The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1925, Page 169

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

169

to the attention of the City Missionary. On his
daily rounds through the institutions he finds many
people who have never belonged to a church or have
drifted far from its sanctifying folds. Daily visits
and kind admonition usually lead them to some
sense of whither they are drifting, and by the time
they are ready to leave the institution the seed of
the reviving Word has taken root in them. But it
cannot grow unless it is cared for, watered, nour-
ished, and encouraged. The weeds of temptation
and evil companionship will soon spring up around
them, and if they are left to themselves, the tender
shoot will again be choked and strangled. How
necessary, therefore, that such struggling souls re-
ceive all possible attention and assistance!

And here these ladies of the Deaconess Associa-
tion step in and do some real missionary work.
They visit such people, call on them in their homes,
call for them on Sunday mornings, even if they
must go out of their way to do so, and try to get
them acquainted with other members of the church ;
in short, they do all they can to lead them into the
fold of the Chief Shepherd. Every month,-at the
meetings of the Association, they report on the cases
which have been assigned to them. And these re-
ports are interesting indeed. Many a man and
many a woman, many a boy and many a girl, have
thus been plucked away from the brink of ruin.
And these deaconesses are learning to know what
blessed and satisfying work it is to gain souls for
the Savior. In seeking to strengthen others, they
are themselves being fortified in their faith and in
their loyalty to the Church.

Now, you who read this, do we still hear you
idly saying: “There is nothing I can do,” while
the souls of men are dying and the Master calls for
you? Take the task He gives you gladly, let His
work your pleasure be; answer quickly when He
calleth: “Here am I; send me, send me.”

Attend the next meeting of the Association or
communicate with the president: Miss Dorothea
Bishof, 65 Adams, Berea, O., and become a volun-
teer Inner Mission worker. The Lord needs you.
Will you heed His call?

Wanted!

‘Lutheran young ladies, eighteen to thirty-five
years of age, to enroll in our nurses’ training school
at our fine Lutheran Hospital. Prospective pupils
please communicate with Superintendent of Nurses,
Lutheran Hospital, 2609° Franklin Ave., Cleve-
land, O., or with the City Missionary.

Wanted!
Lutheran singers for our services in the institu-
tions. Solo, duet, quartet, or chorus. Please com-
municate with Miss Clara Hill, Lincoln 1684 W.

Wanted!

Lutheran parents to be the recipients of great
joy in adopting a little child in Jesus’ name and
giving it a Christian home, love, and training.
Call Eddy 8301 J.

Wanted!

Lutheran workers to loan unto the Lord some

of their savings. Loans used to help small missions

-will be returned to you on demand when you are

in need. Safer than any bank. See Mr. A. De

Beauclair. Wanted!

Lutheran young people as well as old to join
our party of carolers. If you wish to be happy,
make others happy by bringing them cheerful
Christmas and Easter songs. Ask our cheerful
director, Mr. F. W. Strieter.

Wanted!

Lutheran families to help the hospice work
among our own. Have you a room or more to
place at the disposal of the Hospice Board? Phone
Eddy 8301 J. F.J.L.

The Thaipusam Festival of Southern
India.

The Thaipusam festival celebrates the appear-
ance of the Hindu god Subernanium to his de-
votees. The ceremonies last two days. On the
evening of the first day the procession of the Silver
Car takes place. The car is very ornate, made of
silver and studded with jewels, and is drawn by
two white oxen, with horns highly polished and
tipped with gold ornaments. It proceeds slowly
through all the principal streets of the city and is
followed by thousands of Tamil Hindus. In front
of it go four dancing figures, two men and two
women, like the big figures in an American circus,
with men inside to make them appear to walk and
dance. These figures are very crude and vulgar in
outline. ‘The heat from the torches, the odor of the
incense, and the reeking bodies of the dancers are
all very repulsive.

The next day the horrible tortures begin which
these ignorant people go through in the name of
religion. We went to the temple early in the morn-
ing to watch them get ready for the day’s proces-
sion. In every available space were the brass vessels