The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1933, Page 104

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104

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER

two old “sisters” had moved. The missionary went
home sadly disappointed, but praying that they
would hold fast to the Word of Salvation they had
received. — 7. J. Lehman.

Baptism at U.S. Veterans’ Hospital, Tuskegee.

I first met Mr. Thomas in Ward E (for those
in the last stages of tuberculosis) seriously ill. Al-
though it was at once evident that his suffering was
great, he made every effort, it seemed, to welcome
me and to hear what I was going to say.

In the course of the conversation he told me how
he prayed. “Here’s what I say,” said he, “listen:
‘Lord, have mercy on me, I pray Thee.’”

Superintendent E. A. Westcott.

He then asked, “Does God hear a sinner pray ?”
“(By sinner he meant unbeliever.)

“John 9, 31 says: ‘We know that God heareth
not sinners,” I answered. “God hears all who be-
lieve on Jesus Christ, who believe that He loved us
and gave Himself for us on the cross for the for-
giveness of our sins,” etc. “Therefore God says:
‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.’
Do you believe this?”

“T believe it. I believe it. But,” talking rap-
idly, “I haven’t been baptized. Yes, I could have
been,” he said. ;

I asked: “Would you like to be baptized?”

“Yes, I want to be, but I’m too weak to get up.”

Whereupon I explained that it was not necessary
for him to get up and be put under water, also that
this could not be done under the circumstances, but
that the use of a little water and the Word would
be just as powerful as much water and the Word

an interview with Colonel

of God. He yielded. Then 1 Pet. 3, 21 was ex-
plained. He believed Baptism to be necessary; he
believed it saves.

He said, “Come back next Tuesday and bap-
tize me.”

Next Tuesday he said, “No, I have not changed
my mind.”

The officer of the day, who is in charge at the
hospital when the regular doctors are off duty, said
that he saw no reason why such a baptism as I ex-
plained it would be would be against medical advice.

A nurse got the water and linens, and I looked
about for a few witnesses. Three of the patients
in the ward consented to act as witnesses — one
from Jackson, Mississippi, another from Atlanta,
Georgia, and the third from New Orleans.

After the baptismal services Mr. Thomas wept
for joy and shook hands with the witnesses, saying,
“T have the faith.” Upon his request a letter was
sent to his people in Louisiana telling of his bap-
tism in the Lord.

Two days afterwards Mr. Thomas fell asleep
in the Lord. — A. Dominick.

Official Support Pledged.
That same day I was so fortunate as to secure
, head of the Vet-
erans’ Hospital. He wanted to know what was our
chief teaching. I told him it was the chief doc-
trine of the Bible: justification by faith alone. He
wanted me to make it plain. I did.

“But,” said he, “all the churches believe that.”

I explained that many lean to works.

Said he, “Does not the Bible say, ‘By their works
shall ye know them’ ?”

I explained that works flow from faith, but that
faith alone saves. In this life we can judge only by
outward appearances.

He again assured us of his cooperation in mak-
ing our work go on unhindered. — A. D.

A Different Reception.

Unbaptized tuberculosis patient in bed: “Don’t
talk to me about believing and being baptized!
I haven’t been baptized. I’ve been a sinner all my
days. I believe I must get out of this bed, get on
my knees and do something. — A. D.

A Family Bible under a Wide-Spreading Oak.

In a recent service at a rural station I spent
a few minutes on the necessity of having a Bible
in the home and making faithful use of it, par-
ticularly in connection with the family altar. It is
sad, but true that many who have been in other