{Lutheran Theological Seminary and Waterloo College Waterloo Ont.} July 6, 1924.
Dear Mother:
As I am preaching tonight down in St. John’s, I have concluded to write you a few lines beforehand this afternoon. We are having a real summer day to-day. The sun is hot, but there is a nice cool breeze blowing and in the shade or in the house it is quite comfortable. All last week while the Summer School was on we had the most delightful weather imaginable. The days were cool and bright and the nights were like the nights of autumn or early spring. The Summer School was quite a success in every way. It was well-attended and the addresses were, on the whole, far above the average on such occasions. And although the expenses ran over $450, the receipts ran about $50 ahead. The stars were Dr. & Mrs. Cronk with the emphasis on Mrs. Dr. Simon Peter Long, Dr. D. Burt Smith, Dr. Bruckner of the Seamen’s Mission, New York, and the Rev. J. C. Mattes. These were supplemented by local talent in the persons of Dr. E. Hoffmann and Dr. J. Maurer. Of these Dr. S.P.Long was easily the most popular orator with Mrs. Cronk coming in as a close second. The third in rank was my friend and classmate, the Rev. J.C. Mattes. Dr. Cronk did not make much of an impression, being over-shadowed by his more famous wife. He also spoke on a rather unpopular subject, viz Tithing.
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His subject, I am reminded, was Stewardship. But as his whole argument centered around tithing, I was not far wrong in stating that as his subject. I think it is unfortunate that the Stewardship Champions find it necessary to revert to O.T. ideals and usages in order to uphold their contention; for they certainly thereby weaken their position. I could take the same identical arguments advanced for tithing and prove that circumcision is obligatory and binding upon us Christians. I have no objection to people’s tithing if they want to and can do so; but I do object to its being imposed as an obligation upon others. I know in my own case that it simply could not be done. Dr. Long also got off some wild extravagant views, but also with this much that was good. He has a way of his own that is [?] and one knows that he is to be taken cum grano salis. His last lecture on “What I owe to my Church” was his best and was illuminated with frequent flashes of humour. Dr. Bruckner delivered his chief lecture in the German language. He was one of the most pleasing personalities we had on the program, but spoke a little too fast and was hard to follow. I brought a large number of the men over to my place from time to time to make them acquainted with Home Brew. And you should have seen how they enjoyed it. Dr. Bruckner characterized me in consequence as the ‘Life-Saver’. Mattes also enjoyed it immensely as did a great many of the German ministers. We used up about 40 bottles during the three day session. As I have now only about 40 left, I will soon have to start another brew. It is a very cheap drink. I made about 12 gals. at a cost all told of $1.45, and it was the very best of beer too. I preached last
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Sunday at Brantford and cleared about $12 over and above expenses. To-night I am to preach here in St. John’s, the pastor being away on his vacation, and next Sunday in Bridgeport. With the exception of the 20th of this month I have practically every Sunday taken up until Sept. So, you see, I will be kept fairly busy through the vacation, even though I did not secure a regular preaching place.
Catharine still has the whooping-cough, though she doesn’t seem to mind it much except when the paroxysms are on. The other children haven’t taken it as yet, though Eileen and Ruth had a similar cough before Catharine took it. We had Pastor and Mrs. Bockelmann up to tea the other day. They are going away again, back to Pittsburgh on Wednesday of this week. Strawberries are at their best now. I picked a box last evening out of our own garden. The crop is very good around here this year and the berries are selling at 10₵ a box with likelihood of going still lower this week. We have been having them everyday, two or three times a day, for the past week and have enjoyed them immensely. We had strawberry pies for dinner to-day. My garden is coming along though slowly, the weather being too cool for rapid growth. I am doing some studying these days and hope to finish up the Ante Nicene Fathers in another week or so. I haven't heard anything more from my Millennium MS. since I wrote you and don't know whether the U.L.C.
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Pub. House will publish it or not. I haven't had time to write to Pearl yet and am afraid if I don't soon get around to it that she will be on her way back before I get it done. The will is good, but performance is slack. The boys have been going in swimming in the lake in the park occasionally; but I found the weather too cool so far. If I were not preaching tonight I would go this afternoon. When I start in I want to go every day. Dr. Willison is preaching for Pastor Boninger in the Unionville-Sherwood parish to-day. Prof. Hirtle’s new house is finished outside now and presents a nice external appearance. It should be ready for occupation in 3 or 4 weeks. Then we will have some real close neighbours. I suppose you will soon be going to Washington, if indeed you are not already there. I hope you will have a fine time and enjoy yourself. Remember me to Bikle and his family. Blanche, I suppose, is scorching in Florida again by this time. I don't understand why she took the Summer School in Lenoir-Rhymes if she intended to give up teaching and go back there. Hope Herbert has fully recovered by this time. Give him our best wishes and remembrances. Well, since I have already written at unusual length I will draw my letter to a close. With best wishes and love from us all, I am
Most Sincerely yours
[signed] Carroll H. Little.
