# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1917_S86 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) Fa from a layman’s view-point. k e . 5! , { f The Lutheran Pioneer. vey 85 to be done, and through the Missionstaube and Pronser call attention to the needs and possibilities This, we are sure, would arouse great interest, and bring our work before the people as never before. This would re- sult in a greater interest for this grand work, in inore contributions towards it and more prayers for its success. And thus we would be enabled to reach the masses of Negroes. There is no doubt, if we, haying the pure Word of God, fail to give it to the masses, there are many who are not getting the benefit intended for them also. The great problem confronting the Lutheran Church to-day is, How can she give the Gospel to the masses? It takes study, it requires time, money will be needed, men and labor must be given. Yes, ° all this; but above all faith and prayer. At one time when the Master was pointing out to His dis- ciples the vastness and ripeness of the harvest-field, and calling their attention to the scarcity of laborers, instead of telling them to go to work, He bade them go and pray. Pray without ceasing to the Lord of the harvest for our Negro Mission. It is His will that all men be saved, and that we do our part in the Christianization of the masses. And if we wish to accomplish this, we shall have to pray to God for opportunity, for wisdom and courage to see and grasp this opportunity, and for faith to believe that _ God wills it. Oh, men and women of the Lutheran faith, God calls you, as His heart is moved with compassion toward the millions of souls still un- saved. May you heed His cry! W. G: Scuwrnn. ~ Immanuel Conference. The seventeenth annual convention of Immanuel Conference, held in Grace Congregation at Con- cord, N. C., August 8—12, was indeed in keeping with the Jubilee Year in which it was held. After a three days’ celebration of the twenty-fifth anni- versary of their congregation the hearts and minds of the pastor and members of Grace Church were well tuned for the occasion. Every detail of ar- rangement for the comfort and convenience of the visitors had been completed, even to the supplying of little ribbon badges, which were «distributed among the guests as a memento of the grand occa- sion. And their labors were not in yain, for not only was the conference well attended by pastors, teachers, and delegates, but other members of our mission congregations from far and near left their work and sacrificed time and money to be present at this jubilee conference. Nor were their sacri- fices ill spent, for every one who attended these sessions was repaid in spiritual strength a thousand- fold. The one golden thought which permeated every sermon and doctrinal paper was: Glory to God; all glory to God for the work of the Refor- mation, since by it He has restored to the Christian Church her original privileges and duties, privileges which we in this Jubilee Year enjoy. Conference opened with a service on Wednesday _evening. The Rev. John McDavid, who preached TSN CG MRE Grace Church, Concord, N.C. a most animating sermon, used ag his text the epistle-lesson for Reformation Day, Rev. 14, 6. 1. Thursday morning the convention went into executive session, the chairman, Rey. W. G. Schwehn, residing, After the preliminary work had been disposed of, the following officers were elected: Prof. J. Ph. Schmidt, president; Rev. W. O. Hill, first vice-president; Rey. F. D. Alston, second vice- resident; Rey. GC. Stoll, seeretary; Rev. W. G. Schwehn, assistant secretary; Prof. F. Wabhlers, treasurer. In this session the resolution was passed o have the minutes of Immanuel Conference printed and sold to the congregations at cost price. The astors and delegates were requested to .place this before their respective congregations, and to report,