The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1884, Page 10

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10

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Letter from New Orleans.

- DEAR PIONEER :—

What I might report from our colored con-
gregations respecting the Luther jubilee has in
all essentials been reported already. But it
might not be amiss to make mention of the
fruits we have reaped. That the name of Lu-
ther and the Lutheran Church was unknown

to the colored people, at least of this city, until |

our Mission was established here, is not very
strange; nor did it then become widely known.
In the past jubilee year it was natural that we
should make the people more familiar with
Luther and the nature of his work. To this
end a Biography of Luther’s Life was intro-
duced in our schools, sermons were delivered
on the work of Reformation, and short sketches
of his life were given in our meetings. The
discourses were listened to with marked inter-
est and attention. A joint memorial service
to be held in the Mt. Zion Church was decided
upon by both congregations; and the sisters
of that congregation spared neither money nor
labor in order to put the church in a proper
festive trimming. To Mr. Vix is the honor
due for the neatly worked-out inscription ap-
propriate for the occasion. Had not the in-
clemency of the weather caused a postponement
of the celebration, the audience would have
been twice as large. The able address of Rev.
Franke was well adapted to create interest and
love in the hearts of the hearers for the great
Reformer; nor did it fail to do so. ‘Those who
have learned a little about him, desire to learn
more. Jven outside of the congregations in-
quiries have been made for his Biography and
for his Smaller Catechism. Our appeal to work
for the spread of the Pioneer that contains
nothing but ‘‘God’s word and Luther's doctrine
pure,” has by some been liberally responded tu.
Besides this, our church and. our mission has
become more known and an increased church-
attendance is visible. Yet little good would
come of our Luther festival if the colored
people do not learn to appreciate more highly
the truth which Luther taught and to devote
themselves more to the study of the Bible
which Luther was instrumental in giving to
the people. It is therefore to be hoped that
they will not be content with a mere superficial
knowledge of the Reformer and his work but
inquire into the truth, for which Luther fought
so bravely and by which our church has con-
stantly stood and stands to-day; and availing
themselves of the christian generosity extended
to them’ by the Ey. Luth. Synodical Confer-
ence, they will in the churches and schools of
our mission find what they seek.
Another festival to be mentioned is the annual
anniversary of the consecration of the Mt. Zion
Church. The congregation assembled was one
of the largest we have witnessed, and also one

poses. This is a step forward; it isa mark of
thankfulness t6 the Giver of all good for His
grace and goodness extended to them through
the instrumentality of Lutheran fellow christ-
ians. This step is so much more gratifying as
the expenses of their own church are somewhat
heavy for the few contributing members. Be-
sides this they contribute to the Bethlehem’s
Orphan Home and to the fund of the sick and
needy of the congregation.

A merry Christmas with neatly decorated
trees, laden with toys and presents for the
children, was celebrated by both congregations
at their respective churches. Parents who
seldom or never visit us are usually present on
such occasions; and the assembly is uncom-
monly large. This occasion forms no exception
tothe rule. The St. Paul’s Chapel was crowded
to overflow, and that part of the Mt. Zion
church used for the divine services was filled
to the very last seat. Before the candles were
lighted and presents distributed a short service
was held. With heart and voice the chi dren
sung hymns of praises to the Saviour. The
prophecies of the Old Testament pointing to
Him and the history of His birth were related
with accuracy and questions pertaining thereto
promptly answered.

Day and Sunday schools are in a prosperous
condition. While some we lose and some we
discharge, others are waiting to fill their vacant
places. It grieves us very much to refuse the
many applications that are growing more
numerous every year. The character of our

schools is known to the people in the districts

where they are located. A preference for our
schools is manifest from the fact that parents

send their children with a view to have them

brought up in our church. It pains us very
much to send themaway ; for they are redeemed

souls whom God will entrust to our spiritual
care. Shall our mission work be successfully
carried on, steps should be taken to secure more
help and more room.
sionary stations should be erected and thus
gather into the vineyard of the Lord as many
as can be found. This would doubtlessly at
once be carried out by the Honorable Board
of Mission, but it has not the means.
waiting for the Christians throughout the Syn-
odical Conference to respond to the numerous
calls for liberal contributions to the colored
mission.
of Christians for our mission work!

More schools and mis-

It is

May God open the hearts and hands

Or, ‘Shall we always live

At this poor dying rate?

Our love to God so cold so faint
And His to us so great?‘

New Orleans, La., Febr. 17th, 1884.
Missionary.

Who are the Meek.

jline keep us from eternal misery.

A missionary in Jamaica once asked a little
colored girl in a missionary school, ‘‘ Who are
the meek?’? The child answered, ‘‘Those who
give soft answers to rough questions.”

if the most unruly. For the benefit of the
‘Mission a collection was taken up amounting to
$5.00. This congregation has resolved hence-

The Purpose of Sorrow and Suffering.

By Dr. MarTIN LUTHER.

God chastens and disciplines those whom
He would bring into eternal life; they suffer
many severe trials of sorrow and of pain, of
misfortune and tribulation, yet God is their
friend. We all have our griefs and pains, and
if we candidly ask ourselves: Had this trouble
not come upon me, would I not have fallen
into some other calamity or sin, and.is it not
better thus, when God by these trials keeps
me in faith and brings me to His Word and
keeps me at prayer? I say, if we candidly
look at our experience in this light, we shall
surely find that God is not our enemy, even if
He smites us; but that He in reality manifests
His love toward us, and would by this discip-
If, there-
fore, we feel the infliction, let us not suppose
that God isangry with us, or that He cares
not for us. He disciplines us because we are
His children, that we may not fall short of the
inheritance which He has in store for us.

If now the Christian is afflicted, he ought
not to indulge in effeminate complaints and
lamentations, but should remember that he
has a merciful God in heaven, who has not
forsaken him nor any of His children; who
sends these trials and sorrows as reminders of
man’s trespasses, and us a call to repentance
and toa more faithful obedience and filial love.

Did not know it was in the Bible.

A well-to-do deacon in Contecticut was one
morning accosted by his pastor, who said,
‘Poor Widow Green’s wood is out. Can you
not take her a cord?’”’ ‘‘Well,’’ answered the
deacon, ‘‘I have the wood and I have the team;
but who is to pay me for it?’”? The pastor,
somewhat vexed, replied, “I will pay you for
it, on the condition that you read the first three
verses of Psalm 12. before you go to bed to-
night.’”’ The deacon consented, «lelivered the
wood, and at night opened the Word of God
and read the passage: ‘Blessed is he that con-
sidereth the poo1; the Lord will deliver him in
time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him
and keep him alive, and he shall be blessed
upon the earth; and thou wilt not deliver him
unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will
strengthen him upon the bed of languishing;
thou wilt make his bed in sickness.’’ A few
days after the pastor met him again. ‘How
much do I owe you, deacon, for that cord of
wood?’’ ‘‘O!”’ said the now enlightened man,
‘do not speak of payment; I did not know
those promises were in the Bible. I would not
take money for supplying the old widow’s
wants.’’—Selected.

——s-—+ oa o> oe

Grace teaches us, in the midst of life’s
greatest comforts, to be willing to die, and in
re midst of its greatest crosses to be willing
to live.

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