Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1950, Page 43

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Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1950 43

here faithfully for fourteen years. The people speak well of our
work, and as soon as the chapel can be moved to its new location,
we trust there will be continued gains for the Kingdom.

The following letter of gratitude by a son of this congregation
is illustrative of how the fruits of the good seed sown here can
be far reaching. This letter was written to thank a certain Sunday
school of the Synodical Conference for aid which had been given
for ministerial training. The letter reads:

DeEaR SuNDAY SCHOOL PUPILS:

I am a little colored boy fourteen years of age, the son of Clarence
and Evelyn Rawls of Catherine (near Midway), Alabama. I have two
sisters and four brothers. I am the second child. This is my first year
in Alabama Lutheran Academy.

Miss Rosa Young is my teacher. Our superintendent told her that
you had sent some funds to help me with my board. In the most humble
manner I beg the privilege to thank you sincerely for the aid. It is my
heart’s desire to be a minister of the Gospel. My mother told me that
she prayed for this before I was born, She says that she is still praying.
I am praying too that my Savior will use me some day as a preacher.

I beg the prayers of you and thank you for this help.

Your friend,
Rare T. RAWLS

Ackerville, Ala. W. H. E.

St. Mark’s Congregation was organized March 20, 1927, by Rev.
J. V. Thompson and was served by him until 1932. He was fol-
lowed by the late Pastor Charles Peay, who served faithfully until
his death. Pastor J. T. Skinner served it until 1947. Since that time
the congregation has been without a regular pastor but has been
served by Superintendent Ellwanger and the undersigned.

There has been some progress even though it does not show
itself in numbers. Many of our people have migrated to the north-
ern section of the country; however, they are still faithful to their
Lutheran Zion. The congregation today numbers 72 souls.

P. R. Hunt, Pastor

Hamburg, Ala.

Gethsemane Ev. Lutheran Church, Hamburg, near Snow Hill,
is the home church of Miss Rosa J. Young. It was started through
a Bible study group in her home in 1924 and now numbers 96 souls,
49 communicants, and four voters. The day school numbers
23 pupils and is 100-per-cent Lutheran. Miss Martha Grigsby,
a veteran mission worker, is the teacher. Here we have an active
Sunday school of 45, a young people’s society, and a good choir
for beautifying the preaching services. The past year five children
and four adults were confirmed. We have the hope of gaining two
sons from this congregation for the ministry. During a vacancy
of three years in the pastorate the congregation was served by
the writer, who found the people very co-operative and apprecia-
tive. The work with them was enjoyed as work with one’s own.
Rev. R. E. Neely of Oak Hill now has charge of this flock.

The following letter, though addressed to the office at Selma,
might well be taken as an expression of deep appreciation and
hearty thanks to all the contributors in the Synodical Conference