Concordia University Chicago - Pillars Yearbook (River Forest, IL)

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rerace It was several months ago, when the hope was first entertained that some day Addison ' s seniors would publish a class book. After careful consideration and with much misgiving, Class ' 1 2 finally decided to make the initial attempt. We had never before seen a class book in the making, and knew not the amount of work it entailed. This explains the late appearance of Blue and Gold. We, who prepared almost every detail of the book, are especially concerned about its success, for it would certainly grieve us sorely, should we not see the good results of our efforts. The proceeds will benefit the building fund of the new Seminary at River Forest. Thanks is due Mr. M. Thieme, 14, for the headings and comic drawings. CLASS OF 1912.

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History of Our Seminary WHEN Dr. Walther emigrated to this country, he not only brought with him the true doctrine as Luther professed it, but also Luther ' s sentiments in regard to the best means of maintaining the true doctrine. Dr. Walther held with Luther that if the Church was to prosper, if staunch confessors of the true faith and the pure doctrine were to be obtained, it would be necessary to bring the children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and to teach them the Word of God in all its truth and purity. With this object in view our Lutheran parochial schools were called into existence. Pastors of different congregations opened parochial schools, and worked diligently to up- hold them. It soon became evident, however, that such pastors were overburdened with work, and time would not permit them to discharge faithfully their pastoral duties, and at the same time meet responsibilties devolving upon them in assuming the position of a school teacher. The schools gradually grew larger, and their number rapidly increased so that it soon became a strongly felt necessity to have specially trained teachers to take charge of them; such teachers who not only had a warm heart for school children, and would consecrate their energy to the work in the vineyard of the Lord, but also possessed the knowledge and essential proficiency to teach. Conscious of the great need for help in this respect, the professors of the Theologi- cal Seminary in Ft. Wayne sacrificed their leisure time and surplus energy to prepare and qualify young men for the teachers profession. Until the year 1855, however, but eleven teachers were graduated from this institution. Owing to the fact that their regular branches required so much work and time, the professors would not furnish enough teachers to meet the demands. Prompted by love of the Lord, four self-sacrificing men, the Revs. Fleisch- mann, Dulitz and Lochner, and teacher Dietz, founded an institution in Milwaukee for the purpose of training Ev. Luth. parochial school teachers. For two years the institu- tion was in their charge, and during this time their efforts proved not to be in vain, and their diligent work was crowned with success. In the meantime, the Central District of the Synod met in Indianapolis, and on this occasion, matters regarding the education of teachers for our parochial schools were discussed. Among others, wishes were expressed that our teachers should no longer be educated in the private seminary in Milwaukee, but that this institution should be trans- ferred to the care of the Synod, and then be located in Ft. Wayne, in close connection with the Theological Seminary. The opinion was held that it would be more desirable and satisfactory to have our teachers educated in an institution entirely under the control and in charge of the Synod. However, it was not until the general Synod convened in Ft. Wayne in 1857 that the proposed plan was adopted, and the change made. Rev. Fleischmann was appointed professor, and became at the same time Director of the Semi- nary Department. He arrived in Ft. Wayne on Nov. 10, 1857, to assume the duties of his position. It is the year 1857, therefore from which our Alma Mater really dates her birth. Although Prof. Fleischmann was assisted in his special work by the professors of the Theological Department, the student body grew so large in course of four years that another professor was required to assist in the work. Rev. C. A.T. Selle, of Rock Island, 111,