The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1918, Page 75

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Our choir (0 yes, we have a choir, too) sang the
familiar anthem, “How Blest are They who Strive
Their Lord’s Commands to Keep!” ‘The under-
signed preached the sermon. Basing his remarks
on 1 Tim. 4, 6, he charged the brother to preach the
pure Gospel of Jesus Christ with all diligence and
with utmost fidelity, and by a godly life to be an
example to the flock committed and entrusted to
his care. He admonished his hearers to receive
their new pastor as a servant of Jesus Christ and
as a steward of the mysteries of God. ‘That the
sermon was well, taken to heart could be seen from
the frequent nodding of heads and by an oceasional
“Amen.”

At the evening service the newly installed pas-
tor occupied his pulpit, or rather, platform, for the
first time. A large number was present also at this
service. ‘The speaker based his remarks on 1 Cor.
1,18. Pastor Lash told his hearers that the cross
of Christ was the only hope for a perishing world.
He assured them that during his ministry in their
midst he would preach unto them the saving truths
from the Word of God:
reader. I will not tell you what happened at this
service, but, well, we had a few Baptists in atiend-
ance, and you know what they will do ‘at times.

St. Mark’s is badly in need of a chapel. The
prospects are indeed bright here; but give us a
chapel! We cannot work advantageously without
one. Who will help that these Christians may soon
have an appropriate house of worship? Surely our
Christian brethren will come to the rescue of these
poor Christian people. Indeed, God grant that we
may soon be blessed with a chapel, where His never-
failing Word may be preached in its truth and
purity, to the glory of His kingdom and the sal-
vation of many souls! P. Davin LEHMAN.

The Maori Mission in New Zealand.

Having been asked by some Missourian friends”

to furnish periodical reports on the Maori Mission,
and the Editor of the LurHeran PrioneEEr having
kindly consented to accept and publish, in these
columns, contributions upon that subject, the under-
signed has decided to avail himself of this offer
and to keep the readers in touch with this mission,
hoping thereby to satisfy the wish of old friends,
as well as to gain and interest new ones.

It is my intention, if God grants me health and

strength, to relate from time to time anything of in-

Tt was a great sermon, dear *

terest gleaned’ from the quarterly reports sent me by
our missionary, and also to publish in these columns
what will, I believe, be the first connected history of
the Evangelical Lutheran Mission among the aborig-
ines of New Zealand. Probably later on some one
more fitted for the work may be prevailed upon to

give a still more complete and up-to-date history

than it has been possible for me to give with the
limited information at my command; but if I can
interest the readers of the PronrrEr, and at the same
time furnish the foundation for a better history,
[ shall have accomplished as much as I dare hope.

When reading these reports, the reader will,

Rev. Hamuera Te Punga.

I trust, bear in mind that there is and can be no
comparison between the successful and extensive mis-
sions carried on by them in their own country as
well as in India and the Maori Mission of our
Church in New Zealand. While at one time there
might have been justification for almost extravagant
visions of a great Maori Lutheran Church, the Lord
has not permitted these visions to become a reality.
And when we search for the human causes of the —
failure, we note several factors which undoubtedly
have been largely responsible: lack of funds, the
enforced temporary suspension of -the work owing
to the Maori War, and finally the want of a mission- —
ary at a critical period. « Other causes will be noted _
by the reader when he follows the promised history
of the Mission. . And now that the work has been ;

taken up again, it requires enthusiasm for mission-