The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1909, Page 20

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

He Died for Me.

‘When in Germany, writes a well-known traveler,
I visited the Dusseldorf Gallery, and my attention
was called to a painting which has touched many
hearts. Let me tell you about it.

First come with me and look at two paintings
— one of a wild gypsy girl and another of the Lord
Jesus — who gave Himself for us. The gypsy girl
lived the wild life of her tribe, and had been called

Day after day as this gypsy girl came into the
studio to have her picture painted, her eyes were
fixed upon this painting of Christ. As the last sit-
ting was over and she was about to leave the room,
she whispered: “Master, how can you help loving
Him who, you say, has died for you? If anybody
had loved me like that, oh, I’d like to die for him.”

And then with a sad heart she went back to her

people.
And the painter?

Ile was struck as with an

thy
oy
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Christ Crucified.

Oh teach me what it meaneth,
That cross uplifted high,

With One, the Man of Sorrows,
Condemned to bleed and die.
Teach me awhile to ponder
What human guilt hath done
To Thee, the King of Glory,
And God’s beloved Son.

in by Sternberg, a German painter, that he might
paint her pretty face. She had never been in an
artist’s studio before, and did not fail to notice on
the other side of the room an unfinished painting
of the crucifixion of our Lord. One day she asked,
“Master, who is that?”

“That is Jesus Christ, Son of Mary,” replied
the painter carelessly.

“But was He a bad man that they treated Him
so cruelly?”

_ “Oh, no! He was the best man that ever lived.”

“Tell me more about Him;” and so he did,

though unwilling to do so.

Oh teach me all their meaning —
Torn hands and thorn-clad brow;
And teach me why, with anguish,
Thy heart is breaking now.

Oh teach me what it cost Thee
To make a sinner whole;

And teach me, Savior, teach me
The value of a soul.

O Jesus, dear Redeemer,

| bring no other plea —

Because Thou dost invite me,

{ cast myself on Thee!

I know Thou wilt accept me

And wash me with Thy blood,
Which Thou didst shed for sinners,
Dear Jesus, Lamb of God!

arrow. God’s Spirit sent the words home to his
heart. He fell on his knees, and, covering his face
with his hands, confessed before God’s blessed Son
how for twenty-seven years he had neglected Him
and sinned against Him; and, looking for pardon
to the cross of Jesus, he gave his life to Him. Tis
heart was filled with new joy, and he then became
a worker for Christ. He put aside the half-finished
picture and began a. fresh one, with his heart full
of love towards that Savior who had died for him.

When the painting was finished, it was placed in
the gallery at Dusseldorf. Crowds came to gaze
upon it.