VOL. XLIV.

The fathers of our Synod had a fine historic sense. They knew from experience and were made certain by Scripture that the Gospel had a great opportunity in their new homeland. The attribute of "vision" a term now somewhat in disrepute as every visionary lays claim to it was theirs in the highest sense. They looked beyond the present. All their work was a preparation. "Beyond the Alps lies Italy." The growth which they were permitted to see was great, but they expected greater things. And so, when they marked with rejoicing every forward step in the development of the Missouri Synod's work, their celebrations were not so much a rejoicing over past achievements as mutual encouragement for greater tasks which now

No. 23.

Rev. F. Brand, representing President F. Pfotenhauer, spoke as follows:

"In representing our Synod on this memorable occasion, I desire, first of all, to voice our sincere gratitude to God for the successful completion of the magnificent addition to Concordia Publishing House and for the thorough remodeling of the original plant. We are also deeply conscious of the heavy debt of thanks we owe to you, the Board of Directors, the managers, and all that in any manner helped to plan and execute this great undertaking. A far greater amount of thought and work was expended on the buildings and on the altogether modern and scientific equipment than surface indications would betray. We now have a plant that easily ranks with the foremost religious printeries in the United States and pos

had come within reach. When the first Concordia Publishing House was dedicated, Dr. Walther and his associates as well as our St. Louis Lutherans generally celebrated the occasion with programs lasting from two in the afternoon until eleven at night. Yet none of those who saw the building and equipment of Concordia as it was in 1870 could by any stretch of imagination visualize such a plant as was formally opened November 6, 1925.

The exercises were held in the auditorium which has been gained out of the remodeling of the second floor of the former "new" (1893) building. The speeches were not as many and not nearly as long as those delivered at the dedication exercises in 1870, but they were, with all their brevity, so excellent in expression and so fine in sentiment that we shall depart from our usual editorial policy and report them at least in extract and the briefer ones in full.

After a prayer spoken by Dr. Pieper, Mr. A. A. Grossmann, assistant manager, took the chair and introduced the speakers.

New Plant on Left.

sibly in the world. We ask the Lord to bless abundantly all those who served Him and us so faithfully, so unselfishly, and so well.

"To-day we pledge that in the future as in the past the original purposes and aims of the fathers of our Synod in founding Concordia Publishing House shall always be religiously observed by our authors, editors, and publishers, namely, that no literature shall issue from this establishment that is not in absolute agreement with the revealed and written Word of God and that does not in some way, be it ever so remote, serve the eternal purposes of the kingdom of God. As long as it shall please God to permit this Publishing House to operate, we dedicate it to Him as a tool for the propagation of the everlasting Gospel. May the imprint of Concordia Publishing House always remain a guarantee of true Lutheranism, that is to say, of Scriptural soundness and integrity.

"May the entire staff and all employees, from the managers to the watchman, always consecrate their labors to the Lord as a grateful contribution toward the realization of the eternal purposes of God for the salvation of the world. This alone will keep them in faithful performance of their duties and will dignify and ennoble all their efforts. The ascended and exalted Christ gave to His Church on

"It is a happy coincidence that we are dedicating the new building added to our Concordia Publishing House, and again, in fact, the entire plant, which, to a great extent, has been remodeled, to the service of our God and Savior at a time when we are reminded anew of the blessings of the Reformation. On the 31st of October, 1517, Luther nailed his famous Ninety-five Theses to the doors of the Castle Church at Wittenberg. Within a period of two weeks these theses had been circulated and read throughout Germany and within four weeks throughout Europe. That this could be done was due to the invention of movable type and the art of printing about the middle of the fifteenth century. Prior to that time copies of manuscripts were reproduced in handwriting, in earlier times by

Mr. Edmund Seuel, General Manager. slaves, during the Middle Ages largely by monks. But what a slow and tedious process that was!

"Without the art of printing the blessings of the Reformation would not have been brought to the millions of people throughout this wide world as this is being done to-day. Luther's German translation of the Bible, Tyndale's English translation, we are this year celebrating its four-hundredth anniversary, and the subsequent King James Version, as well as the many other translations of the Bible, without the art of printing would not have been easily available to any one who could read. Without the art of printing we neither would have printed copies of catechisms, prayer-books, and hymn-books, nor would we have the many good religious books and periodicals which are now being published and read by many. Can we imagine the Missouri Synod to be what it is to-day if we had no printed Bibles, catechisms, hymn-books, and prayer-books, no printed church-papers for old and young nor any of the many other good religious books which we and others publish? How different, too, would our educational institutions be if we had no printed books! And what a task it would have been to carry out our recent building campaign if we could not have sent out printed literature for the purpose of instruction, information, and inspiration!

"Surely it is pleasing to the Lord that our Synod owns and controls its own printing-plant. In many respects we, at this late

day, must admire the foresight and the wisdom and the up-to-dateness of the fathers of our Synod. It was a small, humble, insignifi cant plant, that first Publishing House on our Seminary grounds on Texas Avenue, which the fathers put there in 1869 and dedicated February 28, 1870. That day of dedication was a day of great jubilation. The sainted Dr. Walther made the dedicatory address in Holy Cross Church. (See Brosamen, p. 576.) After the service the people were invited to go through the new plant and see it in operation, even as we have invited people to go through the plant this afternoon and this evening while it is in operation. The colors of our country, the Stars and Stripes, were flying from the flagpole on that first building, even as they are flying from our Publishing House to-day. A luncheon was served at Concordia Seminary. Hymns of praise and thanksgiving, accompanied by a band, were sent to the Throne of Grace and Mercy. That first celebration was bigger and more glorious than ours is to-day. It lasted from two o'clock in the afternoon to eleven o'clock at night. That humble beginning reminds us of other humble beginnings in the history of our Synod, as, for example, the little log cabin, which is still standing in Perry County, Missouri. But like it, our Publishing House did not remain small, but is to-day the largest publishing house of its kind and, in comparison with other printing-plants, in every respect up to date.

"Everywhere, in the State, in the Church, in the home, much depends upon good leadership. For many years the management of our Concordia Publishing House has been in the hands of a man who is not only a sincere Christian, having the welfare of his Church at heart, but who is at the same time an excellent business man and a good manager. Yet even he, under his Board of Directors, could not have accomplished what he did if he had not had the assistance and cooperation and loyalty of his employees in this plant, from the assistant manager and the department heads down to the cubs and the office boys and the janitors, and, last but not least, the able assistance of those who furnish the manuscripts, our St. Louis faculty and many others, for the many periodicals and books which Concordia Publishing House puts on the market.

"To-day much is made of the changes which the world has undergone, and the great progress which has been made in many respects in the course of years. While, however, our Concordia Publishing House has kept pace with the progress that has been made in this world and therefore has undergone remarkable changes since the days of 1869, yet in one respect it has remained what it was, and we are glad and thankful to acknowledge this fact: Concordia Publishing House has all these years remained in the ser vice of the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. To this Gospel it was originally dedicated. While in the course of years other publishing houses have been issuing periodicals and books and other printed matter which has spread false doctrine and even, particularly of late years, denied the very fundamentals of the Christian religion, our Concordia Publishing House has from the year 1869 to the present day and hour remained true to its original purpose. For this greatest of all blessings we especially give praise and thanks to the Lord. May the same Lord who has given us these blessings preserve them unto us to the end of days and let these blessings, in an ever-increased measure, go forth unto an ever-increased number of people from our Concordia Publishing House for the eternal welfare of blood-bought souls and to His glory, the glory of our only God and our only Savior, Jesus Christ!"

Prof. Ludwig Fuerbringer, D. D., representing the staff of editors of all our publications, spoke very felicitous remarks in German, declaring the high regard in which the work of the production departments is held by the editors of our papers.

On behalf of the Synodical Literary Board, Prof. M. S. Sommer said: :

"Upon this auspicious and happy occasion the Literary Board, which I have the honor to represent, offers to Concordia Publishing House to its manager and all its employees - sincere and cordial felicitations.

"The Literary Board (consisting of a venerable clergyman held in high esteem in our church, the Rev. L. Buchheimer; an in

expansion and remodeling of our plant,' I wish to say, in the first place, that the Lutheran personnel of Concordia Publishing House believes it to be perfectly proper for this religious publication house to expand, because it prints and spreads Lutheran literature, which is in accordance with the will of God; for our Lutheran doctrine, by the grace of God, is the true doctrine of Holy Writ. But though we consider it the proper thing and rejoice over the wonderful expansion of Concordia Publishing House, yet we give all glory to God for this expansion. Without His unmerited blessings we would not be where we are to-day.

"Going a trifle into detail, I will say for those over whom the Chief Clerk of Concordia Publishing House gently sways the staff of authority, that the Office force is thankful for larger, roomier quarters, more practical arrangement, and more even light; the

on the second, or sandwich, floor. 'We can serve everybody more promptly now,' they say.

"The Edition Bindery, like the Press-room, rose to a greater height above sea-level. While formerly production was retarded, the men now have greater table displacement, so that large quantities can be handled more comfortably than before. Books can be forwarded in a routine way and advanced step by step without being moved back and forth over the same ground.

"As to the Composing-room, the unanimous opinion of the men is that it is an imposing room in more sense than one, equipped in the latest style, with better facilities for sending job forms down to the Press-room, also with much better communication between it and the Proof-rooms

"The Proof-rooms, formerly a dual monarchy, now form a triple

Composing-Room in 1900.

Salesroom people for the elegant show-place and much better facilities for serving customers; the Shipping Department for a warmer place, better light, and the fine loading-platform; the Mailing Department for rearrangement of their old habitat, which makes for greater efficiency.

"Our brethren and sisters in the Press-room belong to the rising generation, having exchanged their subterranean domicile for a surface snuggery. All those employed here most emphatically say that they certainly appreciate the change as well as the fact that they now have all needed conveniences, which perceptibly lightens their labor. And the people passing our Concordia Publishing House, they say, now realize that we have SOME Pressroom and SOME presses.

"The Pamphlet Bindery is all smiles because of spacious quarters and excellent working conditions; and yet they are already hinting about needing still greater expansion.

"The Stock Department takes great pride in having modern equipment and abundance of light and owning 'the whole creation'

alliance. The pole-star seems nearer to the occupants than before. But they have steady, even light, and the fine library equipment is a special feature.

"If any imperfections have been detected by any of the personnel, they may console themselves with the fact that, to close with a little grammar, we are living in the present and not in the perfect tense."

The oldest employee in years of service is Mr. Philip Ruehl, the manager of the Composing-room. Speaking for the department heads, he said:

"Being a printer, I wish to 'follow copy.' Therefore excuse me for reading the following remarks.

"Having been selected as spokesman by the managers of the various departments of Concordia Publishing House, or rather by the 'Cabinet,' as Mr. Seuel pleases to call this body, I wish to express only a few thoughts of these gentlemen, and also mine, and ask your kind attention for a few moments.

"The growth, or expansion, of Concordia Publishing House is due, next to God's grace, mainly to the able management of its chief executive, to the wise counsel of our Board of Directors, to the able editors of the various publications printed here, and also to the hearty cooperation of the employees with their foremen.

"Personally, having entered Synod's Composing-room as its first apprentice fifty-three years ago, I am amazed at the expansion of the plant. Faintly did I expect to be witness of such an

increase in the output and of such a large complex of buildings as presented to us to-day.

"In saying that the 'Cabinet' does not intend to credit itself with the success of Concordia Publishing House, I believe I am voicing the sentiments of my colleagues. But above all we wish to state that in our opinion the entire success of Concordia in the last twenty years is the result of the untiring efforts and the able management of Mr. Seuel, with the intimate assistance of the various Boards of Directors. We also pay due respect to our newly appointed Assistant Manager, Mr. Grossmann.

"In closing my remarks, I shall express the following wish of the 'Cabinet' collectively: May God grant the present management the same wise judgment as in the past, and may friendly relations among managers, foremen, and employees continue in the future as in the past!"

Mr. Edmund Seuel, manager of Concordia Publishing House and Treasurer of the Missouri Synod, then spoke on behalf of the management:

"This is both one of the happiest and one of the most serious hours of my life - one of the happiest because it publicly celebrates the fulfilment of a fond dream, the realization of cherished and long-nursed plans; one of my most serious hours because it seems to stress the great responsibility attaching to the success of the enterprise. Both the happiness and the responsibility, however, are shared by my superiors and my associates. To share the happiness increases it; to share the responsibility decreases it. As the intermediary between those in and those under control it is my privilege to voice the gratitude of each to the other, of assuring each on behalf of the other that this cooperation shall continue, and that the present generation shall pass on to the next

Lord God above, not unto us,

But to Thy name be glory;

For 'twas Thy mighty hand that wrote

This institution's story.

For more than fifty years Thy love

This house has guided from above,

Thy kindness has been with us.

We thank Thee, Lord, our heavenly Friend,

That Thou hast richly blessed us,

That in a thousand glorious ways

Thy mercy has addressed us,

That from this house rich streams have flown, That through its work Thy Church has grown And we enjoy Thy kingdom.

Lord God above, we pray Thee now

Through Jesus Christ, our Savior,

Be with us in the coming years,

Attend us with Thy favor:

Let this house be a monument
Whose power never may be spent

Till we leave here forever.

The exercises were followed by an informal reception (2 to 5 and 7 to 9 P. M.), to which the public had been quite generally invited. During these hours the plant was kept in full operation, and many expressions of surprise at the size of our plant and the completeness of its equipment were uttered by the thousands of visitors.

A souvenir book, containing a description of the new Concordia Publishing House plant, embellished with many fine halftone cuts and beautifully printed, was distributed. Copies may be obtained from Concordia Publishing House as long as the limited stock lasts.

The pictures illustrating this report are taken from the souvenir album. G.

THESE words will also serve to give us assurance. For when Christ said: "Go ye into all the world," He also had us in mind. For these words include and comprise all that hear this preaching; they apply to every community, be it great or small, civilized or uncivilized. For "all the world" does not mean one section or two, but the whole of it and all of it, the universe of men. For this reason the Gospel had to go forward and is still going forward in such a manner that, never remaining at one place, it must reach all places and be preached in all parts and corners of the world. And as the command to preach is universal, taking in all places and all men, even so the command to believe is universal; it is the divine command that all should believe this Word.

(Luther, XI, 963-970.)