The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1921, Page 51

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

51

The chimney of the cabin was arranged to serve as
a contribution receptacle. ‘This novel decorative
piece was the work of Mrs. S. Schaub and daughter.
It seemed to catch the eye of all the guests. A little
five-year-old boy had it about right when he re-
marked about the cabin: ‘See those big cracks in
the wall? That means these people are poor and
need help! Spiritually poor? Yes! — Another
novelty was a colored doll, in whose apron a deep
pocket had been sewed for receiving contributions.
This was supplied for the Colored Mission table by
Mrs. Schaperkotter. The necessary ‘color’ to the
afternoon was lent by Teacher Gose’s little dark-

. skinned singers. ‘They were rewarded for their efforts

.

* and their Church.

with a ‘feed’ spread for them by the kind ladies.
Entertainment was also provided. by the Eastern
Four, the well-known quartet froin Concordia Semi-
nary. ‘Their selections, delightfully rendered, were
in complete harmony with the occasion. Two of the
selections rendered were: ‘Coppah Moon’ and “Ken-
tucky Babe.’ Our sincere thanks to the Eastern
Four! — In behalf of the Mission Board Prof.
G. Mezger delivered a short, but inspiring address,

* in which he commended the past efforts of our

Ladies’ Society, and encouraged them to continue
their zealous work also in the future. And finally,
besides bringing a neat financial gain for the treas-
ury of our society, the afternoon also brought a sub-
stantial gain for our membership list. Yes, it was
a grand success in every way. The receipts amounted
to over $300.00.” H.C. C.

A Catholic’s Opinion
on Religious Education for the Negro.

Tt seems that some few years ago the Catholic
publicists tried to make their readers believe that
the Protestant churches were “doing nothing for the
Negro.” This misleading information not only called
forth from a certain Catholic missionary among the
Negroes a contradiction of that statement, but at the
same time the voicing of a truth which to our mind
we shall do well to consider and, if possible, carry
out. Among other things, he points out that Protes-
tants: are employing a most effective method in the
successful prosecution of their work among the Col-
ored. Not only are they doing something, but in
establishing and maintaining elementary and higher
schools of learning they are winning many for Christ
And he, furthermore impresses
upon his fellow-Catholics that the Catholic Chureh

will do well to profit by the example which Protes-
tantism has set, and educate the masses of Negro
folk in Catholic schools. This is what he has to say
on this policy: “Without schools and higher educa-
tion the ultimate conversion of the Negro to Cath-
olicity must be indefinitely postponed.” Rome has
always proved herself alert and wise to anything
which makes for the extension of the borders and
influence of Roman Catholicism. And here, too,
we must agree, she viewed the situation in the light
of the great possibilities which lie for any church-
body in the education of the Negro under denomina-
tional guidance and influence. The Catholic mis-
sionary was also rightly informed when ,he wrote
that Protestants were educating the Negro into
their churches, for they have invested approximately
$15,000,000 in schools for Negroes. Besides this,
millions are spent every year in the maintenance of
such denominational schools.

Our Synodical Conference also realized what a
great agency the school would be in winning the
Negro for Christ and the Church. And so we find
that in the majority of these Negro Lutheran con-
gregations Christian day-schools are conducted as
a part of the missionary program. These Christian
day-schools were attended by almost three thousand
Negro children during the last year. How much
Christ and His Word have here accomplished the
future alone can tell. Besides these Christian day-
schools, our Synodical Conference also maintains
two higher schools of learning, Luther College in ~

_ New Orleans and Immanuel College at Greensboro,

N. C. Both of these schools have not only supplied
our Colored Lutheran Mission with a goodly number
of preachers and teachers, but have been instru-
mental in-leading many others to a right conception
of the Gospel and to faith in Jesus Christ. It can- ,
not be otherwise. When students attend a school
where, Christ is taught and His Word is the under-
lying principle of all instruction, there will be some
students whom the Word reaches and brings to
Christ. And this influence cannot and does not stop
with the students; for as these students go back
into the home and community from which they
came, Christ goes with them, and thus many are led
to Christ and made acquainted with the Lutheran
Church. And so that Catholic priest was not far
from right when he contended that “the conversion
of the Negro to Catholicity must be postponed .
indefinitely,” so long as they neglect schools and
higher education for the Negro under the influence
of the Roman Catholic Church. We are tempted