The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1891-08-01
Our Churches.

Ii Is q Qeilcate suDJect at aI'I ti'ho
TO write about q church, or church
doings, Tor the hearts of the eongre-
gallon are so interviewer with IFS ill.,
~terests, and every fiber OF body and
mind knit and nvetcd together with
its identity, that every faculty of their
minds are wide awake and on the
alert, with arrows dipped in gall and
worm wood, ready to be launched
against the head of any seribbler who
dares to intrude upon the forbidden
domain. Therefore, it was with some
misgiving that we attended services at
the Lutheran Church on Sunday,
knowing that the services are con-
Quoted in German, and we only half
expert therein. also knowing that the
pastor has the reputation of being
very exclusive Of everything not Ger
man and Lutheran; so it was a rather
uphill business for us to intrude where
we feared we would not be welcome.
And You are sorry for it, No, sir.
but on the other hand glad, for it re-
moved much doubt. and some prrju-
dice that had crept into the mind re-
gard ng that church and its people.
Their place of worship is a spacious
one, in fact the largest and best ap-
pointed in the city, and we are safe in
adding, the largest congregation also.
We have also heard it said by thought
less men, that "next to the Episcopal
ians, there was less christianity IN the
Lutheran Church than any other" but
this is a base fabrication, forged and
bagotten in a wicked, ignorant mind,
and it would be well for all such to
attend divine service at that much
misunderstood amongst Americans)
church and have the scales brushed
from their eyes as we had.
Entering the church for the first
time We were promptly met by n
of our best citizens who kindly lead
us to a seat and did all in.his power
TO make the stranger feel that he was
welcome and amongst christian
friends.
We had scarcely time to look about
and note the large edifice which vas
packed to its full capacity with an
apparently earnest congregation. And
what surprised us most of all was the
large per cent. of gentlemen present;
heads of families leading their wives
and children to the fold, and they
there joining in the worship with an
earnestness truly commendable. This
was a sight but seldom witnessed in
other churches of late years. and it
speaks in the highest praise of u
Lutheran friends.
These things had been barely noted
when the organ pesled forth, and the
whole congregation joined in songs
of praise; and as the grand volumes
swelled on and on and up, they car
ried with them the essence of thank
fullness that flowed from hundreds of
.appreciative hearts.
In this the Lutheran excells all other
churches. Their children from in
fancy are placed under tho charge of
expert vocal and instrumental
teacher and under his guiding hand
they grow up until song, and espe-
cially church music, becomes a second
to them, and this accounts for
the grand, well-timed, and truly har-
monious hymns always to be heard in
that church. Other churches would
do well to profit by their example in
this respect.
The pastor, the Rev. F1%achsbart,
preached two excellent sermons. both
of which were interesting and in
structive. The altar is simple but
impressive to one who has
knelt at the ~sepulchre and witnessed
the flight "of him who spake a. never
man spake." The words of the pastor
were earnest and impressive through
out, and the solemnity of the whole
makes q deep impression on the mind.
1t is a pity that the services are not
In the American language,
for we cannot but think that numbers
who now pass by on the "othcr side"
would be led to that church that has
done so much to place the German
where they now stand, In the
front ranks of civilization and
progress.
Practical in work, practical in bus
mess, practical in amusement, u
German friends have brought their
practical natures to bear on both edu-
cation and religion. hence their hon.
rsty and trustworthiness in every day
dealings, and with it their earnest,
impressive worship ofGod the Father
who blesses and prospers them in life,
and teaches them to strew with bios
SONS the mounds of the departed.