# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1929_S128 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THE LUTHERAN PIONEER. 127 —————aoaaaa——_—_—_——_—_—_—_——=—=======S=S==___]_————==_—=_=[_[_—————————————SS>>—S—_—>—>——————=3 ary societies is almost one million. In 3,197 elemen- tary and ninety-six higher schools 176,848 pupils are being instructed. The total annual income of these societies was about $1,500,000 from Germany and $500,000 from the field and other sources. German Medical Missions.—At present Germany is represented in the foreign mission field by thirty physicians, four of whom are women. Nine of these are in China, seven in Dutch India, three in British India, six in East Africa, two in Upper Egypt, and one each in Southeast Africa, Persia, and Greece. New Guinea. — At a recent conference held in Brisbane, Australia, it was to be decided to what extent the German societies, so extensively engaged in mission-work among the Papuans before the World War, should again enter upon independent work in this field. Since 1919 the work in former German New Guinea was carried on by the Iowa Synod of our country and the United Lutheran Church of Australia. Just recently one of the two German societies interested in the New Guinea field was able to send its first larger contingent of work- ers since the war, eight men and six women. — Mis- sionary Zahn of Papua directs a most unique band. The instruments are large shells, each of which sounds only one note. For this reason there must be as many shells and players as there are notes in the piece to be played. Despite this handicap Mis- sionary Zahn’s native band is able to render four- part chorals. East Africa. — The Leipzig Mission Society has opened a higher school for older girls in Moshi. The students are given a sane Christian training in home economics, gardening, care of children, sewing, sing- ing, and similar useful branches. The natives are making the greatest possible use of the advantages offered by this school, and the opening of similar schools in other parts of the field is contemplated. India. — The Gossner Mission Society has once more taken over its work among the Kols of India. But due to a lack of funds the work cannot be car- ried on as it was before the World War. Instead of thirty-six missionaries, only four are in the field, two of whom have had no experience. The number of native pastors has grown from forty-four to sixty- five, and the number of catechists has increased to 423. The baptized membership has increased to 113,000, and the communicant membership has grown from 36,000 in 1914 to 50,000. This growth speaks Well for the native ministry and the members, since for the long period of fifteen years they were without any foreign supervision. Light for the Blind. Throughout the world, in every race, speaking every language, there are the unfortunate blind. For those who cannot see to read ordinary printing special raised type with dots and dashes, curves and points, is necessary. For over eighty years the American Bible Society has been ministering to the sightless. Six different systems in English have been developed. Despite the extent of the service being rendered, there are many persons throughout the world suffer- ing from blindness who cannot read the Bible be- cause their language has never been reduced to a system for the blind. We know that through these mechanical means the love of God can be sown in the lives of those who cannot see or hear. The Light of the World can light up blind faces with that peace which the world cannot give. Especially for them is the psalmist’s statement still beautifully true: “The entrance of Thy words giveth light.” BOOK TABLE. The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel. Thirty-Nine Evening Lectures, by Dr. C0. F. W. Wal- ther. Reproduced from the German edition of 1897 by W. H. T. Dau. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Black buckkram binding; gold title- stamping; 426 pages; 614X914. Price, $2.50. Will English-speaking people show their appreciation to the publishers and Dr. Dau for giving them this pre- cious book in the English language? We hope they may for their own sake do so. It has correctly been called the most valuable product of American Lutheran theology. The pastor, teacher, or layman that masters the contents of this book will have drunk deeply of the precious Water of Life. Pastors and teachers, if you do not possess a copy of this English “reproduction.” The value of the you neglect to buy this English reproduction of Walther’s classic. And even though you should have the original, you will profit in more ways than one if you secure a copy of this English “reproduction.” The value of the publication is greatly enhanced by a number of indexes furnished by the indefatigable Rev. E. Eckhardt. The original German edition is not indexed. The price is very low. Concordance to Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book. By H. Eckhardt. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Cloth; 220 pages; 6%4,X8%. Price, $2.25. In outward appearance this is a twin of the tune edi- tion of our English hymn-book. This volume represents hours upon hours of the most painstaking labor on the part of the compiler. ‘The least we can do is to show Pastor Eckhardt our appreciation by procuring 2 copy of it and using it diligently. The pastor will find this concordance to be of great value in the selection of the proper hymns for the services; but it will likewise prove a great help when working out his sermons. Buy and use!