The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1930, Page 60

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60 THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

Shebayonk (now Unionville) they held out some-
what longer. Pastor Auch, the former missionary
of the Sebewaing Indian congregation, had been
called as pastor of the Sebewaing white congrega-
tion and while pastor of the white church also served
the Shebayonk Indian settlement. But the vice of
drunkenness had gradually fastened itself upon the
Indians of this congregation. The pastor earnestly
reproved the drunkards, and he might have been
successful if the Indian traders had not enticed
them to indulge their passions and supplied the
necessary liquors. Drunkenness and the continued
agitation of these traders against the minister finally

’ brought it about that the services were more and

more neglected, until on a Good Friday not even
one attended the service.

Visiting this settlement some time after this,
Missionary Miessler tried earnestly to convince his
red brethren of the error of their ways, but the only
reply made — and it was a reply as surprising as
it was disheartening, a reply given by the brother
of the chief, who acted as spokesman for the whole
assembly — was: “We no longer want anything to
do with you. We don’t want to listen to you any
more nor learn anything from the Bible. If it is
really true that in death we shall be cast into hell,
you need not sympathize with us. We want no
sympathy from you.” The rest agreed to this. All

admonishing and pleading was received in stony .

silence. Every connection with God’s Word and
His Church was completely severed. Not one ever
returned. E. A. Mayer, in Michigan Lutheran;
tr. by O. Richert.
(To be continued.)

Lutheran Noonday Lenten Services.

“There you go again, berating me for supporting
an endeavor which should receive every loyal Lu-
theran’s support!” Thus spoke Lork to his friend

. Krile.

Both are prominent members of the same con-
gregation, active workers, and liberal contributors.
Both hold responsible positions in large Loop estab-
lishments and have a host of acquaintances.

On their trips to and from the Loop and during
lunch-time they frequently discuss the great prob-
lems which confront their beloved Church. But
they cannot fully agree on one subject — missions.

At a recent yoters’ meeting Lork had made a
passionate appeal for moral and financial support
of the forthcoming Loop Lenten Services.

To his dismay Krile immediately took exception,
insisting that every ounce of energy should be di-
verted to the support of our Foreign Missions, add-
ing that it were a sacrilege to squander time, energy,
and means on such “fads” as Loop Lenten Services,
since the Chicago Area is thickly dotted with ortho-
dox churches and every one who cared to do so could
be well supplied with the Bread of Life.

Then came a motion to table this matter. A few
vociferous “ayes” and a like number of faint “nays”
determined the issue.

Ever since, Lork had tried to convince Krile,
but Krile remained obdurate. Hence the above
retort. But Lork is persistent. He continues:
“Friend, you are right. It is our duty to do
mission-work in foreign lands. But does Jesus tell
us to go only to those dark continents? Does He
not send us into all the world to preach to those
afar off as well as to those that are nigh? Don’t
imagine that darkness is to be found only in distant
lands. I dare say there is comparatively less dark-
ness and more light in the Fiji Islands than in the
Chicago Area.

“The Chicago Area has a great number of truly
orthodox churches. But are you aware of the fact
that for every individual member of these churches
you will find in this densely populated area more
than thirty who either adhere to false doctrines or
are unchurched? Do you recognize the darkness?

“Tt certainly is a sacrilege for any Christian to
squander time, energy, and means on useless fads;
but, please, do not classify Loop Lenten Services
as a fad.

“Are you at all acquainted with these services ?
What! Do I hear correctly? You have never
attended any? ‘Then, at least, be fair, brother!
Do not pass judgment before you have carefully
considered the evidence.

“Both of us highly esteem the Lenten medita-
tions at our home church. How often have we not
expressed the wish that the many unchurched might
share in their blessings! But these unchurched
masses shun the churches. How are we to reach
them? Simply by following the example of our
Master. He did not confine Himself to the Temple
and the synagogs. We find Him preaching on the
mount, at the roadside, at the seashore, and on the
highways and streets, yea, even in the home of @
despised publican at Jericho and in the dining-room
of a proud and hard-hearted Pharisee at Capernaum.
His intention was to reach all; so He went to them.
I'he earth — not only our churches — shall be filled
with the glory of the Lord. ;