# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_September 1916_S399
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Vermischtes. 399

to establish at Philadelphia, and for the founding of the new college
at Allentown. Dr. G. F. Krotel, in his president's report at the meet⸗
ing of the Ministerium at Lebanon in Jüne, 1867, urged an extraor-
dinary and united effort' in this celebration. We recall the enthusiasm
created when the expression Seventh Jubilee' was suggested instead
of the 350th anniversary The number Seven had a special sig-
nificance of completeness. and the less usual word Jubelee gave a
strong reason why this anniversary should be sbecially celebrated.
The Ministerium at once acted on the recommendation, and resolved
that the 3185t of October, 1867, be observed by special appropriate
religious services in every pastoral district; that pastors bée requested
to preach on the Sundays in October on the history, doctrine, and
mission of the Lutheran Church, and that every member of the
Church, young or old, make a thankoffering as God has prospered
them, and 'that we aim at the complete endowment of the seminary
in Philadelphia and Muhlenberg College at Allentown. A central
committèe was appointed, Dr. Seiss chairman, and all residing in
Philadelphia, to have full charge of the movement, and were given
power to appoint local committées in each pastoral charge. This
committée went to work without delay, and arranged for extensive
celebrations in Philadelphia and all the larger towns and centers of
population within its boundaries, and secured prominent speakers for
tbe addrésses. These gatherings were popular, and arouseéd great
interest. Subscription books of substantial and attractive appearance
were sent to all pastors, in which should appear the names of the
donors, who were permitted to deésignate to which institution their
offerings should be sent, and théese books were to be kept as mementoes
of the great Jubilee, in the archives of each congregation. They were
accompanied with several tracts giving needed information or making
strong appeals.“ „The celebration continued throughout the year
until October 31, 1868, as it was impossible to reach all congregations
in less time. And it was not until the meéeting of the Ministerium
of Pennsylvania at Pottsville, in 1870, that Dr. Seiss, chairman of
the General Committéee on the Jubilee, was enabled to make its final
report. Over 822,000 had béen contributeéd for the seminary, but less
than 610,000 for the college in this Jubilee Fund. At the same time
he reported that more than F66.000 had béeen contributed to local
objects. Pastors and congregations had taken advantage of the en-
thusiasm created to secure funds for new buildings, steeples, organs,
or the canceling of local debts, which more than doubled the amount
given for the seminary and college, and left the latter to struggle
on the best they could until another jubilee should come. Putting
all together, the jubilee offering in the Ministerium amounted to
897,216.56. „As a memento sof this jubiléee the committec in charge
had a medal struck to mark and commemorate the gréat celebration.