid American pha-
lanx, Notwithstanding our geographical and
linguistic barriers about five million men,
women and children In recognized adherence
to the faith OF our fathers The united synod
In the south has an undeveloped field, covering
a stretch of 1.500 miles in the fairest land upon
which the sun ever shonc. Cities are building
up like magic along all the railroads and new
lines are projected in the mineral belt. An
industrial revival has spread from Maryland to
Mexico, and the new blood is we'll tempered
by that which is fairly represented at Pen
Mar now. An unusual number Of new
churches were dedicated in the southwest
last year. The appointments were in
creased fve-fold to meet the new growth.
The English, German and Scandinavian
Lutherans In America are doing as grand
work in proportion to numerical and financial
strength as any Protestsns organization OF the
country. The Gospel is preached in fourteen
tongues. More than one church and fully 200
new members have been gained for every day
of the year. With nearly 1000 parochial
schools, lOC church academies. colleges. female
seminarIes and theological institutions, with 81
orphan homes, hospitals immigrant homes
aud deaconess institutes, over s, 900 pastors and
teachers are doing magnificent work for the
pubic advancement, and We have made q bold
claim for grateful recognition.
The polyglot and international life Of the
Lutheran population in America makes 1t an
important factor in the study and solution Of
vexed social questions, the moral and spiritual
power OF one million communicates within the
evangelical work Of the American churches.
Our thrifty and virtuous German and Scandi-
navian people. who are loyal citizens have
grasped the jeweled crown OF northern Europe
to enrich and honor the social and commercial
power Of our western republic. Such people
have an abiding place, thrift, the virtues and
piety OF a model kingdom. The Germans,
Norwegians, Swedes and Danes possess the ele-
ments of a superior Christian civilization"
OTHER ADDRESSES.
The Rev. H. H. Weber, secretary Of the
church board Of extension, made an address on
the work he is especially interested in. He
said: 1T is our intention to form Chautauqua
here at Pen Mar, to put up tents, houses, q
hotel, so people can stay here for ten or twenty
days or even q month and engage in the dis
cussion Of subjects that are Of vital interest to
our church" Addresses were made by Rev. A.
S. Hartman Of the Foreign Missionary Society,
Rev. Dr. School, secretary OF the society; Rev.
DR.. Il. W. Enders OF York, Pa, and Rev. DR..
John G. Morris. who is eighty seven years old,
There were sixty-fve ministers on the plat
form. The number included Rev. DIR. 8. Domer
and Rev. w. H. Gottwald Of this city. The
committe that superintendent the arrangements
were the Rev. w. G. Wire of Littleytown Pa. !:
the Rev. DR.. John G. Morris of Baltimore, John
Bike of Hagerstown the Rev. A. i. Hartman OF
Baltimore, J. C. Parker OF Washington and
Hon. J. NJ. Miller Of Knoxville, Md.