The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1929, Page 115

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER. 115

by a number of gray-headed members of our congre-
gation while standing before the altar. The spiritual
meaning of their song was brought out well by the
manner in which they sang. Jere were these old,
gray-headed members, who would soon close their
eyelids in death, bequeathing to the future genera-
tions their most precious treasure for thirty years,
namely, their dear old church.

An even larger audience was in attendance at the
afternoon service in spite of the inclement weather.
Pastor E.R. Berger, of Alexandria, La., a son of
our congregation, preached an inspiring sermon on
Acts 2, 41. 42.46.47. He exhorted his hearers: “Be
ever faithful to the true Church.” Te called atten-
tion to the fact that we have the true Church in our
midst, that God by His grace has made us members
of this true Church, and that this has been our
blessed privilege for the past thirty years. In con-
clusion he urged his hearers to be ever faithful to
the true Church in the future. After the sermon,
in response to the request of the speaker and as
a fitting sequel to the morning’s song of the senior
members, the younger members of the congregation
arose and sang “Ready to Serve, Ready to Serve, at
the Master’s Call,” a song composed by the sainted
Dr. Bakke. As evidence that they were ready to
serve their Church in loyalty and faithfulness, they
presented the church with a purse of $5, an amount
which they had raised independently of their pledge.

Soon after the afternoon service was concluded,
the elements broke loose, and the rain came down
in torrents. It seemed as though there would be no
abatement and that the evening service would have
to be dropped. It was therefore thought advisable
that Pastor Siebelitz, who was scheduled to preach
at this service, but was compelled to return to his
home that night, should be taken to Alexandria by
Pastor Berger, where he had to board his train for
Texas. Pastors Berger and Siebelitz left during the
rain. Finally the unexpected happened — shortly

after dark the rain ceased, the clouds cleared away,.

and soon there was a tramping in the road, auto-
mobile throttles rattled, the church-bell was rung,

and people waded through mud and water to come ©

to church. Services had to be held. The local pastor
preached a sermon on 1 Sam. 7, 12, in which he
called attention to the innumerable blessings of God
enjoyed by our congregation for the period of three
decades. In view of these unmerited blessings he
showed the fitness of commemorating these thirty
years of Gospel-preaching and administration of the
Sacraments in our midst by a day of jubilee. A letter
of congratulation from the Alabama Lutheran Con-

ference was read at this service. The proceeds of the
jubilee services were given to missions in Africa.

Pentecost had been originally chosen as the day
on which we were to have our anniversary celebra-
tion. However, upon investigation we found that
Pentecost had been on May 22 in the year 1899 and
for this and other reasons the jubilee was changed
to May 26. The chief reason for the change was
the confirmation of six adults and five children
which took place on Pentecost Sunday. The adults
were: Cellie Jackson, William Jackson, Hazel Jor-
dan, Eleanore Lonzo, Clara and Mary Bowman. The
children were: Abraham Rabalais, Helmar Laurent,
Othniel Thompson, Ollie Lehman, and Simeon Coco.

The annual closing exercises of our school were
held on June 1. Rev. Berger delivered the educa-
tional address. It is commonly reported that the
closing exercises this year were the best ever held
at our school, and that marked progress is being
made by our pupils from year to year, as was mani-
fested in the rendition of their closing program.
Five boys and girls completed the seventh grade and
six the eighth grade. Six of these boys desire to
enter college this fall to prepare themselves for the
ministry. 2

Student D. Robinson, who has been in charge of
the primary department of our school this year, has
worked faithfully and zealously. His service in the
schoolroom and occasionally in the pulpit speak well
for him and indicate that he will make a faithful
and zealous missionary. He will return to Im-
manuel College this fall, where he hopes to complete
his studies next spring.

May the Lord of the Church graciously govern,
protect, and enlarge His Church among us and
spread His kingdom into the uttermost parts of
the earth!

Lutherville, La. C. P. Trrosrpson.

Home Mission Needs and Opportunities.

While attending Synod at River Forest recently,
the editor of the PronrER had an opportunity to
listen in while the Home Mission needs and oppor-
tunities of certain Districts of the Missouri Synod
were presented to the General Home Mission Con-
ference. A number of Districts are not able to take
care of their own needs without the help of the
Synod at large, and it was these Districts’ needs that
were discussed.

The Alberta-British Columbia District in 1928
was subsidized to the amount of $33,000. This