# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1916_S78
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

78

The Lutheran Pioneer.

their ministerial gowns, marched down the center
aisle, taking their places before the altar. While
the congregational singing itself was fine, it was
embellished with the singing of a duet by Pastors
O. Wismar and E. Schmidt. Pastor Wismar de-
livered a most appropriate sermon, selecting as his
text 2 Tim. 3, 14—17.

The ordination ceremony followed. It was con-
ducted by Pastor Schmidt, assisted by Pastors
G. Kuegele,. G. M. Kramer, O.. Wismar, and the
undersigned. The beautiful and inspiring service
was brought to a close with the pronouncement of
the benediction by the newly ordained minister,
Rey. Tervalon, and the singing of the touching and
grand old parting hymn, “God Be with You till
We Meet Again.”

Rev. Tervalon has been called by the Mission
Board to the field recently opened in Alabama. May
his labors there be attended with God’s choicest
blessings and be crowned with success!

A. WILEY, JR.

To the Editor of the Lutheran Pioneer,

the ticenty-fifth anniversary of whose ordination was cele-
brated on the sixteenth of August, 1916.

For a quarter of a century

You’ve been active in the ministry.

By God’s grace you've labored faithfully,
Preaching Christ, who cures our malady.

You’ve been steward of the mysteries

Of our Lord, administered His Keys

And His Holy Sacraments, and taught
Young and old the saving Truths of God.

For a quarter of a century

You’ve been striving hard to set souls frée
From the mighty, subtle Archfiend’s chain;
And your efforts have not been in vain.

Orally and also by your pen

You've proclaimed the message unto men
_Which effects their spiritual cure,

God’s own Word and Luther’s doctrine pure.

For n quarter of a century

You have pointed to cternity,

Leading Christians in the narrow way,
Seeking those that had been go’ng astray.

You have gladdened many a weary soul
With the tidings which alone console,
Helped the sorrowful their cross to bear,
And for sick and dying offered prayer.

For a quarter of a century
God has granted you ability
For your tasks. Oh, may He also bless
All your future labors with success. ‘
H. OSTERHUS.

Departure of Pastor Thompson.

Sunday, August 6, was a day of sorrowing for
Bethel Congregation, Greenville, N. C., and com-
munity, for on that day Pastor C. P. Thompson,
who for five years had faithfully labored among
them, bade congregation and friends farewell.

The doors of the four sectarian churches in the
neighborhood were closed, while their preachers and
members came.over to honor Pastor Thompson on
this occasion. Our little Bethel was crowded to
such an extent that even standing room was no
longer to be had. ‘The departing pastor based his
sermon on Num. 6, 24—26, and invoked God’s
choicest blessings upon his little flock, and charged
them to remain steadfast in the faith. On account
of his illness Pastor Thompson was not able to
speak loudly, but the freely flowing tears plainly
showed that his words had reached the ears and
hearts of his hearers.

On Monday night following, the Lutheran
Brotherhood, which is comprised of the young men
of the three congregations in Charlotte, tendered
Pastor Thompson a reception. A large gathering
was also present on that night to speak a few
words of hearty encouragement to him, and to bid
him Godspeed.

The undersigned has been retained by the Mis-
sion Board to supply Bethel with preaching until
a permanent pastor has been secured. In the mean
time Pastor Thompson has gone to Mansura, La.,
his old home, to rest, and, God willing, to regain
his health. It is our prayer that God may soon
restore His servant to health and strength, and
permit him to serve in His vineyard for many years.

P. G. Leman.

Items of Interest from Our Colored
Mission Field.

Goop News rroat Concorp, N. C. — Our Colored
Lutheran Church at Concord, Pastor W. G. Schwehn,
has celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in a most
commendable way by deciding. that in the future
if will pay its pastor’s salary. Grace Church has
the honor of being the first one of our Colored
churches to become self-supporting. All -honor to
Grace Church! ' Grace was founded just twenty-
five years ago by Pastor N. J. Bakke, at present
Superintendent of the Alabama mission-field.

GREENSBORO, N. O.— Our growing mission-
school at Greensboro has been in need of desks