# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1915_S27 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) The Lutheran Pioneer. 24 —————————————————— nnn EEE Are You Doing Your Duty? ‘The following story we heard several years ago at a missionary meeting in Lafayette, Ind. It was told by Rev. August Lange in the course of his missionary address. At the time it made a deep impression upon us, and after the lapse of years the impression has not faded. We repeat the story here, hoping that it may make an equally deep and lasting impression upon our readers: — Off the English coast, in the Irish Sea, is situated the Isle of Man. Approaching this island from the English coast, the traveler views an ancient tower, half ruined, ivy-covered. ‘This tower is to the inhabitants a:-monument both to human treachery and innocent suffering. A room of this tower was, many years ago, the scene of the execution of one of the ablest and most beloved governors of the island. It was at a time when all England was suffering under the ravages of a bloody civil war. ‘The governor was accused of treason against the king of England, his sovereign, tried, and sentenced to death. Some influential friends, believing him inno- cent, successfully interceded for him with the king, who granted a letter of absolute pardon. The chief enemy of the governor, however, secured the letter of pardon and suppressed it. Thus the governor was executed in spite of the king’s pardon. His sad lot, his just and liberal administration, while governor, so endeared him to the hearts of his people that even to-day his praises are sung, in popular ballads, by the men and women of the island while about their daily task. While he is remembered with love and kindness, his enemy’s name is spoken with curses and malediction. Cer- tainly his act was most despicable and treacherous. But now, my friend, tell me candidly: Are you entirely guiltless of a similar act? Your Master and Savior has entrusted to you His letter of pardon prepared for all sinners, sufficient for all, intended for all. Have you been sufficiently active in making this letter of pardon known? Have you done your full duty in spreading the Gospel? Oh, may Jesus, who died for you, kindle your heart with an ever-increasing zeal for the work of extending His kingdom to the ends of the earth, —the work of missions. O Christ, our true and only Light, Enlighten those who sit in night; Let those afar now hear Thy voice, And in Thy fold with us rejoice. The Good Works of Christians. In the time of Emperor Constantine a young man, a heathen, named Pachomius, was drafted into the army. On a certain night, when he, together with his company, entered a city, and were exhausted from the long march, some men voluntarily ran up to them, brought them refreshments, and cheered them with encouraging words. The young heathen was surprised at this kind of treatment, and in- quired who these generous men were. IIe was told, “They are the Christians, who do good to all men, and especially to strangers.” Pachomius felt an interest in these people, inquired about their re- ligion, and when he had learned more of them, he turned to God and prayed in secret: “If ‘Thou wilt grant me to know this saving religion, and deliver me from my present distress, I will devote my entire life to Thy honor and to ‘Thy service.” Soon after this, Constantine gained a great vic- tory, and dismissed a part of his army. Pachomius also received his honorable discharge. He hurried home to his native village, sought to obtain instruc- tion in the Christian religion, and, when established in this faith, was baptized, and labored for Christ among his people. Lead such a life that many may be won for Christ and His Gospel. Trifles Make for Perfection. A celebrated sculptor was one day visited by a friend. He had come to look at a statue on which the artist was working. He had been there several times before, but upon this particular -occa- sion he was much surprised at the great progress the sculptor had made. Full of astonishment he cried, “What an extraordinary change you have made in the statue since I was here last!» What have you done to it?” “Oh,” replied the artist, “this part I have somewhat changed, that feature