The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1919, Page 45

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The Lutheran Pioneer. 45

most presentable, still comfortable scats were thus
provided for the “overflow.” Worries about not
being able to seat a crowd in church, by the way,
are pleasant. worries.

On this occasion Miss M. Busse rendered two

vocal solos for us. Mrs. Marg. Baehler provided
flowers for the altar. The sermon was delivered
by the writer, who took as his subject “Holy Bap-
tism,” basing his words on Matt. 28, 18—20.
_ On Easter Sunday we experienced the same joy
of receiving new members in Springfield, Ill. Three
communicants were received through confirmation
and one through baptism. All the catechumens
proved by their answers to the questions put to
them that they have a good knowledge of the fun-
damentals of Christianity. For assisting in in-
structing these children we. owe sincere thanks to
Student Krenk of Concordia Seminary.

The service on Easter Day was very impressive,

_a fact borne out by expressions of many strangers

who were present. The choir rendéred several
selections, which added to the beauty of the service.
Mrs. Hazel Wilson was at her accustomed place
at the organ. We are indeed very fortunate in
having an organist of her ability. What her services
mean to us has been shown on several occasions
by her enforced absence. — After the rite of con-
firmation had been performed, Holy Communion
was administered. ‘Thirty-two people partook of
the blessed Sacrament. We have searched the
records, and found that this was the largest atten-
dance at one Communion in the history of the con-
gregation.

On the Tuesday evening following Easter, the
newly organized Young People’s Society, which has

been named “Friendship Society,” rendered its first

program, which consisted of musical and. literary
numbers. After the program refreshments were
served, and general sociability held sway. It was
a real “get-acquainted” gathering. ‘I'wo meetings
of this society are held each month, one a business-
meeting, the other a social gathering. We hope that
through this society many, especially young people,
will become acquainted with the Lutheran Church.
The organization is very fortunate in having a very
energetic president, Miss Lillian Mason. We be-
lieve, of course, that any church society ought to be
fostered only in so far as it will be an aid to the
church. The constitution of the Friendship Society
has been framed accordingly, the second article of
which reads as follows: “The purpose of this society
shall be: 1. To foster harmony and good will among

- coming.

the young people of Holy Trinity Church; 2. to
create interest in Lutheran church-work; 3. to
assist in promoting the general interest of Holy
Trinity Church.” We hope for its continued success.
Hersert C. Cravs.

Items of Interest from Our Colored
Mission Field.

Mansura. — Rey. G. M. Kramer, who recently
visited Mansura, speaks very encouragingly of this
congregation’s condition and prospects. Pastor Ter-
valon is doing good work in church and school,
and the people are appreciating his labors. 'This is
a country congregation, and a large number of the
members are farmers. Hspecially pleasing and grat-
ifying to Pastor Kramer was the large number of
men. attending the services. In Mansura it is the
whole family that goes to church, father, mother,
and all the children. That is as it should be.

NAPOLEONVILLE. — Pastor Kramer also visited
Napoleonville, where our indefatigable Pastor C. P.
‘Thompson is working with his customary enthu-
siasm. ‘The school is prospering as it never did
before, and Pastor Thompson is assisted by Mrs.
Nelson, a most competent lady and a former public
school teacher. All would be well at Napoleonville
if we only had a new building there to take the
place of the chapel, which had its back broken several
years ago during a severe hurricane. Since then
the building has actually been unsafe, and if it were
in a larger city, it would surely be condemned.
Aside from this, the mission property is not situated
on a street, but on an alley. Years ago, when the
property was purchased, we were assured by the
proper authorities that it was on a public street,
and there actually was a street along the front of
the property; but since then this former thorough-
fare has been closed, leaving our people no other
means of ingress or egress but an alley. We under-
stand that the locality has also become undesirable
for moral reasons. A very desirable location has
been found, but the means to buy the new lot and
erect on it a serviceable building must first be forth-
Who will help? We should act at once!

BrrHienEmM, New Orueans. — Five children

“were confirmed on Palm Sunday by Pastor Kramer.

— Aaron Wiley, Sr., the father of Pastor Aaron
Wiley, died on March 30, and was buried the follow-
ing day from Bethlehem Chapel. He attained the

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