The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1879, Page 10

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of God, in disobedience towards their parents,
in hatred and envy towards their neighbor, in
adultery and drunkenness, in bearing false wit-
ness, in serving their lusts: they are the cap-
tives, the slaves of sin. But those that accept
the Gospel, and truly believe in Christ, the
great Deliverer, enjoy the deliverance from all
their enemies, they enjoy the Gospel-liberty.
They are no longer captives, they are no Jonger
the slaves of sin, but masters, masters over sin,
death, devil, and hell. Their captivity is led
captive, and as their enemies are put under the
feet of Christ, their representative, so those
enemies are also put under their feet; they are
Lords and Kings. Sing praises unto our God,
sing praises! Ascension Day is a day of jubilee
and rejoicing.

But is it not a very sad thing that Christ left
this world and now sits at the right hand of
God? Oh, no! The right hand of God is
not a certain place in heaven, far away. Ac-
cording to Scripture, the right hand of God is
nothing else but the almighty power and maj-
esty of God. When we are therefore told that
Christ sits at the right hand of God, we learn
that Christ, according to his human nature, as

‘our Brother, entered into the majesty and glory
of God, into the full use of His almighty power.
We need not now go to Palestine in order to be
with Christ, but Christ, also according to His
human nature, is with us at all places and at all
times. He is able as He is willing to fulfill that
promise given to His disciples before His as-
cension: ‘I am with you always, even unto the
end of the world’’ (Matthew 28, 20.). He has
only withdrawn His visible presence. But if
we die in true faith, our eyes will see Him in
His glory. This is our firm hope in this valley
of tears. A Christian may live in poverty,
bowed down with sorrow and with care; his
home in this world may be a cabin or some
* miserable hut, still he rejoices. He knows that
he is a pilgrim and a stranger and can tarry
but a while, that his true home is above, where
his dear Saviour is gone to prepare a place for
him in His Father's house. Yes, there is a
good time coming, 2 good time coming for all
faithful Christians. A good time, when we
come home from a foreign shore. In eternal
joy we shall then sing songs of praises to Christ,
our King, who has redeemed us by His blood,
and has led our captivity captive by His As-
cension.
———- o-oo

The Lesson of Ascension Day.

*Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature. He that believeth
and is baptized, shall be saved; but He that
believeth not, shall be damned.”’ (Mark 16, 15.)
‘‘Preach the Gospel to every creature’’—this
was the farewell charge of Christ, given to His
disciples. They heeded this command, and
went out into the world, preaching the Gospel
as faithful missionaries. Amid all the dangers,
and hardships, and persecutions, they never
gave up their glorious work. ~

creature.’’

‘Preach the Gospel to every ereature’’—this
is the farewell charge of Christ, given to the
entire Church. It is every Christian’s duty—
and a blessed duty it is—to see to it that this
command is not disregarded. Can it be pos-
sible that there is a Christian among us who
has never offered a prayer unto God for our mis-
sion, never paid a single cent for our mission-
work? Knowing that the time is near at hand
when Jesus shall come in like manner as He
was taken into heaven, we must be up and
doing. The Gospel and the Holy Sacraments
are the only means of grace for poor sinners.

It is told by a missionary in South Africa
that an old colored man, who had heard and
accepted the Gospel, said to him: ‘‘Why did
you Christians wait so long? It was time for
you to come. My hair is turned gray, and I
am near my grave. You.came late, very late;
but Iam glad you did come. I now know how
to die a happy death.”

Let us learn our lesson well, the lesson of
Ascension Day: ‘‘Preach the Gospel to every

St. Paul’s Colored Lutheran Chapel
AT
Little Rock, Ark,

Here we haye a true picture of St Paul's
Colored Lutheran Church at Little Rock, Ar-
kansas. Situated in the southeastern portion
of that city, on the corner of 12th and Rock Sts.,
the chapel presents a most pleasing appearance
with its steeple, large windows, and the agree-
able color of the paint. Entering by the main
door, we find the greater part of the interior
occupied by benches, affording to the chapel a
seating capacity for about 180 persons. Near
the rear wall, we see the pulpit, and imme-
diately beneath it, thealtar. On our left, beside
the pulpit stairs, we notice the minister’s desk;
on the right side of the pulpit, the beautiful
organ. The altar and pulpit have neat cover-
ings of cloth. Attending on Sabbath, we ob-
serve in the morning a rousing, large Sunday-
school in session for nearly two hours, engaged
in singing, prayer, reading, and listening to
their instructors. In the evening, at 8 o'clock,

a small congregation, with a goodly number of

children, assembles for divine worship.
soft tones of the organ are heard, the minister,
dressed in his gown, takes his seat.
are given out, and the service has begun.
congregation rises, and listens to the minister’s
words of exhortation, stands during prayer,
and responds by singing ‘‘Glory be to God on
high’’.
tures are read. Then comes the hymn before
the sermon, during which the minister mounts
the pulpit.
is sung,
closes with the benediction.
night is conducted in the same manner.

the chapel is turned into a schoolroom.
school-time and during recess, the surrounding
grounds are alive with crowds of children, en-
gaged in their sports.
all hasten to form in ranks before entering.
Silently they march in, two by two, and take
their seats.
Creed and the Lord’s Prayer are said hy the
whole school. Then begins the religious instruc-
tion by both teachers.
branches of 2 common school find careful atten-

The

The hymns
The

Another hymn is sung, and the scrip-

The sermon ended, another hymn
The worship
The service at

g, and a prayer offered.

From Monday morning till Friday evening
Before

At the sound of the bell

A hymn is sung, the Apostle’s

After this the other

tion. The purpose of the school is to train
useful citizens and, most of all, intelligent
Christians.

There the chapel stands, an ornament to the

vicinity, a grand testimonial of the love of the
Lutheran Church towards the colored race of
the South.
welcome.

school and divine worship every Sabbath.
There your children may receive a Christian

Its doors are ever open to bid you
There you may attend Sabbath-

training and an ample education. It now
remains with the colored people, whether or not
the chapel shall prove a lasting blessing to
them. F. Brera.
We hope our missionary will in our next
number tell us all about the dedication of the
chapel. The day of dedication must have been
a day of joy to our dear brethren in Little
Rock.—Eprror.
—2—~-o~< +
(For the “Lutheran Pioneer’’.)

A Christmas Festival.

A festival! Why, I thought you Lutherans
objected to all kinds of festivals held for the
benefit of churches. Yes, we do. We want
none of those money-making, silly, eating and
drinking festivals, or dress parades to help our
church along and to assist the cause and king-
dom of God. Our festivals are Lutheran festi-
vals, not to make money and to show our dress,
but to praise God and enjoy ourselves in 2
Christian manner. Come in, it will cost you
nothing at the door or inside. You are going
to attend a Lutheran Christmas festival of col-
ored children this time. There you will easily
perceive the difference between Jaitheran and
other so-called festivals.

Christmas Eye has come. The children of
the St. Paul’s Lutheran Sunday-school at Little
Rock, Ark., assemble at the church, full of

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