The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1909, Page 23

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Pioneer.

23

The Lutheran

The Missionary Pig.

Not long ago one of our pastors sent $14.65 to
the missionary treasury. The givers’ names were
not to be mentioned, but $11.00 came from a
farmer, being the profits from the sale of a hog.
Ivery year a little pig is selected on his farm and
is called the “missionary pig.” When well-grown
and fat, it is sold. This year it brought $16.00,
of which $5.00 were given to the Building Fund
of synod.

The $3.65 came from a woman who kept a little
box in her kitehen and every day put in a penny
for missions. For several years this faithful woman
has brought her pastor the same amount for
missions.

These deeds are mentioned that others may do
likewise. How little we care and do for the Lord’s
great work, and yet how much we might do if we
only would! — Little Missionary.

—_———_>-

Fifty Dollars, or Fifty Cents.

here is a small town which, though weak and
feeble, still, with the help of a “Home Missionary
Society,” supported a minister and maintained
regular divine worship.

About the time when it became necessary to
pay the minister’s salary, there moved into the place
a man who gained his living by carting coal and
other similar labor. It was noticed that this man
was very regular in his attendance at church, and
was never absent from the prayer meeting; but, in
a pecuniary point of view, he was not considered
a valuable acquisition.

It was a custom, when the salary was due, for
one of the deacons to collect all he could from the
people, and to obtain the balance from the Mis-
sionary Society. In accordance with this custom,
one fine morning Deacon A——, a man of con-
siderable means and considerable penuriousness,

started forth, subscription paper in hand, to see ’

how much he could squeeze out of the parish for
the support of the minister. The first person he
met was the above-mentioned coal-carter moving
along the road with a cartload of that material.
he deacon considered within himself that it might
be worth while to ask him to contribute (seeing that
he was a good sort of person, and every little helps),
and so accosted him with, “Good morning, B——,
are you willing to give anything toward the support

of our pastor?” at the same time handing him the
subscription paper.

The man stopped, stood thoughtfully for a mo-
ment or two, drew a pencil out of his pocket, and
with his dirt-begrimed hand headed the list with
the sum of $50.00.

The deacon was so taken by surprise that he
could hardly believe the evidence of his eyes; and
thinking the man had made a mistake, and not
wishing to take advantage of him, asked him, “Did
you not mean that for fifty cents?” The coal-
carrier turned and drew himself up to his full
height, and with great earnestness replied, “I do
not value the Gospel at fifty cents a year.” This
answer placed the case in a new light. The deacon
went immediately to the pastor, related the inci-
dent, and said, “If that man can give $50.00 I can
give $250.00.”

The same spirit actuated the rest of the church,
on hearing the story, and in a few days the salary
was raised by the people themselves, without the
necessity of applying for outside aid.

Reader, it becomes you to consider the question
suggested by the incident.

NOTES.

New Orvrans. — Luther College is attended by
18 boys and 10 girls, four of the boys having the
ministry in view. ‘The college needs contributions
to assist such as are being prepared for mission
service in church and school. — In Mount Zion Col-
ored Lutheran Church 7 adults were confirmed at
the end of December.’ On the same Sunday two
former members were again received into the con-
gregation. During the winter 15.children have been
attending the catechetical instructions.

Wuy not Accepr Hrmr?— A Boston paper re-
ports that “the most advanced of the Reformed
Jewish rabbis recently gave expression to a remark-
able statement to his own people. He said that no
one could read the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah with-
out seeing in its utterance the life of Jesus of Naza-
reth.” “Then why not accept Him?” adds the
writer. Yes, why not accept Him? Jesus said to
the Jews of His time: “If ye believe not that I am
He, ye shall die in your sins.” “Because I tell you
the truth, ye believe me not.” The crucified Savior
is at all times a stumbling-block to the self-righteous
and foolishness to the worldly wise.