The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1908, Page 79

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

The Switchman and His Child.

On one of the railroads in Prussia a switchman
was just taking his place, in order to turn a coming
train, then in sight, on to a different track, to pre-
vent a collision with a train approaching in a con-
trary direction. Just at this moment, on turning
his head, he discovered his little son playing on the
track of the advancing engine. What could he do?
Thought was quick at such a moment of peril! He
might spring to his child and rescue him; but he
could not do this and turn the points in time, and,
for want of that, hundreds of lives might be lost.
Although in sore trouble, he could not neglect his
greater duty; but, exclaiming in a loud voice to
his son, “Lie down,” he went to his post, and saw
the train safely turned on to its proper track. His
boy, accustomed to ‘obedience, did as his father
commanded him, and the fearful heavy train thun-
dered over him. Little did the passengers dream,
as they found themselves quietly resting on that
turn-out, what terrible anguish their approach had
that day caused to one noble heart. The father
rushed forward to where his boy lay, fearful lest
he should find only a mangled corpse; but, to his
great joy and gratitude, he found him alive: and
unharmed.

The circumstances connected with this event
were made known to the King of Prussia, who the
next day sent for the man, and presented him with
a medal of honor for his heroism.

. The boy was saved from a horrible death. What
was it that saved him? Prompt obedience to his
father’s command! He did not hesitate; he did
not wait to ask why the command was given; he
simply heard and obeyed, and was saved!

Dear reader, may you learn a lesson: from this
simple tale.

God not only tells men how they may be saved
— He not only invites them to come to Him, and
even beseeches them, through His servants, to be

‘reconciled to Him, but God also commands! “And

this is His commandment, that we should believe
on the name of His Son Jesus Christ,” 1 John

8, 28. Just as the switchman, in that’ moment of

fearful peril, commanded his son to do that which
alone could save him from death, so God in infinite

Compassion commands you to believe in Jesus —

to trust in Him as your Savior, because there is no
other way by which you can be delivered from the
awful punishment of sin. “The wages of sin is

‘death” — eternal death; but Jesus died, “the. J ust

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for the unjust,” and therefore, “whosoever believeth
in Him shall receive remission ’of sins,” Acts 10; 43.

Dear reader, have you obeyed God’s command?
Or, are you still among those who ask questions,
and make objections,. and find: difficulties in the
way ?

If the switchman’s son had waited to ask his
father why he commanded him to lie down, before
he obeyed, he would; in all probability, have been
dashed to pieces before he could have got his ques-
tion answered. And, dear reader, remember that
while you are delaying to obey God’s great com-
mand, death and _ judgment are SEN) follow-
ing you.

_ God has an answer for all your doubts, and
difficulties, and questionings; and that answer is,
the cross. There God has met and settled forever
every claim that justice had against us, and He
now proclaims a free pardon of all sin, and the gift
of eternal life to every child of Adam who truly
believes'in Jesus. Hear God’s voice, and obey God’s
command, “that your soul may live.” : — WwW.

NOTES. |

Our: (Coraren! nrserane! ae friénd, who» at-
tended the recent meeting’ of the Evangelical’ Lu-
theran Synodical Conference, writes: Among’ ‘the
business matters considered by the Conference our
Colored Mission was the most important. From
the*interesting and encouraging report of our Mis-
sion Board we learned that we had much reason to
thank God for the progress of the work in spite of
so many difficulties and in spite of the lukewarm-
ness of not a few. God has graciously blessed the
labors of our workers in the field and has raised up
friends who were willing. to make sacrifices for the
mission cause. There are now within the bounds
of the Synodical Conference 31 stations embracing
12 parishes with 28 missionaries, 16 white and
12 colored. There are 17 schools having 1873 pu-
pils. All the parishes: contribute regularly toward
the support of the mission, the amount contributed
in the past two years being $4135.72. .The mission
has two institutions for the training of colored
pastors and teachers. Theone is Immanuel College
at Greensboro, N. C., a handsome new building,
erected at a cost’ of $28, 300;. this institution has
4 professors and 78 students. . The other is Luther .
College at New Orleans, having 3 professors and
50 students. ‘The expenses for’ building purposes