The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1915, Page 85

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

85

Brother Meibolhim’s own congregation, Mount
Zion, had a committee busy collecting funds for
a suitable gift.

The schoolchildren were rehearsing two songs
from the’ Sunday-school Hymnal; but the closing
of school on account of the storm made the ren-
dition an impossibility.

In the mean time the secretary of Mount Zion
had sent invitations to the sister congregations of
our Colored Mission in New Orleans and the Joint
Conference.

Friday and Saturday following the storm were
days of glorious sunshine. It appeared, so to say,
as if the whole city were hanging on the line to
dry out. But it was of short duration. Sunday,
October 3, dawned gloomily. Heavy skies and a
steady drizzle marked the day. As the day wore
on, conditions grew worse. Notwithstanding these
unpleasant signs for expectant friends of the
“honoree” of the evening, the weather improved
a little by nightfall.

But could and would the friends turn out? ‘The
whole city, outside of the business section, was in
utter darkness since the storm had played havoc
with the lighting system. Those who live far from
the car-lines were at the greater disadvantage. Like
so many beacons, candles and lamps guided the
people to the cars. And these, former’ palaces of
brillianey, had only. enough .power to crawl along,
stop, and take breath, and then begin all over again.
The globes shed such a sickly light that the con-
ductor could read the transfer punch squares only
with difficulty. But we got there!

In the transfer car Uncle Bob met nearly a
dozen friends on the way to Mount Zion. That
was certainly reassuring. Arriving at our destina-
tion, we found additional reinforcements lined up
on the sidewalk. The regular congregation was
already seated. It was Brother Meibohm’s turn to
preside at the organ. Uncle Bob took a peep. The
‘organist was arranging his music for the regular
service. This, of course, occupied several minutes.
The bell rang out and invited the visitors to
come in. Quietly they took their seats.
ceased. Brother Meibohm was about to drop his
_ hands on the keyboard. His colleague had inter-
_ cepted the movement. Why this interruption at
‘such a critical moment? Meanwhile an elder had
placed a chair in the aisle; yes, in the middle of
_ the aisle, where never a single chair is set. This
- act was significant; but what did it mean?

His colleague invited him to the’seat of honor.

The bell

bled friends' sang Hymn 156:

He remonstrated, demanding an explanation. The
habitually calm brother for once was completely
flustered, and, like a helpless person, plumped down
on the nearest seat. After some reasoning his col-
league induced him to arise. With measured step
he walked to the seat of honor, which the elder had
placed so that Brother, Meibohm should face the
congregation. But so much abashed was our dear
teacher that he reversed the seat of honor, pre-
ferring to look up to the ascending Savior above
the altar rather than face the many rejoicing friends
behind him.

To relieve the tenseness of the situation, the
organist began his prelude at once. Then followed
Hymn 217: “Now I Have Found the Sure Foun-
dation.”

At its conclusion the altar services were per-
formed by the pastor. Then tame Hymn 326:
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Crea-
tion.” The pastor now ascended the pulpit. The
leading thought of the introduction was: Any man
who has served others faithfully for fifty years excites
our admiration; but when this is done as a Lu-
theran schoolteacher, then we rejoice and thank
God for such a man. This led to the theme:
“Give thanks and glory to God for all the good He
has accomplished through His servant in the past
fifty years, 1. because the work which this faithful
servant has performed in the past half century is
enjoined by God; 2. because the work which he
has performed in the past half century w was blessed
of God.”

An exquisite sermon, indeed, it ani Right
here Uncle Bob wants to state that the sermon was
not only comforting to our beloved colleague, but
that it strengthened the faith of every teacher
present. It does make one feel good to hear kindly
words; they encourage more than I can tell; they
make us forget our own unworthy thoughts, which
ill-spoken words have engendered, and which evil
acts of unfriendly patrons may have nursed. We
feel that we have friends here on-earth to prop up
the weary-growing arm that is battling for the
Lord. It should fill us with gratitude to God, who
gives us pastor's ever ready to sustain and comfort
us in the arduous tasks of our office. God bless
such pastors and all church-members who thus help
their often sorely tried teachers. But Uncle Bob ©
is to tell of the jubilee, so let us return to the

main track.

After the sermon the congregation and assem-'
“Let Me. Be Thine