The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1921, Page 58

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58

fully has the work been blessed in recent years that
we say each year is better than the preceding, and
we tell the truth.

Hundreds of the lost have been led to Christ,
hundreds have enlisted in larger service for the
Master, waste places have been changed into fruitful
gardens, the blessing of salvation has been brought
to multitudes, and a great spiritual uplift is ap-
parent in many parts.of the field. These are
achievements that must fill our hearts with joy.
With Samuel we gratefully say, as we set up our
Ebenezer: “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”

But our very prosperity has become our embar-
rassment. Our work has been so signally favored
in every direction that enlargement has been nec-
essary. It is more necessary now than ever. One
success has opened the way for another. Founda-
tions laid must be built upon if we are to have
a beautiful building and not a pile of rubbish. We
must ‘therefore not only hold our own, but reach

~ forth and seize the opportunities all around us.

At its meeting a year ago, Synodical Conference
appropriated the sum of $215,000 for the year,
$115,000 for current expenses and $100,000 Tor
new churches, schools, ete. ‘These sums were ap-
propriated because they were actually needed to
answer the numerous and urgent calls for help.

But the gifts from the churches have come in
slowly, very slowly. The Board ‘had to borrow
heavily to meet the most urgent expenses. Most. of
the District synods are behind their gifts of a year
ago. - In order to meet its obligations, our congresa-
tions must come to the rescue of the Mission Board
at once. A large sum is needed, not less than
$125,000 if the work is to go ahead and not be
crippled. In order to raise it, all our forces should
be enlisted immediately. By the 1st of October this
sum should be in the hands of the Board’s treasurer.

Pastors and laymen, brethren and sisters, let us
come at once to the holy task and do our share of
this necessary work. Let us help the Board that it
may meet every claim and help its members to face
with confidence and courage the future that is so
promising for our Colored Mission. God give, you

_ prayerful hearts and open hands! PF. J.-L.

“Luther Conference.

“Wasn't it fine?” :

“Best I’ve ever attended.”

“Getting better every year.”

Expressions like the foregoing from the major-

: The Lutheran Pioneer.

———————

ity of our Jaymen fully assure us that our this year’s
convention at New Orleans was the most interesting
we've had since the existence of Luther Conference,
Here is a little outline of the sessions :—

Wednesday, 8p. at. we assembled at: Mount Zion
Chapel, where all of our sessions were held. and
were cdified by an able sermon delivered by Rey.
Miles Gebauer of St. Paul's Congregation. Un this
initial’service the speaker addressed a large and at-
tentive audience. Following the service, delegates
from our various congregations — local and out-of-
town — presented their credentials and were cor-
dially welcomed by Conference.

Thursday morning the members of Conference
went into private session. After devotion, Prof. HH.
Meibohim delivered a brief address of encouragement
to the brethren. The brethren from Alabama, the
Revs. G. Schmidt, M. Carter, and R. O. Lynn, were
then formally welcomed to all the privileges of Con-
ference by the cliairman, and also by Rev. CG. P.
Rev. Schmidt re-
Business

Thompson of Napoleonville, La.
sponded briefly in well-chosen words.
then engaged us till the noon hour.

In the afternoon session Teacher Jolin homp-
son of Plaquemine, La., read a very interesting essay
on “Discipline in School.” It is always interesting
io discuss the different methods to be employed in
“making John and Jane keep their mouths shut and
study their lessons.’ ete. ‘This essay -naturally
created Inuch discussion. While tact and assertive-
ness should be discreetly employed by the teacher,
it is to be remembered that kindness to children and
love for them for Christ’s sake should always be the
underlying principle of his efforts to obtain good
discipline in school.

Thursday night, in the open meeting, Rev. G. M.
Kramer, Bethlehem Congregation, led the diseus-
sion on “What Are Legitimate Ways of Collecting
Money for the Church?” ‘This essay, brimful of
interest, received the favorable criticism it merited.
The essayist pointed out that the legitimate, or right
way, of collecting money for the Church should be
through Christian giving, which is, briefly, cheer-
fully giving for Christ’s sake. 2

Friday morning, in private session, Rev. W. ‘Ter-
valon, Mansura, La., read an essay on “Justifica-
tion,” holding to the plain truth of Scripture —
justification alone by grace, through faith, for
Christ’s sake. The essay was well prepared and well
received.

In connection with the business matters of the
afternoon session a committee was appointed whose

.