The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1931, Page 130

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130 THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

An Interesting Story from Mississippi,
with Pictures.

The writer of the story which follows is Student
Johnson of Immanuel Lutheran College at Greens-
boro, N. C. Mr. Johnson is preparing himself for
the ministry, but is at present doing supply-work at
Jackson, Miss., under the supervision of Superin-
tendent Geo. A. Schmidt.

The cuts are from photographs sent us by Pastor
Schmidt. Without exception they speak to us in
most impressive language. May their message not
go unheeded by us!

Kindly also read the note at the end of this
article. F. J. L.

Mission-Work in Jackson and Piney Woods, Miss.
_ There are times in our lives when words seem
inadequate to express our thoughts and ideas. Such
is the case when speaking of the spiritual conditions
of the colored people in Jackson, Miss. In this city
there are perhaps 20,000 Negroes. Many of them
are people well educated in secular matters. How-
ever, they are unaware of the spiritual darkness
that exists among them. Some have very vague
ideas concerning: the redemptive work of Christ.
Others have ideas that are perverted and corrupt.
When a missionary sees these conditions, he is
struck with awe. Evidence is to be found every-
where that the people have not heard the Gospel
of Christ. Instead, they have heard the siren song

Mr. Johann and Some Blind Boys at Piney
Woods, Miss

Th blind “gee.” These boys are holding copies of the Braille

Bible ‘History and Dallmann’s Catechism.

Two New Members.
Received August 9. The young man has lost both legs.

of Satan: “Be good, do right, live right, and you
will be right with God.”

When you ask the people here, “Do you hope
to be saved?” they generally answer, “Yes.” But
when you put this question to them, “Upon what
do you base your hope?” they answer, “I am doing
right and living right. I have no enemies; I love
everybody; therefore I know that I shall be saved.”
Thereupon a discourse upon the Law is given.
Then with wide-open eyes they ask, “What must
I do to be saved?”

After repeating the word of God spoken through
Paul to the Philippian jailer, they say, “Yes; but
how do I come to believe? Do I not have to be
good before faith will come to me?”

“Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the
Word of God,” we answer:

They say, “Yes; but I have never heard that
before. I have been told that I must be good before
faith would come to me. All our preachers have
told us that this was the way. Who are you?”

“A Lutheran missionary.”

They say, “What! Is your Church named after
the man that God kicked out of heaven?”

However, when they are told the story of the
Reformation, they answer, “I see.”