The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-13
ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH
INTERESTING EVENTS IN ITS
LOCAL HISTORY.
Tenth Anniversary Sermon Deliv-
cred Yesterday by Rev. w. S.
Hoskinson.

Hoskinson.
Rev. Mr.. Hoskinson gave some rem
aniscences of the church, after which the
ceremony OF the burning of note was
much enjoyed by ALL This leaves the
church in good condition financially
and removes an hind1ance to its pro-
gress. Mr.. Hoskinson spoke in part as
follows:
1t was when the melancholy days
had come, but in some respect the most
beautiful of all the year, that we land
ed from the overland train IN the city
OF Sacramento. That was IN 1888,
October Sth, just after the first Rain OF
that very rainy season of 'S9-9O mad
fallen. We found mud in these streets
that morning and continued to find it
till about the next May.
One month was spent searching for
prospective Lutherans with as poor
success as could be imagined. But by
the end of the month of visiting and
urging we determined to hold a meet
ing. This was advertised and persons
were pledged to come and occupy the
chairs, and on the afternoon of Novem-
Der 10th the first Lutheran service in
the English language was held in Pion-
eer Hall.
One or two persons that afterWard
became members of this church were
present at that first service. Services
We're kept up in the afternoon for some
time with considerable encouragement
some dropping out, others coming in,
until it was thought we'll to change to
the regular morning hour. The win
ter was a hard one for church work
and almost drowned us out The fol-
lowing March, however, it was thought
best to organize and get a name and
place among the churches here, and
this was done with thirty-three char
ter members. OF this number four
nave died, ten have moved away, and
the rest still hold membership here. In
all there have been received into the
membership of this church 2S9, most
of whom are members to-day. We
could not think of taking time to re-
call the trials, ups and downs, the diff
culties meeting us in the way of pro-
SreSS of the church. nor could we be-
gin to sum up the joys, encour- gements
blessings that dropped for us like
mamma from heaven, in all these years.
Only God could know how hard and
trying the work has been at times. and
then he has interviewed with ready help
ana cheer for the weary toilers that has
made all the clouds to rise and float
away. The prayer of faith has been
heard and answered here in this work
time and again. And to God be the
praise for any degree of success at
tending us in these years
Nearly year we worshiped in Pion-
Ger Hall, then till spring of '92 in Fire
mans Hall, when We came to the fin
lshed lower room of this new church
Here we Worshiped for nearly five
Years, when God sent us friends to help
complete the upper room. The church
Kept growing and widening in its use
fitness all this time by slow but steady
growth. Some helpers would drop out
of the ranks but others would step in
and shoulder the burden. In this way
we have been greatly cheered and
blessed The loyal, faithful workers
that have stood by this church have
been the joy and inspiration of it's pas
tor in all these years. Some have al
ready left US and gone to receive their
reward of well DONE Others are
hands find to do-a loyal, noble. Chris
tan band. No tribute that l or any
other one could pay them would be
too high for the faithful followers of
Christ in this church Not that all
have been equally faithful, of course
not some may have been very unfaith-
ful and to their God must they answer.
But as rule you have responded no.
bly, to the appeals of your pastor for
help. How often have you cheered his
heart and sent him in gratitude to his
God, 1t is only from the fewest num-
Der that he has received disappoint-
ment. Nearly always have you re-
sponded cheerfully and Immediately,
which is always the truest and best
service that can be given.
And so the weeks and months have
grown into years. and your lives have
been worked into the history of this
church-indeed. the history of this
church is simply a coverlet made up OF
patches from your lives. But how
precious are those patcheSI You
wouldn't take them back if you could
so rich in experiences, Aturning to you
such fuIlness of blessing. No one re-
grets the work done in Christ's service
any more than the hero laments the
blood that flowed from his wound on
the field of battle. 1t was his joy to
pour out his blood for his country AS
General Beaver, holding up his crutch
before a vast audience, said: This l
won at Fredericksburg" Service was a
great privilege-loss of limb even a
glory. Then, how strange is it that
every one does not write his life deep
into the records of the church of Jesus
Christ? The best institution on earth
the only institution that has on it the
seal of Almighty God. All others must
and will fail and crumble to decay, but
this abideth. Destruction is sure to
come to every man-made institution,
but the gates of hell shall not prevail
against the church of Christ for she is
the bride of Christ and one day will
the Bridegroom come again to meet
her. Then the cleansed and purified
church of Christ will no longer be found