# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1902_S8 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) iS e 8 The Lutheran Pioneer. ee eee (For the LUTHERAN PIONEER.) - Christmas at Springfield. Christmas was again observed by the colored mission at Springfield, Ill., with the usual joy and gladness which this festival of the church year always elicits from the hearts of those who have embraced Bethlehem’s Babe in true faith. Despite the fact that the celebration of the Christmas tree was postponed to Thursday evening, a large crowd turned out. Services commenced at 8.15, but long before the open- ing of the doors a large number had gathered, eagerly waiting for admission. At the ap- pointed time the doors were opened, and our little chapel, which is generally very difficult to fill, was soon filled to its utmost capacity. Fully 200 persons were comfortably seated, while many others barely found standing room. The bell was rung, and the program began with a prelude on the organ, played by our competent and faithful teacher. Hereupon an address befitting the occasion was delivered by one of the colored students of Concordia Semi- nary. Next in order were the children, who rendered an elaborate program interspersed with solos, duets, and choruses. To listen to the little ones recite in their childlike manner the prophecies concerning the promised Mes- siah, and narrate the gladsome story of their newborn Saviour’s birth was a source of much pleasure. The tree, decorated with many glis- tening ornaments and candles, was, in the mean time, lighted, and served to enhance the beauty of the occasion. The Christmas carol, “‘The Christmas Tree the Fairest Tree,’’ was then sung. After the rendition of. the pro- gram, the benediction was. pronounced and the doxology sung, whereupon the distribu- tion of a goodly number of presents followed. The hearts of the little ones were made to re- joice by the many good things which they re- ceived. All returned to their homes, commending the services and rejoicing over what they had seen and heard. N.N. ‘A Lutheran Mission among the Indians. The Norwegian Lutheran Synod, some time ago, opened a mission in Wisconsin among _ some members of the Winnebago Tribe of In- * dians. From a letter of the missionary, E. O. Morstad, published in the Church Messenger, we clip the following: _ “TI shall, as briefly as possible, try to tell _ yeu a little about the work. Some years ago, " when the Lord in His grace and mercy ‘brought ‘trom darkness to His marvelous light,’ I got a desire ‘to show forth His praises,’ and to bring: the message of peace to those who y been fn: ‘y thoughts. Now, when it ‘that the’ Lord would send me out}. and blood, but went out, relying on the rich promises of our Heavenly Father. The Win- nebagoes have not a reservation in this vicin- ity, but many of them have entered on home- steads here, while about one-half of the tribe are in Nebraska, on a reservation. Some of them are making progress toward civilization, but their many dances and heathenish prac- tices prevail. I did not find them as savage as I had expected. But of course they are heathen, and the greatest number of them do not seem to have much taste for civilization. What a sight to see all these precious redeemed souls, all of them, young and old, entirely ig- norant of God, Saviour, and heaven. They are, on the contrary, wholly entangled in their false traditions and nature worship. This ques- tion often is repeated in my mind: ‘Can these borfes live?’ ‘Lord, Thou knowest.’ ‘We are resolved to pay special attention to the education of the young. When the mission house was done, last winter, it was so cold that I could not expect much attendance of the neighboring Indian children, whose language I could not speak, and who were in every re- spect unfit for discipline and training. A mul- titude of rumors and invented stories, originat- ing from interested and evil-intended parties, were spread out among the Indians, far and near, about our work; and for some time it seemed that not a single child would be in- duced to come to school, nor any parents to send their children. Meanwhile I went about with a pictorial primer, to as many as I could reach, who could understand some English, and tried to explain to them the Biblical truths contained in them, and illustrated by pictures. May God grant, that neither that feeble testi- mony may ‘return void’! ‘t After some time four boys came and wanted to attend, but they lived so far off that I had to keep them here, except Sundays and Satur- days, when they wanted tostay athome. Ihad to supply them with clothing, etc. immediately. They are from twelve to fourteen years old. They have made some progress in reading and writing, especially two of them, and behave comparatively well. Another young man of the tribe, who knows some English, has been here to help me with some of the manual labor and to help me with the Winnebago language. His name is Amos Bearhart. I hope that the Lord, when His time comes, may open his heart for the precious truths of the Gospel. Would you remember him in your prayers? A family has now moved in here to take care of the housekeeping. I have thus a better opportu- nity to devote myself more fully to the mis- sion work, and more time to the study of the language.’” —_—> +o A Curious Custom. The Hindus celebrate the anniversary of the new year by 4 festival called Hooly, in honor of Krishna, one of their many false gods. It is a season of general rejoicing, when every- body is on an equality, and the distinctions of “caste’’ are forgotten for the time. It might be called a ‘‘red day,’’ for all the people who can afford it dress in red clothes, and they go about throwing a red-colored powder at one another, or squirting it, with water from a syr- inge, on the passersby. During the three or four days this red-letter feast lasts, everybody appears to have been dipped in a tub of ak beer, red powder, the pet monkeys even not escaping. All this is taken in as good part as snowballing is with us. Acknowledgment. Received for colored missions of Rev. F. J. Lan- kenau, from St. Paul’s Church in New Orleans, La., $25.00; of Rev. J. Kossmann from Bethlehem Church in New Orleans, La., 25.00; of Rev. K. Kretzschmar from Mt. Zion Church in New Orleans, La., 25.00; of Rev. J. C. Schmidt from Grace Church in Greens- boro, N.C., 24.00; of Rev. D. H. Schooff from St. Mat- thew’s Church in Meherrin, Va., 10.00. St. Louis, Mo., Jan, 15, 1902. A.C. east Treas. Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches, New ORLEaNs, La. EV. LUTH. ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL. 1625 Annette Str., between Claiborne and Derbigny. Divine fe services: Sunday morning at 934 o’clock. Sunday evening at 744 o’clock. Wednesday evening at 7: Sunday School: Sunday morning at 10% o'cloc! edule catechumen class mects at 734 orclook ‘Tuesday venin, Singing 1g School meets at 7% o'clock Friday evening. J. LANKENAU, Missionary, EV. LUTH. MOUNT ZION CHURCH. Cor. S. Franklin and Thalia Strs. Divine services: Sunday morning at 11 o'clock. Sunday evening at 734 o’clock. Thursday evening at o'clock. Sunday School: Sunday morning at 914 o’cloc! Adult kosteckumen class meets at 734 orclock Friday ev Young g Posple's Concordia Circle and A Singing School meet Wednesday evening at 734 o’cloc! KARL KRETZSCHMAR, ninioeare EV. LUTH. BETHLEHEM CHAPEL, Cor. Washington Avenue ar, era Str. Divine services: panes, evening o'clock. jay even: te rae 4 o'clock. Sunday School at 9 Poco ck. Adult catechumen Class every Tuesday at 734 0'’clock and after the divine service on Thursday evening. Choir pEEacdice at 7% o’clock on Tuesday evening and r divine service on Thursday cven: ng circle t for Young Peo le meets at the school every Tues- day cvening at 734 o'clock. J. W. F. KossMANN, Missionary. Ey. Luth. Holy Trinity Church, Springfleld, MU. Divine services at half past 10 o'olock Sunday morning Bi pnd ase erlcok Sunday eve evening. und a 00) o’ck Catechum rf amen class meets oo rronday and Friday evenings. Singing-school Tuesday evening. ; TERMS: Luraxran Pronger is published monthly, payable in advance at the following rates, luded, Lon He $B .25 00 10 10 Goples: on Seon 5 9.00 mon yzaies only allowed if all copies are to be sent one to be addressed to “Goncordia Publishing: fous,” Jefferson Ave. and Miami St., St. Louis, Mo. All cerning the editorial de- riment to be addremed 0 Prof, R.A. Brocuory, cordia College, Fort Wayne, Ind.