The Record-courier. [volume] (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1904-current, 1920-09-03
IlUenty- Fifth Anniversary Services of
Lutheran Church Largely Attended

trinity Evangelical Lutheran church
OF this place was held Sunday and
was the most auspicious church gath
ering in the history of I.utheranism
in this Valley.
A large number of lay delegates
from Reno, Lassen' county, Fallon,
Carson and other sections added to
the throng which crowded the church
auditorium and gallery to the doors
and overhowed into the church
yard. the services being attended by
nearly five hundred people. During
the twenty-five years of its existence.
over l20o ministerial acts such as
baptisms. combinations. marriages.
bnrials. etc. have been performed.
propriate music, and with altar SER
vices conducted by Rev. Menzel, who
Is also secretary-treasurer of the Ne
yada Lutheran Pastoral Conference
The chief speaker of the day was Rev.
]. +. w Iorstmann of New Wells,
Mo-, pastor of Trinity church for sew
en- years prior to 1907. He based his
sermon on Psalm 126. taking for his
theme "The Lord hath done great
things for us, whereof we are glad"
Rev Horstmann referred to the
events and leadership of God which
caused these words of the psaltery to
be spoken. Israel. he said, was in
captivity in Babylon; yet in view Of
what God has done for them in the
past and relying with firm confidence
ON His promise the He would again
bring them to the land of their fathers
they looked upon their divinely prom
ised freedom as possession already
enjoyed. said the speaker.
Rev. Horstmann drew comparison
between the ancient Israelites and
Trinity congregation by stating that
a few centuries ago. in some cases
only one and one quarter century ago.
its forefathers were not PERMITTED to
worship God or regulate their church
affairs according to His will under
pain of Imprisonment or death. Yet
IN Lord had restored to this congre-
gational liberty. even as He had re-
stored liberty to Israel. he said. To-
day no one dares to take the Bible out
of the home or to interfere with reg
ulating church matters according to
Gods will. Israel looked forward to
restoration and rejoiced. he said;
Trinity congregation was in full po-
session thereof and had enjoyed 1t for
twenty-five years.
The speaker laid special stress on
the blessings flowing from instruction
in the Sunday and Saturday schools
and confirmation classes: of the bless
ings flowing from the work of the
congregation as representing In its
voting members. Ladies' Aids and
Young Peoples organizations. He
stated that none had deserved these
things. that ingratitude had forfeited
them and that all were by nature
under the wrath of God. Yet God had
filled the members with spiritual and
worldly goods and prosperity solely
on account of the blessed merits of
Jesus Christ. He held that nothing
had been preached during these twen-
ty-flve years but Jesus Christ and
Him crncifed; never politics or ques-
tions and topics of the day. For this.
the congregation had the geratest rea-
in Christ do we find forgiveness, life
and salvation; not in other things, he
stated. This alone, continually prea-
ched. can preserve us to the eternal
mansions above. Therefore, he en-
couraged the whole congregation TO
hold fast to its inestimable heritage
and thank God for His promise that
| He would be with them in the future
as He has been with them in the past
The speakers in the afternoon de-
| livered ten-minute addresses. The
Rev. +. Il. Martens enumerated the
reasons for congratulations. called at
/ tention to the ned of all things and OF
the world. apd warned the hearers
that they would be tempted and even
urged to let go of their loyalty to the
church and congregation. He show
/ ed how they could overcome this
! temptation and remain united until