The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-01

united In marriage and ordained to
the ministry of God within few days
of each other. A little over twenty
five years previous he was born, and
yesterday these triple events were OBJ
served by an anniversary service at
his church. The affair was arranged
by the members of his congregation
and participated in by his brother pas
tors of the several Evangelical Luther
an churches of the city and members
of their congregations.
The services which marked the an
niversary of three so momentuous
events in the Rev. Lauer's life were
held last evening at the church of
which he is pastor in lieu of the regu-
lar service. The audience was very
large, taxing the capacity of the aud
itorium. The church choir ably assist
ed. Flowers We're used in profusion
as decorations. Rev. A. l.. Ramer. Phi.
D., pastor of St. Marks Lutheran
church. of West Scranton, presided.
In opening he read the Liturgical SER
vice from Psalm 121. Gloria Patri"
was sung, after which Rev. +. H.
Ehinger, of Carbondale, read the
Scripture lesson. The first address
anent the purpose of the services was
made by Rev. G. G.. Spieker. pastor of
Trinity Lutheran church. His subject
was THE Christian Ministry" and he
spoke, in part, as follows:
MR.. sPIEKER's RSMARKs.
"The Christian ministry is Instituted
by God for the purpose of proclaiming
salvation to men. Among the various
callings there is none that deals with
more serious issues than the calling of
the ministry. What is the real work
of the ministry? There are prevalent
many fake conceptions of this calling.
The specific function of the ministry is
the PRONUNCIATION of the Gospel. 1t is
not simply to win applause from
large audience, or to minister to the
purely temporal wants or pleasures of
man.
1T is a work il which God, rather
than man, must be obeyed. The min
lister who has the true conception of
his calling will not measure his sue
cess with the common standard of
worldly renown, but faithfully pursu-
ing his divine calling, will strive to
work acceptably to His who walketh
in the midst of ! the golden candle
Sticks"
passage of Scriptures was read re-
sponsively, bearing particularly upon
the first two parts of the tri3le anpi-
Versary. Miss Helene w. Randolph,
sister of Rev. j. w. Randolph, pastor
of st. Peters Lutheran church sang
Lift Up Thine Eyes" from Mendel-
ssohn, with fine effect. A short ad-
dress was then made by Rev. l.. f.
Lisse, pastor of Christ church. He
! spoke in feeling strain Of the duties
which befall those who are the head
of household and more particularly
minister's home.
Responsive reading concerning tho
years of Rev Lauer's life was read
after which Rev. F. II. Ehinger. of
| Carbondale, spoke on the subject, "The
Silver Jubilee" assigned to Rev. John
| Kowala, pastor of Providence missic n,
who was unavoidably absent "1ho
| silver jubilee of the 6narrIagc of Rev
and Mrs. Lauer is a haTpy occasion
and we wish to convey our heartiest
| congratulation and to bespeaN Cor them
the continued blessings of God on their
happy union" said Mr.. Ehinger. May
their future be as happy and prosper
Gus as their past has been. May they
remain strong, well, and happy to liv,
and also celebrate their golden we'd
ding anniversary"
| FIFTIETH MILESTONE.
| Mrs. A. L. Ramer sang THE Holy
| City" Mrs. Ramer has a well-cuti-
| waited contralto voice and did this
! beautiful song perfect justice. Rev. J.
| w. Randolph, pastor of st. Peters
Lutheran church. spoke upon 1.-The
| Fiftieth Milestone" in substance as
| follows
| AS a traveller journeys over a beau
tiful country, he will mark the dis
| tance over which he has Travelled by
| the milestOnes along the way, so also
may we in our life's journey look into
the past, reflect, contemplate, and rest
| The valleys, the hills, and the plains
| spread out into a beautiful panorama
| rich with all the beauties of nature.
| The Christian pilgrim has likewise a
| broad vision before and about him
| He rejoices to contemplate over the
| many manifestations of divine mercy
| He realizes the hand of God which led
| him hither. He meditates in silen,
| reVerie over visions that are disclosed
to his mental vision. The Rev. Lauer
has been permitted to pass the fiftietl
| milestone. You are now in the mer-
idan of the highest usefulness, en-
| dowed with wisdom and a ripe judg-
ment. May God continue to permit
you to reach also the century stone
The addresses were concluded with
the address by Rev. A. l.. Ramer, Phi.
D.. pastor of St. Marks Lutheran
church. In part, he smoke as follows
upon the subject, "The Shepherd OF
the Flock"
MIR. RAMER'S WORDS.
"The relation between the pastor and
the congregation is frequently express
ed in the Bible by the figure Of the
shepherd and the flock. The minister
is an ambassador for Christ on earth,
and he is to declare the whole counsel
of God to a perishing world. In the
discharge of his calling he is to bring
the message and revelation OF God to
to the people, The apostle eXhorts the
| minister to feed the flock of Cod 1t
| is the work of the pastor TO instruct
and feed the children of God in the
path of righteousness and holiness. lie
! is TO prepare the young for the active
duties of Christian life.
"'The old and the weary need the
word OF the Comforter; the sick and
| afflicted are brought to realize the
| meroies of the Lord in noting His div
| Inc support and unfailing deliverance.
! In every walk of life the circle of the
| Christians life is in close touch with
the ministrations of his pastor. The
relation is beautiful and lasting. May
the present relation continue in un-
| hrolan unitU and diSDansinp a dnubIo