The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1906, Page 52

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52 The Teuthoran Pioneer.

University of Halle, where, under the influence of
the pious Francke, an earnest Christian life had
heen developed. Sickness compelled him to quit
ihe University, and at Merseburg he engaged as a
private teacher.

“When the call came to him to go to the East
Indies, he declared himself ready to go, and on
the 15th of January, 1705, with his friend Pluet-
schau, he arrived at Copenhagen, to be ordained.

“After examination and ordination they set sail,
landing in 'Tranquebar, July 9, 1706. Within eight
months Ziegenbalg had made such progress that he
was able to speak the Tamul language. Soon after,
he gave his pupils in their humble rooms near the

Bartholomew Ziegenbalg.

city walls Luther’s Catechism translated in the
Tamul tongue. He also compiled a dictionary in
two large volumes, and translated many prayers
and Christian hymns.

_ “May 12, 1707, was a festival day. There were
received into the Lutheran church five heathen, the
first fruits of his labors. On August 14th he had
erected the ‘New Jerusalem’ church edifice. ‘To
more effectually spread the Word of God, Ziegen-
halg made many missionary journeys, and, best of
all, in the spring of 1711 he had completed the
translation of the New Testament into Tamul.

“Tis many trials brought and kept the young
mission Close to the Cross. Upon the very day of
their arrival, the missionaries had a most discour-
aging experience. ‘They were allowed to remain in
the great heat of the sun, first outside the city walls,
and then in the public square. Only toward even-

ing did the commandant come, gruffly asking them
what they wanted. Upon seeing their commission,
and the seal of the king, he was indeed silent, but
offered them no hospitality.

“The greatest wrong which they suffered from
the embittered Commandant Hassius, was _ his
throwing Ziegenbalg into prison, keeping him for
four months in a smiall place near the kitchen,
where he suffered greatly both from the heat of the
kitchen and of the sun.

“Though closely watched, Ziegenbalg received
from the soldiers pen and ink, and a Tamul book
by which he advanced his mastery of the language.
At night two trusted servants handed him paper
-and pencil, so that he encouraged himself in the
preparation of his books. After many threatening
presentations, but without a single hearing, he was
finally released from his unjust imprisonment.

“Returning home in October, 1714, he aroused,
hoth in Denmark and Germany, a new and fruitful
zeal for missions and returned strengthened to the
East Indies, and with fresh courage continued his
work. In 1718 he baptized fifty-eight heathen.
The mission grew and established itself firmly in
Tranquebar. Beside the old church, which had
grown too small, a new one was erected, which
stands to-day.

“In a full and living faith, Ziegenbalg laid the
foundation of missions among the Tamuls. His
strength then failed him. Confined to his sick-bed
for six weeks, awaiting his departure, on the 11th
of February, 1719, he received the Holy Com-
munion, and on the 26th he fell asleep in Jesus,
being but in the 39th year of his age.”

ee

A Talk on Missions.

It had been Children’s Day, and the children,
coming home from their mission services, ran right
to mamma’s room, where she and Aunt Fanny were

‘sitting.

“Mamma,” exclaimed Charlie, rushing in,
“JT took up the collection! My teacher asked me
if I would do it, and I said I would, and I did.”

“And I said my verses, and put in my two
nickels,” said little Will.

“What did you do, Katie?” asked Aunt Fanny.

“T said the piece you helped me to learn: “Tell
it out among the heathen.’ ”

“What else was done?” asked mamma.

“Some of the big girls said a dialogue, and we
sang, and the pastor told us about children that

.