The Globe-republican., 1901-08-01
DIR. Krum,s Last sermon.

L
lay down my work as the rector of this
church. But through all the five years
and four months that have been here I
l., ave been III the mostlitera1 sense haunt
ed day and night by the work which
saw ought to be done in this missionary
field of our church. When L came here
the parish was in a disorganized condi-
ton. There were only twenty-one COM
municants at that time. two of whom
were only in name. Within three
months three others moved away, leav
ing only sixteen actual me bers of the
parish. There was no church building.
At first the services were held in the
Grand Army hall; then for two years
they were held in the old and uncom
Portable stone building. Then came the
work of church building l.. which I had
the help of only one member of the YES
try. The whole work of getting the sub
scriptions and collecting them, of max
ing the plans for the building, of pur-
chasing the material, of letting the
contracts, and of inspecting the work,
was thr own upon that one and myself.
The Ladies' Guild at that time did very
efficient work in raising funds. Alto
gether the Guild paid S2e7 toward the
building, which was brought to its pres
ent state of completion and conseerat-
ed two years ago the eleventh OF last
September.
Meanwhile, was also looking after
other portions of the field-Larned,
kinsley, Lewis, Pratt, Garden City,
Cimarron, Cess in Morton county; and
Red Point, Optima and Buffato in the
Territory; and later Syracuse, where i
held the first services of the church ever
had in that city and where last summer
another stone church was built and con-
secrated on the sixteenth of June of this
year.
Meanwhile, L was doing another work.
1t was that of gathering classes for con-
firmation, instructing them. and present
ing them to the Bishop for the laying on
of hands. Altogether in this missionary
field I have had lightweight confirmed;
an average of nearly eighteen each
year; of whom forty-eight have been
confirmed in Dodge City, an average of
nearly nine year, as large an average as
any church in this city has received into
full communion. L have baptized
eighty seven, of whom thirty-nine have
been ia Dodge City. l have attended
ten funerals, and have had ten weddings
Meanwhile, L have done another work.
1 hold that minister ought to be man
of learning. TO be that he must be a
student. l hold too, that to acquit him
every time the best sermon he has the
ability prepare. These things L have
done. When I have been going these
long journeys by railroad or wagon road
L have always taken books with me to
read or study. and [ have prepared my
sermons with the greatest care. L have
never tried to be sensational; the church,
me, is too sacred place to be used for
the show business; but 1 have preached
the truth as it is i'll Jesus, solemnly, rev.
erently, stIenuously, as L believe it is the
only clear, pure, true light by which we
find our way through this world in
such manner that at its end may
enter upon state of eternal blessedness- |
L have done another work. It is that
of protecting aud defending the good
name and reputation of our church; and !
today it holds place in this community
from which wrong doing by its bers |
alone will drag it down. And l have /
protected nd defended the reputation of |
its members when they We're attacked.
have doubtless made enemies here be- /
cause have held up the church as infin-
itely above any organization formed by |
men and because I have steadily and !
firmly set my face against every thing
that could weaken break the hold Of
Christ upon the soul.
The twenty-one commandments L found /
when came here had at time in
creased to seventy three. 1t has since |
fallen to sixty-two. because twenty Ell hit |
have moved away and three fallen |
asleep.
My work of preaching the Rector of |
this church ends with this sermon, and !
go to begin Immediately my work in an
other and more Important field of labor. |
There are many here whom / count
among my dearest earthly friends; for
whose good would lay down my life; of
whom shall expect always to hear the
best things; and whom / hope to meet
when my eternal reward shall be given
me. The work I have done here will re-
main- The seed L have sown cannot be
destroyed for l have sown the pure seed
grain Of the truth which liveth and
abideth forever.