The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1910, Page 4

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

Worshiping the Christ-Child.

In our picture we sce the Wise Men from the
Sast worshiping the Christ-child. For this pur-
pose they had ‘come a long way from a far-off coun-
try to Bethlehem, God having through a wonderful
star made known to them the coming of the prom-
ised Savior.

These Wise Men were Gentiles, or heathen. Not
members of the Jewish nation like the shepherds
who also worshiped the Christ-child. This fact
teaches us that Jesus is the Savior, not for one

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Worshiping the Christ-Child.

nation, one people, one race only, but for every
race, people, and nation. He is the Savior of sin-
ners of every race, color, and nation, the Savior
of all sinners. Therefore the angel who made
known His birth said that the glad tidings shall
he unto all people. And the aged Simeon in the
temple, when he took the Child Jesus up in his
arms, spoke of Him as God’s salvation “prepared
in the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gen-
tiles, and the glory of the people Israel.” It is
therefore God’s will that this.Savior be made known
to all that still sit in the darkness of sin, no matter
to what race or nation they belong. ‘This is the
work which Christ. Himself commissioned His
Chureh to do. when He gave the command: “Go

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ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to
every creature.”

Every Christian is to be a helper in this mis-
sion work of the Chureh with his prayers and also
with his gifts. The Wise Men from the East
should serve us as an example.” When worshiping
the Christ-child, they not only gave the offering
of their lips; no, they opened their treasures and
presented unto Him gifts. In like manner we,
too, should give of our treasures to Jesus by giving
for the spread of His Gospel, for the upbuilding
of His kingdom. And this we should do cheer-
fully, out of love to the dear Savior who gave Him-
self for us. “For ye know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your
sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty
night be rich,” 2 Cor. 8, 9.

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_How a Chinese Boy Spent His Christmas
Vacation.

A Chinese orphan boy was taken into the mis-
sion school after his mother’s death. He stayed
there seven years, learning the truth of God’s Word,
“not dnly with his head but also with his heart.”
When fourteen years old, he spent his Christmas
vacation at the home of some friends, where he one
day entered a heathen temple. As he looked at the
many idols, an old man came in, strewed incense
before one of the idols, kneeled down and prayed.
This he did before each: idol, passing from one to
the other until none was left. At this sight the
boy thought to himself: “There is an old man who
has only a short time to live, and yet he does not
know the way to heaven. But I am only a boy.
I dare not speak to him.” Chinese children, you
know, learn very early to honor old age, and it
would not be considered fitting for a boy to teach
an old man.

“What is to be done?” thought the boy as he
saw the old man pass from one idol to the other

‘ with tears in his eyes. ‘These tears of the old man

touched the boy so that he could no longer keep
silent. He stepped up to the old man and said,
“Would you permit me to speak to you? I am
young, you are old.” Saying this, his own eyes
were filled with tears.

“Why do you weep?” asked the old man; “can
I help you?”

“Sir, I weep because I am very much grieved
on your account,” was the reply.

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