# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1928_S154 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 154 THE LUTHERAN PIONEER. were held in the spacious auditorium of the public school building. Though two revivals were being conducted by churches in the immediate vicinity, the auditorium was packed each night with old and young, who listened attentively to the sermons and doctrinal papers. In the opening session on Wednesday evening, Pastor Peay sounded the missionary key-note in a wonderful sermon, using as a basis for his discourse the words of Moses: “Come thou with us, and we will do thee good.” The papers read during the day sessions were: “The Lutheran Teacher’s Work as Missionary,” by Teacher Mrs. B. Skinner. It was brought out that a teacher should be a Christian in action, speech, and dress; that her conversation in her visits should not consist of local gossip and the like, but her chief theme should be Christ and her main concern the souls of men. A catechization on “The Person of Christ” (God-man) was read by the undersigned. Con- ference was used as a class. Following this, a paper by Rey. Gauthreaux on “Prayer” was read, a paper which led to a lengthy and interesting discussion. It was an exhortation to us as Christians and as workers to pray. “Organizing Societies in Our Congregations,” by Pastor John Thompson, a paper touching on membership, purpose, and the like, brought out that these societies are forces that make for Christian helpfulness among young and old and aid the con- gregation in its work among the unchurched. Two doctrinal papers were read during the eve- ning sessions. One of them was: “A Christian’s Motive in Doing Good Works,” by Pastor Peay, in which he showed that good works are what a Chris- tian thinks, says, or does in faith, according to the divine commandments. He also showed that a Christian does not perform these good works to merit salvation, but that they are performed out of love to God for His loving-kindness to us. In a paper on “Tithing,” Pastor G. A. Schmidt brought out the following points: 1) What tith- ing is; 2) that it was commanded in the Old Tes- tament; 3) that, though it is not commanded in the New Testament, the very weakest Christian ought not give less than one-tenth of his income to God. A soul-stirring and inspirational sermon was preached by Pastor Carlson on the “One Way to Heaven,” a sermon in which he clearly set forth that Christ is the one and only way to heaven. Other edifying sermons were delivered by Pas- tors Montgomery, Eddleman, Weeke, and Hafner. On Saturday the Sunday-school convention went into session. Superintendent A. Reagin pointed out in his opening address the need of live and in- teresting Sunday-schools as an aid to the church. The reports on enrolments, attendance, and collec- tions by Pastor Kreft showed that the Sunday- school at Joffre again distinguished itself and that the banner belongs to that Sunday-school for the second time im three years. Two papers, “Increased Sunday-school Atten- dance,” by Teacher W. Steward, and “Increased Sunday-school Collections,” by Pastor Westcott, were well received. The singing of hymns and recitations by the Atmore Sunday-school children was an enjoyable feature. This convention closed with an address on “The Part the Sunday-school Plays in the Chris- tian Training of Children,” by Pastor Carlson. A stereopticon lecture, “At the Foot of Mount Kilimanjaro,” and a short program under the leadership of the Rev. Chas. Peay was enjoyed by all on Saturday night. Conference joined the Atmore congregation in partaking of the Lord’s Supper on Sunday morning. Pastor Kreft prepared the hearts for the Holy Sac- rament by delivering the confessional. Conference closed Sunday night with an address by Pastor G. A. Schmidt. Basing his remarks on the First Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, he showed that God’s name is kept holy among us by unadul- terated teaching and preaching of God’s Word and by a godly life. This is impossible unless God gives us power and strength; hence we ask God in the First Petition to grant us grace to keep His name holy among us. The next session of Conference will be held at Rosebud, Ala., in the cradle of Alabama Lu- theranism. Selma, Ala. K. L. Grace. Notes. 1. The representation was good, 24 of the 29 congregations having sent delegates. 2. Eleven years ago conference consisted of about 15 members. The Atmore convention was attended by almost a hundred pastors, teachers, delegates. 8. One of the pastoral conferences held after sessions lasted until 2 a.m. Is this the record in synodical circles ? 4, Africa and the effort to begin mission-work over there received considerable consideration. It as ——eeee re