# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S266
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

322 MISSIONS

during the first half of the twentieth century. (These figures are
based on the statistical reports of 1898 and 1948.)

Congre- Preaching Baptized Comm
Pastors gations Stations Members .
50 years ago -....... 1,400 1,092 685 696,791

400
Today “ Seo7 = 4183599 «1,694024 =a angst

A Tribute to the Fathers

As we review the missionary activities of our fathers during
the past fifty years— with special reference to their policies ang
methods — and compare them with the policies and methods of
today, we must indeed pay tribute to the fathers for having deviseq
methods and procedures which were admirably suited to world
conditions in their day.

Long before the opening of the present century our fathers
laid plans for intelligent and intensive missionary activity. In 1848,
one year after the organization of Synod, the first “Board of Mis-
sions” was elected. The duties of this Board were carefully out-
lined. To expedite the work of missions in areas beyond existing
parish lines, “Visitors” (Besucher) were appointed to investigate
the opportunities of preaching the Gospel both in German and in
English-speaking settlements. In a sense, the fathers inaugurated
an “Each One Reach One” program adapted to their peculiar
opportunities. Scattered Lutherans were encouraged to organize
preaching stations or to affiliate with their closest congregation,
Parents were admonished to look after the spiritual training of
their children. Our fathers also endeavored to spread the Gospel
by establishing mission colonies in distant isolated areas. They
would send a missionary and a number of families to a distant
outpost in order to start a congregation from which the missionary
could expand his parish to include a number of smaller preaching
stations.

In 1852 Pastor Loehe anounced that arrangements were under
way to bring a mission colony to California, where a mission among
the Chinese on the Pacific Coast was contemplated. Another group
was to go to the State of Oregon to establish an Indian mission
there. Untoward circumstances prevented the carrying out of these
ambitious plans. In 1857 a convention address was delivered by
Pastor August Selle on the “Calling of Evangelists.” The qualifica-
tions of an evangelist were clearly outlined.

In order to look after the spiritual needs of the many immi-
grants which were flocking to our country from Europe a “Church
Directory” was published. English-speaking congregations were
organized already in 1857. Already in those days the distribution
of tracts and Gospel literature was strongly emphasized.

One marvels at the foresight and vision of the forefathers.

MISSIONS 323

Already before the opening of the present century they were
talking about extending the border of the Kingdom not only
throughout our own continent, but also beyond the seas. They
had: a vision of a truly world-wide missionary program. It was
‘stated, for instance, that the establishment of mission colonies on
the West Coast was to be a steppingstone to the islands of the
Pacific and the Orient.

It was in order to discharge its missionary obligations more
effectively that Synod resolved in 1853 to divide itself into four
synodical Districts. Each District was to have its own Mission
Board which would serve the opportunities within its own bound-
aries. With the passing years the multiplying mission doors have
made it necessary for Synod to divide itself into additional Dis-
tricts. It might be interesting to list the various synodical Districts
which have come into being during the first half of the present
century.

In 1900 — Brazil; in 1906 — Atlantic, South Dakota, Texas; in
1907 — Central Illinois, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois; in
1910 — North Dakota and Montana; in 1911 — English, Minnesota;
in 1918 — North Wisconsin, South Wisconsin; in 1921 — Alberta and
British Columbia, Colorado; in 1922 — Manitoba and Saskatchewan,
Northern Nebraska, Southern Nebraska; in 1924 — Oklahoma; in
1927 — Argentina; in 1930 — Southern California; in 1936—Iowa
East, Iowa West; in 1939 — Southeastern; in 1946 — Montana; in
1948 — Florida-Georgia.

The Scope of Our Work Today

As we stand at the halfway mark of the twentieth century, we
thank God for the tremendous progress which has been made in
the over-all missionary program of our Church. Not only is the
Gospel being preached in every State of the Union, but also in
Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Argentina, Brazil,
Uruguay, Paraguay, the Isle of Pines, Cuba, Hawaii, India, China,
Japan, the Philippines, New Guinea, Africa, Australia, and Europe
—in fact, in every continent on the face of the globe and on the
islands of the Seven Seas. In addition, we have launched upon
very specialized missions here at home, on which special reports
will be given to the convention.

Institutional Missions. —The work of institutional missions
whereby we bring the Gospel message to the less fortunate of our
fellow men, has taken great forward strides during the present
half century. At present no fewer than 163 full-time and part-time
institutional missionaries and 675 volunteer workers are serving
approximately 700 institutions.

Student Service Commission. —In order to bring the Word and