The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1929, Page 159

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

159

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would not believe that they were of the same blood
or had anything at all in common. To such an
extent is this the case that they no longer even look
alike. And the reason is this: The unconverted
Papuan is the product of a man-made religion. He
is seeking to work out his own salvation and, failing
therein, is turning to the husks of the swine. On the
other hand, the Christian Papuan is the product of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives him new
qualities of heart and works a stalwartness of faith
that often puts our own to shame.

“The history of the Lutheran work in New
Guinea parallels that of many another mission-field
in this, that the beginnings were extremely difficult.
It took fifteen years before the first convert was
gained. In those trying years some twenty-five mis-
sionaries laid down their lives and were buried on
the soil of New Guinea without having been privi-
leged to bring a single soul to Jesus Christ. Those
early missionaries were actuated by the faith that
has victory within its grasp, the faith that over-
comes the world. Nor were their labors in vain in
the Lord; for to-day the work for which they gave
their lives is advancing far beyond their fondest
dreams, advancing in accordance with the promise
of God, who is ‘able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think.’ At the present time
so many calls are being received from all parts of
the field for evangelists and teachers that the mis-
sion-station cannot cope with the situation, and
more than oneS.0.S. has been sent out. The Neuen-
dettelsau Society, which started this work, is going
back into the field now and will assist the Iowa
brethren in drawing in the net.

“The mission is in touch with 175,000 people, all
of them formerly steeped in cannibalism. There are
at present 23,000 baptized members. The native
church has caught the missionary spirit to a remark-
able degree. She has put almost 700 of her own
workers in the field, supplies all the village school
teachers, sends evangelists to the hinterland, and

pays their salaries. Some individual congregations”

have 60 or 70 of their young men at work and pay
every cent of their salaries.”

The Woman in the Crowd.

Early and late, from Monday through Sunday,
Dona Rosa worked and yet earned scarcely enough
to support her small family. There was no time for
anything else in the world. She forgot her soul.
Sixty years of her life had passed, and she had lived

without thought of, or plan for, God. His divine

love was not for a washerwoman.

Once in a great while she went to church. But
it was in the spirit of imitation rather than for any
real spiritual need. Charity and kindness was her
closest approach to Christianity. Neighbors turned
to her when they were in need. But of a clean heart
and a pure life she knew nothing — nor cared!
Then Dona Rosa moved away from the old, familiar
surroundings and into a new town — and a new life.

Many people came to the hill of St. Thomas to
hear the preaching of the Gospel. For years the
native Porto Rican pastor of San German has held
open-air meetings for the people of this suburban
town. Listeners collect at first out of curiosity and
are held by the depth of the appeal. But not Dona
Rosa. She could be attracted by nothing. Preaching
and preachers aroused her anger. Moreover, she was
a very real enemy of the Word of Jesus.

Then one night, standing a little apart from the
crowd, she heard what was said of Christ. When the
next service was held, she drew nearer in order to
hear and understand more exactly. Bit by bit she
was drawn into the circle, until the first to appear
on the scene of the meeting was Dona Rosa. Her
prejudice against Christianity and its ministers
melted. : ,

“To-morrow I am going to visit the church.”
Dona Rosa accepted the cordial invitation which the
minister had extended. Joy shone in her eyes at
receiving this invitation.

She came alone first to find out for herself. Later
friends were brought to. experience with her the
peace of God. For a whole year not one service,
however small, was missed. “To be a member of the
Church of Christ, that is the greatest desire of my
life.” This was her simple testimony. And finally,
baptized, she was admitted.

Now the Church and its activities are the bright
threads running through the life of this old woman.
No service is too great for the promotion of its cause.
She works for all its departments and contributes
liberally to all its works. Every Sunday a great
group of children come with her to Sunday-school.
Everywhere she tells the glory of the Gospel and
invites People to come and hear. Her one purpose
in life is to line up more followers for Jesus. Dona
Rosa has discovered that, where there is a will, there
is a way. The little family must still be supported.
But there is time, too, for the Lord and His service.
The Ghurch courits her one of its most faithful
members. Her character and her ways of living, her