The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1919, Page 19

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The [Lutheran Pioneer. 19

dom of God and Christ, and that of the world, with
Satan as her ruler. ?

V.16. For all that is in the world, the lust of
the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
St. John sums up the entire contents of the evil
world under three heads, each a glaring vice. The
lust of the flesh is voluptuousness, all finer or coarser
forms of adultery and fornication. Also other in-
temperate, forbidden appetite, as for liquor or dainty
foods, which causes revelings and drunkenness. Also
sloth and levity. The lust of the eyes is the ex-
cessive desire for money and earthly possessions of
every sort and description. ‘The pride of life is
temporal power and yvainglory, the alluring bright-
ness of which intoxicates the worldly-minded, caus-
ing them to make these vain, fleeting things their
god. These three fundamental vices, which repre-
sent the ungodly world, are not of the Father. They
do not proceed from our God. They do not have
their origin in Him, but are entirely outside the
sphere of His good influence. They directly oppose
Him, being part and parcel of the world, Satan’s
kingdom. ‘They are the seed of Beelzebub’s plant-
ing, the corn of his floor. They proceed from the
world, hence from the Prince of Darkness himself.
He therefore that loves the world belongs to the
kingdom of darkness.

V, 17 offers another very weighty reason why we
should not love the world: And the world passeth
away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the
will of God abideth forever. The world with all
its sinful pomp and glory, all its fleshly lusts and
deceitful riches, which enslave so many souls, passes

away like a shadow. The kingdom of Satan is sure
‘0 perish, and with it all that love this transient
world and its vices. But those who love God and
perform His will, trust in Him, follow and obey
Him, resign themselves to His service, will live
forever.
What is the world to me!
It rapidly must vanish,
With all its gorgeous pomp
Pale death it cannot banish;
Its riches pass away,
One And all its joys must flee,
But Jesus doth abide —
What is the world. to me!

H. Osterius.
+++

Tue life and prosperity of a church will largely
depend upon the measure and zeal with which she
fulfils her missionary duties.

A Grateful Soldier’s Letter.

The following letter from a Colored soldier boy
in France was received by our Mission Board : —

“Tt is with great pleasure that I take.this oppor-
tunity of writing these few lines to you to return
thanks for the many kindnesses you have shown me
during past years. For three years before my en-
trance into the military service of my country I was
a student at Immanuel College, Greensboro, N. C.,
and I am proud of the training I received there.
But the best of all is that I am a confirmed member
of the Lutheran Church, and I am proud of it.
Before entering Immanuel College, I had catalogs
from many other schools, but the name ‘Immanuel,’
which means ‘God with us,’ made me think that God
was there, and this decided me to enter Immanuel
College. I am sorry that I have not been able
to finish the course, but since I was called away
to serve my country I willingly went, and so I am
now here in France. I am expecting to be called
back soon. During my eight months’ service God
has been with me and protected me night and day.
I wish that everybody would know our Church as
I do. She has gone through many conflicts, but
she still stands firm and secure, and God is ever
her fortress and stronghold. I am still praying that
I may get back and finish my course, so that I may
teach that good Lutheran doctrine to others. May
the Lord bless you and keep you, and may He con-
tinue to let His face shine upon you. ‘Yours in
Christ, Pvt. Robert Lathan, Co. D, 330 Signal Bn.,
A. E. F., France.”

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The Result of a Negro Missionary’s
Work.

A hundred years ago a Negro preacher from
Powhatan County, Virginia, started out on some
missionary work. John Stewart was the name of
the man. Tor years he had led the life of a sinner,
but had finally become a member of the Methodist
Church. Some time after his connection with the
Church he prepared for the ministry, and in due
course of time became a preacher. He felt called
to become a missionary among the Indians of the
Northwest, and though fully persuaded that the
attempt would cost his life, he came into North-
western Ohio, and there, on the banks of the San-
dusky River, met an Indian tribe that treated him
kindly and showed him every possible kind of hos-