The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1915, Page 12

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12

The Lutheran Pioneer.

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not having on a wedding garment?” Christ wants
us to come to the Holy Supper convinced that we
are wholly unworthy in ourselves, fully realizing
the trouble that lies heavily upon us, and heartily
longing to be freed from the load by grace, for
Christ’s sake.

If we come as poor, penitent sinners, wholly
despairing in our own merits and worthiness, and
sincerely desiring His grace, Christ bids us welcome.

Are They Constant?

A query often asked by our readers is: Do the
negroes really remain true to their church after
they have been instructed in the Lutheran teaching
and have made their vow?

Let me tell you a story. In 1878, on the 3d of
July, a little congregation was gathered in Little
Rock, Ark. Four members signed the constitution.
This was the beginning of the now widely spread
Negro Mission of the Synodical Conference. The
beginning was small, but as time passed on, more
people attended the services. Among these was
a young, healthy colored boy, Tom Bransford.
Every Sunday evening he would go to the homes
of his companions and bring them to church. He
not only invited them, but brought them along.

At home he had a mother, Ellen by name, born
in Hunt&ville, Ala. After a good deal of coaxing
he finally persuaded. her to, also attend the services.
She was taken up with the fervor her son was
putting forth in the work. After some time Mrs.

Bransford asked for instruction, and on June 6,

1880, was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran
chapel by Pastor Berg. Mrs. Bransford ‘had ac-
cumulated a little property, particularly a lot near
the railroad depot.

When the railroad company wished to buy this
lot, she consulted the undersigned, who looked into
the matter, and advised her to sell. On the morn-
ing the deed was to be signed she said to the
purchasers, “I must have 100 dollars more than
the price agreed on; I must give Pastor Poppe
that for our negro college.” ‘The same day she
placed five twenty-dollar gold pieces on my desk
for the college. ‘ :

But to go back to my story. In 1893, the
mission was abandoned, the property sold, and for
many years no regular services were held, until
a little over eight years ago the undersigned re-
opened the mission. Yor thirteen years no regular
preaching — yet the flock was there! Were they

constant? Shame on the white people who, when
there is no Lutheran church in their city, join the
sectarian churches! After a lingering illness Mrs.
Bransford fell asleep in Jesus, Noy. 21, 1914, aged
almost seventy-five. She had been a member of
our Lutheran church for over thirty-four years.
Her entire property, valued at over $6,000, was
willed to the Negro Mission. Here is the answer
to the question, Are they constant, i. ¢., the negroes ?
Now Mrs. Bransford has been called to the
home above by her merciful God, who makes no
distinction as to race or color, who welcomes all
that die in faith in Him. Let us, dear reader,
lift up our hearts and hands to the gracious God,
asking Him to keep us, as He kept Mrs. Bransford,
in the one true faith unto life everlasting. God
grant it! A. HI. Porrr.

—— >

Weighted Down and Drowned.

About a year ago a very strange thing happened
near Newton, N. J. A youth of eighteen years,
Henry ‘Tittman by name, had been out fishing all
day with two of his friends, and was ready to
go home. Between the fishermen and their homes
was a stream of water about 150 feet wide. As
the bridge crossing the river was some distance
away, they decided to swim across to the opposite
shore. ‘Tittman, being the best swimmer, took
charge of the string of fish, which weighed about
forty pounds, and tied them around his neck. Just
as they stepped into the water, he said to his com-
panions, “We have had a lucky day; this is a fine
catch of fish we have here.” When about half-way
over, Tittman suddenly sank, bécause of the heavy
weight of the fish hung about his neck, and before
his friends could come to the rescue, he had drowned.

How many people weigh themselves down in
this life with the things of this world and bring
about their own destruction. How many souls have
been drowned in the sea of materialism because
they were weighted down by the love of money and
property, devotion to pleasure, or some other
material weight. The lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life -are material
weights that have drowned many a soul. Look to
yourself, dear reader, examine yourself carefully;
let yourself not be dragged down to destruction
and perdition by things of this perishing world.

“For what shall it profit a man if he shall
gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Mark 8, 36.