The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1897-07-17

prising part of the nation bowed down
in much reverence and in full confidence.
Recognizing in him this union between
force and guiding spirit, they acknowl-
edged him as their master; they lived
upon his thoughts and for them he was
the hero in whom the nation itself was
embodied, with all it's particular traits.
They gazed upon him with admiration
they surrendered themselves to his con-
troll. because they saw it was nothing
but their own most profound experience,
which was expressed in his writings
more clearly, more eloquently, more
powerfully than they could ever have
expressed it themselves.
Accordingly, for Germany, the name
of Luther is not simply the name of
distinguished man. 1t is the living
germ of period in the nations life; it
is the center of new circle of ideas, the
most direct and apt expression of the re-
ligious and moral views that controlled
the attention of the German spirit, from
the mighty influence of which even they
who opposed them could not entirely es-
cape.
The Almighty God has provided the
Lutheran church with such great and IL
lustrious leaders that it is not at all sur
prising to see this church lead and
guide the world on into all truth and
righteousness. But although the Luth--
eran church has and is still accom- plish-
ing such mighty deeds in Europe, and
although her arm reaches far into Asia,
Africa and into every island of the sea,
yet/her greatest and best work will even
tually be done here on the free soil of
America. She is the author of religious
and political liberty. This two-fold lib
erty is one of the mighty pillars on which
the Lutheran church rests. She is strict
ly Repu blican in her government and
| she can realize her principles to their
full extent only in republic. Free
America is far better adapted to the
principles and life of the true Lutheran
ism than Europe. And the Lutheran
church is hard at work in our grand re-
public today realizing her great privi-
leges here, and fulfilling her still greater
duties toward our people.
In many of our largest cities in the
East the Lutheran church has larger
following than any other denomination.
And in several of the largest cities it has
larger following than all other denom-
nations taken together. She has in
creased twice as fast as the ratio of IN
crease of population in the United States
in the last 20 years. She is rising and
J developing as mighty giant in the far
} East. She is developing to still might
ier and more profound power for good in
the great middle states. She is also
making rapid progress in the South, and
her westward tide is irresistible. 1t has
not crossed the Rocky mountains in its
full force as yet, but it will reach us in
the near future.
In California we have well organized
} synod and large number of ministers
J all working with good success.
In Oregon and Washington the Luth-
eran church is practically unknown yet
although we have established upwards
of dozen congregations in Oregon and
about three dozen in Washington in the
last few years. But we will not remain
/ unknown here much longer.
Ten Lutheran ministers, graduates o.
some of the best schools in the|East, are
: on their way to Oregon now /Hor the pur
/ pose of making this state/their home
; and to establish ten Lutheran parishes
. in Western Oregon.
At some future day, when the Luther
an church will also be mighty in this
state, then 1t will be a credit to ThG
e Dalles that she was one of the first cit
, les of the state to establish a Lutheran
church. l.. GREY.