The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1892, Page 46

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

Christmas in a Missionary’s Home.

In our picture we see a Christmas celebra-
tion in the home of a Missionary in South
Africa. After the Christmas services in the
church near by, the Missionary’s family, to-
gether with some African friends, assembled
around the Christmas tree in the Missionary’s
humble home. There is the Missionary point-

ing the little colored boy to the bright tapers
and telling him of the Babe of Bethlehem, who
came into the world as the Light of all nations.
There is Peter, the Missionary’s faithful as-
sistant, looking with folded hands at the blaz-
ing Christmas tree. His heart is filled with
joy and gratitude, for under the Christmas tree
he found a Bible in his native language as a
welcome Christmas gift. His daughter Martha
is kneeling at the table and reading. She has
received a New Testament as a Christmas pre-
sent, and is so absorbed in reading the pre-

cious Book that she has no time to admire
the beautiful doll of her little friend Mary.
There are Christmas gifts for all, and by
those gifts they are to be reminded of that
unspeakable gift of God—His only begotten
Son.

The upper part of the door of the Mission-
ary’s cabin has been opened, and through the
opening two African heathens are looking in

Christmas in a Missionary’s Home.

upon the happy family circle, admiring the
tree and the presents. They are still in the
darkness and misery of sin and are strangers
to the true Christmas joy. On their way home
that Christmas night the elder of the two said to
his young companion: ‘‘To-morrow I shall go
to the Missionary and have my name put in the
list of those that wish to learn. We live in
darkness; we live like the wild beasts of the
forest; we know nothing. The Missionary
and his wife are very kind tous. They love
the poor African. I must know what is in the

books of these white people. I must learn
more of their God and of Him whom they ca}
Saviour and whose birth they celebrate to-
day.”’

Old uncle kept his word. He went to the
Missionary and was instructed in the way to
heaven. And when the next Christmas came,
he was among those that assembled at tho
Missionary’s home, and with glad heart he

joined in-singing the sweet Christmas hymns
of the Saviour born at Bethlehem.

May the glad tidings of a Saviour born for
the salvation of sinners bring peace and joy
to the hearts of many of the children of

Africa!
—_—_——» 2 <a e -

‘Kvery song about Jesus, every church-
bell that rings, echoes the music of Bethle-
hem.’’. :

True Christmas joy is joy in the Lord,

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