The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1932, Page 130

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130 THE LUTHERAN PIONEER

Go Forward!
Ex. 14, 15.

“Speak unto the children of Israel that they go
forward.” Israel was not to rest in their encamp-
ment, but to get ready for a forward movement,
though the apparentiy impassable Red Sea lay
immediately before them. “Speak to the children
of Israel that they go forward” — this was God’s
commission to Moses at a time when the moaning
sea seemed to sing the dirge of Israel’s hopes, the
frowning mountains loomed on each side like funeral
monuments to mark the graves of the whole host,
and the flashing armor and tossing plumes of
Egypt’s pursuing charioteers could be seen relent-
lessly coming ever nearer.

Forward! This is the Lord’s constant command
to His Church. God never leads His Church into
positions from which retreat is necessary or in
which it is impossible -to advance. If we follow
God’s guidance, we shall always go forward. There
is no instance in the history of the Church in which
she ever had to call a retreat as long as she sub-
mitted to the Lord’s leadership. God wants His
Church to advance in knowledge, in faith, in life,
in the efficiency of her labors, above all in the glo-
rious worl: of missions.

God did not want Israel at the Red Sea to lose
time in vain complaint, and just so He does not
want us to lament over seemingly serious condi-
tions, threatening, and apparently insurmountable
difficulties. Such complaining can only do harm;
for it undermines the morale of the complainer
and discourages others. Moreover, such lamenting
shows lack of confidence in Him who has pledged
us His mighty support while we are engaged in
His work. Instead of losing heart when the’ foe
presses hard upon us, let us rather feel that the

difficulties we are encountering are an indication ~

that God wants us to get ready for a determined
and continuous advance. God, who bids us advanee,
will open a way for us to go forward, just as He
had Moses ready there at the Red Sea to stretch
out his rod over the waters to part them for the
safe passage of His people.

‘The command to advance may have astounded
Moses and Israel; but it was the only way that led
out of Egypt to the mountain where they were to
worship and serve God. It was the way which God
pointed out and therefore the only way to go, —
the only way that assured God’s presence, protec-

tion, and success. God’s command to advance was

a promise on His part that Israel should reach the
farther shore in safety. Though the waters might
seem to frown down upon them, they could not
engulf them; though Pharaoh might be close
upon their heels, he would not be permitted to
capture them.

So let us also rest secure in God’s continued
presence and protection as we go forward in Ilis
name and at His word. Let “Forward!” be in-
scribed upon the banner under which we march.
Ever forward in God’s name! Forward with un-
faltering trust in God’s wise guidance! Forward
with an abiding confidence in God’s mighty pro-
tection! Forward in the imperishable hope of final
victory and perfect: success ! F. J. L.

Luther Conference at New Orleans.

Luther Conference convened in annual sessions
at Bethlehem, New Orleans, June 15—19. The
services and open sessions were held in the church,
while the closed sessions were held in the large
auditorium of Bethlehem School.

The conference sermon was delivered by Pastor
E. H. Wildgrube of St. Paul’s Congregation on
Wednesday evening. Pastor Wildgrube was then
and is now ill. Evidences of the speaker’s ill-
ness were apparent throughout the delivery of the
sermon. But his sermon was edifying.

After the service the delegates were presented
and seated. All congregations in the field were
represented, except those out of town.

The first closed session was opened Thursday
by Chairman O. W. Luecke, pastor of Mount Zion
Church. Prof. Paul Scherf, principal of Luther
Preparatory School, now closed, resumed the read-
ing of a paper which he had begun at last year’s
conference. The paper was entitled “The Image of
God.” So exhaustive was this paper, and so fully
was it discussed, that it occupied a portion of nearly
every session, both morning and afternoon.

In the afternoon of Thursday, Miss B. J. Craig,
teacher in Bethlehem School, began the reading of
a paper on “How to Keep Our Children Interested
in Our Schools.”

Thursday evening the first open session was
held, at which the Rev. E. R. Berger of Alexandria
was to have read a paper. Pastor Berger being
absent, Professor Scherf acted as substitute. The
latter discussed the question, “Does It Make Any
Difference What Church We Attend?” In develop-