The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1920, Page 10

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10

of Superintendent Win. Fisch the Sunday-school,
numbering 40 scholars, by recitations and songs re-
peated the Christmas-story. Little Cleo Brazier
won the hearts of all with her recitation, “I Love
to Hear the Story.” She recited-as only a four-
year-old child can recite. After the service the
hearts of the little folks were further gladdened
by the distribution of gifts.- And—can we fail to
mention it?— the writer also shared in the dis-
tribution, being remembered by the congregation
with a purse such as he had never dreamed of.

' We would like to go into further details con-
cerning the work of.the past year, but we have no
monopoly on space. We cannot refrain, however,
from .mentioning the following. At the beginning
of last year a goal of $500 was set, which sum we
hoped to reach in the total receipts of the treasuries
of the above-mentioned stations. However, the
treasurer’s books, at the end of the year, showed
that we had gone “over the top” for thé Savior
by $224.47. In other words, instead of $500 the
sum of $724.47 was raised. Special credit is due
Mr. John Wilson and Mr. Ed. Hagan, of Spring-
field, and Mr. E. Moore, of St. Louis, for their
energetic efforts in attending to the treasuries. It
was God, of course, who opened the hearts of our
people, and made them willing to give. The above
results are gratifying. And, be it said furthermore,
some of our other stations have done even better,
proportionately. We mention these things for the
encouragement of the many supporters of our work.
Undoubtedly these results will make them zealous
for even-greater things in the present year. May
the Lord grant it! FlerBert C. Craus.

A Lutheran Children’s Christmas Ser-
, Vice at Plaquemine, Ala.

our readers. It is a service in which you have either
taken part when you were young, or have witnessed
and enjoyed year after year. But in Plaquemine,
La., it was something unknown before our mission
was ¢stablished here. ‘Thanks to your missionary
zeal, a Lutheran mission was established here, in
this black belt of Louisiana, and this made possible
the first Lutheran children’s Christmas service in
Plaquemine the night before Christmas Eve.
Your Plaquemine mission is the ninth and
latest station established in our Louisiana field. It
has been but a few months that the Lutheran doc-

‘children’s service began.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

trine is here’ proclaimed, and a Lutheran parochial
school and Sunday-school are conducted. At pres-
ent the mission is conducted in a rented room of
the Colored Odd-Fellows’ Hall. In one of its anti-
quated rooms, without a teacher’s desk, or school-
desks, with an enrolment of 115 children, Luther's
doctrine pure is taught, and our dear old Lutheran
familiar hymns are sung. > Though the room is
already so crowded that there is hardly standing-
room between the seats and the teacher’s chair, the
number is steadily increasing. What is-it that at-
tracts these children to our school? Js it the small
tuition which is asked? No, the free public school
has its doors opened, and is being conducted with
a foree of three or four teachers. Is it perhaps the
attraction of the room and fine school furniture?
No, the best convenience the school affords are old-
time chairs, and old doors and rough boards serve
as desks. ‘That which appeals to the children and
their parents is not the small tuition, not the con-
venience of the school, but what’ is taught in the
school, viz., Jesus, who came to save their little
souls from sin. Fourteen children have already
entered the catechumen class, and are pursuing the
instruction with all diligence. Also an adult class
of four in number has been organized. Although
his hands are full with 115 children in the school,
Teacher John Thompson neglects no opportunity
to sow the seed of Lutheranism broadcast among
the people. The children he meets in the evening
after school, and the adults at night.

But pardon me, dean reader. We are to tell
you of the first Lutheran children’s Christmas ser-
vice at Plaquemine. For the occasion ‘Teacher
Thompson was successful in securing the upper
room of the hall, a spacious room. In spite of the
cold weather the people began to gather at the hall
long before the service began. If this room had

» . not been seceured for the occasion, all the people
A children’s Christmas service is familiar to all -

could not possibly have been accommodated.

The service was begun with singing, prayer,
and & Christmas-sermon. After the sermon the
The little tree, well dec-
orated with candles, tinsel, and trinkets, made no
show under the bright lights of the hall, but when
the lights were turned down, and the little candles
emitted their tiny lights, it became quite an impos-
ing feature. The audience was struck into solemn
silence at the sight. “Come Hither, Ye Children,”
“Sing We Merry Christmas,” “Silent Night,” and
“Tet Us All with Gladsome Voice” were sung, reci-
tations were given, questions and answers on the ~