The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1900, Page 7

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

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(For the LUTHERAN PIONEER.)

Our Mission in Mansura.

A few years ago, a Catholic young colored
man being confined to his room on account of
sickness, and longing to read to pass away the
time, suddenly discovered among his books
one which he had never read. It was the
Bible. He dare not read it, —he is a Catholic.
Yet he opens it and reads, ‘‘Search the Scrip-
tures,’’ John 5, 39. He continued to search,
and became a member of one of our colored
churches in New Orleans. To-day we see him
a member, yea, the founder of our church in
Mansura.

His Bible was his constant companion, even
in Mansura. Here he found no Lutherans;
yet to every one that desired to know of what
church he was a member he said that he had
once been a Catholic, but, by reading the
Bible, had become a Lutheran.

One day our Lutheran friend was present
at a gathering of several Catholics who ex-
pressed their wish of having a church of their
own. He told them that, if they were in ear-
nest, he would ask his pastor to come and
preach to them, who would then, if the pros-
pects were favorable, start a mission. They
agreed to invite the young Lutheran’s pastor
to come. This pastor is our wellknown and
beloved Rev. Lankenau. He came; and the
result of his coming was the beginning of our
mission in Mansura.

That was in March, 1898. Since that time,
Pastors Lankenau and Siebelitz, alternately,
went to Mansura, and held services once every
month in the house of one of our colored
friends who, we hope, will soon be a member.
The attendance at these services was more
than satisfactory, and the Hon. Board of Mis-
sions concluded to build a chapel.

Pentecost, 1899, saw the chapel finished
and ready for dedication. The news spread
far and wide. gSome people came twenty
miles to attend the dedication. Two services
were held, Rey. Lankenau delivering both ser-
mons. ‘The attendance at the morning serv-
ices was 346, and in the afternoon 271. This
was indeed encouraging. It was hoped that,
in a short time, missionary work in Mansura
would be crowned with success.

The inquisitiveness of the people has now
subsided, and the attendance is small. Yet,
the writer entertains hopes of a large con-
gregation in the course of time. Opposition
against our church is raised with might and
main. All kinds of money-making schemes
are introduced in the Roman Catholic churches
here to lead and keep the people away from us.
We have but one attraction in our church and
that is the Gospel-tidings that Christ came to
Save sinners, be they white or colored.

On September 17, the day on which the new
missionary was to be installed, the people at
Mansura looked for Rev. Lankenau and the
undersigned in vain. Owing to the quaran-
tine which was declared against New Orleans

we were detained in that city. Having, later
on, procured certificates of health we arrived
at Mansura safe and sound but unexpected.

In order to make our arrival known we went
about to look for some of the .people who
again spread the news. Having gathered a
few young people we practiced a few hymns
for next day’s services.

The attendance at both services was, con-
sidering our sudden and unexpected appear-
ance, satisfactory.

In the morning service the writer was in-
stalled by Rey. Lankenau who also delivered
a powerful sermon, stating that the new mis-
sionary would, as Peter did, preach Christ as
the only Saviour of the world. After the ser-
mon five colored people partook of the Sacra-
ment besides Rey. Lankenau and the new mis-

sionary.

Rev. W. PRETZSCH,

Lutheran Missionary at Mansura, La.

In the afternoon service Rey. Lankenau
again preached and showed according to Prov.
18, 24 that Christ is that ‘‘Friend that sticketh
closer than a brother.”’

After services the writer was given a hearty
welcome by his people who promised to take
good care of him and not let him get homesick.

On Monday, October 9, school was opened
with a small number of children. But to-day
we have the encouraging number of 61. May
God bless our school that in it many a stone
may be found which will later be added to the
puilding of the Mansura-Zion.

The desire in general is for a secular edu-
cation; but that education which is necessary
for the spiritual welfare of their souls is con-
sidered unnecessary by most of the people in
and about Mansura. On Palm Sunday the
missionary will confirm seven children —a
goodly number of first-fruits for a young mis-
sion like ours.

Onur school will not be so well attended dur-
ing the whole year because many of the schol-

ars will be obliged to work in the field. Our
membership is 19, 11 of which are communi-
cant members. Next month will see the mem-
bership increase. Some of the members are
doing missionary work among their people.
“The Lord hath done great things for us;
whereof we are glad.’’

The undersigned extends his thanks to all
those who have contributed toward our mis-
sion in Mansura, and asks all Christian readers
to remember his mission and himself in their
prayers to God that He might prosper the
work of His servant among the colored people
in and about Mansura. God grant it!

Wn. Pretzscu.

————

Death of a Scoffer.

Towards the close of the year 1873, a min-
ister who had served a congregation in Wuer-
temberg for twenty years, was to take charge
of another flock. The last days which he spent
in his old congregation were marked by an im-
pressive occurrence. There lived in the same
village a scoffer who had given a great deal of
trouble to the pastor. He often entertained
the guests at the tavern with his never-failing
wit, generally concluding by scofling at re-
ligion. For this reason he was often warned
by the pastor, but without avail. The warnings
only served to make him angry at the warner.
The day on which pastor and congregation
were to part was drawing near. ‘‘Wife,’’ said
the infidel, ‘tin a week from to-day the pastor
will preach his farewell sermon. My hand-
kerchiefs will not be enough on that occasion,
you must give me a sheet, that I may fill it
with my tears.’? But, man proposes, God
disposes. On Wednesday evening of the week
preceding the farewell sermon, the scoffer
came home with a slight indisposition. And
his sickness was an extremely shortone. On
Thursday evening he was a—corpse. The
sheet which he had ordered he needed — to
wrap his body in. He was buried the same day
on which the farewell sermon was preached ;
and throughout the congregation ran a deep
emotion and a voice seemed to say to all:
‘Blessed is the man that sitteth not in the
seat of the scornful.’’ (Ps. 1, 1.)

The Empty Flour Barrel.

“‘God-always hears when we scrape the bot-
tom of the flour barrel.’? So said the child of
a poor widow to his mother, one morning after
she had prayed, ‘‘Give us this day our daily
bread.”” God always hears the prayers of
His children, and He knows when to answer.

> oe
“Father, through this desert guide me,
By Thy counsel, till I die;
Whether weal or woe betide me,
I am safe if Thou art nigh—
Underneath Thy wings I hide me,
Trusting Thy omniscient eye.”

MEMORIAL LIBRARY

ST. LOUIS.

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