ments were served by a committee of the local League, and a very enjoyable time was had.

First Session, Saturday Morning

The convention was formally opened by the President, Dr. W. P. Steinhaeuser, on Saturday morning. Mrs. H. Heinsheimer, of the Asbury Park Luther League, gave a most cordial welcome for the Lutheran Church of the Atonement, which was responded to by Mr. H. W. Fiedler, Vice-President.

The registration showed the largest attendance of delegates, visitors and pastors present in the history of the State organization.

The President appointed the following committees:

President's Address:

H. H. Schnepel,
Miss A. Seiberling,
Miss B. Davis.
Nominating Committee:
Miss Emma Rothfritz,
Miss Grace Fisher,
Miss S. Sarstedt.
Resolution Committee:
Rev. H. L. Y. Seyler,
Miss M. Teutsch,
Miss E. Clark.

Auditing Committee:
G. Paulson,

Miss A. Thompson,
Mrs. May Borman.
The keynote of the
"Liberty."

convention

was

Dr. Steinhaeuser submitted his report as President as follows:

We are again assembled in annual convention to deliberate over the success achieved during the past year, and to lay plans for the future extension and broadening of our beloved Luther League.

Permit me to congratulate you on this assembling in twenty-second annual session. The year just closed has been one of general prosperity. We have increased in members and strength. As the years go by and as we learn their lessons and profit by their experiences, we become more firmly anchored in the hearts of our Lutheran people, and never has there been a day when the Luther League of New Jersey had so strong a hold on the confidence and good judyment of our people as it has today.

MEMBERSHIP.

It is with a sense of deep and abiding gratitude that I am able to announce that the membership increase in the State the past year has been of a pronounced character, exceeding that of previous years. Three new Leagues have been added to our roster, with two more seeking admission, a record that has not been surpassed for five years past. This is a remarkable growth when it is remembered that we have just passed through one of the most crucial years in our American history. The great financial depression throughout the country has had considerable to do with our increase, but I think there is cause for congratulation that in spite of these unforeseen conditions we have made such a commendable gain.

DISTRICT MEETINGS.

A large number of District Meetings were held during the year in both the Northern and Southern jurisdictions, at which one or more State officers were present. Your State President attended the following meetings: Northern District: Newark, April 16; Perth Amboy, September 18. Southern District: Riverside, February 2; Camden, June 26. The District Meetings held at Newark and Perth Amboy were largely attended, there being over two hundred delegates and visitors present, and much fruitfulness resulted therefrom. The District Meeting held at Riverside was also largely attended, while the one held at Camden, while small in attendance, was big in enthusiasm. Your State President made addresses at each of these meetings, inspiring the members to a higher and loftier aim in working out the problems confronting the Luther League as a whole.

THE LUTHER LEAGUE REVIEW.

For nearly thirty years the LUTHER LEAGUE REVIEW has appeared as the official organ of the Luther League movement. It has consistently voiced the cardinal principles of the Luther League cause. Its welfare as an agency in our cause has been studied. Today the LUTHER LEAGUE REVIEW continues to devote its energies to this splendid cause of our Church. Every Leaguer owes it to himself as well as to his fellow Leaguers to suport this excellent journal. Keep in touch with the organization and the work it is doing. By making a careful note of the plans and methods used with success by workers in other jurisdictions, good results often accrue.

During the past year, as your president, I have had published numerous contributions in this excellent journal concerning the Luther League of New Jersey. Copies have been widely distributed among the local Leagues. I have tried to inspire our members to a higher conception of the duties demanded of a true Luther Leaguer. A vote of thanks is due the LUTHER LEAGUE REVIEW for this excellent publicity.

PRIZES FOR MEMBERSHIP INCREASES.

At the beginning of the term your president offered a number of prizes for membership increases in all local Leagues affiliated with the Luther League of New Jersey. The purpose of these prizes was to inspire our membership to recruit our ranks to goodly proportions. While no one has as yet come forward to claim any one of the prizes offered, it is hoped that the interest engendered has been of a healthy character.

JUBILEE FUND.

At the Toledo convention of the Luther League of America, August 15 to 17, 1916, action was taken looking toward a proper observance of the great Jubilee Year of the Reformation. In order to do its part in making such a celebration a pronounced success, it was decided to create a Jubilee Fund among the membership at large to be used in placing the Luther League work upon a more permanent and self-sustaining basis. A per capita of twenty-five cents per member was asked to ba raised through the medium of District and State Leagues. Quite a number of the Leagues in our jurisdiction have responded to this call and have sent their apportionment to the State Treasurer, for which they are to be congratulated. There are, however, a number of Leagues that have not sent in their apportionment. I would urge that they do so without delay in order that New Jersey may take its rightful place in the list of those responding promptly to the call of the Luther League of America. Make this your first duty when you return to your local Leagues.

NEW STATE CONSTITUTION.

At the annual convention held in Atlantic City, October, 1916, a new constitution for the government of the Luther League of New Jersey was adopted with the exception of the clause concerning finances, which was referred to the State Executive Committee for action. At the second meeting of the State Executive Committee held in Riverside, February 2, the clause relating to finances was definitely decided upon, making the per capita tax twenty cents for each society and one dollar for each District League affiliating with this organization. The State Executive Committee took upon itself the responsibility of having the new constitution printed instead of holding the matter over for this convention, in order to guide

Leagues in their work. It is hoped that this convention will ratify the action of the State Executive Committee.

ADVERTISING.

The Luther League of New Jersey has been advertised this year as perhaps it has never been advertised before. Your president is a firm believer in judicious advertising campaigns. As there was no literature available your State President wrote the folder, "Pertinent Questions Answered," covering a large number of questions asked by new members and Leagues.

MARTIN LUTHER ESSAY CONTEST.

Early in June your State President announced a Martin Luther Essay Contest open to the members of Luther Leagues affiliated with the Luther League of New Jersey or that became affiliated prior to August 15, 1917. This contest was held for the purpose of stimulating more interest in the work of Martin Luther, especially during this Quadri-Centennial Year. Your State President donated three prizes consisting of $10, $5 and $2.50 in gold. Local Leagues were urged to interest their members in this contest. Up to the time the contest closed, namely, September 15, there was only one essay submitted. Your president is somewhat disappointed in the lack of interest taken by the rank and file in this contest. Hopes were entertained that a large number of essays would be submitted. As it is, the contest has been declared off because no contest could be held with only one contestant.

WEAR THE EMBLEM.

The emblem is a silent witness of the force and energy of the Luther League. It is an inspiration to see it worn by our membership as it shows their faith in our principles, besides being a good advertising medium for our cause. In this day of emblems and when so many of them are worn in some conspicuous place, wear the emblem. Every Luther Leaguer should wear it. It is the badge of loyalty. It ennobles those who wear it and the grand cause for which it stands.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

I desire to submit the following recommendations for your most careful consideration:

1. That hereafter all local Leagues defray the expenses of their delegates overnight at State conventions.

2. That all local and district Leagues be requested to remit their annual dues on or before September 1 of each year, as provided by the new constitution in order that the State Treasurer may be able to close her books and make a complete report at the annual conventions.

3. That membership contests be conducted by local Leagues as well as district Leagues in order to increase our ranks very materially during the coming

year.

4. That Leagues affiliated with the Luther League of New Jersey owing two or more years' back dues have them remitted.

5. That corresponding secretaries of local and district Leagues furnish the State President with quarterly reports concerning their activities in order that he may be informed at first hand about the work in general.

6. That each local and district League when electing officers send their names and addresses to the State President and also to the State Statistical Secretary at once.

7. That local Leagues pursue a systematic course of study during the coming year.

8. That Model Luther League Meetings be exemplified at the next conventions of the Northern and Southern District Leagues in order that a better understanding be obtained concerning the right conduct of such meetings.

19. That the State President's Annual Address, or as much of it as is important, be published in folder form by the Luther League of New Jersey and circulated throughout the State.

10. That the presidents of the Northern and Southern District Leagues meet with the State President once a year for advice and counsel.

11. That all local Leagues be urged to purchase copies of the new Luther League Handbook.

12. That hereafter all State officers and members of the State Executive Committee attending the annual conventions have their railroad fare paid from the State League treasury.

13. That local Leagues elect a representative to the LUTHER LEAGUE REVIEW, whose duty it shall be to solicit subscriptions as well as to send in items of news from time to time.

14. That local Leagues closely situated be urged to visit each other and hold acquaintance socials.

15. That the district presidents visit each League in their respective jurisdictions at least once a year. 16. That the corresponding secretary and the extension committee co-operate in securing a revised and up-to-date list of local Leagues and their officers.

The report of the Executive Committee was presented by Miss Louise Schindler, Recording Secretary, as follows:

Five meetings were held during the year, as follows: Elizabeth, November 10; Riverside, February

2; Newark, April 16; Elizabeth, June 20, and Camden, June 26.

The following official business was transacted: The date for the annual convention of the Luther League of New Jersey was set for October 12 and 13, The matter of settlement of the clause on "Finances" in the new constitution was thoroughly discussed and the following article adopted: Article 10, Sec. 1. The annual dues of each society connected with this organization shall be twenty cents per capita, payable on or before September 1st of each year. The annual dues of each District League connected with this organization shall be $1. Sec. 2. An application fee of fifty cents is required for each society affiliating with this organization, for which a certificate of membership shall be granted.

Application for membership of the Luther League of the Church of Our Saviour, Trenton, was received and referred to the annual convention for final action. Application for membership of the Young Men's Lutheran Society of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Hoboken, was received and referred to the annual convention for final action.

Your committee would like to make the following recommendations: 1st: That more promptness be displayed by officers of local Leagues in answering correspondence. 2d: That a regular official badge for each State officer be purchased, to be worn upon official visitations and at State conventions, such badges