The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1919, Page 37

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

BY

Our Colored Mission in St. Louis.

In a short time we hope to be able to report
that our Colored Mission in St. Louis has removed
to new quarters. Immanuel Congregation some time
ago offered to rent a part of its school-building

to us. The offer was readily accepted. We moved
into our new home on March 24. Any one
who has seen the interior of our mission-room

at 17th and Morgan Sts. will readily agree that
this will be a favorable change. While the
new location will be two blocks closer to the
Morgan St. “bad-lands,” still this disadvantage
will be counterbalanced by the more favorable
conditions of Immanuel School for school- and
church-purposes. One room in this building will
be occupied by our school, while services will be
held in the one directly above this. Heretofore the
street served as a playground for the children; in
the new place they will have an enclosed, brick-
paved yard. Much confusion will thus be done away
with. Our good Ladies’ Aid has consented to pur-
chase sixty chairs for the “chapel.” Thus the atten-
dants at our services will be able for the first time
in the’history of cur Mission to be seated on some-
thing other than narrow school-benches.

Despite unfavorable conditions our day-school
and Sunday-school are flourishing. The day-school
shows a capacity enrolment of 75 children, about
65 of whom attend regularly. Good headway is
being made in the school-work under the direction
of Teacher Gose. That children leaving our school
receive a hearty welcome in the city schools is a

““nown fact. Just recently a truant officer (colored)
offered his congratulations on the good condition
of our school, saying that public-school teachers
are much enthused over the good behavior of
children coming from the Lutheran school. Con-
sidering the existing race prejudice, this statement
says much. Very correctly this truant officer attrib-
uted the behavior of the children to the Christian
training received in our school, — For the last Sun-
days the average Sunday-school attendance has been
50, a very encouraging number. Miss A. Schmitt,
Teacher Gose, and the writer instruct regularly.
Of late we have had quite a number of adult visitors.

The regular evening services have not been
attended as well as they might have been. Still,
figuring the attendance in proportion to the mem-
bership in comparison with the average congrega-
tion, the outlook is not altogether discouraging.
There has been much sickness among our members,

but also some indifference. Besides, a few have been
lost through unfaithfulness. These are shadows in
the work of a missionary. Bright spots, however,
have not been missing. Recently we were permitted
to receive a new member in the person of Mrs. Lena
Stanford. May God grant her faithfulness !
Herpert ©. Chavs.

eo — —

Holy Trinity, Springfield, Ill.

On the third Sunday in March two adults were
received into the communicant membership of Holy
Trinity, Springfield, Ill, and on Haster Sunday
four more were added to the membership list. —
A society has been organized among the young
people of the congregation which calls itself the
Friendship Society.. Judging from reports, this
society is trying to help along the good cause all
it can. — The Ladies’ Aid Society of Holy Trinity
has always been a band of willing workers, and it
has not yet lost its willingness to assist in anything
that may promote the welfare of the congregation.
—The Bible Class of Holy Trinity recently did
something to which we wish to call the attention
of our readers. It elected a sick-visiting committee.
We feel that this action speaks well for the spirit
prevailing in this organization.

>

A Report from Mount Zion,
New Orleans.

On March 30, 1919, Mount Zion Lutheran Con-
gregation, New Orleans, La., was visited by Rev. G.
M. Kramer, a representative of our Mission Board.
Our worthy Visitor explained to us that he came
not as a high dignitary to scatter fear among our
religious flock, but as a Christian examiner, to
ascertain whether or not the Word of God was
preached to us in its truth and purity, and received
by us as it should be. During the course of the
questioning by the Visitor our dear pastor, Rev. 'T.
Schliepsiek, showed that the members of the con-
gregation were, on the whole, regular in their atten-
dance at services, and that the majority were diligent
partakers of Holy Communion. Mr. Sam Tibbs
convinced the Visitor that the congregation was
hearing the true Gospel of Christ Jesus and Him
Crucified, and a report read by Mr. L. B. Bailey,
Secretary of the congregation, brought out the fact
that the attendance at services and the contributions
by the congregation, also the activity and interest