The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1909, Page 38

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38 The Lutheran Pioneer.

Closing Exercises of Immanuel College.

The end of the schoolyear is again drawing near,
and many are the preparations being made for the
closing exercises and finals. Graduates are arming
themselves with essays teeming with the wisdom
of a finished collegian, and other scholars are mak-
ing a last strenuous effort, some to increase their
already good percentages, others to make up for
lost time. But alas! while those who have faith-
fully plied their books now find that “knowledge
pays good interest,” those who have squandered their
time and talents cannot recall with even the subtlest
bribe the lost opportunity! ‘The outline for the
closing exercises embodies a baccalaureate sermon
on Sunday, May 30th, an entertainment by the
students of the Preparatory Department on Tuesday
evening, June 1st, religious addresses by the grad-
uates from the Theological Department, Wednesday
evening, June 2d, the annual concert, Thursday
evening, June 3d, and the commencement exercises
by the graduates from both the Theological and the
Preparatory Departments on Friday afternoon,
June 4th.

The valedictory will be delivered by student
Charles Peay, graduate from the Theological De-
partment, the commencement address by Rev. J.
McDavid of Charlotte, N. C. H. G.

“God Is Not Mocked.”’

The following sad and warning incident we
heard some years ago’ from the pastor under whose
personal observation it occurred.

A young man, just entering upon the practice
of medicine, had become a scoffing infidel through
the reading of some wretched books in which the
Bible was attacked and its teachings were ridiculed.
He seized every opportunity to pour forth a tide of
shocking blasphemy against Christ, and spoke of the
Bible in coarse and obscene language. In his des-
perate wickedness he at last went so far as to utter
a willful lie and plan to carry out a monstrous
fraud, in order to express his contempt for Chris-
tianity. He pretended to be converted, and asked
permission ini a meeting of Christian young men
to confess the Lord Jesus publicly by leading in
prayer. 5
His request was gladly granted, but meanwhile
he had carefully prepared a prayer filled with hor-
rible blasphemy and devilish insult of the Savior.

Spreading the writing before him on a seat, he
kneeled down and began to read, when his voice
was suddenly hushed, and his body was heard to
fall on the floor. The young men who were present
hastened to him, but found that he was dead. In
unspeakable awe they carried the corpse of the
scoffer to his home.

Ever and anon God causes His voice to be heard,
and lets His’ hand be seen among the children of
men, at least enough to show that His eye is still
on them. If there are not many such instances, it
only proves the long-suffering of God; but that
long-suffering, despised and set at naught, may
give place, and sometimes it, does give place, to sud-
den and overwhelming judgment. “God shall shoot
at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be
wounded,” Ps. 64, 7. “He that, being often re-
proved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be de-
stroyed, and that without remedy,” Prov. 29, 1.

It is a serious thing to make light of God and
His Word. Alas! alas! for the doom that shall
sooner or later overtake the despisers of His offered
grace. es

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked,” says the
apostle.

‘
—__—____oe-o——___—__

A Mild But Effective Reproof.

A Christian rode in a stagecoach with a young
man who swore a great deal. When they stopped
to change horses, the Christian said to him: “Young
man, I see from the registry books that you and I
are going to travel together a long distance in this
coach. I have a favor to ask of you. I am getting
to be an old man, and if I should so far forget
myself at any time as to swear or use any profane
language, you will oblige me if you will caution me
about it.” :

The young man instantly apologized and of-
fended no more.

Do-not allow profane or obscene language in _

your presence. Nasty talk is only for nasty people.

A Boy’s Faith.

Two little boys were talking together about the

' story of Elijah’s going to heaven in a chariot of fire,

which their mother had lately told them.

“T say, Charlie,” said George, “but wouldn’t you
be afraid to ride in a chariot of fire?”

“Why, no,” said Charlie, “I shouldn’t be afraid
if I knew the Lord was driving it.”

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