# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_November 1856_S343
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Church Conditions in the Coburg Region. 343

Thus the pen behaves, just as the tongue "is set on fire of hell" (James 3:6). — The great majority of the poems in the "Christmas Tree," however, betray a thoroughly perverse outlook on life — witness, for example, what views of bridal love, of feminine modesty, and of womanliness in general! — In the most recent volume are found three poems by Friedrich Teich, a letter-carrier in Lobenstein. It is a true joy to encounter them, for this poet evidently looks about himself and into life with a Christian eye. But will they have their effect here, where they are the only pearls among so much chaff? Certainly not with the majority of readers! We know that the natural man clings to whatever gives nourishment to his sinful nature. Add to this that our people, for the most part, no longer really know how to read properly; for most of them read even the serious matter offered them, as they themselves say, merely to pass the time, and therefore without profit — while what is destructive to the soul creeps unnoticed into the heart even through such mere pastime reading. So now the Hildburghausen "Christmas Tree for Poor Children" is bought, since it does, after all, further "a good work" — but at the same time it spreads among the people a great many harmful thoughts. — That is our poor people's food for the soul.

Under such circumstances it would certainly be no wonder if nothing more of Christian faith and life were to be found in our little land. Indeed, immorality along with luxury has risen most dreadfully in the last ten years, especially in the capital. But, thank God, there are nevertheless found everywhere souls who sincerely love their Lord Jesus Christ, and also much clear Christian knowledge — most, however, faithful with little knowledge. Whence does this come? Christianity has propagated itself in many families through upbringing, and has always received its nourishment from the glorious treasures of the Church, which have been handed down from generation to generation. Johann Arndt's True Christianity (six books) and Little Garden of Paradise, Fr. Werner's Way to Heaven, Scheitberger's Epistle, Matthäus Mayfart's (a native of Coburg) Heavenly Jerusalem, Stark's Daily Handbook, Cober's Cabinet Preacher, and here and there also the Ernestine Bible, are still to be found in the houses; and although with many, alas, they lie despised in the dust, yet thank God with others they stand in all the higher honor.

To this is now added, since a short time ago, once more the preaching of the unadulterated Gospel. To be sure, the number of those who proclaim it is still very small, but it has nevertheless grown over the last ten years. Even among these few, many a one must still work his way through to true clarity and sobriety, but this much is certain: the Lord grants success to the sincere. We know that much still remains to be desired, and that very, very much must still be labored at and fought for, but we also know: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my...