The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1908, Page 78

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

78

The: Lutheran: Pioneer.

Meeting of Immanuel Conference
at Concord, N. C.

Our readers well know that the Colored Mission
of the Southland has its dark sides, but when
gloomy clouds pouring forth incessant rains
threaten to prevent the people from coming to wor-
ship even at a meeting of conference, then things
seem especially dark, and a small band of mission-
aries may fittingly look out of the church-windows
and sigh for just a few bright rays of light.

Although the omnipotent Lord did not grant
smiling, sunny days, yet He graciously permitted
a more glorious light*to brighten the hearts. of both
missionaries and hearers at the recent meeting of
our Immanuel Conference, August 19—23. The
brilliancy of His Word pure and unadulterated
’ shone forth in the discussion’ of the papers read and
in the sermons preached. We may well thank God
that sound Lutheranism, both in doctrine and prac-
tice, holds its own also in the work-of the Colored
Mission where so many peculiarities and ‘singulari-
ties, foreign to God’s Word, clamor for entrance:
In the discussion of the papers on the “State of
Grace” and on the “Seeming:Contradictions of the
Bible” we were especially warned against human
speculations, and the duty of abiding bye God’s
Word was emphasized:

‘Despite the inclement weather, a good number
of people, not only of the Concord congregation,
but also from the nearby congregations, attended.
All the laborers in the field, eleven in all, were
present; with the exception of one. “Likewise the
different congregations were well represented by
delegates. One pastoral*session, two public ses-
sions, and five services were held... On Sunday
morning the Lord’s Supper was celebrated, and it
was a sight of no small encouragement to see over
fifty guests commune at the Lord’s table.

Among the resolutions passed by conference the

death of our colored missionary, Rev. S. Doswell, :

was remembered. : Although we cannot fathom the
ways of or Heavenly Father in taking him from
usin this time of need; yet we bow our heads in
humble submission, convinced that He knows what
is best for His work: We pray, however, that He
may speedily refill his place, so that the work may
not go backward, but forward, and that many souls
may be gathered into Christ’s kingdom. .

Our next conference is to meet at Salisbury,
N. C., in Rey. Lash’s parish. « *' Hs Gee

’ Items from New Orleans.

‘The 12th Sunday after Trinity was a joyous
Sunday for our Colored Mission. On that Sunday
Rey. Ed. Krause was ordained and installed as
missionary of our Mount Zion station. All three
colored congregations joined in service on the even-
ing of this Sunday in the large and beautiful
Mount Zion Church to witness the ordination, and
to hear this young laborer in the Lord’s vineyard
promise faithfulness in his office to the chief Shep-
herd and Bishop of souls. The church was beau-
tifully decorated for this occasion. A large choir,
under the direction of Napoleon Seeberry, rendered
two appropriate selections. ight of our local
Lutheran pastors assisted in the ordination. On
the following Monday evening the congregation
prepared a successful surprise for their new pastor
in the schoolroom. The schoolroom was decorated,
a large table was set, and Japanese lanterns fur-
nished the light. Taking it all in all, it was a
pleasant and joyful evening which the new pastor
spent with his people, and no doubt he is feeling
at home already among his flock over which God
has placed him as shepherd to lead them to the
green pasture of Gospel truths.

But, alas, our joy was coupled with great grief.
On the same day that Rev. Krause was joyously
welcomed by his congregation, St. Paul’s congre-
gation bade farewell to their faithful and dearly
beloved pastor, Rev. F. J. Lankenau, who ac-
cepted a call to some other place of labor in the
Lord’s vineyard. With sad heart and tearful eyes
Rey. Lankenau delivered his farewall address. It
was indeed hard for him to part with his work in
the Colored Mission-which he served faithfully and
with great self-denial for seventeen long years. Not
only his congregation deeply regrets his departure,
but our whole mission in New Orleans was sorry
to see him go. And so are his co-workers in the
mission. Well do we remember how he has proved
himself a father unto us; how he was ever ready -
to give us good advice and the benefit of his long
experience in this work. But we know that the
Lord does all for the best of His children. May
His blessing be with our brother also in his future
field of labor, and may He grant also unto us cour-
age and faithfulness in our work of planting and

- watering, though we perhaps often see but little

In due time we shall also reap.

of the increase.
: G. M. K.

Sa ce a