The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1924, Page 87

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

87

greatest possible interest in the work done by the
brethren among the freedmen on the Pacific Coast
and also to consider the advisability of deputing
Director Drewes to survey the field. F.J.L.

i

Fifty-First Convention of the Synodical
Conference.

Gratefully accepting the kind invitation -of
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Napoleon, 0. (I. J.
Tankenau, Pastor), the Synodical Conference met
for its regular biennial convention in that city
August 20—25. Napoleon is a beautiful little city,
situated in a prosperous farming community on the
banks of the Maumee River. One thing that at-
tracted the eyes of the representatives were the neat
homes, surrounded by well-kept lawns.

The delegates were given a very cordial weleome
by the pastor and members of St. Paul’s. The
spirit of hospitality surely was manifest on every
side. Special credit belongs to the women of the
church, who served very substantial and delicious
dinners and suppers in the basement.

The convention opened with a divine service, in
which Pastor Walter Hoenecke preached a very ap-
propriate sermon on the apostolic exhortation:
“Beloved, let us love one another.” 1 John 4, 7.
The sessions in the forenoon were devoted to the
reading and discussion of a doctrinal paper by
Prof. Martin S. Sommer on “The Unity of the
Church.” ‘That this was a timely subject no one
will deny who knows how many mistake union for
unity. Real unity, the essayist pointed out, con-
sists in this, that all Christians, through faith in
Christ, constitute one spiritual body, of which
Christ is the Head, and in which all believers are
members one of another. This unity is endangered
’ and even destroyed as soon as one introduces false
doctrines, teachings running counter to Scripture.
Disobedience to the Master is responsible for all
schisms. If we would do anything to reunite
a disrupted Church, Christians must proclaim the
unadulterated Gospel through which the Holy
Spirit creates nnd maintains real concord and unity.

During the afternoon sessions our Colored Mis-
sions were in the foreground. ‘The report sub-
mitted by our energetic Director, Pastor C. F.
Drewes, was very gratifying. Our missionaries are
working faithfully; some are even exhibiting spir-
itual heroism; and the results are not wanting.
_ There are losses, it is true, especially in places
where Negroes have gone North; but on the whole

-1926?

there is progress, especially in the Alabama field.
Statistics bear this out. We take the following
from the report of Pastor Drewes: Baptized mem-
bers, 4,110; a net gain of 385 since 1922. Commu-
nicant members, 2,344; a net gain of 265 in two
years. Our schools almost everywhere are filled to
overflowing. And wherever the Gospel has taken
root, it has borne fruit. Our Colored Lutherans
are cheerful and liberal givers. During 1923 they
raised $25,256.72, which is a very large sum in
view of the fact that most of them are poor.
There was, however, something exceedingly sad-
dening in the Director’s survey of the various
fields; namely, the lack of adequate places of wor-
ship and schools at many stations. At one place
112 children are housed in a little old shanty.
Some sit on the bare floor during school-time,
others even on the organ. That is but one striking
example. After hearing these facts, the convention

_ felt constrained to appropriate such amounts as will

relieve the situation and enable the Mission Board
to erect those buildings which are most sorely
needed. To provide the money, it was resolved to

“make an appeal to the children of our Lutheran

day- and Sunday-schools.

The following officers were reelected for a term
of two years: President, Pastor C. Gausewitz;
Vice-President, Prof. L. Fuerbringer, D. D.; Sec-
retary, Pastor H. M. Zorn; Treasurer, Mr. Albert
Gruett. Prof. Theo. Graebner and Pastors Walter
Ffoenecke, R. Jesse, and Theo. Walther were re-
tained as members of the Board, and Mr. Theo. W.
Eckhart was chosen to take the place of Mr. E.
Schuettner, who efficiently and faithfully served as
a member of the Board for eight years.

The Synodical Conference decided to incorpo-
rate itself under-the laws of the State of Wisconsin.
Nine trustees were chosen: Pastors C. Gausewitz,
C. F. Drewes, and F. J. Lankenau to serve six years;
Pastor H. M. Zorn and Messrs. Aug. Ross and
E. von Briesen to serve four years; Pastors G. A.
Gullixson and J. S. Bradac and Mr. H. M. Runge
to serve two years.

On Sunday evening a special mission-seryice
was held, in which Rey. M. N. Carter, one of our
Colored missionaries, delivered an inspiring lecture
on the work in the Alabama field to an audience

. which crowded the church to the doors.

On Monday, August 25, the Synodical Con-
ference adjourned with prayer, to meet again, if

God wills it, two years hence in ——? What con-
gregation is going to invite the convention for
: A. Harpr.