# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1911 06 27_S207
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private tutoring and in my American school, and, what is more, I have been able to speak comfort to the dying in their own language to Frenchmen on their deathbeds, and to baptize children in the French language (for which I translated our baptismal rite into French). Without the thorough learning of the classical languages, which we gymnasium students also did not particularly relish, for we had eight hours a week in Latin alone, which we thought too much of a good thing, I would not have been able to work on Luther's works. Skill in stenography has been useful to me not only in writing my sermons and otherwise, but I have also been able to serve the church with it at synods (in the year 1857 I was at the General Synod in Fort Wayne, likewise at the free conference in Pittsburgh that same year, the only stenographer there), at conferences, and elsewhere.

So far go the notes of the late Hoppe from the year 1903. There is only little to add. In the following year the printing of the last Luther volume was completed, containing the second part of Luther's letters. Then he continued working on the index volume, so important and necessary for so large a work, and for it read through the entire Luther once more, the large, thick 22 volumes, carefully, pen in hand, and thus produced the valuable, extensive index volume. Last year this volume too was completed in print, and in Easter week 1910 Hoppe was able to close the preface to it with these words: "Now it only remains for us not to forget almighty God either, but to give him praise and thanks for his manifold and great mercy, which he has shown us in the difficult work of publishing the complete works of Luther in the German language. And at the same time we wish to ask the dear Lord that he give his blessing to the course of this work, that it be not only bought but also diligently used, so that the pure Lutheran doctrine may be preserved and strengthened, and also widely spread for the attainment of salvation for many, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen."

Hoppe's life's work was now completed. He had grown weary from it. The shadows of evening were closing in after a long, labor-filled day. And yet he was immediately ready, following a suggestion, to compile a biography of Luther, as far as possible in Luther's own words, from his writings. When on the Reformation festival of last year he received from the faculty of our theological seminary at St. Louis the well-deserved honor of appointment as Doctor of Theology, he had written about 150 pages in manuscript and had reached the year 1518. He was unable to work further after that day and so could not complete the work. The pen has fallen from his diligent, untiring hand. He is at home with the Lord.
L. F.

God grant that we, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, let ourselves be led by Luther's books into Holy Scripture, and in right faith and life also bring our last hour to a blessed close! Amen. (Michael Cölius.)

On the Church Chronicle.

America.

Our newly elected President, Rev. F. Pfotenhauer, has been released in peace from his congregation in Hamburg, Minn., with the wish of God's blessing for his further work in the church. He intends to move to Chicago at the beginning of July, since this city has generally been recommended to him as the most suitable place of residence for the general presidency, as it also has the most central location for the large territory of our Synod. All readers will join in the wish that God richly bless our president in his office with the grace, strength, and wisdom of his Holy Spirit.
L. F.

The letter of our President to all our congregations, contained in today's issue of the "Lutheraner," will be printed in a large edition as a circular. All pastors will be sent, free of charge, twice as many copies as they have voting members in their congregations, and if they desire still more, they need only apply for them at our Concordia Publishing House. We ask them earnestly and urgently, in the interest of the matter, to take the distribution and circulation of this letter truly to heart.
L. F.

Our St. Louis seminary for pastors closed its academic year on June 15. In the afternoon the closing celebration took place at the institution with singing, an address, and prayer. The candidates - together with those released earlier on account of some urgent calls, 87 in all - were released into the holy ministry; the other two classes returning in September, numbering 209 together, were given a word to take with them for the vacation. In the evening a solemn worship service for the candidate class was then held in the neighboring Church of the Holy Cross, at which Rev. M. S. Sommer preached a sermon to them on the text John 10:12: "I am the good shepherd," and, besides the singing of a smaller student choir, the two returning classes sang them the hymn: "With the Lord all things begin." The great majority of the students have now already arrived home, and after a short vacation period the candidates, to whom will then be added the 24 from our Springfield seminary for pastors, will take up their office. May God guide them all safely to their appointed places, bless them with power from on high, and make them a blessing to many, that they bear much fruit, and their fruit remain unto eternal life! May he make them all true evangelical preachers, who are faithful in their office and adorn their office with a godly, pure conduct. We thank the Lord from our hearts for the noble, precious gift of 111 young preachers.
L. F.

Our institution in Fort Wayne was able to celebrate on June 18 the festival of its 50th anniversary in that city. Founded in 1839 in Altenburg, Perry Co., Mo., and moved in 1849 together with the seminary for pastors from there to St. Louis, the gymnasium or college was separated from the seminary during the war years of 1861 and moved to Fort Wayne. Since then it has flourished there and served the church to rich blessing, lovingly and tirelessly cared for by the congregations there. Hundreds upon hundreds of our pastors have received their preparatory training there for theological study. At the jubilee celebration, which took place amid great participation in the finest weather, Rev. G. Schumm spoke in German and Prof. Th. Brohm in English, both of whom had taken part in that earlier move, and in addition the present su-