The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1928, Page 189

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

189

he was about to become a Christian and to confess
his faith publicly.

But in great anger and surprise the mother said
to her’ son, ““The day you break your caste and be-
come a Christian, on that day I will jump in a well,
and you will indirectly be my murderer.” And the
young man knew his mother meant every word she
said. That was why he did not openly confess Christ
and break his caste. In dealing with a case like this,
how would you advise the young man?

Other cases are similar to this. A man becomes
a Christian, but his wife refuses to follow him. The
missionary who baptizes the man is accused of
breaking up a home. What would you do?

A boy who is legally a minor (under eighteen
years of age) believes in Christ with his whole heart,
comes to the missionary, and asks for baptism.
The parents or guardians of the boy refuse to con-
sent to the boy’s becoming a Christian. If the mis-
sionary baptizes the boy or encourages him to break
his caste, he is liable to prosecution and, if found
guilty, will be punished by the government. What
would you do? Would you advise the missionary to
baptize boys under eighteen years of age against the
guardian’s wish and break the law of India?

Under the present laws of India, Hindus and
Mohammedans are allowed several wives. A young
Hindu marries a girl, but this wife has no children,
and so the man marries a second wife, also keeping
the first one. By his second wife he has. several
children. At this stage this Hindu family hears
and receives the Gospel and wishes to receive Holy
Baptism. Under the law of his former religion
the man’s having two wives is legal. When he be-
comes a Christian, however, which wife shall he put
away, his first wife or the mother of his children?
And what shall be done with the discarded wife?

These are only a few of the problems confronting
missionaries, but they are very real ones, and they
come up rather frequently. May the missionaries
not have your prayers that these and other problems
will be solved to the glory of God? :

Your Golden Opportunity.

A young man with tears in his eyes told of the
great grief that had come to him, and the pastor
listened sympathetically. ‘He was my dearest
friend. It is as if a brother had gone wrong. I knew
he was spending a great deal of money, and once or
twice I found he was careless about obligations. But
I could not believe that he would steal.”

“T did not know that he was your friend,” said
the pastor. “Did you ever bring him to church or
Sunday-school with you?”

“No; he didn’t care for that sort of thing.”

“Did you ever ask him?”

“No; but he knew that I went. He could have
come with me at any time.”

“Did you ever warn him when you saw him
spending more money than he could afford or when
he had done something that was not quite honest ?”

“No; a man can’t meddle in things that are
none of his business.”

“Was it none of your business when your dearest
friend was going to destruction ?”

“But there are some things a man can’t do. He

- can’t go into the streets and ask every passer-by

about the state of his soul.” 5

“No; most of us can’t do that, although there
are men of such spiritual power that they can ask
a stranger about his soul without seeming imper-
tinent. But we are now speaking of a friend as
close as a brother. I think you should have spoken
to your friend about his soul’s welfare.”

He handed a Bible to the young man and
pointed to the third chapter of Ezekiel, at the
words: “Son of man, I have. made thee a watch-
man.” The young man read aloud, and his voice
faltered over the word: “Nor speakest thou to warn
the wicked from his wicked way to save his life; the
same wicked man shall die in his iniquity ; but his
blood will I require at thine hand.” :

“T wonder if it is too late.”

“T thought I should never see him again. But
I am going to him and confess my fault. And when
he is free again, I’ll stand by him and help him keep
straight.”

“Tt is not too late,” said the pastor. “You can
yet save your friend and deliver your own soul.”

It is not too late for you, dear friend. Think of
your friends whom the Gospel can help. Take down
the receiver! Get them on the telephone. Invite
them to come with you next Sunday and every Sun-
day. Itis not too late. You may saveasoul. This
is your golden opportunity. Can you let tt escape?

Olive Leaf; reprinted in Hannibal Lutheran.

A Successful Appeal.

Some years ago the foreign missionaries in a cer-
tain part of China tried to persuade the native
Christians to see’that the time had come when they ~
should try to become more indepen¢ent of the help