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SEVENTY-FIFTH
ANNIVERSARY
The Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation
DONCASTER
1858 - - 1933
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness And tender mercies.—‘Psalm 103: 2
and4b.
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
But unto Thy name, give glory,
For Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake.
—Psalm 115: I.
A Brief Story of the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation at Doncaster
Looking back over the past seventy-five years since the organisation of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation at Doncaster, we have every reason to bless the name of the Lord, and to give thanks unto Him for His blessing, temporal and spiritual, so abundantly bestowed upon the members of this congregation. From humble beginnings, in lean years, and in times of plenty, God has fulfilled His promise: “ I will never fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
God always gave the congregation men, who, as true servants of the Lord, strove not to please their fellow-men, but even in times of trouble and dissensions, wholeheartedly placed their gifts in the service of the Master, and guided, comforted, ad-
monished, and helped to build up a congregation unto the Lord built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the Chief Cornerstone.
As the present generation reads this brief survey of the humble beginnings of this congregation, may it be realised that the blessing of the Lord has enabled the people to do all this, and may the young members of the congregation receive the precious inheritance of their forefathers with due appreciation and gratitude, and by their loyalty to their church, prove themselves to be worthy followers of men who, for the sake of religious liberty, were prepared to go out from among, their own people into a land which the Lord showed them.
Beginnings in the Stringy Bark Range
Among the early settlers in the Stringy Bark Range, as this part of Doncaster was known in the late forties, were several Lutherans who, for the sake of religious liberty, had migrated from their old home in Silesia, with the desire to establish here in a new country, their religious services, untrammelled by State interference. The first Lutheran settler here in Doncaster was Mr. Gottlieb Thiele, by profession a military tailor. He sailed from Hamburg on the ship “ Vappeus,” and arriving in Melbourne, soon established himself in premises, still standing, in Bourke Street, as a tailor under Vice-Regal patronage of Governor Latrobec After an excursion to the “ Diggings,” as the goldfield at Bendigo was then known, he came to Doncaster, bought ten acres of land at £10 an acre, just at the beginning of the land boom, later on another ten acres at £20 an acre, at the height of the boom, from Mr. Collins, who owned a square mile of land in the area now including King, George, and Victoria Streets. Other Lutheran settlers soon followed. They were Messrs. Walter, senr. and junr., Straube, senr. and junr., J. G. Simon. Within two years another contingent arrived, including Messrs. Chr. Finger, Gottfried, Thiele, A. Aumann, C. Aumarin, senr. and junr., C. F. Tucheband, H. Finger; then came
the third party, including Messrs. H. Fromhold, A. Fuhrmann, E. Wittig, A. C. Lenkerstorff, C. F. Hanke, W. Hanke, W. Zander, A. Zander, V. Gunther, C. Gunther, G. Berger, F. Meyer, F. Stecher, J. G. Leber, J. Pump, G. Ubergang, G. Schuhkraft, A. Rozel, and others.
The beginnings were very hard indeed. The only means of eking out an existence was by clearing the heavily timbered land, and by carting the firewood to the city—-the journey with bullocks and old-fashioned drays and carts over the unmade roads, was anything but a pleasure. The womenfolk tried to grow some vegetables and berry fruits in the small clearances between the towering box, gum and stringy bark trees, and many a basket of tomatoes, or cucumbers, or berry fruits, or other vegetables was carried to the city and sold for little money. Water shortage during the summer months was a common occurrence, and it was nothing unusual for women and children to carry water from the creek as far as a mile, for domestic and garden purposes. But, with all the hardships and the difficulties of the pioneering days, these good people never forgot that they had left their old homes, not so much
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with the desire to acquire earthly gain, but above all, to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience and not according to the rules and regulations of their old country.
Regularly, these sturdy pioneers, earnest and zealous Christians as they were, met on Sunday for divine worship. During the summer months the services were frequently held in the shade of the towering giants of the forest, and in the winter months in the primitive homes of members, usually in the one-roomed home of Mr. C. Aumann, senr. This home stood practically on the : of
the present parsonage, and the two box trees and the oak tree in the yard are the last exhibits of those early times.
Unfortunately, there are no records telling us who conducted the services; whoever they were, they were endowed with wisdom from on high to lead this little flock in paths of peace and righteousness. For many years the words of the Psalmist were true: “ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” All were united by the bonds of the same faith. And this happy state of affairs continued for many years. All worked with a will to make the house of God a habitation of the Lord among the people.
The picture of the first church shows a humble building of wattle and daub, but it was a landmark on the hill for many years. At the back of it stood the caretaker’s cottage, and in the clump of trees in the foreground, was the cemetery,
where many a sturdy pioneer found his last resting place. (The other houses on the picture are the residences of Messrs. Straube and Finger.) Every Sunday morning the church bell would call the worshippers to divine service; during the week the bell would peal forth its tuneful melody at sunrise, noon and sunset; special services such as baptisms, weddings and funerals during the week would be announced by the ringing of the church bell, and in general, a caretaker’s life in connection with the early church was one of performing many duties in
the interests of the congregation----and
all for the handsome remuneration of £4 a year, plus four collections. Such were the early beginnings!
Later on, unfortunately, on two or three occasions troubles and dissensions arose, and the congregation, which at one time numbered 1 30 communicants, decreased considerably, but at all times God gave the congregation Christian men who found the right word and tact to invite those who had grown indifferent to return to the church.
In the pages of this booklet we desire to give just a brief survey of further developments. Despite much time, and also expense, in collecting the photos, of the pioneer members, and of the officials up to the present time, it was impossible to compile a complete set. Some of those brave old men never went to the trouble to have their photo, taken. If readers can locate photos, of pioneers mentioned in this booklet, the pastor would be grateful for the loan of them for future references.
Pioneers and Past Officials
G. THIELE.
E. STRAUBE.
J. C. WALTER.
F. WALTER,
C. AUMANN, Senr.
A. AUMANN.
J. F. STRAUBE.
C. AUMANN, Junr. C. HANKE. C. FINGER.
Pioneers Mid Past Officials
►
W. ZANDER,
A. ZANDER,
0. BERGER.
f
J. PUMP.
A. ZERBE, Senr.
G. FUHRMANN
W. HANKE.
G. SCHUHKRAFT. C. ROSEL. J. G. F. WINTER.
PAST OFFICIALS
THE TRUSTEES
(Continued)
E. HANKE, A. THIELE, W. BLOBEL.
W. RIESCHIECK; (Inset) ED. AUMANN.
PRESENT OFFICIALS
Pastor: J. Simpfendorfer.
Church Elders: H. Aumann, A. Aumann, F. Rieschieck, V. Rieschieck, E. Thiele.
Secretary: E. Thiele.
Lay-Readers: A. Aumann, V. Rieschieck,
A. Rieschieck, H. Thiele, E. Thiele,
B. Bruche.
Member of the Synodical Church Council : H. Thiele.
Treasurer: F. W. Rieschieck.
Auditors: W. Rieschieck, A. Thiele. Organists: Misses C. Aumann, S. Thiele, S. Soderlund, R. Aumann (S.S.). Trustees: W. Rieschieck, A. Thiele, E. Hanke, W. Blobel, Ed. Aumann.
H. FROMHOLD. F. ZERBE.
B. BRUCHE. F. FINGER.
A. ZERBE. J. FINGER.
The first church in this district, built by the sturdy Lutheran pioneers, was a wattle and daub building erected on an acre of land presented for that purpose by Mr. Fr. Straube. To people accustomed to modern buildings of stone or brick, with high walls, towers, steeples, belfry, lead-light windows, etc., this first church must appear most unassuming. Its dimensions were: forty feet long,
twenty feet wide, twelve feet from floor to ceiling, with a shingle roof. When we compare the price of building with present-day building costs we find an altogether uncomparable difference.
The old records give us the following information re the cost of this building: Cost of 8 windows, £7; 2 doors, £l ; 1500 palings, £15; 500 feet laths, £4;
3000 shingles, £4/10/-; incidentals, £3; wages, £ 1 3. Total cost, £48.
Carpenter Lenkerstorff was the contractor. Voluntary work was done on several days by most of the members, and it was not long before the longing of the people—to have a house of worship—was satisfied. On December 26th,
1 858, the church was solemnly dedicated and declared open by Pastor Goethe in the presence of the congregation and many visitors from far and near. Services were held regularly. In the absence of the pastor a lay-reader conducted the service. On Sunday afternoons adherents of other denominations had the use of the church. This building served its purpose as church and school for thirty-four years. Gradually,
THE OLD CHURCH
however, it required repairs, and more repairs, and by 1891, had come to such a state of decay that further repairs were unwarranted, and the congregation decided to erect a new church on a block of land bought for that purpose from the estate of the late Mr. C. Aumann, senr.
Many members had been so accustomed to climb the church hill on a Sunday that they desired to see the new church erected on the old site, but through the efforts of Messrs. Winter and Zander it was eventually decided that the new site would be preferable. Here the new church was erected to the design of Architect Koch by Contractor G. W. Freeman, for the sum of £ 1039. With furnishings the total cost amounted to
£1303.
After the resignation of Pastor Schramm the question of building a parsonage arose. A half-acre of land adjoining the church—practically the spot where services had been held before the opening of the first church, in Mr. C. Aumann’s residence—was presented by Mrs. Mary
Fromhold. Plans were prepared by Architect Koch, and within a few months the present commodious parsonage was erected at a cost of £750.
In the year 1917, the organ, which had rendered valuable service in the old church, and which seemed to be badly in disrepair, was replaced by a Spencer University Type Three Manual and Pedal Organ, at a cost of £175.
For some years no great building scheme had been undertaken. Parsonage and Church were thoroughly overhauled and renovated and generally improved ; but in 1932, dreams and desires were to be fulfilled. The Church Hall at the rear of the Church, designed by Architect P. J. W. Murfett, and erected by Mr. S. F. Hunt, was dedicated and opened by the District President, Pastor A. Jericho, on October 2nd. The cost of this building, without furnishings, amounted to £645. It fulfils a long-felt want and is now the home of some of the Sunday School classes, the Ladies’ Guild, and the Lutheran Young People’s Society.
At a meeting of the Lutheran Congregation, in Mr. C. Aumann’s house, on April 29th, 1 860, Mr. Max von Schramm was offered, and accepted, the office of teacher, the congregation engaging to remunerate him by the school fees of the children. Messrs. C. Aumann, senr., F. Meyer, and Gottlieb Thiele, were chosen to act as a School Committee. Mr. Schramm accepted the position and was
solemnly installed as teacher on Ascension Day. School was held in the church. Fifty children attended the first picnic, held on Boxing Day. Besides teaching the three “ R’s ” of the ordinary school curriculum, special attention was devoted to the upbringing of the children in the nurture and the fear of the Lord. School commenced with the singing of a hymn, short devotion and prayer. More import-
The Church School
ance seems to have been laid, on the spiritual than on the secular education of the children. The memorising of Hymns, Scripture verses, Bible lessons and Psalms was quite an important part of the school curriculum. The School Committee, elected by the congregation, was charged with the duty of inspecting the school every month. After a few years’ time, however, it was found that the curriculum had to be slightly modified to meet the wishes of many other people, whose children attended this school. Several secular subjects were taught in the English language; the committee was enlarged by the inclusion of men who were not members of the congregation; the Government was approached for a school allowance, particularly because of very bad seasons, as many parents had been in arrears with the payment of the school fees; a sewing mistress had to be appointed in the year 1864; and, towards the end of the same year, a special grant was received from the Board of Education for the erection of a new school on Doncaster Hill; and then from 1865 school was no longer held in the old church on the Waldau Hill, but in the new school building, now part of the
E. S. & A. Bank.
The month of January, 1873, marks the time of great changes in the history of this school. A new Education Act had now become law, the school was no longer a church school, but a “ Common School ”; new sets of rules and regulations prescribed the curriculum, and abolished the religious instruction in favour of more secular education. A largely-signed petition requested the Board of Education to retain the “ Common School ” as a “ State School.’
The religious instruction being abolished, Mr. Schramm stated that, because of conscientious objections, he would no longer continue to act as teacher, and resigned, and then built a church school on his own property adjoining the school grounds. On November 2nd this school was formally dedicated and opened with thirty-two scholars on the roll. The following gentlemen were elected a school committee: Messrs. H. Finger, W. Hanke, J. Pump, C. Thiele, A. Zander. It was resolved that there should be a monthly visit to the school by at least one member of the committee. Special time was devoted to the reading of Holy Scripture. Attendance increased, and at one time, forty-three children received their instruction in this private school; but with the increased educational demands of the new Board of Education and the keener competition of the State schools (East and West Doncaster schools) it was found necessary to close the school in which so many of the present-day members of this congregation had received their education. The minutes of the school committee record the tragic event with these words: “ To-day, the 8th day of August, 1 884, we held school for the last time; from now on we must send our children to the state school.” For many years thereafter, Pastor Schramm continued faithfully to give instruction on Saturday mornings in the German language, in Bible history, in the Catechism, in Church history, and in singing.
The following men rendered the pastor and teacher great assistance during the eleven years of the existence of this school: Messrs. C. Aumann, senr. and junr., H. Finger, W. Hanke, J. Pump, W. Zander, A. Zander, and C. Thiele.
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CHURCH INTERIOR
The Pastors
PASTOR GOETHE, 1858-1867.
PASTOR HERLITZ, 1863-1876.
PASTOR M. SCHRAMM, 1876-1908.
THE PASTOR:
PASTOR MATTHIAS GOETHE.
From the time it was organised the congregation was served by Pastor Matthias Goethe of Melbourne. P. Goethe hailed from Neuendorf, near Coblenz, Germany. As a member of the Roman Catholic Church he had been trained for the priesthood, but he turned Protestant, joined the Lutheran Church, went to England and received a call from Dr. Lang, the founder of the Australian College in Sydney, to join the teaching staff of this institution. While in Sydney he ministered to a small German congregation near Sydney. Failing health compelled him to apply for several months’ leave of absence. He came to Melbourne on holidays. In the late ’forties several Lutheran families had arrived in Melbourne, and although without a pastor, assembled regularly for divine worship every Sunday afternoon in a church placed at their disposal by Scottish friends.
On Christmas Day, 1852, Pastor Goethe conducted a service in the German language in Scots Church, and on Boxing Day he preached again to a crowded church. This continued for three months, and on March 25th, 1853,
he accepted a call to be the first Lutheran pastor in Melbourne. Pastor Goethe led a very active life; he attended not only to the spiritual wants of the German immigrants in Melbourne and the far-flung suburbs, but he went further afield and established congregations at Thomas-town, Berwick, Harkaway, Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong. Even before the Doncaster congregation was organised. Pastor Goethe had paid occasional visits to the Lutheran settlers in the Stringy Bark Range (later on called Waldau) here in Doncaster. Frequently he journeyed on foot from Harkaway to Doncaster, calling on many struggling beginners along the route to give them words of cheer, help and comfort. On Sunday afternoon he would come here from Melbourne, usually on foot; but during the winter months, members of the Melbourne congregation, living at Hawthorn, would bring him by carriage as far as the end of the metal road, between Pen-quite and Myrtle Park. There he would be met by members of the local congregation. It was usually Mr. W. Hanke’s business to meet the pastor. The unmade road cut up by the drays and carts of the woodcarters was more often than
not a succession of mudholes in winter, and dustpots in the summer, and the kind-hearted pastor thought it was expecting too much of the horse, which had worked all the week, to pull the dray and the two men over those roads, so pastor and driver would walk and lead the horse. Unfortunately, Pastor Goethe never lived to see the day when the metalled road would go as far as the Koo-nong Creek. The strenuous life he had led began to tell on him, and he was compelled to take an extended rest, which gave him an opportunity of visiting his aged mother in the old country. During his absence the Doncaster congregation was served by, and also after his return, had the pleasure of frequent visits from Pastor Hausmann, of Grovedale, Pastor Burkhard of Melbourne, Pastor Niquet of Ballarat, Pastor Munzel of Castlemaine, and Pastor Hagenauer. Pastors Hausmann and Burkhard, later on, went to Queensland ; Pastor Niquet accepted a call from South Australia; Pastor Munzel passed out, and Pastor Hagenauer became the Superintendent of the Ramayuck Aboriginal Mission Station. In literary matters Pastor Goethe was also a very active man; besides writing numerous articles for European papers and magazines, he published the first Lutheran Church paper here in Victoria: “ The Pilgrim.” German tpye-setters were not always available, and the publication of this paper was irregular, at times it was published quarterly instead of monthly, and finally ceased altogether. After a lapse of two years, however, it appeared again under the new name: ‘‘ The Christenboten,” and for fifty years was a beloved and ever welcome visitor in the homes of Lutherans in Victoria and the other States. In the year 1 867, Pastor Goethe had to ask for
leave of absence for six months, as he desired to do a trip for the good of his health, to California. Great was the sorrow when, at the end of that time, a letter arrived praying the congregation to relieve him of his office, for health and family reasons. This was granted, but his health had failed so much that he never regained normal strength. On October 25th, 1876, this faithful servant of the Lord was called to higher service. His mortal remains were laid to their last resting place the following day, in the General Cemetery at Sacramento, California.
PASTOR HERMANN HERLITZ.
Early in the year 1 862, Pastor Goethe had sent a letter to Prelate Kapff, of Stuttgart, requesting him to send an assistant to take charge of part of the vast field. The call was handed to Cand. Hermann Herlitz, who had but recently finished his course of studies at the Seminary of the Basel Mission Society. Arriving in 1862, to take charge of the Grovedale congregation, Pastor Herlitz was confronted by a most difficult matter in Grovedale. A part of the congregation had formed an independent congregation, under the leadership of a Pastor Jacobsen, and refused to allow Pastor Herlitz to conduct services in the church, and he was obliged, with the members who remained loyal to him, to conduct services in an old school building. He laboured faithfully in this parish for six years, and in 1868 accepted a call from the Melbourne congregation, which he had served during the absence of Pastor
\
Goethe in America. On March 25th, at the occasion of the annual synodical convention, he was installed by Pastor Niquet, acting president, and at the same synod, was elected president—an office which he held with great dignity for over forty years. The parish then consisted of the congregations at Melbourne, Thomastown, Berwick, Scoresby, and Doncaster. The Church paper: “ The Christenboten, was edited by him from that year, and was enlarged from a four-paged folder to the large-sized twelve to sixteen page Christian paper, so well-beloved by many readers in all States. His ministry here in Doncaster was very successful, although there had been a dissension at one time; the congregation increased in numbers and members always looked forward to the visit of their pastor, who had an able assistant here in Doncaster in Mr. Max von Schramm, the local school teacher, a personal friend from college days in Liegnitz Silesia. The many duties connected with a large city pastorate, and with the office of president, and the editorship of the church paper, frequently caused Pastor Herlitz to long for a vicar, or better still, for the establishment of a parish consisting of some of the above-named congregations.
that time was approached, and, on the recommendation of the president, “ that, if the candidate passed an examination and so showed his qualifications,” the request was granted. The Examination Board consisted of the president, three pastors and three laymen; the candidate was examined on July 28th and following days, and on November 5 th was ordained by the president, assisted by Pastor G. Heyer and Pastor C. Hiller. Pastor Schramm served the Doncaster congregation regularly, conducted services in Bayswater (Scoresby) monthly, and visited, quarterly, the remaining members of the one-time flourishing Berwick-Harkaway-Narre Warren congregation. It was in the time of his ministry that the beautiful church in Gothic style was erected. After a faithful ministry of over thirty years, plus sixteen years as teacher, he retired from service to spend a well-earned, happy evening of life; unfortunately, not for long; the Master was there and called his servant from the church militant to the church triumphant in the following year. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the Box Hill cemetery on. November 2 1 st, 1 908.
PASTOR MAX VON SCHRAMM. PASTOR RICHARD HELD.
In the year 1876, the Doncaster congregation approached their teacher, Mr. Max von Schramm, with a proposal that he should be their pastor and teacher. Synod sitting in Conference in Ballarat at
Immediately after the resignation of Pastor Schramm, the president sent a call to Basel praying the authorities to send a candidate for this vacancy. The call was handed to Pastor Richard Held.
18
SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
PASTOR J. SIMPFENDORFER, 1920-- -
PASTOR R. HELD, PASTOR FEHLBERG,
190S-1912. 1915-1920.
The Pastors
Arriving here in June, 1 908, the new pastor was installed by the president on July 1 2th, 1 908. The new commodious parsonage adjoining the church was built the following year, and Pastor Held worked with the zeal of youth to increase membership, going into the highways and byways, inviting the people to come to church; a choir was organised, Bible classes were started, and everything augured well for the future. Through some unfortunate incidents, however, the zeal of the pastor was not rewarded as expected, and misunderstanding arose. His ministry ended in 1912, when he accepted a call to St. John’s Church, Tanunda.
PASTOR GOTTLIEB HEGELAU.
After a very short vacancy the congregation was fortunate in finding a successor in Pastor G. Hegelau, of Toowoomba, Queensland. Pastor Hegelau was not unknown to the congregation; for many years he had served the Victoria District Synod as a Home Missioner, and had frequently conducted services in this congregation. But his ministry was not to be of very long duration. Early in 1915 he tendered his resignation, and the good people were again a flock without a shepherd ; and, to make matters worse, the faithful friend and pastor in Melbourne had found it necessary, on account of his age, ,to tender his resignation, after a ministry of over forty-five years, and so could not come out to conduct evening services on week-days as had been his custom during the previous vacancy.
PASTOR ALBRECHT FEHLBERG.
But a notice in the church paper showed the Doncaster folk that they were not forgotten. Five applicants desired particulars about the vacant position. The congregation’s choice from among these applicants was Pastor Albrecht Fehlberg, from Bismarck, Tasmania. Pastor Fehlberg was really a stranger to the people; he had studied in Neuendettelsau, had then been in charge of the Jeparit parish of his synod, and from there had been sent by the president of the synod to do pioneer work among Lutheran descendants in 7 asmania. But he found, to his great sorrow, that his services were not fully appreciated by these people, some of whom had joined the Seventh Day Adventists; others treated religion with great indifference. He accepted the call and was installed by Pastor C. Hiller (the new president) in May, 1915. His first task was the reorganisation of the Sunday School; then, regular meetings for the younger members of the congregation were arranged; this was followed by the establishment of a church choir; the Common Service Liturgy was introduced in part, and in general, he tried his best, under very adverse circumstances, to further the welfare of the congregation. In 1 920, a change of work, which was to be to his advantage, was effected, and he exchanged places with Pastor John Simp-fendorfer, of Eudunda, the present pastor, who was installed on October 3 1, 1 920, by the president, Pastor K. Gutekunst, assisted by Pastor G. Simpfendorfer and Pastor W. W. Fritsch.
Sunday School Scholars and Teachers
1 he Sunday School
The records (complete!) of the Sunday School date back to the year 1879. Although Pastor Schramm continued to give religious instruction right from the time of his appointment as teacher, members desired to bring their children up in the fear of the Lord right from infancy and taught them to go to church. The child which has attended Sunday School (the children’s church service) regularly and has so grown up in the church, will find it quite natural after Confirmation, to advance from the children’s service to attend divine service with the Christian congregation. At present forty-two children attend Sunday School. An efficient staff of teachers, who, by their regular attendance, set a good example to the children, encouraging them to regular attendance—-one boy attended Sunday School for five years without missing a single Sunday—assist the superintendent and the pastor in this important work. The congregation has every cause for gratitude, that at all times, young and older members have been willing to give their time and their services to the church as teachers in the Sunday School. The very capable services of Mr. Henry Thiele, as teacher and superintendent, for over fifty years, and of Mr. August Au-mann as a teacher for ten years, and then as superintendent for the last thirteen years, are worthy to be mentioned with pleasure and gratitude. The Sunday School is held on the “ Grade ” System. The Kindergarten Class has its own room, with picture charts, etc., etc. As the scholars advance the lessons get more strenuous. Bible History and Hymns are followed by Texts and Catechism. Nearly all scholars attend Sun-
day School for one or two years after Confirmation, and receive special instruction as a Senior Class by the pastor. Dr. Gerberding’s book: “ The Way of Salvation,” is studied, Church History, especially since the time of the Reformation, and the doctrinal differences of the various Denominations and Sects, are examined in the light of the Word of God.
The Sunday School children have always shown great interest in Foreign Missions. On several occasions New Guinea Missionaries have given addresses and aroused keener interest among the children in doing their bit to bring the Word of God to the native boys and girls in New Guinea. During the last twelve years the sum of £ 1 65 was given in pennies and threepenny bits by the children to the New Guinea Mission.
The present staff of teachers are: Superintendent, Mr. August Aumann. Senior Class, the Pastor. Other teachers are: the Misses R. Aumann, S. Soderlund, D. Thiele, H. Hanke, and Mr. L. Soderlund.
Lutheran Young People's
Society
Although spasmodic attempts at forming a young people’s society had been made on former occasions, it was during the time of Pastor Fehlberg’s ministry that the young people’s society was organised. Originally, it was known as the Lutheran Endeavour Society (L.E.S.) A constitution was drafted and, after some time, accepted, and with minor alterations has been in force ever since. Meetings are held weekly, usually on a Wednesday, from Easter to the end of October. The evenings are of a devotional, educational, or social nature. One par-
YOUNG
PEOPLE’S
SOCIETY.
PRESENT
OFFICIALS:
President:
The Pastor.
Vice-President: Mr. Ed. Rieschieck.
Secretary:
Mr. L. Soderlund.
Treasurer:
Miss S. Thiele.
Librarian:
Miss J. Aumann.
ticular book of the Bible (alternately Old and New Testament) is taken for the year’s study, and is explained by the pastor. The educational side is of a high order, and consists of debates and speeches (impromptu and prepared), essays and lectures and recitations, lantern slide entertainments, community singing, etc. Socials are held about four times a year.
For a number of years the meetings were held in a large room of the parsonage, set aside for that purpose, but since
last year the young people have an up-to-date home of their own in the new “ Church Hall.” At present there are twenty-eight members on the roll.
The young people have always been willing to assist in the church by rendering voluntary services and giving various presents both to the church and to the church hall. The present officials of the L.Y.P.S. are: President, the Pastor; Vice-President, Mr. Ed. Rieschieck; Secretary, Mr. L. Soderlund; Treasurer, Miss S. Thiele; Librarian, Miss J. Aumann.
The
Ladies5
In June, 1921, the pastor invited the ladies of the congregation to the parsonage for the purpose of forming a Ladies’ Missionary Union. The object was, particularly as our Lutheran Church had but a month previously accepted such a great responsibility in the New Guinea Mission,
to acquire greater knowledge, arouse greater interest, and do some particular work for the New Guinea Mission. In due course missionaries on furlough were invited, and on many occasions, gave most helpful addresses and interesting talks on their work in New Guinea. Proof of the
LADIES’ GUILD
interest aroused, and the love for our New Guinea Mission, is found in the many large and valuable parcels which, year after year, are packed into the New Guinea Christmas Boxes. But in due course, it was found that it would be desirable to enlarge the circle of members by including the younger ladies, and by changing the nature of the meeting from one of a more devotional to one including also manual activity, by working for the mission in the Home and the Foreign Field. Members attend regularly every fortnight, on Thursday afternoon, from Easter to the end of October; all kinds and sorts of plain and fancy work are done, reports are received, business is attended to, items of an edifying and/or entertaining nature are rendered, afternoon tea is pro-
vided, and in every way the Ladies’ Guild has proved itself a very valuable and serviceable asset in the affairs of the congregation. Since its inception, the sum of £200 has been raised for the Foreign and the Home Field, and many gifts in the church, as also the sum of £45 towards the building fund of the church hall, bear witness to the fact that here is a live body attending to many minor affairs of the church and assisting in their own way that everything be neat and in order.
The officials of the Ladies’ Guild are: President, Mrs. E. Hanke; Vice-President, Mrs. W. Rieschieck; Secretary, Miss Joyce Aumann; Treasurer, Miss Dora Thiele.
Present Officials
Standing: E. THIELE, F. W. RIESCHIECK, V. RIESCHIECK, B. BRUCHE. Sitting: H. THIELE, A. AUMANN, THE PASTOR,
H. AUMANN, A. RIESCHIECK.
CONCLUSION
The God of all grace, Who has called us unto eternal glory by Christ Jesus . . . make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
(1 Peter 5, 10 and 11.)
S.A. PRESS.
508 Albert Street, East Melbourne, C. 2.
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