# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1924_S88 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) The Lutheran Pioneer. 87 greatest possible interest in the work done by the brethren among the freedmen on the Pacific Coast and also to consider the advisability of deputing Director Drewes to survey the field. F.J.L. i Fifty-First Convention of the Synodical Conference. Gratefully accepting the kind invitation -of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Napoleon, 0. (I. J. Tankenau, Pastor), the Synodical Conference met for its regular biennial convention in that city August 20—25. Napoleon is a beautiful little city, situated in a prosperous farming community on the banks of the Maumee River. One thing that at- tracted the eyes of the representatives were the neat homes, surrounded by well-kept lawns. The delegates were given a very cordial weleome by the pastor and members of St. Paul’s. The spirit of hospitality surely was manifest on every side. Special credit belongs to the women of the church, who served very substantial and delicious dinners and suppers in the basement. The convention opened with a divine service, in which Pastor Walter Hoenecke preached a very ap- propriate sermon on the apostolic exhortation: “Beloved, let us love one another.” 1 John 4, 7. The sessions in the forenoon were devoted to the reading and discussion of a doctrinal paper by Prof. Martin S. Sommer on “The Unity of the Church.” ‘That this was a timely subject no one will deny who knows how many mistake union for unity. Real unity, the essayist pointed out, con- sists in this, that all Christians, through faith in Christ, constitute one spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head, and in which all believers are members one of another. This unity is endangered ’ and even destroyed as soon as one introduces false doctrines, teachings running counter to Scripture. Disobedience to the Master is responsible for all schisms. If we would do anything to reunite a disrupted Church, Christians must proclaim the unadulterated Gospel through which the Holy Spirit creates nnd maintains real concord and unity. During the afternoon sessions our Colored Mis- sions were in the foreground. ‘The report sub- mitted by our energetic Director, Pastor C. F. Drewes, was very gratifying. Our missionaries are working faithfully; some are even exhibiting spir- itual heroism; and the results are not wanting. _ There are losses, it is true, especially in places where Negroes have gone North; but on the whole -1926? there is progress, especially in the Alabama field. Statistics bear this out. We take the following from the report of Pastor Drewes: Baptized mem- bers, 4,110; a net gain of 385 since 1922. Commu- nicant members, 2,344; a net gain of 265 in two years. Our schools almost everywhere are filled to overflowing. And wherever the Gospel has taken root, it has borne fruit. Our Colored Lutherans are cheerful and liberal givers. During 1923 they raised $25,256.72, which is a very large sum in view of the fact that most of them are poor. There was, however, something exceedingly sad- dening in the Director’s survey of the various fields; namely, the lack of adequate places of wor- ship and schools at many stations. At one place 112 children are housed in a little old shanty. Some sit on the bare floor during school-time, others even on the organ. That is but one striking example. After hearing these facts, the convention _ felt constrained to appropriate such amounts as will relieve the situation and enable the Mission Board to erect those buildings which are most sorely needed. To provide the money, it was resolved to “make an appeal to the children of our Lutheran day- and Sunday-schools. The following officers were reelected for a term of two years: President, Pastor C. Gausewitz; Vice-President, Prof. L. Fuerbringer, D. D.; Sec- retary, Pastor H. M. Zorn; Treasurer, Mr. Albert Gruett. Prof. Theo. Graebner and Pastors Walter Ffoenecke, R. Jesse, and Theo. Walther were re- tained as members of the Board, and Mr. Theo. W. Eckhart was chosen to take the place of Mr. E. Schuettner, who efficiently and faithfully served as a member of the Board for eight years. The Synodical Conference decided to incorpo- rate itself under-the laws of the State of Wisconsin. Nine trustees were chosen: Pastors C. Gausewitz, C. F. Drewes, and F. J. Lankenau to serve six years; Pastor H. M. Zorn and Messrs. Aug. Ross and E. von Briesen to serve four years; Pastors G. A. Gullixson and J. S. Bradac and Mr. H. M. Runge to serve two years. On Sunday evening a special mission-seryice was held, in which Rey. M. N. Carter, one of our Colored missionaries, delivered an inspiring lecture on the work in the Alabama field to an audience . which crowded the church to the doors. On Monday, August 25, the Synodical Con- ference adjourned with prayer, to meet again, if God wills it, two years hence in ——? What con- gregation is going to invite the convention for : A. Harpr.