# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1919_S45 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) The Lutheran Pioneer. 45 most presentable, still comfortable scats were thus provided for the “overflow.” Worries about not being able to seat a crowd in church, by the way, are pleasant. worries. On this occasion Miss M. Busse rendered two vocal solos for us. Mrs. Marg. Baehler provided flowers for the altar. The sermon was delivered by the writer, who took as his subject “Holy Bap- tism,” basing his words on Matt. 28, 18—20. _ On Easter Sunday we experienced the same joy of receiving new members in Springfield, Ill. Three communicants were received through confirmation and one through baptism. All the catechumens proved by their answers to the questions put to them that they have a good knowledge of the fun- damentals of Christianity. For assisting in in- structing these children we. owe sincere thanks to Student Krenk of Concordia Seminary. The service on Easter Day was very impressive, _a fact borne out by expressions of many strangers who were present. The choir rendéred several selections, which added to the beauty of the service. Mrs. Hazel Wilson was at her accustomed place at the organ. We are indeed very fortunate in having an organist of her ability. What her services mean to us has been shown on several occasions by her enforced absence. — After the rite of con- firmation had been performed, Holy Communion was administered. ‘Thirty-two people partook of the blessed Sacrament. We have searched the records, and found that this was the largest atten- dance at one Communion in the history of the con- gregation. On the Tuesday evening following Easter, the newly organized Young People’s Society, which has been named “Friendship Society,” rendered its first program, which consisted of musical and. literary numbers. After the program refreshments were served, and general sociability held sway. It was a real “get-acquainted” gathering. ‘I'wo meetings of this society are held each month, one a business- meeting, the other a social gathering. We hope that through this society many, especially young people, will become acquainted with the Lutheran Church. The organization is very fortunate in having a very energetic president, Miss Lillian Mason. We be- lieve, of course, that any church society ought to be fostered only in so far as it will be an aid to the church. The constitution of the Friendship Society has been framed accordingly, the second article of which reads as follows: “The purpose of this society shall be: 1. To foster harmony and good will among - coming. the young people of Holy Trinity Church; 2. to create interest in Lutheran church-work; 3. to assist in promoting the general interest of Holy Trinity Church.” We hope for its continued success. Hersert C. Cravs. Items of Interest from Our Colored Mission Field. Mansura. — Rey. G. M. Kramer, who recently visited Mansura, speaks very encouragingly of this congregation’s condition and prospects. Pastor Ter- valon is doing good work in church and school, and the people are appreciating his labors. 'This is a country congregation, and a large number of the members are farmers. Hspecially pleasing and grat- ifying to Pastor Kramer was the large number of men. attending the services. In Mansura it is the whole family that goes to church, father, mother, and all the children. That is as it should be. NAPOLEONVILLE. — Pastor Kramer also visited Napoleonville, where our indefatigable Pastor C. P. ‘Thompson is working with his customary enthu- siasm. ‘The school is prospering as it never did before, and Pastor Thompson is assisted by Mrs. Nelson, a most competent lady and a former public school teacher. All would be well at Napoleonville if we only had a new building there to take the place of the chapel, which had its back broken several years ago during a severe hurricane. Since then the building has actually been unsafe, and if it were in a larger city, it would surely be condemned. Aside from this, the mission property is not situated on a street, but on an alley. Years ago, when the property was purchased, we were assured by the proper authorities that it was on a public street, and there actually was a street along the front of the property; but since then this former thorough- fare has been closed, leaving our people no other means of ingress or egress but an alley. We under- stand that the locality has also become undesirable for moral reasons. A very desirable location has been found, but the means to buy the new lot and erect on it a serviceable building must first be forth- Who will help? We should act at once! BrrHienEmM, New Orueans. — Five children “were confirmed on Palm Sunday by Pastor Kramer. — Aaron Wiley, Sr., the father of Pastor Aaron Wiley, died on March 30, and was buried the follow- ing day from Bethlehem Chapel. He attained the |