The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1918, Page 67

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

67

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.our beloved country is engaged in the mighty

struggle across the seas for right and not for might,
also recognized the importance of a united country,
and upon motion framed and accepted the follow-
ing resolutions of loyalty :
“Wuerreas, Our beloved country is engaged in
a strugglé demanding a united people, filled with
unselfish and sacrificing devotion to the Govern-
ment; and
“Wuxrreas, We, the members of Immanuel Lu-
theran Conference, gathered for its eighteenth
annual convention, believe that it is not only a
patriotic obligation, but also a Christian duty to
give to our President our fullest and heartiest sup-
port in the execution of the war program; be it
therefore
“Resolved, 'That we do hereby pledge unto our
Government our sincere loyalty in this great crisis;
be it furthermore
“Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be
sent to the President, published in the local papers,
also in the Missionstaube and the Pronerr, and re-
corded in the minutes of this session of Conference.
“Rey. W. G. SCHWEHN.
“Rev. W. O. Hitt.
“DELEGATE J. Ei. HELLIG.”

Conference again welcomed Rev. Lauterbach,
who for many years has attended the sessions of our
Conference, and gave him the privilege of the floor.
And since Rey. Lauterbach has resigned his charge
in Ridgeway, and will soon leave the confines of our
Conference, Conference, by rising, thanked him for
the interest manifested, and made him an honorary
member of our body. -

Now the question was broached whether or not it
was in order for the conferences of our Colored
Lutheran Church to organize themselves into a
separate synod. In the lengthy debate which fol-
lowed it was shown that the organization of a sepa-
rate body was premature in view of the fact that we
as yet had not come to that stage where we would
be able to perform the functions of a synod. Still,
Conference agreed that we should work to that end,
realizing the great value of such an organization
for the successful prosecution of our work among the
millions of Negroes in our country. In order that
this might not be forgotten, and that a goal be set
which would bring about such an organization, Con-
ference adopted the following resolutions:

“We regret that during the past forty years the
work of our Colored Lutheran Missions has not

progressed to such a degree that we are now in @
position to form an independent synod. Be it
therefore

“Resolved, That we do everything in our power
to work to that end:

“J. By bringing our congregations to the state
of self-support;

“TI. That we support our college with students
and-means, and finally assume the entire responsi-
bility thereof;

“TIT. That we take up mission-work independ-
ently, and in general assume and perform the func-
tions of a synod.

“Pror. F. BERG.

“Rev. W. G. ScHWEHN.
“Rey. W. O. Hr.
“Rey. C. Srort.

“Rev. J. MoDavip.”

On Friday night Rev. Hill, of Yonkers, N. Y.,
preached an impressive sermon on Ps. 126, 6, point-
ing out the great things which the Lord has done
for us in the past forty years, which should cause
our hearts to go out with grateful praise to the Lord
of the Church, and pray Him to continue to bless
us in the years to come, that many may be led to
the knowledge of the saving truth and made free
eternally.

Saturday morning was devoted to a pastoral con-
ference. ‘Io the regret of all, the Director of our
Missions, Rev. Drewes, who had contemplated being
present, found it impossible to be with us. A reso-
lution was passed to ask the Director to annually
attend one of-our conferences, in order that such
things as pertain to our field can be discussed in his
presence, and the proper advice given.

In the absence of Rev. Drewes, Prof. Berg com-
municated the message of the Board: The first
matter which he mentioned was the appojntment of
a visitor for this and the other fields in our Mission,
which institution the Board félt to be necessary for
the successful furtherance of our work. Prof. Berg
read the regulations of this office, which were re-
ceived with the addition that the Board permit the
conference to suggest three names from our minis-
terium as candidates for this office. The brethren
nominated were Revs. John Alston, John McDavid,
and W. G. Schwehn. The sentiment: was also ex-
pressed that we petition the Board to remember the
great opportunities which our Southeastern field

offers for the carrying on of our Lutheran work. ~

Rev. J. F. Yount, at present camp pastor at
Camp Greene, was given the privilege of the floor.