The morning news., 1894-10-22
THE CHURCH AGAIN OPEN.
The LutheTanS Use Their Sanctuary
After a -Four Months Interval.


Cushions and VaTnish-Rev. W. c.
schaefOr Prsaehes a Sermon Appro-
pirate to the Occasior-The German
Voluntse rs Will Attend Reformation
Services Next Sunday in Uniform.
The Evan gelicaI Lutheran Church of
the Ascensic was opened yesterday to
it's eongrega,t zion, after having had its
doors cosed for nearly four months.
The interior of the church has been
beautifully fitted up,a and is now one OF the
handsomest ch urch rooms in the city
The interior de corauons were much ad-
mired by the large congregation which
assembled TO worship there yesterday.
The walls and ceiling have been beauti-
fully frescoed, all the work, with the eX-
ception of the large panels, having been
done by hand. The freecoing is the work
of Mr.. Albert Furrer who is one Of the
prominent members of the Lutheran con-
gregation. It is artistic in design and
elegant in its finish, not too strong in
colors, but bright and attractive. The
work around the pulpit and altar. is es-
pecially fine.
The woodwork of the interior has all
cred. New carpets furnished by the es-
tate of Emil Schwarz have been put down
all over the church and the whole inte-
rior is at once attractive and comfortable.
During the summer months the regular
church services have been conducted in
the Sunday school room.
The choir, which is composed of Mrs.
Outten, soprano; ldiss Muslin, Alto Mr..
Reddick tenor, and Mr.. Drummond, bass,
with Prof. Warth as organist, had a
special programme of music arranged for
the occasion, as follows; Voluntary,
Wake the Song of Jubilee" by Excel;
"Gloria Patri," by Danks; Gloria in
Excelsis," by Kreutzer, arranged by w.
Ludden; hymn, Coronation" by Holden;
'Kyrie" by Rigel; offertory, THE Earth
Is the Lords" by Mason; hymn 12S,
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken"
by Harwen. The programme was an ex-
cellent one, and was well rendered
throughout.
Rev. W. c. Schaeffer preached on "The
Mission of the Church in the World"
and took his text from I. Tim. III, 15
The house of God, which is the church
of the living God, the pillar and ground
of the truth" He said:
Fifteen years and six months ago this
house was cOnsecrated to the honor of
Almighty God our heavenly Father for
the offering up to him of praise and
Thanksgiving, of prayer and intercession.
To the preservation and furtherance of
the gospel of His only-begotten Son,
that in it the word of the cross might be
preached, the holy sacrament rightly ad-
ninistered and that the Holy Ghost might
here influence the hearts of men by en-
tightening and sanctifying them and seal
ing them unto salvation, and that Christ
ian unity. love and happiness might here
be promoted. And this morning we are
met together in our renewed and beauti-
ful church to emphasize the purposes
of it's conservation.
The church of the Living God is not
in the world by accident. 1t is here for
a supreme purpose. 1t is the pillar and
ground of the truth. 1t is the custodian
of that truth that Is to make the world
free.
THE church is the mighty factor in ex-
tending and establishing Gods kingdom
among men. A heavenly message was
committed to the church to proclaim to all
the world. That message is the power of
God unto salvation
This gospel the church must offer and
press upon the worlds acceptance. Great
treasures are intrusted to the church
the Lards sacrifice, the word, the sacra-
ments, the Holy Ghost
ITO discharge this Indebtedness, the
preaching of the holy gospel to all, the
church must avail itself of the best equip
ments and the most complete appoint
ments and the most approved methods,
to make effective the proclamation of the
gracious gospel.
The church owes it to the world to
have first attractive and comfortable
church edifces. The church of the lv-
ing God should be the best most beauti-
full architecturally, and most comfort
ably furnished house in the community.
In the materials and construction of the
Tabernacle set up in the wilderness, upon
which the Lord set his approval, we find
this completeness and beauty.
Wealth and genius have lavished their
treasures in building the magnificent ca
thedrals of England and Germany, and
France, and Italy, in Milan, and Straus-
burg, and Cologne, and Antwerp, and
Amiens, and Canterbury, in Salisbury
and York, and Westminster, and Rome
And then sculpture and painting came to
the aid of architecture to beautify the
house Of the Lord.
In the next place the services of the
church should be Of a character most
forcibly to impress her heavenly mes
sage upon the hearts of the people
"The first and highest duty of the
church is to preach the gospel Around
this central and supreme mission of the
church in the world may be gathered all
helpful agencies. Good music and by that l
mean joyful, hearty praise the gospel in
song-heart melody. Helpful music, that
carries the soul to God. The hymn may be
the cry of the penitent, 'Show Pity Lord. "
or Just as I am" It may be an appeal
for help, for larger faith, for strength, or.
it may be a song of thanksgiving for vic
tories gained; the congregations voice
should give it power TO convey blessing TO
every soul The church of the living
God should emphasize its message by i'm
pressing upon the world the spirit of its
Lord.
'It should be a sympathetic church.
What a great heart had Christ, the foun-
der of the church! So Gods people should
have in their hearts the greatest sympa-
thy with their fellowmen, ever ready Ia
''rejoice with those who do rejoice" as
we'll as to weep with those who weep,
TO show by word and deed that they have
a brothers heart beating with brother
kindly affection, and a brothers hand
ready 10 extend the grasp Of sympathy
and friendship. Such life in the church
makes effective the preaching of the word
and commends to all men the gospel OF
Gods dear son.
The Church of the Living God is also
a hopeful church, because the unseen Is
brought to bear and illumine upor
the seen. The small and appar.
pntlV giu1pla uafuffnw ttThe