The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1929, Page 22

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=e were present at various times.

22

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

satisfying the needs of the Home and Foreign Mis-
sion fields. This last sentence is not intended to
discourage such as are making an every-member
canvass or to say anything against the giving of
more money; it rather has the purpose of encour-
aging our members to put just as much emphasis
upon surveying the neighborhood of each congrega-
tion for the purpose of finding those who are as yet
not of the household of God. Let us encourage our
churches to take a lively interest in the welfare of
those that are without; let us urge our members to
pray for these, personally to visit them, and to do
their utmost by word and example to bring them
into the fold of Christ. Let every pastor, every
church official, every member, in the congregation
have a deep concern for the lost. Let every society
in the congregation, every ladies’ aid, missionary
auxiliary, Walther League branch, realize that it
has no right to exist unless it is constantly reaching
out and saving the lost.

The tragical thing about so many annual con-

gregational reports is the small number added to_
the church through the missionary efforts of pastor,

and people. When the column which should show
the result of the missionary efforts of a congregation
constantly shows a blank, it can only be a very short
time until all the others will be blank also. But
if that column shows active personal evangelism,
the others will also be filled. Two words of the
Lord Jesus should ever be kept in mind by His
people. These two words are “COME” and “GO.”
F.J.L.

New Year’s Greeting from Cleveland.

Pausing at the beginning of the new year,
St. Philip’s Colored Mission at Cleveland, O., finds
that the old year has brought much for which to be
thankful. In our last article, mention was made of
the installation service. On October 21 over fifty
Lutherans, both young and old, were enlisted to can-
vass the territory surrounding the mission. Their
work was accomplished with much enthusiasm, and
the blessing of the Lord rested upon the enterprise.
_ The canvassers listed the names of over a hundred

persons as good prospects and 150 as not so good.
_ This canvass preceded the following events. A rally
_ day on the following Sunday was blessed with the
fine number of fifty-two. An instruction class for
adults was started, and twenty different persons
Systematic giving
introduced, in which the members subscribed
| average of about 35 cents a week. Many new

children were gained during the rehearsals for the
children’s Christmas service. Over fifty children
took part in the rehearsals, and the undersigned
heard fine comments about the singing of the chil-
dren. They sang praises to their Savior, and they
really meant it. Over a hundred were present at
the children’s Christmas service. This means that
the Sunday-school has more than doubled itself
and that many strangers are becoming interested in
the Lutheran Church. Verily, something for. which
to be thankful. All glory to God!

The new year was begun with the Lord, who
has promised: “Lo, I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world.” Much stress will be
placed this year upon follow-up work and a thorough
indoctrination of those attending the services.
St. Philip’s members are doing personal mission-
work, and the good Lord will not permit His Word
to return unto Him void. We are praying for bless-
ings in the future similar to those we have received
in the past.

St.. Philip’s members wish to thank all those
who with their kindly gifts— money and clothing —
have made it possible to take care of our poor people.
Requesting the prayers of all readers, I remain,

Ernest G. MUELLER.

The Northern Conference.

Missionary Bliss, of Springfield, Ill., sends us
the following brief particulars concerning the recent
meeting of the Northern Conference : —

The Northern Conference convened at St. Louis,
January 2 and 3. All the six members of the con-
ference were in attendance. Pastor Schauer, of Cin-
cinnati, led a discussion on Divorce, Pastor Schulze,
of St. Louis, discussed the Common Service, Pastor
Carter, of Chicago, read a paper on Infant Baptism,
and Pastor Mueller, of Cleveland, addressed the con-
ference on the Office of the Keys. Open meetings
were held on one evening at St. Philip’s and on the
other evening at Grace. It was in these open meet-
ings that Pastors Carter and Mueller presented their
papers. The laymen present at these open meetings
took great interest in the discussions. In the closed
sessions the missionaries applied themselves to the
discussion of important questions pertaining to their
work. Director Drewes, who attended the meetings
of the conference, spoke on various subjects of spe-
cial interest.to the workers and also informed them
concerning conditions obtaining in the other fields.
Three new members were admitted to the Northern