interchange of opinions will materially help to remove
whatever obstacles may be in the way.

"We surely recognize the fact that our Lutheran Church does not command
that influence or maintain that position in this city and vicinity which
its history, purity of doctrine and conservative policy entitles it to;
and we may be sure that just so long as our divisions continue, loss of
membership and prestige, increasing weakness, and final disaster, will
be our lot.

"Brethren, in unity is strength. Earnestly desiring to do what we can to
bring it about, we ask the pastors of our Church and their church
officers to take this important matter into consideration, and to take
steps to participate in a meeting in this behalf which the Martin Luther
Society proposes to hold on Tuesday evening, January 22d, 1889, in the
hall of the Academy of Medicine, No. 12 West 31st Street, in this city."

The annual banquet of the Martin Luther Society was an important
function. Distinguished speakers lifted high the banner of Lutheranism,
and good fellowship began to be cultivated among the representatives of
churches and synods hitherto unacquainted with each other. Nearly all of
its members have passed on and the Society is only a memory among a few
survivors of those who shared its genial hospitality and recall the
kindly fellowship of its meetings. The Martin Luther Society blazed the
trail for the wider path on which we are walking today, and it deserves
to be held in honored remembrance.

A few years later, in 1888, the younger men caught the inspiration and
established The Luther League. The organization soon extended to other
parts of the State and subsequently to the entire country. It has
splendidly attained its objective, that of rallying and training the
young people in the support and service of the church. Its official
organ, The Luther League Review, is published in this city under the
editorship of the Hon. Edward F. Eilert. Eleven hundred members are
enrolled in the local Leagues of New York City.

The first practical attempt of the ministers to get together was in the
organization of "Koinonia." This took place in the home of the writer in
1896. The society meets once a month for the purpose of discussing the
papers which each member in his turn is required to read. Representing
as it does Lutherans of all kinds, species and varieties, it serves as a
clearing house for the theological output of the members. It has been