# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S704
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

120 - MISSIONS

have knowledge. The population of Free China is betwee
and 250 millions, and in all of China from 400 to 450 millions,
Our China seminary at Wanhsien had ito be closed for~
of students, because the supply from our congregations in occ
China ceased. However, by the establishment of a high schoé
which is a war-relief project, made possible by generous contrib
’ tions of the General Relief Board — we are very hopeful of obtafi
ing students presently. Our Board has urged the missionari
re-open the seminary and proseminary at the earliest momer ‘
possible. . oo
_ There has been some unfavorable nationalistic reaction agai
religious educational work, owing to the war, but at present
work can still be continued as formerly. The abrogation of treatié
took away the legal standing of missionaries and of mission
endeavor of all foreign missions in China. Foreign mission societié
generally are now negotiating with the government of ‘China
enact laws giving them legal status, freedom of conscience, ant
freedom of education. Final action has not yet been taken, bt
the government is friendly.
At very great cost, our foundling orphanage was removed from
Enshih, first to temporary quarters outside Wanhsien, then to. out
rented quarters in Wanhsien. This: was done because of thi
approach of the Japanese and at the suggestion of the Enshih ci
government. .
Our mission hospital and dispensary at Enshih is still the
only hospital in a radius of roughly 175 miles. The opportunities:
service are simply unlimited, but the staff and equipment
severely restricted, and the work is maintained at great sacri
Inflationary prices of all necessary supplies have gone’ beyo
the fantastic, and the end of the inflation is not yet in sight. Beca
of this our Free China field has required very large addition
subsidies.—In similar manner the war reacted unfavorably of
the prices of all necessities of life in India, which then forced us”
again to grant large bonuses to our missionaries and our nation
mission workers in that country. ;
Our India field has been able to function much more normall
than the China field, although here, too, the need of addition:
workers and funds has been acute. A Joint Teachers’ Training:
Institute has been established at Nagercoil and is linked up with:
our seminary. The seminary has been operating as comple
as possible. The instructors are bending every effort to giv.
our India Church well-qualified pastors, teachers, and oth
servants. “g
Our hospital at Ambur, South India, has been doing extensiv
work both in the city and at wayside dispensaries. Here, as in China,
there is great need of American physicians and nurses.