atht Jnthtran A
lvfISSIONARY
P u n t r s nED nY T HE E v A.."iGE L ICAL
L uTIIBRAN
.MONTHLY.
SYNODICAL CONFERENCE OF
Nonrn ~mmcA.
R. A. BISCUOFF, Etlitor. l~ntcrcd :1Ltho PosLo ruco nt St. Louis, Mo., as second-class matter.
Vol. XXX.
St. Louis, Mo., January, 1908. The Changeless One.
"'fhl• years come in, t he ycn rs go out., T he 1110111c n ls II~· a wa~·, n u t '.l'ho11, 0 Christ., do.st lll!\ ' l!r go, For T hou has t. come lo slay . Or come t.l1C da.,·s of 1.Jlcnkc.·t s lorm, Or liri~htc,;t 11111ig hl.':s glc:un, Thou· pa;;sl•.st. wit.It me, Changc lc;;s One, A-tlown li fo',; 1110 \·ing s t.ream."
The Time Is Short. 'l'hc t ime of our lite is short. '!'his is tl1c lesson of the pa ·: ing years. Our life is like the wiud t hat rushes by, like a flower o.f the field that flourishes, and the wind pa~scs 0YCr it, and it is gone, and tho place thereof. shall lrnow it no more. It is like the g rass which flourishes nntl grows up in t he morning, and is cut down in the evening ·and wit hers. " Go to now, ye tha t say, 'l'o-t.lay or to-morrow we will go inlo such u city, aucl conti nue there t\ year, and buy, nncl . ell, nnd get gain ; whereas ye know not what shnIt be on the morr ow. F or what is your life? It is even a raJ)0r that appcarcth ·for a li ttle time, and t hcu vun ishcth away," James 4, 13. 14. Let us, therefore, number our clays ancl apply our hearts un to "'isclom: 'l'hc time o.f grncc is short, in .which snh•ation ii. offered to us in the means of gmcc, snlvation through H im whose name wns called Jesus, because He saves us :Crom sin. If you have not this salvation through faith in Jesus, you are on the road to everlasting woe. For it is w1·ittcn: "He that believcth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that belicvcth not shall be damned," Mark 16, 16. The
No. I.
t i me is short. E ,·ct·y pn ·sing year brings you n earer the grave and the judgment. Therefore neglect not yo1n- soul's salvation. "'l'o-day, if ye will hear· H is voice, hnrclcn not your hearts." '.rhe ti me for service is short. Christia.us arc God's servants. 'l' hey arc to live, not fot· themselvc. , but for God and their follow-men. They · a1·c to be God's wi tnesses and n'iissionarics for the salva tion of sinners. As the years pass by, thousands arc hastening to ctcmi ty ancl have no hope, for they know not the Savior. Christians must &cc to it Lhat the Savior is 111acle known to those tli'nt know H im not. If they will not do this \\mrk, who else will do it ? 'l'he time is short, and there is so much wot·k to be done, aucl what we have to do must be clone while it is dny, before tho night cometh when no mnn cn.n work. 'l'herefore, "what-:socvcr thy hand finclcth to do, tlo it wi th thy might;" and remember that " he which convcrteth the sinner from the error o-f his way_shall· save n soul f rom death." 'l'hc time o.f om· suffering is short. Christians must }Jass tluough ni uch tribulation. " In the world ye shall have tribuhitiou," says Christ. 'l'hc passing years bring. sorrows, and .troubles, nnd atllictions, and sufferings also to God's children. . But · it is only £01· a little while; only "!or a small .moment;" only "for n season." 'l'hercforc the apostle says: "Our light nlllicti on, which is but for n moment, worketh :Cor us a far more exceeding nnd eternal weight of glory," 2 Cor. 4, 17. And again he says: "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy fo be compa.red with the glory wbich slmli be revealed in us," llom. 8, 1~.
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The Lutheran Pioneer.
'l'he time is short, ancl we suffer but for a little while. "Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day." Soon ull the Christian's sorrows will be swallowed up in everlasting joy. "A lit.Uc while of mingled joy :rnd sorrow, .A few more years to wander here below, To wait the dn.wning of t.hat golden monow, W11cn morn slmll break abo,·c our night. of woe."
The Lord's Prayer. TJIE SIXTH PETI'l'ION.
And lead us not into tcmvtat·ion. \\1Jm,t docs I.his mean?
God indeed tempts no ono~· but we znwy in this vctition that God would gua.r d and keep us, so that the devil, the iuorld, and ou.r flesh 11ta!J not deceive us, nor seduce 11s 'into misbelief, despafr, and other great shame and vice; {1,nd though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome, and obtain the victory. In the Fifth Petition we prayed for forgiveness of sins, and we firmly believe that our prayer is grneiously heard and granted. But as we look into the future ancl remember our weakness, we have reason to fea:r that we shall com·mit new sins, and it is for this reason that we pray, "Lead us not i:t;1.to temptation." · Before we proceed to "the consideration of this petition, however, it will be necessary to remember that the word temptation is used in a twofold sense in the Bible; namely, in a good and in a bad sense. In a good sense God tempts His people in order to prove their faith and to strengtlien them in that which is good. Thus the Bible speaks of God's having tempted Abraham when He told him to sacrifice his son · Isaac. Abraham dearly loved Isaac, but greater than his love for Isaac was to be his lo,•e for God. And by this trial Abraham's faith in God was strengthened _a nd his love in• creased. Such trials of faith God also sends us, that thereby we may be strengthened and learn to cling the closer to Him and His precious promises. That such temptations cannot be meant in ·the Sixth Petition is plain, since we rather pray God that He would try us and see if there be _any wicked way in us, and to lead us in the way everlasting. The temptation spoken of in this petition is the temptation to evil, to sin and wickedness. Such temptation, however,.does not come from God. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither
temptcth He any mau; but every man is tempted, when he is clmwn awa.y of Ms own lust, and enticed," James i , 13. 1'.I,. Goel indeed tempts no one unto sin, for He is holy and hates the evil, and He wants us to be holy as He is. From whom, then, do the temptations to sin come? 'l'he answer is easily given: From the devil, the world, aucl our sinful :flesh. These are the enemies of whom we already heard in the Third Petition. 'l'hese three implacable foes are ever busy in their attempts to deprive us of our soul's salva• tion. 'l'he devil arouses sinful thoughts and desires in us. 'l'lrns he temptccl Adam and Eve, thus he ]eel on Juclns to betray his Master, and ti.ms he brought Peter to fall. - 'l'hcn there is the world, which seeks to clrmy us away from Goel. She coaxes wHh . honcyecl words, as clid PotiphaI"'s wife, or she derides us because of our conscientiousness, 01· she invites us to take part in her sinful -pleasures, to come to the dance, the theater, the gambling room, the saloon, and the like. And if she does not succeed in these endeavors, she will use threats, and even go so far as to persecute us. -Auel, finally, there is a third enemy, the flesh, the most dangerous of the three. We should never neccl to fear the world or the devil, if we had not this wicked flesh to carry about with us. I:f we could but get rid of our flesh; we would be delivered from our worst ·enemy, for truly fa us, that is, in our flesh, dwellcth no good thing. Our flesh is always enticing us to sin. Our irritable temper, or covetous disposition, or levity, or pride, or despondency, are always beset-: ting us and leading us to do evil. _ These our enemies seek to deceive and seduce us. W.hen Satan tempted .our first parents, he deceit• fully led ·them to believe that by disobeying Gocl's command they would gain greatly, and having thus deceived them, it was but a second step to seduce them upon the path of disobedience and sin. 'l'hus, also, devil, world, and flesh to-day endeavor to deceive us into believing that the service of sin is more pleasant than the service of God, and having succeeded in making us· believe this, it is an easy matter for them to lead us from the right path, the path of obedience and faith, upon the path that begins with misbelief and ends only too often with · despair and other great shame ancl vices. As our first parents• trust in God was replaced by misbelief and mistrust, so the devil is always desirous to sow the seed of misbelief, mistrust, superstition, and unbelief in our hearts, 11.nd if he has succeeded in casting his victim into the arms of des,pair, he ·re--
~rhe Lutheran Pioneer. joices over his hellish success; for let a poor victim once believe that there is no help for him, as did Cain and Judas, then Satan feels almost positively certain o.f his prey. But if our enemies do not succcccl in casting a. man into despair, they yet· will try to keep him in their power by further seducing him into all kinds of shames and vices : adultery, fo mication, nucleanucss, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulalions, wrath, sb·ifc, sed itions, heresies, envyi.ugs, murdcri;, drunkenness, revelings, and such like. · 'l'hcse arc works which the flesh of man delights in, and it will do its utmost to cause the Christian to succumb and become guilty of these vices. And certain it is, were we left to ourselves to withstand our foes, not one of us would escape. 'l' hereforc, then, we go to our heavenly Father for help and pray, "Lead 'Its not -into tem,ptation," that is, "Do not permit the devil, the world, aml the flesh to succeed in their evil designs." We do not ask Goel to keep all temptations from us; ior we !mow that were we to be free :from all attacks of devil, wol'ld, and flesh, we should soon grow secure aml indifferent and iorgct our God. What we do ask is, that God permit not the temptations to be greater than we can bear, or, in other words, that God would guard and keep us in the day of temptation, preserve us steadfast in His Worcl and faith, and help us finally to overcome and obtain the victory. And such prayer God will hear. He will give us strength to battle with our enemies; He will open our eyes to see the dangers encompassing us, He will give us His Word, the sword of the Spirit, and by His Holy Spirit grant us. grace to wield it successfully and to ward off all the attacks of our foes. And finally, after the heat of the battle, He will place upon our brows the crown of victory and take us home in triumph. lnto temptnt.ion lend us not; .And when the Foe doth wn1· and plot Against our souls on cvel'y hand, '!'hen armed with fuith, 0 may wo stnml Against him ns n. vn.Iinnt host, 'l'hrough •comfort of tho Holy Ghost.
F. J. L.
Justtflcatlon Before God. (A paper rend before Imnmnuel Lutheran Conference, and published by its request.)
I. Our justification before God is. the reverse of condemnation, and consists in the forgiveness of all our si.n.s.
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, If we arc justified, we are not condemned, we are not decla1·ed guilty. As a consequence, we ncaj fear no penalty, for punishment is the execution of the sentence of condemnation. While the fact of not being condemned is worth a great deal to a JJrisoner before the bar of justice, yet we should desire more if b1·011ght into court. Sometimes a man is not condemned, because the case had to be dismissed for want of evidence; the "Not guilty'' of the jury often means : We do not say the accused actecl right, but we have not sufficient proof to say he clicl wrong, aucl therefore we cannot, declare him guilty. We ought to wish the "Not guilty" to truly mean that we actually are not guilty, ancl not merely that we cannot be condenmcd. Our justification in the sight of God means that we ·iue pronounced just, righteous. That Gocl's "Not guilty'' always means that we are 1·ighteous in H is sight, may be seen from Rom. 4, G-8, where St. Paul says: "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth the righteousness without works, saying, Blessed arc they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not·impute sin." Our English Bible explains what "impute" means when, 'instead of it, it uses the words "counted" (vv. 3. 5) and "reckoned" (vv. 4. 9. 10). If sin is not put to a ma.n's account, he is not condemned. But mark how St. Paul introduces David's words. David says: "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute si,~." St. Paul says: "Even as David also describeth · the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth ri.ghteousness without works." Hence, accordi.ug to ·st. Paul, ,vhen God does not impute sin, He does impute righteousness. Ii God does not condemn us, He declares us just. In God's com·t it is not possible, as in human courts, that there. shoulcl be a lack of evidence; there all the facts of a case are known. Since, as we learn from St. Paul, God's "Not guilty'' means, ''You are righteous," "justify/' tl~e word Sbripture opposes to "condemn," denotes that act of God whereby we are not. only not condemned, but declared to be just in His sight. Our explanation of the word "justify'' is further sustained, and we are assisted in understanding this doctrine if we notice that our justification is the imputation of righteousness. This is clearly seen from the fourth chapter of Romans. There St. Paul proves his doctrine of justification from tlie Old
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The Lutheran Pioneer. 'l'estmncn t. He takes up the question, How was Abraham justified? Iustead of saying thnt Abrn.hnm was justified by fnilh, he says that Abrnhnm's fnith wus co11.11lccl, 1·ecko11cd, foiputcd, to hi 11t, for ·ri,ghtcowmcss. In bringing in DaYid us a wit ness, he uses tho expression ' impu teth righteousness" for " justificth.'' 'l'hcrcf.oro1 if we ask when we nrc justificu before God, i t is t he_same ns nsking when Goll pluccs rightcommcss to our nccount. If God, in H is book or in H is mind, credi ts us with right.cousness, H e justifi<.>s us. o, then, tho wortl " justi fy" cnnnot mean to drive sin out of our hear ts and to fill t hem with righteou. ncss, but to pro11~11ncc us just. Ir you thus uuucr:stnucl t his word~ you sec with what llll important question we nrc dealing when treating o( lhc • 'criptural doctrine of justificat ion. When t he Bible speaks of om· being justified, it is :::peaking or t he qu<.>stion, When ,d ll Goll, instead of condemning us, ucquit us nml declare us righteous ? Do you uot nlso sec that the answer to this question also answers the question, \\ !tat must l clo to be saved ? Surely, if we are not couclcmnccl, we shall be saved from t he wrath tQ. come ; if we are pronounced righteous, the promises God has giYcn the righteous belong to us -we shall enter heaven. Hence, we ought to pay particularly good attention when we read passages in the Bible or in sermons which speak of being justified, for then we are being taught how to obtain everlasting salrntion. Being concerned that you shoulcl fully m1derstancl what we arc speaking of ju this doctrine, we say that our justification before Goel consists in the forgiveness of all our sins. We do not say that the word "jllstify" menus to forgive; but that Goel justifies us by forgiving us. If we are justified, we have been forgiven; · if we have received forgiveness, we ~re justi1ied. 'l'his also proves us correct in our understanding -of the word "justify." Or will anyone be foolish enough to say that "to forgi ,·e" meuns to tukc sin out oC the heart and pu t righteousness in its place? That our justification au<l lorgh•encss amount to the snme thing we lcaru from Jfom. 6-8, the passage we quoted above. S~ Paul proves . the doctrine of justification by David. David dpeaks of forgiveness, but though he docs not use the expressions "justifying," "imputing righteousness," yet St. Paul uses David's words ~peaking of forgiveness as treating of justification before Goel. Hence, St. Paul ccrtuinlv teaches that if you have forgi,•ene&1, you arc justi fic<l. Our- justification is sometimes defined as consisting of the forgiveiiCSI! of sins and tlie imputn-
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t ion of righ teousness. We are not to think howe,·er, thnt juslificnLion con ·isls o.r t wo pal'ts : 'or the forgivcncs of our sins tmd of the i mp uta tion of r ighteousness to us. llol.h expressions denote the same act. We arc not to look upon forgiveness as doing mrny with Lite sin of c:0111111ission, and upon the im1nit11tio11 of right •ousncs · as doing uwny with the sins o( omission. When David :-n.ys, ' Blussccl arc they whose iniqui ties arc CorgiYen , aml who ·c s ins arc coYcrcd,'! no one has the right to say that half of the sins arc not forg iven. When David ~ays " Blessed is t he man to whom the Lortl will not imp ute sin," no one has a r igh t to think tha t some sins arc ch:ngcll to that 1111m.' A 1111111 cit·hcr has forg i,·cncss, or he has not, l'org i\'<.>nuss. I r he has forg i,·encss, all of h is sins a rc forgi,·cn. '!'here is no such. t hing as partial forgi ,·c11ess. Jr .:omc p ' l"• . ons t hink they ha,·c Corgivcnc·s 1'0 1· part or their sins aml must :-Lill work to get Corgivcnc,;:; for t he t>thc1· sins, they arc talking of something not taught in Script ure, anil really do not know what fo1·gi,·cn e!:S is, as we shnll pro,·o la ter on. Whc11 we harn forgiven ess, we have Co rgi,·c11css fo1· all our sins o! commission and oI omi.:sion. Goel forgives t hose sins which we committed by doi ng wha t He has forbidden, aml Ile also forgives those sins wh ich we commi tted by not doiug wha_t H e has commanclccl. In :forg iving us, God looks upon us as though we hacl not done the sinCul t hing:; we have commi ttctl, nml ns though we had done the good we f ailed Lo do. 1n· impu ting r ighteousness to ui;, God looks upon us ns though we hntl kept the Law, both · in respect to wlmt the Ln.w commands nnel what it forbids. Both terms, "forgiveness" and " impuh1tion of righteousness," denote one ancl the snmc act, which net also call " justification." Scripture often calls the very same thing -by different n ames. I,t uses differen t expressions for one and the same act. 'l'hnt ough t- to help 11s to n better understanding of that t hing or act. If we study each uxprcssion ,ancl thus., so to say, look . at the thing from different points of view,' we get a more complete picture of it in our n~ind. "Justification" uml "imputation oC righteousness" both clrnw om· a.tten tion to the .fact t hat we arc by Goel declared just, considered 1·ightcous. "Forgiveness" draws ·our attention to the fact that God acquits us, though we are sinners and deserve to be conclemncd ; in other words, that Goel justifies us 1vitli.01tl works. 'l' his Inst statement is the point we shall take up next, nsking, \Vl111t moves Go.cl to justify man? ( To be co11 t11111ctl. ) ,J . PH. S.
we
The Lutheran I--=>ioneer. Ye Shall Reap if Ye Fahit Not.
The Merchant in -the Parsonage.
'l'he coach or a rich mcrchaut was upset, antl In 18 LO the London Missionary So9iety was on repairs werc nbsolulcly necessar y. Being compelled the point of al,nndoning their wo1·k at 'J'ahi ti. For to ;i•cJ1rn i.n over night in the 11c1n-cst ·villagc, he fonutl fo urteen yea rs had t heir missionaries labored in that lotlging wi th lhc pa:to t· of that pla ·c. I II Lite room fic lcl wi thout conn•rting even n single heathen. B ut into which h ' was : hown he ,;aw a large Bible ly ing a few men of l"aith oppo cd Lhc i1lc.i. of g h·ing up on the table. Many years hall r"gonc by since the merchant ' had looked inlo a. Bible. 'l'hc love or money had ·esscd him so strongly thaL hi · whole time was occupied in the pursuit of wealt h. Re now took . up t he Bible and carelc sly ,,.. . t urned from leaf· to leaf. ((. £ ,, - ~ . 'i~ f~ 'J . As he turned the vages of 'flt1 t 1 tl the New 'l'cstament he ca.me to { . . ~ C lil ICCP,C the 12th haple1· of , ·t. Luke, . · ·\' r \1 ~_,/;,f~ th'cc 1uilt no where he read or the rich man '\ ~ " ,..,~ ! who:c fiel<l hatl yieldetl an f.:il, ·•~ abundan t l111n·cst, and who said to hi · ·oul, ' 'oul, thou ., • hast much goods lnitl up for mimy years; take t hine ease, cat, chi nk, a.nd be merry." 'l'hc {I merchant rca<l also the concluding words of the pa.mblc: "But God -said 1mto him, 'J.'ho1t fool, lki~ -ni:gt,,t thy soul shalt be ·rcq·1t-ircd of thee; t hen whose shall t hose t hings he which thou hast provided?" 'l'hese words ruade a strong impression 11pon the mercJinnt. 'l'here rose wit hin him these questions : "H you had lost yom· li{c to-day when you were in such great clanger, what would have become of you ? 'What have you no~,, gathered for cternjty ?" "'l 'his nigh t my soul might be re- the .work. '!'hey contended that those interested in quired of me,"' he tho·ugh t; ancl he could not get the good cause should be more earnest in their ricl of the thought. For the first t ime after mnn)' prayers, also, that the directors should write hope-· years he again turned to God in prayer, ancl ~•owed fully to the discouraged missionaries. '!'his was. tiu1t he would henceforth seek those things which clone. Soon after the news wa;; brought to Louclon nre above. r-ie nsked the pastor to let him have that that idolatry in '.rahiti hacl been completely overBible which had becri such a blessing to him, ~ncl thrown, the cause of Christ having finally tl'iumphcd. What a lesson to all of us; amid the tl'ials and that boo!, been.me Iii:,; constant companion. 'l'hc nforchant. grew more and _more 1·ich toward God., discouragements of church work! We could all rich in faith nnd in the hope of n blessed eternity. help the good work of the Cluirch very much if we would be mo1·e earnest a.ucl inccssnnt in our pmyers. He lcnrnccl to •lay up treasures in heM•cn.
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'The Lutheran Pioneer.
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Savior, Be Thou Nigh! S1wior, be T liou nigh, in grief we sigh ; \\Then our life seems clnrk nnd ch·cnry, \Vhcn our hearts grow faint nnd weary. Grnnt thn,t we mny t hen 'fhy swcllt solnce ken.
God's Providence.
'l'he Ue,•. Dr. Guthrie, the well-known Scottish minister, one morning ielt a strong conviction that he must visit an old and helpless woman of his flock whose claughter was obliged to leave her alone all clay while she earned their daily food in: a flax mill. 'l'hc old woma.u was pnmlyzed and unable to move Helper, firm nml strong. haucl or foot, yet she was a trusting ancl uncc')mLend us sn fcly on! · \Vhen dnrk clouds sonr th1·cat.'ning o'er ns, plai)J.ing child of Goel, and her sweet patience had Let despnir not o,·crpowcr us ; taught the pastor many a lesson. Let Thy mighty nrm He conlcl not understand the longing he had to Shield us from ull hnr m. go and sec the poor woman on this particular morn\Vhcn our toils nre o'er, ing. It was not his regular time for visiting her, Open 'l'hon the door, and other duties claimed his attention. But he Leading, nfter pnin nnd !<ndncss, started on his long walk to the -woman's humble 'l'o t he realms of heavenly ghulncss. J.onl, our SM·ior, come, dwelling. Lend us to thnt home! J. l\fuEr.u:R. On his way down to the lonely dell he ;net a friend with whom he had important business, but in the midst of their talk he broke off suddenly as God's Sparrows. if he had to hurry on. He did hurry on, and as he opened the door of A Christian ,,,oman w~s visiting among the poor the little house, he found that the fire on the bea1·th in London one cold winter's day. She was trying had toppled down in a burning mass and was flamto open the door of a third-story room, in a wretcheding at the very feet of the poor, helpless woman, looking ·home, when she heard a little voice inside say, "Pull the string up high - pull the string up who in another moment would have been on fire. high I" She looked up and saw a string; she pulled Her eyes· were lifted toward heaven as if .in prayer, it, whei;i it lifted the latch, and the door opened into and after the flames were put out, she said brokenly, a room wh~re she found two little half-naked chil- "I :knew the Lord would send somebody." God's children have an almighty Father in dren, all alone. 'l'hey looked cold and hungry. heaven of whom we confess: "He defends me "Do you take cure of yourselves, little ones?'~ against all danger, and guards and protects me so.id the woman. from all evil." Of Him Luther sings : . "No ma'am, God takes care of us," replied the "He cares for us by do.y o.nd night, elder of the children. AJI things arc governed by His Jnight." ''You have no fire -on this cold day. Are you And Paul Gerhardt sings : not very cold ?" "l•'or menus it fails Thee nc,•cr, "Oh J when we are very cold, we creep under Thou o.lwn.ys find'st a way." the quilt, and I put my arms round Tommy, and 'l'ommy puts his arms round me, and we say, 'Now I lay me,' and tl1en we get warm," said the little girl. Luther a . Man of Prayer. "And what· do you have to eat, pray?" asked the visitor. M:elanchthon, a friend and colaborer of Luther, . "When granny comes home she brings us somesays: "Often h~ve f myself gone to him unawares thing. Granny says we are God's sparrows, and ~nd found him· dissolved in tears and prayers for He has enough for us; and so we say, 'Our Father,' the Church of Christ. He devoted a certain por· and 'daily bread,' every day. God is our Father." tion of almost every day to the .solemn reading of Tears came into the eyes of the woman. She some of tlie Psalms of David, with ~hicb he mingled had sometimes felt afraid that she might be starved; his own supplications amid sighs and tears/' but these two little "sparrows," perched alone in that cold upper room, taught her a sweet lesson of trust -in the power of God which she felt that she Oun faith clings to the Word alone, and not to could not soon forget. what it sees or feels. - Luther. \\1hcn
The Lutheran Pioneer. · NO·TES.
A Nmv Vor.uME. - With this number we bcgiu the thirtieth volume of 'l'HE L u·.rHERAN ProN.EEn. May the good Lord open mnny new homes for our paper and bless its work also in the future. We tender our thanks to all :friends of our missions who have helped in the circulation of our little monthly, and earnestly ask their continued and hearty co-operat ion. Since all the profit derived from our mission papers is pnt into t he mission treasury, the wide circulation of these papers would also be a help for our mission work. We sorely need such help, ns by God's ble. sing the work is increasing from year to year, and is calling for greater efforl-s and larger contributions.
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n11ss1on stations, Christian churches and schools. 'J'housamls of nati.vcs of varying shades of counten ance go to the temple of the Lord, believe in Christ as the only Savior, and sing His praise in various tong ues. Some time ago after the service a poor mnn came to my study to talk with me about "my great Lord." T he conversation with him was exceedingly pleasant. I read . to him a selection from the Word of God. He reverently rose, foldecl his han cls, after a while raised them up to heaven while the tears Howecl down his brown cheeks, and said, "O my Lorcl, those are precious words!" Mrss10N WonK rN CHINA. - During the year 1907 :fifL:y- new laborers have joined the ranks of the
workers in the Chjua Inland Mission, which brings the total number of mission workers up to eight hundred and scventy7.five. There has also .been a n:iarked increase in the number of Bible schools for the further instruction of new converts.
EPll'HA.i.~. - 'l' he E piphany Festival reminds us of our missionary duties. The wise men from the East, to whom the Christ-child was manifested, were Gentiles. From this we lcam that the Savio1· bom at Bethlehem is the Savior, not only of the GnowTH OF BIDLE WonK. -In 1800 only oneJews, but also of the Gentiles. ·ne is the Savior of fifth of the human family had the Bible in lanall men, and it is God's will that this Savior be guages they could reacl; now nine-tenths o·f the manifested to nil. This the Church docs in its ·people have the Bible in la.ngunges and dialects mission· work, by which the Gospel light is brought known to them. to them who yet sit in the darkness of sin. 'l'hose who have fo,md the Savior should be willing to help in this work with their prayers and also with their The Deacon Enlightened. gifts. When the wise men from the East found the Savior, they not only worshiped Him, but opened A well-to-do deacon in Connecticut was one their treasures and presented their gifts unto Hi~1. morning accosted by his pastor, who . said, "Poor Widow Brown's wood is out. Can you not take her LIBEIL.\.L GIVERS. - At an annual meeting of a cord?" "W~ll," answered the deacon, ''I have the poor Zulu Christians in Africa a few years ago, it wood and I have the team; but who is to pay me was reported that the average annual giving was for it?" The pastor, somewhat annoyed, replied, one dollar ancl seventy-five cents. '!I · will pay ·you for it, on condition tliat you read the first three verses of Ps. 41 before you go to becl A Olli.NOE. - In November, 1893, a sailing to-night." The deacon consented, delivered the vessel was wrecked on the coast of Formosa, near wood, and at night opened the Word of God and a village containing a mission chapel. The pastor, rend the passage: ''Blessed is he that co~sidereth a natiye convert, beat a clrum to summon the people the poor; the ],:Jord will deliver him in tim~ of to the rescue, and all the crew and passengers were trouble. '.L'he Lord will preserve him and keep him saved. T-hat evening twenty-one Europeans and alive, and he shall be blessed upon the earth; and one lmnclred and. forty-six natives united in a thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enethanksgiving service. Twenty-five years before, the mies. The Lord will· strengthen him upon the bed crew would ha,•c been murdered ancl the vessel plun- of languishing; thou wilt make his bed in his sickness." A few days after, the pastor met him again. dered by those same natives. "How much do I owe you, deacon, for that cord of Fno:M: CEYLON. - It is a pleasure, writes a -mis- wood?" "0 I" said the no,v enlightened man, "do sionary of Ceylon, to go about upon this great not speak of payment. I conside11 it a privilege to island, and to find in the midst . of tho heathen land ha,•e been able to supply the old widow's wants."
The Luthera n Pioneer.
8
Amid Snow and Ice. Grucnlnml hns long cca!:Ctl to be n " «rcC'n land." Bitter experience writes it a land of snow and ice, aucl of weather that is fearfully cold. Jn Upcruavik, the most northern colony, t he mLsiouarics report that, in i.l roo1i1 warmed by fire, t he wine has frozen in the cup duri:ug the celebration of the Holy Supper. During the short summer, the nights arc selclom wHhout frost. In i ra,y, the snow yet lies on the ground to the clcpth·of five or six i cet. Only in J une docs the· ice covcriug the laud-sea vanish, to appear agnin in September. Dul'ing the fourteen summer weeks, the heat is qui tc perceptible; · but i t soon pusses away, and leaves n. place so cold that we, in Uu:; lut.itucle, can form no proper conceptions of i t. In this inhospitable clime, missionaries of our Church have been at work since the days of Hans Egeclc, nucl several thousnnd members, as well us some native 1>a !:ors, attest the success of their labors. -0111· Ohm·ch 1Vo1'1,;. A C~rlstlan's Care for Others.
A Christian cannot be so heartless that he should not cure ior other men, whether they believe or not. H e must remember all· men, alwn.ys sighi~1g and praying ior them : "that God's name mny be hallowed, His kio•gdom come, His w·m be clone," and that the will of the devil, who is a. linr nncl murclcr9r from the begim1ing, should be hindered aucl brought to naught._:_ L-1.1tl1cr.
The Faith
or
a Child.
down the co,·crlct, nml turning lo the mi ni!:tcr, snicl : '1'haf s th ' hc~t.' 'J'hc liLtlc hand · were crossed, ancl on lhc fourth knuckle ol' the lc(t hn ncl rested st ill n fi n"er or the oth •r ha ncl . I n silence the life hall peel "·iLh the hnncl cln peel to utter, "'l 'he Lord is n~y Shepherd." - Sclcctccl. BOOK TABLE. N t:\'ADA-D ISTIII KTS. Concon lin P ubli. hing ICo uso, St. L ouis, Mo. Price, 25 cent!'. '.l'liu pnmphl<'t contai n!I nn in:;trnct i,·c docf.rinnl pnpcr on t he comforlin:;! ,loct rin<' conc<'rn ing t he n •:<111-i-cction of t he lio,lr, aud a l:<o n t imely t rc:tt.isc on Liu: heathen cusLom of crcmati ni:r the hod it>!I of t he dead. S YXOl),\J.IIElll ('IIT m : s C,\ l, ll'OIIX I A - U XIJ
Acknowledgment. Rcc.-ch·cd for Cofo,-e,L .llissio11.~ irom :'1 1011111. Ca lrn ry Church in Mou nt P lcn1<nnf.. N. C.. $:'i .00 ; ·t. P eter's Chu rch nea r D rr's Schoolhom, c, N . C., 5.00 ; Zion Church in Gold Hill. N . C.. 5.00 ; ' t .Tohn' · Chur ch in Snlis hun•, N. C., :J.25 nncl 4.2:i; Co ncord in 'hnrch in Hock we I I, N . 6., 2.10 and ;J.00; Mi -s ion in Nnpolcom:illc, Ln .. :l.-14, 0J i0 nm! 1.50 ; BcU1lohcm Church in New Orlca u:<, T-i1.. 25.00: Holy Tl"inity Church, S pring ficltl, 111., 10.00: ~lount. Zion Church, New Orleans, L n., :15.00 ; St . Pnul's Chu rch, ,.cw Orleans. La., :15.00 ; St. Pnul 's Church, '.Mnus u m . La., 25.00 ; St. Pnul's Church, Chal"lot.lc, N . '., ii.00 ; )l o unt Zion Church, )lc~•crs,·illc, N. C., 2.ii0 ; Gra ce hu rch. Con• cord. N . . C.. 10.00 ; Jmmnuucl Church, Green. bo ro, N . C., IS.Sa irnd 4.00. St. Louis , Mo., :Pccomhc1· 21 , IIJOi . . ,\. C. IlUIIUJIOIII•", 'J'rC(l /1.
Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches. ~ l~\V ORLE ANS, L .:.\ . S t. f'a ul's Clt1171cl , 1025 1\nnctto St., nca.r N . elnibornc S t .;
F . •r. Lankcnnu, Pnst o r. · Dh·inc Scn ·iccs: Sundny, 11 A. M . nnd i.30 P . )r. ; \\ lidncscl1iy, 7.:JO I'. l f . .llo1111I Zio11 Ultu,-clt , Frnnklin nm! Thnlin Sts. Dh·inc , 'cn ·iccs : S undny, 11 A. ll. and 7.:JO I"• .M.: Thur:;dn~•. i .:J0 1•. lr. llcll,lcl, cm Clw11cl . \rashingl on .-h e. a nti Dryndcs St .; G. ~J. 1, rn mc r, J'ai,t or. Dh·inc Scn ·icc:;: i:iu 111l11y, 10 A. ll . 111111 7.:JO 1•. M. ; 'l hur,;cl:1y, i .:m 1•. )1 .
A little boy lay very sick. His minit;tcr cnmc. to tree him, but fouling hhn weak, spoke i cw sentences. Before parting, however, he gtn-e the child SPIU NG rlJ~J,D, ILL. a verse o! five words to rcmembe1·, n word '!or each 1/oly 'l'r ill i lJJ Clturch; J111111-.s Do,;wcll. P m,tor. ])frinc , 'cn ·i<.-c:;: S 11111lny, 1o.:Jo A . l(. nnd S _1•. u. finger of one hand. The sick boy countctl over the words on his pa.le fingers. Yes; there they were, TERMS: n,•c 'only, an<l one for each knuckle: "'l'hc- Lord• 'l'Jn; LU'l' llt:nAN l'roNt:t:11 i11 published monthly , 7i<1,y<1blc - is - my - Shepherd." " Aud 'my' is the best of i11 aclv a11cc nt tho following rates, postage included, to-wit : 1 Cop~•- . . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . $ .25 the five," he said.. JO Copies .. . . . . . . ...... . . . . . 2.00 A few days later another visit was po.id to that 2/i Copies . .. ...... . .... .. . . .. 5.00 60' Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . !).00 same home. At the door the sorrowing mother met Club rnt-011 only nllo wcd if nil -copies nrc to be sen t t o the minister. ''It is all o,•cr," she said; "my little one nddress. - Jn St . J.ouis by mnil or en rrier, 36 cents. .'-\11 businctis co1111111micitf.io11s' t o be nddrcsscd to Con· BOD is dead. But come and see him." And she led cordiai Publis hing House, J effer son A,·e. nnd l\linmi St., the way to the darkened room. V er:y thin and wltitc St. J.ouis, l\Io. .All communicaitions concerning tl.1e cdit orinl clopnrt• was •he little face, very peaceful w~ tlle counte- ment t o be nddrcsscd to Prof. R. A. B1sc110FF, Conover , nance of the little sleeper. 'rhen the mother drew Cuta.wbu Co., N. C. 0
ar;ht Jnthtran A
lViISSIONARY
1\-1:0NTHLY.
P u nus11Eo DY THE Ev,\J.--.GE LICAL L u Tm~RAN SYNODICAL Co.NF ERE NCE OF NonTH AMERICA. U. A. IlISCUOFF, Editor. E ntered nt t ho I' ost Ontco nt St. Lo uis, ;\lo.• ns sccond-cl:iss m:illor.
Vol. XXX.
St. Louis, Mo., February, 1908. Call Them In !
".As mnny ns ye shall find, bid to the marringc." Mntt. 22, 0. "Cnll t hem in," - the poor, the wretched, Sin-stnincd wanderers from the fold ; P en.cc and pardon freely olTcr ; Cnn you weigh their worth with gold ? "Cnll t hem in,"- t he weak, t he wcn.ry, Laden with t he doom of sin ; Ilid them come a nd rest in J esus, He is waiting-"cnll them in !" "Call them in,"-tltc J ew, the Gentile; Ilid the stranger to t he feast : "Call t hem in,"- t he rich, t he noble, From the l1ighest to t he least. l?orth the Father runs "to meet them, He hat h all t heir sorrows seen ; Robe, and ring, aml royal" sandals Wait the lost ones - "call t hem in!" "Call them in,"- the J.>roken-l1carted, Cow'ring 'neat h the brand of shame; Speak love's message low and tender, 'Twas for sinucrs J esus came. Sec the sl1ndows lengthen round us, Soon the day-dawn will begin; Can you leave them lost and lonely T Christ is coming-"cnll them in!" Sclcctccl.
"Come and See ! " In the first chapter of the- Gospel according to St. John we twice read the invitation: "Come and see I" It was first given by Christ Himself to the two disciples of John who followed Him after they had beard John say of Jesus : "Behold the Lamb of God I" One of the two· that followed Jesus was
No. 2.
An drew, Simon P eter's brother. Having accepted the invitation and having found the Messiah, the promised Savior, he longed to bring_others to Him. Therefore, when he met his brother Simon, he said to him, "We have found the Messiah." And he brough t him to Jesus. The day following, Jesus found Philip ancl said unto him, "Follow me I" Philip obeyed, ancl thus found Him of whom Moses nnd the prophets did write, and having himself found Christ, he also longed to bring others to Him. He at once told his friend Nathanael about Jesus and saicl, " Come n.n d see!" And he brought him to the Savior. J esus is still with us in the Gospel, and the invi t.ation still goes out to every sinner: "Come and see !" Come and see Jesus in the Gospel I Come and see what He has done for you; see how He loved y~u and gave Himself for you; how He lived and suffered and bled and died for you ! . Come and sec what gif ts He has for you: forgiveness of sins, and peace, ancl salvation. Come and see bow ready He is to receive you and to bless you with His love and His everlasting joy I Thousands have accepted the invitation and have by faith· found and seen Jesus, their Savior, in the. Gospel, and their hearts have been filled with joy and also ,vith the desire to bring others to the same happiness. Those who have found Jesus in the Gospel and can say with Philip: ''We have found Him," will also long to say to others: "Qome and see I" They will tell others of Jesus' love, and will help in all mission work b_y which the story of that love is brought to poor dying sinners. There is no sweeter invitation for you to bear and no sweeter invitation for you to give than the invitation: "Come and see Jesus I"
r::(1he Lutheran Pioneer.
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.
..
Christ Only .
Trust in Christ only for salvation. They trust not in Christ at all who do not trust in Him alone. He that stands with one foot on a. rock and with another foot on quicksand will sink as surely as he that has both feet on quicksand. "My hope is built on nothing less Thnn Jesus' blood and righteousness; On Christ, tho solid rock, I stnnd, All other ground is sinking sand."
The Lord's Prayer. TH.E SEVENTH PE-TITION.
But deliver us from evi"l. What docs this mcnn?
We pray in this petition, as the sum, of all, that our Father in heaven would deliver 11s front every evil of body and soul, prope1·ty and honor, and finally, when our last hou·r has come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven. .
Great is the number of evils on earth, ancl many are the tears caused by these evils, wherefore this earth may truthfully be called a. vale of tears. Luther fu his explanation of this petition mentions four kinds of evils : evils of the body and soul and evils of property and honor. Who is able to enumerate the evils of the body? The number of different diseases is judged to be almost 3000. And how many persons are blind, deaf, or suffer from the want of a limb I And those who suffer from want of food, drink, .clothing, or shelter, do they not all suffer evils of the body? And even worse than the evils of the body are those of the soul, such as grief, anguish, pangs of conscience, melancholy, sorrows, and care. Then there are all the different kinds of .evils of property: floods, droughts, fire, bad weather, war, and the like. Finally, Luther mentions the evils of honor. Solomon says that a good name is to be chosen rather than riches. The loss of our good name is worse than the loss of money. Therefore we also pray against the defaming of our good name and reputation. And, when we now ask, Whence are all these evils? the answer is : Sin is the mother of all evil, and sin is of the devil. The devil and sin .are, therefore, the two greatest evils, and against these we pray in particular.
We ask God to deliver us from all these evils. In the Litany we pray: From a 11 sin; Crom nll error; From all e\'il; from the crnfts and assaults or the devil; From sudden and C\'il den.th; From nll pestilence nnd famine; From wnr nnd bloodshed; From sedition and rebellion ; From light ning nnd tempest; From nll cnl:imity by fire nnd water; And from c,·crlnsting death: Good Lord, dclh•cr us !
We ask God to spare us from those evils, if possible, entirely, but if He sees fit to aff:lict us with a cross, that then He would either take it from us again, or help us to bear _it, and turn it to our benefit. And we know that God hears our prayer; we know that God preserves us against many evils in answer to our prayers. In answer to the petition, "Deliver us from evil," God has again and again preserved us against impending evil, and thus brought home to us the truth of His promise: "There shnll no evil befall t}1ee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling," Ps. 91, 10. But not in every case does God hear om- prayer in this manner and preserve us against the threatening evil entirely. In His wise providence He often sees fit to aff:lict us with a cross. "We m11st th1·ough much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God," Acts 14, 22. "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgetb every son whom He receiveth," Hebr. 12, 6. Yet even then we need not fear, for we lmow that, in answer to our prayer, He will either take the evil from us, or else help us to _bear it, and turn it to our benefit. 'fhe leper's prayer: "Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean," was answered by his immediate cleansing from the dreadful disease; Paul's prayer, however, to be delivered from the "thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet" him, was not answered by the removal of the cross, but he was given the divine assurance, "My grace is sufficient for thee." Yet Paul's prayer was just as certainly heard as was that of the leper, for being assured of God's grace, the evil was no longer an evil, but rather a wholesome cross, a benefit and o. blessing. Though the evil ·was present, yet it could not touch him, Job 5, 19. Therefore, We cry to God in our distress, His mercy hears our cn.lling; Our So.vior secs our helplessness, And keeps our feet from falling.
While God in His wisdom may not take the load entirely from us, yet He will help us to bear it, give TIS patience under the trial, and comfort us by His I
,
T h e Lu.th e r a n Pioneer. H oly Spirit. Though H e may not restore our body to health, He will render the siclmess of the body a blessing by giving g.renter health to the soul. Though He take from us our beloved ones, He will assure us of the blessed fact that He will never lenve us nor forsake· us. Though He lets us suffer the loss of property, He will make us certain of our inheritance with the saints in light. Though He lets us experience our own weakness, H e will lead us to lmow that H is strength is made perfect in weakness.
11
for Jesus Christ's sake w)lom we have taken hold o:f with the hand o:f faith. I n being granted such a blessed end in J esus, we know that we shall be delivered .from every evil of bocly and soul, property nod honor, and shall enter perfect bliss and happiness; for we shall be with God, at whose right hand a1·c pleasures forevermore. Then we shall be in heaven, where "God shall wipe away all tears from om eyes ; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more
"Deliver us from Evil." I u shor t, "our light affliction, which is but for a pain: for the former things are passed away," Rev. momen t, worketh for us a f:i.1· more exceeding and 21, •.I:. With Paul every Christian longs for the hour cterual weight of glory," 2 Cor. 4, 17. o.f his departme and says: "I have a desire to deOf course, as long as we are in this life, we shall part, and to be with Christ: which is far better," never be entirely free from evil. All our evils will Phil. 1, 23. And with Paul every believer also has only encl with a blessed end. 'fherefore we also pray, the certain hope that God will graciously satisfy his " When our last hom· has come, that our F ather in · longing, saying · with the apostle, " The Lord shall heaven would grant us a blessed end, and graciously deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve take us from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven." me unto His heavenly kingdom," 2 Tim. 4, 18. Luther calls this petition the sum of all petitions, God has appointed an hour of departure :from this life for everyone of us. This our last hour we pray and such it truly is; for when God has taken us to om- heavenly Father to make blessed, that we may Himself in heaven, then all the petitions have been clepa1·t in peace, knowing that our sins are forgiven fulfilled. In heaven God's name is hallowed, there
The Lutheran Pioneer.
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is His kingdom of glory, there His will is done perfectly, there we shall truly thank Him for the bI"ead He daily go.ve us here ; t here we shall need no fo1·givencss and no guarding against temptation; for there we shall be delivereel from every evil. . From the dark clepths of this vale of tears we shall then have ascended to the hilltops of glory, where no evil can befall us, and where we shall live in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness in most intimate communion with God and all the blessed. From evil, Lord, deliver us ! The times nnd days nre perilous ; Redeem us from etcrnnl denth; And when we yield our dying brenth, Console us, grant us cnlm relense, And tnke our souls to Thee in pence.
F.J. L.
Justlftcatlon Before God. (A po.per read before Immanuel Lutheran Conference, nnd published by its request.)
God justifies
'US
II. tvithout 1vo1·ks, fo1· H1"s own sake.
1. Having seen what the term "justification before God" signifies, we ask, What moves God to declare man just? In answering this question we say, Our works do not prevail upon God to justify us. There is no work you can do that mig~t cause God to pronounce you righteous. Though you bestow all your goods to feed the poor; though you give your body to be burned; though you cry aloud and shed tears from morning till night and from night till moming; tho.ugh you wail and gnash your teeth like the damned in hell, - by no work of yours can you procure God's verdict of acquittal. It is altogether impossible for fallen man to bring about a reversal of the sentence of condemnation: even if we could cease to do evil, ,ve could neither work overtime in obeying the Law, nor could we ever do more than is required in God's Law, which demands constant obedience of all the members of the body and of all the powers of the soul; the pangs of remorse and all other sufferings of a transgressor, viewed as the reward of iniquity, are but payment in part, if the wages of sin be eternal. When the question of standing in the judgment is presented, man naturally answers, Do right, then you will be declared righteous. The Law says the same: "The man that ·doeth them shall live in them," Gal. 3, 12. We cannot, however, expect to
escape damnation in this way; for "there is no man that sinneth not," 1 Kings S, 46. If we are not altogether blincl as to man's lack of righteousness, we must still ask, How shall we be delivered from the wrath to come? Ilow shall we be justified? \V c ha,·c nlrcady taken note of the fact, that Roman Cathol ics claim "justify" to mean to " infuse righteousness," a:ncl so we know their answer. Many others, however, who clo not thus explain this word yet p1·ese11t the matter in this numner·: Goel is willing to help man by grnnting him spiritual powers to lead a godly life; if man uses the powers Goel gives, he becomes 11101·e ancl more just until he is finally clcclarecl to be perfectly just by God. We do not d1·eam of denying thnt Goel by His Spirit enables Christians to walk in H is ways, but we deny that this is the · justification taught in Scripture. Many will admit the need of forgiveness, but they deem it necessary to earn remission of sins. We declare it impossible to obtain fo1·giveness by works, by any work that man may do. But will not 1>rayer move God to forgive sin? Whoever looks upon prayer as a work he performs to move God to forgive does not !mow what Christian pmycr. is, - the voice of faith addressed t o God, - nor does he know what forgiveness is. Tha~ Goel justifies us without works Scripture teaches time a:nd again and in a variety of expressions. Let us t ake the word "fo1·giveness." It is to be feared that thousands of people who call themselves Christians clo not !mow what forgiveness means. They claim t o pray ·for forgiveness when they really do not desire forgiveness, but want Goel to justify them on account of their works. What is forgiveness of sin? We have already noticed that St. Paul, in Rom. 4, 6-8, brings in David as a witness for his doctrine of justification. We have also drawn attention to the fact, that, according to this passage, our justification and forgiveness amounts to the same t~g. But now mark especially which point in the doctrine David's words on forgiveness should prove. "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." It is to prove that we are justified without wo,·ks that St. Paul adduces David's words: "Blessed are they whose injquities are forgiven." According to St. Paul, David teaches justification without works, and yet there are even preachers in our time who think the people of the Old Testament did not ~ow our doctrine of justification. If God forgives us, He justifies us without works.
The Lutheran Pioneer. Let us look at David's prayer for :forgiveness in Ps. 51: "Have mercy upon me, 0 Goel, according to 'l'hy loving-kindness: accordi11g unto the multitude of Thy teuder mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me froni my sin. For I acknowledge· my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me." "Wash me, aud I shall be whiter than snow." David wa nts to stand before God :free from his sins, wholly clean, so that he is whiter than snow. In onler that he might so appear, he asks Goel to wash him, to cleanse him, by blotting out his sins. Why should God do this? "Have mercy upon me, 0 God, according to 'l'hy loving-kindness : according lmto the multitude or Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions," he says. He docs 11ot ask Goel to look at his good works; for ,\'lrnt is troubling David is just this, that according to his works he is guilty and deserves to be condemned, for he says : "For I acknowledge my transgressions : and my sin is crer before me." Because his sins arc staring him in the Ince, he pleads for mercy, for l:his mercy, that Goel will not look upon his works, but look upon him according to His own loving-kindness, according unto the multitude of His tcndc1· mercies. He prays in Ps. 25, 7: "Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: iicconling to 'l'hy mercy remember 'l'hou me :for 'l'hy goodness' sake, 0 Lord." Again, v. 11: "For Thy name's sake, 0 Lord, panlon mine iniquity ; for it is great." Now, if we do not want Goll to elcclarc us just without regarding our works, we do not want Him to remember llS according to H is mercy :for His goodness' sake; we do not want Him to blot out our transgressions according lmto the multitude of His tender mercies; we do not want forgiveness. If you think Goel will declare you free from sin because or your groa11ing ancl cryiug, because of your much praying, because of yolu· enruesf;ness, because of your goocl fatentions, what arc you really trying to do? You are trying to atone for your sins, to pay the clcbt; in tl1is way you are trying to. make satisfaction. And because tllis is the thought in their heart, therefore, I presume, some people imagine that they are partly justified, have forgiveness for some sins, while there are still some sins for which they must obtain'forgiveness, thus making manifest that they are endeavoring to make atonement. If we think that Goel in judging us ought to consider that 11eople cannot trutllfully speak evil of us, that we have not clone such deeds as murder, theft, adultery, and the like; or if we wish God to take
13
into account that we go to church, help to support the minister, and give to the poor; or if we th.ink that Gou in rendering His verdict ought not to overlook the fact that we al'C upright in heart: that we truly love Him and our neighbor: then we do not want .forgiveness, we want to be justified by our works. If we do not, then, expect to be wholly justi fi.cd by our works, wc at least wish to be declared righteous pa1·tly for what we have done, and partly by forgiveness. . But there is no such forgiveness or justification in God's· sight taught in Scripture. If there were :forgiveness with God based upon such considerations, though it he only in part, fo1·gh•eness would not be the same as justification ,~ithout works. ,vhat arc we doing, if-we want Goel to consider these 'things in forming His opinion of us, even we who a1·e Christians and who to some extent have clone God's will? We are then asking God to enter into judg ment with us, and what that means we may leam from Ps. 143, 2: "And enter not into judgment with Thy sermnt: for in 'rhy sight shall no man living be justifieel.'' We can have Goel to consider our good works, He will if we insist on it; bl1t then woe unto us! Then we wish Goel to deal with us according to 'the Law, aucl according to law and justice He must condemn us, us it is written ..Tames 2, 10: "'Vhosoe,·er shall keep the whole Law, nml yet oliencl in one point, he is guilty or all." And again, Gal. 3, 10: "For as rnahy as arc of the works of the Law arc under the curse: for it is written, Omsccl is every one that continucth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them." If Goel ma1·ks how we keep the Law, we arc lost; He must condemn us. Let us, therefore, plead for forgiveness, justific1ttion without works. J. PH. S. ( To be co11ti11ued.)
Not Brought Up for the World. One evening, in the parlor of a hotel, the young people were dancing. One young lady·did not take any part in the exercise. "Docs not your claughter dance?" askeel a. lady of this young lady's mother. "No," was the reply. "Why, how ,rill she get on in the "'orld ?" "I nm not bringing her up for the world," was the quiet answer. That young lady is now a wife and mother, and the influence of her consecrated life is felt in many of the Christian interests of a. great city.
14:
The Lutheran Pioneer. Rest a While with Jesus. Tired, weeping pilgrim, Arc you snd nnd lone! Docs the way seem drcn.1·y, A re you weary grown ? Look beyond tl1e care nnd gric£ ! If you wnnt to find relief, Come, rest n. while with Jesus! Do not be discouraged, Drh-e nwn.y the care, Enter paths of blessings Through the gntcs of prayer. \ \7 hen the burdens l1e:wy grow, And you know not where to go, Come, rest n. while with Jesus! Len\'e it nll with Jesus, He will be your Guide; Do but simply trust Him, Do not leave His side. Deur heart, fnint not by Ute way ; \\Then discouraged grown, I pray, Come, rest n. while with Jesus! EBTIIER J'J,.'TERSO~.
A Sermon from a Pair of Boots. Many years ago there lived in Berlin a shoemaker, who had a habit of speaking harshly o.f all Iris neighbors that had not, in every respect, exactly th!3 sanic religious experiences and feelings as he had. Woltcrsdorf, the pastor of the parish in which the shoemaker lived, heard o.f this; and felt that he must give him a lesson. He clid it in this way. He sent for the shoemaker one morning, nn<l when he came he said to lrim, "Master, take my measure for a pair of boots." "With pleasure, your reverence," answered the shoemaker. "Please to take off your boots." The clergyman did so, and the shoemaker measured his foot from the toe to the heel, and over the instep, and noted all down in his pocketbook, and then p,repared to leave the room. But as he was putting up the measure, the pastor said to him, "Master, my son also requires a pair of boets." "I will make them with pleasure, your reverence. Can I take the young gentleman's measure?" "It is not necessary," said the pas~r. "The lad is fourteen, but you can make my boots and his from the same last." "Your reverence, that will never do," said the shoemaker with a smile of surprise.
"I tell you, maste1·, to make my boots and my son's on the same last." "No, your reverence, I cannot do it." "It must be - on the same last." ''But, your reverence, it is not possible, if the boots are to fit," said the shoemaker, thinking to himself that the ola pastor's wits were leaving him. "Ah, then, 1\faster Shoemaker," said the clergyman, "every pair of boots must be macle on their own Inst, if they nre to fit; and yet you think that God is to form all Christians exactly according to your own last - of lhc same measure and growth in religion as yourself. 'rhut will not do, either." The shoemaker was abashed. Then he said, "I thank your reverence for this sermon, and I will try to remember it, ancl to judge my neighbors less luwshly in futnre."
A Blind Girl and Her Bible.
Would you know the rnlue of the Bible? Let me introduce you to a scene or deep and thrilling interest as relatecl by a minister, an eye-witness. A young woman, completely blind nncl dear, was brought before a number of eminent surgeons lo sec if anything could be done for he1·. Her snd cone] ition hacl been produced by a violent pain in the head. 'rhe only method or aommm1icating with hc1· was by tapping her hand, which signinctl 110. and by squeezing H, wlrich signified '!Jf!S . 'l'hc surgeons co11clmlc<l that her case was incurnblc, aud, in reply t.o her earnest inquiries_. she rcceivccl the unwelcome lap. She immediately bmst into tears ancl wept aloucl in all the bitterness of anguish. " What," she said, "shall I never see the light of clay, or hear a hmnan voice? M:ust I remain shut up in darkness and silence as long as I live?" A friend who was present took up the Bible and placed it to her breast. It was a touching and beautiful act. She p"J.nced her hands on it, and asked, "Is this the Bible?" Her hand was squeezed in reply. She immediately clasped it and exclaimed, "This is the only comfort I have left; I shall never more be able to look upon its blessed pages, but I can think of the blessed promises I have learned from it;" and then she began to repeat some of its promises, "Cast thy burden on the Lord, and He will sustain thee" - "Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee" - "My grace is sufficient for thee," etc. She dried her tears, became submissive to the will of God, and was happy.
lo
The Lu~heran Pioneer. Mission News from North Carolina. While the noisy world a.round us ushered in the Christmas festivities with blowing of horns, ringing of cowbells, shooting of guns and firecrackers, making it dangerous for pedestrians to be on the public thoroughfare, the Lutheran missionaries gatherecl with their people around Christmas trees in their sanctuaries nncl with appropriate services worshiped the Manger-Child, which is Christ the Lord. 'rhe Christmas vacation at Immanuel College lasted only two days. On Christmas Eve a large concourse of people gathered in the college chapel, where a beautifully decorated tree attracted the attention of all. The catccbetical seniccs were conducted by Mr. Frank Alsten, teacher in the Primary Department. The college choir gave a few selections. Useful presents were distributed to students and children. It was a beauti11.tl Christmas service. The large crowd conducted itself in a manner becoming the occasion. On the second day of January a conference of missionary workers was held at the college. All the missionaries and teachers, with the exception of Mr. Carter from Concord, were present. The writer submi~ted a paper ou "Proselyting," which was discussed in three sessions. Proselyting was condemned as n sin which we must shun. It is as damnable when a Lutheran as when a Methodist commits it. In the last session Mr. Yuka Mohammed offered a sermon for criticism. On Thursday nigbt Rev. l\foDavid preached a New Yea.r 's se1·mon to an appreciative audience. After two days' hard work the missiomn·ies returned to their respective fields of labor fully convinced of the tmth: "It is good for brethren to dwell together in unity and love." Mr. John Alsten, who studied theology at Immanuel College Inst year, has been assigned to Charlotte as the assistant of Rev. l\foDavid. Brother McDavid hasp. large field, and a school which needs two teachers. Mr. Alsten intends to resume his studies next year. Miss Elizah J obnston of Class '07 is in charge of the mission school at Salisbury. She hns succeeded in gathering a large crowd of children about her. Rev. Lash, pastor of the Lutheran church there, wishes to thank the congregation of Rev. Marcus Wagner, at Forest Park, Ill., for a box of children's clothes which were distributed at the Christmas tree to the delight of the little ones. Several new scholars have been aclded to the Primary Department of Immanuel College, and the
class rooms are so crowded that three children are compelled to sit in one seat. Mr. Evans Reid, who some years ago graduated at New Ulm, Minn., and taught in Charlotte for a time, conducts the lower class of this department. In the College Department all classes are busy in preparing for the midwinter exa1ninations. The theological students a1·e rendering valuable services in supplying churches with preaching that cannot be reachecl every Sunday by the professors. High Point, about 17 miles from Greensboro, is a new field, which the students help to work. Ou1· beneficia1·y fund, froni which poor students are suppo1·led, i-s exha11sted. We are finanr;iaJ,ly in di-stress and aslc the readers of the PIONEER to conie to our help. M:ay God in the future, as in the past, continue to bestow His blessing upon the labor of His servants! N. J. B.
- -- -•----- NOTES. VISITING l\'[IssION STATIONS. -The Southem lil.tthemn of New Orleans reports the following : "During the past month our local Colored Mission stations were visited by the official Visitor of the Mission Board, the Rev. Richard Kretzschmar, of St. Louis, Mo. He spent several days here attending services and meetings, also visiting the schools and Luther College. From here be went to Napoleonville and Mansum, La., on a similar mission." KOREA. - One feature of the mission work in Korea, it is stated, is that the Koreans themselves are supporting the established churches and schools and in addition, during the past year, the native churches raised over $40,000 for educational and home expenses. The opinion among American missionary boards in general is that Korea, under J apanese occupation, stands in the forefront of missionary fields.
ALL CONVERTS MISSIONARIES. -A bishop once asked a returned missionary: "How many missionaries have you now on your station?" "Three thousand," was the reply. "I did not ask you how many converts you bad," said the bishop, "but how many missionaries." "I quite understand your lordship, and again I can reply, three thousand, for all our converts are missionaries."
)6
The Luthera n Pionee r.
MISSIONARY SPIRIT. - One of the medical missionaries in Siam has twice been offered the position of medical inspector of the province, at a salary of four t.housand dollars in gold a year. H e says, "I Joye the Siam Mission nud its workers nnd prefer to remain with them." FAMILY WonsHIP. - In an int roducLion to a recently published book of prayers, a Christian lady, "·ho hns been a resident in the island of Samoa for sc\"ernl years, says: "In every Sn.moon household the dn.y is closed with prayer and the singing of hymns. The omission of this sacred duty would indicate, not only a lack of religious training in the house chief, but a shameless disregard of all that is reputable in .Samoan social life. Sennnts, dependents, all, arc summoned to this religious service." It is not so very long since Samoa was in the benighted darkness of heathenism, nnd such is the change tlint the Gospel of Jesus Christ has wrought.
SUCCESS OF MISSIONS.-Within the Inst seventyseven years 300 of the islands of the Pacific have been evnnge~ed. Many of them have become altogether Christian, ,vith no professing heathen left. They have not only self-supporting churches, but a.re engaged in mission work among their heathen neighbors on other islands.
Come and See. The testimony of Robert Louis Stevenson, the engineer a.n d traveler, is instr uctive. H e says: "I had conceived a great prejudice against missions in the South Seas, and had no sooner come there than that prejudice was at first reduced, and then at Inst annihilated. Those who S}leak against missions have only one thing t o do, to come and see them on the spot. They will see a great deal of good done ; they will see a race being forwarded in many different directions, and I believe, if they be honest persons, they will cease to complain of mission work and its effects."
WE must be assu1·ed that our doctrine is right and true before God, no matter what men may think of it. - Luther. Acknowledgment. Received for Oolorcd. Jllissio11s from Mount Zion Church nt New Orleans, Ln.., $35.00 ; St. Paul's Church, New Orleans, La., 35.00; Bethlehem Church, New Orlenns, La., 25.00; St. Pn.ul'e Church, 1\fansurn, Ln.., 12.50 ; Grace Church, Concord, N. C., 10.00; St. Matthew's Church, Meherrin, Va., 10.00; Holy Trinity, Springfield, Ill., Jl.60 ; congregation in N1tpoleonville, La., 2.08. St. Louis, Mo., Jn.nun.ry 15, 1008. A. C. Bunononi.·, T1·cas.
Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches.
A CHRISTIAN KING'S LAST Wonos. - When the late King of Sweden was nearing his end, the Queen, kneeling by his deathbed, whispered in his ear, "The blood of Christ cleanses -us f-rom all sins," at which the dying King distinctly said, "Jesus, I thank Thee!" These beautiful words were the last words of King Oscal" of Sweden.
CHINA. - Missionaries in China are hoping for better times, since by a recent decree of the Emperor Chinese magistrates are admonished to make no distinction between Christians and ·non-Christians in the dispensing of justice, and Chinese officials are commanded to afford protection tt> the lives and property of missionaries. A CHANGE. -There is a Moravian mission in Northeast Australia among the Papuans, a treacherous and cruel tribe of cannibals. Twenty years ago no vessel dared to venture there. Now vessels put in there for repairs. Fifteen years ago a. shipwrecked crew was rescued from nearby cannibaJs by these Christian Papuans. ·
NEW ORLEA.i."l'S, LA. St. Paul's Ol1apcZ, 1625 Annette St., near N. Claiborne St .; F. J. Lankenau, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A . lit. and 7.30 P . l\t.; Wednesday, 7.30 P. lit. Mom,t Zion Ohurcl,, Franklin a nd Thalia Sts. Divi~e Services: Sunda.y, 11 A. lit. nnd 7.30 P . it.; Thursday, 7.30 P. M. B ethlchc11, OhapcZ, Washington Ave. o.nd Dryades St.; G. llf. Kramer, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 10 A . M . and 7.30 P . lit.; Thursday, 7.30 P. M. SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Ohurcl,; Jo.mes Doswell, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. M. n.nd 8 P. it.
TERMS: THE LUTHERAN PIONEEB is published monthly, payable in ad11ance n.t the following rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copy .. . ... . .............. $ .25 10 Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00 25 Copies . • . . • . . . . . . . . • . • . . • 5.00 50 Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Club ro.tcs only allowed if all copies o.re to be sent to one address. - In St. Louis by mo.ii or cnrrier, 35 cents. All business communica.tions to be addressed to Con·cordin. Publishing House, Jefferson Ave. n.nd Mio.mi St., St. Louie, Mo. All communicntions concerning the editorial depart• mcnt to be· a.ddrcased to Prof. R. A. B1souon, Conover, Catawba Co., N. 0.
(Jht Jnthtran A
lVIISSIONARY
MONTHLY.
PUBLISIIED IlY THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNODICAL CONFERENCE OF NORTH A:\fEIHCA.
R. A. BISCHOFF, Editor. Enter ed aL I.ho l ' os t Onlcc nL St. l.o uls. Mo., as sccond•cl11ss mnLtcr.
Vol, XXX.
St. Louis, Mo., March, 1908. For Sinners Slain.
"J.,unb of Goel, for s inners slnin, , la in for me ; \ Vito didst. s ulTcr g rief nnd pain On t he I.rec; J to Thee my nil rc!'ig n, nought wiLh blood. ~luy r c,·crmorc he 'fhinc. .Lamb of God! "
The Lamb of God.
Jesus is the Lamb of God. Of Him John the Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." He was delivered as a sacrifice for the world's sin "by the cl<:terminate counsel aud forelmowledge of Goel." Therefore He is ''"the Lamb slain from the · foundation of the world." When the fullness of the time was come, He, the Son of God, became man to make atonement for sin, for the world's sin. In Him there was no sin. He was "a Lamb without blemish and without spot." He was "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners." · But on Him were sins, our sins, • the sins of the world. "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turn.ed every one to His own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth. He. is brought a~· a lamb to the slaughter," says the ·prophet. In the holy season of Lent we behold the Lamb of God, laden with the world's sin, brought to the slaughter to be sacrificed for us upon the altar of the cross. He shed His blood in bitter sufferings and unspeakable agony that we might have redemp-
No. 3.
tion through His blood, even the forgiveness of.sins. H e died that we might live: Thus we were redeemed, "not with corruptible things, ns silver and gold, but with the precious bloocl of Christ, as of a lamb .without blemish and without spot," 1 ~et. 1, 18. · 19. Therefore the saiJ1ts in heaven, who have washed their robes ancl made them white in the blood of the Lamb, sing the song of praise at the throne of the Lamb : "Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood," Rev. 5, 9. Nothing less than the blood of God's own Son could atone for siu. His blood alone can cleanse us from all sin. Therefore John the Baptist pointed sinners to Him as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world, and the Church, in all her mission work, directs every one to Him as the sinner's only help. She preaches Christ and Him crucified; and in this preaching Christ Himself is brought to every sinner ,vith all the blessings of His salvation. Woe to those who reject-this Gospel of the Lamb of God and count His blood an unholy thing. '!'hey reject their only salvation and will in vain seek a hiding-place from the wrath of the Lamb on the great day of judgment, Rev. 6, 16. 17. But blessed is every sinner that heeds the Gospel call o.ucl comes to Jesus, just as he is, for salvation. In the blood of the Lamb he will find cleansing from all sins, and clothed in the righteousness of Christ in which the saints of God a.re arrayed, he · will be among the blessed in heaven that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb, Rev. 19, 7-9. ,;Just ns I nm, without one plea, But that Thy blood wns shed for me, And tbnt Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come I I come I"
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The Lutheran Pioneer. The Lord's· Prayer. THE CONCLUSION.
For Thine 1'.s the kingdo111,, and the power, and tlta glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
I
The Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer is a doxology, a glorification and praise of G.ocl to whom we h~vc addressed our prayer. In this doxology we give the reason why we have with such confidence brought our petition before God. • . "Thine is the kingdo,n," we say. God is a king, He is the King of . kings, and, in particular, the King of the kingdoms of grace and of• glory. He is our King, our true and faithful King, who takes a iTue interest in the welfare of His subjects. 'fherefore we say, "Thine is the kingdom," as though we would say: "Dear heavenly Father, we have asked much of Thee, but we know that Thou takest the greatest interest in us, Thy subjects; Thine is the kingdom, Thou art our King, we are Thy subjects; our welfare, we know, is Thy earnest desire, and we are ever cer.tain of Thy fatherly sympathy." "Thine 1"s the power," we continue. God can hear our prayer, for His po,ver is unlimited. We need not entertain any fear of asking Him anything beyond His power to give. With God nothing is impossible, there~ore He can hear our every prayer. What can Satan, ns strong as he is, do naainst our • 0 almighty God? To God belongs the power: if He be for us, ,vho shall be against us ? We are certain that our prayer is heard, for He to whom we pray is the King; we are certain that we shall receive that for which we ask, for He to whom we pray is the Almighty. We add: "Thine is _tho glory." The ~od to whom we pray is the glorious God. In hearing the prayers of His children, the glory of our heavenly Father is magnified; for all the world will see that to Him belongs all glory, honor, and praise. We are confident and certain that God will hear us for the glory of His name. Finally we say, "For ever and ever." The kingdom, power, and glory of earthly kings is inconstant and perishable. How comforting, ~herefore, tb11t He to whom we pray is unchangeable and that His kingdom, power, and glory have no end I As ~oaes prayed almost four thousand years ago, so may we pray to-day: "Lord, Thou hast been our d~elling - place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst fonned the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God," Pe. 90, 1. 2.
Thus this doxology in reality says just what the introduction to the Lord's Prayer says : " Our Father, which ar t in henven. ' In this manner we at the end of our_prayer retur n to where we began; we went out from heaven, passed through all the needs and wnn ts of earth, and now again anive in heaven. · . _J~!ously ,~ncl con fiden tly we encl our prayer With 111nen. In the doxology we gave expression to our reasons for praying so confidently· b)' this . ' the cerwora "Amen" we express our confidence . . ' ta:u:ity _of our f111th thnt Goel will hear our prayer. Tlus h ttle word nt the end of our prayer means thnt we are "certain that these peti tions arc acceptable to our Father in heaven, and heard; Io~ He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and hns promised to hear us. Amen, · A.men, that is, Yea, yea, it shall be so." . But may we really be so certain o~ our prayci: bemg heard ? Do not many complain that their prayers have not been heard? It is true that such compl_aints are of ten made, but .they arc unjustly made, for God hears eve,:-y true prayer. Evct·y true Christian prnyer leaves the time and manner of ~elp entirely in God's hands and also includes the pro,•ision ( even though_not expressecl in so many words) tho.t if, because of the sho1·tsightctl11css of him that prays, anything foolish or hurtful be asked for, God would mercifully not do as He is asked to ·c10. A Christian prayer is a prayer that tends to God's glory ·and to our own a.nd our neighbor's wel. fare, and such a prayer Goel always hears in H is own manner ancl at His appointed time, though ~der the weight o~ trouble it may happen, inpeed, 1t of ten does happen, that we do not observe the helpiug hand of God. · " Thus we have now completed our me.ditations upon the Lord's Prayer. And I am sure we are ·all ready to say with Luther: "The Lord's Prayer is a prayer above all prayers, the noblest prayer, which our most exalted Master aas taught us, and in which He has comprised all spiritual' wants. It is truly the most powerful comfort-in all temptations, trials, · ancl in the last hour." Such being our estimation of this prayer, let us never use it thoughtlessly, as so many do. Let us think of the depth of meaning found in its words and. ever ai[d a joyous and confident Amen. "Amen I thnt is, So Jct it be I Confinn our fnitl1 continunny That we may doubt not, but bclie,·c Tbat whnt we nsk we shn)] receive Tbus in Thy nnme nnd nt Tby Wo~d We any: A!nen; 0 heo.r us, Lordi"
'.:['he Lutheran Pioneer. Justlflcatlon Before God. (A. pnper rend before Immanuel Lutheran Conference, und
published by its request.)
God j11.~tifics
11S
II. without worl.:s, { 01' Ilis own sal~e.
2. People generally do not like to hear that man can do nothi1lg to move God to count him righteous; but you will readily admit, if it is the truth, it ought to be brought out plainly and o!ten for the . very reason that men naturally think otherwise. If we read the Bible carefully, we find that the Spirit does not tire of telling us that we cannot be declared just .because of our works. St. Paul states three times in one verse that we are not justified by the works of the Law. Speaking to t. Peter, he says: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law : for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified," Gal. 2, 16. Some person_s might try to get round the plain teaching of Scripture by laying hold of the expression, "the works of the Law," and claiming that this phrase denotes mere extema,l works. Not by outwanl obedience, they wfll argue, can yo~ be justified, for God "looketh on the heart." If, however, your obedience comes from the heart, God will consider i t and count you righteous. Now, while God does condemn those who outwarcliy appear righteous m1to men, but within are full of hypocrisy and iniquity, this does not prove that we o.re able to obto.in justification before God by spiritual observance of the Law. And St. Paul, in declaring it impo·ssible for man to he justified by the works of the Law, cannot mean to say: You cannot be justified by mere outward conformity to the Law, but you can be justified by obeying it in your heart or spirit. He says Rom. 3, 20: "'l'herefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the Law is the knowledge of sin." Why does St. Paul teach justification without' the works of the Law? Because " by the Law is I the knowledge of sin." If you truly know the Law and apply it to yourself, you behold yourself a sinner. And by the Law you get just this knowledge, that the thoughts and imaginations of your heart and mind condemn you. St. Paul evidently thinks thus : The Law proves every man· a sinner, and !or this reason no man can be justified by the deeds of the
19
Law. Would it not be foolish to explaµi "the deeds of the Law" as being outward obedience to the Law and thereby make St. Paul's argument run thus: The Law proves every man a sinner, and therefore you are justified, not by external works, but by inward obedience to the Law? M:ust we not rather take "the works of the Law" to denote all that the Law demands, also inward obedience, and undertand , ·t. Paul as teaching that we cannot be justifi ed by keeping the Law because the Law r eveals our sins? ~urthermorc, i.f you want to make "the works of the Law" mean the extern~! observance, what will you do with the words "w·i thout the deeds of the Law"? ,vm you say that ou tward obedience is not necessary; i.f you but inwardly obey, outwardly you may clo as you please? You will, •perhaps, ask, What do you make of it? If you claim that "the deeds of the Law" cl.esignate all that the Law demands, must you not say then, that God .does not look for any obedience to His Law in us when He justifies us? Yes, and that St. Paul means to say j ust this, we see from his using the phrase "without the Law" in Rom. 3, 21, where he speaks of "the righteousness of, God without the Law," which, according to the context, must mean that we are justified without the Law. He also says: "No man is justified by the Law," Gal. 3, 11. Therefore we arc not justified by the Law at all, neither by mere external works, nor by spiritual obedience to the Law, but without the Law, in ,that God does not deal .with us according to the Law when He justifies us. Nor can we get round this teaching of Scriptu re by claiming that when the Bible speaks of justification without the Law, it is not speaking of the moral law, but is treating of the Jewish law, of circumcision, etc. It is true that St. Paul also speaks of the Jew~sh la1v, as is clearly seen in the E!pistle to the Galatians. This does not prove, how- · ever, that he is not also thinking of the moral law; on the contrary, he includes the moral law. He !:ays Gal. 3, 21: "If there had been a law given which could have given life, verily, r-ighteousness should have been by the Law." That passage certainly takes in the Ten Commandments, the moral law, and declares that by them we · cannot get righteousness and life. Furthermore, · St. Paul teaches that Abraham was not justified by works, Rom. 4. He does not say, "works of the Law," but simply, ''by works." Again, according to the same chapter, David describes the blessedness of the man
The Lutheran Pioneer.
20
A Pastor's Call.
that is justified "without works." How well the Holy Spirit took care to leave no loophole for those who want to teach justification by our own doings ! "Not by the works of the Lnw," "without the deeds of the Law;' "not by the Law," "without the La.w," "not by works," "without works," - such are some of the expressions which ought to leave no doubt in our minds that we cannot be justified by any work of ours. J. PH. S.
"Good morning, Mrs. Minty!" observed the pastor, as the door opened to bis knock. The door seemed to have a surly wa.y with i t, and opened scni:cely wide enough to let t he pastor in, although M1·s. Minty i~vited him to enter, aml brushing some in,1 isible dust from n. chair with her apron, asked him to sit down. The pastor sa.w at a glance thnt Mrs. :Minty was not pleased, but he coulcl not -,--~ surmise what was the matter. H e had ~ t':i·~ : . ~ - . ••, .- :acciclcntnlly heard that clay oI the sick- ~ -- ......,, - --,;. 1,IJ;~-t..--. ~:.-=;:.:-- • ~ < . ...,,.;o.~✓ -~· ~· . ness of her dm1ghtor, aucl at the first op, .\ rr:-- ~ . . . portunity called to sec the you ng girl. Not seeming to not.ice tlie mother's manner, he said, "I heai· tha.t Miss }\faria is . . sick." "Yes ! and she might ha.' died for all she's seen of you I" replied Mrs. Minty, with an energy that almost shook the pas. ./· .. ' tor out of his seat. The pastor was a. . ... -, meek man, and overlooking the reacli ncss . :_ _ '.~ ~ or her reply, he asked: . .. . ... •. I : " How long has she been sick? ' !, '. "Two weeks, and over," said the mother. "Have you had a physicia.n ?" inquired the pastor. "Hacl a phj•sician? 'What a i;iucstiou ! Why, the girl has been almost dead ! I wonder you got here before she was clead ! Had a physician!" These last words M:rs. Minty fairly ground out between her teeth with ill-suppressed scom. It now became evident that Mrs. l\Iin ty on each day of her daughter's sick"'Dcss, and the pastor's delay in calling, had _,__ ,,. _,,_. added to her wrath, and it bad ·now • • ... c;-... -..;,... ···i,. >', reached a degree of intensity that suggested strategy or flight. The pastor reHe Died for Me. solved to try !he former first. ·"Ah I you haye had a physician I" lie "His name is Jesus, and 'He died observed. "How did he happen to call?" For 1,•uilty siru~cr11 crucified; "How did he happen to .call ? Well,. Content t.o die that He might win Their nmsom from the den.th of sin. dicl anyone ever hear such o.· question?" No sinner worse than I cn.n be, "Perhaps some one told him Miss Therefore I know He died for me." Marin was sick; or perhaps be was passing, and dropped in," the pastor put in. THE Word pictures to us the mercy and goodness "Do you suppose I'd let my own· daughter lie o~ God. Faith makes that we cling to it•with per- sick in . the house and· not send for the doctor ?" fect assurance and follow the Word. - Luther. fairly screeched Mrs. Minty.
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The Lutheran Pioneer.
21
"Ah, you sent for him!" said the pastor. The Englishman could never make hlm take his "Do you think he'd come if we didn't send for freedom. Wherever he went, the rescued man was him? How'd be know Maria. wns sick ?" replied with him, and no work was too hard, no task too the mother, looking at the pastor as though she hopeless for the thankf ul slave to do for his depit.ied hiJ, stupidity. . li ,·erer. ''Do you al ways send for the physician when you If the heart of a. poor heathen can thus be won want him ?" asked the pastor with provoking mild- by the wound on a stranger's nrm, shall not we, ness. ~,·ho are "redeemed by the precious blood o.f Christ," Well, l declare!" exclaimed Mrs. Minty. "What gi rn our lives also to His service? "Jc us. Snvior, whose I nm, do you ask such questions as that for?" Purchased Thine nlonc to be, "! did not know," said the pastor, "but that as Dy Thy blood, 0 s potless Lnmb, you expected the clel'gyman to find out ns best he Shed so willingly for me, Let my heart be nll Thine o,m, could that you r daughter was sick, wiLhout sending Let 1110 live for Thee :,Jone! " for him, yo u might do the same with the physician." 'omething had been gradually dawning upon the· mind o.f Mrs. l\Iinty, which the last words of Trusting in the Blood of Christ. the pastor, uttered with inimitable good-nature, resolved inlo n foll :in tellectual stmnise. Her severe 'An old shepherd in England was taken to a Lonface relaxed iulo a bl'oad smile. "Ha, ;r see ! ' she don hospital to die. His grandchild would often go exclaimed. " I thought them was mighL"y queer and read to him from the Bible. One day she was qucsl'ion . Well, I guess I had Ollght to ha.' sent reading in the first chapter of the First Epistle o.f • l'or you, too, seeing as how I sent for the doctor. John, and came to the words: "The blood of Jesus .\11cl _you didn"t know 11Ia.l'ia was sick?" - 'J.'. F. 0 . Christ, His Sou, cleauseth us from all sin." The old man raised hjmself up and stopped the little girl, ~aying with great earnestness: Bought with Blood. "Is that there, my dear?" "Yes, grandpa." A cl-l1cl African chief one day ordered a. slave " 'l'hen read it to me again - I never heard it lo be killed !or a. very small offense. An English- before.'' 111n11 who overheard the ol'der at once went to the She rend it again: " 'l'he blood of Jesus Christ, chief :rnd oftcred him many costly things if only His Son, cleauseth us from all sin." · he woulc.l spare the poor man's life. But the blood"You are quite sure that it is there?" said the thirsty chief turned to him and said: "I don't want old man. ivo1·y, or slaves, or gold. I can go against yonder "Yes, quite sure, grandpa." tt·ibe nucl take all they have. I want no favors from "Then take my hand nnd lay my finger on the Ute white man. All I want is blood." 'l'hen he passage, for I want to feel it." Ol'clered one of his men to shoot an arrow at the 'l'he little girl took the old blind man's hand heart oI the poor slave. nnd placed his bony finger on the verse, when 'l'he Englishman instinctively threw himself in he said: front and held up his arm, and the next moment "Now read it to me· again." · the arrow was quivering in the white man's flesh. With a soft, sweet voice she read: "And the ']'hen, ns the .Englishman pulled the arrow from his blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from nrrn, he said to the chief : "Here is blood. I give nll sin.'' . my blood for this poor slave, and I claim his life.'' "You are quite sure that it is there?" "Yes, quite sure, grandpa.'' The chief had never seen such love before, and "Then, if any one should ask how I died, tell he was completely overcome. He gave the slave to the white 11\0U, saying: "Yes, you have bought him them I died trusting in these words: :The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from nll sin.' " \Vi th your blood, and he shall be yours.'' With that the old man drew back his hand, his The poor slave at once threw himself at the feet. of his deliverer, and with tears fl.owing down his head fell softly on the pillo,v, and he silently passed. fac~, exclaimed : "You have bought me with your into the presence o! Him whose blood cleanseth from . all sin. blood; I will be your slave forever."
22
The Lutheran Pioneer. A Beautiful Incident.
"Ah, my dear lady," she replied, "the Lord has given me this work to do; so when I'm tired and · out. of sorts, I say to myself that verse about doing · thi ngs heartil y, as unto the Lord, and try to think how 1 ll feel if I could see Him standing b)' my side anu H e knew I had an unwilling heart for H is tasks. Then I sing my brightest hymns, and, while my iron smoothes ou t the wrinkling in the clothes, I'm pla1ining how to smooth out the rough places in my neighbors' lives. "There's poor Granny Jones, left alone all day. She's crippled with rheumatics, and nearly blind, too. When I sing, it cheers her a bit, and she feels as if some one cared for her. "Little 'l'ommy Green in the room above me has a weakness in his back, and lies in his cot bed from morning till night. His mother works in a factory and·doesn' t come home till da1·k. When he's lonely, and sick with the pain, he pounds on the floor with a stick, and I sing the hymns he likes best, and he lies quiet and hums them over to hiqiself till he :Calls asleep. 'l' hcn once in n while I slip up with a cup of water, and bits of picture papers that come wrapped round lhc clothes, and give him n pleasan t word. Ah, maiam, the Lord' s so goocl to me I must try to help them that have few blessings." And this thankful woman lived in a little hot room, spending her whole life ironing and smoothing out wrinkles for others. What shall we render unto the Lord for all H is mercies to us?
A man blind from his birth, a man of much intellectual vigor and with many engaging social qualities, found a woman, who, appreciating his worth, was willing to cast her lot with him and become bis wife. Several bright, beautiful children became theirs, who tenderly and equally loved both their parents. An eminent French surgeon, while in this country, called upon them, and examining the blind man with much care, said to him: ''Your blindness· is wholly artificial; your eyes are naturally good, and if I could have operated upon them twenty years ago, I think I could have given you sight. It is barely possible that I can do it now, though it will cause you much pain." "I ' can bear that," was the reply, "so you but enable me to see." The surgeon operated upon him, and was grad• ually successful. First there were faint glimmerings of light, then more distinct vision. The blind father was handed a rose; he had smelled one before, but had never seen one. Then he looked upon the face of his wife; who had been so true and faithful to him; and then his children were brought, whom he had so ofte~· fondled; and whose charming prattle had so frequently fallen upon his ears. He then exclaimed : "Oh, why have I seen ' all of these before inquiring for the man by whose skill I have been enabled to behold them! Show me the doctor." 4nd when he was pointed to him h.e embraced him with tears of gratitude and joy. A Dying Child's Request. So when we reach heaven, and with unclouded eyes look upon its glories, we shall not .be content The little daughter of a native judge, in one of with -a view of these. No; we shall say, ''Where is the mountain to,vns of Japan, whose wife. had beChrist - He to whom I a~ indebted for what come a Christian, loved to hear her mother read heaven is? Show me Him, that with all my soul . the New 'l'estament, and was particularly fond of I may adore and praise Him through endl'ess ages." St. Luke's Gospel. She listened eagerly to the stot·y of .the Savio1·'s birth in Bethlehem and all the won.ders of His life and death, and was eager to tell "As Unto the Lord." her playmates the news of His love and mercy. But She was only a poor, plain, freckled woman, she was taken sick with diphtheria and soon lay at whose clothes were of a fashion her mother might the very door of death. While her mother sat have worn, yet, day by day, as she busily plied her weeping beside her, she opened her eyes and said, iron, many a humble neighbor would stop by her "Mother, please put your Gospel of Luke under my door to liste?l to the quaint old hymns she sang so head for a pillow; it is so beautiful; from it I vigorously. learned all about Jesus." It was done, according "My good woman," said Mrs. G., who had called to her wish, and while she thus rested on her be.to engage her services, ''how can you stand all day loved Savior's Word, the Good Shepherd gathered in this hot room, always ironing, 'and yet sing so this little lamb to His bosom, and the little child cheerily?" was at rest.
The Lutheran Pioneer.
23
NOTES.
remarking at the same time that it was too much for her to give. The widow seemed disconcerted REPORTS FROAI NEW OnLEA~ '<s. -The Southern and afllicted, nnd begged him t.o accept it. "Oh, Lnlhcran publishes the following statistical reports sir," added she, "I have often given pieces of copper o( our three Colored Lutheran Jifission ·s tations in to the Lord. Two or three times I have bad the New Orleans for the past year: 728 souls, 307 joy to give Him pieces of silver, but it was the grand communicant members, 57 voting members, 7 teach- desire of my life to give Him a piece of gold before e1·s,. 1 assistant leacher, 508 pupils, 4.0 baptiicc1, I die. For a long time I have been putting by aiI 25 confirmed, 5 6 comml!llicants, 13 marriages, I was able to make this sum. . Take it, I pray you, 1!) burials, 505 Sunday school pupils. Io1· the missionary cause." The minister did not refuse further. He added to the collection this preA VALUA.DL.E ~IIss10N.A.RY A0ENOY. - Speaking cious offering of a loving heart. of our colored Lutheran schools and colleges, ·an Tm, Powmi OF Goo's Wono. -Two German exchange says: "These schools arc a most valuable missionary agency in the mission work among the missionaries, chatting with some Australian concolored people, and the Synodical Conference is verts, asked how many of them had committed murtherefore the most successful Lutheran body in der before conversion. • Out of nine present, only one had never killed a man. And yet these men America in dealing with the colored problem." had, by the power of God's Word, been changed int.o mee~ and loving followers of Christ. SHE PREFERRED THE PAnooI:IIAL SoI:IooL. A writer in one of our Lutheran exchanges says: ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION. - The following is an"A janitor of a public school in Cleveland told me other illustration of the power of God's Word to lhat one of the teachers had said to him that if the reach even the most degraded cannibals that eat public schools would continue as they are doing human fle~h: "In .an English,. mission school in now, and she had any children to send to school, she British New Guinea the scholars were lately asked would send them to a parochial school, for they how many of them had ever tasted human flesh. woulcl learn more there that is really necessary Only one could deny the accusation. A mission in in life." such surroundings is lik~ a·f~rlom hope in warfare; REMARKADLE BrnLE KNO\VLEDGE. -At a recent when it attains success, the result is worth the long . examination in a mission field of the China Inland aud terrible struggle. And it would ·be a futile Mission many of the Chinese converts ,showecl a re- struggle and a vain hope, were not the. Gospel t,ie markable Bible knowledge. On~ examiner writes: power of God unto salvation, quick and powerful "For two hours a young farmer repeated Scripture with divine promise to accomplish that -where~ it and only w-opped three or four characters. When .,is sent and preached." . · we came t.o Solomon's prayer, he said quietly, 'May ALL FOR CHRIST. - On his birthday, one year we kneel as the great king did?' And reverently and beauti"fully, without a slip, he repeated the before his death, David Livingstone, the famous 39 verses comprising that prayer. Ere we separated African explorer and missionary, wrote in his jourhe banded me a dozen pages of carefully prepared nal: "March i9, 1872 - Birthday. My Jesus, my manuscript showing quite an extensive acquaint- King, my .Life, my All, I again dedicate my lVhole ance with Christian commentaries. One knelt the self to Thee. Acej!pt me, and grant, o· gracious whole time, more than two µours, and his summary Father, that ere this year is gone I may finish my of St. Mark's Gospel was a magnificent achievement. task. In Jesus' name I ask it_. Amen. So let Beginning with the first chapters he repeated, con- it be." secutively and correctly, no less than 96 items."
All Things Working Together for .Good~ A W1oow's MITE. - After a missionary meeting at Brighton, England, a poor widow of the parish presented herself before the pastor and gave hi~ o. sovereign ($4.86). He knew the widow's great poverty, and, accordingly, refused to accept the coin,
Lying on his death-bed fatally wounded, St.onewall Jackson said : "I consider these wounds a blessing; they were given me for some good and wise purpose, and I would not part with them_if I could."
24:
The Lutheran Pioneer. Be not Weary in Well-Doing.
Let us be liberal and bountiful towards nll men, • and that without weariness. For it is n.n easy thing for n. man to do good once or t·wice, but to continue, and not to be discouraged through the ingratih1de ~nd perverseness of those to whom he has done good, that is very hard. Therefore }1e does not only exhort us to do good, but also not to be weary in doing good. And to persuade us he adds: "For in due season we shall reap if we faint not." As if he said, "Wait and look for the eternal harvest that is fo come, and then no ingratitude or perverse dealing of .men shall be able to pluck you away from well,. doing; for in the harvest time ye shall receive most plentiful increase and fruit of your seed.'' -Luther.
Usst:n l::IlS1't: [\ F.lll0RAN'rt;SlUsi;1ol1-Alt. PASTOR S-rEPJIA ll-US KF;n.. Concordiii Pnblishing Ilou c, St. Louis, Mo. Price, cloth binding. 30 el s.; in paper C0\"Cr, 20 cts. A well-written s tory of n. useful life. Pnslor Keyl was onr first "cmis rnnt missionary" in New York, faithfu lly attending for many yea.rs to the needs of t he immigrnnts wit h grcnl self-denial nnd lo\·ing care. A fter his dcp:tr lurc 11, secular pa per in his home city wrote : "He did his work nobly and well. nnd no 111a11 cn n fully c t imntc the value of the blc!li>ings which c11 111c from thc· loving, sensible, 1111• selfish, and per sis tent cfforls o f t his gra nd and devoted missionary of t he cro·s." T.ITE PASSION Ki se. B~• R ev . .d. R . K11ldcll. Lutheran Book Concern. Columbus, O. Price, 4.0 cts. The nuthor is known ns n. zcn.lous missionary a mong the Jews. In t his book he presents twelve brief. edify ing discourses bn eel on t he twelve ,·er cs of the 53d chapter of Jsniah. "This chapter," says the n.u t hor, " is very precious to me, ancl it is my heart's desire to make it precious lo c,,cry lrutlt-loving soul."
Acknow:ledgment.
How Do You Spend Sunday? 'Po o. Christian friend who asked this question n business man lo.u·ghingly replied: " Oh, I have no time to go to church; I spend Sunday in settling my ncco1mts.'' "Permit me to remind you," said the other solemnly, "that the judgment day will be spent in the same 'way." · "VIe should fear and love God, that we may not despise preaching and His Word, ~ut hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it.''
Please Take Notice!
Received for ·Oolored ilUssions from St. P a ul'. Church, Charlotte, N. C., $5.00; Mount Zion Church, l\Icycrsvillc, N. C., 2.50; Grace l\lission, St. Louis, Mo., 5.00; Bcthlc- . hem Church, New Orleans, La., 25.00; St. l'nul's Church, New Orlcnns, Ln ., 35.00; Mount Zion Church, ~cw Orleans, La., 35.00; St. Pn,u l's Church, 1\'.Innsurn., La., 10.00; Grnce Church, Concord, N. C., 10.00; congrc"ation in Nn• polconvillc, La., 10.20; St. John's Church, Sniishnry, N. C., 3.25; Concordia Church, Rockwell, N . C., 3.50 ; Holy Trinity Church, Springfield, 111., 3.00. From i\Irs. Parker for Chapel in Nnpolco1willc, Ln., 1.00. St. Louis, Mo., February 15, 1008 . .A. C. Bunooom•·, 7'rcas.
Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches. NEW ORLEANS, LA. Bt. Paui•a Ohapei, 1025 Annette St., near N. Claiborne St.; F. J. Ln.n1ienau, Pastor. . Divine Services: Sundny, 11 A. ll. and 7.30 1•. 1r. ; Wednesday, 7.30 P. 111. Mount Zion Ohurcl,, Franklin nnd Timlin Sts. Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. :u. n.nd 7 .30 P. u.; Thursday, 7.30 P.H. Betlllehem Ohapei, Washington Ave. and Dryndcs St. ; G. M. Kramer, Pastor. . Divine Services: Sundny, 10 A. :u. and 7.30 P. u.; Tbursdn.7, 7.30 l'. :t.r.
According to the nmended postnl regulations publishers of monthly periodicals must collect all subscri1>· t.ions within four months of expiration dat~, otherwise. the postnl ·authorities threaten to compel payment of postage at a much higher rate on nll unpaid copies sent out. This would not only require considerable extra time nnd labor in getting the PIO?li"EER rcndy for the mails, but would entail an additional cash outlay of twelve cents per SPRINGFIELD, ILL. annum, which amount, in all fairness, would hnve to be charged tho delinquent subscribers. We thcqiforc politely Holy Trinity 01,urch; James Doswell, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. u. and 8 P. AC, beg of our esteemed subscribers to tako due ·notice nnd kindly remit all amounts due- within tho prescribed time• . If you arc subscribing through an agent, please pny the TERMS: agent. CoNCOBDIA PUBT,ISJIIN0 HOUSE. THE LUTHERAN PIONEER is published monthly, payable in adwnce at the following rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copy .•.••.•.............. $ .25 10 Copies .............. : . . .. 2.00 BOOK TABLE. 25 Copies ......... ~. . . . . • . . . 5.00 50 Copies . . . . .. . .. . . .. . .. .. .. 9.00 FOUBTH Rl:&DD. Illustrated. Standard A,nerican Series. Club rates only allo,vcd if all copies arc to be sent to Concordia Publishing House; ,St. Louis, Mo. Price, one address. - In St. Louis b7 mn.il or carrier, 35 cents. 35 eta. . .All business communications to be addreucd to ConAn excellent Reader. The reading lessons hn.ve been cordia Publishing House, Jefl'erson Ave: and Min.nii St., carefull7 aelected and syatematipnlly graded, so u to suit St. Louis, Mo. the growing needs of the pupil. The other Readers of All communications concerning the editorial departthi1 aeries have been well received, and we doubt not that ment to be addressed to Prof. R. A. B1souon, Conover, allo th.fa ~ e r will be welcomod in: our schools. Catawba Co., N. C.
atht Juthtran A
MISSIONARY
MONTHLY.
PunLISIIED BY THE Ev.ANGELICAL LuTI:TERAN SYNODIC,\L CoNl!'ERENCE OF NORTH AMERICA·.
U. A. BISCHOFF, Editor. E 11Jcrcll nL tho rost Office nt St. Lo uis, Mo., ns second-class matter.
Vol. XXX.
St. Louis, Mo., April, 1908. Easter Victory.
No. 4:.
victorious wanior who "has stormed and captured a fortress rccei ves the k"cys in token of surrender T hu happy morn is come! ancl as a sign that he is the master, so Jesus is the , The Sn,·ior Je:Lvcs the g rn,·c ! Conqueror of death ancl hell. These two strongHe t.rinmphs o'er the Lomb, holds o.f Satan, whose subjects we had become 0 11111ipotcnt t.o sn,·e ! tlu-ough sin, have been taken by the Captain of our Capti,·it.y is capLh·c Jetl, Since Jesus liveth that was dead. salvation. He has the keys. "For this purpose the Son of God was maniWho to our .charge shall lay I niqui ty and guilt ? fested that He might clestroy the works of the 'l'hc curse is done nw1Ly clcvi.J," 1 John 3, S. He became man, "that through Dy Him ,\·hose bloml was spilt; clcath He might.destroy him that paci the power of Cnpt.h·ity is eapt h•c led, death, that is, the devil, ·and deliver them who Since Jesus lh•eth t hn t, wns tfoncl. through fear of tlcath wc1·c all their lifetime subCon·qucrcd is Death nncl Hell! ject to bondage," Ilcbr. 2, 14. 15. To redeem us Dclie,·e1·s now arc free; from this bondage, into ,vhich we had come through 'l'he glorious tidings tell, Dear them o'er Jnnd and sen : sin, Jesus took upon Himself our sin and bore the Cnpth•ity is C..'lpth·c Jed, punisJlment iu om· stead. · He who is the First and Since Jesus Ji,,cth that was dead. the ~ast, ·the Source of .a ll creation, the Lord o·f All hail, blcst Sa,•ior, bail! glory, the Prince of life, was dead. ~d when He 'l'hc Resurrection, Thou! was dead ancl w_a s laicl in the grave, it seemed as 'l'hy kingdom ne'er shnll fail; if He had lost the battle which II~ .fougllt for us; it '.l'o Thee shall nations bow. seemecl as i.f Satan had gained the ,·ietory, and as if Captivity is capth·c led, Sincu Jesus li,•cth I.hat w11s dcnll. we had to i·cmuiu iu his power fore\"er; it seemed as 'l'lcomas 1/Q.locis. if there were no 1·cdemptiori for us from death nncl hell. But it only seemed so. It was not possible that death should hold the P1-ince of life. On the thircl .Jesus Has the Keys. clay He came forth from the graV'e in great triumph \Yhen the 1·iscn ancl ascended Savior appeared as the mighty Conqueror who had ove~ome the to St. J olm on the island of Patmos, He said to enemy, and who now lms the keys of hell and o.f the frightenecl apostle: "Fear not; I am the First clcath. He that was dead -lives and is alive for and the Last. I am He tl~at l;iveth, ancl was dead; evermore; for "Christ, being raised :from the dead, · arid, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and· dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over have the keys of hell ancl of cleath," Rev. 1, 17. 18. Him." He has "abolishecl death, and has brought J csus has tl1c keys o.f hell ancl of clcn.th. What li!e aucl immortality to light." "Death is swallo,ved does Lhat mean ? It means that He has conquc1·cd up in vieto1·y. 0 death, wb\'!re is thy sting? hell and death and has becom~ their Master~ As a 0 grave, where is thy victory?"
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'fo express this truth, that God justifies us for Jesus lives and has _the keys of hell :md of death. Blessed Easter tidings! His ,,ictory is our victory. •His own sake and that there is nothing in us to Ali that trust in Him enjoy the blessings of that win a_verdict of acqniLtal, Scripture declares justivictory and hnYe nothing to fear. Iu His resur- fication to be by grace, Roru. 3, 24. Grace which rection they see their own justification and the par- justifies us js unmerited favor, that is, wh~lly undon of all their sins; for it is written: "He was deserved on our part. 'ro deny this means to deny delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for all that we have so far said in proof of justificatio~ our justific3:tion." In. His resurrection they see without works. "And if by grace, then is it no more their deliverance from death au~ the grave; for of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But the risen Savior says: "Because I live, ye shall if it be of works, then is it no more grace : otherlive also." In His resurrection . they see their re- wise work is no more work," Rom. 11, 6. Here the demption from everlasting damnation; for it is apostle places ''by gq1ce" and "of works" in direct written : "Who is that condemneth? It is Christ opposition to each other, like yes and no. It is either that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is the one or the other. We must change the meaning e,•en at the right hand of God, who also maketh of either the worcl "grace" or the word ·"wo1·k," if intercession for us." we wish to include our ·works when the Bible says Jesus lives for evermore and has the keys of hell "by grace." I~ 'Ye can be justified by doing someand of death. "Tha.nks be to God who giveth us thing for it, - regardless of whether you think of tlie victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" works done in 01u- own strength or by the power of ''llnllelujn.h I Hallelujah! the Holy Spirit, - then it cannot be said that God Finished is the battle now: justifies us by grace. But since the Bible teaches The crown is on the '\Tictor•~ brow I justification by grace, all works of man - no matter Thence with sadness! how wrought nor what name you give them - must Sing with glad,iess, be excluded. If we .work for it, it is not by grace, Hnllclujnh ! " as we read Rom. 4, 4: "Now to him that worketh is the rewarcl not reckoned of .grace, but of deb t.'' Justlflcatlon Before God. In the next verse St. Paul asserts that God justifies (A po.per read before Immanuel Lutheran Conference, o.nd "the ungocUy,'' thus expressing very plainly that published by its request.) God does not look for good works in man in justification. II. . Justification is pronounced a gift in R..om. 5, God justifies us without works, fo1· His own sake. 16. 17. Some person might think of an exchange . 8. of gifts, but that is excluded here, because St. Paul speaks of a. f:i:ee gift, that is, a gift of grace, as he GOD JPSTIFIES us FOR Hrs OWN SAKE. .Thus we rend Is. 43, 24--26: "Thou hast bought me no also says Rom. 3, 24: "Being justified freely" sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me that is, receiving it as a gift- ''by His grace." with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made We may speak of an exchange, an exchange of guilt me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with for righteousness, but then all the credit belongs, thine iniquities. I, even I, am he that blotteth out ·as every one will admit, to God. We can claim no thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not credit at all in justification, as we read Rom. 3, 27: remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let "Where is boasting then? It is excluded." us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest To deny that God justifies us without works,• ·be justified." · Here God, as it were, calls Israel for His own sake, me.a ns not only to go contrary to • into court and bids the people declare why they such Scriptural proofs as we have brought, bu~ also should not be condemned, upon what grounds He to deny the teaching of Scripture concerning should justify them. IJ.'hey must confess that they Christ's redemption of sinners, of ,vliich we shall have not served Him as they should l1ave done, but, treat next. It furthermore means to ·deny that we instead, have grieved Him with their manifold sins. are to preach that Gospel which we a.re commanded· Looking at them as they were, God found no reason to proclaim, and also to deny ·that we are justified to declare them just, yet He justifies them. Why? by faith - of which we shall speak in the fourth "For mine own sake," He says. And Israel should part. In concluding this part, let me ~ay that it is know and mark this well. disastrous for a Christian ~ forge_~ that he is justi-
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The Lutheran Pioneer. fled in the sight of God without works. We 1·ead Gal. 5, 4: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law; ye are fallen from grace." 'l'heu t he pc"rsou no more desires to stand before God by grace; he, so to sny, goes to law about t he matter and must take whu.t the law allows him, which is, as every Bible reader ought to !mow, a place in prison til_l the last penny be paid. Glory be to Goel that He wishes to deal with us without the Law, so that we may boldly appeal from the Law to t he throne of grace ! J . Pu. S. ---'----+-,••---- - -
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payment has been accepted by God the Father; for by raising Jesus from the dead He declared Himself perfectly satisfied with what His Son has done. 'l'he clebt is paid. Why are you not satisfied? Why clo you not believe what God says in the Gospel? '!"he moment you believe the Gospel you will be glad over the assurance that your debt is paid." The anxious sinner soon did believe. Her troubled soul found peace, and her heart was filled with joy and thanksgiving.
God Not Dead:
At one time I was sorely vexed and tried by my own sinfulness, · by the wickedness of the world, 'l'he shop in a mountain vm agc was kept by an and by the dangers that beset the Church. One olll woman, who would carefully mark on the back morning I saw my wife dressed in lJlOUrning. Suroi her shop door how m11ch each eustome1· owed her. prised, I asked her who had died. "Do you :g.ot 'l'hc1·e, in white chalk, was written the name of each know ?" she replied; " God in heaven is dead." debtor with the exact amount of the .debt. When " How can you talk- such nonsense, Katie !" I said; the debl was pa.id, the chalk marks were rubbed out. "how can God die? Wh:}', He is immortal, and will live through all eternity." "Is that really true?" Amoug t he old woman's customers was one she asked. "Of course," I said, still not pe!ceivj.ng whose conscience sorely troubled her on account of what she was aiming at; ''how CaJ!. you doubt it? the debt of her sins, aud who dreaded the opening As surely as there is a God in heaven, so sure is it of t he books when smaU and great shall stand befol'e that He can ne,,er die." "And yet," she said, _the great white throne and be judged. She lmew "though ~•ou do not doubt that, yet you are so hopethat her sins could never be blotted out by her own less and discouraged." Then I observed what a doings, a,nd that unless they were blotted out she wise woman my wife was, and mastered my sadness. must be everlastingly lost. . • Luther. ''Why do you mourn so?" a friend one day said to her. "Why do you not believe what God says Neither Hope nor ,-ear. of the work of our Savior? Has He not raised His Son from the gra.ve and so declared that our debt Robert Owen, the well-known infidel, once visited • . In walking out is pai.d ?- You never trouble about your debt at the a. gentleman who was a. belie-yer. shop after the money is put dow~ and the .chalk they came to the gentleman's family burial place. marks on the shop door arc rubbed out. Can you Speaking of death, Owen said, "I am not afraid to not also rest in what Christ has done to pay the die; if some of my business were settled, I should clebt of sin? I will go to the shop and see what the be perfectly .willing to die at any moment." olcl woman hns against your name, and will pay it · ''Well," said his Christian companion, "you say all; she will then rub out the chalk marks, and you have no •fear of death, have you any hope in when you next go there, she will tell you that not death?" • a mark stands' against your name, and you will be·After a solemn pause, the infidel replied, "No!" lieve her· and be glad that the debt is paid. Will "Then," replied the Christian, pointing to a~ you not?" · ox standing near, "you are on a level with that "Yes," replied the womau, "n.nd I shall that?k brute; he has fed till he is satisfiecl~ and st~nds in ti1e shade, whisking, 9ft: the flies, ancl has neither you ever so much." ''Well," continued her friend, "so it is with the hope nor fear." debt of your sins, which you yourself could never THE grave, on receiving Christ, imagined it had pay. That debt is pa.id with the precious blood of God's own Son. He Himself says of His blood: received a victim; but, on the morning of the third ·" shed for you for the remission of sins." And that clay, it cliscoverccl it had received o. conqueror. ,
The Debt Is Paid.
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The Lutheran Pioneer. "Jesus Lives."
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Orm Suudny nftcr the morning's el'\"icc, there came to a mission station ' iu Egypt n. iUoslem accompanicll by his wife nnd t.hrce chillh-en. He dcsi1·ccl bnpt.i m £or himself and family. jl ][•\,\ .' . .:-:- : •,;,...·--- •:. -: ' ... I n his youth the man had nttencled , . n. iUohn.mmeclnn school and hn.d for six , .·1.-~.. 'i,. ·\• ·. /i '. . . years learned by heart the Koran, "the ..: ·• . . . :~ ,: . :. holy book of the Mohammedans." For ·,fl, .. . 4 another six years he thoroughly studied ~;;.•'1.. the doctrines of :l'IIohammed, the false prophet. But he felt that t he more he studied, the less he !mew of the living . ~t-~ Goel. At lnst the tho11ght seized him t hat it was im}Jossiblc to know anything about Goel nud divine things. '£l1is, however, made him vci·y unhappy. In his dcspnir he procured a Bible and begnn to rend it page after page. 'J'hc lonrrct· he rend, the more l1c loved the book. By the grace of God he came to :faith in the Savior, and his henrt l'e.joicecl in this faith and in the assurance of snlvntiou. Nor was he frightened by the thought thn.b for his faith he might . have to suffer }Jersccution and even death. His wife, whom he led to the some :faith, l1c admonished again and ngnin to remain stendfnst in love to the Jesus Lives!. Savior, no matter what might come. "Remember," he said, "when I nm no . "He lives to silence nll my fcnrs, longer with you: Jesus live;, but :MoHe lires. to wipe nwny my ten.rs, hammed- is dend." This was alsq her He. lh-es to calm my troubled hcnrl;, nnswcr when asked why she went to the He lives, nll blessings to impart." missionary to be baptized : "Jesus Jives, but Mohammed is dead." A Word In Season. 'rhc missionary 'who relates this incident says: "Such an experience fills tho mission~ry's heart with · "13e ye also ready P' snid nn old womnn to 1\ joy. '£he fact that Jesus lives and proves Himself young man as they stood alone -at the coffin o·f a n lh·ing Savior by winning the bearts of His enecommon friend. The arrow struck home, and the mies through the po\\•er ·01: the Gospel, is to· tl1e misyoung man left the house of mouming troubled iu siona1·y o. source of encouragement arid support. It spirit. Those solemn words, uttered in tbe·presence helps him to make sacrifices cheerfully, to benr bm-. of deatn, entered his soul ns ~he voice of God. It clons gladly, and to meet · difficulties bravely. He was the word spoken by a poor, i11itcrnte woman, that wns dcnd liveth nnd is o.live.:forevermorc. He and not the eloquent appeal of the gifted_preacher, is with 11s in our work and in our trials." which God cbose to use as the instrument in this young·man's conversion. WHERE Cluist is, there surely the Gospel is be· · ·No matter who you qre, you may speak a word ing prenchccl ; where it· is not preached, there Christ in season for some sinner's salvation. is not. - IA£thar.
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The· Lutheran. Pioneer. For Confirmation Day. Thine, Jesus, T hine, No mor e this hear t of mine Shall seek its j oy npnrt from 'l'hce ; The worlcl is cruei ficcl to me, And '[ nm Thine. 'fhine, Thine nlone, 'M y joy, my hope, my crown ; Now e111·thly t hings may fnde and die, 'l'hey cha rm my soul no morn, for I .:.\m Thine n.lone. '.l'hine, cver T hine, Forever to recline On Io,·e eternal, fixed, nnd s ure, Yes, I . nm 'l'hine for c,·ermore, Lord Jes us, T hine. Then let me li,·e, Cont.inunl pmise to g ive 'fo Thy dear nnme, m~• 1>reciom1 J,ord, l:Icncefort.h alone, beloved, adored, . So let me liveTill Thon s halt come, And bear me to Thy home, l~ore,·cr freed from ea rthly care, Eternnlly Thy Jo,•e to shn re, Lord Jesus, come !
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lifeboat and told him, "I:f you ever live to sec your fotker tell him I died ior you." And the boat pulled , away, from tlmt ship and left the mother standing there. The ship went on burning. Soon an explosion was heard, and all was buried in the ocean. Now, suppose you met that young man and spoke to l1im about what his mother did for hint, and suppose he turned mund and made f un o.f it. "Why," you say, " that miserable, unthank.ful wretch doesn't deserve to live." B1it that is what all those are doing who scoff at the sufferings and the death of Christ by which they were redeemed. Yea, they are far more unthankful than that boy would be. Christ laid down His life for you. He died that you might live. Will you speak contemptuously about Him? Will you S}lcak lightly of the blood, shed for you? lfathcr fall down upon your knees, and thank Gpd that you have such· a Savior. Live for Him who died for you! "He died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died :for thcni., and rose again," 2 Cor. 5, 15.
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God Governs the World. ,Sc1cctcd.
Live for Christ. l\fany years ago a y01mg man, dudng the gold :fever, went from New York to California, leaving his wife and little boy behind him. Just ns soon ns he was successful he was going -to send money. 'l'ime went on, and at last a letter came enclosing a draf t and telling his wi:fe to come on with the boy. 'l'he woman, full of .hope and joy, took a passage in one of the fine steamers of the Pacific line. 'l'hey had not been out many days when a voice went ringing through the .ship,' "FirQ ! fire!" '!'he pumps were set to work, but the :fire gained upon them. 'l'here was a powder magazine on b_oa1·cl, and the captain ordered ·an the boats to be iusbmtly lowered. He knew whenever the :fire reached the powder they would all be lost. 'l'he people scmmbled into t]Jc boats, and the mother and boy were left on deck. As the last boat was being pushed oft', the woman begged to be taken in. 'l'lie majority thought orily of their own safety and insisted the bout was too full, and wanted to push off. But one man put in a -word for her, and they saicl they could take in one more, but no more. ·What did the mother do ? Did she g~ on boa.rd and leave her son? No. She put her boy into that
When Whitelock, in 1655, was about to go to Sweden as Cromwell's messenger, .he was much disturb~d in mind the night before he le.ft England, as he thought of the troubl~d state of the English nation. A servant, who slept in a bed nearby, on seeing that his master could not sleep on account of worry, said: "Pmy, sir, will you give me leave to ask you a question ?," "Certainly." • "Pray, sir, don't you think God governed the world very well befo1·e you came into it?" "UndoubteU,ly." "And pray, sir, don't you think He will govern it. quite well when you are gone out of it?" · "Certainly." . "Then, ~ir, pray excuse me, but.don't you think you may as well trust Him to govern it as long as you are in, it?" To this question Whitelock ha~ nothing to reply, and tumin~ aboirt, soon fell asleep.
A Warning. Every beat of our. hearts marks our progress through life, and admonishes us of the steps we make toward the grave. We a.re thus every moment reminded to prepare· for our summons.
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The Lutheran Pioneer. First Mission among the Red Men.
John Eliot has been stylecl "the Apostle o{ tJ1e Indinns," and Bancroft speaks of him as, "the Morning Sbu· of Missionary Enterprise." 'l'he facts are, however, that a, Swedish Luthei·a.11 missionary on the Delaware began mission work among the Indians in 1642, four years before Eliot began his mission work in New England; and that as early as 1624 Gustavus Adolphus, tho Lutheran King of Sweden, planned a mission among the Red :Men of America, although the unsettled condition of the state of affairs in Europe kept back the beginning of that wqrk until 1638. This, _however, was eight years before Eliot's work began. . To those early Lutheran settlers belongs the honor of inaugurating the peaceful policy toward the Indians which gave Penn so much of his fame. That policy, too, was dictated by the State that sent o,•er the colonists and the missionaries. Among the instructions given these pioneers of civilization on the Delaware (then written De La Ware) .were such ns these: "The wild nations bordering on all sides the governor shall treat with all h~manity and respect, and so that no violence or wrong be done them . . . ; he shall rather exert himself that the same wild people may be· instructed gradually . in. the trutl1s and worship Christian religion. . . . Especially shall he . . . impress upon their minds that neither he, the government, nor his people, are come ... to do them any wrong or injury, but much more i~r furnishing them with such things as they may need for the ordinary wants of life." This policy was the guide of the E!wedes at all times. They lived in peace with the Indians - did them no injury and received no injury i-rom them, and the Red Men continued to speak of them with confidence and affection long after their power had been destroyed by tlte Dutch (Hollanders). Campnnius (the elder) was the missionary of . Sweden, who first busied himself in efforts to win the Indians to Christianity. He published dialogues and vocabularies of the language of the Delawares, and these, with the trq.nslation of Luther's Smali Catechism in the same tongue, are supposed to have been the first attempts at reducing to writing the language of our North American Indians. The Catechism was printed in Sweden at the king's .expense, and was.sent over to America with the missionaries. . . . 'ro the Swedes also belongs the honor of first translating lhnf: same Catechism into the English
tongue, in connection with . their m1ss1ons and , colonies on the Delaware. It was issued from Dr. Franklin's p1·iuting office, n.nd the trnn.sln.tion made by Dr. 1\lagnus von Wrangel, then the Provost of the Swedish chmches. - 'l'hc Young hulltcran.
Misdirected Magic. It sometimes· happens that evil intent results in good. 'l'hc following is a case in point: A few yca1·s ago a. missionary near Bulawayo wns regarded with much suspicion by the l\fotabcle of the neighborhood. What most excited their fears was a force pump in his garden. To them it was an entirely novel piece oI machinery, and the only explanation that occurred to their minds was that it must be some kind of magic. So they watched the missionary very carefully when he was using it, that they ·might be n.blc to direct his magic against himself. Soon afterwards they decided to tum their newly-acquired knowledge to account. So one bright moonlight night a small group of :i\fatabelc warriors might have been seen making their way to the bank of the stream where the pump was. '!'hey found, to their delight, that they were able lo work the handles. 'l'nking this d11ty iu turn, they kept the pump going for two hours, by which time they thought n sufficient supply of magic would be directed agnin.st the missionary. • The ncx~ morning the missionary's wife found the tank iull, and felt very gt·l),teful.
The Gospel. ''I have tried the Gospel," said an aged Christian; "I have put it to the proof. I kno~v what it is and what it can do. Tell me that food does not strengthen the weak; tell me that water µoes not refresh the weary; tell me that light does not cheer the disconsolate, a.n d then you may tell me that the Gospel does' not he1p when all other help comes to naught, does not comfort the poor sinner when all other cc,mfort fails. Men can afford to _give up all other things rp.ther than to part with the Gospel. Men might better give u:p the sun than_quench ~hat heavenly light of comfort which cheers our hves and dispels the darkn~s of the grave!'
"IT is well that . God answers our needs rather . ,, than our wishes.
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cannibals. 1\IcLoughliu was not heard from in several months after he started for the Solomon No:r WEARY IN WELL-DOING. - An 1mknown group (against the advice of his fellow missionaries) and unnamed gi,•c1· bas for the elevcntl1 time to attempt, unaided, to com·crt the natives to Chrisbrought to the treasurer of our :i\Iission Board his tianity. News of his :fale :fiually reaphed Pago annual couti-ilmtion of $500.00 for om- mission-work Pago, ~eing conveyed there by a. small trading nmong the colored people. 'l'be need of our mission vessel. Word was sent to Auckland, N. Z., and treasury cries foi- many more liberal givers, who clo Premier Ward sent the gunboat Hincrnoa to punish no't grow wcm·y in well-doing. · the cannibals. 'l 'his gunboat shelled a village on St. George I sland, where the chief offending' tribe A 1\fo'.l'HEn's GIF'r. - The newspapers, says T he lived. 'fo stop the bombardment the natives sent L1ithf 1-a,~ Witness, r ecently tolcl n. touchi11g story in the missionary's bones out to the wm·ship toaether • , 0 connection with the cleclication of n large bell in one with fifty tons of pearls worth $1000.00 a ton as inof our German Lutheran churches in a ,,1 cstern _demnity. city. 'l'he clonor of the bell was nn agecl woman, THE PLAGUE IN INDU. -The plague in some now past 70 years of age, who had saved her scanty earnings for a dozen years un lil she had $300.00 parts of Inclia. is appalling. One of the mission with which to purchase the bell. She cultivated jomna]s of lnclia says that in less than half a year a patch of strawberries a,nd worked many a day in the number of deaths is only ·a few thousand short Lhe scorching sun to gather the fruit. She also of a million, and that in a single week they reached pickecl gooseberries, and the money "that she realized a total of 67,000. The journal reqiarks: "Twentyfrom the sa]e of these berries went toward the bell four thousand English soldiers died in the Crimea, iwid. Finally she saw the fruition of her hopes. 22,000 in South Africa. Ade\ them together and 'l'he $300.00 bell was hung in the church. Not until contrast the total with the 67,000 deaths which the then dicl her relatives learn of the plan she had car- plague causecl in India during the single week ior ried out. When asked why she had b'een so stead- which we have the last official record." ,inst in her purpose, she replied : ''When I was savTHE LAD0RERS ARE FEW. - It is said that if ing all these years, the one thought was uppermost two missionaries were set aside' to every .fifty thouin my mind that when I am gone from this earth sand heathen, the -present working force of all the and that bell rings forth Sunday morning my chilchurches would touch but 325,000,000, leaving dren will say, 'That is mother calling us to church, and "~e must go.'" The spirit that prompted ·sucli G75,000,000 of heathen still unreached by a.ny form sacrifice moved this mother, no doubt, to shrink of Christianity. And yet there are those who say from no cos.t to train up her children ·i n the way there are too many missionaries. The. harvest is great, but the labor.ers are few. they should go. NOTES.
A THANK-OFFERING. - 'fbe Santal Christians, belonging to the Scanc1illavian Mission, sent as a thank-offering a large sum of money , to the agent of the B1·itish and Foreign Bible Society . at Calcutta for the manifold blessings received through the Sacred Scriptures printed in their own tongue by said society. The Santals, as a rule, are a poor ,people; their libera.lity might make better-situate~ people feel ashamed. 0
A CmmcH OF IcE. - The Re,•. E. L Peck, who has been a missionary for thirty years among the Eskimos fa'r away up North, writes of some queer church buildings used by the people among whom he labored. One church he built entirely out of large blocks of ice. The altar and the pews, or . sea.ts, were also made of ice. This church of ice, he says, served its purpose very well and afforded the missionary and his hearers sufficient protection against the severe, bitter cold of the Arctic regions.
SAD. -A New York paper recently brought ANOTHER QUAINT CHUROH. - Another quaint the following telegraphic report: The Rev. Al~xander M:cLoughlin, a missionary, was devoured by church was built by Missionary Peck out of sealcannibals on St. George Island, of the Solomon skin and whalebone, the skeleton of a large whale group, and his bones arc. ~o~ in the possession of being covered with the skin. It was soon after at:. .the Government of N e,v Zealand, havipg been con- , tacked by dogs, who devoured tho skin and literally veyed to Auckland by a. gunboat sent ·_to punish the ate up the .church.
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The L1.1.ther~n Pioneer.
BmLE GoNQUJ,STS. - A mission:tr)~ of tbe Swedish Mission ;it Eritren, Africa, writes th:it the Bible is making ,rnudcrful conquests in Abyssinia. In many cases he has founcl° "the Book" worn to shreds through h~,·ing been read n.ud re-rend by so many families.
would entail nu mlclit.ionnl cnsh out la.y of t wch·c cents per nnn11111, which nmount, in a11 fairness, would hnvc to be chnrgccl t he _clclinquent subscribers. We therefore politely beg of our esteemed subscribers lo take due not ice and kindly remi t nil amounts clue within t he prcscribccl time. Jf ~-ou nrc subscribing through nu agent, please pay the ngent, CONCORlllA P UUT,l SIIINO R ousr,:.
"The Gospel for the Wicked."
BOOK TABLE.
The Rev. Forstmrum, n. pious ininistcr 'in Solingen, published, iu the year 1743, a. sermon bcal"ing the title : "T!1c Gospel for the Wicked." He hacl preached the sermon at the funeral of a young man wl10 hacl on his sickbed come to the knowledge of his Srwior and· had by God's grace died a blessed cleath. To the sermon ,,,as added n. sketch of the young man's life. The publication o.f this sermon in many thousand copies wn.s attended with great blessing. The following is one of the remarkable i~stances: · A young nobleman, who was leading a Yery wicked life in all ldnds of sin and vice, decided to leave Germa.ny and, go to some other country, in •orde~ to find new sinful enjoyments. Without the knowledge of his family be went to Holland, bOJling to find an opportunity for a voyage to India. In HoJlancl he ha.cl to stay several days, ancl to pass the t ime, he one day enterccl a book store, where he found n booklet with the title: "The Gospel for the WickecT." Jokingly he said, "That might be a boo~ for me," and bought the sermon. In his room he read half of the book, but felt so tro1\blecl that he laid ft away. Some time after, J1owever, he took it UP. again and rend the sermon through. By the.power of God's 'Word he was convinced of. his lost and rtiinecl condition and was led to repentance and faith. He learned· to b·elicve that Jesus cliecl also for him, the wicked sinner, and to trust in the S1wior who was delivered for our offenses ancl was raised again. for our justification. He now lost all desire for going to India, but went back home, where he li\'cd as an ornament to the church ancl a joy to his family pnd friimds.
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Sn,ODALBERIOIIT DES J~WA-DISTIIIJtTS. Concordia. Publish• ing Rouse, St. Louis, :Mo. P r ice, 20 cts. This pamphlet cont:iin~ nn instn1ct h·c a.ml edify ing presentation of the prcncl11ng nml t he works of J esus in Galilee nccording to the first nine chapters of the Gospel of St . Murk. SYN0DAI,llERrCJIT DES NEIIIIASt-A·DI S'fRrKTS. Concordia Publishing House, St . Louis, J\Co. Price, 1S cts. Frntcrnnl Admonition is the subject dcnl t wit h in t his Report. The subject is of great importnncc for t he welfare of c,,cry Christion congrcgntion.
Aoknowledgment. Rcccivccl for Colored, illiss·i;,1s from Zion Church, Gol<l Hill, N. C., $5.00; l\lount Calvary Church, ?l'lt. Pleasant, N. C., 5.00; St. Peter's Clturch 11cnr Dry's Schoolhouse, N. C., 3.00; Bethlehem Church, New Orlcnns, Ln., 25.00; Mount Zion Church, New Orlcnns, La., 35.00,; St. P aul's Clmrcl1, Mansura, Ln., 10.00; St. Pnul's Church, New Or• lcnns, Ln.., 35.00; congrcgntion in Nn.polconville, Ln., 12.00; •Grace Church, Concord, N. C., 10.00; St. John's Church, Salisbury, N. C., 3.75; Concorclin. Church, Rockwell, N. C., 2.50; Roly 'l'rinity Church, Springfield, Ill., •J..30. St. Louis, Mo., March 10, 1008. A.. C. BURGDORF, '.l'-rcas.
Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches. NEW ORLEANS, LA. St. P.a.ul'a Ohapel, 1625 Annette St., near N.•Claibomc St.; F. J. Lo.nkenau, Pll&tor. · Divine Ber:vices: Sunda.y, 11 A. :u. and 7.30 l". :u.; Wednesda.y, 7.30 P. :u. · Mount Zion Ohuroh, Franklin and 'l;'halia Sta. Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. u. and 7:30 J.>. u:; Thursday, 7.30 l". u . Bethlehem Oha.peZ, Washington Ave. and Dryades St.; G. M. Kramer, Pastor. , •Divine Services: Sunday, 10 A, u. and 7.30 P. If.; Thursday, 7.30 P. u. . SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Ohuroh; Jo.mes Doswell;Pastor. · Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. u. and 8 J.>. u.
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atht Jnthtran A
MISSIONARY
MONTHLY.
PUBLISHED BY THE EVANGELICAL L UTHERAN SYNODIC,\L COl'-"FERENCE OF NORTH AMERICA, \
n. A. BISCIIOFF, Editor. Entered nt tho rost Onlco at St. Lo uis, )ro., :is sccond -clnss mnttor.
Vol. XXX.
St. Louis, Mo., May, 1908. The Ascended Savior.
"All liis work and wn.rfn1·e done, Christ to herwen now is gone, And beside His Father's throne Still is pleading £or His own: Hallelujah!"
Our Savior's Ascension. Forty days after His resurrection Christ ascended into heaven. His ascension is a source of comfort and joy. For it is our Savior that ascended into heaven, the same that came do,m from heaven to redeem us from all sin, from death, and from the power of the devil. His ascension is the crowning proof that the work which He came to do is finished. He ·returned' to heaven as the mighty Conqueror who has gained the victory over our enemies, and has redeemed us from the captivity in which we were held by sin. ''When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men," says the apostle. And the psalmist says: "Thou hast ascended on high; Thou hast led captivity captive; Thou hast received gifts fox: men, yea, for the rebellious also." Therefore Christ, before His ascension, told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. The Gospel which He wants His Church to preach in all the world is the glad news of the world's redemption, the glad news · that our enemies have been made captive and that heaven is again opened for us. In the Gospel the ascended Savior Himself gives- to sinners pardon and salvation, the gifts which He has received for men, even for the rebellious. It is this that makes the Gospel the power of God unto salvation to every one that ~elieveth.
No.
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It is this that gives us the assurance that our mission work is not in vain. In the preaching of the Gospel the ascended Savior is working with us for the salvation of sinners. He is at all times with us, though our eyes see Him not; for He has given us the promise: "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." He that bas entered the majesty on high and now si'tteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, is able, as He is willing, to fulfill all His promises. Therefore Christinns pass through this world doing in joyful confidence the work whicii' the Lord bas given them to· clo, 'j>atiently bearing the cross the Lord gives them to bear, seeking those things .which are above, whereChrist sitteth on the right hand of God, and looking for "that blessed hope, ·and the glorious appearin~ of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." To the disciples who looked after tlie ascending Savior the angels · said:. "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in' like manner as ye ·hirve seen Him go into heaven." He has gone to prepare a place for us and will come again to take us to our heavenly home. He· Himself tell~ us: "In my Father's house, are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and re-· ceive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye mny be also." So our hearts need not be troubled. A little while and all the labors and sufferings of earth shall be past. "A little while our Lord shall come, And we shall wander here no more; He'll take ua to our Father's home, Where He for ua baa gone before To dwell with Him, to ace Hia face, .And sing the• glories of · Hia grace.''
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The Lutheran Pioneer.
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,
Of
the Sacraments In General.
"'We have now considered the three Chief Parts of Christian doctrine: the La,v, the Creed, and Pra:yer. Besides these we must yet notice our tJ,•o Sacraments, instituted by Christ, concerning which every Christian must have at least a general and brief instruction, because without them there ca_n be no Christian." (Luther's Larger Catechism.) Sin•ce Christ bas mstituteq the· Sacraments, and since there can be no Cliristian without them, the doctrine of the Sacraments belongs to the Chief f~n:t-s of .the C.atechism; for a Chief Part teaches that which every c·hristian needs for his soul's sal-i•a.tion. Therefore two Chief Parts of our Small Catechism, the fourth and the sixth, treat of the h\•o Sacram~ts, of holy Baptism and of the Lor d's Supper. · · • But ·before we proceed· to the consideration of these· two Sa:craments· in detail, let us see what a ·sacrament -is and what is its purpose. . ••What is a s11crament·? A sacrament is an act. When a sacrament is admi~istered and receiveq, something is done. Walking, eating, drinking, wa:shing are acts,·for in each" case something is don;e. So, also, in the Sacraments something is done. In holy Baptism water is applied in the name of the Triune God; in· the Lord's' :Supper Christ's true body and ·blood are giYen and eaten with the breacl and w-ine. ·But a sacrament is a sac-red ~ct. It is an act ~t apart for a religious use ; it has for its purpose. the spiritual welfare of man. Yet ·not all sacred acts·are sacraments. Thus, for example, Confirmaation and Confession· are sacred acts, and yet they are no sacraments; for n. sacrament is 'a sacred act instituted by· God. · : It has God's direct and expijcit · command, :while Confirmation, Confession, and many other Teligious acts are mere ordinances of the Chv.rch. · ])uther says of a sacrament in his Larger Catechism: "It is not invented nor ordained by man, but is iqstitute(J by Christ without any man's counsel or advice." A sacrament, therefore, is sacred because o.f its purpose- and because of its founder. · But- even not every sacred act orqained by God is a sacrament, for if that were the case the preaching of the Gospel and other acts ,would :be sacra.ments. A sacrament must therefore be even more exactly defined as a sacred 'act instituted by God wherein He acts through certain e~temal means prescribed by Him. God has not left the choice of
..
the visible means to be used to our discretion, but He has definitely commanded the ·use of certain means which He wants used, and no others. Thus in holy Baptism God commands the application of water, and in the Lord's Supper He prescribes tho use of bre·ad ancl wine. Finally, it is not to be lost sight of that these certain external means are connected with God's Word, and not with 'any, but a cer tain word of God, na~nely, the words instituting tho Sacrament. This word of God, in connection with the external menus, makes a sacrament. T he word of institution and the prescribecl means are inseparable; without either there can be no sacrament. From what we have learned we see that there are three things that go to make a sacrament: 1. It must be a sacred act ordained by Goel H imself. 2. In its administration certain divinely prescribed external means must be used. 3. These external means must be connected with God's Word. Our second question is : What is the zmrposc of the Sacraments? The grace which Christ has merited is therein offered unto men. Christ has gained for us forgiveness of sins,-.life, and salvation, ana these precious gifts arc offered to us in the Sacraments. These gifts of grace are also offered to us in the Gospel. Whenever and wherever the Gospel is ·preached, the· Holy Ghost offers forgiv~ ncss of sin, life, and salvation. These same gifts, and none other, are offered to us in the Sacraments; but in the Sacraments these gif ts are brought particularly near to us. God therein deals with each person separately. "God in the111: brings His gifts i11 to each person's house and home." There is · no chance to think, "God does not .mean me." God comes to each indiYidual person in the Sacraments and offer$ him His gifts. The ~acraments, however, do more than offer the· gifts of God's grace, they' actually convey them unto men. They are the hands which give us the grace o'f Goc1; they are the ·channels through which God's gifts flow into ·our souls. As in the Gospel, so also in the Sacraments God does not merely say; ~'Here is my grace; take it," but He comes to us, opens our hands, as it were, ·puts His precious gifts into thein, and says, "Here you have all; it is yours." The only difference· is, that in' the Sacra.ments "God is even more personal, so to speak, than in the Word, ·dealing with every individual separately and thus depriving him of all opportunity to doubt 't hat he is meant. Finally, the Sacra,ments are also seals of God's
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The Lutheran Pioneer.
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grace in Obrist. Seals, as you know, are affixed to He hath clone whatsoever He hath pleased." He important documents, such as deeds of lands, lo does not, however, forgive us in the same manner pre,•ent fraud nml to remove all doubt as to their as a sovereign king may sometimes pardon a crimvalidity. 'l'lms· we may call the Sacraments two inal -without regard to justice. Though God is seals attnchccl to the precious p1·omiscs of the Gos- supreme, yet His own justice, which He has propel to make me certain and sure that my sins a1·c claimed and according to which sin must be punforgiven, that life aucl salvation arc mine. By ished, that righteousness which is in God, must be these tw·o seals our weak :faith is to be assured of declared and set forth; for God Himsel_f has done Gocl's grace. so, l{om. 3, 25. 26. God's grace does not simply 'l'he people of the Old Testament had two Sacra- override or set nsiclc His own inherent righteousments, Circumcision and the Passover, Gen. 17, ness. How ' ca11 God count the sinner just? How 7-l4.;· Ex. 12, 3-11. We Christians likewise can the just God justify the ungodly? This queshave two, holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper. tion naturally arises and should be answered, as .it The Romish Church, indeed, claiD?-s that there are has pleased. God to furnish us with the reply in seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Confes- Scripture. From the Bible we learn that justification, or sion, the Lord's Supper, Matrimony, Ordination of Priests, and the Extreme Unction of the dying; forgiveness, has been won and merited, though we but'if we examine this claim closely in the light of receive it by grace. It has been purcl.1ased by what we have heard, we shall S?Oll find that five of Christ. This is no contradiction to what we s~~d these acts· cannot truly be called Sacraments, lack- befo1·e. If you are presented with a fine garment, ing as they do either God's command, the external it costs you nothing; yet you know witho~t being means, or the promise that God will thereby offer told that it cost de_a r before you r~ived it as a and convey unto men the grace which Christ has gift. So we are justified freely, our rightequsness merited. Fo1· this reason we can recognize only before God is by gi:nce, we pay nothing for it, we Baptism and the Lord's Supper as So,craments. receive it without money and witho~t price; ·s till i~ wn~ earned, this gift was paid for.• Grace which F. J. L. · fc;>rgives .is grace in Christ, for Christ"s so,ke, won for us by Christ. . Justlftcatlon Before God. In saying that Christ won God's favor for us, (A pn!)er rend before lmmnnucl Lutheran Conference, nnd we do not menu to' declare that God did 1~ot · ,~ish· t>Ublisl_ied by its rcque!it . ) to oe gracious; but we wish .to 'state how God· can be just and y~t be gracious towards us sinners. . III. God Himself satisfied His divine justice by sending .lVe become rightepus by the obedience of Olwist, ClU"ist into the worlc;I, p.s it is written: '~~od sent ,:n whom .God h<UJ justified the world. forth His Son." · "God so lov.ed the world .that He 1. gav~ His only-begotten Son." \Vithout · Christ :there God justifies the ·ungodly. But we have heard is no saving grace, no justifying grace, that is to that- he ,yho justifies the wicked is an abomination say, if God does not . take Christ's work: into conto the Lord. Are we· to thirik that God pronounces sideration, He .m ust cond'e mn us. We must know woe upon .those who can· evil good, and that He of "Christ and His work, if we . would understand · ' · Himself makes light of sin? Far- from it; for, the doctrine of justification. "The righteous Lord loveth righteousness," says Clirist is the Son of God from et.ernity, and in Ps. 11,- 7, and Ps. ·5, 4 declares: "For Thou art the fullness of tinie He 'became man.; since tiiat not a ·God that hath pleasure in'wic~edness." God's time' He is God and man in one person. He.became remission of sins does not mean that 'sin is not tl1e God-man to be our Savior. He 'saved sinners' condemned ancl punished. Wheh God justifies us bj• doing the will of God. · Whatever He did ·and' ini by grace, it is :r:iot the same case as .when an indul-. suffered in the days of His earthly- career 8: gent :Cather smilingly overlooks the disobedience of obedience to His Father, as it is written Phil. a man, He.humbled' • his son. Nor shpuld we imagine that ~od thinks "And being found in fashion thus: I am the Lord; there ·is none higher than I; I!imself, and became obedient unto death, even the· I do as I please - who dare oppose me if I please deatli of the cross." It is beyond our present ~ur~ · to forgive? It is true: "Our God is in the heavens: pose to describe in detail the spotless life of this
as
was -2;.
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The Lutheran Pioneer.
God-man, the only man that never yielded to temptation; that always walked in perfect love to God and towards men, both friends and foes, even praying for those that persecuted Him; that in each of tbe varied relations of liie acted strictly according to the precepts for that position; that from His birth to His last breath ever did justly and loved mercy: nor can we delay to depict that life of suffering, to show how hard His lot was even-at His first appearance among men at , Bethlehem; to consider how, when He went about doing good, He had to endure the contradictions of sinners
A Blessed Family.
Once upon a time there was iu Strassbm·g a teacher who had a very limited income. He had nine children, and to feed them was no small difficul L1•, If, on the 1st of January he would have begun to calculate how many suits of clothes, dresses, shoes, and stockings, how much bread, meat, and butter they wo11ld need during the year, his head would have begun to swim and his heart would have given ·np in despo.ir - had he not known the Father in heaven. Moreover, the nine were 11·0 small number to .find room for under his small roof, so tliat, if there was little room already for their beds, there was still less ior the games and sports which cannot be denied chjldhood. Father and mother, however, knew how to govern their household. Whoever visited the teacher's house was surprised to see the order and clenuHncss of the home, the neatness and tidiness of tlie children, the though~ fulness and helpfulness o.f the older boys and girls, and the bearing with which father and mother moved. among them all. One day the ·teacher received a visit just at din.iier time. When the stranger saw the nine children sitting at the table and working Our Lord's Ascension. over their plates, he said, with a voice of pity: "Poor man, what "While He blessed them, He ,vas parted from them, an affliction you have to bear I" and carried up into heaven," Luke 24, 51. · "I an affliction to bear I" said the astonished teacher;. ''how so ?" again¢ .Himself; to present .His great passion on "Nine children, and seven of them boys I" anMaundy ',l'hursday and Good Friday - that agon- swered the visitor, and added: "I ho.ve but two, ~ing confilct in the Garden of Gethsemane, that and eq.ch of them is a nail for my coffin." horrible torture of body. and soul on the cross, when With firmness the teacher answered : "That is that awful, h~t-rending cry pierced the darkness: not the case with my children." "My God, my · God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" "How is that?" inquired the guest. Our object n_pw is to learn what this life without ''I will tell you," explained the father. "You blemjsh, en~g in this most cruel and shameful see, I taught my children a noble lesson, the lesson crucihion, has to do with our justification. It is of obedience. Isn't it true, children?. You know to ~ to what Christ has done and suffered, that you must obey your parents, aon't you?" God looks when He forgives us our sins, in other · "Yes," answered all the nine. _ words, when He declares us just without works, as "And you do it gladly, don't you?" St. Paul says, Rom. 3, 24: "Being justified freely The two little daughters smiled stealthily, while by His grace. through the redemption that is in the seven boys answered lustily : "Yes, dear f o.ther; ()Juiat Jesus3' J. PH. S. yes, indeed I"
The Lutheran Pioneer. 'l'hen the ·father explained to his guest: "If clpath should come to my doo1· to take nway one of my nine children" (here he took his velvet cap off his head and threw it against the door), "I would say to him, 'Knave, who told you that I have one child too many?' " Whereupon the stranger began to see that it is only disobedient children who make their father miserable. One o-f these seven boys who answered so bravely Lccamc n very famous man. Ile was the renowned Parsou Oberlin, of Steinthal, in Alsace, Germany. '.l'hc family is blessed in which both parents and children follow God's Word, which says: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children lo \\;rath, but ·bring them 1£]) ·i n the 1~urtwre and aclm o11 ilion ·of the Lord," Eph. G, 1-4.
He Wasn't Driving. A father and his little son were once driving along a familiar road with n gentle horse. To gratify the child, the -Cather placed the reins in his hand, but at the same time, unseen, kept his own hold on them. As they drove on, they saw coming towards them, at full · specll, a runaway team. The danger was great; but. the father guided his horse so that a collision was avoided, and the danger was escaped. When all was over, the· boy looked to·•his father, and with choked..utterance said, .. "I thought I was driving, but I wasn't; was I, papa?" -· So, when some d!p!ger has been escaped, or deliverance has come in some ways unforeseen and imthought of, the child of God has occasion to say, "Father, i tho~ght I was driving, but I wasn't."
The Boy's Fare•ell. In an extensive coal mine in England, one day the shn:Ct, or entrance to the mine, gave way and caved in, and some of the miners were buried by ditt, while some were fastened in small chambers. Every effort was maae to dig the way open to save the :men, but it took •time, ·and . when they were found, they .were dead - .crushed or suffocated.
an·
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In the corner of a. small room they found the body of n boy who had a little painted tin lamp and n rusty nail. On the lamp the boy had scratchecl with the nail the following words: "Weep not, dear mother ! We sang and praised God as long as we had breath. Mother, keep closer io God than yon have done." On the other side was written: "Jolm, farewell I Conduct yourself before God and your mother as becomes a good boy." 'l'hese words were the boy's farewell to mother and brother, and 'they were a comfort to the poor sol'l'owing mother, who did not doubt that her boy in his last hours rejoiced in God and put his trust · in the Savior.
All ror the Best. A poor colored woman was lying on a sickbed in a hospital. She seemed to be very old. To the young Lutheran pastor, who came to see her, she said, "Indeed, young master, I don't know. how old I is." Her friends were all dead, and for many years she had lived with different people, "doing little turns and nursin' the liaby, honey," she said to the pastor, "till I couldn't stand on my sore leg any longer. De bredren and sistering war very kind, but you know, my child, dat it ain't home to a body no more when they can't do nothin'." So she bad sought a refuge in the hospital "till her leg got strong agin." And yet, in all her sorrows of old age and poverty and siclmess she was checrfu l and even happy; for sh~ reste~ in the love of her Savior and trusted in Him who doeth all things well. · "It's all well, honey," she said to the pastor, "dat is, I takes it all for well, bekase de Lord gives me grace to believe dat what He do is all for de best.';
EnJoylng Settled Peace. A friend once asked the pious Prof. Francke liow it was that ~e kept a constant peace of mind. The reply was: "By stirring up my mind a hundred times a day. Wherever I am, whatever I do, I say, 'Blessed Jesus I I have truly a share in Thy redemption; Thou hast forgiven my sins, and art guiding me by Thy Spirit. Thine I am; wash me again and again.' By this constant converse with Jesus I enjoy serenity of .mind and a settled peace in my soul.''
38
.The Luthei~an Pioneer. All for. Jesus. I'll lca,·e it nll with Jesn.s Who bore my lo:ul or sin ; Jie keeps me from temptntion · And gi\'es me pence within. J · wnnt .to -live for Jesus, l\ly Sm·ior nnd my- Friend. Ju gentle tones Re tells me,· . "1'11 heip thee to •Li1e _end." 1'11 gh·e my hen rt to. Jesus Who 1,•oxe His life ~or· me Jn bitter pain nnd nuguis h Up~n the cruel tree. There is no friend like Jesus, So· lowly, meek, nnd mild, Who in His t ender mercy Will sn,·e n sin_ful child. I long to be with Jesus In ihnt bright home nbo,,e, \Vhcre there's no _pnin or sorrow, D1it nil is joy nnd love. And while I wnit for Jesus, . l\ly cnrnest J>rnyer shnll .be Thnt. I mny iive to serve Him W110 did so much for me.· ESTJIEB PETERSOl'-.
Our. Duty ~owards Our Neighbor. L~ther writes:· ''You baYe a neighbor ·wbose life and C(?nversation is well · known ' to you, but is unknown to your pastor, or ·a t least uot known so ,\•ell; !or how could he be -aequa inted' w'ith e'very indi,·idmil's nianner or life? T.herefore, when yo\( sec· that your neighbor is . becoming• -rich 1,y dishonest business and pr~cticcs, thut he lh·cs in licentiousness and adultery, or that-he trains. a.lid governs.his household negligently ·nnd · carelessly,· )'OU should first admonish him a.nd in a Christian manner warn him, that he mny seek his snlvatiqn nnd nv~id· giving offense. And, 0, what a good and blessed work you have done, if you thus gain -your:brother ! But, alas, who does this? For, in the first place, truth is an. unwelcome ..tliing; ' whoever- speaks tbe truth makes enemiesz; therefore you :would :rather retain your neighbor's favor and friendship, esp13cjally, 'if • he. is rich and powerful, · thap to anger' hiin o.nd make him your enemy. So if. the other ·neighbor does the same, nnd the ~hird and fourtJ1 also; the first admonition fails, and wits it the second .and third !lls"o; by which your .µcighbor might have been ~red to the right way, if you bo.d ,only _by.• ad-. monishing hitn, done. -what- was; your duty.'' .
Teaching a Minister. Shortly after the Will', a party o:f friends were _spending an e,•ening at the house of General Lee in Richmond. Dlll'i,ng the conversation a minister spoke in very bitter words about ce1:tain people as liateful enemies. Gencrnl Lee spoke of these persons in · d. conciliutory manner anu soon t urned the conversation inlo other channel . . . J>rescutly the minister got up to go, and General Lee followed him out to the door and said to him y~ry eam estly: 'Doctor, there is a goou old book ,yltich I rend, and you JH'each from, which says, ~Love yQur_enemies, bless lhem that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for' them which despitefully use you and persecute you.' Do )'.OU think your remarks this evening were quite in the spirit of thnt tenching ?" The Doctor made some apology for the bitterness which he hnd expressed, and thanked his Christian friend· for his kind words of reproof.
Qad Barga\l}s. · A teacher asked bis scholars if any recollected an instnnce in Scripture of a bad bnrgain. {'! do," replied n boy; "Esau made 11 bnd bnr: gain when he sold his bfrthrighb for a mess of p.ott-nge.'' ~ seconcl snid, '.' Judas mnde a bad bargain when he l[lold .his Lord for thi_!ty pieces of silver." A tl)ird boy observed, "Our Lord tells us that he makes a bnd bargain who, to gain the whole· ~\:or,l_d1 loses his own soul.'' A bad bargain indeed !
~o Fea~ of, :Qeath. - "Knowest thou not," said Luther oo. De.a th,. the King of Terrors,. "that thou didst dev9.ur the Lord Clirist, but ,vast obliged to.give Him back, ana w~st then thyself devoured bf Him? So thou must leave me unclevoure~,. ~ecaus.e , I abide in _Him, and live and suffer for His name's sake. Men may send me out Q{ the world, -for that I .cai;e not,- but I sha~l not QI} that account . nbide in death ; I shQ.11 live . with ~y Lord Christ, for J know and be\ie".e that He liveth." · THE devil always finds logic with which to convince his ,followers. - 'Walter . Scott.
The Lutheran Pioneer. NOTES. -STATISTICS OF Oun COLORED MISSIONS. - F rom the S taU.stical Year Book of the Missouri Synod, recently issued, we take the following statistics of our missions among the colored people for the year 1907 : There are 30 mission stations - 20 in Nor th Carolina, 5 in Louisiana, 3 in Virginia, 1 in Illinois, and 1 in Missouri. At the close of the year 32 laborers were at work in this mission fielcl 10 white pasoors and professors, 4 colored pastors, 6 white ancl 7 colored teachers, 3 white stuclen ts as assistants, ancl 2 ·colored lady teachers. The mission numbered 1908 souls, 845 com.nrnuicant members, and 228 voting members. 1386 children attended the parochial schools. I mmanuel Coliege at Greensboro, N . C., with 4 professors ancl 1 assistant teacher, hacl an enrollment of '74 students, 3 of them studying for the ministry ; Luther College at New Orleans, with 4 professors, was attended by 48 students, 4 of them preparing ;for the ministry. Duri ng the year, $30,917.91 were received for the mission treasury, the colorecl congregations contributing $1883.55. . MEnEnRIN, VA. - Our mission station at Meherri11, Va., is still vacant. The people, to their great joy~ are regularly supplied with preaching twice a month by the professors of Immanuel College in Greensboro. The Sunday school is kept up by the members of the congregation, Qoth young and old attending the instructions in Catechism and Bible History. Their earnest prayer is soon to have a resident pastor to take charge of church and school. HEATHEN MISSIONS AT Hoirn. ..__ Speaking about "heathen missions at home," an aged pastor, "a fri end of all mission work," ,vrites: "Whatever we may do for the heathen abroad, we dare not overloo~ the needy millions of colored people at qome; who have come out of the house of bondag'3 as Israel of olcl, demoralized and sorely in need of the up~ifting hand and saving me.rcy of Christ." A NOBLE CONFESSION: -=- Our Lutheran brethren in Australia doing :a .biassed mission work f\IDOng tb.e native· ·bladks ·on· the western . coast of that continent. It. is often difficult to. keep the blnc,:ks at the mission station: Recently, when many left, one of tbetn staye~ n.nd declared himself willing to work through ~be. ha"est for . Jess· than the missionary bad offered. He nobly said- to the -mis-
:are:
39
sionary : "I am not here to make money, I am here lo.learn to know my Savior. I love my Savior and I do not work i or an ear thly master only, but I like to please my Savior, even if you do not sec m~. )Ioriey cannot make me happy, for we soon must die. I like going to school because there I learn f;o read my Savior's Word." . ·coRRECT. - A. Bishop of the A. :M. E. Church writes : ·"What our people riced above· all else is simple, solid instruction in the Holy Scriptures." Correct! However, that simple, solicl ·"instruction is given them not in the noisy revival meetings ancl wild camp meetings of the A. M. E. Church, but in the steady, patient teaching of Bible and Catechism in our Lutheran schools and in the sound doctrinal preaching of God's Word in our Lutheran churches. PRAISE FOR MISSIONARIES. - The late Robert Louis Stevenson, the famous English writer, after having come in close personal contact with the missionar ies in the South Seas, and having daily watched his own Samoan·s trained under missionary influence, wrote.: ''I conceived a great prejudice against m1ssions in the South Seas, and had no sooner come there than that prejudice was first reduced, and then at last annihilated. Those who, debate against missions have only one thing to do, to come and see them on the spot. They will see a great deal of good done; they will see a -race being forwarded in m·a ny different directions, and I believe, if they· be honest persons, they will cease to co~plain of mi~sion work and its effect." A MISSIONARY CHURCH. - Says an excbange: " A church in Kansas is enjoyit;ig the blessing of being a missionary churcli~ A few years ago it ,vas not at all prosperous and gave very little for missions. But it is now supporting its · own · mission in India and another among the c<1lored people of the South.. It also has a local mission which it maintains, •and •h aving thus become a missionary church, it is now growing .a)!d prosperous." Taking an active interest in m.ission\vork will not make a 'congregation poor and will not hinder its growth1 but will give new life and strength. SAD CONDITION OP wOMEN -IN INDIA.. - Speaking of the sad con.dition of 'heathen women in India, a Il).issionary mites : "If one becomes a widow at five, she must live, the rest of her life in ··suffering. AU,1her-husband's •relatives· and friends curse her,
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The Lutheran Pioneer.
for they belie,•e he died on account of some crime she bad committed. She can eat only one meal in twenty-four hours, and that of coarse food. All her clothing and jewelry are taken from her, a.n d she is the servant of all the household. - The highcaste women of India are' kept in seclusion and ignorance. One has said that the wife 'enters her husband's house never to come out till she is carried out a corpse. They know nothing about what is going on in the outside world, not even ,vhat happens in their own village. The only way these can be reached is by women."
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"A Pu.Y1~ 0 BELL." - It is reported that the bell in a temple in North Chinl!t is being rung without ceasing since the year 1807. The bellringers are paid for their work, and the inhabitants of the ~istrict are paying their bell-tax willingly ; for in their heathen superstition they think that the bell prays for them. They call it the praying bell._
Power of the Printed Truth. The following incident will show how the printed Truth may show its power in other lands : A single tract on the Ten Commandments fell into a Brahmin's hands. He, ,a pagan, taught ethi.cs, but told his followers that this was a better system, and went ,rith them preaching God's Law, having• never seen a m1ss1onary. They soon after got a N cw Testament, and devoured its contents. One day, into a group of discouraged missionaries, the whole company marched, asking pie way of· salvation. When verses were quoted the strangers said : 'fYes, that is in such a chapter and in such -a verse." Had an angel dropped from heaven, the missionaries would hardly have been more surprised than to hear these men, unknown to Christian people, tell what they had read. Th~y all were converted to Christ except their leader, and as a result a mission waa founded. So much for the amazing power of the silent, printed ~th. Dr. Scudder. · ·
False Peace. Any peace that is not based upon the finished work of the Lord Jesus is just peace with Satan, peace in a condemned stat.e, and a peace that will /
land you in hell. You cau. have no peace with God and your sins, too. The · blood that makes me a friend to God makes me a foe to sin. - S elected. BOOK TABLE.
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J AHRouon dcr Dcutschen E v.-Luth. Synodo von :Missouri, Ohio und nndern Stnnten fucr dns J ahr ., 1007. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 35 cts. . This interesting pamphlet brings tho complete statis• ,J tics of t he largr.st Luthern.Jf synod in America.
S TATISTISOHES
gcsnmmelt von Pastor H. Bottma11. Concordia Publishing House, St . Louis, Mo. Price, $2.50 per hundred. A good selection of Germnn n.nd English missionary hymns and prayers. The pnmphlct will prove very helpful for mission services. It contnins 30 German nnd 8 English hymns.
!'llISSIONRF ESTLlEJ)ER,
Acknowledgment. Received for Colored Missio11s from St. Paul's Church, Chnrlotte, N. C., $10.00 ; St. Jo.mes' Church, Southern Pines, N. C., 5.00; Bethlehem Churcl1, l\Ionroc, N . C., 5.00; Mount Zion, New Orleans, La ., 35.00; Bethlehem, New Orleans, Ln., 25.00; St. Paul's Church, Now Orleans, Ln.., 35.00; St. Paul's Church, l\fnnsurn, Ln.., 10.00 ; Grncc Church, Concord, N. C., 10.00; congregation in Nn.poleonville, La., 2.00 ; Calvary Church, Sandy Ridge, N . C., 15.00; Holy Trinity Church, Springfield, Ill., 3.25 ; St . l\Iatthew's Church, Mchcrrin, Va., 12.61; Concordia Church in Rocl,vell, N . C., 5.75; St. John's Church, Salisbury, N. C., 3.50. St. Louis, M:o., April 16, 1008. A. C. BURGDORF, Treas.
]!:vangelical Lutheran Colored Churches. NEW ORLEANS, LA.
St. Paul's Oliapel, 1625 Annette St., nen.r N. Clnibornc St. ;
F. J. Lankena.u, Pastor. Divine Services: Sundn.y, 11 A. ic. and 7.30 P. :ir. ; Wednesda.y, 7.30 P, 11. · Mount Zion Ohurch, Frnnklin nnd Thalia Sts. Divine Services: Sunda.y, 11 A. M. n.nd 7.30 P . 1c. ; Thursday, 1:30 P. ll. . • Bethlcl&cm Ohapel, Washington Ave. n.nd Dryades St.; G. M:. Krn.mer, Pnstor. Divine Services : Sunday, 10 A. ll. nnd 7.30 P . !,[,; Thursday, 7.30 P. H. . SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Ohut·ch; Jo.mes Doswell, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunda.y, 10.30 A , :u. and 8
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TEB.1118: LUTllEBAN PIONEER is published monthly, payable in advaince at the fqllowing rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copy . ............ . ....... $ .25 10 Copies • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • . . 2.00 25 Copies • • • • . • • . . • . . . • .. • • • 5.00 · 50 Copies • . . • • . • • • . . . • • . . • • • 0.00 Club rates only allowed if all copies are to •be sent to one address. - In St. Louis by maif or ca.rrier, 35 cents. All business communications to be addressed to Con• cord.in. Publishing House, Jefferson Ave. and Miami ·st., St. Louis, Mo. All communications concerning tho editorial depart•1nent to be addressed to Prof. R. A. B1soaon, Conover, Catawba Co., N. C. · TnE
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P unLISHED nY TJIE EvA..~GELI CAL LUTFIERAN SYNODICAL CoNFERENCE o r N ORTH AMERICA.
n. A. DISCJIOFF, Editor. Entered nL Lho PosLomco nt St. Louis. :Uo., ns sccond-clnss mnttor.
Vol. XXX.
St. Louis, M _o ., June, 1908. The Day of Pentecost.
Let songs o{ praises fill the sl..-y: Christ, our ascended Lord, Sends down His Spir it from on higl1, According to His Wor d. All linil t he dn.y of Pentecost, The coming of the Holy Ghost I The Spirit, by His hen.v'nly brcn.th, Creates new life within ; He quickens sinners from the den.th Of t respasses nnd sin. All hail t he dn.y of Pentecost, The coming of t he Holy Ghost I T. Oottcrill.
,Pentecost. The word P entecost means the fiftieth. On the fiftieth day af ter the feast of Passover the Pentecost festival was celebrated in the· Old Testament as "the feast of harvest." In the New Testament, Pentecost comes on the fiftieth day after Easter and is celebrated in commemoration of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, which occurred fifty days after the resurrection of Christ. Our Pen·tecost, therefore, is the festival of the Holy Ghost,,who is still active in the spiritual harvest, the harvest of souls. It is He that brings sinners to faith in Christ and His salvation, and thus gathers the Church of Christ here on earth. We conf~ss in our Catechism : "I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit hath called me through the Gospel, enlight;. ened me by H is gifts, and sanctified and p;reserved me in the true faith." We so confess, becaµse the ~ible so teaches. The Bible tells us that man. by nature is "dead in trespasses and sin." It is the
No. 6.
Spirit that brings man to ~piritual life. The Bible tells us that ma_n is "flesh born of flesh," and that this flesh is "enmity against God.", It is the Spirit that regenerates man and makes him a child of God. The Bible says: "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of .God; for they are fool-. ishness unto him; neither can he know them, becalll!e they are spiritually discerned.11 • It is the Spirit that opens our eyes to see. and our ea.rs to hear and our hearts to understand apd to trust in the wonderful things which our Savior has qone for us. The Bible says : "No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost." It is the Spirit that brings us to -faith in Jesus, so that we confess Jesus as our Lord and acknowledge ourselves His servants and seek His glory alone. The Holy Spirit does His work through the Word of God, which we read in the Bible, which we hear in the preaching of the Gospel, and which we see connected with certain signs in the Sacraments. This Word of God is the means in which the Holy Spirit comes to us, and by which He works in our hearts. He that. despises and rejects God's Word thereby despises and rejects the Holy Spirit and will not come to faith; for "faith cometh by hea:ring~ and hearing by the· Word of God.11 Therefore Pentecost calls upon us to be diligent in the use of God's Word for our salvation. It reminds us to be diligent also in bringing God's Word to those who still sit in the darkness of sin and know not the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. God's Word is the means by which the Holy Spirii is brought to them to give them light and life and salvation. By spreading God's Word we spread the blessings of Pentecost over & rained world. Christians can have no more imP.>rtant work to do•.
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The Lutheran Pioneer. Justification Before God.
·{A paper read before Immanuel Lutheran Conference, nnd published by its request. )
III. We become righteous b?J the obedience of Christ, in wliom God lias justified the 1uorld.
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." We are not, however, to think of t he. blood, of the death, apart :Crom the life, the perfect life H e led. The Bible itself, in speaking of Christ's suffering, nt various places lends us to ponder on t he fact that the person suffering and dying is a sinless one. Thus, 1 P ct. 3, 18: "F or Christ a)so hath once suffered for sins, the J ust for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." Likewise Isaiah, describing the "Man of sorrows," not only tells us that ''He is brought as a lamb to the slaugh ter," but also points out that "He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth." When I state that we are justified by the obedience of Christ, I am · thinking of H is obedience from the beginning of His life on earth to His death on the cross. The obedience of Christ was vicarious, in our stead. When some people proclaim that ChJ:ist sufi ered and died for us, they mean to say that Christ did this for our good, on our behalf, so that it was for our benefit; they do not, however, mean to say that H e did this as our Substitute. But according to Christ and the Bible He died for our good by dying in our stead. When Christ declared that He came to give His life "a ranso~ for many," that "for" means " in the stead of." St. Paul says 2 Cor. 5, 14: ''We thus judge, that if one died for all, then· were all dead." Isaiah proclaims: ''But He was wounded for our transgressions, He ,vas bruised for our iniquities: . the chastis~ment of our pence was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iuiquity of us all," Is. 53, 5. 6. "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world," John 1, 29. The purpose of God in laying all our sins upon Christ was not only to free us from the punishment of our sins, but to remove .our guilt. In other words, mark well, our sins ,vere laid upon Christ, and not merely the penalty of sin. If our sins were transferre,d to. Christ, then we no more stand before .God sinners deserving condemnation. That God so wishes µs to understand. and believe this transfer is seen from 2 Cor. 5, 21: "He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteous~ess of. God in Him." J. Px. S.
2.-Christ lived the life He did and clied the death He did to redeem us, that is to say, to free us by paying the ransom, the requisite price of our liberty. No mere man could do this, no matter how great his wealth, as we read of the rich in Ps. 49, 7: "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." The redemption of man's soul is too precious for mere man to purchase release. The Son of God became man, that He; tbe God-man, might.do what was not possible for other men to do, ns He says Matt. ·20, 28 : "Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His -life a ransom for many." The word "many" draws our attention to tbe fact that the one life of Christ · •is given for· a large number, but it does not mean that any man is excluded; for St. Paul says· of Christ 1 Tim. 2, 6 : "Who gave Himself a ransom for all." For this purpose He gave Himself, His whole life-,vork, and life itself. We read in Gal. 4, 4. 5 : "But when the fullness of the time was come, ·God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were 1mder the Law, that we might receive the adoption of ·sons." Not with the agony in the garden, not with the baptism of Christ, did the work of redemption ~egin, but with His very conceptio~; for; according to the words just quoted, to buy off from under the Law those who were under it, Christ, the Son of God, was made to be of a woman and was made to be under the Law. While it is true that the work of redemption began with the v.ery first beginning of Christ's life on earth, it is also true, I think, that the Scriptures generally, 'when speaking of redemption; state that we were redeemed, reconciled, by the cross, by the blood, by the death of Christ. This is not difficult to understand. It is especially in His great passion on the cross, in the shedding of His blood, in His dying, that we see to what degree He loved us and how much our redemption cost Him; it is this part of His life that especially arTHE sum and substance of Christian doctrine reata our attention; it is there we behold the per- is !his, that God has sent His Son Jesus Christ, fection of His obedience, as is indicated in Phil. and through Him alone forgives our sµis and jus2, 8,-where St. ~aul says of .Christ that ''He became tifies an4 IJ~v~ lUI, - Lutb,er.
as
The Lutheran Pioneer. Fruits of the Gospel In Mission Lands. Here are a few examples, showing the fruits of the Spirit as they have become manifest in the life of the liberated and redeemed neg1:o slaves in Sierra Leone, upon the western coast of Africa. Before thcfr conversion the natives were addicted to all vices. Among other things they were the most inveterate thieves. The honesty and thorough reliability of the converted arc the most convincing evidences of the transforming power of the Gospel of Christ. One day, while Missionary Jansen was absent, the mission house took :fire. The members of the congregation had succeeded in rescuing and car rying away all its contents, but afterwards, when everything was brought together, not even the smallest article was missed. The box that served as the treasmy had fallen into the hands of one of the boys. He had taken his position in the yard and, sword in hand, was protecting .his charge. T hese n atives wcl'C notoriously lazy. 'l'be fruits of the Go pel appeared in their diligence and industry. T heil- houses and gardens were kept in the best of order. Those who had leamed to read would often use their leisure moments in reading their Bibles to their neighbors. Others, would render such ser vices in the homes of the sick, the aged, the indifferent and wayward. The homes of the natives, too, bore many evi. deuces of the hallowed influence of the Gospel of pence. One of the negroes was asked how be got on with his wife, and he replied: "Sometimes I say a word that does not please my wife, or my wife does something that displeases me. But when we are in danger of quarreling, we join hands, ·1ock the door and pray, and then we have peace again." Formerly these people ~ere so insubordinate and riotous that the· militaTy could scarcely hold them in check. Af ter ·their conversion their docility and 1·eadiness to obey and be led were most striking. When the Iiegro- regimen,ts of the West Indies were disbanded and sent b~ck to Sierra .Leone, the members of the congregation ·at Regent took a peculiar and intense interest in: their coming. Many a one who · had once upon a time fallen into the hands ol slave-hlmt ers and been carried •away into slavery hoped to :find some friend or relative among these returning exiles. This was the one topic of conversation throughout the community when, in the evening, the news was · bro'1ght that the troop~ would land the next morning. The attendance at morning prayer in the.-~hurch was larg~r th~ usual.
43.
The missionary referred to the temptations into which one is liable to iall, and in his prayer expressed the hope that no one might go to Freetown to-day lest he receive injury to bis soul, much as he approved of and sympathized with tlie feelings of the people. After the ser vice an aged Christian cnme to him and said that his brother was among the soldiers. "Auel you would like to see him ?" answered the missionary. "Yes, Massa; but to-day I will not go." "But," continued the missionary, "I must send some one to F reetown to-day, if you, can find another church member who would like to go along I will send you both." · . ' About two hours later he came again and said: "Massa, I find no one who wants to go along. All the people say : 'I will not go where ,God says there is temptation lurking.' " The old man waited two days before he beheld the face of his brother.
Only Three Steps. 'l'here was n boy who was rather simple-minded, having only little worldly wisdom, but who had been taught by the Spirit a knowledge above all human wisdom. A friend wishing to :find out whether pe had any ideas on the subject of religion, said to him one day, "It is hard work, is it· not, to get to heaven?" He was surprised to receive from the boy the answer, "No; it is easy. There are only three steps - fi:rst, out of self; second, into Christ; third, into heaven."
A ·Blessed Son. :A wealthy merchant who was entertaining one of his friends showed him through bis house and home, pointing out to him his great riches, his many comforts, barns, stables, .and the like. kfter his friend had seen all these things, and declaµ-ed him to be exceedingly ''lucky;" the mer9hant ·said: "All these things do not bestow blessings upon me !1llCl mine, but another room to which I will now lead you." Thereupon he took him to a small room which be had prepared especially for his aged and devout mother, a godly and prayeµul woman: "This," said he, "is the place from which blessings flow over rue and my whole house, for the prayer of the righteous availeth much."
The Lutheran Pioneer. New 'Orleans News. It will undouotedly interest the readers of the to learn that thanks to the liberal contributions of the pupils of our Northern parochial schools, nnd of the many friends of our mission work among the colored population of the South, our sorely-needed school building and chapel at Napoleonville, La., is now completed. The building, which is 65X30Xl4 feet, contains two spacious rooms; one of these is to accommodate the many PIONEER
to bestow upon them H is blessings, forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation. 'rhe speaker, moreover, impressed it on the miucls of the hearers that ,Cluist desires also the adults and grown up to come to Him, and that all therefore should make use of the opportmtlty, and hear the Word of Goc1 which will be taught to their children as well as to them in this new building. The closest attention was given the speaker throughout his entire sermon. At the evening service the room was crowded to its utmost capacity, and many, finding no room
Color~d Lutheran Chapel and Sohool at Napoleonville, La.
pupils who wish to receive Christian instruction, within, were 9bliged to remain outside. The underand the other is to serve as a chapel. The school signed preached on Pe. 34, 5, pointing out to his has an excelient site, and the large playgrounds will hearers the blessedness of those who are d,vellers in be especially welcome to the schoolboys. the house of God, and the wretchedness of those who The school was dedicated on Sunday after Easter cannot or will not hear the Word of God. Unfortuby the 'Rev. G. Kramer of the Bethlehem congrega- nately, the new benches were not yet finished, and tion in New Orleans.· At the morning service there the audience could be accommodated only with •were about 70 present, mainly children who attend school desks, many of which were certainly· not inour school, and their fine singing of our beautiful tended for adults. 'However, after the next service Lutheran hymns helped not a little to make the the new benches will be finis~ed, and those who atservice an edifying OJ?,e. In his brief but pithy and tend our services will find more comfortable seats. hearty discourse on the words of the Savior: "Suf- , May the Lord continue to liless our labors in fer little children to come unto me," etc., Pastor Napoleonville; for this is, indeed, a very promising Kramer made it clear to his· hearers how anxious "D}ission field. Under the care of Mr. Eberhard the Christ is to have aU children come to Him~ in order school has been doing nicely, it having an enrollI
The Lutheran Pioneer. ment of 85 pupi1s. Mr. Eberhard is working with great success and is highly esteemed by both young and old. Rev. E . Schmidt , of Seymour, Ind., has accepted a call t o Napoleonville, and, so we learn, hns ai rcady entered · ihis impor tant rniss~on ~eld. M3:y Gocl's blessings rest upon him and his work I · Since the end of the school year is drawing near, we migh t here add a few words concerning o~ college. Luther College has by God's grace enjoyed an.other year of llrosperiiy. T Juough its lnstrumentality eight new members were addccl to· our local congregations. 'l'he· following are the _names of the studen ts who were confir med in, and became members oI, our churches : G. Demonc, :J. Downsier, Walter F ernandez (St. Paul's) ; Adeline" Winn, Sedonia Rober ts, Louis Andersen (Mount Zion); Samuel Ware, Maud Ware (Bethlel1em). May they, ever rema.i11 faithful to Cln-ist,. their Savior, and to H is Church, and in the end obtain the. crown' of life. · . . Because of the manifold duties as teac;hers of St. Paul's School Messrs. Seeberry' and Wiley were obliged to discontinue their theological !itudies: Our this year·s enrollment sliows 50 students: Theo; logical 3, Special _l, Normal 9, Preparatory 37. One pf om: sL1:1den ts will be gra~uated as teaclier, the fourth gmduate :from Luther College. . The _students 'are busily preparing themseh;e~ fo~ their commencement exercises to be held a.t the- end of June. The usual catalogues of, Luthe_r College have -been published, and will be gladly forwarc;led to all who d_e~ sire them. J. M.
A Brave Indian. Chief. The late Bishop Whipple, who labored many years. among the Indians, ·relates the following.: . . One day · rui India~ cam~ to a. missionary and sa{d, ~'I ' ¥no,". this religion i~ .true. The men who have walked in.this new trail are better and happier. But I iiave always been a warrior, and my hands full 'of blood. Could I .be a. Christian?" The niissionnry repeated the story of God's love. To test the n:ian, ·he said, "May I .c ut your hair?" · · The Indian wears his scalp lock for bis enemy. When it is cut, it is a. sign that he will never go on the ,va.rpath again. The ma.n said, "Yes, you may cut it: I shall throw my ord life a.way." It was •cut: .He started ·for home, and, met some wild ·J iidians, who shouted, ''Yesterd'ay- you were a. war- · rior, to-day you are a. squaw." · .,·
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It stung the man to madness, and he rushed to his home aud threw himself on the floor and burst into tears. His wiie was a Christian, and came and put her arms about bis neck, and said, ''Yesterday there was not 11 man in the world who dared call you a coward. · Can't you be as brave for Him who died for you as you were to kill the Sioux?" He sprang to his feet and said, ''I can, and I will." · I ha.Ye kn own many brave, fearless servants of Christ, but I never knew one_braver than this chief.
True Riches. . There is _a story of a~ ungodly rich mari who took a friend to the roof of his house to show him th~ extent of his possessions. Wa.ving bis band a!Jout, he proudly said, "There is my estate." Pointing to a gi·ea~ distance on one side, be said, "Do you see that ·big farm? _Well, that is mine." Pointing to t;he otJ1er side, he, said, "Do you see that forge house in .the oeau~ful grove? . That also belongs to me.:'' · . In turn, his friend now·,asked, ''Do you see that little village Qut y9n,der? Well, there lives a poor wqman in . that village who .ca;n say more tlian all ' this." · . : . "Ah I·· what ca.n she say?" ''Why, she can .say: 'Christ is mine I'" was the f~iend's· reply. · · . Th~ poor woman ,fas the richer of the two; for she w:as one of God's poor, rich in faith. . ·were I possessor' of tl1e ea~tli And called the world my own, "!ithout the Savior and Hi!' gra~ I• were a. wretch undone. ·
Come to Jesus l Our conscience can never be satisfied and quieted with wor1's. · Though it should ·be rid of one sin, there will soon be another· one. Yea, the very medicine of· works which • men apply :frequently turns into sin. Whosoever~ then, has a. contrite, burdened conscience, being afraid of sin a.nd den.th; and finding no· good in him~lf, l~t ~ come to J ~ ~d confess bis need and call upon Him; He will surely deliver ·h im. ·.As it is written in the Psalm (50, 15) : "Cali upon in the da.y of trouble: °I will .deliver thee; and.thou• shalt glorify -me." -Luthsr. '
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The Lutheran Pioneer. Love Your Enemies I
A colored man in the West Indies, called Caesar by his mnster, had gained his freedom and had also become a Christian. By his faithlul sen1 ice he had won the entire confidence of his master, who took him along to the slave market to help select the strongest and most usei"\ll workmen. They bad already secured their numoer, when Caesar yet discovered an old worn-out man, and at once asked his mnster to buy him too. The master wondered why. "0 mnssa," said Caesar, "you must have him_.'~ At last the master consented and bought the old man. , Soon afterward the old man took sick, and Caesar nursed him as a loving child would nurse its parent; he waited oi;,. him, washed him, fed him, nod was with him every spare moment. Of course, e\Tery one soon noticed this, and the master also observed it. He therefore asked Caesar, ''What is the old man to you? You care for him so tenderly. Is he perhaps your father?" "No, massa, be is not my father," said Caesar. " Is be perhaps some other relative?" "No, massa, he is no relative." "Is he your friend?" "No, massa, he is not my friend." "But who, th~, is he?" asked the master again. Tears were now seen in Caesar's eyes a~ he said : "He is my enemy. When I was yet .a child, this man tore me from father and mother, sister and brother, from country and home, and sold me into slavery. But I have rend in God's Word, 'If thy enemy hunger, feed him; if he "thirst, give him to drink.'"
The Worih of a Good llother. It is as· strange as it is true, that a vast number of young people, having good mothers - excellent Christian mothers - do not half appreciate the real worth of them. Many a young man o,yes his success in life to the prayers and molding influence of his godly mother; and he ought to be very ~hankful to God for such a mother and prize her very highly.- A certain chaplain related this story some years ago: It was just after the battle of Williamsburg, where hundreds of brave men had fallen, never to bear arms again, that & soldier came to my tent, and said, "Chaplain, one of your own boys is badly wounded, and wants to see you right away." Hnr-
ricdly following the soldier, I was taken to the hospi tnl, noel iound, on a bed, a fine-looking young man, pale and blood-stained from a wound above the temple. I saw at a glance that he had but a few hours to live on earth. 'l'aking his hand, I said to him, ''Well, my brother, what can I clo ior you?" 'J.'he dying soldier looked up in my :face and, placing his fingei· where his hair was stained with blood, said, "Chaplain, cut a big lock, :from here, for mother ; for mothe1·, miuc1, chaplain." I hesitated to qisfigure him so. He said, "Don' t be afraid, chaplain, it's for mother, and nobody wi ll see me in the dead-house to-morrow. Now, chaplain," said the dying man, "I want you to lrneel down by me, and return thanks t o God." "For what?" I asked. "For giving me such a mother. 0 chaplain, she is a good mother; she taught me to look to Jesus; her teachings _comfort and console me now. And, chaplain, thank Goel that by His gi·ace I ain a Christian. Oh I what should I.do if I were not a Christian ? I kno,v that my Redeemer Jiveth. His finished work has saved me. And, chaplain, thank God for giving ~e dying grace.'' I knelt by the dying man, and thanked God for the blessings He had bestowed on him - the gift or a good mother, a believer's hope, and dying grnce to bear testimony to God's faithfulness. Shortly after the prayer, he said, " Good-bye,' chaplain. I:f you ever see mother, tel1 her it was all well.'' That young man had a large appreciation of the worth of a -good mother, ar{d thankfully 1·ecognized her blessed influence in leading him to accept her God as bis God, even unto death.
God's Providence. 'l'he Iiev. T. Charles, who was ~ell known as a pious and useful minister in Wales, once had .a remarkable escape from d~ath. In one of his journeys to Liverpool his saddlebag was, by misbl'ke, put into a boat different from that in which he intended to go, which made it necessary ·to change his boat, even after he had taken bis seat. By this ~hange, so contrary to his intentions, he was graciously preserved; for the boat in which he meant to sail .was lost, and all its passengers were drowned.
l"J; is an art above all human arts that a man sl_lould have the grace t~uly to acknowledge himself a sinner, and ye~ grasp the grace of God, in spite of His wrath. - Luther.
The Lutheran Pioneer. Items from North Carolina. On Easter Monday the missionaries of North Carolina met in Salisbury .for the purpose of •making some recommendations to t he 1'fission Boa;cl and to agree upon plans 1·elative to missionary activity for the summer. The main point discm~sed was tha.t of summer schools. We Lutherans make it our aim to feed the lambs .of Cluist as well as the sheep. We believe that for accomplishing this aim nothing equals our parochial schools. Therefore . the Lu theran church and her school have always been one and inseparable. I n North Carolina our missionaries have so many stations to see after that it is impossible to holcl school at all of them during the win ter. Therefore in the summer we try to gather t he little lambs together for two months to feed them with God's Word and instruct them therein, that they, too, may grow in the faith and knowledge of Christ, their Savior. Since the founding of Immanuel Co11ege, her students have been of great help to the missionaries in gathering and training the children of our rural stations in the Catechism, in singing, Bible history, and in other branches of useful knowledge. May the Lord add His, blessing to thei! l.abors again this y~ar I • · The following assignments were recommended to the Board, and, God willing, the teachers and schools will be as follows: Mr. John Alston_ at Southern Pines, N. C. ; Mr. Fred Ford at St. Peter's; Mr: w m Hill at l\filfer's Chapel; Mr. Chas~ Play at Gold H ill ; Teacher Buntrock at Elon College; Teacher Reid at H igh Point; Teacher Carter at Sandy Ridge ; Miss B. Sutton at Rocks; Miss E. Johnston at Catawba. Now let the members and parents cooperate. Make these schools successful by sending your children early and regularly. The congregation at Salisbury is doing well. _The people and pastor appreciate their new church. On Easter Monday night a good audience listened eagerly to Rev. McDavid, of Charlotte, as he proclaimed the benefits of the Savior's resurrection. The choir under the direction of Miss Johnston, last year's graduate of Immanuel College and pres_ent teacher in Salisbury, rendered som~ excellent music. . On the Su~day ~fter :m.as.t er Mr. Baumhoefener, theological student of St. Louis, occupied the pulpit .~or Jlev. Sc}lmidt .of .Copc9rd. A goodly gatnering greeted him.
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Word has been received that Prof. Bakke is on the sick list. Wc hope that the Lord will grant this faithful servant of His a speedy recovery. By the time this is in _the _hands of our readers commencement of Immanuel College will be on. Let all who can go there. Special children's services will be held in the month of J une as follows : June 14th, at :Mount Pleasant; J une 7tb, at Charlotte; June 28th, at Gold Hill. Brother Lash, of Salisbury, is planning to have his Harvest Festhral on July· 12. We hope for these brethren abundant success, and may much good be done for the church of our Redeemer! S. D. , A Dutiful Son. George Washington, the first President of the United States, and one of her most honored citizens, had determined in his youth to become a sea captain. The ship to which he had engaged•himself had anchored near his home. Everything was ready, a small boat had come to the sq.ore to carry him aboard, his trunk had been borne to it; he had yet to bid his ~other farewell. Whilst doing so, he saw the,tears silently rolling down.her cheeks, and, although she had not positively forbidden him to go, he•felt that posi;ibly the sorro,v of that moment" would continue to stay with his mother after his departure. Without speaking a word, he hastily ·turned to tbe servant and said : "Go and tell them to bring back my trunk. I will not go away and ~reak my· mother's heart." The mother gazed on him for a while in astonishment, and then said, "George, God has promised to bless those children who honor their parents; I believe that He will also bless you."
Christ and His Gospel. Even as the sun in rising fills the world with his light, so that moon and stars are no longer seen or appreciated, thus all learned, wise, and holy men must yield to Christ and testify that He alone is the true Light that enlightens all men. Likewise, the sweet sound and music of the Gospel of 0hrist should so charm our ears that henceforth, in our whole life and all our doings, this· Word should reign supreme through faith so that we sho1¥d not know· of any other comfort, righteousness, or salvation. - Luther.
_T he Lutheran ~ioneer. BOOK TABLE . .
B~autlful Table Customs. Quite recently, says a traveler, I ,visited a Ger.man widow living in a delightful. country seat, with a little son of eight and a ,daughter of five. As we ·sat down to the well-spread table, .t he little boy, .folding his hands and closing his eyes, thanked our Father in heaven for the food before us, and asked Him to bless it. Then the little girl, in childish accents, prayed : "Come, Lord Jesus, be Tbou our guest, .And let tbis meal to us be blest."
DIE
!CINDER, By Rav. R. Miessler. Concordia. Publisbing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 35 cts. 01\ tbo basis.of Holy Scriptm e, and with rcfercnco to oitr time and country, this pamphlet of 144 pages very clearly sets forth the duty of Christian parents t own.rd their cbildrcn - n. very timely subject nnd all-important for the welfare of the family, tbc church, a nd the stntc. P.FLICllT CURISTLCCITER ELTEBN GEGEN IIIRE
SYNOD,\LBEBICHi' DES l\:IJTTLEREN DrsTnmTs. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 12 cts. This Synodical Report conta.ins a n instmctivc and cdi• fying treatise .'?ll tbc Spiritunl Life of the Christia ns.
DES WESTLICHEN DISTRlKTS. Concordia From the devout manner of the little ones it could SYlS"OD,\LDERlcnT Publisbing· House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 10 cts. be se~n that they were taught by their pious motlier This p1tmphlet brings_ the conclusion of an excellent to think whom they were addressing in their prayers. doctrinal paper on the Trinity of God. · In some families I found the beautiful custom of joining in the Cr~ed and the' Lord's Prayer at Acknowledgment. breakfast, and in one that we often visited last for. Oolorad Mi8sio11s from Bethlehem Church, summer the twenty-third Psalm was aJso recited on NewReceived Orleans, La.., $25.00; Mount Zion Church, New Or• ·sunday. For a Sunday morning, after a week ·of leans, La., 35.00; St. Paul's Church, New Orleans, La., 35.00; St. Paul's Clmrcb, l\fansurn, L a ., 10.00; Grace, pleno/ and joy, what can be more suitable? -Churcb, Concord, N. C., 10.00; conrrregntion in Napoleon•
A .Missionary's Passion. for Souls. · David Brainerd, the well-known, faithful missionary, wrote: , . ''I car'~d not where or how I lived, or wha't·hardships I went through, so that I could but gain: souls io Christ. While I was asleep, I dreamed of these things; and when I wakec;l, the first thing I thought of was this great work. I longed t.o be a flame of .fire continually glowing in the service of God, and building up Christ's kingdom to my latest, my dying moments." ·
Thy Wlll Be Done. A father bad a lovely son, who w.as lying dangerously ill with brain fever! In his great grief and agony he clung to his child, crying ·o ut t.o tlie Lord, "Oh, I cannot give him up, my darling I I cannot let Thee have him !" The father's desire was granted. The child recovered, but ·the disease had so seriously affected its brain ~at its reason was gone. . · It is no light matter for a Christian parent,, .when ·a dear child is prostrated upon a bed of sickness and possibly death, t.o bow submissively and ~y, · "Lord, Thy will be done I" The necessary strength can come alone from Him who says: "My grace is sufficient for thee." - B,p!
ville, La., 20.00; Immnnuel's. Churci1 in Greensboro, N. C., 25.00 and 24.00; St. Paul's Church, Charlotte, N . C., 5.00; St. James' Church, Southern Pines, N. C., 3.00; Mount Zion Church, l\:foyersville, N. C., 2.00 ; Concord in. Church, ·Rocl..-well, N. C., 1.80; St. John's Church, Snlisbury, N. C., 3.75; Holy Trinity Church, Springfield, Ill., 0.25; St. Matthew's Churcb, Meherrin; Va., 4.08. St. Louis, Mo., May 10, 1908. • . . .A. b. BunooonF, · Treas .
EvangAlical Luth~ra-n Polored Churches. !=r.
NEW ORLEANS; LA.
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St. Paul's Olt~!Jl, 1625 Annette St., near N. ci~iborne St.;
F. J. Laiilfonau, Pastor. Divin'4!Services: Sunday, 11 A. u. and 7 .30 P. -it.; Wednes~, 7.~o P. u. . . Mount Zion Ohuroli, Franklin and Thalia Sts. · Divine Services: Sundn.y, 11 A. u. and 7.30 P , 11•.; Thursday, 7.30 P. u. . Bemlehem Chapel, Washington Ave. and Dryades St.; G. M. Kramer, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 10 A. 11. and 7.30 P. u.; Thursday, 7.30 P. u. .. SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Church; James Doswell, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A, u . and 8 P. ~ .
·TERMS: THE LUTJIEBAN PIONEEB is published monthly, payable in ad111mce nt the following rntes, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copy ••••••••••••••••••••• $ .25 . 10 Copies • : • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • 2.00 25 Copies • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • 5.00 50 Copies • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • 9.00 · Club rates only allowed if nll copies nre to be sent to pne nddresa. - In St. Louis by maif or carrier, 35 cent.. All business communications to be nddressed to Con• corilia Publishing House; Jefferson Ave. nnd Mio.mi St., St. Louis; ,Mo. All communications concerning the editorinl department to be nddresaed to Prof. R. A. Bxsouon, Conover, Cat_awba Co., N. C.
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atht Juthtran A
MISSIONARY
MONTHJ-JY,
P u nLISRF.o B\" THE EvANGEL~CAL LuTHERA.i."'l SYNODICAL Cm,'FERENCE OF NoRTH
A...'IF.RrCA.
R. ,\.. IlISCllOFF, Editor. Ji:nterccl ut the Post ODlee nt St. Louis , :llo., :is seconcl-cl:iss matter.
St. Louis, Mo., July, 1908.
Vol. XXX. Faith.
" Faith is noL whnt l reel or sec, Jt is a !timplc t rust · ln whaL God in His Wol'd hns sn.icl Of Jes us Chr i11t, 'the J ust.' " \>VhnL Jesus is, nnd thnt alone, Is faith's delightful plea ; Tt looks awny from sinful solf To Rim who cliecl for me. "His death l'cdeemecl me from nil in Ancl from the wrath of God. By faith I stn.nd in Him complete And justified through blond."
No. 7.
His work of redemption. God says in His Word that Jesus Christ tasted death £or every ma~, Hehr. 2 9. By trusting in these words you know that Jesus tasted death also £or you, and by believing you then have redemption and eternal life. God says in His Word that the blood ·of Jesus Christ, His Sou, cleanses us from all sin, 1 John 1, ·7_ By lrnsting i~ these words you know that the blood of ,Tesus cleanses also you from all your sin, and by believing you then have forgiveness of sin and° ever1usting salvation. "Lord, gi"e us such a faith as this, And then, whnte'er ma.y come, We'll tnste, e'en here, the hallowed blisl' or an eternal home."
Believing. ..-\ sailor was hea.l'Cl trying to explain to a shipAmong other tl~ings he said: "Mark you, it isri't" breaking off swearing and the like; it isn't praying nor be-. ing good. Jt is none of these; £or even ·if they would answer for the time to come, there is still the olcl score, ancl how are you to get over that? · Tt is uot anythiug yon have clone or you ·can clo; . 'it is taking hold of what Jesus did for you. There is f-01·giveness ancl salvation because Christ let the waves ancl billows go over Him on Calvary. It is all offered to you in the Gospel~. and it all is yours by believing; and believing is nothing else than taking Goel at His word. 'God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' " . The olcl sailor knew what believing £or, salvanon menus. It means "taking God at His word.'' It means trusting in what Go~ says about Jesus and
Saving the Lost.
mat$! o.f his what is mea!lt by believing.
Clu-ist came that He might save the lost. 'He came not to call the righteous, .)mt sim,e·rs to ·repentance. When a sinner has· come to the end of himseU aud takes the place of one utterly lost, then· God cnu deal witli him iu gmce. "Why did you not rush after your friend when he fell into the water?" was once asked, and the t·eply was: "He· was trying to save himself; if I had gone to him' at first, I could not .have helped him. I wnitecl till he bad come to the end of his owi1 strength, and then I rescued him.'' You under-. stand this. _When a man takes ~s place as · one who is lost, and gives up all bis self-righteousness, and finds himself under sentence of death as a helpless sinner condemned by the holy Law of God, theri he is thankful to be saved by grace. Having no other refuge, he will be glJ?-d to nnd refuge in the Savior of sinners; ·
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The Lutheran Pio1ieer. Justlftcatlon Before God.
us free from comlcmnation, He hu justified us. If God has not justified the world that is to say, dccl;u-cd the whole world free from thei r sins nml righ teou in lli ight, Lhcn we ca nnot say that III. Christ has redecmecl men. Jr a omc sny. Christ We become 1·ightcot1s by tlio obedienc~ of Oht-ist, has only mode it pos ible ror God to forg ive the i11, wliom God has j'llslifiod tli e world. world, if men now clo their share, then lwist has 3. only partly redeeme1l us, anrl men musl work out We ha¥e spoken of the object of Christ's obe- the other portion of retlem plion ; Lhen Christ hns dience, oC the work of redemption. Many persons only pa rt!~• reconcilccl us, aml men mu L do their will confess that Christ has redeemed men, but they pnrt to fini sh the work or reconciliat ion ; then do not realize what this means. To set forth clearly 'hrist hos g iYen part or Uic needed ra n:0111, nnd what Christ has accomplished by R is obeclicuce, we men must fmnish the remainder. say that in Him God has justified the world. This But where rloes , cripl nrc speak of Christ"s work must have been the result of Christ's obedience, in nch a manner ? i~o one has the r ight lo. add unless He failecl in His work of taldng away the the word "partly," when the Bible tcachc. that sin of the world. Scripture expressly teaches that Chri.t has redeemed us, bought u , given Lhc 1·ethe redemption obtained by Christ means forgive- quirecl ra nsom, reconciled 11s to Goel. •ro say that ness. We read of Christ in Eph. 1, 7 : ."In whom God has forgiven or justified the worlel i n Christ we have redemption tluough His blood, the for- i~ bu t another way oi saying that God has accepted giveness of sins." By receiving remission we be- Christ's work of redemption. " c can not give up come righteous. Jeremiah calls Christ " The Lord, the statemen t that God 1111s forgiven or j uslified the Our Right~cmsness," Jer. 23, 6; 33, 16. If Christ's world without at the ame time su rrenderi ng Scripredemption means forgiveness, righteousness, then hll"c's teaching concerning redemption. it means man' s justification; for justification con'l'hro11gh the reel.emption that is fo Christ, for sists in forgiveness. That we were declared just the sake of Christ's ol)edience, Goel :forg ives us, when Christ died is taugl1t i.J,l. Rom. 5, 8-10. That justifies us by grace, without work·. H a person • this justification applies to all men is seen from claims that we must clo some work to move Goel to Rom. 5, 18. 19. We are told in 2 Cor. 5, ·19: "That declare us just, if you wau t Goel to count you r ightGod was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Him- cons on account of your cloings, your obccliencc to self, not imputing their trespasses unto them." the Law, you reject the grace of Goel a.ml clcclarc Not imputing trespasses to the world is justifying that Christ cliecl for naught, as St. P aul a.ys, Gal. the ·world. St. Paul says of Christ, Rom. 4, 25 : 2, 21 : "I do not frustrate the grace o:f Oocl: for "Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised if righteousness co,ne by Law, then 'hri t is dead again for our justification." "For'' means the same in ,,ain." You then reject Christ ancl His redempin both statements., namely, "because o·f," "on ac- tion, as is also taught Gal. 5, ,J: : "Christ is become count of." Because· our sins were laid on Christ, of no effect unto you, whosoever of you arc jm1tifiecl He died; because justice was satisfied, He was set by the Law _ ; ye are fa.Hen from grnce." God forfree, was acquitted, and we in Him. His justifica- gh1es only through Christ, in whom. He has already tion is our justification; for He bore our sins. -forgiven "the world. As He bore the sins of the world, the world was Thanks be unto Goel fo1· His unspeakable gift, declared just, ,vhen Christ was raised agam. for tl1e gift of His Son, our Redeemer, whose blood To deny that God, at the death and resurrection cleanses us from all sin! . J. P n . S. of Christ, has justified the world means to deny that Christ has redeemed, bought free, the world. Not Weary. We were under condemnation on account of capital crimes deserving eternal death. Christ cnme to 'l'he Rev. Dr. Chalmers tells of a man in Gln~free us by paying the price required of God, if He gow whom he went to sec twenty-one times without shoultl declare us free from condenwation, if He being received. But he clicl not grow weary, · and should acquit us and pronounce us righteous. Now, the nexJ; time the dying infidel invited him in beif Christ has succeeded in His mission, if God bas cause he wtintecl to see the man that had grit accepted the ransom, then God has thereby declared enough to stand twenty-one refusals. (A paper rcml lioforc Jmmnnucl Lut hcmn Conlcrcncc, nnd 1mblishcd by its request.)
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,..rhe Lutheran Pioneer. Harms's Mission Ship.
God's Ways.
L'nsl.or Lo uis .Hflr111., t he u11c l11111drcdth a nni'ome yea.rs since, ;i rn1i:srom1ry iu oue of t he versary o! who ·c birlh wu: celebrated on lhe 5th of 1-'C'cjcc Islands heard lhat lhc people of a. neighbor'May or this year determined lo eslahli. h a mi. ion ing town were embracing Christianity. · 'rhe repor t 11111011g I.he heathen, ·oon nflcr laking charge or ~C'crnell incrcclible, inasmuch ag it was not known the f,uthcran congrcgulion at Hermann burg. that a11y missionary 01· other Christian teacher had 'J'wclve you11g 111011 ofl'cnKl themscl\'C, anJ were edu- been among lhem. A messenge1· was dispatchcu to catccl :for Ihe work. I Jarms clc ·led a tribe 011 lhe n certain the facts. 'l'he r eport was .fully confirmed. con t of A fricn as the objects of the mission, but 'J'he secr et of this r emarkable event was this: could n ot [i ncl the men.n s lo scncl the missionaries A short t ime before, a. canoe wa wrecked off the lo that cli tan t lm1Cl. , 'o he r e olvcd to hnxe a ship place, and all on bom·cl perishe.d, except one Chrisbuil t l'or this rcry purpose. H e himself Llrns tells tinn Jacl who swam ashore. According to the custom· the sto ry o t' his mi sion sh ip: · One of the ni lors o( the Jieejeenns at that time, with reference to . aicl lo pm ·\\ hy 110L !rnil<l a ,· hip ·o t hn t you can those who hncl been shipwrecked, the inhabihrn ts send oul as mn11y, and as of'l II as yo u will:· ILwns or t he pince began to make ]l repm·at ions to cook anti a goo1l iclc-a; but wlH•re wa · the 111onc-,r? 'l'hat was nt the boy. ,Just at this juncture a. pagan frie11cl intcrpo:,;cd ancl rescued him. He now concluclcd to a t ime• or ~ rl'at 1·0 1111 i<·L. and I ,,·rcsUcd with Goel. h'o r no one •11e:011ragc•d me; 011 Lire ·onl.rary, even re main with lhcm, and labor for t hei1· cvangeliznt he trn cst fr-i •rHl.: 1111d brethren hinlcd that ] was 1.ion, and the immediate result-, we ha\·c alrcacly not quit e in 111_,• . cnsc:. \\ h •n Uukc ::corgc of i1111i9atccl. " Here," remarks the historian, " is the 'nxony lay on his ucuU,bcrl, and was yet in doubt beginning of a. Christian church, founded by a lo whom he houkl Jicc with his soul, whether to doomed but r escued li'ccjcc boy, who was faithful lite L o rd ,Jc ·u. 'hrist 1111'1 1-1 i dcnr 111crils, or to lo his T.onl nncl :Master; a trne successor o·f aposthe pope anti his good works, n trnsty comtic1· snicl lol ic men, who,. in any age or pince, have done what to hi111 , Your Grncc, struightCorwanl make the lh<'.Y could for .Jesus Christ." hcst n11111 cr.' 'l'hnt wortl had lain fast in my soul. , I hail knocked at men's doors, anll found them Simple Faith~ shut: nncl ~••l the plan was mnni rcslly good aml 'for the glory of God. What wm; lo be done? I wns once cnllcd, says an aged pnstor, to attend Straig htfo rward makes t he be. t rnnncr. [ pmycd t he dying-bell or a. young woman. In answer to my fcn·cntly lo Ure I.orll, lald t he matter in Bis hands, inquiries she replied, "I have little to relate as to and us 1 ro:e up at midnight Crom my knees, l said my experience. I have been much tried a111l with a rni c:c t hat almost startled me in the quiet tempted; but this is my sheet-anchor: Jesus h1Lc; room: J1'orward now in Gocl'i, n11111e ! From that said, 'Him. that cometh to me I will in no wise cast moment there never came n thought of doubt into oul.' I know I have come to Him, and I am sure my mincl." Re will be as good as His word. Poor and un'l'he ship was buil t, ancl Hm·ms nnmccl it Oan~ worthy ns I nm, He will not trifle with me nor dace after the Queen of the lithiopia.ns mentioned deceive me. It woul<l be beneath His greatness in Acts S, 27. October 28, 1853, this mission ship as well us goodness.'' left Hnmbmg with the fast colony of missionaries !or Africa. It was a day of joy and thanksgiving A Wrong Understanding. !or Jia1·ms and :for the members o.f his congregation, who, like thefr bclo,•ed pastor,- were filled with A missionary in Africa one clay asked one of the true missionary spirit. For many years the his pupils, ''What do the words mean: 'In the sweat mission ship Candace did good service in carrying oC thy face shalt thou eat bread'?" Without a momessengers o·f the Gospel to the poor heathen in ment's thought the boy replied, ''It means: · you Africa. shall cat until the sweat runs . do,m your checks in streams.'' WHEREVEU you see n. Christian in need, know We hope the African boy soon leo.rned to underthat it is ·Chri~t who is in need and wants your stand bis Bible better. help. - Lut1Le1-.
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The Lutheran. Pioneer.
Our Parochial School in Charlotte, N. C.
school ha a good l'eputation in the community, and i, a potent factor for good among our people. u·is o( vital importance to om dear Lutheran church, for from it we get not only our members, but also our future pastors and teachers. And this we accomplish by teaching Goel s Word. Every year we receive some of the children inLo 0 1u · church either by baptism or confirmation. In January a lady was coofirmcu in our church . who at tended our school when a girl. Lal ' l' on l)CI'
During the summer rncation of last year the members o! St. Paul Ev. Luth. Church, with the financial assistance of the Hon. Mission Boarcl and Northern friends, had the church raised and two school-rooms built under it, our former school-room being too small to accommodate all the scholars. Our school has also been dividecl into Lwo classes, graded, and two teachers have been employed. '£he
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· -:-e------···- - --;---·--_______ -- .,;__a -
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?!~i;l~ : it,.. ~
Hi11ionary HcDavid and Department I of Colored Lutheran School ill Charlotte, :N'. C.
pastor had charge of the first class, and an assistant, usually a theological student, ·taught the lower grades. 'l'he assistant also renders valuable service by preaching in the four churches connected with this circuit. 'l.'his year l\fr. John Alston, a student oi Immanuel College, was in charge o:f the little ones, and in him we·have had a good assistant. Our school opened ~ere on the first :M:ondu.y in September with u.11 enrollment of 53 pupils. By Deceniber the enrollment had reached 106. As in all our schools, we milke it u. specialty to instruct the children in GoiPs Word and Luther's C~techism, besides giving them a general knowledge of the other necessary branches of secular learning. Our
husband was also received, and then her two childre11 were baptized. Fruits of our parochial school! May God continue to prosper our work and bless our people with many more Chris_tiau schools. J.M.
Lutheran Work for the Colored Race. Speaking of this work, a ,vriter in Young Folk$ says: We speak of Africa as the "Dark Continent," and send our missionaries there, but forget that we have. the sons of Africa by the million all around us, equally in need of the Gospel. How little •bas
The Lutheran. Pipneer. been clone by th Lutheran Church towards educating ancl saving the colored race ! Probably in the great late o[ Pennsylvania, where Lutherans are so strong ancl );0 numerous, the only orgauizecl effort by our Chul'ch lo cm·c fo r the negro is the small church, with its own pastor, in Easton. Bnt tl-icre is a very successful work for the colored people of the 'onth, which is conducted by Lutherans. '.L'his work which i under the control of f;hc . 'ynodi.cnl Conference was begun in 1 77,
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In the city of New Orleans alone we have three \·ery crcclitablc churches, having their own pastors, caring for a total of seYcn lrnndrccl and. fifty souls. 1n addi lion there nre several mission stations in the country parishes near New Orleaqs, with Luther College, on Derbigny 'treet, L'\vo son of which ,vill go forth this year as pastors, and next year Lwo more. J\ m11nber of their Normal coure graduules are \'Cry . nccessful in e ta.blishing and maintaining schools for colored chilchen. '!'he work ii;
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Teacher Alston and·Department II of Colored Lutheran School in Charlotte, lf. C.
ahd :is, therefore a litj;le over tb'irty years old. 'l'he largest' :fielcls arc in Louisiana and North Carolina. In North Carol ina there are four 1>astors, four teachers, fl ,,c p1·0:fessors, and twenty-one congregations. 'l'herc is one in Vh-giniri, one in Illinois, aud one in :M:issomi, while ill Louisiana there are five congregations, five pastors, ancl eight teacpers. In the ·schools connected ,vith these mission stations there are upwards of 1500 pupils. 'rhese :figures, while not so In.1·ge, are very encouraging, and show that even the negro, who, ·as many have supposecl, could only be reached through his emotions, will also yield to the quiet persuasiveness of sound Lutheran instruction.
characteristically Lutheran - quiet, but effective. Rev. Lankenau, president of Luther College, very pertinently says, "'l'here is no doubt that the growth' of our work -is only limited by the number of workers we at·e able to put out into the field. As long as our supply o'f laborers is dependent upon the output of white schools, the number must necessarily be small, because of the great demand in out· white household of faith; but, as our colored colleges grow, the number of workers is bound to inm·ense g1·eatly." 'Besides this work in New Orleans, a splendid college 'for colored youths has been developed within the past five years at Greensboro, N. C. It is ,known I .
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The Lutheran Pionee r.
11~ lmmrin1i>l C:ollt•gc :U1'1 i11 lh • school anrl colJegiat:e depurhnenl:- has 11L the pr~s nt. t.i111c a lotnl o.f one hun~rcd a111I seYenLy st-t1clcnts, insl rn ·teu by a faculty of five. 'l'he work of' .Booker Wa hingtou aud his Tuskege.e Institute is very widely advertised. Here is one under Lutheran auspices, which, if not so well known, is doing a most substantial and ntluable work for t he negro and the Lutheran Church. Immanuel College had its origin in nu effort to supply negro ministers and· teachers to care for the growing work of the Lutheran Church among the colored people. of t;he 'outh. '.l.'he object of the · school is to provide a liberal aud practical training for young men who intend to become p,rtors or mis:::ionarics, nnd !or gifted girls who desire to lca<'h their own race in Christian school . '.l'hosc who nrc cclucatcll in a I,ntheran atmosph<'rc aml who have a training hnsed on religious principles, are certain to exercise a beneficial infh1 cncc upon their race. 'l'hcit: superior Christian knowledge will mnkc them the instruments in helping to solve the "race problem," which occupies so many minds. !1i1111auuel College is at once nu educational, inner mission, industrial ns well ns home mission work, as is seen in the training which is given !or prac:ticul, industrial, as well as intcllccLual, social, nnd spiritual betterment. 'l'he girls arc organfaetl into sewing-classes and the boys nrc given mamrnl tmining of various -kinds, aud nU arc given that which is the most important, a thorough training in religion, based on the Bible and Luther's Catechism. 'l'he main building, which is built of granite, with cement trimmings, would make a creditable nppcarnnc:e on any campus. In addition, there is n roomy dormito1·y for gil'ls, all of which indicates that something subst!llltial is being done by the Lutheran Church to help the ncgro to solve the race problem !or himself. No one else can do it. But we can and should help him. Our prejudices should not blind us to our own responsibj)jties, or lead us to neglect our plain duty.
A Happy Old Woman. Mr. Sheldon says he knew an old woman who Jost all that she possessed, but remained happy and contented. First she lost her money; then her house was sold over her head; then sh~ 'became dependent upon the charity of the town; then she
lni:f. hC'r heaHh: lhe11 ~he ln~f; her chiln ren. aurl :i t la~t: . tood nlonc in t,hr worl d. Hn t, slw rl irl not lose hN f'ni th in lwr :-;;ivior and lll'r lr.11:-I. i n h •r hca \'cnly F'11.the1·. A fri end comiug to see he1· was astonished lo fl11ll her so cheerful and happy aud said, " Why, you ha,·c lost yo ur home, your husban d, a nd ·your children ; yon have lost all your money and you r health. How can you be satisfiell ?" With a happy smile the woman opened hc1· New T estament at Hehr. 13, 5 and read to her friend the words there written: "Conten t wi th such Lhings as ye have ; .for H imself hn.th said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise fo rsake thee." , 'he livccl by fai th, oncl Lhc lo of e,·crything temporal could not shake her tru. t in C:o<l . ' Phis maulc her a happy ohJ woman.
Give the People a Chance to Give. U nder this hcalling an cxchnnge a.ys : ft frequent ly happens thn t nothing is given by the people l>ccnusc they nrc not' instructed nucl h n.vc no opportuni ty to gh·c. L\ pastol' who had long been clcterrccl from taking collections for mfas ion:, by the warn!; of interest evinced by tl1e lending mcml,crs of his <'hnrch, wns finally ·induced to mnkc the cfl'ort, nncl wns surprised to .find t hat, ns soon as his people bognn to give money iot· missions, they began to ask informnlion about them, and when they had given once they were ready to give agnin. Let nny pastor, no matter how indifferent or how poor his church, give them a chance to gifvn."
The Best Persuasion. A Ohristinn soldier lay dying in the hospitnl. .A visitor, wishing to learn to what church the soldier belonged, asked him, "Of what persuasion are you?" "Persuasion !" said the dying mnn; nncl looking toward heaven, he continued: "I am PJmSUADRD that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the lo,•e of G-od which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord." IN the good providence of God appnrent failure oft.en proves a blessing. - General Lee.
C The Lutheran Pioneer. From the North Carolina Mission Field.
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'l'HE 220 01,· °MAY marked the closing of our :chool in Charlotte, N. C. Bev. McDavid, assisted by i\fr. J . Alston of Immanuel College, has had another successful year. The attendance was good up to the close. At the closing exercises the children rendered an elaborate program, much to the delight of au extra. ]a,ge audience. Rev. S. Doswell made the closing address, after which refreshments were served.
ON Ji'HLDAY EVEN l NG, ::M:ay 29 the closing exercises of ;t_ Johns Lutheran parochial school at Salisbury N. ., were held i n tl1e chapel. Although the weather was ,·ery inclement, a large audience assembled to li Len to the children's program. 'l'he program consislccl ol' Christian questions and auswers, al ·o reci tation , songs, and dialogues. 'l'he children clicl well, a11d rcficctecl credit 11pon thcil· GnACR , cnooL in Concord, N. C., in charge of lt•acher, 1'Ji s F,Ji;m J . Johnston. 'J'eachcr M. Carter, assisted during the winter '.l'his en ti re school f·<'rm has l,ccn 011c oi much months by Mi s Wih1Jar Barnhardt, reports a very success nncl the people sc_cmcd resolved lo do more • uccessfol term al ·o. Closing exercises were held in lwlping our parochial school in the ruturc than 011 the last F riclny in May. Rev. John McDavid they have in the past. ,lcli vcred the annual address. .A large gathering l\fa_y the Lord <:onl inuc His l,lc·sctl w01·k in was out to hcnr him, and he said many good things , ' nlisbury. - M. along the line oi Christian education to the pleasu.c and profit of h~s hearers. l\frss DDrn T,EONOHA KNox, a. fnithiul member of St. John T,nthcran Church in Salisbmy, closed . 'l'RE COMMENCJ-;l\[ENT AT ll\U[A.NUEL COLLEGE, her eyes in the slumber of death on the morning Greensboro, N. C., was brought to a. close June 5. o! the 9th of :i\fay. tricken with a slight touch of Notwithstanding the rainy weather, a. fair-sized malarial fever for a · few days, no one thought her audience was out each day. Rev. J. Schmidt, of illness serious. Mis. Knox joined our church NoConcord, N. C., delivered the aruma.l sermon, and vember lG, · lfJ02, and remained an active and conIlev. P. Bischoff, of Conover, N. C., the address. sistent member until her death. As Sunday school 'l'luec students gradun.te.d :Crom the Preparatory and teacher she was o( g reat help to the pasto1· 'in gatherfrom the Normal course. ,These were Mr. Carringing nncl instructing the children. At the time of ton Mm·ch, of Winston; Miss B. V. Sutton, of her llenth she was also a teacher in the City Graded Concord; and Miss Mary Mn.rtin, of Southern School and was gcuerally esteemed for her ChrisPines, N. C. They spoke, respectively, on the foltian character by all who knew her. "'l'o know her lowing subjects: ''Wisdom is Wealth;" "Luther, was to love l_1cr." - 'l'he funeral services wern held the Reformer o:f the Sch_ool System;" "The Bene~ in the church May 12, at 3 P. M. 'l'he church was fits o:f Reading." taxed to its u tmost seating capacity. People from nll walks o.f life gathered to pay their last tribute PnoF. BA~KE, who has been ill for some tjme, of respect. Bev. Lash conducted the service, bring- is improving. We hope that this vacation will bring ing a consoliug message to 'the bercnvecl from Jolm to him rest and recuperation, so that he can enter 20, 15: ''vVhy weepest thou?" after which Miss E. upon the duties o~ next term strong and vigorous Johnston, the teacher of the parochial school, ren- in mind and body. - 8. D. dered a beautiful and touching solo: "In Yon City." The floral offerings were abundant and beautiful, speaking silently and sweetly the high The Greatest Work of Faith. regard iu which the cleceased was held. Dear ns t.hou wast, nnd just.ly clear, \I\Te will not weep for t hee; One thought will check th~ fulling Lear. It is that thou nrt free. And thus shn11 fu.ith's consoling power The ten.rs of love restrn.in. · ·011, who tlmt suw thy pnrt.ing ho111· Could wish t:hee here ng1ii11?
M. V. <J. L.
'l'his is th~ nature of .faith that it draws other men and is active in charity, Gal. 5~ 6; 2 Cor. 4, 13. Faith cannot but speak out and minister to our fellowmen. If we believe, we must open our mouth . nncl con fess ou, r,ord nnd tlie grace which He has shown unto us. And this is the greatest and most important work oI fn!th, that one instruct the other in the Word of God. - Luther.
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06
The Lutheran Pioneer. A Guinea a Year.
A rich old gentleman was, some years ago, called upon by the members of a society which had for its object the spread of tho Gospel, nncl was asked to subscribe to it. He had been thinking about it, but would first wish to become acquainted with their plans, and wished them to call again. Some time after, they did so, and he told them he had made up his mind_to subscribe a guinea a year, aucl i1~1mediately begru1 to count out upo11 the table a 1111111ber of guineas. When he had g?t to twenty-one, the gentlemen stopped him, and said as their time was rather precious, they should feel obliged i f he would give hi~ subscription, that they might go. The old gentleman still continued to' count the guineas out upon the table. ·They interrupted him a second time, when he simply said, be hopecl the gentlemen would suffer him to go on - and on he went till he had counted down eighty guineas. "There, gentlemen," . cried the old man, "I promised you a subscription of a guinea a year. I nm eighty years · old - and there are the eighty guineas." L\ • guinea is a golcl coin used in England, and worth about $5.00,
CO!'-COR0IA I Not;x. Our Concordia Publishing Hou;oe has i sued n very prncticnl Card Index nnd n. Pnslor';; Cht"Onolog icn l Record Card which will prove helpful nnd com·en ient to I.he pns• tor in kce1>ing t he Church Record of his cong regation. A sample cnrd of each will be iocnt to any pas tor oi ti congrcgnl.ion on appl~•ing lo Concordia Publishing Honse, St. J.onis, l\fo. ·
Acknowledgment. Received for Colored ilfi.ssio11s from St . Paul's Church, )fonsnrn, La., $10.00 ; Bethlehem Church, New Orleans. La., 25.00 ; j\Jonnl. Zion Church, New Orleans, La., 3:..00; St. Pn.ul's Church, New O1·leans, La., 35.00 ; from congrcga t ion in Nn.polconvillc, Ln.., 17.86; Grn cc Church, Concord, N. C.. 15.00; Concord in. Church,. Rockwell, N . C., 2.50; St. Jolm's Church, Snlisbury, N. C., 2.75: St. l\[n.t• thew's Church, l\fol1crrin, Va ., 3.07 ; St. P:iul 's Churcl\, Charlotte, N. C., 5.00; St. James' Church. , 'out hl'rn P ines, N. C., 2.50; Mount Zion Church, Mcycrsvillc, N . •., 2.50; Holy Trinity Church, Spring fi eld, JII., 7.i5. St. Louis, Mo. June 15, 1008. A. C. Bunooom•·, 'l'r eri11.
Immanuel- Lµthe~an College, Greensboro, N. C. A Christian l11stit11tio11 for Colorccl Boys a11Cl Girls, 1t11cle1· the .4.1is,; ices of the Flv. I,,it h. Sy11ocliccd Co11fc r c11ce.
Next term begins Scptemher !l, 1908. Cntnloguc sent on. n.1>plic.1tio11. Address Pno~·. N. J . DAmm, ·• Jmmnnucl Lutheran College, Greensboro, .N . C.
Idieness the- Dev.H's Workshop. Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches.
A lazy young fellow, who mostly wasted his time in loafing about, said, "I'll not he chained down to work." But it ~as only n matf-er of time with hit},. Before the year was over, he was ·seen working in the chain gang. It is truly saicl : "Idleness is the devil's workshop." "In works of labor or of skill Let me be busy too; For Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to do." .
NEW ORLEANS, LA. St. Paul's Chapel, 1625 Annette St., near .N. Claiborne St.; F. J. Lankcnau, Pastor. Divine Services~ Sunday, 11 A. )r. aud 7.30 P. M.; Wednesday, 7.30 r. M. /llount Zion Olmrch, Franklin nnd Thalia Sts. . Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. M. and 7.30 P. M.; Thursday, 7.30 P. ll. Bethlehem Chapel, Washington Ave. and Dryndes St. ; G. M. Kramer, Pastor. Divine Services : Sunday, 10 A. M. and 7.30 P. ic.; Thursday, 7 .30 P. M.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Ohurch; James Doswell, Pastor. .
BOOK TABLE.
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A. L. 'l'UlO'l'HEUS STIElfKE. Scincn Gcmeinden, .Amtsbruedern uncl Frcunden gewidmet von der deutschen cv.-luth. Immanuels-Gemeinde, Baltimore, Md. Price, 15 cts. postpaid. .Address H. W. Lange, 720-S. Caroline St., Baltimore, ·Md: . 'thia• pamphlet has been published by the German Lutheran Immanuel congregation at Baltimore in memory of their late beloved Pastor Stiemke, who departed this IUe on the 14th of March after having labored faithfully in the Lord's vineyard for 34 years, the last 20 years ns pastor of Immanuel congregation in Baltimore. The pamphlet contains a ,short sketch of his life, a description of the funeral services, and two German and one English sermon delivered on that sad occa1ion. . . .l',u11 GEDAKUJl'CSIS DES 81,;LlOEN l'A81'0K6
Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30
A. M .
and 8
J>. M.
TERMS: THE LUTJlERAN PIONEER is published monthly, payable in aclva.nce at the following rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copy .....• .. ............. $ .25 10 Copies . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00 25 Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00 50 Copies • . . . . . • • . . . . . . . . • . . 9.00 Club rates only allowed if all copies arc to be sent to one address. - In St. Louis by mail or carrier, 35 cents. All business communications to be addressed to Con· cordia Publishing House, Jefferson Ave. af!d Miami St., St. Louis, Mo. · • All communicntions concerning the editorial depart: ment to be addressed to Prof. R. A. BtSOHOFF, Conover, Cata.wba ·co.; N. "C.
atht Jnthtran A
MISSIONARY
MONTHLY.
PunLISHED DY THE EVANGELICAL LUTITEHA,-'li SYNODICAL Cm,FERENCE OF NORTH J\)mr.rcA.
R. A. DISCJlOFF, Editor. Entered nt the Post Office nt St. Louis, Mo., ns scconcl-clnss mailer.
\'ol. XXX.
St. Louis, Mo., August, 1908. Assurance.
a a py. He was L1:icd, pronounced guilty, sentcmced to death, ::mcl led forth to be shot. The solYou ask me how J know cl iprs _stood rencly to carry out the sentence o.f Thnt when nil li fo below death, when the American Consul rushed from the J;; pn. t. for 111 '· erowcl of spectators ancl tln·ew around the doomed I, ortcn >1ta incd b_,; sin, man the flag of his country. Instantly the guns , 'hall meet hen ven'. welcome in were lowered, and he who was "as good as dead" '.J"o purit.y ? was saved, because he was wrapped in the flag o.f answer, Not becnusc a mighty nation, whlch was thus pledgea for his I keep God' holy laws; protection. •rhc enemy ,,,ouid not dare to shoot, Alas ! I fail. No r ightcou,;ness or mine for the balls could not touch the man's body withDefore thnt court dh•ine out first piercing the .American flag. Cnn t hen nvail. 'l'his may illustrate the way in which the sinner But One did sny, "Belie,·e is saved by Christ's righteousness from everlasting On nie, :11111 t.hu 1·ec::ive damnation. By nature man is "dead in trespasses :My gift of life." and sins,". "condemned already." The broken Law 1 How can I I.rust my Lord, clemn, nds hfs ptmishment; for "cursed is every one Or honor His den,r word, that continueth not in all tirings which are written If doubts nre ri fc? in the book of the Law to do them." Sin demands 'Tis not t hnt I nm good; the payment o.f its wages in death; for "the wages 'l'hnt must be understood; But I believe, o.f sin is death." Satan claims the poor wretche<l And, therefore; not to know sinner as belonging to him; for ''he that committeth '.rhnt I to H im shnll go, sin is of the devil." There is no help and no salWould my Lord grie,·e. vation for the sinner among created bein~. "None JI, is not I who s,we, of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor No,· nny worth I hnn:; give to Goel a ransom for him," Ps. 49, 7. Do you not sec ? 'l'he sinner's only help and salvation is in Jesus, But 1 cnn be quite sure who Himself k-new no sin, but whom God "hath l i:;hnll rench he1L,·en so pure, made to be sin for us, that we might be made the 13cca,\tsc 'tis He! llclc,i U(l,lolcy. righteousness of God in Him," 2 Cor. 5, 21. He was "made under the Law to redeem them that \vere under the Law," by perfectly fulfilling all its Saved by Christ's Righteousness. clemancls and encluring its curse in the sinners' It is reported that many years ago, in the time stead. •rhe righteousness which He thus secured ·or the Cuban wur, an American citizen, who lived :for all is offered to every sinner in the Gospel. The in ~uba, was arrested by the Spanish authorities moment the convicted and ruined sinner believes
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The Lutheran Pioneer.
the ,:Gospel and trusts in Jesus for snlvntion, the ·blessed·.Savior throws around him the banner of His spotless righteousness, nnd every claim is met, every accuser is silenced. The Lnw asks nothing more, sin is atoned for, Satan slinks nwa.y. "There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus," Rom. 8, 1. God Himself pronounce~ him who believes in His Son " justified from all things." "It is God that . justifieth; who is be that condemn.eth ?" From the very instant we trust in Christ, God is fo~ us, "who can be against us?" Wrapped in our Savior's spotless righteousness we are safe; for God Himself is pledged for our safety. Well· may the happy believer sing: "Jesus, Thy blood nnd righteousness My beauty are, my glorious dress; l\lidat flaming world.a, in these nrrnyed, With joy slinll I lift up my hend."
Jesus Christ. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and was buried and rose again the third day accordipg t.o the Scriptures, 1 Cor. 15, 3. 4. Whence comes the power which lies hidden in the Scriptures, the power which moves nations and turns the hearts of men? Does it not proceed from Him who is the sum and substance of the Scriptures, even Jesus Christ? The apostle urgently admonishes to hold fast to the Gospel of Him, the ,only Savior of poor lmmnn souls, who sacrificed Himself for our liins and rose again on the . third day, whose death and resurrection has been proved beyond all doubt. This · Gospel is for us also the "firm support on which the tooth of time gno.ws in vain, which does not become rotten in the midst of all decay. Through all the changes of time iJesus passes on as .the only Uncha.ngeo.ble One. Nations come and go, men flourish and decay; but He is always the same. The lust of the world passes a.way, and its joys melt like the snow before the sun. The lips which often comforted us become silent, and human eyes slumber which carefully guarded our pa.th. The older we grow the lonelier . we are. There is only one that does not forsake us. The Lord stands a.hove the dust of all earthly things. and says: Lean on me, and believe; hope, love, and do not fear I He is the Way through the · darkness of this earth, the Truth in this world of error, the Life in these fields of death. From the German.
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JustU\catlon Before God. (A pap;r i=cad before Iin~nn~el Lutheran Conferencc-, nnd publi hed b)• i ts request.)
IV. lt'orgiuencss of sins 1·s proclctimecl wtd zJro/}'crecl i11 lhc Bible, ancl whoever accepts il 1·s by his fctith justified in the sight of God.
1. At the dcnth and resurrection of Christ God forgave or - ns we may also say - justified the whole world. Docs it follow from this that nil men will enter hen\·cn nnd no one will be lost? By no means. Men must here in this world accept the redemption thnt is in Chris t, or they will be cast into outer darln1ess. For this reason we make this fourth statement. We have nlrcndy heard a number of pnssages wherein Scripture teaches that God bas in Christ forgiven the world. Christ taught His disciples that "repentance aud .remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations," Luke '24, 47. Accordingly, the apostles proclaimed tho.t there is forgiveness in Christ. ''We preach Christ crucified," says St. Paul. From the writings of the , apostles we see that they did uot merely tell the story of Christ's suffering and death, but that they were intent upon having men understand what the sacrifice of the Lomb of God . mennt to sinners. ,,1 1iy does the Bible declare Christ to be "the Lord, our Righteoµsness"? Certainly, that men might know it and accept the forgiveness which is announced. We rend in Acts 13, 38. 39: "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. And by Him all that belie\•e arc justified from nil thing~, froin which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.'' Does not thfa passage plainly teach you that remission of sins is proclaimed in Christ, that we are notified of the forgiveness Christ has won for us? We a.re not told how we should make satisfaction for our sins ancl thus obtain God's favor, b~t that Christ has done so, and therefore· forgiveness is announced. Does not this passage also plainly teach you that forgiveness is proclaimed for the purpose of having Jl_len believe it? For this reason the apostle, in the verses that follo,v this passage, warns his hearers against uribel.fof; for by refusing to believe this message of forgiveness they would ·perish, w)1ilc "all that be~ieve" it "a.re justified/' By proclaim-
The Lutheran Pioneer. ing: forgiveness, the Bible offers it for our acceptance. 'l'rus may also be clearly seen from 2 Cor. 5, 19-21: "Goel was iu Christ, 1·econciling the world tmto Himsel.f, ·not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed uuto us the word of 1·~conciliation. Now, then, we arc ambassadors for Christ, as though Goel clid beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, Be ye Teconciled to God l For He hath made Him. to be siu for us who knew no sin, that we migh t be made the righteousness of God in Him." Here we are told, not only that God in Christ has justified m:id thus reconciled the world to Himself, but that Goel has also given us the word oi reconciliation, that is to say, the preachiug which makes known the reconciliation, the justification of the world. Fmthermore, we are here told to rcganl this preaching as God'~ urging us ·to be reconciled, which manifestly means to accept this reconciliation l hat was brought about by God's not imputing our trespasses to us, but making Christ to be sin ior us. · Assuredly, forgiveness is here offered to us. So it is also in all passages that tell us to believe ancl be saved; for if a man is saved, he is :forgiven; and when we are asked to believe we are requested to take, because saving faith is the acceptance of salvation. By faith we accept the forgiveness which is proclaimed and offered to us in the Bible. 'l'here is no other way to take this proffered gift. '!'hat accepting or receiving is the office of faith may be seen from Jolm 1, 11. 12: "He came unto His own, and His own recei,•ed Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the .i;ons of God, even to them that believe on His name." No matter how healing a remedy may be, it cannot em·e if not used. Let the food set before a. person be ever so wholesome, it cannot· nourish the person that refuses to partake of it. Neither will the salvation that is in Christ profit us, the forgiveness that is offered us will npt benefit us, if we refuse it through unbelief. But "through His name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins," Acts 10, 43. J. PH. S. ·
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A Christian Woman's Influence.
by her husband because she prayea. and went with the Christians. She bore it all patientry and held fast to God's Word, in which she sought comfort and strength. When her husband noticed that she read the Bible, he tore the book and threatened to kill her if she would bring another Bible into the house. 'l'his only moved her to pray more ca,rnestly fol' het· husband, aud she soon had the joy of learn~ ing that the Lord fulfills the desire of them that fear Him. One clay, when the missionary came to the house, the husband was willing to listen to the Gospel teaching. He told the missionary that the behavior of his wife had made a deep impressjon on him and had changed his mind. He was ready to receive instruction in the Christian doctrines. .And it was a day of joy and thanksgiving to the woman when her husband and the children were soon after received into the Christian congregation bj holy baptism. A Christian' woman's influence :rqay· indeed be great, as many a pastor can testify. ·. One of our -pastors relates the f~llowing : · · A wife, whom I had confirmed, came regular~v to the services, but her husband never accompanied her. As I shook hands with her one day, I asked, "Why are you always alone?" . She a)\swered, "My husband is busy with his accounts, a,nd, indeed;-he says he knows all the preacher can tell him." I told her, she was not altogether free from responsibility in her husband's neglect of divine services, and this set her thinking, to better results tl1an mere scolding or ·complaining. On the following ·Lord's Day, when she had dressed for church, instead of quietly leaving the house, she came into the room, ,vhere lie ,vns at work over his books, and stretched out her hand to him. He saw the tearful earnestness in her face, and rising up, said, "l. will go with you." She said nothing, but embraced and kissed him. Fl'Om that time on they have come to church together. It was ' her evident concern for 'his soui that roused him out of his shameful incliiference. The apostle says that husbands may be won by the , conversation, or behavior, of th_e wives, 1 Pet. 3, 1.
A missionary in India tells of a poor. Hindoo woman who became a. Christian and had to suffer exceedingly cruel treatment · at the hands of her heathen husband. Time and again she ~as beaten
F .AITB'. is to res; not on signs and wonders, but on the Word. I;Ie only who builds his faith on th~ Word cannot be deceived, for the promise of God is sure and cannot lie. - Luther.
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·'.l,he Lutheran. Pidneer. With the Lord.
time of his death he was, Prcsiclent of Imma~uel Conference. On the fourth Sunday iu Jm1e he went to Gold Our colored Lutheran congregntions in North Cnrolinn were greatly shockecl nud grieved on Hill to concluct services. While there he was July 9th when they received the sa.cl intelligence stricken with typhoid :fever. A t Jirst i t seemed as thnt Rev. Stunrt Doswell, of :i'\.Count lllensa.ut, N. C., if he woultl soon recover. But on J uly 3 he took a wns dead. He was one of our youngest, most use- relapse. In order to procure better mct.lical attendance, he wns moved to Salisbury. Ju spite o:f all ful, and best belovccl missionaries. Rev. Stuart Doswell was born nt Meherrin, Va., that could possibly be clone for him, he continued on the 24th of January, 1S79. lie was the oldest to grow worse. He quietly fell asleep on July !>, at son of Henry B. and ~fai:y A. Doswell. His gi:nnd- 1.15 A. ir. In 11is death he held fast to the saving mother nnd mother were the first members of our faith into which he was baptized iu his infancy, mission at Mcherrin. He was baptized in infancy, which he confessed as a. boy, and boldly preached rcnrcil in our parochial school, where he was care- as a man. RC\•. Lash, at whose home he died, admiuistcrca the Lord's Supper to him two days before his death. Jesus was always to him his Savior, his Refuge, and his Redeemer. H e is now forever with the Lord, and great is his joy. Short services were helcl in St. John's Church at Snlisbury, ,vhe1·e Rev. J. Ph. Schmjdt niade an address, nnd Prof. Curter read resolutions or con- , dolence. Afte1·wnrcls his remains were taken to - :Meherrin, Va., nnd there laid to rest. Rev. W. Lash preached the funeral sermon from the 23d Psalm. Prof. M. Lochner, of Immanuel College, represented that institution, and made some comforting remarks from Ps. 116, 15. Rev. J. McDa.\'id, representing Immanuel Conference, delivered a short address from 2 'rim. 4, 7. S. - Rev. Doswell is• mourned by his parents, grandfather, one brother, three sisters, many other relatives, and a host o:f friends. Rev. STU.ART DOSWELL. While grieved and saddened over this dispensaDom January 2C, 1Bi9. tion of God, and while we cannot understand why Died July 9, 1008. the· Lord took this young laborer from the work in fully instructed in the ~fo:techism and in Biblical which he was so useful and so so:i;ely needed, we History. l;fo was confirmed in his fourteenth year. nevertheless humbly bow to His gracious will, knowHis parents dedic~ted him to the Lord's service. ing that n.11 things work together for our good. l{ev. J. C. Schmidt sent him to our theological With tearful eyes we turn to Him and implore seminary at Springfield, Ill., where he studied six Him to send more laborers into His vineyard. May years. He graduated in 1902, and was the first of He also make us ali more faithful in our glorious the colored students :from Springfield to enter the mission work. Let us work "whil~ it is day; the holy ministry. After assisting the different mis- night cometh, when no man can work." . sionaries a short time, he accepted a call as pastor J. MoD. of the churches of the Mount Pleasant circuit, consisting of }fount Calvary Church at Mount PleaThe Missionary's Story. sant, Immanuel Church at R.imerstown, a~d St. Peter's at Dry's School Hous~.. In 1907, the church A missionary who had labored for many years at Gold Hill was given him. Since 1902 he labored among the Mexican· Indians was one day at the diligently both in school and church to build up our dwelling of one of them, when an old Indian chief Lutheran Zion. He was also always ready to assist of another tribe came there. Said the native to our missionaries when called upon to do so. At -the the missionary: "This man has Jost his d_a ughter." J
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The Lutheran Pioneer. In conversation with the old chief, the missionary nsked, "Do you ever expect to see yoUL· daughter ogain ?" · "No," replied the old man; "we don't think like you people - we believe the spirit goes into air." "Auel does thnt make you feel goocl ?" asked the missionary. "No," ngnin replied the old chief. "Well,' snid the missionm·_y, "I had two beautiful daughters who came to sta.y n.while wilh me, and then they, too, went to a fa.r country, but some time I expect to sec them again." With a questioning look ou his face, the old chief asked : "Did any one ever come from that country?" Like a. flnsh came the thought to the missionary: I cnn tell him the story! " Yes,'' said he, "the Chief of that counlry sent His only Sou to us." .Ancl he told him abou t the birth and childhood of Jcsu);, about His manhood and ministry here on earth, aboul His temptations and miracles, about llis suftcriugs and ucn.th ou the cross, about His resurrection, and concluded by saying: "And some day He will come again, and receive His own unto Himself." "Ah, t hat was a. good story I" exclaimed the old chief. "Nobocly ever told me that story before." 1'hen, after a moment's hesitation, "I wish I might believe that story ; if it is· true I will believe that sto1·y." Time passed on; the inissionary was transferred to another place. .After several years, he went back to ms fo1·mer people. Inquiring for this and that .one, he at last exclaimed, ".And the old chief; what has become of the old chief?" "The old chief? Oh, be is dead. He died a glorious death, with a full and firm belief in a loving Savior." ' Said the missionary : "How glad I am I told him that story." - R ec01·der. A Happy Bfind Child.
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tent; for she had found the source of all true happiness, and her eyes had been opened to the comforting light o.f God's promises: "Are you not afraid to travel alone?" asked a gentleman. "No," she replied, "I am not afraid; I have traveled before, and I trust in God, .and people are always ve1·y good to me." "But tell me,'' said the bishop, " why you arc so happy!' "Jesus loves me and found me, and I love Him," was the reply. 'l'he bishop then begnn to talk to her about the Bible, and found she knew a great deal about it. "And how did you learn so much about the Bible?" he asked. , " My teacher,'' she said, " used to read it to me, and I remembered all I could. I- like the story of Jesus in the gospels and the description of heaven in the last three chapters of Revelation." Having a Bible with him, the bishop read to the happy child, as the train dashed along, those last three chapters of the Scriptures.
He Was the Other Fellow. A shrewd, ,worldly agnostic and a Christian clergyman, dressed in a. modest clerical suit, sat at the so.me table in the Pullman dining car. They were waiting for the first course at the dinner, delicious• Hudson River shad. Eying his companion coldly for a. moment, ~ ·agnostic remarked : "I judge you are a clergyman, sir?'' " Yes, sir; I nm in my :Master's service." "Yes, you look it. Preach out of the Bible, don't you ?" "Oh, yes; of course." "Find a good many things in the old book that you don't understand - eh?" "Oh, yes; some things." "Well, what do you do then?" ''Why, my dear friend, I simply do just as we clo while eating this delicious shad. If I coine to a . bone I quietly lay it on one side and go on enjoying the shad, and let some fool insist on choking himself with the bones." Then the agnostic wound up liis watch and went into the smoker. - E. M.
The late Bishop Pyle of England said the happiest child he ever saw was a little girl eight years old, who was quite blind. She was traveling on the railway when the ' bishop met her. No one she lmew was with her, not a friend nor a relative, to take care of her; yet, To feel "temptati9n, and to consent or agree to • though totally blind, she was quite happy and con- . it, are very different things. - Luther.
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The Lutheran Pioneer. "Give Ye Them to Eat."
"So hungry, fniut., 1111d wcnry they are tmvding on their wny, Such multitudes of people who ure st,,n·iug <la~· by day, Yes, stnr,ing, truly perishing, for w:rnt oi li\"iug bread, The bread which came f~om he:wen, tltnt t.hey might nil be {ed. · . l\lethinks I'hear tl1e Master say in accents low :mcl sweet, 'Jf ye a.re my Disciples, t hen gh·e ye them to eat.'"
Closing Exercises at Luther College.
.l~ orl:h to visit relatives. May God guard aud· protect them so that, strengthened noel rcfreshecl, they return to their difficult but blessed work of educat-. iuao oaood citizens for this wodd, but above all showing the way to citizens' rights in heaven. G.M.K.
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Items from North Ca1•olina and Virginia. Revs. W. Lash and ~fcDttdd, who cond ucted the funeral service,:: of t he l:1t , .H ,,.. Doswell at Mcherriu, Va., rcm:tincJ th,,rc 0,·cr unclny and held three clivin, scn·k,,s. 'l'hc p,•,,pl ' here, who at present l1a,·e no r,,guh1r ~~:1:::t't'. l\lrth'll ou t in g:eat numbers and listcitl, l ~ml'ltt t,·,,l)· to the 1neaclung. 't. Mai thew is om,• of ~)ltr oili,•st and strongest churches in th is section. 'l'hc chu rch is badly in need of a permanent pastor who can preach for them and teach the school. - Virginia, especially in the neiahborhoocl of Meherrin, is an inviti ng field 0 for missionary activity. We are sorry to report that our clear old president, Prof. N. J. Bakke, is no better. Mr. W. Baumhoefener, who assisted in I mmanuel College during the past schoolyear, left us at the beainnina of vacation to continue his studies 0 0 • at St. Louis next fall. He is spending his vacation at his home in Young America, Minn. Prof. lL Lochner was engaged to Miss Elizabeth Jacobs o:f Greensboro on June 11. · .At Charlotte two adults were confirmed and two children baptized on the 14th of June. 'l'he members of St. Paul have given the exterior of their church and parsonage two coats of paint, and the place looks quite atti-active. The special children's services,- at Charlotte on June 7, and at ·Mount Pleasant on June 14, were very successful. Collection at the former place, $9.53; at the latter, $10.54. Summer schools have now commenced. We have not beard :Crom all the teachers. Mr. John Alston, at Southern Pines, has 40 children, Teacher E. Reid at Elon College 25, and .Teacher Buntrock at High Point also has a large number. X.
On the 24th of June, S r. M., a goodly number of our Lutheran people, together with some other friends oI our local :hfissions, gathered at Luther College to witness the closing exercises. There was without doubt not one in ~he large assembly that was disappointed and had reason to regret his coming to these exercises. The program from beginnin a to end was rendered in an able and pleasing ma:ner. A large chorus, consisting of the choirs of our three local congregations, opened the exercises by singing "Tripping O'er the Hill." Hereupon followed recitations, readings, piano solos, and a vocal solo, all showing plainly that the pupils of Luther College had diligently ~pplied themselves to their tasks, that Luther College had not been standing there in vain for the past years, and that the professors· and teachers found the desired reward for their hard labors in witnessing the fruits of their work. William Seeberry, a graduate of this year, delivered an oration on "The Vahte of Education for the Laborer," and handled his subject in an able manner. Prof. Wenger in his closing address pointed out the end and aim of Luther College. In doing so he made it plain to his pupils when only a higher education will a,n d can be of lasting value- to them, namely, not when on account of their higher education they become proud and look do,vn upon others that had no · opportunity to !).Cquire much learning, but only '!hen they use thei:r learning in the service of their neighbor, and above all, when ·they remember that what ,ve are and what ~e possess even our learning, we owe to the goodness Short Prayers. and lo;e of God and not to our own worthiness. T.he closing number was a college chorus: "Flag "We should be short in our prayer," says Luther, of Our Nation." "but frequent and strong; for God does not inquire Professors and pupils are now enjoying their how great and long our prayers are, but how good vacation. Pro:t. Wenger and Prof. Mueller went they are, and how far they come from the heart.'' -
The Lutheran Pioneer. NOTES. HE Is Oun NmcUDon. - 1\.. Southern wTiter in one of om· exchanges .says : 'l'he white intelligent ChTistian people of the 'oul:h cannot and dare not look with indi[ercnce on the colored man in his illiterate ancl immoral condition. H e i.s our neighbor, and we owe him not only our sympathy, but our encouragement and assistance. '!'here is no doubt that the Church can and must gi,e ihe best and safest trainiDg lo the negro. What excuse have we to render that we h::w e been and still are so slow to enter the great and effectual door open and inviting? I belic,·e the only educational and missionary work done [by Lutherans] among the negroes or the oulh is what is clone by the Missouri ynod [, yuodical Conference]. These brethren dcsen-c g reat credit for what they ha,e undertaken and accomplished during the past quarter century. l\I1s 1ox , · 1LO0L IN PORTO Rrco. - The missionary o( the General Council in Porto Rico report.s that the Lutheran parochial school has proved a great bles ing in the mission work. He writes: "Especial attention has been given to Christian instruction, teaching the children the Catechism, Bible History, morning and evening prayers, grace before and after meals in Spanish and English. It has been . a touching scene to see the children bow their beads and say their prayers. They have taken special•delight in the Bible stories, and it bas given us great pleasure to hear the children recite these stories in their own characteristic way. Without doubt the children have spent tbeh- happiest hours in our Clll'istian school, where they have been brought in touch with Cl}ristian love and sympathy. The Blessed Friend of children, the Good Shepherd, has been continually pl~ced before their young minds, and thus the Gospel seecl bas been sown in their hearts. The iniluence of the school has also been felt in the homes. Upon vjsiting the homes of the parents, one may hear the parents relate the Bible stories a,ncl Bible truths that the children have learned, and the brothers and sisters at home love to recite the Bible verses n.nd sing the Christian songs they have learned from those attending the school. Thus we see that our school work is not in vn.in.': MISSIONS lN •rm~· PRILIPNNES. --A missionary in the Philippines writes that "the Gospel is making splendid progress in the.islp.nds. The Bible
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Societies find increasingly large demands and appreciation for the Book of books. If the work expands for fifty year as it has during the last seven, the islaucls will be predominantly ·evangelical.'' A CHANGE. - When the United States bought Alaska. from Russia, in 1867, the na.th,es around Point Barrow were so wild nod lawless that shipwrecked sailors trusted the mercy of ·the frozen sea rather than fall into the hands of these natives. But in about twenty-five years, through the labors or missiona~y teachers, such a change was brought about that when eight whaling ships were wrecked off the coast in the nineties of the past century, the rescue of 400 American seamen was made possible b,· aenerous sacrifice on the part of these natfres, ,; a 0 who gave up their only reindeer herd to. help the poor seamen. MISSION SCHOOLS. - The latest reports show that more than a million pupils arc yearly. enrolled in Protestant mission schools in foreign lands, and that the number of American schools is almost as !!Teat as that of all the rest of the world ::-ombined. 0 • EnucATION.:\L WonK I N JA.P,u~. - 'l'he importance of the educational work done in Japan by missionaries from the United States is ·shown in a statement made by Dr. Griffis, an authority on things Japanese. He says : "Nine-tenths of the modern educated men and women of Japan before 1890, and a majority of those in influence and office to-day, received their first instn1ction from American missionaries.'' AN INVALID'S WORK FOR M.ISSIONS. - Miss Lizzie Johnson, a "shut-in," who lives in Casey, Ill., is reported to ha,•e e~rned over $11,000 for. missions by the sale of bookm·arks_ which she has made. THE BIDLE IN THE KoNoo. - Twenty-five years ago, no Kongo language had been Teduced to writing. Now parts of the Bible hn.ve been tran_slated into seven of these African languages. NOT A LIFE oi· EASE. - One who has traveled much ,in the heathen countries of. the East says of tlie life of the missionaries in those distant lands: "Theirs is not n life of ease; it is not a life of comlort and ·1uxury. I don't know whether you hnvc experienced that sen~ of distance f-rom home, that being surrounded by an alien people, that impression that if you could only get into a streetcar.
64:
The Lutheran Pioneer.
and sit down or hang by a strap, in order to be near your friends. I tell you when you come back a!ter an absence of five or ten years, even· the strap seem~ a dear old· memory. Those men a.re doing a grand good work." It was Livingston who said tha.t in the depressing loneliness and solitude of the .African wilderness he wns held up only by the Savior's promise: '.'Lo, I nm with you alway, even unto the end of the world." THE MrssIONARYS Wn·E. -Another LTavcler in the heathen countries of the East writes thus of the missionary's wife: There is something, exceedingly interesting in a missionary's wife. I saw much of the missionaries a.broad, nncl even made many warm friends among them; and I repeat it, there is ijomething exceedingly interesting in a missionary's wife. She who had been cherished as a plant tha.t the winds must not breathe on too rudely, recovers from the separation from her friends to find herself in a land of barbarians, where her loud cry of distress can ue,,er reach their ears. New tics twine around her heart, and the tender nnd helpless girl changes her very nature, and becomes the st.a.ff and support of the man. In his hours of despondency, she raises his drooping spirits, she bathes his aching bead, and smooths his pillow of sickness. I have entered l1er dwelling, and ha,,e been welcomed as a brother; have answered her hurried, anxipus questions, and sometimes, when I knew nny of her friends at home, I have been for n. moment more than recompensed for n.U the toils and privations of n. traveler in the East. Ancl when I Je·ft her dwelling, it was with a. nrind burdened with remembrances to friends whom she will, perhaps, never sec again.
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Immanuel Conference, wli.ich mcet.s on the third week 'in August at Concord, N. C., lms arranged the following program: Thursday nigbt: Sermon by Re,·. J. l\lcD1l\'id. • Friday morning: Orgnnizo.tion; Election of Otlicers; Business. Friday afternoon: A paper by Rev. W. Lush on '!1110 State of Groce. Friday night: Sermon. -Continuation of paper. Saturday morning and afternoon: A paper by Prof. l·r. Lochner on Seeming Contradictions of tho Bible. · Sunda.y morning: Confessional by Pastor loci. Scnnon by Prof. F. Wahlers. Sunday afternoon: Scnnon by Prof. N. J. Hnkke. Sunda.y nigl1t: Sermon by Prof. H. Gross. The brethren will please keep thia program. F. w.
Immanuel Lutheran College, Greensboro, N. C. A Qhristiaa lllstit11tio,~ for Colo,·ccL Boys and Girls, 111,dcr the i111spiccs of tho Ev. Lt1,/11. Sy11oclical Co11{cl"c11cc.
Next term begins September 0, 100S. Catalogue sent on npplicn.t.ion. ;\dd1·cs. Pn0k'. N. J. IlAmm, Immanuel Lutheran College, Greensboro, N. C.
Luther College, New Orleans, La. Sl.'ssion of JOOS/ 00 begin September i. Prepurnlory, Nor11111 I, nnd Theologicn l Courses. For catalogue nml further information apply to Pno~·. :F. ,J. LANI, ENAU, JOSS N . Claiborne St., New Orleans, Lu.
Acknowledgment. Received for OolorccL Miss-ions from Bct.hlehem Church, New Orlen.us, La., $25.00; Monn!. Zion Church, New Orleans, Ln., 35.00; Congregation in Nn.polconvillc, La., l O.io; Grace Church in Concord, N. C., 15.00 ; St. John's Church, Sa.Jisbury, N. C., 3.00; Concordia. Church, Rockwell, N. C.. 2.55; St. P1u1l's Church, New Orleans, Ln., 35.00; Holy Trinity Ch11rch, Springfield, lll., 3.25 ;• Imman11el Church, Greensboro, N. C., 3.00; St. Pn.ul's Ch11rch, Chnrlotte, N. C., 5.00; St. Jnmcs' Chu rch, Southern l,ines, N. C., 2.50; Bethlehem Church, Monroe, N. C., 2.50; St. )Intthew's Church, Mcherrin, Vu., 14.34: St. Louis, Mo., July 10, 1008. A. C. Buuonon"i-·, 'J'rC(IS.
-Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches. NEW ORLEANS, LA. St. Paul's 01,apel, 1625 Annette St., near N. Claiborne St.; F. J. Lankenau, Pastor. Divino Services : Sunday, 11 A. u. and 7 .30 l'. 11.; Wednesday, 7.30 P. u. Mount Zion Ohuroh., Franklin and Thalia s £s. Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. u. and 7.30 P. :11.; Thursday, 7.30 P. 11. Bethlehem Ohapel, Washington Ave. and Dryades St.; G. M. Kramer, Pastor. Divino Sci-vices: Sunday, 11 A. M. nnd 7 .30 1•. r.r.; Thursday, 7.30 l'. ll. Sundny School: Sundn.y, 10 A. >r. SPRINGFIELD, IL!,. Holy Trinity "Ohuroh; James Doswell, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. :11. and 8
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TERMS: THE LUTHERAN PIONEER is published monthly, payable in adwnce at the following rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Cop;y ••.•... • .........••• •$ .25 10 Copies •••••....••• : • . • • • • 2.00 25 Copies • • . . . . . . • • . • • • • . • • . 5.00 50 Copies • • • • • . . • • . • . • • . • • • • 0.00 Club rates only allowed if all copies are to be sent to one address. - In St. Louis by mail or carrier, 35 cents. All business communications to be addressed to Con• eordio. Publishing House, Jefferson Ave. and Miami St., St. Louis, Mo. All communications .concerning the editorial department to be addreued to Prof. R. Bmonon, Conover, Catawba Co., N. 0.
a.
iht Juthrran A
l.vfISSIONARY
MONTHLY.
·Ptmusrrim
DY THE EVANGELICAL LuTHJmAN SYNODICAL CONFERENCE OF
Nonrn A~mmcA.
n. A. DISCllOF]l', Editor. Entered nt the rost Oruce nt St. Louis, ~lo., :is second-clnss matter.
Vol. XXX.
St. Louis, Mo., September, 1908. Whose Am I?
No. 9.
of siu:· "'"\ucl then she read to her from the Bible such passages as tl1ese: "The Lorcl hath laid on Jesus. ::\faster. whose I a m, H im the iniquity o~ us all." "The blood of Jesus P11relmsecl Thine alone lo he. Christ, His Son: cleauseth us from all sin."• "Who l3y Th~• hlootl, 0 spotless T.amh! 1:1 is own self bare our sins in His own body on the 8 1wd so willingly for me, tree." "In whom we have redemption through His 1.cL my hca r l. be n.11 'l'hine own, blood, the forgivene~s of sins, according to "the I.cl. me Jim for T hee alone. riches of His grnce." Other lords hn \"e long l1eld s wn.y; The woman listened very earnestly, and by Now, Thy name nlone to benr, !:imply believing God's Word she found peace. Thy den r Yoiee alone obey, Js my da ily, l1ou rly prnyer. "Thank Goel, I now s'ee it all," she said. "It is \Vhom lrnvc I in hen.ven hut Thee? selt lccl. The blood of Jesus Christ, the blood of Nothing else my j~· ca n be. Jesus only, settled all for me." .l esus, Mas ter, I am Thine ! It was settled indeed with the young w·oinan. J,i:eep me faithful, ker.p me ncn r ; It was not her shoutings that settled it. It was Let Thy presence in me shine, not her tears or her feelings. It ,vas not her own All m y homeward wn.y to cheer. efforts. It was not any'thing which she 'found in ,Tesus, a.I. Thy feet I fall; herself. No. It was '' the blood of Jesus." It was Oh! be T hou my nil-in-nil. Sclectcct. not .the blood and something else.' It was "the blood o.f J csus only." · This is the way to peace. From1the Gospel the It Is Settled. poor, anxious sinner learns that the blood of Christ A young woman had attended revi ml meetings has been shed for the remission of his sins. By in which the feelings and emotions of the people faith he holds on . tp these glad tidings, and thus were excited. She was very much troubled ano takes forgiveness of· sins and everlasting salvation. could :fin.d no peace; for she lookecl for pence to He no longer looks· w~thin for peace; he waits £pr her feelings and trusted in the emotions of ber no feelings to tell him that he iii saved. Ke simply own heart instead o.f looking to Christ a.ud trust-· t rusts in wliat the Gospel says of Jesus arid His ing in what the Gospel says of His w9rk for sinners. redemption. By believing God's Word he lrnows In her distress she spoke to a Christian neigh~ that God is perfectly satisfied with the person and bor about h'er trouble. "I h."llow that I am o. sin- work of His Son, the Savior· of sinners, and. there, ner," she said, "and I need salvation, aml I have there only, he finds his own satisfaction. Happy believer! He can say: It is settled. tried to settle it, but in vain." "Are you not looking in the wrong direction?" Goel sees the blood shed for my sins, and l am said her friend. "The Gospel points you to the saved. Now· I can lay my head down to rest. All cross of Christ. 'L'here you will ftjee the settlement fear is removed from my heart, and I know that
66
The Lutheran Pioneer.
not treat faith merely as a mniter of the mind or underst.anding, so that a man might believe while • his heart is rejoicing in iniquity. From the very moment a person belie,es, that "I rest upon t he ground Of J esus nnd His blood, is to say, accepts the redemption proclaimed and Jt. is through Him thnt I luwe found offered him, he is in possession of that great treasM~· soul's eternnl good." ure, the forgiveness of sin . God counts him just and righteou . And God continues Lo justify him as long ns he believes. By faith man is justified; Justification Before God. his faith is c01mted for 1·ighteou ness. Whoever (A paper rend before Immanuel Luthernn Conference, nnd goes about to establish his own righteousness, howpublished by its request.) ever, by obeying the Law, is under the curse ; for it is written : "Cursed is every one that continueth IV. not in nil things which nrc written in the book of Forgiveness of sins is proclaimed and pr.offered the Law to do them." No matter how great man's in. the Bi ble, and whoever accevts i t 1s by his faith zeal may be, he cannot attain the sentence of jt1stified in the sight of God. l'ighteousness, but the moment he believes he has 2. secured that wluch otherwise is hopelessly beyond We have seen that forgiveness of sins is offered his reach. But why should faith be counted for to us in Scripture and is accepted by faith. The more than all other works or virtues of mnn put believer takes and trusts in the precious gift of together? This question contains a serious mistake. righteousness. Over against misrepresentations we We have no right to speak of "other" works and must emphasize this point. It will not be necessary virtues here besides fai th. Scripture does not say to prove to any fair-minded, intelligent person that that we are justified by fai th, without the other we do not consider a man saved j f he merely says deeds of the Law. It does not tench that Abraham that be believes. He ,vill not deem us so ignorant was justified, not by other works, but by fai th. It as not to know that there are people who profess says, "By faith, without the deeds of the Law," that which they do not believe; be will not con- ancl thus is not treating faith ns one of the deeds sider us so foolish as to call upon men to become of the Law. It teaches that Abraham was not hypocrites. ·But even some intelligent persons seem j ustified "by works," nnd so it does not treat faith to overlook the fact that, when we call upon men as a work. It expressly declares, Rom. 4, 5 : "But to believe in the redemption in Christ, we are to him that worketh notJ but b elieveth on Him ·urging them to accept it. Perhaps there are many that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted ainong those professing to be ·Lutherans who think . for righteousness." The believer does not work that people truly belieYe when they have heara the for this righteousness, and so his faith should not doctrine of justification and have been convinced be treated as a work. If you want . to t reat faith ·by quotations from the Bible that it is the teaching · as a good work here, you must deny that Christ bas of Scripture, which they must acknowledge as truth. redeemed us and tnus done all the works that need When we speak of saving faith, we mean the actual to be done to m~rit forgiveness for us; that "by acceptance of salvation, and •not everyone whose • grace" means, ·"Then is it no more of works ;" that . mind is satisfied by the evidence presented does believing is accepting - all this cannot be true if · really take what is offered. As we do not think faith is a work performed to merit forgiveness of a man repents of his sin when he knows that he has sins. It is wrong to ask, Why_ faith more than sinned, but is not concerned about it, so we ehquld · other ,vorks? But we may ask, Why is faith neither suppose "that a man believes in the forgive- counted for righteousness?- In answering, let me ness of sins if. he does · not care for it. It is only ask another question, Why does eating nourish the ''Look and live," but there is longing in that look; body? · Because, is your answer, in eating you take it is a look different from that with ,vhicli you the food that nourishes. Why does believing make examine a toy. And when people are not terrified you righteous in the sight of God? Because in beon account of their sins, they do not really desire •Jicving you take the righteous~ess of Christ which forgiv~ess, nor do they actually receive it. A per- is proffered and given you in the Gospel, and this lOll does not take what he does not want. We do righteousness of -Christ makes you righteous in the whene,·er it ?IR.Y please God to take me, or Christ 'may come for me, I shall be "with Himself above, which is far better." Yes, it is settled.
~rhe Lutheran Pioneer. sight of God. And as we thin k of food when we turbed. But sin and its punishment brought many hear or see the word "eating," so, whenever we hear chan ges. However, notwithstanding these changes, of justifyi ng fait h, we ought to think of the re- all men stil1 continue to be dust from the same demption that is in hrist, even if it is not always clust of the earth and breath from the same breath· expressly mentioued. · ' . of God. Not wishing to prolong this paper beyond this .All this is true of the colored race in the UnJted present issue, we shnll conclude it now with a few tatcs as of each and every nation of the world; brief ·remarks about living righteously. When a they are dust of the same dust of the earth and criminal is pardoned he doe uot imagine t hat he breath of the sa111e breath of God. We m·ust also· has received permission to break the law. It would remember that Christ, in His · infinite love and be very foo lish an d sinf ul to conclude that this mercy, expiated by His suffering and death the doctrine or ju tifica tion g ranls u licen e to sin. sius of the whole world, of every nation or tribe, By mauy passages and in various other ways we of whatsoever color or condition. He suffered and coulcl show that remission of sins is not permission died for all, and expiated the sins of one person to sin. F or instance, we read P s. 130, 4 : ''But no more than of any other person nor of one less there is forgiveness wi th 'l'hce, that 'l' hou mayest than of any other. He reaeemed them all alike by be feared." 'l'hc wonderful love that God ma.ni- the same infinite love and on the same basis of fested in sending Christ into the world to save sin- equality. But, say some, why do we find so great a differners, and which Ile now manifests in offering us forgivene s for hri t's sake, begets love to God in ence in body and soul between the colored race and the heart or eve ry ·inner that repents of his sins the white? As :far as the difference in body is concerned, and accepts the gift of 1·ighteousness. We Christians know by our own experience that when we we will, in reply, ask two questions: Why have not meditate upon God's grace in forgiving us for all flowers the same color? Why have not all trees Christ's sake, this does not teach us to treat sin as the same height? The reply is: Because it pleased a trivial matter, but it moves us to place ourselves God to mak~ them. thus. To Him one flower is as at His disposal, to clo or suffer according to His precious as the other, the short, ,stumpy tree as good pleasure. 'l'hc more we let our hearts and dear and favored as the tallest giant tree; to Him minds dwell upon the marvelous grace of God in the colored race is as beloved and pre<:ious as ahy Christ, the more fei:vent is the ~rateful longing: other race of any other color or. condition; •1:Ie loves all His creatures alike and pays no respect Tnke myself, nnd I will be to their personal appearance; they are all equally · Ever, only, Al,L for Thee. dear to Him. · J . PH. S. But, says the skeptic, what about the difference in the soul a~d its powers between the colored race A Plea ror the Colored Race. and the white? By n friend of Colored Missions. We reply : There is no difference in the -soul and its ability between the white and the colored The Bible teaches us that God formed Adam race, except such as has been brought about by the ' from the dust of the earth and breathed into his conditions, habits, learning, and training of each .nostrils the breath of li!e, and that all mankind individual soul; they are, each and every one, of of every generation and of all races descended from- the same breath of God. The colored ~an's soul Adam. It is, therefore, beypnd doubt that all and its ability is as able to develop in~gence as human beings have one common parent from whom that of" any other race if given the same training all, regardless of color or condition, originate, from early childhood under equal opportunities and namely, Adam. They all, without a single excep- advantages. Colored children six years of age_have tion, are, like Adam, their father, in their body of learned to read in ten days; many have learned ~~ the dust of the earth and in their soul of the breath in two months, and the greater portion acquire i~ of God. in four t.o five months, all in the regular routine Had Adam not sinned and had not through of common school education, without special. effort him sin permeated the entire human race, this on the teacher's part. The same may be said in equality of birthright would have remained lll;ldis- regard to other studies.
.,
The Lutheran. Pioneer. But then, remarks the skeptic, why does the eolorcd race. as a race not ad vuncc socially ? \Ve reply: The colored race in the United States ha:; a.dua·nccd and ·is adva11c1:ng. 'l'he ocial ad,·u11ceme;1t of races proceeds slowly, Yery slowly indeed. It does not keep pace with the rapiil progress of a · child at school; it requires the time of g1:ncratio11s before a nation's social elevation can,
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i?~;·'~ :. . .~
t:
I
David's Well in Palestine.
in a measure, be accomplished. Examine info early h~story and <?bserve the great length of time the s~cial advancement of each nation required. It did not proceed perceptibly from yea1· to year; it seems to have moved by centuries only, so slow was its progress. Now, in comparison, take a glance at the record of the colored race in the United States during the past forty years. Not fifty years since, it was an oppressed:, slave-driven community, whose conditions in li!e made social advancement impossible. To-day it is a free, independent race, procuring its own sustenance at such em.ployment
as ability nnd mind's tendency dictate. T he colored man i ma tcr of his own home and is raising a gcn<'rntion in «rcatc'r ease and comfort than ever bcl'orl'. J. not this social ndvanccmcn t ? Is it not a mosl remarkable social ndvancemen t? Other I'll •es l"cquired a much longer time to reach the social slundarcl which the colored race atlaincd in the pn t for ty years. It i ncverlhcless true that the ocial lernLion of Lhe colored race is by l'nr not completecl. :i\[ucl1 very 11111d1 more is tlcsirnblc and Lo be acquir 'll by proper mean' and methods in Lhc progress of time. And it is an hi torical incl that t ho c nations of Lhe worlt1 nmong whom lhe Word of Goel was preached aud tn,ught fo its pmi Ly adva nced most rapidly in theil· ocinl condi tions. Wherever this Word circulates t here you find lhe Lruc social elevation of na tions. Its in fluence i o great because it strikes at the root of everything in the soul of man that hinders true social advancement. 'rhc momen t God's Word is embraced by, and its passage makes inroads into, the hearts o:f -a nati.on a quicker advance in their social condi tion is assured. '!'hey become Goel-fearing, industl·ious, honest, truthful, gentle, trusting. 'l'hese are some oi the most important elements of trn~ social elevation. While there are some trnly Christian homes among our colored population where children. are taught to fear ancl Jove their Goel and Savio1·, to lead a righteous life in word and deed, where daily prayers m·e observed ancl where each love and honor their spouse, the majority by far disregard the maniage vow and ignore chastity, leacl an unholy, sinful life before t he eyes of their children, nnd totally fail to rear them in the love and fenr of Goel, but let them grow up to become ;wbnt they will as loug as they learn to read and write. The continued true progress of our colored people must begin at home within the four family walls. Man and wife must learn to live together and continue to live together, bearing the burdens and sharing the ha1>piness of life one with the other, one helping .and aiding the other, never to part.
The Lutheran Pionee r.
69
'!' hey must also teach their children to abhor · "Remember Christ Jesus." sin, to become hone t, truthful, and industrious, A few years ago in Armenia, when the •rurkish and to obey nnd honor iheir parents. 'rhis can be accomplished ouly through the elevating influence soldiers were ru thlessly massacring the poor Arme-. of the Word of Goc1. 'l'his alone can teach them nian Christians, n father and two sons in a Chrishow their married life can become chaste and de- tian home were attacked by the i\Ioslem murderers. cent, how each can learn lo love and honor his A missionary ·saw the 'l'urkish officers enter the spouse, how tl\eir children can be reared to love house and offer Ii fe to the seventeen-year-old son if and fear God to love and honol' their parents, to he would renounce Christiani ty and become a follove t hei r n eighbors and to be honest and tru thful, lower of 1ifohammecl. 'l' he youth looked up to his ancl all Lhis thl'Ough lhe love and !ear or Goel, theil" father, but that Chri tiau parent pointed upward Creator anc1 ::wfor. '.l'he beni crn influence or the and said, "lfomcmbcr Christ Je us." They ran the \Vora of Gotl, though • geutle allll lovi ng, is vel'_y sword throygh his hea rt and he fell lifeless at his powerful in it effect. 'J'he ooncl" the c:olorel1 race father's feet. 'l'o his li ttle brother, twelve years or come under iis i nfluence, the more rapidly will age, those soldiers maue a similar demand. As . , that .father said, its social elerniion proceed, the earlier will i t de- the chilc1 turned to his father serve ancl gain the re::;pect of the comnnmily which ":My dear boy, look not at your . dead brother, look surrounds i t, and gain a higher social elevation. not at me - but remember Jesus Christ." They Only by Chri Lian churches ancl schools in which took that boy's life by beheading him at once. '!'hen the pure Gospel is proclaimed and taught can the turning to the parent they gave him the alternative colored race be brough t to a highe1· social standard. to retract, to deny his Lord J esus, or to meet a fate imilar to that which had just befallen his two dear 'l'hercCo1·e cc Lo i t, ye .fathers and mothers and ons. With serene faith he looke_d upward and exguardians of the children! Bring theai early to claimed, "I can only remember Jesus Christ," ~s the Christian schools l Come to the church that is open to r eceive you, and put yourselves under fhe the ball from the rifle pierced his heart. influence o.f the pm-c and true Gospel ! "Godliness is profitable un to all things, having promise of the Brotherly Love. life that now is, and o.f that which is to come," 1 'rim. 5, · 8. Some time 'ago a fire broke out in a. village on the is~and of Formosa. Two houses caught fire. One of the house~ ·was saved. It was the house of Let Your Light Shin~! 11 heathen Chinaman. The other house belonged Some years ago t here dwelt a widow in a lonely .to a Christian, who happened to be away from cottage on t he seasho1·e: 'rhe coast around her was home. As no one tried to save his house, it was rugged and dangerous, and many a. time her heart burned down. There was much laughter among was sadd.encd at . the sight of wrecked° fishing boats the people of the village at the Christian's misfornncl other vessels, and. the cries of perishing berugs. tune. "That is the worth of your religion," they One stormy night, when-the howling wi°nd was mak- said to him. ing loneliness more lonely, and the widow was wonA day or two after, n company of men were dering what the morning's light might let her see, seen coming across the fields, and when they got a. h'a.ppy thought came to her. Her cottage stood on near, it was seen that they were laden with wood, a. .high pince, and her window looked out upon the tools, and articles of furniture. The village soon sea; might she not place a. lamp at that window? was astir. What was it? Who were the men? 'l'he light would serve as a warning to those coming They were the members of the church to which the too near the coast. This she qid. And all her life, man belonged wh1;>se house hacl burned down. They during ~\•inter nights, her. lamp burned at the win- had come from their homes, some miles away, to dow. No one knows how many a sailor's life was rebuild his house. This they did, while the village folks looked on in wonder. Such brotherly love saved by means of it. The Lord Jesus wants us to let our light shine. was new to them. Nothing like it had ever been He wants us to set a good .exan~ple. He wants us ;--een there before. Christ says to His followers: "This is my comChristians to be a light in the world. We are to serve as guides to others. Let your light shine I mandment, That ye love one ano~er.''
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The Lutheran Pioneer.
70
Sweet Peace.
•
Ofttimes I nm eompnssed With troubles nnd grief; My soul cries in nnguish, Will I find relief ? I look to the Sn,·ior My sndncss to ense. There comes to my weary soul Sweet rest nnd pence. I feel so unhnppy, My henrt fills with pnin, )Iy soul fills with longing Again o.nd ngnin. I cannot describe it, My soul is distrc:1sed. But God ip compassion Gives pencil, and rest. In God's Holy City There's never o. care; No slurdow cnu enter That pince brigbt and fair. When God bids us welcome, Our sorrows. will cease: He gives to His children Sweet rest and pence. ESTUER PETERSON.
Faithful. The Emperor Constantine at one time desired to test his courtiers as to whether tliey were sincere in the profession of the ,Christian religion. He therefore permitted a proclamation to go·forth stating, that whoever would not, on the following day,' sacrifice to the gods should -be dismissed from .his service. Soon a number of loose and characterless fellows reported to him that they felt it their duty to comply· with his demand. But there were also some honest God-fearing• souls who came to him and said, ''Most gracious Master and Emperor, next to God there is no one dearer to us than your majesty. If asked to die for the welfare of your majesty, we will cheerfully do so, only do not demand of us to do · this, for it is against God and our consciences." Whereupon the Emperor, turn- · ing to the faithless and wavering ones, said, "Ye unfaithful knaves I how would you prove faithful to me when you a.re untrue to your own souls, your salvation, your God, your conscience, your religion, and your ·own hearts? Leave my royal court at once, or I · will severely punish you." But .those who were not ashamed of their religion he raised to .great honor, and declared that they were more precio111 to hiui than large treasures of gold.
Resigned to God's Will. A. Christian gentleman who took great interest in works of charity made it his aim while t.raveling through the country to visit the Christian institutions of mercy whenever ·possible. In a Deaf and Dumb Asylum his attention wns attracted to a deaf nnd dumb boy with a bright ancl pleasant look. Wishing to put a few questions to the boy, he asked for slate nnd pencil: 'l'he first question that the gentleman wrote clown was this: "Who created the world?" In answer to this question the boy wrote the first verse of the Bible: "In the beginning God c·reatcd the heaven and the earth." 'l'he second question ·was this: "How do you hope to ~e saved?" In answer to this question the boy wrolc the Bible passage: "This is a faithful ·aying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." The last question was this: "How is it that Goel let you be born deaf and dumb while many arouqd, you can hear and speak?" · · The boy nt first was perplexed and puzzled; but he soon coll~cted himself, quickly took the pencil, nncl wrote in answer to the question the words of Christ: "Even so, Father; for so ·it seemed good in 'rhy sight." .
Faithfulness in Small Things. ' A poor lame, weak-minded man worked twelve hours daily in a close bot room as a saddler's apprentice. He had beard a minister say that the humblest work could be performed to God's praise, but he had never un<lerstood the meaning of his words. · One day he lookecl out o.f the window and. saw a runaway horse passing by drawing a wagon in which sat a pale, frightened woman and her cl1ild. A gentleman ran up to it from the pavement, caught and held the bridle till the horse stopped, and mother· and child were saved. Then the poor ol~ cobbler thought: What i.f the bridle on that horse had not been sewed well or poor thread had been used? The bridle would have broken and three human beings would have been made unhappy. Who knows but what i sewed that bridle I Filled with this thought he performed his work with special dilig~nce and faithfulness after this.
The Lutheran Pioneer. A Call for Help.
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71
I will not die in this house. Pity me! Do not let me die in this place !" I promised to speak with At a missionary gathe1·ing a Lutheran ·pastor the doctor about it and stayed with her yet a while, from P aris, speaking of "the l\lacedonian call for reading to her from the Bible and praying with her. help," related the .following touching incident: As I left her and drew aside the heavy curtain, I One summer evening last year, as I came home, found the inmates of the house assembled· in the I found a carriage in front of the house. The hall. They had heard all that had been spoken, driver stepped up to me an<l said, " A woman of and their eyes were filled with tears. your fai th is clying. , 'he calls for help, nncl I have On my return the next morning I found the been seu t to :fetch you." I a keel for the woman's doctor present. I tolcl him about the wish of the name, but clid not remember having heard it be- dying woman, but he declared it was impossible to fore. J entered the carriage, which, after a ten move her in her present condition. The sick woman minutes' drive, stoppecl in a. narrow street in front received me with the words : "You come to take of a house which did not look very inviting. 'rl1e me away." I bad to tell her the doctor had fordriver lmockecl nt the large door, which was opened, , bidden me to do so. "But," she cr.ied, "you will but immediately closed again after I ha.cl entered. not let me die here !" She was very much .excited, I found myself in a. large vestibule, and judging but at last seemed to be resigned to God's will, from appearance the thought struck me that I was thankful for having found the" Savior. I again in a house of ill fame. I wnnted to turn about and rend to her and prayed with her and again fo1md leave immediately, but the fact thnt a clying one the inmates of the house assembled behind the called for help held me there. I rang a bell, and curtain. the woman who answered the call said to me, "We In the evening I called once more and found are not or the same faith as the dying woman, but the wo~an much worse. Her fever was very high; as we see that her enq is near we do not want her but again and again she uttered her cry : "Do not to clie away so." . let me die here !" Again she was quietecl by the She then led me through a large hall. At the promises of the Gospel. end of the hall she drew aside a heavy curtain, and When I called the next morning, the woman I stood at a deathbed. On the bed lay a woman was dead. I thanked God that I bad answered her about forty years old, haggard and ~,•orn, with the call for help. - From thou~ands in the prisonexpression of deep suffering nud painful anxiety. house of sin the call .for help still comes to us, She was glacl that. I had con1e, for she £el t the need urging u~ to greater zeal in our mission work. of telling me something about her life. It was a sad story. When young, she wanted to be independent and left her good parents. Her love for . The Festival of Slh.-Kou. fine dr~ss was the occasion of her first fall. She entered upon a life of sin and sank deeper and The Chinese worship the spirits of their dedeeper. A few years since, she had become the parted parents and grandparents. At regular times matron of this house, which, she said, she had .often · they present offerings both at their tombs and beintended to leave, when she suddenly took sick; fore the tablets on which the names of their ancesbut it was her firm resolve, she said, to forsake this to;rs are written. It is a great misfortune for a per~ife of sin as soo~ as she got well again. son to die without leaving -a son to perform these I could not leave her in her false hope and · religious rites. It is believed that the spirits of spoke to her of her great weakness, o.f the uncer- those who thus die wander about as hungry and tainty of life, of our great i·esponsibility, of sin dangerous ghosts, who require to be appe~sed by and the wages of sin, but also of God's gr~ce and offer~gs of fo~d, clotbjng, etc.. These offermgs are mercy in Christ even for the chief of sinners. She provided by rich men who think that they ..thus listened· very attentively, her eyes fixed upon me. merit the favor of the gods. The articles of clothSuddenly she interrupted me, saying with the ex- ing a.re given away ~~ t~_e poor a~ter they have been pression of great fear, "Do you think that my sick- presented _to the ~pmt of the children dead. . . ness is dangerous?" "God is almighty," I replied; The ~ih-Kou IS observ~ ~t the end ~f th~ se~''but the doctor says be has no hope." "If that is enth Chmese month. This display of liberality 1s so," she cried out, "then take me away from here. the chief feature. A wide platform is erected on
72
· The Lutheran Pioneer.
tall poles and the various offerings a.re spread on it. These consist of fruits.., plows, harrows, irrigation machines, threshing-tubs, money, huge piles of cooked rice, and e,•en lhring calves and pigs. The spirits are supposed to carry off these things for their use in the spirit-world. It is strange that they should believe this, for, a Cter being presentecl to the ghosts, the offerings remain exactly as they were before, waiting for the eager crowd to make them disappear in a way that the spirits never can do. They have two ways o! distributing these good things. One is to allow the bystanders, on o given signal, to climb up the poles to the platform, ancl . cnrry off whatever they can get. The other is to scatter among the people tickets bearing the names of the a.rticles to be given away. In the scramble many persons get hurt, some fatally. Each man who obtains a card t.akcs it to the stage, when the specified article is immediately handed to him. It was customary for the rich to buy yo1mg women and put them ·up to be scrambled for by those who wantecl a wife, but were too poor to pay for one in the usual way. But this practice has been given np·in this district. - Rev. J. tl. Paton.
The Greatest Damage ls Done by False Doctrine. Luther says: ''Whatever outward harm may be done to the Christian Church by tyrants pc1·sccuting the Word with acts of violence, is not the worst. 'rhat 'little member' behind our teeth (James 3) does the greatest damage to the kingdom of Christ. It. does, indeed, look much worse to cut _off the head of a man, but a false sermon may cut off a number of souls I"
The Seourlty of Christ's Sheep. Jesus answered them: I told you, ancl ye believed not. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto yon. lfy sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. John 10, 25-30.
Immanuel Luth~ran College, Greensboro, N. C. A Ohristian Institution for Colore<!, B oys a11cl Gi-rla, mrder th,; .1h1spiccs of the Ev. l ,ttl/1. Synodical Oo11{cre11cc.
Next lerm begins September 0, 100S. Cntnlogue sent on npplient ion. Address PnoF. N . J. B,\lum, J111111nnuel Luthernn College, Greensboro, N. C.
Luther College, New Orleans, La. Session or 1008/00 begins Sept.ember i. Prcpnrntory, Normnl, tind Thcologienl Cour. Cl'. For cntnloguc nnd rurtl1er informat ion apply lo PROF. F. J. J,A:'mENAU, 1688 N. Claiborne St., New Orlean , Ln.
Acknowledgment. Recci\'ecl for Colorccl illissions from St. John'R Church, Snlisbur~•, N. C., $3.35; St. i.\ln.t.thcw's Chnrch, Mchcrrin, Vn., 4.-15; Bet hlehem Church, New Orlenn!<, Ln., 25.00; i.\Iount Zion Church, New Orleans, Ln., 35.00; Grncc Church, Concord, N. C., 15.00; Zion Church, Gold H ill, N. C., 24.24; St. Paul's Church, New Orlen ns, Ln.., 35.00; St, Paul's Church, Charlotte, N. C.. :i.00: Mount Zion Church, i.\Jcyer ville. N. C., 2.50; St. Jnmcs' Church, Southern Pines, N. C., 2.50. St. Lou hi, )fo., .August Ji, JOOS. • A. C. Bunooom-·, ~l'rcas.
Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches. NEW ORLEANS, LA. St. Patt l's Chapel, 1625 Annette St., near N. Claiborne St.; F. J. Lankenau, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. H. and 7.30 r . u.; Wcdnesdny, 7.30 P. it. Mount Zio1i Olmrch, Frnnklin nnd Thnlia t .; Ed. C. Krnuse, Pnstor. Divine .Services: Sunday, 11 A. H. and 7.30 r. H.j Thursday, 7.30 P. H. BethlGl1e1n Olla11el, Washington Ave. nnd Dryndes St.; G. M. Kramer, Pnstor. . Divine Services: Sundav, 11 A. it. and 7.30 1•. M.; Thursday, 7.30 l'. it. Sunday Scbool: Sunday, 10 1j\. lt.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Ohurollj James Doswell, P11.Stor. Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. H. and 8
r. u.
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Vol. XXX.
St. Louis, Mo., October, 1908. The Lord's ·vineyard.
cc t he Vincynrd Thou hnst plnnlcd, Goel of l\Icrcy, Lord of Hosts! Let Thy people's prayer be granted, Keep it safe from l1ostilc boasts. Hear 'l'hy people when they prny, Keep Thy vincynrd night and day! Drooping plants re,•i"c and nourish ; Let t hem t hrive beneath Thy hand ; Let t he weak grow strong and flourish, Blooming fair a t Thy command; Let the fruitful yield Thee more, Ladep with a richer store. Further, Lord, be Thou entreated; · Plant t he barren waste around. Let Thy work be thus completed, And Thy blessing still abound. :M ay we all more fruit(ul be, Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Salcotcd.
Reformation Day. The last day of this month is Reformation Day, because on the 31st of October, 1517, Dr. Luther nailed his 95 theses against abuses and false doctrines of the Romish church to the church-door at Wittenberg. That was the· beginning of the Reformation. Not that the thought of beginning the Reformation at that time entered Luther's mind. No. He himself says: "Who was I, a miserable and despised brother, looking then more like a corpse than a man, that I should set myself against the majesty of the pope, who was o. terror not only to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, but also to heo.ven and hell, if I mo.y so speak, and at whose nod all must obey." As Luther did not set up to be great at all, so
No. 10.
he did not set up to be a reformer. He was a willing instmment of God, lca"ing it to God to determine what he should do and wlmt should come of his deed. He simply felt it his duty as Doctor of the Holy Scriptures and pastor of the church at Wittenberg to lift up his Yoice against doings and false doctrines by which men were cheated out of ·their soul's salYation. He even hoped that the pope would side with him and put a stop to the scandalous doings carried on in his name. But the pope proYed himself the Antichrist opposing the pure Gospel of Christ and pronouncing a curse upon him who preached that Gospel. So Luther was forced step by step to defend the pure Bible doctrines and to proclaim louder and louder the glad Gospel tidings of free grace and salvation in Jesus. Luther says : "I, Doctor Martin Luther, was called and forced to become a Doctor from mere obedience, without any choice of mine: I was forced to swear loyalty to my belo,•ed Holy Scriptures, and to vow that I ,vould preach them fo.ithfully and purely. While doing this, popery obstructed my path and desired to stop me; .but you see what has ho.ppened to it, and worse still will befall it, it shall not hinder me." Holding fast to God's Word, Luther very well knew that his cause was God's cause, tqat his work was God's work, and that no one could hinder it. Therefore he triumphantly snug: "With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected; But for us fights the Valiant One Whom God Himself elected. Ask ye, Who is t~ T Jesus Christ it is, Of &bnotb Lord, .And there's none other God, He holds the field for ever."
'14:
The Luthei~an Pioneer. .
The victory_has been won, and we are reaP.ing trumpets about thee, but· lift up thy bead, and thou its fruits and enjoying its blessings. 'l'herefore slmlt behold God with· a guard of holy angels triReformation Day is to us a day of rejoicing, a day umphing to receive thee to glory. Be not dismayed on which we give thanks to God for the great at the scoffs and reproaches thou mayest meet with things He has clone for His Church through His in thy short way to hea.vcn; for, be assured, God faithful servant, Dr. Martin Luther. It is also n will not only glorify thy body ancl soul in heaven, day which reminds us of our duty to preserve and but H e will also make the memory of thee to be to spread the pure Bible doctrines of our Church. : glorious on earth! Oh, let 11ot one troublecl thought Owing to the Reformation, we now have the pure for thy wife ancl babes rise wi thin thee ; tl1y God Gospel of salvation by grace through faith in J esus. will be our God and our portion. He will be a The more we appreciate its blessings, the more husband to thy widow, and a father to thy children; zealous we should be to make known that Gospel the grace of thy God will be sufficient for us. "ow, for the salvation of others. We would be nnworthy my dear, I desire willingly and ~heerfolly to resign children of the Reformation, if we were unwpling my right iii thee to thy Father and my li'ather, to sacrifice something for the spread of the Gospel who hath the greater interest in thee ; and conwhich Goel restored to His Church through the fident I am, though men have separated us for a Reformation of Dr. Luther and for which Luther time, yet God will ere long bring us together again, where we shall eternally enjoy one another, never and Ms colaborers sacrificed so much. to part more. "Oh, let me hear how God bears up thy heart, A Farewell ·Letter. and let me taste of those comforts which support thee, that they may be as pillars of marble to bear About the year 1650, Christopher Love, a Prot- up my sinking spirit. Farewell, farewell, my dear, estant preacher, "that faithful and pain!-ul servant till we meet where we shall never bid farewell more; of Jesus," died as a martyr to the cause of Christ. till which time I leave thee in the bosom of a lovHe was executed· at the block for his loyalty to the ing, tender-hearted Father, and so I rest, Gospel. · "Till I shall forever rest in heaven, . · The night before his executioµ, the following "MARY LOVE." sadly touching farewell letter was written to him in prison by his heroic Christian wife: Original Sin. "My heavenly dear: - I call thee so, because God hath put heaven in.to thee before He hath taken Luther was one d~y being shav~d in presence thee to heaven. Thou now beholdest God, Clnist, of his friend Dr. Jonas. He said to his friend: and glory as in a glass; but to-morrow heaven's "Original sin is in us like the beard. We arc gate will be opened, and thou shalt be in the full shaved to-day and look clean, and have a smooth enjoyment of all those glories which eye hath not chin; to-morrow our- b~ard. has gro~n again, nor seen, nor ear heard, neither can the heart of man does it stop growing wMle we remaiµ pn earth. understand. God hath now swallowed up thy heart In like manner original sin cannot be rooted out. in the .thoughts of heaven; but ere long thou shalt Nevertheless, we are bouiici to resist it_to t}le utmost be swallowed up in the enjoyment of heaven I And of our strength, and to cut it d9wn continually/' no marvel there should be such quietness and calmness in thy spirit, whilst thou art sailing in this tempestuo'!s sea, because thou perceivest by the eye Luther's Gentle and' 1Iodest S·p trit. of faith a haven of rest, where thou shalt be richly laden with all the glories of heaven I Oh I lift up John Mathesius, who for many years was · a thy heart with joy, when thou layest thy dear head guest at Luther's table and bad daily . intercourse on the block, in the thought of this, that thou art with him, says of Luther:· "He was sharp with laying thy head to rest in thy Father's bosom; those who were sharp; but any w.ho were about which, when thou dost awake, shall be crowned, not him, and had the benefit oi his consolations, kind with an earthly, fading crown, but with a heavenly, offices, and prayers, can testify with truth that bis eternal crown of glory. Be not troubled when thou was a gentle and modest spirit." Again be says: shalt see a guard of soldiers triumphing with their "I have never heard a coarse word frQm his lips." 1
The Lutheran Pioneer.
75
A Religion Without Happiness.
L~ther on Preaching.
A religio1). without the Gospel is a religion without happiness, for it is a reUgion without Jesus, in whom alone there is iruc happiness for sinners, because in Him alone "we have redemption through His bloocl, the forgi vencss of sins." 'l'hc Gospel of Jesus only can make of sinners happy children of God, who rejoice in the assurance of their salvation nod serve their heavenly Father in grateful love. The religion of ihe Romish church is a religion without happiness, because it is a religion without the Gospel of J esus as the only Savior of sinners. It makes men slaves to a human system, a system which keeps them in bondage and fear. Dr. Phelan, himself a strict Romanist, told the truth when he recently w1·ote in a Roman Catholic paper ab~ut Roman Catholics : "No, you m·e not happy. You do what you do for God and your souls through compulsion. You go to church on Sunday becaus~ you must. You go to c·oniession because you mu·st. You go down on your knees in the morning and again at nig_ht to say your prayers because you must. You abstain from meat on Friday because you must. ~ut I don't see that you are very happy in all that. · You come to the confessional with sour faces, and you go away with faces sometimes a little sourer. · And you come .to the Holy Table sometimes ns slaves '"driven thither. .I don't see happiness depicted in your faces. You m:e very much like people going to pay their taxes. Go down to the collector's office on days when taxes are due; you see people pressing up to pay their ta-xes. ~here are no particularly happy people there. They come beca1:1se they must. '!'hey are like people standing around in a dentist's office, who come to have ·teeth extracted. You come here on Sunday and lqok like people who are going to have their teeth pulled out._ You don't find nny particular happiness in your religion." 'No, such people are not happy, and they n~ver will find happiness in a religion whic)i puts man's work in the place of ..Christ's w~rk and man's .word in the place of God's Word,. a religion which teaches that-Christians must always be in doubt and can never have the assurance of their salYation. Such a religion, a religion without the Gospel, is a religion without happiness.
"Cursed are all preachers," says· Luther, "that in the church aim at high and hard things, and neglecting the saving health of the poor unlearned people, seek their own honor and praise. When I preach, I sink myself deep down. I regard neither doctors nor magistrates, of whom are here in this church above forty; but I have an eye lo the multitude of young people, children, and servants, of whom are more than two thousand. I preach to those, directing myself to them that have need thereof. Will not the rest hear me? 'rhc door stands open; they may be gone. I see that the ambition of preachers grows and increases; this will do the utmost mischief in the Church, and produce great disquietness and discord; for they · will need teach things touching matters of state, · thereby aiming at praise and honor; they will please the worldly wise, and meantime neglect the simple and common multitude."
THE best name by which we can think of God is Father. - Luther.
Our Missionary Duty. 'rhere can be no claim so solemn and imperative as that which even now seems to call to us with tlie voice. of God from heaven, and say, "I have given mine own Son for this rebellious and apostate world, the sacrifice is offered and accepted, but you - you who 11re basking in the sunbeams of Christianity, you who are blessed beyond measure - why' will you not bear to fellow.:.creatures sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death the tidings of this universal and incomprehensible love?" If I saw a man drowning I should hold out my liand to help him. How much more strongly, then, is the duty incumbent when there are thousands on thousands perishing in sin and ignorance on every si~e I - Gladstone.
Under the Shadow of· the Almighty. One evening, when Luth.er saw a little bird perched on a tree, to roost there for the night, be said : "This little bird has had its supper, and now it is getting ready to go to sleep here, quite secure and content, never troubling itself what its food will be, or where its iodging on the morrow. Like David it abldes.'under the shadow of the Almighty.' It sits on its little ,twig content, an,d lets God take care."
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The Lutheran Pioneer. Luther ·at the Diet at Worms.
The scene from Luther's life represented in· our pich1re is called by a great English writer "the greatest scene in modern European history." " The ":oi·ld's pomp aud, power sit there, on this hand; on that, stands up :for God's truth, one man, the poor miner Haus Luther's son." The Diet, or convention, was held in the year 1521, in the city of Worms. When Luther was ordered by' the Em1>eror to appear at the Diet, some of his friends tried to keep him from going there, :fearing that his enemies would put him to den.th,
powerful men of the earth. There sat the mighty Emperor, and the princes, and the duke~, and the pope's messenger, and others of high rank. There Luther stood, the poor miner's son, calm and :full of pence, mighty in the Lord, the messenger o{ God's eternal Truth.· When called upo·n to retract, or take back, what he had written in h is books, he, in a speech which lasted two hours, set forth the doctrines contained in his books, and declared that his conscience was bound in God's Word and that he would not retract anything unless he be con,,i.J1ced by proofs of H oly Scriptures. He conclud,ed his answer with those memorable wor~ls : "Here I _stand. I cannot clo otherwise. Goel help me ! Amen." And God did help His faithful servant who stood so firmly upon l:Iis Word. He guided ancl protected him and gave him the victory, the victory of light over darkness, the victory of LTnth over error.
A Martyr's Confession.
Luther at the Diet at Worm■•
as others had been put to death who had raised their voices against the tyra~ny and false doctrines of the pope. Luther, however, put his trust in God and said if his enemies built a fu-e which should Qxtend :from Wittenberg to Worms and reach to the heavens, he would appear in the name of the Lord, coniessillg Christ and letting Him rule. Again he said : "Christ lives, therefore we shall enter '\Vorms in spite of the gates of hell and the powers of tbe air." When he had come ]}ear the city, a letter :from one of his friends was haudecl to him in which that friend warned him not to enter the city. But Luther ~o~dly_said: "If there were at Worms as many devils as there are tiles on the roofs, yet would I go iu." And Lut}ler did go in, and after a fervent prayer to God for help he appeared at the Diet be.fore the
Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, embraced the Bible doctrines proclaimed by Luther an cl was mosl active in introducing the R.cformntion in England. When, therefore, a Catho' Jic queen came to rule in that country, he, with other Protestan t preachers, was persecuted and thrown in to prison. He at first stood firm upon the Bible aud could not be moved by all the threats of his enemies. But in an evil hour he a.t last listened to the voice o:f the seducer who promised him life ancl great honors if he would recant. "Coniouncled, hea1:t-broken, olcl," the love oC liie and the fear of death proved too strong for him, and he was inducecl to write and sign a paper wl;ich contninecl a recantation of the doctrines which he had preached. H owever, Cranmer soon came to himself. He wns filled with grief and shame, and with bitter tears repented of his sin. His enemies also did not keep their promise, but sentenced him to be burnecl to death at the .stake. Being pcrmittecl to address the people before his execution, he macle a noble con:Cession. He first earnestly prayed to God for mercy and forgiveness, and then spoke to the people, closing with these memorable words : "And now I come to the great thing that troubleth my conscience more than anything I ever did or said, even
The Lutheran Pioneer. , the setting forth o.f wri tings contrary to the trnLh, which I now renounce and r cfu c, - those things written with my own hand contrary to the truth I thought in my heart, and writ for fear of death nud to snYe my life. .And fornsmuch as my hand offended in writing con tr ary to my heart, therefo1:e niy hand shall first be punished; for if I come to the ih-e, it shall first be burned. As for the pove, I denolmcc him as Christ'~ enemy and Antichri t, with all his false doctl"ines." 'l'hen Cranmer was can-icd away to be burned, followed by a great multitude. A Catholic eyewitness says : " Coming to the stake with n cheerful countenance and willing mind, he took of£ his gm·ments in haste and stood upright in his shirt. Ffre being applied, he Lrclehed forth his 1·ight hand and thrust it into the fl ame, befo1·e the fire came to any other part of his body; when his hnnc1 wos to be seen sensibly burn ing, he cried with n loud voice, 1'his hand hath offended.' " 'Not n word o.f complaint c1ic1 Cranmer utter as the fire con umed his body. 'l'he last words he spoke looking up to hc:wen were the words of prayer : "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit I" '£bus died Cranmer, in the sixty-seventh y.ear of his age, in the full assurance of forgi,•euess and eternal blessedness in heaven.
Longing for the Lord's · Supper.
Christians we hnd to leave in 'the desert- a prey to wild animals. l\fany more perished from fever and other causes. They passed away without the blessing or the Holy Supper. To-clay the fountain or God's " ord and Sacrament has again been opened; let us drink and quench our tlµrst. Ah, if you knew what it means to long for the Holy upper four long years, £acing death every day I" 'fhe c hlaek Christians put to shame many white hri tians who think lightly of the comforting hies ing or the Lord's Suvper and neglect God's means of grace.
. The Power of God's Word~ A~ the beginning or the seventeenth century there• lived in " cstphalia a Jew by the name of ~erson. He was a bitter enemy of Jesus and of the Christian Church. One day a poor widow pawned a copy o·f the New '£estament in bis shop for a small sum of money. Gerson invited two of his Jewish friends to his house and began to read _to them "the book of the Cnristians ;" they together made merry over what was read. But the ·farther Gerson read the more restless he became. The JJOwer of God's Word took hold of his heart, and he was convinced that Jesus is the Messiah, the JJromised Savior. He himself says, "There ! _found such a light that I must ever give thanks to God." Wishing to bring others to the same blessed light, . he became a preacher of the Gospel and thankfully devoted his life to the service of Christ and His Church. . He died as n Christian preacher in the year 1627.
l[issionaries from Germany have labored for many years among the Hereros in Soutliwe.st Africa, and their labors ha,·e been richly blessed. When, some years ago, war broke out in the Herero district, many Herero Christians fled from that Luther and the General. country and sought a new home in another part of A'frica. Last year two missionaries looked up these .t\ s Luther was OD his way' to Worms, be met people to see what could be done for theil· spiritual the great General Frundsberg at an inn. "Are you welfare. '£hey were received ·with so1ig~ of praise the man," said the General, "who has undertaken by the Herero Christians, ,vho rejoiced that misthe work of reforming? Ho,v will, bow can · you sionaries of the "Luther church" had come to them, "the sheep in the clesert." Very touching was accomplish that?" "Yes," said Luther, "I am the their prayer for t he Lord's Supper: When the mis- man, and I rely upon Almighty God, whose-vocasionaries hncl their misgivings and seemed to hesi- tion and Word I have with me.'' 'fhis ,terrified tate to administer t he Sacrament during their first the · Generaf, and looking at Luther with affection visit, one of the Herero Christians said : "We ~ow he said : "Dear friend, there is something in what that the Sacrament of the Holy Supper is a solemn you say. I am a servant of the great lord, the Emand sacred thing, and that no one should come to peror Charles, and at his command · have made the Lord's table unprepared and with a deceitful · many heavy marches. But you have a greater masheart. The distress and troubles of the past years ter than the Emperor Charles is. He also will help hav.e made our souls hungry and thirsty. Many you and stand by you.'' - From tl&e German.
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The· Lutheran· Pioneer. Meeting of Immanuel Conference· · ·at Concord, N. c. ·
Items from New Orleans.
'The 12th Sunday after Trinity was a joyous Our readers well know tha·t the: Colored Mission Sunday for our Colored Mission. On that Sunday of the Southland has its dlirk _sides, but when Rei•. Ed. Krause was ordained and installed as gloomy clouds pouring forth incessant rain~ missionary of our Mount Zion station. All three threaten to prevent the people from coming to wor- colored congregqtions joined in service on the evenship even at a mee~g of conferenc~, then things ing of tl}is Sunday in the large and beautiful seem especially dark, and ·a small band of mission- Mount Zion Church to wit n.::ss the ordination, and aries may fittingly look out o~ the church-windo,vs to hear this young laborer in the Lord's vineyard and sigh for just a few bright mys of lig!1t. promise faithfulness in his office to the chief ShepAlthough the omnipotent Lord did not grant herd and Bishop of souls. The church was beausmiling, sunny days, yet · He graciously permitted tifully decorated for this occasion. A large choir, a more glorious liglif to brighten the hearts-of both under the direction of Napoleon Seeberry, r~nder~d missionaries and hearers at the recent m~eting of two· appropriate selections. Eight of our local our Immanuel .Conference, August 19-23. The Lutheran pastors assisted in the ordination. On brilliancy of His Word pure and unadulteratea the following Monday evening the congregation shone forth in the discussion· of the papers read and prepared a successful surprise for their new pastor in the sermons -preached•. We may well thank God in the schoolroom. The schoolroom was decorated, that sound Lutheranism, both in doctrine and prac- a large table was set, and Japanese lanterns furtice, holds its own also in -the work-of the Colored nished the light. Taking it all in all, it was a Mission where so many peculiarities and •singular-i- pleasant and joyful evening which the new pastor ties, foreign to God's Word; clamor for entrance: spent with his people," and no doubt he is feeling In the · discussion of the papers on the "State of at home already ainong his flock over which God Grace" and on the "Seeming. 0ontradictions of the has placed him as shepherd to lead them to the Bible" ,ve were especially warned against human green pasture of Gospel truths. · speculations, and the duty of abiding by God's But, alas, om: joy was coupled with great grief. Word was emphasized: On the same day that Rev. Krause was joyously : Despite the inclement weather,· ·a good number welcomed ~y his congregation, St. Paul's congreof _people, not ?illy of the Concord congr~gation, gation bade farewell to their faithful and dearly but also from the p.earoy congregations; attended. belov.ed pastor, Rev. F. J. -Lankenau, who acAll the laborers in the field, eleven- in all, were cepte~ a call . to_some other place of labor in the present; with the exception o{ one: •Like,vise the Lord's vineyard. · With sad heart and tearful eyes different congregations were well ·represent~d by Rev. Lankenau delivered his farew~l address. It delegates. One p!}storni · S!$Sion, two public ses- was· indeed hard for him to part with his work sions, and .fi-Y~ . services were held.?. On Sunday the Colored lYiission, which he served·faithfully and morning the Lord's Supper was celebrated, and it with great self-denial for seventeen long years. Not wa~ a sight qf_n~ small encouragemeJ?t to ~ee over only his congregation 'deeply regrets bis departure, fifty ,guests commune at the Lord'~ -table. . . but our whole mission in New Orleans was sorry Among the resolutions passed by conference the ~0 • s~e him go. And so are bis co-worke~s in the d~a~h of our colored missionary, Rev. s. Doswell, .. ~ission. . Well do we remember how he has proved was remembered. : Although we canilot fathom the him~elf a f~ther un!o us; how he was ever ready . ways· of our Heavenly Father in ~king him from to gi~e us ~ood ~dVIce and the benefit of bis long us in this time or need.; yet we bow' our heads in experience m this work. But we know that the humble submissio,n, convinced that He knows what Lord does all f~r the best of His children. ¥ay is best for His work. We pray, however, that He His blessing be with our brother also in his future may speedily refill his place, 80 that the ·work may field of labor, and may He grant also m:ito us cournot go backward, but forward, and that· many souls age and faithfulness in our work of planting an4 may be gathered into Christ's kingdom. . · watering, though we perhaps often see but little. Our next conferenc~ is to meet at Salisbury, of the increase. In .due time we shall also reap. N. 0., in Rev. Lash's parish. , · H. G. _ _ _ _..,..-=---'--- G. M. K .
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The Lutheran Pioneer. fpr the unjust," and tberefore, "whosoever be1ieveth in Him sliall receive remission'of sins," Acts 10; 43. Dear reader, have you obeyed God's command? Or, are you still among "those who ask -questions, and make objec~ions,. and find . difficulties in the way? · · · · If the switchman's son had u•aited to .ask liis father why he commanded him to lie down, before he obeyed, he would; in all probability, have· been clashed ~ pieces before he co~ld have got hi~ question an'swered. And, dear reader, remember that while you are delaying to obey God's great com~}~n4,: d~ath and . judgment are r~pidly following you. · . . Gbd h!!s. an a~swer f<?r all your dol!bts; and arnfo~tie~, and_questionings; and th!l,t answer is, the cross. There God has met and settled forever every· "cl~im that justice• ii~d ·ag~inst us, Ind H~ now proclaims a free pardon· of all sin, and the gift of eternal life to every child of Adam who truly believes ·hi Jesus. Hear God's voice, nnd ·obet Goci~s commandi . . . !'that . yoi.tr soul tnay."Jive.?. ..:._.w. .
The Switchman and His Child.
On ·one· of the railroads in Prussia a switchman was just taking his place, in order to turn a comiug train, then in sight, on to a different track, to prevent a collision with a train approaqhing in a contracy direction. Just at this moment, on turning bis head, he discovered his little son playing on the track of the advancing engine. What could he clo? Thought was quick at such a moment of peril! He might spring to his child and 1·escue him; but he could not do this and t urn the points in time, and, for want of that, hundreds of lives might be lost. Although in sore trouble, he could not neglect his greater duty ; but, exclaiming in a loud voice to his son, "Lie down," he went to his post, and saw the train safely turned on t9 its proper track. His boy, accustomed to ·obedience, did as his father commandecl him, and the fearful heavy train thundered over him. Little did the passengers dream, as they . found themselves quietly resting on that turn-out, what terrible anguish their approach had that day caused to one noble heart. The father nished forward to where his boy lay: fearful lest he should find only a mangled corpse; but, to his NOT ·E S. ... .. : great joy and gratitude, be found him alive and unharmed. OUR :CoionED · MlBSI_ONs:-:.A: friend, who :atThe circumstances connected with this event tended ·the recent meeting · of the Evangelii:al: :Luwere made known to the King, of Prussia, who the theran: Synodical Conference, writes: A:m:ong>the ~ext day sent for the man, and presented Jiim with business matters ·considered by the Conference ouiColored Mission was the. most important. From a medal of honor for his heroism. . The boy was saved _fr~m ~: hor;~bl~ d.eath. What the•interesting and· encouraging repor~. of our Miswas it that saved _h im? Prompt obedience to his sion Board we learned that we had much reason to father's command I He did not hesitate; he did thank God for ~he progress of the work in spite of not wait to ask why the command was given; he so many -difficulties and _in spite of the itikewarmness of not a few. · God has graciously blessed the simply heard and obeyed, and was saved I Dear reader, may yo1;1 learn a lesson ·_ from this labors of our workers in the field and has raised up friends whp were willing, to make sacrifices for the sin:,.ple mission cause. · There are now .within the bounds God not only tells men how they may be saved - He not only invjtes them to. come to B;im, and of the Synodicai, Conference 31 stations embr!Uling even ·beseeches them, through His servants, to be -1~ .p~rishes with 28 missionaries, 16 white . and reconciled to Him, but God also commands I "And 12 colo~d. There are i 7 schools ha,ving 1873r put~is is His commandment, that we should believe pils. .A,11 .the parishes· contribute regularly toward · o~ the- name of His Son Jesus Christ," .1 John the support of the mission, the amount contributed 3, 23. Just as the switchman, in that moment of in the past two years being. $4135.72. The mission fearful peril, commanded his. son· to do that which ,has two institutions for the training · of colored alone could save him from death, so God in in~ite pastors !1,'Dd teachers. The ·on!! is Immanuel College ,, at Greensboro, N. C., a handsome new building, compassion commands you to believe in Jesus to_trust in Him as your Savi01", because there is no erected at · a -cost of $28,300; . this institution has other way "by which you can be delivered from the A: professors and 78 ettidents. . The other is Luther a'Y'fltl_ pu,nishm~nt of sin. "~he wages of ·si,n _is College ·at New Orleans, ·having 3 professors .and ·c'leath" ...:._ eternal death; but Jesus .ciied, '.'tiie.,,ust ,50 students. The exP8D:9es· for. · building pur-pose$
tale.
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The Lutheran Pioneer. during the two. past years have been rather heavy, and there is a deficit in. the treasury, which ought to be covered soon. Therefore an appeal is to be made to all the congregations of the Synodical Conference for larger contributions ior our mission work. May the Lord make us all willing to heed the .call ,for help ! ST. PAUL'S STATION AT NEW ORLEANS. - This .station has become vacant, the Rev. F. J. Lankenau, who has been suffering for some time from some _nervous trouble, having accepted a .call to Napoleon, 0. For seventeen years he has labored faithfully and with notable success .in our Colored Mission. The readers of our paper have also been benefited by many an instructive article from his pen. May the good Lord restore him to health and bless his work also in: his new field of labor ! JESUIT :MISSIONS. -. During the !recent celebration of the founding of the city of Quebec some •paper~ took occasion to speak with unqualified praise of the mission work done by Jesuit missionaries "in the service of the Catholic church in America three hundred years ago." Well, ·those servants of the pope did good service for the Romish church, but not for the Church of Christ. A famous writer on history says of these Jesuit missionaries : "In their missions they aimed at outward show; and hence merely nominal CQnversions were accepted, because tliey swelled their numbers. They permit.t~d their converts to retain their heathen habits and customs. In order to be popular, one of their missionaries among the Indians told the· savages that Christ was a warrior who scalped women and children. Anything for an outward success !"
pagan state, where savagery was rampant. Now, as the result of a most heroic struggle with darkness, one-tenth of its one million of inhabitants are rejoicing in the light of the Gospel. In Cape Colony, where German :Moravians t ried to work among the natives one hundred and fifty years ago, they were treated as criminals for attempting to reach the blacks. Now Cape Colony alone has 700,000 Protestants, aDCI 200,000 of these arc colored." BOOK TABLE. C0Nco1m1A•KINDEIICIIOEIIE. Einc Sammlung von Licdcrn in vicrstimmigcm Sat~ fucr un. ere Schulcn uncl Sonntngsschulcn. Concordia Publishing Hon c, St. Louis, Mo. Price, 40 cts. · • This well-printed nud tnslcfully bound little volume is to supply n. long-felt wnnt in our Gcrmnn Lu thcrn.n con• grcgations, nnd it supplies it well. It is n. choice collection of hymns and songs, with music arranged for four voices, and deserves a hearty wclcqmc in clay scbools, in Sun~n.y schools, nncl nlso in the family circle.
Acknowledgment. Received for Colored Missions froru Mount Zion Church, New Orleans, Ln., $35.00; Dcthlchcm Church, New Orleans, Ln., 25.00; St. Paul's Church, New Orleans, Ln., 35.00; Grncc Church, Concord, N. C., 15.00; St. Mat· thew's Church, l\lel1crri11, Vn., 0.14. St. Louis, Mo., September 10, 1008. A. C. Bunooo1w, Treas.
Ev.a ngelical Lutheran Colored Churches. NEW ORLEANS, .LA. St. Paul's Ohapel, 1025 Annette St.,. near N. Claiborne St.
Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. M. and 7.30 P. M:.; Wednesday, 7.30 P~ ll. . Mount Zion Church, Frn.nklin and Thalia Sts.; Ed. C. Krause, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. M. and 7.30 P. M:.; Thursday, 7.30 P. M. Bcthlc1,ern Ohapel, Washington Ave. and Dryades St.; G. M •. Kramer, Pastor. . Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. M, n.nd 7.30 P. :11:.; Thursday, 7•,30 P. M. Sunday School: Sunday, 10 A. M •
AFRICA. - Tlia Foreign Missionary reports: ."Europe, India, China, and the UDaited States could SPRINGFIELD, ILL. all be laid down on the map of Africa and still have Holy Trinity Ohtiroh; Jo.mes Doswell, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. M. and 8 P, M:. some room left ai:ound the margjns. This ln:i,ge continent now has 2470 missionaries, with 13,100 TERMS: native assistants. There are 4800 regular places of THE LUTHERAN PIONEER is published monthly, payable worship, 222,000 communicants, and 530,000 ad- (n adwnce at the following rates, postage included, to-wit: l Copf .............. . . ..... $ .25 herent church members. There are in Africa 4000 10 Copies . • • • • • . . . • . . . . • • • • • 2.00 mission schools with 203,000 pupils. T-here are 25 Copies • • • • • • . . . . . . . . • . • • . 5.00 50 Copies • • . • • . • . . . . . • • . . • • • 9.00 95 hospitals, 16 publishing houses and printing esClub rates only allowed if all copies are to be sent to tablishments. Fifty years ago Dr. Krapf, 11. Lu- one address. - In St. Louis by mail or carrier, 35 cents. All business communications to be addressed to Con• theran mi~onary, was Iaug~ed at for his "German cordia Publishing House, Jefferson Ave. and Min.mi St., dream" of a chain of mission stations across Cen- · St. Louis, Mo. · All communications concerning the editorial departtral Africa from ocean to ocean. Now his dream ment to be addresaed to Prof. R. A. B1souon, Conover, has come .true. Thirty years ago Uganda was Q. • Catawba Co., N. O. .
lht Juthtrau A Puuusmm
1\1:ISSIONARY MONTHLY.
B Y '£ HE E VANGELICAL L UTHERAN SYNODICAL CONFERENCE OF
Nonm AlranrcA.
R. A. BISCHOFF, Editor. Entered nt tho P ost oruce nt St. Louis, Mo., ns sccond -clnss matter.
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St. Louis, Mo., November, 1908.
Lord Jesus, Quickly Come I Let nil who know t he joyful souml , ivit h gladness scncl the tidings .round And t ell t ha.t God is love; T hat Cocl so lo,•ccl t he worlcl, He gave H is own clear Son t he world t o s1wc: God's message from nbovc; That 11II who in t he Son believe Sbnll nc,·cr perish, but receive L ife cmllcss a nd clivinc; • No condcmnntion e'er shnll know, F rom clcnth t o life t hey pass below, And then in glory shine. 'Tis not of works : Jct no mnn boast, Save in H is nnme who saves the lost, The Lord, our Righteousness! Poor s inner , now from working ccnsc, And elttim from God n. bloocl-bought peace, And J esus Lord confess. Let nil who know our God rejoice, Praise H im in songs with cheerful l'oice, And live t o Him alone. Let sinners, t oo, t nke up the strain, Exalt t he Lamb for sinners slnin, The coming Savior own. · The Spirit ancl· the Bride sny, Come! Let liim that hearcth, t oo, say, Come ! Whoever t hirsts may come. . Water of life is freely given Till Christ the Lord descends from heav~n I;ord Jesus, quickly come_! Sclcotctl.
The Coming of Christ. The end of this month brings the end of the present church-year and the beginning of a new church-year with the holy Advent season: Advent means ·coming, and . the season of Advent reminds
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us of the coming of Christ. His coming is threefold : Christ has come; Christ still coi:µes; ,Christ will come. CHRIST HAS ooME. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, · that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." For the salvation of sinners Christ came in the flesh when He took upon Himself our human nature and was born of the Virgin Mary as the Savior of the world. By that coming of Christ in the flesh o~ rede~ption was secured; for He came to take the sinner's place under the Law, and to fulfill all the demands of the Law and bear the curse of the La'Y in the sinner's s~aq.. "When tJie fulln~ss of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive th:~ adoption of sons.'' The Advent season, comprising the four weeks before Christm!l,s, has: there£ore been called a season of preparation, a•time in which we are to prep.are ourselves for the· blessed Christmas festival, so that we may, not only with .our lips, bu~ also with our hearts raise the song of gladness: "Joy to the world! the Lord has cpmel. Let earth ·receive her King; Let every hcnrt prepare room, And· heaven 11.Dd nn.ture sing."
Him
Cmu:sT STILL COlIES. He that came in the flesh · and secured for us everlasting salvation comes to us in Word and Sacrament tp make us partakers of this salvation. The Word. of the G9spel is not an empty sound. ~t is, .as. th~ ~postle · says, "the Gospel of God's grace" and "a power of God u,n.t.o salvation." The sacraments are not mere empty signs and ceremonies. The Gospel promise is con..'
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The Lutheran Pioneer.
nected with them, and therefore they also are means of grace. According to Scripture, Baptism is n.pplied "for the remission of sins," and is the "wnsh-:. ing of regeneration." And Christ Himself tells us that in the Holy Supper He gives us His body given for us, and His blood shed for us, "for the remission of sins." Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life nnd salvation. In · these menDs of grace, which · God Himself hns ordained, Christ comes to us with all the treasures of salvation. He comes in mercy and in love to enter our hearts ns our Savior and our King. ''Behold," He snys, ''I stand nt the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." It is this thnt makes every church-year a year of grnce. It is this that mov~ Christians to carry on mission work, by which the menus of grace are brought to men and Christ with His salvation comes to sinburdened souls. "He comes, tl1e broken hcnrt to bind, The bleeding soul to cure, And ,\.i th the treasures of His gmce To enrich the humble poor."
CHRIST WILL COME. "They shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of hcnv.cn with power and great glory," says Christ. And when He. had ascended into heaven in sight of His disciples, two angels appeared and said to them: "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall come in like manner as ye have -seen Him go to heaven." He will come visibly at the end of the world to judge the quick. and the dend. That coming of Christ will be a terror to all unbelievers. They will be sent.as ):!is enemies into everlasting damnation. But it will be a joy to nll the children of God. They will enter into the joys of their Lord and will behold His glory in their heavenly ho~e. M;ay we by true faith be at all times prepared for that coming of Christ, which every setting sun brings nearer I ''Yet a little while, nnd He that shail come will come, and will not tarry.'' "He will come to judge the na.tions, A terror to His foes, A light of consolations And blessed hope to those Who love the Lox:d's a.ppea.ring. 0 glorious Sun, now come, Send forth Thy bea.ms so cheering, And guide us safely home!"
Tms is the nature of true faith that it is in-
ceseantly growing and increasing. - Lutli.er.
Offer unto God Thanksgiving. It would render us more thankful and make every day a thanksgiving du.y if we would at all times consider our own unworthiness over against God's great mercy. When Jacob thought of the gjfts and blessings which God had be~towcd upo·n him, 'he, in the sense of his llllWOl'thi ness, criec1 out with a thankful heart: "I um not worthy o'f the least of a.ll the mercies, and of all the h·uth, which 'J'hou hast showed unto Thy SCl'\'ant." We a1·e sim1ers, and even the best of us must confess with the words of the Catechism : " We daily sin much, and indeed deserve nothing but punishment." And yet God c1n.ily bestows upon us innumerable gifts ancl blessings all the year rotmd. ''What hast thou thnt thou didst not receive?" It is God from whom all blessings flow, and we unworthy creatmes owe all the benefits which we daily enjoy to His munel'ited goodness. He bestows all His blessings "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 ancl obey Him.'' 'riierefore, "bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits!" • "Offer unto God thanksgiving, ancl pay thy vows unto the Most High." "Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever." How a complaining woman was once reminded o.f her o,,rn. unworthiness and moved to give thanks unto God, is told by a well-known German Lutheran pastor as follows:. I once asked a woman in mY. first charge, "How arc you getting· along?'' She began to complain a great deal about her difficulties"' aiid trials. I allowed her to finish and then said to her: ''Well; my dear woman, I guess we will have to repeat the Catechism together. I'll ask and you ans:1Ver," ''Do you believe that you are a sinner?" "Yes, I believe it, I nm a sinner." "How do you know this?" "From the Ten Commandments; these I have not kept." . ''Wliat have you deserved of God by your sins?" "His wrath and displeasure, temporal death, and eternal damnation." "Is what you have just. ~aid true?" • ''Why, certainly it . is true, pastor I" "And still •I ·see that you have daily bread, l,lave clothing and shoes, .house and home; have a. kind husband and healthy children, have Jesus for your
The. Lutheran Pioneer. comfort and the Holy Ghost for your light, ha,·c Baptism and the Lord's Supper, forgiveness of sin, ancl the hope of eternal life. Let me tell you something : Your ·1ot i much better than you deserve, ancl you ought to be thankful to God." With these words I left. After n few weeks I passed the same house again. "Well, how arc you getting along now?" I asked the woman. With a beaming face she rcpliecl, " Oh, thanks he to Goel, much better than I cleserve, pastor."
A Warrior Chief Becomes a Lover of Peace. Missionaries tell us of many instances of the power of the Gospel over the hearts of the most cruel heathen. By the advent, or coming, of Christ into their hearts through the Gospel, a wonclerful change is effectecl. Fierce and cruel warriors arc changed to peaceful and loving Christians. 'l'hosc who once took delight in :fighting and slaying are seen meekly seated as teachers or learners in the schools of the missionaries. Mahine was a warrior chief in one of the South Sea Islands. He became uot only the terror of the spot in which he lived, but also to other islnncls around. When there was a. war, he was sent for to assist in it, and many poor islanders, botl\. yow1g and old, did his spear pierce to the heart. He thought his gods were pleased with the blood he shed, n.nd this urged him on with cruel 1·age. When the missionaries vis.ited the island in which M:ah.ine lived, he went to hear them, and the.. Holy Spirit, applied the truth with power to his heart. He now became quit~· a new man; his idols . were cast away, and ''he was as meek and humble as n. little child." He lived as a Christian for twenty years, and he was spa.red to be an old man. Often was he seen, as the first rays of the morning tipped the tops of the lofty mountain, n.t the foot of which stood the schoolhouse, making his wn.y to the Bible class, to be taught himself-:- and then, with the knowledge he thus got, he would go into the children's school and .be the teacher o:f the little ones. Sometimes he went from house to house to encourage the people to live in love. He built a small vessel, in which he sailed from island• to island, sometimes carrying with him a missionary to teach the people. How astonished they must have been at the change! Once he used to visit them in his war canoe to destroy their houses and slay their children. Now they beheld him coming
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in his little ship to their sbores with a message ot love to them and their children. When he found his nealth fail, he gave directions about his family and the district over which he was chief. A. missionary went to see him, and asked him how he felt now that he was near death, when he said, "Christ is my resting-place; the fear of death is gone; I have taken leave of all things here, aud am waiting and praying for the Lord to take me." Thus died Mahine, great as a heathen chief, and the terror of the islands around, but greater as a Christian, in humility ·and meekness, in faith and love.
Contented. Under elate of September 1, 1851, "Father !=!eyer," a missionary in India, wrote_the following to his young Lutheran friends in America: l\fy DEAU YOUNG FRIENDS:-_Two months have elapsed since I last wrote to you, and I now address you once more from my Bethesda. Your minist.er or Sunday school t.eacher will tell you the mean,ing of this word; and you may then conclude that I look upon the dwell1ng which I occupy in this ·part of India as a house of mercy to the most unworthy. Its dimensions are comparath•ely small, but I can sing: This little pince for me ·designed As well suits my contented mrnd As palnccs of kings I
At home, a.broad, I am not forsaken; the Lord is nigh, His Spirit comforts, the heavenly Father smiles. Earthly toys, Sinful mirth nnd carnnl .joys, , The things I loved before, I now· desire no more.
They belong to the W(?rld, and the cbpdren of the world may take delight in them; but having renounced Satan, the world, and the fiesh, having been extricated from the miry clay, what manner of persons ought Christians to be in all holy conversat:ion. May the Lord enable us to walk worthy of our high vocation I
The Greatest Change. To a heart that is full of joy, all it sees is joyful; but ,to a sad heart all is sad. Change of heart is the greatest change. - Luther.
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The Lutheran Pio:q.eer. North Carolina and Virginia Items.
. Mission friends, and especially our colored Lutherans, will be glad to hear that the new chapel of :Mount Zion congregation at Rocks, N. C., is nearing its completion. The 15th of November will be
Chap!ll and Member■ of Colored Lutheran Congregation in lleherriD. at Harvest Home Fe■tinl. 0
permanent control of the rod. We hope, however, that the behavior of his scholo.rs will not necessitate a r~gular use of this scepter. Immanuel College has opened under more favorable conditions than ever before. We are glad to say that our old scholars were more punctual than before. Room for improvement, however, is not excluded. It is difficult to instill into our colored scholars the importance of punctuality. 58 answer to the roll call, and 22 of these are boys - a larger number than in the foregoing yea:i:s. The faculty, sad to say, is in a worse dilemma than ever. Last year we had four professors and one student of St. Louis as assistant ; this year finds us without the assistant as fifth teacher, a new class in the Theological Department added, and the same amount of extra pastoral work - owing to the continued vacancies of the parishes of Grace Church at Greensboro, and St. Matthew's at l\foherrin, Va., the latter 125 miles ~istant - resting on the shoul- · de:i;s of. the faculty members. We ·anxiously look for the promised relief. The parochial school in connection with the college, claims 143 scholars. On October 4th the congregation at l\Ieherrin, · Va., celebrate~ its annual Harvest H ome Festival. '.l'he church was neatly decorated with the fruits of the field and garden. Prof. Lochner and the undersigned filled the pulpit at the morning and after-
a -g~la day -for our· Lutherans there, for on that day its ?e<lication will _take place. ~very little church is a small fo~t in the enemy's kingdoJn. .May this modest little cl1apel also be a bulwark aga~t the encroachments of the Prince of Darkness and prove itself a strong fortress to tbose who find refuge and shelter for . their souls b~hind its walls. The sister co:pgregations of the nearby ,stations a.re invited t.o be .p resent and the audience-is promised a sermon· by Prof. N. '3". Bakke. Bethel congregation ·•at Conover, N. C., will have a Harvest Home Festival on I Novemb~r 29th. In •• thankful recognition 9.f ~he blessings .received during· the past year the congregation will endeavor to . sho,v its .gratl~c1e itlso by giving,to the_.Lor~ as H~ hiµi pro~pered · ther,n, in prder t.o help pay off a debt that has been on the church for many months. The I Our Catechumen Cloi at lleherri.n, Va. congregation; ~t Catawba is invited t.o be prese~t. S~rinons 'will be' pr<:3clied by the Revs. Ph. Schmidt noon services. rhis parish is vacant. The people and Koiner: .. ' . clamor for a school for their, little ones. These Our parochial school at Charlotte shows a large JJeople _hp.ve· a gooa" record of faithfulness to the Lu-. number of children that a'I"e daily instructed in the th~ran chure:h in spiw, of great difficulties. The Word of God•. ~t-~_p~~d -~ $ep~mber_with an en- nwn°Q~r . was ,at oµ.e time . extr~mely small. Tµe rollment of 63, and since then 40 more are on the pla.ce counseled ~bandonment. But the tearful .petilis_t:,.' ~ p,lace of.Student ,:i:-o~ Alston,. wq.o taught tion of .tho,i;e who h~ld: fast to the .Lutheran ,doc:: h~fi\µ·1l;as~ ypar, ~ _hroth~r, ~eacher Fr~.Als- trine for m9re than a -yea1 and a half, despite their . tonr a graduate of .I~~~uel . College, is now in bein;g abandoned, again brought a shepherd ~ t~s
The Lutheran Pioneer. faith!til flock. .Ancl to-clay? It is, we dare say, an icleal country parish. A goocl number of its members are lords, if not over ready cash, yet over fairsized farms. The Lord has here ·obviously prospered them with temporal goods also, and they hacl good cause to l"endcr thanks unto Him by celcbraLiug a Hal"vest Home Festival. The Sunday bcfo1·e, Prof. Lochner, who is cal"ing for this vacant charge, rcceivec1 into the Chmch seven cateclmmens by confo·mation. H. G.
"Thy King Cometh unto Thee." No doubt, thou dost not come to Him, to fetch Him. He is too high and too far for thee. With all the labor, toil, and expense of thine, thou canst not reach Him. 'l'hou canst not boast of having brought Him to thee by thine own merit .and worthiness. No, dear friend, here is the end of all human merit and worthiness. There is nothing but unworthiness on thy part, and all grace and mercy on His part. Not thou seekest Him, He seeketh thee. Not thou findest Him,· He findeth thee. For the preachers come from Him, not from thee. Their messaae cometh from Him, not from thee. Thy 0 :faith cometh :from Him, not :from thee. And whatever thy :faith worketh in thee, cometh from Him, not :from thee. And if He does not come, thou wilt be left and :forsaken. Where there is no Gospel, there is no God, but merely sin and ruin, whatever the free will may do, suff~r, work, and live, as best it may. - Luther.
A Thankful Heart.
But I did not know her then. The door opened a nd a kind, lovely old face bade me come in. I en tercel the room, and we soon had a conversalion, and what a conversation it was! I found her to be one of God's happy children, contented in Jesus, anc1 with a thankful heart. She told me how Goel hacl blessed her; how He in His goodness had gfrcn her everything needful for her life and comfort. As she spoke, I looked around her poor old home in which there was hardly anything that we think necessary to make a home. Did I hear aright ? Yc:s, for there she sat, the dear old woman, with a face expressing the thankfulness of her heart. I must see her garden. As we walked around the very small plot of ground, she said she believed that God had blessed her ·little garden more than all the rest. I must take a meal with her. As we sat at the poorly-fumishecl table and partook of that frugal meal, she said : "How good God has always been to me! . I have always had enough to eat, and I had a roof · to cover me, and clothing to keep inc wariu." I looked upon her almost in reverence. I thought how many people upon. whom God had showered His blessings never thank Him; how many people whose lives have faPen in pleasant places 8!1l always complaining. But here this woman, to whom God, we would say, had given very little indeed, was pouring out her heart in thanksgiving and praise to Him for all that He had done· for her, a poor and unworthy creature. She surely had a thankful heart. She seemed to me to stand there with a crust of bre.a d in one hand and a cup of water. in the other and saying, All this, and Jesus, too. . I can never forget that woman, I :p.e.ver want to forget her. Her memory has been a benedi~tion to me, and ~t may be that the. story of her thankful heart may help and cheer others and make them. more tha.nk-iul for God's gifts and blessings.
An. aged minister, in his "Reminiscences of an Old Pastor," Telates the following: An incident occurred in my first pastorate which I shall never forget. In the congregation was a widow, old and poor, who lived in an old loghouse at the edge of a dense woods, with an insane • son. I remember my first visit to her as though The Richness of the Bible. it had -been but yesterday. As I walked toward her humble dwelling, I tried to call to mind all "I have now," says Luther, "for some time reali th~ comforting passages of Scriptures that might the Bible twice through every year. It is a great suit her sad lot. It was wi~ a sad and heavy heart t;ee, and all its words are twigs. and branches, and that I stood on the door-step. When I knocked at every twig and spray I have struck to find out w_h at . th~ -~oor,. I. expected it to be opened by a sad-faced was on it, and what it '."as good for; yet, knock as . woman who carried her sorrows upon her face. often as I will, down comes a fresh handful . of I expected. to be greeted by a tale of woe. I . even fruit." expected her to question the goodness of her God.
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The Lutheran Pioneer. Tongue, Eyes1 and Ears. Gunrd, my child, t hy tongue Thnt it spcn k 110 wrong; Let no c,•il word pass o'er it., Set the w11tch of t ruth before it • Thnt it speak 110 wrong. Gunrd, my child, thy tongue! Gunrd, my child,· t hine eyes, _ Prying is not wise; Let them look on whnt is• right,. From nil c,·il turn their sight, Prying is not wise. Gunrd, my child, t hine eyes! Gunrd, my child, tbinc cnr, Wicktd words will scnr. Let no c,•il word come in That mn.y cause the soul to sin, , v icked words will scnr. Gunrd, my ch!ld, thine car! Ear and eye and tongue, Guard while thou nrt young, For, nlas! thcsj? busy three Can unruly members be. Guard while thou nrt yoting, Enr nnd eye nml tongue!
A Lesson on Thanksgiving._
learned a lesson :from the clear child. Remember to thank God for mercies past, as well as to ask for blessings for the futmc. And when no~v the thought of my great loss weighs me clown like a heavy burden, I think of the many mercies which have been mine also during the years of my wedded life, ancl I earnestly thank God also for His past mercies, and my heart is at peace."
A Pretty "Thank You." In far-away Japnn, Mrs. lia)•es, a foreign lady, one clay looking out of her window, saw some little girls timidly coming iuto the yard. She raised the window and invited the little ones in, but they were too shy for that and ran off - all but one, ancl she looked very frightened. Mrs. Hayes encouraged her, however, with a sweet smile, and soon the others also came back, and each was given an orange. This was acknowledged by a very low bow, ancl away they ran the seconq time. Half an hour later, Mrs. Hayes again looked out of her window. This time it was what she heard that attracted }1er. '.Vhe same little girls had come back and were stancliug at the gate singing one of the hymns which they had learned in the mission school. This is one of the ways little Japanese girls have of saying "thank you" - and a pretty way it is I
A Christian widow writes: "Soon after my dear husband bad gone to his eternal rest, 1 · 1earnecl ii. lesson on thanksgiving from my little daughter, my only child. At her usual hour in the evening she kneeled by me to say her evening prayer. At the end of her prayer came as usual the earnest words : 'God bless dear mother.!' But the prayer was suclLutheP on Preaching. denly stilled as if something was missing, and the Once, when Dr. Luther sat ,mder the pear-tree little hands unclasped, and a look of agony and wonder met my eye, as the words of hopeless sor- in his garden, he asked Magister Anthony Lauterrow burst from the lips of the kneeling child : bach how he prospered with his preaching. When 'I ~annot pray for father any more.' Since her he complained of his temptations, difficulties, and little lips had been able to form the dear-name, she weakness, Dr. Luther said, "Ah, my friend, so it had prayed for a blessing upon her father. His has been with me.. I have .dreaded the pulpit quite name had followed close upon her mother's name, as much as you can; yet I had to go on. But you - for he had said that must come first, - and now ,want to be a master all at once. Perhaps you are to say the familiar prayer, and leave her father out, seeking honor, and are therefore tempted. You that was a thought which she could not grasp. should preach for our Lord God, and not tegard "I waited for some moments, that she might ·how men think f\nd judge. If anyone can do better, conquer her emotion, and then I urged her. to go let him; do you preach Christ and the Catechism. on in her prayer. Her pleading eyes met mine, Such wisdom will lift you above the judgments of and with a faltering voice she said, '0 mother, all men, their praise or blame; for this wisdom is I cannot leave him all out; let me say, Thank God God's, wiser than men. Thou art called to this. that I had a dear father once I So I can still go Christ hath need of thee to help praise Hi~. On on, and keep him in my prayers.' t)1is stand :firm; let who will praise. or blame, that · "And so she always does, and my stricken heart is -not thy concern."
The Luthera n Pioneer. NOTES. A FAREWELL IN NEW OnLEANS. - F rom the Items o:f our New Orleans correspondent iu our last issue, om readers have already lcamcd that the Rev. F . J . Lankenau, pnstor at one of our mission stations and professor in L uther College, has been called to another field of labor. O:f his departure f-I·om New Orleans P rof. F. Wenger, his colleague in Lu ther College, wri lcs in 'l'lw Southern l,11,lh era:n:
87
bers of the new Board are : The Revs. H. B. Hemmeter, C. F. Drewes, H . Meyer, Prof. L. Fuerbringer, Prof. G. Mezger, and Mr. H. A. Schenkel. 'l'hc last named has been chosen treasurer. We hope he will be kept busy not only in paying out, but also in talring in money !or our Colored Mis: ion. H is address is: Mr. H. A. Schenkel, 1447 John Ave., St. Louis, Mo.I E ARLY L UTHERAN MISSION WORK illON0 THE [NDIANS. - In connection with the recent celebration of F otmdcr's W.eek at Philadelphia. we were rnmi11dcd of the early mission work of the Lutheran Church amoug the Indians. In a. Philadelphia. paper we rend ~ "It was in 163_9 that the Lutherans bought .from the Indians the very site of Philadelphia. In 16•16 they built the first church on the western banks of the Delaware at Tinicum. They began missionary work among the Indians, and the Rev. J olm Campanius, who built the church at Tinicum, translated Luther's Smaller Catechism into the language of the Indians before John Elliott did his work in New England." Again we read : "It was the Lutheran people who made peace with the Indians, and who thereby prepared the way for P enn. The missionary work done by the Lutherans among the Indians had an incalculable effect 011 the natives in preparing the way for Penn and bis cola.borers."
"A sad bereavement befell our Colored Mission in New Orleans when Rev. F . J . Lankcna.u accepted a call from a white congregation in Napoleon, 0. He ser ved the Mission :for se,•cntcen long years aml had won t he conficlence of the colored people as a white man seldom does. Besides the members of St. · Paul's Mission cong regation, whose pastor he had been all t hose seventeen yea1·s, there are scores of other Lutherans, colorecl and white, who regretted to see him go, for he was ever willing to serve others wi th his excellent gifts. Since the :forming of Luther College he has, moreover, been the leadfog spirit of that instifa.1tion and taught some of the most important studies. T hus his departure creates a. vacancy which will be difficult to, fill. His congregation expressed its appreciation of his long services by a well-filled purse which was delive1·ecl to him with some appropriate 1·cmarks by his intimate friend, Pastor G. C. Franke, at the close of the ser vice in which he spoke bis farewell sermon on Sunday, September 6th. Possibly more than BIDLE WORK. -The One Hundred and Fourth the gift the large attendance at that service showed Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society the esteem in which he was held by the . colored has been issued, and it declares that · some years people. The choir of St. Paul's, under the direc- have elapsed since . the Soci~ti,s recora presented tion of Mr. Nap. Seeberry, rendered two appro- so many cheering features. There have been three prjate anthems. additions to the Society's long list of versions into "On Monday night following, the . congregation which portions of the Scriptures have been transtendered their departing pastor a last reception in 'lated; while in sb: other new· tongues versions are the hall of Luther College. This was merely an almost ready. This brings the number of lan. informal gathering a!fording pastor and flock a last guages on the list to 412. Complete versio~ of t1ie 11'.!eeting and some final words of farewell. There Bible have also been increased, bringing the total was a. short adcltess by one of the leading members number of B.ibles in foreign tongues to 105. The of the congregation and also a. song by the choir. total number of New Testaments is 99. The service rendered to the Missionary Societies by the Bible Some refreshments were likewise served." Society is well known. Versions or revisions are . now in hand for no less than forty different organiA NEW MISSION BoAnD. -At the recent meetzations. A ne,v edition of. the English Bible for ing of the Synodical Conference several new memthe blind is in preparation. The following are the bers were elected for our Mission Board in place Society's total issues fol' the year: Bibles, 864,247; of former members, who served our Colo'red Mission . New Testamenm, 1,136,565; portions, 3,687,569; faithfully and efficiently for many years, but who were not able to continue in the service. ·The Iqem- total, 5,688,381.
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88
The Lutheran Pioneer.
MlssIONARY LIFE IN ALASKA. - A friend of missions writes: "A great obstacle to mission work in Alaska is the fact that life in many parts of Alaska is really accompanieq by much suffering and hardship. I talked the other day with a young missionary who had just returned upon her furlough, and she said that .she and her husband had gone as bride and groom to the extreme northern .part of Alaska, where for six months of the year they lived in darkness and where the mail came but once a year. 'One year,' she said, 'we missed the mail, so we were two years without news from the home land. Our sufferings were intense, but we never for a moment lost the consciousness of the presence of Christ.' And another missionary told me that he had taken .his wife as his helpmeet into Alaska. Being frail at the best, she gra~ually wasted away in the cold of the north, faded like a flower, and died, and yet he, with his breaking heart, went on attempting to lead people to know the Savior.'' He Gave His Best.
An old minister once gave to a poor young ser,•ant his best pair of stockings. A few days afterward, the mother preparing the wash and not being able to find the good pair of stockings, said to her husband : "My dear, did you not take out the new pair of stockings ?" "Yes," said the pastor, "I gave them to poor John." . "But why did you give him your best pair, why did you not give him a pair of poor ones?" ·upon this the old man took a long, steady pull at his pipe, and chuckJ,ing, said: "Mother, poor ones he had himself."
Please Take Notice·! While tho postal nuthoritics have not yet caus!?(l us any inconvenience .or expense on account. of the new regulations concerning second-class mail which were promulgated early in the year, still it is not impossible that the rigid enforcement of the new laws mny oblige us ~t any time to pay postage many times as high as at present on aJl. copies mailed to delinquent subscribers, and. for that reason we politely suggest to our subscribers that it will be to our mutual advantage if all subscription,s nre paid now; R8 the subscriptions for 1909 will be due in January: If you receive your periQdical direct by mail and are in doubt as to the expiration of your subscription, kindly consult the address stenciled on the wrapper in which :,our pa.p er came. If the left •lower corner shows "J,fui O~," for instance, then you s~ill owe for tl1e current year; if it reads "JAN 07," you are two years in arrears. CoNOOBDl& POBLIBllINQ HOUSE.
BOOK TABLE. Got,DENES J u oILAEUllC clcr Gcmcindc zum liciligen Krcuz zu St. Louis, Mo. Louis Lange Publishing Co., St. Louis, Mo. P rice, 50 cts., postpaid. This is n. well-written h istory of one of t he oldest Lutheran congregations in St. Louis. It is n. plain record of t he mercies and blessings of God cujoyccl by t he congregation in church nnd school since it s org:mizntion fi fty yen.rs' ngo. The · hnndsomely bound ancl 1>rofuscly ilJustratcd little book will pro,,e of interest. not only to the members of t he cong rcgn.tion, but also to its many friends throughout t he Synod. All{ERIKAl'- ISCIIER KALENDER flier dcutsche Lut hcraner a.uf dns Jahr 1000. Conconlin. P ublishing House, St. Louis, Mo. P rice, IO cts. Dcsiclcs t he usual cnlcncln.r nnd stn.t.istica.l nuittcr, this useful nmmnl contains 24 pages of inst ruct ive and edifying rending mnttcr, also n brief a rt icle in memory of the lntc Prof. F. Lindemann, t he fait hful a nd nblc editor of the Almnnnc for 21 ycnrs.
Acknowledgment. Rccch•ccl for Colored M i ssi o11s : From St. Pn.iu 's Church, Charlotte, N. C., $10.00 ; Bethlehem Church, :Monroe, N. 0., 2.50; St. J a mes'. Church, Southern P ines, N. C., 5.00; · :Mount Zion Church, Rocks, N. C., 8.50 ; Mount Olive Church, Catawba, N. C., 5.75 ; Dct.hlchcm Church, New Orleans, Ln., 25.00; Mount Zion Churcli, New Orleans, ~a., 35.00; St. Paul's Church, Mnnsura., La., 3.35 ; Grace Church, Concord, N. C., 15.00 ; St. Matthew's Church, Mcbcrrin, Va., 11.45; Mount Zion Church, Mcycrsville, N. C., 2.50. St. .Louis, 1\£0., October 17, 1008. H ENRY· A . ScnENrn:L, Treas. 1447 John Ave.
Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches. NEW ORLEANS, LA. St. PauZ'a OhapeZ, 1625 Annette St., near N. Claiborne St. Dh·ine Services: Sunday, 11 ·A. H. nnd 7.30 P. :u:.; Wedncsdny, 7.30 P. u. . Mount Zion Ohurc1,, Frnnklin and Tho.Ha. Sts. ; Ed. C.
KraU!iC, Pastor. Divine Services: _S unday, 11 A.. H. and 7,.30 P . :u:.; Thursday, 7.30 P. u. Bethlehem Chapel, Washington Ave. and Dryades St.; G. M. Kramer, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 11 A. ll. and 7.30 P . ll.; Thursday, 7.30 P . ll. Sunday School: Sunday, 10 A, H. SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Ohuroh; iTamea Doswell, Pastor. Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. :u:. and 8 P. :u:.
TEBKS: P1oi,EEB is published monthly, pa11able in adwnce ~t the following rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copf ••• • ••••••• . , ••. • • • ••••25 10 Copies . • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • . 2.00 25 Copies • • • • • • • . • • . . • • • • • • • 5,00 '.,l'HE LUTHEBA.N
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lht J uthtran A P u nusnEo n\"
1\-1:ISSIONARY
♦
tOUtt~.
MONTHLY.
THE EVANGEL ICAL LuTJIERAN SYNODICAL CONFERENCE OF
Nor..Tn
1\lramcA.
Jt, A. DISCUOFF, Editor. Entered nt tho Post Office nL St. Louis, :llo., ns secon<l-class m:1tler.
St. Louis, Mo., Decembe r, 1908.
Vol. XXX.
The Christmas Message. ·•/Jchol cl, f l, ri11y .'JOI/ !JOO(l t i ,/ i 11y:,; of !Jl'Ctll j oy, which ~l1t1/I /,c to " " ,,ci,,,,,._ /o'c,1· 1111 / n !I"" i.~ /,or11 t h is cl"y, in I he vii y u{ Ott l'id , ,, , '11 l'ic,r , wit folt is Oltri:,;t /,lt c l ,or cl ."
T h is i:s l h • Ch l'isl.mns mcs,:;agc, : ·ay. tlo you take it in, This woncler ful r cdc111pl.io11, C:otl ',: rc- 111c1l,\ for si II ? 0
Do
a t hea rt. bclie\·e it? believe iL's t rue, A 111I 111c>ai1 t. for l!\"ury sinne r, A 11d I.he r •fore 111c1111t fo1· you ? ~· 0 11
J)u _\'Oil
'l'hcn ta ko t.h is "grnn I, sa h•ation ;" F ur .Jc,; 11,; lows to g h·e. Bul iurn! a mt ,\· 011 rccch·u ii., Hcliorn! anti you s hull lh•c ! ,\ ntl if I.he Christ.ma mcs,mgu H a s now brought pea.cc l <? ~·ou, J\Ia kc known I.he Chl'ist m:\,:; slory, :For ol.hcr:s nuu<I i t t.oo. Soon, soon, our eyes s hall :;cc Him! And in our homes a bove W e' ll s ing ·t hut s weetest s tory or J es us and H is IO\'e. Sp lcctcd,.
The Savior Is Born. .'!'he , 'avior is born! '!'his is the glad news which is brought to us in the Christmas Gospel, and which m11kcs Christmas such a bicsscd season. l t should fill our hem·ts with thankful joy ; for we all need a Sa.\'ior. We a1·c siuucrs by nature, lost aucl conclcnmed, under t he curse o:f the Law, under the wr11tl.-i of Goel. " For it is written, Cursed is ·every one that continucth not in all things which arc wri tten in the book oi the Law to do them," Gal. 3, 10.
No, 12.
We ncccl a 'avior lo rCllccm us from sin ~111cl clnm1111tio11. \\ c mu,:t hn,·c a 'avior, or else we arc lost forcrnr. And that Sa,·ior mu t be Goel an<l man fo 011 0 person. "lt was necessary for H im to be a man that He might sufl:e1· antl clic; but as no 1itcrc man could bear the sin of the human race, together ,vith the wrath of God ancr the curse of the Law, nor satisfy infinite divine justice, nor overcome death, hell, aucl t he devil, it was ncccs§ill",}' that Uc should at the same time he true God." J ust such a S1t,·ior was born unto us in the holy Christmas night, when His birth wa.- maclc known by an angel, who brought the goocl tidings of great joy: " Unto you is b'orn this clay, in the city of D1wi1l, a Savior, which i: Christ the Lord." 'l'hc , 'avior bom at Bethlehem is true mau, bom of the '\ irgin Mnry; but He is more thnu that. He is at t he snmc time t rnc Goel, bcgottcil of the Father from ctcmily. 'l'hcrcforc the angel calls Him "Christ the Lonl." It is God's own Son who became man an~ was born of the Virgin 1'Iary, iu 01·der to be our Sa\'ior. "When the fullness of the time was come, Goel sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the iLaw, to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might rccch•c the adoption o.f sons," Gal. 4, 4. 5. "Goel so lo\'cd the world thnt He gnvc His only-begotten Son, that whosoever belie,\cth iu Him should not perish, but have cvcrlnsting life," John 3, 16. · · 'l'he Savior is born! What should we do? We sl~ould by f11ith accept tliat Savior as om: own. We shall then have, not merely a. merry Christmns, but whnt is far more, a. blessed ·chri~tmas. Our hearts will then be fillccl with the true Christmas joy over the birth of the Savior, in whom we have pardon for nil our sins nncl comfort for all our sor1·ows.
I
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90
The Lutheran Pioneer. .
The Savior is born I These good tidings or great joy shall be to all people. Angels proclaimed· them when the Savior was born, but it is not the will of the Lord that angels ~hould continue to proclaim them for all time. He has given the Gospel of salvation to His Church, nnd to the members of His Church He says: "Go yo into all the world, and preach the ·Gospel to every creature." They are to take up the joyful news ancl carry it to them that-have it not, that they also may rejoice in the Savior born at Bethlehem.
"He Is My Savior." "He is my Savior." That was the answer written by a deaf and dumb girl to the question: "What do you know of the Lord Jesus Christ?" Happy child ! Her answer was the utterance of a heart that knew ancl loved Jesus. Many a· one, more learned than that little girl in all the details of the history of Christ, cannot ,vrite so trustingly: "He is my Savior." Heart knowledge is better than head lmowledge. A person may know much about the Lord Jesus without knowing Him. A person may know the story of His lowly birth, of His life in poverty and want1 of His bitter sufferings anddeath, and yet be far away from Him. A person may call Jesus a Savior, or tho Savior, without being able truthfully to say with a trusting heart: "He is ,ny Savior." Only the sinner that has come to the true lmowledge of sin and of G9d'~ wrath over sin, the sinner that realizes his own lost and helpless condition without a Savior from sin, death, devil, and hell - only that sinner will with the arms of a trusting faith embrace the Savior born at Bethlehem, and with a heart filled with true Christmas joy will _gladly ex~laim: "He is my ·savior."
A Conversation with the Child Jesus. The churchfather Jerome, who died in the year 420, passed the last years of his life at Bethlehem,
the Chilcl Jesus. I say-: "0 Lorcl Jesus, how hard is r1iy couch for the sake of my salvation! How may I ever repay Thee?" 'l'heu I hear the Chilcl answer : "I do not ask for anything. Do thou siug: 'Glory to Goel in the highest, and ·on earth peace, good will lownrcl men,' and be_ thou glad ; I will become much more wrctc'hed yet in the garden and on the holy cross." Again I say: " O dear Child, I m 11st give 'l'hcc something; I will giYc Thee all my gold." The Child ·answers: "No, incleed ! for the heavens ancl the earth arc mine already; mine is silver and gold. I clo not want anything - give it to poor people, and I will look upon it as given to myself." I say: "That I will clo most willingly, but I will give sometl)iug -to Thee also, else I inust clie for sadness." Then I hear the answer: " Well, then, H thou art bouncl to give something, I will tell thee what ~ thou shalt give me: Give unto me thy sins, thy · evil conscience, aucl thy damnation." I say: ''What wilt 'l'hou clo with it ?" The Child answers: "I will take it upon my shoulcler, that shall be my gove1:nment ancl noble deed; ns Isaiah has said, 'His governmcn t shall be upon His shoulder' - I will be&,r thy sins." Then I begin, adds Jerome, to weep bitterly, .ancl say: "0 little Child, dearest Jesus, how liast . Thou moved my heart! I thought that Thou wantest the good I have, but Thou wautest the bad I have. Tako, then, what 1"'.s 1nitto, and give mo what 1:S Thine. Thus· I nm 1·icl of sin and sure of the life everlasting." ·
"Unto You Is Born a Savior." These words should melt heaven and earth, and chang9 death into sugar for us, and all misfortunes, of which there are more than can ·be told, into pure, sweet wine. For what man is there who can properly conceive of this, that the Son of God is born man, a Savior for us? Such treasure the angel giv~ not only. to His mother, the Virgin Mary, but to all of us; "unto you," he says, "is born a Savior, which is Obrist the Lord," - Luther.
near the place where the Savior was born. ''Do not take me away from the manger of Christ," he said, "there is nowhere a better place for me. Where God has sent me His Son from heaven, at the same 'l'HE birth of Christ is clearer and of far greater place will I send unto "Him my soul up to heaven." benefit to me than would be all the treasures which And in his old age he wrote: As often as I the Roman taxation of the Emperor Augustus • look at this place, my heart has a con':ersation with brought together. - Burk.
The Lutheran -Pioneer. Christmas in Norway. 'l'he great Ic tival of the yeat· h1 Norway, as amoug all Germanic nation , is Chri tmas. 'l'he prepa.raLions in Lite way of provisioning the house, would, to mericau eyes, look perfectly enormous. Baking and brewing and butchering keep the whole householll busy during the last three weeks preceding the :festival. And the fact that the process is repeated year after year probably proves that it is uecessnry. Every man, woman, or child who comes within stone's tlu-ow of the house during the holi'tlays ( which last until a week niter N cw Year) m11sL be invited in and urged to eat and drink. Even the birds are to have theil- share of the Christmas joy. . As soon as the chmch-bells have "rung in the feast," at five o'clock in the afternoon or Chr istmas Eve, the :father of the house tnkes his richest sheaf of oats or ba'r lcy and attaches it to the end of a pole, which is nailed to the gable o.f Lhe barns or the storehouses. The mother and the chilchen stand by, enjoying the sight of the happy birds fluttering around the sheaf, while the father will perhaps quote the passage about God's care even for the sparrow, wherefore it is right that the spanow, too, should rejoice on the day when Christ was bom. 'l'be German custom of having poor children wander about on Christmas Eve, canying a large lighted star of ca.nvas, representing the star of Bethlehem, p1·evails also in Norway. No one can hear then- s]1rill, tiny voices in the snow 1mder his window, singing the dear familiar carols, ahd refuse them thefr well-earned penny. - Sc·ribncr.
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present she said in vigorous tones: ''While we were yet heathen we had many heathen festivals with every abomination. E very one had to give something. Wc gave several measures of rice, some gave a5 much as five or ten measures, or chickens, fish, or even a hog. x o one went free. Now we are cleli vcred from the darkness ; the Gospel shines forth among us; there is no longer any compulsion. And what arc we doing now? · Now we contribute n. cent, perhaps even a half-peony. Shame on us ! Is that thankfulness?" · So saying, she pressed the hand of the missionary and left for her home. Those iu the schoolroom were rather stunned; but they soon recovered. They had to admit the truth of what they had heard, and all of them gladly added their gifts for the mission to the " Christmas thanks" of old Aunt Mary.
A Birthday Present.
On the Sunday before Christmas a Christian chief on the island of Sumatra asked the missionary for permission to say a few words to the congregation after the close of the service. Permission being given, he spoke about as follows: "Near at hand is .the Christmas festival, which will again . lead us to Bethlehem, where Jesus, the Savior of the ,vorld, was .born. With us it is C¥stomnry that at the birth of a child relatives and friends come and bring a present. If it is a child of high and noble descent, then the. presents must be great and valuable. Now,. we ear.thly-minded p.eople never thought of bringing a present for the Child Jesus, ·who was born for us. I therefore move that on the Aunt Mary's Christmas Thanks. first Christmas Day each one of us bring a gift, Aunt Mary was a poor old widow living at one and as the Child Jesus is of high and noble descent, of the outstations of the mission. Ever sitJce her the Son of God, th" King of all kings, therefore our husband's death she was rather melancholy and was gifts musht be nobble gifts. Thalsoebest gift is indeed · B own eart; ut we can contribute some1 b'· · our 1 went to cmrc seldom seen m company. ut s1e thin f Ii d' f th kin. d f b.18 O O regularly nncl especially loved to come to the Christg e sprea mg e g om t mas services. great g. One Clll'istmas day tbe sermon bad moved the The people heartily assented, and on .Christmas hea1·ers to think earnestly on the question : "What morning there stood a table. before the altar, upon shall .we do in thankfulness to the Lord?" While which they laid · money and also rice, so that a large sum was collected for :missions as a birthday the missionary and the elders of the church w'ere present to the Savior bom at Bethlehem. in the schoolroom, Aunt Mary came in. "Dear sir," she said to the missionary, ''I cannot do much, THE incarnation of God's· Son teaches man the but here are my thanks;" and as she slipped a Ii ttle package into the missionary's hand, she added: greatness of his miseFy by showing how great a "For the mission." Then turning to the others remedy was needful. - Pascal.
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THE CHRIST-CHILD. "See, my soul, thy Snvior chooses • \Venkness here nnd 1,o,·c1·ty, Jn t<11cJ1 lo,·c He comes to thee,
Little Isaac and. the Christmas Gospel. lsanc wns the nnme given to a little boy in Africa when he wns baptized after being instructed hy the missionary. Ifow dicl he come to the mission station Cor instruction and baptism? Let me tell you the story ,ns told by the missionary.
Nor the h:irdcst conch rcfu cs ; All He suffers for t.hy good, '.l'o 1·cdcc111 thee by His blood."
When Isaac wns still n hentheu boy an~ wns watchinn0 his father's shec1>, he one dav J saw in the field nearby another boy who was a. stranger to him. As children nrc wont to do, they soon came together to chat and play. After n while the sh-ango boy, whose parents hncl become Christians, took n book out of his bag nml began to rend. Lit:tle
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Isaac a L Lha t fi111 c di d 1101, k now nn_vlhing nboul. •1·c 11 ii" he ha:; a ll lhc lrca ·nrcs of thi° · world; he reading. 1ll• wa: afraid o( Ll1c l,ook and wanlcd ha s 110 ·omforL in life and no hope in the hour of lo ru n away fro111 iL as if ii we re a s nake. Hui. the dcall1; for there i~ no other . alrnlion a nd there is other boy .xplni ncrl the mall •r lo him. l fc tolcl none ot her name under hca,·co 0cri,·cn nmoncr men 0 · hi m tha t the hlnck lc lf r rs in the book were put whcr by we must be . a,·ccl bu t the name or .Jesus." logl•lhe r lo · fnrm wor(ls a nd !hes words would 'l'hus he C'onfc·scd ihc faith of his heart. In that I.hen tc,11 you 111;111_v l,hin.rs. ] le Uwn rC'ad fro1p the l'ailh he lirnd, in tha t fa ith he clicd. Tn the mid. t i:ccond Irnptcr of , ' t. Luke the 'hrisl.mas C:ospcl many lc1nplation~ he rcmainc,I faithful to whi c.:h tells of the 'n.vio r' birth a t B thlchc111, arnl lhc encl. or fhc arw •ls I.hat .111 nuc k nown Lhc g lntl titli ng· W need not, like li tt.lc faaac nncl many other aml ang o joyfully in I.he holy 'hri tmas nigh t : people in Heathen lands, make a. long journey to ' CHo ry to God ju the highest, !ll!d on cnrl·h peace, find the 'n\"ior. He is preached a11°1ong us ancl is "'OOd w i 11 town rd rn ' ll . ' broug ht to us in the Gospel t ruths or the .Bihlc to LiUle Tsaac Ii toned nltcnli\·cly ancl I.hen a itl, be rccci,·cc1 by Cai th n our , 'nvior. Luther well '-'J'hnt 11111st hm·c been n. wonderful chihl. \\ hcr·e sn_ys : "In the Bible are fo und the swacldlin:r is iL now ? Can J !' c it?'' cloth e · :incl the manger in which Je~us lies, whit her " Oh; :-ai1l the other boy, ~.Jesus is nlwn._rs ncnr t he 01wel also directs • the shcphcrcls. Plain, in11:-. ul!hmwh we sc· • H i111 not. B ut ii' you wau t lo <lcNl is ihc clothing, hut oh, how precious is Cluii-t, lll'ar 111orc nho11L this c·hild. g:o lo I.he mis ion ta- <'O n ta i noel thcrei11 !" lion, whc•rc flt • lcac·ht•rs will IC'll you more abo11t till' C'hi ld .J •s us.' Lilllc h ia · wi t h his father's pcrmis~ion, soon Christmas after the "'Black Death." l<'ft hi. ll o ·k of hc'cp like I.he shepherd of olrl and hurried away to lite d i b111t missionary village to It was at the time of the "B1ack Death," in find lhc , :wior. H e anfrcd there on n Saturday 1353. One of the greatest pestilences recorded in c,·cm ing aJHl was gi nm a home by n. kind Christian l1i tory bacl sweJlt over e,·cry country in the Old woma n. On . ' 11nday morniug he for the .first time . World, claiming its dead by scores of thousands. hea rd the ri ng ing of t he church bell, and saw· the Men fled in terror from · their .fellow-men, in awful people huny away with their book.. He d id not · .fear of their breath or touch, and for weeks susknow what it mean t. In t he afternoon the bell h1inccl a strange, wcfrcl siege in solitude. In their rang ngain, nncl th e people again left their homes. terrible fear men became like wild beasts, refusing fsaac now :followed t hem aud soon en tered the mis- crnn the cup of cold water and .the simplest sen·icc sion church, whe re he heard ihc cong regation sing through clrend of ~onhunination. hy mns n11d hcanl !:he missionary pl"Cach on t he Jove So it continued until Christmas Eve, when one Goel, who ga ve His only-begotten , on to n sin[ul mnn i n Goldberg, be1ieving hi mself the only inworlcl, t hat whosoe,·cr bclicvcth in Him shoulcl not hahi tan t of the city left alive, unbarred his door perish, but hn.Yc cverlast.ing life. nt clcacl of night, ancl went f orth. into the air. He Arter t he scn ·ices the boy went to the home of knew that it was Christmas, and as he recalletl the mi ssionary, who told him more about the SnY- other Christmases, with their sacred joys ancl their . ior nncl later on insLrnctecl him in the Bible and icsfo·it.r, he lifted up his voice in the song: in the catechism and 1·cccived him into the Cltris"To us this dny is bon1 n Child, tinn Chmch by baptis m. So the little African boy God with ll!II His mother is n virgin mild, became u child o.f Goel. 'J'hc Bib]e which was given God with us! him as a p1·cscut wns ever after \1is greatest treasure. God with us I Agninst us wJ10 dare be?" At one time, pressing the Bib]e to his heart, he 'J'hrough a barred door came another voice in said, "I cannot give this book a.way; it bas led me response to his own, and then the door was flung to the Snvior, iu who·m I hnve :found and still fmd wide, ancl a man joined _him in the street and sang all I · need." As Isaac grew up a true Christian, with him. 'fogether they marched through the he proved n blessing to his Cnmily and to many other s. He often said : "J n Jesus we find peace, town, giving it its first audible sound sn"e wails and an.cl snk11tion, and s l,r cngth to benr the burdens of cries oC terror i;iuco first the plague descended this li!c. He who docs not believe in Him is poor, ll})Oll it.
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Many artless but ca.m cst thanks followed, and he was departiug, when a. thought of anxiety for his noble mnste1: occmriDg io his mind, Donald returned and spoke thus : "My lord, I was a. bold man, and you forga.ve me, aud ha.ve saved me and my poor family from ruin. :M:auy blessings attend you!. I would again be a. bold man, if I m.ight, a.ud say something :further to your lordship." "Well, man, speak out." "Why, my lord, I was well-nigh a. mined man; so I was bold, and came to your lordship's door, and as I stood there, I could not but hear your lordship praying to the Virgin Mary and St. l!,rancis, and you seemed unhappy. Now, my lord, forgive me, but I cannot help thinking the Virgin Donald's Success. Mary and St. Francis will do you no good, a.ny more than your lordship's steward and porter did A certain Scottish nobleman lived quite a re- for me. I had been a. ruined man if I had trusted tirecl life, and l~ft hls affairs very much in the to them; but I came direct to your lordslup ; aud hands of others.. Donald, one of his tenantry, · you beard me. Now, if your lordship would but rented a farm, upon which his forefathers had lived leave the Vi'rgin Mary and St. Francis, and just go for above two hundred years. The lease which he direct to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, aucl pray held was on the point· of expiring, and the steward · to Him for what you need; He will hear you ; for refused him a renewal, wishing to put the farm He has said, 'Come unto me, all ye tha.t labol' a.ud into the hands of a friend of his own. Poor Donald are heavy laden;' and again, 'Him that cometh to tried every argument in his power with the steward, me, I will in no wise cast out.' - Will your lordship but in vain; finally he bent his steps to the castle,. forgive me, ·and just try for yourself?" determined to make his case known to his lordship. It is said that h.is lordship was struck with ~his Here, however, he was again repulsed ; the porter · simple argument, aud that he afterward :found what had received orders from tbe steward, and refused a poor penitent sinner trusting in Jesus wiU a.lways fiµd-pardon, peace, and salvation. him admittance. Reader, do you apply to the Lord Jesus Ch1·ist Donald · turned away almost in despair, and· reHimself for pardon and ·grace to· help in· every time solved upon a bold measure, as. his only cbance of success. He climbed the garden wall in an un- o:f need? He is the Almighty Helper, the only frequented part, and entered the house by a private Savior, and He is willing to help and save you. door. At length he approached the private apartment of the nobleman. He heard a voice, and, Christmas for the Birds. drawing near, found it was his lordship's, and that he was engaged in prayer. Retiring ·to a short disA traveler in Sweden tells of a beautiful Christtance, he ,vaited till the prayer was concluded, and mas custom in that land. He says :- "One wintry could not but hear his lordship pleading earnestly afternoon at Christmastide I had been skating on with the Virgin Mary and St. Francis for their a pretty lake three miles from Gothenburg. On my intercession on his behalf. way home I noticed that at every farmer's house At length his lordship ceased. Donald, who there was erected in the middle of the dooryard a had stood trembling ~th anxiety for the result, pole, to the top of which was bound a large sheaf now gently kni>cked at the door. "Come in," was of grain. In answer to my question as to the m!!anhis lor4ship's reply, and Donald entered. ''Who are you, man? and what do you want?" was the in- ing of it my companion replied: 'Oh, that is for quiry. Donald stated his case. The peer listened, the birds - for the little wild birds. They must was touched with the tale, -and having heard some- have a merry Christmas, too, you know.'" thing of Donald, assured him 'of his protection, and that his lease should be renewed. HE enjoys much who is grateful for little. · The song woke stmnge echoes. From their living tombs men, women, and children came forth to the number of twenty-five - aU tha.t were left of the town - and marching through the denthst.Ticken streets, they sang with new courage, ." God with us! Against us who dare be?" None of this little band died of the Black Death. 'J'hey returned to their homes, buried their dead, and the town began to awake. 'l'he incident was remembered, and for centuries the town continued to meet each Ciiristmas E ve at midnight, and at two o'clock march tln·ough the streets singing the srune old hymn. - Y. 0.
The Lut heran Pioneer. NOTES. A KIND REQUEST. - This number closes auother volume o.f Tm~ LUTHERAN PIONEER, ancl as a new volume begins with the uew year, this is a sui table time to send in the names of new subscribers. We therefore kindly. request om friends to speak a kind word for our paper ancl help us to increase its circulation. This would also be a help to our mission ·work, since all the pro.fits go into the mission treasm y. - We also kindly request every reacler to see to it that his pap~r is prepaid, as the present rules of the United States Post Office Department make it most importan t that all subscribers should pay in advance. BLIND LEADERS OF THE BIJIND. -A reader in one of our Southern cities writes : 'l'hat the colorecl preachers of the sects nre mostly blincl leaders of the blind is seen also from thei1· ignorance and indifference as to doctrine. When a Roman Catholic priest r ecently began mission work in our city among the colored race, some of these sectarian colorecl preachers encouraged their people to attend his services. One of them, the pastor of one of the largest colored churches here, even wen~ to the p1·iest, offering him the use of his pulpit and church, making the offer in the following manner: "You come out yondah and hold your mcetin's; for •dcm nimrahs J·est won't come to heah me; and t:,t:, if you kin git dcm to come to heah you, I'll give you my church with the janitor ai;id lights thrown in; 'cause Gawd knows dem niggahs ought to heal1 somebody, dat's certain." The more I see and hear of the doings of the sectarian colored preachers, the more I am convinced of the importance of our Lutheran colleges in which preachers a.nd teachers of the pure Gospel are trained for mission work among the colored race.
HE LoVED HIS Wonx. -A missionary who had spent a long life in the foreign field, as he neared the end of •his work, sat down and wrote this: "If I had to choose for my dearest friend on earth a position where there is afforded a full field for the exercise of a man's powers and inflµence, and where the truest happiness may be secured, I should say to him, 'If you love Jesus Christ (and can acc~mplish it), become n missionary.'" DISAPPOINTED. - It is said that when the first piece of soap -was brought to the heathen on one of
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the islands of the South Sens, its proud possessor supposed it to be a. la,gc kind of seed and planted it with grent core. After the planting, a good heavy rain soon fell to water it. The man tho.t planted the soap wailed patiently for the soap-tree to appear, but at last he, like many a young gardener, clug up the seccl to sec how it was getting on. One can imagine how disappointed he was. FA.MINE IN INDIA. - Soine c1istricts in India seem to be sufl'cring again from, ~ severe famine. Missionaries in those clistricts send touching ac- . counts of the su[crings of the poor people. One of them writes: ''We a,e face to face with a. gloomy chapter in the history of India. The harvest is a total loss in many places. Already no,v, in the middle of the harvest, the prices are higher than they were during the great famine of seven years ago. There will be · much suffering and many · deaths." Another missionary says: "First the rain fell in torrents for many weeks, so that the rice was drowned upon the flooded fi~lds in many places. 'l'hen the weather suddenly became clear, and from a cloudless sky the burning Indian sun shone upon the little seed which was left in the fields. Soon the earth was baked and hardened, the plants were burned,. and the greater part of· tpe expec:ted harvest was destroyed. Since the extent of this failure of the harvest is great, famine must follow." Another missionary sorrowfully complains that with the famine sickness is -increasing everywhere, and that bands of robbers are beginning to steal and plunder in tlie famine districts. :MissionaryJeschke writes: "The price of rice is so high-that our native Christians have had little· to eat- during the rainy season. Often I found the people sitting before their door at mealtime, while the children were cryina My anxious question, why t:, within the house. the children were crying, brought the answer, 'We have nothing to eat, and our children cry because they are hungry.' I have found people who bad not touched rice for weeks. They had been living on leaves, roots, bulbs, young bamboo-shoots, and different kincls of fungi which they boil and, ~ften reluctantly, eat."
b· you would be saved, you must be so sure of God's Word, that if all men would say otherwise, yea, every angel ,vould say, No, you could stand up alone and sb.y: "I still know that this Word is true." - Lutl,ar.
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North Carolina Briefs. Thu l'rimnr_v Department or the purochial :;chool of lmmanncl College at Greensboro hadng outgrown the scat.ing ea1)acity of the two classrooms, - •three in n. bench or a, row of yonng:stcrs on the (teacher's) platform at the teacher's feet being nothing extraordinary, - will now be cli\"idccl into three classes, the new chlss to be couductccl by a, scholar of the Normal Class of the College. With the arrirnl of three boys this week all the available room will be fillccl, owing to the fact thnt ·the pnrochfol school forces us to use bedrooms nud stucly-rooms as classrooms. But - we do not say, Stop sending the boys! Just let them take the next tra.iu, we'll ·m alcc room. '.rhc students of the College arc showing thciJ bodily strength during spare hours by tuming the 'barren, soured soil and amusement park of the cmwfish into a healthier looking plot, which, we hope, will ultimately repay the lnlJors and money spent thereon by a gra,teful green lawn, sweetscented flowers, nml n pleasing shmbbcry. 'l'hc Bethlehem Congregation of Monroe, N. C., Pastor McDavicl's charge, begs leave through the columns of the P10NEER to gratefully nclrnowleclge the gift of a fine cabinet org1111 which was donated to them by Mr. Andrew · werling of Ossian, Ind. '!'he organ was dedicated Sunday, November 8th, amid great ~·ejoicing. H. G.
Gossip. 'l'hc pious Philip of Neri was once· visited by a lnQy, who accused herself of slnncler. He bade her go to the market, buy a chicken just killed and still covered with featlicrs, ancl walk a certain distance, plucki!1g the bird as she went. The wom~n dicl as she was directed nnd returned, anxious to know the meaning of the injunction. "Retrace your steP.s," said Plrilip, "ancl gather up, one.by one, nil the· feathers you have scattered." "I cast the feathers carelessly away," said the ·woman, "and the wind curried them in nil directions." · "Well, my child," replied Philip, "so is it with your worcls of slnncler; like the feathers which the wind l1as scattered they have been warted in many directions. Call them back now, if you cnn.· Go,
sin no more."
BOOK TABLE. l'rl'di::rlc-11hn1crft• :1111' lier rucnrzi•"•jm•hri"en A111Ls.,.ciL des scli:-,'\m l'as l or C. (i ross :-:en. J),tr.,ehoten .,·011 ,;cinl!n Sochn<'n. O. 111111 e. ,1/ . t,'ross. co';;conli:t Pnhlishing JTouec, , 'L. T.oui,,, ,\lo. l'ri rc. -l5 ct... Ad· drc:<s He,·. C. Grn., s, Kurt .,.,·i lle, Ont., 'an ., or Re,•. K .\[. Gross, Grct>le~·. C'olo. • Thi,; i,; (he first 1111111hrr o f :;c•r11111n out.lines froiu I.he lnt.c Uc,•. C. Gross, a (ll'Cnchcr or notc,l a.bili t.y nml clist.inct.ion in Lhc Lut.hernn church. T he firs t. p;1rt. o f l hc pnmphlct contains out.lines for is<'1'111011s on Go,;pul and Epis tle lcs~ons or I.he church venr from I.he flr,:t S u111l:w in Advent. to I.he last , n11111ly· in Epipl11111r, T hu :;econ~I part con Lain · , l'rmon ont.line,; for i<pccia I occa:;ions: for innu~ural scn11rms, scr1111m. for prcp:U'alon · i.cn •iccs, fur 'l'lmnksgh·ing JJn~·, et.c. \ Ve hcart ily rcco111i11c 11ll Lhc~c excellent st>rmon outline:<, J,cin;.{ co11,·i11ccd I.hat I.hey will liu 1L ~·alnablc 11<'1)1 Lo preachers in their pulpit work. .\lny t.111s first m1111hcr find II wiclr. sale, ancl mny I.he pnblis l,crs be encoumgccl soon to is,;ue t he ot.hcr t hree numl,e rs whic"l1 nre yet to follow. AUXILIAU IUll.
Acknowledgment. llccch·ecl for Colorctl ,l lissious: l•'rom t.111! fol luwi Ill-{ cu11gregaU011,;: Bethlulwm, New Orlcmm;, Ln., $25.00 ; l lount iion, New Orlu:ms, La., :1u.00; SL. I'1rnl, New Orleans, I.a., 35.00; St. Pnnl, Mnnsum, J.n ., i.i5 : St. 1\lntt.h cw'i., Mehcrrin, Va., 4.2:3; . St. 1~nnl's, Charlotte. N. ,C. i.00 ; St. ,Tames', Sotithcrn P1ncs, N. C., 2.:i0 ; 1\lo un t Zion, 1\lc,·ur ,i,·illu, N. C., 2.50 ; Concorclin, U,ockw<'II, N. C., 15 .!l0;° St. John's, Salisbury, N. C., 7.25; Holy Trinit.y, S pring licltl, J II., 35.00. St. Loui,;, )lo., No\"cmbcr 10, 1008. lit:NII\' A. Sc1rn:s1rnr., 'J'rc<1s. 144 7 John Ave.
Evangelical· Lutheran Colored _Churches. NEW ORLEANS, LA. St. Paul's Chapel," 1625 Annette St., nclir N. Claiborne St. Dh•inc Services: Sunday, 11 .A. :u. and 7.30 P. It.; Wednesday, 7·.30 P. It. llfo1mt Zioii Oliurch, Fmnklin and Tl111,lia Sts.; Ed. C. Krause, Pastor. . . · . Divine ,Services: Sunday, 11 A. ll. and 7.30 P. 1t.; T11ursd~y, 7.30 P. ll. · Bctlile11e,n Oliapcl, Washington Ave. and, Dryades St.; G. M. Kramer, Pastor. Divine Senices: Sunday, 11 A, ~t. and 7.30 P. l\t.; T11ursday, 7.30 P. It. Sunday School: Sunday, 10 A. lit. SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Holy Trinity Ollurch; James Doswell, P11Stor. Divine Services: Sunday, 10.30 A. ll. and 8
P. ll,
TEB.1'48: . TnE LUTHERAN PIONEER is published monthly, payable in atloonce at the following rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copf .... . ..... . .......... $ .25 10 Copies • • • • • • • . • . • • • • • • • . • 2.00 25 Copies • • • • . • • • • • . . • • • . • • . 5.00 50 Copies •• .•..•.•• , • • • . .. • • 9.00 , Club rates only allowed if all copies are to be sent to one address. - In St. Louis by mail or carrier, 35 cents. All business communications to be addressed to Con• cordia Publishing Bouse, JefJ'erson Ave. and Miami St., St. Louis, Mo. All communications concerning the editorial depart• ment to be addresaed to Prof. R. A. BIBOHOIT, Conover, Catawba Co., N. 0.
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