The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1928, Page 53

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER. 53

of worship is rapidly growing too small to accom-
modate the children. In the past year we were
compelled to use the living-quarters of the tenant
in the building as additional classrooms for the
children. Our Sunday-school is gaining favor
among the colored people of that section and bears
a very good reputation. Thus we may look forward
to a still greater growth in the coming year.

The Saturday-School.

The Saturday-school is another activity of the
mission. yery Saturday morning, from 9.30 to
11.30, the colored children are gathered together for
the study of religion. Three teachers are active, and
the school is well graded. ‘Twenty-one children are
enrolled in this enterprise, which was begun in the
course of the past year. A great deal of interest is
being manifested, and while the growth in this
department of the work will be slower than in the
Sunday-school, we may look forward to continued
increase during the coming year.

The Summer-School.

The summer-school of the mission met during
the months of July and August, twice weekly, for
two hours in the morning. ‘Three teachers were
active also in this school and twenty-one colored
children were enrolled. We feel that this is a very
promising beginning of a very worth-while enter-
prise, since it is very difficult to persuade the chil-
dren to give up part of their vacation time. The
fact that twenty-one children attended this school
shows that the parents realize the value of religious
training and that the children are interested in
the course of instruction given. This school, too, is
graded, and instruction is suited to the understand-
ing of the children. It will be opened again in
the vacation months of this coming year.

Bible Classes.

Bible classes are conducted every Wednesday
evening. These classes are of a general devotional
nature and also preparatory to church-membership.
There is no enrolled membership, the attendance
being wholly voluntary; but about eight people
attend with fair regularity, while others come only
occasionally. The people are greatly interested in
the discussions and ask many questions. The dis-
cussion is made as informal as possible in order that
those points might be brought out concerning which
individuals are in doubt or differ from our accepted
doctrine. ‘These classes, too, are being continued
this year.

Catechetical Instruction.

Catechetical instruction for children is offered
whenever such periods can be arranged, subject to
the convenience of the children. Classes were held
last year on Tuesdays for the boys and on Thurs-
days for the girls and were attended by an average
of from five to six children. Several of these were
confirmed, while others are continuing to attend
these lessons. We hope to gather a class of new
prospects for the coming year.

Sunday-School Teachers’ Meetings

are held weekly, and usually there is a full atten-
dance of the teachers. Methods of instruction are
taught, and the lesson for the coming week is re-
viewed. This is a regular feature of the work of
the mission.
Home Visits

were made and personal interviews held with pros-
pects, according to the time at our disposal. A great
deal more could be done in this department of the
work, and since a student is active in the mission,
many more visits than formerly are being made.
We hope there will be much more activity in this
department in the future.

The Social Features

of the mission are rather important when one con-
siders that colored people form a separate and
distinct group in the community and that social
intercourse with the other races is not advisable.
Social organizations include the ladies’ aid society,
which numbers forty enrolled members. All women
interested in the work of the mission are invited to
enroll. Not all of these women, of course, are pro-
spective members. ‘The ladies’ aid society holds
bimonthly meetings and has already deposited a
considerable sum of money at the bank, which will
be used for the maintenance of the mission.

A girls’ club is another social feature of the
mission. ‘Twelve girls are enrolled, and bimonthly
meetings are held. The girls also are taking a great
interest in this activity and seem to enjoy the
meetings very much.

In general, we may say that the present status
of this little church is that of a healthy, progressive
enterprise. There are many difficulties to overcome,
but, God granting His blessings, these will be over-
come just as the obstacles of the past. We feel that
the mission is now firmly established, and the col-
ored people are more and more convinced that we
are in the field to stay. We feel that the returns