The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1921, Sheet 28

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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When work was started at Taits Place, there
was no suitable building in which to conduct ser-
vices. An old hut, called Lee’s Chapel, on which the
tooth of time had done its work, had been abandoned
by its builder, “Preacher Lee,” and his congregation.
It would not serve their purpose any longer. In
this tottering, forsaken “chapel” we conducted our
services. Those were trying times. In cold weather
the cabin could not be heated’ On rainy days there
was no protection for those who gathered there.
When services were held, a lantern, attached to a
cross beam by a handkerchief, afforded the only
light. One hundred fifteen children wanted to be
admitted to the school, but the hut refused to ac-
commodate so many pupils. So, while the Word of

Our New Church and School at Taits, Ala.

God which was preached in this “chapel” brought
joy and happiness to the hearts of those who heard
it, we felt the lack of suitable quarters keenly and
were handicapped by this lack in many ways. How
great, therefore, the joy on that day when it was

made possible to bid good-bye to this old shack and °

enter the newly erected building! How thankful,
that the Savior had made the friends of the Mission
willing to build a chapel in which services and
school could be conducted without continual dis-
turbances! So we say it was a joyful, happy, thank-
ful flock that gathered to dedicate this new building
to the service of God.

The day of dedication was cold, raw, and cloudy.
Still a large number of people were present when
services were started. Standing out in the open
with heads bowed, hands folded, and hearts uplifted,
we followed Rey. Peay as he led in prayer, asking

The Lutheran Pioneer.

God to enter the chapel, make it His abode, and
bless the preaching of His Word in it. After this
prayer, the congregation entered the building, and
services were continued with the fervent singing
of the hymn:

I love Thy Zion, Lord,

The house of Thine abode,

The Church our blest Redeemer saved

With His own precious blood.

In this service Rev. Carter of Rosebud preached to an
atientive audience, basing his sermon on Ps. 50, 14.
He pointed out two duties of a Christian: 1. The
duty io offer thanks; 2. the duty to pay his vows, —
making appropriate applications. After the first
service, dinner was served by members of the con-
gregation. A second service was held at 3 P.M.
3y this time ihe sun had made its second appearance
and with it many more people. The chapel was
filled. Among those present were some members
from Oak Hill, who had come 26 miles to join in
thanking God for His loving-kindness. ‘The under-
signed preached the sermon. An aged man, who
had never belonged to any church, was baptized and,
together with his wife, received into communicant
membership. We could not but thank God, who
received this old couple—in the evening time of
their life—into the folds of grace. A boy was
also baptized. May all three remain faithful to
their Savior!—In the evening Rev. Peay, who
serves Taits Congregation, preached in the third
service of the day. In this service Willie Jones,
a former member of the Midway Congregation, was
received. We feel certain that all those who were
present at these services will not easily forget them.
It was, in every respect, a glorious day. The offering
amounted to more than $35.00, and will be used
to purchase lumber with which to ceil the building.
We take this occasion to thank all the kind
friends who by their contributions have made pos-
sible the erection of this building. It stands here
in Alabama amid the tall pines, a monument of your
love for your Savior. We call your attention to the
words of Jesus which apply to you: “Inasmuch as
ye have done it unto one of the least of these My
brethren, ye have done.it unto Me.” And we ask
you to join us in the prayer “that God would make
those who have become members of Zion Congre-
gation steadfast unto their end, and that He be
pleased to use this building in the future as a beacon
to guide many more souls, still floundering around

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