The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1929, Page 154

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_ tion,” and they denied it.

154

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

often found with an open Bible in her lap. How-
ever, of this I am certain, that she knew her Bible
and Luther’s Small Catechism. “Aunt”? Polly was
a unique character, very decided in her ways, very
definite and firm in her convictions.

Talk about the blessings of Luther’s Small Cat-
echism! Neither pastor nor layman had a chance
with her when Bible-truths as laid down in the
Catechism were called into question. She knew her
Catechism inside out. Mr. and Mrs. M. had been
instructed by me for a whole year in the Catechism
and were to be received as members of Bethany
Mission. “Aunt” Polly objected because Mr. M.,
unbeknown to me, was an Odd-Fellow, and Odd-

“Aunt” Polly Rowlett.

Fellows “sinned against the First and the Second
Commandment.” In due course Mr. M. withdrew
from the order, joined the mission, and many years
later passed away as trustee and secretary of the con-
gregation and superintendent of the Sunday-school.
“Aunt? Polly withstood the Baptists, because
“Holy Baptism works forgiveness of sins, delivers
from death and the devil, and gives eternal salva-
- “Aunt” Polly argued
"with the Methodists and carried her arguments and

_ her opponents bodily into my study, because she be-

“Aunt” Polly is no more, but the fruits of her
insistence on pure Lutheranism are still very much
in evidence. Bethany Mission in Yorkers started
with one soul — “Aunt” Polly — and now numbers
126 souls and 78 communicants, with many occa-
sional visitors from New York and New Jersey
coming in contact with God’s Word and Luther’s
doctrine pure.

“Aunt” Polly offered up of her means as the
Lord had prospered her,—she was but a poor
cook, —and others -followed her example. Now
Bethany owns a convenient lot, estimated at $3,000,
free and clear, paid for by the members of Bethany,
and is putting up a $12,000 church, with $8,000 in
cash in the Building Fund Treasury —for the
greatest part the result of systematic giving and

- saving for the past eighteen years — and $4,000 to

be borrowed from a local bank at 6 per cent., be-
cause, alas! the Synodical Conference has no Church
Extension Fund. Songs of praise and joy are raised
in Bethany Colored Lutheran Mission because the
Lord has been with its members. Bethany Lu-
theran Church is to our knowledge the first Col-

‘ored Lutheran congregation in the Synodical Con-

ference to acquire property in its own name and pay
for it out of its own pocket and to built its own
chapel, financing it without outside assistance.

May the Lord give us many more Polly Rowletts
in our colored and in our white Lutheran con-
gregations!: A.v.S., in Atlantic Bulletin.

Sudden Death
of an Immanuel College Student.

Eddie Forney of Apex, N.C., a student of our
theological seminary at Greensboro, N. C., went
swimming on the afternoon of September 14 at
Friendly Lake, about. five miles from the college,
and drowned. There were about five other boys with
him, but since he did not utter a cry when he sank,
they did not know of his distress. The body was
not found until about an hour and a half later.
A. telegram was immediately sent to the parents.
As soon as they arrived, arrangements for the burial
were made. 3

Eddie Forney was born in October, 1904. He is
a graduate of our college, having spent all four
years here. Last year he entered the theological
seminary to prepare himself for the ministry.

He was a fine type of boy, manly, and of average
ability in his studies. Particulars concerning the
funeral will follow later. Wm. H. Geurxe.