32 Church Items (Continued from page 26.) vember 9. Rev. J. F. Sponseller is pastor. The congregation was organized in November with 40 charter members and the best church building in the town. -The contract for erecting a new building for Luther Academy, Wahoo, Neb., has been let to C. J. Olson for $18,000. The building Work is to be finished by August 15, 1903. was begun on December 1 last. The new St. Mark Church, Roanoke, Va., Rev. L. G. M. Miller, D.D., pastor, was dedicated November 30. The sermon was preached by Rev. F. A. Kahler, of Buffalo, N. Y., and Rev. J. J. Scherer, D.D., vice-president of the Southwest Virginia Synod, was also present The church was and assisted in the services. recently acquired from Greene Memorial Methodist congregation and has been renovated and repaired. The congregation went into its new church entirely free from debt. Friends of Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, have assured the president that they will provide the means for a new dormitory for the lady students by the opening of the next session. It will have a campus of its own, a spacious dining hall and a splendidly equipped music room. - The new building of the Orphans' Home at Andover, Ill.. of the Illinois Conference, was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies December 12. The dedicatory address was by the president of the Illinois Conference, the Rev. Dr. C. A. Evald. - The new Lutheran Hospital at La Crosse, Wis., was opened in November. -The late Rev. Aaron Finfrock in his will gives the sum of $1,500 to the Parent Education Society of the General Synod, in consideration of the financial aid received from said society during his course of study at Pennsylvania College and Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. -By the will of Jemima Shank, widow of Noah Shank, of Brookville, Ohio, $500 is bequeathed to the Bethel Church of Brookville, to be invested by the council and the net income to be used. The sum of $4,500 is bequeathed to the endowment fund for the chair of historical theology in the Theological Seminary of Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. -The late Mrs. Amelia Oesterlin, of Findlay, Ohio, left a will in which she bequeathed $75,000 for a Lutheran orphans' home, to be located in Springfield, Ohio, and $1,000 for the benefit of Wittenberg College. Good Works-A Christian's Passport Before Men It is related of a great artist that he was once wandering in the mountains of Switzerland when some officials met him and demanded his passport. "I do not have it with me," he replied, "but I am Doré." "Prove it, if you are," replied the officers, knowing who Doré was, but not believing it was he. Taking a piece of paper, he hastily sketched a group of peasants who were standing near, and did it with such grace and skill that the officials exclaimed, Enough; you are Doré." 66 The world cares little for a mere profession. We say we are Christians, and the challenge is, "Prove it." If we are of Christ we must be able to do the works of Christ, to live the life of Christ, to show the spirit of Christ. The artist's skillful drawing proved his identity. We must prove that we are the followers of our Master by the love, the beauty, the holiness of our life.Selected. GREATER THAN CESAR. By Emma Bates Harvey. Pp. 196; $1. James H. Earle & Co., Boston. This is a story of the Christ, introducing several of the characters whose lives touched His life according to our authentic Gospels. It is a faithful tale, spiritually devout, simply and prettily narrated. There is only an occasional departure from incidents included in the Bible record for the telling of legendary incidents. The atmosphere and language are somewhat too modern and American. Golden Gate Tours California and the Pacific Coast resorts have become so popular in recent years with the better class of winter rest and pleasure seekers that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company has decided to run two Golden Gate tours this winter, one to include the famous Mardi Gras spectacle at New Orleans. The first tour will leave New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and other points on Thursday, January 29, and will travel via Chicago, Kansas City and El Paso to Los Angeles and San Diego, An enarriving at the latter point February 2. tire month may be devoted to visiting California resorts, the Golden Gate Special leaving San Francisco on the return trip Tuesday, March 3, and returning vin Salt Lake City, Glenwood Springs, Colorado Springs and Denver. The rate for this tour will be $300, covering all expenses of railroad transportation, including side trips in California, as well as berth and meals on the Golden Gate Special going and returning. No hotel expenses in California are included. Tickets are good for return trip for nine months, excepting that passengers who do not return on the Special must provide their Own Pullman accommodations and meals eastbound. Tour No. 2 will leave Thursday, February 19, by the Golden Gate Special. Cincinnati, Montgomery and Mobile will be visited en route to New Orleans, where the party will stay during the Mardi Gras festivities. The train will be side-tracked for oc cupancy during the three days spent in New Orleans. Stops will also be made at Beaumont, Texas Houston, Texas; San Antonio and El Paso. The train will arrive at San Diego February 28. So far as special train arrangements are concerned. Pasthis tour will be completed at San Diego. sengers may dispose of their time in California as they see it. Should a sufficient number desire to take a suggested trip through California, the services of a Tourist Agent and Chaperon will be placed at their disposal. The rate for this tour will be $275, covering all railroad transportation for the entire trip, including side trips in California, seat at the Mardi Gras Festival, and Pullman berth and all meals on the Golden Gate Special from New York until arrival at San Diego. Private compartments, i.e., drawing rooms or state rooms, may be obtained by the payment of additional charges on both tours. A detailed itinerary is in course of preparation, giving all information concerning these tours. Application should be made to George W. Boyd, Assistant General Passenger Agent, Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, Pa. The Junior Work [ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO REV. C. ELVIN HAUPT, D.D., LANCASTER, PA.] Dates 1903 January 1. The Festival of the Circumcision of Jesus the Christ-child, Oper. 6. Festival of the Epiphany, observed throughout the world as the memorial of the Arrival and Adoration of the Magi at Bethlehem. In some places it is supposed that the Baptism of Jesus fell on the same day 30 years later, but this is not revealed to us. 11. The first Sunday after EpiphanyTopic for the day, "Home Missions: Men." 14. 1521-The burning of the "Bulla " from the pope that attempted to excommunicate believing Luther. 18. Second Sunday after Epiphany DayTopic, "Inner Missions." Boys and girls, you are making now what is to be the part of the story of your life that is most influential in results. What habits are you forming? Are they all good ones? We wish all our Juniors and their Leagues a most Happy and Important New Year! Are any of your little friends "shut ins?" If so, what can you do for them in their invalid or weak condition? Many of the greatest advantages require effort in their attainments. No one sees the broad landscape so well as he who mounts to a tower's outlook or climbs to the summit of a hill. In many directions come the tidings that the Junior Leagues have been busy in the Master's cause; some in gathering new members, others in aiding to supply a bell, an organ, a carpet, books or literature, or whatever may be needed of a similar sort. Katharine Von The Lord bless the workers and their work all over the United States. 25. Third Sunday after Epiphany Day- 29. 1499-Birthday of Bora, wife of Luther. Heinrich 30. Declaration of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, thus closing 30 terrific years of war. For the Junior Drills for January, see the December number Topics." The Four-fold Gospel" and "The Story of the Map." Have you seen the pretty new calendars for 1903, issued by the Luther League of America? They are just the thing for all who want to know what the work of the Church has been in the days gone by and are full of suggestion as to what should be done by us of to-day. Hints It is while we are "Juniors" that the best and most rapid memorizing of Scripture and beautiful verses from the hymns can be won. It is a most vital and useful matter. In arranging for debates for the Junior League care should be taken to select only such subjects as have two fair sides, and are worthy of the attention and investigation of the debaters, and which will draw out the spirit of rivalry in research for information. Of these the causes of education, missions and charity present a wide variety of interesting and useful material. The Leagues of Juniors illustrate the power of union very finely. Therefore, the larger we can make them the better for every member, provided the members are all active and congenial. Who is there of the boys in the Junior League, who would, if encouraged and aided a little, become an excellent minister of the Gospel of Christ? An old man was once asked to tell the secret of his long life. His answer was simply, "I never died." It is because of the life that is hid with Christ in God that the soul of every true baptized and confessing follower of Christ cannot die. A League must live in Christ and for Christ. If we all keep busy in faith and love and good works we cannot destroy the vitality of our League. There is always missionary work to do at home as well as offerings to bring and prayers for the work abroad. The world all around you is a mission field. Could your League not place a beautiful art window in the church or schoolhouse? Are any of the members of the Junior League going to confirmation class this year? We visited a beautiful parish house erected recently at Lebanon, Pa., by private liberality, largely through the enterprise and selfsacrifice of one young man. It is styled "Trinity Hall," and is connected with the Trinity Lutheran parish of that city. We found it equipped with furnishings of every sort that are adapted to the wants of the young people of that city. There is an assembly room, a reading room and a cuisine for social gatherings on the main floor and in addition a fine gymnasium in the basement. Sometimes we can use our time best by waiting.-Shopp. Good intentions are of no value if not productive of good deeds.-Peters. TRADE MARK. IN Changes or Alterations THE Church Advice and information will be Every Question Answered SEND FOR ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK AND &R LAMB OFFICE: 59 Carmine St. STUDIOS: 23, 25 and 27 Sixth Ave. NEW-YORK FLEISCHMANN'S VEGETABLE HAS NO EQUAL C. F. GENNERICH & CO., Wholesale Grocers, Proprietors of the "Enterprise Brand" of |