{EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD OF CANADA
REV. J. REBLE, D. D. PRESIDENT
104 HUGHSON ST. N., HAMILTON, ONT.
REV. N. WILLISON, B.A., B.D., LITT D. VICE-PRESIDENT
18 VICTORIA AVE. S., HAMILTON, ONT.
REV. H. R. MOSIG, GERMAN SECRETARY
NEW HAMBURG, ONT.
REV. C. H. LITTLE, B.A., D.D., S.T.D., ENGLISH SEC'Y
177 ALBERT STREET, WATERLOO, ONT.
REV. E. HOLM, TREASURER
CONOSTOGO, ONT.}
Feb’y 10, 1935.
Dear Mother:
As I am preaching to-night in St. Matthew’s for Pastor Schmieder who is laid up with the grippe or flu or something, I thought I had better write you this afternoon instead of putting it off to the wee sma’ hour of the night, as Bobby Burns might say. We are having the usual week-end weather, cloudy with occasional flurries of snow; but it is not cold. I went down to Church this morning and heard a sermon by Pastor Roberts on the Transfiguration; but I can’t say that I was overly edified by it. However, I stayed awake, at least, most of the time. The sermon was in German. We had some very cold weather early in the week last week. This was followed by [?] and a considerable fall of snow, which made the roads good for sleighing and the sidewalks good for shoveling. On Friday night I shoveled from 11:30 till 12 o’clock. You know I have quite a long strip to keep open; and it is all the more necessary to keep it open this winter on account of our lame-duck professor, Rev. Henkel, who hobbles his weary way over and back two or three times every day. He is not improving perceptibly, but
(Page 2)
apparently is getting no worse, and is determined to keep on with his work. Dr. Maurer continues to improve, but is not preaching as yet and I doubt whether he will preach again before his resignation takes effect at Easter. In the meantime ex-professor Rev. Hirtle is holding his services in the hope of becoming his successor, which still is somewhat doubtful.
I wrote you some time ago about some books that I expected to publish. Well, I am out of the publication business for good and all now. I received reply last week from my manuscript sent to the United Lutheran Pub. House, Phil’a to this effect: “Our editors have been very much impressed by the clarity and very fine shape in which the manuscript is offered but regret that they cannot recommend its publication by the Board. It does not appear to them to be a presentation of Confessions in popular language for the laity. We can understand how your theological training makes you talk like a theologian, and for that you are to be honoured.” In reference to the other manuscript, which I did not send, but of which I wrote them, they said they had already appointed “one of our other theologians, who is well known” to write a book on that subject, and so could not consider mine. Besides they said they were publishing a commentary on the N.T. and could not undertake any further publications at this time. I was not disappointed as I did not expect very favourable consideration from that source. They have their favourites and give preference to their own seminaries, particularly Phil’a and Gettysburg. I could
(Page 3)
get my manuscripts published by the Lutheran Literary Board, but only by paying the cost, which I am not in position to do. And as I have not received a cent from my Disputed Doctrines as yet, I am not inclined to give them any more work or money. Last summer I bought an encyclopedia set on the installment plan. I paid them $5, but couldn’t keep it up. After negotiations I finally succeeded in getting them to take the set back at a loss to me of $5 and another encyclopedia that I gave them in exchange. But I was quite willing to pay for the lesson and get out from under the burden. I received my cheque for January salary last week, and by dint of slicing the payments a bit, I managed to salvage $5, of which I have at present $4 on hand. Our Board at its last meeting took action continuing indefinitely the salary reduction. So we will have to scrimp along as best we can. Physically I am more than holding my own. The last time I weighed which was only a few days ago, I weighed 176 lbs., which is top weight for me. If I should increase at the usual rate during Lent, I’m afraid, I will give Herbert a good run for his money. Now I am at the bottom of the page and must stop. With love and all good wishes,
I am
Most Sincerely yours,
[signed] Carroll
