Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-03
GRACE LUTHERAN
CHURCH JUBILEE
Twenty-ffth Anniversary of
Formation of Congregation
Is Celebrated.
HAS HAD A FINE GROWTH
Addresses Are Given at Service by Or.
{. F. Bartholomew and Or.
c. w. Foss.

An epoch Of more than ordinary i'm
portance in the history Of Grace Luth-
eran church and of the AugustaDa
synod at large, of which organization
the church is a member, was observed
yesterday when the 25th anniversary
OF the organization Of the church was
celebrated. II marked, too. the begin
ming Of new departure that meant
much in the history Of the English
work in the synod. A fitting program
had been arranged and was carried
out before an audience that filed the
church. The jubilee sermon was de-
livered by DR.. E. F. Bartholomew. one
OF the first pastors to minister 10 the
church, who spoke in part as follows:
Then Samuel took a stone and set II
between Mizpah and Shen and called
the name Of it Ebenezer, saying, Hith-
erto hath the Lord helped ST.. Sam
7.12.
This act Of Samuel marks a great
victory over the Philistines, the enemy
OK Israel. The prophet had called the
house Of Israel together In a great pub
lie meeting, the object OF which was
inc REIMBURSEMENT OF the faith of
ther fathers. This convention was
followed by the observances of i'm
pressive religious solemnities, such as
fasting, confession OF sins, the Offering
or sacrifices and prayer. When the
Philistines heard Of this national gath
c"!ng, fully approaching its import
ance, they went up against Israel They
saw In II the rising spirit Of religious
patriotism among the Israelites and
they made a desperate effort TO crush
IT, Then the people earnestly besought
the prophet 10 intercede for them. The
prayers and sacrifices Of Samuel were
promptly answered and a marvellous
dellyerance was effected. To mark
this victory aud remind coming gen.
oratiOns OF the divine assistance in
the moment OF crisis. the prophet set
up memorial stone at Mizpah, across
which was written the word "Eben-
eyer" which meant Hitherto has the
Lord helped us"
This 25th anniversary OF the found.
INK or Grace Lutheran church is such
memorial occasion. The people of
this congregation are called together
in solemn assembly TO engage in an
act of worship, to make confession of
sins, to review the mercies OF God, 10
give thanks for his goodness. and to
renew their faith and their vows OF
conservation. Here they raise their
Ebeuezer, saying: Hitherto hath the
Lord helped US"
MARKS victory OF FAITH.
First This celebration marks a
great victory OF faith. Twenty-Five
years ago a small handful Of disciples.
feeling the need OF an English Luth-
eran congregation in Rock Island, or
Eanized Grace Evangelical Lutheran
church They were poor there we're
only a few families. they had no per-
manent place for worship they knew
not where 20 look for help. there were
all kinds OF difficulties in the way; but
they had faith and courage and hope,
and so relying upon the help of God,
they proceeded with the new enter
prise. The outlook was dscouraging,
but the work went on and steadily
progressed II was a work Of faith,
and God has wonderfully blessed IL.
The magnitude Of the victory is not
measured by the opposition and diff
Culties overcome: this would be only
the negative and less important side
of II. In a far deeper sense the victory
IS 20 be measured by its effects on the
people themselves and by the con-
structive work which this Cougrega
ito nhas performed in this community.
Tire greatness OF a battle is not deter
mined by the number of lives lost. by
the amount Of property destroyed. by
the number OF prisoners taken or any
such like things, but rather by the de-
gree i'm which the battle has been truly
decisive of important issues So the
tr.umphs OF faith are 10 be estimated
by the saving influences they start
into motion. by the changes they
bring about, by the institutions they
foster. by the new spiritual life they
create. by the works Of faith. hope and
love they produce, by the souls they
redeem and quicken and start upon
tho heavenward way BY such a stan
dard the greatness OF the work which
the congregation has accomplished,
within the period OF It's existence is to
Dee estimated
The full history Of these % years OF