The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1932, Page 154

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154

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER

from this earth to His divine favor in heaven two
men who have stood high in the ranks of our Church
and have rendered especially much self-sacrificing
and faithful service to our Colored Missions, namely,
Dr. Geo. Mezger and Rev. Christopher F. Drewes;
be it therefore

Resolved, That the opening service on Saturday
morning be dedicated to their memory for our en-
couragement to carry on the blessed work of our
Colored Missions with the zeal and devotion of these
departed brethren and servants of the Lord.

(The resolution was carried out on the designated day,
Rev. L. A. Wisler delivering the memorial address.)

F.J.1L.

Time to Advance on All Fronts.

The royal banners forward go;
The cross shines forth in mystic glow.
Fortunatus,
The Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church, in
the fear of God and in obedience to His command,
has ordered an advance on all fronts. In the first
place, this is to be an appeal for funds sufficient to
meet the needs of this year and to liquidate debts
accumulated in the past. The word goes out to you,
dear fellow-member, that during the last week in
October you will be visited for your contribution,
large or small, cash or pledge. ‘This is to be a spe-
- cial contribution, understand, which you are invited
to give in addition to what you would give other-
wise; for there is a great debt of a million dollars
hanging like a millstone about the neck of our dear
Church, and there are many this year who cannot
help to liquidate that debt. “A special campaign
for funds in such a time as this?’ Yes, indeed. If
your Church were unwilling to undertake it and
you to support it, it would again appear how true
the saying is that “the children of this world are in
their generation wiser than the children of light.”
Our Government has seen to it that its needs will be
supplied, and we are all agreed that we need its
_ guidance and protection now as never. —

Time to Attack.

There was a time in the history of this Republic
when things looked black indeed. We commemorate
that time this year as we look back with admiration
on George Washington, the Father of our Country.
In 1776, in the midst of winter, his aid, Colonel
Reed, wrote to him: “Zo revive our expiring credit
and prevent total depreciation of the Continental
money, some enterprise must be undertaken, or we
must give wp the cause.’ It was undertaken.

Washington attacked. Though he had only half-
starved, half-naked soldiers, he nevertheless gave
the command, “Forward!” In a blinding snow-
storm, in a bitter-cold Christmas night, 2,500 of
his fighting force, not nearly all, succeeded in cross-
ing the Delaware with him, a river full of floating
ice. The sleet was cutting their frozen faces, and
their march through the white snow could be traced
by the blood of their naked, wounded feet. Never-
theless they went forward, attacked the foe, and —
defeated him.

Is not the situation in our Synod also critical?
Has not our credit been impaired? Do things not
look bad indeed? A brother writes: “And so Synod
now has a debt of over a million dollars. Whither
will this lead?” Whither? To a bold attack upon
the foe. Such is the wisdom of the children of this
world. “My right has been rolled up; my left has
been driven back; my center has been smashed.
I have ordered an attack on all fronts.” So wrote
indomitable General IFoche to Marshal Joffre when
the Battle of the Marne was going sore against him.
Children of light, are you as wise as he? Are you
now ready for an attack, even in this hard, critical
time ?

Time to Entrench.

But after the successful attack, when the enemy
has been driven back, the wolf chased from the
doors of our missionaries, the debt paid, current
needs covered, it will be time to entrench, to fortify
what has been gained. Such a special effort must
not be made often. So great a, debt should not
again be incurred. ‘There will indeed never on
earth be a war ending all wars nor a church cam-
paign for money ending all special campaigns.
We might as well promise all our members endur-
ing prosperity and faithfulness unto death as
promise that. Human nature is too imperfect. But
let us strive for perfection also in giving, recogniz-
ing that we are but stewards of all that we control.
Let us spend what we shall get wisely and gener-
ously, regularly and systematically, to advance the
Master’s cause. You will have opportunity to prac-
tise this virtue also in connection with this special :
appeal; for you may find it impossible to give much
in cash, and may wish to give liberally, but will be
able to give only a little at a time. This can be

arranged. 5
Time to Repent.

There is no excuse valid before God for the debt
resting on Synod. “Costs ought to be cut.” They
have been cut, too much rather than too little. In-
numerable good causes needing aid were told by