The Lutheran Pioneer 1910

ijf;ht Juthtran ,.

A MISSIONARY J\IIONTHLY. - ----•·- --- - PunLISllED DY TUE Ev,\NOl~LICAL L u -rnERAN SYNODICAL CONFERE NCE Ol' N o 1:T11 A.MEllfCA.

R. A. BISCHOFF,

EDIT O R .

Entered nt tbc Post o mcc at St. J.001s, Mo., ns sccon,1-rlass m:iucr.

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Vol. XXXLI.

ST. LOUIS, MO., JANUAltY, 1910.

No. 1.

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God With Us.

Jcacl us to walk as in the sight of Him of whom it is wrj ttcn: "~rhou, God, secst me." The man who· hides nway from the eyes o.f men to <lo his deccls o.f darkness may think himself unseen, but the eye o.f the ever-present God is upon him all the while: From t hat eye nothing can be hidden. 'l'hc boy in Lhc store, who was tempted to do wrong because his master was not in was right when he rcpl jccl, " My i\:[aster is always in." God is not far oil'. He is present with us. He is everywhere, at all places. No one can hide from Him. "Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? . Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord," Jer. 23, 23. 24. "Sec; then, that ye walk circumspectly," says the apostle. That is, we should walk cau. tiously, with watchfulness, avoiding sin ancl walking ns the children of the e\'er-present God. .

Corl is with 11~! 0 wha t plea sure Docs I.he glor ious t hough t afford ; Herc is lo,·c beyond nil meu nrc, Allcl11i1t! Pmisc tl1e T.on l!

God is wit h us ; St.dkc aga in I.he joyful · chord!

Through t he years now gone fo1·c,·er, He was nlwnys near H is own, Aiding t hem in ea ch cudcnvor, While t hey gloried iu H is t hrone; Rn n- faithful , Owning Him, I.he Lord nlouc.

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All along Bis lmml wns g uiding In I.he dark and in t he light; F or t heir constant need pro\'iding

By Flis all-sufficient might; 'l'hcy could tms t Rim, l~uowing w<1ll H is wnys nrc right .

Precious arc t he gifts t hey left us, Gained through Rim who hears our prayer; l'nssing ycnrs )111,·c not bere ft us Of the horitngc wo sluirc; Mny we c,·cr :i\Inko the things of God 0111· care !

God is with us ! Li'ft your ,·oicos, .AJI H.is faithfulness proclaim; Eau t h wit h heaven nguiu r ejoices; 'l'hrongh nil ages still the snmo God is wit h u s !

Allolnil\! Praise H i:< 11111110!

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God Present With Us. A s we, with the new year, enter upon a new

period of lile, it is well to remember that God is at nil times present with us. This thought will

Goel is present with us. This truth is full of comfort .for all true Christians. In Christ Jesus God has become their loving Father. They trust His loving-kindness, and rejoice to know that. He is present with them wherever they may be. He was with them in the pnst year, and He will not forsake them in the new year, but will ·continue to be with them uuto the eml of their journey, guiding them aright and 1n·oving HimseJf a '\"'ery present help in all trouble. '!'hey need not fear what another clay or another year may bring forth, for they k-uow that their times are in God's hand, and that He is directing all things for their best, namely; £01· their eternal salvation. They have God's Word, an<l they know that even in the clark hour of death Goel is present with them. E,rery true believer can say with the psalmist: "Though I walk through

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

the ' rnlley of ti1e shadow of, death, I will fear no · of cle"ils." No oue can doubt the appropriateness c,·il: for 'l'hou art with me, 'l'hy rod and Thy stair of this name, for it is iucleecl a table which only tl1cJ comfort me."

Goel can prepare with such blessecl food a{1d drink as can nowhere else be procured, namely, the Lord's God is presen t with us. 'J'his truth shoulcl also true bocly and blood under the breacl ancl the wine. encourage us in our mission work. 'l'hei·e is so Another name given to this sacrament is the Lord's much that might cliscomage us. The laborers in Suppe1·. 1 Cor. 11, 20 the Apostle writes : "When the mission field oiten see but little fruit of their ye come together therefore into one place, tltis is hard labors. They meet with much unthankfuluess not to eat the Lo1'll's .Supva·1·." It is the L01·cl's on the part of those among whom they labor. There Supper, for only God can :fmnish it; ancl it is the is also often seen a lack of active interest among Lord's Supper, because Ile institutecl it at night those in whose service the work is done. But let at the time of the evening meal. Another clesigus not lose heart! We have God's " orcl, and He na tion is Holy Supvcr, to show that it is a supper is present -ivith us in the mission field. Where H e quite distinct · in natnrc and purpose :from otl1cr is with His Word, there is also His blessing. 'l'he meals; for while every meal the Christian eats is · labor done in His name cannot be in vain. It will sanctified ancl blessed by the Word of Goel and bear fruit according to His good pleasure, much prayer, this supper is sancLified ancl blessed in a fruit which might not be seen now, but which will peculiar ancl preeminent degree, as we shall learn be seen in eternity. God has been with us and has later on. L\cts 2, 42 still another name is used to blessed our work in the past yea.rs; He will be designate this sacrament: "They continued stead. with us and bless our work also in the new year fastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and and in all the years to come. For He that gave the iu brcal.:iJng of b1·eacl, ancl in pmycrs." It is so command, "Go ·ye into all the world, and preach called, not bccai1se· .t he bread neecl be actually the Gospel to every creature," also gave the en- broken iuto :Cragmeuts to make it a sacrament, but coura"'inopromise: "Lo, I . am with you alway, because the blessed bread is given and distributed 0 0 e\'en unto the encl of ,the world." in this sacrament. Another name is the Eucha:rist. '!'his word in its original Greek signifies gfoing God is present with us. Let us, then, trusting thanks; and this name was given the Loi-d's Supin Him, joyf-ully continue our journey. In the per because of the hymns and thanksgivings• which work which we are called to do; in the cros!>es accompany the holy se1·vice. Finally, we also speak which we are to bear; in the temptations and trials of this sacrament as Holy Ooni1nwnion. In the through which we inust pass; in joy and sorrow, Lord's Supper we Christians all eat the one bread in life .and death: God with His mercy and His ancl drink the one cup. In partaking of Christ's might is present with us. Let us be of good body and blood we become most intimately united cheer! with Christ and also with one an.other. This Paul refers to when he writes to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. Of the Sacrament of the Altar.

10, 17: "For we, being many, are one bread and one body, :for we arc all partakers of that one We have before this heard that we have two bread." sncr:iments, Holy Baptism being one, and the other Having uow learned the v·arious names usecl the Sacramento! the Altar. It is this latter sacra- by us Christians to designate this blessed sacrament, ment that we shall now consider. we arc ready to enter upon a considemtion of its Unlike Holy Baptism, this other sacrament is nature ancl purpose. L\ccording to our Small Cateknown by various names. Luther · in ltis Small chism we may treat the Lord's Supper on :four Catechism calls it the Sacrament of tlia Altar. It hcaus. Under the :fh-st head, we shall see what the is so called, because ordinarily it is celebrated at Lorcl's Supper is; under the seconcl head we shall the altar in phurcb. The sacred elements rest upon consider its great be~efits and blessings; then under the altar during tbe consecration, and the com- the nc:d head, we shall learn whence· the Lord's municants group themselves about the altar to eat Supper has the power to give such great blessings; and to drink. It is also called the Lord's Tabla. ancl finally, we shall spca\c of the worthy partaking Thus Paul refers to it 1 Cor. 10, 21 : ":Ye cannot of this holy sacrament. May God in His grace be be partakers of the Lord's T~ble and of the table with us while we do this, and help us to grow more

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':Che Lutheran Pioneer. and more n.ppreciative or His goodness which prompted Hirn to gi,•c 11s this memorial of His F. J. L. love.

Alone., Yet Not Alone.

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promised me, and that promise He has also kept; He never leaves me alone!"

I had come to comfort, but Another had alr eady comiorted according to His promise: "As one whom his motheL· comforteth, so will I comfort you," I s. 66, 13.

On my way home I thought of all I had heard and seen in that little room of the poor, sick, lonely widow, and it all was to me a living illustration of the words oi the psal mist: "Whom have I in heaven but rl'hee? and there is none upon earth that· I cl~sire beside 'l'hee. My flesh and my heart inilcth; bu t God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever," Ps. 73, 25. 26.

peaking of his vi it to a poo1· aged widow, n pastor writes : 'he Jived quite alone, and !lhe was old, poor, ick. That was all .C k new of her as I entered her li ttle room. 'l'his room was very uarrow, anl it seemed to me so cold, so bare, so empty I There was nothing to be seen but a bed, a table, two chair , and an old~f.ashioned t runk. It was my first acquaintance with 1·enl poverty, and i t nil seemed so omfor tless.

Resigned to God's Will.

A weak woman slowly rose· :from one of the two chair. he was very small, ben t, pale, and When tonewall J nckson, the famous general· thi n. H ow difl'.erent she must have looked in the nncl Christian soldier, lay mortally wounded on dn.ys of long ago! Her life was not always spent his clying-bed~ he looked at his mutilated arm, i n loneliness. '!'here was a time when she lived nt after an amputation hnd been performed, and said, the side of her hu band i n the strength of you th "Many people would 1·egard this as a great mislike other women. Happy children did play a1·otmd fortune. ~ regard it as one of the great blessings her, until nU pa~secl away like a shadow, and she of my life."

An officer, who had long been associated with was lcit alone. Looking again at the small, bent woman, I noticed the wonderfully bright, friendly hi m and who knew his religious life and well understood.Ji-is J?leaning, said, "All things work together eyes fixed upon me. . fo.r good to them that love God." .Alone, old, sick, poor I '!'his I had known o!

"Yes, yes !" wns -the earnest reply, "that's it!" her when I went to see her, and it had beeK my Late1· the General again said; "I consider these hem·t's desire to bring her uot only outward help, wounds a blessing; they were given me for some but also a fit.ting word oi comfort. But I now saw such a calm cheerfulness in the face of the dear good ancl wise purpose, ancl I would not part with olcl womnn that no wo1·d of comfo1·t came over them if I conlcl." 'l'o his wife, who was with him in his last my lips. . hom·s, he said, "I know you would gladly give your She praised her little room and was well pleasecl life for me, but I nm perfectly resigned. Do nQt with its being so narrow; for, she said, when her be sad, I hope I shall recover. Pray for me, but sic:k feet were very sore ll.lld swollen, she could always remember in your prayers to use the petieasily get to the hearth. From her bed she could lay hold of a chair, from there she could right tion, 'Thy will be done.'"

In the event of his death, he advised her to away get to the table, from the table to the trunk, return to her fµ.ther's home, and said, ''You have :from the trunk to the hearth. Sometimes, she a kind, good father; but there is no one so kind said, when friendly neighbors brought the meal and good as your heavenly Father.'' warm to her room, she need not warm it at all.

When told that his last moments were near, he When I asked her if she clicl not feel very, very en lmly said, " Very good, very good; it is all rigllt. lonesome, sl_1.e replied with a smiling face, ''Why, It will be infinite gain to be translated to heaven, I am never alone." Saying this, she pointecl to a and be with Jesus."

Bible verse which hung above h~r heel. I there - - - -•·- - - r eacl the Savior's promise: "Lo, I am with you b· tribulation truces all away from us, it still alwny, even unto the end of the world." leaves God; for it can never take God away. Nay, Pointing to these words, the dear woman said indeed, -i t brings God to us. - Luther. so!tly, in a voice of deep emotion: "That He has

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

Wors~iplng the Chris~-Chlld.

In our 11ict.11rc we sec the Wisc i\lcn from the East worshiping the 'hrist-child. l!'ot· this purpose t hey hall 'come a long way from a 'fnr-ofl: country to Bethlehem, Goel 11:n·lllg th.rough n wonderful star made known to them the coming of t:hc promised Savior. 'rhcsc Wise i\Icn were Gent iles, or heathen. Not members of the J ewish nation Jikc the shepherds who also worshiped the Christ-chilcl. 'J'his fact tcacl1es us that J esus is the 'avior not for one

)'C in to all the worltl and I)l'Cnch the Gospel to t•,·cry t·rca Lure!' l•:vcry 'h ristin n js Lo be a hcl per ju th is mL' ::;ion work of the Church with his prayers and a lso wi th !tis g ifts. 'J.'J1c Wisc l\[cn from the En t should sen c us as nn exampl e.' Wltcu worshipfog the Christ-child t hey not only gave the offering of thei1· lips; 110, t hey opened their tl'ensures nud pl'escntcd m1 to H iril g ifts. fo like manner we, too, should g i,·c of our t reasures to J"csus by giving fo l' the sprcacl of Hi Gospel, fo r the upbuikling of His kipgtlo111. ,\nd this wu should do cheerJu 11.r, out of lor e to Lhc dear , avio1· who gave Him::;clf for us. ".E'or ye know the grnce o.f our Lord Je ·11~ Christ, tha t·, though He wa. rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich,'" 2 or. , 9.

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How a Chinese Boy Spent His Christmas Vac.a tion.

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Worshiping the Christ-Child.

nntion, one pcop]c, one rac~ only, but ior every ·race, people, und nation. Ile is the Snvior sin .. ners of every rncc, color, ancl nation, th~ Savior of all sinners. · 'l'hereCore the angel wl10 mode known His birth said that the glnd tidings shall be unto all 1>cople. Ancl the aged Simeon in the temple, when lie took the Chilcl Jesus up in his nrms, spoke of Him as Gotl' s salvation " prepnrcd in t he face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of the people fsl'llcl." It is therefore Gotl's will that th is-Savior be made k-nown to all that still sit in the darkness or sin, no matter to what race or nation they belong. '!'his is the work which Christ Himself commissioned His Church to clo . \\:hen Ho gave the command : "Go

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A Chinese orphan boy was taken in to the mi. sion chool a ftur his mother' · duath. JI e stayed there seven years, Jeam"ing t he t l'u th of Gotl's Word, " not dnly with his l1c111l but also with his hcal't: ' \\ hen fourteen yca1·s old, h e spent his Christma · m ention at the home of some friends, where he one cla,v en ter ed 11 heathen temple. As h e looked nt the man~· idols, an old man came in, strewed incense before one of the idols, kncelccl clown and prnycrl . '.L'his he clicl before each- idol, passing from one to t he othe1· nu til none was left. A t this s ig ht the l,oy t hough t to himself : ' '!'here is au old man who has only a sho1t t i-me to live, and yet he does not know t he way to hcaxcn. But I am onJy a boy. l uarc not speak to him." Chinese children, you know, learn very early to honor old age, and it would not be considered fitting for a boy to tench 1111 old man. " What is to be done?" thought t he boy as he saw the ·o]cl man pass from one idol to the other with tears iu his eyes. 'l'hesc tears o.f t he old mnu touched the boy so that he could no longer keep silent. He stepped 1.l p to the old mnn and said, " Would you permit me to speak to you? I am young, you are old." Saying this, his own eyes were filled with .tcm·s.

"Why do you weep ?" askeu the olcl man; "can [ help you?"

"Sir, I weep because I am very much grieved on your account," was the reply.

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The Lutheran Pioneer. " On 111y ac '01111 t ? If Q I\" .. '1 i'" asked Lhc oltl lllilll in g reat sul'p rise. ''J3ccnuse you arc ulil an d t·a11110L Ji ve 11111ch lc1J1ger ancl i:till do 110t k11011• Lhc way Lo heaven," : ai tl the hoy. " What? Do you kn o11· U10 way to heaven:"' 11 keel t he olcl man.

"I know t hat the T.,ord J c. us ha . :wecl me, ancl I.lin t He j ; willi ng to . ave yon too;' wa. the reply.

"Who j J csus ?" asked the olcl 1111111. 'l'hc boy then toltl him of God's lo\·c i11 Uhr ist Jesus, wh o ca me i nto the world t o : arn inner:;

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ancl hi: wi re \\'Cl'C lccl to the Savior bv J this bov .,, lonrr 0 before a, rni: :-innary c·nn1c Lo Uia t place. F our ycnrs la lcr, I.lie wel l-known E nglish 111is:·ionar_v, Hudson 'l'aylor, the fo11n<lcr of Lhe China fol ancl i\lission, who him: clf relates this incident, was taken by the boy, now a yonng man, to sec t he aged Chinese couple. .Mis. ionary 'l'aylor r ejoiced at their sincere ('hri ti an faith. lie fou nd them also very thankful ancl warmly attnchccl to the Christian young man to whom they owccl so much. " R ael it not hccn for this young mnn, 111y wifo and I should h nvc died in c]:ukncss,'' sa id the old Ohiuamm1 .

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,., Congregation at Rocks, N. C., on the Day of Harvest Home and Mission Festival.

:from sin ancl damnation by His sufferiJ1gs and death. 'rhc heart · of the agecl hearer was deeply moved. "Boy," he said, "I am already sixty-Jive yea.rs old, but never in my life have I heard wol"Cls like those you just now spoke to me. Have you a ll'eady had your dinner?" · When the boy saicl 110, t he old man iuvitecl_him to come t o his house, where he could tell the same stol'y oJ: Jesus· to J1js agecl wife. Glaclly the boy went n.lo.ng, aucl very attentively did the olcl couple listen to the story of Jesus ancl H is love. Upon their kind invitation the boy came a]so the next day. I n :fact, he spent nll the rest of his Clu·istmns holiclays at their home. 'l'hc consequence was that the olcl Chinn.man

· Festival Day at Rocks, N. C. 'l'he thirteenth Sunday after Trinity was a festh•al clay for om· colo"recl Lutherans at Rocks, N. C. Ou that clny -H catcchumens were received into the congregation by confirmation, after haviug proved in a public c.xnminntion that they had been thoroughly instructed iu the Christian doctrine. On the same duy the congregation celebratecl its H1u·vcst Home and Mission l!, estival, the Rev. F. Ford nssisting tl1c past!)l", t he Rev. ,v. H. Lash, of .Salisbury, N . 0 . In all tlnee services there wns a large number of nttentive•hearers, some o:f them having come several miles in the early morning to take part in the festivities of this day o:f joy ancl thanks-

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

-giving. God in His mercy hns abundantly blessed the work done nt Rocks, N . C., during the last three years, and the members of the congregation are worldng together in peace nod harmony .for the welfare of our Lutl1era11 Zion.

special sel'mon to that congregation. Rev. ~ol~o Alsto11, n. grahiale of Immanuel College, JS m charge of }\fount .Pleasnnt nncl adjacent co11gl'egations. Ile is an· active antl faithful ]a.borer a.ml highly esteemed by the Jlcople." A large and appreciative amlicnce was gathered, more thnn the olcl dilapidated schoolhouse could hold, and the choir, News from the Negro Mission in North which is 111 its infancy, helped Lo make the service Carolina. edifying. 'l'he congregation is about to erect a new house o.f worship, which is badly needed, aud It hns been the pleasure of the writer to visit is straining itscH to defray about one-third of the some of the mission fields in North Carolina, and expenses. Besides the money ·alrea.cly on hand it what he has observed may be o.f interest to the raised on that day $45.00. Uonsidcring the small readers of the PIONEER. wages which the people o.f that community receive, 'l'o our mission property in Salisbury a valuable tlus collection was a large one. But the people are lot, with a house OU it, bas been added, and very desirous of having a church o.f their own aud Rev. Lns11 is busily engaged in repairing that house are denying themselves for the sake_o.f a house of and. in making it a comfortable schoolhouse .for worship. O.f the four churches in Monnt Pleasant his children. He el.."})ects to have it ready at the oms has the distinction of being _the largest. Any beginning of the new year. Rev. Lash is _teaching contribution, be it ever so small, towards the buildthe school himself this year. ' The att~..udance is_ ing of that church will be thankfully received by lnrge, and the children are well. trained in _the nur- our treasurer, Mr. H: L. Doederlein, 848 E. P raiture and admonition of the Lord. rie A"e., St. Louis, Mo. On the 31st of October the writer wus called i\ieherrin, Va., has been temporarily supplied to Qharlotte to preach a . ~eformation sermon. with a pastor and teacher lll the person of Rev. J. Although,, the- senice was held in the morning, S. Coiner of Conover, N. C. On the third Sunday which is not:·an opportune time for holding services in November he was introduced to the congregation in the negro church·es, the attendance was large, by Rev. Pro.f. M. Lochner, who had served it since and the hea1,e~ ga_ve the speaker their undivi<:1-ed the resignation o.C Hev. D. H. Schooff. Rev. Coiuet· attention. . '.l;'-o tbe. appeal of the }lastor for a reports that the church and school at·e iu a prom_isgenerous 'thank-offering as a token of gratitude for ing condition. the· manifold · messings which have come down to Immanuel College, which eutel'Cd upon the -us from the. Lutheran Church Heformation, the scrcnth year of its existence ou. September 8, has congregation responded · liberally. 'l'he amount not the attendance we clesire and which it ought collected during this service was $40.00. 'l'he school to have. While there is a goodly number o.f new is in u. flourishing condition, about 120 children students, many of the older ones have, for various being in attendance. The Rev. :M:eDavid, the pastor reasons, failed to return. We have, however, no in charge, and l\!r. Frank Alston a1·e the teachers. reason to complain, knowing that it is .the Lord On his way home t~e writer stopped at Concord, that giveth the increase. An educational instituand had the pleasure of listening to a Reformation . tion like ours, built on Ch1·istian principles, with sermon by the llev. Messerli, who has been in charge strict Ch1·istian discipline, and having for its obof Concord and Sandy Ritlge since last September. ject the training of Christian ministers and · On Monday morning a visit was made . to teachers, cannot, in our time and generation, enjoy :M:r. Carter's school, where the writer related some general popularity. We are t4oroughly convinced, incidents from Luther's life, and impressed it upon however, that }Ve are doing the Master's work and the hearts of the children. Mr. Carter has nearly giving our students the best educational training 100 children in his school, more than he is able to in the state. With the beginning of the second care for. • He expects to have an assistant at the term a nwnber of new students is expected. Prof. beginning of the new year in the person of Miss H. W. Gross, who taught here for three years, has Wilma Barnhardt. accepted a call to Alexandria, Va. On the first Sunday in December last, the writer The Primary Department, in .charge of Mr. Reid was called to Mount Pleasant, N. 0., to preach a and Miss Winsor, has the usual attendance, the

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present enrollment being about 130. In the place among them during the years of her faithful of Mrs. Freel Ford, who for a number of years service reclouud upou herself! '!'hat all the presided over the kitchen and dining room, the teachers of St. Paul's Scl1ool are colored men the colfege has gained nn efficient stewardess and ma- reader will probably remember. tron in the person oI l\(rs. Mollie Lowder, of Mount St. Paul's station is reviving from a kind of lethargy into which it had fallen during a year of Pleasant, N. C. The increased attendance at Grace chool in rncancy. '!'he advent, in September, of Rev. A. '011th Greensboro has ju tified the Mission Board " itt from the far east of our country has brought in givfog l\Ir. Buntrock an assistant. Miss l\1ary 11ew life aucl a hopeful spirit into the congregation. l\fartil1, of Southern pjues, N. C., who has had one .'!'here is much more interest in the services than year's training in the Normal Depal"tme11t of Im- there has been for a long time. But, though there m:11111cl College, is tcacl1ing the second class. is spiritual activity 110Liceable in all three stations, As far as the writer is able to learn, our mis- as it cannot but be where the pure Word of God . sion:n-ies aucl teachct·s are energetic allfl faithful is scattered broadcast by pastor and teachers, and, in the discharge of their duties, and the members with joy be it said, also by a goodly number of lay are active iii helping them to build up our Lutheran Christia.us, the sacl truth cannot be denied that Zio11. l\1ay the Lord be with them also in the new there is also in all the congregations an alarmingly year and abundantly . bless the labol.'s of their great number of apostates from the faith they have hands!

N. J. B. once vowed to 1·etain and uphold to their dying day. Old men ancl young men, women and maidens, ~ have grown weary of the Bread of Life and are no Our Missions in New Orleans. longer seen in the beautiful services before. their ~ During the Inst months of the year the church God. Little wonder, then, that godliness and purity ancl missionary work at om· three mission stations fli es from their homes and unhappiness settles ..,:i in New Orlea11s has, as 11strnl, been more active clown on their souls, for they have turned their than in the dull sununer montl'is. '!'he services backs on the only true friend of their souls, Jesus, ~ arc better attended, and, in consequence, there is the Christ-child, the crucified Savior, who waits to an increase in the contl·ibutions. also. At. all three meet them and bless them Sunday after Sunday O ~ stations there arc catechumen classes under in- · through His Word and Sacraments. struction of the respective missionaries. In St. Pa:ul In connection with these remarks about our ~ and Bethlehem stations t he number of catechumens missions in New Orleans it will nof be improper to is 22 and 16, respectively. In l\fount Zion it is say a few words about Luther College, an institusmaller. In the two first-named congregations there tion of higher le~rning f~unded to ser~e the same is also a ·mu11bcr of adults under instruction. The purpose .a s our churches and parochial schools, schools have attaiuecl a fair attendance in all three namely, the glory of God and the spreading of ·our ~ statious. Mount Zion School is still in the hands Lutheran Church. There ;re not many pupils, nor of our two veteran teachers, Mr. Vix and Mr. Mei- are there many professors; of the form~r but 21, ~ bohm. Bethlehem School has a -new teacher for eleven males, ten females, of the latter two, Prof. i ts upper gracles in l\!Cr. Palm, who i,s laboring with Wild~ and your humble servant. Yet we are all a will a.nd evident success. The lower grades are, very busy, as the students would testify and their as they have been for many years past, still in- te3:chers could not deny. For you should remember sb·uctecl by· l\fr. Odendahl. St. Paul's School has there is a theological department, .a normal departn reducetl teachers' force this year, l\!Ciss Edna Wal- ment, and a preparatory d~partment. Lessons bei:er having removed irom New Qi-leans in the ,be- gin at 8 A. ir. and are over at 4.15 P. M., though ginning of October. '!'he three remaining teachers, not all pupils are present all that time. The theohowever, Mr. Wiley, Mr. Nap. Seeberry, and logical students receive instruction also on Satur.M:r. Wm. Seeberry, can hardly be said to be over- days till noon. We have two students in the theocrowded in their classes, since for some years past logical department this season; a third one is · the actual attendance on any one d~y has rar,ely teaching the mission school at ·Mansura, La., for exceeded 150. Nevertheless, the mission has lost in the year. The normal department numbers eight M:iss Walter an able aud devoted teacher of the young men and five young ladies. A fifth part of little ones. May the blessing that she has wrought our students hails from :Mansura, La., the rest

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

from N ew Orleans. Two-thircls of om young men hnve cleclarcll thC'mselves willing to ser ve the ehmch ns teachers or, by preference, ns pastors, if the Lord gives grace nnd success to their studies and holds them fit for such n high calling. There will be n short recess during the Christmas holiclnys, but then cou~cs a pa.rticularly strenuous month, for the Inst week of ,Tanunry brings n series of seminnnunl examinations for all grades. 'l'he work of our mission at New Orleans is thcre'Corc a-doing, clear reader, slowlj·, quietly, -amidst obstacles, necompaniccl by joy aucl sadness for the workers. Their consolation is, nlso for the new y1mr, t.l1e promise of the Savior: " Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

F.

J,'ricml, r on a ni pn,;;;ing swifLly down life's rh·cr ; Where will yon spend t he long, long f orever ?

E temiLy is coming like n. mighty wave. ,Jesns is t he refnge - Lrnst R im, Re will s:wc !

BOOK TABLE. CoNconorA l>ASTIM F. J.11mAUY. Vol. VJ : Storie;; of Lhe School Room. Vol. VIJ : Stories of Lhe Farm. Concor<lin. J>ublishiug R ouse. St. Louis, "Mo. P rice, 25 cts. ench ; spccinl prices in qnanLit ies. \\ e henrLily rcco111111cnd t hese two new ,·ol11mc,; of Lhc Couconlia l'astin,c 1,ibra ry. Attractive in print, nm! 1,iutliug, Lhey contain each clenm wholesome, inst.ruct.i,·c, 111111 entertaining stories nm) will pro,·c welcome g ift -books, not only in the holiday !'ca sou, but t hroughonL t hn year.

W1~NGER.

New Year's Prayer for Our Homes.

God, bless our homes mosL dear, And he Thon e,·e1· near By day nnd night .

Thy goodness grent hllstow, Thy lo,·ing-kimlness show, Gu11rcl them from ev' ry foe, 0 God of l\Iight!

Grant pa.rents grncc to 1·ea1· Their children in Thy fen.r, In truth and right.

Help them to pray nlwny, And ~oint nnd lend the wa.y Thnt brings to endless cltty, 0 God of Light! l\fokc Thou our child1·en pme

.and strong, brn,·c to endure In trinls sore. ]from Thee ne'er mny they ro,;e; Oh, keep them in Thy love And bear tl1e111 safe nbovc, When life is o'er. \•Vhcn dn.ys of sorrow come, Come, Lord, into our home In nil Thy love.

In days of gladness come For Thee there's always room Aml make the joys of home Like those above. ;J.. ,':/. L co11u,1·d.

WonLoJ.Y treasures cannot ben.r up l!,lld com! orb the soul in the day of trials and troubles

nml sorrow, no more than headache cnu be cured by a golden crown or toothache by a chain of

pearls.

Jesus Is the Refuge.

Acknowledgment.

Received fQr Co lorecl Jlissi ou.~ from t he followi11~ cougrngntions : Zion, Gold EUii, N. C., $3.00, Concorcl in. R ockwell. N. C., 1.50, :Mount Zion, The Rocks, N. C., :1.25, :Mount Cnlrn1~·, :Mount Plcnsaut, N. C., 3.00, 1\fount Zion, New Orlenns, 1.n., 35.00, lleLhlchem, ~ cw Orleans, J.a., :l0.00, St.Pnnl, NewOrlenns, La., 35.00, , t. Pnul, Charlotte, N. C., i.:'i0, :Mount Zion, l\Ceyers"ille, N. C., 2.!i0, St. MaLLhew, l\Cehenin, Vn., 0.53, N:tpolco1willc, La ., 21.00, l\fansnm, La., 2.75, Bethlehem, :\fonroe, N. C., 1.50, Grncc, Concord, N. C., 10.00, St. Jnmcs, Southern· Pinc,;, N . C., 2.50, Crace, Greensboro, N. C., 3.00. 'l'olal: $108.03.

St. Louis, l\Io., December 10, l!J00. ' · EL L . DoEDF;11u:1l\., 'l'rcas.

848 E. J>mirie Ave.

Evangelical .Lutheran Colored Churches.

N'EW ORLl~ANS, LA. St. i'u ul!s 0/w,pcl, 1025 A nneLtc St., nel\.l" N. Claiborne SL. ; Albert Witt, Pnstor.

Divine Services : Sunday, 11 A. M. nnd i .30 1•. ll.; \\Tednesdn,y, 7.30 1•. :llr. iJJo,, mt Zion Oh'fl.rch, Franklin nncl 'l'hn.li1i Sts.; Ed. C. Krause, Pastor.

Divine Services: Suncln,y , 11 A. ll. nnd i .30 P . M.; 'l'hursdny, 7.30 1•. lr.

B ethlehem Oha.p cl, Wnshingtou .Ave. and Dryndes St.; G. l\[. Kmmer, Pn:stor.

Divine Services: Sund1iy, 11 A. ll. and 7 .30 1•. lr.; Thursday, 7.30 1•. :u. Sundn.y School: Sunday, 10 A. :llr.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. II uly 7'1·ini ty Ch11rc1L. Dh•ine Sen•ices: Sunday, 10.30 A. ll. nnd 8 P. 1~.

TERMS: .

'l'm;

PlONEEII is published monthly,· payable . in mfou11cc nt the following raites, llOstnge included, to-wit: 1 Copy ..... . ..... . ..... .. .. $ .25 10 Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00 . · 25 Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00 50 Copies . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Club mtes only nllowe<l if 1111 copies arc to be sent to one nddress. - In St. Louis by 1111\il or cn.rrier, 35 cents. .All business cormnunicnLions to be addressecl to Concorcli11, Publisl1ing House, Jefferson .Ave. nn<I Min.mi St., St. T.ouis, l\Jo. All comnmnicn.tions conceming the editorial department to be a<ldressed to Prof. R. A. B1scuo1o·F, Conover, Caltuwbn. Co., N. C. LU'l'MEIIAN

QI;h,e Juthrran A. MISSIONARY ~IONTHLY.

- - ---•---- PunLISIIED DY TnE EVANGELICAL L uTnERAN SYNODICAL CoNFERE~c1:: OF

R . .A.. BISCHOFF,

Non·m

AMEllICA.

EDITOR.

Entered nt the Post omce nt St. Loms, lJo., ns scconcl,clnss m:ittcr.

Yul. XXXU.

ST. LOUIS, MO:, FEHltUAU.Y, 1910.

Missions.

"

Lord of nil power a nd might, Fat.l1c1· of love and light, Speed on Thy 'i:Vord !

0 let the Gospel sound All t.hc wide world around, \Vhcrcver mnn is found!

Goel speed His Word!

Lo! what emba ttled foes, Stern in their hate, oppose God's holy \Vorel; One for His truth we stand, Strong in His own right ha nd, Finn ns n. mn,r tyr band.

Goel shield His Word!

No. 2.

cliscoYery of unlmown. lands and in the exploring of polar regions. But all these achievements are as nothing beside the benefits and ~lessings :flowing from the conversion of souls. · How gladly should we help in a work which brings such great blessings! Our helping in such a work will bring a. blessing also to ourselves. "He that winneth souls is wise," Prov. 11, 30.

Boundless Grace.

Jiow bomulless is the grace of God ! "Not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to 1·epentance," 2 Pet. 3, 9. His love 1s for the whole Omvnrd shall be our course, world, and the Savior, the gift of His love, is for Despite of fraud nnel force; c,·cry sinner, and the Gospel, the message of His Goel is before; His Word ere long slmll rnn love, is to all men. ConsicJer what that means! l•'rce ns t.he 110011-dny sun; Look at the worst of men : nt those in .the dark His purpose must be done: regions of heathen cruelty and most shameful and God bless His Word! Amen. devilish wi9kedness; at those in the hiding-places Bclc::ted. of iniquity and sin; at those who dwell where vfoc rules and misery has her home; at those whose A Blessed Work. faces bear the seal-marks of Satan - all these God Think of the blessing attending mission work! would have "come unto repentance." And therefore When a soul is saved, a blessing comes to the saved He would have us bear to them the message of His one both here and hereafter, a blessing comes to his IO\•e. "Preach the Gospel to every creature !" is His family, a blessing comes to his circle of acquaint- command. n,nccs, a blessing comes to the church, a blessing "It Is Written."

-comes to the world, a blessing comes even to heaven; for "joy slrall be in heaven over one sinner that reOur Savior, when tempted by Satan, chose as pcnteth, more than over ninety and nine just perHis defense some word of God. "It is written," He sons which need no repentance," Luke 15, 7. Men said again and again, and with the written Word boast of what has been done by heroes on battlefields, by wise men in_the councils of nations and in of God overcame all the attacks of Satan. In this the pursuits of science, by brave navigators in the He is an example to us which we should follow in

The Lutheran Pioneer.

10

i 'l'he Author of this sacred ordinance is He who all temptations and trials, as that olcl Christian can say. 0£ Himself, "[ am t he 'l'ruth, the Way, ancl woinan did who had to suffer much from the tempthe-Life," aucl who says of His worcls: " Hetn-en and tntions of the devil. 'l'he pastor, :finding her one dav lookincr rather downcast, said to her: '"Vcll, earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pa s 0 away." Such being the case, we may rest assured Betty, what is wrong with yon to-clay?" ".Ah!" replied the dear old woman, "he's been that when He tells us that He in the Holy Supper g h·es us H is body and bloocl, it is as He sa.ys. Yes, at me." · "And what l1ns he been saying to you ?" asked we may be certain that His worcls: "This is my the pastor. body; this is my bloocl," are absolutely positive, "He's been sn.ying to me," replicu Betty, "that infallible, and inclis1mtablc; and it is the height of it is all a delusion; that the Bible is a. lie; t hat presumption on the part of any man to doubt these there is no heaven, no hell, no Savior; that I am words. not saved; that it is all a delusion."

Again, let us not forget that He who instituted ".And what clicl you say to him ?" asked the 'this Sacram ent is t he almighty Goel, the Conqueror pastor. oi sin, dea th, ancl helJ, the Creator and P rcse1·vc1·, "Say to him!' sa id Betty; "I knew better tha11 who upholcls nll things by the wonl of His power. thnt; knew ther.c was no arguing with him ; I just · Why should it, then, be im po:sible for H im to g ran t referred him to the Lord, bring ing a. Bible text us what He promises, and actually to gi,·c tis the against him; he can't stancl that." legncy of His body and blood which He has bequeathed us in H is testa men t? It woulcl certainly be a strange inconsistency to aclmit the omnipotence Of the Lord's Supper. of Cluist, and yet to cleny the possibility of H is making goocl the bequest He makes us in H is ITS AUTHOR AND F OUNDER. testament.

The holy evangelists tell us that the Holy Suppe1· But not only is the F ou nder of this holy Sacrawas instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, we ment almighty, He is also all-wise. Woulcl it not }m6w that Jesus Christ is the Goel-man, the seconcl be strange that He should not be able to fincl ways Person in the Holy 'frinity. From this we may and means to keep His promise ancl cause the 1·cal conclude that the Sacrament of the .Altar, institntecl presence of His body and blood, inexpl icnblc as we · by so great an Author and confirmed by H is death, may :find such J)rcsencc? Can we clouut fo r a momust inclcecl be a great and sacred ordinance, aml ment that the all-wise _Goel, who planned U1c wo rks that it is wholly out of place for mere man, who is of Creation ancl l?cclemption, nncl who also wonthis great Founclcr?s creature, to judge this holy drously cffrriecl out His J>lans, sbonlcl uot be able to ordinance by orclina'ry laws of reason. cause His bocly and bloocl to be p1·csent in the Holy Let· us also remember that the Author o:f this . Supper? Surely, we could have but a poor opinion Sacrament is our Mediator, Intercessor, Shepherd, o:f Christ's wisdom were we to doubt His ability to Redeemer, our Priest and King, who, as He gave clo this!

His ·body and blood for our redemption, now in this Finnlfy, let us remember thn.t the F olmcler of Sacrament, wl1ich is His Testament, gives us the the Holy Supper is He who was ordained by God means which procured :Cor us redemption. Not only to be the Judge o:f the quick and the dead, and that did He give His body ancl blood as an atonement for He has cleclared: "'l'he word that I Juwe spoken, qur sins, but He in this Sacrament bequeaths to us the same shall judge him in the 111st clay," Johu this treasure which ]ins redeemed us: 12, 48. From this we mn.y conclude that they who 'l'he Founder of this Sacrament is He ,,,ho out refuse this worcl of Christ's testament will find that of great love gave His life for us and died the most e,•cn this word will judge 1111<1 condemn them at the ignominious death on the cross in Qur stead. And Inst day.

F. J. L. in His Inst will nnd•testament He would now give us the surest pledge and token of His love. But The Believer ls a Lord and Also a Servant. what better token could He give us to assure us o.f His lo,•e than that body which Ile gave for us, and Faith makes thee a lord O\'Cr all things, but that blood which He shed for us for the ~miss:~n of• our sins ? love make!> thee e,•ery. person's servant. -_L1tthc·r. w

I

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

Faithful Unto Death.

I ,

In the clays o:f Julian the Apostate, emperor of Rome, there lived a staunch and devout bi hop, l\fortin Arctlrnsa. Em1>cror Julian, though reared · in the Christian fnitl1, set before himself the diabolical task to drive Chri tiunity Ol1t o.f his empire and to enthrone heathenism once more in all its former outward glory. H e thereupon clctcrminerl to build n. magnificent hcatl1cn temple, nud sent forth the command t hat i t should be erected by the labo rs of the Ch ristians under the spiritual care o.f Bishop Martin. He who sl1ould tlare to rn[usc would clo so u1)on pain of death. 'l'rembling with fear, the Christians obeyed; but upon t he efforts of the bishop, who chided them because o! the weakness of their faith and of Lhchcrvile fear of man, thcil· courage revived, and they left thcit· unholy work clctcrn1incd to die m thcr than build a temple in honor of the heathen gods. "hen the Em1>cror heard of this, he was cnrngccl beyond measure and ordered Bishop i\Iartin to be s11111monecl before him. He was shrewd enough to know that the opposition of the Christians cdulcl only be overcome by winning the bishop over to his side, and to this task he zealously clirectecl his efforts.

"I have not summoned you to judgment," said 1 ,Julian, "for I honor your spirit and )Our high and holy calling. B ut in order to protect my authority and clcli\,er my commands from public contempt, I sirnp]y ask t hat you take one stone nncl cany it to the temple. Upon so doing, you shall be free to go your way in pence."

Bishop Martin did not bestir himself, howc,·cr savage the glances the Emperor cast upon him.

Fearless, he looked the monarch in the :lace and snid: "l\iy sac1·cd office demnuds that with aH zeal I build up the kingdom of Goel; I nm not sent to carry stones for the erection of your heathen temple."

"You a.re· a rich mnn," cunningly .replied J ulillll; "all I ask is that you contribute the trifle of a farthing to this temple and I will set you free. H you refuse, death is certain." .

"Then let death come," was the •reply, "for I nm in your 1>ower; but all I have and hold belongs to niy King and Savior. How can I be guilty of robbing Him of His own and laying it at the feet of your false gods?"

"What is a farthing, l\fnrtin? Consider well, for your life is hanging in the balance."

11

"It is a sin you require o.f me, and my salvation is hanging in the balance. There is nothing to consider. Let you r sen•ants step forth to lead me to death. I nm ready!" "'1\• o, Martin, I wish to sa\"C you. I admire your · courage; but here i my last o.lier : Take the rnallcst g rain of the frankincense, which my servan t ~iall ofter you, and cast it into the incense bowl here before the image of my god. Consider, it is only a small grain; t he bowl belongs to me; you arc at li ber ty to belic,·c as you please, only go Uuough the fo rm :for my sake, i\lartin, and you shall be .f rcc to pi-each ancl teach as you like. If you 1·cfuse me this, to-clay shall be your last."

"You say it is but a grain, Emperor," w~s the heroic re po11sc of the bishop; "I tell yon thnt this small grain, whose touch I can scarcely feel with my finger, would rest as the weight of a (!l0tmtain upon my soul in the eternal world were i now to obey you. No, my lord, spare your pains, your i.irts, and your threats. -I have no offering for your gods."

J1;1lian's rage now knew no bou~as. Bisliop l\Cartin's body was stripped naked, besmeared with honey, bound to a stake, and giyen oYer to the merciless stings o.f wasps and other poisonous insects. 'l.'he Emperor had hoped to bring the bishop into subjection by this to1·ture, but in vain. The following clay the Emperor approached the body to find ~hat Martin hnd 1n·oyed himself faithful .unto death, and he. left the city with a sense o.f shame and with the conviction t hat som~ things in this world arc mightier than the word of an E mperor_. The faith of a true Christian, who will die rather than deny his Lord, is greater than the scepter of kings.

Tt'roni the . German.

0

Hope in Affliction.

In a. report of an asylum in one of our large cities the following f:ouchiug incident is related.

Oue o:f the inmates oi the Home suffered under a threefold affliction. She was blind, dea:f, and dumb. 'rl1e only way of communicating with her was by the touch through her fingers. A gentleman, who knew well how to do this, asked her one clay to express the hope that she had under her sad affiictions. She at once spelled on her fingers the following passages from the Bible: "I have learned ju whateYer state I am therewith to be content."

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me."

The Lutheran Pioneer.

12

rest nrnst be to hi m after his long day's work! .

Om loss is indecu his gaii1, ancl we rejoice with him at his deliverance from all evil. H is joy is 1mspeakable aucl f ull of glory. For "they that be wise shall shine as the brigh tness of the fir mament, aucl they t hat turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever aucl ever," Dau. 12, 3.

At Rest.

In the evening of Jamrnry 1- 1910, the ,,enerable and beloved P astor C. J. Otto Hanser, of St. L-ouis, Mo., entered into res:., at the ripe age of 77 years, 4 months; aml 3 d11ys. I~, his death our mission loses a warm fricntl and an eloquent ach·ocate. For many years he was a member of our Mission Board and also ccliLor of our German mission paper, wri ting many an earnest and touching nppeal for the mission cause, i11 which he at all l"imcs took a, lovil1g :mcl acth-e interest. Ile lovml

Scr rn nt of Goel, wcJI clone! n c ~t from t hy lo,,cd employ ; '.l.'hc lm LLlc fought, t he victory won,

E ntl'r Lh~• irai;tc r's joy!

Which Penny Was Lost?

·

t

Rev. C. J. Otto Hanser.

t

mission work, and his heart was fillecl with a passion for saving souls. 'rherefore the ministry of the Gospel, in which he faithfully se1"ved for 50 years, with wonderful activity and cheerfulness, was· a delight to him. The pulpit was his throne. 'l.'o preach the unsearchable riches of Christ was to -b1m a source of the purest joy; and not to be able to preach, the cause of keenest sorrow.

The memory of this powerful evangelical preacher, this wise, kind, faithful pastor, this zealous, warm-hearted friend of missions, will be kept green in the large circle of those that knew him and loved him. Having finished his course in fai~1, he now rests from his labors. How sweet that

When Walter Bagster was a Httlc boy, h is mother one evening ga.vc him t wo pennies, sa.ying : " One of them you will give foi· missions, to con ver t t he poor heathen, will you not ?" 'l'he boy made no reply, but wished to play with the coins a while before putting one into his mission box and the other into his savings bank. P retty soon he came_to his mother weepil1g and said, " One of the pennies has rolled away, and I cannot find it anywhere." " \"\7ell, Walter," said his mother, " whic!1 penny did you lose, yom penny or the one for the poor heathen?" 'l'his seemed a hard p1·oblem to solve, and little Walt~r thought about it for a while. 1\.t last he sai d, "My penny I gave got yet ; it was the other penny that I lost."

H is mother said it was time now to go to becl, and asked him to consider the matter again and to tell her in the morning which penn y he had lost.

He seemed to be buried in cleep thought as he kissed his mother good-night.

The next morning little Walter •came running with beaming face and exclaimed: " Mother, it was my penny after all that was last ; the other one belongs to the poor heathen."

The mother smiled and said, "So I thought right away. But see, here is your penny also. After you' had gone to bed I found it m1der the wardrobe." 'rhis boy grew to be a pious young man and a lover of mission work. In due time he became a · missionary to Africa, where he died in Christ and in peace, after having labored faithfully among ,the poor heathen of that clark continent. 'l.'HE believer's life is a life hid with Christ in God.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Jesus Sinners Doth Receive.

Some years ago a village in South Africa was swept away by a flood, the inJiabitants tl'ying to save themsel\les in every possible way. 'l'he missionary and his peo1Jle got a boat ready to help wherever they could. 'l'hey soon noticed a mother · with her child swimming· on a board on which a mat _had been laid. 'fhe woman made great efforts to steer clear o.f the logs posts, and other obstacles that were floating on Lhe wildly rushing waters.

When the missionary came ;nearer with his boat, he hcai"tl, not cries of lamentation, but the words of n. familiar hymn. ln t he .face of death the poor African woman sang from a hymn which she had learned nt t he Lutheran mission station:

13

the members of con Ccrcncc had occasion to discuss one or the oihcr point o.f the various topics, or to ask questions regarding them. Oonfercnce devoted most o.f its time listening to au essay of Prof. J. Ph. Schmidt, in which he dwelt on the important question, "How to Keep Our Young _People with the Church." Since this paper is so very timely and instructive, the essayist was asked by Conference to publish it in the PIONEEH. A paper by Teacher E. Reid, on tl1e Second Commnndment, was also taken up, but could not be :finished. In one of the business meetings Prof. N. J. Bakke pointed out to the brethren the necessity of having a uniform system in our parochial schools. Conference decided to meet a cln.y sooner in _summer and to devote this time to the wclfal'c of our schools.

" Jc ·us s inners cloth rccch·c ! ·• Mc, too, hnt,h rccch•cd t.ho Sn.\"ior, Opening hca\"en, 1,hnt 1 mny li rn· \\Tit h my Loni in bliss foro,·cr -

Suddenly thcte was a crash. 'l'he boiucl had struck a. log. l\Iother and child snnk into a watery grave, but their souls passed into the opened heaven, with the singing of that hymn: 'l'he missionary and those thnt were with him uncovered .t hei1· heads ancl prayed the last lines of the hymn: Gla dly, t.hen, t.his world I leave; "Jc. us sin11c1;; cloth rect!ivc ! "

Are you also pTepa1·ecl to die, knowing that J esus suffered and died for you and receives e,•e1·y sinner thnt comes to Him fo repentance and in faith?

Greensboro Items.

Immanuel Conference convened for its winter session at Immnnuel College during the week following Christmas. Fourteen· missionaries were present, six pastors, four professors, and four · teachers.

Rev. H. Messerli, o.f Concord, N. C., who had entered this field of the Lord's vineyard last foll, was received as a. new member. Rev. G. Mennen, of Greensboro, missionary among the white Lutherans, aud two theological students from our Immanuel College attended the meetings as guests. All four sessions were opened by addresses on pastoral topics.

Prof. F. Wahlers spoke on "Announcements," Rev. J. Alston on "The Pastor's Relation to the Brethren," Re,,. F. Ford on "The Pastor's Relation to the Children," and Rev. H. Messerli on "The Pastor's Preparation for His Sermons." After the addresses,

Prof. M. Lochner's Residence at Greensboro.

On the evening of the .first clay of conference Rev. J. l\IcDavid preached a sermon, and the Lord's Supper was celebrated.

The second residence to be erected on the college campus in accordance with a resolution of Synodical Conference, is now completed. It is occupied by the undersigned, to whom the inspection of the college has been assigned. 'l'he dwelling was dedi-" catecl on December 28. A few, guests were invited to the celebration. Pl"Of. N. J. Bakke delivered a very imp1·essive adch-ess on Ps. 144, 15: "Happy is that people whose God is the Lord."

Christmas was celebrated in the usual manner at_Immanl!el College by a ci1ildreu'~. senice o;n th.e e,·ening of December 24, and by a service with preaching, on the morning of December 25.

M. L. A PROUD man is seldom a thankful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

14:

Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.

In the north of Europe is a mountainous country called Sweden. Its winters are long, snowy, and cold. Its summers arn short, but very lovely and sweet-aired, especially in the valleys between the high mountains. . .

The people who live in that country arc noted for their industry and contentment. One morning, n long time ago, a certain king of Sweden, called Gustn,-us the 'l'hird, was riding tluough a village in one of the beautiful valleys, not fo.r from Stockholm, the capital city. As he rode along he saw a young girl filling a. pitcher with water that gushed from the cool rocks which overshadowed the roadside. He stopped at the fountain and asked the girl for a drink. She knew not the stranger, but gracefully stepped forward and lifted the pitcher to his lips as he sat upon his horse. She was evidcntly very poor, but her kindness, so tcmlerly expressed upon her face, and her artless politeness, attracted the king's attention and touched his heart.

Judging by her appearance that she ·was a child of poverty, he told her, that if she wo1~ld go to the city with him, he would find her a nice and pleasant home.

"Ah! good sir," said the girl, "God placed me here, and I am not anxious to change niy position in life. I am content, and if I were not content, it would be impossible for me to accept your kind offer."

"Indced I Why not?" said the king in some surprise.

"Because my mother is poor and sick," said the girl.

"And you stay at home and take care of her?" asked the king.

"I am her only help and companion;'' said the girl, looking upon the ground with a genuine mode.sty that won the sympathies of the royal stranger.

"I am happy in my lot, and am thankful that I · can take care of· and 'Comfort the one so dear to me.

No offer, 'however tempting, could make me leave my dear mother." ''Where is your mother?" asked the king, becoming more and more ·interested in the noble girl. ' 1In that hut, by the side of the road," said she, pointing toward the hµm.ble dwelling. It was ~ low, tho.t.ched building, covered with moss a~d vines, ,,ery neat and clean, _but. so old and weatherworn that it gave but a poor shelter in time of cold and

storms.

'l'he kiug alighted from his horse, and went with the gh-1 into the hut, to see her mother. He found her sick and suffering, lying upon a bed of straw, a pale, thin woman, looking forwanl to the grave only as a bed_of rest - sweet rest. The king was almost overcome at the pitiable sight, ancl said, while tears came into his eyes, "I feel sorry, mother,. to find you so poor and so sick."

"Yes, yes, my clear sir," said the woman, in a feeble voice; "but I am so glad that God has givcn me a loving daughter. She is always trying to 1·elievc me,. a.nd is 1ny constant comforter. May God in His love remember her ancl bless her - my dear, dear child!" and her voice was choked back hy sobs, and ·her face was covered with tears. 'l'he good king wept with : the poor widow.

Smely, the angels in heaven rejoiced ovc1· that meeting in the lonely hut. He gave the daughter a pmsc of gold, and cl.ircctcd her to a better house, where she ancl her mother might be comfortable, sayin'g , as he left, "Go on, my young friend, in your way of dutiful love and care, aucl you shall not be in want while I have means to help yo u. I am your king. Farewell !" ~ Ancl the king never forgot the poor fainily. Ile had n sum of money sent to the woma n regularly for her support; ancl at the mothc1·'s den.th he gave the daughter n handsome fortune.

Young renders, remember the Fourth Commanclment, which is the first commandment with promise: - "Honor thy :father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and thou ma.yest live long on the earth."

----►------

St. Matthew's, Meherrln, Va. This church is located-near· the village of M:ehcrrin, which is partly in Lunenburg and partly in Prince Edward County. At tins place the old Richmond and Danville Railway is crossed by the new Virginian Road, from Roanoke to the sea.

Qlimate and soil here are fairly good for· farming. ?ifost of· the land, however, is neglected and is growing fo1·ests and bushes. A number of German Lutheran families from the North live in the co1mtry. round. '!'hey arc a source of hope, both for ~illing the soil and for the ,future of the Lutheran church in this part of Virginia.

Our colored people do a }jttle farming; but most of their work is wh~re they ca~ find employ-

,,

The Lutheran Pioneer. ment, for .instance, on the. milroads ancl at tl1e sawmills; ancl many, both men ancl women, work in the Northem States much 0£ the time. •r110sc at Yonk- . crs, N. Y., arc cared for by Pastor A. Yon Schlichtcn. Absence from home of one or the other of the parents renders the right bringing up of the 9hildren a difficult matter-. ' A number of older members arc faithCul i n attending services, and snppqrt the work with willing hearts. Some younger ones arc learning to do so.

A very olc1 member, .Aun '.l'aylor, is blind, and has been qlii tc helpless for some twcl ,·c ycaTs. S he is cared for by members of our congregation. Her children arc not of om· clmrch and li;1vc given her uo l1clp. .

Our Boan1 of Missions, unable Lo ·ccnre a regl1lar, Tcsidcnt pastor for this stit_tion, has requested me to serve it tempomrily. November 20th of the past year, I was introcl uced to the work :incl to the 1>eop.lc by Pro£. l\farti11 LocJu;er, of Greensboro, N. C. Since that day, I have preached nt St. Matthew's every Sunday. I once administered the Lord's Supper there to twenty-seven communicants.

We have a number of children, ancl a school for them is a chief necessity. For at least five years they have hacl no good school. .All arc sadly untrained. November 20th I rcopcnccl the school, and thfrty-one were enrolled before Christmas. One day was very rainy, and not n pupil came. Most of them Jive one to two miles from the church ancl s~hool. Our people here, as elsewhere, have some offenses and troubles because of sin; many are weak. Pray for us!

J. ·S. KoJNEn.

NOTES. BELL A.1~D ORGAN NEEDED. -The hearts of the members of our Colored Lutheran churcli at Mount Pleasant, N. C., are macle glad by the prospect of soon getting their much-needed chapci for which they have been working £or some time. 'fhe contract · fo1• the new chapel lias bce_n gi\ren, nnd the work is expectec1 ~o begin very soon. Everything, we nrc told, is complete excepting a beJl and o.n .01·gau. These are still needed, ancl our people ot Mount Pleosnnt would be very thankful ana their joy woulcl be increased if this need would be supJJ1ief1 by the time the chapel is ·finishe:l. Any donation· to this end will be highly appreciated.

COLORED l\IcssroNs. - Speaking of "Lutheran Uissions for Afro-Americans," a writer in the Ltttlic1· Leag11,e Review says: "The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Amel'ica has been slow in taking up missionary work among the colored population. In the days 'before the war' many of our Southern clmrches had balcony seats reserved for the slaves, a.nd counted slaves among their most faithful members. Leading .men in our Northern churches used to say that it was utterly impossible to train .the emotional negro in accordance with Lutheran custom, to indoctrinate him in Luther's Small Catechism; that he could never appreciate t he Lutheran type and cultus. 'l'hc Missouri Synod [Synodical Conferen ce] lias taken hold of the problem more vigorously than any other portion of our Church and has pro,·ed, by her success; the fallacy of the t heory o.f the divines of a former generation referred to above. l\fay their example stir up all the other synods to the g1·cat importance of doing this missionary work at our very doors!"

.

CHEERt,'UL GrvEns. - The Rev. C. Wiebusch, who is laboring as Lutheran missionary among the native blacks on th'e western coost of Australia, relates in his latest l"eport that on a S1mclay evening, after the mission: services of the day, a member of the congregation of native Christians came to his study, and declaring that he considered it his duty to help support his pastor and teacher, laicl some money on the table ancl snicl to the missionary: "Half of this • money for you, and half for the teacher." l!e told the missionary that this was only the beginning, as he from now on would contribute regularly every week a certain sum towards the pastor's au:cl the teacher's salary. He also told the ·missionary that he considered it the duty of the congregation to support · the · two young men from the mission station who intended to prepare themsehres for mission work in church and school, and tl1nt both matters should be laid before the congregation for action. 'fhe next morning another member o:f the mission church, who had formerly, when asked for a contribution, ~lways excusecl himself by saying, "I am toQ poor to gh•e; I can ha.rclly clothe my family," brought 't he missionary a contribution towards the . pastor's and the teacher's salary, saying that he would give more later on. - 'fhese native ,blacks of A.ustralia are not wealthy but poor· nicn who have to work hard to support ltheir · families. God's Word hnlJ made them cheerful giYers £or the mission ca11se. Ap-

The Lutheran Pioneer.

16

precinting the blcssiugs brought to th~m by the missions of the church, they wish to prove their gratitude nnd to help support the mission nccord. ing to their nliility. They surely set others a good example.

THE MosT WIDELY CrncuLA.TE~ Bo01-:. -The Bible )ins been called the greatest missionary, as it goes into all lancls ancl llocs its mission work among n.11 nations. It is the most widely circulatecl book. This has recently been challenged ancl n claim put in for the Chinese nlmannc, printed in Pekin, whose annual edition is said to reach 8,000,000 copies, none of which we are told are ever returned to tlie printer. 'l'h~t is certainly nn enormous circulation, but, ns the Lonclon Book Monthly points out, the Bible, "allowing for the mnny langunges in which it is printed, outdistances even those figures. It is said that the Bible exists in more than five hundred langunges nncl dialects, and it is calculated that its sale in those is something like 12,000,000 copies a, year: No publication of any kind has. the same circulation as the Bible."

A ConRECTION.-In our January number it was erroneously stated that the class of catechumens confirmed at Rocks, N . C., numbered 41. The number of catechumens was 14.

. This is _t.hc. first number of n. quarterly publication, the nun of winch 1s to be n snfc "Uidc to Bible renders, lend· ing t.hcm into the conect \~1dcrstnmling of whnt t hey rend, nnd thus rendering t.hcm n. service similar to thnt which Philip rendered I.he Ethiopian, wl10 in nnswcr to Philip's question: "Undcrstnndest thou what thou rendest !" snid : "How c:m I , except some mnn should guide me!" nnd who wns then led by Philip t o understand what he was reading, .Acts S. .Such service must be welcome to t.hc student of God's Word, nnd we doubt not t.hat the Bible l1011r, with its cxplnnntory and pract ical noles, will pro,·c mo. t helpful to Bible renders, cspccinlly to tcncl1crs nnd members of Bible classes in our Sundn.y schools.

Acknowledgments.

Received for Colorccl il/issio11s from the following cong rcgntions: i.\fount Cnlmry, Mount Pleasant, N. C., $3.00, Zion, Gold Hill, N. C., 2.50, Concordia., Rockwell, N. C., 1.55, i.\:Count iion, The Rocks, N. C., 1.50, Bethlehem, i.\1011roc, N. C., 2.:iO, St. James, Southern Pines, N. C., 2.50, Mount Zion, New Orleans, La., 35.00, Bethlehem, New Orleans, Ln., 30.00, St. Paul, New Orleans, La., 35.00, Na.polco1willc, Ln., 15.40, i.\Innsum, La., 16.00, St. Pnul, Charlotte, N. C., 7 .50, Mount Zion, i.\feycrsvillc, N. C., 2.50, Grace, Concord, N. C., 10.00, Sandy Ridge, N. C., 10.00, St. John, Salisbury, N. C., 6.75; St. :Matthew, i.\:Cchcrrin, Va., 7.14, Grace, Greensboro, N. C., 3.00. Totqj, : $101.84.

St. Louis, Mo., Jnnunry 17, 1010.

H. L. D0EDERLEIN, 'l'·l"eas.

848 E. Prai rie Ave. Received of Re,•. G. Schroeder, Luir.crnc, Jown, for students of Immanuel College, ns n Christmas gift, from Lenn, Hcrmnn, and Henry Paulson $3.00. Hearty I.hanks to the kind donors!

N. J. BAKKE.

Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches.

NEW ORLEANS, LA.

Care for Children.

An Englishman, visiting Lutheran Sweden, was surprised at the care taken in educating the children. He thought such an education must be rather costly. He was told: "We Swedes are not ricli enough .to let a child grow up in ignorance, misery, and cr~me to become a scourge to. society· as well as a disgrace to itself and the family."·

BOOX TABLE. DES SouTn DAKOTA-DISTRTKTS dcr Deutschcn Ev.-Luth. Synodc von l\Iissouri, Ohio u. a. St. Concordia. Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 12 cts.

Contains nn im1>ortnnt, instructh•c pnper on "The Distinctive Doctrines of the Reformed Church Bodies and of tho Lutheran Church."

DBl'ITER SYNODA.J.DEllICHT

TnE BmLE Hotm.

.An nid to systematic Bible study for Lutbernn Sundny Schools, Young People's Societies, and tho Christiun Homes. Reu. Adolf T. Hanser, Editor. Published quarterly by Lutheran Publishing Co., 214 Southampton St., Buffa.lo, N. Y. Prica for one year: One copy, 00 cts.; 10 copies, $5.00; '25 copies, $12.00; 50 copies, $20.00.

St. Poul's Chapel, 1025 Annette St., near N. Clnibornc St. ;

Albert Witt, Pnstor. · Divine Services: Sundny, 11 A. M. and 7.30 P. Jlt.; \:'i7cdncsday, 7.30 P. lit. ill 011nt Zioa Olmrch, Franklin and Tlinlin. Sts.; Ed. C. Krause, Pnstor.

Divine Services: Sundny, 11 A. M. nnd 7.30 P. l\l. ; Thursday, 7.30 P. Jlt. Bethlcl1cm Chapel, 'Wnshington Ave. and Dryndcs St. ; G. M, Krnmer, Pastor.

Divine Services: Sundny, 11 A. M . nnd 7.30 P.· Jlt.; Thursday, 7.30 P . ll. Sunday School: Sunday, 10 A. lit.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Oliurcli.

Divine Services: Sunday, lQ.30. A. lt. and 8

P. M.

TERMS: TnE LtnIIEBAN PIONEER is published monthly, payable fa advance nt the following rates, postage included, to-wit: l Copy .•...............•... $ .25 10 Copies .......•.........•. 2.00 25 Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . • . • . . . • 5.00 50 Copies . . . . . . . . . • • . . . . . . . . 0.00 Club rntes only nllowcd if all copies arc to be sent to one nddrcss. - Jn St. Louis by mail or cnrricr, 35 cents.

All business communicn.tions to be addressed to Concordia Publishing House, Jefferson A,·e. nnd Minmi St., St. Louis, Mo. .All comnmnicntions concerning tlle editorial dcpnrt• ment to be addressed to Prof. R. A. Btscnoi,T, Couowr, Cntnwba Co., N. C.

ar;ht Juthtran

♦

tontt~. -

______

A. MISSIONARY MONTHLY.

____,...

PunLISIIED nY ·ruE

EVANGELICAL

LuTmmAN

SYNODICAL CoNFERENCE OF No1tT11 AMERICA.

R . .A.. BISCHOFF.

EDITOR.

Entered nL the PosL 001cc at St. Louis, i\lo. , a s sc<'ontl•c·la~s rnalll•r.

Vol.

xxxn.

s·r.

LOUlS, MO., MARCH, 1910.

I Will Remember Thee.

No. 3.

trample under foot His holy will. He threatens to punish all that transgress His commandments. It \\Then io the cros;; .I tum mine eye:;, is written, " Cursed is every one that continueth And r est. 0 11 Cal rn r~·, not in all things which are written in the book of 0 Lamb of God, my Sacrifice! the Law to clo them!" And again it is written, I wi II r emcmlJcr Thee. " The soul that sinnetli, it shall die." If we were to Remember Thee nml all Thy puin-1, be sa,·ecl from the curse ancl punishment which sin ~\ncl all Thy lo,·e to me; hacl brought upon us, some one, not subject to the Yen, while a brea t h, a pulse remain.;, Law of Goel, must take our place under the Law \Vill I remember Thee.

J . M ont90111cry. and bear its curse and the punishment of sin: for us.

- - --••-- -'l'hnt is just what Christ clicl when He offered Himself a sacrifice for our sins. He took the sinners' .

The Great. Sacrifice. place and bore the sinners' punishment, so that His 'l'Jie many sacrifices of which we rea<l in the Old righteousness might be ours. "He was wounded 'l'estament were but types and shadows o.f the great for our . transgressions, He was bruised for ohr sacrifice which was to be offered on Calvary. They ii1iquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon reminded the people of the promised Redeemer who Him, ancl with His stripes we are healed," says was to offer Bimsel:f to God as a sacrifice for the the prophet. "Clu·ist hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us," says sins of the world. '!' his 11ecleemer is none other than God's own the apostle.

"Christ· hath redeemed us." Our redemption is S01i, who became mau, in orcler to suffer ancl c1ie iii a finished fact. For the great sacrifice has been man's steacl. When in the fullness 9£ tinie "He accepted of Goel the Fi1ther as a full atonement :for nppearctl to put awa.y sin by the sacrifice of Himsin.

Goocl Friday is followell by Easter, and Easter self," John the Baptist pointed to Him, saying, brings us the glad ticlin!,rs : "Tlie Lord is risen ! ''Behold the Lamb o.f Goc1 which taketh away the sin of the world." Tu the suffering and clyiug He is risen iucleed !" In His resurrection we behold Savior we behold the spotless, innocent Lamb of the seal of God placed upon the atoning sacrifice Goel brought to the slaughter as a sacrifice for our of Cnh'ary. By raising Christ f1·om the dead Goel sins. "Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us," the Father elechirecl Himself perfectly satisfied with 1 Cor. 5, 7. He "hath given Himself for us, au· the sacrjfice· of His Son. 'l'he apostle says, "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet oll:erh1g ancl n sacrifice to Goel," Eph. 5, 2. 'l'Jint great sacrifice was necessary :for ·our sal- in your sin:;,'' 1 Cor. 15, l'i. But Christ i.s raised. vntiou. We arc sinners, subject to God's wrnth aueT Death couhl not hold Elim. '!'he grave liad to give punishment. ] 'or Goel is a just and holy Goel. He Him up. So our faith is not vain; we are no hates sin nncl must punish sin.. Sin is a, transgres- longe1· in our sins. Christ "put away sin by the sion of God's Law. God cannot suffer- man to sacrifice of Himself." The great sacrifice for sin

18

The Lutheran Pioneer.

has been accepted, and all its fruits and benefits are brought to sinners in the Gospel. Those who accept the Gospel and believe in Christ as the Sacrifice for their sin ha·ve "redemption through His

sinners be brought to a saving lmowlec1ge of what Christ in His infinite love has clone for them, so that they may be among those who shall stancl before the throne of the Lamb, singing the song of praise: "Thou wost slain, ancl hast recleemecl us to Goel by Thy blood out of every kinch-ed, ancl tongue, and people, and nation," 11ev. 5, 9, Of the Lord's Supper.

Christ on the Way to Calvary.

blood, the forgi"eness of sin, according to the riches. of His grace." 'l'hat great sacrifice is the only remedy for sin. '!'here is npne other. Christians know this. Therefore they are active in the missions of the Church, by which the Gospel of the Savior, who sacri.ficecl Himself for our sins, is brought to men for thefr salvation. The Christian's desire and prayer is that

WHAT h· Is. "It is the true body and blood of our Lord J"esus Ch rist, uncle!· the bread and wine, for us Cln-istiaus to eat and to clrink, instituted by Christ Himself." This is the ma terly answer which Luther gives in our Catechism to the question : "What is the Sacrament o[ the Altar?" In this brief answer, in tbe simplest worcls, is given us an exact presentation of what Scripture teaches concerning the T.,ord's S~pper. 'l'he visible, external signs in this Sacrament arc breacl and wine.

While Scriptmc nowhere tells us why Clu-ist chose these particular signs, ancl i10 others, as the carriers in this Sacrament, it must nevertheless, upon thoughtful consideration, at once be brought home to us how just these signs so beautifully typify tbc purpose of this Sacrament; £or as bread and wine no1uish and quicken the body, so the Lord's Supper has the purpose of strengthening .and quickening the soul.

Bread and wine, then, are the visible signs in this Sacrament, as water is the external sign in Baptism. '£hese signs are a part of the clivine institution, and must be used if we wish to celebrate • the Holy Supper. We 11ave no right to substitute . any otlier. signs for the bread and wine, aucl if breod nncl wine may not be had, of course the Lord's SupJ>er connot be celebrated. B1·ead, then, made of flour, and real wine, the juice of the grape, must be used, for these are ·the visible signs which Christ

The Lu.thera;n Pioneer. usctl when Ile instituted this Sacrament. But nothing depends upon the form or color oI these signs. 'l'he bread may be leavened or unleavened; it may be broken or cut, or made oI such a size that it may be received readily by the mouth without previous cutting or breaking. The bread which we use in our church is particularly made for the p_urpose from finest flour and water, and it is made of such a convenient size that i~ requires no breaking.

And in using these wafers, we a1·e in no way clepa1·ting from Cluist's institution; for the only reason Ile broke the bread was for the pmpose of distribution. Certain churches attach great impOJ·tance to the breaking of the bread at the celebration oI this Sacrament. 'l'hcy insist upon the use of orclina1·y bread, and demand that it be broken according to the words of institution. But if really anything depended upon the form and upon the resemblance of the bread now used to that which Cln·ist used, it is certain that our wafers, made of pure flour and water, far more resemble in for!n and manner of making the unleavened paschal bread used by our Savior than does the ordinary breac1 we use at our meals.

As to the wine, it is important only that it be wine, real wine, that is, the juice of the grape. We do !mow that Christ gave His disciples wine, and thcrcCorc wc also must use wine. But whether the wine we usc be red or white is immateri!11. So. also it is oi no importance whether we dilute the wine with water or not. We may be certain that if Christ had attached any importance to these things, He would have not left us in doubt a~out it £01· a moment.

While speaking of these external matters, it might be well to _call attention to another thing upon which some denominations place great importance. They claim that om manner of distribution is wrong; that the communicants should not recei ve the bread and wine directly with the mouth., but should first take the bread and cup into their hands and then themselves bring it to thei1· mouths.

As though a person could . not receive bread and wine immetliately with his mouth ! The child that ents from its mother's hand is smely receiving its food as truly as is the larger child which first tukes the piece of bread intQ its hand and then brings it to its mouth. The important thing in the Holy Supper is, that we receive the brencl and wine with om mouths and then eat and drink it, and it is nltogether unimpol'taut whether the communicant first holds the bread ancl cnp in his hand or not.

19

LI such externals are of any consequence, why, then, do we not celebrate the Holy Supper at night? Why do we not, then, lie upon divans around a low table?

Why do we not use the Jewish unleavened paschal bread?

F. J. L.

Longing for Chri~t.

A little boy on his deathbed was asked where he was going. "'l'o heaveu," said the child.

"And what makes you wish to be there?" ''Because Christ is there."

"But," said a friend, "what if Christ should leave heaven?" ''Well," said the child, "I will go with Him." It is Christ that .forms the believer's truest want.

Where Christ is there is heaven. Heaven cannot be heaven wi thout Him. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians that he had "a desire to depart and be ioith Oliri.st."

The Glorious Savior.

It is impossible, says Luther, for a man to be a Christian without having Christ; and if he has Christ, he has, at the same time, all that is in Christ. What gives peace to the conscience is, that by faith our sins nre no more ours, but Christ's, upon whom God hath laid t~em all, and that, on the other hand, all Christ's righteousness is ours, to whom God hath given it. Christ lays His band upon us, and we are healed. He casts His mantle upon us, and we are clothed. He is the glorious Savior, blessed forever !

Sponsor and Father.

When the jeweler Hissrich at Stuttgart was requested by a shoemaker to be sponsor at the Baptism of one of his children, he replied : ''YOU cannot make use of me; for I have a. custom of praying to the Lord for my god-children, that He would take them home early, if there were any danger of their walking in the ways of error later in life or even of being lost." The father of the child replied: "I take no offense at this. On the contrary, for this ,1 ery reason I can make use of you as sponsor, for I also thus pray to the Lord for my children every day." -From· th-e German.

..

h :I

20

{.l'he Lutheran ..1:'ioneer.

Salvation Free.

A missionary among the Imlin.ns wns visitcll by a proucl and powerful chief, who hacl been deeply comricted of sin by Gocl's Law. But while trembling under a sense of his guilt, the Indinn was unwilling to accept the free offer of the Gospel as p1·esentecl to him by the missionary. Ile wanted to make some sacrifice of his own imcl pay something for the water of life. lle, thercfore, offerecl his wampum, nu ornament of beacls nncl shells, in order to escape the punishment which fie i'ea1·ed fot· his sins. 'rhe missionn.r y shoo}{ his head and said, ''No. Christ cannot accept such a sacrifice." · 'l'he Indian went away; but, unable to fiml rest, he came back and offered his rifle and the skins he had taken in hunting. 'l'he missionary again said, "No. Christ cannot accept such a _sacrifice."

-The wretched sinner withdrew, but he found no peace and came back once more, offering his wigwam, his wife, his children, and a.11 that he had, if he could only buy pardon and etemal Ii fe. 'l'hc missionary had to say again, "No. Christ cannot accept such a sacrifice."

The Indfo.n chief stood for a moment, with his head bowed, as if in despair. Then raising his . streaming eyes to heaven, he poured forth his heart iu a cry of full surrender, " Here, Lord J esus, take poor Indian!" He gave himself up to Christ just as he was, and accepted the forgiveness of sins which has .been secured by Christ being macle a sacrifice for us and which is offered to all sinners in the Gospel without money· and without price.

his '.1.'cstnmcnt nncl t11mecl to the 15th chap ter of l!' i rst Corinl;hian. , where the apostle speaks so powerfully oC the rcs11rrccl.ion of Christ. He reucl verse by \"Crse, a.ncl by t he H oly Spirit's grace the I.Tnth was carried home to his heart. When he had finished the chapter, tears of repentant joy rollecl down his ch eeks. As he closed. tf1e book, he said to his wife, " My clear, blessed be God, I n.m back again at last upon the olcl rock to die !"

Assurance or Faith. '!' here was on olcl Scotch woman whom the folks called " Old Nanny." She had bee11 sick f or many years ; she wns bed-ridden and 11ea1· the end of her long and weary pilgrimage. But she was of good cheer, for she r ested as ·a poor sinner, wit h full assurance of faith, upon the finished work of t he crucified and risen Savior, ancl t rusted firmly in the promises of Goel given to all that believe i n Jesus. .

One clay a young minister sa id to her, "Now, Nanny, wlrnt if, niter all your trust in the Savior, ancl your wotcJ1ing and waiting, Goel should sufl:er your soul to be lost?"

Raising herself on her elbow, and turning to him wi th a look of grief and pain, she laid het· hand on the open Bible before her, and quietly saicl, ".Ah, clear me, is t hat all the length yon have got yet, ma.n ? Goel," sl1e went on ear nestly, " would have the greatest loss. P oor Nannie would but Jose lier soul, oncl tlrnt would be a great loss indeed; but God would lose His honor a.ncl H is chwracter.

H aven' t I hung my soul on His exceeding great nncl prc.eious· promises? And H H e break His word, He would make H imself a Jia.r, AN D ALL T H E

Baek on the Old Rock.

UNIVBllS F: WOUT.D ll USH IN'.t'O CONJWSION"."

Some years ago, a popular young preacher became entangled in the meshes of infidelity. He left the pulpit and joined an infidel club, ridiculing the name of Jesus, which he had preached to others as the only name given among m_en whereby we must be sa.ved.

Afte.r a while he fell seriously sick - "sick unto death," . ea.id the doctor. His friends gathered around him and tried t.o comfort Jtjm with their cold infidel theories. All in vain. As he lay there without comfort, Ms mind wanderecl back to the old Bible, ancl he thought of the doctrines he hnd formerly preachecl. B:c said to llis wife, "My dear, bring me my 'l'estament !" Upon liis bed he opened

Fleeing from This World.

Christians ought to· flee from this world. But how so ? Not by putting ou a monk's hood or by hiding in a corner or in the wilderness; for by this you clo not escape from the devil or from siu. But you must flee with yom heart tci keep it .unspotted from the worlcl, James 1, 27. Christim1s should live here ns pilgrims ancl sojourners, who seek after another, cterna.l kingdom, that is, they should abstain from ficshly lust ancl lend a godly life in all manner of goocl. works. - Luthe1·.

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

Singing the Gospel.

21 .

Word of Goel. When he li rst -en.me to the knowledrrc 0 t he , ' nvior of . i"nncrs, he hastily asked, " Where is Jesus?" and was ,·cry happy when told that H e sitteth on the l'ight ha nd of Goel aucl is with us alway, even un to t he c.md of the world. His only de ire now was to !Jc wholly with Jesus, the , avior. , 'cvcral tln.ys before his death he was baptized in the Christian faith. Ju pitc of his g 1·eat bodily weakness, his mind was very active, and by his ready answers to the missionary's questions he showed that he \\1as well grounded in the Christian doctrine.

Ile confessed himself to be a wretched, lost sinner, trusting in Christ as his only Redeemer from sin, death, ancl the devil. Ile joined the missionary in snying the Creed and the words of pra.y~r and conola ti011. Until the encl, in all his weakness and suffering, God's Word was his only treasure, strength, and comfort. He departed in peace to be at home with the L9rd. The funeral services were largely attended, the missionary speaking on the lepers' prayer, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us ! ' The body was then laid in the grave to rest u11 til the golden morning of a blessed resurrection.

or

A blaspheming sc:ofl'cr in London one evening began an jufltlcl ha1·nng11c to a crowd of workingmen who had gathered abou t him. When he fi nished, a railway porter stcppcu up in front and . aid : "Aren't you going to sing before you go away?"

"Oh, no," wns the reply, "we don' t sing." " Well, I do," said the por ter, ancl then at once bcgnn to sing a :few vcl'ses of Cowper's [amilia1· hymn: There i;; 11 fo unln in filled wit h bl ood, Drawn from .ln111rn1111el's Yein ; , \1111 inner-, plunged bcnca t.h t h:i.t. flood, Lo;;c a ll I.heir g uil t.y slnins . · T he dying t hief rejoiced lo sec 'l'hat. foun tain in his du~•; .t.\.nd I.here hn,·c 1, a . ,·ilc ns he. \\'a heel a ll my sin. nway.

On the next 11ight he met the same speaker and t he assembly at tbe same place, wi th a powerful accordeon under his arm. By his singing, with its musical acco mp:rni men t, he entirely drew away the audicuce from the infidel speaker, and sang to them _ the Gospel of J'csus Christ, to their delight and profit .

A Blessed Death.

F rom all heathen lands missionaries report the r eign of the fear of death. 'J'he heathen are without Christ aucl therefore withou t hope. 'l'heir death. is marked with ten or and despair ; for they know not the Son of Goel who became man, " that through death He might destroy him that J1acl the po,ver of deat h, that is, t he clcvil ; and deliver them who tllJ'ough :fear o.f death "·e1·e all theil' lifetime subject to bondage." Only the Gospel of the risen Savior, the Conqueror of cleath ancl the grave, cau free meu from this bondage 01 the fear of death.

'J.'his GosJJel proves its power also in heathen lands, -bring.iug sinners to :faith -in the living Christ, so that they clie a blessed cleath, mnl'kecl with pence ancl hope.

Of such n blessed clea.th one. of our missional'ies iu foclin. writes in one of his recent letters. It was the death of a poor Hiudu leper, who suffered much from the 1heaclful disease that crippled and cousumccl his body. 'l'he missionary for some time instructed him in the Christ_ian doctrines, ancl the poor sufferer gladly aucl thnnkCully received the

"It is Easter Day." On the fronti ei: of Austria, on a little stream called the Ill, is the town of Feldldrch. In 1799, when Napoleon was sweeping over the continent, Massena, one of his · generals, suddenly _appeared on the heights above the town at the head of 18,000 men. It was ll:aster Day, and the sun, as it rose, glitterecl on t_he weapons of the French at the top of the range of hills. 'l'he council o-f the town assembled to see what was to be done. Defense was impossible, and smrender was talked of. '!'hen the olcl Dean o.f the church stood up. "It is Easter Day," he said. '"Ve h1n•e been reckoning OD our ow11 strength, and that fails. It is the day of the Lord's resurrection. Let us ring the bell, and have sen·ice as usual, ancl leave the matter in Gocl's haucls. We know only our weakness, nucl not the power of God." 'l'hc French heard with surprise the suclclen dnngor of the bells, nncl couclucling thnt the Austrian arm~• hacl nri·ivccl in the night to relieve the place, :?ifossena suddenly b1·oke up his en.mp, nncl before the bells had ceased ringing not 11 Frenchmnn wns to be seen. Faith in Goel had saved the little town and nil its people. - 0. H.

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The Lutheran: Pioneer.

N.Ew Our.EANS. -In g1vmg the statistics of ~ricf cl111Jllcrs - each n~lomcd ,~•it,h 11!1 ~pposilc full-page 1llustr:1!.1on-n)1 ~xpe1·1cnct:'d c1Ly 1111s. 1011ar.,· >'peaks in our Lutheran churches in New Orleans, The South- earnest nml nllcclionntr lcrms lo lhc newh· confirmed ern JA1'll1cran, also adcls the statistics o.f our colorecl wnrning _I.hem against I.he _danger,, t.h:1t _bese'1, U1eir pnU; n. lhey J?Urne)'. throu"h l!rc. and po111t 111g out. to I.hem fo1theran mission stations in that large city. Our t he wny m wl11eh they, wi th ,fc,m " 11s their Guide. will three missionarv stations number at present 762 a,·oid :Lil dangers nml pro\'C foit.hrul t o I.heir conlirmnt.ion vow nnt.il I.he jo11rn11~· i c111lcd n111l t.he he:w enh· so1tls, 32, com;mmicant members, nucl 58 voting home i reached. - An 1.-;ngli h cd il,ion or I.he rnluablc members. 410 d1iklren attcncl the Christian clay hooklet mny he Imel n.t the snmc price, bcariug t he I.it.le: "B~: T1rou MY GuJin;!" . · schools, in which instruction >S gh•eu by G teachers and 1 assistant teacher. The Sunday schools are YXODA LllERICllT 01::s MITTU:REl'i ])1sT1tm-rs. 'oncordia Pnbli hing Hou e, 't . Louis, 1\lo. Price, 15 ct . attended by 309 pupils.

CITY M1ss10N. - From the same paper we learn that city mission work has been begun in New Orleans. 'l'he paper says: "This latest work of our church in this city has been carried 011 since the beginning of thjs year. Its object is to spiritually provide for our brethren in the various public and charifable institutions of the city, especially the sick in our hospitals, to lead into the way of salvation, if possible, such as are serving a sentence in prison, and to establish Sunday schools ancl mission stations in difterent parts of our city. The blessedness of this work can be better seen than tolcl. In our Charity Hospital there are. at present no less than fourteen brethren of our faith. The majority of these are not from this city. Some are from abroad, some from South America, and some from other States. Imagine t11e joy of these poor, friendless sufferers, to be visited and comforted by a mmister of their own creed!"

\

A SAD Loss. - A reader in St. Lows writes: "A sad loss has come to . our city nussion here in St. Louis in the death of Teacher 0. Katthain, who fell asleep in Jesus on the 4th of February, aged 34 years. For almost five years he, with great zeal and self-denial, taught our city mission school, instructing the children especially in the way o:f life aud leading them to Jesus, the children's Frieud.

His labors we1·e not in vain, and his memory is blessed in many a home of the poor and destitute.

'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them,' Rev. 14, 13."

BOOK TABLE. So .suut uv..s.s 1,u,:1.s•: IL\E.SIIE! Ein Mnlm- uml Trostbucchlein fucr luLhcrischc Ronflrmnndcn. Concordin.

Publishing House, St. Louis, '.Mo: Price, 20 eta.; spccinl rntcil when orclcre<I in qunntitics. .",. ncnt lit.tic \'Olumc, well printed, t.nstcfully bound, nnd ftllcd with wholesome nd,•i~ nnd admonition. In t-0n

'fhe cloct.rinnl paper. ba ed on Rom. :J, 21--4 , S, set.s forth inn. simple, nttract.i,·e manner t he nll-importnnl, doctrine or I.he "inner's ju UlicnUon. The wny of aim.I.ion i. I.herein mndc plain, and the trcnt.i e i well adapt.eel t.o strengthen .ihe fnith or God's children, 1111<1 to impart light to t.hc darkenccl under landing nncl comfort lo I.he troubled hen.rt of the anxiou inner.

Acknowledgment.

Rcccivccl for Colored Mi11sio11s from I.he follo~1·ing congregntions: St. John, ali ·bury, N. C., $2.50, Bethlehem.

Monroe, N. C., 2.50, St. Jnme , Southern l'ines, N. C., 2.50, Zion, Gold Hill, N. C., 2.50, Mount Zion, The Rocks, N. C., 2.00, Concordin, Rockwell, N. C., 3.00, '..\fount Cnlvnry, Mount Plensnnt, N. C., 3.00, '.Monnt. Zion, New Orlcnns, La., 35.00, Dct.hlehem, New Orlcnn . La .. 30.00, St.. Pnnl, New Orlc:111s, Ln., 35.00, t. i\fnt.t.hcw, '..\lehcrrin, Vn., 0.0 . Napolc01wille, Ln., 32. 15, '..\lnnsnrn La ., 0.35, t . Pnul, Charlot.tc, N. C., 7.50, i\!011111. Zion, '..\foycr.s\'illc, N. C.. 2.50, Grace, Greensboro, N. C., 3.00. 'J'o lal: $ 1 2.18.

St. Louis, i\Jo., Fei,run ry 10, l OIO. I[. L. DoEDER£.EIN, 'J'r cas.

84S E . Prairie .Ave.

Enngelical Lutheran Colored Churches.

NEW ORLEANS, LA. St. Paul's Oltapel, 1625 Annette St., near N. Claiborne St.;

Albert Witt, Pnstor.

Divine Seniccs: Sundn,y, 11 ,\. lll. nncl 7.30 r. lll.; \Vedncsdn.y, 7.30 l'. M. • illo1mt Zio1i Church, Franklin nnd Thnlin. Sts.; Ed. C. Kin.use, Pastor. · Divine Sen•iccs : Sundn,y , 11 A, l\C. n.ncl i .30 1•. M.; Thursdn.y, 7.30 r. M. Bctltleltcm Oltapel, Washington Ave. nnd Dryndcs St.; G. M. Krn.mcr, Pastor.

Divine Scn•ices: Sundn.y, 11 A. lC. nncl 7.30 r. 111.; Thursdn.y, 7.30 ·r. 11c. Sundn.y School : Sumln.y, 10 A. llr.

SPRrnGFIELD, ILL. 1Joly Trinity Clturc11.

Divine Services: Sundn.y, 10.30

A. ll,

nnd S

1•. 11r.

TERMS: TllE

PIONEER is published monthly, payable in advance nt the following rntcs, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copy .. . ......... . . ...... . $ .25 10 Copies . .. .. . .. . . .. .. .. .. . 2.00 25 Copies .. .. . .. . .. .. .. .. . . . 5.00 50 Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Club rntcs only allowed if nll copies n.rc _to be sent to one nddress. - Jn St. Louis by mnil or carrier, 35 cents.

All business communications to be nddresscd to Concordia Pnblislling House, Jefferson A,•c. n.ncl Miami ·st., St. Louis, M:o.

All com1mmientions concerning the cditorinl dcpn.1·tmcnt to be addressed to Prof. R. A. Btsonon,·, Conover, C11.tawb11. Co., N. C. LUTHERAN

~ht Juthrran tonrt~. ♦

A MISSIONARY lVIONTHLY. - - - --•--- - PunLISllED nY TllE EVANGELICAL L u TnERAN SYNODICAL CONFERENCE oF N01t-r11 AMERICA.

R. A. BISCHOFF,

EDITOR.

Entered nt the l'ost omcc at St. J.oms, Mo., as s crond•class mnttcr.

Vol.

xxxn.

ST. LOUIS,, MO., APRIL, 1910.

The Peace of the Believer.

Tha t which can shake U1c cross May shnkc t he pence it g:ivc ; I know t hat Chri I; for me hns clied, F or me has lert I.he griwe.

So, I.hen, my pca c • is s ure, 1101., cannot yield ; J esus, J know, 1111s clicd, and lh•cs 011 this firm Rock I build.

Jt will

. Christ's Peace. 'l'he riseu Christ came to His disciples with the greeting: "Peace be unto you !" These words were . not empty words. Ju these words Christ brought to His disciples from the cross and the grave the peace whfoh He had won in that fierce conflict, the marks of which He bore in His body, on His hands and His side. Christ , "macle peace through the blood of His cross," Col.. 1, 20. 'l'o this encl He came into the world. Therefore the angels sang of "peace on earth" when He was born. He came "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself," Hebr.

9, 26. For sin must be put away, if there is to be peace between God · and man. Sin is rebellion against Goel. It made us the enemies of the sinhating God and subject to His wrath ancl punishment. Christ "made peace through the blood of His cross," because in His bitter sufferings and in His painful death upon the cross He bore our sins and endured the wrath_of God in our stead. "The chastisement of our peace was upon Him," says the prophet. That is, the chastisement clue to us for sin was upon H1m, and so peace was made. He was punished in our stead, that we may have _peace.

No. 4.

The work which Christ came to clo is finished. 'l'he strife is ended. God is reconciled. Peace is maclc. 'l'his we see clearly from tlie resurrection of Christ. It was the risen Christ that came to the disciples bringing peace. It was His peace, the peace whfoh He had macle through the blood of His cross. Christ's peace is the whole Qlessing of His finished work. It includes the forgiveness of sin, deliverance from death and the devil, and eternal salvation. It is a peace which the world has not aud cannot give. It is a pence which is given by Christ only, who obtainecl it for us with His own precious blood. He gives His peace through the Gospel, which brings to sinners the forgiveness of sins. Where the Gospel is, in the preaching of God's Word, i~ Baptism and in the Holy Supper, there is the risen Savio1· with His "Pence be unto you." Blessed are those who by faith accept the Gospel and believe in Jesus, who in the Gospel speaks peace to troubled souls. In Him they have forgiveness of sins and are "justified from all things." They have peace; for it is written: "Being justified by faith, we have peac~ with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Rom. 5, 1. '!'here are so many that know not the way of peace, for they know not the Savior in whom alone we have pence. Therefore the Gospel is to be preached to every creature; for in the Gospel Christ preaches pence. The object of all our mission work is the bringing of Christ's peace to a restless world.

That makes it a blessed work in which every Christian shoulcl joyfully help. Christ "is our peace/' Eph. 2, 14. Only by believing in Him sinners have peace. But "how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how .shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach,

The Lutheran Pioneer.

26

T...et ns al so remember that the word of instit ut ion arc t he words of II cli,·ine ord inance, whct·e figmat ive language woul d be out of the q uestion, amt where the Lord, as a matter of nccc sity, woul d make use of the simplest a nd p la i)1est language, i n order that all misunde1·sta nding migh t be p rcOf the Lord's Supper. ,·cnted. An honest master, in gh •ing d irection to have heard of the ca1·t.hly, visible clemen ts hi scr vnn ts, will always be careful to make himelf plnin, and do you think t hat Christ woul d be in the Holy Supper. U nder t hese visible elemen ts, the bread -and wine, we receh·e, us our Catechism less curc[ul in expr essing H is will ? 'J.'h is becomes tells us, "the t rue boclv and bloocl of. om Lord J csus even more certain when we bear in m i.nd t hat t hese Christ." Let us well understand: the real, untural arc the worcl of H is la t will and testa men t. H ow acrcd in the eyes of men is a human testamen t ! body and t he real, nat ural blood of Christ arc g iven How much more sacred should be our Lorcl s testaus in the· Lord' s Supper. Now, this is inclccd a great mystery and beyond all human ulll1erstunding. ment a cxprcssccl in the words inst it uting t he H oly But t his gives us no reason to deny' its possibilj t_y, · S upper I Js it not a sacrilege, indeed, to alter it, as so many people in Christendom do. 'l'hcse people, or tamper wi th it in any way? namely, would ha ve us believe t hat the bread ,rncl On t he other hancl, let us not lose sight of the wine are merely to signi:f_y Christ's body and blood, Jact thut our Catechism says of t he Lor d's S upper: nnd that in the Lord's S upper we Cln·istians by " It is t he t rne body ancl blood of our Lo rel J csus faith are to partake of Christ and H is merits, while Christ, 11ncler the bread a.ncl wine." I f you wiU the true natural body of the Savior is in h ea ven. refer to 1 Cor. 10, 16, quoted above, you will see But' here, ~s in many other cases, the question tha t the apo t ie ays that bread nncl wine are as is: Shall we follow our human reason, or experience, t ruly presen t in the Holy . up per as a re t he body or the in:Cnlliblc teaching of Holy Scriptme ? Ch rist, and blootl. of Christ. 'l'hc brcncl rema in · brcncl, ancl when He instituted the H oly S upper, said as plainly the wine rcmnins wine, aucl th ey a rc not cha ngcc.l as He possibly could: " This is my body ; this is in to Christ's body ancl bloocl. T his is also exmy blood.". Yes, He even says : "'£his is my body pressly stated by the same a postle, 1. Cor: 11, 26. i S : which is given. for you ; this is my blood which is " As of ten as ye cat this bread ancl d r ink thi13 cup, shed for you for the remission of sins." ·'l'hc same ye do show forth the Lord 's dcnth t ill H e come. body that suffered and died for us on the cross, and But let a man examine l1i msclf, and so let him cat the very same blood that was shed for us in Christ's . of tha t bread ancl drink o:f thn.t cup.'' lt is certain, . passion, we cat and drink in the Sacrament o:f the then, that in t he L ord's S npJ>er we cat and drink Altar. _the true body ancl bloocl of Christ under t he bread But if this is ·n ot sufficient for you, read what and wine.

F. J . L. - - --•--- -Paul writes to the Corinthians : "The <:up of blessFollow Wher.e God Leads. ing whfoh we bless, is it not the com1nu,11.i o11, o.f the blood or Christ? 'l'he bread which we break, is it 'J.'hc Christian is bound to ·follow where God not the com1mu.wi,0n o! the body of Christ?" 1 Cor. leads. But if Goel leads, He makes n. way; and 10, 16. lf these• words of the apostle mean anyt hat way is not always J>leasing to the flesh. 'l'he thing at nil, it is this, that the body nncl blood of Christian must then clo as the Apostle Paul did.

Christ are really and truly presc?t and unitecl with Ile says: " I conCcrred not with flesh and blood," the bread and wine in the Holy Sup1ler. 1 Cor. Gnl. 1, rn.

11, 27 Paul writes: "Whosoever shall cat this b1·cacl nnd drink this cup unworthily, shall be gu.illy of Never Alone. tlic body a.1i,d 'lilood of the Lord." Wbo:t possible mea.11i11g can these words have, if the body and blood Supposed friends mny leave us in our cln.ys of o:C the Savior are not really present in the Sacra- need nncl sorrow, even us the swallows go away · in ment? How could an unworthy partaker of the our wintry weather. Still God's children are never Lord's ·Supper be guilty of the body and blood of alone. 'l'h~ir heavenly Father is with them accorcl the Lord, if the body and blood o:fi Christ were not ing to His promise: "I will never len.vc the~ no1· united with the bread I\.Dd wine? forsake thee." except tlie)· be sent ? as it is writtc11, How beaut iful nrc the feet o:f them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glacl t idings of good things !"

Hom. 10 14. 15.

"e

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

The Importance of Christian Instruction.

An agccl pastor write : " l low important and vnhiablc is the in truclion of children in Uhri tian schools! During my lorw rnini tr_y L luwc ministered to many old people on their beds oI •icknc:s, some or them nenr their cnc1. l ortcn found Urn!. they corn for tcd thcmsch·c with the cripturc pa age and h,vmn which they had learnccl a chilch cn . in Chri ·ti:m schools. "hen I quoted from the Bible, the 'atcchi m, or the hymn book the sick would often ta ke the pnssagc from my lips ancl finish it. T remember an old , father who rccitccl whole p alms, which he hacl lcnrnccl at. chool ancl ~\'hich ga\'C him much comfort in his old age and · m the cla •s of sickne~ . ' And Dr. N . cl necker, the great T.,uthc;·nn. divine, tells of a pious lnw_ycr who said in his Inst , siclrne s: 'Now T cc nml realize how useful it is to learn Gods \\ orcl from S,outh up. JJ~ot· this [ would n ow not t ake all the ,,~orld's treasures, monev ·" nnc] good. ; for when I call ~o· miucl what I lcamecl, l ha\'e from this chapter (ls. 53) more help and com for t than from all other books. Yes, I would lo. c nml forget ancl put nwny nil books rnthcr than miss this one chapter." ·

27

s~lc. B,·cry time the box is turned the Tartar con·s1cler that he ha offorccl one thousand prayers. . Wh~n we read or uch tllings it should fill us wi th pi ty for the c poor, ignorant creatures. It should also mnkc us glacl ancl grateful that we ha,•c the Gospel o'f om Lord Jesus Christ, which tells us of the true Goel, an<l how we may be saved.

The Lord's Pocketbook. . ''\\ ho. c pocketbook i thnt which you carry?" saicl. a frrcncl to n. bu incss mnn as he drew a wellfilled wallet from his pocket. " Why, my own of COUI' c. Whose else coul cl 1·t 1JC "" . wns t I1e prompt reply. "'.ro whom_ the pocketbook belongs depends on another question. If you belong to the Lord, I guc s the purse i His al. o." " Well," snid the man, thoughtfully, " [ do belong to the Lord · but your remark throws a new ligh t on this subject. It ne,·er impressed me befo'.·c, as it does ju t now, that I am to carry and use this pocketbook,. 'my pocketbook,' as my Lord directs. I must thi nk this matter out for I confess honestly I. ne,·er have looked at it i~ the light in which you place it."

Hov.: Some Heatl\en Worship.

The Carpenter's Dream.

'!'he people calJcd Gal)as, in Africa, worship a large tree, t hat grows on the side of one o.f their · rivers. Crowds come from every part of the country to ask of it everything they · desire: one asks · for health ; another, for money; another, fo1• good crops; another, that he may overcome his ei;iemies.

Only the men arc allowed to present their prayers at this spot. 'l'hey thmk • that females are not .

0aood enough to pmy to the great tree. · Another heathen tribe, callecl Tartars, have a prayiug machii1c. It is n round holJow box, fixed upright like 11, grindstone; a string leads from · it to what is called a spindle. By treacling on the spindle the mnchine turns round, just like a grindstone, when mcu sharpen their knives. In the iusidc of the box are rolled up long pieces of parch- · mcnt, joinecl together, sometimes to the length o.f several lmndrecl Iect. On the parchment a prayer is written over nud over ngain, perhaps as many as o. thousand times. When the box goes round the prayers n.rc moved nrouncl The heathen think that this is very pleasilig to their gods, aucl will snrely bring clown a. blessing. 'l'his is praying by whole-

A poor carpenter often s~icl to liimscl-f and others, "Jf I were only rich, I would show people h_ow to give." Ju his dream he saw a. P.yrmnid of silver dollars- all new, bright, and beautifu l. Just then a voice reached him, saying, "Now is your t ime! You are rich at Inst; let us see how liberul you m·c !" So he rose from his scat and went to the pile to tnkc .some money for charitable purposes.

But the Jlyrnmid wns so perfect that he could not bc1\1' to break it; he walked nil around it, but found ~10 pince wheri; he coul~l take a dollar without spoilmg the heap, so he clcc1clccl that the pyramid should not be broken ! - ancl then he nwoke. Re awoke to know himself, nnd to sec that he would be liberal only while he was poor.

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_ 'l'herc is·1i time to wl!isper, to tnlk, nnd to laugh. )' cs. But that time is not during divine seniee. "'J'hc T;orcl is in His holy temple; let nll the enrth' keep silence before Him." Please remember I

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

28 Druses.

'rhe Druses are a peculiar people, found in the Lebanon Mountains, in Northern Syria. Mission~ries describe them ns independent, proud, brave, handsome, industrious, hospitable, self-possessed, ed.ucated, and very mysterious, Jiving entirely ror themselves. Their numbers have been estimated all the "•o.y from fifty thousand to over one huilclred thousand souls. They a1·e very proud of, and very mysterious. in regard to, thefr religion, which is

Missionaries find mission work among these poor people very difficult ; for the Druses are very deceitful. '"'i'hile they must speak the truth among themselves, they consider it nu honor to lie to outsiders. So accustomed are they to lie that a missionary living among them declares that when an ]l}nglishmau tells them that there arc no Drnscs in England, they suspect him of being one. Instead of being offended at what they consider his deceit and a lie, they honor him for it.

The deceitfulness of the Druses makes mission

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simply "a mixture of doc-trines taken from various work among them not only difficult, but often also other religions." They believe in one god, but it very dangerous. Years ago, Samutll Gobat, the is not the true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. weil-known missionary, made a journey to the They call themselves l\_fuwaphidun, or Unitarians. Druses in order to bring them the Gospel. At first In regard to the departed souls they believe that in aU went well. But one clay there came a messenger . death the soul of the virtuous passes into an angel from ;me of the chiefs, requesting the missionary or other heavenly being, whilst the soul of the to viSit the chief ns ·he wished to tnlk with him wicked passes into tl1e body of an animal, corre- about Jesus. Joyfully the missionary promised to sponding in nature to the life led by the individual. come the next day. But he took sick and could not For example, the soul of a wild Druse will enter travel. Another messenge1·· came. But Gobat some such animal as the tiger. A missionary says: 'learned that the boat which was to take him back to "At the very moment of his mother's death a calf his mission field would start at noon the next day. born in the herd of a Druse, and he firmly be- Whilst he was considering what to do, a third meslieved that his mother's soul• dwelt in that calf.'' senger came. Gobat was told that if he would staTt

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"Yes,'' he repljed; "for Job says, 'I Jmow that right away, he could reach the chief before night and be in time for the boat the next day. my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at 'rhe missionary started immediately, accompa- the latter day upon the earth; ancl though after nied by the messenger and seveml Druses. But to my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh travel over mountains was very difficult, and there shall I see God.'" A Bible was then put into the boy's hands, ancl we1·e several hindrances, so that they made but slow he turned readily to the places where the words p1·ogress. Night came on, aud they were still traveling. As the moon 1·osc, they suddenly saw a hyena which he quoted are to be found. · Surely, this little boy was in the right way ·to ou the road iu front o.f t hem. 'l'he Druscs soon drove the wild beast away· with stones. But they true wiscl.om. It is the Bible that can make us positiYely 1·efused to continue the journey as they wise unto salvation; for the Bible is God's Word. were superstitious and considered the hyena a sign of ill luck. So the missionary had to stay over night The Way to Heaven. in the nearest village. Being overtired from their -hardships, t hey awoke rather late next morning.

A poor little boy was standing at the corner of With a sad heart the missionary had to give up his one of the streets in Glasgow, Scotland. As he visit to the chief. He reached the harbor only just s.toocl there a gentleman came near and nsked him in time to catch hjs boat. the way to a certain street. 'fhe boy gave such Why was the missio11ary prevented from visiting exact dhections that the street could not be missed. the chief who had said he wanted to hear about 'l'he gentleman, in order to test the boy's Christian Jesus? Why did the hyena appear on the road just knowledge, then saicl, "Now, my boy, if you will at that time? 'J.'hc missionary could find 110 answer tell me the way to heaven as correctly, I'll gi,•e you . to the question as he with .a sad heart left the land a sixpence.'' The boy consicl1?red for a moment, 'of the Druses. But later he learned that God ba<l then suddenly remembering a text he had learned cared for His set·vant ancl had protected him from in a Christian school, he 1·eplied, "Christ is the the wily chief. He received a letter from a friend Way, the Truth, and the Life, sir." in the Lebanon Mountains. His friend ,\!rote: "'r he The gentleman at once handed him the promised ·chief who expected you was here and saicl to me, sixpence, and left him, deeply touched by· the little 'Your friend is iuclcecl a servant of Goel. God has boy's answer. · kept him. I wanteu him to come to me, so that In after years this boy Imel the blessed privilege I might kill him. Go<l has delivered him out of of directing maily to Christ, the Way, the Truth, the ho.nu o( his enemies.'" and the Life. For the little :fellow one day sa,•ecl a child from being run over, and, out of thankfulness, he was educated by the child's father and beA Wise Little Boy. came a missionary, showing to others the way to heaven.

An officer in the Uni tecl States navy, spending A Noble Confession of a Brave General. a day on one of the West India islands, where his ship lay, visited a mission school, where he fom1d King Frederick the Great, of Prussia, had a number of colored children under the instruction among his generals one who was known for his firm of tlie teacher. One little boy' was askecl to prove from the Bible tlmt the bodies of the clead will rise belief in the Bible. The King, who was not a 'believer himself, one day askecl .the brave general in from the grave.

"I can prove it, massa," sa:icl the little fellow; the presence of othe1·s, "Why do you believe the "for· Jesus said, 'I am the Resurrection and the -Bible?"

The battle-scarred veteran replied : "Because Life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, the Bible reveals to me a F~ther who has numbered yet shall he live;~ and again Jesus said, 'I will raise the very hairs of my head; because the Bible rehim up at the last day,' and in another place, 'The hour is coming in which all that are in the g.raves veals to me a Savior who has atoned for every one of my sins; because the Bible reveals to me a heaven shail hea1· His voice, and shall'come forth.' " He was then asked, "Can you prove it from the where I am to spencl an everlasting nncl blessed existence."

Old Testament also?"

.The Lutheran Pioneer.

A Humble Worker.

Some years ago n young Oxford studen t gave up brillinnt prospects at home to tnkc up mi!lsion work at one of the missionary :$tntions in darkest Africa. 11efore he could do an.r ncti,·e i;crvice in the missiou field he was stricken wi th the l'cvcr. All that was possible was done to saYe his life, but in vain. He wus humble nncl well coutentcd with God's ways. A few hours before his death, he said to those gathered about his beclsicle: "I do uot regret that my life is taken in the very beginning of this work. We all know how many stones must be buried in the bed of a strenm before the completed bridge can spnn the waters.

They do not show, ancl nobody ever thinks of them, but their part is us importnnt as thnt of the stones in the arch o:f the bridge wl1ich all cnn sec and ncl.: mire. I am content to be one of those stones buried in the bed of the stream, ii upon my grave can be bruit a Christianized Africa."

Let us be humble in God' s scr,•ice and contented, if we are but " stones in the bed of the stream,"· unseen by men.

A Faithful Witness.

Of a faithful witness unto Christ in a heathen Janel a missionary in India. gives the following report~ During the last few months tl)ere was much distress at the mission station, nlso among the members of our church. '!'here was sickness in almost e,·ery family, and death curried offi many victims.

Among these was also Luke, my old faithful hostler. .As such he faith.fully served our mission for almost sixteen years. '!'hough he had but Jittle learning and was not well practiced in rending ancl writing, he knew a la.rge })art of the Holy Scripture, both of the Olcl and the New 'l'estmnent. He also made good use of Jiis Bible knowledge, and where\'er opportunity ofrercd testified or Jesus, the Savior of souJs. 'J'hrough his untiring efforts many of his countrymen "'.ere led to Christ and His Church.

Re also IJrought up his family in tl1e nurture and aclmouitiou of the Lord. His sons nre pious men, who have ne\'or gi"en me occasion for complaint. 'rhey lead n , godly life in this heathen · Sodom.

I was·also very much surprised at the Christian conduct o! Luke's wife after her husband's death.

When I some yean ngo buried one of Luke's chil-

drcn, we had nrnch t roubl e in keeping th e mother .from throwing herscl f into h er child's grnve. But now, at the g rnvc or her lrn baud sh e wa o calm, so resigned to God s will. When, before t he bnrial, T came near t ho house, 1 hcanl some one pray, and as r came ncnrcr the roo111 where i he corp e wn , I saw TJuke's widow stnncling wi th her daughter in-law ancl their mothers before the corp c a.ml heard her tltnnkin <'l' God in n calm, loud voice fo r having g iven her snch n Christian husbaud. he prayed Goel for His comfort, and al o f'or g race to find her husband again in h eaven. It was the first time that I heard u na tive Christian olrcr such a prayc1·. I listened to it a lJ without bci ng ob crvecl by her, else I should surely h ave missed what was to me so strcngthcnin rr and com Cortiug. " No,' acl<ls the missionary, " we clo not labor in va in. 'I'his l have aga:in lcnmecl from the blessed death of our cleat· brother fo1ke, t he fnithCnl wi tnc s or J c. u .'

Keep the Fire Burning.

At Panclur, a mission station n ear Mndrns in India, there lfrccl in n miserable hut, some years ago, n poor Christiun known among the people ns apoor Jacob.'' 'l'o the missionary, who one day Yisitecl him, he said, "Father, is not Christinni ty somewhat like the riccpot on the fire? As long ns the fire of. fnith and love burns, all is well ; the heart grows wiser and better. But when the fire is out, then evil thoughts and lusts creep into the heart aucl corrupt it as nuts aucl ot!?cr insects creep in to the rice."

The Greatest Service.

If my brother comes .to me, saying: "Dear brother, I am troubled in my conscience, give me n worcl of ·absolution," T nm ·Cree to clo this noel to tell him the Gospel, how that he should .take hold o:f Chl'ist's work, believing that the righteousness o:f Christ is truly his own; and that· his own · , sh~s are truly Christ's. This is, indeed, the greatest service I may do to my fellowmen: - f,,i,.thcr. ·

Christ Only. , The whole world shall and can hove no other light by which it mny be lightened than Christ only.

This faith and confession is the right foundation on which the Christian Church is built. - l-At,lher .

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

NOTES. STA'l'IS'L'.CC 01' Oun CoLOHl,:O nfL . I ON,·. - P rom the , tcitistical Y car Boo7.: of the Mi ouri 'ynod, just rcccivctl we take the following statistics or the missions of the ynod ical Con ference among the colored people for the yca1: 1900 : There arc 30 congl'cgations ancl preaching- tations (19 in North Carolina, G in Loui ·iaua, 1 in Virginin 1 in ~Ji s issippi, 1 in Arknnsa 1 in Illinois, 1 in iussouri). At Llic clos~ of the yca t·, 3!) lnborcr: were a l work in this mis. ion ficlcl : 13 whi te pa ·lors and profes. ors, (i colored pastors, while ancl 5 colored ,teacher , 3 colored lady teacher and .J studcnls a assi ta nts. 'J'hc mis ion numbered 20G7 soul , 5 communican t members, a nd 2-1-2 voting members. '!'he parochial chool were attended by 1403 pupil , the unuay chools by 959. lmmanuel College, Greensboro N . C., with .j. pro.fcssors, had an enrollmen t of 7G studen t:;; Luthet· College. at New Or-. lean , wi th 2 professor.,,, wa a ttended by 22 sl11de11ts.

Cont ribut ions to the mission tL·casury during the year amounled to $28,722.05, the colored congregations con tributing $2002.G0. 'l'he Gcrmau mission paper, publishctl in the interest o.f this missi.on, has 23, 5 Ll ubscribcrs; 'l'HE L U'.1.'JLEH.\_N PIONEER, 5500.

G1rnENl:illOHO.-'l'eachcr M. Cu.rtc1·, who until now had been teaching the children of our colorecl collgregntion in Concord, N . C., was transferred to the parochial ·chool in connection wi th Immanuel Lutheran• College. lie took up his. work in Greensboro on l\fa.rch 1. We w~sh him God's richest blessing in his new field o.f labor. 'l'hc vncuncy in Concord is filled by om missionary, Hcv. H . Messerli, who is assisted in instructing the schoolchHdren by Miss Vilmar Bnrnhnrdt, a member of our congregation in Concord.

M. L . !NDCAN l\[1ss10N IN A111zoNA. - 'l'hc United Luthern.n Synod of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan has been carrying op mission work .for some years 11.mong the Indians in Arizona. Four missionnries arc i~ the field, and theit· work in church and school is nbumlantly blessed. In the beginnjng they did their work in the English language, but they hnve now ncquirecl such a knowledge of the lucliuu limgungc that all the 'work is done in the speech of the Indians a1nong whom they labor.

INt'LU~N0R 01' l\<CISSIONAUY JNST!'fUTIONS. -In an adtl1·ess in New York City, Mr. Ting Fa.ug,

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former l\fini lcr of China to the U nited States, dccribing the awakening oJ' his own country, said: "Foremost amonrr the infl uences which have wrought this miracle I plncc the educat ional mi sionary intitutions or Ameri can missio11111·ics. 'l'hcsc formed a main part of the lca,·en which has leavened the whole empire of 'hina. ' EVERY ' lllll T U X A ic,. · roSAllY. - " hen the late Admiral Foote was in , ' iam, he i1wi tcd the king allCl some high officials of that heathen kingdom to a din ner on his hip. \s they at clo,,·n to the meal the Admiral. a was his custom, asked a blc in rr. 'l'hc king, in urpri c aid that he thought only mis ionaries. dicl that. "'rrue," replied the Admiral, " but every Christian is a missionary." ~ ' 11 J': TO lJ l un, Tl,\N c.\_LLlNO. -At an election in J npan an cider of a. Christian confil'ecrno 0 t ion wns a candidate io1· the J"apaucsc parliament.

Before the election a friend qf his ach•jsecl him to let his Christiani ty go, because it was not popular.

He answered: "But my Christiani ty i of infinitely greater importance to me than my election to parli11ment ; I can never give it up." "'rhcn at least retire from the elclerhip," begged his friend. "No," he said, "I would rather be an elder in the Christian Church than be a whole pa.r~iament myself."

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WOMEN ARE TYlul.~TS. -A missiona1·y of long experience, in Basutoland, Africa, hus dcclured that the men there are much more ill-used by their heathen wives than the wives m·c by their husbands. "'rl1c fact is, that these women, by their labor in the ficlcls and their domestic work, support the men; consequently, the latter are depcnclcnf upon their wives, instead of its being the other way, as with us, und the field work making them strong and vigorous, thci women are usually quite able to holcl their own ii ill-used for instance, they S(?mctimcs bite off their husbands' cars ! However, this docs not make it any easier for a woman to become a Christian, because then she feels it wrong to assert herself and hit back; ancl thus she ls at the mercy of her. husband, and it is very little mcr~y she gets when she refuses to comply with hetithen customs." l:IJUTFIBN L ,\ND WLIEIIE

I!EATHJ-:N C1t0ELTY. - :A. missionary in Africa, writing of heartlessness found among the heathen, relates the following: "One oay an old chief came to me with two wives, one old, the other young,

The Lutheran Pioneer:

32

and wanted to join my church. I told him ~ didn't allow a man to have more than one wife. He went a.way, and the next week came back with the young wife, both of them smiling, n.nd sn.id, 'Now me join church; me all right now.' 'Where is your old wife?' I asked. 'She all right too; me cat her up/ quietly answered the old s:nragc to my great horror."

In the Service of Fashion.

A pastor of a large city congl'cgation writes: A woman gave 5 cents 1 at a coJlcction for church purposes, and then complained that those calls came so often. The same week sl1e pnid 20 dollars for a fashionable bonnet for one o{ her clnughtcrs.

Another gave 3 cents at a missionary collection, and the next day many dollars ior jewelry. A. church member had nothing to give for chmch building, but spent the same season several hm1clrecl dollars at a fashionable watering place for personal pleasure in the service of fashion.

BOOK TABLE. Bz Tnou l\11" GUIDE! A Handbook of Advice nnd Comfort for Young Luthernns Ne,vly Confirmed. Concordin. Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 20 eta.; gilt edge, 25 cts.

This is the English edition of the Confirmation Booklet which we recommended in our Mnrch issue. It is not a. mere translntion of the Germnn, but n free rendering of the 1111.me, thus n,•oiding the stiffness often found in translations. The neat little volume sl1ould find 11. wide circulation among the confirmed people, old nnd young, in the Lutheran church. It ,vill prove helpful not only in keeping God's children in the narrow wn.y, but also in bringing back the erring and wnndering.

STATISTIB0HES JARBBU0H der Dcutschen E,•.-Luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio u. a. St. fuer dns Jahr 1909.

Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, 1\1:o. Price, 40 eta.

Interestini:; reading to all that would like to become acquainted with the varied activities of the largest Lutheran synod in America.

ciplcs to prn.cticnl nfTnirs. This timely, well-nrrnngcd paper gh•cs to this Synodical Report n. specinl vnlue nnd makes it worthy of the wide t circuln.tion.

TIIE

OF Ln·E; or: Why Should You Be n. Christian nnd a Church Member? Dy Prof. G. Lticckc. Americnn Luthcrnn Pnblicn.tion Donrd, Pittsburg, Pn. Price, 30 cts. per copy, postpaid ; per dozen, 25 cts., not postpaid; per hundred, 23 cts., not post.paid.

A commendable little volume of 06 pnges, mnking plnin the way of life in simple, cn.rnest langunge. The booklet is n. little missionary thnt will prove serviceable nnd helpful in the work of winning souls. for Jesus. The subject is treated in elel'en clmptcrs: "I. Is there a God T IT. '£he Destiny of 1\fnn. JII. Is the Dible the Word of Goel 7 IV. The God of the Dible. V. Christin.nity versus Unbelief. VI. Christinnily versus Other Religions. VIT. Our Hope of Snlvn.tion. VITI. Repentance nnd Co1wcrsion.

IX. WJ1y Join the Church ? X. Docs it l\fakc Any Difference What Church You Join? XI. Why You Should Join the Luthei;nn Church."

WAY

Acknowledgment.

Received for Oolorccl Missions from t he followi11g co11gregations: Mount Cn.lvn.ry, Mount Plcnsnnt, N. C., $3.00, Zion, Gold Hill, N. C., 3.00, Mount ·zion, The Rocks, N. C., 1.75, Concordia, Rockwell, N. C., 1.25, Mount Zion, New Orlenns, La., 35.00, Bethlehem, New Orlcnns, Ln., 30.00, St. Paul, New Orlenns, La., 35.00, Napoleonville, Ln.., 14.85, ·Mnnsura, La., 14.85, St. Paul, Charlotte, N. C., 7.50, Mount Zion, Moyersville, N. C., 2.50, St.' John, Salisbury, N. C., 2.92, St. Matthew, Meherrin, Vn., 6.51, Bethlehem, Monroe, N. C., 1.50, St. Jnmcs, Southern Pines, N. C., 2.50, Grnce, Greensboro, N. C., 3.00. 'J'otal: $105.13.

St. Louis, Mo., March 10, 1010.

H . L. DoEDEBLEIN, Treas.

848 E . Prairie Ave.

Evangelical Lutheran Colorea

Churohe■•

NEW ORLEANS, LA. Bt. Paul'a Ohapel, 1025 Annette St., near N. Claiborne St.; Albert Witt, Pastor.

Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. 11. and 7.30 P . M. ; Wednesday, 7.30 P.•:11{. · Mount Zion. Ohuroh, Franklin and Thalia Sts.; Ed. C. Krause, Pastor.

Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. u. and 7.30 P. u.; Thursday, 7,30 P. u.

Bethlehem Ohapel, Washington Ave. and Dryndcs St.; G. M. Kramer, Pastor.

Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. u. and 7.30 P . 11.; Thursday, 7.30 P. u. Sunday School: Sunday, 10 A. :11.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Ohuroh.

Divine Se"ices: Sunday, 10.30 A. x. o.nd 8

SfflODALBEBI0DT DES OESTLIOllEN DISTBIKTS der DeutP. it. schen Ev.-Luth. Synodo von Missouri, Ohio u. o.. St., Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, TEBKS: 12 eta.

Contains tho continuation of an• instructive and inTm: LUTBDAN PIONEER is published monthly, payable spiring paper on Po.ul tho Apostle, with special reference in advance at the following rates, postage included, to-wit: to his miBBionary labors. l Copy .. . .................. $ .25 10 Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00 25 Copies • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00 PaOCu:DINQS OF THE ELEVENTH CoNVENTION of the Ev. 50 Copies . . . • . • • . . . . . . . • . . . . 9.00 Luth. Synod of Miuouri and othor States. American rates only allowed if all copies o.re to be sent to Lutheran Publication Board, Pittsburg, Pa. Price, onep}ub address. - In St. Louis by mail or carrier, 35 cents.

8 eta., plus carriage.

All business communications to be addressed to ConBeaidea reports of the important educational 11.nd mis- cordia Publishing House; Jefferson Ave. and Miami St., sionary work of our English brethren, the pamphlet con• Bt. Louis, Mo. tafna an excellent paper by Prof. G. A. Romoser on Church AU communications concerning the editorial departand State, setting forth in a clear and thorough manner ment to be addreued to Prof. R. A. Bmouon, Conover, the principles involved, and the application of these prin- Catawba Co., N. O.

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A M~SSION.ARY ~ION~HLY. - -- ---•---- P unLISllED nY TllE E vANGEI..ICAT, LuTnERAN SYNODICAL CONFERENCE · OF ·Ndnn1' AMERICA.

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EDITOR . .

Entered at the l'ost o mce at t. J.0 111s, Mo., a s •seeoml-elnss matter.

Vol. XX.XU.

ST. LOUIS, M.O., lUAY, 1910.

Prayer to the Holy Spl_rit.

Oh, come, Eternal Spirit.

0£ t.rut.h, a nd bring us ligh t! ·. 'hinc in our souls nnd bnnish All blii1dncss from our sight.

T hy holy fire pom· o'er us, Touch hen.rt and lip, t hat WC With fai thful, good confession Acknowledge Christ and Thee. ]'our, Spirit; o'er the nntions . A Penteeoslnl sl1owcr, '.!.'he Word of testimony .Accompany with power, That hcnrls and lips 1pay open, :,_ 'l'hc n:ttions' and our own, And we, wit.h t.hnnkful gladness, . l\fakc Chris t.'s sal\!at ion known.

The Coming of the HoJy Ghost.

Christ, before His ascension, p.romisecl His disciples the Holy Ghost as their Guide, Teacher, and Comforter. Ten days after His ascension, on the day of P~ntecost, this promise was fulfilled in th~ outpouring o.f the Holy Spirit. That day was-to the disciples a clay of gladness, aud the Church still celebrates with rejoicing the day of Pentecost as one o.f her gr.e at festivals; and that with reason. For we must not think of the coming of the Holy Ghost merely as a thing o.f the past. The Holy Ghost still comes. 'rrue, lie does no longer come in that ex. tmordiuary manner as He came on that .first day o:f Pentecost; b~1t still 'He comes. He comes in the means of grace, the Word and the Sacraments, for our salvation.

Salvation has been prepared by Christ· for all men. To tl1is eqd He came into the world . . And

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No. 6.

the work of 1:tclemptiou whic.h Re .cnme to do He finished, and then a cendcd into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

He that bore om sins upou the cro~s :wears the cro"'ll upon the throne o.f divine glory and 01aj~sty. 'l'hc victory is won, our enemies are conqu~red, OJir captivity is led captive, the work o.f our req~mption is finished. ·· . .

But if we are to enjoy the blessings of CJ}rist's work and the fruits of His victo.ry, .t he sal;ation wlJ.ich He secured for all sinners must beco-91e our own. We must by faith embrace IIlm as our S~~·ior and trust in His finished work for salvation. '!'his we cannot do by our .own strength·; for as . the· Bible tells us, man by nature is "deacl in tres. passes and sins." There is ll(? spiritual life, no spiritual strength in him. The apostle says: "Tl}.e natural man receiveth not the .things of the &pirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; nejth~r can he ln~ow them, because they are .spiritually discerned," 1 Cor. 2, 14. Again he says: "No man can say that .Jesus is the Lord but by ,the l,Ioly · . Ghost," 1 Cor. 12, 3. Hence we confesi; in our Catechism : "I believe that I cannot ,by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or com,e to Him; but the Holy Gl,l.ost has caU~d me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, s.nnctified and kep-t me in the ·true faith, even:.as :J;Ie calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Churqh on earth, and keeps it with J~sµs Christ in the one true faith." It all is the wo~k of the Holy Ghost. It is due to His coming ·in the means of g1·ace. In the Gospel He offers us the .salvation which is in Christ Jesus, and makes .that salvation our own by bringing us to faith .in Jesus as .om Lord and Sa,•ior. By the Gosp.el H~ ,alSQ

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

keeps us in the true faith until our pilgrimage is ended and the heavenly home is reached.

What a great, unspeakable blessing is this coming of the Holy Ghost for our salvation in the Word and Sacraments of God ! Let these means of grace, by ·which the Holy Ghost comes and works in our hearts, not be neglected. All that realize in their own hearts the blessedness o.f the coming of the Holy Ghost will be eltrnest in helping in all mission work, by which the mean~ of grace are brought to those who still dwell in the dark"Iless and misery of sin. They will be more and more active in spreading over a sin-cursed, ruined world the blessings of the coming of the Holy Ghost.

Of the Lord's Supper.

In the Lord's Supper Christ gives us His body and blood under the bread and wine to eat and to drink; for Christ said to His disciples: "Take, eat; take, drink ye all of it!" Every communicant at the Lord's Table shall eat and drink. It is therefore wrong when the Roman Catholic Church deprives the laity of the cup and reserves it for the priests only. "Drink ye all of it," are the plain words of the Savior, and the Evangelist Mark expressly tells us that "they [ the disciples] all drank of it," Mark 14, _23. To deprive the laity of the cup is therefore contrary to the plain and explicit command of Christ.

The body and blood of Christ is given us to eat and to drink-.· It is not given for the purpose of adoration. The Lorcl nowhere has told us to adore His body and blood. When, therefore, the Roman Catholics adore the host, such adoration is an act of idolatry; for that which they adore is a piece of bread and no more. Christ's body and blood is only present during the eating and drinking of the bread and wine, and neither before nor after.

But what is still worse than this depriving the laity of the cup and the adoration of the host is the Romish teaching that the priest in the Sacrament off~rs the body and blood of Christ as an unbloody sacrifice for the sins of the living and dead. This is the so-called Mass. But Christ says nothing of such a sacrifice; "for by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.

Now where remission of sins is, there is no more offering for- sin," Hehr. 10, 14. 18. To speak of offering a sacrifice for sin, since Christ's perfect

sacrifice, is a shameful denial o.f Christ's merits, and heaps contempt upon Christ's sacrifice for our sins. . When Christ instituted the Holy Supper, He said, "Tlds do 1:n remenibrancc of me." ,vc arc to do what He did. We are to take bread and wine, consecrate, or set it aside, distribute, cat ancl drink it. And H we do this, then we· shall trnly have the Lord's Supper, and Christ's true body ancl blood will be present under the bread and wine by virtue of the words He spoke in that memorable night in which He instituted this holy Sacrament. '!'his we sha.11 do in remembrance o.f Christ.

As often as we cat the consccratccl bread and drink tl1e cousccratccl cup, we shall show forth the Lord's death till He come. In celebrating the Holy Supper, the Lord's death and nil it gained for us shall rise before us, and our hearts shall be :fillecl wi th gratitude and our lips overflow with thanksgiving.

Now that Christ has instituted His Supper, He also wants us to use it. But how often arc we to partake of it? Only once in our lives, as we arc baptized but once? By no means; for from Christ's words it i's plain that it is His wish that we partake of it frequently. He says, '"l'his clo as oft as ye drink it." The Apostle Paul, as Christ's mouthpiece, says, "As often, as ye cat this . bread," etc. From these words we must coucluclc · that it is the Lord's will tliat we should often celebrate His Supper. Of course, He has not definitely stated how oitcn we should go to the Sacrament, but there are various reasons why our communion should be frequent. There is, :first o.f all, Christ's command to commune often. Then there is the . blessed promise of forgiveness, life and .salvation offered all believing communicants. And, finally, there is the trouble of sin which lies heavily upon us, and which Christ offers to remove froin us in the Sacrament.

Luther says concerning this point in his preface to the Small Catechism : "It is necessary to be urgent on tliis point, remembering, however, that we are to force no one to believe, or to rccejve the Sacrament, nor to fix any law, time, or place for it, but so to preach that they may be urged of their own accord, without our law, and ,~•ill, .as it were, compel us pastors to administer the Sacrament. This is done by telling them that if · a person does not seek nor desire the Lord's Supper at least some four times a year, it is to be feared that he despises the Sacr~ment and is not

The Lutheran Pioneer.

36

a Christian, just as he is not a Christian who the many in our o,vn land, also of the colored refuses to believe or to hear the Gospel. For C'hrist race, living without the means of grace? They did not say, Omit this, or, Despise this, but, 'This are in spiritual need - the greatest, saddest of all do ye, as oft as ye drink it,' etc. Truly, He wants needs. 'rhey are really the poorest of the poor. it done, and by no means neglected or despised. These can all be helped if the means are given 'This do ye,' is His command. Whoever does not which the Lord has bestowed upon the members highly prize the Sacrament thus shows that he has of the church. But Mission Boards are pinched no sin, no flesh, no evil, no world, no death, no and · the cause of Christ suffers and languishes, c1nnge1·, no hell; that is, he docs not believe that because the means which the Lord has given to they exist, although he is in them over head and do His work are withheld. Let Christians reears, and is doubly the de,•il's. On the other hand, member that God gives them gifts in order that he needs no grace, life, paradise, heaven, Christ, they may )>ity the poor, use their gifts in His God, nor anything good; ior if he believed that service, for the spreading of His kingdom, and thus he has so much evil, and needs so much that is · lend to the Lord. It is the best investment. For good, he would not thus neglect the Sacrament, it is written: "He that hath pity upon the poor by which such evil is remedied and so much good lendcth to the Lord; and that which he hath given is bestowed. Neither would it be necessary to will He pay him again." iorce him to the Sacrament by any law, but he would hasten to it of his own accord, and conThe Sermon or Love. strnin himself and compel you to administer it to him."

F. J. L. A few yea1·s ago, two Swedish Lutheran missionaries in China were killed by enemies of the ., God Is Love.

G~spel. A heathen Chinese woman, who heard of the pious, self-denying life of these martyred misIt is related that a certain man placed on one sionaries, was so touched that she traveled to a o.f his buildings a weathervane, which, you know, distant city, in order to inquire from the missionaturns with the wind. On the weathervane he had ries there what kind of religion that was which had inscribed the words: "God is love." such followers and teachers.

She was received in a very friendly manner and Some one criticised him, saying, "You have placed a never-changing truth on a very change- treated with great kindness. At this she was still more surprised and soon asked the mjssionaries, ful thing."

"No, it is all right," the man replied, "it means "How is it that you Jesus-people are so different that God is love, whichever way the wind blows." :from us? We hate you foreign devils; our people Yes, the Christian knows that God is _love in have murdered two of your teachers who bad done good and in evil days. His is a love that can be them nothing but good, and you do not seem to relied on in every condition of life. His love to think of revenge at all, but receive me as a friend I" His children is strong like a father's. "Like as a The answer was : ".resus has told us to love father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth our enemies; He died for us when we were His them that fear Him," Ps. .103, 13. His love is enemies."

For two weeks the woman stayed at the misvery tender like a mother's. "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you," sion-house. 'rhen she went back home and told her folks, "These Jesus-people love their enemies !"

Is. 66, 13.

Touched by the sermon of love, she and others became friends of the Christians and, later on, folPity the Poor! lowers of Jesus.

We are to have pity on the poor by helping them in their need with the means God has given Hope. us, remembering the words of Scripture: "He No farmer would sow a grain of corn, if he that hath pity upon the poor lendeth to the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him did not hope it would spring up and bring forth the ear. 'How much more are we helped on by again," Prov. 19, 17. hope in the way to eternal life l - Luther.

Now, who is so poor as the poor heathen ~d

7

The . Lutheran. Pioneer. · , Village• Schoo·1s in lr>:dla. \\7ritin"' of villaae schools iu India.• a missionary 0 0 says:· Tbe village school as a department o.f mission work is very important, but counected with difficulties. There is no law· in India compelling children to attend school, nor · does the teacher have mucb help from the parents ih securin& ntteudance.

They 'often say, "We never lcam ecl to read, and why should they?" The teacher must, therefore, not only impart · the education, but ri.lso · create the desire for it. Our vi!lttg:c _school is tm1gh_t by the

hears a loud buzzing noise, which he discovers is the studying aloud of the pupils. It is hard to tench boys and girls in India. to stm1y quietly, as children in our country do. A general custom is for one child to call out n few words of the lesson, and the rest repeat them in concert. Then a few more words are callec1, and these arc repeated by the 1·est. 'l'hc village school standard is not very high.

An examination in secular subjects is held by the Government Inspector. The missionary, whe11ever lie visits the village, ex::urunes the school in religio11s subjects - the catechism, Bible stories, si ngi_ng .

. ...

Village School in India.

wi,fe: of one of our native he] pers, or cateclusts.

There are thi:ee ciasses only- the first, second, and. third grades. Tbe school furniture consists of a smali wooden blackboard, a stool, a map, and some sand on1 the floor for the little ones to learn to write' on. As the people are generally poor, the little ones have no slates or primers· to begin with.

They first learn: to write in tbe sand or dust. When the teacher has examined their copies, the children wipe them out and begin anew.

If a village has a Brayer House, the school is held inside, but many assemble where,•er a suitable plJc~ ·is found. s ·o1netimes the teacher follows the children to ·the 'fields a1id teaches them under the alies; while the, ate · hE!rding .the cattle. · When'·one approaches a school in Indi1,1, he often '

As the pareuj:s are very J)00r and the children must work part of each day, it is• very har d to get regular n.ttcndauce in a village pi'imary school.

One teacher told me recently that several of her cMldren were coming to school only fifteen minutes a day. 1 But we missionaries are glad ,to. say that with every passing year there is shown a greater desire for education. 'l'he schools in which religio11s instruction is given do much good to the children a.n d to their parents.

IT is one thing to say, "Cl;irist is ~ Savior;" it is quite another thing to say, "Clirist is my Savior · and my Lord." The devil can say the first; the true, Christian alone can say the second.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

True to Jesus.

About ft fty years ago, a young Brahmin, in a. mission school at 1\[a.dras, India, clcsil-ecl to take pa1·t in the Christian instruction. He was kindly rcccivecl ancl was shown from Holy Scripture the way o:.E salvation. The word of Jesus, the Savior of sinners, mnde a deep impression upon h im. Ile came to know his lost state ancl his great need of this Savior.

He a.t length weut to the missionary and wished to be baptized, ancl become n Christian.

His former heathen friends, on hearing of this, resolved to kill him rather than to let him be baptized. A wild excited crowtl o.f heathen smrolmc1ed the mission school. A regiment of solclie1·s was sent by the government to protect the school. 'l'he young man was baptized. F ro~ the scliool he was taken to the dwelling of the missionary, the soldiers 1,rotecting him on the way.

As he was led through the street, stones were thrown at the soldiers, who then guarded the house for some clays until the excitcnient had s11bsicled.

When all was quiet again, the young man 1·ccei ved t h.is m~ssagc :Crom his parents: "It is loo sacl t hat you have become n Clnistian, but tlo not on t hat acco,mt let the family ties be broken.

Come again to our home. . Your mother wan ts to sec you once more. As a Christian you, indeed, must not eat in our presence ; but you may sit ou the veranda., aucl your mother will prepare the meal for you and place it before you. You will surely again eat with joy something which your mother has cooked ior you, will you not?

Come and eat your su1lpcr at home ancl sleep l1erc this night." 'l'he young man was o,,erhappy at this uu.:. c~1.)eeted sign of kinduess 011 the part of his pa1·cuts, and ,,·ithout suspecting the least danger he went to his parents' home. 'l'here he ate his supper.

It had been prepared by his mother, but mixed with poisons, which are known only to the sorcere1·s of Indio. ancl which have the effect, not of killing a person, but of' robbing him of his 1·easo11. .After the meal the young man lay down to sleep and mvokc ,t he next morning- a madman. Then they drove him out into the street. They needecl him no longer. ']he missiona.rics.-founcl him aucl took him into their care. As the madness continued, the yow1g man had to be taken to an insane asylum: The superintende~1t of th~ asylum,

r. clistinguishcd English physician, was a young doctor a.t :M:aclrns at the time of the ·young Brahmin's conversion. Ile to]d the late Dr. Chambcrlniu the story, vouching for the truth o.f it. He said to Chamberlain as they together visited the asylum : "There you will see that young man, now old and gray, but still an inmate of the asylum; yet one thing is quite clear to him, and to it he holcls fast : it is his faith in J esus Christ."

Chamberlain found the man at some work.

When the work was finishecl, he looked up at Chamber]ain and said : "Leave Jesus, you said?

Never! I shall never ]eave H im. I may be killed, but never shall I leave my J esus. Q Jesus Christ, keep me, keep me, keep me steadfast unto the end !" "'l'heu," says Chamberlain, "he sank against the wa11 and seemecl to know of nothing but of• Qis Savior's love. That love was burning in his heart."

He was :forsaken ancl cast out by his father ancl mother, but he was not forsaken by Jesus, who says of those that are His: "I give unto them eternal life; ancl they shall ne,·er perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hancl," Jolm 10, 2S.

"God So Loved. the World."

Rachel is the· name of a poor orphan girl who has :found a Christian home, where she learns also tl;c one thing needful. When recently, in the time of Lent, she hen.rd of the great sacrifice of Christ :for the redemption of the sinful worlcl, she said she could never have thought that u1an lay in such a deep damnation and that Goel could have loved such a damned world, much less that He could have bought it for Himself ,,•ith ·such- bitter shecldlng of blood. "I should say," she added, "that the bloocl of Jesus is more precious than gold ancl silver, as the Ca.techism reads."

"Goel so loved the world that He ga,•e His onlybegotten Son, that whosoever bclieveth in Him should not perish, but ha.vc everlasting life," John 3, 16.

Do What God Says I This is the way an old colored preacher put it: "Bredren, whatever de· good Lorcl tells to do in dis blessed Book, de Bible, dat I'm gwine to do. If I see in it dat I must jump troo n stone wall, I'm gwine to jump at it. Goin' troo it belongs to Goel; jnmpin' at it belongs to me.'' ·

me

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

Items from Immanuel College.

A Missionary's Farewell.

Yes, my nnt h-e lnnd, I lo\"e t hee; .All thy scenes, I· Io,·e them well; Friends, connections, happy count ry, Can I bid you nll farewell ?

Cnn I le.'1.ve you Far in hen.then lands to dwell f Home ! thy joys nre pnssing lovely; Joys no strnnger henrt cnn tell!

Happy l1ome ! indeed I lo,·e thee!

C:m I - cnn I sny - farewell ?

Cnn I leave thee Fn.r in heathen lauds to dwell ?

Yes! I hasten from you gladly, From the scenes I love so well!

God bas called, and He is with me ; Lovely nath•e land, farewell !

Pleased I lcn,·e thee ltnr in l1cntheu lnnds to dwell.

In the deserts let me labor, On the mount.nins let me tell How He died, the blessed Snvior, To. redeem a world from hell !

God be with thee, NnLi\"e lnnd ! - Farewell, farewell!

E. R.

Sleeping In the Storm.

A pastor relates this story from real life : A wild storm was raging aro1md a prairie home one night. The windows were blown in, a;llcl no lights could be ~ept burning. It was only with difficulty tl1at the doors could be braced against the blast. The father was absent from home, and the mother, grandmother, and three children sat in the darkness in ·a room on the sheltered· side of the house, fearing that at any moment the· house might be swept from its foundation by the force of the wind.

Suddenly eleven-year-old Walter was missed.

He had been holding a whispered conversation with his grandmother only a few minutes before. Frantic with fear, the mother called him at the top of her voice, and receiving no reply, started to grope her way through the darkness and confusion of the house to find, if possible, the missing boy.

She foun"d him in his room - sound asleep I And when she asked him how he could go to sleep when they were all in danger of death, he sleepily replied: "Why, mama, grandma told me that God would take care of us, and I thought I might as well go to bed again."

With the beginning of spring our students of I mmanuel College have taken up their work on the college campus again under the direction of .

Prof. N . J. Bakke. The lawns must be mowed, the flowers planted, both sprinkled and well watered, and the paths and driveways weeded and leveled. Four clays of the week ai-e devotecl to outdoor work.

Af ter · the students have finished their daily share of outdoor work, - usually they are employed irom 2.30 until 4 o'clock, - they play baseball ; ior wl1at student would not like to have some time at least for this favori te sport? All the more clo our students want to play, because for the first time in the history of the College the team •is in possession of regular baseball suits. Our colored boys make quite an attractive picture in their light gtay uniforms.

On the evening of Ap1·il 6, the students and friends of the institution hnd the pleaslU"e o.f listening to the recital of Mr. Richard B. Harrison, a man of national reputation as a dramatic 1·eader.

Besides the court scene irom Shakespeare's " Merchai1t of Venice" he chiefly recited a number o.f selections from Paul Lawrence Dunbar, the colored poet. Mr. Harrison's imitation of different dialects, his gestures and grimaces, kept the auclieuce in a continual laughter. At the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the program the undersigned played a few solos on the pipe organ.

Everyone of the large crowd that attended greatly enjoyed Mr. Harrison's recital.

M. L.

Items from New Orleans.

On Palm Sunday a reunion was held in two of our congregations, Mount Zion and · St. Paul.

Mount Zion was organized in 1879 with a class of 12. Last year 9 were added to the church. In the 30 years, from 1879 to. 1909, 304 were confirmed. During this period 120 received a Christian burial. 102 are still on the enrollment.

In St. Paul 312 were confirmed since 1882.

Of these 169 are still with us. 70 died. . Contemplating these numbers, we are at once reminded of the sad truth: "The devil goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he. may devour."

Many have strayed away. A small number has remained true. But "fear not, little :flock," says the

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Sa,rior, "it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." The numbers, though small, still prove that our work is not in vain. We ncecl not be ashamed of the pure Gospel which we arc preaching ; for i t is yet to-day the power of God unto salvation to every one that bclicveth.

A. late organization in :Motmt Zion is an adul t Bible class. In the first few meetings more than •JO joined the class. 'l'hc average attendance 1s 30.

1\fay the Word of God ever dwell among "1.1s richly in all wisdom !

I n St. P aul's Chapel 17 chjlclrcn nnd 1,wo ac.l ulLs were confirmed on P nlm Sunday. 'l'hc newly orga ni1.ccl league in this congrngai,ion now numbers 35 members. 'l'hc leag ue intends to give a concert some time in May. St. Paul continues. Lo give promise of good resul ts. 'l'wo ad ul ts were recently rcccivccl as members in Bethlehem Church. Quite a large class of children is being prepa.red for confirmation in l\[ay.

Luther College is making preparations for a commencement to be given in June. '! 'here will be two graduates this year, one from !,he 'l'heological and one from the Normal Department.

"Let the beau ty of the Lord, our God, be upon us; and establish T hou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish 'J'hou it !"

E. C. K n,\.USE.

NOTES. W H ICH R1mnrns Us. - Requests ior more news from oui• mission field remind us of Napoleon's reply in the battle of Waterloo when a request for more infantry was brought to him from one of his officers. The General replied : "Infantry? Where .docs he want me to get it? Does he want me to make it?" We have no factory for the manufacture of news, but gladly print the news sent to us.

HosPITALFREUND. - We ha,•e received. a copy of this bright little German monthly, edited by the Revs. Ph. Wambsganss and A. H. Almstedt. It is published in the interests of the charities which are carried on within the bounds of the Synodical Conference and which are also important missionary agencies. Besides inspiring articles, the monthly brings information regarding the work done by our Children's Friend Societies, in our City Missions, and in the various institutions of mercy - Hospitals, Orphans~ Homes, Old Folks'

39

Homes, Home for Epileptics, Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and Denver 'anitarium. The yearly subscription price is 25 cents, and the paper is to be ordered from H . H. Zimmermann, Harvel, Ill. We heartily welcome the Hospita l Friend, and bid it Godspeed in its service to H im who says: "Verily, I say un to you, I nasmuch as ye have done it unto one or the least of these my brethren, ye hiwe douc it unto me," Matt. 25, 110.

No1· WJ~ARY I N WEr,L-DOING. - An unnamed and unknown benefactor has for the thirteenth time recently brought to the trcasure1· of our 1\Iission Boarcl his yearly gift of $500.00 for our mission work among the colored people. '!'his unnamed friend of our mission, unknown to men but known to God, is surely not weary in well-doing. The great need of our treasury cries for many more such mission friends. "Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in clue season we shall reap, if we faint not," Gal. 6, !).

A. H INT. - In the following there may be a hint also for such as intend to put off giving to the t reasuries of the church until they make their last will and testament: A very rich man not long ago came to the mayor of one of our Western cities and said, "I nm about to make my will. What memorial would you suggest that I plan for the city? I want to leave a bequest for some such gift."

The mayor looked at his caller, and as a hearty smile crept ove1· his face, he said, "Ma,n , man, why do you wait 1mtil you die? Why not give it now and enjoy it with us?" The rich man took the hmt and is enjoyipg his gift along with the other citizens.

A CHEERFUL GIVER. - J. Campbell White tells of an old colored woman, born a slave and unable to rend or write, who earned her living by washing, and yet who gave fifty dollars a year to missions, besides contributing to other· objects of benevolence.

She said to her pastor, "You don't know the joy I have in giving to Christ. When I am working over the washtub and drops of sweat fall from my face into the suds, they seem to me the jewels I nm laying up in the presence o¼ the Master by what I can do this ,vay."

INDIA. -The latest reports from the nuss1on :field of the Missouri Synod in India may well fill the hearts of friends of missions with cheer and

The Lutheran Pioneer. hope and gratitude to ·Goel, who is richly blessing the labors of His servants. During the· past "few months 27 were oaptized, am'ong them 12 adults. · Others are receiving Christian instruction at the various stations, preparatory to baptism. At one of the stations the class under instruction numhers 100. A new chapel was recently dcdicatccl, nud the scrriccs were largely attended; at another station also a chapel was being built ancl was soon to be dedicated. As the work is increasing, the need' of larger means and more laborers becomes very urgent. We ai·e glad to hear that the Rev. F. R. Zucker of Cleveland, 0., has acccptccl the call of t.he Foreign Mission Board and ,\!ill soon enter the mission field in that distaµt land. May God be with His young servant, keeping hi°m in His lovillg care and safe protection, nncl blessing his labors according to the riches of His grace, to the glory of His great name among the heathen and to the salvation of many souls.

S\"NOnA1.m;ruc11T des Zcnt.ml-Jllinois-Dist.rikt.s. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, 1\£0. Price, 12 cts.

Tho doctrinnl pnpcr gives n. brief hi storicnl introduction to tho A_ugsburg Confession nud nn ins tructive exposition of its First .Article, setting forth the true doc-. trinc concerning God.

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MEMENTO AND CERTU'I0ATE OF 13.&cl'"f lS)[. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Pl'icc, 25 cts., postpnid; per do1..cn, $2.4.0, postnge cxt m.

A. chnrming booklet, which must be seen t o be appreciated. Its nttrnctive mnke-up n.nd comfortin~ cont ents make it n. thing or benut.y. Jt will be n. joy tnroughout life to the child t.hnt receives it ns n. r eminder of its baptism. Tl10 booklet hns twelve pngcs, the two middle pnges being the Certificnte of Ilnptism to be filled out by the pnstor; .one page is designed for baby's pict ure, nnd the other pngcs contnin bcnutiful nppropriat e illustrat ions, together with npprnprinte Dible texts nnd st.n nzas from ehur!)h hymns. The booklet mny be had also in German under the title: "Zur Erinnenmg nn Deine T:rnfc."

Acknowledgment.

Received for Colorccl illissio11s from the following congregations : Mount Cnl\'nry, Mount Pleasant, N. C., $3.00, :Miller's Stntion, N. C., 1.50, Zion, Gold Hill, N. C., 2.60, Mount Zion, T11e Rocks, N. C., 1.50, C_oncordia, Rockwell, N. C., 2.25, Mount Zion, New Orlenns, Ln., 35.00, St. Pn.ul, New Orleans, Ln., 35.00, Ilcthlehem, New Orlenns, Ln., • 30.00, Nnpoleonville, Ln., 44.00, Mansura, l,n., 18.05,. St. THE unthankful heart discovers no mercies, Paul, Chni:lot.tc, N. c., 7.50, Mount Zion, • l\'feyersv1l!c, but the thankful heart finds every hour filled with N. C., 2.50, Grnce, Concord, N. C., 15.00, St. John, Snhsbury, N. C., 3.15, St. :Mntthew, Meherrin, Vn., 7.77, Grace, God's mercies and blessings.

Greensboro, N. C., 3.00, Grace, St. Louis, Mo., 3.75, Grnce Sunday School, St. Louis, :Mo., 2.05. From Miss La.urn.

Wi11inms, New Orlcn.ns, Ln., 1.04. Total: $220.30.

St. Louis, Mo., April 16, 1010.

An Instructed Witness.

H. L. DOEDERLEIN, Treas.

848 E. Prairie A.,•e.

A boy twelve years old was the important witness in a lawsuit. One of tbe lawyers, after crossquestioning him severely, said, "Your father has been talking to you and telling you how to· testify, hasn't he ?"

"Y~," said the boy.

"Now," said the lawyer, "you. just tell us how your father told you to testify." ''Well," said the . boy, modestly, "father told me the lawyers might try and tangle me in my testimony, but if I would just be ca.r eful and tell the truth, I could tell the same thing every time."

Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches.

NEW ORLEANS, L.A. St. Paul's Ohapel, 1625 Annette St., nea.r N. Claiborne St.; Albert Witt, Pastor.

Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. ll. and 7.30 P. :a.t.; Wednesday, 7.3~ P. ll. .

Mount Zion Church, Frankhn and T~alio. Sts.; Ed. C. Krause, Paator.

Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. ll. and 7 .30 P. :1c.; Thursday, 7.30 P. ll.

Bethlel,em ,Ohapel, Washington Ave. and Dryndes St.; G. M. Kramer, Pastor.

Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. ll. and 7.30 P. u.; Thursday, 7.30 P. ll. Sunday School: Sunday, 10 A. ll.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Church.

Divine Sen·iccs: Sunday, 10.30 A. M:. and S

P.

ll.

BOOX TABLE. LtlTJJEBANIBll IN AYEBICA: 1TB GLORY AND ITS MISSION. An address delivered a.t Cooper Union Institute to tho Lutheran congregations of the Synodical Con. forcnco in New York City, n.t tho Joint Celebration of tho anni\'ersary of the Reformation, October 31, 1000, by W. H. T. Da.u . Concordia. Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 3 eta., postpaid; 30 cts. per dozen; $2.00 per hundred, not including transportation ehnrgea. · The New York City Conference did well to request the publication of this addl'C88, n.nd Prof. Da.u did well to comply with the request, and every one will do well that will aid in giving this able and eloquent address the widest circulation.

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I

•

~ht Juthtran tontt~. ♦

.A MISSIONARY ~iONTHLY.

- - ----•--- - PuBLISUED llY -ruE Ev,,Nm~LI C,\l, L u TIIER,\N SrNODICAl,

R . .A.. BISCHOFF, Entered aL the l.'ML Onlcc aL St.

Vol. XXXII.

J ,01115,

CoNFERE~cr•:

EDITO J"I.

Mo., n~ sc,·onrl -cl:i~s nrnucr.

ST. LOUIS, 1'10., ,JUNE, 1910.

Christ's Messengers.

Ye messengers of Christ.! l ri;; so,·creign ,·oice obey ; A rise, and follow where He leads, And pe,,ee attend your wny.

The !'\fastc1· whom you se1Te Will needful strength bestow ; Depending on Ilis promised nid, ,-vit.h snerecl eoumgc go. ~[01111tains i;hnll i;ink lo phtins, 1\ml hell in vain oppose; The ea11s1i is (:oil's, and slmll prevail In :-;pit.u of all Hi~ foes .

A Day of Good Tidings.

In tJ1e sixth and seve~1:th clJaptel's of the Secoucl Book o:f Kings we 1·ead that the Syrians besiegetl the city of ·Samaria, and there was a great famine in the city, so that many were clying o.f hunger.

In this great need God showed mercy to His people.

He made the enemy hear the rumbling of chariots and the trampling of horses, so that they fled hi wild panic, leaving behind them theil· camp filled with goocl things. 'l'his dclivel'ance which Goel wrought in behalf of Israel w11s cliscove1·ed by four starving lepers, who were sitting at the gate of the city. Dea.th stiued them in the face if they went into the city, death was working in their leprous bodies, and they conlcl but die if they fell into the hand_s of the enemy. So, with cleath behind, be.fore, and within them, they ventm·ecl forth into the night and went to tl1e camp of the Syrians. Auel "b~holcl, there was no roan there," for Goel Imel come to the help

OF N •JI:TII AMEllI CA.

No. 6.

of H is people. ~rhc f.ou.r lepers walked from tent; to t ent. All was silence. '£hey found silver, and gold, and raiment, and food in abundance. "'l'hcn they saicl, one to another, We clo not well: this day is a clay of good ticl ings, and we hold our pea·ce; if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us." , They considered it their c}uty to make known the good tidings of Gocl's deliverance, lest mo1;e mfachief come upon them.

We 'are living in a clay o:f good tidings. It is the Gospel clay, the day of salvation. "Behold, now is the acccptecl ti me, now is the clay o.f salrn tion, r' Christians have the Gospel, the goorl tidings or God'::; deli,·crnncc through Jesus, the Savior of siimcrs. Ju that Gospel they have found life nnd sab·ation for theit· own souls. In that Gospel they reJ01cc. But they must not f01:get tha,t they are responsible to carry to others ~he glad tidings of salvation. As the. Chmch views the many thousands o:f souls famishing. for the bread of li"fe, dying in sin, she may well say: "We do not well: this day is a day of good .tidings, and we hold our peace; i:f we tarry till the morning light, some mischief wiJl come upon us." II souls die for lack of the Gospel, are we guiltless of their bloocl? Let us, then, not ta.rry in indolence ancl indiffe1·ence, lest some mischief come upon us when Jesus a.ppeu.i·s.

Let us rather be active in all mission work, helping Christ's messengers to make known the Gospel for the salvation of sinners, in this day of good tidings.

Time is short; for Jesus says, ''Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every mmr according as his wo1·k shall be," Rev. 22, 12. there is faith there is life - spiritual And that life will make itself manifest.

WHERE

life.

The Lutheran .Pioneer. . .

Of the Lord's Supper.

Lono' , UL'PJ•:u.

Luther. in his S rnall Catechism. asks: " Whnt is the ben~fi t of such eating anc1 drinking?' ,\1lcl then he answer:; : ''J'hn t is shown us b_v these wonls, •Given ancl sl1cu for you for the remission of · ins;· uamely, that in t he Sacrnm!)nt forgiveness of si ns, Ji.Ce, aml snh•ation nrc gi\'en us through these wor1k F01: where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life aucl salvation.?'

In the Holy Supper we receive, as we h ave already heard, the ' body ancl bloocl of our Lord Jesus Christ, the body that wns given for us, aucl th~ blood thnt was shed for us. And we also lmo-iv why Christ gave His body and shecl His blood. He did it for, the remission of our sins. By His suffering and death Christ atoned for our sins, appeased- God's righteous wrath, paid the penaltJ of our guilt, merited for us God's grace, and made us acceptable again in tl1e eyes of our: heavenly Father whose good will we had lost by our sins. .And to make us sure nnd certain that His' body was given and ;His blood was shed· for u.s, for the rc1n1".ssion of our si11.s, Clnist gives us this same bod:y and blood in the Holy Supper. 'l'hus every communicant is individually assured of the forgiveness of his sins.

Of course, the Gospel assures us of this same fact; but while tl1e Gospel is genernl, the Lord's Supper comes to the individual and assures him of his pardon. At every celebration of the Fioly Supper Christ comes to the individual communicant and, as it were, s1iys t~ him: "I have died for· your sins and gained perfect pa1·don for you; nncl in order that you may be certnin of this, behold, I give you the ransom which I ha,·c paid to gnin f01·giveness ·for you; here in this blessed Sacrament, under the bread and ,vine, I give you my body nnd blood as a seal of your forgiveness. It is true, such a senl of your pardon I gave you already in your Baptism, but lest you, because of your many transgressions since Baptism, might doubt your forgiveness, I give · you this additional token and sen.I of the remission of your sins."

But this is not all. Luther correctly states thnt "where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also lif.e and salvation." If the Lord's Supper makes us certain of forgiveness, it also assures us of life and salvation; for these are indissolubly united and can never be separated. The Lord's Supper gives and nourishes life1 spiritual life, in us. It 18 bread for THE B~:x1~FLT 01; THE

the hungry and a staff for the weak. It gives comage to tl1e timiu and comforts the alUicted. It is sweeter thnn honey and the honeycomb, supplying ns with strength, cournge, and co111fort, n,ccorcli11g to ou r spiri tunl needs. Ancl Ly l;h11s 1Hmri~hi11g tu11] strengthening the spiribrn l li fe i11 us iL a;,:~11res 11s o[ el'ernnl salvoli'on; for l.he spi ri tmtl l if of thi s enrth fl ows out and passes over i11 to life ctc rnnl i11 hea\"Cn, so that salvation is but I.he onLi nuatio11. the blissful perfec tion of om· . p iri t11al life here below.

S uch, then, is the benefit which the Loni's S 11ppet· confers upon us, nctunl ly confe rs upon 11::;: forgi \'eness of sins, life, n11Cl .sal vation.

Come, humble i<oul, r<'cch·c the foot.I Your S:n-ior offers here; Ilelie\'C nnd tnste t hnt He is good And fain ench soul woul d cheer. l:Iel'e we commune with Him who died, Us po,;•el' o'er death to give, The life or l:I.im now glorified \Ve l1ere l'eceil·e, nncl lil'e, Tnl:e, then, nnd ent, thnt you 111:iy li ve Jn Elim who ennnot die ; Take, then, n nd drink ; Lite clraught wi 11 g iv<.'

You i1111norti1lity.

F. J. L.

Confesstng Christ.

St. .Augustine, i n hfa "Con Cessions," reintcs. Lhc following story of n mnn named Victoriuns, whn was a very celebrated man o.f l1is t ime in Rome, anti wh.o hncl mnny fri ends nmong the heathen. Ti c w:is · brought to believe iu the J.onl Jesus Christ as Lhc Sln:ior from sin. ,Hterwm·cls lie went to sec a. f'ri c111l, aud told him secretly, ns if in the strictest confidence, that he, wns n Cluistian, at the same time waming him not to tell anybody. But his friend had a clearer idea of what it meant to be a Cln·istinu, ancl so he said, "I will not believe you to be n Christian till I see you openly profess it in the church." At first Victorinus laughed and said, ''Whnt ! · Do the church walls make n Christian?"

But a little later, on reading the words of Jesus about those who are ashamed of Him, he went back to bis friend and openly con.fessed himself to be n.

Christian. · Jesus says: "Whosoever shnU be ashamccl of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfol generation, of him also ahall the Son of Mau bl' ashamed when He cometh in the glory of His Fnther with the holy angels," Mark 8, 38.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Look to Jesus. ~l'hc anxious sin11c1· will 11evcr .find pence nnd happiness by looking ot his prayers, his doings, or his feelings. ·1t is llOL what we ore or whnt we do, but what J esus is nntl wl 1at Ile has done for 11 , thnt gives rest Lo tl1c soul. Look sirnply in foiLh Lo I rirn as ·H e is prc:,;c11 Lecl t o yon in the Gospel, and I t n oLh ing co me betwc,n you u11 cl Jcsu. .

Wh n J,11!.hcr 011cc saw a man very rn11cl1 dcpn.::scd he sni1l to him, "1\lnn, what arc yon cloi11g ?

Gan yon Lhink u( noLhing else bu t yom sins, and clyi11g a11cl tlnmn utio11? '!'urn your eye n.wn.y, n.1111 direct it to Ilim who is c•nllcd Christ. 'case lo (ca r a ncl lament! Y 011 really have no reason f01: H. lf Christ were not here, and hacl 11ot done this for you, you would have rea on to fear; but Ile is here, has suffered dea th for you, and has secured comfort and protection for you, and now sits at the right hand o.f His heavenly Father to intercede J'or yo11."

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- -•

Different Mothers.· A )•01111g criminal, sentenced to death, was alone ill his prison cell the day before his execution, when his mother came to take a last .farewell of her wretched son. Alas, 1mhappy mother! When she entered the cell, the young man rose, and stretching out his arms, cried in great fury: •~Mother, you arc the cause o.f my death ! I shall go and accµse you before the judgment seat of God. When I the first time brought home ·turnips stolen from our ncighbo1·'s garden, you laughed and called ·me a clever, smart boy. Aud I went on in this wicked way of sin and crin1e, which ends so disgracefully to-morrow." · Poor, unl1appy mother! As she leaves the prison, she may well cry out: "Woe is me !"

There was a mother who acted quite differently.

She was a wise, God-fearing mother who saw to it that her children walked in the ways of God. When her little boy one day brought home a fine wooden .toy, she :Ceared that something was wrong. She therefore earnestly questioned him and brought him to confess that the toy was stolen. The boy desired to take the money to the merchant as payment.

The mother, however, made him take ho.ck the toy nnd ask the merchant's forgiveness. Nor did she ,spoil her chiid by sparing the . rod. But she also

43

cxplainecl to hi rn God's commandment: "Thou halt not steal," and led him to seek also God's forgiveness for J esus' sake. For all this the boy wn tha11kC11I Lo l1is moLher aucl blessed her all the <lays of his life.

Whn L n g reat power io1· evil or :for 0"OOd is the • i II fl ucncc of a mo I.her! A faithless, wicked mother easily proves a cm· e to her children. A faithCul, Ood-fcm-i'ng mother is n great blessing. Her pious example, hc1· kind words, her earnest teachings, her fnith [ul warnings, her prayers, her tears, arc not in \':1i11. H er cl1ildrcn will rise up and call her blessed.

-----•Missionary Sheep.

At a Lutheran missionary conference the proposition was made to raise the sum of $1000.00 extra for · a traveling missionary in one of our Westel'll states. 'l'he subscriptions and promises came in for o. time as fast as the secretary could take them down, but the responses at last became weaker, and for a few moments all was still.

A voi~e was then heard from one of the pastors who had already made a liberal promise: "The secretary will please put me down· also for two sheep !" A smil:e passed over tl~e assembly, but the speaker looked as solemn as a judge. '£he responses again came in rapidly for a time, and there came a second lull. Again the same solemn voice was heard, "Put me down for two more sheep !" nncl the others began to add to the promises already_ macl.e. Aud so, for :five times the same voice was heard: "Two more sheep !" Then ~he secretary announced that $1000.00 and a small flock of merino sheep had been .promised for the support and traveling expenses of a missionary.

Among those that had attended the meeting there ,vaa for a time much talk about the promised sheep which they called "missionary sheep." Some wondered how the mission treasurer would ever get these sheep. But nob long after, the treasurer received $60.00, the .sum which was made from the sale of the "missionary sheep." These had been donated by some members of the pastor's country charge.

The Bible Safe.

Au old Christian blacksmith, when told of the many fierce attacks made on tlie Bible by learned infidels, simply replied : "The Bible is an anvil that has worn out many a hammer."

44:

The Lutheran Pioneer.

The Strange, Silent Man.

An .American pnstoL· spent a. winter in a city of Southern Frnnce for his health. Ile !:here met an old mau who came c,·ery <lay to the rending-room of the city. His form was bent, his mannet· wns timid, un<l he ne,·er spoke to those arottnd him. 'l 'he pastor took him for an Englishman as he often found him reading t!1c Lomlon 'J.'hncs. It was impossible not

went to the sick-room. 'l'bcrn he found - the strange, silent mnn ! 'l'hey had li vcu under the ~nmc roof, and had met only in the distant libl'nry.

The 1111111 l'ecogniiec1 the pastor nL once, and . ecmed glad to have an American wi t h ltim a t. lhi. olemn 1.imc. He was told t hat t he doctor hacl no hope fo r his rcco,·ery ancl that he probably hn<1 hu t l'uw 1la_vs to live. '.L'hcn came the question: "Do you bclic,·c in the immorLnlit.y of the :oul ?"'

Colored Lutheran St. Paul's School in New Orleans.

in rwtice the gray-haired man, with looks turned ,nrny from others, ml<l nn expr~ssion oC settled sudne:.s upon his Ince. As month aCtcr mout h pnsscll wit.hout bringing any change in-the man's comluct, the pastor clespaire<l of ever knowing anything nbout the strange, silent man.

One eve~ing, howe,•er, the pastor received a note from his friend, the Waldensian ministc1· of the city, asking him to call upon a countryman oi his who wus cl11ngerously sick in the same l1otel where the pastor was lh•ing. · 'fhc Cumily had sent fut· the Waldensian millistcr;aml us he was too ill to go out, he askcll his friend to tukc his place. 'l'hc pastor

"I clo most firmly,"

wns tlre answer.

And what is yo ul' own hope for the 'futnr ~?"'

"I hope to be lrnppy fo1·c,·er in heaven." u\Vill you tell me the grounu of yom· hope?"' · 'Yes, willingly," replied the strange, silent man, who turned out to be also a self-righteous mnn_. ns he went on: " I have ue,•cr clone anything ,·ery bacl. in this worlcl. }[y li ttle faults, such as arc common f.o nil, men, I nm sure Goel will overlook. In nil serious mntters my nc·count is clea r. I clcpcncl u pon t l1c exact nwnrds o( justice, nncl expect to receive Cor the tlceds <lone in the body n welcome to ernrlnsting lif e beyond the gra,•e."

The Lutheran Pioneer.

.,

'£he pnstor wns shocked. He had o flcn hcn rd s uch tnlk from people in henlth, but n c,·cr befor from the lip · o[ a dying man. He poke lo lhc mnn ,·cry ea rnestly o[ orl's J,aw nntl of rn:111·s si nfuluc~· a uu <lamnniion, and point.eel him to ,1c 11. in whom nlone t here i: ~nl vaLio n, nclmoni. hing hi111 lo co111111i't his soul as a lost 11ml romlcm nccl inn •r lo t he nvior of si1111crs. U wa all in min. At. la. t Lhc pn tor ro:c to go.

"J3 ut nrc you 11ot going lo pray with 11w?" a::kccl lhc mm1 wi t h urpri c. " Wit.,· shoul d I prny wi th you?' llll! (Klslor l '(!plicd . . . I c·n nnot off•r .rout· prnycr: '(:ncl. r thank 'J'h1• • LhaL r am not a other m n arC'.' You <'an not offer Ill_\' prayer: C:od, h. lllC'rt·i 1'111 tn Ill <'. a ~i nnC'I' r l fnw c·an we pray tngl•Ll1 r :'.. ' l'liis :-:c•c•mc,l tn ·larLI t.h 111an n liflll•. H11l he ;\'idently thoug ht. if. was a . nrL of 1m1.;d • whid1 lie was too wcnk 111 . nlvc. nncl so h1• lll'ggc•cl I.he pas(e11· Lo pray j w:;t. a: he wislrnil. ' l'he pnsLor l.h •11 did pra,r f1Jr hi 111. 1•11 trc11Li11g t he] loly , 'pirit. t1J n•,·cnl ln hi111 his 11\\'ll • infill hen rt. 111111 hi: nC'ccl or for;.,d \' •n(.'S.' .

B11 L the 111nn nc,· •r in th lcn:t. changed. Ir • lingcrc·cl sn111c clays. li e J'Cpentcd ol'i<'n hi lilt) ..cn1ec1:· IL ,i·ns fni th in l,,im. r•lf. H e wa safo;(j •cl wi t.h hi i; rm·n life. H e rlietl wi t.hout n wnrd o r rcpcntnntc.

011 t he pn tor· · return lo America he was reque led hy the nian·s Inmil · to ·cc his brothers nncl fnmily fri end . 'l'hc.r were ,·cry polite, bu t they did not care to tnlk about t he dead mnn. At last t he pastor askecl one of them, a distant 1·elat ivc by n111r1·ingc only, to tell him what it all meant.

"You ore entitled to know," he replied. " l c.an• not 1indcrstn11d ho,~· the mun could have died wi thout. telling you. He was a forger and an embezzler. He li,·cd and died it1 France to c~cnpe nrrcst for his crime. His fnmily are s ulfo1·ing yet for lhc clisgmcc o[ !orgcr.,• nncl stenliug in a public oOice !"'

'J'he pnstor who tells this sto1·y adds: "I commend lhis true story to nll who a1·c 'trusting in themsch•es Uin t they nrc righteous.' How easy it is to believe n lie! 'l'he thin,;_rs which nre ngninst the selC-rightcous man, be it e,·cn forgery nnd stcnling, nrc in his eyes 'little .f aults, common to ·1111 men,

not scrionR.' Whnt blinclncss nnd devilish delusion,

r·

often helcl on t:o e\'CJ\ in the fnce or clcnth 'J'o I.he sclC-righteous Phnrisces Christ 11uirl, " Verily. I sny nnt.o you, '!'hat I.he publicnns nml t he

hnrlots go into _the kingclom of G01l before you;' :Matt. 21, 3J.

46

The Robber Saved.

At the iimc of I.he cholera in London a distin"llishcd !H' •ad1cr wa · called to a clcath-bccl. 'rh mai1 who N1111c lo [ct.ch him wa a rather rough fellow ; but a,; the call came frorn a dy ing person, the 1Jreac:her lrust.i ng in C:01rs protection, went wi th him. After pa ~ing through scrnrnl street t hey at lnst cnme inlo a Ycry narrow street, where the prcac-l1c1· followc,l lhe man ,lown a rope ladder in to a room whic:h C\'iclcnlly wa n clcn of thic,·c. nn<l r obLcrs. , 'cycml wilu-luokin!! men were itt.ino- nbout mul • 0 ' in the corne r of I.he room lay the clyiug man on a bed nf. Lraw. As the prcat·hcl· d rew near, I.he 1111111 groa n ,a : '.\ ,horL lime 11"0 L W:1 in ,·our c:hurch for I.he purpn;:c or . py in:; on omc on·e. 'J'lwre I hennl word; whieh L c·annnt forget. I thought I rould hide f'rum l :1111.' B11 L (Wen the ilcuse~t clnrkne:;s cannot. hi1l c us rro111 11 i111. Ah, He has round me· Li e has lnicl llis linncl hc:wily upon inc, 111111 O\'erc:cl all (l\'et· wi lh C'l'illl CS and . in, r shall SllOll nppenr before 11 i111. ft i · a fc:wful ~h ing tn fall into I.he hnlllls ot t h , li vi ng Goll. ' Deeply 1no,·crl, the prcachel· told the man the Gospel of Oocl·s grace in 'hrist, a nd poinled him Lo the Savior who says to nil that labor under the heaYy burden of . in: Come unto me, all ye that labor and nrc henyy laden, autl I will gh·c you rest."

Trusting in Lhe Gospel of J esus, the dying penitent robber folmcl forgiveness and rest aud sah-ation like U1c cl.ring thie[ nt the side o{ the crucified 'nyior. 'l'he words which he had heard in church nncl which had pierced his henrt li~e a swo1·cl-tlu·ust were the words of the 130th Psalm, in which Dnvicl says that God is CYcrywhcre, nnd that there is no c.scape from Him: "Whit her shall I go from Thy Spirit, or whither shnll I flee :Crom 'l'hy presence? H I say.

Surely, i:hc darkness shall cove1· me, eYen the night shnll be light about me. Yea, the darkness hicleth n ot from 'J'hce/'

It Is All God's. '£here is no p01·tion ot our time that is our time, 1111«1 the res t God's; there is no portion or mone.,· thnt is om· money, nncl the rest God's money. [t is nil His; Mc made it nil, gives it nll, ,ma" Be hns simply truste<l it to us for 1-{is SCl'Yicc. A scn·nnf has t.wo purses, the nu,st.er·s nncl his own, but we luwc only one. -illonod.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

4:6

A Funeral in India.

Luther· College, New Orleans.

I,uther College stud011ls and p rofessors are lookA missionary writing from Indin says : "'l'he of:her d:1y ns 1 wus tlriving througl1 t he ing forward to, nml preparing fo r, the clo. ing excity on my wny to vi:;i t the l:Iindoo Girls' ,.'chool, en·i es of the pre:ent term. l.'inal ex:u11i na liun · I was detained a lit Uc by a funcrnl pro ·c sion. 0 1110 · will uc maclc ,June 2" to 2-1. 'l'lierc will he twn Hindoo had died ; tlii ' J knew a t once by the uirec- graduates from l,hc Prcparnlo ry Depar tinnnt; a l,o_y tion they were mo,·i,1g, as they take thci r c1ead out antl :1. gi rl, a ,,rat1 11atc from the Normal I cpnrt- • to nu islanu in th e river a.ll(1 burn them, whilo the ment, Mi ·: }!tlna 'l'ho111n , nncl one from the ' l'hcol\fohammeduns take theirs to the other side of the logical Department, 1'fr. Cnhtin P. 'l'liomp:011. Uod. city and bury them. 'J'hc bocly is cunicd on a rude in His mercy, has preserved stutlcnL,; and profc~~or:-1 hicr made oC n broau board with cro ·s sticks at or I.he .in. l.il11tion from serious sicknc·s or other either end for the carriers to lift nuu carry jt by. mis fortune during the pa~t schoolyear, fo r whi ch Often poor people, who have no money to spend, we owe and g irc H im I.hanks. Appropriate comtnkc off the door of their onc-roomccl house nncl use mencement exercises will close the work oI the it to carry their cleucl. It is not t he custom i or yenr. 'l'hc night chosen ior these public cxer i. c: women to go outside o:C their own home to wail after is Monday, June 27, beginning at 7.30 1•. ir. ; the the bier-, but still there arc always some women of pince, the college building, North ])erbigny Sh-cet, low caste in the crowd of people thnt follow. near .Annette. We cordially invite all :friends o.f "First came the men beating the drums and Luther College, especially the members o.f our th ree blowing on horns, making a deafening noise. One colored Luthernn congregations at New Orleans. man walked by tlie side of the bier, waving a bunch 'rhc following program has been arranged fo1· the· of pen-fowl feathers. Another walked behind; he occasion: had an earthen pot of rice, raisins, and small coins.

1. Chorus : "The Rc,·el of t he Leaves."

G. ,I.. l 'eaz ie.

Every once in a while he scattered a handful among St. Pa·u l's 0 /rureh 0/roir. · the crowd of low-caste children, who eagerly picked 2. Recitation: "The Dlncksmit.h of Rngcnbnch." them up. Every little while the procession would Ji'ra11l; ill 111Ta!J· Sid11ey 1'er valo11. come to a standstill, and the women would wail and tear their hail' and beat their breasts. 'Just as they 3. Piano Duct: "Qui Vi\"c." . . . . . . 11'. GC111z. reached tbe riverside we passed on 011r way, but I illisscs Lill-iCln Woll er ancl Adeli11a ~Pinn. knew what they would do next. 'l'hc bier would 4. Es11ny : "'.l'hc Benefits of n Luthcrnn Educnt.ion." be placed on a flat boat an.cl taken out into the · 11/iss Edmi 1'/ro11ws. river to -t he island and burned. This is done by 5. Piano Solo : "Holy Hearts." . . . . Chas. Gause. placing the body on '?Orne wood, more wood placed 31-iss Lillian Waller. o,•er it, and oil or melted butter poured over -the G. Select Reading: ":Mountains." . . . . E. M. Mo1·se. wood; then the nearest relative would set fire to Miss Syluiua Raymond. the pile, and thus the body would be consumed to i. Latin Recitation: A Fnblc of Phaedms. ashes. The next day the women o.f the house would illr. 1.'/reodo,·e Killg. go and gather up the ashes or little bones ancl put 8. Vocal Solo: "The Choir Celestial." Artlm·r 1'1·e11elya11. them away until they could be taken to the river illiss Edna Tlromas.

Ganges. This is their sacred river. It is se,•ernl 9. Valeclictory. hundred miles from here, but poor people ·will save Mr. Calvin P. Thompson. up and starve themselves that they may. have money 10. Pinno Solo: "Vnlsc Caprice." . . . R. A. Ne,olaml. to get there with tbe ashes of their dead. In their 11/iss Sophie Raynun,d. heathen blindness they believe that the water of 11. Address.

Reu. E. Kra11se. the. river washes away all sin. May God bless -the mission work in this heathen land and bring many 12. President's Report. Awarding of Diplomas nnd Ccr• tilicatcs. souls to faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, 13. College Chorus: "Good Nigl1t Song." which alone cleanses from all sin."

0 ffe11bac1&.

MOUNTAINS

at a distance.

of difficulty always appear stecpel'

In the name of the faculty and students,

F.

W.ENGJm.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

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47

From Meherrin, Va.

N OT E S.

On February 7, last, 'Mrs.• allie Wall slept in J "l, ·us. ._'he was between . ix Ly 1111r,l seventy, antl fu r two .vcars her health was brnkcn. Au nt Sal lie wa · held in rc:-pcrt hy the ·ommu nity, white and c·olurctl liet·n u c i,hc lc,1 a ·obcr, i ncl usl ,·ious nnd "Olli)' Jil'c. l\[r. I toward Wall. 0111· tlcpnL agcHt at Mchcrrin. in who c family ·he cr\'Ccl in h •r arty years: slwwcd ki11d allll fricntlly inter •:;t i n !,er welfare to the end. , 'he was of the firt-fruiLs of om 1J1issinn wnrk here. 'J'hc Hcv. \V. R Huchlcr bega n hi. work at Green Bay, a raihrny village :four miles ca ·tor here. 'l'he poor col01·ed people we1·c ]~aptisLs in sen ti men t and it was har d to win them to the trn th of God. Then th ree Baptist women of the Doswell Settlement invi ted Missi.o.n ary Buchler to come and preach for them. lie came, anu so bega n om successful work, one mile west of om· present church. '!'hose three women were, Mrs. CJrnnay Doswell, l\:Crs. :Mary A. D oswell, and l\1rs. Sallie Wall.

'J.'hcir husbands followed these women, and in co urse or time t hey all, wi tli their chil d ren, confcf:. eel tl1ci 1· faith "in. t he pure Gospel truths as taught in the Lutheran Church.

For several years past, other p reachi ng poin ts in this 1·cgio11 h ave been abandonccl, a nd , t. :\Cat1.hew·s is on r only station n ow in Virg inia.

We sf.ill have one family ten miles west:, . a t l'lcasan t Grove. lfor some ti me, the hcncl of f-11 is 1"11111ily lim; been mislcll b_y the cloctrinc: of a l'alsc prophet 1rnmctl Cha rles 'l'. Russell. ' l'hc influence of the un l,cl ic,•ing, un rroclly world is felt also by our cong regati on. It is a g1·icf to more fnith[ul members that many of the young an<l of the child1·en sl1ow li ttle love for the Word of God. 'l'hc dance and other worldly nssociatious nttrnct them. But among us also God blesses tlJe ministry of His Word according to H is promise, nnd our labor is not in vain.

Thirty-two receivccl the- Lo~·d's Supper at Easter communion. That is the Inrgest number in some time.

One o:f our young women last winter mnrrfo9 n Baptist. She said, "We hnv~ but this one church in Vfrg inin, so thnt, i-f we marry nt all, we mnst marry ou t of our church."

J . S . K OINER.

.1!'001,1s11 'l'rrEORY. - A rcaclcr in the state of Marylancl writes : "Last winter a revival was held in ou1· t,J,rn . "One of t he preachers spoke on the co1n·crsion of Saul, who afterwards became Lite gn•aL apostle Paul. Trying to explain this m iraculom; c·un ,·er ion, he said that 'aul hacl a sunstroke j u:L out idc the city of Damascus. His theory , ccmcil very fooli h c,·cn lo the members of lhc preacher's own church; for who ever heard that a . unstrokc could turn a persecutor into a preacher, or make a Christian out o:f a skeptic?"

Yes, a foolish theory. If that preacher's theo1·y be correct, he might sec to it that his church closes its seminaries ancl stand the studen ts against a brick wall and have them all "sunstrokcd" to make preachers out of them. However, it is not onJy a foo!H1, bu t also a wfokecl theol'y, sprung from unbelief and hatl'ed of the Bible. It was very probably taken :from the writing of some higher crit ic, who denies t he inspiration of the Bible and docs away with the miracles of God.

'l'o con fess thnt you were wrong yesterday is only to ncknowledge that you are a little wiser • to-day.

ANO'.l'ICER. - 'l'he commun ication of our friend reminded ns of what we heard ~f nn old colored preacher in Alabama, who t ried to explain to his hearers the mfraculous passing of the people' of Israel through the Heel Sea, whilst Pharaoh ancl his people were drnwnccl. His theory was just a:; good, or j ust as b11<l, as tlmt of the whi te revfral preacher. 'J'he ohl colored prnacher saiil tha t the Heel Sea was .-frozen over, and so n.fforclccl the l sracli tcs a safe passage ; lrn t wl1en Pharaoh with hjs hcayy irou chariots t ried to cross, )Jc broke through and was clmwned. A colorecl brothe1· rose ancl asked an e.xplnnation of that " p'int." Said he, "I's been studyin' g'ography, and de g'ography say cla t am de .place whar de tropics am, and de tropics nm too hot for freezin' ; de p'int to be explained am 'bout breakin' through de ice." The old preacher straightened himself up and said, " B1·udder, glad you axed dat question, for it giYes me 'cnsio11 to 'splain: it. You see, clnt war a great while ago, befo' dey had any g'ogrn.phies, and befo' dn.r war n.ny tropics."

F nur.rs 01-· MrssroN WORK. - 'l'hirty yenrs ngo.

Uga.ncl11, Africa, was n heathen state, where superstition and cruelty reigned. To-day, 360,000 of its inhabit.ants, more than one-half of its entir.e population, are Oliristians.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

48

LOYAT, 'fO '1'1-rnrn CuuRCU. -1\fo ny years ago, ]!'iunish company undertook to establish n comme1-ci:1l colony at Sitka, Alaska, bu t the F inns rcfnset.l even the highest wages until they knew th e_y l'O llld have a L ut heran church t here.

It; was the lir:;t Protestnut church in .Alaska. 'J'his \\·a:; bc Corn tha t com1try was purchasecl by the lJnitccl ," lal;c:;. .\ftcrward;; l:hc company was cli!:. oh·cd, I.he s taLio11 abamlonctl, aucl the Fi nn; rt'tnrnctl l.o their uat.ive html.

11

Wnr,rn·s

- Litt.le Willie Barron proposed to put his oul_v ccut in t he plate Jor missions. His sister told him it wouhl be useless to mnkc so snrnll a gift, saying it wo11l1l 11crcr be notic·etl among the la rge con trihu tions. H e gave !:he cent, however, aud when t he collectors rcporterl a collection of 50 clollars nucl one cent , he whi pered to his sister : "Hear, that's my ceut; vou snitl it was so little it would n ever be uoticecl, ancl th e gentleman has told th e whole congregatio11 ." Little Willie gnve nil he _had.

ONE

OLD AoN·.rm

C 1~N·1·.

WAS

RTGH'.r. -A careless :fellow

o,·erhcnrd a destitute old colored woman pleading with the Lonl to scncl her some provisions, and, a· a j oke, he brought t he things she nskecl for nncl left th~m nt the door. \\ hen qucstionccl, the ~hl womnn insistcll tha t Jehovah had s upplied her ncerl .

Even after being told where I.he prorisions cnmc fi-0111, she stoutly insisted that; it was in nnswer to· her prnyer. "'.rhe devil mout a brung 'cm," sh e a<lmitted, ,:but the goocl Lord sen t 'cm jes' cle same."

Be Thankful.

When Ut0n hnst t_h nnked th~· Goel for every blessing sent, 'What time will Uum remnin for 111111·111nrs or lnmcnt?

BOOX TABLE. Prccligtentwucrfc nn,,; der fucnfaigjuchrigcn .A111ts1.cit des sci. Pn11tor O. Gross sen. Dnrgeboten ,·on seincn Soehnen C. nnd E . .11. G,·oss. Drittcs Heft. Price, 45 cts. Address Rev. E. i\[. Gross, Plcasnnt Plnins, 111., or Re,·. C. Gross, Scbringl•illc, Ont., Can. This is the third number of Sermon Outlines from the 11ermon .rnnnuscripts of the lntc Pnstor C. Gross, 1i distin• guished preacher in t.hc Luthemn Church. The first pnrt of tho booklet contains out.lines for l!Crmou"' on Gospel nml 1<-:1,isUe Lcssu1111 of the clmrch-~·enr. from t.he first Sundny nrter 1-~nstcr to 'frinity Sunday. 'l'hc second part contuius sc.,rmon outlines for special occasions: church dedication, f11ncrul11, mission festivnls. '.fhe busy .pastor will here find ,•1&luablc help in his pulpit. work. ·

SYX0llAl.m:nrcll'r m•:s KA-XS AS·D IS TR1"Tl'I. Concorclin P nb• lishing H ouse, , I. Louis . :\lo. Pric . 18 els.

The cloctrinnl paper s •I:, furl le iu a pla in. prnct.icnl 11m1111c1· I.he Script,nral docf ri m• cn11ccrni11g Good \\forks. ,\chin•,.;,.; ilcl h·cn •cl al. l.lu, Co111111 •11cc111c11L of l 'o1wonli11 Collcl,!C. ('011oni r. N . ' ...) 1111£' 11, l !l0!).

J1y 'll' .•/ . /J11/:/,c. Vuhli. lw,J hy r.•1 J11t:sl . \ pla in. ,-;l ronl,!. practical aclcln•.,:..;, f11 ll of :<t•uncl, i11• s !nll'fini. 11 1111 wist• temm:<c•l: :111 C:ll'lll'><L ap1wa l fo ~·ounl! people tr, Ji n• Llcr t.rnc Chri~Li:111 li fl·. t·n n~,, •ntl t•rl t o C:ocl :1111! clc,·ul1•1I l.o Llw sen ·iec of oLher;;. \Ve• hca rLih• co11111wncl it for wide cin:ulaLion, especially a111011;; Lice ·young.

- The pa111plclr•I. mnyhc hntl 0£ RC\1.0. .K11i,;ci r, 4 15 2-J½, L.. ,\ lilwnukcc•. \ rii:;., a l, 10 C1"11ls a copy. T he proceeds :Lrc lo he d,·,·otc,J lv hc11r> liciar.v c•chiMlion at C'1111conl i:L C,, llcgc\, ( 'onon:r, N . C. \\"11 .\'r lH T. 1n: ?

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AC?knowledgment.

I

]focci,·cd for '11/or,•d .llis.~io11.~ fr1J111 I.ho f11lluwi11~ cun· :,!regal.ions : Hcf,hle hc111, .Monroe, N . C., $2.50, SL. ,James, Soni.hem P i11cs, N . C., 2.50, l\lounl. Ca l~•,try. 1'Count P lea s• 11nt. N. C., :J.00, Zion. Gold llill, N. C., 2.50, Mount Zion, '£ he Rocks, N. C.• 2.00, Concordia; Rockwell , N. C., 2.50, )Count Zion, New Orlcan:-, T.n., 35.00, Ilcthlehem, New Or• leans, J.n., 30.00, St:. Pnul, N ew Orlenns Ln., 3:j.00, N:tpoleoll\·illc, Ln., 12.55. l\Inn ura. La., 1.80, St. rnu l, Chnr• lotte, N . C., ·i .50, i\founL Zion, l\foyers villc, N. C., 2.50, St. J ames, Southern P inc. , N . C., 2.50, St. John, Salisbury, N. C., 3.65, St. i\fat.thew, iieherrin, Va., G.3i, C:rnce, Concord, N. C., 10.00, Holy Trinit y, Spring field, J ll., 0.Gi, Gmce, Greensboro, N . C.. 3.00. 'l'olul~ $171.54. , 't. J.oui!<, i\Co., May l O, l!llO. rr. L. Dot:1n;11u; 1N, 'l'rcm,.

848 E. P rairie Arn.

Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches.

NEW ORLEANS, LA. St. Paul's Chapel, 1025 Annette St., near N. Clniborne St.; Albert Witt, Pnstor.

Divine Sen•iccs: Sunday, 11 A. 111. a.nd 7.30 1'.111.; Wednesdny, 7.30 I'. lll.

Mount Zion Church, Franklin and Thnlia Sts. ; Ed. C. Krnuse, Pastor• .

Divine Services: Sundny, 11 A. u. and 7.30 I'. lit.; Thursday, 7.30 I'. lit.

Bethlehem Chapel, Washington Ave. nnd Dryadcs St.; G. M. Kramer, Pastor.

Dh•ine Services: Sundny, 11 A. u. nnd 7.30 l'. llr.; Thursday, 7.30 I'. u . Sunday School: Sunday, 10 A. llr. ' SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Church.

Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. :r.t. nnd 8

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• TERMS:

AUXJLIAJIIUM.

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All business communications to be addressed to Concordia Publishing House, Jefferson Ave. and Miami St., St. Louis, Mo. . , All communications concerning the editorial department to be addreued to Prof. R. A. Bmc110FF, Conover,

Catawba Co., N. C.

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ar;ht ·Juthtran

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tontt~.

A MISSIONARY l\lIONTHLY. - - - --•--- - 1

PU13LISHED BY THE E vA NG ELrCM ,

L

"TII EHAN S YNODICAi, C oNFERENCF. OF

Nor.Tu

AMERICA,

R. A. BIS CHOFF , Enrro n.

Ente red nt the Post OOlce

:it

St. L <>111s , ~l o., :1s sceon,I-cl:1ss mnttcr.

s·r. LOUIS, no., JULY, 1910.

Vol. XXXU.

"He First Loved Us." 'Tis 11 0 1, my love to '.l'hce That. I clelight to tell , But; on Thy love, 0 Christ, to me.

Oh, how I love to dwell!

Lord, help me to believe T hy wondrous love to me, Then I in grateful love will give My life, my n.11 t~ Thee.

- -- -•------'--- -'· A Real Savior~ Christ is a real Savior. Not a sham sav~or, not n. mere semblance or likeness o:f a sn.vi9r, but a real Savior. . And He came into the world to save sinners - real sinners.

Not all men consider themselves real sinners. 'rhere are many that do not consider themselves sinners at all and do not feel the need of any Savior. There are others that call themselves sinners, but are sinners in name only. Many a man says : "All men are sinners, and I know ·I am a si.nner, but I do not know that I did much wrong.

I have a good heart and have always been honest and correct." Such a person does not consider himsel:f a real sinner. He is a sinner in name only.

• He is a sham sinner, and a sham Savior would suit him well.

But when a man has by God's Law come to a true sense o:f sin; when he has come to k-now his own sinful nature, rotten all through to tl~e core; when he has come to know .and feel his sins as grievous offenses against the just and l10ly God. ·»s transgressions of Go,1'a holy Law by which he has

No. 7.

deserved everlasting clam nation; when he labors under his sins as under a heavy burden and cries out with David: " My iniquities are gone over my head ; as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me," · Ps. 38 - then he will know himself to be a real sinner and will :£eel his sins as real sins.

A real Sa,•ior only can do such a sinner good. "In a real Savior only will he find peace and comfort.

When Martin Luther was still in the darkness and bondage of popery and did not yet know the Gospel of Christ, he ·one day was in great distress of soul, complaining under a bitter sense of sin : "0 my sin, my sin, my sin !" His friend Staupitz comforted · him by telling him, "Christ is the forgiveness for 1·eal sins. He is a real Savior, and you are a 1·eaZ sinner. God has sent His- own Son and delivered Him up for us."

Yes, Christ is n real Savior, come into the world to save real sinners. If•you are a real sinner, you should rejoice that a real Savior has come for your salvation. He was delivered up as a real sacrifice for us. He made a real atonement for real sins.

It is a real Savior that comes to us in ·the Gospel.

In Him we truly have forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. · How. gladly we sho~ld help to make known the glad tidings of Christ, the real Savior! .How earnestly ,ve_should pray the Lord to open men's ears and hearts ·that those who hear the glad tidings may accept this Savior who has come to save them I HAVE FAITH IN Gon. - "Take, therefore, no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," Matt. 6, 34-.

oO

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Of the 'Lord's Supper.

Tni,: BENEFIT oi,• THE Lonn's S0Pr1-:n.

We hnYe learned thnt the Lord's Supper conferupon us the blessed nssurnnce of the forgiveness or our sins, and therefore gives ns life nnd snlvntion.

Such bei;1g the case, we see at once why we go to ·the Lord's Table. The chief purpose we have in ,•iew when we pn.rtnke of the Lord's Supper is the strengthening of our fnith in the forgi\•encss of our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ. 'l'be sum and substance of our Christinn fnith is thnt Christ was given for our offenses nnd by His holy sncrifice on the cross gained for us forgiveness of our sins.

This our fa.itb Christ desires to strengthen by means of this Sacrament in · particular. Therefore He in the Holy Supper comes to us individually to each and every one of us separately, and says: You believe that I merited forgiveness of sins for you by my sacrifice on the cross; now, behold, tl1is is the body which was given for your sins, and this is the blood which was shed for your sins. Here in the Sacrament I give you the means by which I procured your pardon to make your faith the more certain and sure. And how could He better strengthen our faith than by giving us His body ,a nd bloocl, the means of our redemption ? In partaking of this precious gift, must not our weak faith be strengthened and our faltering trust grow firm? And should we not make diligent use of this precious means of grace? While devil, world, and flesh are e,•er busy to weaken our faith and deprive us of it altogether, Christ in His Sacrament has given us a safe and certain means of defense against these enemies of our faith and our soul's salvation. Let us, then, make diligent use of it and by its use receive strength to victorious1y battle against all the enemies of our soul. .

A further purpose we have in going to.the Holy Supper is to further holiness of life, or, in other words, to increase our love to God and man. As ,ve receive the body and blood of our Savior, must not our love to God the Father, who gave His Son, to the Son, who gave Himself a holy sacrifice for us, and to the Holy Ghost, who brought us to the Savior, - I say, must not our- love to this loving and gracious God be increased? And must not this our experience of God's love to us fill our hearts with love to our neighbor? Since God so loves us, must not we also love our brethren ? And of this Jove to God and man we stand in need so much !

Let us, then, by dil igen·tl,r partaking or the Holy upper, permit the Lord to enlarge our hearts -and inflnme our love.

Finnll~·, we ~hould diligen tly approach the I ,orcl' 'J'nble in tc ti mony or the communion oC faith. Jn the 'acrament we cat of one brencl nntl thus become one body, a t. Paul writes, 1 'or.

10, l'r' : " For we, being nrn ny, nre one bread. and one borl~•; ror we arc partakers of t hat one brcnrl.''

By "Oing lo the Lorrl's Table I confcs. my cir to be n hristinn. nncl those 1 . commune with I acknowleclge to be my brethren in fai th. "hri t inns, by communing togel.her. tc. t i fy to their most intforn.te union nncl fell owship in Christ, their common Hcncl. For th i rcn on it is impossible fo r us to ·commune with tho c with whom we are n ot in fellowship of fnith. , 'un. who nil my life doth brighten, T,igh t, who dosL my soul enlig hten, Jo~•, the sweclc!lt mnn e'er knowcth, Fount, whence nil my being flowcLh, AL 'l'hy feet r cry, my Mnkcr, Lrt me be n fit p1trtnkor Of this blessed food from hea,·cn, For our good, Thy glory, gi"cn.

F . J. L.

The World Without the Gospel.

Without the Gospel of Christ, what would this wo.rlcl be? To get an answer, we neecl only inqui re, What is the condition of the heathen world? What were the lives, the joys, the hopes of the wisest and best o.f those who were "without Christ, having no hope, and without Goel in the world"? Christless, Godless, homeless, hopeless, there was nothing £or them but darkness here and despair hereafter. Indeed, the greatest o.f an · evils is to be without God and without hope. Knowing this, Christians should be active in bringing the Gospel of Christ and salvation 'to a. lost, sin-ruined worlcl. "Go ye into 1111 the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature," says Christ.

•

Be a llaster, not a Slave.

St. Pa·ul says in Roma.us 6, "Let not sin reign ;" "Sin shall not have dominion over you." That is, you shaJI be master, not your sin. For sins are forgiven you, that you should fight against them and gain the victory, not do what the flesh wills.

Lutli6r.

,

The Lutheran Pioneer.

What

wm

the End Be?

When you see u boy nngL'Y with his parents, disobedient auu obstinate, cletermiJJcd to have his own way, to be his own mast.er, disregarding all admonitions and reproofs - unless he changes his course, you need not inquire, What will the end be ?" 1:1 • doe:; not honor and obey his parents, he doc. not heed the voice of Goel, and is on the puth that leads to woe and mi ·cry ; for i t is written: :coursed bl' he that setteth light by his father or his mother !"

When you ee a boy in the habit oi lying. always re1uly with a Jul ehood upon his tongue, ·o thiit no confidence can be placed in what ·he says - unlc: ~ he changes his course, you need not inquiL'C whnt his end will be. 'rhe curse of God is upon him.

"He that. speuketh lies shall not escape." "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord." U nless he come to repentance, he will be among tho c of whom it is written: ''!'he Ieariul, and unbelieving, and the oborninoble, ancl murderers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and br.imstone; which is the second death," Hev. 21, S. .

When you see a boy desiring the society of the wicked aml depra,,ccl, associating with those ,v.ho despise preaching and God's Word, who· will swenr, geL drunk, chent, steal, lhe in UJ!Cleanness, and do things in secret which it is a shame. even to speak of - unless he changes his cour~e, you need not inquire what his end will be. He will soon be ·as bad as his companions, or worse. He does not fear nor love Goel, or he would not seek the company anJ friendship of those who care not .for God's tench- . ings ancl commandments ancl waming~. H~ is traveling with the many on the broad way, and il he come not to repentance; his end will be eternal damnation. For "wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction; and many there be which go in thereat/ Matt. 7, 13.

From . Shepherd Life In Palestine.

A writer who spent many years in Palestine, says: .

One o-f the most interesting sights of shepherd life in Palestine is to watch a flock fording n stream.

The shepherd leads as usual, and the sheep follow in a string at his heels, but in the middle of the strean1 they begin to lose their footing and prift with the current. The shepherd hurries forward,

61

grasping first one and tbcn another, pushing as many a · he can reach in ! L·ont o[ him and hauling others up agaiust the pressure 0£ the water. As s09n as he 1·eachcs the opposite side he hastens along the bank and draws out those that have been swept down anJ ha\'e reached the other side faint with the truggle. 'l'hose sheep fare best that keep nearest the shepherd. ucl1 a cleli vernnce seems to be refe rred to iu P s. 18 l6: ' He took me, He Jrew me out of many waters.'

Sunshine after Rain.

Long years ago, writes a pastor, on a clay oC thick l"og and pouriug m.in, [ ;rcended a mountain by au old bridlepath over the slippery rocks. i\ weary, di appointed company .we were when we renchecl the cabin on the summit. But toward e,·ening a mighty wind swept away the bnnk of mist, the bocly ' of the blue heavens stood out in its clearuess, and be~ore us was revealed the magnificent landscape st1:.c:tehing away to the sea. That scene was af the t_ime, ·qnd has often been since, a lesson to my soul. H reminded me that the Christian's pathway is ov01:- steep. and slippery rocks, often through blinding storms; but God .1;-eeps His hold on l [is trt\sting chilclrcn, nnd will yet bring us out into the clear shining sun after ruin.

So ~t•s ~ttcr to hope though the clouds run low, A ml tc;, keep I.he ey1: still ti rted; J•'or the elcnr blue skY. will soon peep through When the t.humler cloud is ri(ted.

Work In Faith.

.

:?.[any n man put in 'the seed who never saw the harvest, just as many another brought home ripe sheaves 011 which he bestowed no labor save that of the sickle. 'l'he worke1· for Christ, therefore, is to work in faith, looking to God for the result. Much goocl is done of which he has no knowledge, and will have none until the great day, when both he that soweth and he tl~at reapeth shall rejoice together.

The Bible by Heart.. . We kn.ow a dear Christian woman, for many yea.rs an invalid and great sufferer, to whom many sleepless nights o.re appointed, who many yeaTS ago "got by heal't" thJ! book of Psalms; and so she can

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

sny with the Psalmist, "In the night His song shall be with me;~' "My soul shnll be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my n,outh shnll praise Thee with joyful lips, when I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night-watches;" 'Mine eyes prevent the night-watches, that I might meditate on Thy Word." How would she spend her dark vigils without this midnight lamp? .t~ d w~s it not well for that boy o.f Romish parents, but taught in a. Protestant Sunday school, whose New Testament the priest threw into the fire, that he was able to say, "Thank God, I ha,·e learned seven chapters of St. Matthew that he could not burn"? - Selected.

After the conclusion o.f this service, the missionaries and members ma rched in a solemn p rocession to t he new chapel singi11g the hymn, "I love 'l'hy Zion, Lord." At the steps the procession halted, ancl the chapel was formally clcdicatccl. 'l'he first divine sen ·ice in the new chapel -was conducted by Rev. C. H . 'oJesserli, who preached a very instructh·e ser mon from Ps. 132, 13. 16. After this sen •ice the laclie. of the chmch prepared aud served a l uocheon .for the ,·isi tors. I n the afteruoo11 our venerable missionary, the .founder of this and most of our other mi sions in North C1u-olina, Prof. N . J. Bakke delivered n ,·e1·y able sermon from Ps. -1-2, 1--4, answering the questiou : Why should otrr

The Old Schoolhouse at Mouni Pleasant, N. C.

Dedication of the New Chapel at Mount Pleasant, N. C. , 'unday, Ap,ril 24', was a Jay of great rejoicing and thanksgiving for the members of Mount Calvary Church, for on that day their new chapel was · formally <ledicated to the services of the 'l'riuue Gou. Hundreds of colored Lutherans from the neighboring mission stations were present. 'l'hc weather was ideal, an<l visitors had no difficulty iu coming here. Of the missionaries, Prof. N. J .

Bnkke, of Immanuel College; Rev. C. H . .Messerli, of Concord; Rev. F. Ford, of Gold Hill; Rev. <.;. l'eay, of Monroe, and Rev. "McDavid, of Charlottu, were present.

At I I o'clock a short parting service wus c-o:!ducted iu the old schoolhouse b~• Prof. Uukke.

c:hmch be our •<learest object on earth? 'The answer wus: In it we learn the answer to the question, How shall we be saved? Secondly, it has u l,aJm for nil our ills. '!'his service was well attended ; . many . could not gah1 admittance, aud stood near the windows. Many white people of the ' neighborhood were also present. After this service most of the visitors who were here from distant places started home. At the night service, Rev. J .

McDn,·id, of Charlotte, preached fro~ Ps. 110.

Lt was indeed a clay of gladness nncl joy to all.

The members especially nre grateful £or their chapel. l•'or a number of years they have been praying and wor~ug for tL new chapel. Our new :Mission Boa:r<l at Inst approprio.ted a sum Gf money, and the congregation was to raise the balance. This they .readily did. So there are no debts.

I

The Lutheran Pionee r. '!'he new chapel is a simple but very beautiful structure. It is situated in the southeastern part o! the town, and is built on a knoll surrounded by a beautiful grove of pine and oak t-:rees. '£he building is 2 X•lOXlG Ieet, with aa artistic steeple X X 4.0 feet. ln the rear of the chapel is a vest ry lO X LO feet. 'l' he chapel has four windows on eacll side and a double window in front. lL is tasLefuUy painted outside aml ,•arnisheu inside. '!'here nre 1 new pews and a nice altar and pulpit, which aud to its comfort and beauty.

Uotmt Calvary wns organized by Prof. Bakke in l 97. 'l'hc late lfov. 'tewart Doswell, of sainted memory, was missionary here for six years. 'l'be Hev. John Alston bas been in charge of this station since July, 1909. He has been zealous, and the Lord has not withheld His blessings from the work. 'l'he station aow has 19 voling members, •17 commu nicants, ).01 souls. Mount Pleasant is a Lutheran stronghold. '!'he N orth Carolina 'ynod has a ·ollcge here fo r young men and a seminary for yo11ng ladies. . It a.lso has a large congregation. Our colored Lutheran church is the largest colo1·ed cong rcgnlio11.

Mn.)' our icind he~venly Father, who, by His ble . cu Gospel and the operation of H is Holy 'pirit, l 111 • called and gathered this congregation, which profe ses Christ as the Savior ot sinners, and au heru · tu His pure Word and unadulterated sacrament ·, continue to send His blessings upon this congregation, and 1nuy many in it be consecruled to Him and attain eternal snlvation !

X.

63

if you will kindly take charge of $500.00, I will give it to you to bestow where you think it will be most useful ; but I do not wish my name to be mentioned, only to be catered as "A friend to the cause."• He then snicl, 'Will you take it now?' I answered, 'There is a good text in the Bible for us all to bear in mind : " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to clo, clo it with thy might; for there is no work, nor cleYicc, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the graYe, whither thou gocst."' He sat down, wrote out the

·1 I

A Missionary Donation. l(ew Chapel at Mount Pleasant, N. C'. 'l'he Secretary of a Mission Board received from n pastor u letter wit h check for $500.00 us the check, uncl said I was right. A week afterwards the 111issio11ary donation of "a friend to the cause." 'In olcJ gentlemun was calleu to his account. I thought the letter the pnstor wrote: "As the way in which how good a lesson it teaches to the yolwgest anti this sum .for our missions cnme i11to my hands is strongest 11mo11g us." somewhat curious, I will mention it, as it may be or use. 1 was calling upon an aged farmer, nncl the conversation tm·uing ou missionary work, he From an Old lltsslon Sermon. stated to me that he had never heard or read much of the subject unt il a day or two before, when, on The foll~wing has been sent us as a "selection opening a packet of books, he found one on mis.from a mission sermon preached nud printed in the sionary stories. He hacl been much struck with year 1809," the subject of the sermon being "Tht! them, and snid he was sorry he ho.cl done so little Giver More Blessed than the Receiver" (Acts 20. during his long lHe - eighty-three years - for so 35).

The passage adapted from the pamphlet reads great and glorious a. wo1·k, and he then said, 'You are much occupied in .furthering this .cause, and thus:-

a

The Lutheran Pioneer.

I

. "I have nothing to spare," is the meanest plcn of persons not willing to hel1> in mission wQrk. Nothing to spnre ! A fnr di fferent sentiment will be fom1ed nmid the scenes o.f the Inst dn.y. Men uow persuade themselves that they hnve nothing to spare till they can support n certa.in style of luxury, and have provided !or the establishment of children. But iu the awful hour, when you and I and all the nations shall be cnlled !rom our graves to stand before the judgment sent oi Christ, what comparison will' these objects bear to t he salvation of n single soul? Eternal Mercy ! Let not the blooc1 of heathen millions be found in our skirts ! In sight of o. dissolving universe, beholding the cloud arise, the world in flames, nations convulsed with terror, I pronounce the ·conversion of a single soul of more value than nll the wealth of the earth. I solemnly own that, were there b:ut one l1eatheu in the world, and he in the remotest corner of Asia, if no greater duty confined us nt home, it would be worth the pains for nil the people in America. to embark together to carry the Gospel to him. Pince your soul in his soul's stead, or, rather, consent ior a moment to change condition with the savages on our borders. Were you posting on to the judgm·ent of the greut day in the darkness and misery of heathenism, und were they living iu wealth in this very disti:ict of the Church, how harcl would it seem !or your neighbors t.o neglect your misery ! When you should open your eJ1es in the eternal world, and discover the ruin in which they had suffered you to remain, how would you reproach them that they dicl not even sell their possessions, if no other means were sufficient, to send the Gospel to you. My flesh trembles at the prospect! But they shall not reproach us. It shall be known in heaven that we could. pity ·ou~ brethren. We will send them all the relief in our power, and enjoy the blessing oC making them blessed and generations )'.Ct unborn.

The Story of a Hindu Leper .Girl.

Frances is her name. She is n 1>oor orpban, her parents having died ·o f starvation during the aw!ul famine of 1896-1897. She and her two orphan brothers had to pass through many hardships, seeking their bread among strangers, living on whatever they could find, often forced by hunger to eat that which many animals refuse to touch. .

At last Frances came to a Protestant Orphanage, where she found a Christian home and was well

ta ken care of. She attemled the mission school al}cl proved a very industrious and bright scholar, her ambition being to serve the ]A rd at some iuturc da.y i n. some way in the mi ~iou. She not only excelled in he1· lcs ou , but wns very clever in fancy needlework. B.er hristian ch:nacter endeared her to all. But she was never quite healthy. Each winter .she was afTlicted with ulcerated sores on he1· ham1s nnd feet. 'l'hcse were treated, und with the war111 weather disappea1·eu, so that the mis io11a1·y did not suspect any dangerous hidden diseu. e. Whenever an epiclemfo broke out in the village, F rances was sure to contract the sickness. She has hnd malarial fever, small-pox, cholera, and J>lague. 'l'hese diseases ' broke down her constitution and gave the hidden pestilence in her bocly chance to take firm root and spread. 'rhe sores on her body soon gave unmistakable signs as being of the greatest of pestilence - leprosy. Yes, poor F rances was a l~per, having taken the dreadful disease very probably at the time of her wandering about with others before she came to the orphanage. It wos n hard trial fo r the poor girl, who hacl been so anxious to prepare: herself at the mission school ior some uselul work.

When the missionary tolcl her the nat ure of her disease, and that she would have to go to the asylum for lepers, she was very c1ownheartec1 and nea1· clespa.ir. She said to the missionary: "God has saved me ~rom starvation, maln1·in, cholera, small-pox, and plague, to strike me with the most Jonthso111e of diseases." Her fai th wns sorely tried. She could not understand God's dealings with her. But later, in the asylum, when God used her for n blessed work, she understood it nil, as may be seen :from n letter written by one who visited the leper asylum where Frances dwelled.

He writes to a friend : I must tell you of one girl whom we saw sitting wfth the women. She is perhaps eighteen years of age;- it is easily seen that she has hnd the advantage of an education which the others ney·e r have known. Frances Elizabeth Way is her English name. She was a school-girl at nn orphanage, full of ambition. She wns fitting herself for some form of Christian service, when it was .discovered, that the dread disease had ah·eady fastened upon her and she must go to the leper asylum.

Poor girl I Do you wonder her heart was bitter ns she realized that every cherished hope was blighted? Disappointment, misery, suffering, loathsomeness - death. The leper asylum I What a terrible place for n young gir~ to go to; what a sur-

The Lutheran Pioneer. rounding to Jive in ; what a death awaits her! Of course, the p]ace is bright and clean, and there nrc flowers, yes; but, oh, it's a leper nsylum still. 'J'hcrc Frnnces hnd to go, and her heart was bitter, though she was a Christian girl. Does it seem so strange to you ? How would you feel?

But the bitterness of her heart w11 soon io pnss away. ']'here were others there in greater ncccl than she, and she ministered to tl1e111 in !;elf-forgetful lo,·e. She became co1Jtcntcd, and her faith wns strengthened. Goel had given her a blessed lirework where she did not expect it. A!Tlictcd with the same disease as these poor leper women, she could sympathize with them as J1C> others could, · and their hearts were opened to her. One by one she led them into the light of the Gospel. The leper asy]um is a different p]aee to-dny. 'l.'herc is something in the Jives of these poor wretches which neither money nor health could buy. And the reason? Frances Elizabeth Way is there - a blessed instrument in the hand of Goel.

Commencement Exercises of Immanuel Lutheran College.

Immanuel Co11ege completed jts eighth scholastic year on Friday, June 3. 'fhe commencement week was begun by a. special service for the studcn ts on the previous Sunday night. Rev. Messerli, of Concord, N. C., preached the annual sermon. For his text he had chosen Matt. 7, 13. 14.

On the following Tuesday night the students' Entertainment and Musicale took place. The program consisted of a i ew songs sung by the students' choir, two humorous dialog_ues, a German declamation, and a number of organ solos by the writer.

On Wednesday night the "little tots" of our Primary Department gave an entertainment. The program mapped out by the two teachers, Messrs.

Carter and Reid, consisted chiefly of little declamations and songs by the .schoolchildren.

On the following night tl)e graduating class of our Primary Department hnd its special exercises.

These exercises consisted in orations by some of the graduates, intermingled with musical selections. In addition, an address was delivered to the graduates by nev. McDavid, o:fi Charlotte, N. C. His subject was, "Make Good I" Fifteen scholars received the certificate of echolo.rship, and we are glad to know that most of them intend to enter the Preparatory Department of Immanuel College next fall.

On F ridn.y afternoon the Commencement Exer·ise of the graduates of the Seminary and Preparatory Departments took pince. After the processional the program was openecl by tpe hymn, "Take Thou my Hnnds," sung by the audience, and an in vocation

by Prof. Wahlers. Each one of the graduates delivered an oration. viz., Miss Addie Mc'rier, of Green boro, N . C. on " Wnstecl Work," :i\Ir. Henry Kent, of Mount Pleasant, N. C., on "Evil Cornmunicn.tio11s orrnpt Good Manners," and Mr. Willinin Hill, of Greensboro, N ..c., on " Daniel, a Model Youth." i\Iiss :M:cTier and :i\[r. Kent, who both grndmitcd from the Prepa1·n.tory Department, intend to con tinne thei r studies at our college. Mr. Hill, who graduated f~om the Seminary Department, will receive a charge in our mission field. The orations were interspersed with a choir selection and an organ solo. Rev. Lash, of Salisbury, N. C., then addressed the students, showing them that God.fem·ing mfoisters are the great need of our time.

Before the closing hymn, "God Be With You," the diplomas and reports were distributed. 76 per cent. of the students were advanced to higher classes.

During all these exercises the chapel of our college was crowded · to the utmost, and all were well pleased with what they hen.rd and saw.

During the month of May a number of young people in Greensboro were added to the Lutheran Church ,by the rite of Confirmation. At Grace Church Prof. Wahlers confirmed a girl and a boy, the latter a student o·f Immanuel College, and at the College Prof. Bakke connrmed four young ladies and two young men, all of them students of our insti.tution.

May God bless these young people, and may He continue to prosper Immanuel College! ~ L.

NOTES. COLORED MISSIONS. - We are informed that the Protestant Episcopal Church has advised its congregations in South Carolina to give "half of their mission offerings for Colored Missions in that state."

Our correspondent adds: "During the discU88ion of the-matter stress was laid on the fact that unless the education of the colored peo_ple be religious, it will prove a failure. Our Lutheran Church recognized this truth when she began mission work among the colored people over thirty years ago. Would to God that all the congregations of the Synodical Conference would rally to the eupport of this important mission I"

66

The Lutheran Pioneer.

CJTY M1ss10Ns. - From the annual Heport of the Lutheran City Missions in Milwaukee we learn that nlso in the past year the mission enjoyed God's richest b]essing. Iu ,the 21 public institutions of the city, having 6000 inmates, the missionary, the ReY. E. Duemling, made known, in public and in pri"ate, the Gospel message for the salYn tion of souls. The Report states that 103 regular services were held, 6 confessional, and 11 funeral services, and that 1616 visits to the sick were made. 256 persons comm,med, 11 persons were bapti1.cd, 5 adults were confirmed, and 24 persons died under the pastoral ca.re of the missionary. What a blessed work it is to minister as God's messenger to the sick and the dying in the hospit11.ls nnd asylums, to the aged and infirm and destitute in the homes provided for them, and to the prisoners in their prison cells! lNou. - In the India field in which the Lutheran Missouri Synod began mission work but a few years !lgo there are at present 9 missionaries at work, 246 Christians, about 887 pupils attending the Christian schools, and 100 to 200 catechumens under instruction preparatory to baptism.

In Africa to-day there are 2470 missionaries, assisted by 13,089 native Christian workers. A chain of connected missions reaches from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.

AFRIOA. -

A SELF-DENYING GIVER. - A Mr. Hamilton, who was a mere cJerk jn a surveyor's office in Glasgow, Scotland, and whose income was only $350.00 a year, gave to the church every year $100.00, or nearly on~third of his entire income. After his death his cash account was found with the Lord's offering indicated there, and it was discovered that he had spent only one shilling a day on his own needs, besides the three shillings a week for lodgings, ·that he might give the more to the cause of Christ. He was indeed a self-denying giver, and he gave quietly "as to the Lord, and ~o~ unto men."

· BOOX TABLE. DZllf Rl:IOJI KOKKEI Miuionavortraege, gesammelt von 'JI. Jleyttr.

Zweites Heft. Concordia. Publishing Ho1188, St. Louie, Mo. Price, 20 eta.

Thia ia the second number of mi11lonary addrcues, which, like its predeceaaor, cannot but prove helpful and suggestive to preachen at miuionary leativa~a and mia• ■!on aemoea.

SYNODAr,ll&IIICIIT DES Smm-l1,1.1NOIS-DIS1'Rll.:TS, Concordi1\ P uhlishing Rouse, t.. Louis, l\lo. Price, L7 cti;, _Contnins an inst.ruct.h ·e and edifying paper on I.he li fe or Joseph, t he son of Jacob.

Dy R ev. Osca,· Ji:a•iscr.

This sermon, bn ed ou Ucbr. 13, 7, wns preached No,·cmber 20, 1000, in the lmmnnucl Gcrmnn Luthcrnn Church, Baltimore, l\[cl., at. the iuneral of J.,. C. Krieger, who for t hirty-five ycnrs fni thfully served t.he eongrcg:t• I.ion ns pnrochinl schoolt.cnchcr. ln simple language und in n convincing manner it. is shown "that the worcls of the text: '.Remember them who hn,·e spoken unto you t.hc \:Vorel of Goel' npply also to 11, Lutheran p:trochial schoolt.cnchcr," and n touching nppcal is made to I.he scholnr!< nnd to the members of I.he congregation to remember him who in lo,·c to the S:wior for o mnny years fnithfnlly fed Ure lambs of.Jcsu wit.h t.hc pure \Vorel of :o,l.

Copies -of the sermon mny be had of the a uthor n.t.

5 cents each or 50 cents :l rlo:r.en. ,\ rldress Rev. O. Kaiser, 415 W. 241.h St., l\Ulwn.ukcc, \\7ii;, li"ONEIIAT. s~~RUOX,

Acknowledgment.

Rcccivecl for ColorecL Missions from the following congrcgntions : St. Paul, Chnrlot.te, N. C., $7.50, Bethlehem, l\fonroc, N. C., 2.50, St. James, Southern P ines, N. C., 2.50, l\lount. Zion, New Orlenn , Ln., 35.00, Bethlehem, New Orlcnns, Ln., 30.00, St. Pnul, New Orleans, Ln., 35.00, Nn.poleonvillc, La., 28.00, M:1rnsurn, Ln., 11.25, Mount Calmry, Mount Plcnsnnt, N. C., 3.00, St. Matthew, Mchcrrin, Vn., 5.38, St. John, Salisbury, N. C., 2.85, Grace, Concorcl, N. C., 10.00, Zion, Gold H ill, N. C., 2.50, Coucordin, Rockwell, N. C., 2.50, Mount Zion, The Rocks, N. C., 3.00, Grncc, Greensboro, N. C., 3.00. 7'otal: $183.08.

St. Louis, Mo., J.unc 10, l 010.

H. L. DOEDJ,.-UU;IN, T1·cas .

848 E. Prairie Ave.

..

Evangelical Lutheran Colored

Churohe■ •

NEW ORLEANS, L,A. Bt. Paul'• Chapel, 1625 Annette St., near N. Oln.ibornc St.; Albert Witt, Pastor.

Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. u . and 7.30 l', lll.; Wednesd_ay, 7.30 P. lll.

Mount Zion Ohuroh, Frnnklin and Thnlia Sta.; Ed. C. Krauae, Pastor. • Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. u. and 7.30 r.111.; Thursday, 7.30 P. ll!.

Bethlehem Ohapel, Washington Ave. nnd Dryndcs St.; G. M. Kramer, Pnator.

Divine Services: Sunda.y, 11 A. ll!, and 7.30 P. 111.; Thursday, 7.30 P. u. Sunday School: Sunday, 10 A. 111.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Ohuroh,.

Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30

A. ll!.

and 8

P.H.

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liht Juthrrall

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tontt~.

A MISSIONARY ~IONTHLY. PtmLISIIED BY TllE EVANGELICAL L U'l'llERAN SYNODIC,\T, CO?-."FERENCE OJ,' NORTH A..'\lERICA.

R. A.. BISCHOFF,

EDITOR.

Entered nt tho l'ost omco nt St. Louts, Mo., ns secoml-clnss mntter.

Vol. XX.XII.

ST. LOUIS, MO., AUGUS'l', 1910.

Bought with a Pries.

Lord, I nm Thine, for Thou hnst purchased me; The price - Thy precious blood.

A sinner, lost nncl ruinccl, found llll(l snvccl, Am I; nnd I nm Thine, 0 l:;od! l\fy life is Thine, for Thou hnst giv'n me life, Thine own laid clown for me; And Thou the conflict, grief, and bitter shnme Hast borne, that I might live with Thee.

My soul is '.lhine, thn.t soul to Thee so denr, Thn.t Thou didst stoop to clic, And bear Thy Father's wrnth, tbnt it might shnr.c Thy Father's love eternally.

M:y powers nre Thine; then let me gladly pn.y The thankful tribute owed To Thee; nn'd in '.rhy b\essed seniee spend The gifts by Thy own love bestowed.

My a.11 is Thine; be this my one desire To sene T!1ee here below; · l\ln.y I tell sinners of snlvn.tion free That they Thy love may know.

J., H. B.

Bought with a Price.

Salvation is free. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, colne ye· to the waters, ~nd he:thn.t· hath no .money, come ye, buy, a.n d ·e at; yen, come, bu)' wine a~d milk without money and witho-ut price," Is. 55, 1.

Salvation is freely '"offered in the Gospel, .to be taken by faith without money and without price.

It is a free .gift of God's grace. "By grace q.re ye saved, tlitough faith," say,s the apostle.

But salvation is not on· that account a cheap thing. No. It. ·cost something. ·''Ye are bought With ·a· price," say11 · St. PauJ: · Sldvation was purohased..at ·tL·· tremendous.:p:rice. Nothing less. th~

No. 8. ·

the precious blood of Christ, the Son of God. "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver. and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot," says St. Peter. .And through the opened door of heaven which ~t. Jolm saw there floats down to us the song of the saints before the throne of the Lamb : "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood," Rev. 5, 9.

Indeed, they who. reje_c t the salvation freely offei:ed in the Gospel without money and without price reject· a treasure of endless value, a pearl of ,great price. · A London preacher relates .that at the close of . ~>ne of his services a man that worked in a coal mine came to him and said, "I would like to · be a Christian, but I cannot receive what you said to-night."

The preacher ·asked him why not.

The man replied: "I would give anything to believe that God would forgive my sins, but I cannot believe that He will forgive them if I just turn to Him. It is too cheap."

"My dear friend," so.id the preacher, "have you been working to-day?"

Looking slightly astonished, the man said, "Yes, I was down in the coal pit, as usual."

"How did you get out of the pit?" asked the preacher.

"The way I usually do," said the man. "I got into the cage and was pulled to the top.''

"How much did you pay to come out of the pit?" · The man looked at the preacher rather astonished . and so.id, "Pay? Of course, I didn't pay anything."

,.

08

The Lutheran Pioneer.

The preacl1er then nsked him : "Were you not ing and drinking could procure these great blessafraid to trust yourself to the cage? Was it not ings, then our salvation would be of works and too cheap ?'' not by grace.

"0 no," snid the man. ''It was cheap for me, No, no; not en ting nnd clrinki ng does these but it cost the company n lot of money to sink tha.t great things, but the words of Christ, "Given and shaft into the coal mine." shed for you for the remission of sins." These are The man hnd hardly said this when, without the words which Christ spoke at the institution another word, the truth flashed upon hjm, and he of the Lord's Supper, ancl they are the chief th ing saw if he could haYe salvation without money and in the Sacrament; for without these words bread without price, it had cost the infinite God a great and wine would be simple breacl aud wine only nncl price to sink that shaft and rescue lost men. no Holy Supper. These words of Christ spoken How sad that so many lm,·e not the Gospel and at the institution o.f the Lord's Supper, and repeated k.~ow not God's free gift of salYation purchased so at every celebration of the Sacrament, make the dearly with the blood of His own Son ! Surel.,·, Lord's Supper a Sacrament. Because of these words those who enjoy tJ1is, salvation can ha,,e no more Christ offers and gives us His bocly and blood under important work than to bring this great blessing the bread ~nd wine, and because of these words Re to others. Bought with a price, they have been offers forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation to .made God's own to serve Him in grnteful love by every communicant. It is because of these words bringing the Gospel of Christ's salvation to perish- of Christ that enting and drinking can do such ing sinners. great things. Concerning this point Luther writes in the Large Catechism (§§ 28-30): "But here a willful misrepresentation is made by our wise Of the Lord's Supper. spirits with .their great art and wisdom, crying out and protesting: How can bread and wine forgive OF THE PowER OF T}!:E Lono's SUPPER. sins or strengthen faith? Although they hear and How can bodily eating and drinldng do such know that we do not say this of sucb, bread and wine great things? as is in itself. bread and wine, but of such 'bread !t is not the eating and drink-i-ng, indeed, ·that and wine as is the body and blood of Christ, and does them, but the 1oords here written., "(}ive1i a,11,d is 1mited with the words. That, we say, is the shed for you for the remission. of sins/' which.words, treasure, and nothing else, through which such forbeside tlte bodily ea,t1:1ig and d·r inking, are as the . giveness is obtained. Now the only way ·in which ckief thing in tlte Sacrament; and he that b'el-ieves it is given and appropriated to us is in the words: these 1oords has tohat they say and ezz,ress, na:mcly, 'Given and shed for you.' For herein I have both the forgiveness of sins. truths, that it is the body and blood of Christ, and This question is very similar to the third ques- that it is mine as a treasure and gift. But the tion of the Fourth Chief Part. It is directed body of Christ can never be nn unfruitful, vain against those people who take offense at the true thing, without iefficacy and without benefits. Yet, doctrine of Scripture concerning the great benefit howe,•er great be the treasure in itself, it must given the worthy partakers of the Lord's Supper, be comprehended in the Word and· administered and who forget that in this Sacrament not only a to us, else we should never be able to know and bodily eating and drinking of bread and wine takes seek it.'' place, but also a sacramental eating and drinking But while every communicant receives the body of Christ's body and blood, ·and a spiritual eating • and blood of Christ, not all procure forgiveness of and drinking by faith in Christ's merits as ex- sins, life, and _salvatioµ. "The treasure indeed," pressed in the ,vords of institution. says Luther, "is opened and placed at every one's Eating and drinking of the bread and wine in door, yea, upon every one's table, but it is necessary the Lord's Supper is indeed necessary; for Christ that you also take of it, and confidently regard it took the bread and wine.in the night in which He as the words give it to you. . . . For since thi~ was betrayed, and said: "Take, eat; take, drink treasure is fully presented in the words, it can be ye ~l of it l" But necessary as is the bodily eating apprehended and appropriated only by the heart. and drinking, no man can ever thereby procure For such a gift and ete:11al treasure cannot be seized forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. If our eat- by the hand. • . . But this ie done by the faith

, The Lutheran Pioneer. of the heart, which discerns this treasure and desires it." (Large Catechism, §§ 35-37.) Goel offers the treasures o.f IDs grace to all that partake o.f the Sacrament, but the communicant must take the treasure that is offered him, i:£ he would possess it, aucl this taking is done by iaith. While the Sacrament is a sacrament, whether we believe or not, the blessings it offers can only become ours if we accept them by the hnnu oC :faitf1 ; for only "he that believes these words has what · they say and express, namely, the forgiveness o.f sins."

0 Christ! muy we t he food rcceh·e · With cl1ildlikc faith in 'l'hcc, And humbly still '.rhy word bclie,•c When 'tis not ours to sec.

F. J. L.

A Missionary Church.

69

A Wonderful Rescue.

Several years ago, a ship took fire near the · mouth o.f the English Channel. Among the passengers was n family consisting of father, mother, and a. little daughter only a .few months old. When the fire was discoYcrcd, there was great confusion on the ship, and the .family was separated. The father was sa\'ed and taken to Liverpool, but the mother with the child was pushed overboard aud was not noticed by those that had come to the rescue.

Clinging to a fragment o.f the wrecked ship and pressing her little child to her bosom, the mother was carried by the waves out into the sea.

Late in the afternoon of that same day a vessel from Wales, on its way to America, was sailing slowly along. '!'here was hardly a. wind stirring, and the captain was pacing the deck with impatient steps, when, all at once, he noticed at some distance au object in the water whi~h looked almost like a human being. :Members of the ship's cl'ew also observed it for a while. But there being no ship near by :from· which any one could liave been lost, they all thought the object could not be a human being. However, as tl1e ship hardly moved along, a boat was at· last lowered, and several sailors were cozwuanded to look after the ~utter. From the deck every eye followed tl!em closely. They were seen rowing near the object, taking it into the boat, and 1·eturning to the ship. They brought the mother and the little child, both safe.

When the seamen rowed towards her, the mother was singing the hymn :

'l'hc Lutheran church in America was from t he very begi1ming a missionary chmch, active, not only in the home mission field, but also among the hea then o.f our land.

As early as the year 1637 a small colony o.f Lutheran Swedes sailed up the Delaware River, and in the following year they had finished, on the present site o.f Wilmington, Del., a little log building, which was consecrated as a church by their pastor, the Rev. John Campanius. It is said to have been · the first Protestant church built in America. The little colony flourished, and soon other pastors were sent over from Sweden, and other churches were erected along the river, until in the spring of 1677 Jesus, Lover of my soul, a church on the present site of Philadelphia was· Let rue to Thy bosom fly, dedicated to the service of God. While the waters nearer roll, These little church buildings were surrounded While the tempest still is ~gh I Hide m,e, 0 my Sa.vior, hide, by savage Indians, and an effort was at once made Till the storm of life is po.st; to reach these heathen people; for no sooner had Sa.fe into the haven guide; the pious Swedish immigrants provided for their 0 receive my soul n.t last! own households than they began to preach the GosThe seamen heard the song, listened in amazepel of Christ to the Indians. "They learned their ment, and saved mother and child. The ship soon language, sought them out in their camps, and folreached America. The womap wrote to her friends lowed them through dark forests, over streams and in England.

From these the _husband also received mountains in their hunting expeditions, everywhere the glad news of the wonderful rescue. About four seeking to lead them to the knowledge of the truth.

It was by· Swedish Lutheran missionaries that the m~ntbs after the time of their separation the family first book of Christian instruction ever· translated was again united, and heartily thanked God for His into any Indian .tongue was published. It was Lu- great mercy .and almighty protection. ther's Small Catechism."

So the church, from its first planting on AmeriMISSION PBOSPEOT. -The prospect is as bright as the promise of God. - Misslonary Judson. can soil, became missionary in its character.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

60 Benares.

Bena1·es is a city in.India, situated -on the Ga.nges River. It is a large and wealthy city, but given entirely. to idolatry. It is the sacred city of the Hiudoo. He believes it to be the center of the earth and the first created spot. Millions of heathen pilgrims come there every year to wash away theil: sins in the Gauges River, which is also considered sacred, and to worship at the many shrines of hideous gods. A trtweler who spent a ~ay in Bcnares, writes: "On all sides you see heathen superstition

ing we took a boat on the Ganges. On the steep Benares bank of the river there are forty-six landing places: These consist of great iri·egular stone platforms, on which are temples, shrines, foul-smelling sacred wells, grotesque and obscene images of gods. Among the flights of steps, or ghats, leading down to the river is also the burning ghat fo1· the burning of dead bodies. The Hindoo considers himself happy that can live in the sacred city on the sacred ri ver, or at least come here to die. Wherever else he dies, some faithf ul friend must bring his ashes to this river. 'l'wo bodies were being burned -

.

-. . . .

-

-

:--

.:..

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Benares, India.

and idolatry. Among the temples we visited was the monkey temple. This is sacred to the goddess Kali, who delights in sacrifices, and for whom the blood of countless goats is shed now that human sacrifices are prohibited in India. Hundreds of chattering, grinning monkeys run up the pillars, quarrel on the roof, and eat popcorn purchased for the~ by worshipers. We saw also the cow temple.

Here a number of particularly sacred cows are kept, and the usual way for the worsbipe1·s to show reverence is to kiss the cow's tail. The golden temple is devoted to the worship of Ganesl1, the belly god, a most hideous image with an elephant's head. This temple is a huge structure, and several of its domes are covered with gqld leaf. The filth around this temple is simply indescribable. In the early morn-

as we passed by; a third swathed in white was in the river for its final pmification; a :fourtl~ is borne down the bank and placed in the.river. Our guide · tells us this last one is the body of a Bengali, who treat their dead very badly-;- they break their legs.

We ask him why. 'Because devil nm round in body.

Break legs, devil can't run.' On each side of the buming ghq.t up and down th~ river, thousands of men, women, and children are praying aloud, pouring libations, and making offerings of seed, and fruit, and garl.ands, all to the sacred river. The same trip serves to wash their. bodies, their clothes, their cooking vessels, and to get drinking water to carry home. The filth of the city sewer and the presence of the dead bodies seem to make no difference. Soul-sick we turned our backs upon Beil-

The Lutheran Pioneer. ares, and thought of St. Paul at Athens, how 'his sphit was stirred in him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.'"

The Infidel Silenced.

A young American, who was suffering with spinal disease, wlrich had crippled and pained him from his birth, had been traveling in the for East for his health. On his wa.y back home he stopped for n time in Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva, where he was met by an .American pastor who was spending the summer there for his heal th and :from whom we heard the young man's story many yea1·s ago. He told us that he enjoyed many a deligh tful hour in communion with the young invalid, as he was a. believing child of God, patient in his sore affiiction and contented with the ways and deaHngs of his heavenly Father. His pale face, and shrunken limbs, and curved back, showed the agony he had endured, yet he was happy in the full assurance of his Sa,•ior's love.

On one occasion the young man went for a. day's change to the town of Bex, a place to which many travelers gathered on entering or leaving Italy.

He was seated at a table in a large dining-room with a number of travelers, when his attention was called to the loud remarks of a tall, robust, and handsome man. He ·soon learned that the remarks were directed with many a shaft of ridicule and wit against the Bible. The infidel, having .finished his dinner, was in the net of leaving the room, when the young American said to him gently, "May I detain you a moment?"

"Certainly," was the .kind reply, as the stranger glanced at the sickly youth, not kuowi~g what he wanted.

"I only wish," said the Christian, with his weak and plaintive voice, "to tell you briefly my history.

I was born in the United States of America, aud have always been in my body as you see me now, only worse. My father died when I was still a child, and there was no one to love me or care for me but my mother. I bad no childhood, but when the boys were playing and shouting in the streets, I was lying in a darkened room, moaning with•1>ain.

Under God I owe my life from day to day to the untiring tenderness and·watchfulness of that mother.

When I had struggled on to. the age of a young man, she thought that a visit to the Holy Land, which I had so longed to i;ee, would interest me and

61

might possibly benefit my health. We reached Palestine in safety, but there my mother was suddenly taken with fever, and was laid away in the grave, and now I am on my way home to die, too. The oniy joy left me on earth is the hope of meeting my mother again with J esus, in heaven. Would you take that joy from me?"

"No, no," said the infidel, while the tears ran down his fnce, " I would not. Keep your hope and your joy, and I beg your pardon for having said a word to wotmd you.'' " Oh," said the Christian, " thank God, you cannot take nwny my comfort.'' And then placing his hand on his heart he ndded : "I know here how precious Christ is, and how true is His Word; but to-day you huve poisoned the minds of some of U1ese young men, who have listened to your cruel harangue against the Bible. You arc strong now and do not feel your need of God, but there may come a change for you ;. and these young men may also come very soon to sorrow and temptation and · death; and you have done all you can to take away from them their only shelter and support in the hour of need." 'l'he powerful man stood for a moment silent :md humbled before the pale youth, and then said solemnly, "I was wrong, and deserve your reproof.

Never again will I speak in the prese~ce of others as I did to-day." Then, taking the hand of the Christian, he left the room. The bravery of. the infidel was shaken by the words of that noble Christian young man who had experienced in his own -h eart the truth of the Bible, the eternal Word of God.

Thankful for Reproof. ,

A traveling missionary lodged one night at a public house,· where there were many guests. In the evening a man came in and gave an account of some rather striking event, using many oaths and profane expressions.

The missionary, after hearing him for some time, turned to him and said, "Sir, you are a stranger to me, but you appear to be a person of intelligence; and I should be willing to take your word without an oath, and I think the rest of the company would likewise.''

The man immediately apologized, and said that his mother had taught him better, and that he was ashamed ·of himself for using such language. He also thanked the stranger for having reproved him.

62

The Lutheran Pioneer.

After Many Days.

Somewhere near the year 1838, n warm-hearted young Christian gentlemnu, William G. by name, n student.in Oxford Academy, New York, noticed upon the village streets n bright, active little colo'red girl o! about eight or nine years of age.

Mr G. called the child. to hiqi and asked her 1 if she could rend.

"No, sah, there's no place for us," was the reply.

"Come to my room," pointing out the house, "before nine in the morning or after four iu the afternoon and I will teach you to read. Will you come?"

"Ycs, sah," was the ·reply, the white teeth glistening and the black eyes spllrkling with delight.

So prompt and studious was the queer little pupil that she soon mastered the alphabet and in a short time was reading quite fluently. Now the question arose, what could be done with the chil'd? She ought to attend Sunday school, but who would receive her?

The church in the village was small and Mr. G. superintendent of its Sunday school; but among nil bis teachers he could not hope that one would welcome the poor child unless, indeed, :Miss - - , the most intelligent and cultured Indy in the school, would. take her. He asked the question. ''I will take anyone who has n soul to save," wns the Christ-like answer.

So Sarah Mason became a member of Miss--'s class, and ere _long was a l1appy young convert as the result of her faithful instruction and earnest prayers.

Twenty years passed by and reading the ·list of missionaries who sailed for Africa. Mr. G. saw the name of Sarah Mason. He did not assocfate this missionary's name with the little waif he bad befriended so long ago, and the years rolled by.

Not long ago a venerable colored man came to the office of Esquire G. to bear to ltim a message of thanks from his daughter, Sarah Mason, who had gone home to the mansion which Christ had gone to prepare for her, from the mission field in Africa. After many years of labor home and rest were very sweet to her, but before she went she wished messages to be sent to the friend who had turned her feet into the way of life: A Christian gentleman in Cortland had supplemented the good work begun in Oxford and .the bright young colored girl was educl!-ted for the

mission field of the benighted land of her fore-· fathers.

It wns great joy for those who had simply followed tl1c dictates of a loving Christian heart to know that such fruit should appear "after many days." And so, perhaps, with other weary toHers looking back upon what may seem fruitle s live , somewhere the seed which ~hey have sown in tears may be ge1·minating ancl growing into fruit-bearing trees of Ii re.

"Father Knows."

A merchant was one day opening a box o.f goods.

His little son was standing near; and as his father took the packages from the box, he laid some of them upon the nrm o.f the boy. A young friend and pliiymnte of the merchant's son was standing by looking on. As parcel after parcel was laid upon the arm of the boy, his friend began to fear his load was becomiug too heavy, and snid"Jolumy, don' t you ·think you've got as much as you can bear?"

"Never mind," answered Johnny, in a sweet, happy tone; ".father k"'llows how much I can carry."

Brave, trusting little fellow I He did not grow restless or impatient under the burden. There was no danger, he felt, that his father would lay too heavy a load on him. More than all, i1is father loved him, and therefore would not harm him. It is such a. spirit of loving trust in Him that God desires all His children to possess.

The Skeptic.

A number of guests were sitting on the veranda of a summer hotel, talking, among other things, also of churches.

"I nm a skeptic," said one young mf}ll, in a haughty strain.

"An epileptic?" asked an old lady somewhat hard of hearing. "Poor boy ! You look like it, so you do." While the others smiled, the young man looked rather sheepish.

The Jlll,ser.

They were speaking of a miser who bad just died. "Did he leave anything?" asked Smith.

"He had to," was the short reply of Mr. Jones.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Two Praying Friends.

It was n beautiful Sunday in the spring of 1812.

The preacher's text was John 3, 16 : "God so Joyed the world tha t He gave His only-bcgotlcn on, that whosoever bclie,eth in Rim should not perish, but have everlasting life." 'l'wo young men heard this sermou, the one the son !)f n. .far mer in the parish, . the other the son of one of the villagers. 1'hey met after the people were disnussecl nod were on their way home.

"Did yon .feel anything pnrticulal'ly in the church to-day? ' saicl Alexander Patterson to hi acquaintance, Robert Edie, as they iouncl themseh•es alone upon the road. "I nc,·er," he went on "till to-clay, when I was listening Lo that sermon, felt myself a lost sinner to be saved by grace."

"It is very strange," said hi companion, " it was just the same with me." '!'hey were ncnr a plantat ion, into which they wandered, as they walked on talking. Hid~cn at last from all human sight, it was proposed that they should join in prayer. Screened by the opening fol iage, they knelt on the fresh green sod and .poured. out in turn their prayers to God. Both dated their conversion from that day.

Patterson went shortly afterwards to live several miles away, but attended regularly the Sunday services nt his .former home. His friend, Robert Edie, generally went with him part of the way home.

About one hundred yards from the road along which they traveled, in the thickly screened seclusion of n close plantation, and under the shade of a branching fir tree, the two friends found a quiet retreat, ,vhere, each returning Sunday evening, the eye that seeth in secret looked down upon these two young followers of Jesus upon their knees offering up their prayers to the throne of grace. The practice was kept up for years, till a private foot-path of tlieir own had been opened to the tree which had become their meeting-place for prayer. And when, after a long absence of about twenty years on the pa.rt of both, they met again at the home of their youth, they again visited the spot where they had so often met for prayer, and there offered up their joint thanksgiving to the merciful God ~,•ho had· kept them by His grace and had honored each of th~m with usefulness in the church. For both had become laborel"s in the mission field and were a blessing to many souls by their lives of devoted Christian usefulness.

63 NOTES.

CONTRJOUTIONS FOR FORErGN ~!lSSIONS. - Jt is stated that nine-tenths of the contributions to foreign missions are given by one-tenth of the church membership, while only one-half of the membership gives anything at all ior that purpose. The average . amount given by each member is fifty cents per year - only the seventh part or a. cent per da)' for the conversion or a thousand millions of heathen!

An average of :fh·e cents a week from every member of the Protest:mt churches of the United States would bring into the treasury during a single year $16,500,000.

EVERY CREATURE. - The Gospel of Christ is to be preached to every creature. i\Ien are needed because other men are dying without the Gospel.

When a vohmtcer missionary to Polynesia ,vas told of dangers to be met, he simply asked whether. there were men there. "Yes," was the answer, ''horrible cannibals." "That settles it," said he; "wherever there are men, there missionaries are bound to go."

A THANKFUL CONVERT. - One of the boys in a missionary school in Africa asked bis teacher recently if a letter was going to America soon "because," he said, "we ought again to send thanks to the Christians across the ocean for sending us the Word of God." He s,aid it with his whole heart.

Such thankfulness is nn ndded and seldpm mentioned motive to missions.

BIBLE WonK. -The New York Bible Society employs two missionaries, who every day are doing their utmost to supply with Scriptu~es the incoming thousands. Other missionaries, too, that are laboring at Ellis Island, are furnished with Scrip:. tures free by this Society, and they supply immi- · grants that the Bible Society missionaries may not reach. The New York Bible Society is also distributing thousands of volumes of Scripture every week among the sailors, and also among the poor and unfortunate of that great city.

A LITTLE GIRL'S GIFT. - :tittle six-year-old Grace Conklin of New York died a. few weeks ago, leaving her whole fortune, eighty-six copper cents, to the Sunday school for mission purposes. She gave all she bad. "And a little child shall lead them."

The Lutheran Pioneer.

64

A PooR Wrnow's GIFT. - The late Dr. Paxton used to say that the most pathetic gift for missions, and relatively the largest ever given in his New York church, was a five-dollar gold piece brought him by a poor w_idow, who, to enable herself to gh·e it, raised chickens on the roof of the tenement, the attic of which was her abode. She had absolutely no other way of raising money, and it took her a whole summer to gather this sum.

BQOK TABLE. ucbcr das drit.tc, vic1·tc und fucnftc Hauptstucck von C. C. Schmidt, P ast.or an dcr cv.• luth. Gemcindc zum hciligcn Krcuz in St. Louis, l\Io. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, l\fo. P rice, 85 cts., post.paid.

This well-printed and substantially bound volume of 130 pages brings the second pnrt of Cntccl1ism sermons by the Rev. C. C. Schmidt, nnd will, like i ts companion volume, be heartily welcomed ns n valuable help to fulfill Luther's wish also in our day. Lut her Raid: " I wish t he people to be well taught in tl1e Cntcchism." In simple lnngungc, in plain nncl dil'cct st.yle, these sermons sek forth nnd apply the Bible truths contained in our Catechism.

Pnrts l?irst and Second may be obtained substant ially bound in one volume for $2.00.

KATECIIJBltuSPREDIGTt; N

AFRICA. - There are 104 evangelical nuss1011 societies at work in the mission fields of Africa.

The Bible: or. at least portions of the same, has been translated into 117 :African languages. There Acknowledgment. are 8 high schools, 59 seminaries for the training Received for Colonxl .illissio11s from the following conof native preachers, 68 industrial schools, 2 schools grcgntions: Mount Zion, New Orleans, La ., $35.00, Detltfor the training of nurses, and several thousand lchem, New Orleans, Ln., 00.00, St. Paul, New Orleans, La., 35.00, Napoleonville, La., 33.70, Mansura, La., 0.80, St. village schools. There are · ~3 mission hospitals, John, Salisbury, N. C., 3.13, i\fount Calvary, Mount Pleasin which, ·on the average, 150,000 sick are taken ant, N. C., 3.00, St. Paul, Charlotte, N. C., 7.50, St. James, Southern Pines, N. C., 2.50, Mount Zion, Meycrsvillc, N. C., care of every year, 3 leper asylums, 13 orphans' 2.50, Grace, Concord, N. C., 10.00, Mount Calvary, Sandy homes. But there is still much mission work to Ridge, N. C., 10.00, Mount Zion, The Rocks, N. C., 3.00, Zion, Gold Hill, N. C., 2.50, Holy Trinity, Springfield, Ill., be done on that large continent. For it was stated 4.10, Concordia, Rockwell, N. C., 2.50, St. Matthew, Mcltcrat the recent World Missionary Conference at Edin- rin, Va., 5.77, Grace, St. Louis, Mo., 2.50, Grace, GreensN. C., 3.00. From Rev. F. L. Braun and family, Chiburgh, Scotland, that "there are whole tribes in boro, cngo, Ill., 2.50. Total: $238.06.

Africa to-day, ranging from five thousand to two St. Louis, Mo., July 16, 1010.

H . L. DoEDERLElN, Treas. million persons, who have never heard of Christ."

848 E. Prairie Ave.

WHAT ONE MAN Dm. - What may sometimes Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churche■• be accomplished through efforts of one rnnn is NEW ORLEANS, LA. illustrated by the case of a German named Karl von St. Paul'• Chapel: 1625 .Annette St., near N. Claiborne St.; Canstein. In 1710 he established a little society for .Albert Witt, Pastor.

Divin\9 Services: Sunday, 11 A. :II. and 7.30 P. 11.; distributing Bibles among the poor. Its aim was Wednesday, 7.30 P. 11. to sell the New Testament for two pennies and the . Mount Zion Church, Franklin and Thalia Sta.; Ed C. Krause, Pastor.

Bible for six. Shortly afterward an urgent appeal Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. 11. and 7.30 P. 11.; was made to Christians for money to establish a.

Thursday, 7.30 P. K. printing plant, which brought $7920: The first Bethlehem Cllapel, Washington .Ave. and Dryadcs St.; G. M. Kram~r, Pastor. edition was printed in 1712. Canstein has been in Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. K. and 7.30 P. 11.; Tbunday, 7 .30 P. II. Sunday School: Sunday, 10 A. H. his grave one hundred and irlnety-two years, but SPRINGFIELD, ILL. th~ society which_ b.~ hi:s name still lives, and Holy Trinity Church. . recently celebrated its two hundredth birthday an- · Divine Servicea: Sunday,_10.30 A.-K. and 8 P. 11. niversary. By ~e end of 19.09,. 8,90Q,000 Bibles had been issued.

TEBKB:

the

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•

A Rioil COSTUHE. - A Y.OUDg missionary from the West attended ·as "delegate the meeting of. a Home Missionary Society near a fashionable Eastem summer r~rt. Writing home to his wife, he said that among the fashfonabfe crowd he saw one .youilg lady "whose costume was worth one mission chapel, thirty cottage ·organs; md twenty-two Sunday achool .·lib?aries.'! :·He: wondered ·"if she had anything to spare for the mission cause.11

" • • :.~:. -:

Tim Lt1TBEB,U( PI0NED is published monthly, pa.yable in aduanoe at the following rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copy •..•••••.• •• .••..••. .'$' .25 .

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ijf;ht Jnthtran A MISSIONARY MONTHLY.

-----•----PunLISIIED DY TIIE E v ,\NGELTCAL L uTITERAN SYNODICAL CONFERENCE OF

NonTn

&IERICA,

R. A. BISCHOFF, En1Ton: Entered nt tho I'ost o mco nt St. Louis, Mo., ns scconcl-clnss mnttcr.

Vol. XXXU.

S'l'. LOUIS, MO., SEP'fEllBER, 1910.

Sowing and Reaping.

No. 9.

a. thnnkf-ul heart which had already obtained forgiveness of sins and salvation by faith in the Sa,rior On through tl1c dnrk nnd wenry yenrs who came to seek and tQ save that which is lost, and \ Ve sow the seed with precious tears, who will in no wise cast out whosoever cometh unto And s lay our l1enr ts in faith sublime Him. "Thy faith hath saved thee," said the Savior.

Wit h prospects of the hnn·est time.

It was not her faith and her love or any good that Not long shall we in sorrow go, she did, but her faith alone. We are saved by grace Not long endure earth's toil nnd woe; and therefore by faith, not by works. ''By grace are For Ile who bids us sow nnd weep ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; Shall enll us then in joy to reap. it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man Then shall each tearful sower come, should boast," Eph. 2, 8. "It is of faith, that it And bear his sheaves t riumphant home ; might be by grace," Rom. 4, 16. "For God so loved The voice long choked with grief slinll sing the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that Till he:w'n with shouts of triumph ring. whosoever belicvetli in Him should not perish, but Thick on the hills of light shnll stand have everlasting life," John 3, 16. When, therefore, The gathered she:wes from every lnnd; a convicted sinner asked the apostles, "What must While they thnt sow and they thnt reap I do to be saved?" their answer was: "Believe on The Hnn•est Home in glory keep. the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," SeZ. Acts 16, ·31.

Such saving faith is surely not a deacl thing.

Saved by Faith . .

No. It is alive and active in the service of Christ. '!'he believer's heart is filled with love to the ReIn the seventh chapter of St. Luke we read that deemer, who has done and suffered so much for him, a woman, w.ho was a great sinner, came to Jesus, that he might have forgiveness of sins and everwashed His feet with tears, dried them with the lasting salvation. And the more he realizes how hairs of her head, and ldssed H~s feet, and anointed · much has been forgiven him, the more will he love them with ointment. Was this sinner who wept at the Savior, and the greater will be his desire to the feet of Jesus saved by her tears, by the ointment serve Him by making known the Gospel of His salwith which she anointed His feet, by any feelings vation and by winning souls for His kingdom. His of her own, or by any good that she did to Jesus? service is not done for reward. It is a service of No. Jesus said to the woman: "Thy faith hath love. And there is no service like the service of him who serves because he loves. His giving for saved thee; go in peace," Luke 7, 50.

True, she loved ·mucli, as her sins that were for- missions is also the giving of a thankful, loving given were many. "To whom little is forgiven, the heart. And there is no giving like the giving of him same loveth little.'' But her love, great as it was, who gives because he loves. Such a one will not say, did not save her. Her love wae the outp.ouring of ''How little can I give?" but, ''How much?"

66

The Lutheran Pioneer.

The Other Side.

J csus tells us that a certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his raiment, nnd· wounded him, nnd departed, leaving him half dend. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way ; and when he sn.w him, he passed by on the other side.

Ancl likewise n LeYite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and pnssecl by on the other side. (Luke 10, 30-32.)

The other side! It is n well-trodden way. How many there are that walk on the other side !

What is wrong with "the other side"? . Much wrong, indeed ! True, neither the priest no~· t]1e Levite did anything to hurt the poor wounded traveler. It was the robbers that had woundecl him almost to death. The two men who passed by on the other side did not strike him, nor cnst stones at him, nor take nnyti1ing from him. Yet, in not showing ldndness and in not helping the wounclecl. sufferer, they really treated him cruelly, although they did nothing to hurt him bodily. We may clo great wrong to ·others by failing to do for them the duties of love which we owe to them. There arc sins of omission as well as of commission - sins of not doing as well as of doing. "To him that knowcth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin," says the apostle.

Men do not think seriously of such sin as they pass by on the other side. They pass by human need, doing nothing to relieve it. They see others in trouble and distress, but they offer no help. They pass by on the other side.

They hear of the spiritual need of fellow-men who are without God and without hope in this world - the greatest of · all needs - sick an~l wounded by sin unto death. But no Macedonian cry for help touches their hearts. No appeal of missionaries or Mission Board opens their pocketbooks. They pass by on the other side.

Ah, it is a well-trodden way - the other side !

Remember, we are indeed our brother's keepers.

It will not do for us to say that we did our brother no harm. The question is, Did we do him the good that his condition required?

We go our ways in life too much alone; We hold ourselves too far from all our kind; Too often are we deaf to sigh and moan Too often to the weak and helpless blind; Too -often, where distress nnd want abide, We tum away and pau the other sJde.

The other side is t rodden smooth, nnd worn By footsteps pnssing idly nil t he dn.y; Where lie t he bruised ones, nnd t.he faint nnd torn, Is seldom more t hnn nn untrodden wny.

Too oft our selfish hcarls onr footsteps g uide, And blindly lend us on t he olher side.

It should be ours the oil nncl wine to pour Into t he bleeding wounds of s tricken ones; To tnkc t.hc smitten, n.nd t.hc s ick nnd sore, And bcn r tlicm where a st.rcnm of blcs ing runs.

Jnstcncl, we t urn our eyes - the wny is wide ; And cnlmly pnss upon t.he other side !

We cue so blind n nd den r ! .A down I.he years, H umnnity is ca lling eneh nnd nil, I n piteous uccents, born of pain nncl tcnrs.

I prny you, listen t o t he t hrilling call !

You mny not, in your selfi sh pride, Pnss guiltless on t he other side.

What a Woman Should Be and Not Be. An old preacher said there were three things a

woman should be and not be at the same time. ~rrst, she should be like the snail, always keeping within her own house; but she should not do like the snnil, which carries all it has upon i ts back.

Secondly, she should be like an echo, and speak when she is spoken to; but she shoulcl not be like 1m echo, which always manages to have the last word. 'l'hirclly, she should be like the town clock, and always keep time and regularity; but she should not be like the town clock, which speaks so loud that all the town can hear it.

"Safe In the Arms of Jesus."

The Rev. Hannington, the well-known missionary of Central Africa, who was taken by the natives and imprisoned, and afterwards put to death, made this last record in his journal: "My headman led me out on pretense of showing me the Nile, when suddenly twenty ruffians set upon us. 'rhey threw me to the ground anci took my valuables. Twice I nearly broke away from them, and then grew faint with struggling, and was dragged by the legs over the ground. In spite of all, and feeling that I was about to be murdered, I sang, 'Safe in the arms of J~us,' my tormentors exulting at the agony of my situation." · IF God bids us carry a burden, He also carries it. The heaviest end of the cross lies ever on His shoulders.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Two Stories.

"And t hey brough t young children to Him, that He should touch them; and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. B ut when Jesus saw it, lie was much di pleased, and said 1mio them, Suffer the little chilch-en to come un to Me, and forbi d them not; fo r of such is the kingdom of God. .t.\ nd lie took them up in His arms, and put His hands upon them, uncl blessed them." , 'o runs " the sweet tory of old;" but you have heard it so often, dear children I am afraid you don t stop to think how very sweet it is.

Listen to another story, oh, so diltcreut ! A Chinese mother said to her child, "You have done wrong ; your god is very angry with you. Come to his temple, and pray to him, that he may not send dreadful punishment upon you."

Aud such a god I His eyes that could not sec, his cars that conld not hear, his lips that could not speak, were all made o.f cold, hard metal; and he sut on a h uge block o.f stone. His limbs were immovable; nnd he could not take the children in his arms, if he would. Yet to this god the boy must come, even though too young to sit alone. His Cather held him in u prnpcr positio11, and taught liim to 1·epcat, O\'Cr and over again, some prayer, of whose meaning he had no idea; while his grnndfather and grandmother looked on to see that all was done as it should be.

Now, dear children, when your mammns have tucked you in your little white beds at night, when you have snid, "Now I lay me down to sleep," and "Our Father," won't you offer one short prayer for the heathen children, that they, too, may know and love your blessed Savior? - Well Spring.

A Strange Idol.

Near Peking, the capital of China, there is a small temple close to the road. If you enter the temple, no idol is to be seen as in other Chinese temples. But a large log or block of wood is seen lying on the floor. That block is the object worshiped in this temple.

How did the Chinese get the idea to worship a block of wood as a god? Let me tell you.

Some years ago that log of wood was hauled by mules to the city of Peking. At the spot where the temple now stands the log sank into tbe ground which had been softened by heavy rains. It could

not be moved, and learned men were called to give advice. They declared upon their honor that the log was possessed with an evil spirit and th:it it would therefore be best to let it lie and build a temple over it and worship it as a god. r.rhis was done, and now several priests enjoy the benefits of the sacrifices offered to this strange, queer idol by the poor blind heathen.

An Emperor's Testimony.

In an account of a conversation which he recently had with .the German Emperor William, a pastor reprcsen ts the Emperor as saying: ''I often read the Bible; I like to read it every night. 'l' he Bible lies on a table at my bedside.

I find the most beautiful thoughts expressed in it. 'l'he Bible is to me a .fountain from which I draw light and strength. In the hours of sorrow and depression I · seek consolation therein. I cannot understand how life can be lived without real communion with the Almighty. All must go through Gethsemane."

Late Kindness.

"Mother,· mother, you have always been so good to us!" said a son, sobbing at the deathbed of his mother. · The dying mother raised herseU up in bed and said : "You have never told me that before, John !"

Let us be kind in time and show our appreciation before it is ·too late to. do much good or any good at all. A husband carefully and tenderly plac~d a flower in the pale, still hand of his dead wife, when some one remarked, "'.rhat is the first flower he ever gave her."

The living, and not the dead, need our kindness.

A New Light.

"I have been a member of your church for thirty years," complained an elderly Christian to his pastor, "and when I was laid by with sickness for a week or two, only one or two came to visit me."

"My friend," said the pastor, "i,n all those thirty years how many sick have you visited?" · .

"Oh," he replied, "it never struck me in that light."

68

The Lutheran Pioneer~ Mount Zion, New Orleans, La.

Our German mission paper reports that tl1e Colored Lutheran Mount Zion congregation in New Orleans recently received as n welcome present a new handsome altar for its beautiful church.

The church was built in 1897, but at that time the money ior an altar was not at hand. So only the founclntion for an altar was provided. When the congregation, about n year ago, resolved to collect money for an altar, Mrs. Mary Wright, one of the charter

child, but, being very kincl and thoughtful, she endeared herself to all around her. There was brough t into the hospital a little girl of a peevish ancl disngi:eeable disposition who was very sick. The Swedish girl at once took her place by the cot of the little stranger and took entire charge of her in fact, acted the pm·t of a little mother. The little child grew rapidly worse, and at last she died.

When the lit tle mother, as she was called, was asked by the matron why she had treated the sick baby so tenderly, she looked bewildered and said :

Mount Zion Church and School in New Orleans.

members, gave the missionar,y $64.00 with the request to get a handsome altar as a preseµt to the cliurch. She has also declared herself willing to donate the altar-piece, or painting. The congregation surely thankfully appreciates the kindness of MfS. Wright, who by her generous action has set an example for other Christians to follow.

Neighborly Love.

A little Swedish Lutheran girl eleven years old was taken to a hospital, wh~re, after an illness of several months, she recovered. She was a homely

"Do not all the -people in· the world help one another ? You have helped· me.''

"But why did you choose that baby?" the matron insisted. "There are many others here prettier, better tempered, more lovable."

"Yes," replied the little Swede, with tears in•her eyes, "but she · had nobody but me to ta:ke care oi 1 her, mada~."

THERE is no other way to find deliverance from sins than in t}le words of the Third Article of the Creed: "~ beiieve the forgiveness of sin.''

Luther.

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The Luthe ran Pioneer.

The Sailor's Card.

A Christian worker, who labored for many years among our sailors, relates that one night after services a young sailor, who had only a few nights before been led to the Savior, came up to him, and laying a blank card before him, asked him to write a few words upon it, giving as his reason for the strange reques·t : ''You will do it more plainly than I can."

"What must I wl'ite ?" asked his friend.

"Write these words, sir: 'I love Jesus - do you?'"

After having written them, his friend said, "Now you must tell me what you are going to do with the card." 'l'he sailor replied, "I am going to sea to-morrow, and I am afraid if I do not take a stand at once, I may begin to be ashamed of my religion, and let myself be laughed ou t of it altogether. Now as soon as I go on board, I shall walk straight to my bunk no d nail up this card upon it, that every one may know that I am a Christian, and may give up all hope of making me either ashamed or afraid of following t he Lord."

69

succeeded in discovering the place where the cruel deed was done, and recently a monument, a large granite block wi th a polished cross, was there erected in memory of the martyred missionaries. '!'he monument bears in gilt letters this inscr iption in German : ''Here rest the remains of the two American missionaries l\fonson and Lyman, slain and eaten in the year 1S84. John 16, 1-8." Under this inscription is the following in the Battak language : "'l'he blood of the ma1·tyrs is the seed of the Church or J esus."

Ju the festival service of dedication i t was related that the mother of one of the murdered mis-

A Time to Dance.

An old colored P.reacher in Atlanta, Ga., lectured a young man of his congregation for attending a public dance where there was· much drinking and carousing. The young man protested that the Bible said, "There's a time to dance." " Yes, dar am a. time to dance," said the old preacher ; "and it's when ,a boy gets a. whippin' for goin' to such a dance."

A Wonderful Change on Sumatra.

Sumatra. is. one of the largest and most important islands of the East India Archipelago, inhabited by .d ifferent tribes of savages, the piost interesting of which are the Battnks. The dwellings of the natives are generally built on high poles.

Such dwellings, they think, give more safety and protection.

A great change has come to Sumatra since 1884, in which year the American missionaries Munson and Lyman, the :first evangelical missionaries on the island, were killed and eaten by the savage Battaks.

About a year ago, the German missionary Schrey

D'Yelling of Natives on Sumatra.

sionaries, on hearing of her son's death, did not grieve over the loss of her boy, but was sorry that she had not another son to take his place and tell the Battaks of Jesus' love. Until the end of her life she daily prayed for the Battaks. Her prayers were not in vain. There are now .69 missionary laborers from a German mission society working among the Battnks, and 82,000 have been gathered into Christian congregations. In the very ,•illage whose inhabitants committed that bloody deed in 1884 the Gospel is now preached, and the son of the leader of that murderous band, the eighty year old chief Ombu Tombak, was one of the catechumens receiving instruction preparatory to baptism.

A wonderful change through the preaching of the Gospel I

70

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Blind Robert.

One day, writes a city missionary, I met a little boy in the street who was going along very slowly, ieeling his way by the houses and the fences. I pitied the poor blincl boy. So I stopped to talk with him.

He told me that his name was Robert, that his father was sick at home, and that his mother had to take in washing and bad to work very hard to get a living. All the other children had some ki11d of work to do; but as he could not see to work, he was se11t after clothes ior his mother to wash.

I asked him if he did not feel bad because he was blind. He looked very thoughtful and solemn for a moment, then he smiled and said, "Sometimes I t h.ink it harcl to have to creep about so ; sometimes I want to look at the sun that warms me; at the sweet birds that sing ior me, at the flowers that feel so soft when I touch them, and at the face of dear father and mother that love me and care for me.

But God made me blind, and I know that it is best tor me; and I am glad that He gave me a good mother, and a Christian school to go to, instead of making me one of the heathen children that pray to snakes and idols."

"But, Robert, if you could see, you could help your mother more," I said, without thinking, and was sorry as soon as I said it; for the little boy's smile went right away, and tears filled his blind eyes, and ran down his pale cheeks.

"Yes;' he said, " I often tell mother so; but she says that I help her a great deal now, and that she wouldn't spare me for the world; and father says I'm the best nurse he ever had, if I am, blind." " I am sure you are a good boy, Robert," I anli!Wered quickly.

"No, sir," he said, "I am not good, but have a very wicked heart from which come wicked thoughts; and if it wasn't for the Savior, I don't know what I would do.''

"And how does the Savior help you?"

"Oh, sir, I trust in Him, and He gives me rest and makes me strong and patient in all trouble.

It makes me glad to· think that I shall see Him in heaven. I daily pray t.o Hun." ''Well, Robert, that is right; and so you expect to see in heaYen ?"

"0 yes, sir. In heaYen all blindness will be gone. I heard father reading in the Bible the other day, where it tells about heaven, and it said there is 'no night there.' But here it is night t.o blind people all the time. Oh, sir, when I feel bad be-

cause I cannot see, I think about heaven, and it comforts me."

I now saw that Robert began to be uneasy, and wanted to go on. So I gave him some money, telling him to buy something for his sick fat her. Again the tears :filled his blind eyes.

"Ob, sir," he said, "you arc too good! l was just wishing I could buy something :for p oo r sick papa. He has no appetite, aud we have nothing in the house but potatoes. He tries to eat them and never complains ; but if I could only get a chicken ior him, it would make him better - I know it would; but I don' t want you to give me the money; can't I work :fo1· you and earn it ?"

I made him take the money, and then watched him to see what he would clo. He went as fast as he could for the clothes; then he bought a chicken, then a stale loa:f of bread, and felt his way home, trembling all over with delight. I foll owed him, without his knowing it. He went to a little oldlooking house which seemed to have but one room.

When he came to his :father's bed, he showed him the chicken aud the bread, saying, " See, :father, sec what God has sent you!" He then told about my meeting him, and giving him t he money, and added, "I am sure, :father, that Goel put it into the kind man's hea1·t; for God sees your need and cares for us."

As I turned away from t he blind boy's home, I thought how comforting it is to trnst in Goel us poor Robert did. Would you be so contented and happy, if you were as poor as he was, and blind too? Let us be thankful to Goel for all His mercies and goodness; and.let us not lose our trust in J:Iim in days of sorrow and affliction.

The Devil's Alm. The devil's aim is to keep men from believing God's Word and being saved. To this end he also snatches away the seed of the Word from the hearts of many hearers, as Christ says : "Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the ·devil and taketh away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved," Luke 8, 12. And remember, the devil does not let the grass grow under his feet; he comes as soon as the seed is sown. We must therefore at all times be on our guard and pray God to break and hinder the devil's evil counsel and will which would not' let us hallow God's name nor let His kingdom come.

f

I

The Lutheran Pioneer.

NOTES. l\{ANSURA, LA. - From one or our exchanges we learn that our mission at l\fans11rn. T,n., has been richly blessed duriug the past month or the year. Several classes o-f catechumcns were con.firmed and received into the congregation. The Fourth Slmd:iy after Trini ty wa especially a day o.f rejoicing, six adults being con.firmed on that day, after liaving confessed their fai th in the Savior and promised :faithfulness t6 H im and His Church, in the presence of n large congregation which filled the church building to its utmost capacity. 'l'his promising mission station has been :faithfully served by the Rev. Eel. Schmidt, our missionary at Napoleonville, La. But Mansura will now again have its own pastor in, the person of the Rev. Charles P eay, of North Carolina, a graduate of Immanuel College.

M:ay God abundantly bless the labors of the new pastor among the dear people of :Mansura!

A Pas•ron's l\frsstoN Womc -M:auy a pastor might :find o-pportunity for mission work among the colored people of his · neighborhood. A ·Chicago pastor, a few weeks ago, sent us a letter in which he writes : "Since last :fall I have as a pupil a negro orphan boy of thirteen years, who lives nem·by with . his uncle. Three times a week in the evening I instruct him in Luther's Catechism, Bible History, and German. Ile knows well by heart the whole Enchiridion, except the Table of Duties, and has learned the Bible proofs to the Ten Commandments and to the First Article. In his uncle's house there was no prayer in use. I taught the boy several little table prayers to teach his younger brother, and he himself learned Luther's family prayers in the Catechism. Last week his uncle, a negro and highly respected by his employers and white coworkers at the brickyard, said to me: 'Since Howard learns the Catechism with you, be and his yolmger brother pray at each meal, and each one a. different prayer, and neither of them ris~ nor goes to bed without saying your prayers.' Do you find such service i!l the house of every white Lutheran? The boy is to graduate after being confirmed, and will attend Immanuel College to become a Lutheran pnstor. Thirty years ago I confirmed a colored boy in German at East Albany, N. Y." A HAPPY :M:rsTAKE. -The same pastor writes: "By mistake I delivered to a widow, a subscriber of the Lutkera1uw, a. Missionstaubo [ our Geripan mis-

71

sion paper] instead of the PIONE1m for her grownup children. She read it and returncrl it to me, inquiring ior the address of the Mission Treasurer.

We hacl decided to donate om spending money ($2.50) at the Lutheran school picnic to the Colored Mission, which is much in need of money. l told the widow of our intention. Last F riday she left a. closed and addrcssecl envelope at my house to be forwarded to the Treasurer. The enYclope contained two dollars for Colored :Mission. , o God changed my mistake into a needful act o( charity."

-Referring to a "Note on Bible Work'' in our August number, a reader asks whether "the Bibles distributed in New York by the New York Bible Society are all English Bibles." Surely not. The Society issues the Word of God in thirtysix different languages. It last year distributed 185,000 volumes of Scripture among the newcomers that landed on our shores, most of them belonging to foreign-speaking peoples.

L\

REPLY.

THE YELLOW PERIL. - On account of "the yellow peril" that might threaten the western nations, objection has been made to the educational work of the missionaries among the Chinese and other heathen peoples of the East. It has been said: "If China has awakened and her people and other people of the yellow race are educated, what will become o( the rest of the world?" In replying to this foolish objection, one of the American delegates to the World Missionary Conference, which recently met in Edinburgh, Scotland, said : "Christian people believe that there is but one yellow peril on earth, and that is the lust for gold, and nothing else."

THE M1ssroNARIEs' W6nK APPRECIATED. -The State Government also derives much benefit from the work of the missionaries. This has time and again been recognized by state officials who have appreciated the work done by the missionaries. G. R. Le Hunte, former Governor of Australia in the -reign of Queen Victoria, speaking of the missions among the native blacks of that British colony, carried on also by our Lutheran brethren in that distant land, said: "The Government owes everything to the missions. Every penny you contribute to the mission is a help to the Queen's Government. The missionaries render it unnecessary for the whites to move about with armed forces, and enable the officials to leave their rifles on the ships, and go inland with their umbrellas. The mission brings

The Lutheran Pioneer.

72

about peace, law, and order. If you could only see the difference between the natives brought under the influence of the missionaries and those that are not!

I earnestly appeal to you to give your hearty support to the mission."

A Lesson From · a Girl In Africa.

BOOK TABLE. Lurm:n's MORALS. By Rev. J. H. Hm·tcnberger. Reprinted from Tlteological Quarte,·ly. Concordia. Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 10 cts.

An able refutation of the ca.lumnies and sla nders of Roman Catholic writers who luwe time and again t ried to heap scandal on the name of the g reat Reformer, whom they hate for having, with God's " 1orcl, rC\·ealed the mystery of iniquity in the Romish Church and t hat wicked, that man of sin and son of perdition, the Ro111an An t ichrist, 2 The s. 2. The pamphlet will do those good service that haYe occasion t o silence malicious slanderers who delight in defaming the pious and illustrious sen•ant of GodDr. Martin Luther.

A number of years ago a heathen father left his little girl babe and ran away to another country.

This father lived in Africa. The people down DES l\II0JUGAN. DrSTnIR'rS. Concordia there, like many other heathen, do not care so much SYr-0DAT.JJF.Rr0llT Publ,ishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 11 ets. for little girls as they do for little boys. And this Contains a timely and instrucl.h•e paper on Civil Govman did not care what became of his little babe, ernment 1md Subjects, nccording to t he Table of Duties. . since it was a girl. The little babe did not die. It Acknowledgment. grew up without anyone taking very much care of it. When the child was older she ran about here Receh•ed for Colorecl illissio11s from t he following conand there, for no one seemecl to own her. One clay gregations : St. Paul, Mansura, La., $2.00, St. John, Salisshe came to the schoolhouse where the missionaries bury, N. C., 2.00, l\Iount Olive, Catawba, N. C., 5.40, St. Paul, Charlotte, N. C., 7.50, Bethlehem, Monroe, N. C., were teaching heathen children. She peeped in, 2.50, St. James, Southern Pines, N. C., 2.50, Mount Calbut ran away when she saw someone approach her. vary, Mount Pleasant, N. C., 3.00, Mount Zion, New Orleans, Ln., 35.00, Zion, Gold Hill, N.C., 25.00, Mount Zion, But she came back again, just as the children began The Rocks, N. C., 3.00, Concordia, Rockwell, N. C., 2.00, to sing. The teacher happened to be out, and St. Matthew, Meherrin, Vn., 5.76, Grace, Greensboro, N. C., 3.00. Total: $00.56. slipped up behind the child, and placed his arm St. Louis, Mo., August 10, 1010. about her neck. He spoke to her kindly, and inH. L. DoEDERLEIN, Treas.

848 E. Prairie Ave. duced her to go into the school. She soon learned to read, and was taught the truth of God's Word.

Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churohe&.

One day when the girl was almost grown, being NEW ORLEANS, LA. about sixteen years old, her father came to the St. Paul'• Chapel, 1625 Annette St., near N. Claiborne St.; school. He lived about 130 miles away, but had Albert Witt, Pastor. heard what ·had become of his daughter. He said Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A . u. o.nd 7.30 P. u.; Wednesday, 7.30 P. ir. he had come to get her. The missionaries asked Mount Zion Church, Franklin and Tho.lio. Sts.; Ed. C. what he wanted with her. He said that he wanted Krause, Pastor.

Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. u . and 7.30 P . u.; her to go and teach him and the people where he Thursday, 7.30 P . :u. lived to rend. The missionary asked what had put Bethlehem Chapel, Washington Ave. and Dryades St.; G. :M. Kramer, Pastor. such an idea in his bend. He said a missionary had ·D ivine Services: Sunday, 11 A. u . and 7.30 P. u .; been there and told them of God's Word, and they Thursday, 7.30 P.H. Sunda.y School: Sunday, 10 A.H. would like to learn to read it. The daughter did SPRINGFIELD, ILL. not want to leave and go with her father. But the Holy Trinity Church. , Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. M:. o.nd 8 P. :u. missionary told her that it was her duty to go, and do her parents and others all the good in her power.

TERMS: ~e child wept very piuch, but agreed to go. Some- Tin: LOTIIEBAN PIONEEB is published monthly, payable time afterwards the father returned to the mission in advance a.t the following rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copy •.••..••...•.•...••.. $ .25 post and said that his daughter had taught many 10 Copies . • • • • • • . • . . . . . . • • • . 2.00 persons to read, and he now came for a supply of 25 Copies • • . • • • • • • • . . . • . • • • . 5.00 50 Copies • • • • . . • • • • • • . . . • • • . 9.00 good books. Was not that a noble work done by Club rates only allowed if all copies are to be sent to this poor African girl? -Little Mi8sionary. .one addreaa. - In St. Louie by mail or co.rrier, 35 cents.

I

HA.VE

had many things in my hands, and I

lost them all; but whatever I have been able to place in God's hands I still poBBeaa. - Luther.

All bueinesa communico.tione to be addressed to Con• cordia Publishing House, Jefl'eraon Ave. and Miami St., St. Louis, Mo. · All communico.tions concerning the editorial depart• ment to be addresaed to Prof. R. A. B1sonoFF, Conover, Catawba Co., N. 0.

iht Juthtran A MISSIONARY MONTHLY.

------•----P unLrsni,o DY ·ruE Ev,\NOELICAr. L uTIIEUAN SYNODICAL CoNFEUENCE OF No1tT11 .A,,1E1ucA.

R. A. BISCHOFF, En1Tou. Entered nt th,: Post Omcc nt St. Loms, llo., ns sccond-cl:ass mnttcr.

Vol.

xxxn.

ST. LOUlS, MO., OC'rOBElt, 1910.

The Church or God. How goodly is 'l'hy Chm·eh, 0 T.onl, How bright her portals shine; Her stately battlements declare H er workmnnship divine. .Agn i11 t lier stonns luwe fiercely raged And tempests hurled t heir niight; But st.ill unhurt she firmly slnml.s; How glorious is I.he sight!

Nor shnll I.he powers o( all her foes Agninst 'l'hy Church prevnil ; 1-'or 'l'hou . halt smite l.hcm with ·'l'hy sword, And cause I.heir scheme.,; t.o fail.

- •- ---

J. JJ. 'l'ltom11so11.

A True Reformation.

'l'lte lleformation by Dr. Martin Luther, of which we are reminded on Refo1·mation Day, the 31st of October, was a true reformation, not a sham reformation. It was the only genuine reformation, for by Luther's reformation the authority of the Bible and the pure doctrine of the Gospel were restored to the Church. 'l'he Bible is God's Word. In the Bible we· have the Word of Christ, who says: "If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,''' John 8, 31. 32. .As long ns the Church continued in Christ's Word, having the Bible as their sole authority and Christ as their only Master, they had the truth and enjoyed true liberty. B~t there came a time when the pope made lumself master of the Church, when the Bible was put nsicle, and man's word wns put in the place o.f God's Word. Doctrines contra1·y to the Bible were taught,

No. 10.

the dnrk ncss of error spread throughout the Church, and the people were held in the bondage of ignorance nn_d superstition, ruled by spiritual tyrants. 'rl1ose were indeed dark ancl dreary days when the light of G·ocl's Worcl was hidden, when the Bible was said to be a dark and 11seless, yea, a dangerous book which the people must not read. Luthel· says or those days: " Observe what the devil has clone through the papists. It was not enough ior them to throw this book, the Bible, under 'the table, and to make it so rare that few cloctors of the Holy Scripture possess it; but, lest some one should bring it to noti.ce, they have branded it with infamy, blnspheming God nod saying that it is dark and that we must follow the glosses o.f. men nncl not the pure Scripture. 'l'he calamity is so gt·eat that it cannot be reached by words or thoughts. 'l'he e,,n spirit has done his will nod suppressed · this book, and has brought in its stead so many books of human doctrine, that it may well be said that there is a. deluge of books, nncl yet they contain nothing but errors; falsehood, darkness, poison, death, destruction, hell, and the devil."

'J~hrough Luther's Reformation the Bible was again given to the people, nod its authority · il1 all matters of Christian doctrine and practice was restored. Popes, councils, and church fathers, may err and have erred, Luther said, but the Word of God can 11ever err. The Bible, therefore, is the only infallible teacher of Christian truth, and to its authority all Clnistians, all teachers, popes~ councils and churches, must bow in humble submission; for in the Bible God Himself speaks. "God's Word," Luther said, "shall determine the articles of :Caith, and nobody else, no, nQt an augel." When, therefore, Luther was enllecl upon to revoke, 01·

74

'rhe ·Lutheran Pioneer.

tnkc back, what he· hnd written, he said: "If I nm not convinced by tl1c Holy Scriptures, I c!annot aucl will not reYoke anything/' And when men arose who rejectecl the authority o:f the pope, but put in its plnce the authority of human reason, rejecting plain doctrines of the Bible, because. thefr reason could not compreliend them, Luther opposed these false teachers and upheld t he full and absolute authority of God's Word over against the :fallible reason of man, as well as against the :fallible word of the pope. Luther's Refor.mation was a t rue, n genuil1c reformation.

work. We still enjO)' t he fruits of this work. We still have nu open :Riblc which can lead us into all trnUl :mcl gunrd 11s against all error. We still hnvc the pure Gospel for the sahation of lost sinners. Well may we celebrate Heformu tion Day with joy and thanksgiving. May God'. grcnl. met·cy make us ever more wrniug to help in sprcadiug the saving truths of {:his pure Word, so that many others may enjoy t he blessings of the ]fofor mation.

- - -- •·---- -Luther's Small Catechism.

Muri.in Chciunitz, one of the 1110 ·t learned theo'l1his is also seen from the fact that Luther restored the pure Gospel doctrine. As in the Romish logim1s o.f the Lutheru n Churcl1, flaid of J,uthcr's chm ch man's word was put in the place of God's S mall Catechism : "Luther wrote a short Catechism 111ore precious Word, so man's work was put in the place of Christ's work. Sinners were not directed to Christ and His than gold and gems. All things in it have been merits for salvation, but were told to trust in their taken from the Holy Scriptures. I can t rnly affirm own works, in their own merits and in the merits that in that ,,ery little book there is n. wealth of so of 'tl1e saints. Thus they were led in ways in which many ancl such great" mafters, that if. all faithful snlvation can never be found. For the Bible plainly preachers of the Gospel were, during their entire teaches that we are saved by grace through fa ith ; lives, to treat of nothing else in their sci-111011s than and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God;. . to exp]a.i n ariglit to ·uninstructed people t he secret not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph. wisdom of God comp1·ised in these few words, n_ncl 2, 8.) · "Therefore we conclude that n. man is justi- to set forth f-rom the divjue Sc1·iptmes the foundafied. by faith without the deeds of the Law," Rom. tion of each worcl, they coulcl 11ever exhau t this 3, 28. Salvation is only in Jesus, "in whom we immense abyss." ha"e redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin&," Eph. 1, 7. '!'here is no other Savior.

Trust in ·Christ's Righteousness.

"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name uuder heaven given among ~ eu In a letter to a troublecl f-riend Luthet· wrote: whereby we must be saved," Acts 4, 12.

"Wea.r ied at length with your own righteousness, This Gospel of the sinner's sahration by grace rejoice and trust ·in .the 1·ightequsness o:f Clll'ist. through faith in Jesus, the only Savior, Luther Learn, my dear bl'Other, to know Christ, and Christ found revealed in the Bible. In this Gospel he himcrucified; and learn to despair of thyself, ancl sing self found peace for his soul, after having in vain tried to fmd peace in the way pointed out in the to the Lord this song: 'Lord Je·sus, Thou art my Romish church. This Gospel he made known with righteousness, but I am 'l'hy siu. Thou hast taken voice and pen and defended it against all its ene- whnt belonged to me; Thou hast given me what mies. Thus the pure Gospel was restored to the was Thine. Thou becamest what Thou wert not, Church through the Reformation by Dr. :Martin in order that I might become what I was uot myLuther, and thousands who were groping hopelessly self.'" in the darkness of popery hailed with joy the pure · Gospel light which shone into the darkness and Only One Way. led them into the true way to heaven. . The Reformation by Dr. Martin Luther was There are many ways devised by man for seek· a true refoi:mation, the only genuine reformation. ing the kingdom of God, but there is only one way It was God!s own work, by ,vhich He restored the of finding it; namely, to believe in Obrist and authority of His Word ana the pure Gospel of sal- study the Gospel diligently with watching and ,·ation. Luther was only God's faithful servant, prayer, s9 that its divine truth ·may take deep root the instrument used by God for accomplishing the in the heart, and bear fruit in the life. - Luthe,·.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Of the Lord's Supper.

OJ,' 'l'HE

ALUT-\llY

Us.E

O.J-' ·1·ni,;

Louo's

SU l'l'EH.

After showing what the J,orcl's , 'uppc1· is, what its benefits arc, ancl whence it has it· great power,

Luth r jn hi. ,. mnll atcchi m an. wcrs the que-tion: · Wh o. then. rccc,:vcs the 'ttcramcnt wortlL'ily~ 'En. ti ng ancl bodily prupnraLion," he says, "is, inclccc1 a fi11c outward trnini ng; but he is truly worthy and wel l prcparecl who has faith in these wonls, Gi,·cn nnd heel for you fo1· the remission of . ins.' l111t he that does 11ot believe these words, or doubts, is lmworthy nnd unprepared; for the wol'd , .l!'or you,' require nil hearts to believe."

Ji'rom what we have nhcacly heard, the communicant- without cxcepLio11 1·cccive Christ's body and blood in the ncrnment, but only the worthy co111nrnnicant recci,·c. any benefit .from his communion. 'uch being the case, it is of supreme impol'tnncc U111t we should pa1·ticula1·ly consider the tn1c wort.hinc~ of the communicant. 'l' his is also appar 11t from the apostle's admonition, 1 Cor. 11, 28. 2!) : ' Let a mnn examine himself, and so let him cat or I.his brcacl and cl1·ink of this cup. For he I.hat entct.h nnd drinketh unworthily, eatcth nnd clrinkef.lt damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's hotly." Every communicant is here most earnestly exhod.etl to examine himself before he approaches · Lhc Lord's '!'able, lest he eat and drink clnmnntiou Lo himself by an ,unworthy partaking of the Holy 'upper. We see that i't is possible to partake o.f the 'acrnmeut unworthily, and that such unworthy eating nnd drinking is attended by most dire con cquct}ces for the unworthy ·cpmmunicnnt; iot·, nys I.he apostle, "he eateth aml dduketh damnation to himself." Not discerning the Lord's body, that js, not distinguishing this heavenly Supper from au ordinary meal, he makes himself "guilty of the body and blood of the Lord," 1 Cor. 11, 27.

Such an unworthy communicant is the equal of those who crucified the Lord, and us long as he docs not repent, God's wrath and displeasure will be resting upon him unto his final damnation.

But when is the communicant truly worthy and well preparccl ? Cun one render .himself worthy by his own preparation, thoughts, and works? By no means. "Fasting aud bodily preparation is, indeed, n fine outward training," but it is n!tcr nil, nothing but nu outward training of tne body, and there!ore cannot be the proper preparation of the soul.

Decency incleed demands that n. communicant ap-

76

proach the Lord's '!'able with due modesty and re,·ere11cc, but in the end it is no more than nn external thing of which any unbeliever is capable. \nd if a peron desires to abstain from meat and <lrhlk before communing Ior a greater or less length of time, regarding such fasting as a goocl means of drawing his thoughts from external matters, he bas a perfect right to do so, as long as he docs not rely upon such fasting as being able to make him a \\'Orthy communicant. _}fot if such cxtemal prcparntions, a fa ti ng, a mode.st apparel, and a re\'Creut demeanor, do not 111nke a communicant worthy and wc11 prepared, wherein does true worthiness then consist? Luther answers: "He is truly worthy and well prepared \\'ho has faith in these words, 'Given and shed ior you for the remission· of sins.' " True worthiness and preparation consist only and solely in faith, namely, in fnith in these words, "Given and shed for you for the remis ion o.f sins.'' You must belic,·e, b·uly believe, that Christ's bocly and blood are gh·en you in the Sacrament, that this body and bloocl was given and shed. for yO'ii, and that it was given aud shed for the reni·i.ssion of your sins. In other words : 'l'he worthy communicaut is a person who secs and laments his own unworthiness, who by menus of God's holy Law has come to a lively knowledge of his sins, but who by faith, which the Holy. Spirit hns worked in him through the Gospel, turbs to Christ as his only Savior. and Recleemer from sin, death, and hell, and who, furthermore, by God's g1·ace, has the good and earnest purpose to amend his sinful life.

From this it is plain who is unworthy and m1prepared, namely,. he who does nof believe, or cloubts, the words, "Gi,,en and shed for you for the remission of sins.'' Not sin, but unbelief, makes the commuuicjlnt unworthy. Faith is the hand that takes the forgiveness which is offered in the Sacrament. He therefore that has no faith cannot take the gift which the Sncrninent offers. And if such an unbeliever approaches the Lord's Table, he makes a. mockery of Christ and His merits, and calls down upon himself the auger and curse of an insulted God. "For," says our Catechism, "the words, 'For you,' require all hearts to believe.'' The unbelieving communicant, however, by his unbelief rejects this blessed word of promise and transforms the intendecl blessing into a. curse.

0 Christ. mny wo the food receivo With childlike faith in Thee, And humbly still Thy word bcliovo When 'tie not ours to see.

F.

J. L.

76

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Luther at Marburg.

When Luther began the reformation of the Church, there were mcu who also wished to help t he Church, but who had a spirit different from Luther's. Whilst Luther took his stand on the Bible only ancl opposed the false doctrines of the Romish church, not because they were against human rens011, but because they were contrary to the Word o( Goel these men rejected plain doctrines of the Bible, because these doctrines dicl not agree with

In the year 1529 Luther had a conference with Zwingli at :M:arburg, in which also the doctrine of the Lorcl's S11pper was discussed. Luther stood fi rm on the Word of God, and when Zwingli, in the course of the debate, saicl that God cloes not ask us to believe auythiJ1g unreasonable, Luther repHed, "What Goel speaks is always for our salvation." 'l'he question with Luther wns not whether a doct rine agreed with lmmnn i-caso11, but whether it agrned with Gocl's Word. 'l'o the Worcl of Goel he hekl fn, t over agnillst all the arguments or

I

r'

r

t

LUTHER AT MARBURG.

man's 1·cason. One of these men was Zwingli, pastor a.t Zurich, Switzerland, and one of the doctrines in which he would follow human reason rather than the plain, clear Worcl of Goel was the doctrine concerniug the Lord's Supper. The plain words of Christ, "This is my body, this is my blood," he would not accept as they read, and although the Bible clearly teaches that Christ's true body and blood arc present with the bread and wine and are parb1ken of by all communicants, Zwingli denied this doctrine because his reason could not comp1·ehend it. Luther opposed the false doctrine of Zwingli and his :followers and defended the truth of God's Word.

human reason. At the beginning of the conference he hacl written with chalk on the ta.ble the words of Christ in bold letters : 'l'H IS IS :MY ,DODY. Ancl in our· picture we see him pointing with his finger to these words, to which he clung so firmly, because Christ Himself had spoken them. He demanded of Iris opponeuts to give all glory to God, and to believe the clear, simple words of the · Lord. By refusing to do this, Zwingli made ·it impossible for Lutl!er to give him the hand of fellowship. Luther had -to say to him, "You have a different spirit from ours."

The Lutheran Pioneer.

77

A Fearless Preacher.

Caught Reading the Bible.

Hugh Latimer wns born about 1<180. Ile was one o:f the promjnent men in E ngland who, at the time o.f the Reformation, left the Romish church nncl embraced the evangelical faith. By King Henry VIII he was appointed_Bishop of Worcester and us sueh was a zeal011s promoter o:f the Protest1111t cn usc in ]~nglaud. He was known as a ienrless preacher, rcprovjng error nnd sin wherever fom1d. As an insl.nncc o:f lus :Cearlcs~ness it is relatecl tha t on New Year's Day, when, according to the prevailing cu ·tom, the eminent men of the Janel 1n·csenl'cd the kin g wi th a New Year's gift, his gift wns n copy of the New 'l'estarncnt, with the passage . 111arke1l, unu the leaf tumed clown to the w~rds: ''\Vhorc,nungcrs and adulterers God will judge." '!'hose who know t he history of t he adulterous King Henry \71) [ ncecl 11ot be tolcl how well desm·ve<l wns the rcprooC o.( the :feadess !)reacher.

011 tl1c .lul.h of October, 1555, Latimer, over seventy yciLr ol<l, dicicl a mint_yr's death by onler of lllootly Q11ccn Mary, who was a zealous Catholic and un<lcr whose short rejgu of five years, according to the Jowe t calculation, 288 persons we1·e bumec.1 ali ,,e for their evangelical :faith.

Latimer s last words were:· "O heavenly Father, 1 give unto 'l'hee most hearty thanks, for that Th_ou hast called me to be a professor of Thee, even unto death. 0 Father in heaven, receive my soul!" 'l'hen welcoming, as it were, the flnme, he embraced it and bathed his hnnds in it. · So ended this old a.ncl fearless servant of God in the midst of the fire into which he che~riully entered for Christ's sake.

In the art gallery of Brussels can be seen a picture representing an . old grandfather and his little grandchild before nu open Bible, while spies enter the room to arrest them. 'l'he title of the pictm·c is: "Caught Rending the Bible," and the story which the picture represents is as follows: When Philip II of Spain, knowu for }us cruelty, 110d become Uic lord of the Netherlands, he promised the pope that no Protestant should be a11owecl to live in his provinces. Peter Titelman, who stood at the head of the Inquisition, was told to seize all Protestants aud brfr1g them to pnnishmcut.

At tha.t time, in the year. 1568, there lived in Lhe Iii.I.le towu or Vnnscu, in Holland, a good old man, namccl Gottlieb. Ile and his grandchild, .

Bertha, 1rncl become believers in the cloctrines of the Rcf'ormation. In his house meetings had be~m l1clcl. and w.ith l1is :fellow-believers he hncl strengthcncci himself wit:h the\\ 01·d of God. Bnt now thnt house wns closely wntchcd by Romish spies, and only in the dead of night dared he bring out his Bible :from its hiding-place and read its sacred pages with his grandchild. At the first c:owing o.r the cock this old grandfather sat before lus open Bible; the blond head of the child leaning on his shoulder. Ile hacl come in the fifth chapter of Matthew to the verse: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kinadom o.f heaven." • A roubah knoc]dng on the 0 door suddenly resounded through the little house.

"Grandfather," ·cried Bertha, with trembling, "we are caught." "Y~s, my child," calmly replied the old man, " God's hour seems at hand. Let them :find us before the open Bible. We have no time to hide it sn.Iely as before." The blows fe,11 heavier on the door. '!'here was no need to open it, f_o r it soon fell in beneath the axes of the enemies, who then rushed into the room. "At last we have caught the birds," criecl Peter 'l'itelman, the lender of the band, with horrid glee. "Courage, my child!" said the gmndfather, as a shriek b1·oke from the lips of little Bertha, "the kingdom of heaven is not far off now."

Soon these faithful readers of the Bible were stretched on the rack until they died. But in the art gallery of Brussels that touching ~icture sti~l speaks of the fnith of good old Gottheb and 1ns arandchilcl Bertha. b 1

Grace Hateful to Popery.

Grace is a. word which is as hateful to popery ns the name of Jesus to the devil. Reptiles cannot bear salt nor can Jesuits and priests endure sovereign gra~e. 'l'heji· trade is gone when salvation is :Cree. '!'heir honor is gone when Christ is all. When people think much o:f Jesus a.ud His reclemptio~, they are sure to think little o:f p1·iests ·and theu ficldle-fnddle. lt was Luther's plain teaching of justification by fn.ith which shook the corner-stone of the V nticnu. If :q1eu are saved by believ.ing, they are not likely to waste money 011 purgatory pickpurse, nor nny other of the pope's schemes for getting money. -0. H. S.

78

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Short Report of Synodical Conference.

At this ancl most of the other services liberal collections· wel'c taken for the mission treasury. i\Conday morning allCl afternoon both were given io bu iness. 'l' he Confcren c passed on the recommenc1ntious for the Colol'etl -~fo:sion ·. A vote of !:hanks wa extcnc1ecl to the 111embers of the Mission Mo:ml anrl the ·evernl editor: o! lhc mi · ion papers fo r their . Cl'rices. \.mong 0U1r1· rc,:;ol u tions it was resoh·ccl to lrn ,. , a genera L su1wri n I. ' IHI en t for the missions, who i · to haYc ovcr:-ight o,·cr them aucl further their intern· ts by bringing their 11 eds to the attention o.f the clifterent synods :rnc1 congregations. Lu~hcr College nt New Orlen.us, J,a ., was c.h angccl from a seniinary to n. prcparntory school, where the young people will receive academic training ancl be Jlrepnrccl to enter Immanuel College 11.t Greensboro, N . C. Conference authorized, the erection of a new buildi11g for the primary department o( Immanuel Co11ege. The intentions or ynodical Con ference now is not only to have the work among the colol'ecl continuecl energetically, but to have it s.11reacl out as fast as possible. T he interest .for the work is by no mcnns lnggiug. j\(ouday night the venerable chairn111.n, Rev. J. Bndiug pl'eached the pal'ting sermon from 1 Cor. 1, 4-9, after which he cordially thnnkecl the kind posto1· of St. John' s· Chmch, Rev. C. l C. Becker, ancl the ho~pitnble members for their generous entertn.inmen t of Conference. 'l'hc next sessions of Synodical Confe1·ence a re to -be hclcl i·wo years hence at Saginaw, Mich.

Synoclical Cou:fere11ce has beeu conducting mission -work among the colored 11eople for the past thirty-three years. We 110w have 31 stations, 20 pastors and teachers, two colleges, over 3000 souls, and 1500 ch.ilclren in' clay schools. May .Almighty Goel continue to bless our missions, aucl through them bring many souls to Christ and salvation!

J. MoDAvrn.

Synodical Conference is the largest and only sf.rictly confessional body o.f Lutherans in om· country. lt is a m1ion of those synods which in confession of faith and practice adhere stri~tly to the criptlll'cs of the Old and New Testaments ns the inspired Word of God and the Confessional Books of the Lutheran Church as the concct interpretation o:f the same. From August 17 to 23 this Lutheran body convened at e,nircl, Nebr., holding its sessions in St. John's Lutheran Church. Its chief business was to h~ar reports o:f the colored rnission, aud make provisions for its maintenance for the next two years.

The Conference begnn Wednesclny morning, August l'i', with impressive divine se1·vice , in which · Rev. Prof. J·. Schaller of Wauwatosa, Wis., p1·eachecl 11. very instructive and edilyiug sermon :from 1 'l'im.

J, 1S. 19. In t he afternoon the formal organization f.dok place with the presentation and examination o! credentials and the election of officers. Rev. John Bnding, the ,•euerable President of Synodical Conference, wl10 has sen•ed thirty-three years as chafrmnn, was 1·eelected.

Tlmrsday morning was taken up with cloctrinal discussions. Rev. W. Dallmann, of Milwaukee, Wis., read a paper on "The Honorable Appellations Aecorclecl the Christians in the New Testament." Beginning at St. Matthew, the essayist s~lectecl the titles given to the Christian, defined them, and· showed what duties they involv~d. 'l'lnu·sday afternoon, among other business; the President of the Mission Boa1·d for Colored Missions, Rev. H. Meyer, made his biennial report. He had not concluded the reading. of tbe report before adjournment of the nftcruoon session. 'l'hursday night the young people of St. John's ChU1·ch gave a•musicale to the delegates and visitor!; in the chapel of the seminary.

Friday morning the chairman of the Mission Board conclucled 11is report, and it was given to a committee. :M:iscellaneous business wus transacted in the a!tcrnoon. At nigllt, divine services were held Immanuel Conference. with celebration of the wrd's Supper.

Saturday morning the recommendation of the Immanuel Conference met for i~ twentieth conCommi~ on Colored Missions reported, and Con- vention at Grnce Church, Greensboro, N. C., August ference proceeded to pass on it, but did not firush . 19 to 21. · On August 17 and 1S, the pastors and before the adjournment at noon. teachers had private sessions in the office of ImSunday moniing dhrine service was conducted manuel College. The first three of these sessions in the church, and in the afternoon a mission fes- were devoted to the arranging of a schedule which tival was held at the Fair Grounds. At the latter is to be used in a.U of om colorecl parochial schools place Pro!. M:czger, of St. wuis, and the under- of this section of our co1mtry. · Rev. H . Messerli signed spoke in the interest of Colored Jiif-ission. nncl •reachcrs E. Buntrock nnd M. Ca1·ter consti-

The Lutheran Pioneer. t utecl the committee which hacl mnppecl out the schedule ancl reported to Conference. During the Inst oi lhe pri vnte se ions Re,•. La h r eacl his paper on "Loclges."

E very on e o.r Lite private cssions was openecl with a short acltlrc~s. l?rof. Bakko spoke oi 'J' he P astor's D nty towm·cls the , ick of His Congregation, basiug h is r emarks on J ames 5, 14. 15. Pro.f.

Wahler: cxpo11n clecl Acts 1S 26, speaking of 'l'hc Pastor's Relation towards H is Catech umcn ·. Re,•.

K oiuer·s subject wa : 'l'hc Pastor's Rela tion towm·ds 'ects ba. cd 0 11 'l'it. 1, 9. 'l'he undcrsignec1, tnking for h is lcxt 1 'J.'im. 5, 1. 2, add1·c. eel t he con ve11 tio11 0 11 ' L'hc Pn tor's Relation towa rcls -U!c Older a1ul Y ounger Chm ch 1\fombers.

D11ri 1w lhc rnom ing sessions of the public meetings bu i nc·· was t ransacted. Hev. J. S. Koiner, of .Mch rriu, Va . aud 1\:h-. Wm . H ill, candidate of theology, were 1·cceivecl as new members. 'l'he result 0£ the election of new officers was as follows : n e,·. J . , ' . Koiner, chain\11111 ; Rev. W. H. Lash, vice-pJ·c:idcul; l?cv. J . Alston, secretory ancl trcaslU'er. \ 1110 11g tl1c g uests p resent were Rev. C. Lauterlmch, u[ Ri dgeway, N. C. ; P rof. W. Baumhocieuer, o:C , t. P aul, Mi nn. ; ancl 1\fr. Wm. Lochner, of S t. JJouis, Mo. 'l'hc afternoon sc ion. ,,,~re devoted t o a rnry i11te1·csti ng nnd in t ructirc paper by · P ro.f. Bakke on "Con version." · 111 the first par t of his pnper the essayist spoke o( th e natural condition of mnn ;. j u the second par t, of conversion Hseli; and finally he showecl that conversion is a work of t}1e Holy Ghost through the menus of grace.

Services were hclcl on 'l'h1.1rsday ancl Friday nights, with ser mons by Rev. J . S. Koiner on :M:ntt.

7, 13. 14, and by R ev. John Alston on Eph. 3, 13-21. 'l'hree ser vices were held on S1.1nday with comm1.1nion in the morning. In the morning service Prof. F . Wahlers delivered a confessional address on Ps. i3o, and Rev. F. Ford preached on Rom. 1, 16.

In the afternoon Prof . ·N. J. Bakke preached on Re,•. 3, 13-19, ancl at night Rev. .W. II. Lnsh on Zech. 2, 10-13. .

Next year Imma.nuel Conference, God willing, will convene in St. Matthew's Congregation at Me-

henin, Va. May God bless Immanuel Conference in nll its undertakings ! · M. L. "'l'RE receiver of stolen goods is just as ·bad as the· thief."

79 NOTES.

l~DIANlrnL COLLEGE. - With an enrollment 1,y .far exceedi ng that of any previous year Immanuel Luthernn College opened on September 7, at 10 A . )(., with a clivinc ser\'ice in the chapel.

Sixty tud ents were presen t, and as many more have applied for ad mission, we may expect a m uch better attendance than ever before. In the opening ser vice fl1c P resident, Prof. N . J . Bakke, cleliYcred a sermon on ol. 1, 10, nnd Re,,. J . nlcDavi cl, of ClrnrloLtc, N. C., who hacl bceu soliciting in North Carolina for students duriug the summer, spoke words ·or welcome a nd encouragement to the students. 1\IaI Goll be wi th ) mmmrncl College in the coming . chool-yc;n· ! · :i\I. L .

h u,on·rANC.E 01· 1\[ISSION Sonoor.s. - I n the latest Ucport of t he General Council's T elug u mission in India one of the missionaries writes : " The1·c is no cloubt t hat the most important and, n ecessary, ns well as the most laborious work is the establishing ancl keeping of schools in the vilfoges in the cl istrict. '!'here is no better means of reaching the youuger generation not only of the Christians, but also the clli.ldreu of t he heathen people, to instruct them in the Bible ancl in the Catechism, and thus pave the way for Clnistianity ; for many heathen pa.rents, though they care nothing :for Christianity themselves, like to have their children receive 1111 educat ion which they did not get themselves, even if they have to take instmetion in the Christ ian r eligion into the bargain. Besides, the village teacher becomes an agent of the ·spreading of the Gospel in .his village. He not only teaches the secular branches, the -Bible, and the Catechism to the chilclreu, but he conducts the Sunday and evening prayers ancl lends the Sunday school."

BIBLE WORK. -'l'he British and Foreign Bible Society is the greatest of all Bi~le Societies. Since its foundntion., in 1804, it has issued two hundred and twenty-two million copies of the Scriptures.

From its latest Report we learn that it npw issues tl1e Scriptures in 424 languages, and during the past year has added six new langµages to the list.

Of some of these the average person has never heard.

A Bantu tribe in the French Congo now can read the 'Gosp~l according to Matthew in Ongom. On the south coast of British New Guinea there are 40,000 cmmibals who speak Nama.u, and have circulating among them both Matthew and John.

80

The Lutheran Pioneer.

'J'hcrc is n province in Abyssinia containing 3,000,000 people, who speak n Semitic lnngunge known as Tigrinya, and these millions now have a complete New 'l'estament of their own. The Bible for the use of the blind has found its way into \\ clsh, Spanish, Italian, Gujarati, and two 0£ the , many Chinese dialects. The demands on the Society show the '\"aried tides of migration and their destiny. Lost year copies of the Scriptures in Spanish and Italian to the nwnber of 250,000 were sent to· the Argentine Republic to meet t he needs of immigrants. Canada took volumes of the Script ures in fi:Cty-thrcc languages to meet the needs of the 200,000 newcomers. I n fnct, one-third of the Scriptures circulated in Canada were in ln.ngungcs other than-English. In pursuance of its work, the Society employs as many .as eleven lnmdred co]po1·tcurs, who penetrate to tl1c remotest corners of the enrtl1.

C1mEL'l'Y. - A Indy missionary writing irom Peki11, China, says, you wm be surprised · tlmt you never see nor hear of the i1mernl of a child.

Gorgeous processions tell of the death o.f an adult, but it would seem as though children never died in China. · But suppose you get up at daylight and st:nnd out in the street. No,v the mystery is ex11lnined. A 1arge covered wagon drawn by oxen comes creaking along, with a sign on the front.

It is piled \o the top with the bodies and fragments o:C boclies of dead infants that have been cast into the street tl1e night before as refuse. Some are· in. old. baskets, and ~me or two in plain board coffins.

Some arc half devoured by dogs. Perha1>s the wagon contains a hundred of these ghastly forms.

No weeping mother or sighing father follows in the procession. The load is cast into a pit outside tl1e city wall and co,•ered with quicklime. 'rhis is clone every day. irauy of these babes are girls Jhat were strangled at birth, or soon afterwards, because of the curse o:f womanhood. Such is the cruelty of heathenism.

HEATm~N

the Corinthinn Cong regation, nnd conta ins mnny inst ructh·c lessons nnd wholesome counsels for pnstors, t.cnchers, nnd congregations or our dny.

S \' NODAI,Ut:IIICIIT

UES

0 11t:OON •

\ VAS III NOTON • DlS•

U SU

Concorcl in. P ublishing H ouse, St. Louis, Mo. Pl"icc, 12 cLs. Contains t he conelu ion or n rnlua ble, comfor t ing pa.per on The .Assumncc of Sn lvntion, and an encourng ing report of t he imJ>or tnnt cxtensh·c home mi sion field in Oregon, Wn hington, nml Idnho.

TRLR'l"S.

Old nnd New Tc tn.mcnt . lll tL~t.rnt.ed.

America n L n t.hcrnn Publication Boa.rd, P ittsburg, Pa. Price, 35 ct.s. per copy, post.pa id; in dozen or in l 00 Jots, 30 els., not p repa id.

I n' hnmlsomc binding, in clcnr print, nnd w ith many illustrnUons, this volume or lGl pages !,rings 35 stories from the Old nncl 45 from t.hc New 'l 'estn ment, "compiled for use of t he yout h or t he E ng lish Lu t heran Church."

Tp ench st or.v is added n. Dible lcxt. or :i pns age from the Cntcchism which t.hc story ill11st.rntes, a nd a lso nu llJl· prop rinte ,·er. e from :i chu rch hy mn. The book w ill do goocl scn ·ice in !,he l.cnehing of Dible stories in t he home and in the school.

Dmt.E HtS'l"Olff.

Acknowledgment; Received for Oolorc,l Jllissious from t he following con• grcgnt.ions : Mount Zion, New Orlc:u,s, L n., $35.00, Mow1t Zion, Meyersville, N. C., 2.50, S t . P a.ul , Charlot.Le, N. C., 7.50, S t . Jnmcs, Sout hern Pinc , N. C., 2.50, Con cordia, Rockwell, N. C., 2.50, Zion, Gold liill, N. C., 2.50, ~fount Zion, The Rocks, N. C., 3.00, St. P aul, ifans u rn, Ln., J.50, St. Jolm, Snlishury, N . C.. 3.00, Dethel, Conove r, .r • C., .88, St . Peter, Dry's School H ouse, N . C., 0.00, , t.. Matthew, ~·~ch! ~rin, Vn., 3.0i, Grace, Green bot"O, N . C., l 0.00. 'l'otaL: !j:S3.;,:,.

St.. Louii;, Mo., Sept.embe r JG, 1010.

lI. L.

D ot:11t:nu; 1,s, 'l'rC(l8.

84.S E . P rairie Ave.

Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches.

NEW ORLEANS, LA. St. Paul's OhapaZ, 1625 Annette St., neo.r N. Claiborne St. Dh-ine Services: Sunday, 11 A. u. and 7.30 P. u.; Wednesdny, 7.30

P . 11r.

Mount Zion Ohurcli, Franklin and Thalia Sts. J?ivine Services: Sundny, Thursday, 7.30 P. M. Bethlehem Ohapal, Washington G. 1\1. Kramer, Pastor.

Divine Services: Sunday, Thursday, 7.30 P, u. Sunday

11

A. 11.

and 7.30

P.

u.;

Ave. and Dryndcs St.; 11 A. u. and 7.30 P. u .; School: Sunday, 10 A. M.

SPRINGFIELD; ILL. Holy Trinity Ohuroh.

Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30

A.

u. and 8

P.

u.

TERMS:

SrNOU,U.DJmrouT P>:S WESTr.ICIU;r. DISTR(KTS.

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Concordia Publishing HoU8C, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 17 eta. · 'rho doctrinul paper in tbie Synodical Report treats, in an edifying and prnctical mnnnor, or The Blemisl1es in

Club ali~~,;ed· ff ·~~pi~· be sent to one .address. - In St. Louis by mil.ii pr cn.rrier, 35 cents.

All busineSB cornmunicn.tions to be addressed to Con• cordia Publisl1ing House, Jefferson Ave. and Mio.mi St., St. Louis, Mo. · · All communications concerning the editorial depart• ment to be addressed to Prof. R. A. BISCHOFF, Conover, Catawba Co., N. C.

BOOE TABLE. Concordia Publishing HoU8e, St. Louie, Mo. Price, 12 eta.

Conta.ine ari. important, instructive essay by Prof. E. P1udicck on ~c Trinity of God in tho Old Tceta.mcnt.

SYNODALDEBIOUT DES NoBD•lJ.UNOIS·DJSTJUJtTS.

rai~ <;!~;

88

·~1i

~r~·:

lht Jnthrran A. JYIISSIONARY MONTHLY.

-----•---- PunLrs 1mo nY THE EVANGI,J.TCAT,

L

TUERAN SYNODICAL

R . .A.. BISCHOFF,

CoNI1ERENCB or NonTn

AMERICA.

EDITOR.

Enter ed nt the :Post 001cc nt St. T.oms, :\lo., ns sccon<l,clnss mnttcr.

Vol. XXXII.

ST. LOUIS, MO., NOV~illHER, 1910.

Thanksgiving Hymn.

Lorcl of t he luuvcst, T hee we Im.ii!

Th ine a ncient promise cloth not fail; T he varying seasons haste their round, \ Vit h goodness nll our years are crowned.

Our thnnks we pn.y This holy day; Oh, let our hearts in t une be found!

Jf pri ng doth wake t he song of mirth; Ir summer warms tl1e fruitful earth; \Vhen winter sweeps t he nnked plnin, Or nut umn yields its ripened grnin, Still do we sing To Thee, our King; Through nil their changes 'l'hou dost reign.

,.

But chiefly when Thy liberal hancl Scatters new plenty o'er the land, When sounds of music fill the a.ir · As homeward nil their treasures bear, We, too, will raise Our hymn of praise, ltor we Thy common bounties slll\re.

Lord of t he harvest, nil is Thine: The rains that fall, the suns tha.t shine, The seed once hidden 'in the ground, The skill that makes our fruits nbound.

New every year . Thy_gifts \l,ppea.r; New prnises from our lips shnll sound.

J. H. Gur11cy.

Thanksgiving.

To give · thanks unto God is !1 Christian duty.

The apostle writ~ to Christians: "Be ye thankful I" Again he writes: "Giving thanks always for all things unto God."

No. 11.

Always! Not only on Thanksgiving Day, but always, in good ancl in evil days. Sllid an old Christian : "There is always cause for thanksgi,ing, as for every bad there might be a worse; and when a man breaks his leg, let him be than.1,.-ful it was not his neck." When a well-known Christian writer saw his library on fire, he exclaimed: "God be praised that it is not the dwelling of a poor man!"

For all things ! "We k'llow that all things work together for goocl to them that love God," Rom. 8, 28. In a day of great loss Job said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed' be the name of the Lord !"

Especially do Christians give thanks to Goel fo1· all spiritual gifts and blessings with which He has blessed them in Christ Jesus. These spiritual blessings they prize above all others; for Christ and the salvation in Him is more to them than all the earth.

But Christians do not on that account despise the tc;mporal blessings which God bestows and o! which Thanksgiving . Day especially reminds us. They appreciate them all the more, and are all the more thankful, because they see in them gifts of·the same merciful God who has made such wonderful provision for the soul's salvation, and who leads His children through this earthly life with its temporal blessings to an everlasting life of never-ending bliss.

Regarding also these temporal blessings and bodily gifts the Christian confesses: "All this purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which it is my duty to thank and praise, to serve and obey Him." The Christia.n's thanksgiving is not mere lipservice. It comes from a thankful heart and manifests itself, not only in words, but also in deeds.

Christians thank God with hearts, and hands, and

The Lutheran Pioneer.

82 -

• ,•oices. Their thankfulness moves them to be active , in God's service by helping those that are in need, especially those that are in spiritual need, which is the greatest of all needs. The Christian's offerings for the Church and her missions are thank-offerings for the countl~c;s benefits of Goel, who forgiveth all his iniquities, who healeth all his"' diseases, who 1·edeemeth his life from destruction, who crowneth him with lo,·ing-kindness and tender mercies. "Give thanks unto the Lord, for Ile is good ; for His mercy endureth forever."

Of the Lord's Supper.

OF

THE SALUTARY

UsE

OF THE

Lonn's

SUPPER.

( Go11clttdccl.)

Only the believer is a well-prepa1·ecl communicant, and for this reason every communicant must examine himself, whether he has true faith. But what if upon examination we find our faitl1 to be weak, very weak? May those who are weak of faith . approach the Lord's Table? The answer is: Yes, indeed; · for the Lord · will cast out no . one that comes to Him, John 6, 37. Why, the fact is, that the good and gracious Lord above all things had our weak faith in view when ·He instituted the Holy Supper, and it is His special desire that those who are weak of faith should come to the Lord's Supper, that their weak faith may be strengthened. In the Lord's Supper the Savior would have the meek to eat and be sa.tisfied, Ps. 22, 26. God does not desire to break the bruised reed, nor would" He quench the smoking flax, Is. 42, 3. As sure as the weak of faith come to the Lord's Table crying ,as did that poor father, ''Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief I" Mark 9, 24, so sure will the Lord in and by the Sacrament grant them their heart's I desire and assure them of His grace to the quickening and strengthening of their weak faith. From what we have heard' so far concerning the salutary use of the Lord's Supper it will be apparent that there are people to whom the Lord's Supper must be denied. Since only believers can be worthy communicants, we can under no circumstances permit outspoken unbelievers to commune, since they would eat and drink damnation unto themselves, and we, ·by permitting them to do so, would likewise become guilty .of their damnation.

Neither can we give the Holy Supper to those tpat are not one with us in faith, since by doing so we would be acknowledging their false doctrine to be

correct, or, at least, that the distinction between truth and falsehood in matters of religion is of no importance. Acts 2, 42 we therefore rend that the Christian congregation. at Jerusalem communed with those only who continued steaclfastly in the apostles' doctrine, that is, with those who held faithfulJy to the t rue · doctrine.

It is also self-evident that those who hnvc given offense to others and have not yet made amends cannot ,be well prepared to go to the Lord's • upper.

It is only the humble and contrite spirit that can profitably approach the Lord's Table; it is only the meek that shall cat noel be satisfied. Such being the case, it follows that he who has given offense and yet reCuses in his pride and stubborn ness to make amends cannot worthily partake o.f the Lord's Supper. Finally, all those who arc 110t able to examine themselves must be debarred fro m Communion, since the Apostle 1·equires self-examination as a necessary preparation for all communicants, when he says, "Let a man examine hi mself, and so let him eat of that breacl and drink of that cup."

Children, persons lying in a state of unconsciousness, idiots, ahd insane people must therefore be denied the Lord's Supper.

In consequence o.f this, all those wishi 11g to comnnme with us are 1·equired to signify their intention to the pastor, thus affording him, as the stewa1·d over the mysteries of Goel, an opporttmity to explore and· examine the prospective comnmuica.nt -before admitting him to the Sacrament. '!'his exploration of the person intendfog to commune may be short or long, according to circumstances, and may be dropped altogether, if the pastor have a sufficient knowledge of the communicant's state of preparedness. But under no circumstances should a commnll!cant go to the Lord's Supper without having stated 'his intention of so doing to the pastor and given his pastor the opportunity to explore him. '!'hose persons who· have never yet communecl should first be instructed in the doctrine of God's Word by the pastor. Then, having been sufficiently instructed, so as to be able to examine themselves, they may also be admitted to the Holy Supper.

In this connection it may"be well to call attention to an old and commendable custom which is found in our Lutheran Church, - the rite of Oonfirma.tion. After our cntechumens have been sufficiently instructed in God's Word, they publicly, before the congregation, give an account of thefr faith, and make a solemn profession of this faith, whereupon the benediction is pron~unced upon them and

The Lutheran Pioneer. tl1ey are admittecl to t he Lord's Table. Thus our church, by careful ancl painstaking instruction in the Christian doctrine and by the solemn 1·ite of Confirmation, which follows the instruction, would lead its members to see and appreciate the unspeakably great and glorious gift Christ has bestowed upon us in the Lord's Supper.

1\'[ny Goel be praised hcnccfort.h nnd blcst forever, Who, H imself both Oifl. nnd Giver, Wit h H is own fie. h and blood our souls doth nourish; Mn.y Lhcy g row Lhcrcby nnd fl ouri!h !

F . J . L.

83

another with but one arm, a blind ,voman, a girl with her face tcrritily disfigured, two deaf and dumb men, an old man with a 'churchyard cough,' two funerals, and a van of prisoners on their way to jail.

Having passed these and come to a lunatic asylum, I made up my mind that I should be very thankful that I was not as badly off as thousands of more deserving people."

A Thank I ul Heart.

It was a Christian with a thankful heart who in his old age wrote in a letter to a friend : "I am without many things that I could desire, In t he year 1645, when the province of Silesia but I have a thousand mercies beyond what I dehad come under the rule o.f Catholic Austria, the serve. l\Iany things have come to pass otherwise village of I'ombsen was deprived of its Lutheran than I could wish, but the Lord hath not dealt with church and school, although the inhabitants, with me after my sins, nor rewarded me according to my only a :few exceptions, were Lutherans. Soon after, iniquities. I have been disappointed in many a hope two J esuit priests came to the village, intending to and expectation, but in this will I rejoice- God is make the Lu therans forsake the faith of their the strength of my heart and my portion forever. fathe1·s. 1'o this en d the whole Lutheran congre- I have met with losses, but I have through the Gospel gation was called to the coU1·t-room, where all day a portion which can never be taken away." long, with but short intermissions, the priests tried, Such a way of estimating things keeps the heart with sweet promises and severe threatenings, to · always thankf ul and makes every day a Thanksmake them give up t heir Lutheran faith. giving Day. When evening came and many of the frightened people had lost heart, an old peasant, or farmer, Christ's Divine. Power. fell upon his knees and began to sing the hymn: L ord J esus Christ, wit h us nbidc, He who multiplied the five loaves is He who For round us falls t he eventide; multiplies the seeds that grow in the earth, so that · Nor let Thy Word, ·that hen.venly light, barns are at last filled by them. But. because He For us be ever veiled in night. does this every year no one marvels. Men marvel In these last dn.ys of sore distress Grnnt us, dear Lord, true stendfnstness, not at what is greater, but •at what is rare. For '. rha t pure we keep - t ill life be spentwho is He that even no,v feeds the whole world Thy holy Word nnd Sacrament. but He that of o. fe,v grains creates whole harvests?

Presently the whole congregation were on their Christ wrought, therefore, as God. The power was knees, joining in the singing of that hyt?n. When in His hands; but those five loaves were as 8eed, the entire hymn had been sung and the people rose, not indeed committed to the earth, but multiplied the priests were no longer to be seen. By the action by Him who mo.de the earth. - St. A ug·ustfoo. of the congregation they had been convinced that they could not seduce these faithful Lutherans, and The Master-Cultivator. had quietly sneaked away.

Faithful.

A Thanksgiving Lesson.

A writer in The Q1iivor says: "Let me tell you how I ·learned a thanksgiving lesson. I at one time felt most ill-used because a slight accident had disabled my 1·ight hand. Taking a walk through the crowded streets, I met one man with a leg missing,

God is the right Master-Cultivator, who cultivates the land much more and much better than the farmer does. The farmer does nothing more to it than break up the ground, and plow, and sow, and ·lets it lie; but God must be always attending to it with rain and heat, and must do everything to make it grow and prosper, while the farmer lies at home and sleeps. - L'Ut1,er.

..

.l 11~ Lutheran ..l:'ioneer. · Lutheran Mission Work In Australia.

For about nine years oui: brethren in Australia have been doing mission work among the native blacks on the western coast of South Australia. 'fhe mission among these Australian negroes has always been considered ,·ery difficult and almost hopeless. Years ago it was written of them: "They st.and on the lowest step of hmnau existence. With

of our brethren has been abi.mdantly blessed by the 111crciful God, " who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the tr uth." The patient labors of the missionary, the Rev. C. A. Wiebusch, have not been in vain. Where niue years ago heathenism ancl sin reigned supreme, there is now a congregation of more lhan 50 native Christians. About 150 souls are under the dai ly influence of God's Word at the mission station, aud I !

.. ...

I

'j

l ••

I

?

I ..

:..

l

I

•'ii.I -

..

I

MiBBionary Wiebusch and a Group of Native Christians in Australia.

no fixed -abode, they wander from place to place and prolong their wretched lives in the most miserable way imaginable. To · bring them down still lower by Eu'ropean vices· and diseases is easy; to elevate them to ordinary men or to Christians is, humanly speaking, almost an impossibility. Children, who received the most careful Christian training, as soon as grown have cast off their clothing and1 returned to their tribe in the wilderness !"

Still, the Gospel of Christ has proved a power· of God also among these people, breaking the power of sin and Satan and leading many from darkness and misery to Jight and salvation. Also the mission

the Sunday services are attended by a large number o:f native blacks, who give thanks for .the Gospel by which they have been ·turned :from darkness to light and from the power of .Satan unto God. The 5th of June of the present year was a special day of rejojcing ancl thanksgiving at the mission station. On that day the new beautiful church was dedicated. 'l'hree services were helcl, the evening service being a communion service. From the report of a visitor, who took part in the festivities, we learn that it was "a day of rich blessing and great joy.'' The day ihad been looked forward' to with great pleasure by the native blacks, who had

The Lutheran Pioneer. o.11 taken o.n active interest in the building of the church, some doing a good part of the work, others giving the wages of one or more weeks to the building fund. ·we learn also that these black Christians contribute regularly every week towards the salary of pastor and teacher. "As soon as their wages are paid, they bring thou: contribution for church and school." 'l'hey also contribute regularly towards the suppo1·t of students of their own race, who are preparing for work in the mis ion field. As regular, liberal givers for the work of the Church these poo1· black Christians put to shame many white Christians. '!'hey practice also brotherly admonition, admonishing and encouraging one another with God's Word to shun sin and to leacl a godly life.

1\foy the goocl Lord con tiuue to bless the work of our brethren among the Australian ncgroes for the so.Ivation of many souls !

French Vaudois Lutheran Mission at Chicago. 'rhe last surviving member of the protest party in the New York M:inisterium, Rev. F. L. Braun, o.fl'cred, for God's sak~ and God's wages, to lake • hold of the French mission spoken of in another article, and to read to these French Protestants a Lutheran sermon. IleY. Kal'l Schmidt, President of the Foreign Mission Board, agreed to this proposition. In our ~ountry there could not be found in French Dr. Luther's Catechism or any Book of Sermo~s of his. So the missionary was obliged to translate a sermon from German into French, which proved a rather difficult work. He chose the first sermon in Luth~r's House Postil for the ejghteenth Sunday af ter Trinity on the first and greatest commandment.

On the first Suilday in October, at 2 P. M., Rev. Braun went to the house . of Mr. Frank Peyrot, where he read the sermon to Mrs. Peyrot. When asked, "Did you understand it?" she replied~ "Yes, entirely; all the good works we, out of love, do to our neighbor, Christ will regard as done unto Him, and this is the true service of God." Rev. Bra1m promised to call again on each first and third Sunday in the month, and to read the next time Luther's sermon on the marriage of the king's son. The people were to be notified in time.

Very likely the place of meeting has soon to be removed from the home of Mr. Peyrot, in the rear house, to a more convenient · store or hall, where rent is to be paid.

86

All _those Vaudois are poor, mostly day laborers or mechanics. In their manners they differ favorably from their countrymen.

After the recall of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 which granted religious liberty also to th; Vaudoi~ iu France, the largest part of them emigrated ; they scttlecl in the Alpine valleys of Piedmont or in the Black Forest of Swabia. A descendant of the latter Pierre Pcyrot, wrote, in German, a history of th; Albigensians ( or Vaudois) in two volumes.

The Vaudois hymn-book, published at Lausanne, Switzerlancl, contains, besides the psalmhynms, translations of English and several German Lutheran hymns.

If, by God's grace, this mission should grow into n congregation, it would be the first French Lutheran church in the United States. .1'fay Goq abundantly bless the work begun in His name!

F. L. B.

How a French Lutheran Mission Field Was Dlscov.ered.

A retired Lutheran pastor is aiding each May since seven years in name-canvassing for the Chicago City Directory. He was mostly sent into German, Polish, Bohemian, aqd Slovak settlements to get the proper spelling of their names. He has tried to do mission work at the same time.

Last year he found a meeting-pla~e in a store .for Protestant Italians. Their confessional platform he could not find out.

This year he was one day sent into an Italian settlement, distant from all others of that tongue.

On the top floor of a rear house with a steep, rickety stairway he found a family, named Peyrot, a young couple with one child. As he corrected the spelling of said n~me, the broken answer of the lady seemed to show the accent of a French instead of an !tali~ nath'e. Addressed in French, she was very glad to hear her native tongue spoken by a German. Questioned why she, as a French Catholic, had no holy pictures on the wall, - the lack of these had already been noticed in all othir dwellings there, - she replied, "I am a French Protestant, a Vaudois."· She then fetched him a French :&ible. He rend to her from the Gospel of St. John, chapter 1, 1-16.

In reply she answered in French : ''But you read the !French better than you speak it." The remark was just and proper; for though very well versed in

'

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

that foreign tongue, he had neither spoken, read, nor written it for more than forty years.

She was the first true French Protestant he had ever met in his life, and yet more a Vaudois.

The word Vaudois in Frencl1 has the same meaning as the expression Evangelical in the Augsburg Confession• and signifies a Waldensian, or a French Protestant three hundred years before the days o.f D.r. Luther.

The whole settlement where he was name-can,,assing was formed by Vaudois, for the most part Italians, who attended Presbyterian Italian services in a little brick church nearby, and who forbade their minister to preach occasionally in French for the benefit of the French Protestants.

This Vaudois colony at Chicago consists of over 100 fa'milies, of which SO belong to the Italian Presbyterian congregation. The rest belong to that true ·vaudois congregation which holds its meetings in o. store, a few blocks off. 'l'hey separated from the Presbyterian congregation over- two years ago, and in their spiritual distress elected one of their .own members as minister.

If the Presbyterinn Church took hold, years ago, of the Italian Vaudois and formed them into a congregation, why cannot the Lutheran Church, especially the Missouri Synod, take hold of those few French families, the faithful descendants of the old Waldensian Protestants?

F . L. B. -

Vara'a Blessed Death.

Vara was a nath•e of the island of Eimeo. He was a bloodthirsty chief of a savage tribe, and in the time oi his heathen ignorance had caused the offerings of many human sacrifices. But by God's grace, through the power of the Gospel, he was turned to God from idols ~ serve the living and true God. He became a humble, ·devoted Christian, adorning his profession with a godly life-to the day of his death. In his last hours he was. many times visited by the missionary, who gives the following account of his death: On teeing his end draw near, I said 'to him, "Are you sorry that you cast away your lying gods, by which ,rou used to gain so much property?"

He was aroused irom his drowsiness, and with tears of joy sparkling in his eyes, he exclaimed, "0 no, no I What? Can I be sorry for casting away death for life? Jesus is my rock, the fortification in which my soul takes shelter."

I said, "Tell me on what you found your hope of future blessedness."

He replied, "I have been Yery wicked; but a great King from the othe1· side of the skies sent His nmbassadot·s with terms of peace. We could not tell for many years what these ambassadors, the missionaries, wanted. At 1n t they gained a great vict01·y, and I wns ouc of the first of those that were brought to Jesu . 'rhe blood of J esus is my foundation. I grieve that nil my children do not love Him. Had they known the misery we endmcd in the reign of the devil, they would gladly take the Gospel in exchange for thei r sinful follies. Jesus is the best King. He gives n pillow without Lhorus."

After a little while I asked him ii he were afraid to die, when with almost youthful energy he replied, "No, no! 'rhe canoe is on the sea, the sails are spread; she is 1·eacly for the gale. I have a good Pilot to guide me, and a good haven to receive me. l{y outside ma.n and my inside man differ.

Let the one rot till the trump shall sound, but let my soul wing her way to the throne of J esus !"

•

A Very Present Help In Trouble.

On November 12th and 13th, 1872, the shores and islands of the Baltic Sea were visited by n most destructive flood. Many villages were almost wholly wiped out, and a large number of people lost their lives. Still many instances of God's wonderful help were reported.

In one o.f the villages on the island of R.uegen, Luther's hymn of trust, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," gave much comfort to a family in the greatest danger. Already on the 12th, one of the houses of the village was surrounded by water. The inmates could not flee, nor could help reach them. The water rose higher llnd higher, and the waves grew more powerful. It was o. terrible night for the inmates of that house. Early the next morning they had to flee to the roof. There they stood, shivering with cold, looking for the house to fall every moment and carry them into a watery grave. In this terrible position they raised' l;heir voices and sang Luther's hymn : "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." They did find God to be o. very present help in trouble, a.nd experienced the truth that they who put their trust in Him shall not be put to shame.

The storm ceased almost immediately, the waters began to fall, and the family and their home were saved.

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

NOTES. hLMANOEL CoLLEC:J~. - The F aculLy of Immanuel College has an assistan t teacher since the berrino uiug of October, l\fr. Walter l~ohe of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, 1\fo. , 'ince the number of students, and wi th it the wo rk of the F acnlty, is greater tlum in other years, and since the double classes which were taught d uring the preYious school session had to be scparnlcd, an assistaD t for the Faculty proved t o be a g rea t necessity. - At the beginning of Octobet· 76 studen ls hncl been enrolled, as many as in the middle of t he school session during previous !ears. Of this number, four young men are p1·eparmg themselves for the office of holy ministry and five young ladies are tnkiug the N ormal Course prescribed for teachers. 'l' wo o.f the theological students from Luther College at New Orleans, in accordance with a r esolu tion of Synodical Conference at its last session, have en tered o~n- institution this fall.

M. L. N1mn A N D Or•ron·roNITY. -According to the Report submitted by our Mission Board at the recent meeting of the Synodical Conference, two wonls may well represcut the state of our mission work among the colored pcople-11eecl and opportunity. 'rhe Report points out the great spiritual need o.f the majoritj• of the nine million negroes of our colmtry, who still are in the misery of sin :md in the shadow of death, boWld hand and foot, as it were, with the chains of cl arlrness, given up, in their unbelief and superstition, to all kinds of sins and vices. Opportunities for mission work among them are found on every hand, and these opportunities, together with the crying need, are loud calls for a more vigorous prosecution and for the extension o.f the work, creating demands for both consecrated labo1·ers and money. All should be willing to help in this sorely needed ancl important mission · work, which is at present carried on at 32 different stations, and which is enjoying God's blessing in church and school.

Christians have by God's grace been brought to the light of the Gospel and to the saving k"llowledge of .

Jesus, and they must take an active interest in mission work,. by which this same blessing is brought to those who still sit in darkness and in the shadow · of death. "For God, wl10 commanded the light to slline out of dark,1ess, liath shined in our hearts,· to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of Goel in t~1e face _of Jesus Christ," 2 Cor. 4, 6. Christiane should shine and make known Gocl's grace in Jesus, the Savior of all men.

87

'l'HANK-OFFERINGS OF THE Poon. - A missionary in India writes: I am on my way to one of our mission villages. The day I get there we have, first of nil, the lrnrvest festival, when the poor village Christians bring in their thank-offerings. 'rhere will not be very much cash, but the people will brinn• • 0 g ram, rice, vegetables, eggs, chickens, sheep, brass vessels - anything that they have to offer. 'l'hese are sokl, and all the money goes into the collection for_the support of their small churches. 'l'hey are Lhe thank-offerings 0£ the poor, and -every harvest time they bring in these thank-offerings.

A Poon GmL's GIFT. - In a Pennsylvania coimtry chm-ch the preacher recently pleaded in behalf of a needy cause. His pleading seemed to be fruitless.

Presently, however, a little girl was seen to come forward. She was a poor girl and could walk only by the aicl of her crutch. ~ut this poor, lame girl wanted to help the needy as well as she could. ·when she reached the pulpit, she laid her crutch on the stand, saying: "I give this to help the cause." Then she hobbled to a scat nearby. Deep silence had :fallen upon all present, when the minister said: "Is there any one that will redeem· this crutch, that this little girl may have it again?" In a short time over a hundred dollars were on the stand, and the little girl had her crutch and the needy were well 1 supplied.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. - 'l'en years ago there was not a dollar invested in the Philippines by any Protestant missionary society; to-day o,•er $500,000 is held by various American Missionary Boards. l\iore than 30,000 Filipinos have already confessed fliith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Over 8000 were received last year. There are 1000 students studying in the mission schools. The American Bible Society hns distributed over 700,000 portions of the Scriptures, a large numbei:. of which have been complete Bibles. The British and Foreign Bible ~ociety distributed 37,597 books last year.

REAPING THE FRUITS OF :MISSION. - Reapll}g certainly follows so,ving, for hventy-five years ago , there was not one Christian in Korea. Twenty yea.rs ago there were seven who met secretly. To-day there are over hvo hundred thousand. '!'HOUGH our b1·ead does not fall from heaven as did the manna of old, it does come from that same inexhaustible storehouse.

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

88

An African of Sierra Leone, by the name or George Nikol, had come to London to prepare hintsP.lf for mission service. One dny, as he was taldng a ,valk, he came to Hempstead Hill, whence he could look down upon the mighty city. Nearby was a work,nan engaged in- breaking stone. The African turned to him with the request to tell him the names of the greatest buildings. Proud of his home city, tbe laborer gladly gave the desired information. For this the African thanked him, adding: "I have to thank still more your brethren, the missionaries, for showing me the heavenly city, Jerusalem, where we shall live forever."

Removillg his face-protector and dropping his hammer, the man rose before Nikol and said : ''\Vell, then, you are one o.f those for whom I have prayed these twenty years. For I have never laid a coin in the m1ss10nary box, but I at the same time prayed, 'God bless the black men !' " E_x.

None But Christ.

CmusTrAN P an·rA1n: OF -rnE LonD's SUPPEB FREQUENTLY? By Rev. John H. C. Fritz. Published

by R. Volkening, 7tl1 and Howard Sts., St. Louis, :M:o.

Price, 30 cts. per dozen ; $2.00 per h undred ; postage 10 cts. extra.

A very timely little tract, setting fol'th in pin.in language four Scriptural reasons why a Chris t i1tn ought to partake of tl1e Lord's Supper frequently.

Wny

Prayer Answered.

1

When William Carey, missionary in India, lay dying, he was visited by Rev. Ale."tander Duff, who talked with him of his past life and then knelt and prayed by his bedside. Leaving the room, Mr. Duff thought he heard himself recallecl. He turned back, and the dyi~g mnn said to him in a whisper, "Mr. Duff, you have been talking about CareyDr. Carey. When I am gone, say nothing -about Dr. Carey. Speak about Dr. Carey's Savior I" The missionary died triumphant, fearless of the grave, giving thanks to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Only One Master.

SHOULD A

PRAYERS. Submitted by Martin , '. ,c;ommer, Pastor of · Grace Ev. Lu th. Church, St. Louis, Mo. Third edition, revised. R. Volkening, Publisher, 7th and Howard Sts., St. Louis, Mo. Price : Bound in red or blue ~loth, 25 cts.; bound in black cloth and gilt, 50 cts. Postage 3 cts. cxtrn.

A beaut iful little volume of prayers, which a.II breathe a. truly devout spirit. There nrc morning and evening prn.yers; prnyers before and a fter meat; prayers in sickness ; prayers for the festival seasons of t he clmrch-year, and for various occasions. The well-printed and tastefully bound little volume is a. suitable gift-book for ca.techumens and ot hers. In an appendix is given a. brief list of English Christian na.mes with tl1eir meaning. We noticed one misprint on page 82, line 2: lend for led.

A.cknow~edgment.

Received for Colored illissions from the following con• gregations: Holy Trinity, Springfield, Ill., $•1.40, Mount Zion, New Orleans, La.., 35.00, Dethlcl1em, New Ol'leans, La.., 30.00, St. Paul, Charlotte, N. C., 7.50, Bethlehem, Monroe, N. C., 2.50, St. Jo.mes, Southern Pines, N. C., 2.50, St. John, Salisbury, N. C., 2.05, Mount Olive, Catawba, N. C., 0.60, Grncc, Concord, N. C., 10.00, St. Matthew, M:eherrin, Va., 12.74, Immanuel, Reimerstown, N. C., 6.00, ]\fount Zion, 'fhe Rocks, N. C., 30.00, Concordia., Rockwell, N . C., 2.00, Zion, Gold Hill, N. C., 2.50, Gm.cc, St. Louis, Mo., 3.00, Grace, Greensboro, N. C., 3.00. Total: $150.30.

St. Louis, Mo., October 15, 1010.

H. L. DoEDEBLEIN, Tn1as. · 848 E. Prairie Ave.

Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches.

NEW ORLEANS, LA. St. Paul's Oliapel, 1625 Annette St., near N. Claiborne St. Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. :u. and 7.30 P. :u.; Wednesday, 7.30 l'. :u.

Alaunt Zion Church, Franklin and Thalia. Sts. Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. 11. and 7.30 P. u.; Thursday, 7.30 P. Y. Bethlehem Chapel, Washington Ave. and Dryadea St.; G. M. Kramer, Pastor.

Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. M:. and 7.30 P. Y.; Thursday, 7.30 l'. :u. Sunday School: Sunday, 10 A.H. · SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Ohurch.

Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. M. and 8

Only one in. the Church has the right tQ speak, to command, to rule: Jesus Christ; for it is writ-

ten: "One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye . are brethren/' Matl 23., 8. ·

l'. ll.

TEBMB: Tas LUTBELUr · PIO:NZEB is published monthly, payable in advance at the following rates, postage included, to-,vit: 1 Copy ••.•.•...•.....•.•.•. $ . •25 10 Copies . . . • . • • • • • . • • • • • . . . 2.00 215 Copies ••••.•.••••••. •• , • • 5.00

ra~!

ii

Club ~~;eaali~~d· "Dli ·~pi~· ~r:·: be sent to . one address. - In St. Louis by mail or carrier, 35 cents.

All b11Bine11 communications to be addressed to ConSYNODALBEBIOHT DES MIOBIOAN-DIBTBIXTS: Concordia cordia Publishing House, Jefferson Ave. and Miami St., Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 15 eta.

St. :E.ouia, Mo. The doctrinal paper by the Rev. H. Speckhard fa an All communications concerning the editorial departinteresting, instructive treatment of "The Book of the ment to be addressed to frof. R. A. BIBOHOIT, Conover, Prophet Jonah.''

Catawba Co., ~- O. 0

•

lht Juthtran A MISSIONARY lVIONTHLY. - - ---'--•----PunLISllED DY TUE EVANGELICAL L u TIIERAN SYNODICAL CONFERENCE OF

R. A. BISCHOFF,

NonTn

AMERICA.

EDITOR.

Entered nt the P ost Office nt St. Louts, Mo., ns sccond-clnss mntter.

Vol. XXXII.

ST. LOUIS, MO., DECE.M.HER, 1910.

Christmas.

Only n mnngcr-bcd, Only n stnblc st all, But One wns born t hn.t Christmas night \\Tho came t o snvc us all.

Oh, holy Babe ! Oh, hetwcnly birth!

W hnt words or worlds cn.n weigh Thy wort h ?

- ---·•-----The Grace of God In the Manger. 'rhc Advent season has brought us the beginning of a. new church-year. Another year of grace is given us, in which God's grace is to be preached for our salvation. But tlrere could be no such preaching of grace for sinners if there. were no Savior who bore the punishment due to sin. For God is not like an easy-going father who overlooks the wrong-doings of his children. God is holy and must hate ~in. God is just, and His justice demands the punishment of sin.

Blessed be God ! He Himself provided a Savior for us. "God so loved the world that He gave His Qnly-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life," John 3, 16. The Advent season is· to prepare us for the blessed Christmas tin1e, when we shall again hear the glad tidings: "Unto you is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." The Child born at Bethlehem in the holy Christmas night is the Lorcl from heaven, God's own Son, who became man for man's salvation. In Him God is gracious to sinners, yea, in Him we behold the grace of Goel in the manger, and as ,ve in the blessed Christmas time worship at the rough couch of the infant Savior we may joyfully exclaim with the words of the Apostle

No. 12.

Paul: "'! 'he grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men," ~rit. 2, 11. As the sun after a long night appears, bringing light and joy to the world, so, after the long night of the Old 'l'estament, the grace of God, promised to fallen man as soon as s_in had entered the world, appea1·ed in the Child born at Bethlehem, bringing the light and joy of salvation.

This grace of God in the manger truly "hringeth salvation." For the Child Jesus was " made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law." He it is on whom "the Lord hath _laicl the iniquit~• of us all." He it is who "bore our griefs ancl carried our"sorrows," who was " wounded for our transgressions and was bmised for our iniquities."

He it is who undertook the work of our redemption, ancl dicl all ancl suffered air that was n~eded, lmtil I:Ie cried out upon the cross: "It is fini~hecl !" So there is salvation in Him, and in Him alone. In H im only God is gracious to sinners·.

Au el this grace of Goel in the manger is for all.

"The grace of God that b:ringeth salvation hath ap: pearcd to all men," says the apostle. All men ·! Of every race, and color, and station in life. For every sinner, even the chief of sinners. There is none excepted. i\fan may exclude himself by unbelief, but Goel does not exclude him. "God so loved the 1co1·ld that .He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever" - no matter who he is and what he is - "wliosocvcr believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 'l'herefore the angel who brought the glad tidings of the Savior's birth said: "I bring you good tidings· of great joy, which shall be unto all people."

Let us rejoice with a holy joy in the · blessed Christmas time as we beholcl the grace of God for

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

sinners in the mnnger o.f Bethlehem! And m~y the grace of God make us willing workers and cheerful gi"crs Ioi· our missious, by wl1ich God's · \\ orcl is brought to sinners, that they may embn1cc the grace of God that bringcth salvation and that hath appeared to nil men. In God's Word, as Luther well says, " arc found the swaddling clothes and the manger in wl1ich Jesus Hes, whi ther the angel also directs the shepherds. Plain, indeed, is the clothing, but ·o how precious is Christ contai necl therein!"

A Glorious Message.

At Christmas time of the year 171'.1, there was among the guests nt the home of Pastor August Hermann Francke, at Halle, Germany, a young man by the name of Bogatzky. He was the sou of au officer ond hod been destined by his parents :for the army. But he did· not like the rough life of a solclier and resolved to enter some other calling, in which there were not so many temptations and which would be more to his taste. He had already come to the knowledge of his sin and also to the knowledge of God's grace in Christ, but his faith was yet weak: He did not fully realize the blessings and the sa.v.ing power of the Gospel. He was therefore often heavyhearted and suffered much from distress of soul.

Such was the young man's state of mind a.ncl • heart when he came to Halle that Chri.stmas time and on ChristII!as Day attended the services in Pastor Francke's clm~h. He de,•outlY. joined the congregation in singing Paul Gerhardt's sweet Christmas hymn: "All my heart this night rejoices."

He listened attentively to Pastor Francke's sermon on the ·infinite love of God, 'who spared not His owu , Son, but delivered Him up for us all.

After the sermon ~he congregation sang from the Christmas hymn : Guilt no longer can distress me; Sou or God, Thou my load l3carest to rclcnsc me.

Stnin in me Tllou findest never; I nm clean, All my .sin Is removed forever.

Then and there the young man's distress of soul was taken from him. He himself relates that at that Christmas service the precious doctrine of the sinner's justification by grace throug9 faith in Jesus became clear and comforting to him as never before.

He now firmly believed that he was righteous in Christ. ''What a glorious message," he said, "is the Christmas message J!'

to

From t.hat. time on his whole li re was clc,,oted the service o:f God. He is the author o[ a ,•ellknown book of devotion all(l the writer of mauy hymns, of which Lhe mi~ ion hymn, " Awake, 'l'hou , 'piri t," is still i 11 use.

___________ ,

A Priceless Treasure.

Petet· was 011e or.th~ mosL faiLhful of the native Christi:ms on the lnrge island of 'onmo. He livccl far away from the mis. ion station but he would come to the services especially in the :festival seasons or the chmch-year, ns 110 deligh ted to hear of the wonclerfol w01·ks o:f Goel .for the sah-ation of sin11ers. ome years ago, he came to speml the Christmas clays at the mission station m1cl to hear again the message o:f the grace of Goel, who so lo,·ed the world that He gave H is only-begotten 'on, that hosocvcr believeth in H ini should not perish, but ha.ve everl nstiug lif.e.

Dm ing his stay at the station he was told that a chief, who lived near by, had askecl 1000 D11tcl1 floril1s o:f the missionary, for which he woulcl become a Christian. On hearing this, old Peter saicl : "'l'he chief asked indeed very lit tle o.f the missionm·y. I ha,•e 1·cceived so much t ln·oug h the missionary that 1000 boats ca1mot carry it. It is .a priceless treasure. For I have experienced God's grace in my heart and know the wny to everlasting life."

1 \\

Unto

Us·a

Child ls Born.

, We learn that the Child born at Bethlehem is born for us and is ours. He is born not for H is mother only, the Virgin Mary, much less for God in heaven, who needed not His birth, but for us men here on earth. 'l'his Child is as near to us as our own body and soul. 0 blessed, and a. hundred times blessed, is the man who in this wisdom is well taught and grounded ! - wthc1·.

0

God's Way or Giving.

Gocl's love gives in such a way, that it flows :from a Father's heart, the well-spring o:f all good.

The heart of the give:r makes the gift dear and precious; as among ourselves we say of e,•en a trifling gift: "It comes from a hnud we love," and look not so much at the gift as at the· hear t. - wthcr.

r

a The Lutheran P1·oneer. .

A Qhrlstmas Lesson. e,·eral yea rs ago, on hri tmas Bvc, a you11g sLudcnt or theology with a bundle or Chri. tina.; cairn · llntlcr his arm , strolled th rollgh the · trrcts of :Berli n, hoping lo chi,·e away hi home. iclmess by looki ug nt the Christmas tree , whose lights were shin ing throug h the winrlows. At la t ,he came t o the ·ulrn rlJ o r the city. whcr • Lhe poor people Ji\'ccl.

H e stoo,l. ti ll a t n li tlle l1ousc .from which he licanl the glad Yoic: oC children i nn-i11 · to 0n- the olcl ChrlS ma.,; hym n: ' 1.(•L u!'I a ll wiLh " l:11lso111c ,·oicc' Prai c the L or d ~r hca ,·c11 i W ho, to loid 0 11 r hen r ls r~joicc• Jl is own on hat.It g iven. '

91

the Yer-cs hacl been sang, the student took his leave, thanki ng Ootl !or the le 011 in theology which he had learned on this memorable Christmas Eve. A Christmas Offering for the Heathen.

A Lu theran pastoL· in Germany, in whose congregation great i eal had been awakened !or mission work among tire heathen in Africa, relates the following tory of a. little boy's Christmas offering for the hea then : , 'ome months ago a young married couple set out to pay me IL visit. .dS they left home, their little boy, four years ol<l, ran out and begged to be brkcn along. It was near Christmas time, and when I had cncletl my counsel to the parents, I !Zhowecl the little fellow, who hnd been very quiet and attenfo·c, n picture of the birth of Christ, and ns I told him about • the Child JeSJis, his face 0!!l'ew bright with smiles. " Now," I said, "I shall sing yon n verse ubout Jesus." As I sang, his face grew brighter still, and he asked me to sing it again.

We prayed together, and they went home.

A short time after, the child got very ill. Th~ .first time I visitecl him, he could speak quite well about Jesus and heaven and the angels, but they en t for me soon after, saying he would not be comforted unless he heard me sing that Christmas hymn again. '!'hey had tl'ied, but only the pastor would satisfy him. So we sang, and spoke, and prayed, and the next day he fell asleep in Jesus. A few days Inter his parents brought me a purse in which he had kept all his gifts and little treasures, and saicl, "'l'lmt is for the heathen." 'l'he Christmas offering for the heathen was nearly 10 dollars. 'l'he little boy had° told bis paren ts to give it all !or missions, that 'the glad tidings of the Savior's birth may be brought to sinners that they mn.y be saved.

L oki ng throllgh lhc window, the -tudcnt saw a small hris tmas Lree, Slll'l'Otmded by children.

Near the ch ild ren tootl an old grandfa the1· a·ressed in hi. be:t nnJ i i wonuu1 dressed in black, wipiunb tear · from h er e)•c . One of the children , noticina b t he face or the stranger at the window, sndclenly l:ri<!ll 0ll L ·• .1\ l othcr, there is n. student!" Quickly she operwd the door ancl invi ted J1im to, come ill.

He a ·ccplcd the in vitation aml was heartily· welr:omctl Ly lhe oltl g ran cUatheL', who was n !rieud of studen ts.

'J'he () hrist11ws .tree was r a.the1· small, with little on it. rJ'hc student therefore divicled hjg cake.; nmo11 g the children. 'rhis kind act opened the lips or the orrowing mother. She told him thnt, n few months before,. she had lost her husband, who was a son or th e g nmtl father, and the :fnther of these c·hildrcn. 'he had not intended to hnvc a tree this Clll'i. tmns season, but the clear grnnJfatber had insistc<l upon ha,·ing one ':for the children. Her heart, she said, was broken as she thought or the .clear husband who sang with them their brautiful Christnrn hymns last Christmas. 'l'he student looked at her with his heart so full of sympnthy Lhnt he could hal'dly speak. 'l'he old grand rather, however, lrne\\~ mo1·e of the comfort of Beginning at Bethlehem. tbc Christmns Gospel than did the student. . He , turned to his daughter-in-law, aud said: "Do you Christian 1·eligion, says Luther, begins not at know that to you th.is day is born n Suvior? Ah, if you did 11ot know that, then, indeed, you would the highest, but at the lowest. R1m straight to the ha,,e reason to sorrow and g1·ie,1e. Do not begrudge manger, and embrace this Infant, the Virgin's little your husbn11cl his rest, but l'cjoice that he celebrates Babe, in your arms; and behold Him as He was born, nursed, grew up, dwelt among men, teaching, Christmas in heaven." .

Ancl then tlie old · man began to sing Luther's dying, rising again, ascending up above all the grancl Christmas hymn: "From heaven above to heaYens, and ha.Ying power over all things. This earth I come." 'J'he cllildren, the student, and the sight and contemplation will keep you in the right sobbing mother all joined in the singing. When all way, that you may fo~ow to where Christ bas gone.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

92

Christmas in a Sick-Room.

this Christmas. You are to take a Christmas tree to the dear old woman." We knew whom she meaut.

They were t.ulking about Christmas days of long 'l'he "dear old woman" was the mother of oue of ago when an old gentleman said : Every year as my father's day laborers, Jiving in the village at Christmns comes I, too, think of the Cln·istmas joys some distance from om home. She was si.ck for a long time, confined to her bed, not able to walk, or to speak much, her whole le.rt si<lc being paralyzed. My sister aucl I often took her meals to her and read to her from the Bible and other good books. Well, to this clear old woman ,re chHclrcn · now c,•ery year took a Christmas tree, . together wi th a few presents. And these Christmas ,·isits in the sickroom of the poor shut-in are among the happiest recollections of my younger days. In the early dusk of Christmas Eve the big sleigh was brought to the house to ta kc us to the village. We children all climbed in. :My oldest brother did the driving, my second brother carried the Christmas tree. When we came to the humble home of the day laborer, the candles of the tree were lighted in the narrow passage of the dwelling. We then marched into the sickroom and placed the lighted tree on a stool near the bed of the poor invalid. 'l'hen we all sang n Christmas hymn, aucl one oi us read the Christmas story. 'l'he clear old woman listened to it all, her face beaming with joy. And, oh, how joyful were we as we drove back home during the ringing of the .Christmas bells! The hom which was past seemed to us the happiest hom of Cluistmns Eve.

No Fear of Death.

The Christ-Child.

Dcnr Chri11t-child, nil holy, O! mny we <lro.w nigh?

We know Thou hnst Jcft Thy bright home in the sk-y, To be.nr nil our sins, 11111Tc'r poverty, bin.me; To die on the cross, to atone for our shnme.

we children had at our home. Especially do I remember one Christmas in a sick-room. Let me tell you how it was. . One Christmas season, when I was about twelve years old, mother said, "I have thought of something extra for you children to do

.

A boy, twelve years old~ lny very ill. When told that he might not get well again, he said, "I do not fear ~leath." While on his sick-bed, he often exclaimed, "Come, death, I am not afraid; no matter how you look, black, or green, or yellow; I am not afraid." He recited many passages from Holy Scriptures which he had learned at school, and especially the following verse· from Li1ther's beautiful Christmas hymn: Ah! dearest Jesus, holy Child, }fake Thee n. bed, sort, undcfilc<l, Within my hen.rt, thn.t it may be A quiet eho.mber kept for Thee.

Truly, who dieth thus dies well!

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Comfort In Death.

When Hncnclel, the .famous composer, lny on his dyiRg-becl, ju AprH, 1759, he requested his foithfol sermnt John to rea<l to him the 91st Psalm. After the rending Haenclel snid, "'. rhat was beautiful! 'l'hat is foo<l which nourishes aucl refreshes. Tieatl some more! Heacl the fifteent h chaptci; of St. Paul's First E pistle to the Corinthians." Johu read the whole chapter, whilst the sick man 110w antl then interrupted him, snyjng, " top; read that again!"

A[tcr a while Haem1cl Teque tcd that from his mother hymn-book her favo ri l.c hymn be read to him: " I nm certain in my fai th ; I am nssured o.f my snlrntion." Dudng t)1e reading I.he sick man's lips mo,·c<l, a. he softly spoke wiLh the reader as many of the words a he knew by heart. Then he said: 'Oh, it is indeed beautiful to hn.ve certainty of faith and the a surance of salvation! How glo1·ious js our church with its preaching o.f God's free gmcc in 'hrist, the sinner's hope! If ,,,e had to rely on our works - dear God, what would then become of us ? All the good that we have, is it not nil Gotl's gift? And then, have we really <lone all that we could and should have done? Afus, how much there i l.o accuse us! If there is nothing in the Gospel of grace, then farewell hope I When I was still young, they tried to make me n Catholic in Italy. Loni, my God, I thank Thee thnt 'rhou didst helJ) me that I was not caught in that net, !or t.hcn I shoulcl now lie here without hope. Truly, Dr. Luther found the true Gospel that to faith in Jesus Christ salvation is g.ivcn by gmce. 'J.'o this grace I firmly cling.

Lord .Jesus Christ, in Thee nlouc My only hope on earth I place;.

For other comforter is" none, No help ha\'e I but i1_1 Thy grncc."

In this faith he fell asleep in Jesus on Good Friday, 1759. His last words were: "Lord Jesus, receive my spir.it. Oh, let me clie and rise with Thee I" He was buried in Westminster Abbey, London, where his resting-place is marked by a beautiful monument bearing the inscription: "I know that my Hedeemer liveth!'

A Change.

A few years ago, on Cln-istmas Day, the venerable Luthcrnn missionary Ramseyer, in Africa, • baptized a young man by the name of Cnrl Sebe.

He is the grent-grnndchild of the cruel Adu-Bofo, the chief of m1 African tribe, who, in the year 1869,

93

threw into prison the two missionaries that came to his people with the Gospel of peace. His son, the grandfather o! Carl, at first also opposed all mission work in his district. But by the faithful labors oC the missionaries a change soon came. He became the missionaries' friend. In the year 1896 he himself presented his grandson to the missionary, saying, "'Take him; he is my grandchild. I give hin1 to you. irake of him what you can. You mny even take him along to Europe." 'l'hc boy became a gi!tcd and beloved scholar in the mission school. When he was offered a wellpaid posit.ion with an English officer, he declined, in order to continue his attendance at school. He· made good pl'ogrcss nnd was u joy to the missionaries. in the mission field the change wrought by the Gospel is often seen in the chihlren and grandchildren of cruel heathen ancestors.

Comfort from a Lutheran Hymn.

Writing of the value of our . Lutheran church hymns, a German woman says: I once met a Catholic woman, who, among other things, told me that at a school in Germany she had learned a beautiful hymn which had often given her much ·comfort.

She then recited n few stanzas of Paul Gerhardt's hymn : Commit thou nll thy griefs And wnys into His lmnds, 'l'o His sure truth nnd tender care, \Vho cn.rth nnd heaven commnnds; Who points the clouds "their course, \Vhom winds nnd seas obey, He sbnll direct thy ~,·nndcring feet, He shall prepare thy wny.

'!'he Catholic woman was very much astonished when I told her that the author o.f that hymn was a Lutheran pastor. Still the hymn remained to her a source of sweet comfort.

God's Gift of Love. ·whnt is the reason that God gives? What moves Him to it? Nothing but :unspeakable love, because He clclights to give and to bless. What does He gh,e? Not empires merely, not a world full of sih•er and golcl, not heaYen and earth only, but His Son, who is as great as Himself - that is, eternal and incomprehensible, a Gift as infinite ns the Gh·er, the very spring and fountain of all grace, yen, the possession and property of all the riches and treas. ures of Goel. - Tmtl,or.

94:

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Immanuel College.

The Reformation Festival was celebrated at Immanuel College by a special service on the afternoon of October 30. Our four tlreological students, i\iessrs. March, Berger, .Anderson, and Lynn, delh·ercd short addresses on different periods of the history of ti1c Reformation.

On the following afternoon the celebrated Dr. Booker 'l'. Washington, "the Wizard of the South," paid us a short visit with his retinue of twenty prominent negroes. Shortly before his arrival the schoolchildren and s_tudents were assembled in the chapel. After Dr." Washington had been introduced to the assembly by the President of our college, he said that this was Iris very first visit to a Lutheran institution, that he was glad to see how much is done ior his people by the Lutherans, and that he wishes to thank our :Mission Board through · the Faculty ior all the benefits. He then admonished the students, to be grateful for what .they receive here, and "he wished lioth Faculty and students Godspeed in their }\'Ork. Having returned from a trip abroad, Dr. Washington was visiting a number of cities in North Carolina, and ·he took occasion to· pay a visit to the schools and colleges fo1· colored, addressing large audiences of both white and dolored.

At the begim1ing of the second .week of N ovember Immanuel College had an enrollment of .103 students. i\{. L.

Letter lrom Meherrln, V:a.

St. i\Iatthew's celebrated Reformation season on Sunday, October 30. The pastor ,in charge preached in the morning from Gal. 2, 16-21. At four o'clock, a festi\>al service was held, at which the children and others of the ·congregation answered questions on Reformation hi~tory. "A Mighty , Fortress," "Fear Not, 0 Little Flock," and other suitable hymns were sung., The offering at this latter service ·was $2:21.

A harvest home and mission festival was held on Sunday, September 18. Prof. 11{. Lochner, who was recently the pastor in charge, was with us. He preached at three ofclock from 1 Tim. 6, 6-10. 'rl1e offerings of the congregation that day were

$6.06.

Some \\'Ork has been done on both church and • parsonage this summer to prevent their falling to

decay. A share of this expen e has been borne by members living at Yonkers, N . Y . 'l'hese h ave been served there by the devoted faith o.f Pastor A, ,•on Schlichten. A valuable working member t here and here is l\Irs. Polly Howlett, witlo\\".

Our colored people are notably imitators of their white neighbors, especially in the faul ts ancl vices.

Marks of grievous times .foretold in t he 'cripturcs arc easily seen among the whi les and no Jess among the l.,lacks. "Men shall be lornrs of' their own selves, lovers o.f money, boastful, hn.ughLy, railers, disobedient to parents, u11tJ1ank[ul, unholy,' 2 Tim. 3.

Wherever these marks arc fqund, wc also find neglect of prcachi~1g and God's \Vorel nncl 'acrament, .as well as small support of the poor, and of the preaching of the Gospel, aud of i:;c; hools.

Onr school was opened on eptcmber 6, a.nd now hns an average attendance of sixteen. .J. , '. K.

Notes from New Orleans. 'l'he mission workers iu New Orleans are again pursuing £he even tenor of thci-r way. Our Luthcmu schools reopened for the cm-rcn t te rm on September 12, aml Luther College, on 'cptcmber 28. fo1thcr College, after having been changed by the Syn9clical• Conference, which convened at Seward, Nebr., last L\ugust, from a seminary to a prc1>amtory school, has two instructors, Prof. R. A. Wilde and the He,•. Eel. Schmidt, the newly installed pastor of St. Paul's congregation. 'rhe college has enrolled 27 students, and several more have am10unced their intention of entering. ,Mount Zion School, taught by _the veteran teachers Vix· and Meibohm, has its usual large enrollment. 'l'eachcr · Napoleon Seebcrry, who was ior fh•e years at St. Paul's School, was transferred by the Mission Board to Bethlehem to fill the vacancy macle 1,y the l"esignation of Mr. Odendahl. l\fr. Odendahl served Bethlehem faitlrlully ancl creditably for a. number of yea1·s. 'l'he enrollment at Bethlehem School this session is lal"ger than that of any p1·evious year. 'rhe members of St. Paul;s congregation ba,;e had occasion fo1· great rejoicing. On Sunday, Octc.ber 23, the Rev. Ed. Schmid.t, late of Napoleonville, La., was installed as pastor, the Rev. A. Witt, its former pastor, having accepted a call , to a. local • white congregation. Many members of our other two colored congregations were in a:ttendance. Tbe

The Lutheran Pioneer. nov. G. M. K ramer pastor of Bethlehem, conducted the !::Crvico. '.l'nking his text :from P hil. J, 3-11, he deli vcrecl an eel ifying sermon on the theme: " , t. Paul . un Example for a '.L'ruc Christian Preacher." ~l'hc cl1oir of ·t. Paul's, consisting or sixteen YOi •cs, under the direction of the 11ndc1·signccl rc11clcrc1l the an thclll, " iug Prni c un to the T,orcl. ' 'l'hc fo llowing 'J'uc clay night tho cong regati011 un,lcr the ausp ices o[ , 't. Paul's L11thoran League tenclcrecl a reception to the new pastor and hi. wi fc. 'l'hc u nder. irrnCll poke a few words or welcome, to whirh the pastor re poncle] .feeli ngly. JTis words on that memorable occasion, exhorting his members , to work to(l'cLhcr, nncl to "put their shoulders to the wh cl" fo r the upb11ilcliug of Christ's kfogclom, m:ulc a. deep and we hope, a lasting impression upon hi. hearer..

Mis· Ed na 'J'homa, who grncl untccl from the No rmal Depar tment o.f Luther CoUege last June, ha~ been appointccl by the Mission Boru-cl to fill the pince in the P rimary DepMtmen t o.f S t. Paul's 'r hool, made vacan t by the transfer of 'l'eachcr N"apolcon , ccben-y. ']10 ·is busily engaged wi th her huge la c . ' t. Paul's , chool has enrolled a larger m 1mbe1· o.f pupi ls this term than it has for a. nmnhcr of years past. Jll(lgiug from t he steady stream of H OW arrivals every Monday morni ng, the enrollment bids fair to reach 225, an~l quite possibly 250. 'l'J1c feeling now prevailing is the feeling of love antl uni ty. .Each one seems determined to put his best foot forwarcl to advance the good work in which we arc all engaged, namely, the work of upbuilding the kingdom of Christ. ~fay Goel, who so b01intifully blessed us in the past, and whose p1·ovidence rests with us at present, be with us also in the future!

A.ARON WILEY, Jn.

95

the p roceeds o! such investment are to be used for the 1ipport of indigent colored students who arc preparing for the ministry in our mission field.

BNcoun,,01No N:i::ws· 1~1to)t INDIA. -The latest rcportl from the :Missouri Synod's mission field in Inclia bring encourag ing news, which should gladden the hearts or all mission friends. At one o! the . tation JG souls were recently baptized, and a number or catcclmmcns are being instructed preparatory lo bapti ·m. At another station Gl persons - men, women, ancl children - were received into the rhu rch by holy baptism. It is also reported that the 1rntiYc Ch ristians at the different stations cnrucstly stri,•e to lead a godly life, and that they prove fait hful oft-en even in the face of persecutions which they must enclure at the hands of their heathen countrymen. We were also glad to hear that the new missionary, the Rev. F. R. Zucker, arrived safe and well hr the mission field.

BrnLI, WORK. - At tlfe beginning of the present year the American Bible Society .established an ngency in the Isthmus of Panama for the circulation o.f the Bible among the negroes,. many of whom have been drawn to the isthmus by the digging of tl1c Panama Canal. 'l'he Bible agent sells on the street, usually iollowing the pay-car each month, stopping at the villages in the Canal Zone. At other times in the month he visits the ncgro quarters, 'the outlying settlements, and the ,rillages in the bl1sh.

"In this wa.y many copies of the Bible, the silent missionary, have been brought into the homes of such as can read." The Society has also presented Bibles to hospitals and sick-camps along the line of the canal and to the penitentiary. 'l'HE DIFFERENCE. - Dr. E. Spencer recently stated in a public address that ,vithin a year a Romish priest in Italy said to a Protestant colporteur, or Bible-seller : "Go on with your Bible-selling, and we will go on with our Bible-burning."

NOTES. NAl'OL~ONVILLE, La. -The nuss1on school at Napoleonville is in charge of Teacher W. Schrieber, who was fostalled by the Rev. E. Schmidt. The school last mon th was attended by 67 pupils.

A. GENlmous FRIEND. - A generous. 'mission friend in N ebraska has given $1000.00 for Immanuel College. The money is to be safely invested, and

CLOSE OF YoLUl\{E. -This number closes another ,,olume of the LUTHERAN PIONEER, and we would remind our readers and friends of our mission among the colored people that the beginning of a new volume is a fa,,orable time to secure new subscribers. Such kindness would be .thankfully appreciated. As any pro.fits arising from our mission papers go into the mission treasury, the circulation of these J>Bpers is a twofold ·benefit.

.J

The Lutheran Pioneer.

96

Christmas In Hawaii.

Before the missionaries and the American settlers went to Hawaii, the natives knew nothing about Christmas, but now they ~111 celebrate the day, aucl do it, of course, in the same way as the Americans ·who live there. The main cl ilference between Christmas in Honolulu ancl Christmas in New York is that in Honolulu in December the weather is like June in New York. Birds are warbling in the leafy trees, gardens arc o,·erflowing "·ith roses aucl cm·nations, fields ancl mountain slopes are ablaze ~,•ith color, and 11. sunny sky smiles dreamily upon the glories of a summer day. I n the morning people go to church, ancl during the day there arc sports and games and merrymaking of all sorts. The Christmas dinner is eaten out of doors in the shade of the veranda, and everybody is happy ancl contented. ....:..E:e.

BOOX TABLE. BaoSAMLl::L~. Kurze Andacl1ten fuer nllc Toge des Jahres.

Von Carl Ma11tlicy -Zon1. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, :Mo. Price, $2.00.

This book of devotion, nrrnnged nccording to tbe clmrcl1• ,·ear, hns been prepare<! for German Christians by an experienced pastor nnd well-known Christ ian ~,·riter. It brings for e,·ery dn:y n sl1ort meditntion, consisting of n. brief fn.ithf.ul exposition of n. Bible pnssagc, to which is added n. short prn.ycr and one or more verses from a clmrch hymn. These short meditat ions o.rc only crumbs. Yes. But they n.re crumbs from the :Master's table, full of the life-gh•ing nnd life-1msta,iiiing power of God's Word for the strengthening nnd comforting of His children in nU the days of tl1eir earthly pilgrimngc. The book is of eom·enient size, ,•ery nttraeth·e in print nnd binding, embellished with 52 a.p~ proprinte full-page i11ustrations, n.nd should become 11. fn•\'Oritc holiday gift book. We hea rtily recommend the beautiful ,·ol11111e for use in the family nnd for private de,•otion. l\fay it be n. blessing to thousands!

SYNODALDEBICHT DES Mll\"l\"ESOTA• UND DAKOTA-DISTRIKTS. Concordin. Publishing House, St. Louis, :Mo. Price, 15 eta.

Contains n, ,•ery timely po.per oil ''Rome nnd tl1c ·united States" by Prof. C. Abbctmcycr, showing from their own \\Titings the host.ile attitude of Roma nists toward our country and its institutions.

SYNOD,\LDERICJIT DES SUEDLICUEN DISTBIKTS. Price, 11 cts.

Contains nn instructive essn.y by Prof. R. Pieper on "The Creation," nnd nlso a brief report on our Colored l\fis11ion in Nc.w Orlenn11. · SYNODALDEBlCHT DES ATLANTISCUEN DlSTJllKTS. Price, 20 cts.

The doctrinal pnpcr by the Rev. P . Roescndr treats of • the. Wonders and Miracles of the Christin.n Religion.AMEBJKANJBCHEB K.\LE.~DEB .FUEB, DEUTSCHE LUTIIERAN.EB

auf . das J11,hr 1911. Concordia, Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 10 eta.

Be&idea tbe usual calendai, and statistics of the Synodical Conference,, this almanac for Gennnn Lutherans conta.lna about 241 pages ot valuable reading matt.er, the article of special interest being a well-written sketch o! th.e 09/0312021

HF Group NI

life nmr lnbors of t he sa inted Dr. V1111ltlicr, t he honored 11.ml beloved 11ermnt of God, in memor.r of his one hundredt h bi rthday 1mnh•ersnry, October 25, l!H l.

101 l. Co11cor11i:i l'nblishing House, St. Louis, l\fo. Priet•, 10 cts. ~Ve heartily commend this l~ng lis h compn.nion of the Gel'lnnn Ka lc11dcr. Ju its neat d1·e ss it st.nr ts out for t he second time, nml we hope it will find n. welcome in t hou• 1mncls of homes. llesides t he mm:1 I calunclnr n.nd stn.tist icnl nutt.ter the t.l.nirnal contnins nn inst.rnctive eha 1·ncter sketch of t he sninlc<l Dr. \Vnlt her and an interesting "Chronologiea l Sun:Qy of t he Dnys of \.Vnl t her .''

LUTIIEIIAN ANN UM,

A N •; x cELU: NT

Pmrrn,\1-r

o ~· T m ,: r...\'rn D R. \ V AL'l'H1':R

hns also been issued in n nea t and tasteful style, by Concorclin Publishing llou;;c, St. J.ouis, l\fo. It nmy be had in different sfaes, ·himdsomely fm mecl. Size 4 1:13 X5 3/.1 : 25 cts.; per dozen, $2.40, n111l postnge ; size 47-t X G½ : 45 ct.~. ; per dozen, $4.32, a nd postage ; size 7 1/2 X!J l/2: SO ct.s.; per dozen, $7.08, n ml postage.

Acknowledgment.

Receh·ecl for Colorccl illissio11s from the following cong regntions : -Holy Trinity, Springfield, Jll., $0.05, Bethlehem, New Orleans, Ln., 30.00, Mount Zion, New Orleans, La., 35.00, St. Pn.ul, New Orle;ms, Ln.. , 35.00, l\fount Calvary, Mount Pleasant, N. C., 3.00, Stiit ion in ~fcrigold, :Miss., 7.:45, St. Pn.ul, :Mnnsu ro,, La., 5.00, St. J>,u1l, Charlotte, N. 9., 7.50, Mount Zion, Mcyersville, N. C., 2.50, St. Jnmes, Sout hem Pines, N. C., 2.50, St. Mntt hew, :Meherrin, Vn., 6.05, St. ,Tohn, Snlisbury, N. C., 2.05, Bethel, Conover, N. C., 4.00, Zion, Gold· Hill, N. C., 3.00, Coneordia, Roekwe11, N. C., rn.oo, Mount Zion, 'l'he Rocks, N. C., 3.00, Grace, Concord, N. C., 10.00, Mount Calvn.1·y, Snndy Ridge, N. C., 10.00, G·rnce, St. Louis, l\Io., 4.10. 'l'ot.a,l: $]!)4.00.

St. Louis, )fo., November 10, 1010.

H . L. DoEDERLEIN, 1.'rcas.

848 E. P m irie J\.ve.

Evangelical · Lutheran Colored Churches.

NEW ORLEANS, LA. 8-t. Paul's Cha,pcl, 1625 A1inette St., near N. Claiborne St.;

Ed. Schmidt, P ns"tm·.

Dh•ine Sen•i~~: Sunday, 11 .a.. u. nnd 7.30 P. M.; Wednesday, 7.30-P• .11.

Mount Zion Ohurcli,. Franklin nnd Thalia Sts. Divine Services: Suntlay, 11 .a.. u. and 7.30 P. u.; Thursdny, 7.30 p; i.1.

Bethlehem Chapel, \'\'a.shington AYe. and Dryadea St. ; G. M. Kramer, Pastor. · Divine ·Services: Sunday, 11 a. u·. nnd 7 .30 P, u ..; Thursday, 7.30 P, :u. Sunday School: Sunday, 10 .a.. M , , SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Church.

"Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 .a.. 1,1, and 8 P. u.

-TERMS: Tmi: LUTHERAN PIONEER is published monthly, payable in advance at the fo11owing rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copf . . ...•..••.•..•..•... $ .25 10 Cop!ea ..•. : ...•..•. . .••.. ~.00 , 25 Copaes • • • • . . • • . . • • • • . • . . . 5.00 50 Copiea . . • . • • • . . . • . . . • • . • . 0.00 Club rates only a11owt'd if n11 copiea a.re to be sent to one address. - Jn St. J~uis by mail or cn.rrier, 35 cents.

All businesa communications to be ~ddressed to Con• corcl(n. Publishing House, Jefferson A,-e. n.nd Miami St., St. l..ouis, Mo, All communicationa concerning the editorial department to be addreued to Prof. R. A. BIB0HOIT, Conover, Catawba: Co., N. ©.