File:1945 - 05 27 Letter from Clara Hinderer to Ralph Baur.jpg

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source: RN Baur estate

5-27-45

Dear Ralph,

What a day! All in the rain. I started the day by going to church at 9. On the way home I heard through Mrs. Retzlaff that Lois was so discouraged with her call. She didn’t know where it was to, so I looked around as we crossed the street. They weren’t far behind, so I called “Lois. Where is your call to.” She answered Gresham, Nebraska<ref>Town had a population of about 300 people at the time</ref>, covered her face and cried.

That is the reason too that she looked so sad and disconsolate in church. I walked home with them. I said “surely the Profs must think you have it in you to handle an 8 grade school or they wouldn’t send you to such a place.” The mother said, that isn’t it. Scheppe has it in for all our children. He wouldn’t send his Betty to a place like that, etc.” They all wept. I almost did too.

Lois said none of the Profs here could believe it, (Sch. is still in Milwaukee), that they all feel sorry for her. Stindt also cried and they read the Bible to her. I finally said if she has a nice pastor to work under, it won’t be half bad (What I really wanted to say is that those are God’s children too, but there is a time for everything and this wasn’t the time) that I’d want to see the call and know all the extenuating circumstances before I would turn thumbs down on it.

When I left, almost 12, I said “You’ll have to find the silver lining Lois. I’m sure there is one in this too.” She believes she got the worst call. Gerry Sutzke goes to Haskins, 150 miles from Lois’s place. Brueschoft 2 grades Winona, Bruns to Stevensvill, MI 4 grades, Schierenbeck to a new place where there is not school. Kionca to Sanborn<ref>Jacob Baur's first call.</ref> and Alila Wiechmann who was booted out of Gibbon goes to Sanborn as second teacher. Lois seems to be the only one with 8 grades.

Then Mrs. also said “Lois can’t do the janitorial work, play organ and everything. That’s just too much for her health.” I told them to go to Dr. Backer and they are, soon as school is out. Lois made the statement to her credit “I feel like going down and showing the profs that I can handle it.” I said “That’s the spirit.” But her mother is afraid she will break down. They will find out about boarding place, pastor, etc before she finally decides. That is Q.T., don’t mention it to anyone.

I thought much of other stuff was Q.T. too until Mrs. Scheele called me tonight and told me the whole “Geschichte.” (story). She got it from Schmeige with this added remark that Lois had such high ideas as to where she would go and now she can’t see this humble beginning.

I said (after what I was told this morning by Lois and her mother) “Lois was told she ought to go to a place where they are just starting because she can work places up.” Mrs. Scheele knew too already that the parents had said “Lois doesn’t have to take that call. She can stay home.” It’s really all ridiculous and yet it afforded me the first real opportunity for a talk with Lois and to probe her depths.,

I think Nebraska could do something for her, though I can’t share their present attitude and that the family is it or isn’t it the Lord's work? Is it a divine call or isn’t it? If you get to a place with 5 preaching stations will I say “Son, you deserve something better or will I say someone has to do this work and it is fitting and right that you should go there.” We make too much of fame and glory in big places and forget that God has also called us to serve the lowly and humble. Enough of that.

At 2:30 I went to Carl Stoet’s memorial service. He lies in the bottom of the Pacific. When Himmenthal mentioned that his greatest pleasure was in erecting open air chapels and attending chapel services I came to the definite conclusion that our old Wisconsin Synod is rather pharasairral<ref>of or relating to the Pharisees. (lowercase) practicing or advocating strict observance of external forms and ceremonies of religion or conduct without regard to the spirit; self-righteous; hypocritical.</ref> in its condemnations of Chaplains.

If we, when ill at home, value the services of our pastor, how much more these boys who are in constant danger of death. Our Synod had done our boys a grievous wrong by not petitioning our Government for the right of religious freedom, impressing them with the fact that we are Lutherans, not protestants, and that our boys have as much right to be served as Lutherans as have Catholics and Jews.

Again we have fallen down on a vital issue and all the tracts in the world will not rectify the matter. (I’m saying this to you, not Mrs. Dietz. To her I still say it was as much her fault and any pastor). Missouri, too, has fallen down. “Die zichen mit am freuchel Jack.” They should demand Religious freedom in practise as well as theory, and not submit our boys to other pastors.

Tonight I went to Baccalaureate services at M E Church. The name of God, not that of Jesus, was not mentioned during the entire sermon by Kiriss. Such a waste of time. Neither were the prayers in the name of Jesus. I think the Mohammendans might have enjoyed the service, and still it rains.

So you are preaching a double header next Sunday. I shall think of you and being there is not without the realm of possibility. Some US Agriculture men from Milwaukee are to be here Thursday and Friday and if they don’t leave before Sunday morning, and return to Milwaukee from here, and they have room I might be tempted to come along and return Sunday p.m. If the work permits and the trip becomes more more than a soap bubble, I’ll let you know by wire by Saturday a.m.

If you don’t hear by then you’ll know I’m not on my way, but that I wait for the next time. A double header would be much to look forward to.

(Gerry Gutzke is supposed to be the best boy in class and goes to Nebraska. Isn't it reasonable to suppose that she had goods since she has also been assigned there) Daddy will talk to S.)

That picture bears some resemblance to Eisenhower, the recession of hair. Otherwise it doesn’t resemble you too much. Somewhat roguish, as if you had been on a tool.

Did you know that Sir General Montgomery's wife has memorized all the psalms and nearly the whole New Testament? Not hard to see if England has many such people. Why their country was spared annihilation in this war. She did this by memorizing 1 verse a day.

Yes, I know what gliders are. At the beginning of war, schools were asked to put in glider courses. It was a rather expensive affair and parents were to sign waivers exonerating schools if students were killed. Since then, from your description, the gliders have been perfected. Not many schools went in on the proposal.

I bought plants for Daddy’s grave. Will ask either Kurt Peterman and Jim Krueger or Mis Ulniden to drive for me.

That text of yours brings in the golden rule, Do unto others etc. Could even get quite modern bringing in justice of European peace terms. The only decent statement I have read on that is by Pres. Huthings of Chicago. In a recent Time issue, who advocates mercy, remembering that it has been written “Vengeance is mine. I will repay.”

Wish you could work under a pastor who still give good “cat” instructions. It would be worth it. Just now Commentator Raleigh said “common sense rarely follows war.” True. It reminds me of “National Velvet.” I saw it with Miss Elstad last night.

You will like that perfect bond of understanding between mother and daughter. The mother’s home philosophy. Her homely features which became most beautiful when she smiles. The magnificent horse race. It was worth seeing. Hope you’ll get a chance. I like animal stories.

Now this page got full too. Since you can’t wear cradle heel shoes<ref>I don't understand. This was a popular woman's style of shoe.</ref>, you won’t lose anything by having them fixed, so why not have it done. From some old correspondence of last year I find that the shoes Chicago sent you were ones we had ordered. Strange, isn't it?

Love and the usual good wishes and luck for next Sunday. It should be getting easier. Mom

P.S. Which son of Reims is going to Africa?

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