The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1917, Sheet 55

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the burdens and responsibilities of the holy min-
istry, was ordained to preach the Word of God and
administer the Sacraments as a pastor of our Lu-
theran Church. ‘The ordination was performed by
the Superintendent of our Alabama Missions, the
Rey. N. J. Bakke, Pastors Lynn, Tervalon, and the
undersigned assisting in the ordination.

A iarge and enthusiastic audience turned out
to witness the solemn ceremony, and surely every
one found the entire service both inspiring and
uplifting. The Rosebud choir, under the able
leadership of Mr. Allen Taylor, a graduate of
Luther College in New Orleans, La., added not
a little to the attractiveness of the service by ren-
dering fitting selections. Pastor Bakke preached
the ordination sermon. After the ordination the
undersigned addressed
a few remarks espe-
cially to the congrega-
tion.

Brother Carter is

well known in our
circles. For years he
has been active in our
missions located in
North Carolina and
Atlanta, Ga., in the
capacity of  school-
teacher. A part of his
‘education he received
in Capital University, Columbus, 0. As pastor of
the Rosebud mission he will continue to teach
school in addition to his ministerial work. He also
preaches in Beatrice and *Possum Bend stations.

May the Lord ever be with Brother Carter!
May He keep His servant faithful, humble, and
courageous! May He crown his efforts with His
most abundant blessings! Ep. H. Sommuipr.

ev. M. N. Carter.

Another Letter from Concord, N.C.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: — —

Several months ago I wrote you a letter in
which I suggested a way in which we could cele-
brate the four-hundredth birthday of our dear Im-
theran Church in a manner suitable to the great
occasion. The plan I suggested was. that we begin
in this year with the creation of a Church Exten-

sion Fund for our Colored Lutheran Church.

Wanines ws ae a | Sb

The Lutheran Pioneer.

found him worthy and well prepared to shoulder

What have you done in the way of carrying -

58

out the suggestion? Surely, you all agree with
me that we should in this great Year of Jubilee
make a special effort to show our gratitude to God
for all the thousands of blessings that we enjoy
because of the Reformation. So far I have only
heard of three of our. Colored Lutheran churches
that have begun to raise a sum for our Church
Extension Fund. I hope that others will soon fol-
low the example of these three, until every one of
our churches will be hard at work. How can we
in a more practicable and convincing way prove
to others our gratitude for the blesssings we enjoy
than by doing all in our power to make others the
partakers of our great and inestimable blessings?

This year we should be particularly busy along
this line. We should accept every opportunity to
get others acquainted with our Church and her
teachings taken from the Bible. ‘There is no doubt,
many would join our ranks if they only knew more
about our possessions. It is also true that much
more could be done to make our Church known,
if we had the money to build chapels, and to send
out missionaries to those who are without Christ.
Much is being contributed annually by our white
brethren for this cause, but the time has come that .
WE OURSELVES should do more in this great work.
Here, now, we have an opportunity to show our
gratitude in a substantial manner. Are we going
to let this opportunity pass by and not do anything?

You say we have all we can do to live in these
hard times? I know the cost of living is high, but
are you going to let the high cost of living prevent
you from doing the Lord’s work? Are you not
spending money for things that you could do with-
out? Are you not throwing some of your money
away for luxuries? Can you, as long as you are
doing that, say that you cannot afford to do any-
thing for. the Lord’s. cause?

Brethren and sisters, WE HAVE TO START RIGHT
now. ‘Time is flying. We need the fund right
now. ‘The opportunity of the present may never
come again. Let us work while it is day; for the
night cometh in which no man can work. Now is
the accepted time to bring/the Gospel of the cru-
cified Savior to the lost of our race. ‘Thousands
upon thousands of Negroes, millions of blood-
bought souls of our fellow-men, are perishing for
the want of the Bread of Life. Are we going to

let starving souls perish, though our tables. are
loaded with good things? Shall we that are sit-
ting at the table refuse to give the crumbs that
fall from our table to those less favored than we