The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-19
THIRTY YEARS OF
GLORIOUS WORK
ST. PETERS CHURCH CELE-
BRATEs IMPORTANT EVENT.
First Services Were Held Last
Night in the Church at Petersburg.
Rev. DR.. Laird, Of Philadelphia,
President of the Ministerium of
Pennsylvania Was One of the
Speakers-others Who Partici-
pated in ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
for This Evening.

The Jubilee celebration of the thrill
eth anniversary of the German Evan
gelical Lutheran church of st. Peter
was begun most auspiciously last even
ing at the pretty sanctuary in Peters
burg, and it was a proud and happy
occasion to Pastor Randolph and his
devoted congregation.
The programme was a beautiful one
and it was fitting that the chief speak
er should be the brilliant president of
the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, Rt.
Rev. DR.. Laird, of Philadelphia. The
service opened with a prelude by Gull
mant rendered most skilfully by Pro-
tessor j. Alfred Pennington, the or
ganist of Elm Park church. The choir
| of st. Peters sang an anthem with eX-
| cellent effect. A chorale was also rem
| dered. The vocal features of the even
| ing were a treat to hear. Mrs. L. G.
| Worden and Miss Katherine Timber
| man sang with exquisite taste The
| Lord is My Shepherd" and Miss Tim
| herman gave the magnificent solo, by
| the Waters of Babylon" in her rich
| contralto. Mrs. Worden also sang "Je-
| rusalem" with her customary sweet
ness.
The choir Of Trinity Lutheran church
under the direction of Mr.. Protheroe,
| gave a carefully prepared selection. A
| feature of the evening was the beau
| tlful ritual of the Germanic church.
| DR.. Laird, whose presence was great
| ly appreciated by the congregation.
made thoughtful and interesting ad-
| dress, marked with deep spirituality
and a simple directness that appealed
to every listener. DR.. Laird is man
who would he taken for a bishop any
where, so distinguished and impressive
is he in appearance. While his speech
hetoSens- me scholar and man of wids
culture
DIR. LAIRD'S DISCOURSE.
His text last evening was from
Psalms, Xxvi:S, Lord l have loved Thy
habitation of Thy house, and the place
where Thy honor dwelleth." He spoke
Of the fact that the Christian loves the
church of the living God. because it.
methods prepares him for the kingdom
of Heaven. 1t is the house of saint.
and the ark of salvation, and for hin
the very earnest of heaven. Man'
greatest want is salvation, in tn,
church,; he learns it's blessing and find
the gospel the good news from heaven
|
edge of sins forgiven and of his SOUL
acceptance.
The speaker then said earnestly tha
the church is the home of saints-o
the truly worthy; not that there is no
good done by some who are outside tn
church, but here were the fathers Of tn
faithful. the pious brethren, the lover
of God, the reformers of the world, tn
| hn dc ha Do, T~I
and Luthers. There arc those who ar
proud to be associated with royalty
but it is doubtless best to be with godl
pious souls.
In closing he addressed the peopl
of st. Peters, speaking of the unspeak
able blessing Of thirty years and tha
they should appreciate the divine bless
ing that has upheld the church requit
ing it in fidelity and the exercise o
grace with patience and godly effort
for godliness is profitable unto a
things and by faith, generosity an
Spirituality they should continue in tn
,'ay in which they had set forth.
UNABLE TO BE PRESENT.
Rev. Mr.. Zizleman, of Zion church
was unable to be present. Rev. MI
Niemann, of st. Paurs, Wilkes Barre
made a clever and happy address /
which he presented the congratulation
.. Of his parish. He said the people of s
Peters should utter the three fol
hallelujah" for the past, the presen
and the future veritable "praise b
! to God"
, Rev. Mr.. Spieker, of Holy Trinity
!. this city, also made brief congratula
tory remarks, in which he spoke pleas
antly regarding his own church as tn
younger sister, whose growth the on
: now celebrating its anniversaries ha
watched with loving interest. Fl
brought the heartiest good wishes nc
: only personally, but for his people. Th
I service closed with the conclusion {
the musical programme.
: This evening Mr., Pennington ar
Miss Timberman will assist in the mi
sic. Rev. Mr.. Hunter of Wilkes Barre
n Rev. Mr.. Fischer, of Pittston: Rev. NJ
S Jjcco Nf this citV and Pau Mr.