The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1912, Page 11

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The Lutheran Pioneer. il

A Young African Hero.

Some of you have hard words to bear at times
because you love the Lord Jesus. But in some parts
of the world people who say they believe in Him
are beaten cruelly, and even put to death.

In Central Africa, a few years ago, some boys
were burned to death by order of the king because
they were Christians. Yet, in spite of this, a boy
of about sixteen was brave enough to wish to become
a Christian. He came to the missionary, and said
in his own language:

“My friend, I wish to be baptized.”

“Do you know what you are asking?” said the
missionary in surprise.

“T know, my friend.”

“But if you say that you are a Christian, they
will kill you.”

“T know, my friend.”

“But if they ask you if you are a Christian, will
you tell a lie, and say ‘No’?”

Bravely and firmly came the boy’s answer: “I
shall confess, my friend.”

A little talk followed, in which he showed
clearly that he understood what it was to be a
Christian. So the missionary baptized him by the
name of Samweli, which is the same as our Samuel.

The king found him so useful that he employed
him to collect the taxes, which are paid in cowries
— little shells which are used instead of money.

One day, when he was away on this business,
the king again got angry with the Christians, and
ordered that all the leading ones should be killed.
Samweli’s name was found upon the list. As he
came back, he heard of the death that was awaiting
him. That night, when it was quite dark, the mis-
sionary was awakened by a low knocking at the
door. It was Samweli and his friends, come to
know what he should do. Should he run away, or
must he go and hand over the money he had col-
lected? After a silence the missionary said: “Tell
me what you think.”

Looking up, Samweli replied: “My friend, I
cannot leave the things of the king.”

His friends earnestly begged him to fly, but the
missionary said: “No, he is right. He has spoken
well; he must deliver up the money.”

They all knelt down in prayer together, the
missionary wondering sadly if he should ever see
the young hero again.

“My friend, I will try to start early, and leave
the cowries with the chief,” said the Jad, as he set

off; “but I fear my carriers will not be ready till
after daylight, and if I am seen, I shall be caught.
Good-by.” ;

But God kept him. He went boldly to the
chief’s hut, put down the cowries and walked away.
He went again a few nights after to tell the mis-
sionary, who said: “You ran when you got out-
side.”

“No, my friend, for I should have been noticed
at once. I walked quite slowly until I got out of
sight, and then I ran as fast as I could, and so I
escaped.”

This story is taken from Mr. Ashe’s book, ““I'wo
Kings of Uganda.” It shows that the love of Christ
can make a boy brave to do his duty even in the
face of danger and death.

— SSS

_A Worthy Example.

At a missionary station in South Africa, named
Goshen, a school was to be built. The people there
were all poor Africans. Yet the missionaries wished
them to ‘give something for the cause. A meeting

~was held, and the Christian’s duty to-give for God’s

kingdom was pointed out to the people." One after
the other came forward and brought his gift, or
promised, a contribution. The first had neither
money nor cattle, but he wanted togive a hen.
The next one said: “We build a protecting enclo-
sure, or kraal, for our cattle, and now a kraal is to
be built for our children, who are the lambs of our
Good Shepherd. Who would not gladly help in
this work? I will give five dollars and two sheep.”
Thus one after the other came forward. It was ten
o’clock at night when they went home. The next
day the meeting was continued from nine to twelve.
Now and then a hymn was sung during the meeting.
When all had left, a poor blind woman came
and brought twelve cents. She told the missionary
that she had been ashamed to come to the meeting
because she had nothing to give. No one had been
willing to give her something, as each one wanted
to give himself what he had. At last, she said, she
had found twelve cents in her home, which she
brought as her contribution. ; :
These poor black people brought together 150
dollars in money, 25 sheep, 1-pig, a hen, and some
corn. The children also helped in carrying stones
and in making 15,000 bricks for the school-building.
The writer who reports this story from the mis-
sion field in South Africa, adds: “Is not this a

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