The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1916, Page 41

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

A MISSIONARY MONTHLY.

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Pusuisuep by THe Evancenican Lurinran

SynopicaL Conxrerence or NortH AMERICA.

Rev. F. J. LANKENAU, EDITOR.

Entered at the Post Office at St.

Louis, Mo., as second-class matter.

Vol. XXXVIII.

ST. LOUIS, MO., JUNE, 1916.

No. 6.

Christ Returned to Heaven on High.

Christ returned to heaven on high
On Ascension Day

That we, too, with heartfelt joy
There might wend our way.

May we ever set our heart
On the things above,

Iver choose the needful part
Of His tender love.

May we walk as heaven’s heirs
KNver here below;

May earth’s fleeting joys and cares
Not engross us so.

May we confidently pray

To the Son of God

As we tread this earthly way
Which He, too, has trod.

May we use His means of grace
Conscientiously,

Till we shall behold His face

In eternity. H. OSTERuUS.

Pentecost.

Pentecost is in very truth the mission festival
of the Church. “Preach the Gospel to every crea-
ture,” “Teach all nations,” had been the parting
command of the Lord as He was about to ascend
to heaven from the Mount of Olives. The wonder-
ful outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the apostles
on Pentecost made it possible for them to carry
out the command of the Savior. The wonderful
gift of tongues given to the apostles on that day
enabled them to proclaim the Gospel to the mul-

» titudes from all nations that had’gathered in Jeru-

salem to observe the Jewish day of Pentecost. And
the apostles did not permit the opportunity to
pass by. Out into the streets of Jerusalem they
went, and proclaimed the Gospel news to the thou-
sands that had gathered there. And great was the
success of their preaching; for no less than three
thousand were added to the Church on that day.

‘’he preaching of the Gospel, the proclaiming
of God’s mighty deeds for our salvation, has con-
tinued from that day till now. Ever farther and
farther the glad tidings have been carried. The
blessed message of the Gospel may be heard in the
cold, icy regions of Greenland and in the torrid
countries of Central Africa. The voice of the Gos-
pel is heard from shore to shore of the continents
and upon the isles of the sea. And wherever it
has been proclaimed, the Holy Spirit has made the
Gospel of Christ the power of God: unto salvation
to every one that believeth. The blessing which
Christ died to procure the Holy Ghost comes to
bestow upon us by the Gospel; and thus He by His
gracious eperation effects the redemption obtained
for us with an unspeakable price. Wherever’ the
Gospel is preached, there the Holy Ghost will be
with His grace and gifts, and cause new Pentecostal
fruit to come forth. This the history of the Church
shows beyond all doubt. The conversion of the three
thousand on the first Christian Pentecost was an
earnest that like fruits should be brought forth till
the end of days through the faithful preaching of ~
the Gospel. The same Spirit who so wonderfully
assisted the apostles, the same Spirit who by the
Gospel-preaching of the apostles converted the
three thousand at Jerusalem, — this same Spirit is”
present to-day when the Gospel is proclaimed, and
He, as then, calls, enlightens, and sanctifies those