The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1918, Page 66

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further writes concerning Christ that He was “from
the beginning,” or, as he expresses himself in an-
other text, “in the beginning” (John 1). When all
creatures began, were made, entered into existence,
the Word was, was in existence even then. He was,
accordingly, before the beginning, from eternity.
Therefore John in our text outright calls Him “the
Eternal Life.’ He was not made, but begotten
from the Father from eternity.

For reasons that we know well, it was necessary
that our Redeemer should be divine. But John at
the same time points to His human nature when
he says that they heard Him, saw Him, handled
Him. For reasons with which we are likewise
familiar it was needful that our Redeemer must
also be truly human. And why this? Why must
He be God and Man in one Person? In order that
He might by His work of redemption impart to us
the life that we had lost by sin, but now may regain
by faith. He is Eternal Life. In Him, as all
apostles and evangelists uniformly testify, the thirst-
quenching waters of eternal life are found for every
penitent and believing soul, as the poet sings:

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Btoop: down, and *arink, and live!”
e to Jesus, and I drank
Of th that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived
And now I live in Him.

.. This leads us to the salutary purposes of the
apostles’ witness concerning Christ. One purpose
of theirs is stated in the words: “That which we
have seen and heard declare we unto you,” v. 3.
What is the force of these words? Evidently
St. John seeks to impress his readers with the cer-
tainty of his message, which is a faithful saying and

- worthy of all acceptation, being the word of the
authoritative, immediate witnesses of Christ who sat
at table with Him after His resurrection.

Another purpose is stated in the words: “That
ye’also may have fellowship with us,” v.3. In like
manner Christ is preached in our day to assure
people of His truth and grace, and also to convert
people, and, having converted them, to strengthen
their faith. Thus‘all that believingly listen to the
Word of the cross will have fellowship together, and
will be furthered therein. All will partake of the

_ same truth, grace, ‘salvation, hope, and conviction
which was alive in those. sturdy apostolic hearts.
“And, truly, our fellowship is with the Father and

with His Son Jesus Christ,” v.3. The uniting of

Christ with the human souls by faith will ever re-

The Lutheran Pioneer.

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main the object of all evangelical preaching. How
blessed are those that have fellowship with Christ
by faith! Filled with the Spirit, they walk in the
narrow path that leads to life, being led by Christ
hour for hour, implicitly trusting in Him, and
diligently, though imperfectly, obeying His precepts.
As God through Christ’s self-sacrifice has become
our reconciled Father, so all that believe in Christ
enter into communion with the Father also. How
precious is the life of God’s children in time and
eternity !

The final purpose of the apostles’ witness con-
cerning Christ is stated in v.4: “And these things
write we unto you that your joy may be full.”
Earthly things cannot fully satisfy the human heart,
because they will pass away. Our inmost souls crave
for something stable; we need the grace, love, and
faithfulness of the great God Himself, who will
never pass away. Christians greatly rejoice in the
Lord, who has clothed them with garments of sal-
vation, who has covered them with the robe of |
righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with |
ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her |
jewels. During theit whole lives they neither can |
nor will forget the Christmas-message concerning, |
the great joy that shall be to all people. Finally, in |
heaven, our joy will “be made full” in the highest |
sense of the word; for there is fulness of joy in 4
God’s presence, and pleasures forevermore at His
right hand. 1

Christians, apply these truths that never grow ~~

ee ee aS ee Se Mere

old to you. H. Osrernvs. 4
a ea (

Immanuel Lutheran Conference. 4

On Friday, August 2, Immanuel Lutheran Con- ~

ference, composed of the mission-workers and dele- ~
gates of our Southeastern field, met for its eight-

eenth annual convention in St. Paul’s Church, ~
Charlotte, N.C., of which the Rev. J. McDavid is _
pastor. After devotional exercises, which were led
by the Rey. W. O. Hill, of Yonkers, N. Y., the con-
ference was formally opened. Hereupon the regular ~
order of business was taken up and conference organ- ~
ized itself. The delegates were seated, and then the ~
election of officers took place, which resulted in ~
Prof. Berg’s being elected president, Rev. Schwehn
and Prof. Wahlers first and second vice-presidents,
respectively, while Teacher E. H. Buntrock was
chosen secretary and Rev. W. Fuller, treasurer. —
Conference, gathered at this critical time in which”

SRE