The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1896, Page 8

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8 The Lutheran Pioneer.

a Christmas address delivered by Prof. Herzer,
whose faithful and self-sacrificing labors among
the colored people of Springfield will ever be
held in remembrance by them. In a very
striking manner he plainly showed to the
people God’s motive, namely His great love,
in sending His only begotten Son into this
sinful world to save us sinners; he also in-
dicated that the Christmas Present which the
Lord gave us on this day was in perfect har-
mony with His great love toward mankind.
Thereupon followed the lighting of the
Christmas tree, during which time the chil-
dren rendered the well known song, ‘‘The
Christmas Tree’s the Fairest Tree.’? Imme-
diately after the lighting of the tree, the
joys of the children were increased by receiy-
ing a few presents to remind them of the Gift
which was also presented to them on this
blessed day. In consideration of all the joys
and pleasures which accompanied this memor-
able event, we have great occasion to exclaim
with the Christians of old, ‘‘How amiable are
Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul
longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of
the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out
for the living God. . . . Blessed are they that
dwell in Thy house, they will be still praising
Thee. Selah.”

*

*

In conclusion a few words as to the present
condition of this missionfield. The congrega-
tion has been without a pastor since March
1895, during which time it has been tempo-
rarily entrusted to the kind and faithful care
of Prof. Herzer who, with the assistance of
students, still furnishes it with preaching
every Sunday. The services are visited by
12—80 persons. The day-school is also yet
in existence. It is now taught by Mr. J.
McDavid, a student of Concordia College.
He has had charge of this school since April
1895, and now has 24 pupils enrolled; the
Sunday school is attended by 30 children.

+ oo +

The Outlook from the Editor’s Window.

—Tue last Sunday of the past year was a
day of rejoicing at our mission station at
Greensboro, N. C. Under the bright lights

ofa beautiful Christmas tree the first con-

firmation of colored Lutheran Christians in
that town took place. Rev. F. H. Meyer, of
Salisbury, delivered the address on Rom. 8,
$1. 82. The attendance numbered about 150,

* of whom seven adults publicly confessed their

Christian faith and were confirmed. May the

Lord keep them faithful unto the end.

~ —Ow the 24th of November, 1895, the well
‘known Lutheran missionary, Dr. Hugo Hahn,
‘departed this life at Cape Town in South
Africa. He came to Africa fifty-four years
ago and became the pioneer among the evan-
alias of South Africa. ~

—Or the Christmas celebration at our mis-
station in Greensboro, N. C.; a writer in

the Daily Record of that city says: ‘‘In cor-
respondence with previous intimation, the eve
of the nativity of our Lord and Saviour was
solemnized in the colored Lutheran Mission
with appropriate ceremonies, and becoming
exercises. It was for this locality, indeed, a
unique celebration. The validity of this even
those, being not as favorably disposed toward
the blessed work of this mission as might be
desired, have ratified. To all present once
more the Divine truth of the words of Scrip-
ture: ‘Out of the mouth of babes and suck-
lings thou hast perfected praise,’ was demon-
strated; for, not only did they commend in
song the unfathomable mercy of our celestial
Father, but also and not less, by the answers
that they gave their Pastor and the teacher
when questioned. First the older scholars in
catechetical discourse gave the prophecies and
a brief explanation of each, and then the
smaller children, of which some had not com-
pleted their sixth year, were questioned con-
cerning the story of our Saviour’s birth. It
was a delight to hear the clear and distinct
answers of the little ones. The Christmas tree
which already last year awakened such great
interest and admiration, lacked nothing of its
beauty this year; on the contrary, all of those
enjoying them both, have pronounced it a
greater success than Jast year. It was indeed
a feast for the eyes that reminded those who
beheld it of the inestimably beautiful Tree of
Life, Jesus Christ. Also the hall was beauti-
fully decorated for the occasion. Festoons
were extended all along the walls; wreaths
and a cross hung over the platform; from the
center of the ceiling were suspended, in every
direction, garlands, to which were attached
many Italian lights, throwing a magic hue
over the whole. Every one of the 75 children
of the Lutheran day and Sunday school re-
ceived a valuable present, such as entire suits,
dresses, candy, fruit, toys, etc., to be reminded
of the unspeakably great present which God
at the first Christmas festivity gave unto the
World — His Son.’’

—A Curistian Lapy, who was engaged in
work for the poor and degraded, was once
remonstrated with for going among such a
class of people. ‘‘You sit beside these people
and talk with them in a way that I do not
think you would do if you knew all about
them—just what they are and from what
places they come.’”’ Her answer was: ‘‘Well,
I suppose they are dreadful people; but if
the Lord Jesus were now on earth, are they
not the very sort of people that he would
strive to reach? And am I better than my
Master?”” A poor, illiterate person who stood
listening to this conversation, said with great
earnestness and simplicity, ‘‘Why, I always
thought that was what Christians were for.’’
The objector was:silenced, and what wonder?
Is not that what Christians are for? If not,
what are they for? ©

—Bnririsu Missionary Societies find them-'
selyes in much the same straits in which Boards

in America are placed by reason of inadequate
supplies of money. Here is what The Dfis-
sionary Record of the Scotch United Presby-
terian Church says in view of this fact: ‘‘Are
we to ask God to stay the blessing upon our
Foreign Missions, and so save us from these
increasing demands? Are we to pray that the
work may never grow beyond what can be
provided for out of the old measure of con-
tributions? Are we to take it that the mis-
sionary income of these past years represents
the limit of our ability or of our duty in view
of the needs of the heathen world? .Or are
we to recognize that behind the blessing which
is so greatly enlarging our foreign work, and
behind the daily more clamant needs of the
heathen, stands the Lord Jesus Christ Him-
self, telling us in this way that we are not yet
giving as we ought, and so are hindering Him
from blessing us as He would?’’

OUR BOOK TABLE.

HERR, ICIK WARTE AUF DEIN HEL. <Andachten
in Psalmen, Gebeten und Liedern. Zusammen-
gestellt von A. L. Graebner. Concordia Pub-
lishing House, St. Louis, Mo. Price, $1.00.

By issuing this book of devotion in large, clear

type the compiler and publisher have conferred a
great favor upon the aged fathers and mothers of
our German congregations, whose eyes have grown
dim with old age, and who lean more firmly upon
the comforting staff of God’s Word as they are near-
ing the end of thtir pilgrimage.

Evangelical Lutheran Colored Churches,
New ORLEANS, La.

EV. LUTH. ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL.
113 Annette Str., between Claiborne and Dirbigny.

Divine services: Sunday morning at 1044 o'clock.

Sunday evening at 734 o'clock.

Wednesday evening ‘at 1% o'clock.
Sunday School: Sunday morning at 9% o'clock.
Singing School at 74 o' relock Monday evening.

F. J. LANKENAU, Missionary.

EV. LUTH. MT. ZION CHURCH.
Cor, Franklin and Thalia Stra.
Divine services at 744 Sunday evening and at 74 Thurs-
day evening.
Sunday School meets at 9 o'clock.
Adult catechumen class mects at 744 Tuesday evening.
E. W. Kuss, Missionary.

EY. LUTH. BETHLEHEM CHAPEL.
Cor. Washington Avenue and Dryades Str.
Divine services at 734 o'clock Sunday evening and at 736
o’clock Thursday cvening.
Sunday School at 9 o’clock.
J. W. F. KOSSMANN, Missionary.

Ey. Luth. Holy Trinity Church.

Springfteld, I.
Divine Services at half past 10 o’clock Sunday morning
and at8 Oe Bundey. evening.
Sunday Schoo) at 3 o'clock Pr. «
Catechumen class mects Monday and Friday evenings.
Singing-school Tuesday evening.

ES

TERMS:

Tux LurneraNn Pronzer is published monthly,
payable in advance at the following rates, postage
included, ee

1 Co;
ne Co ples

30 - 9.00

Club rates only allowed if all copies are to besent
to one address.
All business communications to be addressed to

“Concordia Publishing House,” St. Louis, Mo.
- All communications concerning the edito) e-
ent to be addressed to Prof. R. A- Bene

mcordia College, Fort Wayne, Ind.