The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1925, Page 6

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6 THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

The Dedication.

December 7 was the day. Our colored brethren
got busy a week previously and distributed hand-
bills announcing the dedication among their friends
and neighbors. Our pastors announced the happy
event from their pulpits. Director Drewes, of
St. Louis, and Rev. M.N. Carter, colored mission-
ary of Chicago, responded to our invitation to
preach the dedicatory sermons. The weather was
threatening rain. But when the hour set for the
glad event (2.30 Pp...) arrived, a crowd of over

_three hundred people, including about one hundred
colored adults and children, had assembled before
the building. The formal opening service was read
by Missionary Geo. H. Kase. Then the doors were
opened; the congregation filed in. After some
time had passed and all were seated who could be
accommodated, out of hundreds of mouths and
hearts there pealed forth Luther’s Battle Hymn,
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” It sounded as
if the gathering had been rehearsing it for this
event. “Ah,” some one whispered into our ear, “ah,
that sounds like a real dedication.” It put every
one into proper temper of soul and spirit. Pastor
Kase then read the dedicatory prayer, which was
followed by the Apostles’ Creed spoken by the en-
tire assembly. Another hymn, and then Rev. Carter
delivered a stirring and timely sermon on Eph. 2,
19. 20, presenting the theme: “What Has the Lu-
theran Church to Offer the Colored People of Cin-
cinnati?” We regret that space prohibits a brief
resumé of this fine sermon. St. Paul’s choir then
rendered a selection which greatly enhanced the
devotion of the hearers. The sermon of Rev.
Drewes, of St. Louis, Director of Colored Missions,
which now followed, was based on the Great Com-
mission, Matt. 28, 19.20. The effect of this ser-
mon was visible. Director Drewes emphasized the
necessity of the Christian day-school as a guarantee
for the success of mission-work: “Why Do We Lu-
therans Establish and Maintain Christian Day-
schools in our Missions? Because of Christ’s com-
mand; for the children’s sake, for the Church’s
sake, and for our country’s sake.” God grant in
His mercy that these two sermons will never be
forgotten! The Offertory followed, and offerings
were gathered ($86.73), another hymn, the Lord’s
_ Prayer spoken in unison, Benediction, and Doxol-
ogy, and the happy gathering dispersed. We say:
“O God, for Christ’s sake hear the prayers that
were spoken and sung this day, and Thine alone

_ Shall be all glory. Amen.”

Notes.

The entire sum required for the purchase and
renovation of Immanuel Colored Lutheran Church,
approximately $10,000, has been pledged by the
twelve hundred communicant members of the six
white churches of Cincinnati.

Our teacher, Miss Eliza Johnston, began Sun-
day-school on the morning of December 7%, with
twenty-four children. Many more are promised.
She is rehearsing a Christmas program with the
children. The program will be given Friday eve-
ning, December 26, at 7.30, and our white brethren
are invited to attend.

Teacher Ollmann officiated at the organ during
the dedication service. Many thanks!

The organ was presented to us by the Bethesda
Hospital Trustees through Mr. Wm. E. Hoerr.

Pews, altar, and pulpit are gifts of our Lutheran
brethren at Cold Springs, Ind., former parishioners
of Rev. G. Fischer, Aurora, Ind.

The floral decorations were presented and ar-
ranged by Mr. Michael Miller, of St. Paul’s Church;
the altar and pulpit coverings by the Ladies’ Mis-
sion Society of the Church of Our Savior. The
hymn-books are a gift of our sister church at Sey-
mour, Ind.

Pulpit Bible and Agenda were given by Mr. C.
W. Bredenfoerder.

Wanted!

A bulletin board.

A hymn-book for the organist.

Used or new schoolbooks for our parochial
school.

One private Communion set.

Two large Communion sets.

Supplications for missionary and teacher.

Continued cooperation.

Gro. H. Kase, Missionary.

Our Children’s Great Collection
for Negro Chapels.

The numerous requests, which at this otic are
still coming in to the Board, for collection material
— circulars, envelopes, and “Pine Hill Chapels,”
are a sure proof that there is a wide-spread interest
in the collection. ‘These requests come from every
part of the Synodical Conference, from our large
city congregations with their hundreds of children