# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1854 03 14_S119
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119
his own. "God reward you for your good discipline," so he said to his 92-year-old father, and for tears he could not speak further. The old man was weak with age and looked at him childishly; but beside him stood his Catholic brother with mocking laughter. That was the farewell from his father's house.

The wantonness of the soldiers was also still busy in an outrageous manner. Whoever would gladly have waited for the mild season to travel was usually driven off; and whoever wanted at any price to leave this place of horrors was usually driven back with bayonets. Therefore, and to avoid the enormous exit fees, many took flight.

So some 300 escaped over the Tyrolese mountains. Pregnant women climbed over the steep rocks, weary old men were carried or drawn by their strong sons, children were bound on the backs of their parents and prayed when it went past the dreadful chasms, or the storm threatened to blow them down from the heights. And the prayer of the little ones has been pleasing to the heavenly Guardian, they all came safely over.

Many of those who in this year emigrated for the sake of the faith confessed afterward that they had been furthered in knowledge, comforted in their suffering, encouraged to steadfastness and made strong for emigration especially through Joseph Schaitberger, mentioned at the beginning of this narrative. This upright disciple of the LORD, namely, sought from Nuremberg, where he had lived since his banishment in 1686 and supported himself by wire-drawing, to labor among his persecuted fellow-believers by all manner of letters of instruction, admonition and consolation, out of which afterward came the well-known "Evangelical Missive." He also ventured three times, at great peril of life, into his old homeland. He was the instrument, blessed in the hand of God, for many thousands of his brethren in the Salzburg lands. But perhaps it will be possible for the contributor hereafter to communicate more particulars about the course of life of this faithful and enlightened confessor.

Petition for Aid toward a Church Building.

In that the undersigned, in the name of his congregation, turns with this urgent petition to his fellow-believers, he holds it necessary to indicate in a few words the distressed situation of his congregation, lest the suspicion fall upon it that it wished to make use of the so often claimed benevolence of its brethren without really being in need of it.

The members of my congregation belonged formerly almost without exception to the German congregation here, Lutheran in name, but in truth united, whose pastor belongs to the Maryland Synod and with this to the General Synod. Since the Reformed adhering to this congregation, even if they had no right of property, yet otherwise enjoyed equal rights with the Lutherans, the Lutheran confession in its distinctive doctrines had naturally to remain as unknown as possible; and a schoolteacher, called there in the fall of 1852, was therefore forbidden by the pastor first the exposition of the distinctive doctrines between Lutherans and Reformed, and later throughout the religious instruction according to our small Lutheran Catechism in the school. He could not bring himself to this, and so after 2 months he was dismissed again, especially at the instigation of the pastor, and the school was thereupon handed over to a Reformed teacher. Now if some members of the congregation had previously already had misgivings about their pastor and the whole congregational system, these proceedings had to lead them fully to certainty about it. They protested against the dismissal of the orthodox Lutheran and the admission of the Reformed schoolteacher, and, since this protest was scornfully rejected, they formally declared themselves free of connection with that congregation. Those who declared themselves free were five; later others followed them. Upon an invitation received, Pastor Keyl of Baltimore visited them on Sexagesima Sunday of last year; under his direction a Lutheran church order was adopted and so a new congregation of orthodox confession was formed. This was served during the summer alternately by the Pastors Nordmann and Sommer, and when the number of members had risen to 15, the undersigned was called as its pastor. We hold our services at present in the courthouse, but since we cannot remain here for long, and are of the sure conviction that the pure confession of our church will also in this city ever more make its way, we have resolved, with God's help, to build ourselves a little church of our own this summer. Our circumstances are not very encouraging, the number of our members is small, our strength limited, since we have absolutely no persons of means among us, and besides, the majority of us for a long series of years have been almost uninterruptedly burdened with church-building. Not very long ago the English and German Lutherans built a large church together, the Germans contributed liberally to it in the hope of having equal rights in the church. Later they were disappointed and received the promise of an adequate compensation if they would build a church for themselves. The building was begun, the compensation stayed away, and only with heavy sacrifices was the indeed beautiful and stately church completed 2½ years ago, the church which my members now, out of love for the orthodox confession, must again look upon with their backs turned. —

But we go anew to the work, trusting in the help of God, who may strengthen our hands and move the hearts of our brethren to reach us their helping hand in our undertaking, as we hold ourselves bound to do the like to them in due time. All to the Lord for praise and to the building of His kingdom: —

A lot has already been bought for $400 and the amount covered by subscriptions, payable this year. The cost of the building will amount to nearly $2000. —

Any contributions we ask to be sent to the address:

Rev. F. J. Bilz.
Cumberland, Md., Febr. 23. 1854.

Prospectus.

The undersigned intends to publish a collection of church music, entitled "Cantica Sacra," by subscription.

In this collection he hopes to furnish the Church a selection of the choicest and most beloved German and English four-part chorales, which, with regard to the meter, shall be suited to the various Lutheran hymn-books now in use in this country and, approaching the manner of singing of the time of Luther, shall correspond more to the proper character of Lutheran divine service.

The rhythm of the German singing will distinguish this work with advantage from all others of the kind in our church in this country. The excellent and renowned collection of old German rhythmical church music by Dr. F. Layriz, Germany, shall be laid at the foundation of the German part of this collection. Most, if not all, of the German chorales which it will be necessary to take into this collection the undersigned will select with great care from the said collection of Dr. F. Layriz. And in order that the English part, as well as the German, may also, as much as possible, correspond to the peculiar character of Lutheran divine service, the undersigned will secure the help of competent and discerning members of the church to make the selection from the various known English music collections.

The work will contain three to four hundred chorales, together with an appendix of psalmody and other choice pieces of music. German and English words from the usual hymn-books will, if possible, be set to all the pieces. It will also contain a short instruction in the rudiments of the art of singing; as also a systematic table of the meters, according to which each chorale is designated and its meter recognized. Instead of the round notes the seven character notes will be chosen for this book, because it is believed that these will in general find more approval.

Terms.

The book will, as soon as it is printed, be delivered free of postage to subscribers at the following places: namely, Canton and Columbus, Ohio; Fort Wayne, Indiana; St. Louis, Mo., and New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

The price to subscribers is 75 cents apiece and $8.00 the dozen, payable when the books are delivered.

As soon as a sufficient number of subscribers has been sent in to cover the costs, the book will be forwarded to the press.

All pastors and other friends of the improvement of our church singing are respectfully requested to lay this matter before their congregations and singing societies and to exert themselves for it, so that the necessary orders may be collected and sent in as soon as possible.

Canton, Ohio, January 1. 1854.
J. J. Fast, ev. luth. Pastor.

The Pastoral Conference of the St. Louis District

holds its next sessions on the 21st of April of this year and the following days at Chester, Ill.

It is the wish to be expressed that the conferences be attended more diligently by the members concerned.

Hence the request to the Rev. Gentlemen and Brethren of the Conference, by their appearance at the respective meetings to take an active part, and not to let themselves be kept from them without need.

In such cases, however, it is expected of the absent that they at least excuse themselves by letter.

J. A.
F. W. Holls, present Secretary.