The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1924, Page 58

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58 The Lutheran Pioneer.

Luther Conference at New Orleans, La.

92° Fahrenheit!

“Hottest May 28 here in fifteen years,” said our
local weather prophet. And we agree with him.
This announcement, of course, was a gentle re-
minder that Luther Conference, which convened at
Bethlehem Chapel, Rev. G. M. Kramer, Pastor, from
May 28 to June 1, inclusive, was to be “heated” as
well as interesting.

Wednesday night in the opening service, Prof.
C. Stoll, of Luther College, delivered the sermon,
choosing as text, “Jesus Wept.” The speaker
showed that the same spirit that moved Jesus to
tears at the grave of a dear friend should be the
prompting impulse that moves the individual Chris-
tian to activity in behalf of souls that are “dead in
trespasses and sins.” As we look about us, on every
hand, we see that the occasion for tears still exists.
“Jesus Wept” — tears of sympathy and love; and
Jesus acted. Our tears count but little unless ac-
companied by the firm determination that we shall
work with all the help and strength that God gives
us to show light and life to the spiritually dead
through the blessed light of the Gospel.

Mr. A. Wiley, principal of Bethlehem School,
followed with a brief address of welcome to Con-
ference. The speaker’s words were well chosen and
appropriate for the occasion. Bethlehem’s choir,
Mr. A. Wiley, Director, which sang at this service
and those following, and also a male quartet, de-
serve favorable mention for the beautiful anthems
chosen and the splendid rendition of the same.

Thursday morning, Ascension Day, Prof. H.
Meibohm, chairman, in accordance with the usual
custom, delivered a hrief and spirited address to
Conference suitable for the Ascension festival and
the nature of Conference. The Rev. C. Thompson,
of Napoleonville, La., followed with an exegesis on
1 Tim. 1—3. 'This well-prepared paper engaged our
attention throughout the morning sessions of Thurs-
day and Friday. :

Thursday night the Rev. Thompson delivered a
brief address on the blessed Ascension of Christ.
The floor: was then given to the Rey. W. Beck, of

: Mount Zion Chapel, who.led the discussion on the
subject, “What Is Christian Charity?” The essayist,
after clearly defining the word “charity,” imme-
diately distinguished between charity in a worldly

“sense, and Christian charity such as Holy Scripture
enjoins upon all Christians. Stressing Christian

charity, the essayist showed that it is Christian love

in action. Only through a proper conception of
Christ —and love of Him—can Christians prop-
erly exercise Christian charity toward one another
and toward all mankind. It is a charity that seeks
no honor and asks no reward ;— just loving and
doing for Christ’s sake. What greater compensa-
tion, or application, can it evolve than that of lead-
ing fallen mankind to Christ? Therein is its own
reward; therein, its supreme manifestation.

Friday night the Rev. W. Tervalon, of Mansura,
La., delivered a paper on the subject, “The Work of
the Holy Ministry.” From Holy Scripture the es-
sayist proved that the holy ministry is, of divine
origin; its chief work being a proper interpretation
and preaching of God’s Word, and a proper ad-
ministration of the Sacraments. Through these
means alone — the means of grace — can fallen
man, by faith, become an heir to the salvation which
Christ has merited. ‘The salvation of souls, then,
is the final end and aim of the humble laborers in
the-Lord’s vineyard.

From our Question Box came: “What is the
liberty of woman in the church, in view of the
apostle’s admonition, ‘In the church let women be
silent?” The question was answered by Dr. H.
Nau, of Luther College. As a woman meekly and
modestly submits her views to her husband, in the
family household, so should her attitude be in the
household of faith — the Christian congregation.
This does not enjoin inactivity upon women in
whatever might promote the welfare of the Chris-
tian congregation. But in matters of an official
nature “. . . women should be silent.”

Sunday morning the Rev. M. Holls, of Mount
Calvary Church, white, delivered the sermon. Our
congregations, however, worshiped in their respec-
tive chapels at this particular time, hence not all
had the pleasure of hearing Rev. Holls’s splendid
sermon. ‘The confessional address Sunday night,
preparatory to the Lord’s Supper, was preached by
the Rey. W. Tervalon; the sermon for the evening
by the Rey. E. H. Wildgrube, of St. Paul’s Chapel.
The latter’s remarks were based on Rev. 22, 18. 19.
His subject was, “Change Not the Word of God.”
Rev. Wildgrube’s timely subject struck the keynote
of present-day agitation among the “this’s? and
“that’s” that flaunt their pernicious, ignorant, man-
made doctrines before their more ignorant and de-
Plorably misguided audiences. Men shape their
own words to suit the times and their personal con-
venience; but God’s Word is that only which con-
forms in minutest detail to the Bible. Change the