# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1918_S92 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) Whenever we sin, Christ, the Righteous, pleads for us, the unrighteous, reminding His Father of what He has done for us during the days of His flesh. This intercession is never in vain. In response to it our God continually blesses us with His good will and favor. He forgives our sins for our Ad- vocate’s sake, who is not only the Propitiation for our, the Christians’, sins, but also for the sins of the entire world. We died for all, saved all. Any member of the human race, however great and numerous the sins and crimes may be that he has committed, will find favor in God’s sight if he is penitent and believes in the world’s Advocate and Mercy-seat. Our Savior assures every one: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” At London a number of persons sat around the supper table. Caesar Malan, the eminent minister, and Miss Charlotte Elliott were among them. He expressed his hope of her being a Chris- tian. As she resented this remark, he asked her pardon, but added the wish, “I hope you will some day become a worker for Christ.” Not a month had elapsed, when she informed him that ever since he had spoken to her, she had been trying to find her Savior. She then asked him, “How should I come to Christ?” He replied, “Come to Ilim just as you are.” This she did at once with a re- joicing heart. Shortly after her conversion she wrote the immortal lines: — Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come! : H. Osreruus. Rosebud. Dear READER: — Would you be interested in a word or two from the backwoods of Alabama? As the year is draw- ing to a close, we feel like taxing your patience just a little in order to tell you about the blessings and “privileges we have enjoyed. We feel that the lines have fallen to us in pleas- ant places. The Lord has been in our midst and has caused His blessings to rest upon us. He has caused His Word to accomplish that which He hath pleased, for through the preaching of the Word He has permitted us to add 32 souls to our congregation during this year, 21 by confirmation and 11 by bap- tism. ‘There are at present 4 adults whom we hope to confirm very soon. May the Lord continue to prosper His work, and continue the growth of our The Lutheran Pioneer. congregation in spite of the difficulties that obtain in this part of the vineyard! The writer wishes also to say a word for the zeal and activity of the members during the past year. They have taken a deep interest in the con- gregation, the school, and the property entrusted to our care. We rejoice that the wholesome lesson of self-help is bearing fruit among us. Despite the war and the high cost of living our congregation resolved in the last official mecting to raise our monthly contributions to the Board from $10 to $15. The congregation is also having a well dug, building a chimney to the parsonage, enclosing the latter with a fence, and doing other little things here and there to improve the property. Indications pointed to a better school than we have had, but the “flu” temporarily shut the doors of school and church. We thank the Lord that the scourge is passing, and we have the prospect of health and peace to do our work for the Master. Our Ladies’ Aid and Young People’s Societies are chafing to begin their winter work. May the Lord continue His blessings and grant‘us abundant grace during the ensuing year! M. N. Carrer. “For You and for Me.’’ The soft breeze rustles the needles of the oa pines surrounding the hill, on which stands an old antebellum cabin, clearly revealed by the light of the full moon. Smoke may be seen coming from the chimney of the cabin, curling its way heaven- ward, until lost in the mellow light of the December night. Motionless, with heads low, two mules stand tied to the saplings in rear of the hut. In the cabin a group of Negroes are softly humming plantation melodies to the accompaniment of the banjo, while the little folks cuddle near the fireplace, listening to the soft strains of music. Shortly the country becomes alive with people making their way towards the cabin. ‘They come from every direction, in wagons, on mules, on foot. Young and old, men, women, and children, gather in front of the hut for the occasion. ‘The orchestra, composed of several Negroes with banjos, takes its place on the elevation in front of the cabin. Now there is music, singing of plantation melodies, there is dancing, there is loud and boisterous talk and laughter. Young and old join in the ribald festivities, which continue far into the morning hours. ‘The rioting can be heard far out in the stillness of the night. A celebration? Yes. But where? — And why such scurrilous gay-