The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1929, Page 98

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98

Immanuel Lutheran College Chronicle.

On Thursday, May 30, at 11.00 a. w., the twenty-
fifth anniversary of Immanuel Lutheran College was
fittingly observed by the planting of a beautiful
homiletic forget-me-not in the hearts of students
and visitors by the Rev. Prof. Frederick Berg. Pro-
fessor Berg’s text was 1 Cor. 1,4—9. The writer
took the following notes on the sermon : —

“<This is the day which the Lord hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it. These words of
the 118th Psalm apply in their full force to this oc-
casion. This day is not merely another day on which
God has left His sun to rise on the good and the
evil, which He has permitted us to see after the
dangers of the night; but this is a very special day
to dear old Immanuel. It is her silver jubilee, and
our hearts are filled with joy as we look back to her
twenty-five years of usefulness. For it is not mere
age, but what one has done that counts. If our
anniversary service to-day is to prove God-pleasing,
we must know and keep in mind the deeds God has
permitted Immanuel to perform. Accordingly, my
duty in this service is not to tell you the history of
our college or to pay glowing tributes to the instru-
ments of God without whose faithful labors In-
manuel would no longer be in existence; but my
duty is to point out the facts which may and shall
make us rejoice. These facts are 1) the grace given
to Immanuel Lutheran College, 2) the blessing the
college has been, 3) the bright future.

“Paul founded the church in Corinth; he stayed
there and served it one and a half years. When he
left it, he kept in close touch with it and, in this
way, heard many delightful things, though he also
had reasons for worry. Yet he always thanked God.
I thank God always on your behalf for the grace of
God which is given you by Jesus Christ.

“We, who have followed the course of this college,
are in a like position. We see its shortcomings, but
we also see the mountains of grace. When the found-
ers established this institution, they intended it for
the education of Christian pastors and teachers ; they
intended, further, that in the academic department
a truly Christian education be given, not merely
an education varnished over with a few Christian
phrases. To this aim Immanuel has been faithful
_ for twenty-five years in spite of all temptations from
_ without and within.

__ “How easy it might have been otherwise! Only
ittle change in ideals, and Immanuel Lutheran
lege would be different to-day. ‘he training of

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

ministers and teachers might have been the secon-
dary and secular teaching the chief purpose.

“That Immanuel remained true to her original
aim and purpose is one of the mountains of grace.

“The founders decided that Immanuel be soundly
Lutheran in the core. In the seminary a theology
was to be taught as wide and as narrow as the Bible,
a theology untainted by Modernism.

“Due to God’s grace, Immanuel has done this;
the Holy Ghost enlightened the minds of the pro-
fessors — a mountain of grace.

“There have been changes; the first students
would hardly recognize the institution, although the
teachings and purpose have not changed. The
changes visible are another mountain of grace. At
first there were two professors; now there are seven.
Then a fairly good course of study was offered;
to-day the course of study is equal to that of the
best schools in North Carolina. From a small num-
ber of books a good library has grown. Students
come better prepared, and, on the whole, they are
more studious and ambitious. As to conduct, very
few stern disciplinary measures are necessary. ‘These
facts are another mountain of grace.

“Immanuel has not only been blessed herself,
she has also been a blessing to many. Blessings have
gone out to thousands. Through Immanuel men
have been taught to know their natural state, the
way to life, the means of grace.

“low many have been led to Christ we do not
know, nor need we be much concerned about it. God
knows His own. That Immanuel’s teachings have
not been in vain we may be sure. Christian ministers
have gone out of her doors, likewise Christian
teachers. Both have taught others to know Jesus.
The Last Day will reveal all the blessings.

“As to the future, our hearts are filled with hope
and joy. In the closing words of our text we read:
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the
fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.

“True, we cannot read the distant future; we do
not even know what to-morrow may bring. We are
assured, however, that Immanuel, wherever she may
be, has the promise: ‘I know thy works. Behold,
I have set before thee an open door, and no man can
shut it; for thou hast a little strength and hast kept
My Word and hast not denied My name.... Because
thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I also will
keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall
come upon all the world to try them that dwell
upon the earth.

“The future is brighter than ever before. Im-
manuel is firmly planted in the educational field;