# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1896_S8 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 8 The Lutheran Pioneer. a Christmas address delivered by Prof. Herzer, whose faithful and self-sacrificing labors among the colored people of Springfield will ever be held in remembrance by them. In a very striking manner he plainly showed to the people God’s motive, namely His great love, in sending His only begotten Son into this sinful world to save us sinners; he also in- dicated that the Christmas Present which the Lord gave us on this day was in perfect har- mony with His great love toward mankind. Thereupon followed the lighting of the Christmas tree, during which time the chil- dren rendered the well known song, ‘‘The Christmas Tree’s the Fairest Tree.’? Imme- diately after the lighting of the tree, the joys of the children were increased by receiy- ing a few presents to remind them of the Gift which was also presented to them on this blessed day. In consideration of all the joys and pleasures which accompanied this memor- able event, we have great occasion to exclaim with the Christians of old, ‘‘How amiable are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. . . . Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, they will be still praising Thee. Selah.” * * In conclusion a few words as to the present condition of this missionfield. The congrega- tion has been without a pastor since March 1895, during which time it has been tempo- rarily entrusted to the kind and faithful care of Prof. Herzer who, with the assistance of students, still furnishes it with preaching every Sunday. The services are visited by 12—80 persons. The day-school is also yet in existence. It is now taught by Mr. J. McDavid, a student of Concordia College. He has had charge of this school since April 1895, and now has 24 pupils enrolled; the Sunday school is attended by 30 children. + oo + The Outlook from the Editor’s Window. —Tue last Sunday of the past year was a day of rejoicing at our mission station at Greensboro, N. C. Under the bright lights ofa beautiful Christmas tree the first con- firmation of colored Lutheran Christians in that town took place. Rev. F. H. Meyer, of Salisbury, delivered the address on Rom. 8, $1. 82. The attendance numbered about 150, * of whom seven adults publicly confessed their Christian faith and were confirmed. May the Lord keep them faithful unto the end. ~ —Ow the 24th of November, 1895, the well ‘known Lutheran missionary, Dr. Hugo Hahn, ‘departed this life at Cape Town in South Africa. He came to Africa fifty-four years ago and became the pioneer among the evan- alias of South Africa. ~ —Or the Christmas celebration at our mis- station in Greensboro, N. C.; a writer in the Daily Record of that city says: ‘‘In cor- respondence with previous intimation, the eve of the nativity of our Lord and Saviour was solemnized in the colored Lutheran Mission with appropriate ceremonies, and becoming exercises. It was for this locality, indeed, a unique celebration. The validity of this even those, being not as favorably disposed toward the blessed work of this mission as might be desired, have ratified. To all present once more the Divine truth of the words of Scrip- ture: ‘Out of the mouth of babes and suck- lings thou hast perfected praise,’ was demon- strated; for, not only did they commend in song the unfathomable mercy of our celestial Father, but also and not less, by the answers that they gave their Pastor and the teacher when questioned. First the older scholars in catechetical discourse gave the prophecies and a brief explanation of each, and then the smaller children, of which some had not com- pleted their sixth year, were questioned con- cerning the story of our Saviour’s birth. It was a delight to hear the clear and distinct answers of the little ones. The Christmas tree which already last year awakened such great interest and admiration, lacked nothing of its beauty this year; on the contrary, all of those enjoying them both, have pronounced it a greater success than Jast year. It was indeed a feast for the eyes that reminded those who beheld it of the inestimably beautiful Tree of Life, Jesus Christ. Also the hall was beauti- fully decorated for the occasion. Festoons were extended all along the walls; wreaths and a cross hung over the platform; from the center of the ceiling were suspended, in every direction, garlands, to which were attached many Italian lights, throwing a magic hue over the whole. Every one of the 75 children of the Lutheran day and Sunday school re- ceived a valuable present, such as entire suits, dresses, candy, fruit, toys, etc., to be reminded of the unspeakably great present which God at the first Christmas festivity gave unto the World — His Son.’’ —A Curistian Lapy, who was engaged in work for the poor and degraded, was once remonstrated with for going among such a class of people. ‘‘You sit beside these people and talk with them in a way that I do not think you would do if you knew all about them—just what they are and from what places they come.’”’ Her answer was: ‘‘Well, I suppose they are dreadful people; but if the Lord Jesus were now on earth, are they not the very sort of people that he would strive to reach? And am I better than my Master?”” A poor, illiterate person who stood listening to this conversation, said with great earnestness and simplicity, ‘‘Why, I always thought that was what Christians were for.’’ The objector was:silenced, and what wonder? Is not that what Christians are for? If not, what are they for? © —Bnririsu Missionary Societies find them-' selyes in much the same straits in which Boards in America are placed by reason of inadequate supplies of money. Here is what The Dfis- sionary Record of the Scotch United Presby- terian Church says in view of this fact: ‘‘Are we to ask God to stay the blessing upon our Foreign Missions, and so save us from these increasing demands? Are we to pray that the work may never grow beyond what can be provided for out of the old measure of con- tributions? Are we to take it that the mis- sionary income of these past years represents the limit of our ability or of our duty in view of the needs of the heathen world? .Or are we to recognize that behind the blessing which is so greatly enlarging our foreign work, and behind the daily more clamant needs of the heathen, stands the Lord Jesus Christ Him- self, telling us in this way that we are not yet giving as we ought, and so are hindering Him from blessing us as He would?’’ OUR BOOK TABLE. HERR, ICIK WARTE AUF DEIN HEL.