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W'Qtnlngirul flnut41y
Continuing
Lehre und Wehre (Vol. LXXVI)
Magazin fuer Ev.-Luth. Homiletik (Vol. LIV)
Theol. Quarterly (1897-1920) -Theol. Monthly (Vol. X)
Vol. I November, 1930 No. 11
CONTENTS
Page
PIEPER, F.: Eroeffnungsrede zum neuen Studienjahr
1930-1931 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 801
FUERBRINGER, L.: Paulus in Athen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 804
ENGELDER, Th. The Active Obedience of Christ ......... 810
KRETZMANN, P. E.: Die Bekehrung ein Prozess oder eine
KrisisP ................................................. 818
DALLMANN, WM.: How Peter Became Pope.. . . . ... . . . . .. 828
KRETZMANN, P. E.: Clerical Vestments in the Lutheran
Church .......................... ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 838
Dispositionen ueber die Eisenacher Evangelienreihe ....... 848
STREUFERT, F. C.: Pastoral Visits ....................... 857
Theological Observer. - Kirchlich-Zeitgeschichtliches. . . . .. 864
Book Review. - Literatur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 873
Ein Prediger muss nicht allein weide .. ,
also dass er die Schafe unterweise, wie
sie rechte Ohristen sollen sein, sondern
auch daneben den Woelfen wehren, dass
Bie die Schafe nicht angreifen und mit
falscher Lehre verfuehren und Irrtum ein·
fuehren. - Luther.
Es 1st kein Ding, das die Leute mehr
bei der Kirche behaelt denn die gute
Predigt. - Apologie, Art. 24.
If the trumpet give an uncertain sound,
who shall prepare himself to the battle?
1 Oor.14, 8.
Published for the ;J
Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States r
CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE, St. Louis, Mo.
i
f
.A.RCHIVER
Pastoral Visits. 857
unb feiner m;orie f~ii:mten. mon foI~en hliII er bann au~ ni~t§ tviffcn,
bie tviII unb fann er, aI£l bet hlaljtljaftige Beuge, ni~t aI£l bie @5einen an"
etfennen; benn fie tvaten e£l enttveber nie obet ljaoen fi~ bon iljm
hliebet ro£lgef agt.
4lingegen alIe, bie ljiet ifjn oefannien, bie gerne mit iljm fidj
f~mii:gen Iief)en, bie fi~ hlebet but~ SDtogungen no~ bUt~ @5~mei~e"
Teien, tvebet bUt~ ~ui5fi~t aUf irbif~en @etvinn no~ bur~ bie {"Yur~t,
aI£l {"Yriebeni5ftiiter, te~igaoerif~e Eeuie uftv. berf~rien au tverben, bon
einem freien, frogIi~en, beu±ri~cn mefennmii5 ,;'5(§fu fjaoen aogarten
raffen: fie alIe hlerben bon ifjm anedanni tverben ali5 feine IDCitgenoffen
an bet sttfrofar unb an bet @ebufb unb am 9lei~. SDai5 gef~iefji offent"
Ii~ bor alIer m;ert, bor alIen (§ngeln, bor feinem fjhnmHf~en maier.
m;er hlolIte ba ni~t mit {"Yteuben oefennen? meb 282, 4. :or. 2.
I • I
Pastoral Visits.
Our Visit at the Hospital.
We all agree that our visits of patients in hospitals are frequently
not so productive as we desire, either because other patients make
such visits difficult or, at times, because of expected ridicule on the
part of other patients or visitors, we are too timid in the confession
or profession of our faith. But we must not be ashamed of the
Gospel of Jesus Ohrist and therefore should most cheerfully and
boldly perform our pastoral duty. Such bold presentation of sacred
truths of sin and grace, of admonition and of comfort, will strengthen
the patient we are visiting and will have a wholesome effect on other
patients that listen to what is being said. Open ridicule and an-
tagonism will in most instances soon be silenced.
The Word of God spoken to one of my patients in a hospital
exercised its power in a most wonderful manner on a Bulgarian who
lay on a cot next to him, and this in spite of the fact that he was
not fully familiar with the language of our country. .As I came
and went, I had a word of encouragement or a word of sympathy
also for him. Finally the Bulgarian inquired of his neighbor who
it was that came to visit him with such regularity and what his
mission was. When he told him that it was his pastor and that he
prayed with him, a lively discussion ensued. Our patient briefly told
him that we all, especially when sick, are in need of the message
which his pastor was bringing him. Being sinners, he told him, we
are in need of the Savior, who shed His blood for us and who is
ready and willing to listen to our prayers. The discussion led them
first to Eden and then to Oalvary. Finally the Bulgarian sighed,
"I wish some one would pray for me, too! I do not know how to
pray - I cannot pray. Will your friend pray also with me?"
858 Pastoral Visits.
This I did at my next visit. Being reared in the Greek Catholic
Church, the Bulgarian had no knowledge of the truth necessary for
his soul's salvation. So it was for me to present to him the very a-b-c
of Christianity. A Bulgarian Bible which I presented to him was
very helpful to him. The Bible-stories, especially those pertaining to
Christ, His birth, suffering, and death, were eagerly read by him.
By the grace of God he, too, came to the knowledge of his own sin-
fulness and accepted Christ as his Savior.
For about four months I was privileged to be with him two or
three times each week, when £nally a message reached me that his
condition was serious and that he desired my presence. When I ar-
rived at his bedside, he extended his hand to greet me, too weak to
say anything. Looking at him silently, I eventually said, "Peter, do
you realize that our heavenly Father will soon call you, that you
will die~" He indicated that he did. "Tell me," I continued, "are
you afraid to die~" "I no afraid," he responded. "Why are you not
afraid~" I asked. With trembling hand he tried to locate his Bible
beneath the pillow. When I gave it to him, he opened it and tried
to £nd, as he said, "God so, God so loved -." I knew what he meant.
"So you are not afraid because God loved the world and gave His
only-begotten Son." "I no afraid; God loves me, forgave sin." That
was his hope, his consolation. I grasped the opportunity of once
more impressing this comforting Bible-truth upon his heart. With
a prayer and the benediction I departed.
In the afternoon of the same day I was again at his bed. He was
too weak to speak. But he folded his hands when I led him to Calvary
and presented Christ and Him crucified. When I returned in the
evening, he had passed away. The following day, in the presence of
the church council, I delivered a sermon, praising God that He has
made us worthy to be His servants and to lead men and sinners to
Christ. We accompanied his body to his last resting-place.
The Door Opened for Two.
The ways of the Lord are at times mysterious indeed. If we
would but perform our duty and be unafraid in spite of any obstacle
confronting us, courageously doing what the Master has commanded
us to do! We know that we are in the Master's service, and being
in His service, He is with us wheresoever we go; indeed, He has
long before prepared the way.
One day I was requested to look after the spiritual needs of
a young man who, together with his young wife, made their home
with her parents. The parents, however, resented the idea of a Lu-
theran pastor's crossing the threshold of their home, as they were
Roman Catholics, and fanatical adherents, too. Their son-in-law was
in the last stages of tuberculosis. He was of Lutheran parentage, and
at the age of thirteen he had attended the catechumen class in one
Pastoral Visits. 859
of our Lutheran congregations of Chicago. But before the day of
confirmation he had run away from home. He disappeared and was
not seen for many years. He married and soon thereafter was
stricken with the dread disease. A friend who knew of his deplorable
condition told me about him. At my first visit the parents did not
want to permit me to enter the house; but upon my continued plea
I was finally admitted. The patient was a stranger to me. Will he
permit me to speak to him on that one thing needful? I said to
myself. And if to-day, will he request me to call again? His wife,
also of the Oatholic faith, sat at his bedside and listened attentively
to all that I said. We went back to his boyhood days; we spoke of
the home, the home he had left, of the time when he sat at Pastor U.'s
feet. Did he remember the story of the prodigal son? Yes, he did.
"That's me," said he, and the tears trickled down his cheek. "Yes,"
said I, "and the prodigal son returned, saying, 'Father, I have sinned
against Heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called
thy son.' Is that you?" And it was. - In a remarkable manner the
door was opened. Though the parents tried their utmost to thwart
my efforts, he prevailed, being assisted by his wife. For three months
I was privileged to spend £iteen minutes three times each week at
his bedside, with his wife always present. One week before his death
he partook of Holy Oo=union. I was satisfied that God's mercy
had prevailed and had rescued a perishing soul.
But this story is not concluded. After six months a little girl
rapped at the door. In her hand she had a letter for me from her
sister, she said. On opening it, I found that it was from the wife of
the young man mentioned above. She wrote about as follows: "Dear
Pastor: You will kindly excuse me and not deem it impertinent if
I write you. No doubt you will remember my beloved husband and
the weekly visits you paid him until he died. It is just six months
ago. I, too, have now contracted the dreaded disease of tuberculosis
and will die shortly. Will you kindly come and see me? You know
I sat at the bedside of my husband every time you came to speak
to him. It impressed me so much that I would like to die as he did.
I believe that it is the only true way to salvation. But please do
not tell father or mother about this letter." So ended this com-
munication. I did not hesitate, but went at once. And again I met
with the same difficulties as before. The parents of the young widow
refused to admit me. But as I pleaded with them, the patient over-
heard the conversation going on outside the door, and after earnest
remonstrances on her part with her parents I finally reached her
bedside. And a wonderful confession she then made in the presence
of her parents, stating that there was salvation in none other than
in Ohrist; neither Mary nor any saint could help us. She pleaded
with her parents to permit me to come again. I came repeatedly, and
860 Pastoral Visits.
every time we dwelt upon the very things which afford a sinner true
and lasting comfort. She remained faithful in spite of the visit of
the Oatholic priest and his anathema, in spite of parents, sisters, and
friends. Three weeks after my first visit she died.
At the Bedside of a Despondent Patient.
One of the most difficult pastoral duties is no doubt the proper
advising and comforting of such as are despondent because of some
particular sins committed or because of an erring conscience. How
often are we at a loss to know what to say after we seemingly have
exhausted our array of pertinent Scripture-texts and Bible-stories,
which, we feel should surely convince our patient that Jesus is His
Savior and that His blood cleanseth us from all sins. One l'eason
why we quite frequently are unable to overcome the fear 01' grave
doubts that have filled the heart of ouI' patient and to speak the word
that will fill his heart with renewed confidence in his Lord and God
and with good cheer, is that we cannot discern the real cause or reason
for such despondency, which at times is so grave that physicians time
and again have pronounced it to be insanity. Yet in many instances
it is by no means insanity; it is rather the voice of a troubled con-
science, which insists that the many and glorious promises recorded
in Scripture are not meant for him, as he believes his sins to be
too great.
If at any time we are in need of divine wisdom and guidance,
it is at the bedside of these most unfortunate people. If we are to
be pastors in ihe true sense of the term, it is evident that we must
fil'st know the undel'lying cause fol' such despondency befol'e we can
offer l'eal, lasting comfort. At times it is a particulal' sin committed
that causes such gl'eat grief. And it might be a sin which, humanly
speaking, is by no means in line with the grave offenses of a criminal,
but an offense which in the hour of weakness caused that person to
stumble and fall, which the devil, however, holds up before him as
so grave and sedous that God cannot or will not forgive it. But how
carefully does such an unfortunate person weigh his words in order
not to l'eveal to his pastor the offense which causes him so much
worry and grief! It is then that we must draw more closely to him
to ascertain the cause of his fears and worries. True, we must never
seem to be delving into his personal affairs. Grasp the opportune
moment and show that your sole l'eason for asking this or that ques-
tion is that you want to help him dispel the gloom from his troubled
soul by the help of God and to regain the firm confidence that God
is his Father and Jesus his Savior. If, then, finally the patient will
tell what it is that is lying heavy upon his heart, we in most instances
have won the battle. In Scripture we may find a story to fit the
case or at least some Bible-passages that prove beyond all doubt that
Pastoral Visits. 861
.Jesus came to save that which is lost, and therefore him also, and
-thus by the grace of God eradicate every vestige of doubt and fill
-the heart with hope and good cheer. - Permit me to relate the follow-
i.ng personal experiences.
One morning at about ten o'clock there was a rap at my door.
An aged man stood terrified without. Oatching his breath, he ex-
claimed: "0 pastor, hurry, come to my home at once-the devil has
been seen in one of my rooms I Yes, he showed himself bodily! No,
no, pastor, do not smile; it's serious, and it's true I" he added with
trembling voice. "My sister-in-law from another part of the city is
there, too. She will tell you everything she has seen and heard. It is
impossible to describe it." I promised to come. Going with him,
T tried to ease his mind, for he was visibly agitated. Among other
things I also remarked that he need not feel embarrassed if the devil
-had already absconded before our arrival.
Alter a few minutes we came to his humble abode. There sat
his wife and his sister-in-law, terrified, I dare say, well-nigh petrified,
baving their eyes :fixed on the bedroom adjoining the kitchen. Finally
one of them dared to speak in a whisper, "There he is, behind the
'tioor I" Without much ado I stepped into the room and gazed behind
the door. As was to be expected, the devil had made his escape.
"Just as I thought," said grandma; "I knew that he is afraid of the
pastor I" "But, Grandma," I said, "what has happened? Was it the
-:first time that the devil made his appearance?" Thereupon the sister-
in-law, who was a member of one of our sister congregations, began
to tell of all her experiences with the devil. For a full hour she
spoke of the weird visits of the Prince of Darkness, of his appear-
,ance in full regalia and colors. And as she told the story, I sat and
listened. An occasional plea, "0 Lord, open mine eyes, that I may
-speak the proper word," ascended on high.
But of what nature were her experiences? In a most vivid and
,drastic manner she told that for a number of years the devil had
personally appeared in her home. He came at all hours, by day or
night, in summer as well as in winter. Once he came at midnight to
her bed and sat on her chest; for hours he tormented her with his
ghastly face. At another time he came and sat on her feet, reaching
for her throat and trying to choke her. At still another time he came
cat one o'clock at night. She had heard a noise in the kitchen. When
she arose to see what it was, she found the devil sitting at the table.
She dared not leave the spot where she was standing. And she stood
there until early morning in her nightgown, until the devil dis-
:appeared. And it was 20 degrees below zero. "Pastor, I'll never
forget that night; no, never I And of late he follows me wherever
I go. Yes, over in yonder corner he stood looking at me in a most
frightful manner." Thus she went on.
862 Pastoral Visits.
Finally I felt constrained to interrupt her. Looking her squarely-
into the face, I said, "We never met before, and I never heard of you
or of your experience until just now." "0 pastor," she rejoined, ..
"please help me. I often heard that pastors can cast out devils."
As she said this, she drew her chair a little closer, giving me an
opportunity to edge in. Looking into her eyes, I inquiringly, in
a serious tone, asked, "Lady, is it possible that this or that sin lay
heavy upon your heart~" I had barely finished my question when-
she suddenly screamed, rose from her seat, threw up both of her
arms, and exclaimed, "0 pastor, you know it all, you can look into,
my heart, you know it all!" After I had told her that God alone
can know the secrets of our hearts, I asked, "What did you do~"
And now the old grandfather who had requested me to come urged·
her most emphatically to tell all, to clear her conscience, asserting
"that the pastor would certainly cast out the devil." With quivering
voice she began to relate. She stated that she lived near a railroad
track and that she stole her coal supply from the cars standing there ..
When I asked again what else it might be that was troubling her,.
she rose from her chair and said, "It is really so, pastor, you know
it all. You know that I fed my chickens with corn stolen from the
railroad cars." Then she collapsed.
Now, this was my opportunity. Said I: "My dear lady, I am
indeed not surprised that the devil follows you wherever you go in-
asmuch as against better knowledge and wilfully you follow his bid-
ding and transgress the Seventh Commandment of God's holy Law_
Was it not your conscience that smote you rather than the personal
appearance of the devil? You tell me that you went to your pastor'
and asked him to pray with you, but that it was of no avaiL But
you never told him what sins you had committed, and you never left
from your sins, how could you pray ~ How could you expect the
Lord to hear you since you wilfully continued to transgress His
holy will? Repent of your sins, leave from your evil ways, go to
Jesus and seek forgiveness with Him. He stands ready to receive
you if you will but come to Him." We prayed, and I left.
About three months later I again met this woman. She assured
me that now all was well and that the Evil One had ceased to come.
* *
Not always, however, it is a grave offense that causes Satan to
crush the heart of him whom he is afflicting in such a manner. He
delights in doing all in his power to make the sins of him whom he
is harassing so sorely, of whatever nature they may be, appear at
their worst and to lead him to utter despair. And not always are-
we successful in our efforts to comfort and uplift the unfortunate
soul, even if we were successful in finding out the underlying reason
for such pitiful state of affairs. Will you bear with me if I illustrate
this from personal observation ~
Pastoral Visits. 863
A member who for forty years had been a voting member of
:a Lutheran congregation (twenty-six years member of my congrega-
~tion, and many years an officer in it) was stricken with illness. He
·soon recovered, but was unable to go to work, principally because of
advanced age. During his illness already a peculiar frame of his
~mind had been noticeable. "My sins, 0 my sins!" he wO'llld cry.
Thus things went on each week for seven years. "My sins, my
sins!" - and at every visit he began to tell of the days of his youth
;and in particular of his childhood, of his father and of his mother,
'how they taught the children to pray, but also how they were given
~to drink and led the children to drink, too. "And I, think of it,
pastor, when I was fourteen years of age, did as they did. And this,
too, on Sundays. Every Sunday, passing the church, the parsonage,
the school, we went to the inn. And there we sat and drank until
late at night. Was it not terrible? My sins, my sins! What will
this come to? What shall I do? I do not know!" So he would go
on day by day, year after year. And he daily read his Bible and
his prayer-book. But there was no change in his condition. "My
sins, my sins! What will this come to?" Whenever, in reading the
~Bible, he would chance upon God's gracious promises, he was satisfied
that these were not meant for him. And if I stressed these promises
as being intended just for him, he would always end by saying;
'''My sins, my sins!"
A few weeks ago I again visited him. I came duly prepared,
~not only to hear the same story, but also to change my "attack," if
I may so call it. I met his "My sins, my sins!" with the following;
"Thank God, my friend, that He has led you to a knowledge of your
sins. Oh, how many of our fellow-men continue in their sins and
never realize that they are sinners, thus rushing to eternal perdition.
How gracious is God in not permitting you to go on in your sins, but
,opening your eyes to see your sins. From this you can readily per-
~ceive that God loves you and does not want you to be lost. Then,
too, you are sorry for your sins. Again you see the gracious working
-of the Holy Spirit within you; it is He who has caused you deeply
to regret that you have sinned and that God has been offended by
~your sins. - But, my dear friend, do not now add this sin to those
.committed by you, that you reject the loving hand which Jesus ex-
tends to you, saying, 'My sins, my sins, - they are too great to be
:forgiven!' Jesus died for you. 'God so loved the world,' etc.
"Though your sins be as scarlet,' etc. 'If any man sin, we have,' etc.
-"The blood of Jesus Christ,' etc. It is the devil that urges you on
'to say and believe that your sins are too great to be forgiven. First
he led you to believe that the sin was not so serious and dangerous,
and noW he turns about to crush you. Look at Jesus as He hung
there on the accursed tree. Lovingly He invites you to come unto
::Him that He might give you rest and peace and happiness."
864 Theological Observer. - ,!Htd}lid}~Seitllefd}id}tlid)es.
Seldom was I able to present the sweetest story ever told in such
richness and fulness as at the home of this one-time active member
of my church. When I left, I felt assured that now the Gospel of
Jesus Ohrist had been victorious, for the patient had quietly listened
and seemingly acquiesced. The ceterum censeo "My sins, my sins 1"
did this time not conclude our conversation. Oommending him into·
the gracious hands of our Mastel', I left him.
And what happened? Two days later he hanged himself. A ter-
rible blow for all concerned! For thus came to an end a life of one
who for many years had been a devout member and an active officer
of the church. The verdict of the coroner's jury ruled that he died:
by his own hand, being irresponsible.
Ohicago, Ill. (To be oontinued.) F. O. STREUFERT.
Theological Observer. - SfirdJndJ~.8eitgefdJidJtlidJe~.
I. ,1{mcriktt.
~(ul3 bet 6l)nl.lbe. WnIanIidj bel3 bier~unbedia~rigen ;;subHauml3 ber
Wugl3burgifdjen S1>onfeffion ~at bal3 Cl:oncorbia"Cl:oilege in WbeIaibe, Wuftra"
lien, bie ljSrofefforen WrnDt, tsrit unb ®riibner bon unferer ®t. l!ouifer
Cl:oncorbia au ::tIoftoren ber 5l:1)eologie honoris causa ernannt. - fBei ber