# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1922_S3
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

The Lutheran Pioneer. 3

Jand. At Joffre, as at similar places, one finds
the lone station agent; the deserted waiting-room ;
a rusty, tobacco-colored stove; a “shackly” baggage
truck; the general store, which also accommodates
the post-ollice; a stack of goods-boxes; about half
a dozen empty soda-water crates, and one or two
outhouses. ‘Then there are the same old characters
that one will find at a thousand other places with
a similar setting; these characters never vary, ex-
cept, perhaps, in name. You will find them sitting
on discarded boxes chewing, spitting, smoking, and
swapping yarns; squatted in little circles whittling
and eying the stranger and passers-by. ‘There is the
same collection of antiquated horses, mules, and
antediluvian vehicles vying with cach other as to
which is in the greatest need of repair. In the
background, leaning against a tree, a cigarette be-
tween his lips, a slouched hat set well back on his
head, strumming a guitar, the while crooning a wail-
ing qglissando, is the inevitable “local color.” But
enough of this, you have seen Joffre a thousand
times; there is but one New York, while Joffre is
legion.

About three and a half miles from the station,
nestled in a grove of towering pines, and surrounded
by a sea of ankle-deep sand, is a little green,
“L-shaped, white-trimmed building, — the home
of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.
And to tell you about what happened at this place
is our reason for disturbing the rheumatic joints of
our trusty Oliver No. 5 this morning.

November 6—9 the Alabama Luther Conference
met at the above-named place and in the said build-
ing for the purpose of holding its annual sessions.
And in the parlance da rue, they were some sessions,
as every one who was present will heartily testify.
On Sunday morning, November 6, the undersigned
preached a sermon bearing on the Reformation to
a crowded house. The attendance at this opening
service was typical of the attendance during all the
sessions of the conference. After the regular morn-
ing service, Rev. E. R. Berger, pastor at Joffre, con-
ducted the Communion service, which was attended
by all the workers, delegates, and members of the
local congregation. Thus our faith was strengthened
and our zeal renewed for the work which had called
us together.
Thompson, fraternal delegate from the Louisiana
Luther Conference, preached an inspiring sermon to
an audience which was a duplicate, in point of at-
tendance, of the morning’ service. Sunday night
Rev. J. W. Fuller, the fraternal delegate from the

Sunday afternoon the Rev. C.. P. °

Immanuel Conference, fed the souls of an appre-
ciative audience with the bread of life. After the
service, Superintendent G. A. Schmidt read a timely
and masterly paper on “Prayer.” The reading of
this paper elicited a lively and instructive discussion.
The paper was then received with thanks to the
author.

Monday morning at ten o’clock the conference
assembled for formal organization and other busi-
ness. Roll-call showed all members present, except-
ing Rey. Chas. Peay, who was absent on account of
illness, Rev. M. N. Carter, who is on a lecture tour,
and three lady teachers who could not be present
because of illness. Out of the twelve congregations
on the field, nine sent delegates; the total attendance
at conference, then, was twenty workers, nine dele-
gates, and two fraternal delegates from the other
conferences. The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year: Rev. E. R. Berger, Chairman;
Rev. J. S. Montgomery, Vice-Chairman; Rey. R. 0.
L. Lynn, Secretary ; Superintendent G. A. Schmidt,
Treasurer. During this morning’s session it was re-
solved to print the minutes of the conference. Rev.
I. A. Westcott was elected editor of these minutes.
All who wish to get a full insight into the workings
of our conference may do so by purchasing a copy
of these minutes from Rev. Westcott, Selma, Ala.,
Box 683. The price is ten cents per copy. Monday
afternoon Miss Rosa J. Young read an interesting
paper on the subject, “What Place has God Given
Woman in This World?” In answering this ques-
tion the following three points were brought out:
1. Woman’s Place in the Home; 2. in the Church;
3. in the State. The night session was opened with
a sermon by Rev. J. S. Montgomery on Matt. 5, 16.
After the sermon Rey. Berger presented the con-
ference with a paper on “Infant Baptism.” After
a lively discussion the paper was accepted with
thanks to the author. Tuesday morning was given
over to business. ‘Tuesday afternoon Miss Pearl B.
McCreary read a paper on “Why I Am a Teacher
in the Lutheran School.” During the reading and
discussion of the paper many interesting and in-
structive points were developed. Tuesday night
Rev. Fuller preached the sermon. Rev. Westcott:
then presented a masterly paper on “Justification.” ”
After a thorough discussion, Conference accepted
the paper with thanks. Wednesday morning was
another business session. In the afternoon Miss N.
L. Smith read a paper on “How are the Children in
Our Schools Benefited by the Memorizing and Sing-
ing of Hymns?” Miss M. L. Pilkington presented