# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1853 04 12_S108
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

108

GOD heartily for the good quiet and the sweet peace which He grants us in this land, so that we can edify ourselves upon our most holy faith, unhindered by pressure on the part of the authorities, unhindered also by too great a distance from our called and beloved pastors.

But these facts put us deeply to shame as well. We too have here to provide for the preacher's salary, to build churches and schools, etc.; so we are soon inclined to think we are doing something extraordinary. And yet, on the one hand, no one has robbed us of our churches and their rich endowment, just as, on the other side, it is so very much easier for us to do something for these holy purposes, since in this land everyone who only can and will work finds his livelihood easily and abundantly. — But what are we to say when we consider the rich mission gifts of these poor congregations? Indeed, we must be heartily ashamed to have done so little, and still to do so little, for the spread of the kingdom of God, although opportunity and means for it so readily stand at our command. I know that with many of our congregations it passes for a sufficient excuse for doing nothing for the mission that they themselves still have church debts, etc. And yet this is a very cold, heartless and loveless excuse, unworthy of any true disciple of Jesus. For these, although they themselves lived on alms (Luke 8, 2. 3. John 12, 6.), nevertheless shared with the poor (John 13, 29.) And what excuse shall we bring forward in the face of the poor congregations in Prussia? The congregation at Züllichau, consisting of 500 souls, had in the year 1848 3000 thalers of debts; the congregation at Woselwitz, consisting of 567 souls, had 7500 th. of debts, and the congregation at Breslau even over 20,000 thalers. Most of these members are really poor, have, besides the great interest, to raise the pastor's salary, etc., and yet find gifts also for the mission. No, surely, we can in no way excuse ourselves, but must confess with shame that we gave scarcely a mite out of our abundance, while those give such great sums out of their poverty, because they have precisely a faith which looks not upon the visible, upon wretched mammon and a comfortable future, but upon the invisible, upon the rich treasure of God's mercy, out of which all good gifts flow to us daily and abundantly; and because they have the love which never grows weary, not even in giving, but seeks to become godlike, also in having compassion on the lost sons of the heathen, and in extending the means for their conversion.

"We have still too much to do with ourselves; when we shall have fought everything through and paid our debts, then we will also do something for the heathen." That is the usual excuse, which even some pastors do not hesitate to bring forward. And with this cold "God counsel you!" the poor heathen are then to be content, and starve spiritually and freeze, until these lazy Christians shall be placed comfortable enough to let fall a few crumbs to the Lazarus lying before their doors. Oh, let no one deceive himself! The time will never come in which one would no longer have to do with oneself. And in striving only for oneself (be it a single person or a whole congregation) the heart shrivels up so that later it learns only with difficulty, or never again, to open itself to the need of others. On the contrary, the love which is ready to impart, even if it be the last mite, "all that she had, even all her living" (Mark 12, 44.), is richly blessed from above. Not indeed for the sake of the outward work, but because by such blessed exercise the confidence of the heart is ever more withdrawn from the perishable things of this world and directed to God alone, who will never let such unconditional and complete confidence in Him be put to shame.

Or do you think that your mission gifts are not employed, because no great conspicuous conversions take place, no world-historical congregations are founded, as, for instance, in the time of the apostles, etc.? Do not deceive yourself! Your gifts are well employed if you give them with a faithful, simple heart, even if nothing were accomplished thereby. For yours is the duty of love; blessing and success, however, are God's. He works always, when, and where, and how it pleases Him; His work no one can hinder, all the covetousness of the world cannot stop it; only in yourself can you hinder it, if you esteem His earthly gifts higher than His love, His commandment. Do not overvalue your gifts either! All the goods of this earth are nothing in comparison with a soul which, rescued from the power of darkness, enters into the tabernacles of peace to praise God eternally. How should not the sham goods of this earth, which in the fire of the Last Judgment turn into dust and ashes, ever be compared with immortal souls, for whom the LORD of heaven and earth has given His precious divine blood and His life? But would you like to know, for the strengthening of your faith, whether the dear God will really make use of your means and bless them: then do not shut your eye to that which, by God's grace, is happening at both mission stations of the Synod among the poor Indians. World-historical events, to be sure, are not there; brilliant transformations into a comfortable life you will not find either. But if you have an eye for the quiet work of God deep in the heart of man; how He there overthrows idols of every kind one after another; how He softens, enlightens the hard, distrustful, superstitious heart, and makes it love the word of truth; how He gathers the souls under the banner of His cross, sanctifies them in the right faith and also preserves them, in spite of many and grievous temptations, in spite of all the craft and power of Satan and his host; if you have an eye for this, I say, you will not look in vain; you will be able to praise the LORD joyfully. And when you hear how even the young heathen Christians learn to give abundantly of their poverty to the needy, you too will never wish to wait until you are rich and have quite enough. This blessedness in giving was recently revealed in a touching manner, when at Bethany an Indian dwelling burned down, whereby the inhabitants, who had just come to the evening service, lost also everything that they possessed on earth. We provided for the barest necessities, and reminded our believing little flock of the duty of Christian love, as children of One Father in heaven, to share sorrow and joy with one another. All were joyfully ready, went into their huts, and returned, each with a gift rich for his circumstances, which they handed over with joyful hearts to the burned-out.

These poor people did not hold back their gifts until their circumstances should have changed advantageously, although in the whole year few bits of bread come into their huts. So do not you wait for that either, my dear reader, but let your unbelief and your stinginess be wholesomely put to shame by the willing and rich gifts of the poor Lutherans in Prussia, and, if you will, also by the poor Indian Christians at Bethany, and open to God the LORD your heart wide, that He may first fill it for you, but then open also your hand wide for the poor heathen still languishing in the bonds of darkness, extending to them of that which God has allotted to you.

So let us, my dear reader, work while it is day! Who knows how soon for you, who knows how soon for me the night comes, when no man can work. — Ah, when that hour comes, of which Paul Gerhard sings: "Naked shall I also depart, when I shall flee from the earth as a shadow," with how wholly different eyes shall we then look upon the sham goods of this world, which now appear to us so fair, so alluring, so desirable! How we shall then wish to have offered to the LORD our (His) gifts more willingly, more cheerfully, more richly, to have sown for eternity! So let us now do what we shall then unfailingly wish to have done. God the LORD, however, give us both a believing heart, that we, each in his calling, may prove ourselves the servants of God, who, though they are poor, yet make many rich, who, though they have nothing, yet possess all things. — But to Him, our God, be alone and in eternity glory and praise and honor; Amen.

Baierlein.