The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1898, Page 46

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46

The Lutheran Pioneer.

Christmas in North Celebes.

Through the work of missions the northern
part of the island Celebes has become a Chris-
tian country. Even though in some towns
there still remain little groups of obdurate
heathen, and in others Christianity has not
yet become firmly rooted, these exceptions
are overshadowed by the power and fruits of
the Gospel which are strik-
ingly exhibited on differ-
ent occasions. Such an
occasion is afforded par-
ticularly by the Christmas
festival. ;

For weeks prior to
Christmas a joyful spirit
of activity seizes upon the
brown Alfours, whose en-
tire conduct ordinarily
seems to be of such a
complacent, indolent na-
ture. Yet under the sur-
face of their quick manner
there glows deep emotion
which now and then bursts
forth, as when the peace-
ful land is shaken by sub-
terranean forces. Such
commotion is observed at
the approach of the ‘‘great
day,’’ as the beloved fes-
tival is there called.

- The wives and mothers -
in particular are busy at
this time. A superior
quality of rice is laid in
store; also brown and
white sugar, cocoanuts
and eggs, flour, butter,
cinnamon and yanilla, —
all that goes to make
Christmas cakes of every
variety and form. The
young people devise ways
and means of securing
new apparel for the holi-
days. People are busy at
house-cleaning, repairs
are made, some of the
houses receive a new coat
of paint, and the me-
chanics have their hands full.

As the day
draws nearer the stir and bustle increase.
Servants come home to celebrate the festival

in the family circle. There is commotion
everywhere, joyful greetings are exchanged,
and unusual excitement prevails in every
town. The returning daughter takes a hand
at once in the preparations and is happy if she

“can display her skill in producing some new
form of pastry.
_ While the people generally are engaged in

‘activities, another phase of Christmas
aration comes to light. Let us pay a visit to
strict of Amurang, where Christian con-
onal life has become more developed.

It is Christmas eve. ‘The sun has already
| sunk like a mighty ball of fire into the waters
|of the bay, edged with wooded headlands.
The reflection of its setting rays is still glim-
mering upon a rocky peak that rises giant-

like above the tips of the surrounding hills.
Soon the last streak of light has vanished, and
| with marvelous rapidity the land is enveloped
|in the darkness of night. We enter one of

the towns. The broad street is illuminated.
Along each side extends a line of lamps, made
of the fruits of the melon-tree, filled with oil
and set upon posts. The houses, too, sur-
rounded by beautiful gardens and hedges,
send forth cheerful light. The church, which
the congregation has provided with petroleum
lamps, beams with special brightness. The
light is reflected from the white walls. The
plain house of God is filled with worshipers.
With impressive fervor and earnestness the
congregation, in variegated attire, unites in
the Christmas hymn. The native school-
teacher, who has opened the service with fer-
yent prayer, leads the singing. At the close

of the hymn one of the elders of the congre-
gation arises and in a plain, but hearty man-
ner, speaks of the grace of God who has
permitted them once more to celebrate the

Christmas festival. The contrast between

;darkness and light is impressed upon our

hearts as we reflect that here, where a few
decades ago the most benighted heathenism
reigned, the glorious festival of Christ’s na-
tivity is now observed.
And this may well consti-
tute the central thought of
the address of the elder
who still has in vivid re-
membrance the heathen
abominations of the past.
In closing he announces
another Christmas hymn
which is sung by the con-
gregation. After this fash-
ion addresses and hymns
alternate for perhaps two
hours, and the rapt atten-
tion of the hearers and the
hearty singing bear wit-
ness to the devotion and
fervor of the congrega-
tion.
The service ended, the
worshipers depart. But
the lights upon the streets
and verandas of the pil-
lared houses are not yet
- extinguished... A crowd of
boys is wending its way
to the school house. In
their hands they carry
what seem to be short
sticks. No, they are flutes!
The youthful musicians
are arranged in order and,
under the direction of the
teacher, engage in the final
rehearsal of the tunes,
with which on the morrow,
at the main service, they
are to accompany the sing-
ing of the congregation.
Sweetly the festive melo-
dies float out upon the
nightly air. But song has
an irresistible attraction
for these natives of Celebes. One lad after
another comes and settles down quietly upon
the matts on the veranda of the school house.
And the girls, too, attracted by the music,
come, in order to join in the singing. Some
take the alto part, and occasionally a hymn is
sung in three or even four voices, to com-
plete the harmony. Out on the Jawn, under
the banana trees, stands a listening multitude.
Surely, in such exercises, also, there is edifi-
cation for the singers and hearers.
—_—» +o o> oo
A varse witness shall not be unpunished;
and he that speaketh lies shall not es¢ape:
Proy. 19, 5. ;