The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1933, Page 38

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38 THE LUTHERAN PIONEER

‘interest in the Church in general and tend toward

increased support of the work of the home congre-
gation.

A little closer study of this report reveals that
thirteen congregations passed their last year’s mark
to a greater or lesser degree, the total being $391.86.
If the twenty other stations had done as well instead
of dropping back to the sum of $746.71, we should
have had a gain to report instead of a loss.

Stations showing a gain are: Possum Bend,

‘Holy Ark, Vineland, Atmore, Camden, Maplesville,

East Selma, Longmile, Catherine, Bashi, Lamison,
Taits Place, and Nyland.”

A New Sense of Responsibility.

Only a few days after the announcement of the
new budget policy our second-largest congregation,
Our Savior at Possum Bend, lined up solidly behind
its changed status over against the Board and took

Possum Bend Chapel and School.

steps to make possible the financial support now ex-
pected of it. Each voting member was impressed
with the necessity of contributing “as God hath

. prospered him.” The congregation as such will rent

and work four acres in cotton, the proceeds of which
are to flow into the congregational treasury.
Finally, their pastor, Rev. B. R. Skinner, was as-
sured that henceforth he need not consume precious
time working a garden and potato and corn patches,
but should spend all his energy in the interest of his
congregations; for the members would see to it that
such eatables as he would need would be forthcom-
ing from their fields. May the Lord bless them in
their newly found sense of responsibility and bring
their plans to pass! And may their fine example
incite others to do likewise!

God’s Ownership of a Quarter.
On the highway. Meeting a member of one of
our congregations. Topic of conversation: “Money
is scarce.” The member: “After scuffling all week,

sometimes I’m ‘lucky’ enough to get hold of a
quarter. On the way to Sunday-school and church
the old devil will then whisper: ‘Buy a pack of
cigarets and give a nickel to the Lord.” So I have
to set him down hard by getting only a dime’s worth
of smoking tobacco and giving a nickel in Sunday-
school and a dime in church. Have to give God
more than I spend on ‘indulgements.’ And the re-
sult? A way opened to ‘pick up’ 50 cents a few days
later which I can’t ’count for.”
Epwarp A. Westcort.

Our Home and Foreign Missionaries.

Who among us has not unbounded respect and
admiration for our great corps of missionaries and
their faithful wives in the homeland and in foreign
countries? Our histories tell us of the bravery of
soldiers on the field of battle, how they dashed un-
dauntingly into the cannons’ mouth and upon the
compact mass of pointed bayonets. And all over
this country we have fine men and women who in
these days that try men’s souls are confronting diffi-
cult problems and hard things with unflinching
courage. But no more loyal, no more courageous
hearts will you find in the whole world than are
heating in the breasts of our home and foreign mis-
sionaries. All honor to them!

In many homes of a certain old German prin-
cipality — or what formerly was a principality —
may still be found plain black iron rings, regarded
by their possessors as most precious family heir-
looms. These iron rings on their inside surfaces
bear the inscription in old German characters, “Ich
gab Gold fuer Lisen,” “I gave gold for iron.” If,
after having examined the ring and returned it to
its proud owner, you will ask, “What is the mean-
ing of this plain black ring?” he will tell you this
touching story of loyalty and self-sacrifice: In days
far back the little principality had many enemies.
These enemies were strong and covetous; their de-
sire was to rob the citizens of this little country of
its independence. The prince gathered his people
and led them to battle in defense of their hearths
and homes; but in vain. New armies were brought
into the field, only to be hurled back and crushed by
the overwhelming forces of the foe. This happened
again and again. Finally the principality was so
stripped of all its possessions that the prince in des-
peration decided to make one last effort. He ap-
pealed to his people that they bring him all the trea-
sures they might have to help: equip another army