The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-28
COMMITTED TO THE FLAMES.
LUTHERANs CREMATE THE CAN
CELLED BONDS OF THE CHURCH.

Jubilee Festivities at the Church Of
the Ascension-The Indebtedness
of the Congregation on Its Proper
ty Adjoining the Church Wiped
Out-Addresses by Members of the
Congregation.
There was large gathering in the lee
ture room of the Lutheran Church of the
Ascension last night to witness the burn
ing of the church's cancelled bonds, and
to indulge in jubilee festivities.
The bonds were on the property at the
rear Of the church for several years. They
were in denominations of $500, 500 and $25.
By dint of hard work, much of which was
done by the ladies. of the church at the
fair held last fall, the officers have been
enabled to cancel the bonds. 1t was
agreed that the event could best be cele-
brated by such an occasion as that of
last night, and the evidences of joy dis
played showed that the church members
are happy in the knowledge that they
have been relieved from all debt.
The exercises were presided over by
Capt. Jacob Paulsen president of the
board of trustees. A programme of songs
and addresses had been prepared. The
songs were rendered by the choir and by
the Gesangverein Teutonia. A declama-
ton in German by Mr.. j. H. Mollerlng,
though not altogether ineligible to all
in the audience, was nevertheless enjoy
ed. 1t was given with an expression that
delighted the hearers.
Addresses were made by the pastor
Rev. DR.. Schaeffer; Rev. j. H. Harms,
Capt Paulsen, Capt. Henry Kolshorn,
Capt w. N. Nichols and Mr.. E. A M
Schroeder. All were congratulatory upon
the event the members of the church had
gathered together to celebrate. Capt
Paulsen said:
1T is indeed a happy occasion that
brings us together tonight, and I am
pleased to see so many present. Tonight
we have money to burn This is an unus-
ual thing for church. have been a mem
Der of this church for twenty-five years,
and once before we had a bond burning
service, but debt still remained. Tonight,
we shall make clean sweep and declare
our independence. Through long years
we have struggled for this hour. 1t is now
my great pleasure to congratulate you all,
In placing the buildings in the rear of the
church, debt of 5000 was incurred. 1t
worried the trustees and burdened the
church for eight years Our efforts TO
cancel this debt have been crowned with
success at last, and we are met together
tonight to rejoice and give thanks for
our deliverance from bondage
Whilst many of our male members have
been active and liberal 1 wish in behalf
of the board of trustees to give special
prominence to the splendid work done by
our noble women. But for their jealous
and self-d enying efforts to cancel our
debt this service would not be possible
tonight Our particular thanks we there
fore extend to the women of our church,
who are always foremost in every good
word and work. One feature in all our
efforts to raise our debt that is particular
ly gratifying, is the harmonious, pleasant
and cheerful way in which 1t was done
One purpose ran through all hearts An
other thing, it was so easily done that no
one felt any poorer for having contribut-
ed TO 1t. -.,I a-
las church we are now In condition
where we may do much good. We must
be thankful for this night and for what
has been done, but we must not relax
our efforts. We must go forward. Our
Lutheran pride must incite us to redou-
BILE our efforts. Let us all labor and pray
that peace and harmony and goodwill
may continue among us. Our life is too
short for anything else. Let us, then, in
the faith of our Lord, and in love for each
other, join hands and hearts with our pas
tor and each other to help on the good
work of our church. This is to be a So
cable, and / invite you all to be sociable,
cheerful and happy, that you may go
away tonight feeling how good and pleas
ant it is to live and work together in the
church of our Lord"
Upon the conclusion of the address, the
bond burning took place. The package
of cancelled papers were thrown, one by
one, into the large stove many of those
present taking a hand in the work of
feeding the flames. When the last Law
smouldering more congratulations were
exchanged. Refreshments, prepared by
the ladies of the church, We're served at
the tables that had been arranged on the