The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1907, Page 38

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38

The Lutheran Pioneer.

the Savior guard and keep these His lambs from
the many cunning wiles of the Devil, and may He
grant them steadfastness unto the end. On Maundy
Thursday night also four adults were confirmed in
the same church. Having long and regularly at-

’ tended our services, and having received special in-
struction in the Christian doctrine, they finally
were eager to publicly profess their faith. It is a
cause for great joy to behold how again and again
God calls His sheep out of the darkness of unbelief
and from the snares of sectarian congregations. —
In Mount Zion only one catechumen was confirmed,
and in Bethlehem two adults and one child have
declared themselves willing for confirmation. These
figures are not strikingly large, but let us be grate-
ful to God for all sheaves that we may glean.

The sum total of all the money realized by our
Missions in the last three months is as follows:
St. Paul, $300.35; Mount Zion, $234.38; Beth-
lehem, $154.12; total, $688.85.

The attendance at our parochial schools in the
last month was rather meager. This was owing
mainly to much illness prevailing in all parts of
the city. Diphtheria, measles, La Grippe, small-pox
have kept back many of our pupils. The average
attendance at St. Paul’s is 200, at Mount Zion
about 150. The Bethlehem school is coping with
almost unsurmountable difficulties. Upon the
whole, however, we must give this school full credit
for its gallant struggle to overcome all difficulties.
Baster Sunday night a special children’s service
was held, which was largely attended. ‘The congre-
gation is under the care of the Mount Zion pastor,
but since in this wise only the most urgent duties
can be tended to, the congregation longs to welcome
their own pastor. May the Lord of the harvest
soon provide them with a shepherd!

Two members, who some time ago had severed
themselves from our congregations, have returned,
wishing again to be admitted to the church. Gladly
they were again received as members. -Others are
still receiving private instructions, and we sincerely.
hope that they will join our Lutheran congrega-
tions.

Luther College is still bravely struggling on-
ward. ‘The average number of students is thirty-
five. We have been informed by the Principal of
the College that two of our theological students are
ready to preach their first sermons. We have four
theological students who are studiously engaged in
preparing themselves for the ministry. ‘The library

« still faithfully attends to his duties.

has of late been enlarged by a collection of books
donated to the institution. Since one of the reci-
tation rooms of the College is being used by one of
the school classes, the vestry of St. Paul’s Church
has again been transformed into a classroom.
Recently the members of the local English congre-
gation presented the College with a glass case which
is of great use to our professor of science, who now
knows where to keep his natural specimens.

The mission school at Napoleonville is steadily
increasing. Highty-five have enrolled their names
as regular pupils. Prof. Gehner, although not well,
If we could
only have more help. The number of scholars
would be still greater. We have children who are
compelled to walk three miles to get to their school,
but they gladly come. During our stay at Napo-
leonville from Maundy Thursday to Haster Sunday
we were enabled to study this mission field a little
more closely. Divine services were held Good Fri-
day night and Easter Sunday night. Since, how-
ever, all the sectarian churches had special services,
the attendance was not so large as on the former
Sundays. Until now we generally had an attend-
ance of about fifty. ‘To carry on mission work
successfully in this field a school building is sorely
needed, for until now we have been obliged to rent
a hall which belongs to lodges, and which, besides
this, is used as a dancing hall, skating rink, ete.

On request we have also visited Bertrandville,
where we preached before a large gathering. The
people of Bertrandville are desirous of having a
school in which their children may be instructed
in the Christian religion. We have been asked to
preach there. again at our next visit to Napoleon-
ville.

We have also visited a little village, near Napo-
leonville, by the name of Maidwood. Several of
the families there have asked us to provide them
with the preaching of the Gospel. At present no
services of any kind are held there, and we have
been assured of large attendances. In brief, the
entire vicinity of Napoleonville seems to be a hope-
ful mission field, and it is our sincere prayer that
God may soon send us laborers for this important
field. J. Tueo. M.

——- - eee 9 -
Onr of the ancient fathers said: “A man should
be prepared for death the day before, but as he

does not know when that day is to be, he should
always be prepared.”