Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-03-27
Norwegian Royalty
Attend Opening Of
Lutheran Center Here
Roosevelt Sends Letter
Of Good Wishes to Rites
Attended by 1000

The Crown Prince and Princess of
Norway and their children Joined
church and political notables and
more than 1000 spectators yesterday
at dedication ceremonies marking
the opening of the Washington
Lutheran Service Center at 736
Jackson place NV. President Roose-
welt sent letter of good wishes.
The exercises were held on a
raised platform at the entrance to
the house on the west side of Lafay-
cite Park. Before the ceremonies
spectators were entertained by a
Navy School band.
The Norwegian royal family, who
had come to the dedication from
their present home at Pook's Hill
on Rockville pike, included Grown
Prince Olaf and Crown Princess
Martha and their children, Ragn-
hid, 10; Astrid, IL, and Horald, 7.
1t. Col. N. r. Ostgaard, aide de
camp; P. Wedel Karlsberg, master of
the household, and Mrs. Ragni Ost-
gard, lady in waiting, accompanied
them.
President Sends Letter.
President Roosevelt's letter. which
was read by DR.. Gerhard E. Lenski,
president of the Washington Luth-
eran Ministerial Association, said:
Il like to think of the Lutheran
Service Center which you are open
ing on March 81 in the building of
the National Lutheran Council at
1856 Jackson place NV. as typical of
the fine work being done in innum-
cradle communities by all Lutheran
groups in the country.
From Colonial times through
every phase of our history members
of this great religious body have
borne eloquent witness to the fer
vent faith that has ever moved
them to place everything at the
service of God and country.
THE work which the Lutherans
are doing today through service
canteens in all parts Of the country
is in keeping with this fine tradi-
ton. May God bless and prosper
it,"
Many Messages Received.
Messages of good wishes from the
Washington Federation of Churches,
sent by Coleman Jennings, chairman
of the Defense Commission of the
Federation; the Army-Navy Com
mission of the Missouri Synod, sent
by DR.. Paul L. Dannenfeldt, chair
man, and the National Lutheran
Council, sent by N. M. Ylvisaker,
head of the Service Commission,
were also read.
DR.. Ralph H. Long, executive
secretary of the National Lutheran
Council. said in a brief speech that
the dedication brought up the ques-
ton of why a Lutheran Service
Center" There were four answers,
he said. FIRST, we believe Christi
anity is of the utmost Importance
since the finest parts of our civili-
cation have grown out of it. Since
the church is spiritual mother, it
is its duty to help the sons and
daughters who need help under new
conditions. The center, next, aims
to aid those whose lives have been
dislocated by the war by providing
them way in which to fight lone
illness, temptations and dangers
growing out of changed conditions.
Finally, the Lutherans believe this
center will contribute to the well
fare of the Nation by bolstering the
morale of service men and women
and by allaying the anxieties of
parents who wonder what their
children are doing for enjoyment in
moments of leave from duty"
DR.. Sauer Speaks.
DR.. o. A. Sauer, secretary of the
Army and Navy Commission of the
Missouri Synod, declared the joint
operation of the 20 Service Centers
sponsored by the National Lutheran
Council and the Synod has been
conducted through an investment
of more than $1,500,000 "It is" he
added, "a worthwhile investment
which will bring returns in the way
of goodwill, good morale and Chris
tan loyalty"
Capt. Stanton w. Salisbury, acting
director Of the Navy Chaplains' Di-
vision, and Chaplain George F.
Rixey, deputy chief of Army chap
lains, brought greetings from the
armed services.
The introduction was given by DR.
Lenski and the invocation was made
by DR.. Ralph Tabor. pastor Of the
Luther Place Memorial Lutheran
Church. Dr. p. o. Bersell, president
of the National Lutheran Council
formally opened the ceremonies
while the Rev. N. Everett Hedeen,
service pastor of the WASHINGTON