The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1907, Page 2

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2 The Lutheran Pioneer.

The name of Jesus fills the hearts of God’s
children with confidence as they enter the new
year, and is to them a never-failing source of com-
fort in all the days of their earthly pilgrimage.
They know not what the new year has in store for
them. It may bring losses, and sorrows, and sick-
ness, and even death. But they need not fear.
The name of Jesus in whom they believe gives
them the assurance that He who saved them from
sins will also take care of them and keep them and
guide them on their journey to their heavenly home.
The apostle says: “We know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them
who are called according to His purpose,” Rom.
8, 28. Whatever befalls them in the new year
must serve God’s purpose of their salvation and
cannot take away their happiness; for it cannot
take away Jesus. Even in the last hour He is with
them as they pass through the dark valley. He
guides them through death into everlasting life.
That which gives them this confidence and comfort
as they enter the new year is the name of Jesus.
Precious name! It sweetens our sorrows, it lightens
our burdens, it brightens all the dark days of our
trials and tribulations.

“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear; ,
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.

“Tt makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
*Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.”

In the name of Jesus we are to live and labor
on earth. The apostle says: “Whatsoever ye do,
in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus.” In His name all our work is to be done,
also our mission work. There is no strength in us;
all power comes from Him. There is nothing due
to us; all glory belongs to Him. Not in our name,
but in the name of Jesus our work is to be done.
This will give us the assurance that our labor is
not in vain. The name of Jesus is the hope and
promise of our mission work. He was not in vain
called Jesus. No. Until the end of time there
will always be souls that will find happiness and
salvation in Him. As in the past, so in the future
He will bless the work done in His name.

Let us, then, enter the new year joyfully in the
name of Jesus, and let us in this name continue
our mission work with new energy and greater zeal

for the salvation of immortal souls and for the
glory of that great and precious name — Jesus!

“White are the fields to harvest,

The laborers are few.

Arise, and for the Master

The glorious work renew.

Toil while the daylight lasteth,

Salvation free proclaim;

Make known throughout the nations

The Savior’s precious name.”

+e

Of Life Everlasting.

Holy Scripture speaks of two places after death,
heaven and hell, the home of eternal joy and the
habitation of everlasting sorrow. Of a third place,
the so-called purgatory, the Bible speaks not a
word. Christ knows of only two ways, one narrow
and the other broad, and of only two places to
which these roads lead: the former to life and
the latter to destruction. Concerning the yngodly
we are told again and again that there is no hope
for them after death. Judgment is passed upon
them at the moment of death, Hebr. 9, 27, and
this judgment is irrevocable and will never be
changed, Eccl. 11, 3. “When a wicked man dieth,
his expectation shall perish; and the hope of un-
just men perisheth,” Prov. 11, 7. ,There is no
possibility of the ungodly, after death, changing
their eternal abode, for then has come the night
when no man can work, John 9, 4.

On the other hand, they that walked on the
narrow way are carried by the angels into Abra-
ham’s bosom when they die, as was poor Lazarus.
All believers, when they die, are, according to the
soul, at once present with Christ. Christ said to
the dying thief: “To-day thou shalt be with me
in paradise,” Luke 23, 43, and the voice from
heaven said to John, Rev. 14, 18: “Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” And
after the last day, the glorious day of the resur-
rection, the believers shall be with Christ, body and
soul, and live with Him in eternal joy and glory.

This blessed state of the saints in light no
human mind can grasp, no human tongue can de-
scribe: “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither
have entered into the heart of man the things which
God hath prepared for them that love Him.”

It is life in comparison to which this life is,
death. This life we may compare to the shadow,
yonder life to the substance. It is easier to de-
scribe heaven by telling what will not be there.
There will be no death, no weeping, no weakness,