# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S420
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SRST SEY RRO Bet ee

420. MISSIONS

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

Congre- Preaching Baptized
: a Pastors ” gations Stations Members
50 years ago ........ 1,400 1,092 685 696,791
Today. 0.02... 3,697 4,183 599 1,694,024

A Tribute to the Fathers

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

Long before the opening of the present century our fath
laid plans for intelligent and intensive missionary activity. In:18
one year after the organization of Synod, the first “Board of M
sions” was elected. The duties of this Board were carefully;
lined. To expedite the work of missions in areas beyond exist
parish lines, “Visitors” (Besucher) were appointed to invest: ae
the opportunities of preaching the Gospel both in German ar da
English-speaking settlements. In a sense, the fathers. inaugurat
an.“Each One Reach One”. program adapted to their pec
opportunities. Scattered Lutherans were encouraged to organiag
preaching stations or to affiliate with their closest congregati
Parents were admonished to look after the spiritual training :
their children. Our fathers also endeavored to spread the Go
by establishing mission colonies in distant isolated areas...
would send a missionary and a number of families toa dis f
outpost in order to start a congregation from which the missions
could expand his parish to include a number of smaller preachi
stations. Ji

In 1852 Pastor Loehe anounced that arrangements were und
way to bring a mission colony to California, where a mission amo
the Chinese on the Pacific Coast was contemplated. Another grow
was to go to the State of Oregon to establish an Indian missj
there, Untoward circumstances prevented the carrying out of
ambitious plans. In 1857 a convention address was delivered:
Pastor August Selle on the “Calling of Evangelists.” The qualifig,
tions of an evangelist were clearly outlined. 5

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

One marvels at the foresight and vision of the forefath