The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1904, Page 94

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94 The Lutheran Pioneer.

Now as to the instruction. The missionaries,
convinced of the necessity of the undertaking, and
wishing to see the institution develop in its own
natural way, were of one mind in rendering what
help they could in instructing the students. Thus
each of the three remaining missionaries instructed
them in two studies each week during the past year.
However, this method could not be carried on in-
definitely, especially since two of the missionaries
were daily engaged in teaching a class of their own
parochial school in another part of the city, quite a
distance from there.

Such were the conditions as the summer came
on. Looking forward, it was clear that these con-
ditions must become more intense as soon as the
fall term of school would begin. And the expected
came about. The need had become urgent, press-
ing to the highest degree. We were confronted
with ‘‘Hither now or never.’’? And every knowing
one declared it must be ‘‘now.’? Lay members of
our church visiting in these parts pressed it upon
the missionaries that help was sorely needed, a
home for the institution as well as a teaching force.

Having these simple facts before them, the ven-
erable Mission Board did not hesitate to carry out
the resolution of Synodical Conference. However,
let it be said that the strictest possible economy was
exercised.

The sum of $800.00 was expended for a plot of
ground measuring 60 by about 180 feet. On this
lot a neat little college was erected containing four
class rooms, an office room and, on the first floor,
also a ten-foot hall. A modest building, truly, for

a college, and yet a noble building, a building that

causes our hearts to overflow with gratitude towards
God and to the noble friends of our mission through
whose beneficence the erection of the college has
been made possible.

We say our hearts are filled with joy and grati-
tude. Not only the laborers in the near-by station
(St. Paul) are meant, nor even all the laborers in
the mission at New Orleans, but all our people, the
members of our missions and their friends. For
they all take a lively interest in this work. They
pray for its success, they are beginning to give for
this noble cause; they work for it. Their interest
was also shown at the dedication of Luther College,
for they came out in large numbers, from the white

' congregations of the city as well as from our mis-

sion, which fact we note with pleasure.

At 3 p.m. the choirs of our three stations Gnened
the service by jointly singing a hymn of praise unto
the Lord. The officiating pastors were Revs. F’. Lan-

kenau, Geo. C. Franke, K. Kretzschmar, and the

undersigned. After a hymn by the congregation
Rey. Lankenau offered prayer, and receiving the
key from Mr. Lugenbuhl, the builder, he proceeded
to unlock the doors of the college and invited the
congregation in to participate in the further service
of dedication. In dedicating the college the name of
it was also officially given out as Luruger CoLLeaE.

Though what was thought to be ample seating
accommodations had been supplied, the throngs
that poured into the new edifice soon had occupied
every seat, and more seats were brought in. Many
sat immediately under the lecturer’s desk. Chil-
dren, for want of room elsewhere, betook themselves
to the edge of the platform. The windows and doors,
the front and rear galleries, in short, every available
inch of room was taken by such as were eager to
take part in the dedication service. The opening
of the service in the college was made by Rey. K.
Kretzschmar who, after the singing of a hymn, read
a lesson from Scripture and offered a prayer. An-
other hymn of praise rang out from a joyful con-
gregation, and then Rev. Geo. C. Franke, of the
English Missouri Synod, delivered the dedicatory
address. In it he briefly reviewed the history of
events leading to the day’s gathering at this place.
He dwelt at some length upon the value of a col-
lege education and presented the necessity of such
training for the welfare of our missions.

After a selection sung by St. Paul’s choir, fol-,
lowed by another hymn by the congregation, the
undersigned offered a prayer and pronounced the
benediction, the service closing with the doxology.
The collection raised in the service was, B08 course,
devoted to the college fund.

Luther College is a two-story structure, modest,
very modest, indeed, for being a college, and yet, in
all its economic simplicity, a cause for much joy and
even more gratitude to us. The building is raised
about seven feet from the ground. It contains four
classrooms, well lighted and ventilated, and will,
in itself, be a source of pleasure to teacher and
pupils. The instruction in this,college is given by
Revs. Lankenau and F. Wenzel.

We rejoice, and our fellow Christians, who have
made Luther College possible, surely rejoice with
us. To them, next to God, we render our warmest
thanks. May God bless them and the work of their
hands as manifested in this institution of learning.
May His blessing rest upon Luther College.

J. KossMANN.

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Her that sincerely gives his heart and his prayers
to mission work will not deny his money.