The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1932, Page 36

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_to the Mission Board later.

36 THE LUTHERAN PIONEER

dent at our children’s Christmas service the past
year, when we had forty. This was truly gratifying,
for we had sixty-three people present to hear the
beautiful Christmas message as it is presented in
our Lutheran Church. Through the children we
hope in time to build up a bigger and better con-
gregation as time goes on and God continues to
bless our humble efforts.

The other picture shows a few of our contented
folks, who are glad that they have their own church
now, a place where they may meet to worship their
dear Savior.

It must be said, dear friends, that the members
of this little flock do appreciate the love their white
brethren are bestowing upon them. As a whole,
they are regular in their attendance at the services ;
they rejoice with their pastor in the progress that
has been made and also wish to do their share
towards defraying the expenses of such an impor-
tant undertaking. They give as God has prospered
them. We are therefore looking hopefully into the
future, confident that God will continue to grant us
His grace and bless us with a steady growth, so that
many more immortal souls will be gained for His
kingdom. We know that in spite of the difficulties
under which our Church is laboring God will not
permit His work to be hindered, that His kingdom
will come, and that all that is done out of love for
our blessed Savior will bring blessings a hundred-
fold. Nor will we forget that there is rejoicing in
heaven over every sinner that repenteth. May God
grant us all His grace to labor and fervently to pray
for the cause in which we are engaged, that of win-
ning souls also among the Negroes for His king-
dom ! JosEPH ScHLICHTING, Missionary.

Missionary News from the Southland.

In a voters’ meeting recently held at Trinity in
New Orleans the members resolved to increase their
envelope contributions and their basket collections
in order that the congregation may not fall short in
its monthly remittances to the Mission Board and,
if possible, even be able to increase its remittances
This resolution was
adopted after the deplorable condition of the Mis-
sion Treasury from which the workers’ salaries are
paid had been presented.

_ Before the resolution was adopted, members
freely voiced their opinion why they desired the
resolution to go through. Knowing that the reasons

' given would interest you, I have jotted some of

them down for you while the meeting, as we say,
was “in full swing.”

Mr. A. said: “The Mission Board must certainly
have a hard time trying to make ends meet. Folks,
we cannot let the Mission Board bear that burden
alone. We must bear our share of this burden. We
must give until it hurts. They are our missionaries
that are being supported out of the Mission Trea-
sury.”

Mr. B. said: “Where does most of the money in
the Mission Treasury come from? It comes from
the Lutheran Christians in our country. They have
worked hard and, besides supporting their own
pastor and raising money for their other needs, they
have cheerfully contributed to the Mission Treasury
so that we could have a pastor and teachers. They
have done very much for us. I am sure that every
one of us appreciates what they have done for us.
Let us show our appreciation by contributing as
much as we can for the support of those who labor
among us.”

Mr. C. said: “People, let me tell you another
thing. We have the pure Word of God in our
church and school. This is a treasure many
churches do not possess. When I sit in my dear
Lutheran church during these grand services, it
makes my heart glad that I am hearing God’s Word.
I am sure your hearts are glad also. Since God has
led us to a church where His Word is preached in
all its purity, we owe it to Him to show ourselves.
grateful for the treasure He has given us. Let us
prove our gratitude to God by giving as the Lord
has prospered us.”

Such expressions from our people show that
their minds run in the proper channel. And here
let me add that like expressions on the part of well-
informed members are heard also in our other con-
gregations.

In the voters’ meeting at Trinity a brother also
expressed his great disappointment because he had
nothing to give. Often, he told us, he had borrowed
money to be able to put something into the collec-
tion basket. He told us almost with tears that,

- whereas he heartily agreed to all that had been said

by those advocating the increase of contributions, he
would be obliged, until the Lord would let him find
some work, to look on how others will do it. This
dear brother was comforted. And the members
again showed that they have the right spirit. They
created a fund for the needy to which they also
pledged to give their whole-hearted support. Here-
tofore the congregation always raised a special col-
lection for individuals in need. Only recently it