The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1902, Page 15

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The Lutheran Pioneer. 15

“Are We Heathens?”

Mr. C. was a very respectable and diligent
man. He provided for his family to the very
best of his ability, and in all his dealings
proved himself a perfect gentleman. God’s
Word and the preaching, however, was not
at all appreciated by him. He had, indeed,
once learned and loved the Word of Life, but
this now was changed.
Other things filled his
heart and dispelled every
vestige of that love. Years
would come and go, and
Mr. C. would not enter the
church except, perhaps,
at the wedding or at the
funeral of a relative or an
intimate friend.

On one occasion, how-
ever, he delighted to at-
tend at the public service:
it was the annual mission
service. At this gathering
many an acquaintance not
seen in a long time could
be met, and then this
meeting had something
more of a social gathering
connected with it. The
sermon on this occasion
was, by him, regarded as
a ‘necessary evil.’’? Thus
we find him present again
at one of these annual
gatherings. The preacher
put forth his best efforts
to show his hearers the
urgent need of speedily
bringing the Gospel of
Christ the Saviour to the
poor heathen. ‘‘Behold,’’
said he in the course of
his sermon, ‘‘the dire des-
titution of those who have
never known the love of
their Saviour. Without
forgiveness of sins, with-
out the saving grace of
God, burdened by the
unbearable weight of sin,
they lead a wretched exist-
ence, madly rushing to
eternal destruction. Behold, also, how this is
reflected in their lives! Without God’s Word,
without prayer to the true and only God they
arise in the morning, without a word of prayer
they sit down to their meals, and without a
word of thanks to the Lord they retire to
rest!’? Then he also set forth the ways and
means by which the greatly needed help could

be afforded. But while his words moved many papa?”

a heart to earnest prayer for the conversion of
the heathen, and moved many a hand to give
liberally as the collection was being raised,
they left his heart cold though he, too, added
to the collection.

The service having come toa close the people | words were a short but » powerful sermon for
yet remained for a while, entertaining one an-| him ; the Spirit of God worked through them.
other in the most friendly manner, after which|It was impossible for him to reply to his
each repaired to his home. On nearing their | daughter’s question; his heart was too heavy.
residence Maud, the little daughter of Mr. C., | Consciousness of his sin was awakened within
shyly lifted up her head, for something trou- | him. Accusations and excuses shot through
bled her heart, and somewhat timidly she|his troubled mind. That evening, however,
asked, ‘Papa, are we heathens, too?" j/and thenceforward family Bible reading and

‘What is that, Maud?’ asked Mr. C. in an| prayers were observed in Mr. C.’s house; and
he and his family after-
wards were found to be
regular church attend-
ants. J. K.

—_—> + ee

Preparation for Death.

A young girl had brought
a fatal disease upon her-
self by dancing. She re-
quested her pastor to pre-
pare her for death, not
from the New, but from
the Old Testament. The
pastor asked her why she
had such an aversion to
the New Testament. She
answered: ‘‘I read in a
book that the New Testa-
ment is a book of fables,
and that Jesus never
lived.’? From such a book
of fables she did not wish
to be prepared for death.

*Heiis risen, he isnot here!
Hh Skearly dawn tesilenee broke
EAs to thestavtled women near; The pastor then took
Bp eis See naees Bete his Bible and turned to
In joyous voiee theangel spoke. | the Old Testament, and
: fading SSE eV AGNS Se proceeded to prepare her
¥ . : for her end. He referred
> Whe to the law, which forbids

re is th
By \ ret P Be: all and every sin, and
as {\nd vanquished Deathiwhere iS} spoke to her of the punish-

ae in ment which every trans-
f Litre and ey thy sting ? *| gressor of God’s com-
An empty tomb theanstergave,

mandments deserves. He
~ And heavens hosks Trium haksing.

+ ot ” Lente

y vielory, O grave?

told her of the holy and
righteous Judge, and then
asked her, ‘‘Would you
not be glad to have some
one to intercede for you?’’
Her eyes dimmed with
tears the sick girl cried,
: ‘Oh yes, yes!””
astonished yet not unfriendly tone, seemingly| ‘Then, my dear young friend,’’ the minis-
uncertain whether he had rightly understood | ter continued, “‘we are in the New Testament.
his daughter’s words, ‘*Are we heathens, too?’ Jesus is the intercessor. ‘For God was in
What do you mean?” Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself,
‘Don’t you know, papa,’” said Maud, ‘‘the| not imputing their trespasses unto them, and
pastor preached to-day, ‘Without God’s Word, | hath committed unto us the word of recon-
without prayer to the true God they arise inj ciliation.””” Thus did the pastor continue to
the morning,’ and we don’t pray, do we, speak to the dying girl of her Saviour, and by
the grace of God these blessed Gospel tidings

Mr. C. was amazed, he was filled with awe. | became to the poor soul the power of God unto
««Arewe heathens, too?”” crossed and recrossed| salvation. She departed this world trusting
his mind. It seemed as if his breath would | alone in her Saviour Jesus Christ. F.J. L.

him, ‘We don’t pray,
an pains this question gave him! Maud’s Gop not only loves, He is Love.

do we, papa?”’ — Poe