# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1927_S55 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 54 THE LUTHERAN PIONEER. the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the midst of this commotion there is a small remnant of faithful followers of Christ in China, come into being by the Word of God. May it not also prove true at this time that tribulation worketh patience, etc. ? We confidently hope that this small company of Christian men and women will grow strong during these trials and truly become the light and the salt of this land. The local situation has not changed much since the outbreak of the war, September 17, 1926. As you may easily imagine, the condition of the neigh- borhood is that of despair. Barely half a year has passed since the last war was concluded, and now we are in it again. All business is at a standstill; many of the homes in the city are occupied by soldiers; the unsanitary conditions are beyond de- scription; cholera has broken out among the popu- lation; the whole locality has taken on a dismal appearance. Intensive work of evangelism has been carried on among the many refugees in our compounds. We still hope to stay on; in fact, all the exits from the city are guarded, so escape now from the city may be attended with danger. Hans M. Nzsse. Sinyang, Honan, China, October 4, 1926. Our Colored Missions in Cleveland and Buffalo. Pastor Katt, of St. Peter’s Church, Cleveland, writes : — “The reports concerning the progress and success of our Lutheran colored mission in Cleveland are becoming more favorable and encouraging every month, thanks to the unmerited, boundless grace of God. The church attendance during the month of January has been soaring over thirty, reaching its ‘climax January 30, when thirty-nine worshipers were present, twenty-two children and seventeen adults. and adults attend both Sunday-school and church services. Missionary Mueller is at present giving religious instruction to a catechumen class of twelve adults, four of whom he instructs privately at home. - This instruction is given twice a week and is to continue for a period of six months. A very keen interest is being shown by those participating. When the missionary and the writer recently embarked on a visiting tour, they found some of the people poring over their text-books, Drewes’s Catechism and the Bible. On Sunday, February 13, the first Com- It is noteworthy that nearly all children - munion service was held at the mission. Three con- firmed Lutherans partook of the Lord’s Supper. Two could not attend on account of illness. Others will attend later. Seven confirmed colored Luther- ans attend the services. In the Sunday-school Student Mueller is assisted by Miss Ruth Effland and Miss Zapf, members of St. Peter’s.” This work in Cleveland is wholly financed by the white congregations of the city. Services and Sunday-school are held in St. Peter’s Hall, which has been placed at the disposal of the mission without cost. The work is carried on under the supervision of Pastor Katt. Pastor Wind, of Buffalo, has this to say of the progress of the work in Buffalo: — “Fourteen services were conducted at our colored mission in the past quarter, with a total attendance of 294, an average of twenty people. A like number of Sunday-school sessions were held in the same period. Fourteen Sunday-school sessions were held, which were attended by a total of 226 children, an average of sixteen for each session. “A cradle roll is maintained, upon which nine names are already inscribed. The Sunday-school is under the direction of Miss Clara Menard, as super- intendent, who is assisted by Miss Alma Burow, Miss Maud Torgeson, and Miss Edna Shore. Miss Bernice Washington, one of the members of the mission, is being trained to assume leadership of one of the classes. “ight Bible classes were given on Wednesday evenings, which were attended by an average of seven people. Four ladies’ aid meetings were held. The ladies’ aid now numbers 28 members. It also meets as a sewing circle. Three such meetings were held. A girls’ club, with a membership of ten girls, met six times during the quarter. A meeting of the Sunday-school teachers of the mission was held, and two rehearsals were conducted for the Christ- mas program. ‘Thirty visits were made to homes of attendants at the mission. j “On the day after Christmas a Christmas service was held, which was attended by seventy people. ‘On this occasion the Sunday-school rendered a very acceptable program. Gifts were distributed to all children as well as to adults. “On December 29 an anniversary social was conducted to celebrate in a social way the first an- niversary of the mission. Forty people attended. Refreshments were served, and a program was ren- dered. “On January 2 the anniversary service, attended by twenty-five people, was held.