The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1906, Page 47

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

The Lutheran Pioneer.

47

A Visit in Greensboro, N. C.

We recently had the pleasure of a few days’
visit in the beautiful city of Greensboro, at the
hospitable home of our missionary, the Rev. J. C.
Schmidt. We were glad to meet the members of
our colored Lutheran Grace congregation and to
spend a Sunday with them. The missionary having
an appointment for the day. at Elon College, the
Sunday school was held in the forenoon by Teacher
Buntrock. It was opened with a hymn and prayer.
All present then recited in chorus the entire text
of Luther’s Catechism. This was followed by the
explanation of, and examination on, a Bible story.
The scholars, who, we think, were or had been also
pupils of the parochial school, answered well.

In the afternoon we attended a very instructive
Bible lesson conducted by Prof. Lochner, of Im-
manuel College. Almost every one present had a
Bible of his own. Fach would in turn read a verse,
which was then explained and applied. All seemed
to take great interest in this Bible service. In the
evening there was preaching service by the mis-
sionary. It was not a wild, noisy meeting, but the
orderly worship of Christian men and women. At
this service we had the welcome opportunity of
shaking hands with members of the church. The
impression made on us by the services of that Sun-
day was, that the members of Grace congregation
are being well grounded in the Bible doctrines of
our Lutheran church. This work is also done in
the parochial school under the able instruction of
Teacher Buntrock. We visited the school, enjoyed
the excellent singing of the happy children, and
could not but thank God for giving these colored
children the opportunity of learning what they
need, not only for this life, but also for the life
to come.

In another part of the city, Professors Bakke,
Wahlers, and Lochner hold services every Sunday
in the building which at present serves as the tem-

_ porary home of Immanuel College. We were told
that the services are well attended, and that there
are good prospects for building up a colored Lu-
theran congregation near the College.

To be sure, we were taken to see, at least from
the outside, the new college building, which is near-
ing completion. It is being built of granite stone,
and will be a very solid and very handsome build-
ing, well arranged and well adapted for its-purpose.
We, like others, were surprised to hear that such a
substantial and beautiful building could be erected

at such a low cost. If we mistake not, the cost will

“be about $14,000; but the building is worth much

more than that. We are convinced that if the mem-
bers of the Synodical Conference could see the work
done, they would gladly contribute towards the
completion of the new College building at Greens-
boro. The building is sorely needed, as any one
can see who is taken through the old building which
now serves as a temporary home for the College.
We sincerely hope that the professors and students
of Immanuel College will have the joy of opening
the schoolyear next fall in the new College building.

We enjoyed our short visit in the beautiful and
thriving city of Greensboro. May God be with our
brethren in that important mission field and bless
their labors in church, in school, and in Immanuel
College.

——-“(q--—______—_

New Orleans Items.

On tHE SunpAy Arrer Easter one adult and
seven children were confirmed -in Mount Zion
Church. Three of the latter had to be baptized first.
The adult, a young man of promise and a former
pupil of “Mr. Vix’s school,” had been baptized a few
weeks previous to confirmation. He had been a
witness at the christening of his sister’s child. The
present writer, who had performed this ceremony,
asked him why he had not joined the church after
having passed through the school.

“T wasn’t ready at that time,” he said.

“Don’t you think you ought to join now? It
isn’t too late yet,” I rejoined.

“Yes, I think I ought to.”

“Why, pastor, that boy ain’t even christened
yet,” put in her mother.

“What?” I asked, greatly surprised, “not chris-
tened, after all you learned in school? Don’t you
know that Jesus says you must be baptized if you
want to be saved? Don’t you want to go to
heaven ?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then you want to be baptized ?”

“Yes, sir.”

“When will you be ready?”

“T’m ready now,” the answer came after a mo-
ment’s hesitation.

So, as there was no reason for delay, he was
christened right there. He then promised to join
the church, and has kept his promise.

Two of the children who were confirmed with
him were gained through the influence of Luther
College. They had been instructed ‘for confirma-