# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1931_S166
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

long as these secret sins are known only to God and
the perpetrator, they are not an offense to one’s
fellow-men. On the other hand, whoever does or
says anything that would cause one to sin gives
offense. Offense is given through false doctrine and
sinful life.

The essayist brought out that those who practise
unionism give grave offense, for they consider doc-
trine and faith of little value; they sneer at doc-
trines and would throw them overboard. Those who
are members of secret lodges also give offense; for
they belong to, and foster, a Christless religion. One
may also by his life and conduct give offense by fur-
nishing the occasion to sin. This is done, for
example, by cursing and swearing. One gives offense
also by attending, and indulging in, the modern
dance; for this instrument of the devil furnishes
the occasion to sin. Again, offenses given by those
who are in authority or are leaders and teachers of
others, such as pastors, teachers, etc., are greater
than offenses given by such as occupy no position of
authority or responsibility. Offenses given by Chris-
tians are greater than those given by non-Christians,
by unbelievers, by children of the world.

In the second part of the paper, which dealt with
taking offense, the author showed that many take
offense at harmless things. Where this is done the
fault lies in the person who takes the offense and
not in the thing at which the offense is taken.

Many take offense at the cause of Christ. The
Jews and Greeks, for example, belonged to this type
of takers of offense. The author pointed out that
wherever and whenever such people are found, they
should be instructed in the right way along the lines
which the Word of God lays down. — Again, there
are those who take offense at things that are neither
commanded nor forbidden by the Word of God, as,
for example, smoking, playing baseball, etc. Wher-
ever and whenever such persons are found, they, too,
should be shown their error. The essayist, however,
took pains to point out that strong Christians should
refrain from such things if indulging in them will
cause a weaker Christian to stumble. In such cases
they should not make full use of their Christian
liberty, but love should be their rule and guide here.
Just here the essayist was very careful to stress the
point that the Christian should make no concessions
where doctrine is concerned, but should be guided
by the teachings of God’s Word.

The conference received this paper with thanks.
After the singing of a hymn the meeting adjourned
with the praying of the Lord’s Prayer in unison.

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The Alabama Teachers’ Conference.

The Thursday morning session was opened with
the singing of the hymn “How shall the Young
Secure Their Hearts.” Chaplain Tervalon then read
Matt. 9, 27-38 as the Scripture-lesson for the
morning. After the devotional exercises the con-
ference entered upon the business of organizing a
new conference in the Alabama field, namely, a
Teachers’ Conference. Some lively discussions took
place during the process of organization, but they
ended with the Teachers’ Conference organized and
ready to function next year. This organization is
something new for us here in Alabama, and we are
all hoping that it will serve to carry out still better
the work of the Church in spreading and imparting
the Word of God to the young who come to us for
instruction in our schools, which are nurseries for
our blessed Church.

Rev. Chas. Peay was elected chairman of the
organization; Mrs. K. L. Grace, secretary, and Rev.
J. V. Thompson, treasurer. In the Friday morning
session of the new organization a committee ap-
pointed for the purpose presented a constitution,
which was adopted by the body; the constitution,
however, is not to be considered in force until pre-
sented to, and accepted by, the Mission Board. The
prayers of all are that the Alabama Teachers’ Con-
ference may function to the glory of God and the
service of the Church.

Personal Mission-Work.

Thursday afternoon Pastor B. R. Skinner of
Camden presented a very instructive paper on “Per-
sonal Mission-work.” The essayist divided his paper
into three main divisions, pointing out in the first
place “the deplorable condition of natural man, or
the great need for personal mission-work”; he .
showed in the second place, that it is “the duty of
Christians to spread the Word of God, to do mission-
work”; and in the third place he showed “the con-
gregational program of personal work.” The paper
was discussed with profit to all, after which it was
accepted with thanks to the essayist.

In connection with the reading and discussion
of the paper presented by Pastor Skinner the Mis-
sionary Expansion Movement was discussed by the
conference. Before adjournment Pastor Lehman of

‘Greensboro, N. C., was given an opportunity to

present the cause of Immanuel Lutheran College to
the alumi of the institution. In doing this, he made
an appeal for the library of the college, asking the

‘alumni to contribute to the cause in order that the

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