The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1896, Page 7

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_ conscientious, painstaking teacher, and as

The Lutheran Pioneer. r/

the latter part of August, proved himself a| steadily before them at home. Tell your
parents again and again that Mount Zion
must have a new church before summer.

The mission-workers in Mount Zion have
now definitely decided to vacate the old
shanty, and henceforth, until the new church
is built, to have services in the new school.
It is sad, very sad indeed, to be compelled to
do so, but conscience commands it. Imagine
how uncomfortable it will be for the old folks
to occupy children’s benches for two hours
during service-time. True, we have managed
to put in eight long benches, by moving the
patent benches towards the sides of the build-
ing. In that way we gain room in the middle
for these eight benches, but only 48 can be
seated, which is not half enough. How can
we expect the old folks, the mothers and
grandmothers, considering the many aches
to which they are subject, to be comfortable?
There will, I fear, be many excuses for neg-
lecting services hereafter.

Take the Pioneer home with you, and when
all are gathered about the hearth-stone, read
it aloud to all assembled, and if any there-
after can devoutly say, ‘‘Thy kingdom come,’’

the rush continued a two-story schoolhouse,
43 X26 ft., was built at an expense of $1615.00.
It was dedicated January 18, 1891. ‘There
were 153 pupils in school, divided between
Messrs. Rischow and Niewedde, Sept. 30,
1895. At the same time the congregation,
which is being served by Rev. J. Kossmann,
numbered 148 souls, 10 voting, and 57 commu-
nicant members. During the first nine months
of last year the congregation lost 7 members
by death and exclusion, while 21 were added
by baptism and confirmation. The amount of
money raised at this station the first three
quarters was $512.00. Under God’s blessing
the work goes on. Each of the missionaries
has a number of catechumens, adults as well
as children, under instruction; and hopeful
of good results they look forward. to the next
confirmation-day. AUG.

— —— some -

(For the Lutmer&Nx PIONEER.)

Uncle Bob’s Letter.

My pear Neruews anp Nieces : —

What. a happy time it is: the glorious
Christmas season! ‘To all my little friends
it assuredly has brought joy and happiness.
True, there may be some of you who have
received, perhaps, little as a Christmas gift
such as children naturally look for at that
time. But then again, what are all these toys
and earthly gifts in comparison with that
greatest of Christmas gifts, the sweet Christ-
child, which the heavenly Father sent into
this world to accomplish the work of redemp-
tion for us all?’ Surely, Johnnie and Jennie,
and Myrtle and Mark; that gift is also yours
and mine, if we receive it with believing
hearts. And when Uncle Bob, therefore,
wishes you and all a Happy New Year, may
it be one in the company of the Saviour; for,
as we have learnt on Christmas day, He is
particularly the children’s friend.

Therefore, forward, march, in Christ’s
name! Forward, in the work. which was
begun in 1895! God prosper the work of
your little hands in this coming year of grace.
May your love-offering built Mount Zion a
new church! ‘That be your continued thank-
offering in 1896. And with God’s help, it
shall he accomplished.

By the way, my little ones, Uncle Bob has
Noticed with pleasure the interesting fact,
that Johnnie’s and Jennie’s, and Myrtle’s
and Mark’s, big brothers and sisters are going
to help us. The December Missions-Taube,
the Proncer’s German sister, brings that in-

- formation, and the Zutheraner in its financial
columns verifies it.

Surely, my little ones will agree with me
that the quarters of our Young People will
Prove not only a welcome assistance, but also
‘n'assurance that our elders will likewise fall
inline cheerfully, provided the matter be kept

without also going down in his or her pocket,
then, indeed, does this world contain stony-
hearted people. Uncle Bob, through his little
ones, is determined to bring matters to a
crisis.
new one or not, must come down. Yes, so it

The old church, whether we get a

must, for, since I wrote you last, part of the
sillis gone, there is a breech; in plain words,
the uprights would drop, were they not held
by the weatherboards. No matter which way
the building falls, it will slaughter the inno-
cents. For God’s sake, for your own sake, for
the sake of the Mission, help us! If that build-
ing causes any one’s death, good-bye Colored
Mission in New Orleans! Besides there will
be legal actions for damages against the Board,
an incorporated body and subject to legal
process.

Noy, then, up and about; a strong pull, a
long pull, and a pull altogether! Let not our
fair Lutheran name be dragged in the mire,
children. Let not our enemies rejoice over
the downfall of the Colored Mission in New
Orleans. Here are heartsore Mission-workers ;
there in St. Louis a heartsore Board willing
to forward the funds, but handicapped by a
lack of them. Up, ye Christians, in the
strength of the new-born King! Lift this
burden from our hearts.

God grant it. Amen.

The children’s Christmas service was fine.
250 people crowded the school. ‘There in the
north corner stood the beautiful Christmas
tree with its 100 wax candles diffusing light,
and hundreds of glittering ornaments hanging
from its evergreen branches. Under the tree
were bags filled with sweetmeats; and there,
in yonder corner, were the gifts. Our Pastor
announced, ‘‘Let us all with gladsome yoice.””
Then came the Gospel Lesson from Luke 2,
followed by ‘From heaven above to earth

I come.”’ There was a vim and an energy in

the singing, which was truly delightful. Next
came an address by the teacher, and after
that the catechetical part of the service, con-
taining the prophecies of the Messiah as re-
corded in the Old Testament, the history of
the Saviour’s birth, and the story of the Wise
Men from the East. Christmas carols were
interspersed. Many had never before seen
such a Christmas service. The unanimous
verdict was: Fine, well trained, indeed! The
answers of the pupils came out boldly and
distinctly, and the singing was exceptionally
clear and cheerful.

Thus our Mission-schools, not only Mount
Zion, but all of them, are becoming a power
down here. Souls are being led to Christ.
Are you not, therefore, happy to be able to
contribute your mites towards such a worthy
cause? Truly, you are.

Assurance by mail has reached us that my
little friends are glad to contribute towards
the new church. God reward you! They
would also like to see the new school in the
Pioneer. Uncle Bob will remember it.

So, again, a happy New Year to one and sll.

Your affectionate uncle,
Bos.
—_—~0 ~o=m eee

(For the LUTHERAN PIONEER.)

Christmas Joys at Springfield, III.

On the evening of December 25, 1895, at
8 o’clock sharp, our Christmas services were
begun in the name of the new-born King and
Lord of heaven and earth. The many people
who were present called to our memory the
fact that a great event was to be commemo-
rated. It was the birth of the dear Christ-
child that we had assembled to commemorate
in an appropriate manner.

Besides the unspeakable joys which this
child Jesus brought home to our hearts, we
also had the pleasure of hearing what the
children of our school had learnt concerning
this great and wonderful Child. Having sung
a number of selections suitable for the joyful
occasion, the pupils of our day- and Sunday-
school were examined by their teacher, Mr. J.
McDavid, regarding the prophecies which
treat of the coming Messiah. While the
questions were being asked and answered,
the eyes of the entire audience were fixed on
the children, whose prompt and correct an-
swers called forth wonder and astonishment
from the attentive listeners; so impressive

and solemn was the occasion that it caused”

many an eye to shed tears of joy. No doubt
the hearts of quite a number of the visitors
were touched to see the words of the psalmist
David fulfilled to the very letter, ‘‘Out of
mouths of babes and sucklings hast Thou
ordained perfect strength because of Thine

enemies, that Thou mightest still the enemy

and the avenger.’’ Ps. 8, 2.
After the children had been satisfactorily
examined, the vast assembly was favored with

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