The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1929, Sheet 153

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

Rey. IE. R. Berger was kind enough to assign us
to comfortable quarters which he had carefully
selected for us. Rising the next morning refreshed
by a good night’s rest, preachers, teachers, and del-
egates assembled in one of the schoolrooms for
closed sessions. The first paper for consideration
was a Bible History catechization on “The Marriage
Feast at Cana,” prepared by Mrs. Allen, a teacher
in one of our New Orleans schools. Mrs. Allen,
for certain reasons, could not attend conference,
but had sent her paper. Mrs. Vanderhorst was
asked to read it, which she gladly consented to do.
(By the way, Mrs. Vanderhorst was formerly Miss
M. Tervalon.) The paper was discussed thoroughly,
and all present benefited greatly by the discussion.
Part of our time was given over to some important
business.

First Rev. G. M. Kramer read a report, submit-
ting several things outlined by our Mission Board.

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Secondly, the proposed Afri-
can mission was discussed at
length. It was decided that
each congregation choose a
special day on which all the
collections shall be devoted
to the African mission cause.
Last, but not least, a boost
was given Luther Prepara-
- tory School, which is to
open its: doors this fall to
Lutheran -boys and girls to
prepare them for our Selma and Greensboro col-
leges. For this good cause, Conference thought it
wise to have each congregation raise a monthly col-
lection on a special College Sunday.

Thursday night all assembled in the chapel to
hear the reading of a paper by Rev. O. W. Luecke on
“Why Should a Church-member Take an Active
Interest in Church Affairs?” It was an excellent
article, which, by the grace of God, greatly benefited
all present.

On the following day, Conference, in a closed

Rev. E. R. Berger.

session, heard the reading of a paper on “The Office

of the Keys” by Rev. Kramer. The writer of the
paper, Rev. E. H. Wildgrube, sincerely wished to be
present, but on account of sickness at home was
unable to attend. The paper was interesting and
well prepared and therefore helpful to all present.

Friday night we were favored with a sermon by -

Rey. Stueckler, of Alexandria, La. In Saturday
“™Morning’s session, Conference heard a paper by
‘Mr. P. Robinson on “The Sunday-school and Its

151

Origin.” The essayist, after giving the historical
facts, pointed out various matters necessary for an
efficient Christian Sunday-school such as we should
have in our churches.

Sunday morning found all ready for a day of
worship. In the first service the Lord’s Supper was
celebrated. Rev. Luecke delivered the confessional
address, while the sermon proper was preached by
Rev. J. Thomson, of Tilden, Ala. At 3.00 Pp. af.
Rev. Kramer preached on, “The Glories of the Lu-
theran Church.” In the closing service Rey. F.
Vorice, of our Northeastern Field, preached a most
satisfying sermon.

But we must not, nor can we, stop here. We
thank God that we were permitted to gather at
Alexandria to be spiritually fed, but we must not
forget to thank the pastor and the kind ladies of
Augustana, who saw to it that our bodies were daily
nourished. We were with them, we left them, and if
we meet no more within Augustana’s walls, may we
together reach the blessed temple of heaven, where
we shall never hunger nor thirst! A.V. BERGER. .

The Lutheran Church of Our Savior
in Buffalo.

The Buffalo mission among the colored people
shows steady progress. During the past three
months five.members were gained by the mission
through Baptism. The mission now numbers thirty-
seven souls confirmed and the rest only baptized
members. While the attendance at the services has
been falling off somewhat, the attendance at the
Sunday-school has increased. The summer-school
had the largest enrolment in its history, —
forty-eight.

Mr. Dominick, the faithful assistant at the mis-
sion, has been with us two years and is preparing to
reenter college to complete his studies. His place
will be taken by Rev. Edgar Pflug, the new assistant
missionary in Institutional Missions.

The committee appointed by the Joint Boards
of Buffalo Lutheran Churches is still busy planning
ways and means whereby the long-hoped-for chapel
may be acquired. The committee hopes to make
a comprehensive report to the Joint Boards in the
near future, after which it is hoped the project will
progress without delay. Members and friends of
the mission are all anxiously hoping and praying for
the day when they will be able to enter hein new.
house of worship.