THE LUTHERAN PIONEER. and praying with her, which gave her so much comfort and happiness. She often told us after you had gone how much your words had cheered her. "The most beautiful and thoughtful words which you spoke at our dear mother's funeral are remembered by us all. Our family wishes to thank you for your kind sympathy and for the service shown us in our sad hour of bereavement. "You will find enclosecl a token for you, in appreciation for your most valued services and kindµess to us. "Again thanking you, we remain sincerely,
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Ten services were conducted. The attendance varied from 200 to over 600 people. We also had congregational singing. I printed about 400 programs on my Rotospeed. On one side of the program sheet I printed hymns, and on the other I had various Bible-passages, information about our church services, the Sunday-school, the summerschool, and our church organizations. Vocal and instrumental solos, duets, etc., were rendered. When I would arrive at the park, many people, after seeing me arrive, would assemble near the pulpit. Others . would be notified by having the Sunday service program handed to them by the ushers. In a very short "THE REDFORD A~ ' -'D ROBERTS FA:i\IILY." time a large audience could be seen near the pulpit. O.W.L, The audience was very attentive. Many people even remarked to me about the very good behavior and Open-Air Services in the Upper conduct of the audience. Simple Gospel sermons Michigan Peninsula. were delivered. Some of the topics were: "Jesus, the only Savior," "Salvation by Faith in Christ," On June 17, 1928, the undersigned conducted "The Bible, the World's Greatest Need," "Why his initial outdoor service at Fort Wilkins, Mich., I Am a Christian." or Copper Harbor, as it is often called. This beautiOver 2,000 copies of the various books of the ful summer resort, where many tourists camp for New Testament in seventeen different languages months and where hundreds of cars a.re found every were distributed; over 3,000 religious tracts, plus Sunday, is approximately thirty-eight miles from hundreds of programs made on my Rotospeed, were Laurium. A week before the first service I placed always given away free. Many old volumes of the many posters and placards throughout the park, an- Walther League lllessenger were distributed. nouncing the service. On June 16 I also put two Some readers of this article may say of the paid advertisements in our local papers, announcing undersigned: "Your service is too much like a rethe service and bidding the public a cordial welcome. vi·val; it is too sectarian." Some may state that it The first service was attended by·over 200 people; is .not "Missourian." Whether you consider it Mismore than half of these people were strangers to m!:l, sourian or not, I believe it is "Christian." What My Walther League Girls' Sextet rendered several · does Jesus mean when He says, "Go I Preach I"? sacred selections. A violin solo and a vocal solo Does He mean•that the pastor or the missionary is were also given. The topic of the sermon was to walk from the parsonage to the church or chapel, "Jesus, the Friend of Si.puers." The pulpit from have service there, and call it "a. day's work well which I preached ( and which I used every Sunday done" ? No, Jesus wants His disciples to preach thereafter) is about 7 feet high and seven feet in God's Word wherever and wlienever they can do so diameter. About 30 feet behind the pulP,it is a for the welfare of immortal souls and for the glory beautiful lake, while to the left, right, and in front of God. If my services at parks are looked upon as are various buildings which were formerly used by "revivals," would it not be a blessed thing for our the state militia. Park benches were used by the Church and for our Synod to encourage and supgreater part of the audience, while many people port such revivals? If this were done, our comremained in their cars, from where they could hear municant membership would not be only 676,000; every word of the sermon. Oars can drive right up no, it would be more .than doubled. You must admit to the pulpit. After the service I announced tha.t that many will be drawn to such services who cannot the free-will offering would be used exclusively to be persuaded to come to a church service. If you purchase tracts, Bibles, and religious literature, doubt this, ju~t try it. What better church publicity which would be distributed free of charge to ad! is there than such services? Advertise the Gospel, people at the services and to such churchless people, preach it, and people will come to hear it. Our patients at our local hospitals, and others as the Laurium church has experienced this blessed truth. pastor would meet on his missionary visits and ~s. It is a common thing for us to have from 100 to 200 strange~s !Lt our Sunday evening services. The people contributed willingly and .freely.
