Religion: Lutherans

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Last week the Rev. Walter Arthur Maier, the "Chrysostom of American Lutheranism," † inaugurated "the biggest religious event of the year." In Chicago's Stadium the radio pulpiteer opened the eleventh season of the Lutheran Hour ("Bringing Christ to the Nations").

The stadium was jampacked with 25,000 persons. Concessions were closed, so there were no cries of "Hot Dog!" or "Popcorn!" Neither did the milling crowds light cigarets or cigars until the service was over. They heard sacred music on the stadium organ, listened to scripture reading, recited the Apostolic Creed, pledged allegiance to the flag, roared Luther's battle hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, put $15,260 into the collection, heard Indiana's Lutheran Governor Henry F. Schricker talk about the church in the postwar world, and, best of all, saw and heard Dr. Maier's initial broadcast of the current Lutheran Hour.

On Your Knees! Gravely the minister summoned his listeners to repentance. Freedom from want and fear is "cruel delusion." What mankind needs is penitence. Cried he: "After a year and ten months of the deadliest war this country has ever fought, we in the United States still have had no day of national humiliation before the Almighty. We have observed days of prayer, but this country has not yet been on its knees before God, confessing our faults and faithlessness."

For dynamic, hearty Dr. Maier the Lutheran Hour is a personal triumph. He started on two stations, now has 224 over the Mutual network. In addition, transcriptions swell the list to some 450 stations in 26 countries. The Lutheran Laymen's League sponsors the Hour, pays for the time. Last year's time cost $254,638.15.

Make It a Habit. Almost all the Hour's 12,000,000 U.S. listeners take literally the League's injunction: "Make it a regular habit to send in a donation to the LUTHERAN HOUR! The need is great and the benefits are equally great. $1 sends Christ's word to 1,500 persons." Some send coins, most send bills, and now & then someone sends a substantial check. Recently soldiers in the Aleutians took up two collections, sent $275 "in appreciation" of the Hour. Last month a Michigan farmer wrote Dr. Maier ("Dearly beloved servant of Christ"), praised the Hour in Biblical sentences, enclosed check for $1,000 with the request "Please don't mention my name."

Letters flow in from all parts of the world. Last year Dr. Maier got 300,000. Sometimes they come in at the rate of 17,000 a week, 5,000 a day. At the Hour's St. Louis headquarters, 55 stenographers and clerks send out replies which Dr. Maier signs. Many a letter requests spiritual help. To such people Dr. Maier dictates a personal answer which is inserted in the form letter. Recent letter from the Dominican Republic: "I am Chinese by birth. I am Buddhist by religion. I want you to show me the way to Christ."