# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1891_S48 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 48 The Lutheran Pioneer. and the church to ashes.’” This occurred at Nicomedia in the third century. And while we celebrate the birth of our Saviour with joy and gladness during the festive Christmas season, jt may increase our gratitude to God if we re- member the sufferings of those early disciples of our Lord, who could neither worship nor cele- brate His birth except at the peril of persecu- tion and death. —Ar Christmas time the little people in Nor- way, not content with giving presents among themselves, provide a treat for the little brown birdies which have not deserted them for a warmer climate. Before the sun goes down, these sturdy little North men and women put on their wide snow-shoes, which look like little boats, and muffle up in their warmest furs and woollens. Their father goes to the barn and brings out a generous sheaf of unthreshed grain which is tied toa long pole. With many merry shouts the children plant the pole firmly in the snow just by the cottage gable, and before long a greedy flock of little birds are hopping over it, enjoying to the full their Christmas feast. It is just the right sort of a Christmas tree for them, and it does the children quite as much good. It is a sweet lesson of thoughtful care for one of the lowliest, gentlest of God’s creation. It is a good sign for a boy and girl, when you see them kind to animals. Birds soon learn where they are welcome. — One Christmas morning, little Annie, full of her Christmas joy, wished to take old Mooly, the cow, an extra Christmas breakfast. Yes, Christmas is a season that moves the hearts of men to deeds of kindness by which gladness may be spread. —In 1535, Luther’s youngest child, Margaret, Jay in the cradle, and the mother was so busy in her preparations for the great festival that she could not give much attention to the in- fant. The child then becoming restless, she asked the Doctor to bring his book into the nursery and rock the cradle, which he will- ingly did, as an act of obedience to his ‘‘lord Katie,”’ and of love for his child. As he looked a while at his book and a while at the child, his thoughts carried off to Bethlehem, and to the shepherds watching their flocks, and to the infant Christ; and he began, for the first time, to sing his famoys Christmas hymn, ‘From heaven above to earth I come.” ° —In the year 1538, Doctor Martin Luther was very joyous, and all his sayings, songs and thoughts were about the incarnation of Christ our Saviour. And he said, with a deep sigh, pero a “Ah! h tures, h Id] ‘Tae, jus’ tinking ef de Christmas crumbs that} and hanelek wai ereebithistarentiiey which. hey fall from the Master's table in dis world am so| come to bless us! ‘This is the great act of benefi- good, what will de great loaf in glory be?”? .| cence which far excels all other works of crea- The Outlook from the Editor’s Window. —TsE present number closes another volume of the LurHeRAN Pioneer. We tender our thanks to all that have helped us in the circu- lation of our paper, and we earnestly ask their continued and hearty co-operation. The next volume begins in January, and this is a good time to send in the names of new subscribers. The names of many new subscribers would be a welcome Christmas gift for our little PrloNEER, It would make his eyes bright and his heart glad in the merry Christmas time. —Menrry Christmas! Why do we keep it with so much joy and gladness? Is there a little child anywhere who does not know that it is the day when our dear Lord was born? “Christ, the Prince of glory, slept on Mary’s knee.’’ The whole beautiful story is familiar to everyone of us, and the sweetest thing about Christmas is that it belongs to everyone of us, to the poorest as well as to the richest, for the infant Jesus came to save the whole world. — CurisTmas is a season in which Christians gladly open their hearts and their purses. It is a season of gifts. Let us not forget our Colored mission! In North Carolina the good Lord has opened to our missionary a wide field ripe unto the harvest. But new buildings are needed in which the people may gather for worship and in which the children may be instructed. By aiding our mission work you make known to others the glad tidings of the Saviour born at Bethlehem. When you distribute your gifts in the merry Christmas season, do not forget our Colored Mission Treasury. —lIwn the month of November two faithful servants of the Lord departed this life and en- tered the joys of heaven—the Rev. G. Schiefer- decker, of New Gehlenbeck, IJ]., and the Rev. F. Koenig, of New York city. Both had grown gray in the service of the Master and now re- joice with a joy far greater than our Christ- mas joy, in the presence of Him whom they so heartily loved and to whom they s0 faithfully pointed sinners for salvation. ‘They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever.”’ —THAT was a good answer given by old uncle Ned on Christmas-day. He was out in the gar- den, singing songs of joy over the glad Christ- mas news of a new-born Saviour. Some one said to him, ‘‘You seem happy to-day, old uncle!’’ ‘‘Yes, massa, I’se jus’ tinking,”’ said ‘uncle Ned. “What are you thinking of?” asked the gentleman. ‘‘O,” said old uncle, —Banrontus gives the following account of Hone ad. shallives0 feebly. per me sung by the angels? (Heavenly theologians and preachers, indeed!) And they have re- joiced on our account, and their cong is verily a glorious song, wherein is briefly enfolded the sum of the whole Christian religion. Jor the ‘Glory to God in the highest,” is the highest mora , and this they bring to us in this rist.”” one of the earliest celebrations of Christmas of which we have authentic record. He says: “While the persecution raged under Diocle- tian, the tyrant, finding multitudes of Christ- _lans, young and old, met together to celebrate ‘Christ's birth, commanded the church-door to be shut, and fire put in it, which reduced them BOOK-TABLE. Ha¥ A Century OF TRUE LUTHERANISM. A Brief Sketch of the History of the Missouri Synod. By A. Graebner, Professor in Concordia Seml- naty, St. Louis, Mo. Published by Rey. J. A. Friedrich, Chattanooga, Tenn. This reprint from one of our American Reviews is issued by Rey. Friedrich, with the consent of the author, for the purpose of placing ‘‘into the hands of those Lutherans who prefer to read English a brief, correct, and interesting history of the Missourl Synod, the price being so low as to be within the reach of all.’? The well-written and highly interesting pamphlet deserves a wide circulation. Price, postage free, single copies 15 cents; liberal discount will be given on larger orders. Address Rev. J. A. Friedrich, No. 18 State Str., Chattanooga, Tenn. DER AMERIKANISCHE KALENDER FUER DEUTSCHE LuTHERANER fuer das Jahr 1892. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price 10 cents, This well known German Lutheran Almanac has made its appearance in its usual form and with a variety of instructive reading matter, bringing also a sketch of the missionary work carried on by the sainted Professor Craemer among the Indians in Michigan. This Almanac should be found in all our German Lutheran homes. Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches, New ORLEANS, La. EV. LUTH. 8T. PAUL’S CHAPEL. 13 Annette Str., between Claiborne and Dirbigny Divine services at 10 o’clock Sunday morning and at 734 o’clock Wednesday evening. Sunday School from 2 to 4. EV. LUTH. MT. ZION CHURCH. Cor. Franklin and Thalia Strs. Divine services at 7}4 Sunday evening and at 734 Thursday sun‘ay Sekool meets at 9 o’clock. Adult catechumen class meets at 7}4 Tuesday evening. F. LANKENAU, Missionary. EV. LUTH. TRINITY CHURCH. Zimple Str., between Monroe and Leonidas. CARROLLTON. Divine services at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon and ,734 o’clock Wednesday evening. ~ Sunday School at 9 o’clock. EY. LUTH. BETHLEHEM CHAPEL. Cor. Washington Avenue and Dryades Str. Divine services at 7% o’clock Sunday evening and at 73¢ o’clock Thursday evening. Sunday School at 9 o’clock. Ava. Buraporr, MissionaRyY. St. Paul’s Colored Lutheran Church, Cor. Rock & 12th Strs., Little Rock, Ark. Divine service Sunday evening at 74 0’clock. 0—12 Sunday School from 7 Ci lumen class meets from 7—S8 Wednesday evening. Ba Singing-school from 8—9 Wednesday evening. Ey. Luth. Holy Trinity Church, Springfield, Mis. Divine services at half past 10 o’clock Sunday morning and at 8 o’clock Sunday evening. Sunday School at 8 o’clock r. ». Catechumen class meets Monday Singing-school Tuesday evening. H. S. KNABENSCHUM, Missionary. and Friday evenings. TERMS: Tae LurHeraN Pronger is published monthly, payable in advance at the following rates, postage included, to-wit: 1 Copy 10 Copies 25 Club rates only allowe to one address. All business communications to be addressed to “Concordia Publishing House,” St. Louis, Mo. ‘All communications concerning the editorial de- partment to be addressed to Prof. R. A. BrscHorr, Concordia College, Fort Wayne, Ind. 4