The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1924, Page 34

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34. The Lutheran Pioneer.

Milton’s worst fears are confirmed. He must take
the wages of sin, eternal death! We could not
look into his heart, but the tears which trickled
down his cheeks told the story of what was going
on there.

And now he hears of a Savior. “Can that
Savior love an old, hardened sinner? Will He
really save me, yes, me? Have I not waited too
long? Are my sins not too many and too black?”
Such thoughts shot through his harassed brain.

There, he hears it: God loved the world! That
must mean “Uncle” Milton too. Hope springs up
in his heart. He wants to join the Lutheran
Church; for it tells him how he can be saved. But
will “that new Church” want him? The missionary
is called to his home, and he asks him this question.

Some of Our New Members at Kings Landing.
“Uncle” Milton in the center.

He is assured that he will gladly be received as
a member.

However, the devil is not willing to give up this
old man so easily. “Uncle” Milton is cast about
with exceedingly vexing doubts and fears. And
has he not heard other preachers say: Only the
pure in heart shall see God, only the righteous will
be saved? What chance, then, for such an old
sinner?

Sitting by the side of this wretched soul, our
Lutheran missionary explains the text: “Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” He
shows how Jesus saved the low, lewd harlot and
that filthy thief hanging dying on the cross.

The victory is won. “Uncle” Milton repeats
these words with which the missionary tries to
comfort and reassure him : —

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt;
Fightings and fears within, without, —
(0) Fame of God, I come, I come!

“We'll baptize you on Easter Sunday, grandpa,”
says the missionary. Easter? ‘That’s too far off
for “Uncle” Milton. He wants the assurance which
Baptism gives sooner than that.

On the following Wednesday this old man re-
ceived the assurance of the forgiveness of his sins
which Baptism gives. A short sermon was preached
in the cabin. The little congregation that was
assembled upon this occasion may be seen in the
picture above.

In answer to our question, “Do you believe that
Jesus is your Savior?” old “Uncle” Milton cheer-
fully said, “I do.” “Do you want to be baptized
in the name of Jesus?” “Yes,” he answers long-
ingly, “and I want to be saved.”

So “Uncle” Milton is the first-fruit of a field
at Kings Landing “white already to harvest.” Dear
reader, pray for “Uncle” Milton.

2. Jottings.

From “Uncle” Milton’s we go to another home.
Yes, they have heard about the Lutheran Church.
“How much does this paper cost? We have read
this one over and over.” It’s the Colored Lutheran,
our missionary monthly, that has caused joy in this
home. Fifty cents are handed us, and the paper
will make regular visits to this Colored family. We
take our Bible, read a text, explain it, offer a prayer,
and after an invitation for the people to come to
church start out for “Aunt” Callie’s home, five
miles away.

Yes, there she is, still in that old filthy bed.
She will never get up again. Her only daughter
is out in the field plowing. We sit down and tell
this dying grandma of the friend of sinners. We
sing a hymn and, leaving the home, offer a prayer
to God’s Spirit to seal our message in the heart
of “Aunt” Callie.

Now to that other cabin, where there is another
old “auntie.” She is sitting at the same place,
right next to the fireplace. She is trembling as
usual. Her nerves are shattered. But we notice
that a smile lights up her face as we enter. Tor
four years she has been an invalid. Unable to at-
tend services, she received no spiritual attention
whatever. We sing a hymn, tell her of the redeem-
ing love of Jesus, — another hymn, a prayer, and
we leave the house, having made happy another
heart. ’

- A few more visits, and then our instruction
meeting. A large crowd gathers. More than forty