The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-10
WAIT FOR ORDER
German Ministers Here Won't
Give Up Native Tongue.
However, if Law Is Passed
They VIII Obey 1t.
WORK HARDSHIP ON SOME
Older Members of Churches Do
Not Understand English.
Some Are Now Preaching in
English Language.
WORK HARDSHIP ON SOME

The bill in congress to demand that
congregations shall deliver all their
sermons in English, is meeting with
various responses among German
ministers In some cities. men who
have been accustomed to preach in
German, have already signified their
intention to deliver all their sermons
in English.
Among the German church congre-
cations in Topeka are st. Johns Ger
man Evangelical Lutheran, the First
German Methodist and ST. Joseph's
German Catholic. These churches are
not expecting to give up their SER
mons in the native tongue OF their
congregations in advance of the order
frorc the government. But all of them
signify their readiness to follow the
governments wishes as soon as they
are made known.
Rev. A. ]. Ross, of the German
Methodist church, when asked regard
ing his German sermons. said: Some
time ago I began preaching one ser
mon each week in English have re-
tanned the custom of preaching Sun
day mornings in German, and I have
done this especially for my older par
ishioners who do not understand Eng
lish On Sunday evenings I preach in
EDSIlSI, anu DIT THAT IlilC lily Noh6i
cations are largely made up of the
younger people who can understand
either language.
Willing to Use English.
Il am perfectly willing to preach in
English if l can make myself under
stood to mi congregation. l think
everyone who knows me, understands
that there is no doubt of my ioyalIy-
The Rev. Mr.. Ross has preached
number of sermons on loyalty to this
government to his congregation, botf
in German and English
The Rev. Mr.. Mueller. of the Ger
man Lutheran church, thought il
would certainly be a hardship fol
some of his people to listen tossermon:
in English, since a number of then
did not know any English. But he
said. IT am already giving some Of my
sermons in English. My evening ser
mons are usually in that language. bu
number of the older me mbers of my
church would be deprived of theil
weekly religious exercises if they were
conducted in English"
''Of course you understand why the
order is being conSidercd?'' Mr.. Muel
Ter was asked.
YES" he answered. 81 understand,
without further comment.
Father Hcnry's Attitude.
Father Francis Henry, of the Ger
corning the proposed bill in congress
Whatever the authorities decide" h,
answered, will be accepted withou
the slightest hesitation. 1 would no
think it advisable to discontinue m,
present method of preaching to m!
people in advance of the gOvernm emit
order.
THE constituted authorities vii
consider the matter from all sides, an,
after due delibera ton, they will ma X
known their decision. If they think i
best or necessary to make the order
piled with in my parish. They know
what is best, and they will let the PEG
pie know as soon as they decide abou
Isthis matter, just the same as all othe
matters pertaining to the situation ar
decided and conveyed to the public
The church teaches obedience to su
periors, both ecclesiastical and gov
ernmental, and 1 stand ready to yiel,
that obedience.
Rather Henry was asked if the or
der would work much of a hardship
on his people. He replied that h,
| thought it would not. Nearly all o
my parishioners know at least enough
English to understand a sermon il
that language. A few of the olde
ones have only a little English, blu
the matter of the sermons in Englisl
would not be a difficult one t,
| manage"
Congregation Loyal.
The attitude of Father Henry's con
gregation on the subject of loyalt,
| has been very well esta blished b,
| deeds. The parochial school of hi
church. the pupils of which are near
| ly all children of German or Russian
| parentage, has made a phenomena
| record in Red Cross work, in which
all the students from all grades tool
an active and enthusiastic part
WM RAnk GQnlIMn