The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1919, Page 74

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94 The Lutheran Pioneer.

joy return. When our conscience condemns us,
pointing out the glaring contrast between our lives
and the demands of God’s Law, all seems lost.
We feel ashamed, yet cannot change ourselves.
Not only no faith seems to dwell within us, but our
love, too, is far from being what it ought to be.
70d will come to our rescue in such times of self-
humiliation and weakness which He permits for
His salutary ends. As He is greater than our

“heart, He beholds all things connected with our

spiritual condition in their right proportion. Be-
ing all-knowing, He sees our faith and love though
they may be deeply, or at least partly, hidden from
our sight. If the feeling that we are without faith
is only a deception of our flesh or a malicious sug-
gestion of Satan, our heavenly Father will blot
out this wrong impression, and by His Spirit re-
assure us. He will again fill our hearts with the
certainty that we are His own.

Blessed are the times when our conscience does
not condemn us (v.21), when, on the contrary, it
assures us that we have walked as in the presence
of God, and hated and shunned sin. Then we have
confidence toward God, a feeling of freedom and
courage to appear before the Judge of all flesh,
and are ready for Christ’s glorious coming on the
Last Day. Hence Peter admonishes: “Seeing,
then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy con-
versation and godliness, looking for, and hasting
unto, the coming of the day of God.”

The Apostle paints the happy life of the godly,
who believe in Jesus and love the brethren, in a
pleasing. manner. Christians who earnestly seek
to conform their lives to Holy Writ will learn
by experience that the ways of the Lord are
pleasant paths; for the Lord will give grace
and glory; no good thing will He withhold
from those who walk uprightly. He will listen to
their prayers, and their petitions shall not be ut-
tered in vain (v.22). In the hour of trouble He
will be with them. “The name of the Lord is a
strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and
is safe,’ Prov. 18,10. God is united with them
even in this earthly life. They dwell in Him and
He in them (v. 24). This union satisfies them in
their present life, and death cannot destroy it.
The Spirit who has His habitation in them, and
prompts them to perform works of love and mercy,
assures them that this union is real. Joy is their
portion on earth; bliss awaits them in heaven.

H. Osteruus, -

Reunions in St. Louis and Springfield.

Two of the most enjoyable and impressive ser-
vices we have ever conducted in our two charges
were held August 31 and September 7 in St. Louis
and Springfield, respectively. They were announced
as Reunion Services. During the hot summer
months — let it not be said with pride —there is
usually a waning of interest and a relaxation of
effort, on the part of many, in the work ofthe
Lord. Now, with the advent of cooler weather, the
purpose of these reunions was to revive interest and
to stimulate the negligent to new efforts.

We believe in using printer’s ink profusely. Be-
sides, where mail seldom enters a home, a letter will
command the closest attention. Therefore, during
the week prior to August 31, a letter, explaining in
detail the character of the proposed service, was sent
to each family of our congregation in St. Louis with
the urgent request that each one do his part towards
making the attendance perfect. Invitations were

also sent to strangers. Most of the letters were then

followed up with a personal call. .With the help
of the good Lord our efforts were well rewarded.
The chapel on August 31 was filled almost to its
capacity, 100 people being in attendance. Of the
61 souls who make up the congregation only 5 were
missing, two of whom are invalids. When Com-
munion was administered, 24 out of a possible 26
stepped forward to partake of the Lorél’s body and
blood. The sermon for the occasion was based upon
St. Paul’s words 1 Cor. 16, 13. 14: “Watch ye,
stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong;
let all your things be done with charity.” Towards
the close of the service the roll was called. Parents
responded for the children who were unable te

answer for themselves. We are satisfied that the

angels in heaven shouted for joy over the almost
perfect response to the roll-call. After the services
a “get-acquainted meeting” was held, ia the course
of which lemonade and cake were served. <A collec-
tion was lifted to defray the expenses for the former,
while the ladies of the congregation donated the
latter.

The service in Springfield, Ill., was almost an
exact reproduction of the one described above. The
same preparatory steps were taken as in St. Louis.
Roll-call on this night showed that only 7 out of
a total of 66 souls were missing. The total atten-
dance was conservatively estimated at 125, many
strangers being present. A feature was the reading
of the names of all who have been confirmed and

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