File:1944 - 06 30 Ralph Baur to Clara.jpg

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source: Clara Hinderer collection.

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June 6, 1944 was D-Day. This is the day Marvel Jaus and Elton Vorwerk were married. Lyla Jaus was age 14.

24 days after D-Day Ralph Baur age 22 wrote this letter to his mom while at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1944. Most of it describes the courses he would be taking. There is mention made of his and Clara's interactions with the military draft board. WWII ended in 1945.

Ralph's Grandfather, Jacob Baur was already serving a church when he was age 20.

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Thiensville June 30, 1944

Dear Mom, Say what is the matter? I was certain I’d receive a good letter after my long epistle from Watertown. Or didn’t you get it?

I hardly know where to begin. My days up here are so full of events. I’m doing something all the time. Let me begin with today’s activity. I subbed for one of the fellow at one of the largest greenhouses in the country.We get 55 cents per hour. A car is furnished by the co. for the boys to drive back and forth in. Its some old cluck. Today we got about a block when the gear shifting apparatus failed to function. Consequently we had to send for another car from the co. They pulled the old cluck in but we lost about an hours work.

The work at the green houses wasn’t so bad. Rather warm (103 degrees), that’s all. We carried potted plants from one part to another. I’m subbing tomorrow yet and then I’m done. This will give me about eleven hours. This shall hold me for some time to come.

I spaded at Schlabs about 2 hours the day before, This has been and will be extent of my work for some time to come.

The school work has been quite interesting so far. I’m gradually getting into the groove. Our schedule is as follow in case you're interested.

Mon 7:30 N.T. Exegesis 8:40 Holiticis 9:40 Church History 10:40 Isagogics 11:30 Choral

Tuesday

• 7:30 N.T. Exegesis
• 8:40 Isagogics
• 9:40 Genesis
• 10:40 Symbolias
• 11:30 Predigt Ubung

Wednesday

• 7:30 Encyclopedia
• 8:40 Church History
• 9:40 Genesis Gram
• 10:40 Isagogics
• 11:30 nat Ubung

Thursday

• 7:30 N.T. Exegesis
• 8:40 Encyclopedia
• 9:40 Genesis
• 10:40 Isagogics
• 11:30 Predizt Ubung

Friday

• 7:30 N.T. Exegesis
• 8:40 Encyclopedia
• 9:40 Church History
• 10:40 Symbolias
• 11:30 Kat Ubung

I’ll try to give you a little BS about each course.

A) N.T. Exegesis - by Schaller

• Twice a week we read John. In this we prepare ahead figuring out our own exegesis (explanation) first. Twice a week we read Galatians. Here he gives us everything in class.

B) Homiletics - (the art of sermon making - Schaller

• We use a “Preacher Manual” by Fritz, a Missourier. Pretty good.

C) Church History: by Reim - Follow Koeller’s Kirchen Gesalisht

• Don’t want Koeller’s German version. Don’t bother to get it. All we had so far is introduction.

D) Isagogics - Meyer

• Just now we are studying the life of Paul. Later on we will read rapidly the acts of the Apostles and the letters written on each journey of Paul. This reading of course will be from the original!!!

E) Choral - Schaller

• We practice morning chapel songs for coming week. 4 part harmony. We sit according to voices in chapel. After we have run through required number of sings, Schaller gives us a little talk on one of the songs we went thru. He lectures in German and play piano to bring out certain points of lecture.

F) Genesis - Peters

• Two periods per week we read Genesis. After going thru 1st chapter for us, each student is assigned a chapter for complete translation and exegesis. A few days before our tern comes up we go over to his house and run matters thru with him. One period we have Grammar. It throws Kowalke’s system completely overboard.

G) Symbolies - Reim

• Study different confessions of church composed by church fathers and based on scriptures. There are the ones we must ascribe too before we enter the holy ministry.

H) Predigt Ubung - Schaller

• Haven’t had it yet, but I hear we listen to upperclassmen preach.

I) Katekizmas Ubung - Tenninger

• Haven't had it yet, but we are taught by some upperclassman. Should be a good review to Catechism.

J) Encyclopedia - Gehalb

• First and foremost it endeavors to orient the student entering the seminary in the entire domain of theology, in order that he may from the start devote himself to his studies with the full assurance of getting results and with the utmost facility, and that he may in the brief time allotted to him at this institution attain the high goal of his efforts, namely and adequate fitness and preparedness for the Holy ministry.

(This gives you an insight into our schedule) I know this always is a point of interest for you and probably aren't’ writing because you haven’t viewed it sooner.

Love,

Ralph

P.S. Enclosed you will find a bunch of letters about my draft business. I received several from Kowalk which he in turn received from Madison. The Madison letter rather makes a fool of yours truly.

Meyer followed instructions from Madison. You will get history from included letters.