Missionn.ry Interest among Us

the unusually cold and rainy weather, the conference was a success.

We are happy to note the fact that the same old characteristic, enthusiasm, is still quite alive, so much so, in fact, that it refuses to be dampened even by incessant rains.

After devotional exercises, Prof. A. Wiley, chairman, declared Conference open :for its morning session. Secretary Peter Robinson quickly took note of a few absentees, read the minutes of our Jlme meeting, and conference leaned back attentively to hear an essay by Miss Eliza Dodson, of Bethlehem

School, on "The Self-training of a Teacher."

The essayist pointed out many of the essential requisites of a successful teacher and gave many good suggestions as to how efficiency might be acquired throl1gh self-training, namely: 1. Tluough • the 1·eading and studying ot good professional books; 2. A liberal allohnent of time to educational papers and educational magazines; 3. Occasional visits to other schools; 4. A pleasing personality and an exemplary obedience to proper authority; 5. Politeness; 6. Orderliness; 7. Regularity; S. Punctuality.

The essayist then suggested, lastly, yet the greatest and most enduring, - God's Holy Word, the Bible.

On the following morning, Wednesday, the Rev.

Kramer read a paper on "The Silent 'reacher," which nicely supplemented the preceding essay.

Miss Ethel Johnson, a teacher of :Mount Zion

School, followed with an essay on the subject, "The

Visiting Teacher." 1-'hrough systematic and opportune visiting, the essayist pointed out, a closer re' lationship is established between parent and teacher, the interest of parents is awakened in our churches and schools, false impressions concerning our ·work in general are met and corrected, and a splendid opportunity for mission-work is presented.

The afternoon sessions of Conference were devoted exclusively to business matters pertaining to our churches and schools in Louisiana.

A service in which the Lord's Supper was celebrated was conducted Wednesday evening. The confessional address was delivered by the Rev. W.

Tervalon, of Napoleonville, La., on the text Hos. 10, 12. The sermon for the evening was preached by the Rev. E. H. Wildgrube, of St. Paul's Chapel, on the text 1 Cor. 13, 14.

Owing to very unfavorable conditions of the weather, the service was not well attended. The writer has often asked himself: Suppose God's blessings were sent upon us only in certain seasons of the year or according to certain conditions of the weather - what then? Doubtless we should murmur against Him - even though He has the divine right and also the divine .power to execute His wishes. How lame, then, is the excuse of those who stay away from God's house in certain seasons and who falter before the slightest shower. Think it over!

The congregation at Mansura, La., through its pastor, the Rev. C. P. Thompson, has invited Conference to convene there next summer. This will be done, God willing, if all plans materialize favorably.

Conference welcomed a new member to its sessions, - the Rev. Siegmund Thies, who was installed as pastor of Trinity Chapel, November 15, 1925. 'rrinity Chapel, faithfully served by the Rev. E. H. Wildgrube until it received its own pastor, is jubilant indeed. 1.\. committee, consisting of, the Rev. G. M. Kramer and the lmdersigned, was appointed by Conference to draw up a list of duties incumbent upon the principals of our schools. This will' automatically enjoin the ready recognition of the sameby the principals' fellow-teachers or coworkers.

We arc working jointly and whole-heartedly in every dhection that will tend toward a systematicdevelopment and a proper standard in· our Christian day-schools.

May we always humbly and in childlike fl!ith direct our prayers to the throne of Him whose· kfogdom here upon earth is our common cause ancli courageously follow His guiding hand!

All for Him! W. B. SEEBERRY, Jn.

Missionary Interest among Us.

The development. of missionary interest in our Lutheran Synodical Conference has had a slow, but steady growth. Though it has been slow, very slow, this is probably bette1· than if it had been by leapsand bounds, since with the latter kind of development there is almost always connected a strong· reaction. The fact that we have been gradually increasing our forces from year to year in every field of missionary endeavor indicates that we are· really experiencing a growth in missionary interest. in our body and that our work is on a sound basis • . -Though many among us would like to see our progress be more rapid, there is none who. does not realize that this slow onward march is much better··