The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1931, Page 131

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

131

This is a short story of only one experience in
dealing with one of these people. The fact of the
matter is they do not know whether Lutheranism is
Bible doctrine or a disease. Most other cases are
of a similar nature. Sometimes when they are
shown the truth of the Bible, they rather believe
the vain babblings which they have heard than God’s
Word. They are asked, “Do you believe the Bible?”
They reply, “Yes; but I cannot in every instance
believe what it says.”

“Why not?” They answer, “My reason tells
me better.”

In most cases their reason is their judge.
how true it is that God’s Word is

But

to enter into an argument with them. When they
are refuted, they leave in an angry mood and try to
deny the truth of what they have been told. But
in this way they help spread the news that a mis-
sionary is in the city. Sometimes the people have
heard of the missionary through these preachers
before he gets to their section of the city. Instead
of doing the missionary harm, they in reality benefit
the good cause. It often happens that the people
become interested in the missionary through what
they have heard from those colored ministers and
express a desire to talk with him. Then again
comes true what Joseph said to his brothers: “Ye

spirit and life and like a sharp two-
edged sword! When God’s Word is
spoken to these people, its effect can
sometimes be noticed immediately.
The more it is spoken, the more it
proves its power to do the thing for
which it was written—to save men.

Among these poor, deluded
people there is a longing and a
hunger for something that will give
them peace of conscience. Some
say, “I have gone to church, but
I have heard nothing that would
comfort me.” Others say, “Some-
thing is wrong, but I do not know
what it is”? Many are afraid of
a man who says he is a minister.
I shall mention one instance.

When I first arrived in this
city, I asked for a temporary
lodging at the home of some people whom
I had chanced to meet. The man was not at
home. After some thought his wife, because it was
getting late and I could not easily find another
place, permitted me to stay. The next morning
I met her husband and talked to him about the
Bible. Finally he asked, “Are you a missionary ?”
I answered, “Yes.” He said, “Well, you are the
first one that has ever been in my house. I have
never allowed a minister in my house. But since
you have talked to me, I do not believe that you
are like the rest. You may stay as long as you
wish.” Before I left, he asked, “Will you baptize
my little girl for me? I want her to grow up in
a Church like yours.” Incidents like this are en-
couraging; for they show the power and effect of
God’s Word.

Sometimes colored ministers have challenged me

Thirteen Lutherans at Piney Woods, Miss.

thought evil against me; but God meant it unto
good.”

How comforting it is to know that God’s Word
never returns void! At Piney Woods School there
are over 300 boys and girls and a good-sized faculty
who have heard the truths of the Bible through the
Rey. Geo. A. Schmidt. He has been working among
them for some time. And many of these people
confess that it was when he came among them that:
they first heard the saving truths of the Bible.
Others say, “Why is it that other ministers do not
tell the people these Biblical truths?” Everywhere
about the Piney Woods School it is evident that
some one has been working among them. The
moment a person walks about the campus and hears
the students speak about the Bible, he becomes
convinced that a Lutheran missionary is laboring
among them.