our station is being heard. Since no reports have at this writing been received from States beyond the Rocky Mountains, California, Oregon, etc., we would appreciate a report as soon as Station KFUO has been heard in the far West.

Those who do not get our programs clearly would do us a favor if they would inquire of others in their neighborhood and find out if their experience has been the same. We shall always thankfully receive constructive criticism. Station KFUO has been put into the service of spreading the great truths of God for man's salvation, and we desire that it should give the best service possible. Communications received are acknowledged. We are also prepared to send our special verified reception stamp to such as will send us ten cents in coin.

Pastors are requested to insert a news item in their local paper, briefly describing Station KFUO (see last issue of the WITNESS) and giving the time of our broadcasting.

The program for January was printed on the last page of the December 30, 1924, issue. Tell your friends to tune in. All cards or letters should be addressed to the Radio Committee, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.

WALTER A. MAIER. JOHN H. C. FRITZ.

Radio Committee.

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Names of some of the places where Station KFUO has been heard, and some encouraging remarks of listeners follow: Ashland, Ky.: "Coming in fine. Music and Scripture-readings were distinctly heard." Havana, Cuba: "Prof. Wm. Arndt's sermon on repentance received perfectly Louisville, Ky.: "Practically all of the service was received in distinct form in our home here in Louisville. We listen in on a good many stations throughout the country, but do not hear any better music than was included in your program." Cincinnati, O.: "Reception was very plain and could be heard all over the room through the loud speaker." Philadelphia, Pa.: "Received the dedication of your station Sunday evening, December 14." Columbus, O.: "Heard your program. Music came through fine." Boaz, Wis.: "Program was very good." Pittsfield, Mass.: "Heard the first regular program and the second group of Christmas songs." Concordia, Mo.: "Came in clear and loud." Warrenton, Mo.: "Of all the Christmas programs we heard, from coast to coast, from north to south, yours was the best." Chicago, Ill.: "We particularly enjoyed the straight and true Gospelmessage on salvation." The Grove, Tex.: "Heard part of your program Sunday night." Nokomis, Ill.: "Programs have been well received." Kramer, N. Dak. (20 miles from Canadian line): "Came in fine. One of our members in town also heard KFUO." Detroit, Mich.: "Program received loud and clear." Atlanta, Ga.: "Your program came in clear." Fredericktown, Mo.: "Heard all of the program Christmas morning, which was greatly appreciated." Harrisburg, S. Dak.: "Very clear." Maysville, Ky.: "Your broadcasting pleased me very much. Through an instrument like this you are in a position to preach to millions at one time and do the work of God. A Lutheran without a church wishing you God's blessings in this work." Menasha, Wis.: "KFUO comes in very loud." Decatur, Ill.: "The sermon came in exceptionally well." Kenesaw, Nebr.: "The program was fine. Give us some more like it." Canton, Kans.: "We enjoyed the sermon by the Rev. A. Doerffler very much, also the talk by the missionary from China." Foley, Ala.: "We heard everything as finely as we could wish for." Delaware, Iowa: "We heard your station the evening of December 14 as plainly as though you had been in our next room." Sanborn, Minn.: "I am glad that the Zion which preaches the truth is at last raising her voice to make the Gospel known among the babel of voices in the a." Homestead, Iowa: "Program came in fine." Canton, Kans.: "Your programs are surely enjoyed by a houseful every time." Austin, Tex.: "Enjoyed your program to-night. Thanks!" Princeton, Ind.: “Heard your services fine on this beautiful Christmas morning. Was well pleased with the sermon and the fine music. Everything came in fine and was as plain as if I had been in the studio. I am a shut-in, and words fail to express my appreciation of sermon and music." Edwardsville, Ill.: "Your splendid Christmas program given by Holy Cross Church was well received over loud speaker this morning." Swarthmore, Pa.: "Enjoyed your program very much." South Bend, Ind.: "Program fine. Wishing you all success and Happy New Year." Newman, Ill.: "We particularly enjoyed the singing by the schoolchildren, as it recalled the good old schooldays. The sermon was very inspiring and just as clear as if it were being preached right in the room instead of 186 miles away." Shawneetown, Mo.: "Thank you most sincerely! Everything was so beautiful-fine sermons, wonderful singing by every one. Dr. Schmidt's solo parts were fine. KFUO is the best radio station!" Columbia, Ill.: “As I am sick and have been lying in bed for over two years, not able to get up at all, you might know I enjoyed the program very much; and those talks and sermons by the pastors made me feel so good." Albany, Ala.: "Program came in fine." Shelton, Conn.: "Your station was heard very plainly, and I hope to hear from you often." Fall River, Mass.: "Volume and clarity all that could be wished. Sermon came through clear."

Buffalo, N. Y.: "Coming in on our loud speaker with good volume. Enjoyed your program very much, especially the singing of the children of Holy Cross School." Hamilton, Ont.: "Received your program of Sunday night." Corsicana, Tex.: "KFUO came in clear here to-night." Milwaukee, Wis.: "Sermon was heard clearly over loud speaker." Arlington, Minn.: "The selections by the children, chorus as well as the sermon by Rev. Peters came in clear and distinctly." Rochester, N. Y.: "Enjoyed the service very much. It was very clear and loud." St. Paul, Minn.: "You came in splen didly." Canton, Kans.: “This is to tell you that we enjoyed your Christmas program yesterday evening immensely. The singing a the children of the Holy Cross School was fine, and the solo sung by the Rev. C. C. Schmidt was very loud and clear. We want to thank the Rev. W. D. Peters for the 'telegram' which he delivered to us; it was so loud and plain that every word was understood. Brooklyn, N. Y.: "Came in very clearly in spite of heavy code inter ference." Bremen, Ind.: "About fifteen of my friends all enjoyed the children's singing as well as the fine sermon by Rev. Peters." Brooklyn, N. Y.: "The sermon on Sunday night, December 28, came in very clearly on our loud speaker and was very enjoyable." Re selle, N.J.: "Sermon came in wonderfully on loud speaker.” Emb den, N. Dak.: "Came in strong and clear. We liked the sermon very much." Milwaukee, Wis.: "You came in very clear." Chicago. Ill. "Quite a treat to hear the broadcasting of our St. Louis Seminary, not mentioning the fact that it was great for me to hear KFU coming in so distinctly in Chicago with all of our big stations oper ating at full blast." Dumont, Minn.: "We could not wish for any thing plainer than what we heard last night. And it surely was interesting. . . . Rev. W. D. Peters' sermon was quite in contrast to those on the radio a few minutes before. . . . My congregation members are enjoying these programs very much, indeed. One lady told me yesterday that it was the best that comes over the radio.

During the month of December the Walther League Radio Committee of Chicago obtained broadcasting of twelve programs and broadcast a Christmas cantata and the Christmas story by the choir of St. Paul's Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. On Christmas Eve, Christmas carols were broadcast by the children of St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran Church; Mr. R. List, director. The same evening WLS broadcast Christmas carols sung by the children of Golgotha Evangelical Lutheran Church, conducted by Teacher Theo. J. Wichmann. On Christmas Day a choir of 240 voices from Tabor Ev. Lutheran Church sang a Christmas cantata conducted by Teacher Ed L Marquardt.-J. M. BAILEY.

Rev. P. L. Dannenfeldt, of Emmaus Church, Cincinnati, broadcasts regularly via WLW. He says in his church-paper: "The number of Missouri Synod Lutherans is growing steadily who live where there is no Lutheran church and who are being reached through our radio services. These are some of our most appreciative and grateful listeners. At Dayton, O., where our Synod has no church, a correspondent writes that he will invite all the Missouri Synod Lutherans in that city to his home to listen in at our next services. So far he has the names of only about six or eight, but he hopes that thus a nucleus may be gathered for a future congregation, which, as he says, will probably be the first 'Radio Mission Church' in our circles."

New Publications.

Proceedings of the Fifty-Second Convention of the Central District of the Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1924. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 25 cts.

The Rev. Paul L. Dannenfeldt's English paper on "The Doctrine of the Call to the Public Ministry of the Word and Some of Its Practical Features" is printed out in full. After definitely fixing the exact teaching of God's Word on this subject, the essayist clearly and forcibly shows how this doctrine affects both pastor and congregation and tends to bring about, and preserve, a right and God-pleasing relation between the pastor and his people. The facts and truths brought out in this paper are exactly those which pastors and congregations must heed if conditions in the churches are to remain satisfactory. S.

Proceedings of the Third Convention of the Colorado District of the Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1924. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 34 cts. This report offers an English paper by the Rev. Otto Heerwagen on "Church Discipline," and a German paper by the Rev. Theo. Hoyer on "The Saving Grace of God" is continued, the essayist beginning with the discussion of his fifth thesis. S.

ebzehnter Synodalbericht des Oregon- und Washington Distrikts der Ev.-Luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio und andern Staaten. 1924. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 20 cts.

on.

This report contains Dr. Pieper's paper on "Unionism," in which e essayist discusses the question whether a Freemason at times ay be supposed to be a Christian. This leads him to an appraiseent of Masonry and to fixing its religious status. After discussgo the fundamental principles involved in our position against ionism, he answers the chief arguments which are urged against e uncompromising position of Missouri Lutherans in this quesIn a fair, but victorious manner he deals with the following jections to our practise: 1. "We ought to have patience with the eak." 2. "We ought to exercise Christian love toward the erring." "We ought to remember that there are Christians in other urches." 4. "It is presumptuous and well-nigh pharisaical for y church to declare that it has the full truth and is sure of its sition." 5. "If only those are to practise Christian fellowship ho agree in all articles of the Christian faith, there will never be union of the Church, certainly not one that will command respect." e also discusses union brought about by using ambiguous language. In speaking of these points, Dr. Pieper enters upon the discuson of the perspicuity and clearness of Holy Writ and answers ose who declare that Scripture itself is at times not very clear. 1 this connection he writes as follows: "Every explanation, also e explanation of the best exegetes, is always less clear than the Word of the Scriptures itself, seeing that every explanation must self be tested by the Word of the Scriptures as to its correctness. Ithough this truth is self-evident, it is nevertheless frequently forotten. And that is the source of all the errors with which the hurch has been plagued and through which it has been disunited. was for this reason that Luther, the God-given Reformer of the hurch, called the Church back to the plain, naked Word of the criptures, to nuda Scriptura, as he expresses it in Latin. Luther rites (XVIII, 1293): 'We ought to know that the Scripture, withut any gloss [that is, without any explanation] is the sun and the hole light from which all teachers receive their light, and not the pposite.' Luther calls those people fools and silly who instead of aching and fighting on the basis of the bare, plain Word of the criptures wish to do this by their explanations or glosses."

This subject of unionism also in connection with the lodge situaion to-day is of the utmost importance. Our pastors and congregaions must be informed and instructed on this point. Dr. Pieper forealls what will happen if we grow weak in our position on unionism. nd we will grow weak if we are not well instructed. Let us thereore read and reread this essay. Let us see to it that these points re made clear also to all of our people. S.

uther's Preface to the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. By Prof. W. H. T. Dau, D. D. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 10 cts.

This is a reprint of Dr. Dau's new translation of Luther's celerated Preface, which appeared in the November number of the heological Monthly. Reading it, we are again impressed with uther's mighty destruction of legalism and his successful defense f the faith. And we are also struck by the excellent translation with which Dr. Dau has furnished us. Reading it, we recognize ow altogether superior Luther is to the so-called Church Fathers nd Schoolmen, and also to our moderns. Oh, the pity that men lo not, or cannot, read Luther! We thought of quoting something rom this Preface here in this brief notice, but we concluded that uch a brief quotation could scarcely be satisfactory. Send for the eaflet and read for yourself; that will be satisfactory, we are sure. S.

Miscellaneous.

Ordinations and Installations.

Ordained under authorization of the European Free Church's Board for Home Missions:

On 2d Sunday in Advent, 1924: Candidate M. J. Naumann n Trinity Church, Klein, Tex., by Pastor G. A. Naumann. Ordained under authorization of the respective District President: On 3d Sunday in Advent, 1924: Candidate E. L. Woldt in Trinity Church, Lansing, Mich., by Pastor P. F. Woldt. Installed under authorization of the respective District Presidents: A. Pastors:

On 10th Sunday after Trinity, 1924: The Rev. H. E. Brauer in Zion Church, Marengo, Ill., by Pastor L. Seidel.

On 23d Sunday after Trinity: The Rev. A. Pera in Trinity Church, Woodworth, N. Dak., by Pastor R. E. Wahl.

On 2d Sunday in Advent: The Rev. A. Widiger in Trinity Church, Algiers, La., by Pastor E. Schmid.

On 3d Sunday in Advent: The Rev. W. F. Luebke in Trinity Church, Muskegon, Mich., by Pastor C. F. Lederer. - The Rev. H. Behning in St. Paul's Church, Cross Plains, Ind., by Pastor Th. Frank. — The Rev. E. Schuelke at Ridgeway, N. C., by Prof. E. Berg.

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ENGLISH DISTRICT. — Synodical Budget Treasury: Mount Olive, Minneapolis, $120.31; Calvary, Buffalo, 187.68; Redeemer, St. Paul, 1,548.78; Pilgrim, Lakewood, O., 187.58; St. John's, Hannibal, Mo., 200.00; Berea Sunday-school, Riverview Gardens, Mo., 14.36; Pilgrim, St. Louis, 160.83; Redeemer, Baltimore, 100.00; Redeemer, St. Louis, 159.00; Emmanuel, Asheville, N. C., 65.79; Redeemer, Detroit, 200.00; Calvary, Harrisburg, Pa., 10.00; Mount Calvary, Lancaster, Pa., 11.96. ($2,966.29.) Board of Support: Concordia, Akron, O., 74.00. Contingent Reserve Fund: Grace, Harrisburg, Pa., 5.00. Deaf-mute Missions: Our Savior, St. Paul, 18.80; Mount Calvary Friendship Circle, St. Louis, 5.00; Grace Sundayschool, Elyria, O., 8.06. ($31.86.) European Missions: Grace, Harrisburg, Pa., 5.00. Foreign Missions: St. Stephen's, Catawba Co., N. C., 50.00; Our Savior Sunday-school, Port Huron, Mich., 8.25; St. Paul's, Clyde, N. Y., 5.45; Calvary Catechumens, Buffalo, 10.45. ($74.15.) General Home Missions: Concordia, Akron, O., 26.00, from Sunday-school, 100.00. ($126.00.) Immigrant and Seamen's Missions: Grace, Harrisburg, Pa., 5.00. Indian Mission: Mount Calvary Friendship Circle, St. Louis, 5.00; Calvary Catechumens, Buffalo, 5.00. ($10.00.) Negro Missions: Christ Concordia League, Hickory, N. C., 10.00; Grace, Harrisburg, Pa., 11.86; St. Stephen's, Catawba Co., N. C., 29.57; Augustana, Catawba Co., 3.35; Our Savior, St. Paul, 4.32; Redeemer Sunday-school, Indianapolis, 37.29; Mount Calvary, Lancaster, Pa., 8.00; Calvary Catechumens, Buffalo, 500, from members, 2.00. ($111.39.) South American Missions: Grace, Harrisburg, Pa., 5.00. Synodical Treasury: Our Savior, St. Paul, 27.51; Grace, Harrisburg, Pa., 5.00. ($32.51.) Synodical Building Fund: Grace, Harrisburg, Pa., 50.65; Mount Olive, Minneapolis, 154.40; Pilgrim, Lakewood, O., 500.00; Redeemer, Fords, N. J., 73.00; St. Stephen's, Catawba Co., N. C., 29.25; Grace, Glenellyn, Ill., 152.00; Redeemer, Baltimore, 75.00; Emmanuel, Asheville, N. C., 48.79; Our Savior, St. Paul, 115.00; Grace, Elyria, O., 287.55; Redeemer, North Tonawanda, 180.00; Calvary, Harrisburg, Pa., 51.75; St. Peter's, Conover, N. C., 15.50; Mount Calvary, Lancaster, Pa., 18.50; Mount Calvary, St. Louis, 86.00. ($1,837.39.) District Budget Treasury: Our Savior, St. Paul, 206.35; Mount Olive, Minneapolis, 217.60; Calvary, Buffalo, 231.84; Redeemer, St. Paul, 956.85; St. John's, Catawba Co., N. C., 20.00; Pilgrim, Lakewood, O., 139.00; St. John's, Hannibal, Mo., 335.90; Berea Sundayschool, Riverview Gardens, Mo., 10.64; Pilgrim, St. Louis, 91.66; Redeemer, St. Louis, 117.80; Grace, Elyria, O., 115.70; Redeemer, Detroit, 150.00; Calvary, Harrisburg, Pa., 11.04. ($2,604.38.) District Church Extension Fund: Mount Calvary, Lancaster, Pa., 5.50. District Treasury: Pilgrim, St. Paul, 32.63; sale of reports of District Convention, 6.50. ($39.13.) Ministerial Education Fund: Our Savior, Port Huron, Mich., 6.68; Calvary Catechumens, Buffalo, 5.00. ($11.68.) District Mission Treasury: Our Savior, St. Paul, 31.34; Emmanuel Sunday-school, Baltimore, 100.00; St. Paul, Clyde, N. Y., 11.95; Bethany, Violetville, Md., 26.00. ($169.29.) American Bible Society: Calvary, Buffalo, 10.00. European Relief: Redeemer L.A. S., Baltimore, 10.00; Calvary Catechumens, Buffalo, 5.00, from members, 4.00. ($19.00.) American Lutheran Publicity Bureau: Calvary, Buffalo, 25.00. Bethlehem Orphanage, Fort Wadsworth: Calvary, Buffalo, 10.00. Buffalo Institutional Missions: Calvary, Buffalo, 30.00. Buffalo Mission Society: Calvary, Buffalo, 50.00. Chicago

City

Lutheran Church Extension: Trinity, Oak Park, Ill., 86.39. Mission in Detroit: Iroquois Ave. Christ, Detroit, 100.00. City Mission in St. Louis: Congregations in St. Louis: Pilgrim, 22.91; Redeemer, 35.81; Mount Calvary, 129.91. ($188.63.) City Mission in New York: Grace, Bedford Park, N. Y., 30.00. City Mission in St. Louis-Colored: Mount Calvary Friendship Circle, St. Louis, 5.00. Deaf-mute Institute in Detroit: Mount Olive, Cleveland, 50.00; Calvary, Buffalo, 20.00; Grace Sunday-school, Cleveland, 25.00; Calvary L. A. S., Harrisburg, Pa., 5.00. ($100.00.) Concordia College in Bronxville: Calvary, Buffalo, 100.00. Concordia College in Conover: St. John's, Catawba Co., N. C., 7.00. Concordia College in Oakland: Christ L. A. S., San Francisco, 20.00. Deaf-mute Mission in St. Paul: Our Savior, St. Paul, 18.80. Bethesda Home in Watertown: Mount Calvary Friendship Circle, St. Louis, 5.00; Calvary, Buffalo, 15.00; Grace Sunday-school, Elyria, O., 11.73. ($31.73.) Home for the Aged in St. Louis: St. John's, Hannibal, Mo., 5.00; Redeemer, St. Louis, 6.96. ($11.96.) Lutheran Laymen's League: Grace Sunday-school, Elyria, O., 51.89. Hospital in St. Louis: Redeemer, St. Louis, 6.96. Sanitarium in Wheat Ridge: St. Mark's, Sheboygan, proceeds from sale of Christmas Seals, 11.00. Orphanage in Des Peres: St. John's, Hannibal, Mo., 30.00. Congregations in St. Louis: Mount Calvary, 325.00, from Friendship Circle, 5.00; Pilgrim, 193.00, from W. H., 50.00; Redeemer, 24.02; Mount Calvary, 2.10. ($629.12.) Galician Orphans: Pilgrim, St. Louis, 10.00. Chapel in Alexandria, La.: Trinity Sunday-school, Hammond, Ind., 20.50; Our Savior Sunday-school, Port Huron, Mich., 22.45. ($42.95.) Negro Missions Building Fund: Emmanuel Sunday-school, Baltimore, 75.00; Concordia Sunday-school, Akron, O., 60.00; Grace Sunday-school, Elyria, O., 20.43, from Dorcas Society, 10.00; Calvary Sunday-school, Harrisburg, Pa., 11.56. ($176.99.) Designated Students in India: Emmanuel Sunday-school, Baltimore, 35.00; St. John's L. A. S., Hannibal, Mo., 40.00; Calvary Dorcas Circle, Buffalo, 35.00. ($110.00.) Society of Missouri for Homeless Children: W. H., Pilgrim, St. Louis, 50.00; Redeemer, St. Louis, 2.90. ($52.90.) Pension Fund: Rev. E. H. Paar, Harrisburg, Pa., 2.50. Walther League Mission Fund: Grace Y. P. S., Elyria, O., 4.21; Trinity Walther League, Missoula, Mont., 4.35. ($8.56.) GRAND TOTAL: $10,059.95. January 3, 1925. WM. E. JUNGE, Treas., 3947 Labadie Ave., St. Louis, Mo. NORTH DAKOTA AND MONTANA DISTRICT. · September 15 to November 15, 1924: Synodical Treasury, $57.28; Board of Support, 800; General Home Missions, 110.82; Budget Treasury, 101.02; Synodical Building Fund, 954.82; other missions, 407.29; Home Missions, 6,358.08; Church Extension Fund, 205.50; Indigent Students' Fund, 93.08; Relief in Europe, 34.24. Total, $8,320.13. P. MEYER, Treas. NORTH WISCONSIN DISTRICT. November 15 to December 15, 1924: Budget, $2,909.93; Charities, 187.43; Miscellaneous, 3,279.50. Total, $6,376.86. W. H. DICKE, Treas. OKLAHOMA DISTRICT.- November 1 to December 31, 1924: Synodical Budget, $601.11; District Budget, 1,720.92; Synodical Building Fund, 1,312.75; Miscellaneous, 826.93. - Total, $4,461.71. F. H. PRALLE, Treas.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT. - Up to and including November 19, 1924: Budget Treasury, $276.69; Synodical Building Fund, 967.98; Mindekranz account Negro Missions (from pastors and teachers of New Orleans, in memory of Teacher D. Meibohm), 50.00; Miscellaneous, 4.45. Total, $1,299.12. Up to and including December 22, 1924: Budget Treasury, $236.74; Synodical Building Fund, 870.65; Miscellaneous, 87.22. Total, $1,194.61. M. J. HELLMERS, Fin. Sec. SOUTH WISCONSIN DISTRICT. December, 1924: Budget Treasury, $7,786.79; Synodical Building Fund, 37,472.75; Miscellaneous, 2,139.05. Total, $47,398.59. A. Ross, Treas.

TEXAS DISTRICT. - September 15 to December 15, 1924: Current Expenses, $35.18; Indigent Students' Fund, 904.23; District Home Missions, 15,294.12; District Church Extension Fund, 1,132.30; Synodical Treasury, 1,149.73; various missions, 411.82; Board of Support, 678.26; Synodical Building Fund, 2,996.46; European Relief, 296.35; Texas College Fund, 852.02; loans for District Church Extension Fund, 5,500.00; Miscellaneous, 351.07; from General Treasury for District Home Missions, 5,000.00; Foreign Missions, 135.84; payment on loans to Church Extension Fund, 1,077.00; Missionaries' Auto Fund, 286.37; Negro Missions Chapel at Salem, Ala., 172.43; from mission-places for District Home Missions, 1,617.44. Total, $37,890.62. H. T. BIAR, Treas.

Acknowledgment.

The receipt of $6.00, contained in an envelope postmarked "St. Louis & Kansas City R. P. O.," and of 10.00, contained in an envelope postmarked "Woodhaven, N. Y.," is gratefully acknowledged.

FRED C. PRITZLAFF, Treas., L. L. L.,

288 E. Water St., Room 701, Milwaukee, Wis.

The Southern District of Our Synod

will convene, God willing, February 18 to 24 in Mount Calvary Church, cor. Grand Route St. John and White St. Prof. L. Wessel will conclude his essay on the First Epistle of St. Peter. All pastors and teachers, also the duly appointed lay delegates, are requested to inform the Rev. Miles Gebauer, 2900 Grand Route St. John, whether or not they will attend the convention. WM. WEDIG, Secretary.

Conference Notices.

The Pastoral Conference of Southwestern Missouri will convers D. v., January 27 at Springfield, Mo. (the Rev. A. Woker, pastor Sermon: Rev. Schreyers. The brethren are requested to notify E Woker whether or not they expect to attend. A. ROHLFING, See

The Circuit Conference of Springfield and Vicinity will mee D. v., January 27 and 28 at New Berlin, Ill. Sermon (English Rev. F. Hein (Rev. A. Schliesser). Confessional address (English Rev. P. Schulz (Rev. E. Wegehaupt). A bus leaves Springfield at and arrives at New Berlin at 10 A. M. W. C. REDEKER, Sec.

Result of Elections.

The Rev. O. C. A. Boecler has been elected to fill the chair at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., made vacant by the death # Prof. E. A. W. Krauss, D. D., and the Rev. W. G. Polack for the chair at the same institution. THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE. F. E. BRAUER, Secretary.

Let Your Witness Do Mission-Work! Any one willing to give up his copy of the LUTHERAN WITNES<} or Lutheraner, after having read it, is requested to communica with the Mission Board of the Alberta and British Columbia District The Board will be glad to supply such readers with addresses # lumber camps and other places, where these papers might rende a blessed service. REV. C. THIES, Secretary of the Mission Board, Wetaskiwin, Alta., Can.

Kindly consult the address label on this paper to ascertain whether your subscription has expired or will soon expire. "Jan 25" on the labe means that your subscription has expired. Please pay your agent or the Publisher promptly in order to avoid interruption of service. It tak about two weeks before the address label can show change of address ( acknowledgment of remittance.

When paying your subscription, please mention name of publication desired and exact name and address (both old and new, if change of address is requested). CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE, St. Louis, Mo.

Change of Addresses.

Rev. F. A. Baepler, c. r. m., R. 1, Box 100, Edgar, Wis.
Rev. W. D. Bauer, Desboro, Ont., Can.
Rev. P. Beck, Box 367, Foley, Minn.

Rev. H. Behning, R. 1, Cross Plains, Ind.

Prof. P. Bretscher, 528 Monroe Ave., River Forest, Ill.
Rev. E. B. Cozart, Box 56, Vredenburgh, Ala.

Rev E. Glock, Gifford, Idaho.

Rev. W. G. Lobeck, 1015 E. Taylor St., Kokomo, Ind.
Rev. E. F. Loessel, Box 261, Berthoud, Colo.
Rev. W. F. Luebke, 2068 Bourdan St., Muskegon, Mich.
Rev. Th. Luft, 357 Miller St., Pembroke, Ont., Can.
Rev. L. Meyer, 11 Milan Terrace, Hankow, China.
Rev. E. E. Rossow, 14877 Wark Ave., Detroit, Mich.

Rev. E. J. Rudnick, 1130 S St., Fresno, Cal.

Prof. A. Schmieding, 521 Bonnie Brae, River Forest, Ill.

Rev. P. F. H. Schwan, P. em., 2094 Brunswick Rd., East Cleve land, O.

Rev. F. A. Schwertfeger, Horicon, Wis.

Rev. H. Thiede, R. 1, Box 232 B, Petaluma, Cal.

Rev. M. A. Treff, P. em., 319 Orange St., Riverside, Cal.

Rev. L. Wessling, 551 21st St., Richmond, Cal.

M. C. Ahlschwede, Lockwood, Mo.

J. D. Bruns, R. 2, Elmhurst, Ill.

W. R. Hillger, 3130 Pranell Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Aug. B. Huebner, R. 14, La Salle, N. Y.

J. G. Rieck, 3518 Sunnyside Ave., Chicago, Ill.
L. E. Stolper, 1019 Main St., Clinton, Iowa.

Sin, although given so little thought and attention by most people and held to be nothing more than "growing pains" by some, the modern theologians, for instance, is, nevertheless, a very serious matter. It is the transgression of God's holy Law, 1 John 3, 4, an offense against the just and holy God, and calls down upon the guilty one God's wrath and displeasure, temporal death, and eternal damnation. Nothing is more clearly taught in the inspired Word than this: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Ezek. 18, 4. 20.

Nor is there any difference as to the number of a man's sins or as to their nature. One sin or a thousand, open or secret sins, sins of commission or omission, if a desire, thought, word, or deed is in violation of a commandment of God, or if one fails, neglects, to do what has been commanded, it is a sin on the part of him who is responsible for it, a coming short of the glory of God, and God cannot tolerate it. The soul guilty of less offenses as well as that which is guilty of many shall die.

Truly, sin is not to be trifled with, not only because of the fact that it turns God against man with all that this implies for eternity, but also because of the baneful effect it has upon man's temporal well-being. Sin is a "reproach" to man. Prov. 14, 34. He that sins sells himself to sin, Rom. 7,14; sin becomes the master, he, the slave. Sin dominates, corrupts, and finally destroys him. Sin makes a man "impudent and hard-hearted." While a man lives in trespasses and sins, he is spiritually dead, Eph. 2, 1; and if he dies in this condition, he will nevertheless live forever, but in the habitations of the damned.

Considering this, are you glad that you are not a sinner, dear reader?

But you are a sinner. Do not deny it. The infallible Scriptures say: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3, 23. This "all" includes you. Again we read: "There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not." Eccl. 7, 20. Be frank, then, and confess with David: "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me," Ps. 51, 5, and with St. Paul: "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing," Rom. 7, 18. "Who can understand [keep a record of] his errors?" Ps. 19, 12.

No. 2.

Having sinned and sinning daily, how will you escape the curse? Is there an escape?

Thank God, there is.

It is by way of forgiveness. The psalmist puts it this way: "If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee." Ps. 130, 4.

"Forgiveness"

a gracious gift of Him against whom our sins are directed. God forgives our sins, that is, He makes us free from them, Rom. 6, 18, does not impute them to us, Rom. 4, 8; 2 Cor. 5, 19, does not mark them against us, Ps. 130, 4, but hides His face from them, Ps. 51, 9; washes and cleanses us from them, Ps. 51, 2; puts them away, 2 Sam. 12, 13; behind His back, Is. 38, 17; casts them into the depths of the sea, Micah 7, 8; covers them up, Ps. 32, 1; remembers them not, Ps. 25, 7; blots them out, Is. 43, 25; 44, 22; Acts 3, 19. To him whose sins the Lord forgives He says: "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." Zech. 3, 4. What prompts God to forgive the sins of men? What is His motive? Is it because of man's own merits?

The Christmas-message: "Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord," this message, in the light of the occurrences which we commemorate on Good Friday and Easter, gives the answer. It tells us of God's great love for man as it revealed itself in the sending of His only-begotten Son into the world that He might be delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification in order that by faith in Him, the Redeemer, we may live and not perish. "He [the Father] made Him [the Son] to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5, 21. On Calvary forgiveness of sins was made possible. There God's innocent Son, bearing our sins, voluntarily and cheerfully atoned for them. For His sake our sins are forgiven; by His stripes we are healed.

Forgiveness of sins, this rich gift of God's grace, purchased with the blood of the innocent Christ, is now offered to sinners freely and free in the Gospel. In the Gospel, God's hand containing this treasure is extended to men, while His lips plead: Come take rejoice! Come in the attitude and with the prayer of the publican: "God be merciful to me, a sinner." Then you shall be justified.

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Oh, how we ought to cherish the forgiveness of sins if we consider not only what it cost to gain this heavenly treasure for us, but of what inestimable value it is to the soul! Sin damns the soul. Forgiveness means the soul's salvation. What all the material wealth of the world could not accomplish, forgiveness of sins does it gives peace of conscience and the assurance of eternal life. No wonder Jesus says: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."

May all whose sins are forgiven exclaim: Lord, Thou hast freed me from sin, its bondage, its service, the ruin it works, at a tremendous cost to Thyself. Thou forgivest me daily anew. In gratitude I would now serve Thee all the days of my life!

May Lutherans join singing societies which occasionally or at stated seasons sing religious compositions, but have a membership not restricted to our Church? Such societies exist in all our larger cities, and our people have freely associated themselves with them. Such choral clubs will sing Haydn's Creation, Haendel's Messiah, Mendelssohn's Elijah, or will sing a cantata or motet containing religious sentiments.

Does the principle which in our last issue was applied in the case of assisting in the musical part of a sectarian church apply in all these cases also?

Manifestly it does not. No one who can speak at all from experience will say that either in participating in such choral work or by being present as a listener he was conscious of taking part in public worship. Those who participate have joined, not for the purpose of worship or for religious exercise, but in order to cultivate the art of music. In that art the religious composition has a recognized place, even as there is religious architecture, religious sculpture, and religious painting. Some of our organists hold membership in the American Guild of Organists, whose concerts are usually given in houses of worship. Again, no one here would speak of participation in a religious service, though the music and the place may be religious.

We have in many of our churches the Christus of Thorwaldsen, the Danish sculptor. Even when we know that Thorwaldsen was an enthusiast for Hellenic (ancient Greek) culture and had little or no Christian sentiment, his wonderful statue for that reason does not become offensive. Pictures representing scenes and characters from sacred his tory can be enjoyed by Christians regardless of the painter's religious faith or lack of it. Some of the most wonderful representations of the Holy Night, of the Crucifixion, of the Ascension, and of the Last Judgment are the work of Romanists. Similarly in the case of music, which differs from these and other arts only in that it requires personal participation. And since it is an art that is cultivated regardless of its religious content and certainly (in the instances quoted) without a religious purpose, a Christian is able to participate without violating his conscience. There is a certain beauty and grandeur in religious composition which a Christian can enjoy, as he can enjoy any other branch of art which has a religious subject-matter, without identifying himself in a spiritual way either with the composition or with those who join him in its production.

The same reasoning applies to the employment of nonLutheran conductors or directors by singing societies or ganized by our people for the purpose of giving public recitals and programs. We cannot see that the hire (to use a somewhat harsh term) of a non-Lutheran director of choruses is in any sense different from hiring a non-Lutheran architect to build our churches or a non-Lutheran painter to decorate them. We prefer to employ Lutherans; we are not debarred from employing others. We simply make use, in such cases, of certain natural abilities for achieving certain outward results, even as we may use the scientific and literary labors of non-Lutherans in order to achieve results in sacred literature, public speaking, etc. As Dr. Walther many years ago, in recommending a handbook of New Testament Greek written by a rationalist, remarked: "Even as the Israelites employed the heathen Gibeonites as hewers of wood and carriers of water, so we may employ the aids supplied by unbelievers for the sake of cultivating the field of religion."

In all activities which involve participation with nonLutherans through a community of interest in art as above referred to we should be slow to make rules and restrictions. We should not pronounce that unclean which pertains to the domain of Christian liberty. On the other hand, we should not so use our liberty as to offend the brethren. It may well be that the presence of those with whom we identify ourselves in choral work, etc., are an offense to Christians on account of their evil lives or because of their pronounced antichristian habits of thought and speech. Men and women of scandalous lives, or such as parade their unbelief, cannot be employed for such purposes without giving offense. Also where participation in oratorio work or any other practise of the musical art, jointly with "outsiders," is seen to disturb the minds of our people and offend their sentiment, we should in the interest of internal harmony refrain from such participation. Peace, harmony, good feeling among the brethren is worth more to us than the harmonies of Haydn, Mozart, and Bach.

If the reader has followed us this far, he will notice the absence of Scriptural quotations. And precisely because we