The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1916, Page 37

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

37

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Neenau, AtA.— Director Bakke’s account of
the dedication of the mission-buildings at this new
station will be of interest to our readers. All in-
dications seem to show that God has here given us
an open door.

Our Srarions. — Last month’s directory shows
that the Synodical Conference is at the present time
working at no less than fifty stations and sub-
stations. Of these twelve are in Louisiana and
twenty-five in North Carolina.

Tie Next MEETING or tHe SynopicaL Con-
FERENCE. — This will be held at Toledo, O., begin-
ning August 16. This reminds us of the fact that
two most important resolutions, passed at the last
meeting, almost two years ago, as yet have not
been carried out, not because the Board was un-
willing to do so, but because our people did not do
their duty. ' Do you remember what these resolu-
tions were? Let me tell you. First, it was resolved
that the Board be empowered to build ten chapels
at various places in the field. By this time fifteen
to twenty are called for. Secondly, the Board was
authorized to erect a girls’ dormitory at Greensboro
in connection with Immanuel College, to cost about
three thousand dollars, as soon as the necessary sum
would be collected. Probably no more than about
one-tenth of the appropriated sum has so far been
gathered. What a great pity it is that these most
important resolutions could not be carried out!
But it isn’t too late even at this late hour. If all
those who have so far been neglectful or forgetful
in the matter would get busy, the necessary money
could be in the Board’s hands by the middle of next
month, and ground could be broken for every one
of the needed chapels and also for the dormitory

‘ by the time the Synodical Conference convenes in
August. W110 WILL po MIs DUTY? FP. J. L.

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Up, Down, and Around.

A pious Christian was once asked why he was
always so cheerful, just as though he had received
a great multitude of blessings for which it was his
duty to give thanks... Now, the fact was that the
man was old and full of pain because of rheumatism.
Besides, he was very poor, often lacking the very
necessaries of life. His home was an old hut, where
he lived all by himself. He had no relatives in the
whole wide world, and his wife had died years ago.
His neighbors and acquaintances, therefore, found
it oreo that he should always be so cheerful and

contented, and hence the question. “That I can
soon tell you,” was his ready rejoinder. “It is be-
cause of ‘up, down, and around.’ Every day I look
up to heaven, and remember that there dwells my
heavenly. Father and my dear Savior, who will some
day take me to my eternal home. And then I look
down upon the earth; and consider how little space
I will need for my resting-place until the great and
blessed day of resurrection. And, finally, I look
around me, and see the great number of those who
have far heavier burdens to carry than I have;
and this makes me content to bear my small bundle,
and I heartily thank God that He is so good to me,
far better than I have ever deserved.”

Dear reader, how much more contentment and
happiness there would be in this world if more of
us would follow the example of this old Christian!
A frequent glance “up, down, and around” us avould
make us contented with our lot, would hush our
compl aining, and cause us to say with the Psalmist:

“Bless the Tord! O my soul, and forget not all His
benefits!” By imitating this old Christian, we would
become humble, and with Jacob we would be con-
strained to say: “I am not worthy of the least of
all the mercies and of all the truth which Thou hast
shown unto ‘Thy servant.” By walking in this old
man’s footsteps, the dark clouds around us would

_lose their somberness, and their bright silver lining

would be more and more revealed to us; we would
soon find them big with God’s mercies, and our lips
would overflow with praise of Him who is the light
of our countenance and our God. FB. J. 1s.

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_ BORBNEYS by Example.

Frommel, the noted German pastor, relates the
following story in one of his books: —

I was the guest at the house of a wealthy
family, and stood gazing in admiration at a won-
derful painting on the wall. Somebody touched
me on the shoulder and said, “A beautiful paint-
ing, is it not?” It was my host. “But,” he con- :
tinued, “the most beautiful object in my house you
have not yet seen. Come with me, please.” He led
me through a number of rooms, and finally stopped
at a door, which he opened very, very quietly. We
now stood in a sick-room. “My daughter,” said
my host as he pointed to an emaciated girl, lying
motionless on the bed. “Jor years she has been
lying here paralyzed. But the patience with which
she bears her lot; the trust in God which she shows;