Open_-.Air Ser,•ices in the Upper Michigan Peninsula

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,

"THE REDFORD A~ '-'D ROBERTS FA:i\IILY."

O.W.L,

Open-Air Services in the Upper Michigan Peninsula.

On June 17, 1928, the undersigned conducted his initial outdoor service at Fort Wilkins, Mich., or Copper Harbor, as it is often called. This beautiful summer resort, where many tourists camp for months and where hundreds of cars a.re found every Sunday, is approximately thirty-eight miles from Laurium. A week before the first service I placed many posters and placards throughout the park, announcing the service. On June 16 I also put two paid advertisements in our local papers, announcing the service and bidding the public a cordial welcome.

The first service was attended by·over 200 people; more than half of these people were strangers to m!:l, My Walther League Girls' Sextet rendered several · sacred selections. A violin solo and a vocal solo were also given. The topic of the sermon was "Jesus, the Friend of Si.puers." The pulpit from which I preached ( and which I used every Sunday thereafter) is about 7 feet high and seven feet in diameter. About 30 feet behind the pulP,it is a beautiful lake, while to the left, right, and in front are various buildings which were formerly used by the state militia. Park benches were used by the greater part of the audience, while many people remained in their cars, from where they could hear every word of the sermon. Oars can drive right up to the pulpit. After the service I announced tha.t the free-will offering would be used exclusively to purchase tracts, Bibles, and religious literature, which would be distributed free of charge to ad! people at the services and to such churchless people, patients at our local hospitals, and others as the pastor would meet on his missionary visits and ~s. The people contributed willingly and. freely.

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 time a large audience could be seen near the pulpit. The audience was very attentive. Many people even remarked to me about the very good behavior and conduct of the audience. Simple Gospel sermons were delivered. Some of the topics were: "Jesus, the only Savior," "Salvation by Faith in Christ," "The Bible, the World's Greatest Need," "Why I Am a Christian."

Over 2,000 copies of the various books of the New Testament in seventeen different languages were distributed; over 3,000 religious tracts, plus hundreds of programs made on my Rotospeed, were always given away free. Many old volumes of the Walther League lllessenger were distributed.

Some readers of this article may say of the undersigned: "Your service is too much like a revi·val; it is too sectarian." Some may state that it is.not "Missourian." Whether you consider it Missourian or not, I believe it is "Christian." What does Jesus mean when He says, "Go I Preach I"? Does He mean• that the pastor or the missionary is to walk from the parsonage to the church or chapel, have service there, and call it "a. day's work well done" ? No, Jesus wants His disciples to preach God's Word wherever and wlienever they can do so for the welfare of immortal souls and for the glory of God. If my services at parks are looked upon as "revivals," would it not be a blessed thing for our Church and for our Synod to encourage and support such revivals? If this were done, our communicant membership would not be only 676,000; no, it would be more .than doubled. You must admit that many will be drawn to such services who cannot be persuaded to come to a church service. If you doubt this, ju~t try it. What better church publicity is there than such services? Advertise the Gospel, preach it, and people will come to hear it. Our Laurium church has experienced this blessed truth. It is a common thing for us to have from 100 to 200 strange~s !Lt our Sunday evening services.