The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1917, Page 94

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7
94. The Lutheran Pioneer. |

An Appeal.

Dear Mission Frrenps: —

When, some years ago, we came to Concord;
N. C., to take up our duties as pastor and mis-
sionary among the Colored of this city, we naturally
desired to know more about the early history of
our work among the Negroes of North Carolina.
We learned, among other things, to know and ap-
preciate the work of the sainted Rev. David Koonts,
which work formed the basis of the mission-work
of the Synodical Conference among the Negroes of
North Carolina and, we might say, of the whole

‘Southeast. Hearing that his remains rest in the

old Lutheran cemetery at Concord, there came the

Rev. David Koonts.

desire to stand at the grave of the man who, in our
humble estimation, did very much to bring the
Lutheran Chureh to his people in this region. In
company with Rey. Lynn, one afternoon found us

in that cemetery, eagerly secking to locate the grave .

of the Rey. Koonts. You can well imagine our dis-
appointment when we were forced to give up our
search without haying found the final resting-place
of this man of God. We then and there resolved
to bend all efforts towards finding his grave, and
then to mark it so that others might know where
there lies buried a man who deseryes to be grate-
fully remembered for his work in the Lutheran
Church. Some time later we were shown the grave
of this man, and we made efforts to have the grave
marked, but have never accomplished it. We be-
lieve it should be marked, and that right now. Have

we not enough loyal and interested friends of our
work who will help us in placing a slab/ or, still
better, a fitting monument over the graye of the
tev. Dayid Koonts, Lutheran pioneer and mis-
sionary among the Negroes of North Carolina? All
who will help to secure this memorial may send
their donations to the treasurer, Mr. BH. Schuetiner,
or the undersigned, and mark them Koonts Memo-
rial Fund.

Trusting that we may in the near future re-
port the unveiling of a fitting memorial stone to
the Rev. David Koonts, and neyer doubting your
interest or support in this undertaking, I am

Your missionary,
W..G. Somwenyn.

Concord, N. C., All Saints’ Day, 1917,

0
Missionary Items.

RErorMation CrLesrariom ar Mipway, Ana.
“Mount.Carmel had a great holiday on October 28.
In the early morning hours of that day the people
began to gather from adjoining communities and
eyen from remote sections to witness the great
Reformation celebration. Pastors G. A. Schmidt
and M. N. Carter conducted the services. The
entire services were carried out most satisfactorily,
and even now yet the celebration is the topie of
conversation whenever a number of people meet.
The chapel was decorated for the occasion with
flowers, pennants, flags, and banners. The service
was attended by 250 to 300 persons. ‘That all gave
cheerfully to the Jubilee Fund (Church Extension
Fund) may be gleaned from the fact that the col-
lection amounted to no less than $55, which will be
forwarded to the Treasurer of the Mission Board
after our children’s day celebration on the last Sun-
day of this month.” Thus writes Miss Rosa J.
Young.

Mawnsvra, La. — Pastor Berger, who was trans-
ferred from Louisiana to Alabama a few months
ago, was not able to stay there very long, owing to
illness. At the advice of several, doctors he has re-
turned to Louisiana. From Mansura, the home of
his parents, -he writes that, while he is apparently
improving, the doctor under whose treatment he is
at the present time says that he will not be able to
take up his work for some time. We hope the young
brother may be able to be active again in the not
too distant future.