The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1926, Page 38

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38

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

awhile. But after a year or two the devil succeeded
~ in destroying at least the visible fruits of their labor.
The mission-work was dropped.

However, Mrs. White kept on praying for a col-
ored mission in Jacksonville. When the under-
signed was called by our Board for Colored Missions
as pastor of Holy Trinity at Springfield, he was
requested to go to Jacksonville to look into the
possibilities of again starting mission-work there.
On the evening of January 14, 1925, divine services
were again held in the home of Mrs. White. Such
as were thought to be interested in the service were
invited by Mrs. White and her daughter Ada, who
by this time had been confirmed by Pastor Kuppler.
During the course of that year services were held
every week with but few exceptions, Mrs. White and
her daughter working ceaselessly to interest church-
less people in the services. They met with many
discouragements, but nevertheless they kept on work-
ing and praying. After the whole city had been
canvassed by four students from our seminary at
Springfield and the undersigned, some of the col-
ored churches of Jacksonville inaugurated an anti-
Lutheran canvass, working especially among such
as were favorably disposed toward our mission.
Nevertheless Mrs. White did not lose courage. She
told her pastor more than once that the work we
are carrying on is God’s work and that God is
mightier than His adversaries.

One of the greatest obstacles that seemed to.
stand in the way was the fact that services were
held in a private home. When people were invited
to attend services, they felt that they were paying
a personal visit to Mrs. White and her daughter.
If ‘they were not inclined to pay such a visit, they
would not attend. Those understanding the field
thought that the work would be more successful if
a small chapel could be obtained. The mission board
was not willing to expend enough money to build
a chapel; the field did not seem promising enough.
What should be done? No meeting-place could be
rented. God presented an opportunity.

The F. C.D. Wyneken Missionary Society, com-
posed of students of our seminary at Springfield,
zealous to engage in practical mission-work, had
erected a neat little chapel in one of the outlying
districts of Springfield, defraying their expenses
themselves. The undersigned appealed to the so-
ciety, requesting them to build a chapel of the same
seating-capacity in Jacksonville. ‘The request was
granted. The mission board agreed to pay for the
material — $250. On January 9, this year, five
students early Saturday morning accompanied the

missionary in his Ford to Jacksonville, which is
thirty-five miles distant from Springfield. Though
the weather was cold, these students worked faith-
fully until dusk. ~ One feature that spurned them
on to renewed zeal and energy was the wholesome‘
and well-prepared dinner served them by Mrs. White
at noon. This was repeated twice, and the building
was completed. The final work necessary to be done
before the chapel could be used was done on
January 23.

On January 24 the little chapel was dedicated
to the service of the Triune God. Pastor Kuppler
preached. Holy Trinity choir of Springfield sang.
There were sixty people in attendance. The little
chapel, 1624 feet, had room enough for all. In
the dedication of this little chapel Mrs. White found
her hopes realized and her prayers answered.

These lines were not written to the glory of
Mrs. White, the students that built the chapel, or
Pastor Kuppler. Because the writer believes that
the zeal shown by the above-mentioned should pro-
yoke many to greater personal activity in the cause
of missions, he is bringing their work to the atten-
tion of others. Mrs. White worked day and night
in the face of great odds to establish a church of
the pure Word and Sacraments. Pastor Kuppler,
though burdened with much work in his own con-
gregation, having three preaching-services each Sun-
day, serving the Lutherans at the state insane
asylum, teaching a class of catechumens at the home
for the blind, nevertheless found time for the labor
of love mentioned above. The students of our
Springfield seminary gave the greater part of their
spare time during a whole month to help this mis-
sion in getting a house of worship. Should their
example not provoke a great many to like deeds?

If you cannot speak like angels,
If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
You can say, “He died for all.”

May God give us men and women who are will-
ing to confess their faith at all times in order that
many.souls may be won for Christ and His Church!

Springfield, Ill. ANDREW SCHULZE.

Our Faculty in Greensboro.

Our Colored Missions have two schools of higher
learning for the education and training of their
pastors and teachers. The younger of the two is
located at Selma, Ala. It is now in its fourth
scholastic year. Its prime purpose is to educate and

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