The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1904, Page 44

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44. : The Lutheran Pioneer.

Spreading the Gospel.

Speaking of the duty of native Christians on
thé mission fields to help in spreading the Gospel
among their neighbors, The Indian. Witness calls
attention to the fact that in the early days of Chris-
tianity the Christian faith was most zealously spread
by the rank and file of the disciples. In the sec-
ond century the heathen philosopher Celsus de-
clared that ‘‘workers in wool and leather, and fullers
were the most zealous messengers of Christianity.’’
Theodoret, a Christian of the fourth century, tells
of the Christians of the country and small towns
of Northern Syria, how well they were acquainted
with the Christian doctrine, ‘‘eyven shoemakers, and
smiths, and workers in wool and other handicraft-
men, and in like manner women, not only the
educated, but also. those who have to work for
their living, both’ needlewomen and servant girls.’
“Ditchers, and herdsmen, and gardeners convers-
ing respecting the Divine Trinity, and knowing
much more of. human nature than Aristotle and
Plato, and gladly undertaking every kind of labor
for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake.’’

~

True Liberality.

An elderly colored woman, a widow, who had
always been in the habit of giving a contribution
annually to the mission, at last became so poor that
she was unable to give anything, and this made her
very sad indeed—so sad that she had to go and tell
her minister about it, and this is the story she told
him:

“*T cried and was very sad, and I say, ‘Morrow-
day de missionary meetin’, and sweet Jesus! your
servant hab notin’ to give.’ Whattodo? I tink and
tink how I goin’ to make it up. I ’member a man
due me nine shillin’ for a long time, an’I say, ‘I go
to him and ask for it. Let him give me de‘money,
an’ I will carry de whole of it to de meetin’.’”” She
went to the man in question, and to-her astonish-
ment he gave her three shillings. She said, ‘‘Right
before me in de door dere stood de devil, and him

~ _ say, ‘You lucky old lady, to get de money | I say, ~

‘Yes, I want it for de mission.” Him say, ‘You

_ poor widow? and you give all dat to de mission?’

Tsay, ‘It am so:, I promised it, and de Lord must
have it.’ But he stay and bodder me all dat night,
‘and tease me‘about de money till de mornin’.- When
de time come for de meetin’, I get ready, and de
ole gen’leman come again and say, ‘I goin’ to de
ese too!’ And all plone de road he say, ‘Give

half, give half!’ Isay, ‘No, sar; I goin’ to give all, so
you can shut your mouf.’ Den he come again at de
collection, and say, ‘Give a little of de money, and
take some for yourself, if itis only a bare tuppence.’
Den I get well vexed, ‘If you are a man, take it out
if you dare.’’? — Church Messenger.

————+e<

Overcome by the Power of God.

Several worldly wise attended the Church Coun-
cil at Falaise, with the purpose of disputing with
the Christians there assembled. One of their num-
ber especially championed their cause, and with

more than ordinary tact opposed the doctrines of ,

Christianity.

In the course of the discussion an aged Christian,
who had suffered much from persecution and had
manifested great firmness of faith, but who, in the
opinion of the world, possessed little knowledge,
arose and said: ‘‘In the name of Jesus Christ hear
me, ye worldly wise. There is one God, the Creator
of heaven and earth, and all things visible and in-
visible, who hath made all these things by the power
of His Word, and preserves them by His Holy Spirit.
This Word, which we call the Son of God, had mercy
upon the children of men wandering in error and
sin. He determined to be born of a woman, to live
among and to die for men, and He will come again
as the Judge of the living and the dead. That these
things are so we heartily and sincerely believe. Do
not, therefore, unnecessarily burden yourself by op-
posing the things which must be received in faith,
or investigating how they can, or how they cannot
be, but if you believe, simply say so.’’

Confounded by the simple and yet comforting
reply, the philosopher answered, ‘‘I believe,’’ ac-
knowledged himself overcome, and admonished his
friends who had come’there in the same spirit in
which he had, to follow his example. He said, ‘‘As

long as the conflict was words, I was well supplied”

with weapons, but the moment the power of God
spoke through this man, I could not resist.’’ He
was then baptized, became a devoted follower of
Christ, and the Council greatly rejoiced over him.

an

Father.

Abba, Father! He who can say this hath uttered —

better music than cherubim or seraphim can reach.
There is heaven in the depth of that word —Father!

There is all I can ask; all my necessities can de-
.mand; all my wishes can desire.

to all eternity when I can say, ‘‘Father.”’

I have all in all