The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1907, Page 5

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The Lutheran Pioneer. 5

upon the Lord for help; but your prayers ain’t
worth de ashes out o’ my pipe.”

“Well, Daddy,” said Parker, “I was mighty
bowed down about my sins, when all of a sudden
a rainbow come out o’? my head” —

“Stop! stop!’ said Uncle Windsor with for-
bidding sternness. “Does you think dat God Al-
mighty is goin’ to work a miracle ’pon sich a poor
sinner as you is? If a rainbow come out on your
head, de devil put it dar.”

The poor boy seemed greatly discouraged, yet
added in a trembling voice, “Daddy, I trusses in
Jesus.”

Said the old man, with a show of encourage-
ment, “Ah! now, my son, you are gittin’ ’pon de
Rock — ‘Jesus Christ came into the world to save
sinners.” ‘Not by works of righteousness, which
we have done, but according to His mercy has He
saved, us.’ Look to Jesus, my boy! We cannot
save ourselves, but He is ready and able to save us;
we must put our trust in Him.”

It was the custom of the servants on the plan-
tation to hold weekly prayer-meectings in which
they would often get into noisy excitement and
into the singing of so-called hymns, which were
wild and meaningless. ‘This was very painful to
Uncle Windsor, and on one occasion, after bearing
it in silence as long as he could, he said, “Now,
childun, stop all dat foolishness, and let us sing
some spiritual songs.”

' Such was their respect for him, that in a mo-
ment all was quiet, and the trembling tones of the
old man were heard singing praises to Him in whom
his soul delighted.

Though old and feeble and blind, this humble
child of God was always cheerful. My father one
day said to him, “Uncle Windsor, you always seem
so happy; do you never have doubts and fears, and
times when God’s face seems hidden from you?”

He replied immediately, “Oh! yes, marster.
Satan comes oftentimes, and tells me many things
to try my faith, but I try not to listen to him,
and at sich times I jes lays down *pon God's
promises an’ looks up.”

O that we, like dear old Uncle Windsor, would
in all days of affliction rest our weary heads upon
God’s promises and look up! We should then enjoy
a happy New Year.

Hoty Scripture is a sweet-scented herb; the
more you rub it, the more it gives forth its fra-
grance. — Luther.

A Never-Failing Friend.

Earthly friends may fail us in time of need.
They may change and they may forsake us in days
of trouble. But there is a Friend who will never
fail us, who will never forsake us, who never
changes. It is Jesus —“the same yesterday, and
to-day, and forever.” His promise to the believer
is: “TI will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
And His promise holds good forever. Heaven and
earth shall pass away, but His words shall not pass
away. Christ has said, and He will stand to it:
“T will never leave thee.”

Never! Though your heart be often faint, and
you are sick of self, and your many failures and
infirmities —even then this promise will not fail.

Never! Though the devil whispers, “I shall
have you at last; He in whom you trust will fail
you, and you will be mine” — even then the word
of Christ will stand.

Never! When the cold chill of death creeps
over you, and friends can do no more, and you are
entering the dark valley —even then Christ will
not forsake you. His rod and His staff shall com-
fort you. ;

Never! When the day of judgment comes, and
the dead are rising from their graves, and the
books are opened, and eternity is beginning — even
then the promise will not fail you.

Never! Oh, then, child of God, trust in the
Lord forever, for He says, “I will never leave thee.”
Cling to His promise and rejoice in the strength
of your consolation. You may say boldly, “The
Lord is my Helper, I will not fear.”

“He will never fail us, He will not forsake;
His eternal covenant He will never break;
Resting on His promise, what have we to fear?
Christ is all-sufficient for the coming year!

Onward, then, and fear not,
Children of the day!

For His Word shall never
Pass away.”

Be Patient.

Be patient in bearing with the defects and in-
firmities of others, of what sort soever they be, for
that thyself also hast many failings which must be
borne with by others. If thou canst not make thy-
self such an one as thou wouldst, how canst thou
expect to have another in all things to thy liking?

Thomas a Kempis.