The Washington times., 1894-06-23
LUTHERANS AT BAY RIDGE
Hundreds Go from Annapolis, Balti-
mere, and Washington.
DIX. MENNER'S VIGOROUS TALK
ness and Lsthargy-Fnture Of the Church
Two Burning ousstions-Hymns Finely
Sung by the Washington Chorus.

Yesterday was Lutheran day at Bay Ridge
and Lutherans from Washington, Baltimore,
and Annapolis 10 the number OF leo were in
attendance upon the annual reunion Of MEM
bers OF that denomination living in those cities
The earlier part Of the day spent in the
enjoyment Of the usual amusements- At3D
o'clock IN the afternoon more than 1000 persons
gathered In the opera house to listen to adj
dresses on Lutheranism by prominent pastors,
and to several choruses by singers from WASH
ington and Baltimore, under the leadership Of
John II. Seifert and Harry NJ. Smith.
Mayor schieren, of Brooklyn, was expected to
make an address, but he found it impossible to
sem bled success in their efforts.
Rev samuel Domer, Of ST. Marks church, pre-
sided, and after the audience sang II love thy
Zion Lord" Rev. j. q. Butler offered prayer
Tie Baltimore chorus rendered Concone's
"Gloria in Excelsis" in pleasing style
Chairman Doiner, ia few introductory re-
marks. referred to the progress of the Lutheran
Church ciiiing the past year and said her mem-
beFs should be proud Of the denomination He
theu introduced Kew. g. V. Wenner, d. D., of
New York City. who spoke of the privileges and
opportunities OF the Lutheran Church
DR.. Wenners address was the principal speech
OF the day and was enthusiastically received.
Among other things he said: Among The
settled questions In this land is the highly inter-
esting II not supremacy important one what city
may appropriately claim 10 be the metropolis Of
the land
"howeyer we may decide that question, We all
agree that the city OF Baltimore is the metropo-
lis of our denomination her churches have
produced noble legion of faithful laymAn who
have proved Pillars OF strength to the Church IN
this and other countries The hberality of the
Monumental City churches have greatly aided
the general work OF the Church
LIsrLEssSEss AND LETHARGY.
"In the past 100 years the Lutheran Church
has been in a sleep of istiessness and Iethargy.
Among ourselves was an exaggerated humility
and a superfuity of self-efacement But this
period has passed, and nowhere are we now
called upon TO apologize for being Lutherans
Corrected figures show increase Of IS per
cent. in our membership during the past i've
years. In our churches are people of consery.
atiye me thods and industrious he bits
The fature OF the church depends upon her
spiritual forces, and her sources Of strength
must be deeper than mere numbers out
ward glory. We have a safe standard of doc
trire. In our forms OF worship we have been
delivered from the exactions Of effete tradition
alisln and the destructive forces of an unhistor-
ical indiyiduaiIsm
Lutheran is but another name for opportunity
In the city churcn extension work of Baltimore,
and the National Home for Aged in Washington,
presented two OF the burning questions of
American church and national life. The first Is
u question of the resdiusrment OF our methods
80 as 10 provide against the profound dangers
caused by rapid shifting of our population.
The other is the question OF applied Christianity
the bringing of the Ch ristian life 10 the sQlu-
ton Of the social problems of our times"
SOCIAL MISSION OF THE CHURCH
DR.. Wenner also spoke of the opportunity
which is offered in the social mission of the
church. He said they have now but sixty-si1
benevolent institutions in this country Hos
pitals, orphan asyiums. and institutions of like
character are part of the church machinery.
The time will come when all christians will be
ministers, ana the social problems Of the day
will thus be solved
Rev. H. b. Vile, of Carlisle Pa, spoke Of the
general work of the church and Ter success in all
lines OF work Rev T. C. Billheimer d. D. of
Gettysburg Seminary, spoke of the power of
music in the churcl and also OF the power of a
national hymn
The Washington chorus sang "Jehovah's
Praise "The Heavens are Telling" was rem
dered By the Baltimore singers, and the closing
prayer was offered by Rev. ". II. Dunbar, of
baltimore. ''Blest be the Tie that Binds" sang
by the audience. closed the meeting. After en-
joying the cool breezes of Chesapeake bay for
another hour the Lutherans returned to their
respective cities.
Among these present were Rev s Domer. j.
G. Butler, ID. D., John c. Parker, Cornelius Eek
hart, A r. Wagner, VI. Z. May, and DR. W. W.
Alleger, of Washington: Rev. Ephraim FELTON,,
". l. Armiger. ii. c. Hines, C. j. King, j. ".
Scheffer, W. C. Rupp, A A. Baird, j. ". Her
mann W. A Hautske. Charles Schulze, and 5.
j. Hook. of Baltimore; Rev. G. Y. Wenner, New
York city; Rev H. B. Vile, Carlisle, Pa, and
Rev. T. c. Billheiner, Gettysburg, Pa