# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1916_S84 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 84 The Lutheran Pioneer. capacity: of about 150. The altar and pulpit are so situated that the entire audience, also those listeners sitting in the schoolroom, may have a full view of the pastor. The annex, if we may term it such, is also finished in natural wood, in order that the perfect harmony of the entire interior, so pleas- ing to'the eye, may not’ be marred. Surely, all will agree that success has crowned our efforts. We have, with the gracious help of God, succeeded in’ erecting a building that is both neat in appearance and most serviceable in its ar- rangement. Small wonder that on dedication day every heart beat with joy, and every countenance beamed with gladness and thanksgiving. Oh, how the old anthem, “Now Thank We All Our God,” rang out through the darkness of the night in the second service! And how lustily the choir, directed by Pastor W. Tervalon, rendered its “Praise Ye the lord”! There was a certain unmistakable vim and swing to all of the singing, which only too plainly betrayed the sentiments within the hearts of the singers. ‘The undersigned, we dare’ say, voiced , the cordial feelings of all when he discoursed on the words, “The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad” (Ps. 126, 3). In conclusion, be it stated that our Mansura Christians most sincerely and gratefully appreciate all that their kind benefactors have done for them, especially during the past six months. They fully realize that, next to God, they owe greatest thanks to their old and true friends, whose generous aid thas made the new church a possibility. Formal resolutions of thanks to all donors were passed by “a rising vote of the entire congregation. ‘To prove their sincerity, those members who had time and ability donated no small amount of labor toward . finishing the building, while the congregation pledged itself to contribute $200 to the building fund. A goodly portion has already been paid. . The entire cost of the building, which was planned by Mr. J. H. Webert, a young Lutheran of New Orleans, is about $1450. Ep. H. Somupr. Corner-Stone Laying of Trinity Chapel, ‘New Orleans, La. We doubt whether any event was ever more thoroughly advertised in the ninth ward of the city of New Orleans than was the corner-stone lay- ing of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Chapel. Marty of the good people of that section had informed the writer that they had never witnessed such a cere- mony; therefore many hearts were athrill and full of expectancy, waiting for the “great day.” The date had been set for Sunday afternoon, September 10, at four o’clock. ‘The Sunday of the tenth came, but. gave no promise of a fair day. the hour for the ceremony approached, the clouds hung heavy and threatening, and muttering thun- der was heard in the direction where the chapel stands. Soon scattered showers evidenced the fact that the service would, at least to some extent, be marred. People came slowly; little groups of two and three alighted from the cars. The rain then came down in greater quantity, and at last Pastor Schmidt suggested, “Let us postpone it to next Sunday.” Soon after the word had been passed, “Tt is postponed to next Sunday,” there came a heavy downpour, causing every one to run helter- skelter, seeking shelter wherever it could be found. The homes of kindly neighbors afforded many of us protection till we could go to our homes. We were disappointed, but not dismayed. Next Sunday, however, the weather was more favorable; indeed, the day was ideal — no clouds, neither warm nor cool, gentle breezes, and genial sunshine.